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Thank you everybody and welcome to the regular monthly meeting of the mayor and council Monday July 13 2026 being held at 6:31 p.m. Missy, could you please call the role? >> Mayor Niato >> here. >> Councilor President McGawan,

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>> present. >> Councilman Kley, >> here. Councilman Ero >> here. >> Councilman Guzman >> here. >> Counciloman De Con >> here. Councilman Mazone >> here. Thank you. If you're willing and able, please stand for the salute to the flag to the flag of the United States of

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America and to the stands indivisible andice. Thank you, Mr. Could you please read the provisions? >> In compliance with the open public meetings law, chapter 231, public laws 1975, notice of this meeting was

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transmitted to the record and Herald News and filed with the burough clerk on November 21, 2025, and is posted on the bulletin board outside of Burough Hall. >> Thank you. We have no presentations or proclamations this evening. I'd ask Brian to give the engineers report. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh the capital

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projects are proceeding. Uh diamond 3 multi-purpose field is on schedule and our first payment voucher did not present any change orders. Uh so and that's usually where we encounter change orders for subsurface conditions and uh

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so far so good. Uh fence posts are up and the turf has been um selected by the burrow uh to make it the multi-purpose field. great input so far during the design and construction process and we hope to see it out to the end of August

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and have a live field. So that's what we're working towards and included in that is uh to uh refresh Leisure Lane and we are working on getting pricing for that and making that happen this summer as well. Uh we are in the process

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of doing the um Jake Law uh at Tamblin surveys come back uh and the preliminary assessment report that the NJP requires. Uh we had to remove the uh old fuel tank that's done. That area has been deemed

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clean. Uh so we're proceeding with that work and that design work. Uh the road program is in its uh uh robustness right now. We just finished DonaldElson here on the corner and we're going back to Fair View tomorrow. Uh we coordinated

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with the um uh the camp, the wreck camp. uh got some good input. So we know to keep Mortimer free for drop off uh and uh great coordination with the uh the tree uh the tree commission uh shade

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tree commission in terms of planting trees, working around trees that we can keep and trees that need to come down. Uh we've done that very sparingly uh in this road program and and so far so good. and the burrow's made a determination that uh along the high

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school we're going to put a series of tree pits, but right now it's kind of the deteriorated ashalt along the high school. So that'll give the opportunity for a series of trees that are underwire trees a little shorter than usual. Uh

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and it's usually like a flowering tree that the um usually the straight tree uh commission or Craig uh picks out. So that's happening this week as well. Uh and then we're into the design of the 2026 road program. Streets have been

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selected and we're moving that forward into design as well. So that those are the capital projects. Uh I also see that we have the amendment to the Ames Avenuef affordable housing overlay zone. Uh just as a a preview of that uh for

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council action. That is the springboard part of our fair share housing obligation round four. Uh it's a negotiated overlay zone which paves the way for affordable housing uh uh next to

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the kip having you uh affordable and supportive housing. So it makes a nice cohesive uh construction there and that that enables that to happen. If you had any questions about that, let me know. And basically there was a lot that was

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not included it is now included. Uh that makes that that a cohesive parcel. Um so other than that that is the top line of the engineering activities and some of the planning activities. >> Thank you Brian. Anybody have any questions? Councilman.

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>> Thank you very much mayor. Uh Brian can you update uh council and the public uh regarding the status of the traffic light at Jackson and Erie. >> Thanks for the reminder. Uh so the uh county um the first iteration was the county wanted to know um can we remove

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the sighteline challenge when you come from East Rutherford into Rutherford and we gave them an exhibit and it showed that you could just have to elevate by the car wash a little bit and shave down uh as you come down over the old railroad track bed. They agreed to that.

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They came back and they say we'd like to have some more infrastructure under underground. Uh uh the the burrow authorized us to do that work. We did that work. It's been submitted. Bergen County has it. And uh I I've done the initial layout plan that makes the

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traffic signal integrated with the uh proposed walking trail. So it's seamless to the walking trail. It has the benefit of the traffic light and the pedestrian heads. The pedestrian heads will be um remote activated. It'll sense, you know,

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I'm designing to a mom with a double stroller. So, as she rolls up with the double stroller, the light and that crosswalk that is the trail is already green for her or him. And so, that's what that's my design design criteria. Uh, and then it ties in the neighborhood

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all around. Uh, we are also looking at potentially closing the north end of Vandenberg. So that gives me a better uh throat for the traffic signal and it reduces potential traffic or cutth through for that lake of Vandenberg

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which I believe is a minimal inconvenience to the three or five houses on Vanderberg and they get like the benefit almost like of living on a culde-sac but it will also allow for emergency access. So, those are the things that we're balancing in design and we look forward to putting that

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before the county and having that design discussion and getting it out to bid as soon as I can. >> Thank you. Anybody else? >> Seeing none. Thank you, Brian, for your report. >> Okay, no problem.

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>> We're going to move on to the changes, Missy. >> Yes. We'll be adding under the consent agenda item F, resolution 154, the renewal of uh distribution liquor license for Claire's Food Market.

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Also under consent resolutions, we'll be adding an item G, resolution number 155, a second bill list. And lastly, we will be adding a closed session for personal matter as item 15,

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the end of the agenda, and making the adjournment item 16. And that's all I have. >> Council seeing none, I'd ask for council consent. >> Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second.

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>> Second by councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none, may I have a roll call, please? >> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Council Delic, >> yes. >> Council Mazone, >> yes.

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>> Thank you. I have ordinances on First Street. Councilman Guzman. >> Thank you very much, Mayor. First up, I have uh ordinance to repeal handicap space Chestnut Street, repeal 15 minutes Donaldson Avenue, and establish a handicap space of Grand

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Avenue and Wood Street. Missy, would you please read the ordinance by title only? I'm sorry. You're doing the Chesnut Street one. >> Oh, my apologies. I thought there were one. Okay. Yes. >> Okay. An ordinance to amend and revise chapter 126 vehicles and traffic of the

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burough code of the burrow of Rutherford to repeal a handicap parking space on Chestnut Street. >> I have a motion by Councilman Guzman. May I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Del Ray Cohen. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may I have a roll call, please? >> Council President McGowan, >> yes.

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>> Councilman Kley, >> yes. Council Eric Co. >> Yes. >> Council Guzman. >> Yes. >> Council Del Conn. >> Yes. >> Council Mazone. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Next, I have uh ordinance on first read to repeal 15 minutes Donaldson Avenue.

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Missy, would you please read the ordinance by title only? >> An orders to amend and revise chapter 126 vehicle and traffic of the burrow code of the burrow Rutherford to repeal a 15-minute parking space on Donaldson Avenue. I have a motion to repeal. Um, have a

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second, please. >> I'm sorry. That's make a motion. >> Okay. Sorry, I didn't hear it. >> Dennis, >> I'm sorry. My bad. You're right. >> I didn't make motion yet. >> Motion to move motion move that the

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ordinance be passed on first reading and estab advertised to law according to law. Excuse me. >> Thank you, Councilman. I have a second. >> Second. like Councilman Mezone. I'm sorry I got ahead of myself, Bob. I didn't know if you wanted to explain that one.

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>> Sure. Thank you, Mayor. Uh the 15-minute spot on Donaldson that we're referring to uh was created when we started construction on the police department uh new headquarters uh because the parking lot was lost. Uh there was no drop off zone primarily for uh the food pantry

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items. Uh so we created the 15minute spot right there on Donaldson. So there would be a you know quick in andout for that purpose. Obviously the construction's been completed now for some time. The parking lot is fully open and accessible to anyone and everyone. Uh so there's no longer a need for that

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15-minute space. So we're creating a full regular space for visitors to Bur Hall or to you residents or neighbors. That's it. >> Thank you. Any other questions from the council? I'd ask for a motion, please. I mean I'd ask for vote.

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>> Council President McGawan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Eric, >> yes. >> Councman, >> yes. >> Council Deone, >> yes. >> Council Mone, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> Next up, I have uh ordinance on first read establish handicap spaces Grant

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Avenue and Wood Street. Missy, would you please read the ordinance by title only? An orders to amend and revise chapter 126 vehicles and traffic of the burough code of the burrow of Rutherford to establish a handicap parking space on Grand and Wood. >> Motion that the ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised according to law.

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>> I have a motion by Councilman Guzman. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Debor. Any questions or comments? Seeing none miss. >> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Councilman Erico. >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Yes. >> Council Deone. >> Yes.

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>> Council Mazone. >> Yes. Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, next under first reading would be the amending of the Ames Avenue Affordable Housing Overlay. Missy, can you please read the title uh the ordinance by title only?

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>> An ordinance to amend and supplement chapter 131 of the Burough Code of the Burrow to create a B1 affordable overlay zone and amend chapter 50-11. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to move that the ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised according to law. I have a motion by the council

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president. May I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Second by counciloman del. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none, miss roll call. Council president McGawan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. Councilman Erico. >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Delone.

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>> Yes. >> Council Mone. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Councilman Guzman. Second read. >> Thank you very much. Mayor have a ordinance on uh second read to repeal a handicap space Montrose and avenue. Montress Avenue. Missy, would you please read the ordinance by title only?

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>> An ordinance to amend and revise chapter 126 vehicles and traffic of the burough code of the borrow of Rutherford to repeal a handicap parking space on Montro Avenue. >> Motion that the ordinance be passed on second reading and advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by Councilman Guzman. A second, please.

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>> Second. >> Second by council president. At this time, I'll now open it up to the public for any comment on this subject and this subject matter only. Seeing none, now open up for the council comment. >> Seeing none, may have a roll call, please.

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>> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, yes. Councilman Eric Co, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Council Del Conn, >> yes. >> Councilman Mone, >> yes. >> Thank you. Council me. >> Thank you, Mayor. I have an ordinance on second reading tonight to amend the

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mobile truck food ordinance. Um Missy, if you could please read the ordinance by total only. An ordinance of the bureau of Rutherford County of Bergen State New Jersey relating to mobile retail food vendors within the Bureau of Rutherford establishing licensing requirements, operational standards, and

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penalties for violations thereof. >> Thank you. I'd make a motion to move that ordinance be passed on second reading and advertised according to law. >> Thank you. I have a motion by Councilman Zone. May I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Guzman. I'll now

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open it to the public for any uh comments on this subject. in the subject matter only. >> Hi, David Laberno 423 Styverent. Question about this. I see in here that it says that everyone has to have proof

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of million-dollar insurance. And I was wondering about the effect of this on some of the people that present at the local festivals and things like that as such as RJF fire department. Um seems

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like I don't know what they have now, but seems like pretty impactful if that was the case. And then I was wondering how this compares to insurance requirements that we may have for non-mobile trucks such as

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restaurants for incidents of food problems because if it's way out of whack then and we don't make any requirement for that I'm wondering why there's such a difference. And that's all I have. Thank you.

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>> Thank you. Anybody else? I'm going to close it to the public and now open up for any council comment. >> Anyone for the council? >> None missing. >> Yeah. Um if if I could No, it's okay. Thank you, mayor. I was just waiting for

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my colleagues if they had any questions. So, Mr. Lebruno, I appreciate the questions that you raised around this. Um what this ordinance does currently um as it stands the only mobile food trucks that the burrow has are ice cream trucks and then there's one other food truck.

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This ordinance um would not impact groups like RJF. Um anyone that is in the burrow who is selling food to the public, not to a closed event um does need to obtain a temporary food handlers license um in order to do that. But this

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is to regulate food trucks for the entire season, if you will, for the burrow. Um, what it does is it also defines an area in the burrow where sales can transpire. Um, so it doesn't impact our brickandmortar building. Um,

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and again, the insurance requirement was something that was done. Um, I would have to defer to the burough administrator and the attorney as to that threshold. Um, but again, it won't have an impact on those other smaller groups as well as food trucks doing private events.

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>> Thank you, Councilman. >> Anybody else from the council? >> Seeing none, I'll ask for a motion. I mean, I'm sorry. I'll ask for roll call. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Erico, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman,

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>> yes. >> Counciloman Del Cohen, >> yes. >> Counciloman Zone, >> yes. Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Under second reading this evening, the salary ordinance for police captain, deputy police chief, and chief. Missy, can you please read the

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ordinance by title only? >> An ordinance to amend and supplement an ordinance entitled ordinance regulating the employment, tenure, and discharge of certain officers and employees of the Burrow of Rutherford under the provisions of the Civil Service Act of New Jersey number 3598-22 adopted on February 14th, 2022.

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>> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to move that the ordinance be passed on second reading and advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Guzman. >> Now, we're going to open this up to the public for any comment.

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>> Hi, David Labuno 423 Styverson. I just had a question about the impact of this uh resolution or maybe two questions. First was uh when last we adjusted the salaries that are on here and then

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second would be since this is going into effect now and then further on the on the uh uh agenda here you have that the chief is retiring and so I believe we'll actually probably have to pay out some amount of money for all the time that he's acrewed over the

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years and I'm wondering about the effect of this ordinance on that calculation that will occur. If you have some idea of the impact onto this annual budget, that'd be

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interesting. Anybody else from the public wish to speak? I'm now going to close it to the public, open up for council comment. Bob, do you want to address anything? >> Thank you, mayor. uh the

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the the the terminal leave payments that uh Mr. Lebron you're asking about and this ordinance with regards to Chief Russo. Uh this ordinance will have zero impact on that calculation. Uh Chief Russo has a uh an existing employment

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contract and his compensation is already locked in uh separate from this ordinance. So this will not impact it at all. Thank you, Bob. Anybody else from the council wishing to speak to this? >> Well, now Missy, could you please read a

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role? >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Counciloman Debor Con, >> yes. >> Councilman Mazone, >> yes. >> Thank you. Now, we're going to move on to resolution separate for consent. Council President,

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>> thank you. We have resolution number 150 authorizing the employment contract for deputy police chief Shawn Farrell. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Guzman. >> Any questions or comments?

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>> No. May have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Counc. Yes. Council >> Guzman. >> Yes. >> Council Deborah Conn. >> Yes. >> Council Mazone. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Now opening up the floor to the hearing of citizens. Anybody from

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the public wishing to speak, please step forward to the microphone. Keep your comments at five minutes or less, please. >> Hi Wendy. >> Uh Wendy Armicost, 129 Maple Street. Uh I'm just here as private citizen and also a member of the green team in town.

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Since I was here at our last meeting, I know that some progress has been made on the um new ordinance for the uh tree regulation in town. I just want to encourage council to make sure that this does go forward and keeps moving through

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and that this ordinance has some actual teeth. We have some great lighting ordinances in town and yet we have way too many bright lights in town. Um I encourage you to make sure that this is shade trees reviewed it, that green team gets a chance to review it, that the

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planning board gets a chance to review it, and to make sure that this actually preserves some trees in this town. Um, unfortunately we lost an enormous tree on the property that the synagogue was. Um, we I have a neighbor down the street who thankfully looks like they're not

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taking down a tree now, but I think everybody in this town can uh has a neighbor who can talk about, oh yes, somebody took down a tree close to me and now I flood or now my house is a thousand degrees because I get no more

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shade. So, I just encourage council to please make sure that this moves forward quickly. Thank you. >> Thank you, Andy. Anybody else from the public wishing to speak? >> Francis McCarthy, 364 Orient Way. I just have a question about what our current affordable housing requirements are and

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then um is it only that we're going to get 20% in this new construction that's going to go up on Ames or would we be getting more than that? >> That's it. >> Um yeah, if we don't do dialogue until the end, we'll respond to you. Gota.

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>> Thank you. >> Anybody else from the public wishing to speak? Pete Sherro 86 Hobart. I know all you guys know I'm crazy about safety. I went to more classes about that than most of you guys here. I was talking about the

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engineering. I I'm I'm a big advocate about Jackson and Erie. I've been fighting this for the last three four years. Mr. Mayor, you signed off on this a couple years ago. I want to know why we had to pay Brian another five grand last month to survey it when we did this

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four years ago, three years ago. Now we effort and the county's telling us we're responsible. Why don't the county pay for this since they the ones dragged their feet on this for the last three years? I don't understand why we're flipping the bill for that.

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Uh number two, kids spot. Um, we're always, like I said, I'm advocate for safety. All or not, a lot of the rides that the kids slide down, the rubber is gone. I think we should look into this about getting the rubber fixed so the kids

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could play safe. And Delray Con and I have been fighting over diamonds five and six for the last year or two, not discussing it. Uh, another thing I've been I talked to Councilman Kley about this about a year

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ago. The there's a soccer team that comes down at Trian Field every Sunday morning at 7:00. They got a permit from the town. I already spoke to Pat. He gave them a permit for 7 o'clock in the morning on Sunday. I'm I love sports, but I think 7 o'clock in the morning on

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Sunday is a little bit early. There's a resident across the street that put a sign up. quiet out. I think we should back that up. T 8:00, they do have a permit. I spoke to Pat about it and nothing's been done for over a year. One other thing, the tax. Have we ever

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signed off that we're going to get our tax reevaluation of the town? Did we sign a contract with somebody? because there was a house for sale on West Pay, 5,000 square foot house that's three times the size of mine and they're

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paying $2,000 more than me. There's something wrong here. That's why I want to have us all reevaluate. We all go on the same page. Thank you. >> Thank you, Pete. Uh just a few questions on the consent agenda. Maybe this

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>> uh you have to do the name thing again. >> Need my name again? Sure. David Labberto 423 Styverson. >> On the consent agenda, there's authorization for acceptance on G. G says ordinance 37,

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what is it? 61. Just wondering what exactly that ordinance is, you know, just for the public because I guess we don't get an opportunity to go in and look up all this information or speak with our clerk. And then also, could you

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just explain what this access story program is? Of course, you guys can broadcast to the public what that is. >> Sorry, can you just repeat that last statement? I couldn't understand. >> The next authorization access story program, maybe you could just tell us what that's all about.

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And then uh thirdly about the ordinance that was introduced on first reading about the Ames Avenue affordable housing overlay zone. I might have missed it when the engineer was uh saying does that that just covers

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the property where the funeral home lives is now or or does it cover something else? And then secondly on on there describing this overlay zone Now, we're saying that this will meet

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this zoning and this affordable uh information that's on here, which talks about a minimum required off- streetet parking of 1.25. Is that going to be our new standard in the town? And then secondly, it also talks about some setbacks that are required in the front

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yard. Uh one story lobby 15 ft. I was just wondering how that relates to further down on Chestnut, of course. people look on the uh interwebs and see a lot of commentary about how close that

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building is to the corner in such a dangerous situation that it's uh caused. Uh just wondering the impact on this and hopefully we take that into consideration on future projects because we don't want those buildings very close

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to the street. makes it very difficult to see around them and I I see on the internet it's caused several accidents already. Um and then uh lastly the engineer said this uh overlay housing uh 20% of 30

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whatever that gives you six housing units. Uh he said that was to meet the new requirements. I guess it's a third or fourth rendition from the court about how many affordable housing units we

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have. But if I recall correctly, previous a previous meeting, I believe it was earlier this year, we created this overload over load over lay zones. Um, flip it a tongue. We created these and

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we added projects for the building across the street, former health department. And then we also added the columns property on

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that is Orient, right? We put an overlay zone there and the numbers for that I thought equaled we said our requirement that we had to meet by the state for this year under this new round four.

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So it's a little discrepancy about what the engineer said and I was hoping you could address that because as I understood it we had a requirement for 40. We met that requirement with the overlay zone and now we have adding another property to an overlay zone. So

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just just wondering I know we passed an ordinance previously allowing all this over there but I I believe he may have misspoke. So thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else from the public wishing to speak?

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Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public and open it up for any council comment. Councilman. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um I think if you wouldn't mind um Bur Administrator, maybe you can answer um Miss McCarthy's

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questions, some of Mr. Sherro's questions, some of Mr. Luberno's questions, and then I'll chime in if you and I have them written down, but I think you're the best. Do you mind? >> No, not at all. >> Okay. >> You might need to remind me a few of the questions. So, I'll I'll do the best I can and just, you know,

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uh let me deal with the affordable housing. So, uh the ordinance is on the agenda tonight. Uh let me just explain or clear up was already adopted by this the governing body and by the planning board a couple months ago as part of our

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uh fourth round fair share uh housing element that was submitted to uh the courts. Uh the only change that's occurring tonight is adding lot 9.01 to the ordinance. It was omitted in the original uh you know version of that

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ordinance and basically it does encompass the entire property owned by the funeral home. So just and that's the that's the only change. Um the project is being proposed for 20% affordable. I believe it's like 30 units. So that is the most affordable. So six units at most to be the affordable for that

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project when it's built. Um, we're not changing any of setbacks that were previously approved. So, what was in this ordinance was previously approved a few months ago. Um, what else am I dealing with? Um I repeat u

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>> oh so the uh uh with regards to Jackson and Erie the uh when the when the uh when Rutherford requested that we put a traffic light down there with the county part of the agreement uh that we entered into with Bergen counties they would pay

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for it the actual uh installation of the uh the the purchase of the the traffic light and installation of it uh which probably be closer to three 350 $400,000 the bureau had to take on the responsibility of preparing the design engineering of it. So that's why you

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know any cost you see to uh to neglia related to that is it's part of the agreement we are required to pay for the engineering aspect of it. Um the Mr. Mr. Lebruno, you did ask about the referral of that ordinance. The It's the Ames

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Avenue overlay zone. It's just referring it to the planning board so they can review for master plan consistency. They've reviewed or once already. It's just a we're like I said, add in lot 9.01 to it. It's just the process. They'll review it and then send it back to the American council before second

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read for adoption hopefully. Um >> kitspot >> kitspot. I said kitspot. We we have applied for grant funding to uh redo the whole uh soft surface there. So we are working on that. Um five and six I

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believe is the issue home plate. Um that has been a thorn in my side and uh Mr. Nindole and I have had numerous conversations with that. Um it's the same vendor who's working on Diamond 3 right now. Uh, I was told he

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had him out there and fixed it, but if you're telling me it hasn't been fixed, we will uh we will we will address that. So, um >> 7 a.m. I think >> 7 a.m. I'm gonna have to talk to Mr. uh Mr. Bonner about that that permit. That

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sounds kind of early to me, too. >> Oh, so tax the uh the tax reval. So, uh, unfortunately, there's only a few companies statewide that can do the reval. And, uh, and there's only one of those companies that are doing work here

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in the north Jersey portion of the state. And that company is overwhelmed with the number of revals they're doing uh, here in Bergen, Hudson, you know, Essex. Um, so they're probably not going to be able to get to us till 2028. So

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that that's kind of the timeline we're on. Even if we enter into a contract today, they're not getting to us to 2028. So um the uh county tax administrator is aware of that. Our assessor has spoken to him. He knows the challenges with us and quite honestly

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the few other towns that were ordered at the same time that we were facing the same problem. You know, the uh the reval company certainly doesn't have the bandwidth to to handle uh everything they're doing here in North Jersey. So 2028 is probably a more realistic chance of this happening.

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>> Yeah. >> On the access story. So uh access uh and chief and you correct me if I say anything wrong here. So, Axis is the uh is the vendor who provides the body cameras that our police personnel wear

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and uh there's a whole system that the police department has uh that's tied into the cameras and our department has been u uh users of the system successfully using it and the company um

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wants to share our story uh with the rest of of of the country and maybe the world. Uh how we use it, how it's benefited law enforcement, how it's helped them uh do their jobs. Um you know this is just another example of of

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how you know you know Chief Russo is leaving us shortly but he is taking our department to uh the next level that we are being recognized uh you know nationwide for you know the things he has done uh for us and and has

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put Rutherford certainly on the map and uh yes so access wants to come in do a quick little you know video talk to police personnel, talk to our our IT vendor and how it all works together and put a little video. It's probably a little sales pitch they're going to use

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to, you know, get more clients uh down the road, but um but our, you know, PD has been using the system very successfully for quite a long time now and they just want to share that story. >> I think that was >> I think that's it. Oh, one last thing that I didn't answer last time, Mr.

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Lebruno, that salary ordinance was last updated February 14, 2022. >> All right, I think that's it. >> Okay. >> Anything else? >> No, not on my Oh, Chestnut and Union. >> Chestnut and Union.

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>> Um Oh, so the uh Chestnut and Union. So, understand it's still under construction. Once the uh the scaffolding is removed and the workers are kind of out of the way, you know, that corner is going to be designated a no parking zone. So, that will certainly

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assist with uh you know, clearing the sighteline, but you know, I can't move the building right now. So, uh you know, we're locked into that. Um but we'll do the best we can try to, you know, create a better sight vision for people making their turns over there.

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I I I have nothing to add. I was just helping with my list. You >> did a good job. Councilman. >> Thanks, Mayor. Uh I just want to clarify. I think Bob mentioned this, but Mr. Lebruner brought up um a topic which

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is that given the the setbacks uh of the building on Chestnut Street and whatever else, is that going to affect other development um or does that have any impact on future development? Um the zoning ordinance is specific to the zone. So that overlay district uh

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whatever we pass with regards to that is only for that overlay district. Um developers are free to propose whatever they want. You know, if they if they go to the planning board or the board of adjustment to ask for whatever sort of variance or exception to the rules, but um just because we passed a different um

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SEPTAC requirement in a particular zone doesn't impact any other zone. Um if that's the question you're asking. Uh, and I did want to uh thank Wendy for coming in again and uh speaking her mind about the uh tree ordinance. Uh, as you alluded to, Wendy, we have made progress on that and uh it's uh well taken and uh

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I will certainly help in ensuring that that's enforceable as well as actually passed. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh yes, just a quick follow up on that as well. Miss Arcost, you've been to several shade tree meetings. The operative word in your speech is teeth, right? the the standard one from the state that we were handed

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down is just complacent at the very best. Like it's you've read it, you've seen it, it it is it doesn't do anything to kind of help us out with the the situation. So um Councilwoman Delray Conn has kindly offered to kind of step up and assist me um because there's a lot of information

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to digest uh in order to put something forth that would garner four votes. Again, we need four votes to get anything accomplished up here and that is what matters, right? We are at the end of the day with this going to be asking to regulate uh people's personal property to a certain extent, right? If you take a tree down, you have to

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replace it or should have to replace it with X Y and Z shrubbage and and things like foliage and things like that. So, um thank you for your patience on it. We were asked to kind of table it through the spring because of the uh budget work and the uh fair share housing legal um

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operation. Um, so we're kind of sinking our teeth back into it, uh, to use that phrase, and, uh, hopefully we'll have this done within by the end of the summer. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.

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>> U, we're going to move on now. 10 items. Council President, >> thank you, Mayor. All items are authorized to be consented by the council will be enacted by one motion and these items are routine in nature. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. I have a second. >> Second.

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>> Second by councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none. May I have a roll call, please? >> Council President McGowan. >> Uh yes, with an abstension on the minutes, which is letters A and B specific to June 22nd, 2026.

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Thank you. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. With the same abstension on uh minutes A and B. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Counciloman Derek Conn, >> yes. >> Council Mone,

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>> yes. Thank you. We have nothing under new business. I'll move on to council reports. Council President, >> thank you, Mayor. Uh July is uh disability pride month. Um, so as we recognize disability pride month, we take time to celebrate the strength,

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resilience, and contributions of people with disabilities in our community and across our nation. Disability Pride Month commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July of 1990, a landmark civil rights law that affirmed that people with disabilities deserve equal access, equal

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opportunity, and the full participation in every aspect of their community life. Disability pride is not about viewing disability as something to be overcome or hidden. It is about recognizing disability as a natural part of human diversity and affirming that every person deserves dignity, respect, and

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the opportunity to thrive. While we so while we celebrate the progress that has been made, we also acknowledge the barriers that still exist. Accessibility is more than the ramps and curb cuts. It includes effective communication, inclusive programs, equitable policies,

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accessible technology, and a commitment to listening to the lived experiences of people with disabilities. This month, I encourage all of us to increase our awareness, challenge assumptions, and work together to build our community where everyone is welcomed, valued, and

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empowered to participate fully. By promoting inclusion and accessibility, we strengthen our entire community. Let disability pride month serve as a reminder that equity is an ongoing commitment and that our actions today can create and help to create a more

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accessible tomorrow for Rutherford. So, thank you for letting me um remind and share that with you all. And as always, I thank my colleagues on access for all for their great work. Mayor, if I may also, I'd like to use this time under um consent agenda, we accepted the

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resignation of Chief John Russo. And um so uh I know that he is not here today and for all of us who know him so well know that he would never want to be in the room to hear the praise he so rightly deserves. So, uh Chief, I hope

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you are watching. Uh actually, I hope you're not watching. You're on vacation right now, but I hope when you come back, you get a moment to watch and and hear these words uh as Chief Russo prepares. Oh, and by the way, before I read this, and this really is for him, um for this entire

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community, you should know that uh Chief John Russo was impeccably prepared for every single meeting he and I have had over 12 years. And so, John, I want you to know I actually spent time writing this because I wanted to give you the same respect that you gave me for all

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that time. As Chief Russo prepares to retire from the Rutherford Police Department, I want to take a time to express my deepest gratitude for his exemplary service, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to public safety. Chief

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Russo's highly decorated career has left an indelible mark not only on the Burough of Rutherford but across the entire state of New Jersey. Throughout his tenure, Chief has consistently championed the highest standards of law enforcement. His leadership was anchored

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by elite professional training, including his status as an NJSACOP accredited chief executive and his completion of the prestigious West Point Command and Leadership Program in 2005. Reflecting his standing among the

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nation's law enforcement elite, Chief Russo graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Demonstrating the character and leadership that defined his career. He was selected by his peers to serve as the session spokesperson, delivering the

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official commencement speech on behalf of the law enforcement's best of the best. It was during this time that he also conquered the infamous grueling yellow brick road obstacle course, earning the historic yellow brick that symbolizes the pinnacle of physical and

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mental endurance. For all of us who have been privileged to know Chief, this should come as absolutely no surprise. Always striving for continuous improvement, the Rutherford Police Department achieved full state law enforcement accreditation that requires operational excellence, accountability,

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and transparency. To his credit, the chief has always been quick to point out that this was achieved by the entire department. That's something else I've always admired about John. He believed deeply in investing in the growth of the men and women of his department and

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allowing their great work to be recognized. So, it really wasn't a surprise that Chief Russo's expertise would extend far beyond our burough borders. He earned the profound respect of his peers across the state, serving as the president of the Bergen County

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Police Chiefs Association in 2020 and later as the 109th president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police from 2024 to 2025. During his time on the statewide stage, Chief Russo used his voice to heavily advocate for meaningful legislative

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changes. His advocacy was instrumental in pushing forward critical public safety bills aimed at reducing organized retail theft and increasing penalties for residential burglaries. Furthermore, his collaborative spirit led to powerful traffic safety partnerships with county

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prosecutors and the state police to actively protect lives on our roads. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge that John Russo is indeed more than all the rank and awards I shared. John Russo is a son of Rutherford. He made a choice

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many, many years ago to care for the community that raised him. He has been more than a chief to many of us. He has been a friend. Selfishly, I will miss our time together, but I trust that you have made sure we will be in good hands.

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So, John, thank you for always being there through it all. For me, it has meant so very much. So, Chief, as you move toward your next journey, know that you leave behind an elite accredited department, a safer and grateful

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community, and a legacy of leadership that will inspire law enforcement professionals for generations to come, perhaps even a few who are in the room today. Congratulations, Chief Russo, on a mark a remarkable and an impactful

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career. We thank you for your protective watch over Rutherford, and we wish you a long, healthy, and richlyd deserved retirement. Congratulations, my friend. >> Thank you, Council President. Councilman Kley, >> thank you, Mayor. Um, council president,

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of all the words you have ever spoken, those were some of the most wonderful. Um, it's hard to follow on those. I will do my very best. Um, and probably say a little bit more uh closer to his retirement, but Chief Russo, uh, I just want to extend my sincerest thanks for always picking up the phone or answering

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a text message or an email. From the very beginning, six years ago, when I started on this job, you took me into your office as a young gish, scared individual starting a job that he had no experience doing whatsoever. And you reassured me that you would be there to

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help. You've given me some really kind and supportive words when some of my own actions have created some difficult situations for myself. And I cannot tell you how much I've appreciated those coming from a man of your stature. I wish you the best of luck, and I hope you're having the most wonderful time on vacation. I hope I get to see you and

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shake your hand one last time before you go. Secondly, uh one of our other um consent agenda items this evening was the resignation of uh firefighter Daniel Noah from the Rutherford Fire Department. Mr. Noah, I want to thank you for your service all of these years

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and again as always wish you the best of luck in your next chapter. Uh cannot say enough about uh the work that you and your team have done uh as volunteers again with the emphasis on volunteers in the Rutherford Fire Department. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman.

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Councilman Erica. >> Thank you, Mayor. I was um amusing on what to say regarding Chief Russo. And one thing in particular um stood out to me, which is maybe an odd statement to say, but most residents of Rutherford have never met Chief Russo and will never meet him. And in one sense, that

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is a shame because as we've all discussed and I'm sure continue to discuss, Chief Russo is fantastic, but in a more important sense, that's really the whole point of the Chief Service. Um the measure of his job is a place where people feel safe walking home at night without ever thinking about the police.

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Uh where a call for help is answered by default and where the department is implicitly trusted by the community it serves. And by that measure the chief has done a tremendous job. Um as an elected official in Rutherford I often think about the impact that individuals

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can make on institutions and I come back to a simple premise which is to make things better. Uh, Chief Russo has demonstrabably made things better in every sense of that word. Uh, and for me, there's nothing more profound than that, which is to leave an institution better than you found it. And, uh,

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particularly in a job where the greatest success is things that never do happen. So, having said that, Chief, thank you for your service. Thank you for your judgment. Thank you for your efforts. Uh, thank you for the officers you leave behind who learn their job from you. We wish you the best in your future endeavors and know that you are always

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welcome here in Rutherford. Um, on another note, I I want to thank the uh DPW, the recck department, our bureau communications officer, and uh my fellow council members in particular for uh the Fourth of July celebration that we had a few weeks back. Uh I thought it was really a great event, and thank you for

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humoring me by allowing me to dress up as a 18th century colonist. Uh I had a lot of fun. So, thank you all for that. Um I also want to thank the DPW for their tremendous work over the past couple weeks in cleaning up after some very severe storms. uh I know it's really taxed their efforts um particularly on u the streets uh where I

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frequent. So thank you for that. And as a reminder, not that there need to be a reminder, but the World Cup final game is uh coming up this weekend. Uh so for those of us that are out and about on Sunday, just like to uh encourage everyone to exercise uh extra caution and uh vigilance. I'm sure there'll be

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some uh elected officials um perhaps in town or near us that might warrant additional scrutiny. So uh thanks for that. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Councilman. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Thank you very much, Mayor. Um, my liaison assignments, just a reminder,

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National Night Out is August 4th at Lincoln Park. More details will be to follow. Um, I have the privilege of uh sharing a letter I received from Police Chief Russo, and I'd like to read it to all of you.

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The Rutherford Police Department has been a huge part of my life and an experience I will not trade for anything. I have spent more than half my life working here for the police department in the town where I grew up.

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Half of that time has been as your chief of police. I believe my tenure as chief has been a success and I am turning over a department to deputy chief Frell that is regarded by our peers as one of the

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finest within the state. That success has been in part due to the trust and the cooperation I have received from the mayors and councils I have the pleasure to work with. were two mayors and 21

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council members to be exact. The importance of trust and cooperation cannot be overstated. Through my work on the on the county and state levels, I have witnessed numerous cities and municipalities where the

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police department and elected officials are in conflict and the results are catastrophic for them both and even worse for the residents they are paid and elected to represent. A thorough succession plan is vital for

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to this profession and I have worked for several years now with Deputy Chief Frell to prepare for a seamless transition. Next, I have to acknowledge all of the department heads and Burrow employees I

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have worked with over the years. There are truly a special group of people. Special thanks are directed to our burough administrator, Bob Kakalleski, and our burough clerk, Missy Scan.

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As chief, I've worked with them both on a daily basis, and there are no employees more dedicated to their job and this burrow than Bob and Missy. The burrow is lucky to have them both. Finally, I would like to thank the members of the Rutherford Police

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Department. Their professionalism, dedication, and empathy are beyond reproach. I am proud of them and the department we have built together. We have come a long way and each and every member deserves the credit for what we have become.

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Mayor Nuniato and council members, I thank you for the opportunity. I wish you, the Rutherford Police Department, and the Burrow of Rutherford all the best with a sense of accomplishment, gratitude, and some sadness.

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John Russo, police chief. I'd uh like to also add my comments afterwards. I mean now um Chief Russo, your leadership, under your leadership, you have built one of the most esteemed police forces

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in the state of New Jersey. Your reputation throughout the state is second to none. You lead your team with respect. You serve the community of Rutherford in the most professional manner with their

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safety always being number one priority. It has been my absolute pleasure being your council liaison for the past three plus years. I've learned a lot from you that was purely for my benefit and you have made me a better

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councilman. Although your departure leaves big shoes to fill, I have great comfort and faith that the Rutherford Police Department will continue to flourish because of the foundation you have built. I wish you all the best on your

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retirement and next chapter. Please come see us whenever you can. We will miss you, Chief. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilwoman Delray Con. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, first I'd just like to thank the recck department um

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for all the hard work that they put into um our baby parade which again just absolutely one of my favorite events in town. Uh families have been participating for years. I actually spoke to a family uh that was feeling that they're probably aging out of doing

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it with their kids and um that was a point of sadness for them. So, I I just want to make sure everyone understands the wreck department um on top of starting Wreck Camp the day after or the the month, yes, the day after our fireworks and Fourth of July parade,

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they basically did a full day of events. Um so, I just wanted to acknowledge that. As Councilman Ero said, um the fireworks this year was were remarkable. The entire event was really so fitting for our 250th anniversary. um the the

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council, my council members and I that were able to attend um also just had a lot of fun and that's really a nice thing when we get to have a lot of fun with our community. Um, now with regards to Chief Russo's retirement, um, when I was thinking today about what to say

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about Chief Russo, um, I think it's a real, uh, strong indicator when you have a chief of police, especially in today's environment where some folks um, feel tentative about the police that um, no matter what resident called me about any

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issue, if it had to be if it was about the police department, I had no qualms about telling them to go to talk to Chief Russo. I knew he would handle it professionally. I knew he would handle it with empathy. And that proved itself just over and over and over again. Um

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the other great thing that um I don't think folks realize about Chief Russo is he will never tell you anything that's not true. And I know that sounds very funny to say, but um I say that even if you don't want to hear it. And I

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recently had a client say to me that clarity is kindness. that when you are telling someone the truth and when you are being clear about what you think, you are being kind to them. And if I judge Chief Russo by that standard, I am hardressed to think of any colleague

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I've worked with in the burrow or otherwise that is kinder than Chief Russo because when he doesn't agree with us, and that has happened, he is very clear with us about why. Um he is very open to discussion, but he is not going

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to tell us what we want to hear. And I think that is a tremendously respectful and kind way to deal with people. Um so I I find him to be just so remarkable in that way and I will miss that clarity and that kindness although I'm quite

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sure um Captain I'm sorry Deputy Chief Frell will bring that to us um as he takes the reigns. Um the final thing I want to note is that uh Chief Russo always showed up and that doesn't mean showing up as as a police chief. He showed up as a leader in the community.

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Um he showed up at our manura lightings that were held at the temple. He shows up he when we did our crescent lightings for our Muslim community, he showed up there. um when folks had questions about immigration issues in the country and in the community um and the Civil Rights

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Commission held an event where they had someone educating residents about that. He showed up and answered questions there. These are not just run-of-the-mill requirements of a chief of police. And I think there are many chiefs that may not have shown up to those invited events. He always showed

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up. And to the council president's point, he showed up more prepared um with words of wisdom, with information, again with clarity and kindness because he was not always telling answering questions in the way that they want that folks wanted them to be answered, but he

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was answering questions with real information. Um he and I have had many conversations about his commitment to this burrow, um about his commitment to this place that he calls home and has called home for his whole life. And as an employment attorney, I like to remind

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people that um when we meet people out in the world, usually the first question we're asked is what we do and we answer it. And so I'm always very thoughtful to think about how people bring themselves to their jobs. Um if John Russo brings

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himself to the rest of his life with even a fraction of the um excellence that he brings himself to this community then those around him are just the luckiest. So I will miss him very much. I will miss his guidance. I will miss his honesty. I will miss his kindness.

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Um but I do hope that whatever the next chapter is, which I don't imagine is going to be all that relaxing, although we don't know what he's doing yet. Um, I'm really really excited for whoever is the next group of people that get the benefit of being led by John Russo. Thank you.

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>> Thank you, Council Council Me. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, just a couple items this evening. Um, I too wanted to, um, thank everyone from our bureau, starting with our administrator, communications, DPW, police, fire, EMS for our, um, successful fireworks on the

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28th. Um, it was an amazing event. Um, I think that the, um, the energy was just fantastic and, uh, you know, just great to see so many community members out and celebrating in our burrow. Um, switching gears, um, DPW, uh, police, uh,

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certainly all did a tremendous job on the evening of the 3. Um, we had that storm come through with that micro burst, uh, taking down numerous trees throughout the burrow. Um, I just want to recognize our DPW and our uh, police as well as I'm sure fire and EMS were out that evening. Um, lots of trees down

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and I know DPW worked through the weekend. So, um, I just want to recognize them for those efforts. And then last but not least, uh, to John Russo, uh, congratulations on your welldeserved retirement. Um I I've known John for several years um as a as a

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colleague and fellow law enforcement officer um and now as a uh councilman, but um I have to say um there's been so much great said about John. I I would agree with all of it, his distinguished career. Um but most importantly, I found that John brought a steady calmness to

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the job. Um I think that that calmness helped navigate us even in the short time that I've been involved with the council. Um and and before during COVID with Black Live Matters, um no Kings protest, uh just the way John came and balanced things, I think was really just

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we were really lucky to have John Russo for all these years. And um the thing that I would say that I note most about John and Christie, you said it about is his kindness. Um right after he became chief, um I had a dilemma. Um, I had a boy scout or cub scout troop that needed

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to go to our police station. And unfortunately, our police station was not able to be toured for numerous reasons. And so when I talked to Chief Russo, um, he called Larry over in East Rutherford and he arranged for us to tour their police department, but John

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was there because he wanted to represent Rutherford. And, um, I know the boys didn't forget it. Um, and the scouts were certainly appreciative. So, um, yeah, I I think, uh, Deputy Chief Harold, you've got big shoes to fill. Um, you certainly will have the support

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of mayor and counsel, but, uh, it is, um, it's a loss. It's a loss, and I wish him all the best, um, in whatever he does. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um, my words to John Russell. We pretty much came up together.

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Um, I know you hate this, so you don't even want to hear this. So, um, you know, I feel about you. We've had some very, um, harrowing experiences together, co, all the other events we

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had to go through, and you were nothing but exemplary in your leadership and guidance. So to my friend John Russo, alls I can say is I wish you the best and I'm sure that um you're sitting there going right

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now just shut up and appoint these two kids so I can stop watching this. So that that you know I care about you very much John and I wish you the best and you too. Um, I'm going to make my appointments

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now to Evan Alvarez and Juan Pirano. Police officer conditional offer of employment upon successful completion of pre-employment testing in

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accordance with the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Civil Civ Civil Service Commission based on the recommendation of Police Chief John Russo. I would ask for council consent. May I have a motion, please? >> Motion. >> I have a motion by Councilman Guzman.

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May I have a second? >> Second by Council President. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may I have a roll call, please? >> Council President McGawan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Erico, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes.

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>> Counciloman Deler Conn, >> yes. >> Council Mone, >> yes. >> Welcome to the Rutherford Police Department. Congratulations, Chief. Would you like to say a few words? Um, was not prepared for this, but sure.

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>> Keep it short because, you know, John likes it though. >> Yeah. First off, you know, congratulations, man. I'm glad you guys got to be here for that because you you won't get the opportunity. Uh, you'll graduate from the police academy once John's already retired. Uh for me, I worked with John side by side. Uh when I

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came on, he was a sergeant and I got to work with him as a when he was a tour commander, lieutenant, I was his sergeant and then he got promoted to to chief. And I I over the past few years being in uh from Katherine and deputy chief, I got a front row seat and I

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don't think that this town or even our department will ever truly be able to understand exactly the man and the chief that he was. The impact that he had not only in our department on our community, but the state in general is truly tremendous. He he's he wasn't just

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great. He's well respected throughout the entire law enforcement community, our elected officials up to the state level, the attorney general. He he he's all our federal partners. He's an amazing person and I wish him nothing but the best. I I told him many of times

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I wish he wasn't retiring because I I just got to be along for the the in the front row seat of of true greatness as a great leader and chief and a man. So, John, I'll be talking to you soon and good luck with everything. Thank you. >> Thank you, Chief.

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Again, I wish you guys the best. You're sure you're going to make us proud. Thank you very much. And now we have a uh closed close session. No action will be taken at this hearing citizens one more time.

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>> Oh, I'm sorry. We do have one more hearing of citizens. Uh, anybody want to speak on agenda items and agenda items only? Seeing none, we're going to close it to the public. Now, we're going to move into a close

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session. No action will be taken this evening. Um, I'd ask for council consent. >> Motion. >> Motion by council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council move. Any questions or comments? I'll read the resolution.

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>> Whereas the open public meetings act requires a public body adopt a resolution at an open meeting before going to a closed session to discuss a matter which excludes the public as permitted under section 7B. Now therefore be resolved that the mayor and council will hold a closed meeting on July 13 20 26 at 7:38 p.m. 176 Park

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Avenue to discuss the following matter. Personnel >> Council President McGawan. >> Yes. Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Council Erico. >> Yes. Councilman Guzman. >> Yes. >> Council Deone. >> Yes. >> Yes. Thank you.

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>> Mayor, I'm going to terminate the live video stream so people at home don't uh have to wait. So there's no further action being taken. So I will terminate it. Okay. Thank you.