All right, we're going to get started. Thank you everybody and welcome to the regular monthly meeting of the mayor and council being held Monday, December 22nd, 2025 at 6:31 p.m. Um, this will be the last meeting that we have in here. We'll be moving
back to the council chambers. Um, you want to speak to a little more detail as to Friday night, council president, when when it gets to you? Um, roll call please. >> Mayor Niato >> here. >> Council President McGawan
>> present. >> Counciloman del Rone >> here. >> Council Quro >> here. >> Councilman Kley. >> Councilman Ero >> here. Cuz >> here >> if you're willing and able, please stand for the salute to the flag.
Missy, could you please read the provisions? In compliance with the open public meetings law, chapter 231, public laws of 1975, notice of this meeting which transmitted to the record and Herald News and filed with the burough clerk on December 23rd, 2024 and is posted on the
bulletin board outside of Burrow Hall. >> Thank you. We have no presentations or proclamations. Missy, could you please do the reviews to the changes? >> Yes. Under item eight, resolutions, we'll be adding resolution number 270
reappointing Bernett Fidelity as a burough tax collector. We're item eight. And then we'll also be adding another item under item nine, resolution on consent,
an item G, resol resolution number 271, support community development block grant application for 55 KIP center. That's all I have. >> Thank you. Anybody from the council? Seeing none, I'd ask for council
consent. I have a motion. >> Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Guzman. I have a second. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Delray Con. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, I have a roll call, please. >> President McGawan,
>> yes. >> Council Deone, >> yes. >> Council Qu, >> yes. >> Council Kley, >> yes. Councilman Ero. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gossman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Uh we have nothing on first read. Second
read. Thank you, Mayor. First item I have up for second read, amending a police, excuse me, amending police extra duty fees. Missy, would you please read the ordinance by title only? and orders to amend chapter 76 of the burough code of the Rutherford Police
Department. >> Motion to move that the ordinance be passed on second reading and advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by the councilman. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Quattron. Um I'll now open this up for any public
comment on this subject and this subject matter only. Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public and now open up for any council comment. Seeing none, may have roll. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Counciloman Done, >> yes.
>> Council Kron, >> yes. >> Councilman Copley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. Cuz >> yes. >> Thank you. >> Um, second item on sec on second reading, repealing the handicap space on Windso Place. Missy, would you please read the ordinance by title only? An
ordinance to amend and revise chapter 126 vehicles and traffic of the burough code of the burrow of Rutherford to repeal a handicap parking space on the side of 188 Mountain Way. >> Motion to move that the ordinance be passed on second reading and advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by Councilman. I have a second.
>> Second. >> Second by Councilman Quattron. I'm now going to open this up for any public comment on this subject. Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public and now open up for any council comment. Seeing none, may have a roll call, please. Council President McGawan, >> yes. >> Council Derek Con, >> yes.
>> Counciloman >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, yes. >> Council Erico, >> yes. >> Council Guzman, >> yes. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. First will be the amendments to land use procedures in particular chapter 51
article 7 affordable housing requirements. Missy, can you please read the ordinance by title only? >> An ordinance to amend chapter 51 of the burough code entitled land use procedures and in particular chapter 51 article 7 entitled affordable housing requirements.
>> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to move that the ordinance be passed on second reading as advertised according to law. I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Delray Con. Now I'm going to open this up for the
public for any No, these are just >> um for any comments on this subject, this subject matter only. Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public. Can I open up for any council comment? Seeing none, may have roll call. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Council Del Conn,
>> yes. Councilman Cotron, >> yes. >> Councilman Copley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Thank you. Next is adopting the redevelopment plan for Kip Avenue redevelopment area constituting 64 Kip Avenue. Missy, can you please read the
ordinance by title only? An ordinance of the burough code of Rutherford in the county of Bergen adopting redevelopment plan for the Kip Avenue redevelopment area constituting 64 Kip Avenue block 74 lot 16 60-62 Kip Avenue Street block 74
lot 17 and 56 Kip Avenue block 74 lot 18. >> 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? >> Second. Second by council delra cone.
I'm going to open it up for any public comment as subject is subject matter only. Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public and I hope for any council comment. >> Council president. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, this past week the uh planning board met um to discuss the
uh consistency with the master plan and this particular project. Um and in everyone's packet are the feedback from the planning board uh specific with things for us to consider. Um uh it was in conjunction with a
conversation about us moving from 15 to 20% um for affordable housing in buildings that are rentals versus owning. Um and so that was us. We've currently been at
15%. we've moved to 20% in accordance uh with the rest of the state. Um which is also um demonstrating our commitment to affordable housing. Um and so we asked the planning board to review the Kip
Avenue redevelopment plan to make sure it was consistent with the uh master plan. Some things they talked about were the way the parking was set up that it was pullin parking versus uh backing out. Those are things that they're just looking at. Um, and they questioned the
off-site allocation of parking, of which there was a very robust discussion specifically because of the supportive housing component and how most individuals with supportive housing do not actually own cars. And so there was a a really good conversation. Uh, the
motion was approved. Um, I abstained because I knew that this was coming back here tonight uh with so that um I voted with my colleague. Uh and that is really all that I have to share about the feedback from the planning board. But I thank Rosen Guante, the board secretary,
and all of the board members who really spent a good deal of time discussing this to make sure that we were consistent with our master plan, and they commended us for our focus on uh supportive housing moving forward. >> Thank you. Anybody else from the
council? Seeing none, missing. >> Council President McGawan, >> yes. >> Counciloman Deere Con, >> yes. Councilman Quadrron, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. Cuz Guzman, >> yes.
>> Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Next is uh the Salary ordinance for the Rutherford PBA Local 300. Missy, can you please read the um by title the ordinance by title only?
An ordinance to amend and supplement an ordinance entitled an ordinance regularly the employment tenure and discharge of certain officers and employees of the bureau of Rutherford under the provisions of the Civil Service Act of New Jersey number 3731-25 adopted on November 10th, 2025. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion
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? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Guzman. I'm going to now open up to the public for any comment on this subject and this subject matter only. Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public and now open up
for any council comment. Missing. >> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. >> Council Del Con? >> Yes. >> Counciloman Cotron. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley? >> Yes. >> Councilman Erico? >> Yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Thank you. Finally, is the salary
ordinance for the department head unit. Missy, can you please read the ordinance by title only? An ordinance to amend and supplement an ordinance regulating the employment tenure and discharge of certain officers and employees of the Burough of Rutherford under the provisions of the Civil Service Act of New Jersey number 3731-25
adopted on November 10th, 2025. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion and 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? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Guzman. I'm going to now open this up to the public for any public comment. Seeing none, we
close it to the public and now open up for any council comment. Seeing none, may have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Council Dere Cohen, >> yes. >> Council, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Erico, >> yes. Cuz >> yes. >> Thank you,
Counc. My bad. Hearing your citizens. >> Uh since we have no hearings of citizens, we're going to move on. Resolution separate from consent. Council President. >> Thank you. I'd like to move resolution
number 266 authorizing the execution of the employment agreement with the burough chief financial officer. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by counciloman Quattron. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may
I have a roll call, please? >> Council President McGawan. >> Yes. Council >> Dere Cohen. >> Yes. Council Quadron. >> Yes. >> Council Kley, yes. Councilman Ero, >> yes. Cuz >> yes. Uh, council president. >> Resolution number 267 authorizing the
execution of the employment agreement with the burough clerk. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. I have a second. >> Second. >> Second by councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments by the council? Seeing none, may I have a roll call, please? Council President McGawan,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman De Con, >> yes. >> Counciloman Coach, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Council President. >> Uh, thank you. Uh, next I'd like to move
resolution number 270, uh, the reappointing of Bernett Penelli as a burough tax collector. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May have a second. >> Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Delray Con. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may I have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGawan, >> yes.
>> Counciloman De Con, >> yes. >> Counciloman Coachone, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> Councilman Erico, >> yes. >> Cuz >> yes. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, consent agenda items. All items are authorized to be
consent by the council will be enacted by one motion. These items are routine in nature. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. Second by Councilman Del Ray Conn. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may I have a roll call, please?
>> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Councilman Del Con, >> yes. >> Council Quadron, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Councilman Gman, >> yes. >> Thank you. Uh, new business committee process. Council President.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I just wanted to take a moment. Um, as we are concluding this year, there was some discussion about how to proceed with committees and um, members of our community who are interested in doing them and serving on
them. Um, and so, you know, we we've done multiple different processes over the last 10 years. Um, during COVID, we amended the process uh, because it was harder for people to be in touch with
each other. And so we've created a very formalized process. And so the good news is we have a lot of folks who are not leaving committees and our boards which is wonderful and we thank them all for their good service. Um but we do need to just publicly announce the process so
that folks who are interested for the limited available spaces on our committees and uh boards uh have an opportunity to do so. And so I wanted to bring that tonight to my council colleagues to um we're not voting on
anything but to really just formalize and make sure that we're all in agreement on the process. I know that we've uh I've talked with all of you at different times about this process. Um my recommendation is uh for um to try to streamline this a
little bit. Uh we can post on our website certainly go through our social medias any of the available spaces because in the past part of the frustration was people were applying for boards and committees that had no space for them. Um and so just listing the
ones that have availability the um if you're interested you send an email of interest to the burough clerk. it is a part of her uh responsibility um uh her under state statute. Um that email comes in, it goes to the council liaison who
is appointed on January second. Um and then a conversation happens and a recommendation is forwarded to the mayor. Uh by doing it in this way, by having that email process, it enables it to be very transparent. Uh members of the public who are concerned about not
being reviewed or not being considered certainly could operate because all of our emails are operable and um and are available. Uh and then the hope is we can come back to this at the end of this year. If we feel that it didn't do what we hoped it would do, then we could
amend the process again. Um, but the goal is to actually try to make this a little more streamlined. Um, and you know, of course, the request and the onus is on the council members to make sure that they follow up, uh, check their email and follow up with members of the community when Missy forwards
that information to us. So, I'm going to open it up, mayor, with your permission to the colleagues for >> Anybody have any comments? I just want to ask if it's okay. I just want to ask can you explain maybe council president or mayor what the what the process is
for selection um of members of each committee if there is an opening. Can you explain the process of selection? >> So um before and even most recently the process was uh interested members of the
community uh we've done it all the way so far that they had to submit their resumes, they had to fill out information. We're trying to actually pair that down a little bit just to kind of get to the conversation part. Sometimes uh I'm going to give you an example. When you say like how did somebody get selected? We've had members
I'm the leaison to access for all. We've had members of our community who have emailed and said I want to be on the access for all committee and when I speak with them they say because I want access to all the committees and then I explain to them that's not what access for all actually does. Right? So it actually opens a dialogue. So, the
process is you have a conversation. Um, sometimes it's actually explaining what the committee can do when they meet. Um, if you're even available for it. Some folks in our town have actually had job conflicts where after having conversations, they're not actually
eligible to serve on those boards or committees. Um, and then the council member makes that recommendation forward to the mayor. Sometimes there's multiple people looking for one spot. And so, uh, in some cases, particularly the boards, the planning boards, um, uh, things that
like the civil rights commission, the planning board, the, uh, board of adjusters, um, that recommendation, uh, comes from the mayor and it is voted on by the council members. Um, and committees are by uh, by the appointment
of the mayor uh, without needing a vote. So, I don't know that I would say that there is a criteria that makes someone eligible or ineligible. To your point, that's actually why we're trying to pair this down a little bit to really get to that conversation, try to get some
interested new folks in town, get that information out as soon as we can and um and hopefully keep all that vibrant volunteerism happening. >> Thank you, >> Councilman. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um just for clarity
would the intent here be uh once a list is acquired by the from the burough clerk of open positions and names that may have applied is it then where the liaison will do a phone interview or some sort with the candidates >> um just to get some clarity so when we
pass on our recommendations to the mayor he has a clear >> guidance >> and yes and and because they're contacting the burough clerk if they're not hearing back from you that you've received or you've spoken with them there. In the past there's been a process where she's followed up and said
just a gentle reminder or um sometimes we reach out to folks and they just have changed their mind, right? These things happen. So, it's just about open communication and then as those uh those seats become filled or those opportunities are no longer available, they would no longer reside on our
website. I mean that that's my thought. But the the expectation is this is the um I will tell you one of my issues if I'm I'm being very open about this about the process and why I thought we needed to change. Um I was somebody who did the
majority of the interviews and they weren't for my committee. And part of what my goal and my hope for us coming into this next year is to see more activism and participation of all council members because to me that is the part if you are the liaison to
understand what that committee or that board needs and and helping people fill that need. I I just kind of feel like that that is our role in this. So um and I think we're better stewards in working with the mayor and providing that feedback for recommendations.
that that's part of my thought process. >> Anybody else? Council, >> thank you. Um I'm fully in support of the process that you recommend, council president. I think one thing that I'll add which um I receiving feedback from the committees and commissions that I've
supported is that they have a little more uh active participation in the interviews. not necessarily doing the interviews but letting us know it would be helpful to have someone with social media experience or it would be helpful to have someone who is good at you know
drafting marketing materials or event planning and I I think that's a good takeaway for the liaison I'm moving away from some of those leaison assignments but as we think about our process I think that it would behoove the liaison for certain committees where it's truly
volunteers to make sure that we understand from the existing committee members who are staying on what sort of talents or contributions they think might be helpful. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> Councilman.
>> Thanks, Council President. I I think you might have said this in your remarks, but I just want to clarify that the open positions themselves would be do you envision them being published on our website or social media or all the above? Okay. So residents should presumably take note and visit our
website or keep track of our social media for such positions in the future. >> And and that's partly uh Thank you, Councilman. That's partly why I wanted to do this this evening. The mayor and I had had a conversation about this and we thought the importance of ending this year with this conversation is we're
setting the table for next year. Um and that part that you just um disclosed is actually what we've I mean that process has been in place for a number of years now. So just pushing out what's available. Um and hopefully this streamlined process will will enable us
to move it along faster. And I know that there were a few residents who are a little concerned about timing. I just want to be clear that um liaison are not appointed until um a till January 2nd of which I'll speak about in a few minutes.
Um and so we generally do not appoint committees until the back end of January. We try to move quickly if we can but the boards and the uh commissions are the priority because of the statute that they operate under. So,
um, I just don't want folks to feel like there there's they're missing something. They're not. We're we're actually we're actually a little ahead of the game right now. I'm pretty excited about that. >> Great. Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> Seeing none. All right. Thank you for
your comments. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> We'll move on to reports, Council President. >> Mayor, can I go last this evening? >> You may go last. Thank you, >> Councilman Delray Cohen. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, in anticipation of
of moving on from one of my committees, uh, which is the green team, I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the green team. Um, I am hardressed to think of a group of residents that are more dedicated to their specific cause
than the green team. And over the course of, uh, the past three years, I have learned just so much from them. Um, it is a a group of really multi-talented individuals who care very much about the community, care very much about the
earth, and care very much about our total wellness. So, I just wanted to uh thank them for welcoming me and teaching me over the past three years. I'm going to miss that assignment very much. Um, part of the reason I'm moving on is um I I was hardressed to get to their
meetings other than by phone uh consistently and I wanted to make sure that um they had the benefit of someone in person all the time rather than just a voice on a zoom. So um it's also just good for them to learn from other council members um as well. So uh thank
you to the green team for having me um and I'm sure we'll work on plenty of other things together. Um, and I guess uh I wanted to just wish um the community a very happy holidays, very safe and happy new year. Um, I will be
sworn in the day after New Year's Day, which I'm very excited about. Um, and so I hope that we all are on uh on board to continue giving. Um, I happen to be in Burough Hall this morning and the shelves outside the food pantry are empty. I know the food pantry itself is
full, but if you have the opportunity to do some last minute grocery shopping and wouldn't mind um making a stop downstairs, I'm sure the team down there would be very welcome and appreciative to have you, especially in these colder months. Um, also our our burough
administrator was going to share a bit of news. I don't know if now is a good time to do that, Bob, about our our latest grants, but maybe you can speak to that or did you want to wait to do that? Oh, well, I I'm happy I'm happy to speak to it. Um, I'll I'll work off of the
remarks. So, as many of uh residents many residents know, we applied for a grant uh through the NJOT genot earlier uh this year. It was a very competitive grant and I was cautiously optimistic. Um there were 67
applications received from the state of New Jersey and I'm happy to report that we were one of 43 approved. Um so the the purpose of that grant was to um foster enhancements on Union Avenue and on the West End and we were awarded
$664,000 for that effort. So I'm very very excited um to share that piece of news. I want to manage everyone's expectations that this is a two-year planning process. So we're not going to see anything happening right away. um it's a
federal grant, so we have to go through various um various processes to get approval um and to start making that planning happen. But um I'm very very grateful to the community. Um we solicited some letters of support from residents. We uh solicited resident uh
letters of support from the board of education uh superintendent Jack Hurley as well as the administrators over at Union School because a big focus of um hopefully the work we're going to be doing on Union Avenue is geared towards not only streetscape but pedestrian
safety. So um I'm really excited about um something that I didn't expect to get. So um it was a really nice present at the holiday time. Um, coming into the new year, I'm going to meet with our grant writers. And a special s shout out to Claire from Bruno and Associates who
uh did just such a wonderful package on our behalf for submission and really educated me quite a bit on what we needed to do. But I'll be meeting with her right at the top of the year just to do very loose planning so that uh we have an understanding of what we need to do to get ourselves organized. Um and
then I have spoken uh with my council colleagues about potentially soliciting some help from um comm uh residents in the community who have various experience in this area whether it be arts or streetscape or planning. Um so there will be an opportunity for us to
put a committee together um to to get some feedback. But it's a really exciting time for us. I know the community has been very focused on improvements for the west ends and I think this is a really nice first step for us to get there. So, uh, thank you for everyone that helped us make that
happen. Um, so the other thing I just wanted to, uh, mention as we move into the holidays, um, and in the end of the year is to congratulate Councilwoman Quatron on a really successful term. Um, I know this is your la your last meeting of this year and I just wanted to thank
you. Um you are someone that brings a thoughtfulness to the deis um and a and a and a way of thinking that is really important as we continue to think about supporting community members at all levels and incomes and um lots in life
that um you really bring a really nice uh perspective and educated and intelligent perspective that comes with it. Compassion and empathy. So, um, I really wish you well in everything that comes next and I'm sure we're going to have continued opportunities to work together. That's all I have, Mayor.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Quattro. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. That was very kind. I appreciate it. And it's it's fantastic news about the grant for the West End improvements. I live on the West End, as you know. Um, so I'm very
excited about that. and I I probably will reach out to you to give some input because I love to be, you know, involved in some way. So, thank you for that. I'm going to if you if you will all indulge me this, as the council woman mentioned, this is my last meeting um for this
year's and my last meeting for this term. So, I do want to talk about uh a little review of my thoughts about my term as councilwoman. Um, as we come to the end of 2025, I would like to talk about all that we have accomplished in
the years I have served. When I first ran for council, I did so with the simple belief that local government works best when it is open, accountable, and responsive. Throughout my time on the council, I have fought for increased transparency and am proud to have led
the passage of a resolution that requires council members to give the public notice by placing any important proposed ordinance topics up for debate and discussion before action is taken. I believe this change in process has led to clearer communication, greater public
acer questions, and ultimately to greater trust. It is one of the most important improvements to the deliberative process we have made during the three years and I hope it is maintained after I leave the council. Another area I am especially proud of is our work
upgrading and improving Memorial Field with the assistance of grants from the state and county. I personally worked hard to oversee the creation of a dedicated stadium for girls softball and advocated for upgrades to benefit all residents by improving Leisure Lane and the tennis courts. These fields are
gathering places where kids learn teamwork and confidence, families spend time together and connect, and community pride grows. I am proud that our town recognizes sports competition and recreation not as a luxury, but as an essential part of community well-being.
I am also proud of the role I played in bringing greater scrutiny to development decision decisions. Growth can be positive, but only when it is thoughtful, responsible, and aligned with the long-term interest of residents. During my time, I worked to ensure that development proposals were
carefully examined, not rushed, and that community voices were heard in the process. Asking tough questions about a development's effect on infrastructure and character of a town is not anti-development. It is pro community. One of the most meaningful aspects of my
service has been promoting and supporting women's voices on the council and in town. Representation matters, not just symbolically, but substantively. I am very proud that for two years we had a female majority council, although I wish it had lasted longer. We have
worked to ensure that women's experiences, concerns, and leadership were not sidelined, but respected and amplified. And I believe we have inspired girls and women to speak up and have their voices heard. On that note, my daughter Cordelia and my partner Brett are here watching
tonight. Thank you for being here. This has not been the easiest year for me and for us. And I thank them for their patience, their endless love, and their encouragement. Cordelia is one of the reasons I ran for office. And she campaigned with me and
helped me win my first campaign. I was thrilled that she was able to see her mother as someone who stood up for what she believed in even against the odds. Although I had setbacks this year, I hope she still sees me as someone who stands for what I believe in, who will
never betray a friend or colleague, and who will always find a way to improve our community and our world. I love you. All the work we did these past three years was not done alone. And I want to thank the mayor and my fellow council members past and present for the
collaboration and even disagreements that pushed us to think more deeply. A con a constituent said this year that he had witnessed more disagreements between the those us those of us on the dis this term than in the past. The constituent thought it was a good thing, the sign of
a more robust and democratic process. I wholeheartedly agree to the mayor. You're one of a kind. Doesn't need to be said. I guess it's obvious. Very, very forceful and
extremely passionate. And clearly, you have loved and served this community for many, many years in a very, in a way I much admire. Thank you for your collaboration, your kindness, and your friendship. To Stephanie,
I admire your strength, your dedication to this town, and especially your advocacy for those with unique and special needs, those who are vulnerable, and whose gifts we might we might lo we might have lost, we might lose if we don't make sure that they have a seat at
every table and a place to thrive and enjoy life. So, thanks for your life's work. To Rey, I appreciate your consistency, your level-headedness, and your dogged commitment to public safety and public improvements. I will even forgive you
the fact that you are a Philadelphia Eagles fan. I said that on purpose. To Matt, glad you're here. Thank you again for giving me a hearing before I ever got on the council. I'll never forget that. I appreciate your passion for the
causes you believe in. And even though we may disagree at times, I always feel that you show respect and collegiality. Thank you to Christie. You are a strong advocate and have marketkedly increased the amount of discussion of important topics that
happen on the Deis and I am glad that your presence has provoked that significant change. I regret we did not have more opportunity to collaborate on issues and causes I know we have in common. Maybe we will in the future. To John, I told
you it was long. Thank you for your kindness and support in the past year. You bring wonderful experience to this job. You have a lot of integrity. You're no nonsense, no drama, and you are here for the right reasons to improve local government, to be responsive to constituents, and to give back. I look
forward to working with you in the coming months and years to benefit our community. Almost done. to Bob, Missy, Bo, Brian, Kim, John Bruno, John Russo, and everyone else who works for the burrow and who has done an excellent job making this town safer, more vibrant, and more
full of community than it has ever been. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. Thank you most of all to the residents who have supported me when I have run for office and who have written emails and texts or called with concerns,
ideas, challenges, and collaboration. I am going to take this moment when I where I step down from the deis to step up even more fully than before into the role of volunteer of community organizer of nonprofit advocate and dedicate
myself to being the best neighbor, friend, and Rutherford booster that I can be. I have confidence that an even more beautiful future is ahead for my hometown. Thank you all. Before we move on, uh Brett Cordelia, your mom
is a phenomenal woman and a great mother, I'm sure, and a great partner, and I appreciate you guys being here for this night. Thank you so much, >> Councilman Kley. >> Thank you, sir. I'll be brief um so we
can let Councilwoman Quatron's words echo. Um thank you for your service, Susan. I'll have more uh later at the the start of the New Year's meeting. I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone uh a happy and healthy Christmas and and New Year. And to our Jewish friends in the community, I I
apologize for missing the lighting of the manure. It was the first time in 5 years I was unable to attend uh due to my new responsibility. So happy Hanukkah to one and all who celebrate. Um it's that was always one of the great joys of my uh time here on the Deis, but uh hopefully next year I can make that
schedule happen. Anyway, uh happy and healthy Christmas to one and all and um we will see you all at the turn of January. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Erica. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh happy holidays to everyone. I want to thank the community very sincerely for their contributions
for our Toys for Tots toy drive. Um we had almost 100 toys donated in total uh after our drive that I donated last week and it was a tremendous uh generosity for the community. I really appreciate everyone for uh coming out and participating. Um to echo my colleague, I want to thank Rabbi Lurman for
inviting the council to the galrop and manora lighting last week. That was a very fun event that I had not attended before and I had a great time. Uh, I also want to count congratulate and thank Councilwoman Delray Cohen on the fantastic news about the grant. I think that's a tremendous accomplishment and
she was a true advocate and and quarterback for that whole process. So, thank you so much for doing that. Uh, I also want to thank the police department for the use of the HIP Police Station over the past year that I've been on the council for uh this meeting chambers and this is the last one uh as the mayor said, but uh we'll miss this place uh
and thank you for the hospitality. And then finally, uh, I want to echo my colleagues in thanking Councilwoman Quatron for her service to the burough over the past three years. She has always brought intelligence, uh, thoughtfulness, and a sincere concern for the community to her role. Uh, I
know that public service can be tremendously challenging, often in ways that are not publicly visible. And I know that Susan has been in the midst of some of those challenging and difficult decisions as she alluded to that uh she's always handled with grace and intelligence uh and a ton of curiosity
and I certainly respect anyone willing to step forward and serve in this environment. So uh I wish her all the best and look forward to working with her in new capacities in the future. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Guzman. >> Thank you, Mayor.
>> Got you this time. >> Appreciate that, Mayor. Thank you. Um, in reference to the grant that was just uh revealed this evening, um, I'd like to thank my council colleague Christy Del Conn and congratulator and obviously
here hard work pays off with something that we didn't think was going to come our way, but uh, you still stuck to it and kept going. A big thank you to Bruno Associates and especially Claire for all her due diligence and hard work and putting us together and all the other people that worked with you on this. Um,
I can't wait to work with you f in the future and, uh, gathering all the, uh, good things together that we can do with this. Um, uh, and Councilwoman Katron, uh, it's been a pleasure. I know it's
not the end. I know that, uh, there's a lot of great volunteerism in you and I think and I know that you will be bringing some great ideas, joining some great committees here with us. Um, I look forward to working with you f uh continue to work with you in those fields. Um it's been an absolute
pleasure to be working with you these past three years. Um I love the way that you brought things to the table that you stood firm on things that you believed in um and worked things out with your colleagues when uh things weren't going
so well. We we it's you know sometimes you have to butt heads and this is what we did and this is what made us stronger here on the dis with everyone that's involved. So, I thank you for your hard work, your family's commitment to allowing you to to give back to the community, and um I can't wait to see
you work on further endeavors with us. Um you're a good egg, and I appreciate you, even though you're not an Eagles fan. >> Thank you. >> Um also, um there'll be f more information going out on this. There's a new uh committee that's going to be, uh
put together, a pedestrian safety committee. More details will follow in the new year on this committee. Um I will be working with the mayor um our police chief and my council colleagues in order to get this off the ground uh properly and put a lot of thought behind
this. Um so the public uh to the public I will uh make sure that you get more information on this new creation of the pedestrian safety committee. Um to all the residents, a I want to wish you a happy holidays and a very happy new year
and I can only imagine the great things that are coming going to come our way next year in 2026. This council is ready to go. Thank you, sir. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I want to start by uh also acknowledging and thanking Bruno
and Associates, particularly Claire for her extraordinary work um in telling us to reach for a grant that we really didn't think we were going to be eligible for. And now the burrow will be the beneficiary of uh close to $650,000
664. I'm cheating us at 14,000. Um so uh just it was you know something so amazing is worth repeating. So, I wanted to lead with that. Um, uh, the mayor alluded earlier in the meeting, um, that this is actually our
last meeting in this location. Um, we thank Chief Russo and the police department and and the courts for having us in this space. I am happy to share that the um the minor res renovations that were done at 176 Park Avenue in the
council chambers have in fact been completed. And so um we invite the community uh to our signed dine meeting at 5:00 p.m. and our swearing in at 5:30 p.m. on January 2nd uh back home at 176
Park Avenue in the council chambers. Um, thank you, Bob, for shephering that project. It's taken a little little longer than we thought it was going to, but it's worth it. Um, I also want to take a moment as we're coming to the end
of this year to um acknowledge, we say it all the time, but it's, you know, again, when it's important, it's worth repeating. Thank you to our burough employees. Thank you to the people that make this
uh community continue to thrive. Um that make Park Avenue uh look like a Hallmark movie. If I've heard that once, I've heard it 50 times in the last few weeks. Um who make this a community where people are fighting to be able to
buy a home and live in uh where people want to raise their children and when they don't ever want to leave. Uh, so thank you. Um, and that's that's all of the employees, the ones that you get to see and you hear about and also the ones that maybe you've never met but that
keep this place running. So to all of you, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Um, uh, I also want to acknowledge that lovely um, manure lighting that we participated in. Uh it was
it was beautiful to see the community back celebrating. Um and there was no longer a conversation about the events of the summer but about the events of where they what they will be doing and where they are going. And it was exciting and it was lovely. And thanks to our fire
department for helping with the guilt drop. It was it was great. It was really cold but it was great. Um, and Susan, I I'm really struck by your words tonight.
You You know, sometimes we need to be reminded and be given some perspective and and so why not tonight for that? Susan, you are an advocate for the underrepresented. You are fearless in championing things.
You've called me about things that I admittedly say to you on the phone, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. But I know that you are passionate and it's important and you dig in. Uh even even if you have support, don't have support, doesn't
really matter. If you know that it's a part of your moral compass, you are 100% in and that's what people know about you. It's what they respect about you. um you have an unapologetic spirit and willingness to question the status quo.
Just because we've done it that way doesn't mean we should. I hope that's something you continue to do, not just up here, but quite frankly everywhere because it needs to be done now more than ever. You've never shied away from bringing
national and uh big-time political discussions to our little tiny town. um always done respectfully but done with an importance of making sure that our community was aware that we were aware
that you were aware. You are a lifetime Raf Forian. You wear that as a badge of courage or a gigantic R on your chest. Um, you should make no apology or concern
about being a great role model for your daughter. You're raising an amazing young woman. It doesn't happen by accident. You've both done a great job. But tonight, since it's Susan's night, I'm giving her all the credit, Brett. So, may a Kulpa.
And quite frankly, as a mom, I'm going down that road right now. >> Um, so I'm gonna piggyback on your words because I do love ending the year on a good challenge. More people watch us now on on YouTube.
They We used to, you know, get nervous when people walked in the door. Now they don't come here anymore, but they watch us whenever or, you know, I I don't know. Perhaps we're interesting. I'm not sure. Um, Susan, you always end speeches out by
saying, "I know somebody's listening. Somebody's going to be inspired." And you talked about the female majority that we had for a good couple of years. There is a generation of young women who are waiting their turn. And you'll be a
part of their story. You'll be a part of their reference. They'll be reminded that it wasn't that we had to hear about because we knew somebody somewhere far away, they're going to know it happened because you were a part of the living history of Rutherford.
And as a lifetime Rutherfordian, that's a pretty cool thing. So, Susan, thank you. Thank you for your time. Thank you for raising your hand when other people sit on them. Thank you for never walking away from who you are.
I encourage lots of people to embrace that. It's a beautiful spirit. So, congratulations on your service to this community. We're grateful for your time, for your effort, for your gifts, um, and your talent.
Um, and last but not least, happy happy everything. Happy Hanukkah, merry Christmas, Quanza, happy new year. And to the gentlemen, I hope you're watching this. to that lovely man that I met on Park Avenue
when I was trying to put money in the meter and he says, "No, no, ma'am. The mayor and council, they're not charging us for the meters." And I stood there laughing and I said, "Wow, that's pretty cool of them." And
he said, "Yeah, sometimes they get it right." So, sir, if you are listening tonight, nice to meet you. I'm Stephanie McGowan. I hope that we get to meet each other again. Mayor, I look forward to seeing everybody on
January 2nd. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um, we're going to move on to my stuff. Uh before I do my appointments, Susan,
from that first night we spoke, um to today, Bob, thank you. Uh you we talked about working together and the work that has to be done and you have not even come close to missing a
moment to do it right. So, I appreciate you. We've discussed this and you you're just been someone who has a real voice that wants to be heard, will be heard, which was
what this town always wanted and needs. Um, again, Brett, good luck with her. Uh, Cordelia, your mom's phenomenal. She's going to raise a great kid. She already did. She says can continue and you're going to get really expensive.
>> So, it's already happened. >> So, I know I'll be seeing you, seeing a lot of you. Um, we all love you and appreciate you and I know that you're not going anywhere. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um
Sarah to the just to wanted to thank everybody for um a great year all of you. Um I want to wish everybody the best holiday they could possibly have and remember families what's important and
what's comes first. So, um, I wish you guys all the best and look forward and you should all be looking forward to a great new year with your family and your friends. So, thank you for that. Um, now I'm going to move on to my
appointments. First, I have uh Robert Eubanks provisional appointment as plumbing sub code inspector effective January 1st, 2025. 2026. D. In accordance with the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission, I'd ask for council
consent. >> Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Quatron. >> Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may have roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Derek Con. >> Yes. >> Council Quadrron. >> Yes. >> Councilman Copley.
>> Yes. Council Erico. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Uh, next is Thomas Staffer. Provisional appointment labor one step one effective January 5th 2026 in accordance with the rules and regulations of the New Jersey
Civil Service Commission. I'd ask for council consent. >> Motion. >> I have a motion by council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council del. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may I have a roll call, please? >> Council president McGowan. >> Yes. >> Council del. >> Yes. >> Council,
>> yes. >> Council Kley, >> yes. >> Council Erico, >> yes. >> Cuz yes. >> Thank you. Next, I have Thomas Dropa, permanent appointment as fire protection sub code official effective December 23rd, 2025 in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. >> Motion. I >> have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Cron. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Council Decom,
>> yes. >> Council, yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. Casero. >> Yes. >> McGovern. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Next, I have Casper Godzic, reappoint special law enforcement officer, effective January 1st, 2026. In accordance with the rules and
regulations of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission, I ask for council consent. >> Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May second. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, I may have a roll call. >> Council President McGawan. >> Yes. >> Council Debor Con. >> Yes.
>> Council Got. >> Yes. Council Kley. >> Yes. Council Erico. >> Yes. >> Counc. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Next, I have the crossing guards, the attached list. Um, may I have a uh council consent? >> Motion. >> Motion by council president. May I have a second?
>> Second. >> Second by Councilman Quattron. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGawan, >> yes. >> Council Derek Con, >> yes. Council >> Quadron, yes. >> Councilman Kley, yes. Councilman Eric, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you.
Next, I have hearing of citizens for agenda and agenda items only. Anyone from the public wishing to speak, please step forward. Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public. Uh, any council comment? Seeing none, we're now going to go into close
session. I do have to leave. I'm going to turn this over to the council president. Um, >> there's going to be no action taken this evening. So, um, ask for a motion. >> Motion.
>> Motion by council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council. Councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? >> I have to read the record. Whereas the open public meetings act requires that a public body adopt a resolution at open meeting before going into a closed session to discuss a matter which excludes the public as permitted under
section 7B. Now therefore, it be resolved that the mayor and council will hold a closed meeting at 7:27 p.m. on December 22nd, 2025 at 18 Donaldson Avenue to discuss the following matter. Legal update fourth round affordable housing challenges. >> Thank you.
>> Roll call. >> Have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Council Done, yes. Council, yes. Cley, yes. CO, yes. Yes. Thank you. No. Uh, could we get a picture up front
with the uh council councilwoman and and her family, please? >> Members of the public, we will be terminating the YouTube connection because after close session, we will just adjourn the meeting. No.