Are we're going to go live soon? >> Thank you everybody and welcome to the regular monthly meeting of the mayor and council Monday, November 10th, 2025 being held in the police station at 6:30.
Missy, could you please call the RO? >> Mayor Niato >> here. >> Council President McGawan, >> present. >> Counciloman Del Cohen >> here. >> Council Kotron >> here. >> Councilman Kley >> here. >> Councilman Erico? >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman >> here. >> Thank you. If you're willing and able, could you please stand for the salute to
the flag? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> 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 was 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. Uh, we have no uh, presentations or proclamations, but I I would ask Councilman Guzman to read the statement. >> Thank you very much, Mayor. Um, this is also a notice to all. As we approach Veterans Day and prepare for the
traditional Veterans Day service, the Rutherford Veterans Alliance is requesting to have a Veterans Day service on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 at 11:00. We would appreciate your attendance and preparation of a few words in honor of
those veterans. This is for the council should you be attending. Um, but it will be uh show uh tomorrow at 10:30. Um, and it will begin at 11:00. If you're free and available, please come on down to uh the World War I Memorial. That's where
the event will begin. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, sir. We're going to have the uh Brian Engineers report, please. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh want to thank the uh DPW and uh for their help with the uh
beach street where we uh did the curbs over removed some trees that were necessary and they were very patient with our process and we appreciate the u the tree crew helping us out on that project and they're going to pave it uh mill and pave this week. So that'll
conclude that project. So that uh that was nice coordination. Um, we're wrapping up the permitting for uh the I'll call it the north part of Memorial uh Field. We need one more signature from Pake Valley Sewage Commission because they do own a portion of
Memorial Field where they have their pump station and we're putting the field over it. So, they agreed to give that portion back to Rutherford and we're working through that process right now. As soon as that done, as soon as that's completed with Pake Valley, uh the D
will release our permit. So that's where we are with that process. Then we can go out to construction as soon as that's released. Uh and then uh we're working on scheduling the uh pre-construction meeting with DS Meyer uh to get uh the
2025 road program concrete done as much as possible. Uh and then their contracts are in the mail. They have yet to send them back to us, but as soon as we get them back, we'll have the pre-construction meeting scheduled and move that project forward. Uh, so that's where we are. Mayor,
>> thank you, Brian. Anybody have any questions for him? >> Thank you. >> Yes. Go, Council >> Brian. Can you please update us on um I think it's Diamond Five. The home plate was sinking. I think DPW spoke to you about that and a resident asked about it
last meeting. >> Thank you for that, Councilwoman. and uh the contractor that I installed at which was uh uh Athletic Fields of America, they've been notified. Their superintendent uh Dave Hourback who's a area fireman is aware of it and he's
going to schedule it as soon as possible. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you, Brian. You can put your cap back on. Uh Missy changes. >> I have nothing. Mayor, >> does anybody else have any changes to
the agenda? >> Seeing none, thank you. Uh, ordinances on first read, Councilman, uh, Councilwoman Del Ray Kong. >> Thank you, mayor. >> Um, today I have an ordinance on first read amending the flood damage
prevention code. Uh, Missy, will you please read the ordinance by title only? An ordinance by the mayor and council amending the burough weather code of ordinances to repeal chapter 37 to adopt a new chapter 37 to adopt flood hazard maps to designate a flood plane
administrator and providing for severability and an effective date. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to move that the ordin ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised according to law. Motion. >> I have a motion by the counciloman. I have a second.
>> Second. Second by Councilman Kley. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, member, roll call, please. >> Council President McGawan, >> yes. >> Council Del Cohen, >> yes. >> Council Quill, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes.
>> Thank you. We'll move on to ordinances on second read. Councilman Guzman. >> Thank you, mayor. I have uh an ordinance on second read establishing a handicapped spa parking space on Santiago Avenue. 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 establish a handicap parking space on Santiago Avenue. >> Thank you. A motion to move that the ordinance be passed on second reading and
advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by the councilman. May I have a second? >> Second. Seconded by council president. I'm now going to open this up to the public for any uh comments on this subject and this subject matter only. >> Seeing none, I'm going to close it to
the public and open for any council comment. >> Seeing none, may have a roll call. >> Council President McGawan, >> yes. >> Council Delray Con, >> yes. >> Council Quattron, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. Councilman >> Erico, >> yes. Cuz >> yes.
>> Thank you. Next, we have Councilwoman Quatron. >> Thank you. I have an an ordinance amending the fire department uniform allowance. Missy, can you read the ordinance by title only? >> An ordinance to amend and revise chapter 33, section 24 of fire department
uniform allowance of the burough code of the burough of Rutherford. >> Motion to move the ordinance be passed on second reading and advertised according to law. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council. I have a second. >> Second. Second by Councilwoman Del Ray Cohen.
I'm now going to open this up for any public comment. Anybody wishing to speak, please step forward to the microphone. >> Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public and open up for any council comment. >> Seeing none, I have a roll call. >> Council President McGawan? >> Yes. >> Counciloman Del. >> Yes.
>> Council, yes. >> Council Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Uh, next ordinance. Uh, Council President. Thank you, mayor. Uh, this next uh ordinance on second reading is amending the salary ordinance for the burough
administrator, CFO, burough clerk, municipal judge, and municipal prosecutor. Missy, can you read the ordinance by title only? >> An ordinance to amend and supplement an ordinance entitle an ordinance regulating the employment, tenure, and discharge of certain officers and employees of the Burrow of Rutherford under the provisions of Civil Service
Act of New Jersey number 3702-24 adopted on October 28, 2024. >> 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 Councilman Guzman. Now going to open up to the public for any count public comment on this subject, this subject matter only. Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public and open up for any council comment. Seeing none, may I have a roll call? >> Council President McGawan? >> Yes. >> Counciloman Del Cohen,
>> yes. >> Counciloman Clone, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. Councilman Ero. >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Now we're going to move to the hearing of citizens. Sir, please uh state your name and address and keep your comments to five minutes
or less, please. >> Hello. >> Yeah, you could just pull closer to you. >> I'll close. Hello. >> My name is Inatio Valente. I live at 268 Veronia Way. I want to I want to
complain against people that live at 271 Way. My complaint is that they have a vegetable garden in the front yard. They have a lot of pots and they are eyesore.
It's a fire hazard and there is they're attracting unwanted animal and I want to know This is something that we can do about it. I want to thank you very much. >> Sir, we um what happens is you speak and then anybody else that wants to speak
speaks and then we answer you all at the same >> No, you sit down and then we see if anybody else has something they would like to speak. >> Next, anybody else wishing to speak for the public? Thank you. Please uh state your name and address and keep your comments to five minutes or less please.
>> Good evening. My name is Dominic. I don't live in the area. I'm just myself representative cover. So part of my job work opportunity for my members. I'm also here uh we're also looking for
recruiting for men and women that live in town that want to join the union. So, I'll wait till after and I can hand my cards and if I can be assistance anybody contact me anytime. Thank you. >> Thank you, D. Anybody else?
>> Uh, seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public and open up for any council comment. burrow administrator. >> Sir, I I'll look into your issue tomorrow. I'm not specifically familiar with the code off the top of my head, but I'll speak with my property maintenance team and my health
department. >> Well, >> all right, sir. We don't do back and forth, but right after the meeting, he can speak to you. I I I I I hope they get a better reaction when I when I speak with them tomorrow. So, uh Okay. Thank >> Thank you, sir.
>> Resolution separate from consent. >> Thank you, mayor. Resolution number 236 authorizing the execution of an amendment to the shared services agreement with the Rutherford Board of Education. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. Second by Councilman Quattron.
Any questions or comments? Seeing none, I may have a roll call. >> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Del Con. >> Yes. >> Council Quron, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Council Erico, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Thank you. Next is resolution number 237, establishing a discretionary
extended property tax grace period for qualifying taxpayers during the ongoing federal government shutdown. Motion. I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none, I have a roll call.
>> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. >> Counciloman De. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Co? >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley? >> Yes. >> Council Ero? >> Yes. >> Council Guzman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Sorry. Thank you. Next is resolution number 238 rescending 115-2025
which awarded a plenary retail consumption license with conditions to Derek Tveris. Motion >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may have a roll call.
>> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. >> Council Dev Cohen. >> Yes. >> Council Quan. Yes. >> Council Kley. >> Yes. >> Council Erica. Yes, >> casin. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Next is the consent agenda items. All a all items are authorized to
be consent by the council will be enacted by one motion and these items are routine in nature. Motion. >> I have a motion by council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none. May have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan.
>> Yes. >> Counciloman Del Conn. Yes. >> Council Cartron. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ero. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> We have nothing under new business. Um leaison assignments. Um council
president. >> Thank you, mayor. Um uh if if I can ask permission, mayor, would it be okay for uh the burough administrator to just provide a quick update regarding the status of Jake's law and the grant? uh for the playground
at Tamblin Field. Just as a quick update, >> Bob, >> thank you. Um right now, uh you know, the engineer is performing a an environmental review of the site.
Once that is completed that gets submitted to DP uh which is uh waiting for that in order to award the grant to us. Uh once that process is done uh we will get the grant documents. We will be able to accept the
award uh that has been earmarked for the burrow of Rutherford to begin that project. It's a little bit over $500,000 with a burrow match of a couple hundred,000. uh you know once we complete that process I would expect the the bid
documents and you know some or design final design and then bid documents to be completed during the winter of this year. We'll go out to bid uh early 26 uh and hope to begin construction of that in uh you know late spring you know
maybe the summer of 26. So you know the project is making its way through the bureaucratic process at this time. Um but you know it's it's going to happen. We just have to follow the steps especially when you're talking about uh you know the grant significant grant that we're we're you're marked for at
this time but you know it's coming. >> Thank you. I appreciate the update. Um that is in response to questions from residents that were asking about the status of a place at Tamblin Field. And so I appreciate you providing um that update. Uh and so we have something for
all of us to look forward to. Um, and then quickly I uh wanted to congratulate uh my colleague uh Christy Delray Conn and Dennis Mazone um on their uh reelection and election to this
governing body beginning January of 2026. Um I want to acknowledge everyone who ran. um you know, when you get past it, uh all the fervor leading up to it, the reality is it takes a lot of guts to
put your name out there and to be willing to do this service. And so I think it's very important that everyone who uh put their name forward throughout this entire process be praised and recognized for their willingness to serve the burrow that we love. So uh
congratulations to um to all involved. And finally, uh, with a recognition to tomorrow, as Councilman Guzman referenced, um, uh, the good work that is happening for Veterans Day in the burrow. Um, I want to encourage
residents, even though the weather is a little chilly and it's gotten a little colder tonight, to take advantage of this time walking through the burrow and to look up and to look at the banners that have um that garner and all over
our streets um that give us a real sense of commitment of this community um to veterans and to our active duty service members, uh, men and women. Um,
I am very proudly married to a veteran, uh, who served his country, our country. Um, and I know folks get a little confused about all the different Veterans Days. Uh, but I just want to remind everyone that it is okay to thank
a veteran tomorrow. Um, but quite frankly, we should be thanking them every day. Um, and so to all those who served in Rutherford, beyond Rutherford, and across our country, thank you. Thank you Mayor. >> Thank you, Council President. Next up,
uh, Councilwoman Delray Con. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I just wanted to take a moment to thank the community uh, for the incredible support on Halloween. Um myself and uh Councilwoman, the council president and Councilman Guzman and Councilman Erico had the chance to
collect a lot of items for the poof pantry. Um that night we collected about $1,500 worth of gift cards. Um as well as 46 bags of food just that night. Um, I know that your generosity was overwhelming in the best possible way
because I stopped into the food pantry on Monday to drop off the gift cards and um, Charlene Mariano was feverishly going through the bags and organizing um, everything down there. So, I'm going to encourage you to keep that up if you
can. Um we are really coming on a time where costs um I I know some of us were discussing health care costs um uh for those of us that are not receiving benefits um from the community to eat. Um everyone is is is experiencing an
increase in cost in the coming year. Um and families that may not have needed um help from our food pantry before may need it now. So um I encourage you as you do your Thanksgiving shopping to think about grabbing a couple gift cards. um maybe some extra items. I know
that there's a new list that Genevieve um who runs the food pantry down there um that she has another a new list of of items that they would like. If you haven't seen that list floating around um Facebook or otherwise, um please reach out to me. I can give it to you.
Um and finally, um because everyone was so generous, we had an excess of items that the council president was uh generous enough to bring over to the YMCA. Um, so the YMCA also has a far larger food pantry. Um, and I found out today because a resident asked me about,
um, she had a very large frozen ham that she didn't know what to do with, and I suggested she call over to the Y. Um, and they do have a refrigerator and a freezer. It's not that big, so I would suggest that you call over to them to see if the items that you're looking to donate can actually be used there in short order, but the YMCA is also a
really great option. So, um, that was probably one of my favorite days as a council woman, to be honest, just to be out there on the street, no matter how cold it was. Um, just talking to community members and watching all those cars pull up in front of Burough Hall to make donations. Um, it was really
something to see. So, uh, keep it up. Uh, I'll keep reminding you and, um, and I really, uh, appreciate all of the participation. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Uh, Councilman Kley. >> Oh, it's me. I'm sorry, Councilman Catron.
>> Thank you, Mayor. As tomorrow is Veterans Day, I want to give deep thanks again to all veterans that served for your bravery, uh, your commitment and your self-sacrifice. Um, I work at the VA and it's been a
very difficult year at the VA hospitals. Uh there's been a lot of slashing of funding because it's a federal agency and I go in every week and I don't know who which staff member is going to be gone week to week. Um especially in the summer it was just the staff was like
decimated at the VA in in Manhattan in the Bronx of New York City. So, um, I hope that we can, regardless of partisan affiliation, agree that veterans deserve to be supported and not just with lip service, but also with real funding and
that the VA deserves to be fully funded. Um, I'm actually after this event, I'm running to a wonderful event uh sponsored by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which supports veterans. It's in New York City at Lincoln Center and I'm just incredibly proud and
privileged to be able to stand with celebrities and everybody who supports veterans and tons of veterans have been invited to this event. So, it's really exciting that I have the privilege to be going. Um, so thank you to all our nation's veterans. I will be there
tomorrow morning at the ceremony. I also have um a quick westside story to tell. Um, so we talk a lot at council meetings about all the wonderful events that the burrow puts on and for good reason. The events are uh we we put on a ton of
events. It's wonderful community building. It creates bonds uh between residents and it's not only fun but it's also those bonds can serve deeper purposes. And so I'll tell you a little bit of an illustration of that type of
deeper purpose I think. Um, so some people may know that there on the west side where I live, there is a gentleman who lost his home this summer. And I'm not going to name his name because of because of privacy, but the I I have
been absolutely I made some effort to get to know him because he lives really close to me and so and befriended some people who are also got got to know him and he's just really struggled for the last uh several years. And I know that
Burough staff um has done incredible work and really dedicated, thankless work to try to help him and has helped him in many ways. But unfortunately, he did wind up without a home uh without shelter in Sunset Park. He was he was
sleeping there. And so I just I said, "What can we do?" And because I'm a council person, tons of residents at the west side wrote to me and texted me and Facebookked me and said, "What can we do to help?" I mean, I'm overwhelmed with the amount of people that have reached
out about this. It's just it's absolutely beautiful. And uh we were able to put up a fundraiser online and we raised a ton of money already for for his temporary shelter. We got him in temporary shelter today. He's out of the
cold. It's a huge victory. Um, and you know, we have to work on a permanent solution. Luckily, this is what I do for a living. I help I help the homeless in New York City, so I can work on it here, too. Um, and I'll work with Burough staff anyway I can to to make this
happen. But it's it's just to see the bonds that are are so real in this town. see how much people care about each other to see that they would not residents would not allow an especially an elderly man to to sleep out in the park in in this winter. They just
wouldn't allow it. We have too too many resources here, too many people who are committed to helping others. And so, thanks to everyone who was involved in this. Um, I'm absolutely thrilled that we're that we took the a big step today and I just really appreciate the
community coming together. That's all I have. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Kman. >> Thank you, sir. I'll be brief. Um, as a grandson of both a Army and a Navy veteran, I want to extend my gratitude to all veterans uh globally. Um, and then congratulations to Councilwoman Del
Ry Conn and um, Councilman Electone. Uh, you ran a great campaign. I applaud you and I appreciate being your friend. Uh, thank you all. >> Thank you, Councilman Erica. >> Thank you. I want to add my uh thanks and congratulations to Councilwoman Del
Ray Conn and Councilman-elect uh Dennis Mazone. They've ran a fantastic campaign and um I'm sure I'll have further comments at our uh recommencement in a few weeks. Um and I also want to thank all those who participated and and ran as council president said, it's a very difficult thing to do. Uh we had a
fantastic voter turnout as well in Rutherford as we often do and so I want to thank everyone for participating uh in voting. It's a very important um right and opportunity and privilege that we all have and so thank you for for doing that. And I do want to add my thanks and appreciation to veterans. I'm the the son of a veteran, grandson of a
veteran and I know the transformative um impact that serving has had on the life of uh my family and uh my dad in particular. Um so thanks to all the veterans for serving uh very sincerely. >> Thank you, Councilman Guzman.
Thank you very much, Mayor. Um, adding to everyone else, um, last but not least here, um, I obviously, um, want to thank our veterans, um, being coming from from a family that has, uh, very many
relatives that have served in many different wars and for actually for decades and decades and decades have served. Um, I can't thank our veterans enough for what for what they do for us on a daily basis, the sacrifices they
make. And at the end of the day, it's it's the proudest person in my opinion you could be to be a veteran. And it's not always shown by those that are not veterans. So, I want to make sure that all veterans out there hear me very loud
and say, "I appreciate you. I'm proud of you. and I really I am indebted to all of your services. Um I'd also like to thank my council colleague uh on her win uh Del Ray Conn. I look forward to serving in the next few years with you
additional years and also a big congratulations to Councilman elect Dennis May Zone. I'm sure he's going to do great work with us here on the dis and um I'm excited to get to work with him on January 1. That's all I have. Thank you very much. Thank you,
Councilman. Uh, we're going to move on to my reports. First off, I'd like to also thank Councilwoman Del R Con and Councilman Elect Dennis Mison. Um, we're going to have a U I'm not sure it's actually going to be
the first. I don't know, but I think it's the second. So, um, look forward to everybody turning out for the event and supporting the councilwoman and the councilman-elect for an exciting year as we move forward.
Uh, next up, I also would like to thank the veterans. My family has served. Um, it's a very important role to our democracy and to our country. and appreciation, I believe, is the most important thing you could show somebody that serves and puts their life on the
line for their country and their beliefs. Thank you. Um, I have a couple of appointments. First, I have uh Mark Slam, Labor One, Step One, effective November 24th, 2025 in accordance with the rules and
regulations of New Jersey Civil Service Commission. I'd ask for council consent. I'd like a motion, please. >> Motion. Motion by Councilman Del Ray Conn. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council president. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none, may I have a roll call,
please? >> Council President McGawan, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Delray Cohen, >> yes. >> Counciloman Quan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Eric, >> yes. >> Council Guzman, >> yes. >> Thank you. Next, I have Sean Benson, Fire Safety Bureau, temporary part-time
position at 29 $29.64 64 cents per hour effective November 12, 2025 in accordance with the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. I'd ask for council consent. >> Motion. >> Motion by council president. May have a second. >> Second.
>> Second by council del. Any questions or comments? Seeing none. >> Council president McGawan. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Deler Con? >> Yes. >> Counciloman Quattro? >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley? >> Yes. >> Councilman Ero? >> Yes. Councilman Cuzman. >> Yes.
>> Thank you. I'll now accept the motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. >> I have a motion by council president. All in favor? >> I