Mayor & Council

MINUTES Mayor and Council Regular Meeting June 24, 2024 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER – A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge was held in person at the River Edge Public Library located at 685 Elm Avenue, River Edge, NJ 07661 and virtually via Zoom on June 24, 2024. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Papaleo. SILENT PRAYER – FLAG SALUTE Mayor Papaleo asked for a moment of silence for loved ones who may be ill or dying from illness, especially ALS. He then led those present in a salute to the flag. STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE - Mayor Papaleo read the Statement of Compliance into the record as follows: Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act: This meeting complies with the Open Public Meeting Act by notification on January 11th of this location, date and time to the Town News and the Record and by posting of same on the municipal bulletin board and Borough website and filing a notice of the same with the Municipal Clerk. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilwoman Kaufman, Councilwoman Kinsella, Councilwoman Malellari, Councilman Benson, and ABSENT: Council President Montisano-Koen and Councilman Glass ALSO PRESENT: Borough Administrator Lissette Aportela Borough Attorney John L. Shahdanian, Esq. Chief Financial Officer Christopher Battaglia APPROVAL OF MINUTES – On a motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, seconded by Councilman Benson, with Councilwoman Malellari recusing from the May 30th Minutes, and all other members present voting in favor, that the Minutes of the Mayor and Council Regular Meeting and Closed Session of May 30, 2024 and Mayor and Council Regular Meeting of June 10, 2024 are hereby approved. PROCLAMATIONS & AWARDS Storm Drain Art Contest Certificates Patty Almberg, Co-Chair of the Environmental Protection Commission, noted that this year is the fourth that they have held the Stormwater Art Contest. She explained what was involved in the educational component of this contest and detailed the locations of all the storm drain art. She congratulated the participants and thanked them for partaking in the process. Mayor Papaleo presented certificates to the following students from Roosevelt and Cherry Hill: Cherry Hill Winner Alexis Wong Runners-Up Amura Chawla Nita Guliashvili Katherine Rashdani Emily Rha Lucy Rodgers Avery Wang Roosevelt School: Winner Madeleine Doss Runners-Up Yoona Kim Zoe Lai Chloe Hoh Maraclay Solomon Addison Kim Tahzeeba Omar Emmeline Oprita Ella Wittrech As the members of the REGAL 3/4 Softball Team had not arrived yet, it was decided to move to New Business. NEW BUSINESS – Girl Scout Gold Award Project Avani Dhariwal, 107 Valley Road, explained that her Gold Award project aims to reduce plastic waste within the community by raising awareness and encouraging the use of reusable bottles. Mayor Papaleo requested that Borough Administrator Aportela put Ms. Dhariwal in touch with the Green Team and Environmental Protection Commission so they can assist with her project. Determination & Award Certificate - $9,000,000 Bond Anticipation Note CFO Battaglia reported that a Bond Anticipation Note sale was held and $9 million was sold on June 20th. He explained that there were two bidders and the winning rate was 3.8564% which he noted was slightly better than the projections but within range. He advised that it was awarded to BNY Mellon Capital Markets and will mature on June 18, 2025. He commented that debt has not been sold in almost 5 years and notes are only sold as needed. He advised that there were some larger projects which were outside of grants and this $9 million is paying the Borough back for some of these projects. Although he noted that, due to the Borough’s healthy fund balance, these projects were able to be absorbed for the past four or five years, it is now necessary to finance on a short-term basis and look to permanently finance when it best fits the budget and amortization schedule. Borough Administrator Aportela detailed the various improvements that were funded in recent years, noting that most improvements involved replacement or repair of infrastructure. When questioned as to how the interest rate the Borough received compared to other municipalities, CFO Battaglia advised that, although it is a very tight market, the rate the Borough received is on the lower end of what he has seen in the last few weeks. He commented that the lower interest rate is due to the Borough’s excellent bond rating. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA – On motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, seconded by Councilwoman Malellari, and all present voting in favor, to open for public comments on any item on the agenda. Edward Kim, 337 Continental Avenue, questioned whether a breakdown will be posted to the website of how the $9 million bond will be spent. On a motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Councilman Benson, and all present voting in favor, to close public comments on any item on the agenda. Borough Administrator Aportela explained that the $9 million funds three bond ordinances, one from 2021 and two from 2022. She detailed the various projects and equipment that these ordinances funded and explained how Mr. Kim can obtain a copy of these ordinances. CFO Battaglia added that the Borough is paying itself back for monies spent from another fund which will allow the Borough to amortize this funding. MONTHLY REPORTS – Mayor Papaleo advised that the following reports are on file in the Office of the Borough Clerk and available for review: Land Use Board - May 22, 2024 FIRST READING – ORDINANCES – Ordinance #24-17 & #24-18 Motion by Councilman Benson that the following ordinances be introduced and passed on first reading and setting July 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the as the matter can be heard as the date and time and the River Edge Library as the place and Zoom as the virtual platform for a hearing on said ordinances. Second by Councilwoman Kaufman. Mayor Papaleo read the title of the ordinances into the record: Ordinance #24-17 – An Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Section 400-17.2 of Chapter 400, “Vehicles and Traffic,” of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of River Edge, Respecting Parking Within the Grove Street Commercial Parking Lot Ordinance #24-18 – An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 206 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of River Edge, Entitled Fees, as Amended by Ordinance No. 24-16, Respecting Parking Fees for the Grove Street Commercial Parking Lot Borough Administrator Aportela explained that Ordinance #24-17 allows for 3 spaces to be allocated for residential parking in the Grove Street Commercial Parking Lot and Ordinance #24-18 establishes the fee to obtain the residential parking sticker for this lot. The vote was recorded as follows: Councilwoman Kaufman: aye Councilwoman Malellari: aye Council President Montisano-Koen: absent Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Glass: absent (See Ordinance #24-17 & #24-18 attached and made a part hereof.) SECOND READING & HEARING ON ORDINANCES Ordinance #24-15 & #24-16 Mayor Papaleo read into the record: The following ordinances published herewith were first read by title only on June 10, 2024 and posted on the bulletin board of the municipal building: Ordinance #24-15 – An Ordinance Amending and Supplementing the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of River Edge, Chapter 400, “Vehicles and Traffic” Ordinance #24-16 – An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 206 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of River Edge, Entitled Fees Public Comments on Ordinances #24-15 & #24-16 Motion by Councilwoman Malellari, second by Councilwoman Kinsella, and all members voting in favor, to open the floor to the public on Ordinance #24-15 & #24-16. Borough Administrator Aportela explained Ordinance #24-15 allows nonresident commuters to park in the River Edge Road Train Station Parking Lot and Ordinance #24-16 establishes the fees for nonresident commuter parking permits. No one came forward. Motion by Councilman Benson, second by Councilwoman Kaufman, to close the floor to the public on Ordinance #24-15 & #24-16. Motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, second by Councilwoman Kaufman, that Ordinance #24-15 be passed on second and final reading and is hereby adopted and notice of same shall be published according to law. On a roll call, the vote was recorded as follows: Councilwoman Kaufman: aye Councilwoman Malellari: aye Council President Montisano-Koen: absent Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Glass: absent Motion by Councilman Benson, second by Councilwoman Malellari, that Ordinance #24-16 be passed on second and final reading and is hereby adopted and notice of same shall be published according to law. On a roll call, the vote was recorded as follows: Councilwoman Kaufman: aye Councilwoman Malellari: aye Council President Montisano-Koen: absent Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Glass: absent (See Ordinance #24-15 & #24-16 attached and made a part hereof.) RESOLUTIONS - By Consent Councilwoman Kinsella asked for an explanation of the Community Development Regional Committee which is referenced in Resolution #24-210. Borough Administrator Aportela explained that funding is received through the Community Development Block Grant to help fund improvements in the census tract. She further explained that Borough representatives are required to be appointed to this committee and attend two meetings during the year. a. #24-202 Resolution Permitting the Possession and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages at a Block Party on Princeton Drive b. #24-203 Confirm Emergency Purchase – Emergency Sanitary Sewer Main Repair c. #24-204 Approve Refunds – Recreation Department d. #24-205 Authorize Execution of a Shared Services Agreement Between the Borough of River Edge and the River Edge Board of Education to Provide 2 Class III Officers e. #24-206 Resolution Requesting Approval of Items of Revenue and Appropriation f. #24-207 Approve Employment Contract with Police Chief Michael J. Walker g. #24-208 Approve Refund – Lead Paint Inspection h. #24-209 Approve Refund – Lead Paint Inspection i. #24-210 Appoint Borough Representatives to the Community Development Regional Committee j. #24-211 Appointment of Borough Representatives to the Open Space Trust Regional Committee k. #24-212 Authorize Renewal of ABC Liquor Licenses for 2024-2025 l. #24-213 Award Contract – 2024 ADA Ramps Improvements and Sidewalk Replacement Project m. #24-214 Approve the Appointment of a Volunteer Firefighter n. #24-215 Approve the Appointment of a Volunteer Firefighter o. #24-216 Approve the Appointment of a Junior Volunteer Firefighter p. #24-217 Confirm Recreation Program Instructors q. #24-218 Authorize Receipt of Bids – Brookside Park Improvements Project r. #24-219 Authorize Receipt of Bids – Bogers Road Section 7 Project Motion by Councilwoman Malellari, second by Councilman Benson, that the Consent Agenda be approved. The vote was recorded as follows Councilwoman Kaufman: aye Councilwoman Malellari: aye Council President Montisano-Koen: absent Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Glass: absent ******** #24-220 Payment of Bills Councilwoman Kaufman read resolution #24-220 into the record: At a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, held on June 24, 2024. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge approve the following expenditures. CURRENT FUND $ 315,285.12 GENERAL CAPITAL FUND $ 26,747.00 GRANT FUND $ 1,451.25 TRUST OTHER $ 2,095.48 DEVELOPER’S ESCROW $ 1,400.00 RECREATION TRUST $ 2,845.39 Motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, second by Councilwoman Kinsella, that Resolution #24-220 be approved. The was recorded as follows: Councilwoman Kaufman: aye Councilwoman Malellari: aye Council President Montisano-Koen: absent Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Glass: absent ******** NEW BUSINESS – (continued) New Jersey Fireman’s Association Clothing Collection Bin Mayor Papaleo read the attached letter into the record from Michael Schlossberg, President of Company 1, River Edge Fire Department, to request that a clothing collection bin be placed at 10 River Edge Road. It was the consensus of the governing body to grant this request. OLD BUSINESS – There was no Old Business. PUBLIC COMMENTS – Motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, second by Councilwoman Malellari, and all members present voting in favor, to open public comments. No one came forward. Motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, second by Councilman Benson, and all members present voting in favor, to close public comment. COUNCIL COMMENTS – Councilman Benson commended the Fire Department for all that they do for the community. He advised that he attended a feedback session on a recent fire call as well as a visit to New Bridge Landing to determine how a fire would be handled at this location. Councilwoman Kinsella announced that the 4th of July celebration will take place next Thursday. She expressed hope that everyone can attend. REGAL 3/4 Softball Team Certificates Mayor Papaleo presented certificates to the following players and coaches of the REGAL 3/4 Softball Team for winning the Kinderkamack Softball Recreational League: Players Juliana Maietta Savannah Guzman Scarlett Gildea Sashya Siddick Paige Cerullo Elena Terhune Peyton Cox Grace Lyons Mata Richins Gabriela Nunez Ahana Dhiman Ashita Aggarwal Coaches Head Coach Chris Gildea Jesse Richins Kathleen Terhune Michelle Gildea Jolie Maietta Betsy Guzman Coach Gildea noted that the team only experienced one loss and had a record of 11-1-1. He commented that every player contributed and expressed how proud he is of all the players. PUBLIC COMMENTS – Motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, second by Councilwoman Kaufman, and all members present voting in favor, to open public comments. Michele Cariddi, 193 Wayne Ave, Chair of the Beautification Committee, expressed appreciation to the DPW for their assistance at Cherry Blossom Park. She noted that this department never denies her requests for help. Motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, second by Councilman Benson, and all members present voting in favor, to close public comment. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, on a motion by Councilwoman Malellari, second by Councilman Benson, and unanimously carried, to adjourn this meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Anne Dodd, RMC Borough Clerk  BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE ORDINANCE #24-17 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING SECTION 400-17.2 OF CHAPTER 400, “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC ,” OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE, RESPECTING PARKING WITHIN THE GROVE STREET COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, as follows: Section 1. Section 400-17.2, entitled “Grove Street Commercial Parking Lot,” of Article II, entitled “Parking, Standing and Stopping,” of Chapter 400, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic,” of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of River Edge, is hereby amended to read in full as follows: §400-17.2 Grove Street Commercial Parking Lot. A. Kinderkamack Road North municipal businesses parking regulations on Grove Street Commercial Parking Lot. (1) Only vehicles with numbered hangers will be permitted to park in the designated parking spaces on Grove Street. (2) Parking regulations. (a) All vehicles are to be parked head in within the lined spaces designated for parking. (b) Parking in any area other than described in Subsection A(2)(a) is prohibited. (c) The River Edge Police Department is authorized to prohibit parking whenever necessary for public safety or when an emergent situation exists. (d) In addition to the penalties herein imposed, any vehicle parked in violation of this section may be towed away, at the owner's expense. (e) Grove Street Commercial Business District permits. Business owners and/or employees shall submit applications for quarterly and yearly permits as follows: [1] First quarter: December 16. [2] Second quarter: March 16. [3] Third quarter: June 16. [4] Fourth quarter: September 16. [5] Yearly: January 31. (f) Parking permitted Monday through Friday 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (g) Application for permit shall be restricted to one application per registered vehicle. Each applicant shall submit the parking fee with his application as established by the Borough of River Edge along with a copy of his or her license. B. Grove Street residential parking regulations on Grove Street Commercial Parking Lot. (1) Only vehicles with numbered hangers will be permitted to park in the designated parking spaces on Grove Street. No more than 3 spaces will be allocated for residential parking. (2) Parking regulations. (a) All vehicles are to be parked head in within the lined spaces designated for parking. (b) Parking in any area other than described in Subsection A(2)(a) is prohibited. (c) The River Edge Police Department is authorized to prohibit parking whenever necessary for public safety or when an emergent situation exists. (d) In addition to the penalties herein imposed, any vehicle parked in violation of this section may be towed away, at the owner's expense. (e) Residential Parking Permits. Residential property owners and/or tenants shall submit applications for quarterly and yearly permits as follows: [1] First quarter: December 16. [2] Second quarter: March 16. [3] Third quarter: June 16. [4] Fourth quarter: September 16. [5] Yearly: January 31. (f) Parking permitted for 24-hour daily use. (g) Application for permit shall be restricted to one application per registered vehicle. Each applicant shall submit the parking fee with his application as established by the Borough of River Edge along with a copy of his or her license. C. Enforcement. This section is to be enforced by the Police Department of the Borough of River Edge or any other person or persons designated by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge. D. Penalty. Violation of this section shall be considered a motor vehicle parking violation and shall be subject to the same penalties as those in effect for parking violations on the streets of the Borough of River Edge. Section 2. Any ordinances or parts thereof inconsistent herewith any are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency. Section 3. In case any clause, sentence, section or other provision of this ordinance, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or repeal the remainder of this ordinance except insofar as the clause, sentence, section or other provision so declared invalid shall be inseparable from the remainder thereof. Section 4. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon final passage and publication as required by law. INTRODUCED: ADOPTED: ___________________________________ Thomas Papaleo, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ Anne Dodd, RMC, CMR Borough Clerk/Assistant Borough Administrator  BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE ORDINANCE #24-18 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 206 OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE, ENTITLED FEES, AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 24-16, RESPECTING PARKING FEES FOR THE GROVE STREET COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, as follows: Section 1. Subparagraph (3) of Subsection DD, entitled “Commuter Parking Fees”, of Section 206-2 entitled “Schedule of fees,” of Chapter 206, entitled “Fees,” of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of River Edge, as amended by Ordinance No. 24-16, is hereby further amended to read as follows: DD. Parking Fees. (3) Grove Street Commercial Parking Lot parking fees, parking of vehicles for River Edge business owners, employees, and residents of Grove Street: (a) Quarterly: $75 (b) Annually: $250 Section 2. Any ordinances or parts thereof inconsistent herewith any are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency. Section 3. In case any clause, sentence, section or other provision of this ordinance, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or repeal the remainder of this ordinance except insofar as the clause, sentence, section or other provision so declared invalid shall be inseparable from the remainder thereof. Section 4. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon final passage and publication as required by law. INTRODUCED: ADOPTED: ___________________________________ Thomas Papaleo, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ Anne Dodd, RMC, CMR Borough Clerk/Assistant Borough Administrator  River Edge Volunteer Fire Department 705 Kinderkamack Road, River Edge, NJ 07661 6/20/2024 Mayor Papaleo & River Edge Council Members: I apologize I am not able to formally make my request in person due to a prior engagement this evening. I am thankful for your consideration. I am writing this note to formally request permission on behalf of the River Edge Fire Department to locate a clothing collection bin against the retaining wall at 10 River Edge Rd. in the train parking lot. The organization that collects clothes and properly maintains the bin is the NY/NJ Fireman’s Association. In this year alone, the organization donated over four-thousand dollars in scholarships provided to several River Dell students. The Bin serves as a great way for people to dispose of old clothes and this is also how the Fireman’s Associate raises their money. Lastly in the event of a fire in our community, the Fireman’s association will make a direct donation to the family affected. This has happened on fires in our town’s history when we had a bin on behalf of the NY/NJ Fireman’s Association. This happens only if we have a bin from the association in town. This location, specifically at 10 River Edge Road is being requested due to prior consultation from Jason Milito, DPW Superintendent. After discussion with Jason, he advised the next step would be to gain permission from the Town Council--- I would also like to also just comment on how responsive and great Jason is anytime I have to requested any assistance! Thanks for your time and consideration of my request. I am hopeful of gaining your approval this evening. Thanks again for your support, Michael Schlossberg President - River Edge Fire Dept Co 1.