Mayor & Council

MINUTES Mayor and Council Regular Meeting October 17, 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 October 17, 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 soldiers and police officers who put themselves in harm’s way each and every day. Councilwoman Kaufman 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, Council President Montisano-Koen, Councilwoman Kinsella (arrived at 7:19 p.m.), Councilwoman Malellari, Councilman Benson, Councilman Glass and Mayor Papaleo. ABSENT: Councilman Glass ALSO PRESENT: Borough Administrator Lissette Aportela Borough Attorney John Shahdanian, Esq. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – On a motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Councilman Benson, with Council President Montisano-Koen abstaining and all other members present voting in favor, that the Minutes of the Mayor and Council Regular Meeting and Closed Session of September 23, 2024 are hereby approved. PRESENTATION – Veterans Banner Presentation Ray Stitz, 210 Mohawk Drive, explained that he and Jason Milito, DPW Superintendent, are proposing to place banners in honor of veterans throughout town from May through November. He advised that there are approximately 186 residents who receive the veteran deduction and it is planned to send those residents a letter and application to participate in this program as well as to place the application on the website. He noted that the cost is approximately $200 per 18 in. x 36 in. banner which also includes the hardware. He advised that a Colonel in town will assist with vetting the applications which will be limited to combat veterans for now. Should someone not have a picture, a silhouette can be used and it is planned to also include notable service and awards on the banner. DPW Superintendent Milito explained that the banners will be purchased twice per year. In speaking with the CFO, he advised that a trust fund can be set up for this program and donations for maintenance can be accepted. He noted that the poles are universal and can be used for holiday decorations. The DPW will handle placing and removing the banners and he detailed the poles they will be looking to utilize, commenting that there will be no pole selection. He expressed his belief that the flags will last three to four years and an internal replacement plan can be implemented. It was the consensus of the governing body to approve this concept. A resolution for the creation of a trust fund is to be listed on the next agenda. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA – On motion by Councilwoman Montisano-Koen, seconded by Councilman Benson, and all present voting in favor, to open for public comments on any item on the agenda. No one came forward. 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. APPOINTMENTS & PERSONNEL CHANGES – On motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Council President Montisano-Koen, and all members present voting in favor, to approve the following appointments and personnel changes: Approve the salary increase of Joel Gutierrez, Department of Public Works from a Tree Trimmer, Step III salary of $68,506.00 to Tree Trimmer, Step IV - $70,960.00 due to satisfactory completion of CDL licensing requirement, retroactive to September 23, 2024. Approve the resignation of Salvatore Ciccone, SLEO II in the Police Department effective September 22, 2024. Approve the resignation of Kevin Doheny, SLEO III in the Police Department effective September 26, 2024. Approve the resignation of William Levine, Crossing Guard in the Police Department effective September 3, 2024 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 - September 11, 2024 Land Use Board - August 28, 2024 Environmental Commission & - September 3, 2024 Green Team  Tax Collector Report - August 31, 2024 RESOLUTIONS - By Consent a. #24-305 Approve the Hire of SLEO III b. #24-306 Reappoint Borough Clerk c. #24-307 Approve Change Order #14 – Borough Hall Addition & Alterations d. #24-308 Authorize Auction of Surplus Property No Longer Needed for Public Use on an Online Auction Website e. #24-309 Approve Change Order #3 – River Edge Police Department – HVAC Replacement f. #24-310 Resolution Permitting the Possession and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages at a Block Party on Seventh Avenue g. #24-311 Authorize Execution of a Shared Services Agreement between the Borough of River Edge and the River Dell Board of Education to Provide One Class III Officer for the 2024-2025 School Year h. #24-312 Enter Into a Shared Service Agreement – County of Bergen – Employee Assistance Program i. #24-313 Authorize Tax Collector to Cancel and Refund Taxes on a Tax-Exempt Property j. #24-314 Resolution to Cancel Capital Balances k. #24-315 Resolution to Refund Escrow Money Motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, 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: aye Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Glass: absent ******** #24-316 Payment of Bills Councilwoman Kaufman read resolution #24-316 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 October 17, 2024. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge approve the following expenditures. CURRENT FUND $ 3,116,656.81 GENERAL CAPITAL FUND $ 484,018.11 GRANT FUND $ 39,279.88 ANIMAL CONTROL $ 3.60 TRUST OTHER $ 2,424.67  PAYROLL $ 20,789.24 DEVELOPER’S ESCROW $ 3,547.50 RECREATION TRUST $ 4,637.45 Motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, second by Councilwoman Kinsella, that Resolution #24-316 be approved. The was recorded as follows: Councilwoman Kaufman: Councilwoman Malellari: Council President Montisano-Koen: Councilman Benson: Councilwoman Kinsella: Councilman Glass: absent ******** NEW BUSINESS – There was no New Business. OLD BUSINESS – Best Practices Inventory Borough Administrator Aportela explained that each year municipalities need to complete the Best Practices Survey which assesses each municipality’s compliance with various laws and evaluates the implementation of fiscal and operational best practices. She advised that there are a total of 69 questions, of which 17 are unscored. She stated that the minimum score to receive the full final aid payment is 35 and the Borough received 42 points. She advised that she, the CFO, and Borough Clerk worked on the survey which was certified on the Department of Community Affairs website ahead of the October 25th deadline. As part of the process, she explained it has to be reported that the survey was or will be discussed at a public governing body meeting. Construction Updates Borough Administrator Aportela provided the following updates: Tree Planting The 2024 tree planting will begin Monday, October 21st. It is estimated that about 110 trees will be planted. Although priority will be given to all residents who request a tree new planting throughout the year, trees must be planted on all available right-of-ways to comply with the new DEP and Borough regulations. The process involved includes planting the suitable species, the size of the apron, proximity of infrastructure such as sewer, water, and gas lines underground, overhead wires, and compliance with traffic regulations to not cause line of sight or other safety issues. PSE&G PSE&G has committed to full curb-to-curb paving on most roads within the area bounded by Howland Avenue, Kinderkamack Road, Fifth Avenue, and Manning Avenue. Milling began on Thursday, October 3, 2024, with a projected end date of October 21, 2024. The PSE&G subcontractor is currently on schedule and meeting all project milestones. Paving commenced on Thursday, October 10, 2024, and is scheduled for completion by Thursday, October 24, 2024. As of today, the subcontractor remains on track to meet this timeline. Layout for striping along Bogert Road, between Howland Avenue and Wayne Avenue, was completed on Monday, October 14, 2024. Final striping is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2024. This project is progressing as scheduled, with final completion anticipated by October 24, 2024, weather permitting. 2024 ADA Ramps The contractor has completed the main project work, including intersection restorations, and initiated cleanup activities last week. Restoration efforts, previously at 80%, are now fully complete. The Borough Engineer is actively working on generating and finalizing the project punch list, ensuring that all remaining details are addressed. Resident complaints are being addressed as much as possible during this phase. Brookside Park Gallen Contracting LLC has completed the installation of the new stormwater management system, regrading of the park, the park entrance, and the asphalt pathway connecting Concord Drive and Monroe Avenue. Installation of the GameTime playground equipment for children aged 2-5 and 5- 12 began and is actively underway as of today, October 17, 2024 by MRC Recreation. This portion of the project is on schedule and expected to be completed by the end of October, as previously announced. Bogert Road Section 7 – Wayne to Kensington Work will begin in Spring 2025. Bogert Road Section 8 The original bids were rejected to substantially revise the bid specs. Although the original specifications involved paving a portion of Bogert Road, this portion was paved by PSE&G. The revised specifications are currently in the design phase, focusing on expanding the concrete curb, sidewalk, ADA ramps, and signage. DPW Updates As DPW liaison, Council President Montisano-Koen provided the following DPW updates: Paper Shredding, Oil and Antifreeze Collection Event On October 5, 2024, the DPW held a very successful paper shredding, oil and antifreeze collection event. 40 gallons of motor oil and 3 gallons of antifreeze were collected and over 50 residents attended to shred documents. This event is planned to be held twice annually in April and October. 2024 Tree Planting The 2024 tree planting will begin Monday, October 21, 2024 with a total of 112 new trees to be planted. Priority will be given to all residents who request a tree new planting throughout the year. Residents and contractors are advised to contact the DPW at 201-599-6275 for all questions pertaining to tree bonds, plantings and removals. PUBLIC COMMENTS – Motion by Councilman Benson, second by Councilwoman Kinsella, and all members present voting in favor, to open public comments. Arthur Zimmerman, 90 Lakeview Street, noted that there is a ditch between his street and Bogert Road that has not been maintained. He advised that residents have been draining their gutters into this ditch which is causing flooding one Lakeview Street. He requested that the Borough meet their obligation to maintain this area. DPW Superintendent Milito advised that he is working with the Borough Engineer to see what can be done to alleviate the flooding on Lakeview. He explained the issues that are present in this location which are making it difficult to find a solution, noting that it is not a drainage easement. It was decided to have the professionals to include the Borough Engineer, Zoning Official and Borough Attorney investigate the Borough’s authority and responsibility regarding this issue. Mr. Zimmerman will be provided an update in approximately 2 weeks. Ray Stitz, 210 Mohawk Dr, introduced Adam Reich, resident and retired Colonel, and Joe Pugliese of Gates Flags who will be providing the banners. He presented a sample banner to the governing body. Joe Pugliese, 22 Francis Street, Totowa, NJ, Gates Flag, explained his role with the company and advised that they provide these banners to approximately 50 to 55 towns throughout New Jerey as well as other places throughout the country. He commented that, although there are many different designs that can be chosen, Mr. Stitz prefers the design that was recently done for the Borough of Leonia. He stated that 18 in x36 in is the appropriate size and pricing is quantity based. Motion by Council President Montisano-Koen, second by Councilman Benson, and all members present voting in favor, to close public comment. COUNCIL COMMENTS – Mayor Papaleo commended two Police Officers who responded to a call on Bogert Road today. He detailed what transpired and commented that it was a phenomenal showing by both the Police and Fire Departments. With respect to milling and paving, he thanked the DPW and Police Department for doing their best to minimize the impact on residents. He commended Costa Engineering for doing a wonderful job. He expressed that the governing body is grateful to all Borough professionals for what they do. Councilwoman Malellari advised that there will be an EPC program at the Library on October 23rd from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. which will feature Tony from Bracco Farms who will speak about after the harvest and how to protect your bounty for the winter. Councilman Benson announced that the Cultural Center has an exhibit regarding the roots of River Edge which will run until October 26th. He commented that he attended on River Edge Day and encouraged residents to attend. Councilwoman Kaufman advised that Thursday, October 24th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. is the last Farmers Market. Mayor Papaleo thanked both the committee and Councilwoman Kaufman for doing a phenomenal job. Councilwoman Kinsella recognized Ed Zamba for hosting the Teenage Garage Band Palooza. She expressed her opinion that it was great music, advising that the event featured musicians as young as 11 years old. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, on a motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, second by Council President Montisano-Koen, and unanimously carried, to adjourn this meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Anne Dodd, RMC Borough Clerk