Mayor & Council

MINUTES Mayor and Council Regular Meeting October 28, 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 28, 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 the country as it enters into voting season. 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, Councilman Benson, Councilman Glass and Mayor Papaleo. ABSENT: Councilwoman Kinsella and Councilwoman Malellari ALSO PRESENT: Borough Administrator Lissette Aportela Borough Attorney William Rupp, Esq. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – On a motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Council President Montisano-Koen, and all other members present voting in favor, that the Minutes of the Mayor and Council Regular Meeting of October 17, 2024 are hereby approved. PROCLAMATIONS & AWARDS – 10U River Edge Travel Softball Team Mayor Papaleo presented Certificates of Recognition to the following players and coaches of the 10U River Edge Girls Travel Team in recognition of the River Edge Athletic Softball League’s 10U Travel Team for winning the 10U District 4 State Championship and placing second in the State Sectionals: Players: Danielle Sansevere Emma Schweiger Gabriella Como Jordan Sabella Juliana Maietta Keira Fay Searles Maeve Taylor Mary Thiffault Sofia Ingenito Abigail Morrisette Ariana Armental Lily Cahill Coaches Dan Sansevere Jolie Maietta Joe Armental Jon Morrisette Kevin Sabella Mayor Papaleo congratulated the team on a fantastic season. Coach Sansevere detailed the team’s record and noted that the girls displayed intensity and learned how to play as a team. He presented a plaque to commemorate the team’s win which he commented can be displayed at Borough Hall when it reopens. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA – On motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, 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. MONTHLY REPORTS – Mayor Papaleo advised that the following reports are on file in the Office of the Borough Clerk and available for review: Fire Prevention - October 11, 2024 FIRST READING – ORDINANCES – Ordinance #24-23 Motion by Councilwoman Kaufman that the following ordinance be introduced and passed on first reading and setting November 14, 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 ordinance. Second by Council President Montisano-Koen. Mayor Papaleo read the title of the ordinances into the record: ORDINANCE #24-23 – AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $350,000.00 FROM THE GENERAL CAPITAL FUND BALANCE FOR THE UNDERTAKING OF RENOVATIONS TO AND FURNISHINGS FOR THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING Borough Administrator Aportela advised that the purpose of this ordinance is to provide additional funding in the amount of $350,000 to complete the Municipal Building Renovation & Addition project. She noted that, by using capital fund balance, no additional debt will be incurred. The vote was recorded as follows: Councilwoman Kaufman: aye Councilwoman Malellari: absent Council President Montisano-Koen: aye Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: absent Councilman Glass: aye RESOLUTIONS - By Consent a. #24-317 Resolution of Certification of the Annual Audit b. #24-318 Enter Into a Shared Services Agreement with the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority for TV Inspection Services c. #24-319 A Resolution Requesting Permission For the Dedication By Rider For Veterans Hometown Hero Banners Motion by Councilman Benson, second by Councilman Glass, that the Consent Agenda be approved. The vote was recorded as follows: Councilwoman Kaufman: aye Councilwoman Malellari: absent Council President Montisano-Koen: aye Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: absent Councilman Glass: aye ******** #24-330 Payment of Bills Councilwoman Kaufman read resolution #24-330 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 28, 2024. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge approve the following expenditures. CURRENT FUND $ 176,188.44 GENERAL CAPITAL FUND $ 30,804.98 DEVELOPER’S ESCROW $ 10,222.50 RECREATION TRUST $ 4,195.00 Motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, second by Councilman Glass, that Resolution #24-330 be approved. The was recorded as follows: Councilwoman Kaufman: aye Councilwoman Malellari: absent Council President Montisano-Koen: aye Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: absent Councilman Glass: aye ******** With respect to Resolution #24-317, Borough Administrator Aportela explained that the Borough annually undergoes an audit to review the financial practices of the prior year. She announced that the Borough had a perfect audit. Mayor Papaleo thanked everyone for the great job. FOR DISCUSSION – Ordinance Addition – Chapter 400 Vehicles and Traffic Chief Walker explained that the Police Department is looking to update Chapter 400 of the Borough Code to adjust parking areas, add two stop signs, and update the hours for no overnight parking for taxis and limousines to between midnight and 6 a.m. Holiday for Heroes Ceremony Borough Administrator Aportela advised that the Bergen County Chiefs Association and Bergen County Chiefs Foundation will be hosting their annual “Holiday for Heroes” ceremony which will take place at the Paramus Veterans Home on December 8th at 10 a.m. She further advised that, at the conclusion of the ceremony, memorial wreaths honoring veterans will be deployed to each municipal military memorial park. She commented that the Borough Clerk notified the Recreation Director and he had no objection. NEW BUSINESS – There was no New Business. OLD BUSINESS – Update on Construction Mayor Papaleo expressed his belief that all paving and striping has been completed with respect to the PSE&G infrastructure improvements. He commended the Police Department, DPW and Borough Engineer for their respective roles in this project. He thanked the residents for their patience while this work was completed with almost no additional cost to the taxpayers. He then explained what this work entailed. PUBLIC COMMENTS – Motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, second by Councilman Benson, and all members present voting in favor, to open public comments. No one came forward. Motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, second by Councilman Benson, and all members present voting in favor, to close public comment. COUNCIL COMMENTS – Council President Montisano-Koen recognized Sgt. Sanchez for organizing the first Trunk or Treat. She noted that it was an amazing event with a great turnout. She also thanked the Recreation Commission and Joe Ricca, Recreation Superintendent, for organizing the Halloween parade. CLOSED SESSION – On a motion from Councilman Glass, seconded by Council President Montisano-Koen, and all present voting in favor, the meeting was adjourned to the Closed Executive Session via Resolution #24-331 at 7:22 pm. #24-331 Resolution to Go Into Closed Session and Exclude Public WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA 10:4-12 permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances; and WHEREAS, this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, as follows: 1. That the public shall be excluded from the October 28, 2024 regular meeting and discussion of the hereinafter specified subject matter: A. Personnel – N.J.S.A 10:4-12(b)(8) 1. Police Officer Interviews 2. Formal action may/may not be taken. 3. Minutes will be kept and once the matter involving the confidentiality of the above no longer requires that confidentiality, then the minutes can be made public. On a motion by Council President Montisano-Koen, second by Councilman Benson, and all present voting in favor, the regular meeting was reopened at 7:58 p.m. Mayor Papaleo thanked Shawn Mastropierro for participating in the interview process for the position of Police Officer and advised that the governing body wishes to offer him this position effective November 14, 2024. Mr. Mastropierro confirmed his acceptance of this offer. A resolution to authorize this hire will be listed on the November 14th agenda. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, on a motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, second by Councilman Benson, and unanimously carried, to adjourn this meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Anne Dodd, RMC Borough Clerk  BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE ORDINANCE #24-23 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $350,000.00 FROM THE GENERAL CAPITAL FUND BALANCE FOR THE UNDERTAKING OF RENOVATIONS TO AND FURNISHINGS FOR THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, as follows: SECTION 1. The undertaking of renovations to and furnishings for the municipal building described in Section 2 of this ordinance are hereby authorized by the Borough of River Edge, New Jersey and, there is hereby appropriated the sum of $350,000.00 of which $350,000.00 is from the General Capital Fund Balance. SECTION 2. The purchases are authorized as follows: a. The undertaking of renovations to the municipal building b. Furnishings for the municipal building SECTION 3. The appropriation shall be made from the General Capital Fund and no debt is authorized. SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect immediately after the first publication after final passage as provided by law. ______________________________ Mayor Thomas Papaleo Attest: _____________________________ Anne Dodd, Borough Clerk Dated: