Mayor & Council

MINUTES Mayor and Council Regular Meeting April 24, 2025 6:30 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 April 24, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Mayor Thomas Papaleo. SILENT PRAYER – FLAG SALUTE Maor Papaleo asked for a moment of silence for all firefighters throughout the United States and world who are fighting brushfires, especially those in Ocean County and the River Edge Volunteer Fire Department who fought a brushfire today. In honor of all firefighters, especially a River Edge firefighter who was injured, he asked that it be kept in mind the risk that they take to keep everyone safe. Councilwoman Dhariwal then asked for a moment of silence for those who experienced the horrific act of terror on Indian soil on April 22, 2025 during which 27 lives were taken, noting that it was not just an attack on innocent civilians but on the very idea of peace religious freedom. She called upon the international community to support India’s longstanding demand for a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. Councilwoman Malellari 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 via the April 22, 2025 Sunshine Notice containing the location, date time and access information 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 Kinsella, Councilwoman Malellari, Councilman Benson, Councilwoman Dhariwal and Mayor Papaleo. ABSENT: Council President Montisano-Koen and Councilman Glass ALSO PRESENT: Borough Administrator Lissette Aportela Borough Attorney John Shahdanian, Esq. CLOSED SESSION – On a motion from Councilwoman Kinsella, seconded by Councilman Benson, and all present voting in favor, the meeting was adjourned to the Closed Executive Session via Resolution #25-124 at 6:36 pm. #24-124 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 April 24, 2025 regular meeting and discussion of the hereinafter specified subject matter: A. Attorney-Client Privilege – N.J.S.A. 10:4-12(b)(7) 1. Borough Hall Exterior Project 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. The regular meeting reopened at 7:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – On a motion by Councilman Benson, seconded by Councilwoman Malellari, and all members present voting in favor, that the Minutes of the Mayor and Council Special Meeting of March 1, 2025 and Mayor and Council Closed Session of April 10, 2025 are hereby approved. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA – On motion by Councilwoman Malellari, 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 Dhariwal, 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: Historic Commission - March 31, 2025 Land Use Board - March 26, 2025 PROCLAMATIONS & AWARDS – Certificates of Recognition for REGAL Girls 4th Grade Basketball Travel Team Mayor Papaleo presented certificates to the following REGAL Girls 4th Grade Basketball Travel Team players and coaches in recognition of winning the Bergen Travel League: Emma Burns Madison Castro Paige Cerullo Alyssa Fox Melinda Houghtalin Chloe Keller Mara McGee Madelyn McHugh Abigail Shim Valentina Traina Head coach Kristine McHugh Assistant James Houghtalin Assistant Mike Cerullo Coach McHugh and Assistant Coaches Houghtalin and Cerullo expressed that they are proud of the team and the tremendous amount of work they put in to attain this achievement. 2025 MUNICIPAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING & ADOPTION – #25-125 Resolution to Read the Budget by Title Only Motion by Councilwoman Dhariwal, second by Councilman Benson, that Resolution #25-125 be approved. On a roll call, the vote was recorded as follows: Council President Montisano-Koen: absent Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Glass: absent Councilwoman Malellari: aye Councilwoman Dhariwal: aye #25-126 Annual Budget Examination Motion by Councilwoman Dhariwal, second by Councilman Benson, that Resolution #25-126 be approved. On a roll call, the vote was recorded as follows: Council President Montisano-Koen: absent Councilman Benson: Councilwoman Kinsella: Councilman Glass: absent Councilwoman Malellari: Councilwoman Dhariwal: Public Hearing on 2025 Municipal Budget Motion by Councilman Benson, second by Councilwoman Malellari, and all members present voting in favor, to open public comments on the 2025 Municipal Budget. No one came forward. Motion by Councilwoman Malellari, second by Councilman Benson, and all members present voting in favor, to close public comment. #25-127 Adopting 2025 Municipal Budget Motion by Councilwoman Malellari, second by Councilwoman Kinsella, that Resolution #25-127 be approved. Councilwoman Kinsella thanked her fellow Finance Committee members for the timeless hours that they spent on the budget as well as Borough Administrator Aportela and CFO Battaglia. She also acknowledged the Citizen Budget Committee as well as the Mayor and her fellow governing body members. On a roll call, the vote was recorded as follows: Council President Montisano-Koen: absent Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Glass: absent Councilwoman Malellari: aye Councilwoman Dhariwal: aye FIRST READING – ORDINANCES – Ordinance #25-11 Motion by Councilman Benson that the following ordinance be introduced and passed on first reading and setting May 8, 2025 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 Councilwoman Kinsella. Mayor Papaleo read the title of the ordinance into the record: ORDINANCE #25-11 – BOND ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAKING OF VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND THE ACQUISITION OF NEW ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY, NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT, NEW COMMUNICATION AND SIGNAL SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT AND NEW AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES AND A NEW FIRE TRUCK (PARTIAL FUNDING), INCLUDING ORIGINAL APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT, IN, BY AND FOR THE BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $3,579,128 TO PAY THE COST THEREOF, TO APPROPRIATE A COUNTY GRANT, TO MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT, TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS TO FINANCE SUCH APPROPRIATION AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS. The vote was recorded as follows: Council President Montisano-Koen: absent Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Glass: absent Councilwoman Malellari: aye Councilwoman Dhariwal: aye Ordinance #25-13 Motion by Councilwoman Kinsella that the following ordinance be introduced and passed on first reading and setting May 8, 2025 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 Councilman Benson. Mayor Papaleo read the title of the ordinance into the record: ORDINANCE #25-13 – AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $300,000.00 FROM THE GENERAL CAPITAL FUND BALANCE FOR THE UNDERTAKING OF RENOVATIONS TO AND FURNISHINGS FOR THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING The vote was recorded as follows: Council President Montisano-Koen: absent Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Glass: absent Councilwoman Malellari: aye Councilwoman Dhariwal: aye (See Ordinance #25-13 attached and made a part hereof.) RESOLUTIONS - By Consent a. #25-128 Approve Refund – Shade Tree Bond b. #25-129 Approve Additional Engineering Services – Tax Map Updates c. #25-130 Amend Contract - Municipal Public Defender d. #25-131 Confirm Appointment of Borough Registrar of Vital Statistics and Deputy Registrar e. #25-132 2025 Salary Resolution f. #25-133 Approve the Appointment of a Junior Firefighter g. #25-134 Approve the Appointment of a Junior Firefighter h. #25-135 Approve Change Order #1 – River Edge Train Station Parking Lot Improvement Project i. #25-136 Confirm Emergency Purchase – Emergency Sewer Repair j. #25-137 Resolution to Refund Escrow Money k. #25-138 Approve the Appointment of a Junior Firefighter l. #25-139 Authorize Rejection of Bids – Borough Hall Entrance & Police Station Parking Lot Improvements Project Councilwoman Kinsella inquired whether Resolution #25-129 is authorizing an additional $100,000 in addition to the amount previously allocated. Borough Administrator Aportela clarified that the purpose of this resolution is to allow the utilization of the $100,000. Motion by Councilwoman Dhariwal, second by Councilman Benson, that the Consent Agenda be approved as amended. The vote was recorded as follows: Council President Montisano-Koen: absent Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Glass: absent Councilwoman Malellari: aye Councilwoman Dhariwal: aye ******** #25-140 Payment of Bills Councilwoman Kinsella read resolution #25-140 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 April 24, 2025. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge approve the following expenditures. CURRENT FUND $ 690,069.86 GENERAL CAPITAL FUND $ 7,327.50 GRANT FUND $ 1,692.00 TRUST OTHER $ 3,400.13 UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST $ 6,474.66 DEVELOPER’S ESCROW $ 2,310.00 RECREATION TRUST $ 422.00 Motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, second by Councilwoman Malellari, that Resolution #25-140 be approved. Council President Montisano-Koen: absent Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Glass: absent Councilwoman Malellari: aye Councilwoman Dhariwal: aye* Due to Councilwoman Dhariwal abstaining from approval of checks # 66149, #66153, #66161, #66178, #66194, #2956, #6018, and #6019, Borough Attorney Shahdanian advised that there were not enough affirmative votes and those checks will need to be carried to the next meeting. ******** NEW BUSINESS – There was no New Business. OLD BUSINESS – There was no Old Business. PUBLIC COMMENTS – Motion Councilwoman Dhariwal, second by Councilwoman Kinsella, 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 – Councilwoman Kinsella announced that the River Edge Run is this Saturday. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, on a motion by Councilwoman Dhariwal, second by Councilwoman Malellari, and unanimously carried, to adjourn this meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Anne Dodd, RMC Borough Clerk ORDINANCE #25-11 – BOND ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAKING OF VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND THE ACQUISITION OF NEW ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY, NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT, NEW COMMUNICATION AND SIGNAL SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT AND NEW AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES AND A NEW FIRE TRUCK (PARTIAL FUNDING), INCLUDING ORIGINAL APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT, IN, BY AND FOR THE BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $3,579,128 TO PAY THE COST THEREOF, TO APPROPRIATE A COUNTY GRANT, TO MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT, TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS TO FINANCE SUCH APPROPRIATION AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS. ------------------------------------------------- BE IT ORDAINED by the Borough Council of the Borough of River Edge, in the County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, as follows: Section 1. The Borough of River Edge, in the County of Bergen, State of New Jersey (the "Borough") is hereby authorized to make various public improvements and to acquire new additional or replacement equipment and machinery, new information technology equipment, new communication and signal systems equipment and new automotive vehicles and a new fire truck (partial funding), including original apparatus and equipment, in, by and for said Borough, as more particularly described in Section 4 hereof. Said improvements shall include all work, materials, and appurtenances necessary and suitable therefor. Section 2. There is hereby appropriated to the payment of the cost of making the improvements described in Sections l and 4 hereof (hereinafter referred to as "purposes"), the respective amounts of money hereinafter stated as the appropriation for said respective purposes. Said appropriation shall be met from the proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized, and the down payment (including from funds in the Borough of River Edge Open Space Trust Fund (the "Borough Open Space Fund")) and the County grant appropriated, by this ordinance. Said improvements shall be made as general improvements and no part of the cost thereof shall be assessed against property specially benefited. Section 3. It is hereby determined and stated that the making of such improvements is not a current expense of said Borough.  Section 4. The several purposes hereby authorized for the financing of which said obligations are to be issued are set forth in the following "Schedule of Improvements, Purposes and Amounts" which schedule also shows (l) the amount of the appropriation and the estimated cost of each such purpose, and (2) the amount of each sum which is to be provided by the County grant hereinafter appropriated, and (3) the amount of each sum which is to be provided by the down payment hereinafter appropriated to finance such purposes, and (4) the estimated maximum amount of bonds and notes to be issued for each such purpose, and (5) the period of usefulness of each such purpose, according to its reasonable life, computed from the date of said bonds: SCHEDULE OF IMPROVEMENTS, PURPOSES AND AMOUNTS A. Acquisition of new additional or replacement equipment and machinery and new information technology equipment for the use of various Borough departments, offices, and agencies, including, but not limited to, the following: Police Department ballistic vests computer equipment Fire Department turnout gear Administration computer equipment Department of Public Works ("DPW") civic decorations Appropriation and Estimated Cost $ 85,000 Down Payment Appropriated $ 4,300 Bonds and Notes Authorized $ 80,700 Period of Usefulness 5 years B. Acquisition of new additional or replacement equipment and machinery for the use of various Borough departments, offices, and agencies, including, but not limited to, the following: -2- DPW street sweeper dumpsters Appropriation and Estimated Cost $ 370,000 Down Payment Appropriated $ 17,700 Bonds and Notes Authorized $ 352,300 Period of Usefulness 15 years C. Acquisition of new communication and signal systems equipment and new automotive vehicles (each with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in excess of 15,000 pounds), including original apparatus and equipment, for the use of various Borough departments, offices and agencies, including, but not limited to, the following: Fire Department pagers radio equipment Volunteer Ambulance Squad radio equipment DPW mason dump trucks Appropriation and Estimated Cost $ 307,000 Down Payment Appropriated $ 14,800 Bonds and Notes Authorized $ 292,200 Period of Usefulness 10 years D. Acquisition of a new ladder fire truck (partial funding), including original apparatus and equipment. Appropriation and Estimated Cost $ 300,000 Down Payment Appropriated $ 14,300 Bonds and Notes Authorized $ 285,700 Period of Usefulness 20 years E. Undertaking of sidewalk and curb improvements at various locations. -3-  Appropriation and Estimated Cost $ 99,775 Down Payment Appropriated $ 4,800 Bonds and Notes Authorized $ 94,975 Period of Usefulness 10 years F. Undertaking of various improvements to Kenneth B. George Field. Appropriation and Estimated Cost $1,248,140 County Grant Appropriated $ 234,524 Down Payment Appropriated $ 100,000 Bonds and Notes Authorized $ 913,616 Period of Usefulness 15 years G. Undertaking of the engineering design phase for the Memorial Park Drainage Project. Appropriation and Estimated Cost $ 65,000 Down Payment Appropriated $ 3,100 Bonds and Notes Authorized $ 61,900 Period of Usefulness 15 years H. Undertaking of (i) the reconstruction of the concrete apron and the resurfacing of the parking lot at Fire Company No. 2 and (ii) the 2025 Road Resurfacing and Improvement Program (including curbing and sidewalk improvements, where necessary) in, by and for the Borough, as set forth on a list prepared by the Borough Engineer and approved by the Borough Council and directed to be placed on file in the Office of the Borough Clerk and made available for public inspection during normal business hours. It is hereby determined and stated that (i) the Borough Council may, by resolution, amend the list referred to in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence from time to time within the appropriation made hereby and (ii) such roads being improved are of "Class B" or equivalent construction as defined in Section 22 of the Local Bond Law (Chapter 2 of Title 40A of the New Jersey Statutes Annotated, as amended; the "Local Bond Law"). Appropriation and Estimated Cost $ 290,213 Down Payment Appropriated $ 14,000 Bonds and Notes Authorized $ 276,213 Period of Usefulness 10 years -4-  I. Improvements to public buildings and property. Appropriation and Estimated Cost $ 167,000 Down Payment Appropriated $ 8,200 Bonds and Notes Authorized $ 158,800 Period of Usefulness 15 years J. Undertaking of renovations to the Municipal Building and replacement of the DPW Garage and Salt Shed. It is hereby determined and stated that such public buildings being improved or constructed are or will be of "Class B" or equivalent construction as defined in Section 22 of the Local Bond Law. Appropriation and Estimated Cost $ 300,000 Down Payment Appropriated $ 14,300 Bonds and Notes Authorized $ 285,700 Period of Usefulness 15 years K. Undertaking of stormwater drainage and sanitary sewer improvements at various locations. Appropriation and Estimated Cost $ 347,000 Down Payment Appropriated $ 16,600 Bonds and Notes Authorized $ 330,400 Period of Usefulness 40 years ------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate Appropriation and Estimated Cost $3,579,128 County Grant Appropriated $ 234,524 Aggregate Down Payment Appropriated $ 212,100 Aggregate Amount of Bonds and Notes Authorized $3,132,504 Section 5. The cost of such purposes, as hereinbefore stated, includes the aggregate amount of $703,124 which is estimated to be necessary to finance the cost of such purposes, including architect's fees, accounting, engineering and inspection costs, legal expenses and other expenses, including interest on such obligations to the extent permitted by Section 20 of the Local Bond Law. -5-  Section 6. The sum of $234,524 received or to be received as a grant from the County of Bergen Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund is hereby appropriated to the payment of the cost of the improvements to Kenneth B. George Field authorized in Section 4.F hereof. Section 7. It is hereby determined and stated that the aggregate sum of $212,100 (consisting of (A) $100,000 in the Borough Open Space Fund to be used for Purpose 4.F above and (B) $112,100 appropriated for down payments on capital improvements or for the capital improvement fund in budgets heretofore adopted for the Borough to be used for the purposes, except purpose 4.F, in Section 4 above) is now available to serve as the down payment on said purposes. The sum of $212,100 is hereby appropriated from such moneys to the payment of the cost of said purposes. Section 8. To finance said purposes, bonds of said Borough of an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $3,132,504 are hereby authorized to be issued pursuant to the Local Bond Law. Said bonds shall bear interest at a rate per annum as may be hereafter determined within the limitations prescribed by law. All matters with respect to said bonds not determined by this ordinance shall be determined by resolutions to be hereafter adopted. Section 9. To finance said purposes, bond anticipation notes of said Borough of an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $3,132,504 are hereby authorized to be issued pursuant to the Local Bond Law in anticipation of the issuance of said bonds. In the event that bonds are issued pursuant to this ordinance, the aggregate amount of notes hereby authorized to be issued shall be reduced by an amount equal to the principal amount of the bonds so issued. If the aggregate amount of outstanding bonds and notes issued pursuant to this ordinance shall at any time exceed the sum first mentioned in this section, the moneys raised by the issuance of said bonds shall, to not less than the amount of such excess, be applied to the payment of such notes then outstanding. Section 10. Each bond anticipation note issued pursuant to this ordinance shall be dated on or about the date of its issuance and shall be payable not more than one year from its date, shall bear interest at a rate per annum as may be hereafter -6- determined within the limitations prescribed by law and may be renewed from time to time pursuant to and within limitations prescribed by the Local Bond Law. Each of said bond anticipation notes shall be signed by the Mayor and by a financial officer and shall be under the seal of said Borough and attested by the Borough Clerk or Deputy Borough Clerk. Said officers are hereby authorized to execute said notes in such form as they may adopt in conformity with law. The power to determine any matters with respect to said notes not determined by this ordinance and also the power to sell said notes, is hereby delegated to the Chief Financial Officer who is hereby authorized to sell said notes either at one time or from time to time in the manner provided by law. Section 11. It is hereby determined and declared that the average period of usefulness of said purposes, according to their reasonable lives, taking into consideration the respective amounts of bonds or notes authorized for said purposes, is a period of 16.77 years computed from the date of said bonds. Section 12. It is hereby determined and stated that the Supplemental Debt Statement required by the Local Bond Law has been duly made and filed in the office of the Borough Clerk of said Borough, and that such statement so filed shows that the gross debt of said Borough, as defined in Section 43 of the Local Bond Law, is increased by this ordinance by $3,132,504 and that the issuance of the bonds and notes authorized by this ordinance will be within all debt limitations prescribed by said Local Bond Law. Section 13. Any funds received from private parties, the County of Bergen, the State of New Jersey or any of their agencies or any funds received from the United States of America or any of its agencies in aid of such purposes (other than the County grant hereinbefore appropriated which shall be applied to the cost of such purposes, but shall not be applied to the payment of outstanding bond anticipation notes and the reduction of the amount of bonds authorized), shall be applied to the payment of the cost of such purposes, or, if bond anticipation notes have been issued, to the payment of the bond anticipation notes, and the amount of bonds authorized for such purposes shall be reduced accordingly. Section 14. The capital budget is hereby amended to conform with the provisions of this ordinance to the extent of any inconsistency therewith and the resolutions promulgated by the Local Finance Board showing full detail of the amended capital budget and capital program as approved by the Director, Division -7- of Local Government Services, is on file with the Borough Clerk and is available for public inspection. Section 15. The Borough intends to issue the bonds or notes to finance the cost of the improvements described in Sections 1 and 4 of this bond ordinance. If the Borough incurs such costs prior to the issuance of the bonds or notes, the Borough hereby states its reasonable expectation to reimburse itself for such expenditures with the proceeds of such bonds or notes in the maximum principal amount of bonds or notes authorized by this bond ordinance. Section 16. The full faith and credit of the Borough are hereby pledged to the punctual payment of the principal of and the interest on the obligations authorized by this ordinance. Said obligations shall be direct, unlimited, and general obligations of the Borough, and the Borough shall levy ad valorem taxes upon all the taxable real property within the Borough for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds and notes, without limitation as to rate or amount. Section 17. This ordinance shall take effect twenty days after the first publication thereof after final passage. -8-  BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE ORDINANCE #25-13 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $300,000 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, therefore is hereby appropriated the sum of $300,000 of which $300,000 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:  Certification of Availability of Funds NJAC 5:30-5 Date: April 24, 2025 For Resolution #R25-129 To: Mayor and Council I hereby certify to the availability of public funds for the following specific purpose: Purpose: Additional professional engineering services associated with the updating of the Borough’s tax maps for a cost not to exceed $98,000.00 to Costa Engineering Corporation. Line Item (or Ordinance) to be Charged: 5-01-46-875-103 _______________________________ Chris Battaglia, CFO  Certification of Availability of Funds NJAC 5:30-5 Date: April 24, 2025 For Resolution #R25-130 To: Mayor and Council I hereby certify to the availability of public funds for the following specific purpose: Purpose: Amend Professional Services Contract to Navarro W. Gray, Esq. as Municipal Public Defender for 2025, which may not exceed $6,000. Line Item (or Ordinance) to be Charged: 5-01-43-495-100 _______________________________ Chris Battaglia, CFO  BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE RESOLUTION #25-132 2025 Salary Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the following officers and employees of the Borough of River Edge be compensated for the year 2025 in accordance with Ordinance #25-1 effective January l, 2025 with the following base pay: 2025 2025 EMPLOYEE POSITION SALARY HOURLY MAYOR & COUNCIL PAPALEO, THOMAS R MAYOR $5,000.00 BENSON, BARRY COUNCILPERSON $4,000.00 MALELLARI, KLODIANA COUNCILPERSON $4,000.00 DHARIWAL, PRITI COUNCILPERSON $4,000.00 KINSELLA, MATEE COUNCILPERSON $4,000.00 MONTISANO-KOEN, LISSA COUNCILPERSON $4,000.00 GLASS, DAVID SAMUEL COUNCILPERSON $4,000.00 GENERAL ADMINISTRATION APORTELA, LISSETTE BOROUGH ADMINISTRATOR $184,950.00 APORTELA, LISSETTE AFFORDABLE HOUSING LIAISON $12,000.00 DODD, ANNE BOROUGH CLERK $101,970.00 DODD, ANNE ASSISTANT BOROUGH ADMINISTRATOR $7,956.75 SCHRYVER, ANNMARIE DEPUTY CLERK $72,100.00 CONSTRUCTION/CODE ENFORCEMENT DALESSIO, MICHAEL J. ELECTRICAL SUB-CODE INSPECTOR $14,345.68 DALESSIO, MICHAEL J. BUILDING SUB-CODE OFFICIAL $4,435.67 PLUMBING SUB-CODE OFFICIAL/PLUMBING PEPE, GARRETT $18,781.35 INSPECTOR CONSTRUCTION OFFICIAL/BUILDING SUB-CODE DEPKEN, STEPHEN A $43,709.08 OFFICIAL 1/BUILDING INSPECTOR DEPKEN, STEPHEN A ZONING OFFICER $32,960.00 SHNAPER, NICOLE L. ZONING ASSISTANT $74,679.70 TECHNICAL ASSISTANT TO CONSTRUCTION $57,412.72 CAPASSO, ADRIENNE OFFICIAL OTHER CODE ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS DEROSA, ARTHUR P PROPERTY MAINTENANCE OFFICER $33.35 ASSESSMENT OF TAXES ANZEVINO, JAMES A. TAX ASSESSOR $31,460.70 FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION BIRNBAUM, GOMATTIE S. DEPUTY TREASURER/DEPUTY TAX COLLECTOR $96,589.80 * BATTAGLIA, CHRISTOPHER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER $68,881.14 GENOVESI, ANGELA ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERK $60,099.99 GENOVESI, ANGELA PURCHASING ASSISTANT $5,150.00 CAPOLETE, MELISSA ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/FINANCE & CLERK $46,350.00 CAPOLETE, MELISSA DEPUTY REGISTRAR $2,500.00 CAPOLETE, MELISSA BOROUGH WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR $2,500.00 REVENUE ADMINISTRATION MATI, DEBRA TAX COLLECTOR $27,012.21 LEGAL CRUSIUS, ELSBETH PROSECUTOR $15,000.00 LAND USE BOARD ALTER, EDWIN $30.90 CIAVARELLA, LISA $26.47 MUNICIPAL COURT PATORAY, NOREEN P. COURT ADMINISTRATOR $84,439.50 * ARIYAN, JOSEPH MUNICIPAL JUDGE $20,000.00 HEALTH DEPARTMENT FAUSTINI, ARLENE NURSE $44,645.93 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SANDERS, WILLIAM OEM COORDINATOR $11,255.09 CARROLL, CORNELIUS DEPUTY OEM COORDINATOR $1,800.81 KIELY, COLLEEN CLERK/TYPIST $31.93 FIRE PREVENTION SILVERMAN, ALAN J FIRE OFFICIAL $24,026.16 SILVERMAN, ALAN J FIRE SUB-CODE OFFICIAL $10,927.27 LEONARDI, RALPH INSPECTOR $31.04 KIELY, COLLEEN CLERK/TYPIST $31.93 DEVRIES, PETER INSPECTOR $31.04 DREW, WILLIAM INSPECTOR $32.70 FIRE DEPARTMENT KIELY, COLLEEN CLERK/TYPIST $31.93 RECREATION/OPEN SPACE RICCA, JOSEPH RECREATION DIRECTOR $84,872.00 JABLONSKI, DAN ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR OF RECREATION $27.33 DESANCTIS, MICHAEL PARK ATTENDANT $26.32 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS MILITO, JASON J. DPW SUPERINTENDENT $190,478.00 * LEISHMAN, CHRISTOPHR DPW ROAD FOREPERSON $126,274.02 * STEPHEN, RICHARD DPW ROAD FOREPERSON $117,194.57 * ADER, SCOTT W. DPW ROAD FOREPERSON $116,714.57 * PHILLIPS, ERIC TREE SUPERVISOR $95,466.00 DPW OFFICE MANAGER/ADMIN $91,784.71 * HESSMAN, LISA ASSISTANT/RECYCLING COORDINATOR  Certification of Availability of Funds NJAC 5:30-5 Date: April 24, 2025 For Resolution #R25-135 To: Mayor and Council I hereby certify to the availability of public funds for the following specific purpose: Purpose: Change Order # 1 - for the River Edge Train Station Parking Lot Improvement Project due to various increases and decreases in quantities at an increase of $18,500.90 Line Item (or Ordinance) to be Charged: C-04-21-018-604 - $11,469.66 C-04-21-018-601 - $7031.24 _______________________________ Chris Battaglia, CFO  Certification of Availability of Funds NJAC 5:30-5 Date: April 24, 2025 For Resolution #R25-136 To: Mayor and Council I hereby certify to the availability of public funds for the following specific purpose: Purpose: Authorize issuance of purchase order to Matina & Son, Inc. of 146 English Street in Hackensack, NJ 07601 for the emergency repair of the sanitary sewer line near 795 Kinderkamack Road in the amount of $27,303.80 as an emergency purchase as per NJSA 40A:11-6 Line Item (or Ordinance) to be Charged: C-04-23-011-122 _______________________________ Chris Battaglia, CFO