Mayor & Council Sine Die Hybrid Meeting

MINUTES Sine Die Meeting of the Mayor and Council Monday, January 5, 2024 6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER – A Sine Die 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 January 5, 2024. The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by Mayor Thomas Papaleo. SILENT PRAYER – FLAG SALUTE Mayor Papaleo called for a moment of silent reflection for those who are suffering throughout the world, especially those hot spots around the world such as Israel and Ukraine. He asked that they be kept in everyone’s hearts and prayers. Mayor Papaleo led those present in the salute to the flag. STATEMENT – 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 December 19, 2023 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: Council President Kaufman, Councilwoman Montisano-Koen, Councilwoman Kinsella, Councilwoman Malellari, Councilman Benson and Mayor Papaleo. ABSENT: Councilman Chinigo ALSO PRESENT: Borough Administrator Lissette Aportela Borough Attorney John Shahdanian, Esq. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA – On motion by Councilwoman Montisano-Koen, seconded by Council President Kaufman, and all present voting in favor, to open the floor for public comments on any item on the agenda. No one came forward. On a motion by Council President Kaufman, seconded by Councilwoman Malellari, and all present voting in favor, to close the floor for public comments. Mayor Papaleo thanked the River Edge Library for allowing the Mayor and Council to meet at this location. He announced that meetings will continue to take place at the Library until Borough Hall is repaired. PROCLAMATIONS & AWARDS – Plaque Presentation – Thomas Sarlo, Borough Attorney Mayor Papaleo advised that Tom Sarlo, former Borough Attorney, is being appointed as a judge and needs to leave his position with the Borough as a result. He then read the following proclamation into the record: PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Thomas A. Sarlo, P.C. was appointed Borough Attorney for the Borough of River Edge in January, 2013 where he has served for 11 years; and WHEREAS, Thomas Sarlo attended William Paterson University where he earned his degree in Political Science and went on to attain his Juris Doctorate in Law from Seton Hall School of Law; and WHEREAS, Thomas Sarlo resides in Little Ferry and remains dedicated to his community as a Councilman and coach for Little Ferry/South Hackensack baseball and soccer; and WHEREAS, Thomas Sarlo sets standards of excellence and dedication, by being admitted into the American Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Governors from 2006 to present; and WHEREAS, Thomas Sarlo continually expands his professional achievements in municipal law; and WHEREAS, Thomas Sarlo’s presence will be deeply missed by the governing body of the Borough of River Edge who have benefited from his knowledge and leadership in the face of challenges and changes that State, County and Local government have been presented with over the past 11 years. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , that I, Thomas Papaleo, Mayor, on behalf of the Governing Body and residents of the Borough of River Edge, do hereby extend our thanks and sincere appreciation to Thomas A. Sarlo for his many years of dedicated and committed service to the to the Borough of River Edge. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , that I, Thomas Papaleo, Mayor, on behalf of the Governing Body and residents of the Borough of River Edge, do hereby extend our thanks and sincere appreciation to Thomas A. Sarlo for his many years of dedicated and committed service to the to the Borough of River Edge. Plaque Presentation – Fire Chief Gregg Cariddi Mayor Papaleo advised that Chief Gregg Cariddi is finishing his second term as Fire Chief, noting that he has done tremendous work for the Borough in leading the volunteer firefighters. He noted that the Fire Department is all volunteer and spoke to the hours and hours of commitment it takes to serve as well as six months of training that must be completed. He then presented Assistant Chief Cariddi with a plaque in recognition of his service to the Borough as Fire Chief. Assistant Chief Cariddi advised that it was an honor to lead this department for the past two years. He commented to he is also honored to now serve as Assistant Chief. He spoke to the work that the volunteers do for the town as well as the training that they undergo. He noted that he is a lifelong resident and has been around the firehouse since he was a young child. He thanked the governing body for this plaque and commented that it is an honor to serve the Borough. #23-338 Authorize Promotion of Joseph Zemaites to the Position of Police Lieutenant Motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, second by Council President Kaufman, that Resolution #23-338 is hereby approved. On a roll call, the vote was recorded as follows: Councilman Chinigo: absent Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Council President Kaufman: aye Councilwoman Malellari aye Councilwoman Montisano-Koen: aye Councilman Benson: aye Mayor Papaleo administered the Oath of Office to Lieutenant Zemaites who was joined by his wife and children. Lt. Zemaites thanked the other Sergeants who put their full faith in him as well as Chief Walker for working with the governing body to complete the promotional process. He thanked the governing body and expressed that he is proud to be a member of the Police Department. He noted that he is also a lifelong resident and looks forward to continuing to raise his family in this community. Mayor Papaleo advised that the new Borough Attorney, John Shahdanian, is present this evening, commenting that the governing body is happy to have him. APPOINTMENTS & PERSONNEL CHANGES – On motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, seconded by Councilman Benson, and all members present voting in favor, that the following Appointments and Personnel changes be approved: Approve a $5,000.00 stipend for Angela Genovesi for the Purchasing Assistant Position effective January 1, 2024 Approve the salary increase for Edwin Alter for Land Use Board/Tax Assessor Clerk from an hourly rate of $24.95 to $30.00, effective January 1, 2024 Approve the retirement of Lieutenant Joseph Starost effective December 31, 2023 Approve the internship of Olivia Shnaper through December 31,2024 at an hourly rate of $15.75 Approve the internship of Hayden Hernandez through December 31, 2024 at an hourly rate of $15.30 MONTHLY REPORTS – Mayor Papaleo advised that the following reports are on file in the Office of the Borough Clerk and available for review: Library Board - December 5, 2023 Land Use Board - November 8, 2023 Land Use Board - November 29, 2023 RESOLUTIONS – By Consent a. #23-339 Approve Additional Engineering Services – Bogert Road – Section 8 b. #23-340 Authorize Tax Collector to Refund 2023 4th Quarter Tax Overpayment(s)  c. #23-341 Approve Severance Payment to Judy O’Connell d. #23-342 Approve the Hire of Part-Time Assistant to the Director of Recreation & Cultural Affairs e. #23-343 Authorize Auction of Surplus Property No Longer Needed for Public Use on an Online Auction Website f. #23-344 Approve Severance Payment to Joseph Starost g. #23-345 Authorize Budget Transfers for Calendar Year 2023 Motion by Councilman Benson, seconded by Councilwoman Montisano-Koen, that the Consent Agenda be approved. The vote was recorded as follows: Councilman Chinigo: absent Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Council President Kaufman: aye Councilwoman Malellari aye Councilwoman Montisano-Koen: aye Councilman Benson: aye ******** #23-346 Payment of Bills Council President Kaufman read resolution #23-346 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 January 5, 2024. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge approve the following expenditures. CURRENT FUND $351,968.11 CAPITAL FUND $ 55,134.33 GRANT FUND $ 4,014.87 TRUST OTHER FUND $ 100.00 PAYROLL FUND $ 17,574.00 DEVELOPER’S ESCROW FUND $ 280.50 Motion by Council President Kaufman, second by Councilwoman Montisano-Koen, that Resolution #23-346 be approved. The vote was recorded as follows: Councilman Chinigo: absent Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Council President Kaufman: aye Councilwoman Malellari aye Councilwoman Montisano-Koen: aye Councilman Benson: ******** PUBLIC COMMENTS – Motion by Councilwoman Malellari, second by Councilwoman Kinsella, and all members present voting in favor, to open public comments. No one came forward. Motion by Councilman Benson, second by Councilwoman Kinsella, and all members present voting in favor, to close public comment. COUNCIL COMMENTS – None. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, on a motion by Council President Kaufman, second by Councilwoman Kinsella, and unanimously carried, to adjourn this meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:19 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Anne Dodd, RMC Borough Clerk