Mayor & Council Sine Die Hybrid Meeting

MINUTES Sine Die Meeting of the Mayor and Council Monday, January 6, 2025 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER – The 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 Monday, January 6, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Thomas Papaleo. SILENT PRAYER – FLAG SALUTE Mayor Papaleo called for a moment of silent reflection in memory of President Carter. Council President Montisano-Koen 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 on December 10, 2024 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 Web Site and filing a notice of the same with the Municipal Clerk. ROLL CALL – PRESENT: Council President Montisano-Koen, Councilwoman Malellari, Councilman Benson, Councilman Glass, Mayor Papaleo ABSENT: Councilwoman Kaufman, Councilwoman Kinsella ALSO PRESENT: Borough Administrator Lissette Aportela Borough Attorney William Rupp, Esq. APPOINTMENTS & PERSONNEL CHANGES – On a motion by Council President Montisano-Koen, seconded by Councilwoman Malellari, and all present voting in favor that the following Appointments and Personnel Changes be approved: Appoint Melissa Capolete, Administrative Assistant as Borough Website Administrator effective 1/1/2025 PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA – On a motion by Councilman Benson, seconded by Councilwoman Malellari, 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 Montisano-Koen, seconded by Councilman Benson, and all present voting in favor, to close the floor for public comments. RESOLUTIONS - By Consent a. #24-357 Amend Contract – Architectural Services – Borough Hall Addition and Renovation – Arcari & Iovino Architects, PC b. #24-358 Approve Additional Engineering Services – FY24 CDBG Sewer Replacement at Kinderkamack Rd c. #24-359 Appoint Municipal Housing Liaison d. #24-360 Amend Employment Agreement – Borough Administrator e. #24-361 Approve Refunds – Farmers Market f. #24-362 Approve Change Order #17 – Borough Hall Addition & Alterations g. #24-363 Approve the Hire of SLEO II h. #24-364 Resolution Authorizing Budget Transfers for Calendar Year 2024  i. #24-365 Authorize Tax Collector to Cancel the 2024 Added Assessment Taxes Due to a County Board Judgment On a motion by Council President Montisano-Koen, seconded by Councilwoman Malellari, and all present voting in favor that the Consent Agenda be approved. #24-366 - Payment of Bills Councilman Glass read resolution #24-366 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, 2025. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge approve the following expenditures. CURRENT FUND $692,032.68 GENERAL CAPITAL FUND $678,949.99 PAYROLL $20,999.24 UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST $2,289.60 DEVELOPER'S ESCROW $1,450.00 RECREATION TRUST $266.97 On a motion by Councilman Glass, seconded by Council President Montisano-Koen, that Resolution #24-366 be approved. The vote was recorded as follows: Councilwoman Kaufman: absent Councilwoman Malellari: aye Council President Montisano-Koen: aye Councilman Benson: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: absent Councilman Glass: aye PUBLIC COMMENTS – On a motion by Councilman Benson, seconded by Councilman Glass, and all present voting in favor, to open the floor for public comments. No one came forward On a motion by Councilman Glass, seconded by Councilman Benson, and all present voting in favor, to close the floor for public comments. COUNCIL COMMENTS – Councilman Benson enjoyed being liaison to the River Edge Fire Department this past year. He noted that it has been a pleasure working with Chief Schlossberg, commended the Chief’s leadership and expressed gratitude for the volunteers who serve in the department. Councilman Benson highlighted this year’s accomplishments which included the completion of almost 40 training events, support of community events, responding to 340 fire calls including marine rescues, responding to a recent major gas leak at the New Bridge shopping center, responding to mutual aid calls and responding to motor vehicle accidents. Mayor Papaleo concurred with Councilman Benson’s comments and stated that the Borough is lucky to have a growing fire department. Mayor Papaleo expressed gratitude for all Borough employees and volunteers. He also thanked Councilwoman Kaufman for her service to the Borough. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, on a motion by Councilwoman Malellari, seconded by Council President Montisano-Koen, and unanimously carried to adjourn this meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lissette Aportela Borough Administrator