Sine Die Meeting Mayor & Council

MINUTES Sine Die Meeting of the Mayor and Council Monday, January 3, 2022 6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER – A Sine Die Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge was held virtually via Zoom in the Council Chambers of the River Edge Borough Hall at 705 Kinderkamack Road, River Edge, NJ 07661. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Thomas Papaleo. SILENT PRAYER – FLAG SALUTE Mayor Papaleo called for a moment of silent reflection to remember all those who are suffering from COVID- 19, are in the hospital or have passed away this past year as well as for those who have suffered from forest fires, hurricanes, or who have had a tough time in 2021. He expressed hope for a better year for everyone. 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 on December 23, 2021 and December 31, 2021 of this location, date and time to the Ridgewood 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 Busteed, Councilman Chinigo, Councilman Gautier, Councilwoman Kaufman, Councilwoman Kinsella, Councilwoman Montisano-Koen and Mayor Papaleo. ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Borough Administrator Lissette Aportela Borough Attorney Thomas Sarlo, Esq. Council-Elect Klodiana Malellari AWARDS – Plaque Presentation to Councilman Gautier Mayor Papaleo presented a plaque to Councilman Gautier for his service and commented that Councilman Gautier has served which such honor and distinction. He read the following inscription into the record: “JOSEPH GAUTIER COUNCILMAN 2019 – 2021 IN APPRECIATION FOR YOUR DEDICATED AND VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION  AND DESIRE TO SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL BOROUGH RESIDENTS MAYOR THOMAS PAPALEO AND COUNCIL 2021” Councilman Gautier expressed confidence that Council-Elect Malellari will do a wonderful job in her new role and that Councilwoman Kaufman and the rest of the governing body will continue to do great work. He thanked everyone for their help and guidance. He acknowledged Borough Attorney Sarlo for his wealth of knowledge and wisdom. He expressed appreciation to Commissioner Zur for attending this evening. Plaque Presentation to Fire Chief Sanders Mayor Papaleo advised that Fire Chief Sanders also serves as an EMT and is part of the River Edge Volunteer Ambulance Service (REVAS.) He expressed appreciation to Chief Sanders for his service to the Borough and presented a plaque with the following inscription: “PRESENTED TO WILLIAM SANDERS FIRE CHIEF JANUARY 1, 2020 TO DECEMBER 31, 2021 GIVEN IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THE SAFETY OF ALL BOROUGH RESIDENTS AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND COMITTMENT TO SERVE IN THE RIVER EDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT MAYOR THOMAS PAPALEO AND COUNCIL 2021” Mayor Papaleo inquired how many times Chief Sanders has served as Fire Chief and how many years he has served as a firefighter in River Edge. Chief Sanders advised that he has served as a firefighter since 1983 and is completing his second terms as Fire Chief. He added that he has served as an officer in the River Edge Fire Department approximately half the time that he has been a member. He thanked Mayor Papaleo, Councilwoman Kaufman, liaison to the Fire Department, and the rest of the members of the governing body. He commented that he is leaving the Borough in good hands with the new officers. Mayor Papaleo recognized Commissioner Tracy Zur and asked if she would like to speak. Commissioner Zur thanked Councilman Gautier for his service as well as Councilwoman Kaufman and Council-Elect Malellari for stepping up to serve the Borough. She noted that the past two years have been unprecedented and commented that to have this governing body at the helm to meet the needs of the residents has been invaluable. She thanked the families of the governing body members for sharing them with the community in this way. She advised that the County Board of Commissioners is here as a partner and encouraged the governing body to reach out should they need assistance. Mayor Papaleo thanked Commissioner Zur for her support. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA – On motion by Councilman Gautier, seconded by Councilwoman Kinsella, and all present voting in favor, to open for public comments on any item on the agenda. Officer Patrick Diamond, River Edge Police Department, advised that he is the President of the PBA. With respect to the Vaccine Policy, he noted that, initially, a testing option was discussed and pointed out that, with the latest surge, many vaccinated individuals are contracting the virus. He raised concerns with the policy and asked that the governing body reconsider allowing a testing option. Officer Matt Piterski, River Edge Police Department, stated that he is the Vice President of the PBA Local 201. He echoed Officer Diamond’s comments and expressed his opinion that further discussion is needed with respect to the Vaccine Policy. Officer Gabe Colucci, River Edge Police Department, advised that he has been with the Borough for 3 years and asked that the governing body reconsider allowing a testing option within the Vaccine Policy. Officer Anthony Roman, River Edge Police Department, noted that he has been with the Borough for 10 years and asked that the governing body reconsider the vaccine mandate as it is affecting a lot of officers’ lives. Officer Dominic Pizzanelli, River Edge Police Department, commented that he is present this evening in support of his fellow PBA Local 201 members. Sergeant Marc Abate, River Edge Police Department, stated that he is speaking in support of his fellow PBA members and explained that he has been a member of the department for 23 years. He expressed his opinion that allowing testing as part of Vaccine Policy is a favorable option. Officer Jeff Staron, River Edge Police Department, advised that he has been with the Borough for 5 years and is present this evening in support of his fellow PBA members. He asked that the governing body consider including a testing option for those who are unvaccinated. Sergeant Joseph Starost, River Edge Police Department, commented that he has been a member of this department for 25 years and expressed his support for PBA Local 201 and Officer Diamond’s comments. He noted that 7 officers recently contracted COVID-19, 5 of whom were fully vaccinated. He expressed his belief that allowing a testing option makes sense as it will allow for proper quarantining should someone test positive and be asymptomatic. Officer Brenton Prisendorf, River Edge Police Department, expressed support for those who have spoken this evening. He remarked that this mandate will cause a big divide and asked that there be a testing option to prevent officers from seeking employment elsewhere. Tim Carroll, 40 Zabrieskie Street, Hackensack, Assistant Chief of the River Edge Fire Department, echoed the comments of the PBA members. He advised that, although he is unvaccinated, he takes the proper precautions. He stated that he disagrees with this mandate and believes that the testing option would make for a better situation. Captain Craig Casey, River Edge Police Department, commented that policies such as OSHA allow for a testing option. He expressed concern that employees may be let go or leave as a result of this policy and asked it be revisited. Dave Delia, Firefighter and President of Company 1 Firehouse, River Edge Fire Department, expressed his support for including a testing option within the Vaccine Policy. He noted that this option is being offered everywhere else. There being no further comments by the public, the motion by Councilman Gautier, seconded by Councilwoman Kaufman, and all present voting in favor, to close public comments. APPOINTMENTS & PERSONNEL CHANGES – On motion by Councilman Chinigo, seconded by Councilwoman Kaufman, that the following Appointments and Personnel changes for 2021 be approved: Approve the salary increase of Matthew Piterski, Patrol Office from an annual salary of $70,073.00 to Patrol Officer 15th Grade salary of $81,988.00, effective January 1, 2022. Approve the salary increase of Jeffrey Staron, Patrol Officer from an annual salary of $70,073.00 to Patrol Officer 15th Grade salary of $81,988.00 effective January 1, 2022. Approve the satisfactory completion of the 6-month probationary period and increase in salary for Muriel Jones, part-time Crossing Guard from an hourly probationary rate of $16.32 to Step I - $19.26 effective May 9, 2021; an hourly salary increase to Step II - $20.33 effective November 9, 2021. Approve the satisfactory completion of the 6-month probationary period and increase in salary for Diane Johnson, part-time Crossing Guard from an hourly probationary rate of $16.32 to Step I - $19.26 effective May 9, 2021; an hourly salary increase to Step II - $20.33 effective November 9, 2021. Approve the salary increase of Sergeant Joseph Starost from an annual salary of $136,877.00 to $147,827.00 due to performing the duties of a higher rank, effective January 4, 2022. Approve the salary increase of Thomas Callari, part-time Crossing Guard from a Step I hourly rate of $19.26 to Step II - $20.33 effective September 19, 2021. Approve the salary increase of Sean McLoughlin, part-time Crossing Guard from a Step I hourly rate of $19.26 to Step II - $20.33 effective September 19, 2021. Approve the salary increase of Peter Stitz from a Mechanic I, Step III salary of $83,632.00 to Mechanic I, Step IV - $86,413.00 effective January 1, 2022. Approve the salary increase of Joseph LaRosa, Laborer in the Department of Public Works from an annual Laborer II, Step II salary of $39,022.00 to Laborer II, Step IV - $43,637.00 effective January 1, 2022. Approve the salary increase of Jason DeCarlo, Laborer in the Department of Public Works from a Laborer II, Step V salary of $50,297.00 to Laborer II, Step VII - $53,862.00 effective January 1, 2022. On a roll call, the vote was recorded as follows: Councilwoman Busteed: aye Councilwoman Kaufman: aye Councilman Chinigo: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Gautier: aye Councilwoman Montisano-Koen: aye 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 of Trustees - December 2021 Land Use Board - December 8, 2021 RESOLUTIONS – By Consent At Mayor Papaleo’s request, it was agreed that Resolution #21-361 be voted on with the resolutions appearing on the Consent Agenda. a. #21-352 Award Contract – Interior Renovations, HVAC Replacement & Generator Project for the River Edge Public Library b. #21-353 Confirm Emergency Purchase – Leaf Vac Repair c. #21-354 Appoint Construction Official/Building Subcode Official/Building Inspector d. #21-355 Appoint Fire Subcode Official e. #21-356 Authorize Execution of Rental Agreement with Temple Avodat Shalom f. #21-357 Resolution to Authorize the Borough of River Edge to Execute and Ratify a Memorandum of Understanding with IBT Local 125 (Blue Collar Unit) Regarding Salary Increases and Adjustments for Certain Positions and Employees Within the River Edge Department of Public Works g. #21-358 Resolution Authorizing Budget Transfers for Calendar Year 2021 h. #21-359 Authorize Tax Collector to Cancel the 2021 Added Assessment Taxes Due to a County Board Judgment i. #21-360 Approve Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy j. #21-361 Payment of Bills Motion by Councilman Gautier, seconded by Councilwoman Montisano Koen, that the Consent Agenda be approved as amended. On a roll call, the vote was recorded as follows: Councilwoman Busteed: aye Councilwoman Kaufman: aye Councilman Chinigo: aye Councilwoman Kinsella: aye Councilman Gautier: aye Councilwoman Montisano-Koen: aye PUBLIC COMMENTS – Due to time constraints, this agenda item was deferred to the Reorganization Meeting. COUNCIL COMMENTS – Due to time constraints, this agenda item was deferred to the Reorganization Meeting. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, on a motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, second by Councilwoman Busteed, and unanimously carried, to adjourn this meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m. _____________________________________ Mayor Thomas Papaleo Attest: __________________________________ Anne Dodd, Borough Clerk