Council Regular Meeting

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: 1 OCTOBER 14, 2025 MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR & COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WALDWICK HELD ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025 AT 7:30 PM Mayor Giordano called the meeting to order and read the Statement of Compliance. Mayor Giordano asked for a roll call. Present on roll call: Mayor Giordano, Mr. Brennecke, Ms. Cericola- Drake, Mr. Martinello, Mr. Ramundo, Mr. Ritchie and Mrs. Weber. Also present: Tatiana Marquis, Borough Administrator; Kelley Halewicz, Municipal Clerk and Craig Bossong, Municipal Attorney. Mayor Giordano asked everyone to join in the Pledge of Allegiance, remain standing for a moment of silence honoring our Veterans and to remain standing for the prayer. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS - None. MAYOR’S REPORT AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEES Mayor’s Report. Mayor Giordano reported that attended two grand openings for new businesses in town with the Administrator. Also, they both visited the Golden Club and answered questions. There will be a Department Head meeting with the Administrator and Mayor Giordano will also attend. Mayor Giordano commented on the Methodist Church Fish & Chips Dinner and asked that the Council as they always do, waive the fees associated with the event. Council agreed. Mayor Giordano and the Council will be honoring Chief Mark Messner at the October 28, 2025 meeting for his retirement. Financial & Administrative Committee. Mr. Ritchie had no report. Fire & Police Protection Committee. Mr. Brennecke commented on Fire Prevention Week being a success. The team went into the schools to educate the children on fire safety as well as seeing firefighters in their gear. Fire Prevention Night went well with the smoke house and firehose to put fire out. It was a great family evening, and he thanked those in attendance as well as the team. Public Safety Committee. Ms. Cericola-Drake reported that WALVAC attended the Open House. It was a great event as well as the Chamber of Commerce Taste of Waldwick. Recreational & Health Committee. Mr. Martinello commented on the Blood Pressure Screening on October 22; Lions Club Blood Drive on Thursday from 4pm to 8 pm; Free Rabies Clinic on November 6 from 6:00 pm -7:30 pm; Ragamuffin Parade and Truck or Treat on October 25 starting at 10 am. Mr. Martinello commented on the Mayors First Annual Halloween House Decorating Contest. Entries will be received until October 22, and judging will be October 27. Mr. Martinello reported that we are more than halfway through the fall sports season and winter sports registrations are now open for wrestling and basketball. Waldwick Football will host an Octoberfest at Gearblock in town. REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: 2 OCTOBER 14, 2025 Public Works Committee. Mr. Ramundo reported that DPW prepared for the nor’easter but there were no issues. Buildings & Grounds Committee. Mrs. Weber reported that Lions Park Playground renovations are coming along nicely. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS Administrator. Mrs. Marquis reported that Borough employees met on Friday with our insurance agents to review the upcoming 2026 State health benefit changes. The Council was proactive in the second year in a row as an incentive plan for those employees who switch to the HD low plan which provides cost savings to the Borough as well as the employees. The presentation was sent to all employees after the meeting so that those who were unable to attend had all the information. They answered questions from employees and the deadline for changes is October 31. Mrs. Marquis reported that the Mayor will attend the Department Head meeting on Friday and talk about a number of issues with them. With regards to projects, the Malcolm Street pump station, part 1 will take place this Friday. Those residents in the area have received a letter from Boswell explaining that Sovereign will be working for one day on this phase of the project. Once additional components of pump station are ready, part 2 will take place. Mike LaTorre took time out of his schedule to provide Mrs. Marquis and Kelley with a tour of all our water and sewer facilities, which were very helpful in our ongoing discussion of ongoing projects. We thank Mike for getting us up to speed on these facilities and infrastructure. Municipal Clerk. Mrs. Halewicz reported on the November 4 General Election. Vote by Mail drop box is located behind the Public Safety Building. There are signs posted to direct voters to the box on E. Prospect Street near library. The deadline for the County to receive Vote by Mail Applications for this Election is 10/28/25. Early Voting begins Saturday, October 25 through Sunday, November 2 Hours are Monday – Saturday 10 am – 8 pm and Sunday 10 am – 6 pm Voters can go to any one of the 9 locations but the two closest to Waldwick are Woodcliff Lake, Tice Senior Center, 411 Chestnut Ridge Road and Wyckoff Public Library, Shotmeyer Room, 200 Woodland Avenue. This information is in the Friday email blast, Borough website under Elections and flyers in the lobby of this building. November 3 by 3:00 pm Deadline for In Person Mail-In Ballot Applications in the County Clerk’s office in Hackensack General Election Day – Tuesday, November 4. Polls open 6 am – 8 pm. Bring sample ballot with you to the polls for faster check-in. Also sample ballot has you voting district and location on the front. Mrs. Halewicz reported on upcoming curbside leaf collection which begins October 23 in District 4; followed by District 6 October 27 and District 3 October 30. Please note that for District 1 residents please do not place leaves curbside on October 30. District 1 first pickup is November 7. REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: 3 OCTOBER 14, 2025 Attorney. Mr. Bossong discussed Resolution 2025-286, which is an easement for small portion of the sidewalk put in that is a public sidewalk. Also, Resolution 2025-289 appointing Tatiana temporary QPA. The statute permits this for a one-year period to allow her to obtain the certification. The Council will go into Closed Session with no decisions to be made for 15-20 minutes. CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION NO. 2025-283 Approval of Consent Agenda BE IT RESOLVED that the following resolutions herewith listed by consent having been considered by the Governing Body of the Borough of Waldwick are hereby passed and approved: 2025-283 Approval of Consent Agenda 2025-284 Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting, September 30, 2025 2025-285 Resolution of the Borough Council of the Borough of Waldwick, in the County of Bergen, New Jersey, Covenanting to Comply with the Provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as Amended, Applicable to the Exclusion from Gross Income for Federal Income Tax Purposes of Interest on Obligations Issued by the Borough of Waldwick and Authorizing the Mayor, Municipal Clerk, Chief Financial Officer and Other Borough Officials to Take Such Action as They May Deem Necessary or Advisable to Effect Such Compliance 2025-286 Authorizing Execution of Easement for JPMorgan Chase Bank, 53 Franklin Turnpike 2025-287 Change Order No. 1-Final & Current Estimate No. 1-Revised to 4 Clean-Up, Inc., for Improvements to Schuler Avenue, $216,568.71 2025-288 Authorize Renewal of Waldwick Volunteer Workers Accident & Health Policy 2025-289 Appointment of Temporary Qualified Purchasing Agent 2025-290 Appointment of Temporary Electrical Inspector - Michael Dalessio 2025-291 Appointment of Part-Time Clerk 1 - Denise Broderick 2025-292 Payment of Vouchers Council Member Motion Second Ayes Nays Abstain Absent Brennecke X X Cericola-Drake X Martinello X Ramundo X Ritchie X X Weber X Mayor Giordano PUBLIC HEARING & ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE(S) Mayor Giordano asked the Clerk to read Ordinance No. 2025-#22 by title. Ordinance No. 2025-#22 - AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE BOROUGH OF WALDWICK TO ENTER INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE WALDWICK HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION BALL, INC. FOR USE OF THE OLD DPW COMPLEX Council comments. Mayor Giordano commented that this is the annual lease agreement with Grad Ball. REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: 4 OCTOBER 14, 2025 Public comment. None. Mayor Giordano closed the Public comment. Ordinance No. 2025-#XX was advertised and on second reading is adopted. This ordinance will go into effect immediately after approval and publication according to law. Council Member Motion Second Ayes Nays Abstain Absent Brennecke X Cericola-Drake X Martinello X X Ramundo X Ritchie X Weber X X Mayor Giordano INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE(S) - None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Ritchie commented that he attended both the Fire Prevention Open House, and the Chamber of Commerce Taste of Waldwick were great events. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Giordano asked if any member of the public wished to come forward and to discuss anything and if so, please state your name only for the record. Ted Sanzo spoke to the issue of continuing to use the ZOOM option for Council Meetings. Would the Council consider extending it for another six months before deciding to cancel this option. Mayor Giordano reported that there are not many people on, but it is up to the Council to make that decision. Mr. Sanzo spoke about Congress a proposed Play Act to help recreational sports after school. He saw it on a Josh Gottheimer post. Look into it and see if you would like to express an opinion. Mayor Giordano will look into this and speak with Josh Gottheimer about it. REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: 5 OCTOBER 14, 2025 CLOSED SESSION - Any matter permitted to be discussed in Closed Session pursuant N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-293 Authorize Closed Session WHEREAS, Section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-12(b)(1-9) permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances; and, WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council is of the opinion that such circumstances exist. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Waldwick, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, as follows: The public shall be excluded from discussions of the Closed Session. The general nature of the subject matter to be discussed is as follows: Possible acquisition of real property Attorney/Client Privilege Litigation It is anticipated at this time that the above-mentioned subject matter will be made public within 60 days or as soon thereafter as it is deemed to be in the public interest to do so based on the conclusion of the matter. This resolution shall take effect immediately. Council Member Motion Second Ayes Nays Abstain Absent Brennecke X Cericola-Drake X X Martinello X Ramundo X Ritchie X X Weber X Mayor Giordano The Council convened into Closed Session at 7:50 pm. At 8:30 pm the Mayor and Council came back on the record of the Regular Meeting. Present on roll call: Mayor Giordano, Mr. Brennecke, Ms. Cericola- Drake, Mr. Martinello, Mr. Ramundo, Mr. Ritchie and Mrs. Weber. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council at its Regular Meeting on MOTION by Mr. Ramundo, seconded by Mr. Brennecke and on roll call carried the meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm. Adopted: November 13, 2025 __________________________________ KELLEY HALEWICZ, RMC/CMC MUNICIPAL CLERK