Council Reorganization Meeting

1 MINUTES FOR THE REORGANIZATION MEETING OF THE MAYOR & COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WALDWICK HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025 AT 7:00 PM Mayor Giordano called the meeting to order at 7:20 pm and welcomed everyone to the Reorganization Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Waldwick. This meeting is being held in conformance with the Sunshine law. Notice of time, date and place has been furnished to The Bergen Record and The Ridgewood News. Notice has also been posted on the bulletin board of the Administration Building. Mayor Giordano requested the Clerk read the results of the November 5, 2024 General Election results as certified by the Bergen County Clerk on November 20, 2024: Kathleen E. Cericola-Drake 3,014 (Challenged) Michael F. Ritchie, Jr. 2,905 (Challenged) Also, the Council held a Special Meeting on November 19, 2023 to temporarily fill the Council vacancy until the next General Election, and appointed Mark Ramundo at that meeting. At the November 5, 2024 General Election, Mr. Ramundo received 2,966 votes in a challenged election and was sworn in once the County Clerk certified the General Election results to fill the unexpired term through December 31, 2025. At this time, we will have the oath of office for Council-Elect Kathleen E. Cericola-Drake-Drake and family come up and Craig Bossong, Esq., will administer the Oath of Office. The next order of business is for Council-Elect Michael F. Ritchie, Jr., come up and Craig Bossong, Esq., will administer the Oath of Office. Mayor Giordano asked everyone to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence Honoring Veterans as well as the firefighters and residents in California affected by the wildfires. Mayor Giordano asked the Clerk to call the roll. Present on roll call: Mayor Giordano, Mr. Brennecke, Ms. Cericola-Drake-Drake, Mr. Martinello, Mr. Ramundo, Mr. Ritchie and Mrs. Weber. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS - Subject to Council confirmation Mayor Giordano asked the Clerk to read the Mayor’s Appointments subject to Council Confirmation: a) Board of Health Members Robert Rose - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027 Allison Larro, Alternate #1 to fill unexpired term - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025 b) Library Board of Trustees Dave Marino - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2029 Heather Del Piano, Superintendent’s Alternate - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025 c) Board of Adjustment Brian Walsh - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2028 Ted Sanzo - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2028  2 Phil Centineo, Jr. - Alternate #1 - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026 Blain Bradley - Alternate #2 - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025 d) Environmental Advisory Committee Thomas McCormick, Executive Director to fill unexpired term - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025 David Isaacs - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027 David Zilkowski - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027 Joe Oravetz - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027 e) Waldwick Access For All Deborah Dellavechia - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027 Mary Beth Nappi - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027 Thomas Lavin - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027 f) Office of Emergency Management Lt. David Passaretti - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025 Anthony Paras - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025 Loucas Nestoros - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025 Council Member Motion Second Ayes Nays Abstain Absent Brennecke X Cericola-Drake X Martinello X Ramundo X X Ritchie X Weber X X Mayor Giordano MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS - Not subject to Council confirmation Mayor Giordano asked the Clerk to read the Mayor’s Appointments: a) Planning Board Adele Badalamenti, Class IV Member - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2028 Paul Schatz, Class IV Member - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2028 Joe Mysliwiec, Class II Member - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025 Cory Panfile, Alternate #1 Member - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026 Matthew Fink, Alternate # 2 Member to fill an unexpired term - January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025 ELECTION OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT Mrs. Weber thanked the Council for serving as Council President. Mrs. Weber made a motion to appoint Councilman Mark Ramundo as Council President for 2025, seconded by Mr. Brennecke. On roll call the motion carried.  3 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES - not subject to Council confirmation Mayor Giordano asked the Clerk to read the Mayor’s Appointments of Standing Committees: a) Financial & Administrative Committee: Mr. Ritchie (Chair), Mrs. Weber, Mr. Martinello b) Fire & Police Protection Committee: Mr. Brennecke (Chair), Mr. Ramundo, Mr. Ritchie c) Public Safety Committee (Ambulance Corps): Ms. Cericola-Drake (Chair), Mrs. Weber, Mr. Brennecke d) Recreation & Health Committee: Mr. Martinello (Chair), Mr. Ritchie, Ms. Cericola-Drake e) Public Works Committee: Mr. Ramundo (Chair), Mr. Brennecke, Ms. Cericola-Drake f) Buildings & Grounds Committee: Mrs. Weber (Chair), Mr. Martinello, Mr. Ramundo MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES Mayor Giordano asked the Clerk to read the Mayor’s Appointment of Liaison Representatives: a) Board of Education - Councilman Joseph Martinello b) Emergency “911” Coordinator/OEM Team - Councilman Andy Brennecke c) Chamber of Commerce - Mayor Tom Giordano d) NWBCUA - Councilwoman Katie Cericola-Drake e) Environmental Advisory Committee & Green Team - Councilman Mark Ramundo & Beautification Committee Liaison Councilwoman Michele Weber f) Waldwick Access For All Advisory Committee - Councilwoman Katie Cericola-Drake g) Waldwick Board of Education Safety Committee - Councilwoman Michele Weber & Councilman Andy Brennecke h) Waldwick Library Board Mayor’s Liaison - Councilwoman Michele Weber CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION NO. 2025-01 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: 2025-01 Approval of Consent Agenda 2025-02 Establish Cash Management Plan 2025-03 Designation of Depositories for the Borough 2025-04 Designation of Depository - Dog Account 2025-05 Designation of Depository - Court Accounts 2025-06 Fixing Interest Rate on Delinquent Taxes 2025-07 Fixing Interest Rate on Delinquent Water Rents 2025-08 Fixing Interest Rate on Delinquent Sewer Charges 2025-09 Year End Penalty of 6% on All Outstanding Balances 2025-10 Authorize the Cancellation of Tax Overpayments or Delinquent Amounts Less than $10.00 2025-11 Authorize CFO to Clear All Inter-funds 2025-12 Authorize the Colleen Ennis, CFO to Maintain a Petty Cash Fund in the Amount of $400.00 2025-13 Designation of Meeting Dates, Times & Locations for 2025  4 2025-14 Adoption of Regular Meeting Agenda Format 2025-15 Designating Official Newspaper 2025-16 Authorize Hiring of Emergency Temporary Help 2025-17 Designation of Municipal Agent for Initiation, Settlement and Defense of Tax Appeals - Angela Mattiace 2025-18 Appointment of Tax Searcher - Colleen Ennis 2025-19 Appointment of Assessment Searcher - Kelley Halewicz 2025-20 Appointment of Subdivision Searcher - Boswell Engineering 2025-21 Appointment of Prosecutor - Joseph DeMarco 2025-22 Appointment of Appointing Authority - Steven Neale 2025-23 Appointment of Public Agency Compliance Officer - Steven Neale 2025-24 Appointment of Municipal Recycling Coordinator - Steven Neale 2025-25 Appointment of Qualified Purchasing Agent - Steven Neale 2025-26 Appointment of Municipal Housing Liaison - Steven Neale 2025-27 Appointment of Designated Employee Representatives 2025-28 Appointment of OEM Coordinator - Lt. Troy Seifert 2025-28A Appointment of Deputy OEM Coordinator - Anthony Paras 2025-29 Appointment of 2025 C.E.R.T. Members 2025-30 Appointment - Class III Member, Planning Board - Mark Ramundo 2025-31 Appointment of the JIF Commissioner & Alternate JIF Commissioner to the Bergen County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund 2025 2025-32 Approval of Take-Home Vehicles for 2025 2025-33 Adopt Interlocal Agreement for a Mutual Aid Plan and Rapid Deployment Force 2025-34 Adoption of Form Required to be Used for the Filing of Notices of Tort Claims Against the Borough of Waldwick in Accordance with the Provisions of the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, N.J.S.A. 59:8-6 2025-35 Governing Body Certification of Compliance with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s “Enforcement Guidance on the Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964” 2025-36 Resolution to Affirm the Borough of Waldwick’s Civil Rights Policy with Respect to All Officials, Appointees, Employees, Prospective Employees, Volunteers, Independent Contractors, and Members of the Public that Come into Contact with Municipal Employees, Officials and Volunteers 2025-37 Award Non-Fair & Open Professional Services Contract for Borough Attorney - Craig Bossong of Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt, Cappelli & Tipton LLC 2025-38 Award Non-Fair & Open Professional Services Contract for Borough Labor Attorney - Mark Ruderman of Ruderman & Roth, P.C. 2025-39 Award Non-Fair & Open Professional Services Contract Borough Engineer - Kevin J. Boswell of Boswell Engineering 2025-40 Award Non-Fair & Open Professional Services Contract Borough Auditor - Gary Vinci of Lerch, Vinci & Higgins LLP 2025-41 Award Professional Services Contract Bond Counsel - Steven Rogut 2025-42 Award Professional Services Contract for Public Defender - James D. Addis 2025-43 Award Professional Services Contract Borough Planner - Paul Phillips of Phillips, Preiss, Shapiro Associates, Inc. 2025-44 Award of Professional Services Contract to Florio Perrucci Steinhard Cappelli & Tipton LLC for Redevelopment Counsel in an Amount Not to Exceed $25,000  5 2025-45 Certify WALVAC as Provider of Basic Life Support Services to the Borough of Waldwick for 2025 2025-46 Execute Agreement with BCUA to Act as the Borough’s Certified Recycling Professional and Submit Annual Recycling Tonnage Report to NJDEP 2025-47 Authorize Service Contract with West Bergen Mental Healthcare of Employee Assistance Program and Municipal Allocation 2025-48 Adoption of Cyber Incident Response Plan 2025-49 Cancellation of Taxes, Block 72.02/Lot 1 Discussion. None. Council Member Motion Second Ayes Nays Abstain Absent Brennecke X X Cericola-Drake X Martinello X Ramundo X X Ritchie X Weber X Mayor Giordano APPROVAL OF THE 2025 TEMPORARY BUDGET Mayor Giordano asked the Clerk to read the 2025 Temporary Budget RESOLUTION NO. 2025-50 Approval of the 2025 Temporary Budget WHEREAS, Section 40a: 4-19 of Revised Statutes of the Local Budget Law provides that where any contracts, commitments or payments are to be made prior to the adoption of the current year budget, temporary appropriations be made for the purpose and amounts required in the manner and time therein provided; and, WHEREAS, the date of this resolution is within (30) days of January 1, 2025; and, WHEREAS, the total appropriations in the 2024 Current Fund budget exclusive of any appropriations made for interest and principal of debt, Capital Improvement Fund and for Public Assistance in said budget is the sum $14,591,547.00; and, WHEREAS, 26.25% of the total appropriations of the 2024 budget exclusive of any improvements made for Debt Service, Capital Improvement Fund and for Public Assistance is the sum of $3,830,281.00; and, WHEREAS, the total appropriations in the Water Utility Budget exclusive of any appropriations made for interest and principal of debt and Capital Improvement Fund in the 2024 budget is the sum of $1,701,079.00; and,  6 WHEREAS, 26.25% of the total appropriations of the 2024 Water Utility Budget exclusive of any appropriation for the Debt Service and Capital Improvement Fund is the sum of $446,533.00; and, WHEREAS, the 2025 Temporary Budget has been distributed to the Governing body and is satisfactory to the Council. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following 2025 Temporary Budget is hereby authorized and adopted and that a certified copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Chief Financial Officer for the Borough’s records. 2025 Temporary Budget 2024 Current Fund General Appropriations Budget - Sheet 29 $16,283,936 (-) Bond Principal Budget - Sheet 27 -$1,145,000 (-) Payment of BANS Budget - Sheet 27 $0 (-) Interest on Bonds Budget - Sheet 27 -$99,498 (-) Interest on Notes Budget - Sheet 27 -$212,350 (-) Infrastructure - P&I Budget - Sheet 27 -$11,741 (-) Capital Improvement Fund Budget - Sheet 26 -$223,700 (-) Public Assistance Budget - Sheet 15b -$100 $14,591,547 26.25% 2025 Temporary Budget-Current $3,830,281 2024 Water Utility Utility Appropriations Budget - Sheet 33 $2,052,456 (-) Bond Principal Budget - Sheet 32b -$160,000 (-) Payment of BANS Budget - Sheet 32b $0 (-) Interest on Bonds Budget - Sheet 32b -$15,365 (-) Interest on Notes Budget - Sheet 32b -$93,350 (-) Infrastructure - P&I Budget - Sheet 32b -$72,662  7 (-) Capital Improvement Fund Budget - Sheet 32b -$10,000 $1,701,079 26.25% 2025 Temporary Budget-Water $446,533 Council Member Motion Second Ayes Nays Abstain Absent Brennecke X Cericola-Drake X Martinello X Ramundo X X Ritchie X Weber X X Mayor Giordano MAYOR’S MESSAGE Good evening, Happy New Year and welcome to the Borough of Waldwick’s Annual Reorganization Meeting. It was once said, and I quote The closing of one chapter is the beginning of another. Here’s to the adventures awaiting us in 2025. I would like to congratulate Councilwoman Katie Cericola-Drake, Councilman Mark Ramundo who was sworn in last month according to law and Councilman Mike Ritchie on your re-election to town Council. Your dedication to your position and to the Borough is second to none. I am very appreciative for your valuable commitment to the welfare of our residents and for the knowledge you bring to the Council. To Councilwoman Michele Weber, Councilmen Joe Martinello, and Andy Brennecke, thank you for your hard work and unselfish dedication this past year. The six of you devote countless hours and much energy to borough business. You are always ready to work hard for all residents equally as we continue to pass ordinances and budgets that make the quality of life in Waldwick a little easier. To our spouses, thank you for putting up with our rants when we return home from a meeting. Your understanding allows us to do the job we enjoy doing and that is making a difference in Waldwick and making everyone’s quality of life a little easier. To our Borough Administrator Steve Neale, CFO Colleen Ennis, Borough Clerk Kelley Halewicz, Confidential Assistant Tatiana Marquis, Assistant Clerk Melissa Librizzi, our Police Chief Mark Messner and the entire Police Department, DPW, Certs and all our Borough Employees as I have always said, you are the backbone of our community and without your hard work that you do each day, we would not be able to function as a Borough as we do. We are very fortunate in Waldwick to have a dedicated and professional fire department and Ambulance Corps who are on the front line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week protecting all of us from harm. They  8 volunteer their time with pride and dedication It was said that Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart. Our Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Corps are with us tonight and their 2025 Officers will be sworn in shortly. I would like to ask everyone to give them a round of applause. Thank you. To our professionals and consultants thank you for your diligence in providing guidance throughout the year. To all our Waldwick Veterans thank you for your service to our country and community, to our elderly thank you for your examples, and to our young residents thank you for your hope and optimism. We are especially thankful for all our many residents, who tirelessly volunteer to serve on our many boards and committees. Your time, commitment and dedication are an integral part of our community. Volunteers are the fabric of small-town living. Without dedicated volunteers who continually give selflessly of their time, talent, and support, often thanklessly, we could not provide nor do all that we do for our residents. I have always said that there is a spirit of service that is at the very heart of our community that holds us all together. That service to Waldwick is shared by many residents, businesses, clubs, schools, churches, Veterans, and scouts. Each one of you has improved the lives of countless individuals and made our community a better place. It inspires all of us to continue to get involved and to make a difference in our community I would like to welcome and thank the new businesses that have made Waldwick their home this past year, many have been making renovations and expansions to their facilities enhancing our downtown community. Please remember to support our local businesses by shopping Waldwick This Council’s guiding principles have always been fair and open government, and our primary concern has been the welfare of the people who have elected us. The seven of us who sit in front of you are totally committed to working together as a Council with no hidden agendas to provide the very best for the residents of Waldwick in the most cost-effective way. I can say with all honestly that Waldwick continues to be the best place in New Jersey to live in and raise a family. Our borough has continued to receive a Double A 2 rating from Moody’s. The focus for 2024 was on making improvements to our critical infrastructure and municipal buildings to bring things up to current standards. • The PFAS Remediation Project was completed this summer after a few years of planning and almost a year of major construction • 2024 Road Paving Program & ADA Curb Ramps at Various Intersections: 13 Roads were paved in total, and 20+ intersections were upgraded with new ADA curb ramps. These included various grant-funded improvements.  9 • Improvements to Bohnert Pl. & Hudson Ave.- DOT & CDBG funded Harrison Avenue Paving & Ramps-Between Prospect & Wyckoff- CDBG funded • Complete website rebuild & new communications strategy, which also includes a new weekly and monthly newsletter • A new Geographical Information System was created to map all our water infrastructure • ADA Traffic Push Buttons were installed at several locations around town based on recommendations from our WAFA Committee and in partnership with Bergen County • Added new high impact ladder crosswalks at high volume intersections with the Bergen County • 2 Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Stations were installed behind the Public Safety Complex, which are used daily. These were funded through various grants • WALVAC Bathroom & Kitchen Renovations • Acquisition of 197 Wyckoff & 9 Brady for Open Space Purposes. Planning for the space to be discussed in greater detail this year • Replacement of Sprinkler Mains at Admin Building • Council Chambers Recording System Upgrades • Admin Building & Public Safety Parking Lot and Exterior Lighting Upgrades • Increase Cyber Security- replaced and upgraded all firewalls throughout the Borough • HVAC upgrades including full replacements at the Ambulance Corps building and a new heater in the bays at WALVAC • Completed an updated Open Space & Recreation Plan, which will help guide us on future decisions regarding open space and parks. As we look to 2025 our Potential Projects are to continue upgrading our critical infrastructure with a focus on water quality. Additionally, we are looking to improve our parks and open space areas. • Creation of a Water Quality Subcommittee - Led by our professional water consultants, who will help us maintain an updated website with all relevant info and updates and create more frequent communications to keep the community aware of all progress. The committee will include the Mayor, Administrator, DPW Superintendent, a council member and one member of the public that the mayor will reach out to tomorrow morning. We are looking to take a team approach on water quality issues. • One of our Assemblymen has reached out to us regarding any possible assistance we may need with the NWBCUA. This will be spearheaded with the assistance of the Mayor, Borough Administrator and a Council member.  10 • A Redevelopment plan, not Revitalization Plan, has been approved by the governing body. Now any formal applications and designs submitted by prospective developers will go through the planning board for their approval. • A review team comprised of full-time Borough staff will be set up to address any weaknesses in our building codes, including enforcement. • Addressing traffic safety concerns, especially around the schools. New Blinking Crosswalks have already been purchased and will be installed within the next couple of months. • Another aggressive Road Paving Program, which includes two DOT funded projects on Schuler Ave. and Hudson Ave. Phase 2 • Already awarded and ready to start construction: Water Storage Tanks Rehab project- ARP funding being used to help offset costs • Already awarded and ready to start construction: Hemlock Evergreen & Bergen to Sheridan Water Main Loop to improve water quality and eliminate dead end water mains. - ARP funding being used to help offset costs • Already awarded and ready to start construction: Malcolm St. Pump Station Rehab project • Reconstruction of Lions Playground in Borough Park, which also utilizes various open space grants to help offset the costs. • Upgrading the HVAC system and roof at the Pistol Range to increase usability • We will be sitting down to work on our Operating and Capital Budget • Increase residents’ communications and launch a citizen’s request portal • Implementation of additional digital tools to help with workflow management and improve efficiency. These are just some of the items we are working on with much more that will come up. There will be challenges in 2025 and as we have always done, we will respond to them with diligence, determination, hard work and bold decisions. Walt Disney said, “YOU CAN DESIGN, CREATE, AND BUILD THE MOST WONDERFUL PLACE IN THE WORLD, BUT IT TAKES PEOPLE TO MAKE THE DREAM A REALITY.” Time and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future. As we begin 2025, I am hopeful for the future of our Borough. I, the Council and our Borough employees and volunteers will continue to strive to make Waldwick the greatest place to live, work and raise a family. As I have always said, and I truly believe our best days for Waldwick lie ahead of us.  11 Let us together make Waldwick a community filled with Unity, Respect, Confidence, Optimism, Strength, Pride, Diversity and Success with the knowledge that we are well prepared for all our tomorrows and for future generations to come. May 2025 bring all of you Good Health, Joy, Prosperity and Happiness, may all your dreams turn into reality and your efforts into great achievements. May God continue to bless all of you, our country and the place we all call home Waldwick. HAPPY NEW YEAR. Mr. Ritchie thanked the public for coming out as well as the Ambulance Corps and Fire Department for which we have the best. The first time was a lot of fun, made a lot of mistakes and he learned from them. These next three years will be very exciting. The number one focus, thanking the Mayor for giving me Finance chair again as he enjoys that work and working together to make some tough choice. His major focus will be revitalization of our downtown. Ms. Cericola-Drake thanked everyone for coming out. She enjoys working with the Committees and WALVAC. Our biggest accomplishment over the last term was the revitalization of the downtown, with a packed room of residents that we listened to. She is looking forward to making it bigger and better. There are so many things to work on with the Council over this next term. Mr. Ramundo thanked everyone for coming out and he appreciated the support. To quote his father who gave him sound advice, “remember to give back to the community that given so much to you as they help to build you character and drive your success”. This has served him professionally and personally. He has had the opportunity to serve on the Planning Board, Environmental Committee, Volunteer Fire Department and Member of the Council. It has been a pleasure to serve as Councilman and thanked the residents, friends, family, especially his wife Kellie for having the confidence to allow me to continue to serve in this capacity. Ronald Reagan once said, “Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.” I will put the entire community of Waldwick as my priority and not allow special interests or politics to drive his decisions. Thank you for your continued support in making Waldwick better. OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED TO WALDWICK VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS OFFICERS Mayor Giordano asked the officers of WALVAC to come forward to have their Oath of Office administered by the Clerk. OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED TO WALDWICK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS Mayor Giordano asked the officers of Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department to come forward to have their Oath of Office administered by the Clerk. 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 for the record. No public came forward.  12 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council at its Reorganization Meeting, on MOTION by Mr. Ritchie, seconded by Mr. Martinello and on roll call the motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:54 pm. Adopted: January 28, 2025 ______________________________________ KELLEY HALEWICZ, RMC/CMC MUNICIPAL CLERK