Regular Council Meeting (RESCHEDULED)

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: 1 JUNE 24, 2025 MINUTES FOR THE RESCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR & COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WALDWICK HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025 AT 7:30 PM To view meeting live: https://www.youtube.com/@boroughofwaldwick2372/streams To view and participate in the meeting, please click the link below to join the meeting: Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 237 296 705 311 6 Passcode: Na6uZ9u4 Mayor Giordano called the meeting to order and read the Statement of Compliance. Mayor Giordano asked for roll call. Present on roll call: Mayor Giordano, Mr. Brennecke, Ms. Cericola- Drake, Mr. Martinello, Mr. Ritchie and Mrs. Weber. Mr. Ramundo was absent. Also present: Steven J. Neale, Borough Administrator; Tatiana Marquis, Confidential Assistant; Kelley Halewicz, Municipal Clerk and Rob Devaney, Esq., for 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 Mayor Giordano recognized Pastor Cha of the Methodist Church as she is leaving Waldwick to head up two churches in Boonton and Montville. Mr. Neale introduced Joe and Rob, representatives of Bruno Associates who the Borough has contracted for grant writing. This will give you the opportunity to ask any questions of them. Bruno Associates introduced themselves and provided grant activity for June. Mayor Giordano asked about ADA accessibility at our fields. Mr. Ritchie is interested in water infrastructure grants as well as drinking water, traffic easing measures, and sewer authority remediation of odors. He also asked the lead time for anticipation of funds throughout the year. Mr. Martinello is interested in what we can do with the parcel of land the Borough recently purchased. Ms. Cericola-Drake inquired if the list provided to them is of new grants that we had previously applied for. Mr. Brennecke asked who the Council speaks to about items they are interested in. MAYOR’S REPORT AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEES Mayor’s Report. Mayor Giordano commented on the Borough also being on Microsoft Teams this evening. Mayor Giordano attended the ECLC 8th grade graduation; Waldwick 8th grade graduation; Waldwick High School graduation. The Mayor attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting where they disbursed monies they raised from the 5K. The Mayor, Dan Marro and Tom McCormick attended the WAFA meeting to discuss projects. Financial & Administrative Committee. Mr. Ritchie discussed his three pillars to decrease our dependence on surplus. The first is to obtain more grants. By doing so, we need less money in our capital budget. The second is to expand our tax base and this includes the Harrison Avenue redevelopment which was REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: 2 JUNE 24, 2025 approved by the Planning Board last night. Finally, non-tax revenues should also increase each year. The Borough needs to benchmark against other Boroughs as well. Fire & Police Protection Committee. Mr. Brennecke reported that the Fire department is assisting at the Waldwick Police Junior Academy. The Fire Department Fireball raffle was a success. Mr. Brennecke is thankful to attend the WHS Graduation every year, the smiles are the same from these very accomplished students. Public Safety Committee. Ms. Cericola-Drake reported that there has been a lot of activity with WALVAC including: WALVAC participated in a water extrication drill with WFD on 6/12; attended the Car show on 6/1 where they treated multiple patients; attended monthly joint training with Allendale VAC on 6/2 where Valley Medics gave an overview of their equipment; WALVAC attended WHS Graduation - 6/18; attended Crescent School Field Day - 6/15; participated in Junior PD on 6/23 and were standing by today 6/24 per PD request and WALVAC is looking forward to attending Allendale Fireworks on 7/4. Recreational & Health Committee. Mr. Martinello reported that he also attended the WHS Graduation and was amazed by the accomplishments of these students. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian were separated by .02 GPA. He also had the pleasure of attending the Traphagen school graduation for the 5th graders. Waldwick Baseball Softball associated has finished up the spring season and the Association is moving into summer travel. The Waldwick Football program and Swim team is starting practices and soccer is right around the corner. On the health side, encourage folks to check in on Seniors in this hot weather. Keep each other safe during this time. Public Works Committee. Mr. Ramundo was absent from the meeting but will report at the July meeting. Buildings & Grounds Committee. Mrs. Weber attended the WHS Graduation and the 8th Grade Graduation where her youngest daughter graduated. There is still an issue with the Ambulance Corps door, but it should be repaired soon. Also, the air conditioner was repaired at that building again. We are looking to go to preventative maintenance for our buildings and systems so that we don’t have to deal with these types of issues. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS Administrator. Mr. Neale reported that we have two awards for two large projects, the one for Lions Memorial Playground and Improvements to Schuler Avenue which will also include drainage work. We are also appointing a new full-time dispatcher which and a few authorizations to grant applications. He provided insight on how to use Microsoft Teams for the virtual portion of the meeting. Municipal Clerk. Mrs. Halewicz thanked the DPW/PD for their assistance during the Primary Election. She also thanked all our Super Boardworkers and boardworkers for another excellent job conducting the Primary election in the Borough. Resolution 2025-191 The licensees listed in the resolution have met all the state and local requirements for renewal. Once this resolution is adopted, all licenses will be renewed for the 2025/2026 license year. Resolutions 2025-192 & 193 are for dumpster permits that were inspected by Superintendent La Torre and no issues were found. Happy Summer everyone! REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: 3 JUNE 24, 2025 Confidential Assistant. Mrs. Marquis reported that pool registration is open daily as of last Thursday, We have been inundated with registration which is great. The numbers are up from last year. The Swim Team started as of last night; we have tripled in memberships compared to last year. Thank you to Meredith, Makayla and all the volunteers who are going to help on the Swim Team. Attorney. Rob Devaney Esq. thanked the Mayor & Council for letting him fill in for Mr. Bossong. He reported on an agenda item for an endorsement for the housing element and fair share plan. The Planning Board approved that item last night, so once the Council endorses it, we will file it with the program that the legislatures and courts have set up which will protect the Borough from any builder remedies lawsuits. CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION NO. 2025-178 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: 2025-178 Approval of Consent Agenda 2025-179 Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting, May 27, 2025 Policy Votes a. Allyson Dalie requests to hold a Block Party on September 27 from 9:00 am - 8:00 pm with Brearly Crescent to be closed with alcoholic beverages being served b. Natalie Nashold requests to hold a Block Party on June 28 from 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm with Central Avenue to be closed between Waldwick Ave and Grove Street with alcoholic beverages being served c. Irene Mulvihill requests to use Pavilion A on June 25 from 4:00 pm - dusk for a Graduation Party with alcoholic beverages being served and DJ under Pavilion A d. Warriors Futbol Club requests to use Pavilion A on June 29 from 4:00 pm - dusk for an End of Season Party with alcoholic beverages being served e. David Aiosa requests to use Pavilion A on July 12 from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm for a Birthday Party with alcoholic beverages being served f. Nadia Sernatinger requests to use Pavilion B on July 12 from 12:00 pm to dusk Birthday Party with alcoholic beverages being served g. Chante and Karen MacLeod requests to use Pavilion A & B on July 13 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm for a Memorial Service with alcoholic beverages being served h. Jessica Colucci requests to use Pavilion A on July 26 from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm for a Birthday Party with alcoholic beverages being served i. Stephanie Rodriguez requests to use Pavilion A on August 2 from 11:00 am - 7:30 pm for Family Gathering with alcoholic beverages being served j. Lauren Ferguson requests to use Pavilion A on August 10 from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm for a Birthday Party with alcoholic beverages being served k. Nicole Clauberg requests to use Pavilion A on August 16 from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm for a Family Picnic with alcoholic beverages being served l. Diana Kreymer requests to use Pavilion A on August 17 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm for a Birthday Party with alcoholic beverages being served+ m. Appointment of Luke Feltmann as Junior Member of the Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department n. Appointment of Quinn Fowler as Junior Member of the Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department 2025-180 Endorsement of Borough of Waldwick’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan 2025-181 Authorizing Approval of Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department By-law Amendments REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: 4 JUNE 24, 2025 2025-182 Authorize Renewal of the Group Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance Policy for All Eligible Employees through Metropolitan Life Insurance Company 2025-183 Award Fair and Open Contract to Green Valley Group, Inc., for Improvements to Lions Memorial Playground, $327,465.00 2025-184 Award Fair and Open Contract to 4 Clean-Up Inc., for Improvements to Schuler Avenue, $201,641.45 2025-185 Award a Non-Fair and Open Professional Services Contract to Boswell Engineering for Lions Memorial Playground Park - Task III Construction Inspection, $40,000.00 2025-186 Authorize the Borough to Enter into a Cooperative Pricing Agreement with Hunterdon County Cooperative Educational Services Commission 2025-187 Authorize the Submission of a 2025 Local Transportation Projects Fund Grant Application and Execution of a Grant Contract with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for Improvements to West Prospect Street 2025-188 Authorize the Submission of a FY26 Municipal Aid Grant Application and Execution of a Grant Contract with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for Hudson Avenue Section 3 Improvements 2025-189 Authorize the Submission of a 2026 Safe Streets to Transit Grant Application and Execution of a Grant Contract with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for Improvements to West Prospect Street 2025-190 Authorize Borough Auction 2025-191 Authorize Liquor License Renewals 2025/2026 2025-192 Authorize Release of Dumpster Escrow - 36 Grove Street 2025-193 Authorize Release of Dumpster Escrow - 12 Maple Avenue 2025-194 Authorize Payment of Terminal Leave to Retiring Chief Messner as per Employee Handbook 2025-195 Appointment of 2025 Head Swim Team Coach and Assistant Swim Team Coach 2025-196 Appointment of 2025 Pool Lifeguards 2025-197 Accept Resignation of Sumbal Nadeem as Full Time Communications Officer 2025-198 Appointment of Full Time Communications Officer - Douglas Rosenberg 2025-199 Cancellation and Refund of Taxes, Block 163.08/Lot 15.25 2025-200 Redemption of Tax Title Lien #23-00631 2025-201 Payment of Vouchers 2025-202 Accepting Donation of Trees from a Resident Council Member Motion Second Ayes Nays Abstain Absent Brennecke X X Cericola-Drake X Martinello X X Ramundo X Ritchie X Weber X Mayor Giordano PUBLIC HEARING & ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE(S) Mayor Giordano asked the Clerk to read Ordinance No. 2025-#16 by title. Ordinance No. 2025-#16 - AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 1, ENTITLED “ESTABLISHMENT; MEMBERSHIP” OF CHAPTER 20 ENTITLED “POLICE DEPARTMENT” TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PATROL OFFICERS FROM 13 PATROL OFFICERS TO 14 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: 5 JUNE 24, 2025 Council comments. Mayor Giordano commented that the additional officer will be responsible for traffic safety among other tasks. Public comment. None. Mayor Giordano closed the Public comment. Ordinance No. 2025-#16 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 X Cericola-Drake X Martinello X Ramundo X Ritchie X Weber X X Mayor Giordano INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE(S) – None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Ritchie requested an update of the odor that comes from the Sewer Authority and provided ideas to elevate the issue. He also requested the Borough to host a town hall to discuss remediation steps for the water and to keep the public informed. The Mayor clarified that the complaints coming in weren’t sewerage, but mulch pit. They are currently working on that and phase 2 to plant trees around the Sewer Authority to help alleviate the problems that have been happening. Mr. Neale had a committee meeting on the 13th regarding the water and plans to hold a virtual town hall on teams this summer to present hard data and inform everyone about what’s going on. We also plan to hold one in the fall. Mrs. Cericola-Drake asked Steve for an update on the Redevelopment page and the Boroughs Website. Mr. Neale said that it was published and is still in progress. Mrs. Cericola-Drake also asked the status of the meeting for the redevelopment plan. Mayor Giordano asked that the Council sends Steve dates, and it will be coordinated. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Ritchie expressed concern to the overcrowding of cars at the gas station on the corner of East Prospect Street and Franklin Turnpike. Mr. Neale said the zoning official has spoken to the owners in the past. They would have to take a look at the resolution. Mr. Martinello congratulated Luke and Quinn for joining the Junior Fire Department. REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: 6 JUNE 24, 2025 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. We will handle the in-person public and then go to the online public for comments. James Schultz spoke to the issue of the approved Harrison Avenue Redevelopment and asked how the project is going to be financed and if this will be a PILOT program. There needs to be a cost analysis study before the Borough leaps into this type of arrangement, be very careful and be sure to negotiate everything the Borough wants. Mr. Neale clarified that there are no PILOT programs that have come before us as of yet. Bianca Marosi (online) thanked the Council for having this platform available. Ms. Marosi believes the water meeting should also be in person for those residents who do not have the technology available to them. Ted Sanzo(online) There were several attempts to get Mr. Sanzo’s comments, but they were unsuccessful. Hopefully Mr. Sanzo will reach out to Steve with his questions or concerns. CLOSED SESSION - Any matter permitted to be discussed in Closed Session pursuant N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council at its Regular Meeting on MOTION by Mr. Martinello, seconded by Mr. Ritchie and on roll call carried the meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm. Adopted: July 15, 2025 __________________________________ KELLEY HALEWICZ, RMC/CMC MUNICIPAL CLERK