Borough Council

BOROUGH OF WESTWOOD WORK MEETING MINUTES OF THE MAYOR & COUNCIL DECEMBER 5, 2023 MINUTES 7:30 pm Closed Session/ 8:00 pm Public Session 101 WASHINGTON AVENUE WESTWOOD, NEW JERSEY 07675 1. Opening of the Meeting: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arroyo at 7:30 pm. Mayor Arroyo then read the Open Public Meetings Law Statement: “This meeting which conforms with the Open Public Meetings law, Chapter 231, Public Laws of 1975, is a regular Borough Council meeting. Notices have been filed with our local official newspapers and posted on the municipal bulletin board.” 2. Roll Call: Committee Assignments: Mayor Arroyo – Present Councilmember Bicocchi – Absent Public Properties & Recreation Councilmember Collins – Present Police & Emergency Management Councilmember– Dell - Present Finance, Administration & Capital Projects; Shared Svcs. Councilmember Greco – Present Fire & Ambulance Councilmember Hodges – Present Health & Hospital Council President Montana - Present Land Use Councilmember Elect Letizia - Present Borough Attorney Kool - Present Borough Administrator Ayer – Present Borough Clerk Hughes – Present 3. Resolution #23-332: Executive Closed Session Motion to Approve Resolution #23-332 at 7:00pm: Councilmember Collins Second: Councilmember Hodges Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi – Absent Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Dell – Yes Councilmember Greco - Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Council President Montana – Yes a) Trees & Sidewalks (#7 Attorney Client Privilege) - DA 4. Reopen the Meeting: Councilmember Dell Second: Councilmember Greco Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. The time was 8:03 pm. 5. Roll Call II: Mayor Arroyo – Present / Councilmember Bicocchi – Absent / Councilmember Collins – Present / Councilmember Dell – Absent / Councilmember Greco – Present / Councilmember Hodges – Present / Council President Montana – Present / Councilmember Elect Letizia – Present / Borough Administrator Ayer - Present / Borough Attorney Kool – Present / Borough Engineer Senkevich – Present / Borough Clerk Hughes - Present 6. Flag Salute Mayor Arroyo led those present in the salute to the flag. 7. Engineer’s Biweekly Report Ed Senkevich reviewed the biweekly report, a copy of which is attached. Minutes Page 2 Work Meeting of the Mayor and Council December 5, 2023 8. Adoption of Ordinance 23-37: An Ordinance Of The Borough Of Westwood, In The County Of Bergen, New Jersey, Amending And Supplementing Chapter 59 Of The Borough Code Of The Borough Of Westwood BE IT RESOLVED that Ordinance #23-37 entitled “An Ordinance Of The Borough Of Westwood, In The County Of Bergen, New Jersey, Amending And Supplementing Chapter 59 Of The Borough Code Of The Borough Of Westwood” having hereby been read by title, shall have a hearing held on this date. Motion to open the public hearing: Councilmember Collins Second: Councilmember Dell Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. Public Comments: No comments. Motion to close the public hearing: Councilmember Collins Second: Councilmember Hodges Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance known as #23-37 be passed on final reading and that a Notice of Adoption of said Ordinance be published in the official newspaper according to law. Motion for final adoption: Councilmember Collins Second: Councilmember Dell Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Absent Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Councilmember Montana – Yes Councilmember Greco – Yes Council President Dell – Yes _________________________________________ 9. Resolution #23 - 333: Appointment of Sergeants Sean Roche, Samuel Mann, Christopher Horst, Keith Bott Oath of Office for Sergeants given by Mayor Arroyo. 10. Oath of Office for Police Officer Jake Pletsch Mayor Arroyo gave the Oath of Office. 11. Resolution #23 - 334: Appointment of Police Officer Suquan Garry Oath of Office for Police Officer Suquan Garry by Mayor Arroyo. 12. Police Chief’s Appointment of Detectives, Presentation of SLEO Pins Chief Pontillo presents Detective badges to Detective Danielle Neuberger, Detective Tristan Ganter and Detective Joseph Pavone. All SLEO’s were presented the Westwood Police Department Pins. 13. Items for Discussion: 1. Downtown Sidewalk Solicitation – EC The consensus of the Governing Body agreed to have all sidewalk solicitations receive permission from the store front owner and not from the town. 2. Endorsement Criteria – CM Councilmember Montana led a discussion regarding whether the Governing Body should adopt criteria for endorsing grant applications for organizations. 14. Agenda/Public Forum: Motion to open Agenda/Public Forum: Councilmember Dell Second: Council President Montana Minutes Page 3 Work Meeting of the Mayor and Council December 5, 2023 Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the Affirmative. Dan Olivier stated that he just wanted to say hi. Motion to close Agenda/Public Forum: Councilmember Dell Second: Councilmember Collins Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. 15. Ordinances for Introduction/Adoption Ordinances for Introduction 23-42 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 243 Parks And Recreation Areas Schedule A Recreation Department Fees BE IT RESOLVED that Ordinance #23-42 entitled “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 243 Parks And Recreation Areas Schedule A Recreation Department Fees” is hereby introduced by title; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Borough Clerk is hereby directed to advertise said ordinance with a December 19th, 2023 hearing date in the official newspaper according to law. Motion to pass the ordinance on First Reading: Councilmember Hodges Second: Councilmember Dell Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi – Absent Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Dell – Yes Councilmember Greco – Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Council President Montana – Yes __________________________ Ordinances for Adoption 23-35 An Ordinance To Establish A Schedule Of Salaries, Wages And Compensation Of The Public Officials, Officers and Employees Of The Borough Of Westwood In The County Of Bergen, And To Establish A Method Of Payment Of Such Compensation During Calendar Year 2023 BE IT RESOLVED that Ordinance #23-35 entitled “An Ordinance To Establish A Schedule Of Salaries, Wages And Compensation Of The Public Officials, Officers and Employees Of The Borough Of Westwood In The County Of Bergen, And To Establish A Method Of Payment Of Such Compensation During Calendar Year 2023” having hereby been read by title, had its hearing originally scheduled for November 21st, at that meeting additional items were added to the ordinance that required it to be re-advertised. The hearing was continued to tonight, December 5th, in order to accommodate the advertising requirement. Motion to open the public hearing: Councilmember Dell Second: Councilmember Collins Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. Public Comments: No comments. Motion to close the public hearing: Councilmember Dell Second: Councilmember Collins Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance known as #23-35 be passed on final reading and that a Notice of Adoption of said Ordinance be published in the official newspaper according to law. Motion for final adoption: Councilmember Dell Second: Councilmember Collins Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Absent Councilmember Collins – Yes Minutes Page 4 Work Meeting of the Mayor and Council December 5, 2023 Councilmember Hodges – Yes Councilmember Montana – Yes Councilmember Greco – Yes Council President Dell – Yes _________________________________________ 23-36 An Ordinance To Establish Chapter 278 Salt Storage, Privately-Owned BE IT RESOLVED that Ordinance #23-36 entitled “An Ordinance To Establish Chapter 278 Salt Storage, Privately Owned” having hereby been read by title, shall have a hearing held on this date. Motion to open the public hearing: Council President Montana Second: Councilmember Hodges Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. Public Comments: No comments. Motion to close the public hearing: Council President Montana Second: Councilmember Dell Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance known as #23-36 be passed on final reading and that a Notice of Adoption of said Ordinance be published in the official newspaper according to law. Motion for final adoption: Council President Montana Second: Councilmember Dell Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Absent Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Councilmember Montana – Yes Councilmember Greco – Yes Council President Dell – Yes _________________________________________ 23-38 An Ordinance Of The Borough Of Westwood, In The County Of Bergen, New Jersey Providing For The Gritman Pond Park Pathway Appropriating $35,000 Therefor From The Borough’s General Capital Fund Surplus BE IT RESOLVED that Ordinance #23-38 entitled “An Ordinance Of The Borough of Westwood, In The County Of Bergen, New Jersey Providing For The Gritman Pond Park Pathway Appropriating $35,000 Therefore From The Borough’s General Capital Fund Surplus” having hereby been read by title, shall have a hearing held on this date. Motion to open the public hearing: Councilmember Hodges Second: Councilmember Dell Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. Public Comments: No comments. Motion to close the public hearing: Councilmember Hodges Second: Councilmember Dell Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance known as #23-38 be passed on final reading and that a Notice of Adoption of said Ordinance be published in the official newspaper according to law. Motion for final adoption: Councilmember Hodges Second: Councilmember Collins Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Absent Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Councilmember Montana – Yes Councilmember Greco – Yes Council President Dell – Yes _________________________________________ 23-39 Bond Ordinance Of The Borough Of Westwood, In The County of Bergen, New Jersey Providing For The Implementation Of A Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations Project Appropriating $200,000 Therefore From The New Jersey Department Of Community Affairs 2024 Stream Stabilization Grant Minutes Page 5 Work Meeting of the Mayor and Council December 5, 2023 BE IT RESOLVED that Ordinance #23-39 entitled “Bond Ordinance Of The Borough Of Westwood, In The County of Bergen, New Jersey Providing For The Implementation Of A Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations Project Appropriating $200,000 Therefore From The New Jersey Department Of Community Affairs 2024 Stream Stabilization Grant” having hereby been read by title, shall have a hearing held on this date. Motion to open the public hearing: Councilmember Hodges Second: Councilmember Dell Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. Public Comments: No comments. Motion to close the public hearing: Councilmember Hodges Second: Council President Montana Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance known as #23-39 be passed on final reading and that a Notice of Adoption of said Ordinance be published in the official newspaper according to law. Motion for final adoption: Councilmember Hodges Second: Councilmember Dell Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Absent Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Councilmember Montana – Yes Councilmember Greco – Yes Council President Dell – Yes _________________________________________ 16. Presentation of Bills, Financial Reports and Resolutions: Council President Montana asked if there were any resolutions to add to the Consent Agenda. He stated that any Councilmembers who wished to remove any Resolution(s) to be voted upon separately could do so at this time, otherwise the Consent Agenda would be enacted in one motion. Resolutions as Consent Agenda: a) Resolution #23 - 335: Bills List and Statement of Cash b) Resolution #23 - 336: 2023 Budget Transfers c) Resolution #23 - 337: Cancellation of Current Fund Appropriation Balances d) Resolution #23 - 338: Cancellation of General Capital Improvement Authorization Balances e) Resolution #23 - 339: Authorizing Replacement of Gritman Park Pathway f) Resolution #23 - 340: Establishment of Preliminary Costs g) Resolution #23 - 341: Condition Assessment by Drone of the Brooks h) Resolution #23 - 342: Authorizing the Execution of an Interlocal Agreement for the Maintenance and Repair of Vehicles By and Between the Borough of Paramus and the Borough of Westwood i) Resolution #23 - 343: Appointment to Historic Preservation Commission j) Resolution #23 - 344: Approval to Consume Alcoholic Beverages On Public Property for a Baby Shower k) Resolution #23 - 345: Awarding Contract Exempt From Public Bidding for Alternate Prosecutor Motion to Approve Resolutions #23-335 through #23-345: Councilmember Dell Second: Councilmember Collins Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi – Absent Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Dell – Yes Councilmember Greco – Yes Minutes Page 6 Work Meeting of the Mayor and Council December 5, 2023 Councilmember Hodges – Yes Council President Montana – Yes 17. Adjournment: Motion to Adjourn: Councilmember Dell Second: Councilmember Collins Voice Vote: Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. The time was 9:31 pm. Attest: Karen Hughes, RMC, Borough Clerk Prepared by Jean-Marie Vadovic, RMC, Deputy Borough Clerk