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[2:26] » [snorts]

[2:37] » Good mayor. Thank you.

[2:39] Good evening and welcome everybody to the August 17th, 2026 council meeting

[2:44] for the Township of Cedar Grove. Madam Clerk, can you call the roll?

[2:48] » Yes, sir. Councilwoman Meega? >> Here.

[2:51] » Councilwoman Peterson? >> Here.

[2:53] » Councilwoman Skabich? Absent. Deputy Mayor Zisaali?

[2:57] » Here. >> Mayor Misseri?

[2:58] » Here. >> Please stand for the flag.

[3:02] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[3:07] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[3:12] justice for all.

[3:18] » Adequate notice of this meeting was duly provided to the Verona Cedar Grove Times

[3:22] and the Star-Ledger by email and published in the annual schedule of

[3:25] meetings on December 18th, 2025, filed with the Township Clerk and posted

[3:30] in the public bulletin board in the municipal building lobby in accordance

[3:34] with the Open Public Meetings Act.

[3:40] Going to item two on the agenda, we're going to open this portion of the

[3:44] meeting to the public on any item on the agenda. If anybody wants to speak on

[3:49] that, please come up. Seeing none, we'll close that portion of

[3:53] the meeting. Item 3A, to consider introduction of

[3:57] pending ordinance 26-978, stormwater control ordinance.

[4:05] Mr. Kelly? Is there anything on this >> Yes, Mr. Mayor, thank you. Uh by Mayor,

[4:09] through you, this is an introduction of an ordinance amending our code as it

[4:13] relates to stormwater management and stormwater controls.

[4:16] The January 2026 NJDEP stormwater rules require municipalities update their

[4:22] local stormwater control ordinance to comply with the new state standards.

[4:26] Some key changes include one, updated stormwater design runoff, groundwater

[4:30] recharge calculations, and water quality requirements. Two, expanded requirements

[4:35] for redevelopment and motor vehicle surfaces.

[4:38] Three, climate change and flood resist flood resilience considerations. And

[4:42] four, updated NJDEP standards and best management practices.

[4:46] Uh this is not something that the township is initiating on its own

[4:49] accord. This is a requirement by the NJDEP who noted that municipalities must

[4:54] come into compliance by January 20th, 2027.

[4:58] This also requires a county review and NJDEP approval before it becomes

[5:02] effective. And as I stated, this is a state mandated update, not simply a

[5:07] local policy change. And we [snorts] will be in compliance once the DEP

[5:11] certifies any comments and the governing body adopts the new measures.

[5:16] Okay. Any further discussion or questions?

[5:20] All right, can I get a motion for introduction?

[5:23] » Mayor, I move for the introduction of pending ordinance number 26-978

[5:28] to be published on the township's official internet website as a pending

[5:31] ordinance with a public hearing scheduled for September 14th, 2026.

[5:35] » Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second.

[5:38] » Roll call. >> Councilwoman Amiega?

[5:40] » Yes. >> Councilwoman Peterson?

[5:42] » Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Gizzi?

[5:44] » Yes. >> Mayor Missar?

[5:45] » Yes. Item four, 4A, to consider adoption of

[5:50] pending capital ordinance 26-975, capital ordinance

[5:56] providing funding for Taylor's Brook riverbank stabilization for the Township

[6:00] of Cedar Grove and appropriating $300,000 for such purpose.

[6:07] Mr. Kelly? >> Uh thank you, Mayor. As I indicated at

[6:10] our last meeting, this is taking $300,000 from our capital improvement

[6:14] fund, which at the end of the year had over a million dollars in it uh to fund

[6:18] the emergency uh bank stabilization repair on Taylor's Brook next to the

[6:22] driveway into Town Hall off of Bowden Road.

[6:25] Uh this is coming from the capital improvement fund. There's no debt being

[6:29] cast as a result of this. In essence, we're paying for it in cash. This is not

[6:32] going to have any impact on our tax rate, on the average residential

[6:36] assessment, the 2026 budget, or our available fund balance.

[6:41] » Great.

[6:44] Any questions or discussion?

[6:48] Okay, is there a motion? >> Mayor, you have to

[6:50] » Oh, I'm sorry. I have to open this to the public. Anybody from the public want

[6:54] to be heard on this uh ordinance? Seeing none, I'll close that portion of

[7:01] the meeting. Is there a motion? >> I move for the adoption of the pending

[7:05] capital ordinance 26-975 to be published on the Township's

[7:09] official internet website as a passed capital ordinance and take

[7:13] effect as prescribed by law. >> Is there a second?

[7:18] » Second. >> [snorts]

[7:20] » Roll call. >> Councilwoman Meka?

[7:22] » Yes. >> Councilwoman Peterson?

[7:24] » Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Ziccardi?

[7:25] » Yes. >> Mayor Maceri?

[7:26] » Yes. Item 4B, to consider adoption of pending

[7:30] ordinance 26-976,

[7:33] an ordinance authorizing the execution of amended financial agreement by and

[7:37] between the Township of Cedar Grove and 36 Cliffside Drive Urban Renewal Owner

[7:42] LLC for the development of townhouses located in the 36 Cliffside Drive

[7:49] Redevelopment Area. I know Mr. Kelly, we also talked about

[7:53] this at the last meeting, but do you have any questions?

[7:55] » If you'd like for me to >> You want to do both?

[7:57] » Yeah, if you if that's okay, whatever you prefer.

[7:59] » Yeah, if you can do both since they're both uh

[8:01] » Sure. Through you, Mayor. Uh 4B is an amendment uh basically to an existing

[8:05] financial agreement uh for 36 Cliffside Drive. This is bifurcating the prior

[8:10] agreement uh to [snorts] reflect the initial uh townhome development and the

[8:15] subsequent uh agreements for the rental properties. May have had these flipped.

[8:20] No, I was right. The 4B is for the townhome phase of the development for 30

[8:24] townhomes and 4C is for the [snorts] uh 317 rental units. As the council is

[8:30] aware, originally it was 347 rental units. That number has been reduced uh

[8:34] in exchange for the 30 townhomes. >> [snorts]

[8:37] » And just for the public and especially people that are here tonight, this

[8:41] satisfies um our fourth round of affordable

[8:44] housing, too. Is that correct? >> Yes, this is a very large mechanism,

[8:47] probably the largest [snorts] that we are able to satisfy the fourth round

[8:51] fair share obligation with. >> Great.

[8:54] Any other questions from the dais or discussion? Then I'm going to open this

[8:57] to the public. Anybody wishing to be heard on this item? Seeing

[9:03] none, I'll close that portion of the meeting.

[9:05] And do we have a motion? >> Mayor, I move for the adoption of

[9:10] pending ordinance 26-976 to be published on the Township official

[9:15] internet website as a past ordinance or take effect as prescribed by law.

[9:20] » Thank [snorts] you. Is there a second? >> Second.

[9:23] » Roll call. >> Councilwoman Eagan.

[9:25] » Yes. >> Councilwoman Peterson.

[9:27] » Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Zisaali.

[9:28] » Yes. >> And Mayor.

[9:30] » Yes. Item 4C

[9:32] to consider adoption of pending ordinance 26-977

[9:37] an ordinance of the Township of Cedar Grove authorizing the execution of an

[9:40] amended financial agreement by and between the Township of Cedar Grove and

[9:45] 36 Cliffside Drive Urban Renewal Owner LLC for the development of an

[9:50] inclusionary multi-family development located in the 36 Cliffside Drive

[9:56] Redevelopment Area. Um, we already heard from Mr. Ziccheli

[10:00] on this item. Any other discussion or questions from the dais?

[10:04] No, then we'll open this to the public. Anybody wishing to be heard on this

[10:07] item? Seeing none, we'll close [snorts] that.

[10:11] And do we have a motion? >> Mayor, I move for the adoption of the

[10:15] pending ordinance number 26-977 to be published on the Township's

[10:20] official internet website as a passed ordinance to take effect as prescribed

[10:24] by law. >> Thank you. Second. Thank you. Roll call.

[10:28] » Councilwoman Meka? [snorts] >> Yes.

[10:29] » Councilwoman Peterson? >> Yes.

[10:31] » Deputy Mayor Ziccheli? >> Yes.

[10:32] » Mayor Ms. Serritella? >> Yes.

[10:34] Item 5A to consider approval of regular meeting minutes of the July 13, 2026

[10:41] meeting. Is there a motion?

[10:44] » So moved. >> Second. Roll call.

[10:48] » Councilwoman Meka? >> Yes.

[10:49] » Councilwoman Peterson? >> Yes.

[10:51] » Deputy Mayor Ziccheli? >> Yes.

[10:52] » Mayor Ms. Serritella? >> Yes.

[10:56] » Item 6, reports of Township officials. Start with our manager, Mr. Ziccheli.

[11:01] » Good evening, Mayor. >> Good evening.

[11:02] » Just a few items. Um, if I can get a consensus from the governing body, we've

[11:06] been getting a lot of phone calls and emails for the town-wide garage sale.

[11:10] Uh, and that's something we traditionally do in September. I didn't

[11:14] want to put a date out until uh, the governing body was able to opine.

[11:18] Uh, to keep things consistent, the date this

[11:20] year would be September [snorts] 12th, but I didn't want to uh, notify that.

[11:24] That's the Saturday after Labor Day this year.

[11:26] Um, so if there's any feedback or just a general consensus from the council on

[11:31] that, I'd would to get that out soon so the residents are you know, well

[11:34] noticed. >> Works for me.

[11:36] » Yeah, that's that's great. I know last year we had a huge uh

[11:40] » People were asking me. >> Yeah, so that will be um

[11:44] Did we do it the weekend following Labor Day last year?

[11:47] » We did. >> Yeah, I think Labor Day may have changed

[11:49] in the calendar, but that would that's what this Saturday,

[11:52] the 12th, would be. >> Okay.

[11:54] » Uh so if there's no objection, we'll notice it for the 12th.

[11:57] Great. Um just a few other uh housekeeping items.

[12:01] Um I just want to note 370 Pompton Avenue is this former

[12:05] Cedar Grove Animal Hospital uh that received some site plan approvals

[12:09] previously for 10 units, and the property owners have generously decided

[12:13] to allow our fire department to train on that building prior to its demolition.

[12:18] Um so that's something that uh the fire department is gracious for, the

[12:21] township's gracious for, and any opportunity our our volunteers uh can

[12:25] take to train there certainly uh welcome to do that, and we we are

[12:29] appreciative of the property owner nonetheless.

[12:32] I also want to thank uh Patrolman Emmanuele Ricci and Watchung. They did a

[12:36] great job helping organize the National Night Out on behalf of the Cedar Grove

[12:40] Police Department. As the council is aware, we did team up with Verona this

[12:43] year. Really great turnout, and I also want to

[12:46] thank uh one of our Cedar Grove residents for flying the Black Hawk help

[12:50] helicopter over Panther Park. That was really cool. It was a nice touch.

[12:54] Just a brief update on our um paving schedule.

[12:57] Uh due to some rain this morning, the crews were a little bit delayed and uh

[13:01] pushed the paving back. We have now noticed the new paving, which will begin

[13:05] on Wednesday starting with uh Rose Clara, Ira, and Lewis. That's going to

[13:10] be Wednesday. All of Vincent Road will be Thursday, and then Briar Hill,

[13:14] George, and Adelina will be Friday. So our goal is to get them in and out in 3

[13:17] days. We appreciate the residents' patience. This is a pretty big uh paving

[13:22] operation, and then Park Ridge will be completely done. Some of our bigger

[13:25] streets, as the council is aware, we had our water main replaced [snorts] on

[13:29] Briar Hill this year. That'll be completely done after this as well.

[13:33] And Mayor, I don't know if you have a time you'd prefer me to comment on some

[13:36] consent agenda items. There was a lot. If you'd like for me to do that now as

[13:39] part of my report [snorts] or through the consent agenda item, I'll leave it

[13:41] to you. >> Whatever your preference.

[13:43] » Okay. If I could take them now. >> Great.

[13:46] » Uh just briefly, consent agenda 7E. This is an a resolution authorizing the

[13:52] execution of a temporary [snorts] access agreement between Township of Cedar

[13:55] Grove and Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company for work they're performing

[13:59] around our recycling center. Uh consistent with that work on Little

[14:02] Falls Road, they're encasing their very large gas uh line that runs through the

[14:07] town. This is going to require some riverbank

[14:10] stabilization in the area. And I know the [snorts] township is very

[14:13] appreciative anytime people want to stabilize the riverbank as we believe

[14:16] it's very important to help mitigate flooding.

[14:18] Uh Transco has already obtained all necessary NJDEP permits to perform this

[14:22] work. Uh and as I mentioned, this is a

[14:24] critical bank stabilization project which we as a township strive to

[14:28] endeavor on our own accord. Uh we will be receiving $45,000 for

[14:32] permitting the temporary access to this work zone. They do have an easement in

[14:36] the area, so they are lawfully allowed to access this and perform work there.

[14:40] Uh but 7E is authorizing the execution of that agreement and codifying the

[14:44] $45,000 that we will be receiving in lieu of that.

[14:49] Uh 7F. This is a resolution authorizing the

[14:53] execution of a uh contract with Montclair Ambulance Unit for daytime EMS

[14:58] response. On July 14th, the township [snorts] received one sealed proposal

[15:03] through competitive contracting [clears throat] for the provisions of

[15:05] daytime EMS service to the township, its residents, visitors, and businesses from

[15:09] 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The sole proposal was furnished by the Montclair Ambulance

[15:13] Unit, the current provider of our daytime EMS coverage. Uh this resolution

[15:17] authorizes the competitive contracting award for a 5-year term in an amount not

[15:21] to exceed $318,549 in the aggregate.

[15:25] Basically, that means the first year is going to be $60,000 and every year

[15:29] thereafter is subject to an escalation. >> [snorts]

[15:33] » Item 7G is a resolution authorizing change order number two for the

[15:37] community park playground in the amount of $561.85

[15:41] or 0.081% of the total contract value for the installation of 15 ft of curb

[15:46] wall as opposed to a flush curb. This

[15:49] not to exceed amount is just now $689,786.24.

[15:55] And we did receive the $750,000 grant to offset this cost.

[15:59] Item 7H, this is a resolution authorizing the transfer of a 2022 Ford

[16:04] Explorer police interceptor. This is CGID 607 to the Township of West Orange.

[16:10] The Township of West Orange lawfully sought to pass some costs onto the

[16:13] Township of Cedar Grove as a result from our hiring of a police officer who was

[16:17] put through the academy by the Township of West Orange. And under NJSA

[16:21] 40A:14-178, they are allowed to seek reimbursement

[16:26] from the municipality that hires the officer.

[16:29] And instead of us reimbursing the Township the $27,522.96,

[16:35] I was able to speak with their business administrator and we worked out a deal

[16:39] where we will be giving them one of our used police interceptors in lieu of the

[16:43] cash consideration. Regardless, this vehicle would have been

[16:47] auctioned off in a few months anyway. So,

[16:51] it just gets it out of here a little bit quicker and we don't have to exchange

[16:54] any any money. Item 7I, this is a resolution

[16:58] authorizing the award of a resurfacing contract for the upper playground at

[17:02] Community Park to Rubber Recycle LLC of Lakewood, New Jersey in an amount not to

[17:07] exceed $65,000. This is awarded through state contract

[17:10] number 23 food 1181 118185

[17:15] price line 40. The Township budgeted for this in its

[17:18] capital budget this year. And we're now completing the second playground project

[17:24] at uh Community Park. This surface has been destroyed and the playground has

[17:29] been closed for a little while. So, it's nice to finally get this done. My goal

[17:32] is before next council meeting to have this completed.

[17:35] Item 7J is inserting $5,246.13 into the municipal budget from the

[17:41] National Opioid Settlement Fund. Item 7K is a resolution authorizing the

[17:46] installation of a supplemental fuel tank at our DPW to Independence Constructors

[17:51] Inc. of Bernardsville, New Jersey in an amount not to exceed $169,300.

[17:57] This is awarded through state contract T0849 above ground storage tank

[18:01] installation, removal, repair, and related equipment contract 42270.

[18:06] The council bonded for this in this year's capital budget as well. We are

[18:10] going to be doubling the capacity of our fuel.

[18:13] Uh benefit of this is as fuel prices go up, you will be able to buy more at a

[18:17] lower rate. And also in the event there is some type of emergency, power outage,

[18:21] Hurricane Sandy type of situation, we'll have double the amount of fuel that we

[18:25] previously had. Um

[18:28] which is, you know, important during snowstorms and other

[18:31] emergencies. The final comment I have is item 7I,

[18:36] which is a resolution accepting the planning board's designation of 370 Pump

[18:39] and Avenue, lot 62, lot 11 as an area in need of non-condemnation redevelopment

[18:45] pursuant to NJSA 40A:12A-1. Uh the two criteria that this site met

[18:51] were one, the generality of buildings are substandard, unsafe,

[18:55] unsanitary, dilapidated, or otherwise obsolete, or possess any such

[18:59] characteristics and are lacking in light, air, or open space as to be

[19:02] conducive to unwholesome living or working conditions. And two, buildings

[19:06] with improvements which by reason of dilapidated, obsolete,

[19:10] overcrowding, faulty arrangement, or design,

[19:15] Motion by police. Lack ventilation, light, or sanitary

[19:19] facilities, excessive land coverage, deleterious land use, or obsolete

[19:23] layout, or any combination of these or other factors are detrimental to the

[19:26] safety, health, morals, and welfare of the community. This is a resolution

[19:30] authorizing the preparation of a redevelopment plan.

[19:33] And that ends my report and my comments on the consent agenda.

[19:37] » Just had one question on F. Um, did that contract Is that contract

[19:41] expiring now? That is the >> Yeah, August.

[19:43] » August. >> we had that expire.

[19:45] » Oh, okay. Okay. >> The prior contract with MAU was

[19:48] August to August 23 to 26, so it's expiring now.

[19:52] » Great. Thank you. Any other questions or

[19:56] » Yeah, just one question. The playgrounds, do we have cameras in

[19:58] there? >> We will be installing cameras there.

[20:01] » I was asked, that's why I'm asking. >> We will be installing cameras to

[20:04] hopefully deter some of the vandals and graffiti there. Yes.

[20:07] » Thank you. >> Okay.

[20:11] Madam Clerk, good evening. >> Good evening, Mayor, members of Council,

[20:14] those in attendance. I have no report this evening.

[20:16] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[20:18] » Mr. Lagana. >> Good evening, Mayor, members of Council.

[20:21] I do not have a formal report this evening. I would just make a comment as

[20:25] to consent agenda item 7H to the transfer

[20:28] of the police vehicle to the Catholic War Veterans. Um, Joe, we should have uh

[20:33] the title signed over to them so they can get the registration and insurance

[20:36] before the vehicle leaves our lot. >> We will do it tomorrow.

[20:40] » Thank you. >> [snorts]

[20:41] » Great. Thanks. All right, Council reports. We'll start on my right.

[20:45] Councilwoman Peterson. Good evening. >> Good evening, Mayor. Um, I just wanted

[20:49] to thank everyone who came out for National Night Out. It was a great

[20:53] event. Um, it was nice to partner with Verona and see everybody come together.

[20:57] Um, we had a great outpouring of the community. We had a lot of um

[21:03] organizations from town, UNICO, the Elks, uh the library was there. I'm

[21:09] probably missing people, but it was just nice to see everybody come out and kids

[21:14] had a great time and it was a lovely night. So, um thanks to everyone who

[21:18] made that happen, our DPW, our town manager, emergency services, fire

[21:22] department, everybody was there. So, I just want to say thank you.

[21:25] » And to some of the local businesses that donated, I know Aqua Falls donated their

[21:29] water and >> Yeah.

[21:30] » a bunch of others. >> [snorts]

[21:31] » Yeah. Yeah, everybody who made it happen. So, I just wanted to say thank

[21:34] you and that's all I have. >> Great. Thanks.

[21:37] » [snorts] >> Councilwoman?

[21:39] » You good? >> How are you?

[21:39] » I'm good. How are you, Mayor? >> Good.

[21:41] » Um I will just say ditto to Councilwoman

[21:45] Peterson's comments. Thank you so much to everyone.

[21:48] I also have an update for the Cedar Grove Historical Society.

[21:52] They're going to bring you some more exciting programs.

[21:54] So, last week they had a sold-out cut flower workshop. People loved the class,

[22:00] but what they also loved, we had the class on the farm down by the gardens.

[22:05] So many people have never seen it before. They didn't even know it

[22:07] existed. So, it was a nice exposure um and we're trying to get another one

[22:12] if we can get the weather to cooperate along with some schedules. So,

[22:17] August 28th, Mayor, you'll really love this. The line dancing class is back if

[22:22] you're um if you're around. So, we're going to try to pull uh that off. As it

[22:27] is right now, tickets are selling a little slower than we would

[22:30] like. So, maybe you want to bring all your friends.

[22:33] » [snorts] >> Um and if it doesn't work with the end

[22:34] of summer, beginning of school, we're going to just reschedule it.

[22:38] September 19th is appraisal day coming back and of course in the fall we'll

[22:41] have the pumpkin and apple sale. I just wanted to wish good luck to all

[22:45] the students and the staff returning to school in September. I wish everybody a

[22:49] wonderful year and today, thank you to the Cedar Grove Police Department and

[22:53] the Verona Police Department, there was a very informative New Jersey e-bike

[22:58] presentation. You all know my my my situation with e-bikes and helmets

[23:03] and whatnot. So, [snorts] I hope that everybody out there, parents, children,

[23:08] you take a look at what's out there for the changing of the law. The law has

[23:11] changed. I'm looking at you, Mr. Mr. Lawyer over there.

[23:15] » [laughter] >> Um and there's there's some things

[23:18] parents really need to know about potential consequences if your children

[23:24] don't have the proper paperwork and whatnot to be riding these these

[23:27] different types of uh vehicles.

[23:30] And that's it for me. I just hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer.

[23:34] And remember to sign up for the fall rec programs.

[23:37] » Great. >> And that's it.

[23:38] » Thank you, Councilwoman. >> You're welcome.

[23:40] » Good evening, Councilwoman Zisa. Um Deputy Mayor, I'm sorry. That's okay.

[23:44] » Good evening, Mayor. >> Uh good evening, everyone. Uh

[23:48] I also attended uh National Night Out and just to reiterate um

[23:53] what Councilwoman Peterson and Councilwoman

[23:56] Meegan [snorts] uh said. It was It was a great event, and we appreciate everyone

[24:00] who participated and made that event happen. It was It was very nice. Um and

[24:06] Mayor, if I may, I just wanted to ask Mr. Ziccheli a question.

[24:09] » [clears throat] >> Uh Mr. Ziccheli, is there an uh could

[24:12] you give us kind of an update on the work that's being done in town that's

[24:14] not being done by the township, specifically like Ridge Road, uh the gas

[24:19] main, and the uh what's going on in Little Falls Road?

[24:21] » Sure. For you, Mayor, there's a lot. There's a lot of work. Um

[24:26] and um so, taking each in stride, PSE&G is uh

[24:32] very, very close to, if not complete [snorts] with the gas main replacement

[24:36] on Ridge Road. Uh that was a very long project. We were able to keep at least

[24:41] one lane of alternating traffic open throughout the majority of that work.

[24:44] That was a replacement of a >> [snorts]

[24:46] » stainless steel gas main. It was, from what I was told from PSE&G, the number

[24:50] one priority replacement in the state. And it was crucial that we were able to

[24:54] get that work done before school uh reopened with the high school and the

[24:57] middle school on Ridge Road. So, uh that work should be complete. Um I saw Mr.

[25:01] Hardrick step out, but I will get from them the timing when the county [snorts]

[25:05] expects to be resurfacing Ridge Road, and we will be pushing for a

[25:09] curb-to-curb restoration because that's what we like to see here in Cedar Grove.

[25:13] Uh secondly, uh PSE&G is also performing uh electrical work at their Little Falls

[25:18] substation. Um I'm sorry, the substation on Little Falls Road in Cedar Grove.

[25:23] That electrical work involves running a lot of conduit underground um on Little

[25:28] Falls Road, over Lindsley, uh into uh Little Falls and Coleman and ending in

[25:32] Totowa. Uh that's a lot of work uh that's taking

[25:35] place as well, but I believe the majority of that work is off to the the

[25:38] shoulder, and there shouldn't be too much of a traffic disruption in that

[25:42] portion of Little Falls Road. Uh Transco is currently working on the

[25:46] corner of Bowden and Little Falls Road. That work is uh

[25:53] putting a casing around their existing uh very large gas pipeline that's

[25:57] running through um the power line easements uh you may recall on the

[26:01] corner of Bowden, uh and runs through the township's property by the recycling

[26:04] center, which we will uh maintain open. We were alternating traffic in that

[26:09] area, and given the size of the excavation, the county just approved a

[26:13] plan to close Little Falls Road uh to expedite that excavation and hopefully

[26:17] get that done before school starts, too. With Ridge Road being back open now,

[26:21] that should alleviate a lot of the traffic coming off of Little Falls Road.

[26:25] And then, another work uh phase of that work that Transco is going to be doing

[26:29] once they complete the work in the roadway, they're going to be moving

[26:32] towards the back of the tennis courts, which is the matter concerning the

[26:36] agenda item today, uh 7 E for that access agreement. They're

[26:42] going to be stabilizing the riverbank where their pipe is running through and

[26:45] is now exposed, and that's part of their uh bank stabilization project. So, there

[26:50] is a lot of work. We know it. We We compound it with the townships

[26:55] paving initiatives, with PSE&G's regular work on 23, shutting down a lot of the

[27:00] old abandoned gas mains. This is the time of year to do it,

[27:04] unfortunately, but we're you know, committed to getting it done and trying

[27:07] to notify the residents as best we can. >> Thank you. Just one follow-up. I know uh

[27:12] Ms. Hartwick stepped out. Uh any idea when they're going to pave Ridge?

[27:16] » I'm going to push for it to be done as part of the county cooperative, which

[27:18] usually happens uh in the fall. Um

[27:22] I believe Stevens and part of Lindsley, at least up to the front of the

[27:26] firehouse, was on that list, but I'll confirm with Ms. Hartwick or uh Sanjeev,

[27:30] the county engineer, this week, and then as soon as we know, we'll we'll notify.

[27:33] We want to get it done before winter, obviously, but it's also important that

[27:37] the trench has enough time to settle so that there's no, you know, divots or or

[27:41] sinking. But, No Cars is pretty good contractor,

[27:44] so they they should be uh the trenches should be in good shape.

[27:47] » Great. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[27:49] » Anything else, sir? >> Deputy Mayor?

[27:50] » That's it, Mayor. Thank you. >> All right.

[27:54] I'm just going to add we had a very [snorts] important birthday in August,

[27:58] so happy birthday to our clerk, who was last week.

[28:02] » [laughter] >> So, uh

[28:04] Happy birthday, Dana. >> Thank you very much.

[28:07] » Yes. And uh you know, ditto with all the comments

[28:11] about um our National Night Out. It was well attended. Um

[28:16] and uh you know, we want to thank our police. Obviously, they did a tremendous

[28:20] job organizing uh as long as along with OEM and everybody else that

[28:24] was involved. So, thank you to that. That's all I have.

[28:29] So, we're going to move on to seven, consent agenda.

[28:34] Consent agenda A through L. Do I have a motion?

[28:39] » So moved. >> Is there a second?

[28:41] » Second. >> Roll call.

[28:44] » Councilwoman Amigo? >> Yes.

[28:46] » Councilwoman Peterson? [snorts] >> Yes.

[28:48] » Deputy Mayor Zisa Ali? >> Yes.

[28:49] » Mayor Macer? >> Yes.

[28:52] Item eight, approval of bills.

[28:57] » [snorts] >> Shall I begin, sir?

[28:58] » Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you.

[28:59] Be it resolved for the Township of Cedar Grove, County of Essex, New Jersey, that

[29:03] the summary of bills having been duly audited and found to be correct are

[29:07] hereby ordered paid in the aggregated amount of $1,659,137.19

[29:15] cents. >> Thank you. Is there a motion?

[29:19] » So moved. >> [snorts]

[29:21] » Second. Roll call.

[29:24] » Councilwoman Amigo? >> Yes.

[29:25] » Councilwoman Peterson? [snorts] >> Yes.

[29:27] » Deputy Mayor Zisa Ali? >> Yes.

[29:29] » Mayor Macer? >> Yes.

[29:30] » Thank you. >> Item nine, new business. Do we have any

[29:32] new business? No? All right. Item 10, public comment.

[29:37] Anybody from the public? You can speak on anything on or off the agenda.

[29:42] Anything? No? All right.

[29:46] We'll close that portion of the meeting. Our next meeting, our public council

[29:50] meeting, is scheduled for September 14th, 2026, 7:00 p.m. in Council

[29:55] Chambers. Item 12, we have two items for executive

[30:00] session. Whereas Section 8 of the Open Public

[30:04] Meetings Act permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting of the Mayor

[30:08] and the Council in certain circumstances, and whereas the Mayor and

[30:11] the Council of the Township of Cedar Grove are of the opinion that such

[30:15] circumstances exist. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Mayor and the Council

[30:19] of the Township of Cedar Grove, County of Essex, State of New Jersey, that the

[30:23] public shall be excluded from discussion of any action in executive session of

[30:28] the of the meeting of the Mayor and the Council of August 17th, 2026.

[30:33] The general nature and subject matters to be discussed are personnel matters,

[30:38] and also land acquisition pursuant to NJSA 10:4-12

[30:45] B5. It is anticipated at this time that the

[30:49] above stated subject matter will be made public as soon thereafter as it may be

[30:53] deemed in the public interest to do so. No further action will be taken. This

[30:58] resolution shall take effect immediately.

[31:01] Do I have a motion to go into executive session?

[31:03] » So moved, Mayor. Second. >> Roll call.

[31:07] » Councilwoman Mika? >> Yes.

[31:08] » Councilwoman Peterson? Deputy Mayor Zisavali?

[31:11] » Yes. >> Mayor Mascia?

[31:12] » Yes. >> Thank you.

[34:21] » Mhm.

8/17/26 Council Meeting

Transcript