[0:06] Mayor, are you ready to be ready?

[0:07] >> I'm ready.

[0:09] >> What is your pleasure for keeping the

[0:10] minutes?

[0:11] >> All right. Good evening, everyone, and

[0:13] welcome to the Borough of Ramsey Mayor

[0:15] and Council meeting for Wednesday,

[0:17] August 26th.

[0:18] This meeting is also being conducted

[0:20] telephonically with the dial-in number

[0:22] [clears throat] 425-436-6365,

[0:25] access code 213-563,

[0:28] and the meeting may also be viewed on

[0:30] the Ramsey YouTube channel, which can be

[0:32] accessed through the borough website.

[0:34] Okay. Roll call, please.

[0:36] >> Mayor Dillon.

[0:37] >> Here.

[0:38] >> Councilwoman Cusick.

[0:39] >> Here.

[0:40] >> Councilman Grisanti.

[0:41] >> Here.

[0:41] >> Councilman Gotwetter.

[0:43] >> Here.

[0:43] >> Councilman Kilman.

[0:45] >> Here.

[0:45] >> Councilman Capparelli is not here.

[0:47] Councilwoman Poppy.

[0:49] >> Here.

[0:51] >> Thank you. We'll have flag salute.

[0:54] Mr. Capparelli, would you like to lead

[0:55] us?

[0:58] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[1:00] United States of America, and to the

[1:02] republic for which it stands, one nation

[1:05] under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[1:08] justice for all.

[1:12] » The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law

[1:14] was enacted to ensure the right of all

[1:16] citizens to have advanced notice of and

[1:18] to attend all meetings of public bodies

[1:20] at which any business affecting the

[1:22] public is discussed or acted upon. In

[1:25] accordance with the provisions of this

[1:26] act, notice of this meeting of the Mayor

[1:28] and Council was published in the Bergen

[1:29] Record and the Suburban News on

[1:31] Wednesday, January 15th, 2020,

[1:34] and is posted on the public notices page

[1:36] at www.ramseynj.com.

[1:40] Okay. Approval of minutes, please.

[1:42] >> Yes, Madam Mayor, I make the motion to

[1:44] receive and file the minutes for July

[1:47] 22nd, 2020.

[1:50] >> Thank you. Are there any comments on the

[1:51] minutes?

[1:53] Okay. Do we have a second?

[1:54] >> Madam, this is Judy, Council President,

[1:57] and I second.

[1:58] >> Right. Okay, are there any comments or

[1:59] changes to the minutes?

[2:02] Not hearing any, roll call, please.

[2:03] >> Councilwoman Cusack?

[2:05] >> Yes.

[2:05] >> Councilman Grissoni?

[2:07] >> Yes.

[2:07] >> Councilman Gutwetter?

[2:09] >> Yes.

[2:09] >> Councilman Kilman?

[2:10] >> Yes.

[2:10] >> Councilwoman Poppie?

[2:12] >> I abstain as I was absent.

[2:16] >> Thank you. Communications.

[2:18] >> I make a motion to accept the

[2:20] communications as listed in the agenda.

[2:22] >> I'll second.

[2:23] >> Thank you. Any comments on the

[2:24] communications?

[2:26] Not hearing any, roll call, please.

[2:28] >> Councilwoman Cusack?

[2:29] >> Yes.

[2:30] >> Councilman Grissoni?

[2:31] >> Yes.

[2:31] >> Councilman Gutwetter?

[2:33] >> Yes.

[2:33] >> Councilman Kilman?

[2:34] >> Yes.

[2:35] >> Councilwoman Poppie?

[2:36] >> Yes.

[2:37] >> Thank you. We'll move on to public

[2:38] comment. Anyone wishing to address the

[2:40] governing body, please give your name,

[2:42] spell out the last name, and address.

[2:44] Please speak in an audible tone and

[2:46] address your comments to the chair.

[2:48] There will be a 5-minute time limit per

[2:49] speaker unless reduced because of the

[2:51] volume of business on the agenda. Please

[2:53] note public comment is your time.

[2:56] Out of respect and fairness to all,

[2:58] there will be no interruption or

[3:00] questions answered during your time. No

[3:02] time shall be seated to anyone else, and

[3:04] no time shall be saved for later in the

[3:05] use. Any responses may be given during

[3:08] the governing body's comments later in

[3:10] the meeting or as directed by the chair.

[3:12] The Borough Clerk is the official

[3:13] timekeeper.

[3:15] If you're here to comment on any of the

[3:17] ordinances that are public hearing

[3:18] tonight, now is not the time to comment.

[3:21] will be when we have

[3:22] the public hearing.

[3:24] Hold on.

[3:28] Thank you. Okay, is there anyone that

[3:29] wishes to make a public comment

[3:31] on anything other than the ordinances

[3:33] that are having public hearing tonight?

[3:36] I don't see anyone in the Council

[3:38] Chambers. Is there anyone on the line

[3:40] that would like to to make a public

[3:42] comment?

[3:46] Second call for public comment.

[3:50] Third and final call for public comment.

[3:52] All right, I will close public comment.

[3:55] We will now move on to advertised public

[3:57] hearing for final consideration of

[3:59] ordinances. Ordinance 15-2026, please.

[4:04] >> I thank you, Madam Mayor.

[4:06] Uh this is the final reading of

[4:08] ordinance number 15-2026,

[4:11] an ordinance amending chapter 10 of the

[4:12] code of the Borough of Ramsey, Bergen

[4:14] County, New Jersey, and more

[4:15] specifically section 10-23 compensation.

[4:18] Having been brought up for public

[4:19] hearing, and all persons interested

[4:21] having been given an opportunity to be

[4:22] heard, has final reading by title, and

[4:25] that said ordinance be adopted as an

[4:26] ordinance of the Borough of Ramsey, and

[4:28] be it further resolved that the Borough

[4:30] Clerk be, and she hereby is directed to

[4:33] cause a copy of the title of said

[4:34] ordinance to be published in the

[4:35] official newspaper of the Borough in the

[4:37] manner provided by law, together with

[4:39] the notice of the date of introduction

[4:40] and adoption of said ordinance.

[4:44] Do we have a second?

[4:48] » I'll second, Madam Mayor.

[4:49] >> Thank you. Um any comments from the dais

[4:51] before I open this up to public comment?

[4:54] Mr. Bosak? Sure.

[4:56] >> Um ordinance 15 amends

[4:59] the Borough salary ordinance. The

[5:01] Borough salaries are set based on

[5:03] collective bargaining agreements with

[5:05] those employees covered under those

[5:06] applicable agreements, and by resolution

[5:08] for those non-union employees.

[5:10] We do, however, maintain by ordinance a

[5:12] salary range for certain positions,

[5:14] which is updated periodically. The last

[5:16] update to the salary range ordinance was

[5:18] in 2022.

[5:20] This ordinance tonight updates salary

[5:22] ranges for some positions consistent

[5:24] with the salary increases that are in

[5:25] line with the changes to the union labor

[5:27] agreements, similarly applied to the

[5:29] non-union employees. To reiterate, this

[5:31] is not setting salary levels for

[5:33] non-union employees, which are done by

[5:35] resolution. It just adopts a range for

[5:38] those salaries in this ordinance.

[5:40] >> Thank you. Anyone else on the dais?

[5:43] Not hearing anyone. Sir, anyone in the

[5:45] public who would like to comment on

[5:47] ordinance 15-2026,

[5:49] now would be the time during the public

[5:50] hearing.

[5:54] Not seeing anyone in chambers, I'll ask

[5:56] is there anyone on the line who would

[5:58] like to comment on ordinance 15-2026?

[6:03] Second call for comments.

[6:07] Third and final call for comments. I

[6:08] will now close the public hearing.

[6:11] We have roll call, please.

[6:12] >> Councilwoman Cuseck?

[6:13] >> Yes.

[6:13] >> Councilman Grisanti?

[6:15] >> Yes.

[6:15] >> Councilman Gotwetter?

[6:16] >> Yes.

[6:17] >> Councilman Kilman?

[6:18] >> Yes.

[6:18] >> Councilwoman Poppie?

[6:19] >> Yes.

[6:21] >> Thank you. Let's move on to ordinance

[6:23] 16-2026.

[6:25] >> Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[6:28] Ordinance

[6:29] 16-2026 to authorize the undertaking of

[6:32] construction phase of the fire

[6:34] department rescue squad and emergency

[6:36] management station complex project in,

[6:40] by, and for the Borough of Ramsey in the

[6:42] County of Bergen, State of New Jersey

[6:44] to appropriate the sum of $15,050,000

[6:49] to pay the cost thereof, to make a down

[6:51] payment,

[6:52] to authorize the issuance of bonds to

[6:54] finance such appropriation,

[6:56] and to provide for the issuance of a

[6:58] bond anticipation notes in anticipation

[7:01] of the issuance of such bonds, having

[7:04] been brought up for public hearing and

[7:05] all persons interested having been given

[7:07] an opportunity to be heard,

[7:09] pass final reading by title, and that

[7:12] said ordinance be adopted as the

[7:13] ordinance of the Borough of Ramsey,

[7:16] and be it further resolved that the

[7:17] Borough Clerk be, and she hereby is,

[7:20] directed to cause a copy of the title of

[7:22] said ordinance to be published in the

[7:24] official newspaper of the Borough

[7:26] in the manner provided by law, together

[7:29] with a notice of the date of

[7:30] introduction and adoption of said

[7:32] ordinance.

[7:34] >> This is Councilwoman Cuseck, and I

[7:36] second.

[7:37] >> Thank you. Is

[7:39] anyone on the dais like to have any

[7:40] comments before I open this up for

[7:42] public hearing?

[7:43] >> I'd like to refer to a bureau

[7:45] administrator Luis Vazquez who has

[7:48] very detailed explanation.

[7:50] >> Thank you, Mr. Vazquez.

[7:52] >> Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[7:53] Uh this bond ordinance is introduces the

[7:56] funding for the demolition the current

[7:57] fire department rescue squad building on

[7:59] South Island Ave and construction of a

[8:01] new public safety complex to include the

[8:03] office of emergency management.

[8:06] Councilman Kilmer has commented and

[8:07] updated the public at each mayor and

[8:09] council meeting over the last few years.

[8:11] This this project has been developing,

[8:13] been revised, and now finalized. This

[8:16] ordinance authorized the amount of

[8:17] funding at $15,050,000.

[8:20] However, the bureau will not borrow the

[8:22] full amount immediately. We'll match its

[8:24] borrowing over the construction period

[8:25] to the schedule values and timing of

[8:27] contract payments over the anticipated

[8:30] 18-month construction timeline.

[8:33] The bureau is also making a $720,000

[8:36] down payment from its budgeted capital

[8:38] improvement fund account which will

[8:39] reduce the maximum future debt amount.

[8:43] During the construction period as

[8:44] previously discussed, the fire

[8:46] department rescue squad will be

[8:47] operating out of the West Side garage

[8:49] adjacent to the DPW. Additionally, as

[8:52] has been discussed, the bureau's

[8:53] constructing a prefabricated garage

[8:55] behind the existing DPW which will house

[8:57] the fire and rescue apparatus and

[8:59] equipment during the construction of the

[9:01] Island Ave complex.

[9:03] This new building at the

[9:04] DPW already has funding in place. We've

[9:06] awarded couple contracts for material

[9:08] and construction. Should be breaking

[9:10] ground shortly.

[9:11] We look to have this complete in the

[9:12] next couple months so as to coincide the

[9:14] timing of the completion of this

[9:16] building with the timing of the contract

[9:17] award for the demolition and

[9:19] construction of the new South Island Ave

[9:21] complex.

[9:23] We anticipate the public bid process for

[9:25] the construction project for the new

[9:27] South Island building to be advertised

[9:29] in the early fall and then have about a

[9:31] 30 to 40-day period for the bidders to

[9:32] do their due diligence and prepare the

[9:34] sealed bids for submission.

[9:36] The bids will be thoroughly reviewed at

[9:38] that point by both borough officials and

[9:40] NET Architects who is the borough's

[9:43] professional representatives on the

[9:44] project prior to any contract award. As

[9:47] this is a public bid under the public

[9:49] contract laws, the contract award will

[9:51] ultimately be made to the low bid as

[9:53] long as the bidder is qualified. The

[9:55] contract award will be done by a joint

[9:57] resolution at a future mayor council

[9:59] meeting.

[10:01] That would conclude my comments.

[10:02] >> Thank you.

[10:04] Well, I'll now open this up for public

[10:05] hearing. Is there anyone in council

[10:07] chambers who would like to comment on

[10:09] ordinance 16-2026?

[10:17] Please state your name and address.

[10:18] >> Good evening. Jonathan Criel, 306

[10:20] Elizabeth Ave.

[10:23] Former fire chief of the Ramsey Fire

[10:24] Department and former chief of the

[10:26] rescue squad. I'm currently a deputy

[10:28] coordinator for emergency management.

[10:30] I'm here on behalf of emergency

[10:32] management this evening to express our

[10:33] support for the South Island Ave.

[10:35] fire department, rescue squad, and

[10:37] emergency management facility

[10:38] construction project.

[10:40] State State OEM directive 7 requires

[10:43] municipalities to maintain both a prior

[10:45] a primary emergency operations center

[10:48] and a designated backup emergency

[10:49] operations center.

[10:51] Our current facility no longer meets the

[10:53] reliability, accessibility, or

[10:55] resiliency standards outlined in these

[10:57] directives.

[10:59] Within the proposed emergency operations

[11:01] center, there will be a dedicated

[11:03] communications area. The space will

[11:05] serve as backup communications for the

[11:07] system for the Ramsey Police Department,

[11:09] which currently provides both Ramsey

[11:11] services for Ramsey and Allendale.

[11:14] Establishing this redundant capability

[11:16] in it is a critical component of

[11:17] operational readiness and community

[11:19] resilience, ensuring an essential

[11:21] communications remain reliable during

[11:23] emergencies and system or system

[11:24] disruptions.

[11:26] The facility will also incorporate the

[11:28] necessi- necessary security features to

[11:30] comply with all the

[11:32] with all required security regulations.

[11:35] It's design follows applicable

[11:37] Homeland Security and FEMA guidelines

[11:39] supporting both operational security

[11:41] needs and facilities eligibility for

[11:44] future grant funding.

[11:46] In preparing our request for your

[11:50] continued support, we consulted with

[11:52] partner agencies including New Jersey

[11:54] State Police who emphasized the critical

[11:56] importance of this initiative stating

[11:58] the Ramsey Emergency Operations Center

[12:00] will provide centralized location

[12:02] situational awareness interagency

[12:04] coordination and resource management.

[12:07] This project will save lives, property

[12:09] and property through more timely and

[12:11] effective emergency response decisions.

[12:14] Additionally, the New Jersey Office of

[12:16] Homeland Security and Preparedness which

[12:18] serves as the state administrative

[12:19] agency for FEMA has expressed their

[12:21] support in this project noting

[12:24] the initial the initiative aligns with

[12:25] New Jersey Office of Homeland Security

[12:27] and Preparedness mission to strengthen

[12:29] the emergency preparedness and response

[12:30] frameworks both locally and regionally.

[12:33] Modern Emergency Operations Center is

[12:35] essential to ensuring

[12:37] the safety, resilience, and preparedness

[12:38] of the Ramsey community.

[12:40] Thank you for your ongoing support in

[12:41] the bureau's emergency services and this

[12:43] vital assistance to provide for that we

[12:45] provide to our residents. Thank you.

[12:47] >> Thank you, Mr. Creel.

[12:50] Is there anyone else that would like to

[12:51] comment?

[12:57] » Chris [clears throat] Kiosi in 115 East

[12:59] Crescent.

[13:00] So, good evening every

[13:02] Sorry.

[13:03] >> Ramsey or Mahwah?

[13:04] >> Mahwah.

[13:04] >> Okay.

[13:04] >> Thank you. Um for those who don't know

[13:06] me, my name is Chris Kiosi and I'm the

[13:08] chief of the Ramsey Rescue Squad and

[13:09] I've been in this spot since 2021.

[13:12] Back in October of that year, the chiefs

[13:15] came to this council and asked for a

[13:16] study. We knew how it would sound

[13:18] arguing for our own station, so we asked

[13:20] the council to hire a neutral third

[13:22] party to assess the complex and they

[13:24] did. In February of '22, the engineers

[13:27] came back and concluded there was little

[13:29] practical benefit to keeping the

[13:31] existing structure.

[13:32] The bay doors at Island Ave are 10 ft

[13:35] and modern apparatus needs 14. The

[13:37] report states that new fire trucks would

[13:39] require custom fabrication at

[13:41] significant cost premiums. Additionally,

[13:44] several rescue trucks sit outside in the

[13:45] weather all year since there is no room

[13:47] for them inside the existing bays.

[13:50] Moving on to the rescue building, the

[13:52] crawl space underneath they found

[13:54] temporary jacks being used as permanent

[13:56] support columns. Temporary jacks holding

[13:59] up the floor our members stand on.

[14:01] They also noted that the truck bays

[14:03] across

[14:05] both firehouses and rescue have no

[14:06] dedicated exhaust system, which OSHA

[14:09] requires. And our gear hangs in open

[14:11] lockers, some near 22 in from running

[14:14] diesel trucks. There is no clean side

[14:16] and dirty side in that building. There's

[14:18] just one side. And that's the part that

[14:20] I think about most. Every one of our

[14:23] members is a volunteer. They have jobs

[14:25] and families, and they come out at 2:00

[14:27] in the morning for people they have

[14:28] never met, and then hang their gear

[14:30] besides truck exhaust cuz it's the only

[14:33] place we currently have.

[14:36] The new station is designed and solves

[14:38] all of this. And tonight is the meeting

[14:40] where we decide if that gets funded. And

[14:42] for all three volunteer departments,

[14:44] that is the town saying we are worth

[14:46] doing right by.

[14:48] We understand that $15 million is real

[14:50] money in Ramsey, and we won't pretend

[14:52] otherwise. But this the building

[14:54] committee brought this new

[14:57] devised plan because we fully understood

[14:59] what we were asking this town to carry

[15:01] out. 5 years ago we asked the council

[15:04] for truth about our current building.

[15:06] They went and got it. Tonight we're

[15:07] asking to finish what that answer

[15:09] started. Thank you.

[15:10] >> Thank you, Mr. Kiosi.

[15:13] Is there anyone else that would like to

[15:14] comment on ordinance 16-2026?

[15:21] » Hi, James Doherty, 75 North Spruce

[15:23] Street, Ramsey. Currently the assistant

[15:25] chief, past chief, been a member of the

[15:27] fire department for 45 years.

[15:29] I have no written

[15:31] statements. I just want to say

[15:33] everything that they said is well beyond

[15:36] needed. We've been in this firehouse for

[15:38] years. We've renovated it multiple

[15:40] times.

[15:41] Um the trucks, the bays, everything.

[15:43] This will be a a very nice um

[15:47] facility. I would like to thank you for

[15:49] your continued support. And as we move

[15:51] forward, we can all work together. Thank

[15:54] you.

[15:54] >> Thank you, Mr. Doherty.

[15:56] Is there anyone else in Council Chambers

[15:58] that would like to comment on Ordinance

[16:00] 16-2026?

[16:05] » Um

[16:06] » [clears throat]

[16:06] >> excuse me, Gregory Hewitt, 78 West Oak

[16:08] Street, Ramsey, New Jersey.

[16:10] Bear with me for a second here.

[16:12] I'll read a statement that I have.

[16:14] Madam Mayor, Council President, Council

[16:16] members,

[16:17] as I said earlier, my name is Gregory

[16:19] Hewitt. I'm a former fire chief here in

[16:21] Ramsey Fire Department, currently serve

[16:22] as the department's president.

[16:25] I've been a member of the Ramsey Fire

[16:26] Department since 2004,

[16:28] representing more than 22 years of

[16:30] service to the Ramsey community.

[16:32] I've also served as a volunteer fire

[16:33] depart- firefighter since 1981,

[16:36] totaling more than 45 years of service.

[16:39] We are here tonight to thank the Mayor

[16:40] and Council for recognizing that the

[16:42] aging infrastructure our department

[16:44] currently occupies is no longer

[16:45] adequately serving either the department

[16:48] or more importantly the community.

[16:50] Fire headquarters,

[16:52] located on Island Avenue, across from

[16:54] the high school,

[16:55] has served as the department's primary

[16:56] fire station for more than 70 years.

[16:59] During that time, the fire service has

[17:01] undergone tremendous changes. Modern

[17:04] fire apparatus no longer fits safely

[17:05] within the building.

[17:07] Members responding to emergencies put on

[17:09] their turnout gear just inches from

[17:11] moving apparatus, while being exposed to

[17:13] diesel exhaust year after year.

[17:16] It is remarkable that we have not

[17:17] experienced a catastrophic injury

[17:20] and long-term effects of exposure to

[17:22] exhaust fumes throughout the building

[17:24] remain unknown.

[17:26] The building is also a focal point for

[17:28] our community.

[17:29] It hosts events such as Home for the

[17:31] Holidays,

[17:32] Breakfast with Santa, Breakfast with the

[17:34] Easter Bunny, and numerous public

[17:36] education programs.

[17:38] It serves as a gathering place during

[17:40] natural disasters and severe storms,

[17:42] and has even provided refuge for

[17:44] students from the high school during

[17:46] emergencies.

[17:48] In addition, the building lacks an

[17:50] elevator and does not provide the

[17:52] accessibility for restroom facilities

[17:53] expected for modern municipal building.

[17:57] Recognizing these shortcomings and the

[17:59] fact that the facility has exceeded its

[18:00] useful life,

[18:02] the governing body together with the

[18:03] building committee, which includes

[18:05] representatives from the fire

[18:06] department, the rescue squad, and the

[18:08] office of emergency management, has

[18:10] spent nearly 5 years planning a facility

[18:13] that will serve the community for

[18:14] decades to come.

[18:15] Hundreds of hours have been invested in

[18:18] the logistics and the design of this new

[18:20] building in the heart of Ramsey that

[18:22] will allow us to continue protecting and

[18:24] serving our residents safely and

[18:25] effectively.

[18:27] We fully understand what this project

[18:29] means to the community and do not take

[18:30] lightly the support provided by the

[18:32] governing body and our residents.

[18:35] The facility will house the fire

[18:36] department, rescue squad, and the office

[18:38] of emergency management,

[18:40] while also serving as a backup

[18:42] communication center for the Ramsey

[18:43] Police Department.

[18:45] It is a critical investment in ensuring

[18:47] that public safety remains a top

[18:48] priority in Ramsey.

[18:51] I would like to acknowledge the

[18:53] council's dedication to public safety

[18:54] and its commitment to the volunteers who

[18:56] selflessly

[18:58] serve this community each and every day.

[19:01] Many residents may not realize that

[19:03] Ramsey operates a 100% volunteer fire

[19:05] department. The men and women in this

[19:07] room who respond to emergencies at all

[19:09] hours of the day and night, on weekends,

[19:12] holidays, or your friends, neighbors,

[19:15] and family members.

[19:16] After responding to calls,

[19:18] they they return home to care for their

[19:20] families, get their children ready for

[19:22] school, go to work, prepare meals, and

[19:24] fulfill their responsibilities of daily

[19:26] life.

[19:28] It is not uncommon for a volunteer

[19:29] firefighter to go to bed at night, be

[19:31] awakened by a pager, spend hours

[19:33] battling a fire, return home early in

[19:36] the morning, and then begin a full work

[19:38] day.

[19:39] Others leave holiday dinners, family

[19:41] celebrations, and important personal

[19:43] moments to answer calls for help.

[19:45] They do this willingly because they care

[19:47] deeply about this community.

[19:49] The members in this room love Ramsey,

[19:51] and we are grateful for the support and

[19:52] appreciation this community continues to

[19:55] show us.

[19:56] Again, I would like to thank the mayor

[19:59] and council for supporting this project,

[20:01] and thank the residents of Ramsey for

[20:02] their trust.

[20:04] This is your fire department, your

[20:06] emergency services complex, your fire

[20:09] apparatus, and your neighbors who stand

[20:11] ready to serve whenever they are needed.

[20:14] I would especially like to thank Mayor

[20:15] Dillon,

[20:17] Council President Cusack, Councilman

[20:19] Peter Kilman, and Borough Administrator

[20:21] Bruce Vozeh for their continued support

[20:23] and guidance over the past several

[20:25] years.

[20:26] Bringing this project to reality has not

[20:28] been an easy road, as we all know,

[20:31] and their dedication has been

[20:32] instrumental.

[20:33] I would also like to acknowledge and

[20:35] thank all current and former council

[20:37] members whose efforts over multiple

[20:38] terms helped move this project forward.

[20:41] Thank you for your time and for allowing

[20:43] me to speak on behalf of the Ramsey Fire

[20:45] Department. Thank you.

[20:46] >> Thank you, Mr. Hewitt.

[20:49] Is there anyone else in Council Chambers

[20:50] who would like to speak regarding

[20:52] Ordinance 16-2026?

[20:57] Seeing and not seeing anyone, I will ask

[20:58] is there anyone on the phone that would

[21:00] like to comment on Ordinance 16-2026?

[21:06] Second call for comments.

[21:10] Third and final call for comments. All

[21:12] right, I will now close the public

[21:14] hearing.

[21:15] And may we please have a roll call on

[21:17] ordinance 16-2026.

[21:19] >> Councilwoman Cusack?

[21:21] >> Yes.

[21:21] >> Councilman Grisanti?

[21:22] >> Yes.

[21:23] >> Councilman Gottwals?

[21:24] >> Yes.

[21:25] >> Councilman Kilmer?

[21:26] >> Yes.

[21:26] >> Councilwoman Poppy?

[21:28] >> Yes.

[21:30] >> Hey, thank you. Ordinance 16-2026

[21:33] HAS NOW PASSED.

[21:49] NOW,

[21:50] I CERTAINLY WASN'T EXPECTING THAT.

[21:52] >> [laughter]

[21:53] >> SO,

[21:55] thank you for your very kind remarks,

[21:57] your very thoughtful remarks. And as you

[21:59] know, this project has been an absolute

[22:01] labor of love for many years. And thank

[22:04] you to everyone who has put the time in

[22:06] on it. Um, it it's

[22:08] definitely been a labor of love. So,

[22:10] thank you for your support. And I'm glad

[22:12] that the ordinance has passed. So,

[22:14] and if you want to stick around, you're

[22:16] more than welcome to, but if you don't

[22:18] want to, we won't be offended.

[22:21] Okay? So, have a nice evening.

[22:22] >> Thank you.

[22:24] so much.

[22:25] >> Of course, thank you.

[22:26] >> Thank you.

[22:27] >> Oh, welcome back, Jackie.

[22:29] How was Tuesday?

[22:35] Get home safely.

[22:37] Now, enjoy the evening. It's beautiful

[22:39] out.

[22:53] Okay, let's move on to ordinance

[22:54] 17-2026.

[22:58] » Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor.

[23:00] Uh, this is the reading, final reading

[23:02] of ordinance 17-2026.

[23:08] » We'll wait till the door closes.

[23:30] All right, here we go. Once again, let's

[23:31] do ordinance 17-20-26.

[23:34] >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. This is the

[23:36] reading final reading of ordinance

[23:38] 17-20-26, an ordinance amending chapter

[23:40] 1 of the code of the Borough of Ramsey,

[23:42] County of Bergen, State of New Jersey

[23:44] so as to establish a local supplemental

[23:46] violations bureau schedule of designated

[23:48] offenses

[23:50] and payable amounts, as well as chapter

[23:52] 7 traffic penalties and chapter 8

[23:54] municipal parking lots and off-street

[23:56] parking penalties, having been brought

[23:57] up for public hearing and all persons

[23:59] interested

[24:00] and been given an opportunity to be

[24:01] heard, pass final reading by title and

[24:03] that said ordinance

[24:04] that the adopted as an ordinance of the

[24:06] Borough of Ramsey and be it further

[24:07] resolved that the Borough clerk be and

[24:10] she hereby is directed to cause a copy

[24:11] of the title of said ordinance to be

[24:13] published in the official newspaper of

[24:14] the Borough in a manner provided by law,

[24:16] together with a notice of the date of

[24:18] production and adoption of said

[24:19] ordinance.

[24:21] >> I'll second.

[24:22] >> Thank you. Any comments from the dais

[24:24] before I open it up for public hearing?

[24:28] Mr. Bozack?

[24:29] >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. This ordinance

[24:31] amends the Ramsey Municipal Court's

[24:33] violation schedule fees, which has not

[24:35] been updated since 2013. The court

[24:37] administrator municipal judge have

[24:39] recommended the updates. The changes

[24:41] basically impact violations, mostly

[24:43] parking, that have currently have a $50

[24:46] penalty, which will now move to a $75

[24:48] penalty.

[24:50] >> Thank you. Any other comments?

[24:53] Now, we'll now open it up for public

[24:55] hearing. Is there anyone in chambers who

[24:56] would like to comment on ordinance

[24:58] 17-2026?

[25:04] Not seeing anyone, I will now open it up

[25:05] to public comments from anyone on the

[25:07] telephone line. Is there anyone on the

[25:08] telephone line who would like to comment

[25:10] on ordinance 17-2026?

[25:15] Second call for comments.

[25:19] Third and final call for comments. I

[25:21] will now close the public hearing. May

[25:23] we please have the roll call?

[25:24] >> Councilwoman Kucsik?

[25:26] >> Yes.

[25:26] >> Councilman Grisanti?

[25:27] >> Yes.

[25:28] >> Councilman Gotwetter?

[25:29] >> Yes.

[25:30] >> Councilman Kilman?

[25:31] >> Yes.

[25:32] >> Councilwoman Poppie?

[25:33] >> Yes.

[25:34] >> Thank you.

[25:35] We'll now do ordinance 18-2026.

[25:38] >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. This is final

[25:40] ordinance number 18-2026, an ordinance

[25:43] amending chapter 19 of the code of the

[25:44] Borough of Ramsey, Bergen County, New

[25:46] Jersey, and more specifically subsection

[25:49] 19-2.1

[25:52] thereof entitled fees for water usage.

[25:55] Having been brought up for public

[25:56] hearing and all persons interested

[25:58] having been given an opportunity to be

[26:00] heard, pass final reading by title and

[26:03] that said ordinance be adopted as an

[26:05] ordinance of the Borough of Ramsey and

[26:08] be it further resolved that the Borough

[26:10] Clerk be and she hereby is directed to

[26:13] cause a copy of the title of said

[26:15] ordinance to be published in an official

[26:17] newspaper of the Borough in the manner

[26:19] provided by law together with a notice

[26:22] of the date of introduction and adoption

[26:24] of said ordinance.

[26:27] >> I second that.

[26:28] >> Thank you. Is there anyone on the dais

[26:30] who would like to make a comment on this

[26:31] ordinance before I open it up for public

[26:33] hearing?

[26:34] >> Madam, I would like uh

[26:36] Administrator Rosay please to to make

[26:38] some comments. Thank you very much.

[26:39] >> Thank you. Mr. Rosay?

[26:40] >> Sure.

[26:42] Uh

[26:42] the Board of Public Works has approved

[26:44] the recommendation to increase water

[26:46] usage fees in the Borough by 3.62%

[26:49] effective on September 1st.

[26:51] Uh with the enhanced

[26:53] on water quality, the cost of testing,

[26:54] monitoring, and treatment of drinking

[26:56] water continues to increase. As noted by

[26:59] Council President Cusick, Ramsey's water

[27:01] quality continues to meet all federal

[27:03] and state requirements. Ramsey's had no

[27:05] drinking water violations.

[27:07] And the bureau's annual water quality

[27:09] reports are available for review on the

[27:10] bureau website.

[27:12] >> Thank you.

[27:13] Is there anyone I'll now open it up for

[27:15] public hearing. Is there anyone in

[27:17] Council Chambers who would like to

[27:18] comment on ordinance 18

[27:20] 2026?

[27:25] Not seeing anyone. Is there anyone on

[27:26] the line who would like to comment on

[27:28] ordinance 18 2026?

[27:34] Second call for comments.

[27:38] Third and final call for comments.

[27:40] I will now close the public hearing.

[27:42] Would you please have a roll call?

[27:44] >> Councilwoman Cusick?

[27:45] >> Yes.

[27:46] >> Councilman Grisanti?

[27:47] >> Yes.

[27:47] >> Councilman Gutwetter?

[27:49] >> Yes.

[27:49] >> Councilman Kilman?

[27:50] >> Yes.

[27:51] >> Councilwoman Capi?

[27:52] >> Yes.

[27:54] >> Thank you. I hereby make the following

[27:55] appointments: Robert Navarro, Ramsey

[27:58] Rescue Squad; Frank Cristiano, Ramsey

[28:00] Rescue Squad; and Allison Altano as

[28:03] temporary tax collector.

[28:06] Let's now move on to consent

[28:07] resolutions.

[28:10] >> Uh thank you, Madam Mayor.

[28:11] Uh be it resolved that resolution 161

[28:14] 2026

[28:16] through and including 171 2026

[28:19] have been considered by the governing body of the Borough of Ramsey

[28:22] be and are hereby passed and approved.

[28:27] Uh we have a special permit request of

[28:29] the Ramsey Public Education Foundation

[28:31] for special permission to hold their

[28:33] annual Spring for Schools

[28:35] 5K Family Fun Run on Saturday May 20

[28:38] 2027 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

[28:41] Uh couple of block party requests.

[28:44] Uh 234 Norman Drive has requested

[28:46] permission to hold a block party on

[28:48] Saturday, August 29th, 2026 from 4:00 to

[28:51] 10:00 p.m.

[28:52] And Poplar Street has requested

[28:54] permission to hold a block party on

[28:55] Saturday, October 24th, 2026 from 10:00

[28:58] a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

[29:03] » I'll second.

[29:04] >> Okay. Anybody have any comments on the

[29:06] consent resolutions?

[29:09] You want to cover any of them? Do you

[29:11] want to do them now? Sure.

[29:12] >> Yes, please.

[29:13] >> Okay.

[29:14] Um

[29:15] Resolution 165 authorizes a change order

[29:18] number four to the Motorola Solutions

[29:20] contract. This change order is for

[29:22] $7,545.94

[29:25] for additional electric work needed for

[29:26] the backup power generator being put in

[29:28] place at the DPW tower site.

[29:31] Resolution 168 authorizes award of

[29:34] contract to RER Supply for removal and

[29:37] disposal of leaves.

[29:39] The borough went out to public bid for a

[29:40] two-year contract for the removal and

[29:42] disposal of leaves.

[29:44] Bids were opened on August 19th with

[29:46] three firms submitting bids. The low

[29:48] bidder was RER Riverdale

[29:50] with a bid of $9.13

[29:53] per cubic yard on an estimated quantity

[29:55] over the two-year period of 50,000 cubic

[29:58] yards of leaves.

[29:59] Also, a total contract for the two years

[30:01] of 456,500.

[30:04] Bids were reviewed by myself and the

[30:06] borough attorney Scandariato. We both

[30:08] recommend award to RER as the lowest

[30:10] responsible bidder. This contract is for

[30:13] removal of leaves from the Dam Ramsey

[30:15] DPW yard and transportation to an

[30:17] authorized and licensed disposal site.

[30:20] This is consistent with the current

[30:21] situation with the DPW performing the

[30:24] curbside collection and outside

[30:25] contractor

[30:27] then removes and disposes them from the

[30:29] DPW site to a licensed disposal site.

[30:33] Resolution 171

[30:36] authorizes change order number one to

[30:38] Musco Sports Lighting. Musco Sports

[30:40] Lighting was a authorized to contract

[30:43] under resolution 133 of 2026 for the

[30:46] court lighting at Finch Park.

[30:48] Uh this change order to that contract is

[30:50] for $7,700 $7,740

[30:53] for additional electric work to add

[30:55] requisite wiring and work needed to add

[30:58] power receptacles on the base of each of

[31:00] the new light poles being installed.

[31:03] That would be

[31:04] >> Thank you. Any other comments on the

[31:06] consent resolutions?

[31:09] Not hearing any, roll call, please.

[31:11] >> Councilwoman Kusiak?

[31:12] >> Yes.

[31:12] >> Councilman Ingrassia?

[31:14] >> Yes.

[31:14] >> Councilman Gutwetter?

[31:15] >> Yes.

[31:16] >> Councilman Kilman?

[31:17] >> Yes.

[31:18] >> Councilwoman Pappas?

[31:19] >> Yes.

[31:20] >> Thank you. Let's move on to community

[31:22] and liaison reports. Finance and

[31:24] Administration, Councilman Gutwetter.

[31:29] » Uh thank you, Madam Mayor.

[31:30] My report for this evening,

[31:32] uh

[31:33] the library has been actively

[31:34] participating in various outreach events

[31:36] throughout the community to spread

[31:37] awareness of services.

[31:40] On October 17th, the library held a

[31:42] small dedication ceremony to unveil the

[31:44] new

[31:45] Carolyn's Corner sign and designation of

[31:47] the teen room

[31:48] in memory of Carolyn Knott, a long-time

[31:51] member of the library Board of

[31:53] Trustees.

[31:54] The library's pavilion project is moving

[31:56] forward in the planning stage. The space

[31:58] will be open for general use for

[32:00] reading, studying, and relaxing, through

[32:02] meetups and more, and will also be an

[32:04] event space for outdoor events.

[32:06] Uh the library released its fourth

[32:08] quarterly newsletter uh to highlight our

[32:10] Boo-Z-Bash Halloween party, uh the

[32:12] Boo-Z-Dash, which will be a BYOB

[32:15] fundraiser for adults only, uh nature

[32:17] photography showcase, and a series of

[32:19] college planning sessions for students

[32:21] and families.

[32:22] The library has partnered with the

[32:24] Bergen County Division of Senior

[32:25] Services, as well as Alzheimer's New

[32:27] Jersey nonprofit, to become a

[32:28] dementia-friendly library. This is a

[32:30] program where our library now has a

[32:32] selection of books and materials that

[32:33] will be helpful for caregivers,

[32:36] and residents can check the library

[32:37] website for a full programming and any

[32:39] of the other items I discussed in my

[32:41] report.

[32:42] Uh for recreation commission

[32:44] registration for school sports or full

[32:46] sports are available on the Ramsey

[32:48] recreation website where there are links

[32:49] to the various sports.

[32:51] Ramsey Run is scheduled for Saturday

[32:53] morning, September 26th

[32:55] 2026 and the recreation commission has

[32:57] started planning for this event with

[32:59] various tasks identified prior to the

[33:02] run, the day before, and day of the run.

[33:05] Registration has been open since August

[33:07] 11th.

[33:08] The Ramsey Farmers Market market is open

[33:10] from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. through

[33:12] November. In December, the hours will

[33:14] change from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

[33:16] September 27th, the Apple Festival will

[33:19] take place sponsored by the Woman's Club

[33:21] of Ramsey. October 25th, the

[33:23] Touch-a-Truck event sponsored by the

[33:25] Ramsey Juniors.

[33:28] That concludes my report.

[33:29] >> Well, thank you.

[33:31] Public Safety Councilman Kilmartin.

[33:34] >> Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[33:36] Uh first, I'd like to congratulate Tom

[33:38] Varro,

[33:39] Frank Cristiano, and Allison Antonucci

[33:41] on their appointments.

[33:44] And for my public safety report,

[33:47] briefly, work continues to move forward

[33:49] on Ramsey's new state-of-the-art fire,

[33:51] rescue, and office of emergency

[33:52] management complex on South Central

[33:54] Boulevard.

[33:55] New facility will replace the existing

[33:57] building.

[33:59] Demolition

[34:00] preparation for construction

[34:02] work is also underway at the DPW

[34:04] facility on West Crescent Avenue to

[34:06] establish a temporary station

[34:08] that will house the fire, rescue, and

[34:10] other emergency services equipment

[34:12] during the construction period.

[34:14] Earlier this evening,

[34:16] through ordinance 16-2026,

[34:18] we authorized $15,050,000

[34:21] to fund construction phase of the new

[34:23] fire, rescue, and office of emergency

[34:25] management complex.

[34:27] We anticipate public bidding process for

[34:30] the South Central facility will be

[34:32] advertised in the fall.

[34:35] I encourage everyone to pay close

[34:38] attention or to refer later to Borough

[34:40] Administrator Bruce Lorenz's

[34:42] comments for ordinance 2026 earlier this

[34:45] evening and to his report later this

[34:48] evening,

[34:49] which will provide additional details

[34:51] about this important project, which I'm

[34:53] sure will be of great interest to our

[34:55] residents.

[34:57] That's it. Thank you, ma'am.

[34:58] >> Thank you.

[35:00] Building, Planning, and Zoning,

[35:01] Councilman Casoni.

[35:04] >> Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[35:05] Um I have nothing to report on the Zoning

[35:10] Board of Appeals as the August meeting

[35:12] was canceled.

[35:13] The next meeting is scheduled for

[35:15] September 22nd.

[35:17] And the July uh

[35:20] sorry, the August Zoning Board meeting

[35:21] was also canceled.

[35:23] Uh and that meeting is September 16th.

[35:27] » Thank you.

[35:29] Utilities, Buildings, and Grounds,

[35:31] Council President Cusick.

[35:33] >> Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[35:37] Congratulations to our appointments this

[35:39] evening, Robert Navarro and Frank

[35:41] Christiana. My report will be an update

[35:44] regarding our Planning Board, Shade Tree

[35:45] Commission, and Board of Public Works.

[35:48] For the Ramsey Planning Board, please

[35:49] note that our Planning Board has been

[35:51] fielding waivers via email to keep

[35:53] businesses moving

[35:55] with their activities. Um we did not

[35:57] meet in the month of August. Our next

[35:59] meeting will be on September 1st. There

[36:02] is a No Knock Registry. Ramsey maintains

[36:04] this. It allows residents to opt out of

[36:06] door-to-door commercial solicitation and

[36:08] rule by visiting the Borough website and

[36:11] completing online application. Please

[36:13] search No Knock List.

[36:15] Our Shade Tree Commission's next meeting

[36:17] is September 17th. Our commission is

[36:19] made up of Ramsey resident volunteers

[36:22] who dedicate their time to preserving,

[36:24] protecting, and expanding our tree

[36:26] canopy. Ramsey has proudly been

[36:28] recognized as a tree city for 32 years.

[36:31] The Board of Public Works last met on

[36:34] 17th August 2026. The next meeting is 21

[36:37] September 2026.

[36:39] The Board of Public Works continues to

[36:41] plan and implement measures to comply

[36:43] with NJDEP mandated lead service line

[36:46] replacement program which requires all

[36:48] lead service lines in the bureau's water

[36:50] system be replaced by 2031. To meet this

[36:53] mandate, the bureau will cover the cost

[36:55] of replacing the portion of each water

[36:57] service lines that it owns while

[36:59] property owners will be responsible for

[37:02] replacing the privately owned portion of

[37:04] their service line.

[37:06] Initially, the bureau explored whether

[37:08] it could cover

[37:09] the full cost of replacing both the

[37:11] public and private portions of affected

[37:14] service lines. The bureau determined

[37:16] that it would not be fiscally

[37:17] responsible or equitable to do so

[37:20] because it would cause increases in

[37:22] water and sewage bills for all rate

[37:24] payers. This approach is consistent with

[37:26] framework adopted by many other

[37:28] municipalities throughout New Jersey.

[37:31] To help offset offset the cost,

[37:34] homeowners may apply for the bureau's

[37:36] $750

[37:37] reimbursement program towards eligible

[37:40] lead service line replacement work.

[37:42] Recognizing the financial impact of

[37:44] these state mandated improvements, the

[37:46] mayor and council acted in April to

[37:48] extend the partial reimbursement program

[37:51] through December of 31st, 2026. Please

[37:54] go to the bureau website for more

[37:56] information. Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[37:59] >> Thank you.

[38:01] Public and Governmental Relations,

[38:03] Councilwoman Poppy.

[38:05] >> Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[38:12] Okay, I would like to congratulate our

[38:14] appointees from the agenda, Robert

[38:17] Navarro, Frank Spizziano, and Allison

[38:20] Altano.

[38:21] Um the Ramsey Municipal Pool is wrapping

[38:25] up another record-setting summer.

[38:27] The Ramsey Race Swim Team had another

[38:29] outstanding season, finishing undefeated

[38:32] and capturing the league championship.

[38:35] Our first ever National Night Out with

[38:37] the Ramsey Police Department was a

[38:39] tremendous success, bringing more than

[38:42] 1,000 residents, first responders, and

[38:45] local leaders together at the pool. The

[38:48] pool also hosted Swim Across America, a

[38:51] national fundraiser helping raise nearly

[38:54] $12,000

[38:56] for cancer research.

[38:58] There are still a few events remaining,

[39:00] including our eighth and final Fab

[39:02] Friday on August 28th with live music

[39:06] and extended hours until 10:00 p.m.

[39:09] Followed by the makeup date for our

[39:11] Ramsey 250th pool party celebration,

[39:14] which will be held on Saturday,

[39:16] September 5th from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m.

[39:20] All prior registrations will be honored.

[39:23] The pool will remain open next week for

[39:26] after-school hours from 4:00 to 7:00

[39:28] p.m. and with regular hours over the

[39:31] weekend. They will officially close out

[39:33] the 2026 season on Labor Day, September

[39:37] 7th.

[39:38] Um, thank you to all the hardworking

[39:40] staff and the pool commission for

[39:43] another tremendous summer. Um, and to

[39:47] that, thank you also comes from our pool

[39:49] director, Gary Bock, who um,

[39:52] ran the pool fantastically as per usual.

[39:56] Um, their next meeting is uh, September

[40:01] 16th here at Borough Hall at 7:30 p.m.

[40:05] Um, in regards to the Ramsey Journal,

[40:08] yes, it is Ramsey Journal season again.

[40:12] Um,

[40:13] all articles are due by next Friday,

[40:16] September 4th, so that we can get the

[40:19] journal in mailboxes the week of October

[40:23] 19th. So, as a reminder, please get your

[40:27] submissions in by Friday, September 4th,

[40:31] so we have enough time for editing,

[40:34] layout, and processing of those submissions, and we look

[40:40] forward to reading all of them.

[40:43] And uh

[40:44] >> that concludes my report. Thank you so

[40:46] much.

[40:46] >> Thank you.

[40:50] Does anyone have any comments for

[40:51] Councilman Hoppolo?

[40:54] Okay. I will remind everybody that

[40:56] school starts next Tuesday, September

[40:59] 1st in Ramsey, the Ramsey public

[41:01] schools.

[41:02] Um the Ramsey Police Department will be

[41:04] doing a public service announcement

[41:06] prior to school starting regarding

[41:08] traffic safety and um and then

[41:11] enforcement action that they will be

[41:12] doing during September

[41:14] on the streets, so that will be coming

[41:16] out.

[41:17] Um I'll let everybody know that Shady

[41:18] Side was repaved and striped, and it

[41:22] looks really nice, and I'm happy that

[41:24] finally happened. And to remind

[41:25] everybody that that was paid for with

[41:27] grant money at no cost to the taxpayers.

[41:30] Um I was at the dedication for

[41:32] Caroline's Corner at the library last

[41:35] week. It was a lovely lovely celebration

[41:38] of Caroline's life and legacy. Her

[41:40] husband was there, as well as his

[41:43] daughter, and then um two grandchildren

[41:46] were here from England. So, it was well

[41:47] attended, and there will be an article

[41:49] in Ramsey Neighbors regarding it uh cuz

[41:52] Lauren Schreiber was there to cover it.

[41:54] So, that was lovely. Um I just want to

[41:57] let everybody know I announced a couple

[41:59] weeks ago that there's a new way to

[42:00] report traffic issues, that you have the

[42:02] form that goes directly to a mailbox at

[42:05] the Ramsey Police Department, and it's

[42:07] been successful. Um a lot of people have

[42:09] been submitting forms, and they've been

[42:11] getting responses from Dane Gilly or

[42:13] Officer Gilly when they leave their

[42:15] contact information. So, so far it's

[42:17] been working out really well.

[42:20] And I'd also like to say thank you to

[42:21] Robert Navarro and Frank Cristiano from

[42:23] Ramsey Rescue for volunteering for

[42:25] Ramsey Rescue Squad.

[42:27] And as I mentioned earlier, um thanks to

[42:29] everybody that's been working on this

[42:31] public safety building. It's

[42:33] desperately, desperately needed. And I

[42:35] know it's been taking a long time, but

[42:37] it's a really large project, so we have

[42:39] to be very careful with it step by step to make sure that we are good

[42:44] stewards of taxpayers' money and

[42:46] delivering a really good product for the

[42:48] price.

[42:50] Right? And that's all I have.

[42:52] Mr. Administrator.

[42:53] >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Just a couple

[42:55] comments beyond what I had mentioned

[42:57] earlier. Uh with regards to the um

[43:01] firehouse project at fire OEM and rescue

[43:04] squad project, I'd just mention a couple

[43:07] things that are pertain to that as well

[43:09] as any public works projects in New

[43:11] Jersey, and that is that that the

[43:13] general public may not be aware of and

[43:15] that impact the cost of the bids

[43:17] received on these projects, which

[43:19] differs from a private entity doing a

[43:21] construction project.

[43:23] These are not options chosen by a

[43:24] specific municipality. These are state

[43:26] mandated requirements on these projects.

[43:28] First off,

[43:30] any public works project with a cost

[43:32] above $19,375

[43:35] in New Jersey,

[43:36] the contractor awarded the contract must

[43:39] pay their employees at a minimum the

[43:40] prevailing wage for their specific job

[43:42] title.

[43:44] Prevailing wage is set by the New Jersey

[43:45] Department of Labor and Workforce

[43:47] Development and are based on the rates

[43:49] paid to the majority of workers under

[43:51] union contracts in the county the

[43:53] project is in.

[43:55] These rates also vary based on craft,

[43:57] trade, or job classification.

[43:59] Whether the contractor has union

[44:01] employees or not, these prevailing wage

[44:03] rates must be paid to the employees and

[44:05] are verified by submission of certified

[44:07] contract or payroll records.

[44:10] In addition, a second factor which comes

[44:12] into play with the firehouse project is

[44:15] that any public works project in New

[44:17] Jersey above $5 million in cost requires

[44:20] a project labor agreement or PLA, which

[44:23] is an agreement entered into between the

[44:25] contractor, subcontractors, and the

[44:27] municipality.

[44:28] The contractors on the job pledge no

[44:30] work stoppage, strike, or slowdown, etc.

[44:33] during the construction of the project.

[44:36] And in return, similar prevailing wage

[44:38] just discussed, the contract will have a

[44:40] special minimum PLA

[44:43] labor rate that must be paid, and these

[44:45] generally range slightly above

[44:47] prevailing wages that I just discussed

[44:49] earlier. So, again, there there are

[44:51] minimum wages, if you will, that a

[44:53] contractor must bid on public works

[44:56] projects in New Jersey.

[44:58] Um which could tend to drive things

[45:01] higher than you may if you were doing

[45:03] this as a

[45:04] home project or something. So, just

[45:08] some things that I don't think are

[45:10] generally

[45:11] uh known out there. So,

[45:13] and that will conclude my comments.

[45:15] >> Thank you.

[45:18] For old turn?

[45:20] >> Nothing, thank you.

[45:21] >> Thank you.

[45:23] Well, then, let's move on. We have the

[45:25] introduction of ordinance, ordinance

[45:27] 19-2026.

[45:31] » Uh thank you, Madam Mayor.

[45:33] Uh this is the introduction of ordinance

[45:35] 19-2026.

[45:37] Be it resolved that an ordinance

[45:38] entitled an ordinance amending chapter 1

[45:40] of the code of the Borough of Ramsey,

[45:41] County of Bergen, State of New Jersey,

[45:44] more specifically section 1-5

[45:47] .8

[45:49] traffic section designated offenses.

[45:51] Pass the first reading by title, and

[45:53] that said ordinance be further

[45:54] considered for final passage and

[45:56] adoption at the regular meeting of the

[45:58] mayor and council

[45:59] to be held on the 9th day of September,

[46:01] 2026, 7:00 p.m. prevailing time, or soon

[46:04] after as the matter can be reached at

[46:06] the municipal building in said borough.

[46:08] And be it further resolved that the

[46:10] borough clerk be and she hereby is

[46:11] instructed to publish in the official

[46:13] newspaper of the borough in a manner

[46:15] provided by law a copy of said ordinance

[46:17] together with notice of the introduction

[46:18] thereof and notice when the same will be

[46:20] considered for final passage and

[46:22] adoption.

[46:24] >> I will second.

[46:25] >> Thank you. Any comments on ordinance

[46:27] 19-2026?

[46:29] >> Sure. Madam Mayor, similar to ordinance

[46:32] 17-2026

[46:33] that was on the agenda tonight, this

[46:35] ordinance amends the Ramsey Municipal

[46:37] Court's violation schedule fees. There

[46:39] was one newer section of the court code

[46:41] pertaining to parking at Don Bosco that

[46:43] was not in ordinance 17 of 2026, but

[46:47] this similarly is the same change. It's

[46:49] now being proposed to change from a $50

[46:52] penalty to a $75 penalty.

[46:54] >> Thank you.

[46:56] Okay. Roll call, please.

[46:58] >> Councilwoman Cuseck?

[46:59] >> Yes.

[46:59] >> Councilwoman Gressoni?

[47:00] >> Yes.

[47:01] >> Councilwoman Gotwetter?

[47:02] >> Yes.

[47:03] >> Councilwoman Kilman?

[47:04] >> Yes.

[47:04] >> Councilwoman Poppie?

[47:05] >> Yes.

[47:07] >> Thank you. Not seeing any unfinished

[47:09] business or new business, can we have a

[47:11] motion to adjourn?

[47:13] >> I'll make that motion.

[47:14] >> I'll second.

[47:14] >> All in favor?

[47:15] >> I.

[47:16] >> Okay. Thank you, folks.

[47:19] 7:48.

Borough of Ramsey Mayor and Council Meeting - Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Agenda

Transcript