hey good afternoon uh welcome to the oath of office meeting of the mayor and Council today is Sunday January 7th at 12:00 p.m. um this uh meeting is called to order uh please make sure all your phones are muted at this time please stand and salute the flag led by Council Pell I to the flag of the United States of America and to repic for it stands one nation God God indivisible liy and justice for all and at this time also please have a moment of silence thank you uh at this time I'd like to um uh invite up for the invocation fire chaplain Russell stammer will you join me as we pray dear wise and loving heavenly father thank you on behalf of all who are gathered here today thank you for your many and Abundant Blessings bestowed upon us thank you for life itself for the measure of Health we need to fulfill our callings for sustenance and for friendship thank you for the ability to be involved in useful work and for the honor of bearing appropriate responsibilities that will benefit the residents of our wonderful burrow thank you as well for the freedom we have to worship you thank you for loving us from your boundless and gracious nature Lord we also want to thank you for the many years of service that Linda schagger gave to our burrow as mayor we also all the love that she had for this town and for the people who live here and we thank you for that in your your word you have said that the citizens ought to obey the governing authorities since you have established those very authorities to promote peace and Order and Justice therefore I pray for our new mayor our counsel for our Police Department our fire department and first aid Squad I also pray for all those who will be sworn into office this afternoon I thank you for the willingness to serve and I pray that you will bless their service I pray that you would graciously Grant all who serve our town wisdom to govern am amid the conflicting interests and issues of our times a sense of the welfare and true needs of the residents of Oakland a keen thirst for justice and righteousness confidence in what is good and fitting the ability to work together in harmony even when there is honest disagreement and personal peace in their lives and joy in their tasks as these workers go about the business of our town please give them the Assurance of what would please you and what would benefit those who live and work in and work in and around our beloved burrow of Oakland we ask this in your name amen amen this meeting is being held in accordance with the open public meetings law duly announced advertised and posted in the municipal building at this time I would like to introduce the honorable Senator Holly shapi who will administer the oath of office to Mayor Eric kumala want to come on this side yeah first off I'd just like to say happy New Year congratulations and well deserved and uh congratulations as well to PM Russell on today and uh to um our former mayor thank you for her years of service as well you ready Eric I am thank you Senator I I Eric Cala Eric clala do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same that I will be bear true faith and allegiance to the same and the governments established and the governments established in the united states in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people so help me God so help me God and that I will will faithfully and that I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties all the duties of the office of Mayor of the office of Mayor from 2024 from 2024 to 2027 to 2027 according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability so help me God so help me God [Music] [Applause] [Music] congratulations congatulations mayor conratulations mayor congratulations may just got a few words I'll keep this short and sweet oh I see uh assembly the other assembly men is here thank you sir thank you thank you man congratulations thank you I want to thank Senator chap assembly moth assembly ariti uh for attending today's meeting also want to thank my wife and my daughter for supporting me within this endeavor and I want to thank all the residents for electing me to represent them as the mayor of Oakland I consider this an honor and a privilege that you have entrusted me with this office office I want to read a quick snippet from Abraham Lincoln it was a a speech that he gave in Clinton Illinois on September 8th 1954 it says if you ever forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens you can never regain their respect and esteem I as your mayor will do my best to service you the residents of Oakland and earn your trust every day for the next four years why do people move in Oakland because we have strong schools strong Recreation program and a safe community not to an actions to the state parks and hiking in the scenic Ramapo mountains Oakland is also one of the few towns in Bergen County that services our seniors with their senior sener Oakland residents are proud of our community I was speaking to a resident just this week who had left Oakland moved down to the shore after she raised her children she she moved back and I asked her why why did she come back and she said Oakland is her home and this was where she raised her family so this is you know that this is Oakland was her still is her home the Bur o has a good Soul this is evident by the community involvement Recreation coaches Boys and Girls Scouts Volunteer Fire Department volunteer first aid Squad and residents residents that serve on the boards and commissions that keep this great burrow running I want to thank you all many cities and towns have turned their backs on the police and has gone as far as defunding the police I want to say to every police officer and all First Responders in Oakland this governing body has your back every resident wants to feel safe within their Community I also want to ensure the hardworking employees of Oakland that the work that you do for residents has knocked down unnoticed continue providing outstanding service to our residents and always look for ways to improve the services you provide to our residents I want to talk about some upcoming goals number one the recycling center SL dump we as a governing body will do whatever it takes to oppose this Center as I've stated it is 60 ft from the first residential subdivision and 80 ft away from the Ramapo River the governing body has already authorized 10 ,000 secure legal service to oppose this dump the other thing I want to work on is bringing the state county and railroad to the table to address and the neglected areas of downtown Oakland this includes Route 287 Exit 58 by West Oakland Avenue where you make a left how the Barrel's been sitting there the guard rail has been dented for years and it looks like garbage we have to fix that also want to talk to the railroad as you come around the corner and you're looking at downtown I want the railroad to fix that burm and make it nice and put grass in there and make it really welcoming to the downtown local also we want to complete Bush Plaza I want to thank all the volunteers who had the vision to start this project and now it's time to finish it and my favorite the Van Allen house the ugly fence just has to go we have to find a better way of beautifying that property this property has to be completed so it's a bookmark with bush Plaza on one end and the Van Allen house at the other I've asked volunteers to create a landscape designed rendering for the property the governing body will get this done this year downtown I'll say it again we need to be ready and have a vision for our Downtown Oakland when sewers come into town we need to develop a 5-year plan with a vision for what's best for Oakland and I will provide more information as we start getting this move initiative moving along and the Patriot Way Bridge as soon as our burough engineer and the contractor provide us with a project plan and timeline I will call for a public meeting with all the residents of the reserve so our engineer can share the information and set expectations for our residents I will task them to have the meeting the next 30 to 60 days the buau will also provide monthly updates to The Reserve board and meet with them as required good communication is the key with this bridge and reverse 911 the reverse 911 system going forward will only be used in case of an emergency for official information I've been working with Mr Coons to expand the service for phone and text messaging for residents that wish to subscribe to community events and general information and to my colleagues on the Oakland Council I look forward to working with you together so that we can move Oakland forward and once again thank you all for entrusting me as the mayor of Oakland and let's get to work thank you [Music] [Applause] all I got to fix my seat here all right let's see where are we okay next we're going to uh Mr picn tell's warn in and that'll be conducted by our attorney Matt Gilson hold the Bible for me I state your name I Pali do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and the constitution of the state of New Jersey that I will bear truth faith and allegiance to the same that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United States and to the governments established in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties of councilmen all the duties of councilmen to the best of my abilities to the best of my abilities so help me God so help me God congratulations [Applause] Council you just have to sign yep thank you you first I want to thank everyone for taking the time out of their day to come here today and help us to celebrate this joyous occasion uh thank you mayor Cala appreciate you introducing us first I want to thank the voters of Oakland for their overwhelming support this past November this past year marks my 16th year on the burrow Council it has always been my primary concern to do what is best for the burrow a town that I loved for almost 50 years I want to thank the team that helped me get elected especially councilman salani our campaign manager and our County committee who put so many hours getting the message out to the residents I want to thank the entire Council for their commitment of time to doing what is necessary to complete our goals and to thank you mayor schagger for your service I deeply appreciate our dedicated employees and all the volunteers that make Oakland the jewel of Bergen County my heartful thanks to my family that has always supported me these past 16 years I know that 20 24 will see the fruits of our labor we will begin the process of revitalizing our downtown we have already told our planner to expedite her suggestions and recommendations this process will be with the beginning of the creation of a new park at Bush Plaza this could not have been accomplished without the help of the Bush Plaza committee we'll also see the beginning of our project to replace the Patriots way Bridge which by the way will be paid for with grants and not at a cost to our taxpayers and thank you to especially assemblyman o and to Senator shapes for your help in that regard I'm sure we will be relieved when our water filtration system is completely uh operational in conclusion I would like to place the needs of Our Community First and all my decisions thank you and may God bless us all with good health and prosperity and in [Music] [Applause] 2024 at this time I'd like to call assemblyman Robert o to administer the oath to Russell talamine this is oh yes sorry yes right there may congratulations first of all and hold on one sec pick one side or the other of the things because then we can get better pictures you can come on the side thank you thank congratulations to you on uh your election and sure you're going to do a great job I know you've been doing that as a councilman and of course we want to thank uh mayor schwager for her service phob as a service um transitions happen and uh I I anticipate ipate there'll be a couple of bumps in the beginning of the road but things will smooth out and everything will work just fine you have a great outline of things that you want to do for the community and uh I think you're off to a great start thank you so much there you Russ you're uh you're a sentinel for the community here in Oakland uh people feel comfortable going to you when they have an issue because you always have this beautiful smile on your face and and they just feel comfortable with I think that's a great attribute for Summit in public service thank you so much are you ready I'm ready okay please uh stay follow follow what I have to say here I Russell talamini I Russell talamini do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and the constitution of the state of New Jersey that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and the governments established in the United States and the governments established in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and I will faithfully and I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly perform all the duties of the office of councilman perform all the duties of the office of counsilman for 2024 through 2026 for for 2024 through 2026 according to the best of my abilities according to the best of my abilities so help me God so help me God congratulations thank [Music] [Applause] you Council thank you so much for to participate with today thank you um this good afternoon thank you assembly man nor for once again swearing me in um I think if we do this again we get a hat trick we um so I just want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year and I just want to take a moment to thank the the many people who helped to elect elect me to the Oakland Council first let me thank my running mate uh Pat pelli and and and mayor Eric kumala uh I think we made a great team and uh it was it was a a fun a fun fun time um and I'd also like to thank Steve Steve saliani for being our campaign manager and Mike best and the Oakland County committee for all the work that they did um it was uh it was a a really uh Herculean effort they they did a great job um I'd also like to thank the Oakland Republican Club and thank you to all the people that that that voted for me and and even the people that didn't um it's important to to be a part of the process and thank you for being a part of the process um I hope to make make uh the people that did vote for me proud and uh I'll do my best to to represent this town and and make sure that uh we do what's right for the for the burrow of Oakland um but most of all I want to thank my my wife Lucy and my my my children um without without their support I I would not be able to to do this um they they they share me with with the town and that's a that's a big ask um there's a lot of a lot of time and effort that goes into this and um uh and a lot of times it's not fair what what uh I ask my my family to to do so I can be up here but uh thank you again to my my wonderful family and uh and then finally thank you to the to the burrow employees um the volunteers you guys are the ones that that do all the hard work you make us look good and we and we take all the credit for it and and and really um we couldn't do it without you guys so thank you very much and happy New [Applause] Year okay all right do we have a motion for the roll call second second councilman mccan me mayor Cala yes councilman mccan here councilman Pig nelli here council president not at the moment coun Steven saliani absent AB councilman linski here and councilman talamini here motion to excuse councilman salani second all in favor all right okay the next order of business is going to be the uh o of office for the volunteer fire department officers at this time I'd like to call up Chief Donald Johnson Chief Vincent Ina and chief Vincent D first of all I just want to say I really consider this an honor and a pleasure um been a 40-year member of the fire department and let me tell you something Oakland should be proud of all our members and the commitment they give to Oakland and and I'd like at this point let's let's do this uh raise your right hand I state your name I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States solemnly swear that I will support the constition of the United States and New Jersey and New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and Allegiance and I'll bear true faith and aliance to the same and the governments established in the United States to the same and the governments establish United States and in the state and in the state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and that I will Faithfully I will faithfully and partially partially and justly justly perform all the duties of the office of Chief perform all duties toist the CH to the best of my ability to the best of my ability so help me go help me go [Applause] congratulations sign on your form on the left side right there is that you yeah right there for a morgage just thank you conratulations congratulations congratulations congratulations congratulations okay at this time I'd like to uh ask our two captains to come forward Sean tpy and Daniel Dari put on can can you stand to one side just cuz it makes for better pictures move over to one side it just makes better pictures go [Applause] this no all right hands up do this ready I say your name I do Sol do solemnly swear doly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey constition of the state of New Jersey and that I will bear faith and true Allegiance bear faith and true allegiance to the same and the government's established in the United States to to to the same to the same and the government's established and the government's established in the United States the United States and in the state and in the state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and I will Faithfully I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform all the duut duties of the office of Captain and justly perform all the duties of the office of Captain according to the best of my ability abil so help me guys [Applause] congratulations there you go thank you thank you wasn't too than I I Daniel Bender do do solemnly Square you solemnly swear and that I will support and that I will support the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and the constitution of the state of New Jersey that I will bear true faith that I will bear true faith and Allegiance and allegiance to the same to the same and the governments established in the United States and the governments established in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully and that I will Faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties of the office of Lieutenant all the duties of the office of Lieutenant according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability so help me God so help me God [Applause] [Music] [Applause] congratulations thank you Andrew Co thank you for your help appr thank you thank you congratulations two Bookers two book holders did your wife come up no taking pictures you going to help hold it way here right what come around over here won't you Andrew M I I hi Andrew palwick you Solly swear you Solly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and that I will bear true faith and Allegiance and allegiance to the same and the governments established in the United States to the same and the governments established in the United States and in this state and in the State under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and I will faithfully and I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform all the duties of the office of lieutenant and justly perform all the duties of the office of Lieutenant according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability so help me God so help me God [Applause] congratulations yes thank you [Music] engineer all right Lou you ready I'm ready I just want everybody to know Lou's also been the fire department he's risen through the ranks uh L also an ex- Chief in Oakland and uh you know he's a great asset to this community all right Chief you ready thank you ready I I Le th do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution that I will support the Constitution of the UN of the United States of the United States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and Allegiance and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same to the same and the governments established in the United States and the governments established in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform all the duties of the office of fire engineer and justly perform all the duties of office of fire engineer according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability so help me guys so help me God [Applause] congratulations conat thank you for your service there thank you congratulations motion motion all right do we have a motion open to public soone moved second all in favor I anybody from the public wish to address the council not seeing anybody motion to close so moves second all in favor I okay we have two resolutions 2401 adopt the 2024 meeting schedule and 2402 adopt the official newspaper so moved do we have a secondes separately I'm sorry say again we got to do each one separately got each one separately I stri that 2401 adopt 2024 meeting schedule some moved second all favor I all those do we need to vote on it we need to do a roll call favor councilman uh councilman mccan yes Pig matelli yes slinsky yes talamini yes next resolution is 242 adopt an official newspaper some moved second roll call councilman mccan yes pelli yes linski yes talamini yes all right this time we're going to appoint a council president do we have a motion from the floor I'd like to nominate Steve salani second roll call councilman mccan yes pelli yes slinsky yes Talam yes and with that i' like to invite the chaplain back up again for the benediction will you join me as we pray Heavenly Father we thank you for this opportunity to come together and to celebrate the new members of Our Town Council our new mayor as well as the those that are continuing on in their service we thank you for those that are willing to take some of their personal time to serve this community and we thank you for that so Lord we ask your blessing on them your guidance on them and we pray for another successful fruitful year for our community we ask this in your name amen amen okay thank you Chapel uh do I have a motion to adjourn so moved have a second second all in favor I meeting adjourned next meeting mayor council meeting will be held th uh Tuesday January January 9th 2024 7 p.m. right here at the council chambers and everybody have a happy day meeting [Applause] [Music] a [Music] you too very nice to meet you we