The most talked-about moment of the meeting was the introduction of Stephano Toro, who was ceremoniously sworn in as “Mayor for the Day.” As part of his honorary duties, Stephano proposed a lighthearted law to abolish homework on Thursdays for his fellow third graders. This suggestion was met with enthusiasm by the council, who quickly moved to make a motion. In a show of support, the council voted unanimously to pass the proclamation, officially declaring June 5th, 2025, as a day without written homework for third graders at Memorial School. Stephano signed the proclamation with a special pen, adding a personal touch to his brief yet impactful tenure.

Stephano shared his experiences throughout the day, which included being escorted by police to the borough hall, touring municipal departments, and trying on heavy gear such as a bulletproof vest and a firefighter’s jacket. He recounted a particularly amusing anecdote about spending time in a police cell and expressed his enjoyment of the experience, particularly the thrill of riding in a fire truck and honking its horn. When questioned about his future aspirations, Stephano humorously expressed interest in potentially becoming a mayor, concluding his segment by echoing sentiments to “make Emerson great again.”

Following Stephano’s engaging presentation, the council shifted focus to formal business, starting with appointments. John Dorado was named as the alternate three member of the land use board, with plans to be officially sworn in at the subsequent meeting. The meeting moved seamlessly through the agenda, including the tabling of previous meeting minutes to an upcoming session.

In further council proceedings, there was a key discussion on a repurposed grant application intended for park improvements. The proposed enhancements include new playground equipment, a rubberized ground cover, a pergola for shade, and a water mister. The council opened the floor to public comments, but none were offered. Despite the absence of public input, the council authorized the repurposing of the 2024 Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant Contract, passing the resolution with unanimous support.

Attention then turned to the second reading of ordinance number 1704-25, which proposed updates to flood damage prevention regulations. The council invited public comment, but no feedback was received. The ordinance was adopted unanimously. Similarly, ordinance number 1705-25, outlining salary ranges and employment terms for borough employees for 2025, was also adopted following a roll call vote.

During the meeting, the council also highlighted various community events. Notably, the Memorial Day ceremony drew record attendance, and Nicholas Milo was honored for his Eagle Scout project involving bench installations at Emerson Woods’ entrances. Upcoming events include the Emerson Chamber of Commerce car show on June 7, a blood drive in honor of Armando Gonzalez on June 8, and the Emerson Summer Kickoff on June 14, featuring nighttime fireworks.

Another topic was the T-Mobile grant opportunity offering up to $50,000 for community projects. The council discussed leveraging these funds to revitalize Bankovic and Hillman Fields, expressing interest in maintaining natural grass with potential collaboration from the Rutgers School of Agriculture and Landscaping.

Infrastructure updates included a pre-construction meeting with PSEG concerning street paving, scheduled to start on June 11 and conclude by June 19. Residents would be informed through mail and door hangers, and police presence would ensure a smooth process. However, Acriman Road was excluded from this paving cycle due to ongoing settling issues, though temporary measures would be taken to improve its condition.

As the meeting neared its end, public comments were invited, yet no attendees came forward. The council proceeded with the consent agenda, approving routine resolutions before transitioning to a closed executive session. To conclude, the council celebrated two borough birthdays and emphasized community vigilance against scams related to the DMV and Easy Pass accounts.