0:09The council meeting started with a ceremony honoring Mary Donu, a centenarian and long-time resident of River Edge. Known for her extensive service to the community, Donu was celebrated as the first female councilwoman and a educator. The mayor presented a proclamation that highlighted her many contributions, including being a founding parishioner of St. Peter’s Parish and her involvement in various committees. Donu shared her reflections on the community’s development, emphasizing how the library has been a central part of River Edge, referring to it as the “heart of the community.” After the proclamation, council members joined Donu and her family for photographs.

Following this recognition, the council turned its attention to the borough’s ongoing property reassessment, a subject that drew discussion. The tax assessor, who also serves as the mayor of South Hackensack, provided an update on the reassessment process nearing completion, with letters detailing new property assessments set to be mailed imminently. The reassessment, which has reached about 75% of homes, aims to align property valuations with current market values and ensure fairness in tax burdens. The tax assessor clarified that the reassessment would not result in new tax revenue for the borough, stating, “there is no new tax dollars.” He noted that discrepancies in property values have arisen since the last reassessment 13 years ago due to appeals and renovations.

19:31A significant concern discussed was the challenge of accessing properties for accurate assessments, as over 25% of homeowners had not permitted inspectors to enter their homes. This lack of access requires assessors to assume properties are in excellent condition, potentially resulting in higher tax liabilities for those homeowners. Residents were reminded of the importance of cooperation in this process to avoid surprises in their tax bills, with a critical appeal deadline set for May 1st. The council underscored the importance of transparency and communication with residents regarding their property assessments.

36:52The meeting also covered the proposed projects related to the Department of Public Works (DPW), focusing on the replacement of the deteriorating salt shed and the construction of a new mechanic space. The current salt shed, deemed unsuitable after years of temporary fixes, is set for a permanent structure upgrade to comply with environmental regulations. The council has engaged with architectural and engineering firms to address these needs, with MV5 being a top recommendation due to its track record of completing projects on time and within budget. The planning process will involve geotechnical investigations and environmental assessments, critical due to the facility’s location in a flood zone.

54:29The discussion extended to the renovation of the council chamber dais. Proposed changes include extending the clerk’s side of the dais and reconsidering the configuration on the Tenny Road side to enhance accessibility and seating capacity. Financial considerations were discussed, with the cost of refurbishing the dais estimated between $15,000 and $20,000, while a complete rebuild could cost around $36,000. The council debated the best approach to balance accessibility with seating availability, considering fire safety regulations and occupancy levels.

1:09:19Additional council business included the introduction and discussion of several ordinances, such as amending zoning fees and reorganizing the Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs. The council also addressed the format of meetings for non-statutory committees, with a consensus leaning towards remote meetings even without a quorum, to facilitate information-sharing.

Finally, the council recognized the efforts of the local fire department in recent incidents, both within and outside the town, highlighting the effective collaboration between fire and police departments.