0:09A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to honoring Richard Merman, who retired from the Land Use Board after decades of service. The mayor presented a proclamation highlighting Merman’s extensive contributions, dating back to his appointment to the planning board in 1988. Merman held various leadership roles, including chairman and vice chair, and played a role in several community projects, such as designing the public safety building and enhancing downtown areas. His involvement in these initiatives was recognized with a plaque, and the mayor expressed gratitude for his service.

Merman, in his remarks, reflected on his tenure, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the projects he was involved in and the significant improvements made in River Edge. He expressed particular satisfaction with the removal of a junkyard that had once marred the community’s landscape. Merman acknowledged the support of individuals like Ed Walter, referring to him as the “guardian angel of the land use board,” and shared his pride in the lasting impact of his work. He humorously noted that he had been allotted 45 minutes for his speech but chose to speak more freely, introducing his family members present at the meeting. His speech concluded with anecdotes from his experiences on the planning board, leaving attendees with a sense of his enduring legacy.

14:58The council then focused on infrastructure projects, with particular attention given to improvements at Borough Hall’s entrance and the police station parking lot. A resolution related to these improvements prompted inquiries about the status of the work. It was revealed that the borough engineer had collaborated with the Department of Public Works superintendent to refine the design concept before soliciting bids. The council discussed the need for further information to be provided as the project progressed, noting that the governing body would review the bids once they were submitted. There was mention of some uncertainty regarding the final design.

Another infrastructure topic discussed was the pedestrian bridge over Route 4. A member of the public inquired about the project’s timeline and the status of flags he had placed for the construction. The council responded that the bridge was still in the design phase, with completion anticipated around 2030. The discussion included plans for public comments on the design before finalizing it. The conversation also touched on the neighboring Route 4 bridge connecting Teaneck and other areas, which will undergo phased replacements, including temporary bridge construction.

In addition to infrastructure discussions, the council introduced ordinance 25-7, which amends tree fee regulations. The ordinance, set for a public hearing on March 27, 2025, aims to clarify replacement alternatives and adjust exemptions for residents removing fewer than four trees per acre. The council’s intent is to preserve the tree canopy, and the ordinance was introduced without opposition.

Further, the council appointed a new member, Elizabe Tores, to the 250th Anniversary Committee.

The council also addressed routine matters such as monthly reports from the tax collector and library trustees. The finance chair moved the resolution for the payment of bills across various funds, which was approved unanimously, though one member abstained from voting on specific checks due to a conflict of interest.

As the meeting progressed to new and old business, public comments were invited again. Discussions included the progress on town banners, with positive feedback noted from the public. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter a closed session regarding attorney-client privilege and construction updates, signaling the end of discussions for the day.