In a recent meeting, the River Vale Town Council made several significant decisions that promise to impact the future of the township. These included approving substantial expenditures for infrastructure projects, endorsing a nationwide seat belt campaign, and sanctioning the local Fire Department’s mutual aid agreement with neighboring municipalities.
On May 22, 2023, Council President Criscuolo, Councilman Tolomeo, Councilman Ben-Yishay, and Councilman Donovan convened in a council meeting, absent Councilwoman Sieg. Mayor Bromberg arrived shortly after the session began.
High on the council’s agenda was the approval of contracts for the purchase of a truck for the Department of Public Works and the replacement of the River Vale Public Library roof. The contracts, passed as Resolutions #2023-141 and #2023-142, total nearly a million dollars, with the township contributing $300,000 toward the library roof replacement. The session also addressed updates on the Road Program’s current bidding process and the Mark Lane Sports Lighting project, which was set to be re-bid due to exceeding the budget.
Another significant development was the township’s involvement in various community development programs. The council approved a three-year Cooperative Agreement with Bergen County, allowing River Vale to participate in the Community Development Block Grant Program, the Home Investment Partnership Program, and the Emergency Solutions Grant Program for the next three fiscal years.
This endorsement aligns with Mayor Bromberg’s earlier confirmation of the township’s receipt of a $45,000 grant for the Mark Lane Lighting project. Additional grants, $45,000 from the 2023 Local Recreation Improvement Grant program and $23,472.71 from the 2023 Clean Communities Grant program, were recognized in the 2023 budget to aid in the same project and various drainage improvements.
Safety and public services also featured prominently in the council’s deliberations. They passed Resolution #2023-136, supporting the nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign to raise awareness and increase seat belt usage, citing the high non-seat belt usage rate among the state’s 694 motor vehicle fatalities in 2022.
The council also endorsed the Bergen County Fire Mutual Aid Plan, empowering the River Vale Volunteer Fire Department to offer mutual aid to other municipalities in emergencies. This step will reinforce regional cooperation and help safeguard the larger community from catastrophic fire incidents.
In the realm of finance, the Council authorized the Tax Collector to issue estimated tax bills in light of the delayed certification of the tax rate by the County Tax Board. It approved a total estimated Tax Levy of $58,186,776 and an estimated tax rate of $2.704 for 2023.
Mayor Bromberg highlighted the town’s relationship with New Concepts for Living, a local company planning to open its third facility in River Vale. The organization already operates two facilities in the area, strengthening its roots in the community.
All members of the council present at the meeting voted in favor of these resolutions.
