Teaneck Council Faces Criticism Over Lack of Transparency in Affordable Housing Discussions
- Meeting Overview:
The Teaneck Town Council’s special meeting, convened to discuss final settlement terms related to the township’s fourth round of affordable housing compliance, was met with sharp criticism from members of the public who accused the council of secretive behavior and inadequate public involvement. Despite the meeting’s intention, no action was taken on the settlement terms, which remain under negotiation.
The meeting, originally called to approve final settlement terms, saw no resolution due to ongoing negotiations with Fair Share and other property owners. The council entered a closed session to deliberate, which lasted over an hour and a half. This prompted criticism from residents who felt excluded from the decision-making process. One resident, Norman Leven, expressed dissatisfaction with the council’s approach, claiming the council had failed to allow meaningful public engagement, referring to both the current meeting and a previous session on December 9. He accused the council of manipulative and secretive tactics that undermined community representation.
Another resident, Phil Yuck, echoed these sentiments, expressing frustration over the lack of transparency and clarity about the meeting’s agenda. He criticized the council for conducting a private session followed by a public comment period without providing sufficient information to the community. Chuck Powers, another participant, questioned the adequacy of the meeting’s public notice, pointing out that it was only published on the day of the meeting, making it difficult for residents to prepare and engage meaningfully.
Mark J. Schwartz
City Council Officials:
Karen Orgen (Deputy Mayor), Denise Belcher (Deputy Mayor), Danielle Gee, Hillary Goldberg, Elie Y. Katz, Michael Pagan
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
12/17/2025
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Recording Published:
12/17/2025
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Duration:
10 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Bergen County
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Towns:
Teaneck
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