River Edge public meetings in 2020

Land Use Board Meetings

The Municipal Land Use Board is reviewing several completeness applications and new business items for residential improvements. These include requests for additions, pool installations, and deck construction.

• Completeness review: Proposed addition at 171 Valley Rd. requiring lot coverage variances
• Completeness review: In-ground pool, patio, and improvements at 219 Voorhis Ave.
• Completeness review: Rear yard deck construction at 226 Manchester Rd.
• Memorialization of application for 830 Park Ave.
• New business applications for 171 Valley Rd., 219 Voorhis Ave., and 226 Manchester Rd.

Mayor and Council

The River Edge Mayor and Council will hold a regular meeting to consider a consent agenda of resolutions, including budget transfers for 2020, extensions of temporary outdoor dining permits, and several personnel actions. The meeting will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, with public comments accepted virtually.

• Resolution #20-280 authorizes 2020 budget transfers totaling $560,500 across departments including Police, Public Works, and Employee Group Health.
• Resolution #20-279 extends temporary outdoor dining permits for sidewalk cafes and outdoor restaurant seating through June 30, 2021.
• Resolution #20-278 waives municipal fees for UCC/UFC permits for outdoor restaurant space through March 31, 2021.
• Personnel actions include salary changes and retirements for Police Chief Thomas Cariddi, Public Works Superintendent Jason Milito, and library staff.
• Resolution #20-275 renews the interlocal agreement with Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch for 911 and fire dispatch services, costing up to $17,715.67.

The Mayor and Council held a special meeting via Zoom on December 8, 2020, to approve Resolution #20-274, which authorized payment of $33,005.54 in current account expenditures. The interim administrator noted the special meeting was needed because COVID reimbursements had a December 9 deadline. The resolution was approved unanimously as amended. No public comments were made.

• Approved Resolution #20-274, payment of bills totaling $33,005.54 (unanimous)
• Opened and closed public comments with no comments (unanimous)
• Adjourned the special meeting at 6:07 p.m. (unanimous)

Borough Calendar

The Municipal Land Use Board is meeting electronically to conduct a completeness review and consider new business for a proposed in-ground pool and paved walkway at 830 Park Ave. (Block 213, Lot 13.01). No other substantive items are on the agenda; the meeting is largely procedural.

• Completeness review for Visar Vick Jakupi, 830 Park Ave., Block 213, Lot 13.01
• New business: proposed in-ground pool and paved walkway at 830 Park Ave.

Land Use Board Meetings

The River Edge Municipal Land Use Board is meeting electronically to consider adopting the 2020 periodic reexamination report of the Master Plan and Development Regulations. The board will also review a proposed two-family dwelling renovation at 17 Elizabeth St. that requires a D variance, which has been carried to December 2, 2020. The agenda includes approval of minutes from previous meetings and public comment procedures.

• Resolution adopting 2020 periodic reexamination report of the Master Plan & Development Regulations (Yackov Shamis, 230 Kensington Road, Block 707 Lot 24)
• Completeness review: Asan Bretton, 17 Elizabeth St., Block 1407 Lot 3, substantial renovation for two-family dwelling, D variance (carried to 12/2/20)
• New business: same Asan Bretton application (carried to 12/2/20)
• Approval of minutes from October 7 and October 21, 2020

Mayor and Council

The River Edge Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance #20-2, which amends the borough code to require all board and commission members be at least 18 and borough residents, while allowing one non-voting high school student member per board. The council also approved a series of resolutions, including appointing Gomattie Birnbaum as Tax Collector and furloughing 15 crossing guards and senior bus drivers due to COVID-19 closures.

• Adopted Ordinance #20-2 amending board/commission membership rules (unanimous)
• Approved resolution #20-103 authorizing River Edge Historical Society Facebook page (unanimous)
• Approved resolution #20-104 refunding $1,000 escrow to Thomas Behrens (unanimous)
• Approved resolution #20-105 approving Change Order #1 for $29,200 for Bogert Road/Howland Avenue project (unanimous)
• Approved resolution #20-106 appointing Gomattie Birnbaum as Tax Collector at $20,000/year (unanimous)
• Approved resolution #20-107 appointing Battaglia Associates for tax collector consulting (unanimous)
• Approved resolution #20-108 amending agreement with Banisch Associates for affordable housing master services (unanimous)
• Approved resolution #20-109 furloughing 15 crossing guards and senior bus drivers effective March 16, 2020 (unanimous)