Township Council - Regular Meeting

Bye.

30 seconds.

Thank you. Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the July 13, 2026 Cedar Grove Public Council meeting. Madam Clerk, will you call the roll, please?

Yes, sir. Councilwoman Miga? Here. Councilwoman Peterson? Here. Councilwoman Skavage? Here. Deputy Mayor Zazali? Here. Mayor Masseri?

Here. Please stand for the flag salute. Open public meeting statement. Adequate notice of this meeting was duly provided to the Verona-Cedar Grove Times and the Star-Ledger by email and published in the annual schedule of meetings on December 18, 2025, filed with the township clerk, posted on the public bulletin board in the municipal building lobby in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Item three, introduction of ordinances. May I? Oh, I'm sorry, two. This portion of the meeting is public comment. Anyone from the public wishing to be heard on any item on the agenda? Seeing none, I'll close that portion of the meeting. Item 3, introduction of ordinances. 3A, to consider introduction of pending capital ordinance 26975. capital ordinance providing funding for Taylor's Brook Riverbank stabilization for the township of Cedar Grove and appropriating $300,000 for that purpose. Mr. Zichelli.

Yes, Mayor. Thank you. This is a capital ordinance that the council recalls when we were doing our budget at the end of 2025. We ended the year with just over $1.1 million in our capital improvement fund. which is basically cash that we reserve every year and let it accrue as part of our regular budget process. It's good in case of emergencies, and that's what this ordinance is allocating, $300,000 out of the roughly $1.1 million in the Capital Improvement Fund 4, which is the emergent repairs to the Peckman River, I'm sorry, Taylor's Brook, which is a tributary of the Peckman River, adjacent to Town Hall's driveway off of Bowdoin Road. as well as some engineering costs built into this for the eventual permitting of the entire riverbank stabilization on Taylors Brook, and any costs associated with moving the telephone pole that has our 911 communication, as well as the power to the municipal building. That's going to need to be moved before we actually come up with a long-term final bank stabilization for Taylors Brook.

Okay. Any discussion from the council? Any questions? Is there a motion?

Mayor, I move for the introduction of pending capital ordinance number 26-975 to be published on the township's official internet website as a pending capital ordinance with a public hearing scheduled for August 17, 2026. Thank you, Councilwoman.

Is there a second? Second. Roll call.

Councilwoman Meagan. Yes. Councilwoman Peterson? Yes. Councilwoman Skatevich? Yes. Deputy Mayor Zazali? Yes. Mayor Becerra?

Yes.

Item 3B, to consider introduction of pending ordinance 26-976, an ordinance authorizing the execution of an amended financial agreement

by and between the township of cedar grove and 36 cliffside drive urban renewal owner llc for the development of townhouses located in 36 cliffside drive redevelopment area mr zichelli mayor if i could speak on uh 3b and 3c at the same time i would appreciate it thank you so uh previously i believe it was 2021 the council executed a financial agreement with the then uh developer at 36 cliffside drive that financial agreement With that developer, that developer obviously went bankrupt. The new developer came in. And as part of the revised site plan that was approved by the planning board, the new plan is 317 rental units as opposed to 347 rental units and 30 townhomes. So, again, the overall unit count did not increase at all on this development. It was originally 347 rentals with 57 affordable units. through negotiations of a pilot agreement, a renegotiated pilot agreement, we were able to increase the affordable housing units to 69 units to satisfy our fourth round affordable housing obligation. And council and myself, we felt that it would be best to bifurcate the agreement, one for the townhomes and one for the rental units, because when the townhomes are sold, Each agreement will have to run with the land and buying subsequent purchasers, whereas it's one agreement for all 317 rental units. So the prior agreement didn't contemplate that type of bifurcation. That's why you see two ordinances here. As you indicated, Ordinance 26976, which was 3B on the agenda, is for the 30 townhomes, and 3C is for Ordinance 26977 is for the 317 rental units. Again, a reduction from the original 347.

Council, do you want to add anything to that? Yeah, the financial agreement was also amended to include the additional affordable units, which was contemplated for our fourth round settlement, as well as the revised plans that were approved by the Planning Board. So the financial agreement in 2021 was essentially moot as a result of the additional units that were proposed so this agreement is essentially following the changes at the site so this is essentially what was already in place from 2021 with some slight upgrades and modifications to the agreement any questions from the council or comments is there a motion

Mayor, I move for introduction of pending ordinance number 26-976 to be published on the township's official internet website as a pending ordinance with a public hearing scheduled for August 17, 2026. Thank you.

Is there a second?

Second.

Roll call.

Councilwoman Meaghan? Yes. Councilwoman Peterson? Yes. Councilwoman Scavage? Yes. Deputy Mayor Zazali? Yes. Mayor Masseri?

Yes. Item 3C, to consider introduction of pending ordinance 26-977, an ordinance of the Township of Cedar Grove authorizing execution of an amended financial agreement by and between the Township of Cedar Grove and 36 Cliffside Drive Urban Renewal Owner LLC for the development of an inclusionary multifamily development located in 36 Cliffside Drive redevelopment area. Any additional comments? I know Mr. Zichelli already spoke on this. None. Do I have a motion?

I'll move for a motion for introduction of pending ordinance 26-977 to be published on the township's official internet website as a pending ordinance with a public hearing scheduled for August 17, 2026. Thank you.

Is there a second? Second. Roll call, please.

Councilwoman Meagher? Yes. Councilwoman Peterson? Yes. Councilwoman Scavage? Yes. Deputy Mayor Zazali? Yes. Mayor Masaryk?

Yes. Item 4, we do not have a second reading for any public ordinances, public hearing. So we're at 5. Approval of minutes. 5A, to consider approval of regular meeting minutes for June 1, 2026. Is there a motion?

So moved.

Second.

Roll call.

Councilwoman Miga? Yes. Councilwoman Peterson? Yes.

You're asked.

Oh, sorry. Abstain. Councilwoman Scavage? Yes. Deputy Mayor Zazali?

Yes.

Mayor Masseri?

Abstain. 5B, to consider approval of staff meeting minutes for June 22, 2026. Is there a motion?

So moved. Second.

Roll call.

Councilwoman Meaghan? Yes. Councilwoman Peterson?

Yes.

Councilwoman Scavage? Yes. Deputy Mayor Zazali? Yes. Mayor Misery?

Yes. 5C, to consider approval of executive meeting minutes for June 22, 2026. Is there a motion without release?

So moved, Mayor. Second.

Thank you. Roll call.

Councilwoman Meaghan? Yes. Councilwoman Peterson? Yes. Councilwoman Scavage? Yes. Deputy Mayor Zazali? Yes.

yes yes item 5d to consider approval of reorganization meeting minutes of July 1 2026 so move second roll call yes yes yes yes item 6 on the agenda reports of township officials starting with our township manager

Good evening, Kelly. Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, Council. Just a few brief items. I would also like to discuss items on the consent agenda now, if it's okay with you, Mayor.

Yes, please.

I just want to thank Marisa Landolfi of our Rec Department for throwing a spectacular fireworks show. It was quite hot out, but a lot of people came out, and it was just a really great show. I saw a lot of positive feedback from the community. I also want to thank our Police Department, Fire Department, Ambulance and Rescue Squad, and OEM for standing by, just making sure everyone was safe. Traffic flowed nicely. It was really a positive event for our community. Tomorrow, I'm meeting with our engineer and some officials from DPW. We're going to finalize the August paving schedule that we will post conspicuously for the township. As the council is aware right now, we are paving Rockledge Place and Reservoir Place. The milling is set to begin later this week with the paving probably next week. Again, weather dependent. Just the concrete work has been done. That's a NJDOT reimbursable project. The paving and all this will be done through our cooperative. All of those streets and areas will be published hopefully by the end of the day tomorrow as soon as we finalize it with our contractor. Again, that's scheduled for August. If I can go through the consent agenda now, Mayor. Item 7B is the township's participation in an Essex County Urban Community Development Program grant for 2027 to 2029. This is a... community development block grant program. Sometimes we can get some money, sometimes we can't, but we have to opt in. Before we're even able to apply, we do it every three years, and this is us just renewing our application. Item 7C is a LOSAP, or Length of Service, awards program for the Cedar Grove Ambulance and Rescue Squad in the amount of $8,071.46. Just for the council's edification, we budgeted $16,500 in LOSAP for CIGARS for 2026, which leaves $8,428.54 in the account. This will just lapse to our fund balance at the end of the year. and just be replenished next year. Item 7D, this is a resolution that would reject the only bid that we received for a NJDOT recon of Matlin Way in Ridge Court, pursuant to NJSA 40A-11-13.2B. The bids came in higher than the amount of money we had appropriated. We appropriated $850,000. $850,000, the lowest sole bid, came in at $1,010,001.65. We think the reason for that is because we included some lining of our sanitary system and our storm system in there. If we take the lining out, we think it'll come back closer to the cost estimate that the engineer provided. So we will be reassessing our options for this project in order to continue with it in the future, whether it's going back out to bid with some modified plans this year or early next year. I'll work on the engineer with that. And just the last two items I want to discuss are 7E and 7F. 7E is the insertion of $6,920.04 from the Highway Traffic Safety Grant into the budget. The council remembered this is when we had some enhanced enforcement by our police department. It didn't cost us any money. We got it through this grant program. And 7F is insertion of $18,252.45 from the recycling tonnage grant. That's money we get every year back from the state for our solid waste and recycling program. That will hit our budget as well.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Good evening, Madam Clerk. Do you have a report tonight?

Good evening, Mayor, members of council. I do not have a report this evening.

right I'll start to my right again good evening councilwoman good evening mayor I do not have a report good evening have no fear I have a report just a few things I also want to mimic what mr. Zichelli said about the fireworks I thought they were fantastic it was incredibly hot they did a fantastic job And thank you to Mr. Zichelli, Marisa Landolfi, the DPW, the high school for their black and gold club running of the concession stand, the first responders, and for the residents that joined us. I hope everyone had a good time. I just want to give a little shout out here to, I decided to join, wait for it, the water work out of the pool. Big turnout down there. It's tonight. SO THEY HAVE ANOTHER GREAT NIGHT TO DO IT. BUT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION TO THE CLASSES THAT ARE BEING OFFERED, BECAUSE SHE'S DOING A GREAT JOB. with all the different classes, the senior citizens classes, the programs that are out there. Our rec department does a great job for people of all ages. I'll segue to also the Cedar Grove Ambulance Rescue Squad is doing two classes for certifying people for CPR also. I don't have the exact dates of those, but it's definitely on their website. And the Cedar Grove Historical Society, they're bringing some new programs in. HOPEFULLY LATE JULY, MORE LIKE EARLY AUGUST. THEY'RE GOING TO DO FLOWER WORKSHOPS, WHICH YOU CAN... THEY'LL TEACH YOU HOW TO PROPERLY HARVEST YOUR TECH... THE HARVESTING TECHNIQUES OF FLOWERS, AS WELL AS MAKE YOUR OWN HAND-TIED BOUQUETS WHILE YOU'RE AT MORGAN'S FARM. And in August or September, we're having another line dancing class. If anybody would like to join us. I'm just saying, anyone want to come line dance? John says you want to. John wants to come. Deputy Mayor, you want to come? I'll remind you. Don't you worry. In September, there's an appraisal day back due to popular demand. And, of course, in October and the fall, we'll have the pumpkin and apple sale coming up again. So that's it. Stay cool in the heat wave, everybody. And that's it for me.

Thank you, Council Member.

You're welcome.

Councilman Scavage, good evening.

Good evening. I have no report tonight, Mayor.

Thank you. Deputy Mayor? Good evening, Mayor.

Good evening. Good evening, everyone. I do not have a report this evening.

Great. All right. I also do not have a formal report, but to echo Councilwoman's comments about the fireworks, I mean, I know you acknowledge OEM, first responders, as did Mr. Zichelli. But I have to acknowledge Mr. Zichelli, too. And I know you didn't do it deliberately. You didn't miss him. Did I say Mr. Zichelli? He's the first one on my report. Because I saw him with his OEM shirt running around making sure everything was working fine. So it was a lot, but we did do a great job. So thank you to everybody. Thank you, Mr. Zichelli. That's all I have. So moving along. Item 7. Consent agenda. 7A through 7F. Before we take a motion on all, does anybody have any questions or comments? I know Mr. Zichelli reported on them during his report. Is there any other comments, questions from the days? No? Then I will ask for a motion. SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND?

SECOND.

ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

COUNCILWOMAN MEEGA? YES. COUNCILWOMAN PETERSON? YES. COUNCILWOMAN SCATTER? YES. DEPUTY MAYOR ZAZALI? YES. MAYOR MESAGE?

YES. ITEM 8, APPROVAL OF BILLS.

Be it resolved by the Township of Cedar Grove, County of Essex, New Jersey, that the summary of bills, having been duly audited and found to be correct, are hereby ordered paid in the aggregated amount of $520,440.76. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Is there a motion? So moved. Second.

Roll call. Councilwoman Meaga? Yes. councilman Peterson yes yes yes item nine new business is there any new business item 10 public comment anyone from the public is welcome for this portion of the meeting public comment you just come up

All right. Good evening, everyone. Mayor Masseri, members of the Township Council, and members of the public. My name is Mark Savino. My wife, Jacqueline, and I are parents of four children who attend St. Catherine of Siena School here in Cedar Grove. I'm here tonight to discuss the issue of school security. Over the past several weeks, we've had the opportunity to meet with township leadership to discuss the possibility of establishing a class three special law enforcement officer program or SLEO program to enable armed security protection for St. Catherine. I'd like to thank the members of the township for their time and attention in engaging with us so far and appreciate the opportunity to address everybody as a group tonight. As many of you know, St. Catherine is governed by the Archdiocese of Newark, which only permits armed security into schools through New Jersey's Class III program. The state created this framework to provide municipalities with a standardized mechanism for protecting schools through the hiring of trained retired law enforcement officers operating under the supervision of the local police department. Because Cedar Grove does not currently have a class three program, St. Catherine has no mechanism to provide armed security for its students and is unable to hire private security like other schools in the township. This is an unsettling reality for us and many other St. Catherine families, as the school is quickly becoming one of the only schools in the area without on-site security. Over the past several months, we've researched how municipalities throughout New Jersey have implemented Class III programs to protect their Catholic schools. Communities including North Caldwell, Wyckoff, Kenilworth, Hillsdale, and others have successfully established Class III programs that are fully funded by the schools and come at essentially no cost to the taxpayers. Those municipalities have demonstrated that there is a clear blueprint for implementing these programs while balancing the operational needs of the police departments. We're asking that Cedar Grove consider the establishment of a similar framework and pass an ordinance if necessary to allow the school to access the same class three security option that is available to surrounding communities. I recognize that these decisions deserve careful consideration. There are a lot of questions about implementation, administration, and coordination, and I appreciate that the township has been working through these issues. I also appreciate Mr. Zichelli has taken efforts to think about if there's ways to also implement this with the archdiocese. I respectfully ask that this process continue moving forward with a sense of urgency. Unfortunately, school safety is not an abstract issue. I don't want to harp on recent events, but within the past month, we have seen a terrorism investigation and a contemplated attack on a Jewish center in Wayne. And last week, a school in Little Falls was evacuated because of a threat. Thankfully, neither incident resulted in tragedy, but they do serve as reminders that these are issues that are increasingly happening in communities around us and deserve proactive attention. While we appreciate the support that Cedar Grove and its police department currently provides to St. Catherine, there is simply no substitute for having a dedicated armed officer present throughout the day. The new school year is approaching quickly. I understand that implementing a new program cannot happen overnight. But again, I just respectfully ask that the council continue to evaluate this issue as a priority, assuming that there is no workaround with the archdiocese that comes to fruition. Myself, my family, the school remain committed to collaboratively working with the township and the police department. The school administration is supportive of this. The archdiocese is obviously supportive of the class three program. And so we just appreciate the time that's already been invested in this, your willingness to continue to engage on the topic and remain hopeful that we can get to a solution that provides the students of St. Catherine with the same level of security protection that is available to others in the community. So I thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you, Mr. Savino. Thank you for your comments tonight. Anybody else? Okay, seeing none, we'll close that portion of the meeting. We don't have anything for executive session. The next meeting date is August 17th, 7 p.m. That's a public meeting here at Council Chambers. Item 13, is there a motion for an adjournment?

So moved. Second.

Thank you. Roll call.

Councilwoman Meehan? Yes. Councilwoman Peterson? Yes. Councilwoman Skadden? Yes. Deputy Mayor Zazali? Yes. Mayor Misal?

Yes.

Thank you.

Thank you, everybody. Thanks for coming. Thanks, Mark. Appreciate it.