[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6049599,"mediaKeyId","3510141-481ef868c4e021ef670b21698463f4b9","parentId",3510141,"title","Council approves grant submissions, lease, fiber agreement and appointments; introduces 2025 budget","audioSeconds",45,"startMs",1815000,"endMs",1860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3510141-481ef868c4e021ef670b21698463f4b9&start=1815&end=1860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3510141-481ef868c4e021ef670b21698463f4b9/thumbnail_1815000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6049599/Rutherford/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Council-approves-grant-submissions-lease-fiber-agreement-and-appointments-introduces-2025-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049599-feb3c12ddc05e92ab3c64bebfe2a9b40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171333&Signature=KOHg75NwDey18gKVvIUK~Uv5-byXk8n5Pd4LABxEML2edDvXKyoAACbyKvLj0KcJPJzebi5YsiG4SdeZqMc7S8HXlw~IJM8U3QYxDD0FKF8LRTs9Ionu6sVZXvEsqD6NJPy9qTyBYm9Rj-HKiIaaHmJbRPaImqEGWlPKYyW-plYPT9UJGcVuFoRZbWz-rUfQ0UCKTjdrJuLV7c7kobZ-rmKHTJZL5xVmmx7KfvF7R9oGBPZOmjLGIeg5EJokZV2qCqHcQ-7Wv42lNyJDksGO-MvZEjLXjeCPJBtc0-PT6O3DI8rD9icQSHOgU4JjuK~RyYZ9M9-qcwqBpmMqufAUiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","RutherfordNJ","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","Rutherford Mayor and Council on April 14 unanimously approved several routine and consent items, introduced the 2025 municipal budget and confirmed three personnel appointments.

The council voted to submit a Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund application for improvements at Triumph Hill Playground, to execute a lease with New Jersey Transit for the area at the Rutherford Train Station identified as Block 266 Lot 1, and to enter a shared‑services agreement with Bergen County to provide high‑speed fiber‑optic service. The council also approved routine consent items including acceptance of a public works resignation and three appointments: a counter clerk, a rent‑board member and a new code enforcement officer.

Why it matters: The Open Space grant application is the mechanism the borough uses to seek county matching funds for park upgrades. The NJ Transit lease establishes defined public access and space for local organizations at the train station. The fiber agreement is intended to bring high‑speed connectivity under a county shared‑services arrangement, which can affect municipal operations and local broadband availability.

Key actions and outcomes

- Resolution 105 — Authorize submission of the 2025 Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Municipal Park Improvement Grant application (Triumph Hill Playground). Motion by Council President McGowan; second by Councilman Delray Cohen; roll call: McGowan, Delray Cohen, Cottron, Copley, Erica, Gosman — approved.

- Resolution 106 — Authorize execution of a lease with New Jersey Transit for the area of the Rutherford Train Station known as Block 266 Lot 1. Motion by Council President McGowan; second (recorded) — approved by roll call.

- Resolution 107 — Authorize execution of a shared‑services agreement with Bergen County for high‑speed fiber‑optic Internet service. Motion by Council President McGowan; second by Councilman Guzman; approved by roll call.

- Resolution 111 — Introduce the calendar year 2025 municipal budget (see separate article). Motion by Council President McGowan; second by Councilman Del Rey Cohn; budget introduced for public review and later hearing.

Appointments and personnel items (consent)

- Acceptance of resignation: Paul Hemmendinger, Public Works, effective 04/26/2025 (consent item).

- Appointment: Karen Zapanovich, counter clerk (step 4), effective 05/01/2025. Motion by Councilman Coakley; second recorded; approved by roll call.

- Appointment: Nicole Nazzi, Rent Board. Motion by Councilman Guzman; second by Councilwoman Delray Cone; approved by roll call.

- Appointment: Connor Fox, Code Enforcement Officer, effective 04/15/2025. Motion by Councilman Coakley; second by Councilman Guzman; roll call: Councilwoman DeRue Cohen — abstain; remaining members voting yes; motion approved.

Meeting procedure note: Most of these items were handled on the consent agenda and passed by single motions with roll calls.

What the council said: During the roll calls and brief comments speakers thanked staff and volunteers who prepared grant materials and described the intent to use leased station space for chamber activities. No public testimony was offered on the specific resolutions at the time of the votes.

Next steps: The Open Space grant application will proceed through Bergen County’s review process; the budget introduction triggers a public presentation and later a public hearing and final vote (see the separate budget article).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mayor/Council Meeting - April 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Rutherford Mayor and Council on April 14 approved multiple consent resolutions including a Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund grant application for Triumph Hill Playground, a lease with New Jersey Transit for part of the Rutherford train station, a shared‑services fiber agreement with Bergen County, and several personnel appointments.","taxTitle","Rutherford, Bergen County, New Jersey","taxId",70404,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6049584,"Engineer reports progress on Diamond 4 field project; sod installed and press box roughed in",33,201000,234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3510141-481ef868c4e021ef670b21698463f4b9&start=201&end=234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3510141-481ef868c4e021ef670b21698463f4b9/thumbnail_201000.jpg","/articles/6049584/Rutherford/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Engineer-reports-progress-on-Diamond-4-field-project-sod-installed-and-press-box-roughed-in","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049584-8f7e49da3ce237f133be33158bc3e74a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171333&Signature=dATfS1~fSGLwpW9ASsoZMd9gmnZxpDXu-nPNPmQEql6LyHnA18vs0BRHVF1l2S14nN-dYC6qGRzpqidIuIUW6gkEv1Qd5BnDAJ5p51HJlngh2ldVWivmkbjUOjnz7NvzWdSXVQMyP~aFiEcJu4ozpY2qIEk9Dlevm4qu51Q4hfJGfMANzGTDNj3BujY598zgA14KkJ7NMDsLHh1FpTGDH3~di76SlA5Lss-F1WvWCpRHJCmquD02FWCKkEG~hmS8WUq1EaeoUUdvCRyTa5M6zjpo~o2xb~ARy1OJAoGzXH5wnOhc57VtoNTIXy9iYXr~4hZWXDVzYeDbqgWIQ44rtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 14 meeting the borough engineer reported progress on the Diamond 4 athletic field project.

The engineer said sod was installed last Thursday and will need a couple of weeks to root; the press box has been constructed and roughed out, and borough staff have contacted a local AV vendor to coordinate installation of a public‑address system. Continuous work is expected through the completion phase, and staff anticipate turning the project over to the borough toward the end of the month.

Council members asked no questions and the engineer confirmed the schedule remains dependent on favorable weather for new sod establishment.

Clarifying detail: The engineer said winter work delays were overcome and that crews are “catching up” after a difficult winter; no final cost or final turnover date beyond “towards the end of the month” was specified in the transcript.","Borough engineer reported that sod has been installed at Diamond 4, the press box is roughed out and AV vendor coordination is underway; the project is expected to be turned over to the borough toward the end of the month.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6049589,"Council introduces 2025 municipal budget; municipal tax increase limited to 1.96% under levy cap",1246,692000,1938000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3510141-481ef868c4e021ef670b21698463f4b9&start=692&end=1938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3510141-481ef868c4e021ef670b21698463f4b9/thumbnail_692000.jpg","/articles/6049589/Rutherford/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Council-introduces-2025-municipal-budget-municipal-tax-increase-limited-to-196-under-levy-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049589-919d9660edc2a8c17fc4ae7ea9cafc8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171333&Signature=Zy1uiGmjJevBxI7Bhv4p6VRCk0ErNN-Ln2BhBmeU~cQN4bPnd3DEnZIXZJCgBQWDkJY36GxwINWJe14KcYioiG84tmPTJ5XMUUOxcZ86Mqg0vtRkQfYzl6voK3nW1qlq62cf3dPg~Wza1asthd~~smzINrevvgkUFr9dU8xGCWozdgfl6~of1KH~hGxqPmr7agy4Es3NM8Lh9XqXG8e20DkLAUS4HwL7gGwyDaL-DCu-2D4d5yBqhX4ClKOkGB3E5eqcxC0bEVgsHTURc1hzKawYrUb-bc280VCzugdo2f5rhElTIEjJCDfSo3uTofk4LCeGb1gfRtlZ746oYhptAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rutherford’s Mayor and Council on April 14 introduced the calendar year 2025 municipal budget and scheduled further public review and a hearing.

Council President McGowan, speaking as finance liaison, said the borough faced significant cost increases while constrained by New Jersey’s 2% property tax levy cap. He gave the following line‑item increases: employee group insurance up 12 percent, utilities up about 10 percent, sewer service charges up about 9 percent, and salaries and wages increases averaging about 2.8 percent. Given those pressures, the council limited the proposed municipal tax increase to 1.96 percent for municipal purposes, McGowan said. He emphasized that the figure does not include school or county levies, which are outside borough control.

“We believe we have developed a fair and reasonable budget to maintain the same level of services to our residents and still be fiscally prudent,” McGowan said, noting negotiations among council members, the CFO and borough administration.

Procedure and next steps: The borough administrator said a budget presentation will be given at the next meeting (April 28) and a formal public hearing is scheduled for May 12, at which residents will be able to comment before the council votes on final adoption.

Why it matters: The introduced budget sets municipal spending and the local tax rate for borough services if adopted. The administration highlighted inflationary pressures on major line items and the constraint of the state 2 percent levy cap in shaping the final proposal.

What was not specified: The transcript did not list the budget’s total dollar amount, department‑level allocations, or the projected municipal property tax rate in dollars per $100 of assessed value; those details will be part of the public budget materials and upcoming presentation.","Council President McGowan introduced the borough's 2025 municipal budget at the April 14 meeting, reporting a proposed municipal tax increase of 1.96% driven by higher insurance, utilities and sewer costs and constrained by the state 2% levy cap; the budget was introduced for public review with a scheduled presentation and hearing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6049594,"Council passes first reading to create 'body art establishments' chapter, limits artistic tattoo studios to B3 zones",263,381000,644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3510141-481ef868c4e021ef670b21698463f4b9&start=381&end=644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3510141-481ef868c4e021ef670b21698463f4b9/thumbnail_381000.jpg","/articles/6049594/Rutherford/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Council-passes-first-reading-to-create-body-art-establishments-chapter-limits-artistic-tattoo-studios-to-B3-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049594-5cacb43fed843c8e9e0789b06b4e06d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171333&Signature=fexvxX21iI9vvYk0i621S3HT2EW3fpn7Qq1HCoWzdk-yfqIgjZ50VcDWtJ65ntPVlse81vnrWJuDRnqU2QzC6H7BHAMtFgb7Ar007UKNIcY58T1gS-r3CKOBdQ561S3uNEPT8QHG4WVMMNH02IUepY5mH3tEXE9UGTjraBnntLVbALia4BskmftN4Jj5OP013x94EInr~nqM5lR5pmBGsRZ076rPIz0ITNngvz4CsVJURZBRkKgF1BkzSLk3Ev71U6BEwJi2RvuDENybII3xiZuVXpiWGJOLi4bzveOmO0fVIxqxTKy6yFqKQoZ19ifGG3IKfwY2-j9ko6r2c23b2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilman Coakley presented an ordinance on April 14 that would repeal Chapter 69 (permanent cosmetics establishments) and replace it with a new Chapter 13 establishing rules for body art establishments, and would amend Chapter 131 (zoning) to permit body art uses in specified districts.

The ordinance makes three principal changes: it adds a new regulatory chapter for body art establishments, limits class 8 artistic tattoo studios to properties in the borough’s B3 business zoning district, and sets operating hours not to exceed 11 p.m. It also includes a capacity rule limiting body art establishments to no more than one client per licensed artist at a time.

Councilman Coakley said the changes “effectively [amend] our current tattoo studio, cosmetic art establishments and allowing for what we, know to be called a class 8 tattoo studio… and that is artistic tattoos.” He asked that the measure be moved forward on first reading so it could be advertised according to law. Council members thanked Coakley for addressing planning‑board concerns and for working with the borough attorney.

Councilman Erico clarified for the record that the ordinance is being advanced as a policy change and should not be characterized as spot zoning for a single business. “Even though this ordinance is going to, assuming it's passed, benefit one particular business, we're doing this as a matter of policy,” he said, adding that the Zoning Board remains the forum for individual nonconforming use relief.

The council voted to pass the ordinance on first reading and directed it be advertised for second reading and public comment. The text read into the record states: “An ordinance to repeal Chapter 69 of the Borough Code entitled Permanent Cosmetics Establishments and replace it with a new Chapter 13 entitled Body Art Establishments and to amend Chapter 131 entitled Zoning to permit body art establishments in certain areas under certain circumstances.”

Next steps: The ordinance will be advertised and brought back for a second reading and a formal public hearing before a final vote.

What was not specified: The ordinance text read at first reading did not specify the number of affected businesses, any licensing fee changes, or a definitive effective date beyond second reading and adoption.","The council on first reading replaced the borough's permanent cosmetics code with a new body art chapter, added zoning limits and operating rules for artistic tattoo studios (class 8), and set hours not to exceed 11 p.m.; the measure was passed for first reading and will be advertised for a second reading.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves grant submissions, lease, fiber agreement and appointments; introduces 2025 budget

Engineer reports progress on Diamond 4 field project; sod installed and press box roughed in

Council introduces 2025 municipal budget; municipal tax increase limited to 1.96% under levy cap

Council passes first reading to create 'body art establishments' chapter, limits artistic tattoo studios to B3 zones