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Passaic residents say they learned of ice-cream concession by surprise; mayor pledges improved notice
Summary
Residents near Passaic Park told the City Council they received no direct notice before a private concession operator began work on NJ Transit property near the train station; Mayor acknowledged legal notice was published but apologized for communications gaps and said the city will monitor maintenance, lighting and hours.
Good evening. On May 20, 2025, several Passaic residents used the City Council public-comment period to press city officials over the sudden appearance of a private ice-cream concession at the train-station building in the Passaic Park neighborhood, saying they received no advance notice and expressing concerns about traffic, noise and maintenance.
Longtime resident Marva Wade said she learned that work had begun only after seeing two people install neon signs on the station roof on April 24. "We can get a letter if the city is changing a recycling schedule," Wade said. "You seem to have no problem finding us to mail a property tax bill. But when you decide to introduce a brand new commercial enterprise ... you don't see us." Wade added that the station building dates to 1870 and said neighbors viewed it as historically important.
Another neighborhood resident, Anthony Wade, said he saw workers and signs appear at the site and that when he asked city officials about notification he was told the law only required a newspaper notice. Anthony Wade said he later checked and found a notice published March 20. "You put in the newspaper that you guys is gonna have a meeting about this," he told the council.
Mayor (name not specified in the meeting transcript) responded directly to the speakers, saying the property is owned by NJ Transit and that the city had followed the minimum legal notice requirements. The mayor said, "If the residents in the area did not feel the communication went far enough, I will take it upon myself as the mayor to ensure that we revisit how we share public information and notice." He also said the concession operator has begun addressing cleanliness and encampment issues and that additional lighting and monitoring would be part of how the city and NJ Transit evaluate the site's impact.
The mayor characterized the project as a partnership with NJ Transit and said the city will monitor hours of operation, lighting and maintenance. He told the council that if the presence of the concession does not reduce safety concerns or maintain the area, the city will revisit restrictions and enforcement with the operator and with NJ Transit.
Council members and the mayor discussed communication methods for future notices. Councilwoman Miller suggested surveying residents about how they prefer to be notified; council members and city staff noted the city uses newspaper notices, social media, LED monitors and school distribution but acknowledged those channels do not reach every resident.
No formal vote or ordinance related to the concession was taken at the meeting. City officials did not announce specific permit changes or new restrictions at the meeting; they limited remarks to steps the city will take to improve notice and to monitor maintenance and public-safety impacts.
Ending: The council said it will follow up on residents' concerns outside the meeting and monitor the site with NJ Transit and the concession operator. Residents seeking direct help were directed to contact the mayor's office and the business administrator (identified in public comments as Ricardo).
