Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Reorganization topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Upper Saddle River swears in officials, approves consent agenda and introduces flood and tax-revaluation ordinances
Summary
At its Jan. 8 reorganization meeting the Upper Saddle River Mayor and Council administered oaths to council and public-safety appointees, approved a broad consent agenda (unanimous roll call) and introduced an ordinance updating floodplain rules and a special emergency appropriation under N.J.S.A. 40A:4-53(b) for a borough-wide tax revaluation.
On Jan. 8, 2026, the Borough of Upper Saddle River held its annual reorganization meeting, where Mayor Fardanesh administered oaths and the council approved a broad consent agenda and introduced two ordinances.
Mayor Fardanesh swore in Council Member Mark Abaid and re-elected Council Member Sarah Drennan, and later administered the oath to Police Officer Patrick Gray. The mayor also swore in fire-department officials including Chief Nicholas Brusco and recognized the USR Ambulance Corps leadership. "Upper Saddle River is the strong, resilient community it is because of its residents and volunteers who give back in various capacities," Mayor Fardanesh said, thanking the public and volunteers for their service.
Council Member Richard Lyons moved, and Council Member Friedlander seconded, approval of the consent agenda, which the council adopted on a unanimous roll call. The consent package included routine administrative and financial resolutions such as the 2026 meeting schedule, a temporary budget, designations of official newspapers, professional-services agreements (including bond counsel and the municipal auditor), authorization for certain treasurer payments and refunds, appointing Gerald Falotico as full-time zoning/code official, appointing Deputy OEM Coordinator Robert Fleshman, authorizing a transfer of funds in the amount of $11,500, and personnel items including the appointment of part-time police dispatchers Parker Talman and Troy Essmann.
The council introduced Ordinance #01-26 to repeal Chapter 59 (Flood Damage Prevention), adopt updated flood hazard maps and designate a floodplain administrator; the introduction passed on a unanimous roll call. The council also introduced Ordinance #02-26, a special emergency appropriation pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:4-53(b) to fund a borough-wide tax revaluation; that introduction also passed unanimously. Both ordinances were introduced for future hearings and formal consideration.
The meeting also formalized a slate of board and committee appointments to serve through Dec. 31, 2026, including the municipal and police physician Dr. Yair Kissin, library and recreation appointments, board-of-health members and representatives to the Shade Tree and Environmental committees. Mayor Fardanesh named the Safety Committee to include himself, Police Chief Rotella, Borough Administrator Theodore Preusch, Fire Chief Brusco and Ambulance Capt. Amy Lauren. Council Member Sarah Drennan was selected to serve as Council President for 2026 and to sit as the Class III member on the USR Planning Board.
No members of the public spoke during the open public-comment period for consent-agenda items. The council adjourned after completing the reorganization business.
