Hasbrouck Heights council adopts bond and salary ordinances, approves road contracts and renews Dyslexia Center lease

The Hasbrouck Heights Mayor and Council on Sept. 10 adopted a series of ordinances and approved multiple consent-agenda items, including contract awards for local roadway improvements and a lease renewal for the Children's Dyslexia Center.

Mayor Ron Kistner opened the regular session and the council moved a consent agenda covering resolutions for payroll, licenses, fee payments, developer and lease agreements, and contract awards. The consent agenda—Resolutions 165–172 and 175–178—was approved on a motion by Councilman Joseph Samperi and seconded by Councilwoman Susan McGuire and carried unanimously. The bills resolution authorizing payment of $4,439,958.93 in claims was also approved.

Council members adopted Ordinance No. 2559, a bond ordinance to fund Kipp Avenue improvements in the amount of $897,000, on a motion by Councilman Michael Sickels and seconded by Councilwoman Charlotte Sodora. Sickels noted that new curb cuts on Kipp Avenue are expected to improve drainage in an area that previously lacked curbing. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Council also adopted Ordinance No. 2560, authorizing $2,066,000 for various public improvements, equipment and vehicle purchases, on a motion by Councilman Bobby Bing and seconded by Councilwoman Susan McGuire; that measure passed unanimously. Four additional ordinances (Nos. 2561–2564) setting salary and compensation levels for borough employees and public works staff were read and adopted after no public comment, each by unanimous vote.

The consent agenda included Resolution No. 169, a developer's agreement with Prologis-Exchange NJ 2003 LLC for property at 611 Route 46, and Resolution No. 176, renewing the borough's lease with Children's Dyslexia Center, Inc. Derek Busico, chairman of the local Dyslexia Center, described the center's Orton-Gillingham, multi-sensory reading program and its partnership with Fairleigh Dickinson University; the center provides training scholarships and is one of five in New Jersey.

Neglia Group's engineer recommended awarding the Kipp Avenue construction contract to Cifelli & Son General Construction, which submitted the apparent lowest responsible bid of $433,250.90 (base bid plus alternate). That award appeared on the meeting agenda as a consent item; the council's approval of the consent agenda put the award forward for execution.

Appointments and personnel actions were also completed: the council approved the appointment of Probationary Police Officer Liam Cabri as read by Acting Borough Clerk Michelle Sery, with the swearing-in taking place during the meeting. Other routine communications, minutes and resignations (including a DPW mechanic) were accepted by unanimous vote.

The meeting concluded with announcements about upcoming community events and a 9/11 memorial ceremony; the council adjourned without additional public comment.

The council's next steps include executing the recommended road construction contracts and proceeding with the projects funded in the adopted bond ordinances. No votes failed and no amendments were recorded during the meeting.