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Paramus commission reviews 2025 finances, farmers market losses and recycling program results
Summary
The commission reviewed its 2025 end-of-year report showing $5,489.83 in expenditures, farmers market receipts of $1,710 versus $7,640.97 in costs (including refunds), and recycling program results including 2,501 lbs of food scrap diverted and 4,242 lbs of styrofoam collected.
At its Jan. 12 meeting the Paramus Environmental Commission reviewed the 2025 end-of-year report, discussed farmers market accounting and heard updates on several recycling initiatives.
The commission reported $5,489.83 in expenditures for the year; staff said a detailed listing of clean-communities grant spending will be available after report approval. On the farmers market, members said the market brought in $1,710 while $7,640.97 was spent, a total widened by refunds owing to a canceled season. Nicole Smith clarified, "we don’t make money off the sales — this was strictly for rent from participating vendors," and added that the farmers market operates from a dedicated trust account whose current balance needs to be confirmed by the clerk.
Recycling program updates included a food-scrap composting pilot with 41 users that diverted 2,501 pounds of material and spent $4,512 (from clean-communities funds). Book recycling produced roughly $224.21 for the year (with December revenue pending). Styrofoam collection sent out 4,242 pounds and generated $1,994; staff said proceeds and tonnage grant accounting are still reconciling and that there is no outstanding debt but internal reimbursements remain.
The commission discussed a proposed 2026 budget request of $4,300 submitted on Sept. 19, 2025 and debated rounding the request to $5,000 for additional activities, including community events and possible bands. Members emphasized that grants and trust accounts are restricted in use and that sponsorships or direct donations may be required for extra programming.
