Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Park Ridge swears in two councilors, names John Cozzi council president and introduces two ordinances
Summary
At its Jan. 6 organizational meeting Park Ridge Borough swore in Bruce Goldsmith and Gregory Hoffman, elected John Cozzi council president, approved multiple board and volunteer appointments, introduced two ordinances on first reading and accepted the consent agenda with one abstention.
Park Ridge Borough held its 2026 organizational meeting on Jan. 6, where councilors Bruce Goldsmith and Gregory Hoffman were sworn in, John Cozzi was elected council president, and the council introduced two ordinances for first reading and set public hearings for Jan. 27, 2026.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Father Vincent D'Agostino. County- and state-level officials administered oaths: Bruce Goldsmith took his oath as councilman (term expiring Dec. 31, 2028), and Gregory Hoffman likewise affirmed his duties following his certificate of election. Council members then nominated and confirmed John Cozzi as council president by roll call.
Why it matters: the organizational meeting sets leadership and fills board and commission seats that guide municipal planning, public safety and recreation, and it placed two municipal ordinances on the town’s calendar for formal public hearings later this month.
Council approved several volunteer and statutory appointments, including the Park Ridge reserves (chief Paul Witty; captain Christopher Brown; lieutenant George Archer; sergeant Brian Carbutt/Garbutt) and named board members for the Board of Health, Public Works, Library Trustees and the Swim Pool Commission. Richard (Rich) Posey was sworn in as chief of the Park Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.
On legislative business the council introduced Ordinance No. 2026-001, an annual ordinance establishing official appointees and employee salary ranges required by the borough’s auditors, and Ordinance No. 2026-002, an amendment to chapter 92.6 of the borough code updating towing minimum standards of performance (the change was prompted by a required certification issue with a contractor located across state lines). Both ordinances passed first reading by roll call and will be published with a public hearing set for Jan. 27, 2026.
The council accepted the consent agenda with one declared abstention. A council member disclosed he must abstain from Resolution No. 026-017 (a street-sweeping shared-services agreement with Paramus) because he is an official of Paramus; the abstention was recorded before the roll-call approval.
Quotes and context: Mayor Meshagna highlighted municipal accomplishments, saying, “This is the 3rd year in a row we have not raised municipal taxes,” and previewed a major paving program, restoration of a historic home and the train station, and 250th-anniversary events planned for 2026. The borough clerk explained that the towing ordinance amendment was needed before rebidding the police towing contract because the borough’s prior auto-body facility is located out of state.
Next steps: Ordinances 2026-001 and 2026-002 were scheduled for public hearing on Jan. 27, 2026; appointments and motions approved at the meeting take effect per borough rules unless otherwise noted.
