Emerson council authorizes attorney to finalize tax-appeal settlement with Armenian Homes Foundation

A council member moved Sept. 24 to authorize the borough ttorney John Conte to finalize negotiations and draft a memorandum of agreement to settle a tax appeal between the borough of Emerson and the Armenian Homes Foundation for tax years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The motion was seconded by O'Neil and approved by roll call, with four "yes" votes and two members absent.

The action followed a closed executive session earlier in the special meeting. The Chair cited compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and a written sunshine notice; the meeting notice had been published in the Ridgewood News on Sept. 22, 2025 and posted on municipal bulletin boards, the Chair said.

The council member who made the motion said, "I'd like to make a motion to authorize our tax appeal attorney, John Conte, to finalize negotiations and draft a memorandum of agreement between the borough of Emerson and the Armenian Homes Foundation for the settlement of a tax appeal case for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025." The motion was seconded; Miss DeSimone called the roll. Councilwoman Rice, Councilwoman Sayers, Councilman Ellis and Councilman Timmerman each registered "yes." Council president Argencia left the meeting at about 6 p.m. and Councilman Giuliano was absent; the clerk announced that the motion passed 4-0.

The motion authorizes the borough ttorney to complete settlement paperwork and presumably execute a memorandum of agreement with the Armenian Homes Foundation; the transcript does not include the settlement amount or other terms. The motion and vote record indicate the council approved moving forward with the attorney's negotiated agreement but do not specify any funding source or whether additional borough approvals will be required once the memorandum is drafted.

The meeting adjourned at 6:19 p.m.