Ogdensburg council approves clerk pay increases, submits floodplain draft to NJDEP and OKs mortgage subordination

The Borough of Ogdensburg Mayor and Council on July 8 approved salary increases for its deputy clerk and borough clerk, authorized submission of a draft Floodplain Management Regulation ordinance to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and approved subordination of a borough-held mortgage on 319 Main Street.

Borough Clerk Robin Hough updated the council on the floodplain ordinance process, saying the borough must submit a draft to NJDEP by the end of July and adopt a final ordinance by October to comply with state and FEMA guidance. "We have to adopt this ordinance by October," Hough said, describing work to adapt the state’s Riverine model into Chapter 20 of the borough code and noting she removed language that would have made local rules more restrictive.

The council voted unanimously to authorize Clerk Hough, Borough Attorney Robert McBriar and the borough engineer to finalize the draft and send it to NJDEP for review, and members agreed to identify the borough engineer as the floodplain administrator responsible for administering the management plan.

CFO Mike Marceau reviewed recommended salary figures and budget impacts in discussion of Resolution 54-2024, the deputy clerk increase. Marceau said the resolution as written reflected Councilwoman Ruitenberg’s recommendation of $52,500 but that, based on comparable salaries, $54,000 would be reasonable and that roughly $6,200 remained available in the operating budget to support the change. "Are we going to discuss the dollar amount?" Marceau asked as he described Chapter 78 contribution effects.

Councilman John DeMeo said he supported raising the salary toward comparables, while Councilman Thomas Ciasullo said he spoke with residents who opposed a midyear pay adjustment and planned to vote against the measure. The council adopted Resolution 54-2024 as printed (roll call: Yeas — Cowdrick, DeMeo, Poyer, Ruitenberg; Nay — Ciasullo; Alvarez absent).

The council then adopted Resolution 55-2024 to increase the salary for Borough Clerk Robin Hough, RMC (roll call: Yeas — Cowdrick, DeMeo, Poyer, Ruitenberg; Nay — Ciasullo; Alvarez absent).

Council also approved Resolution 56-2024 authorizing subordination of the borough’s mortgage lien on property at 319 Main Street at the resident’s request. Borough Attorney Robert McBriar described the subordination request and answered council questions about the existing mortgage and allowable loan percentage; the motion passed unanimously with one absence noted.

On operational matters, Councilwoman Ruitenberg and Clerk Hough described progress on the Lead Line Replacement Plan: the borough’s inventory now covers 916 water services and communications with property owners are underway, but actual replacements remain at zero and work will continue. Councilwoman Cowdrick said Heaters Pond remains closed for swimming because the borough lacks the required two lifeguards; she and Mayor George P. Hutnick noted risk-management rules prevent opening without proper staffing and that the borough is pursuing recruitment and training.

A brief capital discussion highlighted a grant application prepared by the fire chief for turnout gear and equipment; CFO Marceau said the grant historically funds between $15,000 and $20,000 awards and the chief submitted an application for protective suits and related gear.

The council entered executive session at 8:04 p.m. for contract negotiation (Councilwoman Cowdrick recused herself), returned at 8:25 p.m., approved payment of vouchers and departmental finance reports, and adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved (roll call recorded with members present; Alvarez absent). - Resolution 54-2024 (Deputy Clerk salary): Yeas — Cowdrick, DeMeo, Poyer, Ruitenberg; Nay — Ciasullo; Alvarez absent. - Resolution 55-2024 (Borough Clerk salary): Yeas — Cowdrick, DeMeo, Poyer, Ruitenberg; Nay — Ciasullo; Alvarez absent. - Resolution 56-2024 (Mortgage subordination, 319 Main St.): Yeas — Ciasullo, Cowdrick, DeMeo, Poyer, Ruitenberg; Alvarez absent. - Motion to authorize submission of floodplain ordinance draft to NJDEP: Yeas — Ciasullo, Cowdrick, DeMeo, Poyer, Ruitenberg; Alvarez absent. - Payment of vouchers and departmental reports: approved by roll call (Yeas — Ciasullo, Cowdrick, DeMeo, Poyer, Ruitenberg; Alvarez absent).

What’s next The borough will finalize and submit the floodplain draft to NJDEP by July 25 for review and plans to introduce and adopt the ordinance by October following required public hearing(s). The lead-service-line inventory work and lifeguard recruitment for Heaters Pond will continue; council members indicated follow-up at future meetings.