PARK RIDGE—Bruce Goldsmith and Gregory Hoffman were sworn for new three-year terms before a packed council chambers at town hall at the Jan. 6 annual Borough Council reorganization meeting.
Legislative District 39 Republican Assemblymen Robert Auth and John Azziriti Jr. swore in Goldsmith and Hoffman, respectively.
John Cozzi was unanimously voted council president.
Other members remain William Fenwick, Robert Metzdorf, and Michael Mintz.
During a brief sine die meeting before the reorganization, Fenwick said the borough did develop a “very favorable” mediated settlement with Fair Share Housing Center. He said “no additional construction would be required” under the Fourth Round settlement.
The settlement was approved under Res. 025-408 approved during the sine die consent agenda. Pascack Press has requested a copy of the Fourth Round agreement.
In a brief mayoral address, Msiciagna noted “This (2025) is the third year in a row we have not raised municipal taxes.” He said over those years, the borough has probably paved more roads than at any other period in the borough’s history. He said the borough purchased the Frederick Wortendyke homestead, probably the county’s oldest existing Dutch homestead, built about 1750, after winning a county Open Space grant.to purchase and restore it.
Misciagna said the borough was restoring the train station, not repairing it, and it will look better than new when done. He said he looked forward to having some fun this year as America celebrates its 250th anniversary on July 4, noting he remembered well the 200th Anniversary celebration in 1976.
He said local events and activities will mark the upcoming 250th anniversary. He added that he hoped to accomplish “a lot” in the coming year with the current council.
Following his address, Misciagna announced Fire Department officers recently sworn in: Fire Chief Richard Bosi, Deputy Chief Peter Mauro; Captain Kyle Ladewig, Captain Brad Moser and Lieutenant Tom Derienzo.
He announced Police Reserve Officers recently sworn in: Chief Paul Witte, Captain Christopher Brown, Lt. George Harcher, and Sgt. Bryan Garbutt.
He appointed Ralph Donnell borough historian.
Misciagna announced four appointments to the Board of Health; two to Board of Public Works; three to the Library Board; two to municipal swim pool commission; and two to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. One appointment, Ram Ramcharan, as an Alternate #2 to ZBOA was tabled until the next regular meeting following a council vote. Councilor William Fenwick offered another volunteer candidate for the open slot.
Misciagna made four appointments to the Planning Board, and scores of volunteers to 17 committees, including the Cable (PKRG TV) TV Committee, DARE Committee, Municipal Alliance Committee, Historial Advisory, Train Station Preservation, Friends of Frederick Wortendyke Committee, Recreation & Cultural Committee, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Open Space Committee, Technology Committee, Access For All Committee, Shade Tree and Green Team Committee, Garden Club, Economic Development Committee, Mayor’s Wellness Committee, Hall of Fame Committee, and the Mayor’s Housing Task Force.
Several residents spoke against the mayor’s appointment of councilman Goldsmith as liaison to the Recreation & Cultural Committee, replacing Hoffman. Misciagna said that appointing people as liaisons and to standing committees and advisory boards was one of the few roles that he was permitted under their form of local government.
Other councilors noted Hoffman could continue to attend rec committee meetings and participate in committee activities. However, while most residents’ comments did not take issue with Goldsmith, most said they preferred Hoffman in the liaison role, mostly due to his youth.
One resident against Goldsmith’s appointment cited him as a “senior citizen” and noted that younger residents (i.e. Hoffman) were needed to handle recreational committee activities, and occasionally, perform heavy lifting associated with committee tasks. Misciagna said no one had called him before the reorg meeting to raise the issue but he said he would mull over what to do.
A 79-page agenda for the Jan. 6 reorganization meeting, listing all actions taken, including mayor appointments to boards, committees, and commissions can be found online.