RIVER VALE, N.J.—The Township Council has introduced two bond ordinances totaling more than $5 million, including nearly $4.1 million for roadwork and a new fire truck, and another $1 million for upgrades at the River Vale Country Club.
Officials say the general improvements will be funded through long-term municipal bonds, while the golf course improvements will be covered by the golf utility, sparing taxpayers the cost.
The larger of the two ordinances covers six major capital items, led by a new fire ladder truck and township-wide road resurfacing. The smaller ordinance includes planned upgrades to the clubhouse, course infrastructure, and furnishings at the township-owned golf facility, said Township Chief Finance Officer Gennaro Rotella.
A public hearing on the measures is set for April 28, Rotella told Pascack Press.
Asked about the general improvements bond term and possible property tax impacts of a $4 million bond, Rotella told Pascack Press, “There will not be a definitive number unless the township goes out to permanently bond,” and added, “The ordinance is mostly a new fire department ladder truck and the roads program.”
The general improvements bond ordinance appropriates $4,132,723 and provides for issuing $3,926,087 in bonds or notes for six purposes.
According to the ordinance, the general improvements bond purposes include:
- $11,130; Acquisition of information technology and telecommunications equipment for River Vale’s volunteer ambulance corps
- $55,580; Acquisition of firefighter personal protective equipment and equipment such as hoses, nozzles, appliances and equipment necessary
- $220,400; Acquisition of shipping containers for the Fire Department, plus a leaf vacuum machine, light tower, landscaping leaf blower and landscaping aerator for the Public Works department;
- $831,013; Reconstruction and resurfacing of various streets and roads to Class B standards, including all work and materials;
- $253,000; Acquisition of vehicles with GVW below 15,000 pounds, including two chief’s cars, with upfitting, radios, Knox box,and scanner for the Fire Department and two pickup trucks with plows for the public works department, and
- $2,612,500; Acquisition of original fire engine apparatus and equipment including all work and materials
The bond ordinance for improvements at River Vale Country Club, owned by the township, will appropriate $1,017,500 and allow $966,625 in golf course utility bonds to be issued, said Rotella.
Asked how the utility bonds differ from other bonds, Rotella told us, “They will be paid by the golf course utility and not the taxpayers. There are many improvements that need to be done on the course and in the club house. The infrastructure is old and needs to be replaced.”
The three golf course upgrades include:
- $302,500; clubhouse improvements, upgrades and capital repairs;
- $522,500; golf course renovations to walkways, retaining walls and drainage, irrigation system, level tee boxes, and repairs to irrigation system
- $192,500; Replacement of clubhouse interior furniture including all work and materials
Local employees; new flooring addressed
Moreover, the council introduced an ordinance to amend township employees’ titles and salary ranges. Rotella said that municipal employees received a 2% annual increase and that no new positions were added. The ordinance lists approximately 110 local government positions ranging from library director and municipal court administrator to chief of police and township treasurer.
The ordinance notes, “The mayor or his designee is hereby authorized to determine the salary of each employee within each salary range annually, such determination and salary to be effective the first day of each calendar year beginning 2025.”
The council also approved a resolution to hire W. Hannon Floors (a state vendor) for $43,021.83 to replace the flooring at the Senior Community Center.