EMERSON—Mayor Danielle DiPaola and many others delighted in an observation at the 118th Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Borough of Emerson, Jan. 4, where new council members were sworn in following 2021 victories.
“There’s one thing I would like to point out this evening, which is a historic moment in the Borough of Emerson: For the first time in history, there are four women who were elected by the voters of Emerson sitting on the governing body,” said DiPaola — including herself in that list.
DiPaola said, “In 2018 Emerson made history by electing its first female mayor. In 2019 for the first time, Emerson elected two women [council president Jill McGuire and member Nicole Argenzia] at the same time to the council. And … in 2021 the voters of Emerson elected the fourth female member [Kelly Moore] to the governing body and here we are today.”
Moore is a registered nurse with degrees in communication and media studies.
DiPaola’s announcement drew applause from council members and a small Borough Hall audience.
DiPaola was the second female mayor sworn in our coverage area, behind the late Janet Sobkowicz of the Township of Washington, also a Republican. She said at the meeting, “We’ve come a long way, baby.”
Her announcement followed the swearing in of Republicans councilpersons-elect Brian Gordon and Kelly Moore, and Republican Donald “Don” Pierro, who was elected to round out a one-year unexpired term.
(Also see ‘Optimistic’ Hoffman leaves with mayor’s, council’s praise,” Pascack Press, Jan. 10, 2022.)
State of the Borough address highlights
Following the ceremonies, DiPaola offered a State of the Borough report, including confirmation that Emerson “is moving forward” with a new Emergency Services Building, noting a subcommittee has been appointed and will present on progress soon.
“We are working very hard on this project as it will stand tall until the end of the 21st century,” said DiPaola.
She said the project will preserve the historic municipal building while creating more space for the police, ambulance corps, municipal courts and the new council chambers.
Also:
- The borough has been awarded more than $1.5 million in grants including $875,000 for the streetscape improvements along Kinderkamack Road; more than $400,000 in NJDOT Local Aid Improvements grants for various road projects; and $75,000 for police body-worn cameras and emergency response jaws of life.
- This year Emerson anticipates grant funding of approximately $1.9 million for NJDOT Safe Routes to School grant funding, which will improve the walkability and safety around our schools and throughout the Borough; a library construction bond grant for more than $300,000; and a local recreation improvement grant for $150,000.
- Emerson landed more than $700,000 in stimulus funding from the American Recovery Fund Program, “which we are using to upgrade the Cindy Lane pump station.”
- The borough upgraded its ADA crosswalks along Ackerman Avenue in 2021 year with 2020 grant money from NJDOT.
- DiPaola said, “We have finalized two easements that were outstanding for many years that result in the borough being returned $175,000 that was due us from the County of Bergen for the Kinderkamack Road Project.”
- She said Emerson established a military appreciation banner program “to salute Emerson’s patriot heroes from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. We are proud to be able to honor the many residents who defended our country by serving in all branches of the military.
- The firehouse floor, which was promised to be fixed for years, was repaired in 2021.
- She touted a shared shared service with Westwood on a senior bus service.
- Emerson settled its DPW contract and is “very close to coming to an agreement with our Emerson Police Local PBA 206.”
- The borough “established a shared service agreement with Upper Saddle River to purchase a tree truck to help maintain the borough shade trees, which will save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of the agreement as well as being able to work on the borough schedule as opposed to a contractor’s especially when dealing with hazardous trees in the borough.”
- Emerson held three Covid-19 vaccination clinics for residents.
- “We moved our 9-1-1 dispatch to Central Dispatch and have saved approximately $10,000 to date.”
- “We started upgrading our PSE&G lights at a cost savings, thanks to Councilman Gordon.”
- “We dealt with many homes that were flooded by Hurricane Ida and, thanks to our Office of Emergency Management, we were able to host a mobile response team from FEMA at the Senior Center, which helped our residents navigate the reimbursement process for qualified damages. We are now working with our engineer to provide potential solutions to those areas in the borough which are prone to flooding.”
- DiPaola said, “We hired a new risk manager (PIA) who reviewed and upgraded our insurance policies for our firefighters and emergency responders, reducing policy costs while improving coverage.”
- The Recreation Commission has expanded on its programs, including a co-ed volleyball program, and after care for summer rec camp. “And as you recall, Rec brought us one of the greatest display of fireworks that the Family Town has ever seen at Emerson Day.”
- DiPaola also said the borough is working with Suez North America on reducing lead in its water lines; updated the Commercial Zone ordinance; and over the last three years has been able to repave more than 70% of its roads in conjunction with the PSE&G gas service upgrades — “and will continue with our road program this year to maintain the quality roads our residents expect.”
- The mayor said, “We continue to live stream our governing body meetings. This fulfills a promise of making our borough more open and transparent to our residents, an issue I’ve always felt very strongly about.”
According to DiPaola, 2022 will bring many projects. She called out one highlight: the borough has been assisting American Legion members in order to facilitate a new meeting room and additional housing.