Paterson council honors Marilyn D. Martino’s school legacy
The council adopted Resolution 26-364 to remember an Eastside High School teacher and administrator whom members said kept encouraging students long after graduation.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — memorialize life and educational legacy of, paterson code chapter 129 (bazaars) —, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Council members remembered Marilyn D. Martino as the kind of educator who stayed in touch, sent encouraging messages, and made former students feel seen.
A teacher’s reach can outlast the classroom by decades. The Paterson council used that idea to frame Resolution 26-364, which memorializes the life and educational legacy of Marilyn D. Martino. Sponsors were Dr. Lilisa Mimms, Ruby Cotton, and Maritza Davila. Members described Marilyn D. Martino as an Eastside High School English teacher who later became an administrator, and they tied the resolution to years of work with students in Paterson.
Ruby Cotton said she remembered Marilyn D. Martino from the 1990s and called her an outstanding educator who loved her students at Eastside High School. Maritza Davila said she served first as an English teacher and later as an administrator, with vice principal referenced during the discussion. Davila said Marilyn D. Martino encouraged former students, sent messages, and let them know she was proud of them. Luis Velez and other members said she was the kind of teacher who “adopted” students and would be missed.
Dr. Lilisa Mimms offered condolences and referenced presenting a framed plaque to Marilyn D. Martino’s friend. The vote closed with the resolution adopted. The action does not create a new program or spending item, but it adds Marilyn D. Martino’s name to the council’s formal record of people whose work shaped the city beyond a single job title.
Paterson Code Chapter 129 (Bazaars) — National Council Puerto Rican Heritage carnival at Pennington Park
Summer event season is now on the council calendar. Paterson adopted Resolution 26330 under Chapter 129, the city’s bazaar ordinance, allowing the National Council Puerto Rican Heritage to hold a carnival at Pennington Park. Members said the application included police and EMS attachments, and the measure passed by unanimous roll call vote.
During discussion, council members praised the organizers and spoke broadly about the Puerto Rican community’s place in Paterson. One member pointed to years of involvement with the parade and festival and said they hoped to see the parade return. Another said they were looking ahead to August 21, the date mentioned during the meeting.
The conversation widened beyond one event. A council member praised groups that file applications early and cited the Willie McCoy Foundation as an example. The same member said the administration should consider financial support for nonprofit groups so community events are not blocked by cost. Members repeatedly described the celebration as open to everyone, with participation from people across backgrounds.
Council memorializes Joseph “Joe” Levi Hart
The council adopted Resolution 26-361 honoring Joseph “Joe” Levi Hart and his commitment to Paterson. Members remembered him as a regular at meetings who spoke respectfully, talked with council members about city issues, and kept showing up to press for change.
memorial
Council approves preservation and bridge contracts
The council approved three contracts tied to historic preservation and bridge planning, including $1.29 million for work at Eastside Park, $498,940 for preservation services, and $250,700 for engineering and archaeological work near the Great Falls area. Discussion centered on what each contract covers, when grant-funded work will move, and why planning costs keep returning.
These projects affect park landmarks, federal grant use, and how quickly visible improvements reach residents.
Council approves $4,683,852.84 in bills
The council approved payment of bills totaling $4,683,852.84, including large statutory costs such as $800,000 for solid waste and $400,000 for street lighting. Michael Jackson pressed for a map and report on emergency sewer repairs, and the administration pointed to a coming asset management plan to document the system.
large dollar figure ($4,683,852.84)
Paterson opens 2026 budget review
The council introduced the 2026 municipal budget and began formal budget review with transitional aid at the center of the discussion. The administration said $76.2 million in aid closes a major gap, a minimum 3.5% tax levy increase is required, and the target adoption date is September 15.
The budget sets taxes, staffing, and service levels for the coming year on a tight adoption timeline.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Paterson had 89 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEPayment of bills (Workshop). Council considered and approved payment of bills totaling 74,711,941.28, including two payrolls, computerized checks, Board of Education payments, and county taxes. A recusal was recorded for Councilwoman Alfred; the motion passed with remaining votes in favor.
- GOVERNANCECouncil approves sanitation and recycling contracts. Council approved a $6.25 million 2027 solid waste collection option year with Interstate Waste Services, a $150,000 vegetative waste disposal contract, and the purchase of recycling carts for residents through a grant-funded HGAC contract. Together, the actions cover trash pickup, yard waste handling, and cart distribution.
- GOVERNANCEFirst reading: Amend Chapter 183 (Construction Code Uniform) pertaining to certain fees. Council introduced an ordinance amending Chapter 183 of the Paterson Municipal Code (Construction Code Uniform) pertaining to certain fees (Ordinance 26-0009). Discussion addressed emergency replacements (e.g., hot water heaters), permit timing, enforcement steps for illegal construction, and concerns about service levels and compliance with state requirements.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comment raises flooding, homelessness, and church dispute. During public comment, 16 speakers raised issues including council conduct, flooding, crime, drugs, development impacts, homelessness, a humane pet store ordinance, and a church property dispute involving adjacent construction. Council later voted to close public comment and briefly responded to several of those concerns and community announcements.
- GOVERNANCEAward contract to Smith Sundi Asphalt Construction Company for 2026 UEES road resurfacing program (Ward One). Council approved a contract for the 2026 UEES road resurfacing program in Ward One, awarding to Smith Sundi Asphalt Construction Company, not to exceed $499,571.94.
- GOVERNANCERoad paving and striping projects move forward. Council advanced several street work items, including bid solicitation for Railroad Avenue reconstruction, bid solicitation for the Sixth Ward UEZ resurfacing program, a Ward One resurfacing contract, and a thermoplastic striping contract. Members called some work overdue and asked for street additions, utility coordination, and safety fixes at specific locations.
- GOVERNANCECouncil advances HUD and homeowner rehab actions. Council approved a $100,000 contract for technical assistance on HUD-funded programs, amended a CDBG budget revision to reallocate funds among projects, and subordinated a homeowner rehabilitation mortgage so an owner could refinance. Members said the technical support helps nonprofits stay compliant and avoid losing funds.
- GOVERNANCEAward contract to Denver Line Painting Inc. for UEES thermoplastic striping project (Traffic Lighting Division, DPW). Council approved awarding a contract to Denver Line Painting Inc. for a thermoplastic striping project. Members raised specific roadway safety concerns and requested striping corrections and directional arrows at identified locations.
- GOVERNANCEPolice vehicle purchases approved with forfeiture funds. Council approved two police equipment purchases from First Priority Emergency Vehicles: a $280,071.33 retrofit of the mobile command post and $204,854.53 for three UTVs. Debate centered on whether forfeiture-funded specialty vehicles should take priority while patrol vehicle shortages remain unresolved.
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