Paterson council honors Marilyn D. Martino’s school legacy
The council adopted Resolution 26-364 to remember an Eastside High School teacher and administrator whose former students and colleagues said she kept showing up for them.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — memorialize life and educational legacy of, amend budget revision for cdbg program, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Members remembered Marilyn D. Martino as the kind of educator who encouraged students long after graduation and made Eastside High School feel personal.
A teacher’s name can still carry a whole school. Paterson’s council voted to adopt Resolution 26-364, memorializing 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, with vice principal referenced during the discussion.
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 stayed encouraging and supportive over the years, sending messages and telling former students she was proud of them. Luis Velez and other members said she had a habit of "adopting" students and making them feel seen.
Dr. Lilisa Mimms offered condolences and said a framed plaque would be presented to Marilyn D. Martino’s friend. The vote closed one of several memorial resolutions on the agenda, but this one centered on a familiar Paterson institution: Eastside High School. The council’s action does not create a program or rename a building. It formally places Marilyn D. Martino’s record of teaching and mentorship into the city’s public record.
Amend budget revision for CDBG program FY 2024–2026 (reallocation of funds)
The budget shift put libraries and fire equipment in the same vote. The council approved a resolution amending earlier CDBG budget actions for fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026, reallocating money for the Broadway Library, the South Paterson Library, a recreation center at 52 Front Street, and a new fire ladder truck.
Council members focused most on the ladder truck. A councilmember said the community development committee had reviewed the allocations the week before and approved the item, while also referencing a separate action to advance 14 new Habitat homes. Members said fire apparatus can take a long time to build, so a vote now may not mean delivery for years. Ruby Cotton and another councilmember both pointed to that delay as a reason to act now.
The resolution passed with six yes votes and three members absent at the time of the vote. The reallocation clears the way for the city to redirect federal community development money toward projects the council said touch daily life in different ways: library buildings, recreation space, housing, and fire response.
Council backs Eastside Park grant application
The council held a public hearing and approved an application to the Passaic County Open Space, Farmland, Historic Preservation Trust Fund for the Eastside Park fitness area project. Speakers pressed the city to address restroom conditions and find community use for the park barn instead of storage.
Approved East Side Park fitness-area grant application after public concerns about park facilities and barn use.
Council honors Joseph “Joe” Levi Hart
The council adopted Resolution 26-361 memorializing Joseph “Joe” Levi Hart and his commitment to Paterson. Members remembered him as a regular at meetings who spoke respectfully, raised concerns directly, and stayed engaged with city issues.
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Council memorializes Deborah Joy Abma Algra
The council adopted a memorial resolution honoring Deborah Joy Abma Algra for her work with children in Paterson. Ruby Cotton described her as a longtime Fourth Ward neighbor, church leader, and daycare director whose life stayed rooted in the community.
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Council introduces 2026 city budget
The council opened the 2026 budget process and authorized introduction of the municipal budget. The administration said $76.2 million in transitional aid closes a large gap, a minimum 3.5% tax levy increase is required, and the goal is adoption by September 15.
The budget sets taxes, staffing, and services citywide, with adoption targeted by mid-September.
- Paterson Municipal Council. The Council held a public hearing and approved a resolution authorizing an application to the Passaic County Open Space/Farmland/Historic Preservation Trust Fund for the East Side Park Fitness Area Improvement Project. Public speakers raised concerns about East Side Park facilities and the historic barn’s use.
- Paterson Municipal Council. Two speakers addressed the Council: one invited Council members to a youth program awards ceremony and described a multi-tier youth civics initiative; another raised concerns about traffic safety and enforcement, urging ticketing for violations affecting students and pedestrians.
- Paterson Municipal Council. During public comment, multiple residents focused on elections and civic participation and extensively discussed Councilman Mendez’s dismissed case, the judge’s ruling, and the Attorney General’s reported intent to appeal. Speakers expressed both support and skepticism, and several urged unity and respect.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Paterson had 171 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEAward contract to Alden Bailey Restoration for restoration of historic structures at Westside Park (Phase Division Engineering/DPW). Council approved a contract with Alden Bailey Restoration for restoration of historic structures at Westside Park, not to exceed $1,292,810. Discussion identified work including the World War II monument, a boat ramp, and entrance arches/monuments.
- GOVERNANCEUEZ marketing and business development project — use of $6,694,764 (workshop discussion; item set as regular). The UEZ director presented a marketing and business development project to boost tourism and support local businesses, including events, networking, restaurant week, digital advertising, and branded materials. Council members discussed transparency, quotes, procurement, and ensuring UEZ spending benefits all UEZ corridors; the item was set as regular.
- GOVERNANCEChange orders for new public safety dispatch center / communication room project. Council discussed change orders for the new public safety dispatch center project, referencing an original contract around $10 million and change orders including an $89,000 figure. Members requested copies of change orders and emphasized informing residents about what change orders mean for taxpayers.
- GOVERNANCECouncil advances waste collection and recycling purchases. Council approved a vegetative waste disposal contract, exercised the final option year for citywide solid waste collection in 2027, and authorized purchase of Omni carts for residents through a recycling grant. Together, the actions cover trash pickup, yard waste handling, and distribution of recycling carts.
- 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.
- GOVERNANCECouncil approves two historic-project planning contracts. Council approved contracts with French & Parrello Associates and MKW Associates for engineering, archaeological, landscape architecture, and historic preservation services tied to bridge and museum-related projects. Discussion focused on federally funded design work, grant timing, project priorities, and repeated planning costs.
- GOVERNANCELibrary access and building upgrades approved. Council approved a grant-funded 24-hour self-serve library kiosk and a contract to rehabilitate the Heritage community center and Paterson Public Library Indian Mountain site. Members described the spending as support for children and library improvements, while also debating funding priorities.
- GOVERNANCEPolice mobile command post and UTVs approved. Council approved contracts to retrofit an existing police mobile command post and to buy three police UTVs. Debate centered on whether forfeiture and state funds should go to specialty equipment while patrol vehicle shortages and response times remain concerns.
- GOVERNANCECouncil approves two East Side Park picnic permits. Council adopted two Chapter 129 bazaar-related resolutions for picnic events at East Side Park, one for Charles Brown and one for East Side Neighborhood Association 2.0. Discussion on one permit touched on staffing decisions, departmental roles, and disputes aired on social media.
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