Paterson council honors Gilmore Memorial Preschool milestone
The City Council used one of its final votes to mark 25 years of service by Gilmore Memorial Preschool Inc. in Paterson.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — resolution honoring gilmore memorial preschool inc, resolution adoption, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Dr. Lilisa Mimms said backing the resolution mattered personally, recalling Dr. Gilmore as one of her mentors when she was starting out.
A preschool anniversary became a small civic marker. The Paterson City Council approved Resolution 26-415, honoring Gilmore Memorial Preschool Inc. on its 25th anniversary of service to the City of Paterson. Ruby Cotton sponsored the measure and used the vote to congratulate the organization on reaching the quarter-century mark. The resolution was adopted by the council.
The discussion stayed brief, but members added their own notes of praise. MD Forid Uddin congratulated the preschool. Dr. Lilisa Mimms said it was an honor to support the item and tied the vote to her own history, saying Dr. Gilmore founded the preschool and was one of her mentors when she started. She spoke, too, about the children connected to that work.
The action does not create a new program or funding stream. It is a formal public recognition from the city, entered as Resolution 26-415, and it places the preschool's 25-year run into the council record. In a meeting that included routine business and policy items, the vote gave the council a chance to pause and recognize an institution that has served Paterson families over time.
Resolution Adoption: GAB Realy LLC — 196 Emmen Avenue (Block 1311, Lot 31) — Confirmation of Prior Approval and Eligible Voters
One property vote closed with a cleanup of the record. Near the end of the Paterson Planning Board meeting, the secretary read a resolution for GAB Realy LLC covering 196 Emmen Avenue, Block 1311, Lot 31, in the R2 low/medium density residential zone. The application sought site plan approval and bulk variances to end a commercial use and renovate and expand an existing one-and-a-half-story structure into a two-and-a-half-story building for a two-unit dwelling, with three bedrooms in each unit.
As the resolution was read, the secretary referred to a prior board approval and then corrected the year on the first page during discussion. The board had considered and approved the application at an earlier meeting, and the resolution was framed as confirmation of that action.
The board then narrowed the vote to the members eligible to cast it: Kobir Ahmed, Delbres Claudio, Badrul Hassan, Imran Hussain, Fannia Santana, and Janice Northrop. A motion was made and seconded, those eligible members voted yes on roll call, and the resolution was adopted unanimously by those present and permitted to vote.
Residents press council on flooding and housing
Public comment stretched across 22 speakers, who raised concerns about flooding, overdevelopment, homelessness, housing affordability, meeting conduct, and accountability. After the comment period ended, councilmembers briefly answered on environmental information sharing, homelessness coordination, report posting, and enforcement.
Public comment highlighted neighborhood problems residents say are affecting safety, housing costs, and trust in city government.
Council approves bills after sharp debate
The council approved payment of bills after a debate over oversight, accountability, and whether members were too quick to sign off on routine spending. Michael Jackson argued the public has little faith in promises not kept, while Dr. Lilisa Mimms said the vote covered employee pay and Board of Education services.
large dollar figure ($146,194,142)
Council advances stricter street opening rules
The council approved first reading of an ordinance rewriting parts of Chapter 435 on street openings and excavations, adding permit requirements, new duties for permittees, and higher penalties. Members from multiple wards said the real test will be enforcement against contractors and utilities that reopen newly finished streets.
accountability
Council creates Paterson veterans banner program
The council adopted a resolution creating a Hometown Veterans Banner Program, with applications set to run through December 31 and banner locations discussed across Main Street, Crooks Way, Broadway, and Memorial Drive. Dr. Lilisa Mimms said a committee will vet submissions tied to Paterson and work toward an unveiling around Memorial Day.
memorial
- Paterson City Council. During public comment, residents raised concerns about environmental planning and flooding, overdevelopment and parking, homelessness and public disorder, meeting conduct and respect, housing affordability and evictions, lack of reports and accountability, and voting participation. Several speakers also promoted community events and urged civic engagement.
- Paterson Planning Board. During public comment on the 43 Grand Street application, a resident raised concerns about difficulty finding the meeting listing on the City website, the number of variances, and argued that subdividing lots harms surrounding property values and residents’ financial interests. The Board and counsel responded on process and legal standards.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Paterson had 41 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEOrdinance establishing Class Two Special Law Enforcement Officers (public hearing and adoption). Council held a public hearing and adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 81 to authorize Class Two special law enforcement officers. Members debated credit for sponsorship and process/timeline, with statements that implementation would take months and require training and selection. The ordinance was adopted amid contentious exchanges.
- GOVERNANCEOrdinance amending Chapter 183 (Construction Codes; Uniform Construction Code fees) (public hearing and adoption). Council held a public hearing and adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 183 related to construction code/UCC fees. Members referenced the MOU requirements and the need to increase certain fees. The ordinance was adopted.
- GOVERNANCECouncil endorses four sewer permit applications for apartment projects. Council endorsed four NJPDES or treatment works applications tied to apartment and mixed-use projects on Main Street, Riley Avenue, and Washington Avenue. Debate centered on sewer connection fees, development impacts, and whether council is giving enough scrutiny to these applications.
- GOVERNANCEResolution acknowledging memorandum of understanding for State of New Jersey transitional aid for calendar year 2026. Council approved acknowledging the contents and effects of a memorandum of understanding between the State of New Jersey and the City of Paterson regarding transitional aid for calendar year 2026, including applicable supplements. Members referenced challenges and tough decisions. The resolution was adopted.
- GOVERNANCEResolution ratifying and adopting 2026 budget for Downtown Special Improvement District (SID) (public hearing and adoption). Council held a public hearing and adopted the 2026 Downtown Special Improvement District budget. Discussion focused on delayed billing/collections, service pauses, SID governance structure, and whether the SID is a private nonprofit created by ordinance. The resolution was adopted after debate.
- GOVERNANCECouncil sets up online tax sale process. Council approved tax sale fees, authorized an electronic tax sale, and awarded Real Auction LLC the contract to host it online. The CFO said mailing and newspaper notice costs will be charged to delinquent taxpayers and agreed to provide councilmembers a delinquent list.
- GOVERNANCENagto Sports Bar receives entertainment and dance hall licenses. Council approved both a new dance hall license and a new entertainment show license for Nagto Sports Bar at 439 Totowa Avenue. Members discussed the application language, prior history at the location, and whether ownership and calls-for-service concerns had been addressed.
- GOVERNANCEResolution authorizing award of contracts to various vendors for general engineering services. Council approved awarding contracts to various vendors for general engineering services under RFQ 2026-32. The resolution was adopted.
- GOVERNANCEResolution appointing a commissioner to the Paterson Housing Authority (remainder of unexpired term). Council approved a resolution appointing an individual as commissioner to the Paterson Housing Authority for the remainder of an unexpired term. Members congratulated the appointee and expressed expectations for community-focused service. The resolution was adopted.
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