Paterson City Council approves $52,772,652.76 in bills
The total included a $16,653,495 payment to the Board of Education and statutory expenditures that covered county taxes.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — payment of bills approval (total $52,772,652, resolution, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The Paterson City Council approval did not mean checks would go out immediately; supporting paperwork still had to be reviewed before payment.
One vote covered payroll, checks and other city payments. The Paterson City Council unanimously approved $52,772,652.76 in bills. The payment summary included $16,653,495 for the Board of Education, a separate $4,788,617.56 payment and expenditures from the capital fund. Statutory expenditures included county taxes.
Councilmembers used the discussion to ask when approval turns into a mailed check. The chief financial officer said the review would likely take place Tuesday, with checks mailed around Thursday. Approval alone, the officer said, does not bypass a review of the paperwork supporting each payment. One councilmember raised a related concern: Vendors sometimes appear to have received checks before the Paterson City Council votes. The discussion did not establish whether that had happened with a particular payment.
Another councilmember asked about a $242,226 payment for an annual maintenance service contract. The business administrator said the Paterson City Council had approved the contract the previous month and that the payment put it into effect. After those questions, every councilmember present voted yes. The bills are approved, but the described review remains a step before checks are mailed.
Resolution: Redamos Marcato — 619–621 East 22nd Street (Block 3418, Lot N/A) — Adoption
A previously approved five-unit housing proposal returned for a formal vote. The Paterson Planning Board adopted a resolution for a project involving the removal of existing structures and construction of a two-story residential building. The proposal sought site plan approval and bulk variances in the R3 High/Medium Density Residential District.
The Paterson Planning Board had heard and approved the application at a special meeting on August 24, 2026. This vote concerned the resolution for that earlier decision, not a new proposal. The resolution was read into the record before eligible members were called to vote.
Among the eligible voters called were Janice Northrop, Delbres Claudio, Imran Hussain and Shahin Khalique. A motion was made and seconded, and the Paterson Planning Board took a roll call vote. The resolution was announced as adopted. The record provided here does not give a clear lot number or establish a construction start date.
Commenter questions reported superintendent pay increase
At the Paterson City Council public comment period, a speaker questioned a reported superintendent salary of 344,000 alongside four school closures and 330 layoffs. The commenter asked how the increase was justified and urged the school district to hear from teachers, students and the community.
The commenter asked for an explanation of the reported pay decision while schools closed and employees lost jobs.
Paterson City Council honors late police officer
The Paterson City Council presented a memorial resolution to the family of a Paterson police officer, recognizing his service and life. His wife thanked the council and police department for their support and invited the public to a remembrance walk on Sunday, November 8.
The resolution gave the officer’s family a public acknowledgment, and his wife invited residents to remember him.
Business owner seeks changes to vendor fees
At the Paterson City Council public comment period, a local market owner said the annual business license fee had doubled and event fees added costs. The owner asked for relief for established businesses, a year-round permit option and a way to update event information electronically.
The owner said separate event fees and in-person updates make it more costly to participate in community events.
Commenter seeks answers on shared sewer costs
At the Paterson City Council public comment period, a resident asked who oversees agreements with neighboring municipalities that use Paterson’s sewer infrastructure. The commenter sought information on unpaid balances and enforcement, arguing that residents should not carry costs owed by other municipalities.
The requested answers would clarify whether other municipalities are paying their share before residents face higher sewer costs.
- Paterson City Council. A public commenter requested clarity on oversight and enforcement of agreements requiring neighboring municipalities to pay their share for use of Paterson’s sewage infrastructure. The commenter argued Paterson residents should not bear additional financial responsibility and asked for information on outstanding balances and enforcement.
- Paterson City Council. A public commenter criticized a reported superintendent salary increase to 344,000 while four schools were closed and 330 people were laid off. The commenter asked for an explanation of how the raise was justified and urged prioritizing teachers and community input.
- Paterson City Council. A public commenter discussed themes of democracy versus corporate imperialism and argued residents must organize and mobilize to have their interests served. The commenter said they had been speaking at meetings for months and recently received guidance on steps to start an organization, and is considering leading such an effort.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Paterson had 24 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEResolution: authorizing solicitation of bids for second-floor renovations at 131–133 Ellison Street (regular agenda; discussion of $469,750 professional services amount). The Council placed item 18 on the regular agenda and discussed the stated $469,750 amount for engineering/architectural services tied to second-floor renovations at 131–133 Ellison Street. The Economic Development Director explained the purpose as assessment and bid preparation to determine construction scope and costs.
- GOVERNANCEResolutions: award of contracts for vehicle purchases (items 19 and 20) moved to regular agenda. The Council moved items 19 and 20 to the regular agenda for further discussion. Item 20 was described as authorizing an award of contract to “Genitali Motors” for purchase of two vehicles, with discussion indicating the vehicles were for the Building Department using UE/UC funds.
- GOVERNANCECouncil member remarks responding to public comments (vendor fees, BOE pay, sewer agreements). Council members and the Business Administrator responded to public concerns about vendor fees, Board of Education compensation, and sewer cost-sharing. Members indicated the vendor fee issue would be discussed in committee, advised residents to address BOE issues with school board commissioners, and stated sewer agreement information would be provided at a subsequent meeting.
- GOVERNANCEHealth & Human Services workshop review: warming center/winter items and Ryan White monitoring; items 33–38 (recommended for consent). Health & Human Services items were described as vetted in committee, including warming center/winter-related matters and Ryan White monitoring. Items 33–38 were directed to the consent agenda without stated exceptions during the workshop review.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comment period — civic organizing, democracy, and starting a community organization. A public commenter discussed themes of democracy versus corporate imperialism and argued residents must organize and mobilize to have their interests served. The commenter said they had been speaking at meetings for months and recently received guidance on steps to start an organization, and is considering leading such an effort.
- GOVERNANCEWorkshop agenda classification: raffle license, appointments, and ceremonial recognitions (regular vs. consent). The Council classified multiple items for the upcoming regular meeting, including a raffle license, appointments to the Paterson Parking Authority, and several ceremonial recognitions. Several items were moved to the regular agenda with sponsors/co-sponsors identified.
- GOVERNANCEFinance workshop review: junkyard licenses/entertainment and annual EEOC/local budget law compliance certification (item 32). Finance items were recommended for consent, including junkyard licenses and entertainment-related items. Item 32, a resolution confirming continued compliance with EEOC-related hiring considerations under the local budget law, was explained by the Business Administrator and discussed briefly before being placed on consent.
- GOVERNANCEDepartment of Public Works workshop review: items 41, 43, 44 (recommended for consent). The DPW chair reported that items 41, 43, and 44 were reviewed in committee. The DPW Director explained item 41 related to hardware supplies and bidding; items 43 and 44 were described as vehicle repairs and a conservancy-related item, and all were directed to consent.
- GOVERNANCEItem 39: expansion of pool of qualified law firms for City professional legal services (recommended for consent). The Council discussed item 39, described as approving an expansion of the pool of qualified law firms for various professional legal services. The item was stated to be vetted and recommended by Corporation Counsel and was directed to the consent agenda.
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