Mayor outlines plan to fill emergency management vacancy
A deputy emergency management coordinator has resigned, and the mayor told the Tenafly Mayor and Council that two replacements are under consideration.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — correspondence, administrator report, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The mayor called a chief deputy appointment a smart step for running operations; the Tenafly Mayor and Council took no vote.
A vacancy in emergency management is headed for a council decision. In correspondence to the Tenafly Mayor and Council, the mayor reported that the deputy Office of Emergency Management coordinator had resigned. The mayor said two candidates were being discussed for the position following conversations that day. No successor was announced, and the Tenafly Mayor and Council did not make an appointment during the report.
The mayor said a final choice would be shared at the next council meeting, when the deputy coordinator appointment would be made. The report did not identify the two candidates or explain how the mayor would choose between them. For residents following the vacancy, the next meeting is the first stated opportunity to learn who will take the role. This week's correspondence set out the plan but left the decision for that meeting.
The mayor raised a second appointment in the same report, saying they intended to recommend someone for chief deputy. The mayor described that appointment as a sensible step for running operations. The chief deputy recommendation was presented alongside, but separately from, the choice between two deputy coordinator candidates. The Tenafly Mayor and Council did not vote on that role either, leaving both appointments for a future meeting.
Administrator report: strategic planning meeting time change, vehicle leasing proposal, health benefits, and Sunnyside field elevation concept
The Tenafly Mayor and Council agreed to start its October 31 strategic planning meeting at 9:00 a.m. after a councilmember requested a later time because of a child’s dental surgery. In the same administrator’s report, a councilmember said an Enterprise proposal on leasing or renting vehicles instead of buying them was expected on the 27th as part of budget planning. No leasing decision was made.
The borough administrator told the Tenafly Mayor and Council that health benefits changes would require legislation and take time. That issue remained under discussion, with no vote during the report. The planning meeting will give the governing body another chance to consider longer-range questions raised in the discussion.
One such question is whether to raise recreation fields that the administrator and councilmembers described as frequently muddy or underwater, leading to sports cancellations. An engineer recommended seeking funding for a project estimated at $1.2 million to $2.2 million. The Tenafly Mayor and Council discussed how water could flow toward neighboring properties and identified the fields as a strategic planning topic. It took no vote on the project.
Tenafly Mayor and Council hears construction complaints
A speaker told the Tenafly Mayor and Council that dust and truck traffic from a storage facility demolition and construction site were creating hazards near their workplace. The speaker requested an inspection, driveway protections and a police traffic review. The mayor said the borough administrator would address the complaint the next morning.
Dust control and truck turns affect people walking to nearby businesses and traveling past the worksite.
Tenafly Mayor and Council reviews utility paving plans
The borough administrator told the Tenafly Mayor and Council that PSE&G paving was expected in October and November, possibly reaching the borough in mid-November. Councilmembers pressed for full-width repairs and utility restoration credits. The administrator warned that sustained temperatures around 40 degrees could delay paving until spring.
Residents waiting for road repairs could face a longer delay if cold weather stops paving this fall.
Tenafly Mayor and Council hears meeting notices
A councilmember told the Tenafly Mayor and Council about an October 21 debate connected to Joint Use and the Board of Education. The councilmember also announced a Planning Board discussion of a Wells Fargo application slated for the 28th and invited the public to attend. No votes were taken on either announcement.
The notices give residents dates to hear candidates and follow a proposed development before those discussions proceed.
Tenafly Mayor and Council discusses Halloween closures
A councilmember told the Tenafly Mayor and Council that police would close streets where neighbors requested Halloween block parties, while trick-or-treating start times remained up to residents. The same report announced a Saturday showing of Toy Story at 6:00 p.m. and described discounts at downtown businesses.
Families planning Halloween routes need to account for requested street closures, even though the borough sets no trick-or-treating start time.
- Tenafly Mayor and Council. A public speaker raised concerns about downtown construction impacts, including dust, blocked pedestrian access, and rock piles encroaching into parking areas. The speaker also reported a repeatedly struck and bent municipal sign near a business and requested it be fixed.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Tenafly had 9 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comment: downtown construction impacts on sidewalks/parking and damaged municipal sign. A public speaker raised concerns about downtown construction impacts, including dust, blocked pedestrian access, and rock piles encroaching into parking areas. The speaker also reported a repeatedly struck and bent municipal sign near a business and requested it be fixed.
- GOVERNANCEDiscussion of Bergen County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application options. The governing body discussed whether and where to apply for a Bergen County CDBG focused on architectural barrier/ADA improvements. They reviewed prior awards, eligibility constraints, and potential sites including Davis Johnson Park, Grove Street Park pool bathrooms, Borough Hall bathrooms, and Sunnyside.
- GOVERNANCESenior Center and senior services updates; pancake breakfast announcement. Dr. Okconor reported on a senior center meeting and announced a pancake breakfast on Saturday starting at 9:00 a.m. He also noted senior services meets the next morning and that the Borough continues applying for grants to support senior services.
- GOVERNANCEEnvironmental Commission report: pumpkin smash event and wildlife conflict management presentation. Council Member Dr. Okconor reported on Environmental Commission updates, including a Tenafly Nature Center “pumpkin smash” composting event on November 7 and a presentation by Humane World on wildlife conflict management, including data collection and conflict resolution steps.
- GOVERNANCEAnnouncement: swearing-in of new police chief and promotions. The Mayor announced an upcoming swearing-in ceremony for a new police chief and promotions, scheduled for Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at the middle school, and invited the public to attend.
- GOVERNANCEPlanning Board/project question: Knickerbocker Country Club updates. Council Member Jackson asked whether the Planning Board was reviewing any projects related to Knickerbocker Country Club. The response stated it was approved and done, including a putting green and pickleball courts closer to Knickerbocker, with mention of prior tree concerns and possible lighting follow-up.
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