[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6513951,"mediaKeyId","5065606-12cb7225f8bbe07fb2af5dd3796a9755","parentId",5065606,"title","Residents raise safety, maintenance and accessibility concerns; council agrees to pilot closed captions for borough TV","audioSeconds",1761,"startMs",3388000,"endMs",5149000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065606-12cb7225f8bbe07fb2af5dd3796a9755&start=3388&end=5149","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065606-12cb7225f8bbe07fb2af5dd3796a9755/thumbnail_3388000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6513951/Fair-Lawn/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Residents-raise-safety-maintenance-and-accessibility-concerns-council-agrees-to-pilot-closed-captions-for-borough-TV","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513951-401068362064a19bc3083f1693142f2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424474&Signature=ScdOP6rClOec-7uiqiUu1Kf74IMg91~j9h8k9AA7owblVhfYzDanrdcJqMDmS~3faWtvqwa6O7LYaBkPX785v18D23USNkwaRz76lvXQfRJknu5dmRHImKVN1nushQWvNQ1VmSRRKRd2iFm4VLbMfXTNqqRMionzqfJhNnv1Ntbw3mxJm5nCqWAHViMW9geWKgjKgaoWpenV8CfsIBbEyUmuDKksL3kNayEeoOwYu-GsKmic~9g0AjywVd5bg78yEb~1nHyv214EIY6sJqHagc4mfJVCcKHmWU5G1xWHn6-WOuwsbN0U5GzrvR99mcvzC-6ux-DdWrnxbghcii-h7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Fair Lawn, NJ","date","2025-06-23T00:00:00Z","article","Residents used the June 23 public‑comment period at the Fair Lawn Mayor and Council meeting to press officials for maintenance and safety action, and the council reached consensus to pilot closed captioning for borough video broadcasts.

Tree and maintenance concerns: Resident Michael and Sandra Page described a large tree from New Jersey Transit property that split and fell onto their yard; they said it missed their house narrowly and expressed concern about other neglected trees and vegetation that have created mosquito problems and encroached through the fence. The mayor asked the resident to provide address and photographs and said borough staff would contact New Jersey Transit and state representatives to seek remedial action.

Landscape and historic‑site process: Resident Hallie Mark urged the borough to ensure licensed landscape architects are engaged for significant site plans, citing past local projects. Borough officials confirmed the borough uses licensed landscape architects on major projects and said the historic‑preservation commission reviews work at the Naugle House.

Closed captioning pilot: In new business council members and borough staff discussed pricing for closed captioning on Far Lawn TV. Borough Manager Kurt Peluso described a proposed pilot to caption council meetings (and possibly Board of Education videos if provided) to test costs and workflow; council members gave consensus to start closed captioning for council meetings as soon as possible and to extend to board meetings subject to budget and logistics.

Other resident notes: Public comments also included questions about the Nabisco site (planning status), and thanks to staff for improved lighting on Route 208. Borough staff indicated that changes to the Nabisco site would require planning-board review if the project changes from the approved site plan.

Next steps: Borough staff will follow up with the Page family about the tree and coordinate with New Jersey Transit; the manager and staff will proceed with a closed‑captioning pilot for council meetings and return cost and implementation details to the council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council of Fair Lawn, NJ - Borough Council Meeting Archived - Jun 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment Fair Lawn residents urged action on overgrown NJ Transit property and a fallen tree; the council also agreed to pilot closed captioning of council (and possibly Board of Education) meetings on Fair Lawn TV to improve accessibility.","taxTitle","Fair Lawn, Bergen County, New Jersey","taxId",58045,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513956,"Fair Lawn council adopts salary ordinance, introduces part‑time police pay changes and approves consent agenda including Clean Communities grant",247,4749000,4996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065606-12cb7225f8bbe07fb2af5dd3796a9755&start=4749&end=4996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065606-12cb7225f8bbe07fb2af5dd3796a9755/thumbnail_4749000.jpg","/articles/6513956/Fair-Lawn/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Fair-Lawn-council-adopts-salary-ordinance-introduces-parttime-police-pay-changes-and-approves-consent-agenda-including-Clean-Communities-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513956-17c7b0e2635b714838a60f5aea69f126/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426499&Signature=Z4UVP40wCdUc1AEWhhUadWzP4XIWTyAwdOj1izYKg5lzd~YHAcx17CQ8Vu8MJcaG9vMivVnrKc2gtRfDU43Js0NXx7GUsGrdfGIexXUAQ0vwd9mV9CeVauEUTmT9R9ZjRHoQm5Gx-2JBaw~S4wrvo470UbXfNusOmDXWOP0EjZbJoT-~da7a6vx35rikTtSDxOZFZ~O4ZH30GzBTib~e8IWE0LRxkgkw35PSrt0FqBDX4MFplBQNqkrvhmB0LwchDl8QSHE4OWLz35f8IyDA3R2a1Z5ifx~dpIJXXHv8WJLIqXNBMhKz-1Fso~2oXPGo6th8I8SL~rsHUzs2oOI0-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Borough of Fair Lawn Mayor and Council completed several legislative and consent actions June 23, voting to adopt one salary ordinance, introduce another for later public hearing, and approve a multi-item consent agenda that included a budget amendment for a Clean Communities grant and authorization to dispose of a surplus vehicle.

Ordinances: The council opened public comment and adopted Ordinance 2750-2025, amending salary stipends for specified employees. The council also voted to introduce Ordinance 2751-2025 (amending the salary ordinance for part‑time police employees) on first reading and scheduled a public hearing for July 22, 2025. Both measures passed on roll-call votes recorded in the meeting.

Consent agenda: The municipal clerk read the consent agenda, listing final resolutions 215-2025 through 229-2025. On a motion and second the council approved the entire consent agenda by unanimous roll‑call vote. During the public-comment period on the consent agenda, resident Pamela Coles asked about two items: a resolution to insert $76,933.87 of revenue into the borough budget for the Clean Communities grant (recorded in the meeting as Item 218-2025) and a resolution authorizing disposal of surplus property by public auction (resident asked whether the item was a vehicle; clerk and staff confirmed it is one vehicle with mechanical problems). Both items were part of the adopted consent agenda.

Why it matters: The budget insertion recognizes grant revenue already received and requires a formal amendment to the municipal budget. Disposal of a borough vehicle removes an asset no longer serviceable and directs sale through auction.

Votes and procedure: Roll-call votes recorded “yes” from Councilmember Salinas, Councilmember Krauss, Deputy Mayor Rotenstryk, Deputy Mayor Reinec and Mayor Christina Cottone for the ordinance adoption, ordinance introduction and consent agenda adoption. The council followed standard procedure by opening public comment for the ordinance on final reading and for the consent agenda, receiving no objections beyond the public clarifications recorded.

Next steps: Ordinance 2751-2025 will return for final hearing and vote on July 22, 2025. Budget and audit staff will process the Clean Communities grant amendment and the vehicle will be listed for auction per the authorizing resolution.","On June 23 the Fair Lawn Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance 2750-2025 (salary stipends), introduced Ordinance 2751-2025 (part‑time police pay) for public hearing July 22, and approved consent agenda resolutions including a Clean Communities grant budget insertion of $76,933.87 and disposal of a surplus vehicle.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513961,"Fair Lawn to accept first payment from 3M PFAS settlement; council authorizes manager to receive funds",117,5103000,5220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065606-12cb7225f8bbe07fb2af5dd3796a9755&start=5103&end=5220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065606-12cb7225f8bbe07fb2af5dd3796a9755/thumbnail_5103000.jpg","/articles/6513961/Fair-Lawn/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Fair-Lawn-to-accept-first-payment-from-3M-PFAS-settlement-council-authorizes-manager-to-receive-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513961-7dab24985d6b57a092054721ad5c328e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424482&Signature=HsNOALobYcFXH-vZzzCY1QaOYhyk~RER3rTBKIr1OqGrxlV4~UGoIE5ssG-HRxhmUjUyQsOPoJG5KptpxLRwXr8RQsyV3ra~N61-IoVxJBEcwier4odsR5ExJ5FFLbCBeMcDsU4j-SWhRQONyIzqyrZd4cmjXWyphLobxOpKNK8E9x~SX1a0TxP6UCWK4J1ziDQpowMWRAA5h5Uw6ZkAgEbb5dWb6ao04Ehurl1rM-Polyu0zp~F9H~~9HqFS5ydnIOUM8ZsH~aPhBSkuDbqgc913kXgwD14BvWOgt4gNzbNy2nrcW5FPZfHAaBRaAK5HLQ8Vi~N7r60LT3GLnjvYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Borough of Fair Lawn officials told the Mayor and Council June 23 that the borough will receive installment payments from a multi‑year settlement with chemical manufacturer 3M related to PFAS contamination, and the council unanimously authorized the borough manager to accept the first payment.

Borough Manager Kurt Peluso said the first installment arriving in June will be $384,958 and that projected receipts from 3M could total about $2,321,462 (not counting legal fees). He said the borough is still awaiting settlements from DuPont and Tyco. Peluso asked the council for authorization to execute the required payment form; the council voted to pass a resolution (recorded as Resolution 232-2025) authorizing the manager to do so.

Why it matters: PFAS settlements deliver one-time funds to municipalities affected by per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances; councils must decide how to allocate those receipts and whether to reserve them for remediation, capital projects or other uses. The manager asked that the borough discuss allocation options at the next work session.

Council members asked about fiscal pressures in 2026 that could offset the funds. Peluso noted that health‑benefit costs for the borough are expected to rise significantly next year, with prior estimates ranging from a rumored 19% increase to as high as 35%.

What was approved: On a unanimous roll‑call vote—Councilmember Salinas, Councilmember Krauss, Deputy Mayor Rotenstryk, Deputy Mayor Reinec and Mayor Christina Cottone—the council passed the resolution authorizing the borough manager to execute the payment form needed to receive the settlement payment. The meeting record lists the resolution number passed shortly after the discussion as 232-2025.

Next steps: The manager said he will prepare a resolution and supporting documentation to formally accept payments and asked the council to schedule a discussion at the next work session about recommended uses for the funds.","Borough manager reported a multi‑year PFAS settlement; council authorized the borough manager to execute a payment form to accept an initial installment of $384,000 and discussed using future payments for municipal priorities.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513965,"Fair Lawn council unanimously appoints Joseph John Dowiecki as chief of police",84,238000,322000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065606-12cb7225f8bbe07fb2af5dd3796a9755&start=238&end=322","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065606-12cb7225f8bbe07fb2af5dd3796a9755/thumbnail_238000.jpg","/articles/6513965/Fair-Lawn/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Fair-Lawn-council-unanimously-appoints-Joseph-John-Dowiecki-as-chief-of-police","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513965-294465b2fd48ed229603bda4a216f234/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445492&Signature=VXwNhrVHR3UwXWuf1ecq98GlJwbxNZB2WOBs9pmRdnvBtsKZed4kobm031c1Tj8dMc-ZJ0KgID~aGwOPhY-Wo~b9grrHxHqqKSv1XWJXpK3ken-W0vadbrpqllnMBa4PBViradyvOwLrI78li34XK-0rED7119qTDu7LsQaGzRGikQIS-aj~84PBjJeDTJU5Yxgk9g-PCfY8DZLNcYKLSo30TRzEo1MJBElBcokX5ZFzChb6I8PHfJTKqASEERrHCSA29Q~HSaCO5kSnP1jeawpevSoHRWqNDIPgAjIH~Dqa0h7kSb1xSlyMfar1773isYoQ-e2VglOQMU8dsAx7dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Borough of Fair Lawn Mayor and Council voted unanimously June 23 to appoint Joseph John Dowiecki as chief of police, approving Resolution 230-2025 and swearing him into office at Borough Hall.

The council passed the resolution on a motion and second; a roll-call vote recorded “yes” from Councilmember Salinas, Councilmember Krauss, Deputy Mayor Rotenstryk, Deputy Mayor Reinec and Mayor Christina Cottone. After the vote the council invited those present to join the swearing-in ceremony.

Why it matters: The appointment follows an interim period in which Dowiecki served as acting chief. Council members cited his responsiveness and work ethic during that transition, and the appointment gives him full authority to lead the police department.

Dowiecki addressed the meeting after being sworn in, thanking family, predecessors and department members and outlining his priorities. He said he intends to modernize patrol operations and expand victim-centered follow-up, and to hold public command-staff meetings this fall to gather community feedback. He told the council and public he lives in the borough and called the appointment “a great responsibility.”

Mayor Christina Cottone and other council members praised Dowiecki’s transition from acting chief and expressed confidence in his leadership. Former chief Glenn Cowles was acknowledged for assisting with a smooth change in command.

Next steps: The chief said he will convene community command‑staff meetings this fall to explain department goals and solicit input from business, education and faith leaders. The council did not attach additional conditions to the appointment.

Provenance: The resolution was introduced and voted on in the public meeting record beginning at the transcript segment where the clerk read Resolution 230-2025 and culminating with the oath and remarks by Dowiecki later in the meeting.","The Fair Lawn Mayor and Council on June 23 approved Resolution 230-2025 to appoint Joseph John Dowiecki as chief of police and administered his oath; council members cited his work as acting chief and pledged support for department initiatives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise safety, maintenance and accessibility concerns; council agrees to pilot closed captions for borough TV

Fair Lawn council adopts salary ordinance, introduces part‑time police pay changes and approves consent agenda including Clean Communities grant

Fair Lawn to accept first payment from 3M PFAS settlement; council authorizes manager to receive funds

Fair Lawn council unanimously appoints Joseph John Dowiecki as chief of police