9-September-2025
On Thursday-4- September the Bogota Borough Council held their Work Session meeting.
At this meeting the Audit Committee submitted their report to the full Council and the Public. This was to evaluate departments within the Borough, to see where improvements can be made. Improvements include efficiency, cost savings, and a better system of checks and balances. One main point was for the Borough to investigate cost saving endeavors through shared services within the county and surrounding Communities.
One item in the summary was to evaluate the status of the Volunteer Rescue Squad. A recommendation was to merge the Rescue Squad with the Volunteer Fire Department.
Before the Audit was discussed, the meeting was open to public comment. A number of members of the Rescue Squads from both Bogota and Ridgefield Park addressed the Council to ask why the idea of merging the two Departments was a consideration. They talked about the duties they perform as volunteers to the residents of the Borough, and their cooperation with other neighboring communities. They also mentioned the other non-rescue duties they perform, including being available for traffic control when needed. Another topic was the condition of the sidewalk at 15 Palisade Ave. as the fire damaged building is being refurbished.
When public comment was closed the members of Council gave their response. First was the sidewalk issue which is to open the sidewalk for public access, and to enforce the parking restriction on both Palisade and Fairview Aves.
Next the Project Manager for the design firm overseeing the new Community Center address the Council. The announced that all below grade work has been completed. This included new water, sewage, other utilities along with a new Fire hydrant has been installed. The Structural work began on the week of the 8th. He added that a projected opening date will be in May of 2026.
Council then addressed the Rescue Squad members as part of the report discussion. First was to thank them for attending the meeting and voicing their concerns. Next was to say these are, for now, recommendations and need to have the report be reviewed by all members of Council before any resolution would be made.
Some of the recommendations from the report were: to place a number of properties up for sale. Hire personnel who could be trained to work in multiple Borough offices and add additional Class I Special Officers to assist with private sector traffic detail to reduce the time of Patrol Officers for those duties.
The consolidation of Emergency Service Companies to utilize personnel and equipment.
Then the Council voted on the Consent Agenda. All resolutions were passed by unanimous vote. Items of note was to purchase a Leaf Chute to be used on current Garbage Trucks. Also to approve emergency funding to repair the sewer damage on West Shore Ave.
Next Mayor Fede re-appointed Mr. Robert Foster as the Emergency Management Coordinator for a Three-year term. He was then sworn in by Mayor Fede.
The next Regular Council Meeting is Thursday-18-September at 7:30p. This will be held in the Council Chamber on the second floor of 375 Larch Ave.
The recording of this meeting can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ben1ErVL7HY
On Thursday-4- September the Bogota Borough Council held their Work Session meeting.
At this meeting the Audit Committee submitted their report to the full Council and the Public. This was to evaluate departments within the Borough, to see where improvements can be made. Improvements include efficiency, cost savings, and a better system of checks and balances. One main point was for the Borough to investigate cost saving endeavors through shared services within the county and surrounding Communities.
One item in the summary was to evaluate the status of the Volunteer Rescue Squad. A recommendation was to merge the Rescue Squad with the Volunteer Fire Department.
Before the Audit was discussed, the meeting was open to public comment. A number of members of the Rescue Squads from both Bogota and Ridgefield Park addressed the Council to ask why the idea of merging the two Departments was a consideration. They talked about the duties they perform as volunteers to the residents of the Borough, and their cooperation with other neighboring communities. They also mentioned the other non-rescue duties they perform, including being available for traffic control when needed. Another topic was the condition of the sidewalk at 15 Palisade Ave. as the fire damaged building is being refurbished.
When public comment was closed the members of Council gave their response. First was the sidewalk issue which is to open the sidewalk for public access, and to enforce the parking restriction on both Palisade and Fairview Aves.
Next the Project Manager for the design firm overseeing the new Community Center address the Council. The announced that all below grade work has been completed. This included new water, sewage, other utilities along with a new Fire hydrant has been installed. The Structural work began on the week of the 8th. He added that a projected opening date will be in May of 2026.
Council then addressed the Rescue Squad members as part of the report discussion. First was to thank them for attending the meeting and voicing their concerns. Next was to say these are, for now, recommendations and need to have the report be reviewed by all members of Council before any resolution would be made.
Some of the recommendations from the report were: to place a number of properties up for sale. Hire personnel who could be trained to work in multiple Borough offices and add additional Class I Special Officers to assist with private sector traffic detail to reduce the time of Patrol Officers for those duties.
The consolidation of Emergency Service Companies to utilize personnel and equipment.
Then the Council voted on the Consent Agenda. All resolutions were passed by unanimous vote. Items of note was to purchase a Leaf Chute to be used on current Garbage Trucks. Also to approve emergency funding to repair the sewer damage on West Shore Ave.
Next Mayor Fede re-appointed Mr. Robert Foster as the Emergency Management Coordinator for a Three-year term. He was then sworn in by Mayor Fede.
The next Regular Council Meeting is Thursday-18-September at 7:30p. This will be held in the Council Chamber on the second floor of 375 Larch Ave.
The recording of this meeting can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ben1ErVL7HY
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(To help support Bogota Blog NJ with its coverage of Local stories & sports
please contribute at: donate to Bogota Blog NJ)
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