City of Paterson

The Paterson Municipal Council convened for a special virtual meeting on March 25, 2026. The meeting began with a roll call and the reading of the 48-hour notice. Several resolutions were presented and adopted. The first item authorized a contract for consulting services for a reuse study of the Ivanho Millhouse building. This was followed by the approval of a contract for a rear loader packer for the Department of Public Works. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a discussion and subsequent approval of a resolution appointing Cheryl Lynn Hajes to the rent leveling board, which involved a debate regarding the proper procedure for confirming resignations and appointments. The council also approved contracts for traffic sign materials and raffle licenses. A key agenda item was the authorization for the issuance of up to $70 million in tax anticipation notes to address the city's cash flow issues, stemming from the timing of state aid distribution versus municipal expenses. The administration explained that this was a necessary measure to ensure timely payment of obligations and that it was not indicative of fiscal mismanagement but rather a structural issue with state funding timelines. The meeting concluded with the closing of the public portion and the adjournment of the special meeting.