Garfield, N.J., Tables Plate-Reader Law, OKs $833K Reassessment

Bergen TV Exclusive: GARFIELD, N.J. — The Garfield Mayor and Council voted 5-0 on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to table Ordinance 3165, the license-plate reader law that would let city police put plate-reader cameras on private homes and businesses, just before its scheduled final vote. The same night, the council approved the $833,625 citywide reassessment appropriation it had to vote on a second time.

Deputy Mayor Kevin Kane Jr. moved to table the ordinance before the public hearing opened. He said the council wrote it to stop private companies from installing cameras on city poles, “and I already saw news articles where they’re saying we’re doing something wrong and police are putting things on private property.” He said “some of the wording needs to just be adjusted” (meeting video, 6:30–7:45). Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr. seconded.

Bergen TV first reported on Oct. 19 that Section 5 of the ordinance allows the police department to place plate readers on private property by agreement with an owner, who then could not move, disable or remove the camera without written police permission. In written answers to Bergen TV on Oct. 20, Police Chief Joseph Delaney said the department already runs 26 plate readers (23 fixed and three roving, supplied by Packetalk), has none on private property, and has no model agreement or removal process for property owners.

Reassessment and audit pass without debate

The reassessment appropriation, renumbered R-525-26 on a revised agenda the city posted Tuesday night, passed on the consent agenda with no discussion. No member voiced a no vote on it. It spreads the cost of the Appraisal Systems Inc. contract over five years: $166,725 a year in the 2027 through 2031 budgets, outside the state budget cap. Bergen TV’s estimate, based on the city’s 2025 net taxable valuation of $2,162,427,800, is about $7.71 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value. As Bergen TV reported Tuesday morning, the vote was a do-over after the city auditor gave the council an “additional explanation.”

The council also approved the 2025 audit (R-522-26) and its corrective action plan. As of Wednesday morning, the city’s budgets and audits page still listed audits only through 2024.

Homeowners can see how a new assessment could change their bill with the free GardenState.ai Tax Shock Calculator or check for overpayment with the Property Tax Appeal Check.

Ray Street land purchase fails again

A resolution asking members whether to keep pursuing two lots between Ray Street and Garwood Court East, appraised at $750,000, failed 2-3. Councilmen Richard Rigoglioso and Joseph Delaney and Deputy Mayor Tana Raymond voted no. Raymond cited a $9,000 legal bill already received from the planning attorney. Garnto, who brought the item back after a Sept. 22 defeat, said bonding $700,000 over 15 years at 4.5% would cost $976,975, or $8 to $9 a year on a home assessed at $284,000 (1:00:30–1:02:30). Bergen TV checked his math and got about $8.55.

The council adopted the $730,000 water-utility bond (Ord. 3166) for carbon filters, tank repairs and an inspection camera, and repealed the metered-parking law (Ord. 3168). It again voted down Passaic Valley Water Commission billing payments on the bills list.

Sources

• City of Garfield Oct. 27, 2026 regular meeting agenda (revised)
• City of Garfield Council Meeting video, Oct. 27, 2026
• Oct. 15, 2026 work session agenda (Ordinance 3165 text)
• Aug. 3, 2026 agenda (Appraisal Systems Inc. contract, up to $833,625)
• Garfield Police Chief Joseph Delaney, written response to Bergen TV, Oct. 20, 2026