NORTHVALE — The Northvale Borough Council and mayor vowed to end political sparring at the first united council meeting.

Mayor John Hogan called the moment "a step to working together."

Republicans and Democrats clashed when the four Republican council members held a Jan. 1 reorganization meeting without the consent of the mayor.

The mayor declared the meeting "illegal," supporting his claims with legal opinions from borough attorneys throughout Bergen County. He then held a separate reorganization meeting Jan. 5, but no action was taken with only the two Democratic council members in attendance.

At the Jan. 9 council meeting, both parties appeared to have mended their ways.

The council members re-voted the appointment of committee chairs and representatives. A temporary budget for the new year was also adopted.

Professional appointments such as borough attorney, architect and engineer are to be nominated this week.

With a unanimous sweep of approval, the council elected Republican Councilman Lloyd Winans as council president.

Winans announced his commitment to working with the council in what he believes will be "challenging from a budgetary standpoint."

"Just like everywhere, costs are rising and we have to be thoughtful as to how to put that [a budget] together," Winans told the audience.

There were moments that revealed the council still grapples with some issues.

Democratic Council members Pat Marana and JoAnn Traub voted against the selection of standing committee members.

"I vote ‘no’ for the same reason that I was not consulted," said Traub, regarding the special committee assignments.

Republican Councilman Andy Gullestad said that the council needs to work at maintaining "open lines of communication."

In closing remarks, council members said that they were still pleased with the way the Jan. 9 meeting had been conducted.

Traub said as a reminder, "I want to say, gentlemen, there is more that unites us than divides us."