Glen Ridge Council Restricts Public Comment, Still Delays Vote on Short-Term Rental Ban

At the January 22, 2024 Glen Ridge Mayor & Council meeting, two residents, Sandra Lefkovits and Ryan Fibkle, pressed the Council to finally adopt an ordinance banning short-term rentals after it was tabled last year. Councilor Morrow, who chairs the Planning and Development Committee, said the committee would take the issue up again, but no ordinance was introduced or voted on. Morrow separately reported that both a short-term rental ordinance and a new historic preservation ordinance are planned as committee work during the first half of the year.

In a more procedural but notable move, the Council adopted a resolution setting a three-minute limit on public comment and stating that the Mayor and Council "prohibit active participation" by the public in deliberations, while also limiting public observation of some actions and discussions at meetings. On the finance side, the Council unanimously approved $4.3 million in claims and payments to cover borough bills and the February 1, 2024 payroll, issued an $857.61 property tax refund to a resident, and approved a refund for a Ridgewood Avenue homeowner who had accidentally paid a water bill twice. The Council also designated its official 2024 banks, adopted a borough-wide fee schedule covering everything from parking permits to towing charges, and set new tiered water rates and connection fees. A slate of 2024 professional services contracts was awarded across departments, including a municipal attorney contract capped at $240,000 and a bond counsel contract to McManimon and Scotland. The Tax Assessor's authority to handle tax appeals was renewed, and the Council set interest rates and authorized a lien sale for delinquent taxes.

The police department will participate in the federal 1033 Program, which lets it request surplus U.S. Department of Defense equipment at no direct purchase cost, though the Borough covers delivery, maintenance and training; a separate resolution formally re-enrolled the department in the program for all of 2024, subject to Public Safety Commission review and quarterly public reporting. The Council also adopted a resolution reaffirming Glen Ridge's commitment to a non-discriminatory, inclusive community, and a companion resolution formalizing civil rights complaint and training procedures for officials and employees. Community groups such as the Gas Lamp Players, the Historical Society, and the Volunteer Ambulance Squad were added to the Borough's insurance policy at no extra cost, and municipal office hours for 2024 were set. The Women's Club of Glen Ridge received approval for a liquor permit for a February 2, 2024 fundraiser. Councilor Law and Administrator Michael Zichelli praised Public Works for storm readiness, Chief Quin announced a police partnership with Mountainside Hospital on baby seat safety, and Municipal Clerk Tara Ventola will represent Essex County at an election safety training exercise in Princeton. The Council also received notice of PSE&G's petition for its first rate increase since 2018 and of a February 6, 2024 Bloomfield Planning Board hearing on a variance application near the Glen Ridge border filed by Franklin Development Group.

What to watch

• Whether the Planning and Development Committee brings forward a short-term rental ban ordinance and a Historic Preservation ordinance
• The Stop Sign Ordinance update, which Councilor Hughes said is coming after review of several intersections
• The February 6, 2024 Bloomfield Planning Board hearing on the Franklin Development Group variance application near the Glen Ridge border

Watch key moments

• 1:12 — Short-term rental ban ordinance still stalled