Council ratifies police union contract, appoints new members to Historic Preservation Commission
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Council ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 58A, covering January 2020 through December 2023, and authorized the Mayor and Administrator to execute it. Ordinance 1750 (non-union employee titles and 2021 salaries) was finally adopted following a public hearing with no speakers. Two new ordinances were introduced on first reading and referred for publication: Ordinance 1751, appropriating grant funds for the Hurrell Field track restoration, and Ordinance 1752, appropriating capital funds for various capital improvements and equipment.
Council approved the purchase of a new 2021 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicle for $43,188 through a state cooperative contract, and a hold-harmless agreement with Essex County to install a solar-powered pedestrian crossing signal at Sherman and Bay avenues. It approved a $2,649 change order (bringing the total to $24,999) for architect Steven Smolyn's contract to draft historic-district design guidelines. Council confirmed Mayor Patrick's appointment of Christine Yewaisis as First Alternate and, on the Historic Preservation Commission chair's recommendation, Virginia Moriarty as a Class C full member of that commission, plus Sean Payne as Second Alternate on the Board of Adjustment.
Mayor Patrick presented proclamations declaring September 12, 2021 "Glen Ridge Eagle Scout Day" honoring three Troop 55 scouts: Sawyer Smith, who restored the wrought-iron fence and gate at Freeman Gardens; Myles Reda, who designed and installed a bee pollination garden there; and Samuel Auborn, who manufactured 400 COVID-19 face shields for local hospitals and police departments early in the pandemic. Resident Maureen Mycka raised concerns that council meeting dates often conflict with Board of Education meeting dates, limiting residents' ability to attend both; the Borough Clerk agreed to send draft 2022 meeting dates to the Board of Education's secretary for coordination. All votes that night passed with all six councilors present and no recorded dissent.
What to watch
- Ordinance 1751 (Hurrell Field track funds) and Ordinance 1752 (capital improvements funds), both pending final reading/adoption
- Coordination of the 2022 meeting calendar with the Board of Education after the Clerk sends draft dates
- National Night Out at the Town Pool (Aug. 24) and a car seat installation event (Sept. 25)