Glen Ridge Council Honors DPW Director, Hears Safety Concerns Near High School, Advances Rental Rules
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At the May 28, 2024 meeting, the Mayor and Council recognized the Department of Public Works director with a proclamation, but before that honor was given, crossing guard Maria Gualtieri raised alarms about safety near the high school. She described near-miss incidents including drivers ignoring turn restrictions on Ridgewood Avenue, cars illegally parking in the bank lot near Woodland Avenue that force children to cross unsafely, motorists refusing to yield to crossing guards, and confrontations with drivers. She asked for larger, lit signage and more speed enforcement. The mayor said the area is slated for improvement through a grant in coming years.
The council took up several contracts and financial matters. It awarded a three-year rear-yard trash collection contract worth $2,158,000 to Suburban Disposal of Fairfield, and a five-year single-stream recycling contract to F. Basso Jr. Rubbish Removal of Irvington, both as the lowest responsible bidders. Council members also approved buying a new 2024 Ford F250 XL truck for the DPW for $76,118.50 through a state cooperative purchasing agreement, adopted a bond ordinance re-appropriating $824,000 in borough funds after a public hearing drew no comments, and adopted a salary ordinance setting 2024 pay scales for nonunion employees, including crossing guards, also without public comment. James Prezioso was appointed as the borough's tax and water collector, and a parking-restriction ordinance covering designated streets was adopted on final reading, again with no public comment.
On housing and rentals, the council introduced a new ordinance that would prohibit short-term rentals of less than 30 days, require an annual rental license, and set application rules; the rollout included a review of the borough's master plan, zoning map, and carriage house (accessory dwelling unit) rules by Councilor Marro. That ordinance passed unanimously 5-0 on first reading and was sent to the municipal clerk for official publication. The council also introduced a separate ordinance codifying state-required lead-paint inspections for rental properties built before 1978, to be carried out through a shared-services agreement with the Bloomfield Fire Department. A $100,000 ordinance funding pool-related capital equipment, including a small vehicle for Public Works and Recreation use, passed on first reading and was referred for publication; a resident publicly questioned whether the vehicle purchase was necessary and what alternatives had been considered.
Council members were also told that Essex County has ordered Glen Ridge to complete a full property revaluation, inspecting and reassessing every home in town, by the end of 2027, after assessed values fell to roughly 70% of market value. The project is estimated to cost $400,000 to $500,000, which the town can finance over five years; officials emphasized the process is meant to distribute the tax burden more fairly rather than raise taxes overall.
On safety staffing, Councilor Meyer said she had no public safety update since the chief was not present and Councilor Hughes was absent. The council approved a resolution authorizing several summer events, including gatherings at Freeman Gardens, Hurrell Field, and the Women's Club, with police and DPW support, along with the "Logger Run" benefiting the Glen Ridge Community Fund on June 9th. A resolution described only by fund amounts passed without discussion, with all members voting yes. The council also approved a resolution to submit a Glen Ridge Municipal Alliance strategic plan for a $13,721.26 state grant supporting youth leadership programs; that vote was not unanimous, with one member voting no. During that discussion, Councilor Meyer thanked volunteer Nancy McMahon for her contributions to the town.
Elsewhere, the Glen Ridge Athletic Association presented to the council, reporting that about 86% of the town's children participate in its programs, drawing thanks from council members for its volunteer leadership. A borough official thanked Bill Bartlett, the Public Works crew, and Public Safety for successfully running recent town events, and officials noted the town pool has begun weekend operations ahead of the school year's end, with strong attendance reported.
Residents were reminded that a Bike Rodeo for all residents, including those with scooters, will be held Saturday, June 1st, from 10 a.m. to noon at Central School, and that primary election day is approaching, with polls open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at usual locations; voter registration and party changes are closed, but vote-by-mail ballots can be dropped in county ballot boxes and early in-person voting will be available. Residents were also told to expect normal road closures for the Logan's Run event on the evening of Sunday, June 9th.
What to watch
- The short-term rental ordinance and the lead-paint inspection ordinance both move to further public hearings before final adoption.
- The pool capital equipment ordinance, including the questioned vehicle purchase, is referred for publication and posting ahead of further action.
- The countywide property revaluation process, ordered for completion by the end of 2027, has not yet begun in earnest.