Glen Ridge Council Creates Formal Consent Agenda, Approves New Police SUV
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Mayor Patrick opened the meeting with a proclamation declaring June 3, 2022 National Gun Violence Awareness Day. The council then approved a $85,572 purchase of a new 2022 Ford Utility Interceptor for the police department through a state cooperative purchasing contract, and adopted a new standing resolution (88-22) formally establishing a "Consent Agenda" for routine, noncontroversial items going forward, to be reviewed in advance at work sessions. Councilors Hughes and Lefkovits were absent for the entire meeting.
On the vote to approve the minutes of the May 9 meeting, Councilor Meyer abstained while Morrow, Mans, and Law voted to approve; the motion nonetheless carried. Other business included a resolution authorizing the tax assessor and borough attorney to pursue and defend tax appeals, an $8,358 change order (bringing the total to $852,156.25) for the NJDOT-funded road improvement project after railroad protection insurance and a stormwater pipe substitution proved necessary on Benson Street, and a $3,528.22 DMHAS Youth Leadership Grant application for the borough's Municipal Alliance program. Ordinance No. 1762, amending the chapter establishing the police department, passed first reading.
The council also approved renewal of four liquor licenses — Bottle King Discount Liquors, the Glen Ridge Country Club, Fitzgeralds 1928, and the Glen Ridge Pharmacy and Liquors — and authorized road closures and insurance coverage for several upcoming community events: the Arts & Eco Fair, the Kiwanis Club's Memorial Day Parade and picnic, and the Community Fund's Lager Run, which was expected to draw over 1,000 participants with its post-race gathering moved to Hurrell Field for public safety reasons. Administrator Michael Zichelli reported that Essex County would begin installing new traffic signals along Bloomfield Avenue and confirmed the 2022 budget had been formally adopted; Chief Quinn announced the department's first Bike Rodeo for June 4. During public comment, resident Phil Johnson asked about the May 10 accident on Bloomfield Avenue, and Chief Quinn said press releases would follow as information became available.
What to watch
- Ordinance No. 1762 (police department establishment amendment) up for final reading and adoption
- New Essex County traffic signals to be installed along Bloomfield Avenue
- Community Fund Lager Run and road closures set for Sunday, June 12
- Additional information on the May 10 Bloomfield Avenue accident expected via GRPD press releases