Edgewood Road Flooding, Country Club Zoning Fight Dominate Glen Ridge Council Meeting

Glen Ridge residents pressed the Mayor and Council on longstanding flooding problems on Edgewood Road, where resident Cla Mooney described repeated sewage-water flooding, including four feet of basement water after Hurricane Ida and roughly $60,000 in repairs. Mooney pointed to confusing and unenforced parking and street-sweeping signs shared between Glen Ridge and Bloomfield that block crews from cleaning catch basins, and asked the council for clearer signage, better enforcement, storm-water line upgrades, and coordination with the newly formed regional flood mitigation board.

Another resident, Pita Gka, alerted the council to a Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing scheduled for 7:30 p.m. this Thursday on variance requests from the Glen Ridge Country Club. The club is seeking to shrink a required 100-foot property setback to as little as 13 feet to allow a large kids' pool, more than 18,000 square feet of paved seating, a tiki bar, and the removal of more than 60 mature shade trees.

The council also introduced a new ordinance restricting gas-powered leaf blower use, including a compromise delaying use until 8:00–8:30 a.m. during school hours; a full public hearing for resident comment is planned for a future meeting. A resident asked the council to also set a future date for a year-round ban, while the Country Club's attorney requested an exception for large-acreage properties doing winter aeration cleanup. Separately, the council formally introduced Ordinance 1816, which sets seasonal and time-of-day limits on gas, electric, and turbo leaf blowers along with penalties for violations; it passed unanimously on first reading and now moves toward a public hearing after publication.

On Sunset Avenue, numerous residents spoke against a proposed flashing stop sign near homes at 75 and 79 Sunset Avenue, raised in response to a township speeding study. Residents cited light shining into bedrooms, driveway clearance problems, and doubts the sign would actually slow traffic, suggesting alternatives such as converting the street to one-way, adding speed humps, or increasing police ticketing. The Public Safety Committee — Council members Law and Mora, the police chief, and administrator Mike Kelly — said the proposal remains under review with no decision made.

In routine business, the council approved minutes from five earlier meetings (August 19, September 9, September 23, October 15, and October 18) in a single vote, though Councilor Marrow abstained specifically from the August 19 minutes. The council also introduced Ordinance 1815, appropriating $2.2 million for replacing the water main on Carteret Street between Ridgewood Avenue and Midland Avenue, financed through bonds via the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank with potential partial loan forgiveness; it passed unanimously on first reading. Other approvals included a $74,962 purchase of new police radio equipment from TMC Associates to replace radios at the end of their service life, an $18,539 change order on the Argyle Street paving project (bringing its total cost to $579,000), and incorporation of an $8,431 Essex County Municipal Alliance grant into the budget for youth substance-abuse and drunk-driving prevention programs. The council additionally approved a raffle license for the Glen Ridge High School Home and School Association for an event on December 8, 2024, at 555 Ridgewood Avenue.

During public comment, a resident raised concerns about a dead tree on a neighboring property near the property line; officials advised sending certified-mail notice to the neighbor, noting the borough only steps in when trees threaten public rights-of-way. Administrator Mike Kelly recognized several borough employees as military veterans, including CSO Chedy, Deputy Administrator Eric Deline, Officer Lucas, Officer Maus, and Jitney driver Larry Ratley. The municipal clerk reported that the recent election ran smoothly with turnout exceeding 2,200 voters, and the mayor congratulated councilor-elect Steve Zimit, noting a formal send-off is being planned for Councilor Marrow at the upcoming swearing-in. Finally, a resident named Gordon mentioned that his wife has 16 paintings on display at the library, and the clerk asked for photos to feature on the borough's Channel 36 TV station.

What to watch

• The Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing on the Glen Ridge Country Club's variance requests, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
• The public hearing and second reading on the gas leaf blower ordinance, planned for a future meeting.
• Whether the Public Safety Committee reaches a decision on the proposed flashing stop sign on Sunset Avenue.

Watch key moments

• 4:22 — Edgewood Road flooding and parking chaos