Glen Ridge Council advances police pay ordinances, arms itself with a drone, and reauthorizes its Shade Tree Commission
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The council introduced three companion ordinances on first reading setting 2024 salary ranges for borough employees — Ordinance 1799 covering PBA Local 58, Ordinance 1800 covering PBA Local 58A, and Ordinance 1801 covering non-union employees — all referred to the clerk for publication ahead of a future public hearing. The council also gave final adoption, after a hearing that drew no public comment, to Ordinance 1798 amending the borough's zoning compliance certificate rules, and introduced Ordinance 1802 reauthorizing the Shade Tree Commission (whose enabling ordinance carried a sunset clause). All votes were unanimous, with Councilor Hughes and Mayor Patrick absent for the meeting.
The council also adopted a resolution formally authorizing the Police Department to own and operate an unmanned aircraft (drone), restricted to governmental uses such as tactical operations, crash reconstruction, search and rescue, crime-scene documentation, hazmat and disaster response, and barred from commercial use or carrying passengers; one or more officers already hold FAA Part 107 licenses and would train others. Separately, the council awarded its 2023 tree removal and stump grinding contract to the low bidder, Dujets Tree Experts, for $38,665, beating out Downes Tree Service ($40,450) and Harmony Tree Care ($58,900), and adopted a revised Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual along with appointing Arthur Thibault as labor attorney.
Administrator Michael Zichelli opened the first of two required public hearings on a Community Development Block Grant application seeking roughly $40,000 in federal funds for ADA-compliant curb ramps, with the second and final hearing set for November 23. Council President Law also read a proclamation declaring November 18 National Injury Prevention Day in support of the Be SMART gun-safety program, and the council congratulated Mayor-elect Deborah Mans and Councilors-elect Lefkovits and Moody following the recent municipal election. A resident, Maureen Myka, asked during public comment about gas lamp repairs, water billing issues, and a newly hired consultant.
What to watch
- Second and final CDBG public hearing (ADA ramp funding) scheduled for November 23, 2023.
- Ordinances 1799, 1800, and 1801 (2024 police and non-union salary schedules) due back for public hearing and final adoption.
- Ordinance 1802 (Shade Tree Commission reauthorization) due back for final reading.