Glen Ridge Council Approves $1.7 Million Water Meter Upgrade, Adopts Short-Term Rental Ban
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The Glen Ridge Mayor & Council's June 10 meeting was headlined by approval of financing for a borough-wide replacement of water meters, with the council voting 6-0 to authorize a note of up to $1.7 million through the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to pay for the project. Council members also voted 6-0 to approve the sale of $2,511,000 in General Improvement Bonds, along with a companion measure combining earlier bond issues into that single amount.
After a year-long public process, the council adopted a ban on short-term rentals of less than 30 days, requiring an annual rental license for longer-term rentals; the ordinance passed 7-0 following revisions made after a public hearing held on March 20. Council members also gave final approval, 7-0, to an ordinance requiring lead-paint inspections for rental homes built before 1978, which will be carried out under a shared-services agreement still being finalized with the Bloomfield Fire Department. A separate ordinance appropriating $100,000 for pool utility capital equipment was adopted 6-0.
In other business, the council authorized a roughly $140,000 diesel fuel purchase from National Fuel Oil Inc. of Newark under a state purchasing agreement, and approved renewals of liquor licenses for Ridge Bottle King, Glen Ridge Country Club, Federal 1928 (Mayfield Tavern Partners), and Glen Ridge Pharmacy and Liquors, each by a 6-0 vote. The borough also detailed new safety measures at a dangerous turn near Glen Ridge Avenue, Highland Avenue and Belleville Avenue, including pavement markings, a new parking lane, and speed bar striping, with a possible new stop sign on Sunset Avenue still under review pending an engineering report. Minutes from the two May meetings were approved with abstentions, including Councilor Hughes and Councilor Moody abstaining on the May 28 minutes.
During public comment, resident Jerry M. of Appleton Road thanked the council for its work on the short-term rental ordinance, and the mayor said she would consider him for a future board appointment. Councilor Hughes also reported on a Bike Rodeo at Central School, a graduation ceremony for the LEAD drug-awareness and anti-bullying program at Ridgewood Avenue School, the launch of a second year of the "Operation Chill" police-youth program, a newly installed stop sign at Clark and Hillside, and plans for reflective posts on Ridgewood Avenue at Carteret. Councilor Moody highlighted the Nipper Mile race and the Ruby Roses Freeman Gardens event.
What to watch
- Final engineering report from BrightView on possible new stop sign on Sunset Avenue near Glen Ridge Avenue
- Finalization of shared-services agreement with Bloomfield Fire Department for lead-paint rental inspections
- Additional low-mounted "do not enter" signage planned near Clark and Hillside
- Installation of reflective posts on Ridgewood Avenue at Carteret