Glen Ridge finalizes police salary ordinances as resident presses for a separate nativity scene
Listen
During public comment, a resident who moved to town in 2020 asked the council to add a stand-alone Christian nativity display alongside the borough's existing menorah and its "Joy" lettering (which incorporates a manger scene) outside Town Hall. Councilor Hughes and Councilor Mans said they believed the current display already balanced Christian, Jewish, and non-denominational symbols thoughtfully, but the resident disagreed, arguing a separate nativity scene was warranted; the council said it would take another look once the full display was lit for that Sunday's tree lighting.
The council closed out its Community Development Block Grant process with the second and final required hearing, confirming the borough's sole application would request $40,000 to install ADA-compliant curb ramps on Sherman and Baldwin/Laurel streets near the hospital, paired with state DOT paving funds; applications are to be ranked at the next meeting. The council then gave final adoption to three companion ordinances setting 2024 salaries — Ordinance 1799 (PBA Local 58), Ordinance 1800 (PBA Local 58A), and Ordinance 1801 (non-union employees) — each following a public hearing with no comments, and finally adopted Ordinance 1802 reauthorizing the Shade Tree Commission, with thanks to commission chair Elizabeth Baker, its five volunteers, and DPW's Bill Bartlett. All votes were unanimous.
Councilor Hughes reported the borough was reviewing the intersection of Clark Street and Hillside Avenue after a number of resident emails and several accidents, with a new traffic study likely ahead of the December 11 public safety meeting. Councilor Mans reported a record roughly 4,000 runners at the Thanksgiving Ashenfelter 8K, crediting longtime organizer Dan Murphy, and Administrator Zichelli reported the borough scored 36 out of a possible best-practices range (above the 29-point funding-risk threshold). Zichelli also announced the deaths of longtime borough lamplighter Ray Kinel ("Big Ray"), a 35-year PSE&G employee, and former councilwoman and board of education member Carolyn Ferguson. The Police Department announced a Toys for Tots collection at the train station on December 10 and a "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" enforcement campaign running December 1 through January 1.
What to watch
- CDBG applications to be ranked at the borough's next meeting.
- Clark Street/Hillside Avenue intersection under review, with a new traffic study likely ahead of the December 11 public safety meeting.
- "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign runs December 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024.