Glen Ridge Secures Affordable-Housing Compliance Order Through 2035, Discloses Liquor-License Conflict of Interest

Borough officials reported that a New Jersey Superior Court judge overseeing regional affordable-housing litigation has entered a consent order finding Glen Ridge fully compliant with its fourth-round affordable-housing obligations. Officials said the ruling extends the borough's legal "repose" -- protection from builder's-remedy lawsuits, of the kind that previously forced a large residential development in town -- through 2035, pending a final compliance hearing date from the court.

The council also renewed liquor licenses for Ridge Bottle King (710 Bloomfield Avenue) and Glen Ridge Pharmacy and Liquors (855 Bloomfield Avenue, held by MCAP Inc.) for the 2026-2027 term. A third renewal, for Mayfield Tavern Partners (better known as Fitzgerald's), required a special disclosure: license holder Bernard Brewster is married to the borough's municipal prosecutor, Elizabeth Burster, and under New Jersey law a licensing authority normally cannot renew a license in which a member has a direct or indirect interest. The resolution stated the license is in good standing with fees paid and no pending violations, and specified that the borough's approval does not constitute final approval -- that remains subject to the state Division of Alcohol Beverage Control. All councilmembers present voted to approve it.

Council gave final adoption to an ordinance appropriating $300,000 in capital improvement funds ($250,000 for public works vehicles and equipment, $50,000 for public safety equipment), approved a cooperative purchasing agreement with the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission expected to save about $25,000 on an upcoming truck purchase, authorized the $94,632 purchase of a 2027 Ford F-450 dump truck to replace a 2016 Chevy 3500, and authorized a grant application to the state Department of Transportation for road improvements on Sunset, Forest, and Oakwood Avenues, which officials said would need to be queued for construction in 2027. A separate ordinance setting 2026 non-union salaries was adopted in part to raise crossing-guard pay to make hiring easier. The council also approved $686,921 in current-fund bills, much of it insurance costs, and authorized estimated third-quarter tax bills pending final state budget numbers. All votes were unanimous.

Mayor Mans reported meeting that morning with the mayor of Bloomfield, Montclair's deputy mayor, and Glen Ridge's state assembly representatives to discuss regional flooding and funding with newly elected Congresswoman Analilia Mejia. Officials also noted public works crews responded to weekend tree damage and localized flooding, and the Borough Clerk was recognized for a certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and for officiating her first wedding as a Glen Ridge official.

What to watch

• The borough's NJDOT grant application for the Sunset, Forest, and Oakwood Avenue road project is pending a funding decision, with work potentially queued for 2027.

Watch key moments

• 11:30 — Fitzgerald's liquor license conflict of interest