Council Approves $2.48 Million Bond Package for Water System and Lead-Line Replacement
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Glen Ridge's Mayor and Council approved two resolutions on September 12, 2022 authorizing the combination of two previously adopted bond ordinances -- a $100,000 ordinance from 2018 for a water-system GIS mapping and asset-management plan, and a $2.38 million ordinance also from 2018 for water system improvements -- into a single $2.48 million bond issue. The bonds will be sold to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and the state under the New Jersey Water Bank Financing Program, and will fund lead service-line replacement, fire hydrant repairs, and related water-system work. Both resolutions passed unanimously.
Mayor Patrick proclaimed September 18, 2022 as "Glen Ridge Eagle Scout Day," honoring three Boy Scouts from Troop 855 for community-service projects completed during the pandemic. Ciaran Bracken built a vegetable garden at Freeman Gardens that produced more than 150 pounds of fresh produce for local food pantries during the summer of 2020. Christopher Brown rebuilt the deteriorating garden boxes at the Benson Street Community Garden using concrete after pandemic-era lumber shortages made wood scarce and expensive, with support from the Kiwanis Club, Home Depot, and Lowe's. Timothy "Zane" Pagano distributed a bicycle-safety flyer to all 2,500 households in the borough and installed a self-service bike repair station at the Glen Ridge Train Station.
The council also adopted a resolution supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity following Russia's invasion, condemning the war and authorizing the display of the Ukrainian flag and colors on public property. Separately, the council accepted the Township of Montclair's bid to provide fire suppression services to Glen Ridge under a new interlocal services agreement, and certified the borough's 2021 municipal audit along with a corrective action plan addressing its findings.
A routine claims resolution approved payment of roughly $864,000 across the borough's various funds, including $453,858 from the Current Fund and $129,429 from the General Trust Fund, to cover bills and payroll. Resident Gordon Leavitt thanked the borough for quickly installing signage near the Hillside Avenue Bridge and asked about hosting a second document-shredding day in the fall; resident Francis Mielach read a letter reflecting on the borough's September 11 commemorations. All votes at the meeting were unanimous, with Councilor Hughes absent throughout.
What to watch
- A possible second document-shredding event in the fall, requested by a resident
- Ongoing execution of the new fire suppression agreement with Montclair