Council Approves $91,830 Change Order for Street Project, Hears Airbnb Complaints on Appleton Road

At its July 10, 2023 meeting, Glen Ridge's Mayor and Council approved a $91,830.57 change order for cobblestone-gutter restoration and bluestone-sidewalk resetting on a state-funded street improvement project, bringing the total cost of the project -- originally awarded to Stanziale Construction for $843,798.25 -- to just over $1.06 million after two change orders.

Four Appleton Road residents -- Jerry Malicar, Ryan Finkle, Kiesha Golding, and Sandra Lefkovits -- spoke during public comment about a short-term rental property on their street that has had new occupants arriving daily for seven months, saying it undermines the neighborhood's character. Councilor Morrow told residents an ordinance addressing short-term rentals is being drafted and will be presented at a future meeting.

Resident Ray Donnelly told the council that the remains of a 23-year-old Glen Ridge sailor killed in World War II, Anthony DiPetta, have been recovered and identified, and that his next of kin still lives in town. A procession with Nutley and Glen Ridge police escorts was scheduled for July 11 to honor him.

The council gave final approval to Ordinance 1787, which bundles two unrelated matters into a single ordinance: an amendment to the borough's stop-intersection rules and the establishment of 2023 salaries for non-crossing-guard recreation employees. Three other ordinances -- updating parking restrictions on designated streets, permitting parking on other designated streets, and amending the zoning compliance certificate process -- were introduced on first reading and will require a public hearing before final adoption. The council also approved an $18,000 professional-services contract with Spatial Data Logic for geographic information system software and services, awarded without competitive bidding under a state law exemption for professional services.

Administrator Michael Zichelli announced that Tax Collector Donna Altschuler, who has served the borough for 21 years, will retire at the end of the month. Police Chief Sean Quinn announced National Night Out will be held Thursday, August 3, 2023, at the Community Pool starting at 5:00 p.m. All votes at the meeting were unanimous.

What to watch

• A draft ordinance addressing short-term rentals, expected at a future meeting
• Three newly introduced ordinances (parking restrictions, zoning compliance certificates) awaiting public hearings and final votes

Watch key moments

• 3:03 — WWII sailor Anthony DiPetta