Glen Ridge Council Approves $561,000 Paving Project, New Cargo Van at February Meeting
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At its February 12, 2024 meeting, the Glen Ridge Mayor & Council approved a change order that pushed the cost of the 2024 street paving project to $561,169.29. The added expense of $52,483.40 came on top of the original lowest bid of $508,685.89 from American Asphalt & Trucking, LLC.
The council also approved the purchase of a new 2024 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van for $45,552.00 from Nielsen Ford of Morristown, using a Morris County cooperative purchasing agreement. Separately, Downes Tree Service of Hawthorne was awarded the 2024 tree pruning contract, beating out two other bidders with a package worth up to $38,580.00, covering base work, an alternate portion, and hourly labor.
On the legislative side, an ordinance that would repeal and rewrite the borough's rules on stop sign intersections passed its first reading and was sent to the Clerk for publication and posting ahead of a future public hearing. Police also announced that overnight street parking would be banned during an approaching snowstorm, warning that summonses would be issued if sidewalks aren't cleared within 24 hours after snow stops falling.
The Planning and Development Committee said it will hold a public information session on a proposed short-term rental ordinance covering services like Airbnb, after residents, including Ms. Aguda, asked about forming a committee to study the issue. A resident, Mr. Low of Midland Avenue, again asked the council for an update on a long-discussed ordinance to restrict gas-powered leaf blowers, which still has not been adopted. The Municipal Clerk reported ongoing technical problems with the online dog license payment system that are still being worked on.
In other business, the council approved a Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control permit allowing the Glen Ridge Women's Club to hold a fundraiser at the club on March 16, 2024. Council members also adopted a resolution authorizing rebate payments to taxpayers listed in an attached schedule following Tax Court of New Jersey rulings that reduced their property assessments, and passed a resolution reaffirming the borough's commitment to the Safe Routes to School program, pointing to its 2022 grant award and 2023 Gold-level state recognition. The Public Safety Committee reported that police, working with Glen Ridge High School, presented a cybersecurity awareness talk to seniors through the Golden Circle group. Finally, the Planning and Development Committee chair said the borough's Historic Preservation Ordinance will be revised before any new requirements are added.
What to watch
- A public hearing on the proposed stop sign ordinance rewrite, not yet scheduled
- The planned public information session on the proposed Airbnb short-term rental ordinance
- Whether the long-pending gas-powered leaf blower restriction ordinance moves toward adoption
Watch key moments
- 0:57 — Leaf blower ordinance still pending