Glen Ridge Adopts 2022 Budget With Modest Tax Hike, Clashes Over Where to Put New EV Charger

The council formally adopted the 2022 municipal budget after a presentation from Borough CFO Matt Larisse. The net taxable base rose to $1.7 billion, and the municipal tax rate increased 1.5 percent (down from a typical roughly 2.5 percent annual increase), pushing the average municipal and library tax bill to just over $5,000 a year, or about $418 a month — an increase of well under $9 a month for the average resident. Larisse credited a growing PILOT program, incoming American Rescue Plan funds directed toward capital projects, and a double-A-plus bond rating for the borough's strong financial footing, while flagging rising pension contributions, fuel costs, and looming state-mandated water infrastructure work as pressure points ahead. The budget resolution (78-22) passed unanimously.

A separate resolution authorizing a grant application for a public EV fast-charging station drew pushback during public comment. Resident Phil Johnson argued the proposed site — the community pool parking lot — was a poor choice because the lot is unpaved (raising ADA compliance concerns), poorly lit, and flood-prone, and urged the council to instead place the charger at the more visible Hillside commuter parking lot to better serve train commuters. A council member responded that the pool lot was chosen partly because of easier access to electrical service from the pool house, but agreed to take the ADA concerns back to the borough's consultant and said the town would keep looking for additional EV charging opportunities. The council separately authorized applying for a New Jersey DEP "It Pays to Plug In" grant (up to $200,000) and PSE&G's "Make Ready" incentive to fund the project.

In other business, the council approved the $110,000 purchase of a used 2007 sewer/vacuum cleaning truck from Montclair — replacing a 1988 model and dubbed the "honey dipper" by Public Works — along with a $10,800 change order for painting and epoxy-sealing the floor of the police pistol range's new ventilation system, and $6,000 in Film Fund grants split among five local groups including the Glen Ridge Diversity and Inclusion Association, Glen Ridge Community Concerts, the Women's Club, the public library, and the Environmental Advisory Committee. Mayor Patrick also proclaimed National Police Week.

During public comment, residents raised recurring safety complaints: newly striped crosswalks at Windsor/Ridgewood and Appleton/Ridgewood credited to county action, a request for a crosswalk at Reynolds and Ridgewood, missing storm-drain grates around town, and a complaint that a municipal vehicle had driven through Carteret Park rather than parking outside it. One exchange grew heated after a resident revealed he'd been called "an idiot" in an email from a council member over his repeated safety suggestions; the council member did not deny it and the two publicly disagreed on the characterization.

What to watch

• Council to revisit ADA compliance and possibly reconsider the pool-lot location for the planned EV charging station
• NJDEP "It Pays to Plug In" grant application (up to $200,000) pending submission for the charging project
• Coordination with Essex County sought on a possible new crosswalk and signage at Bridgewood Avenue and Reynolds Road
• State-mandated water infrastructure upgrades flagged as a multi-year focus for upcoming budgets