Tara Ventola sworn in as Glen Ridge municipal clerk in emotional ceremony
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Tara Lyn Ventola, who had served as Deputy Clerk, took the Oath of Office as Glen Ridge's Municipal Clerk during the July 13 meeting, and the Council formally confirmed her three-year appointment through Resolution 101-20, citing her completion of Rutgers' certification coursework and nearly 16 years of service to the Borough. In a personal statement, Ventola thanked her family, colleagues and predecessors Michael Rohal and Stephen Berry Jr., and several residents called in during public comment specifically to congratulate her. Councilors Lisovicz and Murphy were absent for the meeting.
The Council also approved Resolution 102-20 appointing Ann Marie Morrow as the Borough's Emergency Management Coordinator for a three-year term, and gave final adoption to Ordinance No. 1732, establishing rules for Special Law Enforcement Officers, following a public hearing at which no one spoke. On spending, the Council authorized the $69,962 purchase of a new 2020 Ford Interceptor Utility police vehicle from Cherry Hill Winner Ford (Resolution 103-20) and a contract of up to $30,000 with McNerney & Associates for appraisal services (Resolution 106-20). Resolution 104-20 authorized pursuit of a $150,000 Essex County Recreation & Open Space Trust Fund grant to restore the running track at Hurrell Field.
The Council also permitted the Board of Education to hold its high school graduation ceremony at Hurrell Field on July 23 (with a July 24 rain date), subject to the Board complying with the Governor's COVID-19 executive orders and holding the Borough harmless for any facility damage. Residents raised several concerns during public comment, including a request for a Hanukkah/Kwanzaa menorah display alongside the Borough's holiday tree, a question about chemical spraying by TrueGreen, and a request to review pedestrian safety at Bloomfield and Highland Avenues. Mayor Patrick also announced a county-run COVID-19 testing event at the Glen Ridge Country Club on July 16.
What to watch
- Public hearing on the Master Plan scheduled for July 16, 2020
- High school graduation ceremony planned for Hurrell Field on July 23, with a July 24 rain date
- Essex County Recreation & Open Space Trust Fund grant decision pending for the Hurrell Field track restoration