Council Adopts Non-Union Salary Ordinance, Confirms Borough's First Special Law Enforcement Officer

The council gave final approval to Ordinance No. 1733, establishing job titles and maximum compensation for the borough's non-union employees, following a public hearing at which no one appeared to speak. The meeting also marked two personnel milestones: Kendall E. Caruso was confirmed as a provisional police officer effective September 24, and Gary Peters was confirmed as the police department's first-ever Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO), a distinction Chief Sheila Byron-Lagattuta specifically thanked the relevant committees for.

On affordable housing, the council adopted a resolution committing the borough to cover any shortfall in its COAH spending-plan obligations — by bonding if no other funds are available — and formally adopted a detailed Affirmative Marketing Plan governing how future affordable units must be advertised regionally. It also awarded a $17,445 contract to Severe Structures, LLC for Affordable Housing Project 2020.2.

In other business, the council renewed four liquor licenses (Bottle King Discount Liquors, the Glen Ridge Country Club, Fitzgeralds 1928, and the Glen Ridge Pharmacy and Liquors), rejected both bids received for reconstruction of Court Seven at Freeman Tennis Courts because they exceeded available funds, ratified an emergency-procurement declaration tied to Tropical Storm Isaias cleanup costs, and introduced a new ordinance to repeal and amend the borough's rules on smoking in municipal buildings. Councilor Mans reported the borough's lead line replacement project was wrapping up, with Garcia Construction also replacing various hydrants and water valves.

What to watch

• A new Request for Bids to be issued for the Court Seven reconstruction at Freeman Tennis Courts
• Newly introduced Ordinance No. 1734 (smoking in municipal buildings) headed to a public hearing and final vote