Residents Press Council on Written-Communications Transparency as Two Ordinances Win Final Approval
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Councilor Law was absent. Several residents used public comment to question how written communications to the Council are logged and disclosed: Oliver Turiano asked about the protocol for written communication, Maureen Mycka sought clarification on how correspondence is entered into meeting minutes and read aloud a response she'd received from Borough Attorney Malyska, and Jennifer Perez echoed those transparency concerns.
The Council finally adopted two ordinances after public hearings drew no comment: Ordinance No. 1741 (the CAP 2021 ordinance) and Ordinance No. 1742, amending the no-parking-any-time provisions of the traffic code. The Council also awarded a $22,350 contract to architect Steven Smolyn to draft design guidelines for the Glen Ridge Historic District, funded through a New Jersey Historic Preservation Office grant.
Committee reports covered an update on the former "Lot to Grow" site on Benson Street from Councilor Mans, and a detailed Public Works update from Councilor Lefkovits: catch basins were opened for snowmelt, DPW completed safety training and pothole repairs, roads and fuel-pump project bids were due that week, a new bid date of March 26 was set for the police gun range ventilation project, and the Train Station rehabilitation was expected to finish interior work (painting, bathroom and kitchenette upgrades, structural repairs) that month with exterior masonry, roofing, and trim restoration to follow in April. Lieutenant Faranda reported that impaired-driving enforcement would be stepped up for St. Patrick's Day. All votes passed unanimously among members present.
What to watch
- Gun range ventilation system bids due March 26
- Roads and fuel-pump project bids due within the week
- Train station exterior rehabilitation expected to begin in April