Council Advances Cannabis Business Ban, Adopts Road Grant Ordinances
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The Council finally adopted two ordinances appropriating grant funds for various capital road improvements (Ordinance Nos. 1743 and 1744) after public hearings drew no comment, and introduced two new ordinances on first reading: Ordinance No. 1745, establishing rules and regulations for peddlers and hawkers, and Ordinance No. 1746, which would prohibit the operation of any class of cannabis business within Glen Ridge's borders by amending Titles 5 and 17 of the borough code.
The Council awarded a $129,800 contract to Northeast Construction Services to install a ventilation system in the Police Department's pistol range, and approved a fireworks display permit for the Glen Ridge Country Club's July 4 event, to run between 8:45 and 10:00 p.m. subject to any COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time. Administrator Zichelli announced that a ceremony would be held May 11 at 4:30 p.m. renaming Herman Street "Sgt. Roberts Way" in honor of the late Officer Charles Roberts, and Chief Byron-Lagattuta noted the department's ongoing "you text, you drive, you pay" distracted-driving campaign.
Councilor Lefkovits' Public Works report described the committee's discussions about moving to dual-stream recycling following the fire at the Borough's former recycling contractor, alongside completed spring cleanups, athletic field marking, seasonal water turn-on at Freeman tennis courts and Hurrell Field, continuing train-station renovation, and a completed library roof project. Maureen Mycka used public comment to raise concerns about the Borough's legal fees from 2016 through 2021 and insurance costs. All votes passed unanimously.
What to watch
- Ordinance 1745 (Peddlers and Hawkers) and Ordinance 1746 (cannabis business ban) require a public hearing and final vote at a future meeting
- May 11 ceremony to rename Herman Street "Sgt. Roberts Way"