Council Adopts $15.9 Million 2021 Municipal Budget
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Following a public hearing that drew no comments, the Council formally adopted the 2021 municipal budget, totaling $15,904,545.68 in general appropriations with $12,612,940.54 to be raised through local property taxes, alongside companion resolutions on three-year revenue averaging and reading the budget by title only. Councilor Hughes, CFO Laracy, and Administrator Zichelli had presented a budget slideshow to open the meeting. A separate placeholder resolution, No. 75-21, was tabled indefinitely as unneeded.
The Council finally adopted Ordinance No. 1747, amending park property and regulations, after a hearing drew no public comment, and appointed Michael Zichelli as Fund Commissioner and Dean Gnardellis as Alternate Fund Commissioner to the Public Alliance Insurance Coverage Fund and Borough Safety Officer. Members approved a $23,370 contract with DT Contractors for the Borough's Affordable Housing Project Four, funded from the affordable housing trust fund, and approved the Glen Ridge Public Library's application for a New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act grant, with the Borough committed to providing up to $250,000 in matching funds under existing Capital Ordinance 1718. Gary Sprong was appointed First Alternate member of the Board of Adjustment.
Committee reports noted that Little Libraries and the Rob Roberts memorial in the Glen had been installed, new trees and gator bags had been placed with a request for residents to help water them, and the Board of Adjustment had approved a minor subdivision application on May 19, pending Montclair Planning Board approval. Vaccines for ages 12-17 were announced as newly available through Essex County with pre-registration required. Maureen Mycka asked whether the public would be able to attend the June 14 meeting in person, and the Clerk confirmed they would. All votes were unanimous.
What to watch
- Public will be able to attend the June 14 Council meeting in person for the first time
- NJ Library Construction Bond Act grant application outcome pending
- Minor subdivision approved by the Board of Adjustment still needs Montclair Planning Board sign-off