Council ratifies Ida emergency response, advances PBA raises and Comcast franchise renewal

Mayor Patrick opened by thanking Borough Administrator Zichelli, Public Works and the Police Department for their response to flooding from Tropical Storm Ida. Council formally ratified the Emergency Manager's declaration during the storm and the related emergency-procurement waiver, to be filed with the state Division of Local Government Services. Council finally adopted, without public comment, Ordinance 1751 (Hurrell Field track restoration grant funds) and Ordinance 1752 (capital improvements funds). Two new ordinances were introduced on first reading and referred for publication: Ordinance 1753, setting salary titles for employees represented by PBA Local 58A, and Ordinance 1754, renewing Comcast's municipal cable franchise consent.

Council raised several contracted-services fees effective immediately — including police officer, overtime and vehicle rates for outside contracted work, and peddler/hawker and canvasser/solicitor license fees — and dissolved several small, unapproved municipal trust funds (Leaf Bags, Adopt a Cop, Senior Center, Glen Ridge Pool Fund and Tree Replacement, totaling $16,576.75), transferring the balances into the current fund to stay compliant with state law. It appointed adult school crossing guards for the 2021-22 school year and approved a $52,520.50 purchase of a new Ford F450 truck for Public Works.

Council canceled a $23,370 affordable-housing rehabilitation contract with DT Contractors after the firm was unable to secure subcontractors, and instead awarded the project to the second-place bidder, A3 Contracting, for $24,735, with the homeowner contributing $1,735 toward the cost. Public Works reported ongoing storm-debris cleanup, and Watsessing Field, damaged by the flooding, was expected to be repaired by the end of that week. All votes passed unanimously with all six councilors present.

What to watch

• Ordinance 1753 (PBA Local 58A salary titles) and Ordinance 1754 (Comcast franchise renewal), both pending final reading/adoption
• Car seat installation event open to residents, Sept. 25, 2021