Council joins national opioid settlement, honors retiring library director Jennifer Breuer
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Mayor Patrick presented a proclamation honoring Library Director Jennifer Breuer's 11 years of service, citing expanded hours, a redesigned interior, more than $100,000 raised through the 2012 Gala, and the library's selection as New Jersey's favorite in 2019. Council then authorized the borough to join a nationwide settlement with Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen over their roles in the opioid crisis — a deal worth up to $26 billion nationally — with a deadline of January 2, 2022 for the borough to formally opt in.
Council finally adopted, without public comment, four ordinances: Ordinance 1755 (salary titles for CWA-represented employees), Ordinance 1756 (non-union employee salary titles), Ordinance 1757 (amending parking restrictions on designated streets), and Ordinance 1758 (amending Chapters 12 and 17.20). All passed unanimously with Councilor Hughes absent for the meeting. Council also authorized a 2022 Community Development Block Grant funding application requesting $72,049 for ADA street ramps, and held the final public hearing on the borough's CDBG application during the meeting.
Councilor Mans reported the county had donated 49 trees for Ridgewood Avenue, with Public Works beginning to plant them. Councilor Lefkovits reported ongoing ADA curbing work on Midland Avenue, a water main repair on Lincoln Street, pothole repairs, and winter-plow preparation. The Planning Board's reorganizational meeting was set for January 19, 2022, and borough offices were slated to close December 23-24 and January 3 for the holidays.
What to watch
- Deadline of January 2, 2022 for the borough to formally join the multistate opioid settlement
- Outcome of the CDBG grant application ($72,049 for ADA street ramps)
- Planning Board's reorganizational meeting, January 19, 2022