Glen Ridge Council Commits to 163-Unit Affordable Housing Plan, Adopts 2025 Fees and Dozens of Service Contracts

At its January 21, 2025 meeting, the Glen Ridge Mayor and Council adopted Resolution 49-25, formally committing the borough to New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs "Fourth Round" affordable housing numbers. The borough accepted zero units for present housing need but negotiated its new-construction obligation down to 163 units from the state's original request of 178, based on a review by the borough's planner, Topology. The Borough Attorney was directed to file a declaratory judgment complaint in Essex County within 48 hours to formalize the plan.

Council also adopted a full 2025 fee schedule covering vital records, zoning and land-use applications, towing, parking, film and firearms permits, and contracted police services, effective immediately. A separate updated fee schedule set water usage and fire protection charges by meter size, including a flat $750 fee for six-inch meters, and the Health Department adopted new food-service licensing fees, correcting an error that had listed a $10-per-day temporary food truck permit at $62.50. The current bills list, approved for payment, topped $7.3 million from the Current Fund alone, with additional payments from several other borough funds, and payroll was authorized for the February 1, 2025 pay date.

The council also handed out a wave of annual professional service contracts, including a municipal attorney contract worth up to $300,000, a bond counsel agreement, two engineering contracts totaling $500,000, a $180,000 labor attorney contract, financial advisors at $160,000 each, and dozens of smaller awards covering tax collection, land use, historic preservation, IT security, auditing, and web services. Council also renewed the borough's arrangement to let the Tax Assessor and Borough Attorney pursue tax appeal litigation, set delinquent tax interest rates, and authorized a tax lien sale for unpaid 2025 taxes. Separately, the library entered a shared-services deal with the borough for custodial support, and residents were told to expect mailers about a coming water meter replacement program.

Not every vote was unanimous. Councilor Zimet abstained from approving the November 11 and 25 minutes. Councilor Law voted no on a $48,058 purchase of electric leaf blowers from Jersey Power Equipment, though the measure passed. An inclusive-community resolution, Resolution 45-25, was adopted, but Councilors Hughes and Moody were absent for that vote. Council also formally affirmed the borough's civil rights policy, setting up complaint procedures and anti-retaliation protections for officials, employees, and residents.

In other business, Police Chief Sean Quinn commended three officers and one civilian, though the reason for the recognition wasn't detailed in the meeting record, and he separately reminded residents not to leave cars running unattended to prevent theft. Mayor Mans read a proclamation marking the Glen Ridge Women's Club's 100th anniversary of its clubhouse, with celebrations kicking off with a Mayor's Gala on January 25, 2025. Councilor Law also thanked the Department of Public Works for its quick cleanup after a holiday-weekend storm. The council approved a raffle license for a Glen Ridge High School HSA duck race fundraiser set for February 21, 2025, and approved a $4,320 change order for additional tree removal work after the borough forester identified more trees needing attention. Public comment at meetings remains limited to three minutes per speaker.

What to watch

• The Borough Attorney's declaratory judgment filing in Essex County on the 163-unit affordable housing plan, due within 48 hours of the January 21 vote.
• The Glen Ridge High School HSA's Duck Race fundraiser, scheduled for February 21, 2025.
• Mailers going out to residents about the borough-wide water meter replacement program.