Glen Ridge Council Advances $2.2 Million Water Project as Residents Blast Country Club Expansion Plan

At the December 9, 2024 meeting of the Glen Ridge Mayor and Council, the loudest moment came during public comment, when multiple residents living near the Glen Ridge Country Club spoke out against the club's zoning variance application, which is now before the Board of Adjustment. Neighbors objected to a proposed pool patio and aquatic center expansion that would bring the building to within 15 feet of the rear or side property line, far less than the 100 feet normally required and less than the current 75.9 feet. Opponents also cited the planned removal of roughly 50 mature trees, some more than 150 years old, along with years of noise, light, and traffic from club events. One resident told the council that fighting the variance with an attorney could cost her upwards of $100,000, citing that expense as part of her objection.

On other business, the council adopted a resolution authorizing a note of up to $2.2 million to fund water infrastructure construction in the south end of town, though the mayor noted that as much as $1 million of that amount may later be cancelled or reduced. The council also awarded a $241,500 contract to Professional Property Appraisers for the borough's mandated residential property revaluation, and approved a $107,216 contract, awarded through a competitive bidding process, for new pool furniture, to be paid for through the pool utility rather than the general budget. A separate budget transfer was adopted to move money from the crossing guards account into the police account, covering days when police officers filled in for crossing guards.

The council finally adopted an ordinance creating restricted areas within municipal buildings to limit access to personally identifiable information in public records to authorized employees only. Two other ordinances were adopted: one setting 2025 maximum salaries for non-union borough employees, and one establishing pay rates for police officers working off-duty jobs, aligned with rates in neighboring towns. The council also approved submission of two Community Development Block Grant applications to Essex County, prioritizing a roughly $35,000 to $40,000 accessible, barrier-free bathroom at Freeman Gardens as its top request, with ADA-compliant curb ramps ranked second; the borough typically receives about $440,000 a year in such funding. Separately, the Community Affairs and Public Relations Committee awarded $6,000 in film fund grants split among three organizations, including Glen Ridge Community Concerts, and the council also approved earlier film fund grants supporting the Glen Ridge Public Library's 2025 speaker series and the Glen Ridge Historical Society's oral history project.

In public safety and community updates, the town has ordered a flashing stop sign for the intersection of Bay and Sherman streets following multiple crashes there. Council member Hughes reported recent drone sightings in the area, including one seen crossing town on December 5th, noting that the FBI and state authorities are involved but no further details are available. Acting Montclair Fire Chief Duncan, soon to be officially sworn in, briefed the Public Safety Committee on specialized services, including trench collapse and high-angle rescue training, that Montclair provides to Glen Ridge. The council also approved social affairs permits for Women's Club and Kiwanis Club fundraisers, and heard that a major motion picture shoot with well-known actors and heavy equipment disrupted the town overnight, requiring police and public works support to limit the impact on residents.

Administrator Mike reported that the town's tree lighting the previous night drew a solid crowd of about 100 people, and noted that this was the last year Dan Murphy will organize the Ashenfelter 8K Thanksgiving race, with an outside company taking over the event going forward. Councilor Law thanked the Montclair Fire Department for its continued help staffing the water station at the race. Councilor Meyer reported a productive meeting with the Glen Ridge board on parks and recreation partnership, and announced that winter sports registration is open for children of all ages.

What to watch

• The Board of Adjustment's upcoming consideration of the Country Club's zoning variance application for its pool patio and aquatic center expansion
• The Santa parade is set for December 20th, starting around 5:00 pm, with location tracking shared via the borough's Facebook and Instagram pages
• A tentative year-end bookkeeping meeting was noted for December 23rd at 9:30 am via teleconference, though officials indicated it may not be needed

Watch key moments

• 6:15 — Country Club expansion draws heavy resident opposition