Glen Ridge Council Advances $400,000 Property Revaluation, Awards Street Paving and Tree Removal Contracts
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At the Glen Ridge Mayor & Council meeting on October 15, 2024, the council introduced an ordinance authorizing a special emergency appropriation of $400,000 to conduct a complete revaluation of property assessments across the borough, the first such revaluation in about seven years. The measure, Ordinance 18-12, still needs to go through the required public notice process and a second reading before it can be finalized.
The council also awarded a paving contract for Sherman Avenue and Laurel Place to DLS Contracting of Fairfield, New Jersey, the lowest responsible bidder, at a cost of $263,900. The vote passed 6-0, though Councilor David Meyer had dropped off the call before the vote and did not participate. Separately, the council awarded a contract to DuJet's Tree Experts of Woodland Park, for $44,525, to remove 42 "Barrel" street trees and grind the stumps; residents whose trees are affected will be notified by letter once a start date is set. On a related note, borough staff member Mike reported that roughly 100 new street trees are being planted over the course of the year as part of the shade tree commission's regular replacement cycle, with 52 more already ordered for fall planting.
The council passed a resolution dedicating $55,753 in federal funding to purchase automated license plate readers meant to speed up vehicle identification and traffic enforcement at key intersections. Council members also introduced a separate capital improvement ordinance, Ordinance 18-13, on first reading, appropriating funds for various capital improvements and equipment; it was referred to the municipal clerk for the standard public notice process.
Two residents, Margaret B. of 7 Adams Place and Dan Parsons of 1 Madison Street, spoke about chronic flooding tied to inadequate storm drainage near Hawthorne, Midland, and Madison. Officials acknowledged the borough's underground drainage capacity is limited, noted that a past proposal to install backyard drainage infrastructure on Madison Street had not been accepted, and said the borough is working with neighboring Bloomfield and Montclair on longer-term stormwater solutions.
On lighter notes, the council approved a liquor permit for the Kiwanis Club to hold an event at the Women's Club on October 21, 2024. Councilor Moody announced a cleanup of Tony's/Toste's Brook organized by Clean Ocean Action to keep local waterways clear, and also announced the Home and School Association's "Taste of Glen Ridge" kitchen tour, which is scheduled for the day after the Kiwanis event.
What to watch
- A public hearing and second reading on the $400,000 emergency property revaluation ordinance
- A public notice process and further reading on the newly introduced capital improvement ordinance