February 23rd Meeting Summary

We had an important meeting on Monday, February 23rd. Here are the highlights of what we discussed.

The Council took up several matters regarding to affordable housing projects that are required by the State of New Jersey. We had a substantial conversations before the introduction of two redevelopment plans. Redevelopment plans are created after a property (or properties) are declared an "Area in Need of Redevelopment". These plans allow the Township to set new rules on what is allowed to be built on the property.

The first discussion was for 420 Bloomfield Avenue, otherwise know as Richfield Regency. When the developer first introduced this project, they had requested a total of 114 units. The final plan that was negotiated by our professionals allows for a maximum of 65 rental units of housing to be built, 10 of which will be affordable. This project will include retail space on the 1st floor and up to two floors of housing. All parking requirements for the apartments and the retail space will be satisfied on site, for a total of 124 spaces. The owner of this property also owns a parking lot on an additional site, and it will remain parking. Most of the apartments will be one bedroom units, with the exception of the affordable units which will followed mandatory state requirements for two and three bedroom units. Residents are encouraged to read the entire plan here: https://www.veronanj.org/departments/planningboard/planningboarddocuments.

The second discussion was for 885 Bloomfield Avenue, which is a wooded piece of property across from the Community Center. When the developer first introduced this project, they had requested a total of 60 units. The final plan that was negotiated by our professionals includes 28 for-sale townhomes, 6 of which will be affordable. The affordable units will include 3 family units and one 3 bedroom unit for special needs housing. During our meeting we had substantial discussion about the maximum improved lot coverage, which will be set at 70%, and the setbacks on the property from the rear and sides. We also discussed the need for substantial landscape buffering along Fells road. Concerns were raised on the traffic flow in and out the property. I confirmed that this project will need to follow our tree ordinance, and all stormwater ordinances need to be followed. Residents are encouraged to read the entire plan here: https://www.veronanj.org/departments/planningboard/planningboarddocuments.

As we are required to have all of these plans approved by our March 15th meeting, these redevelopment plans have already been discussed at the Planning Board last week, and will be voted on by that governing body on March 3rd. Residents are encouraged to attend that meeting or send feedback to the Council by using this form: https://www.veronanj.org/councilcontactform. We will be voting on this plan on March 9th.

A second major topic at our meeting was the introduction of our 2026 budget. The summary of what our 2026 budget will look like can be found here: https://www.veronanj.org/media/Council%20Docs/2026/2026%20Budget%20Presentation%20Draft.pdf. Note that this is our first of two public conversations. Changes may be made when the budget is introduced, which is expected at our March 23rd meeting.

The key slides for residents can be found on pages 6 and 7. Our total budget (which includes the Library) is going up 4% to $28.5 million. After applying expected revenue and grants, the amount we need to raise by taxes (our tax levy) is going up by 5.8% to $20.6 million. The average assessed home, which now is valued at $704,400, will see municipal taxes increase by $230, with smaller additional increases for both the Library and Open Space Trust fund. The municipal mill rate is going down, as we are in the first year after our re-evaluation, which saw the value of Verona properties increase 60% to $3.6 billion.

Key drivers to the increase to our budget include increased salaries due to new union contracts that we approved last year, health care and general insurance costs, and pension costs. We are projecting a 20% increase in revenue to help offset costs, with it growing to a projected $6.4 million next year.

During our detailed budget conversation, we discussed department by department budget for several areas, including the Administration, Library, Civic Affairs, Finance, and Municipal Clerk. I encourage you to watch the meeting replay and hear the detailed conversation that we have. You can review line by line detail of the budget here: https://www.veronanj.org/media/Council%20Docs/2026/draft%202026%20BUDGET%20council%20version.pdf.

Our next Council meeting on Monday, March 9th will have our biggest departments presenting, as well as a discussion of the water/sewer utility and pool. I encourage you to listen in to hear the discussion first hand.

The Council introduced several other ordinances at our meeting,

• Changes to our fee ordinance, including fees for police body worn camera footage, certificates of compliance, water shutoff, and transaction fees for online payments.

• Changes to our zoning ordinance on who is responsible for enforcement of our zoning codes.

• Changes to our lead based paint hazard inspection requirements and associated fees

• Amending the standards to our Town Center Mixed Use Zone to reflect a new standard that all projects will have a 20% set aside for affordable housing. This change was already agreed upon by the Town Council when we settled with Fair Share Housing last year.

• An ordinance to repeal and replace our entire Affordable Housing and Development Fee ordinances to adopt the new mandated state required ordinance. There is very little ability for Verona to make changes to this ordinance as it is required to be adopted as is.

  
  

Under resolutions, we accepted a grant for a storm water management study, authorized an agreement with the Cougar Aquatic Swim Team, which uses our pool during the summer for practices, and issued several contracts with vendors (Edmunds, Lyons Environmental, SD Cleaning). We also had a finance resolution on regarding our bonds with the NJ Infrastructure bank and applied for a Sustainable Jersey grant.

Under new business, we discussed adding a new section of code on pest control upon demolition of property, and changing our zoning code as it relates to residential pools. If you are planning to install a pool this year you may want to take a look at the changes that we are proposing, as the ordinances will be introduced at our next meeting.

In sum - a lot of substantial items were discussed at our last meeting. If you have any feedback on these items or any matter, please send them to the entire Council here: https://www.veronanj.org/councilcontactform. Our next meeting is Monday, March 9th at 7 pm.