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January 20th Meeting Summary

Writer's picture: Christine McGrathChristine McGrath

On Monday night we had a Council meeting. Here are the highlights on what we discussed.


We started the meeting with a very important presentation on affordable housing. The State of NJ is requiring most towns in New Jersey to commit to another "round" of affordable housing requirements. Unlike the last time we did this, this time we have a law with (mostly) clear calculations and timing. Verona will have more control where we want to put affordable housing, and we should be able to avoid lengthy legal battles with developers if we follow the process. I encourage you to listen into the presentation that occurred at the top of the meeting, and you can access the slides here.


We voted on and passed a resolution that was required by the end of January as the first step of this process. Back in October, the State of NJ said Verona's affordable housing number was 173 units. After a careful analysis, we realized that the State included parkland in their analysis that was not buildable. Therefore, we are going back to the State of NJ to counter that our number is really 149 units. In addition, we stated that we have completed a vacant land analysis, and because the amount of vacant land is so minimal in Verona, we think our responsibility is actually closer to 66 units. We are still refining that analysis so the number may change when it is finalized. It will be included as part part of our plan to the State that is due by June 30th.


The State has a few weeks to challenge the number we presented to them. After that challenge period is complete, we move on to finalizing a plan on where this affordable housing will be built. This time, much of it will be inclusionary units, meaning the affordable units will be included in redevelopment projects that will be scattered around town. If you have been paying attention, there are a few "areas in need of redevelopment" analyses that are in process. Some will be forthcoming in the coming weeks. Those are projects to transform existing properties into new redevelopments which will include housing. Affordable units are required to be built in those housing developments. We are also working on new zoning for the Town Center zone. That will help to spur redevelopment, and that potential will count towards satisfying our obligation. The Council could decide other avenues to satisfy our requirements as well.


The public has a chance to participate in this process by attending Planning Board meetings, where these topics and specific projects will be discussed. We will let everyone know when those conversations will occur.


Moving on, the second big thing we tackled on Monday night was a final discussion on pool rates. Based on my request to the Administration, we got a full picture of the fees that are changing next year and the big changes in running the pool so that we could have a comprehensive and complete conversation. There seems to be agreement amongst the Council to raise pool rates by 15%, which will not solve all of our budget gaps in one year, but will be an incremental approach. Councilwoman Holland and I, who are the only Town Council members with children and the only pool members on the Council, advocated strongly to preserve the Recreation tent and expanded hours of the splash pad, both of which were retained in the final proposal. Councilwoman Holland and members of the Recreation Advisory committee are pushing the Administration to actually expand and build fun programming calendar at the pool to add programming as part of the membership.


In addition to the 15% membership rate increase, certain other fees will be increased. They include:

  • The Gazebo Rental will increase from $75 to $100. The rain date fee will also increase from $25 to $50.

  • Badge replacement will increase from $10 to $20

  • Morning and evening water aerobics will increase from $60 to $105

  • Verona Waves and Mini-Waves will increase from $65 to $105

  • A $22 summer playground trips fee will be added for Verona Community Pool trips.

  • The Guest book will for passes will increase from $100 for 6 to $220 for 12

  • The pool parties for Verona non-profits will increase from "labor cost" only to $300 per hour plus the labor cost. Note that even with this increase, these pool parties will still cost more to run then the revenue from this fee

  • A new private, for profit organization fee to use the pool for parities will be set at $3,225 per hour

  • A new fee for Family Night will be added at $10 per non-member resident. Family Night will go back to being every Tuesday night.

  • A pre-season concert fee will be added at $20 per resident, regardless of membership. Out of town residents can attend for $75 per person.

  • The Cougars (Caldwell's team) will be charged $13,000, up from $8,092.


Some other aspects of the pool were discussed. We had a conversation on staffing efficiency. The Administration will be making a significant change to pool policy to increase the age minors can enter the pool without a parent from 12 to 14 (or incoming high school freshmen). The Township will be contributing $50 per volunteer towards the free volunteer first responder pool memberships to help offset costs.


All of these changes should add up to a stronger financial picture for the pool. I welcome continued feedback from the public before we introduce these new fees at our next meeting on February 3rd.


Other business that was voted on at this meeting included approving $200K for two salt trucks for DPW, introducing some minor changes to our Administration of Government section of our code for our new reorganization meeting dates, appointment of all of our municipal court professionals, and applying for Green Acres money.


If you have feedback on any matter before the Council, I encourage you to send the entire Council and email at https://www.veronanj.org/councilcontactform.


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