November 10th Meeting Summary

The Verona Township Council had a meeting on Monday, November 10th. Here are the highlights.

We approved our 2024 Audit report. The public is encouraged to look through all of our financials here: https://www.veronanj.org/media/Finance%20&%20Tax/Budget/2024/2024%20Municipal%20Audit.pdf

We also talked extensively about the pool (both 33 mins in and 1 hr 44 min in). We got an updated financial analysis on the pool rate structure which the public can review under the agenda here: https://www.veronanj.org/councilmeetings. For 2025, the Administration is proposing a rate increase of 2% across the board and a change to the pool rules to allow 100 out of town members from towns that are within 1.25 miles from Verona's boarders: Caldwell, North Caldwell, West Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Essex Fells, Roseland, Montclair, and West Orange. The proposed adult swim that was discussed at a previous meeting was removed from consideration. Adult and child guest pass fees will be increasing $1 next year. As you can see from the presentation, the Administration is taking the position that these rate increases and allowing out of town memberships are necessary to get the pool back to financial health.

The pool rates and rules will likely be introduced at the next meeting. If you have any comments, I recommend that you send them to the entire Council here: https://www.veronanj.org/councilcontactform.

The Council also passed a redevelopment plan for 383 Bloomfield Avenue, otherwise known as Hillcrest Farms. The plan allows for the site to be redeveloped into a mixed use building of both retail and apartments. This site is part of the affordable housing plan that the Township was required to pass under state law that you can read here: https://www.veronanj.org/media/Affordable%20Housing/4th%20Round%20Mount%20Laurel%20Doctrine%20for%20Years%202025-2035/HEFSP%20with%20Appendices%20062525.pdf. As you can see in the plan, this site may be developed into 33 apartments, 5 of which are affordable. The next step in this process would be for the Council to name a redeveloper for the site to execute the redevelopment plan that was just passed.

At our meeting Council passed our new public health rules, and associated fees, for massage parlors, barbershops, hair salons, cosmetology and nail salons.

We introduced three ordinances, all of which will have public hearings and adoption at our next meeting on Monday, December 1st.

We introduced a supplemental bond for the Everett Field project of $325K. As we got into construction, some unanticipated costs were incurred related to tree work and rock removal. In addition, there were some design costs that needed to be funded in this supplemental ordinance. This additional ordinance is on top of the $4.273 million in costs already approved for the project, but does not include the offsets we will receive from grants. Questions on these amounts can be directed to our Township Manager directly.

The Council introduced an ordnance regulating parking at the Community Center and associated fields. We also introduced an ordinance on adding the Armed Forces flags to our acceptable list of flags under our ordinance.

Under resolutions, we removed one ordinance relating to parking at Verona Flats until we can get clarification on the name of the property.

We approved and finalized all other resolutions. This includes a final project close out on the PFAS treatment at the Linn Drive Well, project close out for the pool surface refinishing, establishing a relationship with the Board of Education for tree planting services (to assist them with the execution of a recent grant they received), and finalizing some end of year budget transfers.

Under new business, in addition to discussing the pool, we continued a discussion to amend our joint flood advisory board ordinance (to include Little Falls and Woodland Park). We also reviewed and ordinance change to amend setback rules for non-conforming uses and structures. If this ordinance is introduced and passed, it will change what is allowed allowed during renovations of certain non-conforming properties.

If anyone has any comments on any matter before the Council, please email all five us by using this convenient form here: https://www.veronanj.org/councilcontactform.