On Tuesday we had a Council meeting. Here are the highlights of what was discussed.
We passed necessary changes to our stormwater ordinance to comply with ever evolving state regulations. We introduced three capital ordinances that will have a second reading and vote at our next meeting, which will be on Monday, December 2nd.
An additional $195K to renovate the pickleball courts, bringing the total cost to $570K (offset with a $75K grant)
An additional $225K to re-line the big pool, bringing the total cost to $575K.
Reappropriating $340K from existing bonds for the repointing of Township Hall, which would be in addition to the $510K that was previously funded.
All three of these projects have already gone out to bid, so should the Council approve the spending on these three projects they will move into construction phase in 2025.
We introduced an ordinance to make some changes to parking rules. On Gould street, by the Library and HBW, we will be shortening the "no parking" time to be from 7:30 to 9 am only during the school year. We hope that changes helps to ease parking shortages at the Library, Town Hall, and Middle School. We are also fixing other parts of our parking ordinance to reflect more accurately areas that are under parking meter zones between in our Extended Town Center zone. These changes will be voted on at our December 2nd meeting.
The Public is encouraged to send any comments on any of these ordinances to the entire Council prior to the meeting here: https://www.veronanj.org/councilcontactform.
Speaking of public comment on second reading of ordinances, we passed a resolution asking the NJ Legislature to pass immediate relief to the requirement that we publish our legal notices in two newspapers and instead allow us to publish in online news sources instead. The NJ Star Ledger print addition is closing in January, and we literally won't have two print news papers to use for this state-mandated requirement. We hope that the State takes action soon. Meanwhile, our Administration added a button on our website so that you can see our Legal notices in one convenient place online. Check it out here: https://www.veronanj.org/.
After a bit of discussion, we passed a resolution to lease two dump truck for DPW snow removal. We expect to capitalize for them next year.
Some highlights from other resolutions: We contracted for our annual fireworks display with Starfire, contracted with United Technology Partners for security cameras outside of the Community Center, increased our agreement with Jacobs Engineering for additional work required for the PFAS well remediation project on Fairview, closed out contracts for two street renovation projects (Douglas Place and Balston, Whitney and Windermere), and made some financial budget transfers. We also applied to Sustainable Jersey PSE&G projects for Commercial Proprieties.
In new business, we had a conversation for the first time on business licensing and insurance. Under state law, we should be requiring every business in Verona and every rental property to take out a business license with us and show proof of insurance. A fee of $50 annually was proposed. The Council was united in asking the Administration to research the definition of "business" under the law so that we can clarify exactly who needs to pay (and show proof of insurance).
Those were the major topics discussed. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to the entire Council here: https://www.veronanj.org/councilcontactform.
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