January 21st, 2025 Council Meeting Blog Ringwood, NJ
Mayor Jaime Matteo-Landis, Deputy Mayor Michelle Kerr
Presentation:
Jennifer Hsu, Chairperson of the Green Team gave a year end report. This report will be posted on the Borough’s website under the Green Team tab.
Manager’s Report:
Skyline Lakes Drive
• Phase 2 of the overall project includes the installation of drainage improvements and curbing in localized areas.
• Drainage work started in December and was temporarily suspended for the holiday season. Work has resumed and is expected to be completed by January 31st – weather permitting.
• Milling, paving, and striping will begin in the Spring.
• Phase 3 - we received a DOT grant for $429,638 for milling, paving, drainage, and guide rails that will begin at 412 Skyline Lakes Drive and end at the intersection of Oakwood Drive.
Grants
• We have applied for the 2025 Local Recreation Grant for the rehabilitation of the roller hockey rink at Hewitt School. We are requesting $223,650 to support this initiative.
• We’ve also submitted an application for the 2025 Open Space Park Development Grant for additional funding to our Stonetown Turf Field project. We are requesting $250,000 to supplement last year’s award of $225,000.
Recycling Center
The capping phase at the O’Connor Landfill on Peters Mine Road has been completed.
Ford will begin construction of the new Borough Recycling Center this Spring.
Some enhancements to our recycling center include canopies to cover the recycling from inclement weather as well as compactors that will consolidate the recycling- meaning less trips with our trucks and less gasoline needed!
Our recycling center is for Ringwood residents ONLY! Our Recycling Center is NOT open to other towns.
Budget
We began the budget process back in the late Fall and plan to introduce the budget in April.
We can’t adopt a budget until the county adopts theirs.
Recreation
• The Recreation Department has created the following new activities at the Community Center including Pilates and an adult pickleball tournament on March 29th.
• Please visit our website for a complete program list, and Health Department programs being offered. Registration is through Community Pass.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Ordinance No. 2025-#01 - REVISED ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE BLOCK 801 LOT 4.03 REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
Just a date change to the previous ordinance
B. Ordinance No. 2025-#02 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18 - WATER AND SEWER – OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF RINGWOOD, SECTION 18 CHARGES FOR WATER SERVICE – WATER CONSUMPTION RATES
Like residents, the Borough is not immune to inflation and rising costs. We adjusted rates due to rising costs being charged to the Borough’s Water Department.
RESOLUTIONS
2025-36 Approval of Bill List
2025-37 Approval of Professional Service Contract - Wanda Chin Monahan, Esq., Environmental Counsel
Not compensated by insurance
2025-38 Approval of Professional Service Contract - Wanda Chin Monahan, Esq., Upper Ringwood Environmental Counsel
Compensated by insurance
2025-39 Approval of Professional Service Contract – Richard J. Clemack, ESQ., Special Counsel
2025-40 Appointing a Mount Laurel Sub-Committee
Including Mark Semeraro, Esq., Borough Attorney, Councilman Noonan, Councilman Kiraly, Robert Stiers from the Planning Board, Dustin Glass, Esq., Affordable Housing Council, Scott Heck, Borough Manager, and Jessica Caldwell, Affordable Housing Planner
2025-41 Appointing a Municipal Housing Liaison
Municipal Clerk will be our liaison
2025-42 Contractor Payment Request, Pima Court Curbing, Contract
No 2024-104, $76,105.15
2025-43 Reject Bids for Maintenance of Municipal Fields and authorize rebidding
2025-44 Authorize Police Department to Apply for Enrollment in the 1033 Program for Surplus Federal Government Equipment
These are defense mechanisms that we can apply for if need be.
2025-45 Authorize Execution of Wastewater Treatment Operations & Maintenance Agreement with WVRSA
2025-46 Shared Service Agreement Stormwater System Cleaning
We charge $1,600 a day
2025-47 Resolution of the Borough of Ringwood Committing to Fourth Round Affordable Housing Present Need and Prospective Need Numbers
By taking action, the Council protected the Borough from a builders' remedy lawsuit and allowed for the reduction of the Fourth Round numbers due to challenges to the legality of the affordable housing law and negotiations with the state.
The DCA establishes a regional assignment to all the member municipalities. They use a formula where they assign a certain number of units.
We can then negotiate these unit numbers down in the future.
Jessica Caldwell, our Affordable Housing Planner explained these three factors that the DCA uses for the public to better understand.
Percentage of non-residential value .32%
Land capacity factors were 0 parcels due to the Highlands Act.
Income capacity Factor 1.1%
.48% = Total Allocation Factor
From Caldwell's memo to the Council:
. . .”the NJDCA has Ringwood at a land capacity factor of zero. This means that the NJDCA numbers take into account the fact that the municipality has no developable land. Likewise, as we note below, the Highlands Council has also noted there is no developable land pursuant to Fair Housing Act rules.
The Highlands Regional Master Plan (RMP) requires that conforming municipalities prepare a Highlands Municipal Build-Out Analysis and Report prior to preparation of their Fair Share Plan. To assist in this, the Highlands Council prepared an interactive mapping tool that identifies any vacant parcels that may be able to accommodate affordable units while conforming to the RMP. The build-out analysis also includes guidance for determining if there is a basis for any adjustments to a municipality’s new construction obligation, such as a vacant land adjustment. In reviewing the interactive build-out tool, the Highlands Council made the determination that 0 parcels are eligible for development under the Highlands RMP.”
The Borough will continue to work with the Highlands Council and neighboring municipalities to see to it that new affordable housing law has the most minimal impact possible on Ringwood.
CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS
2025-48 Approval of Consent Agenda
2025-49 Approval of Payroll & Payroll Transfers – December 2024
2025-50 Voided and Replaced Checks
2025-51 Authorize Redemption of Tax Sales Certificates
2025-52 Authorize Closing of Skyline Drive for St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 22, 2025
2025-53 Authorize Use of Park & Ride Facility for St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 22, 2025
2025-54 Contractors’ Payment Invoice, 2024 Road Striping Program, Contract No. 2024-01 DENVILLE, $4,516.76
This was for Carletondale Road and Serpentine Road
2025-55 Professional Services Payment, H2M Associates, Inc. GIS Data Stormwater Infrastructure $800.00
2025-56 Professional Services Payment Request Contract No, 2024-102, Rain Garden at Ryerson School $460.62
End of Meeting comments:
We would like to thank Jennifer Hsu for continuing her service as the chairperson of the Green Team and for her detailed year end report.
Thank you to our DPW for working very hard during the recent snowstorm. The roads were constantly maintained during the storm and made the roads safe for commuters the next morning. Thank you for your dedication.
We would also like to thank our Recreation Dept for filling the community calendar with many different programs including some newer programs such as pilates and adult pickleball.
The Mayor is excited to announce that we have joined in offering a scholarship opportunity to Ringwood residents with the League of Municipalities. The scholarship will be open to Juniors and Seniors in High School. The statewide scholarship competition centers around the theme, “What I like about my hometown.” More information will be forthcoming.
Also in the November/December Highland’s Council update, Ringwood was approved to receive two scope of work reimbursement grants!
Warm Regards,
