A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to resident Alexander Cole’s concerns about the recent surge in automobile thefts in Glen Ridge. Cole recounted a recent attempted break-in at his home and expressed the need for increased security measures to deter such criminal activities. He proposed the implementation of automatic license plate readers as a potential solution while acknowledging the necessity for community cooperation in securing their vehicles.

The police chief addressed these concerns, confirming the existence of a statewide auto theft ring and the involvement of the Attorney General’s office in pursuing organized crime charges. The chief emphasized ongoing efforts by the police department to address the issue, highlighting the use of technology like license plate readers and strategic focus on known hotspots. He stressed the importance of community vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious activities.

Cole further inquired about cross-town collaboration to comprehensively tackle the issue. The chief confirmed the existence of an auto theft task force involving local jurisdictions and state police, which facilitates information and resource sharing. The council and the chief discussed maintaining police visibility through traffic enforcement and deploying unoccupied police vehicles with video capabilities as deterrents. They noted that while some residents appreciated increased visibility, others expressed concerns about parking regulations, highlighting the need for flexible crime prevention tactics.

In the realm of municipal governance, the council unanimously approved several resolutions and ordinances. One key focus was ordinance number 1822, introduced for first reading, which aims to amend chapter 13.04 concerning the water service system. This ordinance seeks to ensure comprehensive and timely replacement of water meters. A fine proposed in the ordinance was discussed briefly, with plans to review the effective date of September 20th in an upcoming workshop.

Ordinance number 1820 was also discussed, which pertains to exceeding municipal budget appropriation limits and establishing a cap bank for the calendar year 2025. The mayor facilitated a public discussion on the ordinance, explaining its annual adoption to remain compliant with state budget cap laws. With no public comments, the ordinance was adopted unanimously.

In addition, the council adopted resolution number 9225, focusing on the 2025 Essex County Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan outlines goals and actions for reducing risks from potential hazards and disasters. The resolution received unanimous support, with acknowledgment of the police department’s contributions to the planning process.

The council also discussed ordinance number 1821, addressing parking restrictions on designated streets to facilitate street sweeping and maintain clear storm drains. This ordinance underwent a brief discussion, with references to consultations with local residents and Bloomfield’s involvement in street maintenance. The ordinance was adopted following a public hearing.

Community engagement was highlighted through various updates and initiatives. A report on community affairs noted the issuance of the town newsletter, available online, and reminded residents of upcoming recycling day and bulk trash pickup events. The council proclaimed April 25th, 2025, as Arbor Day in Glen Ridge, emphasizing the borough’s recognition as a Tree City USA and recent tree-planting efforts with the Shade Tree Commission.

Further updates were shared from the Planning and Development Committee, including ongoing efforts with the Historic Preservation Commission and an Environmental Advisory Committee movie screening event at the library. Residents were reminded of household hazardous waste collection events and encouraged to participate in the safe disposal of hazardous materials. The chief of police reinforced this message by promoting a medicine drop-off event to prevent unwanted prescription drugs from entering the waste stream.