New Milford Borough Council Launches Memorial Bench Program Amid Community Engagement Initiatives

The New Milford Borough Council meeting recently centered around the introduction of a memorial bench program, the adoption of several ordinances, and updates on community events and projects. The meeting also featured the recognition of the New Milford Swim Club’s championship victory and discussions on infrastructure improvements and environmental initiatives.

A noteworthy topic of the meeting was the introduction of a memorial bench program, which arose due to interest from families wanting to honor loved ones. The program will allow families or organizations to fundraise or donate for the installation of uniform benches by the borough. The Department of Public Works will oversee the installations. This initiative was well-received by the council, and a motion to commence the program passed without opposition.

In a show of community pride, the council recognized the 2025 Central Bergen Swim League Champions with a ceremony. The New Milford Swim Club, which had not won a championship since 2017, expressed gratitude for the support from the mayor and council. Certificates were presented to the team members, celebrating their accomplishment and the growth of the club.

The council adopted three ordinances following standard procedures, which included public hearings that yielded no comments. Ordinance 2025-23 amended local regulations to allow the display of commemorative flags on borough-owned flagpoles, reflecting governmental expression. Ordinance 2025-24 delineated guidelines for private displays of pennants, banners, and flags. Ordinance 2025-25 approved capital improvements for channel stabilization on French Brook, with a $20,000 allocation to enhance flood mitigation efforts.

The council also introduced three new ordinances for future public hearings. Ordinance 2025-26 focuses on regulating the planting and removal of running bamboo. Ordinance 2025-27 seeks to allocate funds for new fire department equipment. Ordinance 2025-28 proposes updates to regulations concerning streets and sidewalks, including excavation and construction requirements.

Community engagement and environmental initiatives were equally prominent during the meeting. Updates revealed that electric vehicle charging stations at the library and Borough Hall are now operational, while work at Nightsfield continues, pending inspections. The council discussed ongoing efforts to reach a 1,000-pound collection goal in the recyclable film program, which would earn the borough a bench as a reward. This initiative has seen considerable community support, and volunteers are encouraged to assist.

In terms of community events, the Friends of the Library organized a book sale at the New Milford Public Library, inviting residents to donate books in the lead-up to the event. A townwide garage sale is also scheduled, with maps available at the library. Fire Awareness Day and a Fall Festival organized by the Berkeley School PTO are among the upcoming events, promising to engage residents with various activities, crafts, and food offerings.

The council received updates on several infrastructure projects. Renovations for Borough Hall bathrooms are underway, financed by a Bergen County Community Development Block Grant. Bids for the French Brook Channel stabilization project and the NJ DOT Main Street improvement project are expected soon.

The meeting included reports on successful community events, such as National Night Out, which was praised for drawing significant attendance and fostering community spirit.

The council also touched on storm preparedness, with discussions around recent weather events prompting initiatives to safeguard the community. The council proposed naming a softball field in honor of Debbie Joerger, a longtime softball coordinator whose contributions were celebrated posthumously.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Michael Putrino
City Council Officials:
Randi Duffie (Council President), Hedy Grant (Councilwoman), Ira Grotsky (Councilman), Lisa Sandhusen (Councilwoman), Matthew Seymour (Councilman), Art Zeilner (Councilman)

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