Pompton Lakes Borough Council Faces Flood Mitigation Challenges and Budget Adjustments
- Meeting Overview:
During the recent Pompton Lakes Borough Council meeting, discussion emerged concerning flood mitigation efforts and the financial implications of ongoing property buyouts in flood-prone areas. Highlighting the need for strategic planning, the council considered potential tax incentives for homeowners dealing with repetitive flooding, amidst legal constraints and financial challenges.
A significant portion of the meeting centered around a shared service agreement with Wayne Township, focusing on elevating homes affected by flooding. The council acknowledged the annual loss of property tax revenue due to the increasing number of buyouts, presenting a pressing challenge for the borough’s financial stability. While some members suggested offering tax incentives to encourage residents to elevate their homes rather than sell them to state buyout programs, the legality of such incentives was questioned. This conversation drew attention to the historical context of the Blue Acres program, where towns previously received tax reductions as homes were removed from vulnerable areas.
In parallel, the council tackled Resolution 25151, involving the introduction of a $339,100 budget for the Pompton Lakes Community Partnership Business Improvement District for 2025. A discrepancy in budget figures was addressed, clarifying that the amount included rollover funds from the previous fiscal year, which operates from April 1st to March 31st.
Public concerns also featured prominently, with residents exissues related to infrastructure and safety. George Papov voiced frustration over a long-standing storm drain issue on his property, which had caused erosion and remained unresolved despite previous commitments from the borough. He urged the council to honor earlier promises to cover repair costs adequately. Another resident highlighted a recurring school bus parking issue on Lambert Street, requesting increased police monitoring of speeding on Moniku Avenue for pedestrian safety.
Additional discussions included the authorization of emergency temporary appropriations to cover legal expenses. The approval of resolutions related to highway improvement projects and infrastructure enhancements further reinforced the borough’s focus on upgrading local amenities.
On a community level, the meeting recognized various achievements and contributions. The council celebrated local students for their academic successes, including the announcement of the valedictorian and salutatorian from Pompton Lakes High School. The Pompton Lakes Women’s Club was acknowledged for their efforts in promoting Child Abuse Prevention Month, with Mayor Michael Serra emphasizing community involvement in such initiatives.
The meeting also addressed infrastructure projects, noting the upcoming resurfacing of Doors Highway and improvements to ADA curb ramps, alongside planned enhancements for Willow Field and the playground at Hersfield Park.
Michael Serra
City Council Officials:
Jennifer Polidori, Ek Venin, Maria Kent, Bobby Cruz, Lisa Kihlberg, Ranuel “Randy” Hinton
-
Meeting Type:
City Council
-
Committee:
-
Meeting Date:
04/09/2025
-
Recording Published:
04/14/2025
-
Duration:
59 Minutes
-
Notability Score:
Routine
Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:
-
State:
New Jersey
-
County:
Passaic County
-
Towns:
Pompton Lakes
Recent Meetings Nearby:
- 12/15/2025
- 12/16/2025
- 170 Minutes
- 12/15/2025
- 12/15/2025
- 134 Minutes
- 12/15/2025
- 12/16/2025
- 44 Minutes