Verona Town Council Announces New Initiatives and Discusses Concerns
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
12/12/2023
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Recording Published:
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Duration:
84 Minutes
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Essex County
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Towns:
Verona
- Meeting Overview:
The latest Verona Town Council meeting was a hive of activity, with discussions on moving the election to November, the status of the Sunset development project, and the approval of several resolutions including budget transfers, tax sales, and grants. The meeting also saw Deputy Mayor Jack McEvoy providing updates on projects such as the Joint FP control board, and the wastewater treatment plant. It concluded with the appointment of new members to the Environmental Commission, and discussions about the Township’s 501c3 status and potential updates to the election schedule.
The meeting began with Mayor Christopher Tamburro expressing gratitude for the successful Thanksgiving service hosted by the clergy council and the First and Only Presbyterian Church of Verona. He also thanked the first responders, volunteers, and community organizations for their contributions to the Fair in the Square event. The council members, including Councilman Alex Roman and Councilwoman Cynthia Holland, shared their experiences at the League of Municipalities, emphasizing the informative sessions they attended. They also expressed their appreciation for the community’s high turnout at the Fair in the Square event.
Deputy Mayor Jack McEvoy took the opportunity to report on several key items, including the progress of the Joint FP control board, the wastewater treatment plant, the residential escrow fees, and the Lind Drive and Fairview Avenue wells projects. He also provided updates on grant programs and applications, and highlighted the ongoing reviews and investigations into parking meter rates and the energy supply to the municipal accounts.
Discussions at the meeting included the possibility of moving the election to November. One member praised the council for directing the attorney to look into the specifics of the move, a process they deemed long overdue. They also suggested that the attorney should explore the possibility of a direct election of the mayor, to address confusion among the public about the mayoral selection process.
Another topic of high interest was the Sunset development project. Concerns were raised about the status of the developer’s agreement and the potential impact of the construction on traffic in the area. The council members expressed a willingness to work with the county to address these concerns.
During the discussion of ordinances, some council members expressed objections to an ordinance related to water consumption rates, citing concerns about the utility rate-making process. Despite these concerns, the ordinance was ultimately passed with a 3-2 vote. The council also introduced two new ordinances related to privately owned salt storage and the implementation of a voter-approved increase to the Verona open space recreation, farmland, and historic preservation trust fund. These ordinances were passed unanimously on first reading.
Christopher Tamburro
City Council Officials:
Deputy Mayor Jack McEvoy, Councilman Alex Roman, Councilwoman Christine McGrath, Councilwoman Cynthia Holland
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
12/12/2023
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Recording Published:
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Duration:
84 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Essex County
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Towns:
Verona
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