WESTWOOD—The April 5 mayor and council work session was packed, with presentations on World Trade Center steel for the 9/11 Memorial and an Eagle Scout candidate’s proposal for a final project.
The council heard from the borough engineer via his biweekly report, and members discussed desilt/de-snag options pertaining to flood control.
The council introduced Resolution #22, the 2022 Municipal budget: $19,983,357, representing a 1% increase. (It’s accommodating road resurfacing, rec improvements to be paid by fees, and a new garbage truck.) The council next meets May 3.
Items for discussion included “various resolutions” (Mayor Ray Arroyo); electronic vehicle chargers (Cheryl Hodges); signs at Veterans Memorial Park/Train Station fence (council president Beth Dell); Special Law Enforcement Office draft ordinance (Erin Collins); and a Westwood Regional Middle School traffic change (Erin Collins).
There were ordinances for introduction:
- 22-10 Calendar year 2022 ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation
- Limits and to establish a CAP bank (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14).
An ordinance was adopted: 22-9 Bond ordinance to authorize the acquisition of a new pumper fire engine, including original apparatus and equipment (to appropriate $620,000 to pay the cost thereof, to make a down payment, to authorize the issuance of bonds and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of those bonds.)
Various resolutions were passed:
- Appointment of grant writer – Fred Rella.
- Authorizing Westwood Volunteer Fire Department – Matters of personnel.
- In support of reforms to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Use of Force Policy, Addendum B, Vehicular Pursuit Policy.
- In support of bail reform measures under consideration by the New Jersey Legislature and in support of additional reforms.
- Opposing A1294/S2103a and its impact on flood-prone properties.
- Supporting A3669 with revision.
- Objecting to potential purchase of defunct bus terminal by New Jersey Transit as continuation of use contrary to borough’s Master Plan and detrimental to the health and welfare of the residents of the Borough of Westwood.
- Supporting S790 Flood Control Measures.
- Authorizing preparation of plans and specifications, bidding, and construction inspection for the 2022 Road Resurfacing Program.
Arroyo explains resolutions
At the meeting, Mayor Ray Arroyo expanded on thoughts he shared with us in “Hub Kmart soon to be last; eyes on Westwood Plaza as anchor tenant wavers,” March 19, 2022. He’d worried about Assembly bill 1294, which would overrule local zoning and allow developers of qualifying office parks and shopping centers to redevelop with residential mixed use as of-right.”
He said his post on those views generated a good question in the comments.
Overall, he remarked on three resolutions:
Gas Tax Pause. A3669. “It’s a regressive tax disproportionately impacting low-wage earners. February saw a year-to-year average increase of 43.6 % in the price of U.S. fuel oil. Three states (Maryland, Connecticut, and Georgia) have paused their state gas tax. Twenty other states are debating it,” Arroyo said.
He said, “Summer, when demand is high, supply is stressed, and prices normally creep up — will soon be upon us; and there will be nothing normal about the coming season. Given that U.S. prices have never been this high, we think New Jersey should consider this temporary relief measure.”
He added, “And we note that the revenue estimates for the last two budget cycles were exceeded (last year’s collection was $4.6 billion over estimate) and that the state has collected $8.6 billion more in revenue since its 2019 pre pandemic collection — which at the time was also a benchmark record.”
The mayor said, “We believe the state can find the money to cover the gas tax revenue shortfall that a pause would entail.”
A1294/S2103. “We oppose on the basis that the municipalities are entrusted with local planning and zoning per the Municipal Land Use Law, because of the intimate knowledge local land use boards have regarding unique, local conditions and features that inform the local zone plan.”
The mayor said, “Our objection is underscored by the draft bill failing to make a carve-out for office parks and shopping centers that may be in, or adjacent to, flood zones.”
And he said, “We have included in our resolution a request that should the legislation advance, such a carveout be included, leaving flood-prone properties subject to local land use planning and zoning ordinances.”
In the event that request fails, he said, “We are asking that a hold-harmless clause shielding municipalities from class action suits brought by property owners adversely impacted by this bill.”
Resolution objecting to Transfer/Sale of Coach Bus Property to NJT. “This nonconforming and environmentally compromised use – adjacent to both the R1 Zone to the north and the apartments between it and the Hospital – as a continuing use is contrary to the master plan and zoning ordinance as spelled out in the resolution.”
For more information visit westwoodnj.gov.