WESTWOOD—When the Borough Council meets on Tuesday, June 27 at 8 p.m., three high-achieving scouts will present on their culminating projects: Emma Lagatol for her Gold Award, and Daniel Atkins and Tanush Tammanagoudar for their Eagle projects. The governing body fielded an Eagle presentation from Liam McDevitt on June 13.
Also on the June 27 agenda: a registered municipal clerk ceremony and a presentation on 5G service. The minutes of May 16 show Mayor Ray Arroyo noted the borough’s “5G locations are pretty straightforward, just a few issues.”
There are three ordinances for introduction:
- 23-20, amending Chapter 195 Land Use and Development Attachment 16;
- 23-21, authorizing the undertaking of environmental remediation and site improvements at the former police pistol range in, by and for the Borough of Westwood, to appropriate the sum of $290,000 to facilitate bonding; and
- 23-22, amending Chapter 330 Streets and Sidewalks Article V “Street Openings.”
No retail sales of cats, dogs
There is one ordinance for adoption: 23-19, amending Chapter 99 Animals to create Article VII “Prohibiting the Sale of Dogs and Cats by Retail Pet Stores.” The measure, introduced June 19, says a retail pet store that sells or offers for sale a dog or cat in violation of the section shall be fined by a sum of $500. Each sale or offer for sale in violation of § 99-49 shall constitute a separate offense.
The ordinance also says, “Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a retail pet store from providing space to an animal rescue organization or animal shelter, as defined in § 99-48, to publicly showcase dogs or cats available for adoption.”
Among the presentation of bills, financial reports, and resolutions:
- Estimated property tax bills,
- Certification of annual audit,
- Corrective action plan,
- Adoption of 2023 mayor and council bylaws,
- Renewal of 2023–2024 liquor licenses,
- Authorizing the execution of a uniform shared services and consolidation agreement for Special Law Enforcement Officer Class III by and between the Westwood Regional Board of Education and the Borough of Westwood,
- A resolution opposing Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) consumption law revisions,
- A resolution opposing unconditional revisions to brewery, distillery and winery regulations, and
- A resolution authorizing application to Lead Grant Assistance program.
As well, there’ll be mayor’s, councilmembers’, and professionals’ reports, and the public will be welcome to speak on agenda items and other areas of civic interest.
The meeting is at council chambers, 101 Washington Ave. No closed session items were listed for discussion. The agenda is subject to change. The governing body met for a special closed session June 19 over property management. (It pertained to attorney–client matters.)