PARK RIDGE—Voters signaled support on Nov. 4 for dredging and restoring Mill Pond — but with limits on how much the borough should borrow to do it.
In a non-binding referendum, voters approved a plan to incur up to $5 million in bond debt for dredging and cleanup of the long-neglected pond, while rejecting a higher $10 million borrowing option.
On Question 1, which asked whether the borough should incur up to $5 million in bond debt to dredge the pond, voters said yes, 1,694 (55.71%) to 1,347 (44.29%). Borough officials said that level of borrowing would cost the “average” $500,000 homeowner about $101 per year for 25 years.
On Question 2, asking whether the borough should incur up to $10 million in bond debt, voters said no, 1,615 (55.77%) to 1,281 (44.23%).
On Question 3, which asked whether the borough should dredge the pond at all, voters narrowly backed the idea, 1,443 (52.4%) to 1,311 (47.6%).
A total of 3,041 voters cast ballots on Question 1; 2,896 on Question 2; and 2,754 on Question 3. Of Park Ridge’s 7,314 registered voters, 4,473 cast ballots Nov. 4, a turnout of 61.16%. Because the referendum questions appeared on the second page of the ballot, not every voter weighed in on them.
Local officials stressed that the results are advisory, but said they plan to take the outcome seriously as they consider whether — and how — to move forward.
Over recent decades, Mill Pond has become choked with sediment and debris and, according to officials, contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons from road runoff and upstream communities. The result has been declining water quality, reduced fishing diversity, and a loss of stormwater storage capacity.
Resident Kerry Shelby brought new urgency to the issue this summer, pressing the mayor and council to place a public question on the ballot and organizing an online petition drive. Her goal, she said, was to give residents a direct say on whether to invest in the long-discussed dredging project.
Most borough council members had said in advance that they would follow the will of the voters on the non-binding referendum. The council is expected to discuss the outcome and possible next steps at its Tuesday, Nov. 11 meeting.
Officials react
Mayor Keith Misciagna credited residents — and Shelby in particular — for the referendum’s outcome. “I don’t believe this would’ve happened without the efforts of Park Ridge resident Kerry Shelby who along with a small group of residents did a wonderful job educating the public on why this project deserved to be done.”
Misciagna added, “It’s obvious the citizens understood the question and support a dredging project and I expect that we can get it moving in 2026. The council stated they would follow the will of our residents and I expect them to do so.”
Councilman Robert Metzdorf said the message from voters was clear.: “The voters have spoken and they want to spend $5 million, along with other money we can get in grants, to substantially improve the pond.”
Metzdorf said Neglia Engineering was out on Mill Pond last week collecting soil samples to help determine how to proceed with future work. He said the pond is contaminated with sediment, polluted road and lawn runoff, and runoff from upstream communities. He, too, singled out Shelby’s efforts to publicize the need for dredging and restoration.
Shelby said she sees the result as a case study in how local democracy can work. “This is really how the system is supposed to work and bring change. If you put energy into something, you’ll see results.”
She added, “We all need to show up and listen to each other. This is more about how important it is that the community shows up to help make the community better.”
Councilor Michael Mintz said the vote gives the borough a green light to move forward: “The public wants Mill Pond to be cleaned up and dredged. The passing of the $5 million amount means we can start pursuing additional funding to monies already raised. Personally I was happy with the cooperation of the entire governing body, citizens and Green Team.”
Council President Greg Hoffman said he’s eager to begin the detailed work — with one caveat. “As we have mentioned at prior council meetings, the council ordered an environmental survey and a structural analysis of the dam earlier this year, and we cannot begin the dredging project until the results of those studies come in. We expect to have the reports very soon.”