Town of Boonton

The meeting included reports from various town departments and committees. The Administrator reported on onboarding the new DPW Superintendent, facilitating a pre-construction meeting for Pickleball Courts, conducting a bid opening for water treatment chemicals (with plans to rebid for six chemicals lacking bids), and working with the Fire Chief to secure temporary housing for Engine 305. The Finance and Personnel Committee is working on the budget and ordinances related to trash, demolition, and health, and plans to discuss the historic ordinance. The Police Committee discussed no-parking signs, snowstorm parking ordinances, and portable speed signs, noting the Police Department is working on accreditation. The Planning Board adopted a resolution concerning impervious coverage at 211 Monroe Street and discussed a new application for 103 Oak Street, as well as 4th Round Fair Share Housing amendments. The Board of Education celebrated Educators of the Year, addressed a pipe burst, considered a new communication system for security, approved the 2026-2027 calendar, and pursued a grant for gym bleachers. The Library celebrated the grand opening of its renovated children's room and hosted several community programs. The Parks and Recreation Committee announced upcoming indoor soccer and other events, and signed a letter of support for Parsippany trail installation. The Fire Department leadership is focusing on accountability, and members cleared over 500 fire hydrants after a snowstorm. The Council addressed consent resolutions, including approving minutes from prior meetings, authorizing payment of vouchers, appointing Matthew Sulpy to the Volunteer Fire Department, authorizing the submission of a Petition of Plan Conformance to the Highlands Council, appointing Acrisure as Broker of Record for group benefits, authorizing participation in a Cooperative Pricing Agreement led by Passaic County, awarding a contract for Axon Enterprise AI assistance (language translation for body-worn cameras), and endorsing the Revised 2025 Round Four Housing Element and Fair Share Plan while reserving rights concerning credits for affordable units. New business included the introduction of three ordinances concerning the AH-I Affordable Housing-Industrial District, the Division Street Redevelopment Plan, and repealing/replacing Chapter 70 "Affordable Housing" regarding Round Four obligations. Council comments included noting the passing of Crossing Guard Amy McCauley and forming a committee to review the Town's flag ordinance.

The agenda for the meeting included the call to order and reading of the Sunshine Statement, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call. Key discussion items involved payment of bills, review of resolutions (of which there were none), and public hearings, specifically for Application 2025-06 concerning 103 Oak Street. Board discussion items included viewing and discussion of Ordinances 1-26, 2-26, and 3-26, which were passed by the Mayor and Town Council on February 17, 2026. The meeting also allowed for public comment on non-agenda matters, old business, and new business, with a scheduled adjournment time.

The meeting included administrative and committee reports covering various town matters. The Economic Development report detailed work on several grants, including the TAP grant for the Daryus Theater, reviewing revised designer proposals, efforts to launch the community garden, progress on the transit village awaiting DOT feedback, and plans to secure computers for the senior center and install Wi-Fi in three major parks. The Parking report discussed the difficulty in comparing vendor RFPs for parking meters and the potential implementation of safety sticks for monitoring yellow zone violations. The Public Works report provided an assessment of recent snow removal operations, noting the effectiveness of the new superintendent and part-time workers, plans to revise snow removal sections, the need for tailgate spreaders, ongoing DPW office renovations slated for completion by April 1st, defining the supervisor role, and establishing a cleaning procedure for salt equipment to prevent rusting. The Board of Health update noted that ordinances regarding vape/smoking and massage facilities were referred to committees, with one ordinance on the agenda for introduction. The Main Street Committee reported on preparation for the 'Taste of Booton' event, upcoming spring events, plans for the town cleanup including assistance with the BMS trailer, and strategies to link the farmers market with Main Street businesses. The Green Team reported on setting 2026 goals, prioritizing Sustainable New Jersey certification, reinstating the shade tree commission, a textile recycling program, and coordinating townwide cleanups, along with plans for educational seminars. The Historic Preservation Commission reported no applications received but discussed the ongoing update to the Rockaway Street Historic District marker and the Highland Center designation historic report. The Housing Authority meeting was cancelled, with ongoing work on drainage issues on Chestnut Street and a facelift for Riverview.

The meeting commenced with a Closed Session wherein a resolution was passed to discuss litigation under N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 b. (7); no action was taken during this session. The subsequent Open Public Session included a presentation by Topology regarding the Town's draft Highlands Grant Petition documentation, which, if approved, would make the Town eligible for Highlands funding. Administrator Neil Henry provided updates on fielding proposals for Water Engineering Services, traffic details for the wastewater reduction program affecting Chestnut, Kanouse, and Green Streets, and repairs at the Miller Kingsland House and Toner Road pump station. The Economic Development/Special Projects Committee discussed the Tap Grant, Neighborhood Grants, a community garden concept, and the pickleball court preconstruction meeting. The Public Works Committee addressed maintenance for the new Town Hall boiler, upcoming crosswalk installations, and the selection of a new DPW Superintendent. The Board of Health announced that electric bikes are now treated as motorized vehicles, and proposed ordinances concerning electronic smoking devices and massage establishments. The Boonton Main Street committee discussed the 'Love Notes to Boonton' First Friday theme and plans for the 2026 Farmers' Market. The Historic Preservation Commission held its reorganization meeting, appointing new leadership and conditionally approving an application for 925 Main Street. The Housing Authority reported on new member swearing-in, the issuance of RFPs for professional services, completion of sinkhole repairs at Plane Street, and ongoing drainage issues on Chestnut Street. The Consent Agenda approved various resolutions, including the appointment of Patrick Laverty as Administrative Agent and Municipal Housing Liaison, the hiring of Erik Gore as Public Works Superintendent, the hiring of temporary laborers for snow removal, authorization for prior year appropriation transfers, approval of a final change order for the 122 Plane Street Drainage Improvement Project, and the award of the Meter Replacement Program contract to Core & Main, LP. During the public portion, concerns regarding resident rights and support protocols during Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity were raised and addressed by the Mayor.

The agenda included reports from the Administrator and various committees and liaisons, covering areas such as Economic Development, Public Works, Health, Main Street, and Historic Preservation. The Consent Agenda included resolutions for the approval of previous meeting minutes (specifically the Regular Meeting of February 17, 2026), approval of vouchers for payment, authorization for transfer of prior year appropriations within the CY2025 Budget involving Engineering S/W and Planning Board O/E accounts for PB legal settlement fees, and the award of contracts for the procurement of water treatment chemicals to JCI Jones Chemicals, Inc. and Shannon Chemical Corporation. New Business introduced an ordinance amendment concerning the regulation of electronic smoking devices and psychoactive substances. The meeting concluded with comments from council members and attorneys, and a period open to the public.