Township of Rockaway

The Board of Adjustment reviewed several variance applications and resolutions. Key actions included the approval of an escrow payment for professional services and the memorialization of several "C" and "D" variances for properties on Grove Lane, Mountain Avenue, and East Blackwell Street. The Board also held a public hearing for a property on Green Pond Road, approving a "C" variance for an addition, and heard an application for a site plan approval and variance relief for a property on Carrell Street, which the applicant requested to carry forward to a future date for plan revisions.

The meeting covered various administrative and legislative items. Key discussions included authorizing purchases through cooperative contracts, approving a refund for a water overpayment, and granting authorization for retaining professional services exceeding the bid threshold, which involved a specific resolution where one Council Member abstained due to conflict of interest concerns. The Council also addressed a committee reassignment, appointing members to various boards and committees for one-year terms, including the Regional Board of Education and the Library Board of Trustees. Council reports detailed snow removal efforts, concerns regarding PFAS contamination at the Superfund site, updates on a fair housing mediation overlay map, and upcoming fundraisers. Administration reports covered the announcement of a forthcoming bond ordinance for PFAS remediation, planned bridge repair projects, and the availability of warming centers due to extreme cold.

The key discussion items for this meeting revolved around ordinance consistency determinations referred by the governing body. Specifically, the board addressed Ordinances O-26-03, O-26-04, O-26-05, and O-26-06, which pertain to amending Chapter 54 of the Township Code regarding land use and development, creating and modifying various multifamily residential overlay districts (R-B MFO, RMF-14, RMFO-15B, RMFO-15C). Other agenda items included correspondence, committee reports, and a memorandum from Burgis Associates, Inc. regarding Affordable Housing Ordinances Consistency Review.

The meeting addressed several administrative and legislative items. Key discussions included recognizing a local business owner for entrepreneurial success and formally addressing and refuting prior allegations regarding conflicts of interest involving the Council President and Town Attorney. The Council proceeded with the appointment of Hatfield Schwartz Law Group as Labor Counsel following a review of their qualifications concerning civil service matters and negotiations. Several ordinances were introduced, including one appropriating funds for PFAS remediation, and others amending the Land Use and Development code related to business and multifamily residential districts, as well as amending the ordinance governing wedding and civil union ceremonies. During public comment, residents raised questions regarding the location of proposed housing districts and the allocation of the $1.2 million DuPont settlement funds (which were clarified as restricted to water utility PFOA treatment). The Council passed a resolution to name the new Water Utility building in honor of former supervisors George Riedel and Tom Stalter. The Consent Agenda included resolutions concerning tax title lien redemption, a strategic plan submission for a Municipal Alliance Grant, a soil disturbance permit, and authorization to retain professional services and use competitive contracting for banking services. New business included appointments to Fire Company #3 and Fire Company #5. Council reports covered topics such as road maintenance performance, local school initiatives, upcoming community events, and commendations for municipal employees and emergency responders.

The agenda for the regular meeting included the introduction of Ordinance O-26-07, which pertains to deleting and creating sections regarding Fair Share Housing Requirements. Ordinances for adoption included O-26-01 for PFAS remediation appropriation ($864,737.74) and O-26-02 amending the fee for non-resident wedding and civil union ceremonies. The Council planned to consider Resolution R-26-51, opposing the location of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing/detention facility in Roxbury Township. The consent agenda featured several resolutions authorizing the redemption of tax title liens and the cancellation/refund of property taxes for 100% disabled veterans. New business included a discussion regarding a junior membership application for Savannah Jacobs to Fire Company #1.