Council approves using open-space funds for Burling Park improvements after debate

The Clifton Municipal Council approved using open-space funds to cover the city’s share of a Burling Park improvement project after a divided discussion Aug. 19, with a 4-2 vote.

Council members debated whether to immediately use open-space reserves to cover the municipal match or to delay while an outside engineer reviewed conceptual plans. Proponents said the city already has approximately $1.1 million in its open-space fund and that the Burling Park allocation — roughly $347,000 as discussed in session — represented a modest portion of the balance. They argued using open-space money would avoid interest expense associated with bonding and would allow the city to move projects that had already been awarded grants.

Opponents urged caution, saying some grant-funded park plans lacked full engineering documents and that the council should have the new municipal engineer vet final plans before awarding construction contracts. Councilwoman Pino and others asked that the new engineer review the conceptual drawings and confirm that the scope met ‘all-inclusive’ standards emphasized in the council’s past policy discussions about accessibility.

The council ultimately approved the use of open-space funds by roll call: Councilman Kolodziej, Councilman Latona, Councilwoman Pino and Mayor Grabowski voted yes; Councilman D’Amato and Councilwoman Sadracula voted no. The motion included a note that the new municipal engineer may review the project prior to final contract award.

Outcome: motion carried 4-2. Council also asked staff to coordinate with the new engineer and the Open Space Committee to finalize plans and ensure grant compliance.

What’s next: engineering review and final design work; staff to confirm grant requirements and the city’s share of costs; council expects project updates at future meetings.