Council withdraws Main Street grant resolution, cites staffing and matching‑fund issues

The Clifton Heights Borough Council voted July 21 to withdraw a pending resolution and contract award tied to the borough’s Main Street Matters grant and the Grama Success Labs project. The borough manager told council that after reviewing the grant requirements with the council president and the mayor, staff concluded the effort would require a full‑time manager to administer the program, individual negotiations with each property owner, substantial documentation and matching funds of $25,000 per property (the transcript records a maximum award of $500,000). The manager also said the borough is losing a part‑time inspector, Dennis English, and that staff capacity combined with other ongoing grants (the manager referenced $5,500,000 of grants generally) made it impractical to proceed this year. Councilman Fagioli moved to rescind the agenda item and resolution 2025-10 (Grama Success Labs/Main Street Matters); Councilman Gorman seconded. The motion to rescind was put to voice vote during the manager’s report and the chair called for ayes and opposed; the transcript records the motion as carried. Council directed that the item be parked for possible reconsideration next year. No formal alternative plan or funding reallocation was adopted at the meeting.