Pompton Lakes council adopts 2025 municipal budget; several ordinances introduced and routine resolutions approved

The Pompton Lakes Borough Council on April 23 adopted the borough's 2025 municipal budget after a public hearing and roll-call vote.

CFO Elizabeth (Liz) Brantness read the budget ordinance and appropriation summary during the meeting. The reading set the municipal appropriation at $11,598,482 and allocated $117,009.58 for open-space and recreation purposes; the CFO also referenced a minimum library tax figure read aloud during the budget presentation. After a brief public comment period during which residents raised local infrastructure concerns — including a request to expedite repairs to a storm drain on Colfax Avenue — the council moved to adopt the budget by roll call. The motion carried; the roll-call statements recorded all members present voting in favor.

Nut graf: The adopted budget establishes the borough's spending plan for 2025 and sets aside recurring amounts for municipal operations, open-space/recreation and the library levy; adoption also clears the way for department budgets and planned capital work.

Other actions and votes at the meeting:

- Ordinance 25-17 (capital bond authorization) was introduced for final adoption on May 14; the ordinance lists multi-year capital projects, including river clearing/cleanup work and replacement/possible conversion of garbage trucks in future years. Council members asked staff to clarify what "improvements to the river" meant; staff described it as river clearing/stream cleaning and tree removal tied to ongoing river work.

- Ordinance 25-18 (amend chapter 10, animal control) was introduced to revert the dog and cat license expiration to Dec. 31 to conform with state statute; the ordinance also clarified that late fees are assessed starting March 15.

- Resolution 25-1-72 (observing Building Safety Month 2025) was approved; a council member used the moment to press for a safety railing on the municipal building steps and staff said it could be considered in future budget discussions.

- Consent agenda: Resolutions 25-1-64 through 25-1-75 were approved with the removal of one item (25-1-70) for separate handling.

- Event permits approved: the annual Memorial Day parade (May 25, 2025); a Lakeside Avenue closure for Pumpkin Day (Aug. 31, 2025) and waiver of permit fees for borough-licensed food vendors at that event; a block party on Sunset Road (June 14, 2025). The council's approvals include standard notifications to police, fire and first-aid squads.

Quotes: "This is, kinda my budget," the CFO said while introducing the ordinance, acknowledging the staff effort to pull the document together. During public comment a resident, George Paul of Colfax Avenue, urged continued progress on a long-standing storm-drain project; borough staff said a site visit and cost estimate were scheduled and negotiations would follow.

Ending: Council members closed the public hearing and adopted the budget. Several council members said they intended to track capital projects and staffing needs as the year proceeds.