Pompton Lakes council approves parking-fee cut, road and park repairs, community garden and trash-route changes

Pompton Lakes Mayor and Council approved a consent agenda April 2 that included seven resolutions to reduce parking fees for business owners and employees; repair potholes and curbs; design expanded bleachers and restrooms at Lakeside Field; improve the borough summer recreation camp; develop a community garden to benefit the local food pantry; and adjust garbage pickup routes to avoid main roads during school drop-off and pickup times.

The council voted to adopt all items listed on the consent agenda after brief discussion. The resolutions were presented as part of the packet of consent resolutions and approved without separate roll-call tallies recorded in the public transcript.

The most discussed items during the consent debate included a proposal from Councilwoman Sofia Tortoiseau to reduce parking fees for business owners and employees, citing the burden on low-wage workers and the potential to attract new businesses. Council members also identified several streets—Laurel Avenue, Summit Avenue, Spruces Street and Central Avenue—for pothole repairs and named Ramapo Avenue (near the high school) for curb repairs to improve parking safety.

Councilor McNeil described Lakeside Field’s current bleachers as “very small” and noted the lack of permanent restrooms, arguing that expanded seating and built-in bathrooms would let more residents view youth games and reduce complaints. Councilwoman O’Meara said improvements to the summer recreation camp—new picnic tables, play equipment and functioning water fountains—would enhance the experience for campers and staff and could increase participation.

On the community garden resolution, council members and residents discussed deer control and flood-zone constraints. Several speakers said the garden would benefit the food pantry at St. Mary’s and provide lower-cost produce for residents; one resident noted state regulatory limits on fencing and said the school district controls much of the property near the proposed site.

Council members also supported a resolution to formalize garbage pickup routes so trucks avoid major roads during school drop-off and pickup, intended to reduce congestion near the high school and other school clusters.

Administrator Tia reported separately that the borough’s lake-treatment contractor will continue chemical applications in April to control algae and aquatic weeds; a related resolution will appear on a future agenda.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 25-01 — Authorize reduced parking fees for business owners and employees: approved (consent agenda). - Resolution 25-02 — Authorize funds to repair potholes on Laurel Ave, Summit Ave, Spruce Street and Central Ave: approved (consent agenda). - Resolution 25-03 — Authorize funds to repair curbs on Ramapo Ave, specifically near the high school: approved (consent agenda). - Resolution 25-04 — Authorize architect/engineer to design expanded bleachers with bathrooms at Lakeside Field: approved (consent agenda). - Resolution 25-05 — Authorize funds to improve Pompton Lakes summer recreation camp (tables, equipment, site repairs): approved (consent agenda). - Resolution 25-06 — Develop a community garden on borough open space to benefit the local food pantry: approved (consent agenda). - Resolution 25-07 — Establish garbage pickup routes to avoid main roads during school openings: approved (consent agenda).

The council did not record individual aye/nay tallies in the public transcript for the consent votes; the meeting minutes should contain formal roll-call results when published. The council indicated some items will require follow-up work—design contracts, coordination with the school district or state regulators, and future agenda items for implementation details.