Highland Park council adopts ordinance to limit sump pump discharges to roadways

The Highland Park Borough Council adopted Ordinance 25-2100 on first reading to amend borough code and regulate sump pump drainage, explicitly prohibiting sump pump discharge directly into public rights of way such as streets and sidewalks.

Council member Matthew Fursch, chair of the Public Works and Public Utilities Committee, said the measure updates “article 1 of the borough code to create guidance on sump pump drainage and to explicitly prohibit the sump pump drainage directly into a right of way street or sidewalk.” He told the council the ordinance originated from the borough’s Environmental Commission and was reviewed by the public works committee and at the December 3 work session.

Supporters on the dais framed the ordinance as part of the borough’s stormwater-management and environmental efforts. The ordinance was read for introduction by title and carried by roll call vote; all council members present voted yes.

The ordinance was introduced for consideration of passage on first reading, which moves the measure to a later meeting for final adoption unless further action is taken in the interim. The council did not set an effective date in the meeting record.

The borough clerk read the ordinance title into the record during the meeting’s business portion; council members who spoke identified the origin and purpose of the change but did not describe implementing regulations or enforcement details in the meeting discussion.

Council members encouraged residents to consult borough staff or the clerk’s office for specific compliance questions once the ordinance proceeds to final adoption. No amendments or provisos were recorded at the introduction vote.