South River council adopts zoning, grant and redevelopment ordinances; consent package clears with abstentions

The Borough of South River council approved several ordinances and a package of consent resolutions during its February 2025 meeting.

On second reading, the council adopted Ordinance 2025-4, an amendment to chapter 350 of the borough code on zoning that addresses retail cannabis licenses. The motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Council President Seola and seconded by Councilman Kazimier; the council opened and closed a public hearing and then approved the ordinance (motion to approve by Councilwoman Morales, second by Council President DeSio). The transcript shows the council voice vote as "Aye." The land-use board had reviewed the ordinance and recommended a minor amendment clarifying that a subsection would not apply to lots with frontage on Main Street.

The council also adopted Ordinance 2025-6, described in the meeting as "the ordinance authorizing various federal housing and community development grant improvements and equipment located in the borough of South River in the county of Middlesex, New Jersey." That ordinance was read and adopted on second reading; the motion was moved by Council President Silvers and seconded by Councilman Kazimier.

Council members approved a redevelopment-plan amendment (2025-7) amending Subarea 152 of the Lower Main Street redevelopment plan for 25 Beach Street LLC.

The council moved Ordinance 155-30 (chapter 30 water) on first reading by title only and scheduled a second reading and public hearing for 7 p.m. in March 2025 (the meeting notice specified Zoom or council chambers at the Criminal Justice Building, 61 Main Street). The motion to pass first reading was made by Council President Ciela and seconded by Councilwoman Gallas.

The meeting concluded with a consent resolution package (Resolutions 86 through 106). The consent items included authorizations for the South River Fire Department boot drive (Res. 86), vehicle auction (Res. 88), firefighter appointments (Res. 89, 101), an architectural and engineering award (Res. 92), submission of a 2025 HCD block grant proposal (Res. 93), the agreement with Byron Metering Solutions (Res. 94), NJDOT grant applications for several street-improvement projects (Res. 105 and 106), and other routine items. The consent package was adopted by roll call; the transcript records general "Yes" votes and notes abstentions: one council member abstained on Resolution 103 and another listed specific abstentions on several numbered items.

No ordinance or resolution was tabled at the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2025-4 (zoning amendment for retail cannabis licenses): motion to adopt by Council President Seola; second by Councilman Kazimier; outcome: adopted on second reading (public hearing opened and closed).

- Ordinance 2025-6 (federal housing and community development grant improvements): motion by Council President Silvers; second by Councilman Kazimier; outcome: adopted on second reading.

- Ordinance 2025-7 (redevelopment-plan amendment for 25 Beach Street LLC): described and moved; outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance 155-30 (chapter 30 water): passed first reading by title only; second reading/public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. in March 2025.

- Consent resolutions 86'106 (including Res. 94, agreement with Byron Metering Solutions; Res. 92, award for architectural/engineering design; Res. 93, HCD block grant submission; Res. 105'106, NJDOT grant applications): adopted by roll call. The transcript records abstentions by specified council members on some items; the record does not provide a full named tally for each resolution in the minutes excerpt provided.

The council provided no dollar amounts or ordinance text details at the meeting beyond the titles and purposes read into the record; several items were described as ministerial or routine and moved as part of the consent agenda.