Rutherford council repeals handicap parking space on Darwin Avenue

Rutherford's Mayor and Council voted to repeal a designated handicap parking space on Darwin Avenue during their March 10 regular meeting.

The ordinance, described by Missy as an amendment to Chapter 126 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the borough code, passed on second reading after a motion by Councilman Guzman and a second from Council President McGowan.

Councilman Guzman moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Missy read the ordinance title into the record as an amendment to Chapter 126 of the borough code to repeal the handicap parking space on Darwin Avenue. Council President McGowan seconded the motion and the council opened, then closed, public comment without speakers. A roll-call vote followed: Council President McGowan, Councilman Delraycone, Councilman Cottone, Councilman Coakley, Councilman Erika, and Councilman Guzman all voted yes. The mayor did not cast a vote on the record. The motion carried and the ordinance was adopted.

The change will remove the handicap-designated space from Darwin Avenue; the council did not discuss replacement spaces, alternate locations, or enforcement changes during the item on the record. No additional details about when signage would be removed or updated were provided at the meeting.

The ordinance was considered as part of the regular agenda and took place before the public comment period where residents later spoke on unrelated traffic enforcement issues.

Votes at a glance

• Repeal of handicap parking space on Darwin Avenue — Moved by Councilman Guzman; seconded by Council President McGowan; roll-call vote recorded as six yes, zero no; outcome: adopted on second reading.