Council approves $8,000 purchase of aerial bucket truck and two‑permit plan for Walnut Street parking lot; borough to do parking study

Clifton Heights Borough Council approved two manager’s‑office items: (1) purchase of a used 2010 Ford F‑150 aerial bucket van for $8,000 to install veterans’ flags, banners and perform minor tree trimming, and (2) a revised Walnut Street parking permit plan allowing residents up to two overnight permits per household for the Walnut Street parking lot. Council also confirmed a borough‑wide parking study will be completed under a grant.

Manager’s office staff described the F‑150 purchase as a tool to maintain veterans’ flags, Fourth of July banners and to perform minor tree work; the manager noted the truck fills an operational need previously handled by an ad‑hoc borough contact. Council member Braun moved to approve the $8,000 purchase; the motion passed by roll call with all members present voting yes.

On Walnut Street parking, council said the originally proposed ordinance change was being tabled in favor of a practical interim solution: residents on Walnut Avenue (and affected streets) may receive up to two overnight parking permits per household for the Walnut Street lot; permits are nonexclusive and do not guarantee a specific stall. The manager and council members said a community committee had met with staff and residents before presenting the revised approach. Councilmember Fagioli moved the permit plan change and Mister Pan seconded; council approved the motion by voice vote.

Council said a separate grant will fund a borough‑wide parking study to consider parking rules and enforcement more comprehensively. In public comment, a resident raised enforcement concerns about abandoned and improperly registered vehicles and asked that the parking study address enforcement and accessibility for residents with mobility issues.