Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parking Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press council on blocked hydrants, parking enforcement, Cadmus House repairs and town cleanliness
Summary
During public comment, residents raised repeated illegal parking at fire hydrants and suggested technology and pilot treatments, asked for updates on Cadmus House repairs, and urged more cleanup of roadside trash; council and staff outlined next steps.
Several residents used the July 29 public‑comment period to press borough officials on neighborhood safety and maintenance issues, including vehicles blocking fire hydrants, enforcement options, the status of historic properties and concerns about litter and invasive plants.
Resident Bruce Davis described two recent fatal New York City fires and said both scenes had blocked hydrants. He told the council that on his street — the First Block of Gruenauer Place — hydrants are frequently blocked and suggested painting curb markings or deploying a pilot program of "safety sticks" (portable posts that photograph violators) used by other Bergen County towns. Council members and borough staff responded that yellow curb paint is governed by state rules and cannot be applied arbitrarily, but the borough manager said staff would research enforcement options and the safety‑stick technology that some nearby towns have tested.
Davis and others asked for stepped‑up enforcement in problem blocks. Council members said callers should use the police non‑emergency line to report repeated violations and that the borough would ask the DPW superintendent to follow up when borough vehicles were implicated in blocking hydrants.
Pamela Coles and others also asked about the Cadmus House restoration. Borough staff said a structural engineer reviewed the building and recommended the site could re‑open for limited public access (up to five people) while additional reports and quotes for outside work are prepared. Staff said the final report was expected within about a week and that exterior landscape work would follow procurement rules and bid thresholds.
Residents raised cleanliness issues — overflowing or poorly sited public trash cans, bottles and dog‑waste bags left along major corridors and invasive bamboo at a historic property — and urged more frequent pickup and placement reviews. Borough staff said DPW will review can locations and usage reports and that the borough will assess trash pickup and consider pilot measures for visual cues or small posts in key locations.
Council members said they will research enforcement and pilot options, consult neighboring towns about safety‑stick systems and direct DPW to review trash can placement and report findings. No formal action or ordinance change was taken during the public‑comment period; council members directed staff to return with options.
