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Boonton council advances multiple housing and public-health ordinances; $990,000 water bond introduced
Summary
The Boonton Town Council moved a consent agenda and advanced four ordinances tied to New Jersey's fourth-round affordable housing requirements, a Division Street redevelopment plan and local regulation of vaping/electronic smoking; the council introduced a $990,000 bond ordinance for water system improvements.
Boonton Town Council on March 23 moved a consent agenda of resolutions and advanced a package of ordinances addressing the town's Round 4 affordable housing obligations, Division Street redevelopment and local regulation of electronic smoking devices, and introduced a bond ordinance to finance water-system improvements.
Mayor Lynch opened the meeting and, after no members of the public spoke during the hearings, the council voted by roll call to move Ordinance 1-26 (amend AH-1 affordable housing industrial district), Ordinance 2-26 (Division Street redevelopment plan changes tied to 2025 Round 4 housing), Ordinance 3-26 (repeal and replace Chapter 70, affordable housing) and Ordinance 4-26 (regulation of electronic smoking devices, vape shops and related substances) forward for the next procedural step. The council also approved the consent agenda (Resolutions 26-88 through 26-96).
Council member Meehan praised staff work on the housing package, saying the draft "is for the New Jersey mandated fourth round," and thanked colleagues and planning staff for their work on the ordinances. Mayor Lynch and other council members noted that the ordinances are intended to keep the town in compliance with state affordable-housing rules while protecting local interests.
On Ordinance 4-26, council members discussed why a local rule is necessary despite state regulation: local licensing and business-permitting gaps mean the town must retain licensing authority to enforce sales and licensing requirements, the council said.
Separately, the council introduced Ordinance 5-26, a bond ordinance appropriating $990,000 for improvements to the town's water supply and distribution system; that ordinance was introduced by title only and will return for further procedural action.
What happened next: motions were seconded and roll-call votes recorded for each item; no public speakers opposed the ordinances during the hearings. The council closed the legislative items and moved to other business and public comment.
Votes at a glance: consent agenda (Resolutions 26-88 to 26-96) ' motion moved and seconded; roll-call affirmations recorded. Ordinance 1-26 ' motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval. Ordinance 2-26 ' motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval. Ordinance 3-26 ' motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval. Ordinance 4-26 ' motion moved and seconded; roll-call approval. Ordinance 5-26 ' introduced (title only).
Next steps: Each ordinance will follow the town's normal ordinance process for final adoption or further readings as required. The bond ordinance was introduced and will return for additional hearings or adoption according to statutory notice requirements.
