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Garfield council advances multiple bond ordinances, adopts curbside garbage restriction
Summary
On June 24 the Garfield Mayor and Council approved several bond ordinances to fund roof repairs, street resurfacing, sewer and lead-line projects and passed an ordinance making it unlawful to remove items from curbside garbage without permission. Final hearings and grant reimbursements were discussed.
The Garfield Mayor and Council on June 24 adopted a slate of bond ordinances and passed a new ordinance restricting third parties from removing or rummaging through curbside garbage.
The council advanced or adopted on roll call the following measures introduced or on second reading: a bond ordinance to fund roof improvements at the Department of Public Works ($625,000; R-299-25/ordinance 3085), a $1,385,000 appropriation for improvements to the Spring Street Little League complex (R-302-25/ordinance 3080), $855,000 for sewer improvements tied to subsequent paving (R-303-25/ordinance 3081), $695,000 to resurface Harrison Avenue with partial NJ DOT and congressional grant support (R-304-25/ordinance 3082), $160,000 for Phase 5 of the neighborhood preservation program along the Page Street corridor (R-305-25/ordinance 3083), and an additional $175,000 for lead water service line replacements where the engineer identified extra work (R-306-25/ordinance 3084).
Council members moved and seconded the ordinances, each item was opened for public comment as required, no speakers came forward on the ordinances at their second readings, and each passed on roll call with the motion recorded as carried.
Separately, the council introduced on first reading an ordinance (R-300-25) to make it a violation for any person to remove or disturb garbage, recyclables or other refuse placed out for collection unless the person is the owner of the materials or has express permission from the owner or from the city; the city attorney said the ordinance includes a registration option for licensed reclaimers to operate with city permission.
Officials noted reimbursement and grant processes: resurfacing and lead-line replacements will be partially offset by NJDOT and congressional funding, but the city generally must lay out funds before receiving reimbursements. For the DPW roof repairs the council said an emergency resolution on the consent agenda will allow the city to begin immediate repairs rather than awaiting bond-closing timelines.
What happens next: several of the ordinances set final hearings for July 22, 2025 (where noted in the public notices) and the city will follow normal bonding and grant-reimbursement procedures. The newly passed curbside ordinance will be enforced through municipal code enforcement and police nuisance authorities as implemented by staff.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are members of the Garfield Mayor and Council and city staff who presented the ordinances and answered procedural questions at the meeting.
