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New Milford council forms memorial-bench policy committee, schedules fall events and adopts routine resolutions
Summary
At its Sept. work session the Borough of New Milford council nominated members to a memorial bench policy committee, announced a slate of fall community events, reported upcoming NJDOT Main Street bids, and adopted resolutions numbered 2025 col 209–216; several agenda additions were moved to the next meeting.
The Borough of New Milford mayor and council convened a work-session meeting in which they nominated council members and community contacts to a new memorial bench policy committee, published a calendar of fall community events, received administrative updates about upcoming bids for street work and parking rules, and adopted a set of routine resolutions.
Memorial-bench committee: Mayor Michael Patrina asked for nominations and nominated Councilman Zelner and Councilwoman Grant to serve on a committee to review a draft memorial bench policy prepared by Recreation Director John Henman. The mayor also listed two community/department contacts in the transcript as "Sil Versa" and "John Heyman"; the meeting record shows the motion to form the committee was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.
Calendar and civic events: The council announced several community events, including the borough's 9/11 remembrance (Sept. 11 at 11:00 a.m. at New Milford Fire Department Co. 1 on Center Street), New Milford High School first-responders night (Sept. 18), a family Funday and free concert (Sept. 20), the Friends of the Library book sale (Sept. 26–27), a townwide garage sale (Sept. 27–28), a fire-awareness day (Oct. 12), a fall festival (Oct. 19, rain date Oct. 26), and a domestic violence symposium (Oct. 22 at the high-school auditorium). The deputy clerk noted library hours have changed and Sunday openings have been suspended.
Administrative updates and bids: The deputy administrator reported the borough will receive bids for the NJDOT Main Street improvement project on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Councilman Johnson told colleagues that French Brook bids returned at about $84,000–$85,000, which he described as a "very big savings" relative to earlier figures discussed in prior work (the transcript cited earlier estimates in the $400,000–$1,000,000 range). Council members also reported that borough-hall bathroom work bids came in so additional funds are not required for that project.
Resolutions, agenda additions and next steps: The council moved and seconded to adopt resolutions numbered 2025 col 209 through 2025 col 216; the motion carried by voice vote with no opposition recorded in the transcript. Members also voted to add two items to the next meeting agenda: an NJ Transit/regional resiliency planning grant item and a Sustainable Jersey action item; both were approved for placement on the next meeting agenda. The meeting then moved into closed session; the body said it would take no further action when it returns and would immediately adjourn.
Votes at a glance: Approval of Aug. 25 minutes — roll-call recorded in transcript: Sam Husen (yes), Zelner (abstain), Duffy (yes), Gratzky/Grodsky (yes), Seymour (yes); Councilwoman Grant's recorded roll-call vote was not clear in the transcript. Adoption of resolutions 2025 col 209–216 — motion passed by voice vote, tally not specified.
Why this matters: The committee formation and administrative updates set the work plan for implementing local policy (a memorial bench policy) and capital projects; the NJDOT bid date signals when a procurement decision point will occur. The council’s actions also set the next meeting's agenda for further consideration of grant and sustainability matters.
The council closed the public portion of the meeting and entered closed session as the work session concluded.
