Allendale council raises construction-code fees, introduces ordinances on fences, wages and filming

The Allendale Borough Council on Aug. 14 approved an ordinance to raise fees under the state Uniform Construction Code and introduced three more ordinances addressing fences, employee salaries and town filming rules.

Mayor Amy Wzinski said the council moved forward with Ordinance 25-13 after a public reading; roll-call votes recorded Councilmen Yakarino, Otul and Delvisio and Councilwomen Hman and Lisolo voting yes. Linda Cervino read the ordinance title into the record. The measure updates certain portions of Article I of the borough code to reflect higher construction permitting fees under the state code.

The council then introduced Ordinance 25-14 to amend zoning language on fences, including new provisions for deer fencing and modest increases in permitted fence heights and setbacks. "We spent a lot of time on that," Wzinski said, thanking Councilwoman Lofaso and outside advisor Bruce Rosler for recommendations on deer fencing.

Two additional ordinances were introduced on first reading: Ordinance 25-15 to amend Chapter 53 to fix salaries and wages for borough officers and employees to reflect a new labor agreement; and Ordinance 25-16 to add a Chapter 123 governing filming requests and fees. Each of the three introduced ordinances was read by title and scheduled for final consideration at the mayor and council meeting on Sept. 4, 2025.

The council approved the consent agenda later in the meeting (see Votes at a glance). Officials said the filming ordinance is intended to provide the borough with a local permitting framework to respond to an increase in production activity in New Jersey.

The ordinance vote and introductions were procedural actions taken as part of the council’s regular agenda; the council did not further amend the ordinance texts at this meeting.