West Milford Council introduces $5.33M bond ordinance, approves park cameras and endorses state school-aid bill

The West Milford Township Council on April 29 introduced a $5,330,000 bond ordinance and approved several contracts and resolutions affecting roads, public safety equipment and technology, and town-owned property. The body also unanimously endorsed Assembly Bill A4860, a state measure the township says would provide additional school aid to districts constrained by untaxable, protected lands.

The bond ordinance (Ordinance 2026-013) was introduced on first reading and passed on introduction; a second reading and public hearing are scheduled for the council’s May 20 regular meeting. The ordinance authorizes up to $4,380,000 in bonds or notes and lists specific appropriations across multiple projects, including $1,080,000 for reconstruction on Lincoln Avenue and Warwick Turnpike (with $730,000 expected from the New Jersey Department of Transportation), $1,650,000 for multiple road improvements across the township, $210,000 for four police vehicles, $1,020,896 for fire apparatus (including a tanker and a fire truck), and $1,119,104 for public works and safety equipment (including a loader, fuel tanks, turnout gear, body cameras and park cameras). The ordinance includes $200,000 for computer and mapping upgrades, including digitization of the tax map.

Council members voted to authorize the projects on introduction; the ordinance requires a second reading before final adoption.

Separately, the council approved Resolution 2026-178 to purchase and install security cameras at three township parks—Bubbling Springs, Mount Laurel and Westbrook Park—through Eastern DataComm, LLC for an amount not to exceed $136,352.50. That purchase will be funded from the Passaic County Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, and the vendor must comply with state pay-to-play disclosure requirements.

The governing body also approved several operational and contract items: a one-year extension with Ultra-Safe Security Systems, Inc. for alarm monitoring and inspections (not to exceed $9,840), and the configuration of 85 Microsoft 365 hosted email accounts by LawSoft Inc. (not to exceed $6,375) citing security reasons. The council authorized intent to purchase insect-control services from BRS Backyard Busters under appropriate cooperative purchasing or quotes to be paid from budgeted appropriations.

In a separate motion the council accepted the results of the April 8 township auction and directed the township attorney to prepare contracts of sale. The auction acceptance lists several small municipal lots sold at modest bid amounts, including a Greenbrook Drive parcel at $9,000 and Ridge Road at $5,500.

On policy, the council adopted Resolution 2026-175 endorsing Assembly Bill A4860, the “Fairness for School Districts in Development-Restricted Areas Act.” The resolution cites that large tracts of untaxable land in West Milford—including watershed lands owned by the City of Newark, state-owned recreational and conservation lands, and county preserves—constrain the township’s ratables and place fiscal pressure on local taxpayers and the school district. The resolution calls on the New Jersey Legislature and the governor to approve the bill.

Financial housekeeping included unanimous passage of the consent agenda (refunds, escrow refunds, tax cancellations/reinstatements and lien redemptions), and approval of bills and payroll. The supplemental disbursements list totaled $960,210.97; total expenditures including payroll and enterprise payments were listed at $1,992,861.60; the actual bills list after refund adjustments was $908,592.37.

The council entered executive session under N.J.S.A. 10:4-12(b)(7) at 6:46 p.m. to discuss pending or anticipated litigation related to an item identified as “56 Virginia Lane” and returned to the public meeting at 7:17 p.m. No public action followed the executive session.

There were no public comments during the public-comment period. Council members provided routine reports: Recreation announced program registrations and events; Councilman Hass emphasized Mental Health Month and upcoming Memorial Day observances; Councilwoman Erik reported strong participation in Beautification Day and Adopt-a-Road cleanup results. Mayor Michele Dale appointed Andrea Hughes as the Township Registrar of Vital Statistics; the appointment was memorialized by resolution and did not require council action.

Next steps: Ordinance 2026-013 is scheduled for second reading and public hearing on May 20, 2026; other contracted purchases and the camera installation proceed under the terms and funding sources noted.