North Haledon council adopts ordinances on off‑duty police billing, dangerous dogs and attic/basement occupancy

Mayor Randy George opened the Borough of North Haledon council meeting Aug. 17 and read the Open Public Meetings Act notice into the record.

The council unanimously adopted three ordinances on second and final reading after no members of the public spoke during the hearing. Ordinance #19‑2022 amends Chapter 107 (Police Department) to set the fee for assignment of off‑duty law enforcement officers at the amount established in the borough’s agreement with PBA Local 292 plus a 20% administrative charge; it authorizes the borough to use a secondary service to schedule, invoice and remit payments and to reimburse the borough and officers through ACH or other transfer methods.

Ordinance #20‑2022 revises Chapter 202 (Animals) to strengthen rules for dogs found running at large and for dogs declared potentially dangerous under N.J.S.A. 4:19‑23. The ordinance requires that potentially dangerous dogs be on a leash or other appropriate restraint when off owner property and establishes escalating fines for leash violations ($250 for the first offense, $500 for the second, $750 for the third and subsequent violations). If a dog attacks a person, the municipal court may declare it potentially dangerous and impose requirements including a six‑foot enclosure with secured top, bottom and sides; each day of noncompliance may be treated as a separate violation with daily fines not less than $250 and not more than $750. The ordinance also requires issuance of a vicious dog license from the Tax Collector’s Office when a dog owned by a borough resident is declared potentially dangerous.

Ordinance #21‑2022 adds §404‑1(A) and (B) to the borough code to prohibit unapproved occupancies of attics, cellars and basements. The ordinance bars kitchens or kitchen‑like appliances in attic or cellar spaces and prohibits offering attics or basements as separate dwelling units; such spaces must be integral to the unit below, have a valid certificate of occupancy and obtain required permits and final inspections before occupancy.

Each ordinance was presented by the municipal clerk, opened to public comment by motion, and—after no speakers—closed and adopted by roll call. The meeting record shows those adoptions as final on second reading; the ordinances take effect as provided by law.

The council then moved on to its consent agenda and other routine business and adjourned at 8:39 p.m.