West Milford approves $5.33 million bond ordinance to fund roads, fire apparatus and equipment

On May 20 the West Milford Township Council approved Bond Ordinance 2026-013, authorizing $5,330,000 in capital appropriations and up to $4,380,000 in bonds or bond anticipation notes to finance multiple municipal improvements.

Key appropriations listed in the ordinance include $1,080,000 (Lincoln Avenue and Warwick Turnpike improvements), of which $730,000 is noted as received or expected from the New Jersey Department of Transportation as a grant-in-aid; road resurfacing and reconstruction across multiple local roads ($1,650,000); acquisition of police vehicles ($210,000); fire apparatus purchases including a tanker and fire truck ($1,020,896); and equipment and technology purchases (cameras for parks, body cameras for police, DPW loader and fuel tanks, digitalization of the tax map) totaling more than $1,119,104 in the ordinance schedule.

The ordinance recites that the average period of usefulness for the projects is about 13.13 years and that the Township’s full faith and credit are pledged to repay the obligations. The measure also authorizes the chief financial officer to sell notes and requires subsequent reports to the governing body about any note sales.

Council opened a public portion on the ordinance and, after seeing no speakers, closed public comment and adopted the ordinance by recorded vote (aye votes recorded from Councilmembers Erik, Chazukow, Lichtenberg, Goodsir, Hass and Marsden). The ordinance takes effect 20 days after publication (effective date listed as June 9, 2026).