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Rochelle Park committee introduces stormwater and littering ordinances and adopts floodplain fee changes; approves seasonal hiring postings
Summary
At its June 24 meeting the Rochelle Park Township Committee introduced ordinances to amend stormwater management permit fees and to restrict delivery practices that cause littering; it adopted a floodplain management ordinance establishing permit fees, approved seasonal and part-time hirings on the consent agenda, and set final ordinance hearings for July 22.
The Rochelle Park Township Committee on June 24 introduced two ordinances — 1269-26 to amend stormwater management regulations and set temporary stormwater permit fees, and 1270-26 to establish standards for delivery and placement of newspapers and similar printed materials — and set both for final reading and adoption on July 22, 2026.
The committee also opened a public hearing for Ordinance 1267-26, which amends Chapter 104 (floodplain management regulations) and establishes permit fees for floodplain development applications, and adopted that ordinance by roll-call vote at the meeting. Roll-call votes recorded in favor included Committeewoman Judge Cavllo, Committee Smith, Deputy Mayor Chinsky and Mayor Miller.
During discussion Deputy Mayor Chinsky and Committee Smith noted enforcement capacity concerns for the littering/delivery ordinance and urged residents to opt out of unwanted newspaper delivery where possible. Committee Smith said a resident had pointed out that routine deliveries and loose papers can clog storm drains and exacerbate local flooding; he also raised enforcement questions: "who's going to enforce this if we can't have people enforcing the other?" he asked.
The meeting also added several routine resolutions to the consent agenda and approved them by single motion: Resolution 26-190 (posting for a seasonal DPW laborer, part-time, 20 hours/week at $25/hour from July 1 to Nov. 1), Resolution 26-191 (posting for a part-time construction official), and Resolution 26-192 (raise the America 250 flag for July). The committee approved the amended agenda and the consent agenda by roll call.
Separately, Administrator Samantha gave a grants and funding update: the township received $61,000 from the Department of Community Affairs for a management enhancement review and $10,000 from Sustainable Jersey/PSCG Foundation; she reported a preliminary selection for $746,868 in federal community project funding from Congresswoman Nelly Poe's office (final congressional approval pending), and said the township has applied for a Bergen County Open Space grant ($200,000) and a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant. "As of today, the township has secured approximately $71,000 in grant funding within the last 60 days, with an additional $746,000 in preliminary federal funding," she said.
Township attorney John Catino explained why the committee is posting a part-time construction official rather than creating a full-time position: existing employees have exempt fireman status and cannot be consolidated into a full-time position without cost-saving justifications; the committee said it will continue exploring staffing options and emphasized budget and personnel constraints.
What comes next: Ordinances 1269-26 and 1270-26 were introduced on first reading and will be considered for final reading and adoption at the committee's July 22 meeting at 7 p.m. in the Rochelle Park Municipal Building. Ordinance 1267-26 was adopted at the June 24 meeting.
