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Helmetta council adopts sidewalks-and-curbs ordinance, approves consent agenda and several resolutions
Summary
At its May 20 meeting the Helmetta Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance 2026-04 (sidewalks and curbs), introduced three additional ordinances, approved the consent agenda (including the bill list), and adopted several resolutions including a one-year extension of EMS shared services with Spotswood and a capital appropriation for HVAC repairs.
The Borough of Helmetta Mayor and Council approved a package of ordinances and resolutions at its May 20 meeting and handled routine municipal business by unanimous roll call votes.
Ordinance: The council adopted Ordinance 2026-04, an amendment to Chapter 50 of the municipal code establishing a new Article III, "Sidewalks and Curbs," that assigns responsibility to abutting property owners for inspection and maintenance of sidewalks and curbs, authorizes borough inspection and notices, and permits the borough to perform remediation and place liens for recovery of costs. The public hearing on the ordinance drew no speakers; the adoption vote was 5-0.
Introductions: The council introduced three other ordinances for later consideration: Ordinance 2026-05 (revised dog and cat licensing fee schedule); Ordinance 2026-06 (updates to the borough's stormwater control ordinance to align with NJDEP stormwater rules); and Ordinance 2026-07 (capital appropriation of $13,000 for HVAC improvements at Borough Hall). Those measures were introduced on first reading with roll calls recorded in the meeting.
Consent agenda and resolutions: The council approved the consent agenda and a list of resolutions by roll call. Highlights of adopted resolutions include: payment of bills (Resolution 2026-79); appointment of standing committees (Resolution 2026-80); refund of a community center cleaning fee (2026-81); a resolution calling for restoration of Energy Tax Receipts and increased municipal aid (2026-82); and Resolution 2026-83, authorizing the second one-year extension of the shared- services EMS agreement with the Borough of Spotswood through June 25, 2027. The council also adopted Resolution 2026-84, Temporary Emergency Appropriation #4, and Resolution 2026-86 awarding HVAC repair service to Encon Service Company in an amount not to exceed $10,176 to be funded by Ordinance 2026-07.
Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Adopt Ordinance 2026-04 (Sidewalks and Curbs) – Adopted, roll call 5-0. - Introduce Ordinance 2026-05 (Dog/Cat license fee changes) – Introduced, roll call 5-0. - Introduce Ordinance 2026-06 (Stormwater control updates) – Introduced, roll call 5-0. - Introduce Ordinance 2026-07 (HVAC capital appropriation) – Introduced, roll call 5-0. - Consent agenda and Resolutions 2026-79 through 2026-86 – Approved as part of consent agenda; consent roll call 5-0. (Acceptance of minutes for April 15, 2026 recorded as 4-1-0 with Councilman Pirrone abstaining.)
Why it matters: The new sidewalks-and-curbs ordinance clarifies owner responsibilities and gives the borough an enforcement pathway that can include remediation and liens. The EMS extension secures emergency medical coverage under a shared-services agreement through June 25, 2027. The temporary emergency appropriation and HVAC award are budget and maintenance actions necessary for 2026 operations.
Next steps: The introduced ordinances will return for a second reading/public hearing on their scheduled future meeting dates; borough staff will execute the shared-services extension and contract documents as directed.
