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High Bridge adopts ordinance tightening maintenance rules for vacant and abandoned properties
Summary
The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026-006 on April 23, 2026, amending Chapter 275 (Property Maintenance) to clarify ownership definitions, designees, staffing implications, and the definition of vacant properties; Attorney Wendy Quiroga explained the changes.
The Borough of High Bridge on April 23 adopted Ordinance 2026-006, an amendment to Chapter 275 of the municipal code that updates the article on maintenance of vacant and abandoned properties. The council opened a public hearing, heard explanations from Attorney Wendy Quiroga, and adopted the ordinance on a unanimous roll-call vote of 6–0.
During the hearing Councilwoman Hamlin asked specifically about the ordinance's ownership clause, the role of designees, and how the ordinance would apply to vacant properties. Attorney Quiroga clarified the ownership language, explained how designees would be recognized under the ordinance, and addressed staffing-level considerations and the ordinance’s definition of vacant properties.
Mayor Michele Lee said the ordinance will be published in the Hunterdon Review and/or The Star-Ledger as required and posted on the borough website along with the notice of the public hearing date. The adopted ordinance amends local property-maintenance rules; the meeting minutes record no amendments to the ordinance text during the April 23 hearing.
The council adopted the ordinance by motion (Nowell/Ferry) and a 6–0 roll-call vote. The ordinance's adoption will be followed by the borough's standard publication and posting procedures.
