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High Bridge introduces tree and committee-ordinance updates; residents urge more review
Summary
Council introduced Ordinance 2024-002 (tree regulations) and multiple amendments to committee-related borough code chapters for a Feb. 8 public hearing. Residents and committee members voiced concern that committee-ordinance changes were moving forward without sufficient review; a citizen also raised questions about the ethics committee composition.
At its Jan. 25 meeting the High Bridge Borough Council introduced Ordinance 2024-002, an update to Chapter 380 (Trees), and moved to introduce Ordinances 2024-003 through 2024-007, which amend borough code chapters governing the Historical Committee, Economic Development, Parks and Recreation Committee, Special Events Committee and Golf Committee. The council recorded introduction votes and indicated the ordinances will be published in the Hunterdon Review and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with a public hearing scheduled for Feb. 8, 2024.
Several council members spoke about the introductions. Councilman Christopher Graham moved to introduce Ordinance 2024-004 (Economic Development) and other members seconded or recorded votes; multiple introduction motions passed by 4–3 margins in recorded roll calls. Councilwoman Natalie Ferry told the council she preferred more time for review and discussed alternative amendments prior to introduction, but the council nonetheless proceeded with motions to introduce several ordinances.
Residents at two public-comment periods pressed the council for additional review. During the initial public-comment period, Matt Curtin and Karyn Gove raised concerns with the proposed amendments to the committee ordinances that were on the agenda. Later in the meeting several residents, including Lauren Hamlin and Karyn Gove, said they were disappointed that items appeared to be advancing "without discussion" and suggested that process issues might be discouraging volunteers. Paul Kovacsofsky questioned the composition and functioning of the Borough Ethics Committee; Attorney Barry Goodman responded that there is a "statutory need to set the number of members of the Committee." The record shows no formal reversal of the introduction motions; the ordinances proceed to public hearing on Feb. 8 for additional public comment and formal consideration.
The council's action to publish and set public hearings leaves substantive changes to committee structure and tree regulations to a subsequent hearing record, where the public and council may present further evidence and amendments before any final adoption.
