Clifton council appoints town counsel, approves consultant payments and several small capital purchases

The Clifton Town Council took a string of administrative and budgetary actions at its Oct. 1 meeting, appointing a new town counsel, approving consultant payments subject to administrator review and authorizing modest capital expenditures.

Mayor Tom Peterson called the meeting to order and the council approved a request from Town Treasurer Lisa Wax to pay J2 Engineers’ August invoice for $22,012.04 pending approval from the Town Administrator. Mayor Tom Peterson moved to approve the payment pending administrator approval; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Jay Davis and passed by roll call, 6-0.

The council appointed Robert Sproule as Town Counsel. Councilmember Steve Effros moved to appoint Sproule and accept the retainer terms; Mayor Tom Peterson seconded the motion and it passed by poll, 6-0. Effros told the council he had also provided an analysis of grant‑process approvals to the administrator and relevant committees.

On project contracting, the council approved updated billable rates for Bowman Consultants to proceed with easement negotiations supporting the Phase II Streetscape project, with the council noting the consultant expects to bill only for hours worked and the original estimate of roughly $23,000 is expected to be preserved. Councilmember Jay Davis moved to approve the rate change pending receipt of the updated change order; the motion passed by poll, 6-0.

The council approved multiple small capital expenditures and community items: it authorized up to $9,000 for trash containers recommended by the Beautification Committee (motion by Councilmember Steve Effros, seconded by Councilmember Jay Davis; roll call 6-0) and approved up to $9,000 for three playground equipment pieces from the playground maintenance budget (motion by Councilmember Lynn Screen, seconded by Councilmember Mary Hess; roll call 5 Aye, 1 Abstain by Councilmember Steve Effros).

Other routine items approved included a pergola addition at the Clifton Café (approved after Planning Commission and ARB review), placement of five Boy Scout signs for Scouting for Food (approved), and a proclamation designating the first Sunday of every October as Second Baptist Church of Clifton Day (approved). All those motions passed unanimously, 6-0, where recorded.

The meeting record notes Councilmember Steve Effros left the meeting later for a personal matter; votes recorded after that point show his absence or abstention as indicated in the minutes.

Votes at a glance

- J2 Engineers payment (Aug invoice $22,012.04) — Motion: Mayor Tom Peterson; Second: Jay Davis; Outcome: approved by roll call, 6-0 (SEG 012–013). - Appointment of Robert Sproule as Town Counsel — Motion: Steve Effros; Second: Mayor Tom Peterson; Outcome: approved by poll, 6-0 (SEG 037–038). - Bowman Consultants rate change (easement negotiations) — Motion: Jay Davis; Outcome: approved by poll, 6-0 (SEG 026–030). - Purchase of trash containers (up to $9,000) — Motion: Steve Effros; Second: Jay Davis; Outcome: approved by roll call, 6-0 (SEG 031–032). - Playground equipment purchase (up to $9,000) — Motion: Lynn Screen; Second: Mary Hess; Outcome: approved by roll call, 5 Aye, 1 Abstain (Steve Effros) (SEG 043–045). - Clifton Café pergola (certificate of appropriateness required) — Motion: Mayor Tom Peterson; Second: Regan McDonald; Outcome: approved by poll, 6-0 (SEG 021–023). - Boy Scout signage (Nov. 2–9) — Motion: Jay Davis; Second: Lynn Screen; Outcome: approved by poll, 6-0 (SEG 014–015). - Designation of Second Baptist Church of Clifton Day (first Sunday each October) — Motion: Mayor Tom Peterson; Second: Steve Effros; Outcome: approved by poll, 6-0 (SEG 017–018).

What’s next

Council members were directed to provide written follow-ups where requested (for example, details for the Mayor’s newsletter about the Boy Scout signs). Town staff will seek the administrator’s approval on the J2 payment and circulate any change order from Bowman Consultants before proceeding.