Bridgeton council adopts budget amendment, schedules June 30 hearing; adopts two ordinances and approves wide-ranging consent agenda

The Bridgeton City Council on June 16 adopted RESOLUTION E-1 (RESOLUTION NO. 97-26) to amend the CY2026 municipal budget and set a special public hearing for June 30, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. to receive public comment and finalize the budget. Dianilda Torres, the city’s chief financial officer, said the budget introduced April 21 initially projected a 36-cent tax increase but state-required changes and local cuts reduced that to a 19-cent increase. "As time is of the essence, we will hold a Special Meeting on June 30 for the public hearing," Torres said. The amendment was moved by Councilman J. Curtis Edwards, seconded by Councilman David Gonzalez, and adopted by unanimous roll call.

The council introduced five ordinances on first reading—setting second readings and public hearings for July 21, 2026—including a binding referendum question on dissolving the Bridgeton Free Public Library, a code amendment to Chapter 40 Article IV, a street-rights-of-way vacation affecting portions of Stephenson Avenue and Johnson Street, an amendment to a long-term tax-exemption financial agreement affecting Eastern Pacific Development, LLC (Phase I redevelopment project on specified blocks and lots), and an amendment to the Scattered Sites Redevelopment Plan to add Block 155 Lot 25 (280 S. Pine Street). Each ordinance was introduced by motion and carried on unanimous roll calls.

On second reading the council adopted two ordinances after opening and closing the public hearings with no speakers. Ordinance 26-09, amending Chapter 180 on graffiti, was adopted after a final-reading motion; Ordinance 26-10, adjusting park and recreation fees for reserving pickleball courts, was also adopted. Both measures passed unanimously.

During public comment, Alan Maier, representing volunteer association CHABA, asked the city to review potential funding to help repaint the city-owned Nail House Museum and provided a contractor quote of $18,180. "Funds come from fundraisers, donations and some grants, but we would appreciate any city assistance," Maier said. Steve Solof of Inform NJ asked for more detail about the proposed library referendum, requesting information on how city funds currently given to the library would be reallocated and what tax savings residents might expect. Ruth Pierce described attending a Tree Keeper workshop and said she found about 14 recently planted crepe myrtles downtown that appear to have died; she also urged prompt removal of event lawn signs left in public areas.

The council approved an extensive consent agenda, adopting items M-1 through M-20 by roll call while taking M-3 (a shared-services agreement with the Bridgeton Board of Education for school crossing guards), M-4 (a shared-services agreement for recreational and athletic facilities and activities), and M-20 (a determination that Phoenix Senior Village meets an existing housing need) separately; all passed unanimously. Notable consent items included authorization for the Bridgeton UEZ to apply for up to $886,552 from the New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone Authority for repaving Edwards Avenue, Chestnut Avenue and McCormick Place; acceptance of a $112,500 Historic Property Survey Grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority; authorization for the city to advertise for water treatment chemicals; and approval to purchase three SecureLot trailer cameras through a cooperative agreement.

Council members also approved the Schedule of Bills (June 2, 2026: $1,439,890.72; June 16, 2026: $1,761,005.78), a block-off-street application for a triathlon on June 20, and three administrative reports for May. Business Administrator Kevin Rabago described recent staffing changes in Public Works—explaining that a staffer holding the Certified Public Works Manager title had stepped back while seeking licensure and that interim coverage will be provided by existing supervisors and the city engineer—and said the city has been awarded funding to purchase an ambulance credited to Senator Kim and that a separate UEZ grant for the pocket-park upgrades is fully secured. Rabago stated that the funding attributed to Senator Kim had been "approved by senators and is awaiting further subcommittee action," and he characterized the UEZ funds as secured.

Council discussion included requests for the administration to review CHABA’s repainting quote, updates on the Firehouse project and the condition of Angie's Diner property downtown, and operational questions such as whether some police officers leave vehicles running while going inside businesses. Council President Edward Bethea thanked volunteers and first responders and urged administrators to clarify reporting lines and follow up on resident concerns. With no further business, the council adjourned at 6:26 p.m.