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Council agrees to reintroduce amended blasting ordinance after counsel review
Summary
Borough counsel recommended changes to Ordinance O-1-2026 on blasting — including measuring distances from the blast area and strengthening resident protections — and council voted to amend and reintroduce the ordinance for a June 23 second reading.
Borough Counsel Yulieika Tamayo told the council on May 26 that Ordinance O-1-2026, which would add Chapter 109 "Blasting" to the borough code, should be amended and reintroduced after further consultation with counsel for Toll NJ. Tamayo said the revisions would "strengthen resident protections in a more legally defensible manner" and change distance measurements to be taken from the blasting area rather than from residential property lines.
Councilman Matthew Atlas said his review showed the proposed revisions would significantly improve the ordinance but would require reintroduction. Councilwoman Johanna Stroever said the changes are tailored to protect residents' health and safety. The council voted unanimously to amend and reintroduce O-1-2026; the second reading and public hearing were scheduled for June 23, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Several residents at public comment later that evening raised related concerns: Jeff Ivler asked what interest Toll NJ has with the ordinance and offered suggestions to the draft. Council members noted the amended ordinance must align with applicable state statute where required.
The council did not adopt the ordinance that night; instead it directed reintroduction after the recommended legal revisions and stakeholder consultation.
