Community Voices: A Resident’s Perspective on Affordable Housing and Flooding in Berkeley Heights
by Luann Alario The following is a firsthand account from a Berkeley Heights resident, who has lived in town since 1986 and recently began attending public meetings. It reflects her direct experience and concerns shared during Planning Board discussions. I’ve been a resident of Berkeley Heights since 12/1/86, and attending town meetings is a new experience for me. And it’s...
No Ordinance, No Referendum: Were Berkeley Heights Residents Shut Out?
Let’s start simple: if a New Jersey town wants to lease public land, it’s supposed to pass an ordinance. Ordinances take time—public notice, two readings, a hearing—and they give residents the right to petition for a referendum. A resolution is quick, one-meeting business. No hearing. No referendum. That difference matters. What the Township did Back in March, the Township passed...
Behind the $60 Million Berkeley Heights Sewage Plant Price Tag…. What’s Documented, What’s Not
When Berkeley Heights talk about $60 million in needed sewer system upgrades, it can sound like there’s a detailed engineering report sitting in the Municipal Building that lists every pipe, pump, and repair. That’s not what’s actually happening. The story is more complicated. The $30 Million, 15-Year Baseline When the township put the wastewater system up for potential sale, the...
Laura’s Notes on the 08/19/2025 Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting
Following a doozy of a day with the Township and flood repairs (that’s a follow-up article, stay tuned!), the advertised Zoom livestream for the in-person Council Meeting was set to begin at 6:30. Unfortunately, any resident who followed instructions on the Township website to watch the livestream was met with a blank screen—and learned through the grapevine that Zoom would...
Resident Pushes Back on “Our Hands Are Tied” Narrative — Holds Poage Accountable to Campaign Materials
In this video, Jacqueline Cinque does what we wish more residents would: hold the Council accountable to their own words. Imagine if every resident showed up to Council and BOE meetings this prepared. Imagine if every resident pushed back with the same level of scrutiny. Meanwhile, the Council rushed through a $3.5 million bond at warp speed for oddly specific...
Community Voices: Start Showing Up, Berkeley Heights
The district is finally doing some things right. The NJGPA results are promising. Agendas and presentations are coming out earlier. The new Superintendent has begun releasing important documents, and so far BHPS has avoided more OPRA lawsuits. Our Assistant Superintendent looks engaged and on the ball, and the full-time Business Administrator seems solid on paper — not a relic from...
From Affordable Housing to Emergency Bonds – A Full Night for Berkeley Heights
Berkeley Heights Council meets tomorrow- Tuesday, August 19 – starting with a session on the Connell rezoning. Two ordinances are up for a final vote. The council is set to vote on an ordinance that evens out the affordable housing rules for new developments. Currently, for-sale projects of five or more homes must include 20% affordable units, while rentals only...
A Turf Field Deal Without “Turf Field” And a Lease That’s Now Called Something Else
After months of NJ21st trying to get a clear answer on the legality of the CMS lease agreement, Berkeley Heights Town officials have now taken the position that what they actually approved was a Shared Services Agreement. Township attorney Scott Salmon told NJ21st (in an 08/11 email) that, while the arrangement started out “stylized as a lease,” it’s “for all...
Shauna’s 08/07/2025 TC Meeting Notes: Berkeley Heights Officials Pressed on Creek Maintenance and Flood Response
The emergency meeting of the Berkeley Heights Town Council was set to be a quick adoption of a resolution for a bond to provide for street and culvert repairs after July 14th’s record rainfall. Instead, multiple residents showed up to voice their frustration and anger with the lack of action on the continued flooding of the Briarwood Drive area of...
Three Floods, Zero Answers
Joseph and Jacqueline Cinque Are Residents of Berkeley Heights, NJ Recently, my husband and I attended the August 7th township meeting regarding the bond that the town seeks to remedy storm damage. I was particularly disappointed to not see anything mentioned on measures that can be taken to mitigate future flooding, particularly in the neighborhoods of Briarwood Dr E, Lawrence,...
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