Category: Berkeley Heights Town Council

Will the Berkeley Heights BOE Majority Exploit an Unlawful Ordinance to Block a Lawful Election Result?

Natasha Joly writes to the Town Council on Concerns Regarding Potential Election Interference on the part of the Berkeley Heights BOE Majority  During the most recent BOE Meeting, the Board of Education voted to modify election policies just before this November Election. The final reading and vote is slated to occur in October. The public and BOE Candidates needed clarification...
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Berkeley Heights BOEBerkeley Heights Town Council

Council Members Respond to Feedback on the Berkeley Heights Affordable Housing Concern

Council Members Poage, Varenerin and Kingsley respond to feedback on remaining Affordable Housing obligation discussed during the 09/19/2023 Town Council Meeting. I sent an email last night requesting that expressing my displeasure at the Council’s response to suggestions made at the meeting to consider other alternatives to Developers in resolving the remaining Affordable Housing Obligation. Below are the responses I...
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Affordable HousingBerkeley Heights Town CouncilTown Council Agenda and Meeting Summary

Candidate Comments During the 09/05/2023 and 09/19/2023 Town Council Meetings: Margaret Illis (D)

Comments on the Affordable Housing News and Littell-Lord Bids In this clip, 2023 Town Council Candidate Margaret Illis (D) speaks on the Littell-Lord Renovation (agenda item on rejected bids) and on the announcement that the town still has to allow for 30 more Affordable Housing units (a total of 115 additional apartments).   We are going to start with the 09/19/2023...
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Affordable HousingBerkeley Heights Town CouncilBerkeley Heights Town GovernmentTown Council Agenda and Meeting Summary

Mayor Devanney’s Response to Resident Concerns on Proposed OPRA Reform

In this clip, Mayor Devanney responds to my concerns regarding OPRA reform. The Mayor’s response does not address the specific concerns of the letter connected to legislation proposed by Assemblyman Danielsen that would, in fact, impact residents and journalists.  I also believe it overstated the cost and work involved in automatically making documents public – especially when you consider the...
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Berkeley Heights Town CouncilBerkeley Heights Town GovernmentState Matters

Mayor Devanney Clarifies CMS Field Discussion Between Rec Department and BOE

We will be posting about the BOE Agenda later today but I wanted to share this update. I received clarification from Mayor Devanney regarding the CMS/BOE Field discussions in response to an email I sent the Town Council and BOE surrounding the process on this issue. 2023 Candidates for both bodies were cc’d on the email.  This article will be...
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Berkeley Heights BOEBerkeley Heights Town CouncilBerkeley Heights Town GovernmentElections

Is Curbside Recycling a Scam?

The Skeptics May Have a Point.. As the Western World seeks to explore recycling of ever more complex materials (lithium-ion batteries, anyone?), it may be worthwhile asking how we’re doing on just the simple materials. Where did the scam idea come from? Many skeptics repeat this, which implies that they have also given up and thrown recyclables in the trash:...
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Berkeley Heights Town CouncilBerkeley Heights Town GovernmentEnvironment

The Hills in Warren: A Warning and Call to Action

What does this project tell us about local government, the power of advocacy and the future of Berkeley Heights? This 26-acre previously untouched forest was cleared to make way for 192 units (48 affordable), part of Warren’s court-ordered affordable housing settlement. This is the same property granted use of the Berkeley Heights Sewer Plant over a year ago. Affordable Housing...
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Affordable HousingBerkeley Heights Town CouncilState Matters