Sewer Plant, Budget, and $3.8M in Spending on the Table Tuesday in Berkeley Heights
On Tuesday, May 6, the Berkeley Heights Township Council will vote on whether to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) to explore the possible sale of the town’s wastewater treatment plant. The resolution is part of a packed agenda that also includes final adoption of the 2025 municipal budget, introduction of a $3.8 million bond ordinance, and salary range updates for...
What’s at Stake in the Potential Sale of the Berkeley Heights Sewer Plant
Many towns across not only New Jersey, but the nation, have been selling their waste treatment plants to private companies. Berkeley Heights mayor, Angie Devanney, along with Town Council members put out an article detailing their intent to vote on moving forward to solicit bids for the sale of the town’s waste treatment plant and highlighting some of the reasoning...
Former Council Member Paul Donnelly Accuses Berkeley Heights of Code Violations & Permit Misconduct
Former Councilman Paul Donnelly confronts the Berkeley Heights Council over unresolved drainage issues linked to a neighboring property, alleging code violations, a fraudulent permit, and failure to enforce local ordinances. Tensions rise as he accuses officials of misconduct and questions why the matter is being dismissed as a civil dispute. Read More on Berkeley Heights Town Council Subscribe to NJ21st...
Quick Notes on the Berkeley Heights Municipal Budget-04/08/2025 Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting
Overview Total Spending: $30.5 million (↓ $1.9M from 2024) Raised by Taxes: $17.0 million (↑ $715K from 2024) Surplus Used: $4.9 million (↑ $460K) Revenue: Property Taxes: 55% of the budget. Surplus (“Rainy Day Fund”): Usage up 10% this year. PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes): Up 258% to $2.15 million. These are payments from developers instead of traditional taxes...
John’s Notes on the 03/18/2025 Town Council Meeting: Affordable Housing, Fire Prevention, Storm Water on the Agenda…
Here’s a brief synopsis of each resolution on the agenda and questions resident can ask… ORDINANCE NO. 2025-144 Affordable Housing After negotiations with Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC), the township agreed to a prospective need obligation of 240 affordable housing units while maintaining a present need obligation of zero. Questions Residents can Ask: How will the township meet the...
Berkeley Heights Fire Chief Speaks Out Against Fire Prevention Bureau Changes
In this video, Berkeley Heights Fire Chief Jim Hopkins strongly opposes the proposed transfer of the Bureau of Fire Prevention from the Fire Department to the Building Department. He raises concerns about the potential impact on public safety and fire code enforcement. Read More on Berkeley Heights Town Council Subscribe to NJ21st For Free
Former Council Member Says Township is Neglecting Code Enforcement, Targeting Him
Former council member Paul Donnelly asserted that the township is failing to enforce zoning and building codes and is targeting him and his wife with a cease-and-desist letter during last night’s Town Council meeting. Donnelly, who has been raising concerns about unauthorized property expansions, missing hydrology studies, and drainage issues affecting his home, argued that the town is neglecting its...
Park Ave Speed Limit Lowered & Ordinance Restructuring Fire Prevention Bureau Moves Forward
Quick Post Meeting Note- 03/04/2025 Town Council Meeting The Council passed a resolution to reduce the speed limit on Park Avenue to 30 MPH. However, one resident voiced concerns that the Mayor and Council prioritized popularity over sound policy, pointing to engineering recommendations that suggested potential unintended consequences. The resident warned that a lower speed limit could increase risks, potentially...
Notes on the 02/18/2025 Town Council Meeting Agenda
The $10K Planning Expense for the Nokia Property The proposed $10,000 expense for a planner related to the Nokia property raises some questions. Since development on this property is expected to be years away, it’s worth considering whether this cost could be postponed until the project is closer to starting. Delaying the expense might allow for more relevant and updated...
Resolutions and Political Contributions: A Final Look at the Last Three Town Council Meetings
This article continues our review of the last three council meetings, which saw seven different versions of the agendas, a flurry of high-cost resolutions, and the dissolution of the local ethics board. In our first article, we highlighted the Mayor and Council’s approval of a $30,000 contract for a Public Relations firm that describes itself as being “at the center...
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