[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6049542,"mediaKeyId","3510233-d4cf267fc624e43dd2226cbf5d88befe","parentId",3510233,"title","Main Street improvement project faces $100K+ shortfall; council debates removing bump-outs to save costs","audioSeconds",145,"startMs",1925000,"endMs",2070000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3510233-d4cf267fc624e43dd2226cbf5d88befe&start=1925&end=2070","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3510233-d4cf267fc624e43dd2226cbf5d88befe/thumbnail_1925000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6049542/New-Milford/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Main-Street-improvement-project-faces-100K-shortfall-council-debates-removing-bump-outs-to-save-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049542-8f414285686ff2d9feeddbd1143f2bca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771229090&Signature=LSZVZHv5OUeT1WENScCYA5NHcE2q2b24fd0Ku0NCyV2QZiB4LApX5BlHvBUIXH2-YKjKqTHmY55~ShDE20GhATFK9J65IM-EX2k~VPuplS42xnEWcikma3zqPyBXBUO~SEnX8Uu0hDW8EFaWFHSoGu6pOjUlvoK8Qo2K20NZFEjbvzoUKvDD2xnwLTDJB30REb8mref~fulo3VakfYEJg8IFK1hAotTgiKXVXQVdDCQlokZSyLgMkuhVLVmT3ho9tsP9XHJ7TdqWdNnku0-s-xEPnw0KZ38fGQPdGG14VVrjWG98En~G~RY~W89f8RgqjzRrxq71bqH~RmNB7J5QdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Borough of New Milford, NJ USA","date","2025-05-12T00:00:00Z","article","The New Milford mayor and council discussed a funding shortfall for the Main Street improvement project after bids exceeded the borough\u000092s estimate and a required award deadline for a Department of Transportation grant approaches.

The borough administrator told the council the project has a total budget of $595,750, with $70,000 already spent. \"We have a current construction estimate of 617 $17,809, and there's an engineering quote for additional design and construction administration of about $68,000,\" the administrator said, noting the borough is short by about $161,000 as presented at the meeting. The clerk and administrator said the DOT grant award of $470,000 must be used within two years of the award letter (the award letter came in May 2023), and the borough will ask DOT for an extension.

Staff requested direction on whether to modify the project scope to find savings. The borough engineer (Neglia) provided a last-minute cost estimate showing that eliminating the bump-outs on Main Street would reduce the project cost by roughly $60,000. Council members discussed the trade-offs: bump-outs reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety but remove potential parking spaces and complicate snow plowing. Some members favored keeping bump-outs for traffic calming and pedestrian safety; others emphasized fiscal limits.

Council members also discussed project elements including resurfacing, ADA ramp redesigns, stamped crosswalks, broken pavers and streetscape beautification. No final decision to proceed with the original scope or a modified scope was recorded; council members discussed potential funding sources and asked staff to pursue available options. The administrator said the engineer would follow up after any resolution to request a DOT extension and that the governing body must decide whether to allocate additional funds or alter the project scope to proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mayor & Council - May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Bids for the long-planned Main Street improvement project came in over estimate, leaving an approximate $100,000 shortfall. Staff reported a possible $60,000 saving by eliminating bump-outs; council discussed traffic-calming trade-offs, parking, snowplowing and next steps including seeking a DOT extension on the grant award timeline.","taxTitle","New Milford, Bergen County, New Jersey","taxId",70479,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6049547,"New Milford council debates DEP model water-conservation ordinance; favors education over mandates",890,750000,1640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3510233-d4cf267fc624e43dd2226cbf5d88befe&start=750&end=1640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3510233-d4cf267fc624e43dd2226cbf5d88befe/thumbnail_750000.jpg","/articles/6049547/New-Milford/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/New-Milford-council-debates-DEP-model-water-conservation-ordinance-favors-education-over-mandates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049547-0fa3ae322eb988ca79d60d616d4d66d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771229090&Signature=VHUi5mrMX3-08JCwjg1o-lAsmX1u5XpOVwR-LBgU0jzb4sDHxi29h-DzUPMQmVfwGHjfMZ~jFCzNkeYoKGupJXNa7Pbo-7acq5q6NnF1pLnf8wgiPkSVH09nQ-RGwwemZnnqdVIHJ989CrcOOdtHc-rjGmUVzg50uioAiocxObjdZTrPgRWVJqciY2MVPbQpMjfsRWpa4B2kdk~878sqLfNpj5v-w3FLCG4t-VIcr6Xg2DKk2zs3ssbc7xHGztjOJgLmYv36czKsKi1H7AGCuzMKobNvohT-JBIf3pOBOPLtV8xp2zp3bcXoqNy-ToZBkcNnBnEeD0IkTwzJHV5~UA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members held an extended discussion on whether New Milford should adopt a model water-conservation ordinance recommended by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Jersey.

Councilwoman Saint Petersburg introduced the item, noting the borough has been in a drought warning since November and that the DEP urged municipalities to adopt watering restrictions to protect drinking-water supplies. \"The aim with adopting a water conservation ordinance is to avoid a water emergency where the governor would have to call a state of emergency,\" she told the council.

The proposed model recommends limiting automated landscape watering to two days per week, restricting watering to early morning or evening hours, and setting a recommended 30 minutes per irrigation zone. The model also includes provisions for smart controllers on newly installed irrigation systems and incentives for retrofitting existing systems with smart controllers.

Council reactions were mixed. Several members expressed concern about enforcement, potential burdens on residents and businesses (for example, new seedings, school and field irrigation, or commercial pressure-washing), and the cost or complexity of retrofitting irrigation systems. One council member said the environmental commission is \"split down the middle\" and urged the borough to avoid punitive measures that might unduly burden residents.

Multiple council members suggested starting with an education and outreach program rather than an ordinance: run a public-awareness campaign, involve schools, post guidance in borough buildings and on social media, and treat the effort as a \"teaching moment.\" Council President Duffy and others said borough properties should follow any recommended restrictions where feasible and that staff should be mindful of irrigation needs for newly seeded fields.

No ordinance was adopted or formally introduced at the meeting. The council directed staff to work with the environmental commission on an educational component and to return with revised language and implementation options at a future meeting.","Council members discussed a model water-conservation ordinance from the NJDEP and sustainable-jurisdiction templates, with the environmental commission split on punitive measures. The council favored an education campaign and deferred mandatory restrictions pending further review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6049552,"New Milford council adopts $797,000 bond ordinance for public improvements and equipment",76,373000,449000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3510233-d4cf267fc624e43dd2226cbf5d88befe&start=373&end=449","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3510233-d4cf267fc624e43dd2226cbf5d88befe/thumbnail_373000.jpg","/articles/6049552/New-Milford/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/New-Milford-council-adopts-797000-bond-ordinance-for-public-improvements-and-equipment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049552-e56730fd8df57649e9a99817b5dc7982/orig.mp4?Expires=1771229090&Signature=VuZRhNJBhU1Oa-dkhz2t0QayNLsct9wKFeIaAccAodB6C8N6l74DGzTesrUry8YDWdBX4alfJ0zt8b2T4KUf-1nK1uFzpoR1H4BuRlL6iIriQVgScEGxzA1MGL5XNhY2Cmi0dQ9hPFyeV16ij6DTJMOnqyztXBASy7etmX~EtvIJdeg0xAYyiqVelaKo6bfgLJYNx9qM0KWAiFzrAyf6SC0INm09Eu58jGnDqz-FtMjZXepEPFf~2FgcXEVokYnKB3GHZ55FcTmFPui7apDGSViZFXl4sVTEkXrsrcEtkyPTKC5k6QTantpLUSOCeBMDM8aFOEQoEC6-5r6qmcequA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Milford mayor and council adopted a bond ordinance authorizing up to $797,000 in appropriations and bond issuance to finance public improvements and capital equipment across the borough.

The clerk read the bond ordinance into the record; the ordinance authorizes making various public improvements and funding the purchase of vehicles and equipment, including a dump truck, road resurfacing, communications and signal systems equipment, and a fire department rescue boat, the clerk said.

Council members opened and closed a public hearing with no members of the public speaking. The council then approved the ordinance on final reading by roll call. The roll call recorded affirmative votes from council members present; the clerk recorded the votes in sequence during the meeting.

The ordinance also authorizes the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the bonds. The clerk said the council will follow statutory procedures for bond issuance and anticipated note conversion. No amendments or alternate funding sources were adopted at the meeting.","The mayor and council approved a bond ordinance appropriating $797,000 for public improvements and equipment including a dump truck, road resurfacing, communication equipment and a fire department rescue boat.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6049556,"New Milford adopts updated flood-prevention ordinance to match state model",56,289000,345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3510233-d4cf267fc624e43dd2226cbf5d88befe&start=289&end=345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3510233-d4cf267fc624e43dd2226cbf5d88befe/thumbnail_289000.jpg","/articles/6049556/New-Milford/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/New-Milford-adopts-updated-flood-prevention-ordinance-to-match-state-model","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049556-fa775669542f2c30bef208af82b3bfe8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771229090&Signature=lbB5K~2riHwGEMePR0eLl50uuMA8DH7mD~ez2kF3so~ulMlSC6oEpK3cDFrCJBTP0ANexizPw0ywgQfFXQTBjYwY49IPs3LJEHrFhR0RMMNnz5SuPvp1L9NMDIVuEQyT7cnQKCW7b7dJrq8f5MW7y3M6Fvz3d9V7INaWqSaXZxTbNmC1FR7Gc4yJ7ONgBhLXAtJI3dmN552~mm~ZOv52ZdUmtIAHvt63~mrKCgiYL5tz-agXzL7KoNcUsrjHp4TN0sIyA30kXMQ-FiKSkAkvRaYwKePVpuTL5kyxR6KAY7UO7GynrV~K9anpwqUziNBeHd-AVQaD6sWGu1n~VC01sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The mayor and council of the Borough of New Milford voted unanimously on first reading to repeal and replace Chapter 25 of the borough code with an updated flood prevention and protection ordinance provided by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The ordinance adopts the DEP\u000092s model code coordinated ordinance for flood damage prevention, aligning local rules with higher standards under the Flood Hazard Area Control Act and the Uniform Construction Code and incorporating federal guidance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the clerk read at the meeting.

Councilwoman Samuelson, Councilman Feiler, Council President Duffy, Councilman Seymour and Councilwoman Grant each voted Yes on the ordinance during the roll call. The council opened and closed a public hearing with no members of the public speaking before final adoption.

The ordinance replaces the borough\u000092s existing chapter for flood prevention and is intended to bring local standards into conformance with state and federal floodplain requirements. The clerk said the purpose is to adopt the NJDEP model ordinance developed at the direction of FEMA.

The council did not attach additional local exceptions during the meeting; no amendments were offered in the public hearing. The ordinance will be published and become part of the borough\u000092s revised general ordinances as read into the record.","The New Milford mayor and council voted unanimously to repeal and replace Chapter 25 of the borough code with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection\u000092s model flood-damage prevention ordinance to incorporate higher state and FEMA standards.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Main Street improvement project faces $100K+ shortfall; council debates removing bump-outs to save costs

New Milford council debates DEP model water-conservation ordinance; favors education over mandates

New Milford council adopts $797,000 bond ordinance for public improvements and equipment

New Milford adopts updated flood-prevention ordinance to match state model