February 24, 2026 Council Meeting

Feb 27

Below you will find a summary of the main points from the February 2026 Council Meeting. The full meeting is available to watch by clicking here.

Ringwood Public Library Annual Update

Library Director MaryEllen D'Elia presented an impressive year-over-year report. Library visitors increased 71% from 2024 to 2025, rising from 42,061 to 71,733. Program participants increased 65% to 17,677, and children's department attendance grew 77% to 11,494. Physical and electronic checkouts also saw significant increases. The library will host New Jersey's traveling exhibit "Revolutionary Lives" this fall as part of the US 250th anniversary programming, and has begun planning for potential renovations over the next 25 years.

Ringwood Green Team Annual Report

Green Team member Jennifer Hsu presented the end-of-year report. Highlights include receiving their 4th Sustainable Jersey grant, Jennifer being named a Sustainability Hero in January 2026, and the team receiving the ANJEC 2025 Environmental Achievement Award. The council also remembered Green Team member Linda Marks, who passed away in November.

Manager's Report

The borough has seen 63 inches of snow this season, putting pressure on the DPW budget and equipment.

The Borough Manager was candid about the financial outlook, noting that revenues are declining while costs are rising, and that difficult budget decisions lie ahead again this year. Last year, the Ringwood Borough Council unanimously approved a $18.5 million budget, with a 3.8% property tax increase and deep cuts to public services, including the library, recreation, and health departments.

Other updates: Ford Motor Company is responsible for restoring the existing recycling center site. The borough website is once again experiencing a certificate error being addressed by the web hosting company. Ringwood Downtown received strong responses to its community engagement survey and will hold a public meeting on March 10 at 7pm at the Community Center to share results.

Ordinances and Council Business

A 3% annual water rate increase was adopted for each of the next five years.

An ordinance was introduced to codify existing retiree health benefits for long-term borough employees and elected officials. The language used in the ordinance appears to tailor it specifically to the current Borough Manager, who is reportedly nearing retirement.

This ordinance was the focus of several comments and questions from Ringwood residents who wanted to clarify the fiscal wisdom of providing retiree health benefits, including to spouses, when the Council has been very open about the financial challenges facing Ringwood.

The borough's 4th round affordable housing plan was updated, with no additional units mandated for Ringwood. The March council meeting has been rescheduled from March 24 to Thursday, March 12 at 7pm.

Coming Up

Ringwood Downtown public meeting: March 10, 7pm, Community Center
Rescheduled Council Meeting: March 12, 7pm
St. Patrick's Day Parade: March 21
Home Improvement Fair: March 25, 6-8pm, Community Center
First William Paterson University small business seminar "Strategic Business Planning Fundamentals": March 12, 6-7:30pm at the library
Highlands Impact Aid Now rally: March 7, 1pm, Jefferson Township High School

Thanks for staying informed!