March 18, 2025 Council Meeting

Mar 22

Below you will find a summary of the main points from the March 2025 Council Meeting. The full meeting is available to watch by clicking here.

PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

These amazing volunteers from the Ringwood Ambulance Corps, Erskine Lakes Volunteer Fire Company, Skyline Lakes Fire Department, and Ringwood Dive Team were honored for their years of dedication and service to our community. A heartfelt congratulations to:

⭐ George Stout – 20 years

⭐ Robert Martino – 20 years

⭐ Vince Rambala – 20 years

⭐ John Wilm – 20 years

⭐ John Joseph Mulholland – 20 years

⭐ Kenneth Diaz – 30 years

Congratulations to Olivia McCormick, State Semi-Finalist in the Louis Bay 2nd Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition! Well deserved!

THE HIGHLANDS PROTECTION FUND

On Monday, Governor Murphy signed Senate Bill S-3466/A-4627 into law, marking a major victory for Ringwood and the Highlands! This new law ensures that municipalities like ours, which protect vital watershed lands, will now receive state aid from the Highlands Protection Fund—a long-overdue recognition of our commitment to conservation.

Thanks to this legislation, Ringwood is set to receive nearly $225,000 annually for our efforts in preserving the Highlands’ water resources.

This achievement was years in the making, with dedicated advocacy from local leaders and many champions at the state level. A special thank you to the Highlands Council Executive Director Ben Spinelli and democratic legislators who sponsored and voted for this bill. This is a proud moment for Ringwood and a testament to what persistence and bipartisan collaboration can achieve.

SKYLINE DRIVE REDEVELOPMENT

There was no reported progress on the Skyline Drive Redevelopment Plan, despite earlier expectations that a plan would be finalized by the end of 2024. The Borough Manager and Borough Attorney expressed frustration with the delays and indicated that they met with the developer, Azarian, on March 19 (the day following the meeting). The tone of that meeting was described as likely to be confrontational.

COUNCIL BUSINESS: UPDATES

Resolution 2025-74 was passed, authorizing the submission of a 2025 Passaic County Open Space Grant application to support the Stonetown Ballfield Project.

The Ryerson Rain Garden project continues to advance, with approval granted for additional contractor payments.

A contract in the amount of $497,486.09 was awarded for Phase 2 of the Skyline Lake Drive Roadway Improvement Project.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The council entered executive session to discuss matters pertaining to the Chief of Police contract.

Happy Spring!