2021 Municipal Budget Introduced at May 6 Mayor & Council Meeting
The first reading of the borough’s 2021 municipal budget was read in name only at the May 6, 2021 Mayor and Council Meeting. The budget can be reviewed by residents of the borough by going to the borough’s website https://www.usrtoday.org and in the left-hand column, under the heading “Financial Documents” the 2021 Introduced Budget can be accessed.
The June 3 USR Mayor & Council Meeting starts at 8:00 pm. To access the mayor and council meeting on Zoom please go to this link: https://zoom.us/j/842319706
New Council Member Is Appointed
USR Fire Chief Arman Fardanesh was appointed at this meeting to fill the seat formerly held by USR Councilwoman DeAnne C. DeFuccio, who relinquished her seat after having won a special election convention for New Jersey State Assembly in the 39th district to fill the seat vacated by Holly Schepisi. Ms. DeFuccio was appointed to USR Council in March 2020 to fill the seat held by retiring Roger DeBerardine.
USR Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for 2021
The annual Memorial Day Parade, which had been canceled last year due to Covid, has been scheduled for 2021 on a scaled-back basis. There will be no food available at the Fire Department. The parade route travels down West Saddle Road from Ripplewood Rd. to the borough hall. Wreaths will be laid and speeches will be given to honor those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 31, 2021.
Plantings Planned for Ware Road Guardrail
New guardrails were constructed on Ware Road and neighboring residents have expressed their dissatisfaction with the aesthetics especially in their own front yards. The mayor and council have agreed to request that a landscaping plan be drawn up by Ken Boswell, borough engineer, or DPW. The borough has allotted $10,000 for landscaping along these guardrails.
Tree Farm Renovation
Many trees have been cut down due to disease at the borough property known as the Tree Farm located on the northwest corner of Lake Street and West Saddle River Road. There is also an underground pipeline coursing underneath the parking lot. The mayor stated that the parking lot should no longer be used due to the pipeline and has suggested that trees be planted where the parking lot currently stands.
Second Reading on Ordinances
Electrical Charging Stations Permitted
A resolution was approved permitting vehicle electrical charging stations in the borough as a permitted accessory use and permitted accessory structure in all zoning districts. (Res. #04-21)
Cannabis Businesses Prohibited
A resolution was approved prohibiting any kind of cannabis business in the borough. (Res. #05-21)
Female Eagle Scout Recognized
Sarah Renee Bakal was recognized for having been inducted as an Eagle Scout in the first class of Eagle Scouts in Scouts BSA, formerly known as the Boy Scouts.