Regional Board of Education Update.
Last Evening's Town Council Workshop was jam packed. We were first given an update on the Regional Board of Education. The superintendent of Morris Knolls Regional High School, James Jencarelli, discussed the proposed budget. If passed on April 20th, it would result in about a $66 increase per the average Denville home per year. As with most Boards of Education in the state, there were massive cuts of state funding which then resulted in cuts made by the Regional Board. More information can be found at the Regional Board of Ed website.
The Highlands Council
Eileen Swan, Executive Director of the New Jersey Highland Council. This was a very informative presentation. Denville will have a very big decision to make about whether to opt into a regional plan for development and environmental protection. This was the first time this new council was presented to by the Executive Director. By June 8th the Council will have to make a decision on opting into the plan in order to determine our affordable housing requirements. However, we can still opt out at any time. I still remain very open, yet noncommittal to whether or not we opt into the plan and am anxious to see what develops with affordable housing requirements in New Jersey. Currently there are many bills introduced at the state level regarding the Council on Affordable housing. The outcome of these bills will help the decision.
Ordinance Review.
Last evening the Town Council had a lengthy discussion and presentation on light ordinances, sign ordinances and property maintenance ordinances. It was agreed that the Township Planner, Engineer and Health Officer will review and recommend back to the Town Council how we can tighten up and strengthen these ordinances to keep from excessive light pollution and unkempt properties.
