The agenda for the Borough Council meeting was finally made available via the Borough website and there is a lot to review. Several ordinances are being presented for first read that residents will want to be aware of.

The next Borough Council meeting is Monday, September 28th at 7pm at Borough Hall.

Here is what we are watching for Monday:

Ordinance Public Hearings & Final Adoptions

The last council meeting introduced two ordinances which we expected to see presented for public hearing and final adoption on Monday. In reviewing the online agenda posted, it indicates the public hearing will be October 12, 2026.

ManvilleToday reached out to Business Administrator Gabriella Siboni via email for clarification. She indicated the date did change due to an error that prevented the ordinances from being publicly posted with sufficient time for proper notice.

Rustic Mall - Ordinance #2026-1345

This ordinance is to authorize the Borough being "desirous of developing new public facilities" to acquire 4.0738 acres of the former Rustic Mall area for "a public purpose".

The ordinance outlines the method of acquisition may be through "good faith negotiations with the owner of the Property" or via condemnation. An appraiser, hired by the Borough, appraised the 4.0738 acres they wish to acquire in the amount of $1,018,450.

4.0738 acres is roughly one-third of the Rustic Mall property. We covered this ordinance in detail here.

Rental Registration Fees - Ordinance #2026-1346

This ordinance is regarding rental registration fees and will change the fee structure charged to property owners who rent apartments or homes.

The fees are changing from $150 for the first rental and $50 for each additional unit in a building to a flat rate of $150 per rental, per building. This will be an increase of $100 per unit for each rental unit after the first one.

Introduction & First Read Ordinances

There are a total of four bond ordinances totaling $2,232,500 for introduction on Monday. A bond ordinance is basically the borrowing of money, or taking out a loan, that the borough will use to fund various items. They are broken down as follows:

#2026-1349: $1,025,000 (Rustic Mall)

"AUTHORIZE THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY (BY PURCHASE OR EMINENT DOMAIN) FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES"

This bond ordinance would authorize $1,025,000 to be spent on acquiring the 4.0738, or roughly 1/3, of the Rustic Mall property either by purchase or condemnation. According to the appraisal report acquired via OPRA by ManvilleToday, the Borough’s appraisal of the land is valued at $1,018,450.

#2026-1348: $549,000

"THE MAKING OF VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND THE ACQUISITION OF NEW ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY AND NEW AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, INCLUDING ORIGINAL APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT"

This bond ordinance is broad and covers several items. From police weapons to purchasing vehicles, to DPW acquiring a new leaf truck, to paving various lots in town, this ordinance would cover the expenditures of various items needed by the Borough.

#2026-1350: $260,000

"AUTHORIZE THE UNDERTAKING OF STREAM BANK STABILIZATION AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ALONG THE ROYCE BROOK DUE TO DAMAGE FROM TROPICAL STORM IDA"

This bond ordinance will cover costs associated with two grants targeting Colorado Avenue and the American Legion. We covered this here. These additional costs appear to be associated with awarded FEMA grants for damages caused by Hurricane Ida in these two areas which have not yet been repaired.

#2026-1351: $398,500

"AUTHORIZE THE MAKING OF VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS"

This bond ordinance would authorize the additional costs associated with a grant to install an ADA ramp at Vermont Avenue and 13th Avenue. This is the "slope" of land at the end of Vermont avenue which is frequently used by children walking to school to go from the lower level of the Southside and cross at the railroad tracks at 13th Avenue. ($37,500)

This bond will also cover costs associated with a grant to improve pedestrian safety on 13th Avenue, as well as some stormwater improvements. ($261,000) It will also cover the installation of speed humps and radar speed signs, with the locations currently unknown. ($100,000)

What's Next?

As these bond ordinances will be presented for "first read" and introduction, no public comment period will be permitted until the next council meeting on October 12th including the two ordinances expected for final adoption.

Given the scale of the proposed bond ordinances, residents are strongly encouraged to attend the meeting so they can hear the details directly and understand the potential financial impact on Manville and taxpayers.

ManvilleToday will continue to monitor the status of all items, and any new items that arise during the council meeting on Monday.