By Council President Jeanne Kingsley
The next town council meeting will be held on Tuesday June 1 at 7:00PM. Members of Council, Mayor Devanney, and Administration staff will be participating electronically via ZOOM in this meeting. For this and all future electronic meetings, members of the public will be able to comment by video and comments will also be accepted by email to aminkoff@bhtwp.com or by writer letter to Township Clerk, 29 Park Ave, Berkeley Heights NJ 07922. Comments must be received by the Township Clerk by 4:00 PM on the date of the ZOOM meeting. The meeting ID for the Zoom meeting is http://zoom.us/s/3575747364.
The first item on the agenda is a conference session on a proposed 5G Ordinance. This is the newest generation (fifth generation) of technology for wireless service. 5G has greater bandwidth, giving higher download speeds. In light of this 5G is expected to serve not just cellphones but also home internet purposes. 5G signal does not travel very far. Thus, for 5G to be effective, small cell networks must be developed and deployed. Because of technical limitations, 5G will not be deployed using large, 200ft towers, that 4G and 3G currently use. Instead, 5G will be deployed using small cell networks consisting of hundreds of antennas and nodes. These antennas and nodes often times need to be place within line of sight of each other in order to function effectively.
The proposed 5G Ordinance ensures our municipality retains as much control as possible over the location of 5G equipment as more 5G carriers enter local markets, sets standards for 5G equipment applications intake and completeness review; mitigates potential adverse aesthetic impacts, particularly in the Township rights of way; and will only permit locations/equipment that are absolutely necessary.
The council will discuss their thoughts on the information provided to date and next steps.
The second item on the agenda is a public hearing and final adoption of an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of a Use License from the NJ Transit Corp. for certain real property with the Township for Mondelli Park. This license will to allow the township to use the license area as a buffer and security barrier along the new Mondelli Park’s boundary.
The third item on the agenda is a public hearing and final adoption of a Bond Ordinance providing for carious capital improvements with an appropriation of $2,345,000 and to authorize the issuance of $1,900,000 in bonds or notes of the township to finance the cost. The items included in this ordinance are the capital items that were discussed as part of the 2021 budget that was approved on May 4.
The public hearing and final adoption for an ordinance to prohibit the sale, growth, and distribution of any class of cannabis businesses within the geographical boundaries of Berkeley Heights is moved to June 15, 2021 as the ordinance needs to be reviewed by the Planning Board at their next meeting on June 2, 2021 at 7:30 pm.
The council will vote on the following resolutions:
- Approve Bill List dated June 1, 2021 in the amount of $926,723.97 for vouchers that have been properly approved for processing and payment.
- Authorize Change Order No. 1, in the amount of $56,200 for the contract awarded to American Asphalt & Milling Services, LLC for NJDOT Road Program – Various Streets project.
- Authorize the bid award to CCM Contracting LLC, for the provision of 2020 Capital Road Program - Fairfax Drive-Tudor Lane-Windsor Way, in an amount not to exceed $855,381.65.
- Authorize an Agreement with the County of Union to install an LED Pedestrian Crosswalk sign on Plainfield Ave and Cottage Street.
- Authorize the renewal of Alcoholic Beverage Licenses for a period of One year expiring on June 30, 2022.
- Authorize a tax settlement with Snyder Avenue Berkeley Heights, LLC for the property located at 330 Snyder Ave.
- Authorize the rejection of the Anaerobic Digester Gas Flare Replacement Project bid, received on April 21, 2021, because it exceeds the cost estimates for the goods and services.
The Council will introduce an Ordinance appropriating $12,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for Park Improvements in Berkeley Heights. These funds will be applied to the repair and reconstruction of portions of the 9/11 Memorial Park. The goal is to have the work completed by September 11, 2021. If the introduction of this ordinance is approved, there will be a public hearing and final vote on this ordinance on June 15.
The Council will introduce an Ordinance Vacating a Portion of Sherman Ave in Berkeley Heights. This is part of the Stratton House Redevelopment Agreement (Section 4.10). If the introduction of this ordinance is approved, there will be a public hearing and final vote on this ordinance on June 15.
To view the complete Council agenda, go to
https://www.berkeleyheights.gov/AgendaCenter/Township-Council-9/?#_06012021-864
The next council meeting is scheduled of June 15, 2021 at 7 pm.