Montclair Township Council Addresses Climate Change, Begins Township Manager Selection Process

MONTCLAIR, NJ - The Montclair Township Council met on August 13 and, in addition to passing a resolution to find a new township manager, received representatives from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Colliers Engineering to make a presentation on the Resilient New Jersey Municipal Assistance Program, which is designed to help municipalities in the state deal with the effects of climate change, a concern exacerbated by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021.  Montclair has been among several municipalities to take part in the program and to find ways to promote environmental sustainability under the state’s Municipal Land Use Law.  The presentation was hosted by Montclair sustainability officer Lisa Johnson.

The presentation focused looked at environmental threats focusing on the community, which in Montclair means flooding, given the downward slope of the land from Orange Mountain on its western border, and also mudslides from the mountain itself.  The study looked at areas that flooded when the remnants of Ida hit, as well as culverts and the impact future floods could have on buildings, infrastructure, and transportation to get a view of where mitigation from climate change is needed most.  It also focused on the Fourth Ward, identifying it as a “vulnerable population” area, because of its low-lying topography, its housing density, and the economic condition of the neighborhoods. The study will continue in an effort to identify all areas of concern in Montclair and get feedback from an online survey, which will be available for six weeks, to determine the best course of action.

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Fourth Ward Councilor Aminah Toler asked about getting printed surveys distributed in her ward while noting that many of her constituents have little or no Internet access.  She was assured that such printouts could be distributed, and Deputy Mayor Susan Shin Andersen got assurances that translations for non-English speakers can also be provided.  First Ward Councilor Erik D’Amato opined that the residents of Montclair do not need a program or survey, although he welcomed the initiative, to deal with climate change.  He urged residents, Mayor Renée Baskerville, and the rest of the council to work together to reduce carbon emissions, reduce waste, and increase the tree canopy right now.

Councilor Toler also wanted to talk more about the pocket park planned for a former gasoline station site at 399 Orange Road, and Mayor Baskerville called up Planning Director Janice Talley to answer questions.  Councilor Toler said she was led to understand that any contractor working on the site for remediation purposes would have “authority” over the adjacent properties at 395 Orange Road and 55 Pleasant Way Director Talley explained that, in order to secure the grant money for which the township has applied for the project, the contractor will notify the neighbors of the impending project.  They are also obliged to conduct structural evaluations of pre-existing conditions at the adjacent properties before remediation work begins, and a post-construction evaluation is to be conducted afterwards.   The evaluations and the authorities granted to the remediation service are meant to protect the homeowners that the adjacent properties. A contract for remediation has not yet been sent out for bid.  Councilor Toler, for her part, said she was excited about the prospect of a pocket park being developed.

Toward the end of the meeting, the council began the process of seeking a permanent township manager by introducing a resolution to award a contract to Jersey Professional Management (JPM) to interview candidates for the position.  The original wording of the resolution required JPM to complete and submit a business entity disclosure Certification to certify  that the firm “has not made any reportable contributions to a political or candidate committee in the municipality in the previous one year, and that the contract will prohibit JPM from making any reportable contributions during the term of the contract,” but that was changed to read that JPM certify it “has not made any contributions to a political candidate running for office in Montclair or candidate committee supporting candidates running for office in Montclair in the previous one year, and that the contract will prohibit JPM from making any such contributions during the term of the contract.”  The amendments were introduced at the suggestion of Councilor-at-Large Carmel Loughman.  The council then passed it as amended.

The council also passed three pending capital ordinances for water, sewer, and parking improvements.  In public comment, the council accepted a donation of the pan-African flag to be flown on public property to honor the township’s black population, and resident Noah Gale proposed brining back First Night for New Year’s Ee and moving municipal elections to November to increase voter turnout.  Councilor D’Amato told Gale that he agreed with both ideas.

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