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Township Council Meeting 6/23/26
Published: Jun 23, 2026
Town Council Adopts Ordinances on Business Hours, Property Revaluation, Law Department Establishment, and Compensation Adjustments
The council considered and adopted three ordinances. Ordinance 26-26 amends Chapter 3 of the township code to modify operating hours for certain businesses and establish requirements for 24-hour operation of full-service health clubs and gyms. Ordinance 27-26 authorizes a special emergency appropriation of $1.5 million for a complete revaluation of real property within the township, with a resident inquiring about the frequency of such revaluations, noting it had occurred approximately seven years prior. The manager explained that a revaluation is mandated when the equalization ratio falls below a certain threshold. Ordinance 28-26 amends Chapter 2, Article 2.2-13 of the code to establish a law department, which a resident questioned due to budgetary entries and a lack of prior official establishment, with the manager clarifying it involves wording changes and potentially changing the township attorney from an employee to an independent contractor. Ordinance 30-26 fixes personnel positions, salaries, wages, and compensation amounts, repealing Ordinance 49-25. During the public hearing for this ordinance, a resident questioned the disparity in starting salaries between police ($46,000) and fire ($37,000) academy recruits, with the explanation that separate unions negotiate contracts and the fire department recently established an academy. The resident also asked for clarification on "race-repealing," which was explained as replacing an old ordinance with a new one. The ordinance change also addresses poll workers and the township attorney's status. Finally, a resident raised concerns about a proposed increase in business permit fees from $100 to $500, which was attributed to preventing solicitation and increased inspections, although the resident argued for alternative measures. The council indicated potential future adjustments to fees for pre-existing businesses.
Township Secures $1.5 Million in Green Acres Funding for Stadium Grandstand Improvements and $200,000 for Pistol Range Remediation
The grant committee announced the receipt of additional Green Acres supplemental funding totaling $1.5 million for municipal stadium grandstand improvements. Although the initial request was for $3.2 million, the committee expressed gratitude for the allocated amount. Combined with the existing $2 million, the total grant funding reaches approximately $3.58 million. This funding will cover Phase One of the project, which includes structural repairs, ADA access, and bathroom renovations, with an estimated cost of $5.3 million. The grant funding will cover roughly one-third of the project cost, reducing the taxpayer's financial burden significantly. Additionally, the grant team secured $200,000 from the DCA for a recreational improvement grant specifically for remediation of the pistol range. This project is larger than the awarded grant amount, and internal meetings will be held to determine the plan and how to proceed with the funding.
Township Achieves Affordable Housing Compliance, Adopts Affordability Assistance Manual, and Considers Resident-Exclusive Senior Housing Project
Dean Donatelli, the township's redevelopment attorney, provided an update on affordable housing compliance. The court has issued a certificate of compliance, protecting the town from Mount Laurel litigation for the next 10 years. A condition of this certification requires the township to adopt an affordability assistance manual. This manual is part of the spending plan for the affordable housing trust fund, which currently holds approximately $4,770,000. This fund, derived from non-residential and commercial development fees, as well as statewide mandatory contributions, is intended for deployment to existing non-conforming units and other affordable housing initiatives. The manual will outline how 20% of the trust fund can be used for affordability assistance, including down payment assistance, closing cost assistance, and lender's fee payments for homeowners, and moving expenses, utility deposit assistance, first month's rent, and security deposit assistance for renters. The manual also details the process for income-eligible individuals to seek these funds through the administrative agent, Artheon (formerly CME). In a separate discussion, the council considered an idea to use the trust fund money to create an all-affordable senior project exclusively for Belleville residents. This initiative, while not a requirement for compliance, aims to deploy the substantial trust fund balance, given some difficulty in distributing funds for rehabilitation. The Fair Share Housing Center has expressed interest in this idea, contingent on approval from the state Attorney's office and the Division of Civil Rights. No action was taken on this proposal, as it was suggested to defer the decision to the new council after July 1st.
Ordinance Modifies Business Hours and Health Club Operations; Fee Increases and Salary Disparities Discussed
During the meeting, the council adopted Ordinance 26-26, which modifies chapter 3 of the code of the township of Belleville entitled Police Regulations. This ordinance is intended to modify hours of operation for certain businesses and establish requirements for 24-hour operation of full-service health clubs and gyms. A resident expressed concern regarding a significant increase in business permit fees from $100 to $500, questioning its effectiveness in deterring solicitation and suggesting alternative measures. The manager clarified that the fee increase was set by the council and involved more inspections by health and code enforcement departments. Further discussion ensued regarding Ordinance 30-26, which fixes personnel positions, salaries, wages, and compensation. A resident noted a disparity in starting salaries between police ($46,000) and fire ($37,000) recruits for their academies, which was explained as a result of separate union negotiations and the recent establishment of the fire department academy. The council also moved to adopt resolutions A and B under new business, the details of which were not fully elaborated upon in the provided text but were presented as needing votes.
Council Addresses Property Revaluation Funding, Law Department Establishment, Salary Disparities, and Website Service Transition
During the council meeting, several items related to governance and transparency were discussed. The council adopted Ordinance 27-26, authorizing a $1.5 million appropriation for a real property revaluation. A resident questioned the frequency of revaluations, and the manager clarified it's mandated by the equalization ratio. Ordinance 28-26 established a law department, prompting a discussion about its prior budgetary existence and the potential change in the township attorney's status from employee to independent contractor. Ordinance 30-26 addressed personnel positions and salaries, leading to a discussion about salary disparities between police and fire recruits. A resident also raised concerns about the business permit fee increase from $100 to $500, questioning the justification and effectiveness in deterring solicitation, with the manager explaining it involved increased inspections and council-approved fees. The meeting also included discussions on upcoming website services, with an RFP process underway and a transition period expected to take 3-6 months, during which the current contractor will be retained on a paid basis. The contract for these services will need to be signed by the incoming mayor. Finally, the manager noted that during executive session, there was no action to be taken, but the council wished to thank departing members for their service.
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