Montclair Mayor Recaps New Town Council’s First Months: See Highlights

MONTCLAIR, NJ — An entirely new town council took over in Montclair last year. And according to the town’s new mayor, they’ve been busy.

On Friday, Renee Baskerville reached out to the community with a New Year’s update.

“As we say farewell to 2024 and usher in 2025, I wanted to share a message to our community reflecting the challenges and successes of the past year, while looking forward with excitement to 2025,” Baskerville wrote.

“2024 marked a year of significant change within our township government as a new council was elected, and I am extremely honored to have been sworn in as mayor of our wonderful town,” Baskerville continued.

The mayor shared the following highlights of some achievements that have taken place since then:

• Enhanced our commitment to road safety by extending the mandate of the Vision Zero Task Force, lowering speed limits on township roads to 25mph (20mph in school zones), opening discussion with Essex County on lower speed limits on country roads, implementing traffic-calming measures like four-way stop signs at multiple roads and intersections, and developing an ambitious revised Complete Streets ordinance that the Council will be taking up shortly.
• Swore in a new Fire Chief for the Fire Department, in addition to promoting 9 other fire department members to new positions.
• Passed the “Skip the Stuff” ordinance, which will reduce unnecessary waste from restaurant take-out and delivery orders.
• Passed a resolution to award funds for a roof replacement at the Cornerstone House, a Township-owned building that is a shelter for the homeless.
• Passed a resolution to install electric vehicle chargers in Montclair’s South End district and at the Municipal Building parking lot.
• Allocated a $50,000 grant to the Montclair Emergency Services for Hope (MESH), which provides emergency shelter services to the homeless.
• Unanimously passed a resolution designating a developer for the Lackawanna Plaza Redevelopment Plan.
• Began the search for a new Township Attorney, while unanimously passing a resolution hiring a new Interim Township Attorney, Joseph Garcia.
• Began interviewing candidates as part of the search for a new Township Manager, completing two sets of first round interviews.

“Of course, the council has more work to do in 2025, and I am deeply committed to serving this town in a way that fosters trust and transparency,” Baskerville said.

“On behalf of the entire council, I wish every member of our wonderful community a very happy and healthy New Year,” she added. “I look forward to everything we can accomplish together in 2025.”

• See Related: New Mayor Picks Up Torch In Montclair, New Council Sworn In

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