Council: No Fee for Handicapped Access Ramps

Homeowners who add a ramp to their homes to provide handicapped access are no longer required to pay a fee to the borough to do so.

A local resident approached the borough council at its last meeting asking about the costs and procedures for adding a ramp.

At Monday's meeting, borough attorney Dennis Etis said he had reviewed the ordinances pertaining to this issue, and recommended the following revision: Because adding a ramp or similar modification for a handicapped individual is not a way of improving a house, he said, but instead a necessary addition for the capabilities of a handicapped person, Fanwood can waive the filing fees for this type of development application. The borough council approved the revisions, which do not apply to commercial properties.

Fanwood Engineer Joseph Pryor reported little progress on the plan to renovate the old caboose at the train station. Although several developers have expressed an interest in the project, no bids were received by the deadline, so the council announced plans to reopen the project to bids.

Borough clerk Eleanor McGovern introduced a request from the Fanwood Police Department to install a "no U-turn" sign on Roosevelt Street.  The street runs along the front of McGinn Elementary School, and it is heavily populated with children. The council made no objections, and the project is moving forward.

Tuesday night's council meeting was short.  Mayor Colleen Mahr was not in attendance and the meeting was therefore led by Council President Russell Huegel.

Next week's meeting will be held on Monday rather than Tuesday because of the primary elections.