Beautification Plans and Improvements Continue in Cedar Grove

Cedar Grove is getting both greener and brighter.

At the town council conference meeting Monday night, Township Manager Thomas Tucci reported the recently finished more plantings, while lighting at the Community Park will be ready for installment next week.

After placing 35 hanging plants around downtown Cedar Grove, Tucci said volunteers now completed work placing flowers in a wheelbarrow at the "Mayor's Corner," the area located across from . 

Next up for the Beautification Commitee is plantings at Tranquility Park.

"They are doing a wonderful job, and more residents are getting involved," Tucci said.

Tucci also informed the council light poles have been installed at the Community Park, with work on placing the actual lights to be completed this week.

In addition to the lights, the town will also install cameras on the poles in an effort to deter vandalism. The cameras will face the playgrounds, which have been damaged in the past by vandals.

Cameras on Community Park Road will also record all cars entering and exiting the park.

Trestle and Crosswalk Lighting Projects Update

Tucci informed the Council the painting of thealong Pompton Avenue will take place during evening and weekend hours.

The county, which is funding both the project and managing the traffic control for it, was informed by the state Department of Transportation work cannot occur during daytime hours because of the disruption of travel on Pompton Avenue.

Councilman Joseph Chiusolo said with work, including sandblasting occurring at night, the council should be prepared to receive noise complaints from residents.

Tucci said the town should handle any complaints on case by case basis.

"We can't say 'no' to night work, otherwise we won't get the project." The painting project is expected to begin next week.

Councilman Robert O'Toole also discussed the ongoing project to place embedded lights in the Pompton Avenue crosswalk near .  This is the final step in a project the town has been working with the DOT for the past three years.

O'Toole explained the first part of the crosswalk project was getting stripes painted in it. After discussing lighting options with the DOT, the state would only approve embedded lights.

Tucci said the DOT will pay 75 percent of the estimated $138,000 cost for the lights. Once the work is completed, the state will reimburse the township for the remaining 25 percent cost.

Multiple Residential Housing Concerns

With plans approved for a housing complex on Pompton Avenue, and the council currently in litigation with K. Hovnanian over another possible complex, resident Joe Moroney spoke during the public portion of the meeting about his concerns with the project.

Deputy Mayor Peter Tanella, who was serving as acting mayor in Mayor John Zunic's absence, said the best way for residents to discuss their concerns is to bring them up at township zoning board meetings where the housing decisions are made.

The zoning board meets the second Tuesday of every month and meetings are open to the public. The council was planning to discuss the Hovnanian litigation in its closed session.

Other Cedar Grove News

O'Toole reminded residents registration is currently underway for summer tennis clinics, the suburban tennis league and volleyball camp. To find out more information, residents should visit the town website.

O'Toole also said the Cedar Grove Elks will host a barbecue fundraiser on June 19 to benefit the Wounded Warriors Foundation.

"This has become my favorite charity," O'Toole said.