Road, Sidewalk Funding Approved in Florham Park

The Florham Park Borough Council unanimously passed two ordinances Thursday, one for second reading and enactment and one on first introduction.

The ordinance that passed on second hearing reappropriates $64,917.42 for road and sidewalk improvements along several borough roads.

The funds were originally part of a bond ordinance for road reconstruction on Edgewood Avenue, Rockwood Road, East Madison Avenue, Lakeview Avenue, Park Street, West End Avenue, Pollard Avenue, Broadway, Brooklake Road and the replacement of a compactor and the retaining wall at the borough's recycling center, but were ultimately not needed.

There was no public comment and no board discussion regarding the ordinance.

The 911 fees will get a second reading and public hearing in November after the council unanimously passed the ordinance at introduction.

The ordinance was written to target false 911 calls, which have become an increasing problem in the borough. These calls especially tend to come from businesses and offices where employees have to dial 9 to reach an outside line.

Emergency personnel respond to each call, which costs money and "dilutes the borough's ability to respond to legitimate emergencies."

If the ordinance passes at second reading, any false 911 calls made by "human error, equipment malfunctions or equipment programming" will be fined at the following proposed rate:

A second reading of the ordinance will take place in November.