Mayor honors Susan E. Herby with memorial proclamation
The council marked Susan E. Herby’s death by tracing her disability-rights work in Montclair and pointing to a permanent memorial now being planned at Edgemont Memorial Park.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — proclamation in memoriam for susan e, proclamation for autism acceptance month, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Her advocacy reached from daily caregiving to public spaces, including the accessible playground where the township now hopes to place a lasting memorial.
A life of advocacy met the public record this week. The mayor read a proclamation in memoriam for Susan E. Herby, who died on April 21, 2026, after what the proclamation described as a courageous journey with Parkinson’s and pancreatic cancer. The tribute described her as a mother, caregiver, advocate, community leader, and friend whose work helped make Montclair more accessible for people with disabilities and their families.
The proclamation tied that work to both home and policy. The mayor said Susan E. Herby cared for her daughter Leslie for 40 years and made disability inclusion part of daily life, not just public advocacy. The proclamation said she helped strengthen language connected to the Americans with Disabilities Act and contributed to accessibility efforts rooted in New Jersey but felt beyond the state. In Montclair, the mayor pointed to a project many residents know firsthand: the accessible playground at Edgemont Memorial Park.
The mayor said Susan E. Herby was relentless in helping bring that playground to life so children of all abilities could play together and families could feel welcome there. The proclamation noted that her life celebration was held at the playground, linking her legacy to a place she helped shape. The family is now working with the township on a permanent memorial at the site, possibly a plaque, though plans are still being developed. A family member thanked the council and the community and said the effort showed what people can do together around a shared mission.
Proclamation for Autism Acceptance Month
The council used April to make a broader point about belonging. It proclaimed April 2026 as Autism Acceptance Month and said the designation is meant to promote understanding, support, and inclusion for autistic people and their families in Montclair.
The proclamation focused on recognizing the different experiences and challenges autistic individuals face, while celebrating their contributions to the community. Advocacy groups and community members attended the meeting and thanked the council for taking up the issue in a formal way.
Public comments pushed the message beyond symbolism. Speakers called for continued education and awareness to challenge stereotypes and build a more supportive environment for neurodivergent residents. Council members encouraged residents to take part in events and activities during the month, tying the proclamation to a wider local effort to make acceptance visible in everyday community life.
Speakers press council on senior programs
Public comment centered on the termination of the senior citizens program coordinator, with many speakers urging the township to restore the position and explain what happened. Commenters said the loss has already brought confusion, cancellations, and worries about whether senior programming can continue at the same scale.
leadership change
Council valet parking ordinance fails
The council debated whether valet parking should be regulated or effectively barred, then failed to advance the ordinance. Members raised questions about traffic backups, use of the right-of-way, safety on narrow streets, and whether stricter limits could invite litigation.
litigation
Mayor calls for moment of silence
The mayor asked attendees to pause for Juniper Blessing and for three victims killed at an Islamic Center in San Diego. The meeting stopped for a moment of silence and reflection before council business resumed.
memorial
Council approves tax note smoothing plan
The council approved a resolution to use tax anticipation notes so a $12.6 million school referendum increase can be collected over four quarters instead of two. Michael Lapolla said the approach avoids a sharper tax spike, with estimated interest of about 198,800 under one borrowing option.
Spread $12.6M school referendum taxes across four quarters to avoid a sharp tax bump.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Montclair Township had 337 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEAdvisory Finding on Buzz Aldrin School Capital Project Consistency with Master Plan. Following discussion of the Buzz Aldrin School HVAC/electrical project, the Board indicated it would memorialize that it did not find the project inconsistent with the Master Plan and would recommend maintaining the property’s historic integrity.
- GOVERNANCEElm-New Mission redevelopment plan rescinded. The township moved to rescind the Elm/New Street/Mission Avenue redevelopment plan and replace it with C3 zoning that lowers permitted height and density. The Planning Board approved the related referral resolution, and the Council later held a public hearing and passed the ordinance despite objections from affected property owners and developers.
- GOVERNANCECouncil advances $18.49 million bond notes. Council approved resolutions authorizing the sale and issuance of up to $18.491 million in bond anticipation notes and combining certain note issues. The actions let township officials proceed with the 2026 financing.
- GOVERNANCEResolution (Amended) — Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (Corrections and Dates). The Board reviewed corrections to an amended fourth round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan resolution, including specific wording and dates tied to submissions and a court program, and approved the resolution with corrections including the term “Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program.”
- GOVERNANCEIntroduction: Amend Chapter 327, Section 22 to add a loading zone on Maple Avenue. Council introduced an ordinance to add a loading zone on Maple Avenue. Council noted the item addressed concerns raised by Maple Avenue store owners and thanked staff for preparing the ordinance.
- GOVERNANCECouncil adopts 2026 Senior Center bid budget. Council completed the procedural steps to adopt the 2026 Montclair Senior Center bid budget, including a read-by-title action and final adoption after a public hearing with no speakers. The adopted amount was listed as,552.
- GOVERNANCEAward of police duty detail management contract (Visual Computer Solutions Inc.). Council approved Resolution 12 authorizing a fair and open contract for police duty detail management with Visual Computer Solutions Inc. Staff stated the contract had been re-advertised and re-procured after prior Council action in February.
- GOVERNANCEDecision on application 2966: 117 Undercliff Road — approval with conditions (height and footprint variances). The Board approved application 2966 for a detached three-car garage at 117 Undercliff Road, granting variances including accessory building height up to 27 feet and a 36-foot dimension. Approval included multiple conditions addressing plan reconciliation, HPC compliance, stormwater/erosion controls, retaining wall materials and landscaping, and limiting the upper level to storage (not living space). One member voted opposed; the motion carried.
- GOVERNANCEResolution authorizing application for Municipal Efficiency Review Program grant (shade tree management operational review) with amendments. The Council approved a resolution to apply for a state Municipal Efficiency Review/Management Enhancement Review Program grant to fund a 6-month operational review of shade tree management and related functions. The Deputy Mayor described a 60,000 grant request with a 15,000 municipal share, and the Council approved amendments to the resolution language.
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