Montclair Township's Complete Street director requests 2.7 million for street projects
The 2027 proposal pairs a 200,000 operating increase with a separate capital request for crossings, signals and bike routes.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — complete streets department 2027 operating budget, tax assessor’s office 2027 budget and, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The director said small drops in vehicle speeds can substantially reduce the risk of serious injury for people walking or biking.
Safer crossings and bike routes come with a capital request. Montclair Township's Complete Street director outlined a 2027 operating budget of around 425,000 and a separate 2.7 million capital request. Operating expenses would rise by 200,000, largely to let the department hire its own engineering and planning help rather than rely on other township departments. The request includes 150,000 for traffic studies, signal reviews and early intersection designs.
Montclair Township's Complete Street department is testing three temporary changes: a bike lane, intersection improvements near a school and shorter crossings outside the municipal building. The director said traffic counts, speed readings and a public survey will help assess them. On another street, the director reported a four-mile-per-hour drop in average speed following sidewalk and traffic-calming work. Crash records and speed data help the department rank future projects, particularly on roads identified as high-injury or high-risk.
Next is Safe Routes to School work near Montclair High School and the early learning academy. Plans include shorter crosswalks, flashing pedestrian beacons, a raised intersection and accessibility upgrades. The director expects costs around the earlier estimate of about 1.4 million, with grant reimbursement after Montclair Township pays upfront. The capital request covers signals, bike facilities, traffic calming and low-traffic neighborhood greenways. Some projects depend on grants, while traffic signals require warrants. The director said the governing body makes the final decisions.
Tax Assessor’s Office 2027 Budget and Townwide Property Revaluation Planning
Montclair Township's tax assessor presented a 2027 office budget of 680,712, including 359,582 for salaries and 321,130 for operations. A vehicle replacement estimated at approximately 30,000 is the sole capital item. The larger task ahead is a townwide property revaluation ordered by the county tax authority for the 2028 tax year.
The assessor expects tax maps back for an initial review on December 7, with revisions still needed before approval. Field inspections are expected to begin in late January and, weather permitting, finish by the end of 2027. Inspectors will measure properties and knock without appointments at first. If nobody is home, they will leave a note so an inspection can be scheduled. The assessor said inspectors will carry municipal and company identification.
Assessments will reflect values as of October 2027. The assessor said revaluation does not increase the total tax levy; it changes how that levy is distributed among property owners. Inspectors will make three attempts to enter a home. If they cannot, they will estimate interior conditions. Property owners will receive valuation notices near the end of the project and can discuss concerns with the revaluation company.
Water Bureau plans main and service line work
Montclair Township's Water Bureau outlined 2027 plans to upgrade mains, replace service lines and meters, and improve pump stations and wells. The bureau said it is working to remove lead from the system and has set aside contingency funding for unexpected repairs.
Main and service line work can affect water reliability, drinking water safety and fire flow.
Public Works maps road and park projects
Montclair Township's Department of Public Works proposed road maintenance and park projects in its 2027 capital requests. It described a road program of around 1 million to 2 million, plus grant-backed work at Mountainside Park and a pond study planned for 2028.
Paving schedules and park projects will shape when residents see repairs and how much grant funding the township can use.
Sewer Utility targets leaks and backups
Montclair Township's Sewer Utility proposed pipe lining and manhole repairs to reduce groundwater entering the sewer system. The utility said infiltration during rain can contribute to backups into homes and raise the amount of water the system must handle.
Keeping groundwater out of sewers could reduce backups in homes and help control system costs.
Police chief proposes dispatch center relocation
Montclair Township's police chief requested 2,357,000 to move dispatch operations into police headquarters. The chief said an on-site supervisor could better oversee calls and coordinate responses; other requests include Axon 911 technology, more leased vehicles and equipment.
The proposed move would change how dispatchers and police supervisors coordinate calls during major incidents and storms.
- Montclair Township Zoning Board of Adjustment. Two residents spoke during public comment on Application 2977. One resident opposed the application primarily due to chronic parking congestion on Forest Street and questioned the adequacy and formality of off-site parking arrangements. A second resident supported the application, describing the applicant’s diligence and stating the use is low-intensity compared to other potential tenants.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Montclair Township had 21 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCELaw Department 2027 Budget Request (Staffing Shift from Outside Counsel, Legal Research Subscription, Training). The Township Attorney presented the law department mission and a 2027 budget request emphasizing a shift from interim outside counsel costs to in-house staffing, including hiring a part-time assistant township attorney. The presentation also covered professional services, legal research subscription costs, training, and litigation/claims responsibilities.
- GOVERNANCEFinance Department 2027 Budget Overview (Debt Service, Statutory Payments, Pensions, Health Insurance, BAN/TAN). The Finance Director presented the finance department mission and reviewed 2027 budget drivers dominated by debt service and statutory payments. The presentation included specific figures for pension increases, health insurance increases, permanent debt service including school debt, and anticipated BAN and TAN amounts and interest costs.
- GOVERNANCEMunicipal Court 2027 Preliminary Budget Presentation (Staffing, Postage Reduction, Interpreters, Language Line). The Municipal Court Administrator presented the court’s mission and a preliminary 2027 budget showing salary decreases due to staffing shortages and operating expense reductions driven by lower postage needs as the state assumes more notice functions. The court highlighted increased needs for interpreters, acting judges, and language line services.
- GOVERNANCEMaster Plan Re-examination Report: Draft Discussion and Preparation for Public Hearing. The Board discussed the revised draft Master Plan Re-examination Report, including document structure, website accessibility, how recommendations should be framed, and specific topics such as payment-in-lieu parking, parking minimums/maximums, transitional zoning at commercial district edges, and ground-floor commercial requirements. The Board confirmed a public hearing date of November 16 and discussed handling of written and oral public comments.
- GOVERNANCECommittee/Subcommittee Membership and Process Discussion (Zoning Subcommittee; Council Participation). The Board discussed the zoning subcommittee’s membership and how participants are selected, including involvement from the Board of Adjustment and other stakeholders. A member requested a clearer, more formal and transparent process and suggested that Township Council identify members to participate to ensure buy-in for eventual ordinance adoption.
- GOVERNANCEPlanning and Community Development 2027 Budget Request and Department Responsibilities. Planning and Community Development presented its mission, responsibilities, and a 2027 budget request centered on salaries and professional services. The director reviewed planning department, planning board, and zoning board budget lines, a CDBG-funded accessible bathroom project, and explained redevelopment planning status and escrow-funded application review.
- GOVERNANCESwearing-in of Board Professionals/Witnesses. The Chair administered an oath for testimony to be truthful, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
- GOVERNANCEAnnouncement: Two Resolutions to be Ready for Next Meeting. The Chair noted that two resolutions would be ready for the next meeting.
- GOVERNANCEBoard Approves Forest Street Bookstore and Learning Center. The Board approved Contextual LLC’s plan for a children’s bookstore and learning center at 150–152 Forest Street, allowing the use and a parking variance despite no on-site spaces. The applicant and experts described the business, projected low traffic, and nearby parking; residents raised concerns about Forest Street congestion and informal off-site parking arrangements. Approval conditions address signage, lighting, and efforts to obtain off-site parking.
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