Tenafly council advances new road-opening restrictions
A unanimous first vote would rewrite how Tenafly controls road cuts, restoration work, and newly paved streets, with a public hearing set for October 6, 2026.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — ordinance 26-25 (introduction/first reading), ordinance 26-23 (public hearing/second reading and, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The ordinance would replace the borough’s road-opening rules with project-specific controls, restoration security, and a 10-year protected street period before final adoption.
Fresh pavement may soon come with longer protection. The Mayor and Council introduced Ordinance 26-25 on first reading, unanimously, to repeal and replace Section 20-4 of the Borough Code. The measure would set project-specific road opening controls, require restoration security, give the borough control over permanent restoration, and create a 10-year protected street period. On the agenda, the item was described as a road opening moratorium.
The action at this stage was procedural but significant. The ordinance title was read into the record, and the governing body voted to introduce it and schedule a public hearing for October 6, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting record did not include a longer debate over how the rules would be enforced or what projects would be affected first. What it did show was a clean vote, with all listed council members voting yes.
That leaves the real decision for next month. Residents and contractors will get their formal chance to weigh in at the October 6 hearing, when the council can take up second reading and possible adoption. If the ordinance is approved then, Tenafly would replace its current road-opening section with a broader set of controls tied to specific projects and longer-term street restoration.
Ordinance 26-23 (Public Hearing/Second Reading and Adoption): Construction site maintenance—containment dust/plastics and safety fencing requirements
Construction sites would face tighter cleanup and fencing rules under Ordinance 26-23. The Mayor and Council held the required public hearing and then adopted the measure on second and final reading by a unanimous vote.
The ordinance amends Chapter 10 of Tenafly’s building and housing rules to create Section 13 on containment of dust and plastics at construction sites. During discussion, the governing body said the measure adds safety fence requirements around construction sites. The conversation noted that projects already underway would be grandfathered, though the building department would still have room to act if it found an unsafe condition. Members also said smaller projects could be treated differently and referred to a six-foot fence as part of the concept.
No one spoke during the public hearing. Mark Zinna opened the floor to comments from people in the chambers and online, then closed the hearing after no one came forward. With the final vote complete, the ordinance will be published according to law.
No one speaks during agenda comment
Mark Zinna opened public comment on agenda items, set a three-minute limit, and asked larger groups to choose a spokesperson. No one in the chambers or online requested to speak, so the comment period closed without any topics raised.
Public comment period had no speakers and produced no substantive resident input or decision.
Jersey Avenue one-way trial gets review
Mark Zinna and David Fanslau discussed a proposed one-way traffic trial on Jersey Avenue, which the Police Chief recommended because of delivery-truck congestion and a new tenant. Fanslau said the borough is tracking traffic more broadly, including Mahan Street and school patterns, and said the Jersey Avenue ordinance should include a sunset provision.
Nearby drivers, businesses, and residents could face changed access patterns during a temporary traffic trial.
PSG street work prompts legal review
David Fanslau updated the council on PSG-related street disruptions, including AI scanning and a follow-up meeting still to come. A council member asked for a full inventory, a paving schedule, and legal options, and the council later approved a closed session resolution covering litigation updates and related issues.
Road conditions, repair timing, and possible legal action could affect commutes, paving schedules, and town costs.
Council advances Mahan-Paramount stop ordinance
The Mayor and Council introduced Ordinance 26-24 on first reading to make Mahan Street and Paramount Road a multi-way stop intersection. The vote was unanimous, and a public hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Introduced a multi-way stop at Mahan and Paramount, directly changing traffic behavior and safety at that intersection.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Tenafly had 12 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEBand shell and LED screen plans discussed. Officials discussed preparations and possible programming for the band shell and DPW pavilion, including concerts, sporting events, and movie nights. Council also reviewed the LED screen project, raising questions about total cost, professional services, structural needs, and whether it should be voted on separately.
- GOVERNANCETown promotes upcoming community events. Council members highlighted recent and upcoming community events, including a successful Community Night, the Nature Center's planned "Campfire & Cocktails," and a Fall Festival set for Oct. 4. Officials thanked town departments and shared sign-up information for vendors and organizations.
- GOVERNANCEResolution 325: Certification of 2025 audit. Council addressed Resolution 325 to certify the 2025 audit and publicly recognized the finance staff member Susan for her work, noting that corrective actions were cited and that documentation was found. The transcript does not include a recorded vote on this resolution.
- GOVERNANCECommittee report: Planning Board items, senior services, junior firefighter program, and roads. A council member reported on pending planning board applications and excitement about new businesses. The member also discussed senior services grant efforts and a request for another senior services van, highlighted a junior firefighter program for high school students, and referenced ongoing work to improve roads.
- GOVERNANCEHoliday celebrations approvals (discussion/acknowledgment). The Mayor referenced holiday celebrations and indicated that approvals were needed. general agreement but does not include a clearly recorded formal vote.
- GOVERNANCEHispanic Heritage Month Proclamation Presentation (Spanish Club). Members of the Tenafly Spanish Club presented a Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation, including Spanish-language country acknowledgments and an English-language “whereas” proclamation text. The Mayor thanked the students and briefly commented on Mexican history and a museum visit.
- GOVERNANCERoman sale at Trinity Living Church (acknowledgment). The Mayor referenced a “Roman sale” at Trinity Living Church and asked if everything was good. The transcript indicates agreement without a recorded formal vote.
- GOVERNANCECorrespondence: annual press (acknowledgment). The Mayor referenced correspondence described as “annual press” and asked if everyone was okay with it. general assent without a recorded roll-call vote.
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No resident comments recorded this week.