Borough of Ringwood Council Meeting Blog 3/12/26
Presentations:
Our meeting included a packed room with lots of engaged residents looking to have their questions answered. The Mayor introduced community concerns regarding our Borough Manager’s contract. Our Borough Attorney as well as Jon Rheinhardt, (MPA, QPA, CMFO, CCFO, RPPO, CTC) from the Phoenix Consulting Group discussed a cost benefit analysis report.
Mr. Semeraro, Borough Attorney:
Ordinance 2026- #03 is not needed for Mr. Heck’s contract. The prior Borough Manager’s husband is still getting health insurance benefits so this is nothing new. In fact, we currently have retired employees from the following departments: Police, DPW, administration, building/ land use, court and health departments. This ordinance will limit employees with lifelong benefits to only be for the Chief Financial Officer, Borough Managers, Director of DPW, Borough Clerk, and the Police Chief.
Summary:
Mr. Heck is abandoning his $813,240.07 comp time from his tenured job of Borough Manager that he is leaving. (6,200 hours of comp time as superintendent of public works.)
$324,296.13 date of retirement to date of expected mortality (approx. $20,000 a year.)
Borough Savings: $488,943.94
Pension is 50% of his current salary.
Once he reaches the age of 65, then there will be a saving of being on Medicare Advantage.
Mr. Semeraro’s reply to some of the questions from the public:
The council is not pensionable anymore. There was a law in 2003 that changed that. Councilmembers do not qualify for health benefits. This ordinance is not necessary for Mr. Heck’s benefits. There is a past practice. This ordinance is limiting who will get lifelong benefits. The council meeting was moved up so that way we could meet the affordable deadline on “Fair Share Housing” by March 15th. That is the reason why the meeting was moved up.
No New Business
Old Business:
Tabled 2026- #03: Tabled
Ordinance for administrators regarding retirement benefits.
Ordinance 2026- #04- Finalize our 4th round of Fair Share Housing
We met our obligations and didn’t have to add any new properties.
2026-73: Stonetown Ballfield $225,000 grant application for open space funding.
Grant application- Open space for funding for the Ringwood Batting Cages $20,000
Manager’s Report:
There has been significant roof damage at the Fieldstone Shopping Center from the Old Cleaners up to the Dollar General. Since Azarian has not fixed these issues and these businesses are in limbo, we have hit Azarian with fines. Azarian has also expressed interest in a PILOT, but we will not grant one until they have met benchmarks towards a full redevelopment. Thus far, we have preliminary designs.
End of Meeting Comments:
Dates to Note:
Thank you to everyone that joined us for the council meeting. It’s nice to see a full room with engaged residents. We are listening and want to make the best decision for our community.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: March 21st starting at 1pm
On or about Monday, March 23, 2026, Riverview Paving will be continuing the drainage and paving project on Skyline Lakes Drive to Oakwood Drive. While work is being done, the roadway will be closed from Oakwood Drive to Canterbury Road on weekdays from approximately 7am until 5pm.
Please avoid the project area if possible. If necessary, please use caution while driving through the project area.
Home Improvement Fair: March 25th 6-8pm at Community Center
Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary dinner on April 18th at 7pm
More information: https://www.ringwoodnj.net/qcontent/NewsFeed.aspx?FeedID=1727
Caring for Ringwood Day is tentatively scheduled for 4/25.
Save the date: Memorial Ceremony is May 20th at 6pm at the Community Center
We would like to congratulate Lakeland Chiropractic and Acupuncture located at Fieldstone Plaza and The Jersey Gypsy Boutique located at the Collective on Skylands Road on their grand openings.
Videos of all of our council meetings can be found here:
Keep in mind, it does take at least 24 hours for the video to be posted after a meeting.
Warm Regards,
