September 15th, 2026 Ringwood Council Meeting Public Update

Written By Ringwood GOP

Hi Ringwood! Thank you to everyone that joined us for our September meeting. The agenda can be found here: 9/15/26 Agenda. If you would like to watch the entire video you can here: Ringwood TV

Manager’s Report:

  • Mr. Heck gave a presentation on capital improvements and Borough debt. If you would like to watch the presentation you can from 41:00-1:18 at the above Ringwood TV link or you can access the presentation here: Presentation on Bonds 9/18/26

  • Mr. Heck also spoke about how Watershed Moratorium Aid was passed into law for Ringwood, but never funded in the 2025 and 2026 budget for the state of NJ.

  • Combined debt service peaked at $1,818,744 in 2019 and is scheduled at $1,222,550 in 2026; a 33% reduction.

  • Net debt equals 0.332% of the Borough's equalized valuation basis of $2.36 billion. The statutory municipal limit is 3.5%.

  • Ringwood carries the lowest debt ratio compared to other Passaic County Towns including: Wayne, Hawthorne, Wanaque, Bloomingdale, Woodland Park, Pompton Lakes, and West Milford.

  • Note: The total value of a bond is the ceiling, not a commitment.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Ordinance No. 2026- #06- Fixing the salaries and compensation of our police officers, PBA Local 247 subject to the agreement of the collective bargaining agreement.

  • Ordinance No. 2026-#09 - Bond ordinance providing for the improvement of the water supply and distribution system.

    • State mandated improvements per the DEP for the Hilltop water tanks, the remediation of the 792 tank site, and the upgrade of the Coventry Booster Station.

    • The remediation is from lead paint chips that are in the soil. The site will be capped.

    • It is anticipated that to facilitate improvements will be borrowed at an interest rate below 3%.

    • Approx. $3.9 million bond that gives the Borough 40 years to redeem; Borough intends to pay back earlier.

  • Ordinance No. 2026-#10 - Bond ordinance providing for the improvement of the James Drive Sewer treatment plant

    • TABLED UNTIL NOVEMBER. SEEKING DEP APPROVAL.

    • State mandated improvements per the DEP including a nitrogen removal system.

    • It is anticipated that to facilitate improvements will be borrowed at an interest rate below 3%.

    • Approx. $1.415 million bond that gives the Borough 40 years to redeem; Borough intends to pay back earlier.

    • $303k in grant money.

  • Ordinance No. 2026-#11- Ordinance increases the annual sewer fee over the cost of five years. 

    • TABLED UNTIL NOVEMBER. SEEKING DEP APPROVAL.

  • Ordinance No. 2026-#12- Bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements

    • Appropriations of $7.9 million with $5.826 million in bonds including $2.164 million in grant money.

      • Roads and guardrails: 

        • $1,305,000 in appropriations and $1,221,900 in bonds.

      • Two dump trucks: 

        • $395,000 in appropriations and $376,150.

      • DPW and municipal facilities

        • $125,000 in appropriations and $119,000 in bonds.

      • Storm Water Drainage:

        • $851,000 in appropriations and $810,450 in bonds.

      • Turf Field:

        • $5,314,000 in appropriations and $3,298,500 in bonds.

    • Mayor Landis changed the language of the bond to include a grass field option. She suggested a survey to poll residents’ opinions.

    • Deputy Mayor Kerr voted no, but cited that she is not against upgrading DPW trucks, adding lighting, and bathrooms to the ballfield. However, she worried about expenses, environmental concerns, and the possibility of turf.

    • Special meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 29th at 7pm regarding this Bond Ordinance.

  • Ordinance No. 2026-#13 - Ordinance amending Chapter 2 – administration - of the revised general ordinances of the Borough of Ringwood, Section 60

    • Councilman Kiraly presented an analysis specific to  this ordinance. You can watch it from 2:00-2:13 at the above Ringwood TV link.

    • Current retiree benefits are not affected by Ordinance 2026-13.

    • This puts a fence around who can receive lifetime benefits including Borough Manger, CFO, clerk, Police Chief, and Director of DPW.

      • Prior to this ordinance, retirees receiving lifetime benefits included secretaries, mechanics, DPW workers, etc.

      • Retirees must have 25 or more pensionable years of service in Ringwood.

    • Future retirees will be required to pay a high deductible. 

    • Lifetime benefits will not be free. For example, those retiring making $100k will pay approx. 35% of their health care premiums. 

    • History of Cost Containment:

      • 2007: Eliminated benefits for elected Council members, part-time appointed officials, and professionals previously eligible for full Borough paid insurance

      • 2007: PBA awarded retiree medical benefits in arbitration

      • 2014: Union negotiations eliminated retiree healthcare benefits for all non-PBA union employees hired after 2014

      • 2025: New police retirees contribute 35% for healthcare

      • 2026: Implemented healthcare plan changes to High Deductible plan reducing costs

NO NEW BUSINESS.


End of Meeting Comments:

  • Thank you to everyone that came out tonight to have their voices heard. 

  • Thank you to Ringwood Downtown for organizing our Farmer’s Market this past Saturday.  There are three more dates: 9/26 and 10/10 from 9-1pm, and 10/24 9-12:30pm. Each Farmer’s Market will have different vendors.

  • The Center for Family Resources in Ringwood reached out to us and asked us to relay that they need donations for muddy buddy rain coats and rain boots for their students in need.  The Center for Family Resources will be collecting these donations at the Farmer’s Market on 9/26 and 10/24.  Link: Amazon wish list

  • Ringwood Downtown is hosting Rocktoberfest on 10/3 starting at 1pm.

  • The Ringwood Town-Wide Yard sale is on 9/26-9/27 from 9-4pm, rain or shine.

 

Warm Regards, 

 
Ringwood GOP
Next

August 18th, 2026 -Ringwood Council Meeting Update