Borough Council Meeting Minutes

1. Call to Order

Kevin Sluka, Administrator, called the meeting to order and read the Open Public Meeting Law Statement.

3. Salute to the Flag

Council President Vroom led the Pledge of Allegiance.

5. Departmental Reports & Notices

Council President Vroom said the departmental reports and notices are listed in the agenda.

6. Committee Reports

Council Member Bonner

The summer reading challenge at the Somerville branch of the Somerset County Library System is underway through August 22, with prizes for daily reading and programs throughout July. The Downtown Somerville Alliance held a successful Somerville Family Pride Night featuring music, lip-sync battles, and community involvement. Starlight Cinema begins this week with a screening of National Treasure on Thursday at 7 pm, and Summer Stage and Friday Cruise Nights continue every Friday night through the summer. The Public Safety Committee will be at the Farmers Market community tent on Sunday, July 19.

Council Member Conte

The Historic Advisory Committee did not meet this past month. Council Member Conte had no report at this time.

Council Member Stravic

The Board of Health met two weeks prior and reviewed inspection reports, which showed the Borough is in good shape. Council Member Stravic had no report on Somerville Rescue Squad statistics for May.

Council Member Denys

The Fire Department had a busy June, responding to 47 calls for service, including 5 building fires, and provided mutual aid support to nearby towns. The Environmental Commission will meet Tuesday, July 14, at 7 pm.

7. Discussion

Chapter 149A – Stormwater Control Ordinance

Council President Vroom opened the discussion, noting that the Planning Board had reviewed recommendations from the Environmental Commission at the Council's request and that a written response had been circulated to the Council by email.

Council Member Stravic said the Borough needs to consider green infrastructure on a municipal-wide basis, including in coordination with the Board of Education. She said conversations on the topic have taken place in separate meetings rather than collaboratively and suggested the Borough consider a community group format.

Council President Vroom said the Environmental Commission spoke to the Planning Board both before and during its consideration of the stormwater ordinance. The Planning Board considered the concerns thoroughly, including questions about the definition of major development and the Borough's existing stormwater management plans on file. We are ahead of a lot of other towns and municipalities.

Council Member Denys recommended reestablishing the Ad Hoc Flood Committee, noting the committee's earlier recommendations were several years old and that a working group could help generate further ordinance or policy ideas, including ways to incentivize green infrastructure and expand the borough’s tree canopy.

Council Member Conte thanked the Planning Board and Environmental Commission for their thorough review and spoke about the importance of retaining rainwater on properties to reduce flooding, noting that any changes would affect every landowner and developer differently than in the past. He said incentives, such as property tax reductions or reduced development costs tied to green infrastructure, could encourage adoption. He agreed with the idea of bringing back the ad hoc committee. He recommended the borough continue this conversation through its master plan, zoning, and tree ordinance work rather than through further amendments to the stormwater ordinance alone.