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RED BANK: COUNCIL SALARIES UNCHANGED

The council meets twice monthly at borough hall, 90 Monmouth Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

hot topicSalaries for Red Bank’s mayor and council, which haven’t risen in at least 15 years, will remain unchanged at least through the remainder of 2023, under an resolution up for a vote Thursday night.

But whomever the governing body selects to fill the new borough manager post will have the latitude to give them specified raises under a related ordinance that’s also up for a vote.

Here’s a quick look at the agenda:

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RED BANK: TREE REMOVALS AT ISSUE

A view down South Street on August 3, above, and a century-old tree being removed Monday. (Photos by John T. Ward, above, and Kenny Katzgrau.  Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

The abrupt removal of nine trees along South Street in Red Bank this week was “unavoidable,” according to interim borough Manager Darren McConnell.

Residents, though, said they were in the dark about the plan until it was too late to change it.

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RED BANK: SALARY BUMPS & MORE ON AGENDA

The council meets twice monthly at borough hall, 90 Monmouth Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

hot topicRed Bank’s council would clear the way to give itself its first pay bump in at least 15 years under an ordinance up for introduction Thursday night.

It would also reset the maximum salaries for the top three unelected positions at borough hall, one of which is open.

Here’s a quick look at the agenda:

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RED BANK: COUNCIL TURNS TO CODE REWRITE

Revisions to the borough code include granting wide latitude to the new position of municipal manager. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

See CORRECTION below

By JOHN T. WARD

hot topicJust over a month into a new form of government, Red Bank’s council is expected to get down to the nuts-and-bolts of erasing its predecessor: the “borough” structure.

 

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RED BANK: PARKS AND MORE ON AGENDA

An update on plans for Marine Park is on the agenda. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

hot topicThe agenda for the Red Bank council session Thursday night includes a presentation on the status of planned changes at the Marine Park.

It also includes minutes of the most recent session, which for the first time, are available for public review prior to formal acceptance.

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RED BANK: NOVEMBER ELECTIONS ADVANCE

Municipal elections would revert to a November schedule if approved by the council later this month. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

hot topicTwo months after their victory in the May 9 election, Red Bank’s new mayor and council moved to restore future elections to November Thursday night.

At its first regular meeting, the freshly reorganized government also “spitballed” a suggestion to add a social worker to the police department.

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RED BANK: ROSI LISTING RUSHED THROUGH

An aerial view of the Red Bank Senior Center property, located at 80 Shrewsbury Avenue. (Photo from Google Maps. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

hot topic red bank njFollowing what one critic called “the old switcheroo,” Red Bank’s soon-to-be-unseated council pushed through a measure to include the Senior Center property in a state conservation program Wednesday night.

The 11th-hour, unadvertised move was opposed by Mayor Billy Portman and at least four members of the council that’s slated to take office July 1, setting the stage for possible reversal.

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