During the October 19th meeting, Verona's Township Council took follow-up action on several items discussed in the previous meeting (10.5.26). Here is a look at what has progressed since the last Township Council Meeting:

2027 Verona Community Pool Membership Fees
Following discussions at the October 5 Township Council meeting, an ordinance was introduced this meeting to establish the 2027 Verona Community Pool fees. Resident membership fees will remain unchanged in the 2027 season due to a financially strong 2026 season and anticipated revenue growth in other areas. Non-resident memberships will remain capped at 125, with the annual fee increasing from $1,000 to $1,200. Enrollment is scheduled to open January 2027. (refer to full 10.5.26 update here)

Reduction in 2027 & 2028 Water & Sewer Fees
An ordinance was introduced to reduce the currently adopted 2027 and 2028 water and sewer rates for all customers. The proposed change reduces the anticipated 4% annual increases to 3% annual increases and maintains 3% increases through 2031. The same ordinance also proposes connection fee increases to be charged only to new developments. These rate reductions are a great accomplishment for the water and sewer utilities after several years of strong management. (refer to full 10.5.26 update here)

Veterans Field
Following negotiations with Essex County, Mayor Tamburro provided an update on plans for Veterans Field after Verona’s 50-year lease expired. Through a $3 million Essex County investment, the renovated facility is expected to accommodate softball, Little League baseball, Babe Ruth baseball, and high school junior varsity baseball. Current renovation plans include a synthetic infield playing surface, natural-grass outfield, sports lighting, batting cages, new drainage and irrigation systems, a scoreboard, and fencing.
Key commitments for Verona include:

• Preserving the Spring 2027 baseball and softball seasons
• Maintaining Verona’s first priority in field scheduling
• Continuing to collaborate with Essex County throughout the design process
• Preserving the inclusive playground

The Township will continue working with Essex County to advance the project while supporting local baseball and softball programs and maintaining access for the community.

October 19th Meeting Recap:
In addition to these follow-up actions, the Township Council discussed several new items including police administrative fees for non-municipal work, updates to the Township’s current Site Plan Application Process for Major Redevelopments and closing out Green Acres reimbursements. The full agenda for the October 19, 2026 meeting can be viewed here and a recording of the meeting can be watched here.

Verona Police Administrative Fees to Increase for Non-Municipal Work
The Township Council introduced an ordinance to update Verona Police Department (VPD) administrative and vehicle fees for non-municipal work, helping better reflect the costs associated with providing these services.
These fees will only apply to non-municipal projects which require police details to support road closures, traffic control, and public safety coordination. For example, these increased fees will apply to projects such as PSE&G gas infrastructure improvements and Comcast or Verizon utility work.
The proposed changes include:

• Administrative fee: Increases from $6 to $10 per hour
• Police vehicle fee: Increases from $50 to $75 per four-hour period

These fees are in addition to the cost of the officer assigned to the detail, which is paid directly by the contractor. These changes represent an approximately 50% increase overall. The additional revenue will help fund police department capital needs.

Green Acres Resolution Moves Verona Closer to Closing Out Open Space Agreements
The Township Council approved a resolution to accept Green Acres reimbursements for Verona’s recent open space purchases, including land on Mt. Prospect Avenue and Commerce Court.

New Jersey’s Green Acres Program helps municipalities buy and protect land for open space and recreation. Verona previously received grant awards of $500k, $700k and $700k from 2022-2024 for these land acquisitions and ultimately received the $1.9M reimbursements from Green Acres in 2025. NJDEP Green Acres has viewed Verona's preservation actions favorably and announced a $1 million award in 2025, followed by a $900,000 award in 2026. This resolution completes the Township's process to receive the reimbursements owed for these land purchases.

Protecting open land helps keep Verona green and limits the amount of land available for new housing development. Trees, plants and natural ground help absorb rainwater, reduce soil erosion and lower the risk of flooding. Open spaces also add beauty to our neighborhoods and can help support nearby property values.

Verona’s 2026 Open Space and Recreation Plan lists properties designated as open space or recreational use across the Township, totaling approximately 75 acres. Preserving open space is an investment in Verona’s future and helps protect the natural beauty of our town for generations to come.

Township Updates Site Plan Application Process for Major Projects
The Township Council adopted an ordinance to update Chapter 430 of the Township Code, which governs site plan review for major development projects reviewed by the Planning Board.

The update creates a clearer, more consistent application process by outlining submission requirements, strengthening coordination among Township professionals, and establishing a more structured process for determining when applications are complete.
As a part of this effort, the Zoning Department, in coordination with the Verona Planning Board, will develop an updated application checklist to help applicants better understand the submission requirements.

These changes intend to help identify issues earlier and improve the site plan application process for all parties, while maintaining the review standards that protect Verona’s character and address development impacts.

Board of Health Discussion 10.19.26
Prior to Monday’s Township Council meeting, the Verona Board of Health, which is served by members of the Verona Township Council, met to discuss the health education programs and preventive health screenings offered throughout the year. The discussion highlighted the many health education materials and resources made available to Verona residents through the Bloomfield Department of Health, which currently provides public health services to the Township.

This discussion was led by Maya Harlow, Health Officer/Director of Essex County Office of Public Health Management. Programs and services, many of which are held locally at Verona’s Community Center, include free blood pressure screenings, along with information on glucose screenings, immunizations, cancer screenings, and other health-related topics. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities and visit the Township website for upcoming screening dates, eligibility requirements, registration information, and additional public health resources. For a complete listing of available health services, educational materials, screenings, and upcoming programs, visit www.VeronaNJ.org/healthservices.

During the discussion, an update was provided on Pennsylvania’s reported measles outbreak, underscoring the importance of staying informed about vaccination recommendations and potential exposures. Residents are encouraged to refer to the NJ Department of Health website https://www.nj.gov/health/measles/. For information on the outbreak in PA, please refer to https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/diseases-conditions/infectious-disease/measles.

To watch a full recording of the Board of Health discussion, visit the Township of Verona’s official YouTube channel. For questions regarding local health services and available programs, residents may contact the Department of Health at 973-857-4830 or visit www.VeronaNJ.org/healthservices.

Please note: This recap provides residents with a general overview of key topics discussed at the Township Council meeting. It is not a substitute for the official meeting minutes and/or recordings.