Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Clifton public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
School expansion at iLearn facility on Clifton Avenue
A memorializing resolution will formalize earlier approval of an 8,800-square-foot, two-story addition to the existing school building, along with sign and parking variances including tandem parking.
Ukrainian Cultural Center use approval
A resolution will formalize approval allowing a cultural center and non-profit charitable organization to operate in two existing buildings on one lot at 35 Hazel Street.
City Council Election
Clifton's upcoming city council race is packed with 19 candidates vying for just 7 seats. These winning officials will hold the keys to local budgets, city development, and everyday neighborhood services.
Rabies Alert
A rabid fox was caught in nearby Little Falls, and Clifton health officials are telling residents to keep kids and pets away from wildlife. The practical advice: don’t touch strange animals and make sure pets’ rabies shots are current.
Early Voting
Early voting for the 2026 General Election starts tomorrow in Clifton, and you can cast your ballot in person at any Passaic County early voting site before Election Day. Basically, if you can't make it on the actual day, you've got options—no excuse to sit this one out.
Hazel Street two-family dwelling site plan amendment
A property owner on Hazel Street got approval to shift a new two-family house's foundation toward land he already owns, easing a setback issue without affecting a third-party neighbor.
Chick-Fil-A site plan on Kingsland Street
The heart of the Chick-fil-A fight is stormwater: how soil was tested, where runoff is measured, and whether the restaurant should be analyzed as part of the huge former Roche campus redevelopment. Downstream flooding on the objector's property and the Springer Brook/Third River watershed are at stake.
School Board Election Op-ed
A Clifton school board candidate is pitching budget accountability and new elementary school programs to voters. If you care about where your local school tax dollars go, this one’s worth a look.
City Council Candidate Op-ed
John Thomas, a Clifton City Council candidate, is taking his case straight to voters with an op-ed that leans on his public-service record ahead of the election. It’s a campaign pitch, not a policy announcement, so expect more biography and positioning than budget details.
Disabled veteran property tax refunds
The city canceled and refunded half of a disabled veteran's first- and second-quarter 2026 property taxes — $1,766.35 total — after approving his 50% exemption.
Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Ordinances
New no-turn-on-red restrictions on Van Houten and Valley Road, school crossing designations, and a batch of handicapped parking changes all moved forward.
Non-owner-occupied dwelling registration fees
Councilwoman Sadrakula wants a rental registration and inspection program to catch illegal apartments and unsafe conditions. The city will draft its own ordinance, adding complaint-based inspections to the model.
Main Avenue Streetscape Project design contract
The council was scheduled to award a professional engineering design contract to Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. for the NJDOT-funded Main Avenue streetscape project. Streetscape work can mean nicer sidewalks, lighting, and crosswalks along a busy corridor.
Firefighter hires and EMT training
Clifton won a $2.1 million federal grant, but it was written for 16 firefighters while the council only approved seven positions — and councilman Kolodziej warned of future tax hits when the grant expires.
Solar feasibility and city budget pressure
A $5.8 million solar project — mostly canopies at City Hall and toward the COSA center — could zero out the city's electric bill, with roughly $6 million back in federal grants and SREC credits. The council will bring Talva Energy in for a full presentation.
Health Insurance Broker Switch Under Fire
Kolodziej voted against keeping Marsh McLennan, claiming the advertised $1.1 million savings are built on inflated stop-loss numbers while health benefit costs rose $5.5 million. The majority and the city manager defended the contract, touting $2.4 million in new prescription self-funding savings.
Brown water and Third River flooding
The infamous 'Gates of Hell' outfall was only 70% inspected and cleared. A proposal from American Water to finish the job is coming, part of a bigger push to fix flooding in Dutch Hill and other neighborhoods.
Commercial Vehicle Overnight Parking
Residents keep complaining about work vans and buses hoging residential street parking. The current 8,000-pound rule isn't cutting it, and the police worry any change will snag big personal SUVs. The council wants vehicle weight data and a permit-style compromise before drafting new language.
Crossing Guard Privatization Problems
Two weeks in, the privatized crossing guard program has open posts and pay complaints — one veteran guard says she was offered less money and wasn't paid. The 60-day grace period ends November 4, after which the city pays for any police officer filling a post.
ICE Enforcement Operations in Clifton
Nine people were taken by ICE from Botany Village the day of the meeting, and speaker after speaker demanded the council respond — from requesting due process protections to condemning the operation. Others defended enforcement. The council debated its limited local role as the election nears.
Candidate Election Op-eds
Local City Council and Board of Education candidates are using op-eds in The Clifton Times to make their case before Election Day. It’s a quick way to see who’s asking for your vote and what they’re promising. Worth a skim if you want to cut through campaign slogans.
Election Poll Worker Recruitment
Clifton needs poll workers for the General Election, and it’s a paid gig if you want to help run Election Day. It’s a straightforward way to earn money while keeping local voting running smoothly.
Election Voting Information
Clifton just released the official 2026 General Election guide, so if you're planning to vote, this is your cheat sheet for deadlines, polling places, and registration rules. It's a quick read that could save you from showing up at the wrong spot or missing a key date.
Stormwater Compliance with NJDEP
The city is under violation notices from environmental regulators and hired Artheon for $40,000 to bring stormwater plans up to state requirements — potential fines loom if it stalls.
Water Bills for the Adult Opportunity Center and City Green
The Clifton Adult Opportunity Center, which serves developmentally disabled adults, wants the city to cover about $4,800 a year in water bills for its new building, as it does for older buildings on the campus. Council will take it up next meeting.
Third Street Sidewalk and Curb Improvements Phase 2
The city got the green light to advertise bids for new curbs and sidewalks with ADA upgrades on Third Street, funded by NJDOT state aid.
Styrofoam Recycling Program Economics
The county-donated styrofoam machine may be losing money where it sits; the council wants a full cost analysis before charging businesses a drop-off fee.
Master Plan Zoning Ordinances (Conditional Uses)
Seven proposed amendments to the city's zoning code covering general standards, bulk requirements and conditional uses in business and industrial zones were reviewed and found consistent with the Master Plan.
Styretowne Apartments amenity building
Styretowne Apartments is getting a new two-story leasing office with coworking space for residents only, open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The board approved it with conditions on lighting, landscaping and noise to protect neighbors.
Fire Department Overtime Overrun
The council expanded the Fire Department table of organization hoping seven new hires will cut overtime that's running $1.1 million against a $750K budget. Kolodziej wants alternatives like rolling closures and consolidation.
Allwood Road improvements and county relations
Residents and council members are frustrated the county won't come back to Clifton to explain the Allwood Road plan after revising it. People want to know if it's fully funded, want left-turn signals at Passaic Avenue, and want assurance no cherry trees will be removed. The mayor asked Commissioner Veliky to arrange another public meeting.
Senior programs funding gap (Seniors We Care / Power of One)
The Seniors We Care program coordinator says she's gone nine months without pay despite council support, and asked for the purchase order to be released and a clear timeline. Council members demanded answers from administration.
Richfield one-way streets and permit parking
The city is considering digital permit parking plus meters on about 800 downtown spaces at $1.25/hour. It could raise serious revenue (Hoboken-style) but residents worry about visitor passes and business owners worry about lost free parking.
Illegal housing enforcement
Residents are pushing for stricter occupancy standards based on bedrooms, not just square footage, plus more inspectors and consequences for repeat violators. Council asked for new illegal-housing rules on the next agenda.
2025 Road Resurfacing Program completion
The 2025 paving program is done — final cost barely changed from the original award, and the final check to D & L Paving was approved.
Solid waste contract and trash rules
Clifton is designing the bid for its next garbage contract, expected to cost significantly more than the current $11 million annual deal. Carts could reduce rodents and odors, but residents raised concerns about seniors, large families, storage, and cost. No final decisions were made.
Water quality and aging pipes
Residents pressed a PVWC commissioner about foamy tap water and nitrates, asking for testing at points throughout the city rather than only at the reservoir.
Stormwater compliance and failed engineering contract
The council rejected the cheaper Artheon bid for state-mandated stormwater plan updates, even though the city is already out of compliance with NJDEP and could be fined. Flooding and drainage are top resident concerns.
Post office HVAC and city-owned building costs
The city is spending up to $45,000 to cool the post office it owns — a building whose tenant pays $110,000 rent. Tabled pending answers; selling the building is now on the table.
Charter study ballot question
A resident argued the council's 2025 rejection of a charter study question blocked residents from deciding Clifton's form of government, and said the current structure dates back nearly a century. He urged candidates to support putting the question to voters.
Opportunity Zone redesignation, Census Tract 1251
The council unanimously backed asking the state to redesignate Census Tract 1251 as an Opportunity Zone, which could attract investment through federal tax incentives.
Solid waste collection frequency
Residents lined up to oppose a move to once-a-week garbage pickup, citing large families, overflowing cans, and rat concerns. The council responded with a 6-0 vote to keep twice-weekly collection.
Zoning impervious coverage limits
Two new zoning ordinances would define impervious coverage terms and set maximum coverage limits citywide. They head to a public hearing September 1.
Traffic safety concerns citywide
Residents raised speeding on Nelson Street, missing sidewalks on Allwood Place, and requested a four-way stop at Colfax and Mount Prospect. The council introduced a four-way stop at Gregory and Summer and asked for traffic review of Nelson Street.
Arts Center fees
A resident pitched a Clifton performing arts center as a long-term investment in youth, families, and economic development, funded through grants and partnerships. Two council members expressed strong interest.
2026 Storm Sidewalk Repairs
The July 3 windstorm uprooted trees and damaged sidewalks citywide. The council awarded an $18,500 repair contract and reimbursed one homeowner for work done before a grant covered it.
City Council Vote on Flag Raising Ceremonies
Clifton’s City Council rejected a proposal to stop cultural flag-raising ceremonies at City Hall, so the community events will keep going for now. That means local groups can still use the flagpole to celebrate heritage and culture—at least until the issue comes up again.
CASAs funding and Power of One allocation
CASA's state grant fell from $41,000 in 2020 to $19,000 in 2025, and its president says he pays out of pocket for programs. He objects to shifting $90,000 to Power of One at CASA's expense.
Data center moratorium discussion
Residents and Councilwoman Sadrakula say the three data centers already in Clifton are driving up electric bills, straining water and power, and bringing noise. A five-year moratorium on new data centers was proposed, with legal noting an ordinance amendment is required.
Grants program and historic City Hall preservation
Triad Associates has stabilized 60 active grants worth $47 million, recovered nearly $580,000 in drawdowns, and proposed a $2,000-$2,500 baseline assessment to pursue state historic trust funding for the City Hall complex and barns.