Summit residents who park near Wilson School and use the city transfer station face changes after the Common Council acted on a packed agenda Tuesday, Oct. 20.

The council passed four ordinances, introduced a drone ordinance and had a fee-increase measure on the agenda for introduction, according to the city's meeting highlights. It also authorized $630,472 in equipment purchases.

Beekman Road parking loosened

The council replaced a broad school-day ban on stopping or standing on Beekman Road between Oak Forest Lane and Oakley Avenue. The old rule covered both sides of the street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days.

The new ordinances narrow that to no-parking windows of 8 to 8:30 a.m. and 3 to 3:30 p.m. on the north side between Oak Forest Lane and Oakley Avenue and on the south side between Beekman Terrace East and Beekman Terrace West. The change followed a petition from 22 Beekman Road residents and four days of traffic observations, as nj21st reported in its Oct. 6 agenda preview. Police Chief Ryan Peters recommended the changes in memos dated Sept. 16.

Permit fees could double

A proposed fee ordinance on the Oct. 20 agenda would raise the resident digital parking and disposal permit from $10 to $20 and the senior permit (age 62 and older) from $5 to $10, effective Jan. 1, 2027. The permit covers transfer station access and commuter parking. According to nj21st's agenda preview, the current rates have not changed since 2006.

The same ordinance would also increase land-use application fees. Bulk variance and floor-area-ratio (FAR) variance applications for one- and two-family homes would rise from $200 to $500, with escrow deposits jumping from $800 to $1,500.

A public hearing is set for Nov. 4.

Drone rules revised

The council introduced an ordinance proposing changes to Summit's drone rules. The measure would allow launching, landing and operating drones from city-owned or public property for recreational operators who have completed the FAA's TRUST safety test or nonrecreational operators holding an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate.

Restrictions on interfering with emergency operations and surveilling people where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy would remain. The city could also impose temporary drone restrictions during city-sponsored events with 30 days' public notice. That hearing is also scheduled for Nov. 4.

Other ordinances and spending

Two other ordinances passed Oct. 20: one reorganizing the Department of Community Services to separate Engineering and Public Works into two divisions, and another amending Community Programs policies, including setting Mabie Playground hours at 8 a.m. to dusk.

The council authorized $330,040 for a new Elgin Pelican street sweeper to replace a 2012 model with a rotted frame and more than $30,000 in estimated repairs. A separate $300,431.80 goes toward a 2027 Kenworth garbage truck to replace a unit with 68,000 miles and an estimated $40,000 repair bill.

Councilwoman Landman presented the city's 2026 Best Practices Inventory, a state questionnaire on municipal finances and transparency. She said Summit scored 45.5 out of 48 and "we will receive a 100% of our allocated state aid."

Public safety and what's next

Police Chief Peters and Fire Chief Brian Harnois presented quarterly statistics and department reports. The city's highlights post did not include specific figures from those presentations.

Summit High School senior Will Matsumoto presented on the Votey family's legacy of civic engagement spanning five generations.

Early voting runs Oct. 24 through Nov. 1. The closest location to Summit is the DeCorso Senior Center in New Providence. The next council meetings are Nov. 4 and Nov. 16.