July 2025 Flood
On July 14, 2025, torrential rain caused severe flash flooding in Berkeley Heights and surrounding communities, prompting emergency bond proposals, contentious council meetings, and ongoing debate over infrastructure fixes.
$3.5M “Emergency” Storm Bond Now Likely to Fall on Berkeley Heights Taxpayers (Aug 26, 2025)
Resident Pushes Back on “Our Hands Are Tied” Narrative — Holds Poage Accountable to Campaign Materials (Aug 20, 2025)
In this video, Jacqueline Cinque does what we wish more residents would: hold the Council accountable to their own words.
Emergency Bond Spending in Berkeley Heights- Storm Recovery or Misplaced Priorities? (Aug 19, 2025)
Emergency Bond Spending in Berkeley Heights- Storm Recovery or Misplaced Priorities? Laura Kapuscinski walks 40 miles to document (in pictures) roads listed on the "emergency bond". What she discovers is concerning.
Debris Chokes Passaic River: Post-Storm Visit Raises Questions for Berkeley Heights Mayor and Council (Aug 14, 2025)
Debris Chokes Passaic River: Post-Storm Visit Raises Questions for Berkeley Heights Mayor and Council
Michael Leblond documents a post-storm walk through Passaic River Park following the July 14 flood, revealing extensive debris—from downed trees and large branches to car parts and household items—clogging the waterway. The obstructions, including a fallen tree spanning the entire river, have raised fresh concerns about flood risk and pollution. Residents are now asking whether local, county, and state leaders are taking sufficient action to maintain the river and prevent future storm damage.
Shauna’s 08/07/2025 TC Meeting Notes: Berkeley Heights Officials Pressed on Creek Maintenance and Flood Response (Aug 12, 2025)
Shauna’s 08/07/2025 TC Meeting Notes
Shauna focuses more on the human side of the Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting during which residents expressed their frustration at the lack of preventative measures they feel could have happened to prevent past flooding and urge the Mayor and Council to take meaningful action.
Three Floods, Zero Answers (Aug 10, 2025)
Three Floods, Zero Answers
Joseph and Jacqueline Cinque describe repeated flooding in the Briarwood Dr E, Lawrence, Robbins, and Springfield Ave neighborhoods of Berkeley Heights since 2021. They raise concerns about shallow creeks, sediment buildup, and overdevelopment, noting township uncertainty over creek ownership and maintenance.
Bond Blow-Up, Freelance Shake-Up, Police Records Battle, and Residents Speak Out (Aug 9, 2025)
Bond Blow-Up, Freelance Shake-Up, Police Records Battle, and Residents Speak Out
Newsletter covering the August 3–5 “emergency” bond meetings tied to the July 14 storm. Meetings were disrupted by offensive Zoom bombing, delaying project disclosures and frustrating residents seeking transparency.
Berkeley Heights Township Provides Further Details on Emergency Bond (Aug 7, 2025)
Berkeley Heights Township Provides Further Details on Emergency Bond
First release of the July 14, 2025 Storm Damage Assessment, listing roads and bridges slated for repair. Questions remain over whether these items are formally tied to the bond ordinance.
Berkeley Heights Officials Under Fire Over Vague Capital Improvements, Bond and Zoom (Aug 6, 2025)
Berkeley Heights Officials Under Fire Over Vague Capital Improvements, Bond and Zoom
Criticism mounts over lack of clarity on the $3.565M bond scope and the Township’s online meeting management.
Berkeley Heights Resident Flags Major Budget Increases Hidden in Capital Plan (Aug 6, 2025)
Berkeley Heights Resident Flags Major Budget Increases Hidden in Capital Plan
A resident’s comment exposes significant, unexplained budget increases within the capital plan tied to the bond.
Another Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting, Another Round of Porn – 08/05/2025 (Aug 5, 2025)
Another Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting, Another Round of Porn
Coverage of the second disrupted Zoom meeting, held after the storm, in which offensive material again forced an abrupt end.
Take 2: After Zoom Incident, Residents Still Left Without Answers on $3.5M Bond (Aug 5, 2025)
Take 2: After Zoom Incident, Residents Still Left Without Answers on $3.5M Bond
The re-scheduled August 5 bond meeting still left key questions about the ordinance unanswered.
Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting Disrupted by Offensive Zoom Bombing (Aug 4, 2025)
Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting Disrupted by Offensive Zoom Bombing
The initial August 4 emergency bond meeting was repeatedly hijacked with pornographic and racist images, leading to multiple restarts and eventual shutdown.
Without a Project List, Council to Introduce $3.5M Ordinance for Road and Bridge Work — Questions Residents Can Ask (Aug 3, 2025)
Without a Project List, Council to Introduce $3.5M Ordinance for Road and Bridge Work — Questions Residents Can Ask
Previews the August 4 emergency bond meeting, highlighting the lack of a project list and suggesting questions for residents to raise.