RED BANK – The Borough Council has adopted an ordinance that tags a street with no name Ice Boat Lane.
On Sept. 25, council President Erik Yngstrom, Councilman Edward Zipprich, Councilman Michael Ballard, Councilman Hazim Yassim, Councilwoman Kathy Horgan and Councilwoman Kate Triggiano voted “yes” on a motion to adopt the ordinance.
The council members previously introduced an ordinance to name the street that is one block north of West Front Street and intersects Boat Club Court for Edward McKenna, who served as Red Bank’s mayor from 1991 to 2006.
Several residents objected to naming the street for McKenna because they said he had been convicted of motor vehicle violations.
Council members subsequently announced they would amend the ordinance and name the street Ice Boat Lane.
Prior to the meeting on Sept. 25, a reporter asked Mayor Pasquale Menna what influenced the council to change the proposed name for the street.
“The initial idea was suggested by a council member in workshop. The member had not asked whether the recipient of the honor (McKenna) would accept. The honoree did not wish any recognition. Consequently there was no need to carry it further and the change was made.
“Ironically, the public comment would have been the night the change was introduced. By the time the opponent addressed a letter, the council had already announced the street would carry the name of (Ice Boat Lane),” Menna said.