The Government Energy Aggregation Program, an initiative to reduce municipal energy expenses, was a point of discussion. The program pools together local government demand to secure more favorable rates from energy suppliers. By joining the program, the borough is expected to benefit from economies of scale that can potentially translate into lower energy costs for public facilities, yielding budgetary relief and freeing up resources for other community needs.

Public safety also featured prominently in the meeting’s agenda. The Chief of Police issued a cautionary note to residents about an uptick in car thefts and catalytic converter thefts. In light of these events, the Chief urged the community to remain vigilant and secure their vehicles. The police department’s recent activities were presented, including responses to calls, the issuance of summonses, and investigations into various incidents. Additionally, the department’s “arrive” program’s successful interventions were acknowledged, and the department was reimbursed for its reaccreditation efforts.

On the topic of community events, council members engaged in a debate regarding the scheduling of annual events. The possibility of shifting the street fair from spring to fall to increase attendance was discussed, as well as the proposal to host the “Soups On” event at the senior center in March. The council also considered the idea of a Community-Wide garage sale, which could be coordinated with waste pickups to manage unwanted items effectively.

The Department of Public Works reported on waste collection and disposal, outlining updates on services and schedules, essential for maintaining community sanitation and environmental health. The department’s efforts in road maintenance were also underscored by commitments to address the poor condition of Maplewood Avenue, which had been a topic of concern from a resident due to flooding and ice creating hazardous conditions. The council assured that the road would be repaved and the drainage issue addressed.

The council’s reports extended to the financial aspect of the borough’s operations. The finance report highlighted the Auditor’s review of debt and financial statements, and the CFO’s ongoing work on the budget. The borough has started collecting taxes, a critical time for the finance department.

Planning and zoning matters were updated by a council member, with three applications currently in progress. The close-out of escrow accounts from the previous year’s planning board activities was also mentioned, with resolutions to be passed for returning unused escrow funds to builders.

Efficiency improvements within the Construction office were commended, with a faster turnaround on complete permit applications and recognition given to a staff member for completing a technical assistant course.

The Recreation and Fire council member discussed the local volunteer coaches completing background checks, a step that ensures the safety and integrity of community sports programs. However, concern was voiced over the aging fire department trucks, highlighting the challenges of maintaining essential public safety infrastructure.

The Health, Education, and Human Services council member reported on school activities and construction work, along with a reorganization within the health department.

Infrastructure concerns were further addressed by the Engineering department, which mentioned addressing resident complaints and flooding issues on Woodland Avenue. Strategies for cleanup and maintenance amid weather-related challenges were part of the discourse.

In addition to these discussions, the Borough Attorney touched on shared service agreements for the Department of Health and upcoming ordinances, and the Borough Administrator reminded residents to renew dog licenses and hinted at the possibility of reviving the street fair. The council also tackled the matter of snow and ice removal protocols, including a new machine to address ice issues, and clarified the maintenance responsibilities for the Little League property.