Among the ordinances adopted, one notable change involved the amendment of procedural requirements for Township Council meetings, which now limits public comments to five minutes per speaker. This ordinance, designated as 23-1, stirred public concern, as a member of the community voiced that the reduced time might not be sufficient to express citizens’ concerns. The Council responded by assuring that other communication avenues remain open for public input.

Another ordinance was 23-2, which aimed to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank. This ordinance passed without public comment. Similarly, ordinances 23-3, amending the fire prevention code, 23-4, changing fees for food establishments, and 23-5, setting minimum and maximum salaries, were adopted unopposed. Ordinance 23-6, concerning the annual registration fee for the Certificate of Insurance for businesses and rental units, was also passed without public comment.

The Council introduced two proposed ordinances for future consideration. The first, 23-7, pertains to the management of vacant and abandoned properties, while the second, 23-8, seeks to amend the employee policy and procedure manual.

The meeting continued with updates from various departments. The Mayor reported on the success of the family skate night and the ongoing Christmas tree pickup. The Mayor also highlighted the Police Department’s enforcement efforts on traffic regulations and the importance of public safety, especially during snow preparations. Residents were reminded to remove cars from the road during snow and secure basketball hoops to avoid damage from plow trucks.

Council reports included the monthly activities of the Clark Police Department and the Clark Fire Department, both detailing the types of calls and incidents managed in December. Additionally, the Finance Committee provided updates, including the sad news of the loss of a community member and the announcement of a blood drive in memory of a former fire chief.

The Environmental Commission’s plans for reservoir and river cleanups, along with potential volunteer programs for community cleanliness, were discussed. The Council received the library’s report, which highlighted its website visits and a reading challenge program that engages patrons of all ages.

The Council also took time to address budgetary matters, including potential budget issues and health insurance premium increases. During the public comments section, a citizen, Michael Schulman, raised concerns about the town’s plan to manage these financial challenges. The Mayor and Council assured that they are working on the budget and exploring options to mitigate the impact.

Furthermore, the meeting touched on the leasing of the Barnes & Noble site to the Hackensack Meridian Health care facility, with the Mayor clarifying that the township government has no control over leasing decisions that comply with zoning regulations.

The Council extended gratitude to the Unico organization for its charitable work, including the donation of new chairs and tables for the recreation center. Moreover, the Council congratulated the newly appointed members of the Clark Volunteer Fire Department and the Emergency Squad for their ongoing support.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of resolutions, including authorizing the planner to prepare a reexamination of the master plan and development regulations, and authorizing a shared services agreement for street sweeping.