Long Hill Council Debates Security at Public Meetings

The Long Hill Town Council recently convened to discuss various topics, with the most contentious being the proposed ordinance 533-24, which addresses security measures at public meetings. This ordinance, recommended by the County prosecutor’s office, sparked debate among council members and the public regarding the necessity and extent of such measures, including the use of metal detectors and police protection.

The discussion on security was prompted by public comments questioning why only certain boards and the Town Council itself were entitled to police protection at meetings. The ordinance would allow the Township Committee, Planning Board, and Board of Adjustment to request police security for their public meetings and make the deployment of magnetometers and bag searches a permissive choice. A member of the public highlighted the absence of known security threats in the past, challenging the justification for the ordinance. Another public speaker proposed that the ordinance should notify the County prosecutor and sheriff about security threats and allow individuals to participate in meetings from home via Zoom if they feel unsafe.

Another topic that garnered attention was the potential rezoning of a property on Union Street for light commercial use. Concerns were voiced over the environmental impact on wetlands and potential health risks from fumes that could affect nearby residents, including one with a sick husband. The council acknowledged the need for further investigation into the property’s zoning status and its implications.

The council also tackled the issue of noise from NJ Transit trains and the feasibility of establishing quiet zones. The complexity and cost involved were discussed, with a note on the challenges another town faced with a similar initiative. While some members recognized the safety reasons for train whistles, the discussion revealed varying opinions on the noise issue, which affects residents living near train tracks.

Matters of community interest and engagement included updates from the Recreation Department, which announced events such as the dog days of summer concert series, National Night Out, and a spring egg hunt. The Fire Department reported on its response to 53 calls and the upcoming arrival of two new trucks. The First Aid Squad, too, had been active with approximately 170 calls. A proposal was mentioned to improve communication between volunteer groups within the town.

The meeting also touched on administrative affairs, such as upcoming letters to private stormwater fixture owners about maintenance requirements and lead abatement regulations for rental units built before 1978. The need for dog registration was announced, along with grants for turnout gear awarded to the Sterling and Millington Volunteer Fire Companies. The mayor thanked residents for the town’s financial position, buoyed by the sale of the Wastewater system.

Further discussions encompassed the introduction of the food truck ordinance, detailing regulations like operating hours, distance from existing restaurants and residential zones, and permit requirements. The council debated the enforcement of special event permits and attendee limits, as well as policy changes in Parks and Recreation, including the addition of pickleball courts.

The role of the Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) was debated, particularly concerning emergency purchasing and mitigation responsibilities. The council agreed to appoint the CFO to the QPA position after a discussion on qualifications and roles.

During the public comment period, issues of transparency and accountability were raised. A resident inquired about the resignation of the previous QPA and the handling of a contract to repair the police station following a flood. The council provided some clarification on the legal steps taken for emergency purchasing, addressing the concerns raised.

Finally, the meeting covered general announcements and encouraged public involvement, with a retirement party for a health officer, a high school production, a rummage sale, an Easter egg hunt, and services offered by the police department for house checks during residents’ absence.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Guy Piserchia
City Council Officials:
Scott Lavender, Brendan Rae, Victor Verlezza, Matthew Dorsi

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording