During the meeting, the council members paid tribute to local law enforcement by presenting proclamations to police officers and a dispatcher who had recently saved the life of a Garwood resident. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention was present to honor the officers for their crucial intervention.

The council addressed a issue regarding the management of crossing guards in the town. A new system, which involves contracting with a company to provide these services, was discussed. The change aims to improve efficiency and allow Garwood police officers to dedicate more time to law enforcement activities. The police chief supported this transition, citing that most guards would benefit from a pay raise and the opportunity for current guards to refer new hires would be incentivized with a bonus.

Residents’ concerns were a focal point of the meeting, with several community members voicing their issues. Among the topics raised were the negative effects of an outdoor liquor license expansion granted to a local business, Crossroads, in 2020. A resident described the expansion as a “quality of life nightmare,” citing increased noise levels and the disruption to the neighborhood. The council noted the importance of balancing the interests of residents with those of local businesses and committed to addressing the concerns raised.

Another resident brought up safety issues on East Street. Additionally, the council discussed the impact of paid parking in the business area on the 400 and 500 blocks of Willow. While expressing a willingness to consider amendments to parking regulations, the council stressed the need for careful deliberation to avoid precipitous changes that could have unintended consequences.

Infrastructure was also on the agenda, with the council debating the inclusion of various street sections in a grant application. Discussion centered on the dead-end portion of Maple Street and a segment of West Street, with some council members advocating for their inclusion due to poor condition and minimal cost. The council agreed to include these sections in the grant application and to coordinate with the neighboring town of Cranford regarding Gallows Hill Road.

Ongoing projects and community events were highlighted throughout the meeting. The council discussed the upcoming summer camp organized by the recreation department, efforts to secure grants for new programs, and the recent success of community events such as Garwood Rocks. Public safety improvements, such as the installation of outdoor climate-proof Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at Hartman Park and the approval of a pedestrian crosswalk at the intersection of South Avenue and West Street, were also topics of conversation.

In an effort to comply with state laws, the council deliberated on ordinances related to privately owned salt storage and stormwater control, as well as the repeal of the obsolete Playto play ordinance. Additionally, the council introduced an ordinance fixing salaries and wages for certain borough officials and employees. They voted to introduce the ordinance, with the commitment to provide detailed information on salary adjustments to the public.

The meeting also included updates from various committees and departments. The Public Works committee announced the planting of over 120 trees and the upcoming delivery of a new dump truck. The Police department reported on the activities undertaken in May and congratulated an officer on completing field training. Furthermore, the Small Business Association detailed the recent Taste of Garwood event and its support for local restaurants.