The most notable event of the evening was the swearing-in ceremony for the new Chief of Police, Rob Shear. Mayor Joseph Jackson introduced Shear. Shear’s roles have included sergeant, lieutenant, and captain, and he currently serves as the Emergency Management Coordinator. Mayor Jackson emphasized Shear’s dedication to the community, particularly his two decades as a DARE officer, where he has had a positive influence on many children in Rockaway Township.

During the ceremony, Shear’s wife, Carol, held the Bible as Mayor Jackson administered the oath. Assemblywoman Dunn congratulated Shear, acknowledging his contributions to the community and stating, “You have impacted an entire generation of children.” Shear expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as chief, thanked his family for their support, and commended his fellow officers, particularly Officer Readen, for their teamwork and dedication.

Following Shear’s appointment, Commissioner Criacas announced that Morris County would be providing a $400,000 grant for the Ford Fishery Historic Preservation projects, bringing the total funding to $1.7 million.

The meeting then transitioned to the public comment portion, where residents voiced various concerns and suggestions. One resident expressed appreciation for the success of this year’s concert series, noting that six out of eight planned concerts were held at the local mall, which provided a venue despite challenging weather conditions. However, the mall will no longer offer this space, prompting a call for suggestions for alternative venues, with Peterson Field being mentioned as a potential option.

Another resident, Pat Digan, informed the council about an upcoming candidates’ night scheduled for October 21st at White Meadow Lake and requested that the event be publicized on the township’s website.

Tucker Kelly raised serious allegations regarding the township’s liability in a lawsuit amounting to over five million dollars related to a youth sports program. Kelly claimed that an individual involved in the program failed to supervise adequately and did not vet a person who allegedly sexually assaulted a minor. Kelly pointed out that the township lacks insurance for this program, despite knowledge of the situation dating back to early 2022. He called for the creation of an investigatory committee to probe into the vetting practices, lack of supervision, and insurance issues connected to the program, emphasizing the significance of child safety.

Eric Melsky urged the council to address longstanding issues to maintain integrity and advocated for an investigation into the allegations raised earlier, arguing that transparency would enhance the council’s respect in the community.

April Royal accused the mayor of unethical behavior for allegedly endorsing candidates for the Rockaway Township Board of Education at a recent taxpayer-funded event, where campaign materials were distributed. She called for the council to take action against the mayor, including reimbursement for public funds used in what she described as an in-kind contribution to the candidates’ campaigns.

Sandy Hall, representing the Delaware Water Gap Defense Fund, addressed the council regarding opposition to a proposal that would change the designation of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to a national park. Hall corrected statements made by a previous resident at the last meeting, asserting that requests for impact statements from the alliance had been ignored and warning about potential negative consequences for the environment, including timber degradation and habitat disruption.

The council also discussed the ongoing debate regarding the proposed national park designation, which has faced significant opposition from local groups and individuals. The Turtle Clan of the Ramapo Lenape and the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania have expressed their discontent with the proposal, while the Anadarko Lenape from Oklahoma have shown support. Concerns were raised regarding funding and staffing for the National Park Service, particularly after a reported 12% budget cut from the previous year. The proposal did not originate from the National Park Service but rather from local discussions. The speaker highlighted two resolutions in Trenton opposing the designation, specifically Assembly Bill AR133 and Senate Bill SR93, which are awaiting a vote, and urged the council to contact local legislators to advocate for these resolutions.

Reports from council members included updates on the Citizens Rec Committee, the importance of safety as schools resumed sessions, and recent community events such as the National Night Out and the mayor’s trophy football game. Council members also addressed the need to accommodate Councilman Emanuel Friedlander’s participation in future meetings via phone due to medical issues.