Superintendent Robert Lombardi presented plans for the upcoming bond referendum scheduled for September 17th, which proposes extensive renovations at George White Middle School. The renovations include a complete overhaul of existing structures, enhancement of classrooms, lighting, roofing, windows, and doors, as well as the remodeling of hallways. A notable part of the proposal involves demolishing and reconstructing the multi-purpose room, referred to as the cafetorium, to feature a larger stage, two additional classrooms for band and chorus, and an expanded kitchen area to accommodate nearly 500 students. This renovation is part of “question one” on the ballot. If “question one” passes, a follow-up proposal, “question two,” will be introduced to add a two-story wing with six classrooms to support increased enrollment and programming needs, due to a predicted increase of approximately 60 students over the next five years.

Lombardi emphasized that “question one” must pass for “question two” to be viable. He also mentioned that construction would likely commence around September 2025, and current fifth graders would temporarily return to their elementary schools during the construction period. Concerns were raised about the ballot process, given that “question two” is contingent upon the passage of “question one.” Lombardi noted that the county’s recent digitization of voting processes might impact how questions are presented on the ballot.

The discussion then shifted to the reasons for the current state of disrepair at George White, with Lombardi attributing the delays to various factors, including leadership turnover and the growing scope of required renovations, which have outstripped the Board of Education’s financial capabilities. He noted that attempting to address the issues piecemeal would have led to increased costs and extended timelines due to ongoing classes during construction.

In other business, the council discussed several infrastructure projects. Engineer Nick provided updates on the Melville Road paving project, noting that the Department of Transportation (DOT) had approved starting the bidding process, with bids expected to open on October 8th. For the Magnolia paving project, completed at the end of August, the contractor was finalizing punch list items and payment applications. Nick highlighted that the apparent low bidder for the Centennial Field project was Dakota, with a bid of $377,400, below the engineer’s estimate of approximately $630,000. The project aims to improve field drainage and playability through underdrains, soil remediation, and regrading. Nick assured the council of Dakota’s reputation, citing previous successful collaborations on similar projects.

Concerns were also raised about recent improvements made to Memorial Field, particularly regarding a newly constructed gravel path funded by a grant. A council member noted that many of the recent modifications would likely be demolished during the upcoming redesign process. The prior improvements cost approximately $45,100, with half funded by a grant and the borough bearing around $25,000 of the cost. The concept plan for Memorial Field is undergoing revisions and will be shared with the full council once it reaches a more finalized state.

Further debate occurred regarding the road improvement inventory study. A council member expressed hesitance about the proposed cost of $40,000 to $50,000 for a comprehensive study, noting that many roads had been addressed in recent years. However, there was an acknowledgment of the need for a thorough understanding of future road maintenance and budgeting.

The council introduced Ordinance 2414, which aims to establish procedures for the utilization of off-duty police officers. The ordinance passed on first reading, with a public comment opportunity scheduled for October 1, 2024. The council also discussed consent agenda items, including a resolution to go out to bid for the New Jersey Department of Transportation Municipal Aid Grant for fiscal year 2024, specifically for improvements on Melville Road and Douglas Drive. The urgency of this resolution was emphasized due to a tight timeline for paving.

Public comments included updates from the Environmental Commission on signage for Beachwood Park and inquiries about the status of a proposed turf installation at Memorial Field. A resident expressed concern over the environmental implications of the turf installation, seeking clarification on whether a final decision had been made. The council president assured that discussions would occur, and public input would be welcomed before any final decision.

Additionally, the council discussed the upcoming Fall Festival, scheduled for September 29th, featuring activities such as pony rides, a bounce house, balloon twisters, and various food vendors. The library board reported on a recent car show and plans to distribute a survey during the Fall Festival to gather community feedback.