Council members reflected on the recent Rutherford Day celebration, which coincided with the borough’s 143rd birthday. This year’s event was the largest yet, with significant praise directed at the organizers, including the borough administrator and various municipal departments. The event featured notable participation from the community and visitors. Council members emphasized the positive feedback received from attendees, who admired the town’s beauty and the effective organization of the event.

A key highlight of the meeting was the announcement and unveiling of plans for Diamond 4, a new softball stadium. State dignitaries, including a state senator, were involved in the unveiling, which added to the event’s significance. A council member shared personal sentiments about the project, noting excitement from his daughter, who had long awaited a dedicated softball diamond. The visual representations of the planned stadium were met with enthusiasm.

Further appreciation was expressed towards various departments, including the Rutherford Police Department, Fire Department, and Department of Public Works, for their contributions to Rutherford Day. The Fire Department was particularly noted for providing popular kebabs. The collaborative efforts of municipal staff across different departments, including Recreation, Board of Health, and Finance, were also recognized for their roles in the event’s success.

The council then moved on to discuss and approve several ordinances. One ordinance addressed amendments to the firefighter uniform allowance, increasing it from $1,350 to $1,500 per year for active members. This change aimed to benefit firefighters nearing retirement. Another ordinance revised the junior firefighter acceptance process, allowing junior firefighters to become probationary members under specific criteria, thus streamlining their advancement.

Additional ordinances on second readings included one that prohibited parking on Marginal Road and another that reduced the speed limit on the same road from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. Both ordinances received unanimous support from the council after opening the floor for public comments, which yielded no responses.

In new business, the council president highlighted the success of Rutherford Day and acknowledged the efforts of various departments in organizing the event. Council members echoed appreciation for the borough’s efforts and suggested that the celebration could rival the Labor Day Street Fair in scale in the future. One council member reminded the community about an upcoming styrofoam collection event scheduled for October 5 at the DPW, encouraging residents to participate in recycling efforts. Another noted a celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month organized by the Civil Rights Commission on October 8, which would include salsa lessons and food from local restaurants.

During the mayor’s report, the council sought consent to approve Fiona Walker as a fall soccer referee at a rate of $10 per hour. The motion received unanimous support from the council members present.

The meeting also included a review of public correspondence from East Rutherford concerning the planning board, though no action was deemed necessary at that time. The council continued to address routine consent items and resolutions, including an agreement with Hoplight Communications LLC for 5G and general telecommunications consulting.