The most notable decision of the night was the council’s approval of a draft ordinance mandating that new warehouses over 100,000 square feet be equipped to support solar energy installations. This ordinance, which passed its first reading, aims to promote sustainable energy and reduce the township’s carbon footprint. It will be revisited for further discussion in the next regular meeting. The council’s unanimous support for this measure reflects a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.

In addition to the solar-ready warehouse ordinance, the council adopted an ordinance authorizing a lease with 10 Cherry Street Associates LLC for 5,682 square feet of commercial office space on Lehigh Avenue, intended for Board of Education administrative offices. This ordinance also received unanimous approval.

The meeting also included a detailed report from the fire department, which responded to 256 emergency calls in September, with 131 of those being medical emergencies. Key incidents involved a house fire on Bisc Boulevard caused by rubbish near a garbage can, and a fire at a gas station started by a discarded cigarette. These incidents underscored the importance of fire safety measures, with the fire department urging residents to install smoke alarms, create fire escape plans, and maintain wiring and dryer vents.

Public safety was further emphasized with an update from the police department, which reported 1,340 direct patrols and 2,959 calls for service from September 6 to September 20, leading to 72 arrests. A notable incident involved two males fleeing from a residential break-in, resulting in one arrest while the other suspect escaped in a stolen vehicle.

Halloween festivities were a major topic, with the Union Recreation Department organizing traditional events such as Halloween window painting and a scarecrow contest. Supplies for these activities will be distributed starting October 12, with final designs due by October 21. Winners will be announced on Halloween, and while participation is free, advanced registration is required. Deputy Mayor Florio informed the public to contact the recreation department for more details.

The council also discussed upcoming events, including a trunk-or-treat at Jefferson School and a haunted Halloween food truck fest at Rapkin Park on October 19. Both events are free and promise various activities to engage the community. Additionally, the Mayor’s 5K event on September 29 aims to support the family of a six-month-old baby with medical complications.

The meeting addressed several administrative matters, including the approval of two contracts: one to Joe Med Contracting Corporation for sanitary sewer pump installation and another to LTS Management Company LLC for moving services related to the relocation of the township library. Both contracts were approved unanimously.

During the public comment section, resident Andrew Austin raised concerns about noise disturbance from a recent block party, questioning the permitting process for such events. The council acknowledged the issue and assured that they would monitor future events to prevent similar disturbances. Another resident, Ruth Slovic, inquired about the expenses and storage related to the township library’s moving services. She also raised concerns about aggressive driving behavior and suggested a public relations campaign to address this issue. Additionally, she commented on the increasing goriness of Halloween decorations, expressing concern about their impact on children. The council acknowledged her concerns but noted that there are no existing regulations on such decorations.

Several resolutions were also passed unanimously, including authorizations for grant applications, budget adjustments, and financial approvals for ongoing projects.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which was approved by all present members, bringing the session to a close.