A highlight of the meeting was the expression of community support for Officer Mark Dunn, who was injured while assisting a neighboring police department. A representative of the police department conveyed gratitude to the Mayor, the Council, and the community for their overwhelming support. Officer Dunn, who is only 24, is recovering from his third surgery after being struck by a vehicle whose driver was charged with multiple offenses, including driving while intoxicated. The community’s response included sending letters, gifts, and handmade items, which have been greatly appreciated by Dunn and his family. The Mayor described the incident as tragic and underscored the community’s strong support for the police department.

In a discussion about public works, the council addressed the ongoing repair of catch basins and reminded residents not to pile leaves in the streets. The Department of Public Works (DPW) is prepared for winter, with paper bags available for leaf collection and winter equipment preparations underway. The street skate project on Central Avenue is also progressing. The Mayor took the opportunity to acknowledge the new Director of Communications, Julia Moraga, expressing hope for improved social media outreach under her leadership.

Another issue discussed was Allendale’s fair share housing numbers. The council revealed that the borough’s obligation stands at 260, translating to approximately 1,300 housing units. Concerns were raised about the data used to calculate this figure, prompting a need for a thorough analysis and collaboration with council members to ensure accuracy. This discussion highlighted the challenges the borough faces in meeting state-imposed housing regulations.

The Best Practices Inventory Checklist, presented by the Chief Financial Officer and Business Administrator, Alison Alano, was an important topic. This annual checklist is mandated by the state to assess compliance with various laws and evaluate fiscal and operational best practices. Allendale scored 43.5 out of 52 scored questions, surpassing the threshold required for full state aid payments. The lowest scores were related to electric vehicle stations and lead paint inspections, but these did not require immediate action due to the overall satisfactory score. The Mayor inquired about the process, and Alano emphasized the importance of financial compliance, particularly timely filing of documents and contracts.

In other business, the council unanimously approved the appointment of Lauren Shub to the library board. Shub, a former library employee and current library school student, was described as an ideal candidate for the position. The council also approved a consent agenda that included resolutions for a holiday walk and bidding for janitorial services and snowplowing. However, a resolution for a haunted attraction event was removed from the agenda due to safety concerns.

During the public comment period, resident Walter Gu raised concerns about the acoustics in the meeting space and inquired about fire hydrant flushing, which is mandated to prevent sediment buildup. Another speaker from Saddle Brook, representing the Animal Protection League of New Jersey, proposed non-lethal solutions for deer management in the borough, emphasizing humane approaches and raising safety concerns about bow hunting. The discussion also touched on the welfare of trees, with residents expressing willingness to care for the trees if provided with resources.