The council’s primary focus was the discussion and subsequent approval of a $35,000 study to analyze the state’s round four affordable housing obligations. The study, to be conducted by NEGL Engineering, aims to assess the borough’s capacity to meet an immediate need for 16 units and a projected need for 223 units. The borough planner will scrutinize the state’s methodology and perform a vacant land analysis to determine Rutherford’s capability to fulfill these obligations. The study is essential as it will provide supporting documentation should the borough decide to challenge the state’s numbers. Several council members expressed unease about the feasibility of meeting the state’s requirements, citing limited land availability within the borough. They collectively deemed the funding request reasonable and necessary.

The council member advocated for continued diligence in accurately assessing and reporting on development initiatives, despite the challenges faced.

In a related move, the council addressed the extension of the rent control ordinance, which was due to expire at the end of the year. The borough administrator proposed a two-year renewal or an indefinite extension, coupled with an increase in board membership from five to seven members to enhance quorum attendance. This change was suggested to address difficulties in convening meetings, as maintaining a quorum with the existing board structure proved challenging. Council members supported the proposal, recognizing the necessity of maintaining the rent control board and adjusting the membership structure to improve functionality. The council member serving as a liaison to the rent control board expressed strong support for these adjustments, citing the need for flexibility in governance to ensure effective operations. The borough administrator was tasked with clarifying the board’s responsibilities to the public in future discussions.

The council also deliberated on the business insurance registration fee, initially set at $100, which had been deemed burdensome by constituents. Responding to feedback, the council agreed to lower the fee to $25, with an additional $10 charge for each extra property owned by a business. A councilwoman raised concerns about the fairness of applying the fee reduction retroactively to those who had already paid the higher fee. Another council member proposed keeping the initial registration fee at $100 for new applicants while reducing it to $25 for renewals, to prevent those who had evaded the fee from benefiting from the reduced rate. However, this suggestion was met with caution due to potential administrative complexity. The council decided to gather more feedback before finalizing the fee structure.

In the public participation segment, resident Pete Shirro raised concerns about construction work at Diamonds Five and Six, questioning the necessity of additional labor on Saturdays. The borough administrator explained that unforeseen sewer line issues necessitated the extra work, leading to project delays. Shirro also inquired about the enforcement of an ordinance against overnight parking of commercial vehicles, which he noted were prevalent in the West End. The borough administrator assured that discussions with the police chief would address this issue. Additionally, Shirro suggested installing larger signs in Memorial Park to deter unauthorized dog walking, with a proposed $500 fine for violators. The council acknowledged the need for more signage and the importance of balancing dog walking areas in town.

The meeting also featured updates on community events. A council member announced a recycling program event on December 4th at the library, in partnership with the Department of Public Works, aimed at addressing misconceptions about recycling practices. Additionally, the mayor highlighted upcoming community events, including Small Business Saturday and holiday celebrations at the Kip Center and St. Mary’s Church, expressing gratitude for local organizations’ commitment.

The meeting concluded with the approval of various personnel motions, including appointments for provisional clerks in the borough’s Fire Safety Bureau and Finance Department. These motions passed without objection.