The meeting began with an issue brought forth by Gina Zubia, a resident of Lockwood Drive, who described ongoing water discoloration and an unpleasant metallic odor at her residence. She detailed the severity of the issue, noting that she regularly purchases 15 to 20 gallons of water each week for drinking and cooking, due to the unsafe condition of her tap water. Zubia expressed her frustration, questioning the timeline for resolution, and highlighted that her street had been previously overlooked in investigations.

Further amplifying the water quality concerns, Mike Gell, another resident, shared his experience with a whole-house filter intended to address sediment and iron smell issues. Despite installing this filter, he found it clogged every 15 days, requiring frequent maintenance. Gell sought clarity on the borough’s progress over the past few weeks and expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the remedial actions taken so far. Both residents emphasized the financial and emotional toll of these ongoing water issues, urging the council to prioritize a comprehensive solution.

In response, council representatives shared insights from engineers who advised a temporary halt to any work on the water system. This pause was intended to observe the system’s natural reactions, with plans to resume work post-holiday. The mayor outlined a long-term strategy, planning to assess specific sections of the main water pipe to evaluate its condition and age. The goal is to address the water quality issues holistically. Additionally, the council is developing a mapping system to track complaints and organize responses across different neighborhoods.

Beyond the pressing water issues, the council meeting also addressed several noteworthy topics. The mayor proudly reported the achievements of the Waldwick High School boys’ soccer team, which recently won a championship. Plans are underway to update a sign welcoming visitors from Route 17 North to reflect the team’s 2024 championship status. This recognition aligns with the broader celebration of local sports, as the Recreation Health Committee congratulated both the 15U girls’ soccer team and the high school boys’ soccer team on successful fall seasons. The committee announced the transition to winter sports, including wrestling and basketball, with registration opportunities available.

The meeting also addressed community events and initiatives. Preparations are underway for a tree lighting event at Burrow Park on December 6, featuring crafts, a DJ, and refreshments. The mayor’s fourth annual house decorating contest is set to take place, with entries due by December 13 and judging on December 17. A menorah lighting is scheduled for December 22 at the Waldwick Library, and the American Legion is seeking donations for Toys for Tots until December 13.

In terms of legislative matters, John Vort, commander of the Waldwick Veterans of Foreign Wars post, urged the council to support two bills under consideration in the New Jersey legislature. These bills propose increasing the veterans’ property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years. Vort emphasized that this change would benefit qualifying veterans and their surviving spouses, with the state reimbursing the municipality, making it beneficial for both veterans and the borough.

Administrative updates included the financial and administrative committee’s resolution to transfer funds between accounts as part of end-of-year adjustments. Specifically, $58,000 was moved within the current fund to support fire prevention and general liability insurance. Additionally, a nominal amount of $650 was transferred in the water utility from operational expenses to pension funds.