The meeting began with an urgent update on the sewer emergency that had recently affected the borough. The borough engineer reported a significant compliance issue, with inspections revealing that 55% to 60% of local establishments failed to meet grease trap regulations. Violations were primarily due to excessive grease accumulation or a lack of required maintenance logs. The council responded by introducing an ordinance to increase inspection frequency to a minimum of four times a year, potentially unannounced, to ensure better compliance. There was also a discussion on how best to inform businesses about these regulatory changes, with a draft letter proposed for communication.

Financial matters took center stage as the council deliberated on a request from the Tenafly Ambulance Corps (TAC) for increased compensation. The TAC proposed a $7,000 performance-based incentive, a structure differing from the fire department, which includes a clothing allowance alongside performance incentives. The council debated the fairness of the comparison, considering the TAC’s lack of a clothing allowance. Concerns were raised about the rapid timing of the request, complicating decision-making due to late communication of agenda items. Despite these challenges, the council recognized the importance of rewarding consistent responders and aimed to finalize a resolution by the next meeting.

The council also explored the introduction of EMS soft billing, a system that would allow the ambulance service to collect insurance information and bill insurance providers directly for services. This proposed system aims to generate additional revenue for the borough without pursuing residents for any balance not covered by insurance. However, concerns were raised about potential impacts on grant eligibility, particularly for state funding for EMT training, if soft billing is implemented.

Another topic was the potential prohibition of short-term rental properties, such as those listed on Airbnb. The administrator reported concerns about neighborhood disruptions, including trash and noise from parties, leading the council to consider drafting an ordinance to ban rentals of less than 30 days. This proposal was met with strong support from some council members, citing safety and neighborhood integrity as primary concerns. A public hearing for the ordinance is expected to be scheduled for January 28, 2024.

Public comments added a layer of community engagement to the proceedings. Al Rosenthal, a new small business owner, raised concerns about parking restrictions affecting his co-working space, while Janet Kim expressed gratitude for the council’s decision to operate the municipal pool for the upcoming summer. She suggested initiatives to promote the pool’s success, including organizing a membership drive and hosting live music events to foster community engagement.

The meeting also touched on several administrative matters. The administrator reported on the setup of an ice rink for the upcoming Holiday Fest and introduced various ordinances related to salary adjustments for borough employees and infrastructure improvements. Discussions on collective bargaining agreements clarified the necessity of approving resolutions before adopting related ordinances.