The Willowfield SLJ Grill project emerged as a focal point, with resident Joe Kleinot advocating for its approval. As president of the Pompton Lakes Riverdale Little League, Kleinot emphasized the project’s importance for local sports facilities, citing unanimous support from previous open space meetings. He underscored the financial implications, with $550,000 already secured from county funds towards the project’s estimated $1 million cost. Kleinot cautioned that rejecting the project could result in losing this funding, stating, “we have now wasted $100,000 and seven years of paperwork time.” Despite these concerns, the council assured that the funding remained secure and committed to advancing the project without further delay.

Another topic was the proposed redevelopment on AQ Avenue. The council engaged in extensive deliberations over amendments to the redevelopment plan, which included requests for variances in building height and use. The proposed changes sought to increase the permissible height from two stories and 35 feet to four stories and 50 feet, alongside allowing residential units on the ground floor, deviating from the existing requirement for ground-floor commercial use. The council’s decision on these amendments holds the potential to shape the future development landscape significantly.

Glenn Dominic, director of the Redevelopment Agency, clarified the process for approving such amendments, explaining that proposals must first be reviewed by the planning board before reaching the council for final approval. He noted that while the agency can recommend pilot programs under redevelopment law, the ultimate decision rests with the council.

The meeting also addressed community safety concerns, particularly regarding pedestrian pathways associated with the redevelopment project. Resident John Sujan raised issues about the lack of sidewalks connecting the parking area to the project site, forcing tenants to walk in the street. His remarks highlighted the potential safety risks, prompting further discussion on how such infrastructure concerns are managed, with the council indicating these are typically overseen by the county.

In addition to redevelopment issues, the council considered the sale of the borough’s radio station and its FCC licenses. The administrator reported receiving a single bid of $450,000, the minimum required, and recommended awarding the bid subject to federal FCC approval. The council deliberated whether previous discussions constituted a formal vote, ultimately deciding that the current meeting’s action was necessary to allocate local open space tax dollars for the project.

The council also tackled operational concerns, such as the performance of a waste collection service, which had failed to adhere to the agreed 24-hour waste pick-up timeframe. Frustrations were expressed over uncollected garbage, prompting resolutions to address these service deficiencies. Furthermore, the council debated the deer carcass removal contract with Space Farms, with suggestions to handle the service internally through the DPW or police to reduce costs.

As the meeting progressed, the council introduced several ordinances, including one authorizing the mayor and clerk to execute an agreement with the New Jersey Police Radio Association. This annual renewal concerns the operation of radio equipment and antennas for police and emergency services. The council moved swiftly to approve related salary range ordinances for borough employees.

Public involvement was encouraged, with residents voicing concerns and seeking clarifications on various topics, including potential precedent-setting changes in zoning standards and the use of ground-floor retail space.