A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the logistics and financial planning for the street fair. Council members discussed the possibility of holding two street fairs annually, one in spring and another in the fall. While the idea was met with enthusiasm, concerns were raised about the financial burden on borough resources, particularly with respect to overtime expenses for police officers and cleanup efforts by the Department of Public Works.

The council also reviewed the current contract with JC Promotions, the event organizer, which involves a fee paid to the borough. Past fees have ranged from $600 to $2,600, and council members expressed interest in revisiting this contract to negotiate a better fee structure. There was a clear intent to offset any costs associated with the event to maintain it as a community-focused rather than a revenue-generating event. To that end, a proposal was made to calculate the exact overtime costs linked to the fair and communicate these figures to JC Promotions to ensure financial commitments remain manageable.

The street fair discussion further extended to the consent agenda, where Resolution 25-60 was adjusted to reflect a reduction of $380 in a purchase order issued to Home Depot. This adjustment was unanimously approved by the council.

Beyond the street fair, the council received updates on significant cost savings achieved through the borough’s recycling program. The transition from single-stream to dual-stream recycling, which began the previous year, has led to a reported average savings of 50% on bottles and cans. Additionally, the borough has generated approximately $1,000 per month in revenue from clean cardboard recycling, with total savings around $53,000—substantial when compared to the program’s operating budget of $40,000. Plans for acquiring a cardboard compactor were also discussed.

The Department of Public Works provided a report on emergency response activities and outlined snow and ice removal protocols. Council members emphasized the importance of clear communication with residents regarding parking regulations during snow events, which dictate no parking on the odd side of the street on odd-numbered days and vice versa. This ensures efficient snow removal while allowing residents a two-hour window to move their vehicles post-clearance.

Infrastructure developments also featured prominently, with the Boulevard construction project now concluded. The project included micromilling to address road surface issues, with paving scheduled for 2025. Residents were advised to exercise caution around detours and construction workers.

The Planning and Zoning Board reported on six pending applications, three of which are incomplete. The construction department reported December receipts totaling $48,900, with fluctuations in various fees.

Community engagement and safety were addressed as well. The police department reported seven arrests in the past month and emphasized the importance of securing vehicles and promptly reporting suspicious activities. Upcoming community events include a wrestling fundraiser on February 1st and a beef steak dinner on March 21st, encouraging local participation while maintaining vigilance following a recent carjacking incident.

The council also addressed the restructuring of the municipal parking lot on North 21st and 22nd Street, confirming plans for restriping rather than milling, which will add four parking spots, including two for handicap accessibility. This adjustment is designed to benefit the area’s senior residents and ensure business operations are not disrupted.