The council focused attention on a public hearing for a grant application aimed at improving Bailey Park. The proposed improvements included creating a fully accessible playground, paving the parking lot, and constructing a handicap-accessible comfort station and storage space for summer camp equipment. A borough engineer plans to enhance the existing picnic area, improve walkways, and ensure handicap access, while landscape enhancements aimed to integrate a pedestrian pathway from Minin Avenue into the park. The council emphasized that the redevelopment would address both environmental and community needs, promoting equity and accessibility goals.

Community feedback played a role in shaping the park’s concept, with an online survey revealing enlightening insights that informed the proposal. The council underscored its objective to secure necessary funding through state programs such as Jake’s Law and Green Acres, anticipating various community benefits. During the public comment portion, residents expressed concerns about the park’s location and safety measures, particularly regarding proximity to a lake and construction debris. A representative assured that safety accommodations would be developed, though specific details were pending. The council also clarified that while the park traditionally serves the borough, improvements would benefit the nearby Oak Tree neighborhood.

Street lighting issues were another major topic of discussion, with ongoing outages prompting a member’s inquiry about potential legal action against Jersey Central Power & Light. The borough attorney agreed to investigate the matter further. The lack of repairs and persistent outages, despite substantial payments to the utility company, were points of frustration among council members and residents alike, with around 20% of street lights reportedly out of service for months. The council expressed a need for more assertive actions to ensure accountability and improvements from the utility provider.

The meeting also highlighted community recognition initiatives, including honoring Lenor Sabelli Lambert for her achievement as Miss New Jersey Senior America 2024 and Rishi Shaw for his community service and leadership. Lambert was celebrated for her representation of senior Americans and her commitment to promoting senior engagement in community activities. Shaw’s recognition acknowledged his volunteer efforts, including the Small Business Support Initiative that aided over 570 local businesses during the pandemic.

The council addressed several administrative matters, including the introduction of ordinances related to the Farmers Market license fee, amendments to street names, and updates to the Waterfront Redevelopment plan. Discussions also covered the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) committee’s role and the use of affordable housing funds for community projects. One resident questioned the status of the CDBG committee and raised concerns about the past use of funds for assisting seniors and low-income individuals.

Public works promotions and contractual agreements for floodplain restoration projects were approved, alongside discussions on preserving a 40-acre land plot adjacent to Kennedy Park. Residents advocated for land preservation to prevent commercial development, with one speaker emphasizing the finite nature of land in the township.

The council also revisited the topic of appointing members to various boards, addressing procedural concerns related to the planning board. Discussions became somewhat contentious, with differing views on the validity of appointments and the mayor’s role in submitting necessary appointments.