The council is considering an ordinance change to address the ongoing challenge of recruiting volunteers for the local fire department. Currently, membership in the Junior Firefighters is restricted to residents within municipal borders. The fire chiefs proposed amending this ordinance to allow membership from contiguous municipalities. This change aims to enhance the volunteer pool, which is crucial given the persistent recruitment difficulties. The council showed a consensus that removing residency barriers would benefit the community by potentially increasing the number of volunteers. This ordinance is slated for potential introduction on January 28th.

Another focal point was the public comment period, during which resident Paul Mailer vocally addressed the council regarding a contentious issue involving former Library Trustee Barbara Musio. Mailer highlighted Musio’s over 30 years of service and criticized the current library board’s handling of her dissenting opinion. He referenced a specific email from attorney Douglas Zucker, which suggested Musio should have supported the majority viewpoint expressed by the trustees. Mailer contested this, defending Musio’s right to her opinion and arguing that she acted ethically by not endorsing statements she believed to be incorrect.

Mailer presented several arguments to support his stance. He cited a legal statute to challenge Zucker’s claims on financial matters, arguing that the board’s decisions lacked transparency. He also criticized the absence of a public vote or review of a statement released by Trustee President White, which he claimed misrepresented the board’s consensus. Mailer praised Musio as “a courageous defender of the truth,” suggesting her dissent was unjustly vilified by the current board. He concluded his remarks by urging the council to honor Musio for her dedication to the library.

In other discussions, a report from the township manager highlighted several projects and funding efforts. The manager detailed a PFOS mitigation project for one of the township’s wells, noting potential external funding sources, including a $1.1 million allocation identified in the federal budget by Congresswoman Cheryl’s office. The unpredictability of the federal budget was mentioned as a factor that could affect the project’s timeline. Additionally, an application through the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank could offer favorable loan terms and principal forgiveness.

Historic preservation was also a key topic, with updates on restoration efforts for the railroad station. Previous bids exceeded budget allowances, prompting a renewed funding application from the county’s historic preservation trust fund. The township manager expressed optimism for receiving better bids in the future and acknowledged ongoing support from the county. Progress on the landscape plan for the Martin Barry house was also noted, with an emphasis on obtaining construction documents to support future grant applications.

The meeting also covered several resolutions, including the release of a performance guarantee, tax office refunds, and the approval of claims payments. These resolutions passed unanimously without comment from the council members.

Further reports from the council included updates on community safety and volunteer recognition. The Fire Department was praised for their response to a serious accident on Route 23, emphasizing the importance of community volunteers and their equipment.

Public comments concluded with several residents expressing concerns and gratitude. Megan Dempsey congratulated a newly appointed council member and voiced disappointment over the council’s decision not to change the library trustee liaison. Another resident raised safety concerns about ambulance access to Cedar Crest, questioning if a separate driveway was available to facilitate quicker access.