The potential application for a grant to fund a new police headquarters was a point of discussion. The council stressed the urgency of the application process, with a looming deadline by the end of the month. A council member noted the importance of communicating with a congressional representative to bolster the application, emphasizing the need to gather support letters from key stakeholders, including public figures like the sheriff and the superintendent. The police chief was tasked with drafting a letter to outline the department’s needs.

The council’s discussion on social media management revealed an ongoing challenge in maintaining effective communication with residents. Concerns were raised about the proliferation of unofficial pages that could confuse residents and misrepresent the borough’s official stance. A council member expressed the need for a streamlined approach. The council considered requesting unofficial pages to include disclaimers clarifying their unofficial status, although they acknowledged the limitations of their authority over such pages.

Further complicating matters, the council debated how to manage comments on social media posts, recognizing the difficulty in moderating discussions while maintaining transparency. The council expressed a desire to keep their social media presence strictly informational, avoiding discussions that could detract from their intended purpose. Suggestions were made to filter information more effectively.

Infrastructure and local development were also topics of the meeting. A resident raised concerns about the ongoing municipal debt, particularly in light of necessary infrastructure repairs on Elm Street. The council acknowledged these concerns but emphasized the critical nature of addressing water issues caused by broken pipes and drainage problems. While grants have been secured for paving and curbing work, the replacement of galvanized pipes remains a financial responsibility not covered by these grants.

The meeting also addressed various upcoming community events. The mayor announced a pancake breakfast hosted by the Tri-Aid First Aid Squad on March 23 and a nearly sold-out steak night fundraiser scheduled for April 12. These events aim to strengthen community ties and support local initiatives.

In the realm of public services, the council reviewed emergency service call statistics, noting 169 calls in February and a commendable 91% response rate by the Tri-Aid First Aid Squad. The importance of mutual aid between neighboring municipalities, such as Riverdale and Lincoln Park, was highlighted as a vital component of the community’s emergency response framework.

Other community engagement efforts included library events for children and a call for community members to share stories or artifacts related to Bloomingdale through a digital form. The senior center announced a busy schedule of events, such as a St. Patrick’s party and a trip to the Paper Mill Playhouse.

During the public comment segment, residents voiced concerns about the aesthetics of downtown. Discussions also touched upon the condition of the Oakwood Lake dam, with residents seeking engineering solutions to address the reported cracks and potential hazards.