At the forefront of the meeting was the presentation and approval of the 2025 municipal budget, which notably keeps the tax rate steady at 0.5, a feat achieved for the fourth year in a row. Despite this, the borough faces escalating costs in health insurance, contractual salaries, and utilities, which have pressured the budget. In response, the council has increased the use of cash for capital purchases, a strategy bolstered by the financial influx from the sale of the Audi dealership, contributing an additional $2.7 million in revenue. This move helps mitigate future debt service, aligning with the borough’s fiscal management goals.

The budget presentation underscored a series of strategic allocations aimed at addressing community priorities, particularly in public safety. The council has earmarked funds for a new ambulance, enhanced communication equipment for fire and emergency medical services, and an increase in support for both the fire department and the first aid squad—the first such increase in years.

The budget also fully accommodated the library’s financial requests, recognizing the library board’s transparent and cooperative approach in outlining their requirements. This decision aligns with the borough’s objective of securing fiscal stability amid stagnant state aid and inflationary pressures. The budget breakdown revealed that mandatory services comprise approximately 57% of the total budget, with discretionary funding making up a mere 4%.

In addition to fiscal matters, the meeting featured a discussion on the borough’s investment in security enhancements, focusing on installing 42 cameras and eight door access systems at various municipal properties. The initiative, funded entirely through cash to avoid increasing debt, arises from past security concerns, including theft and unauthorized access incidents. The new system, equipped with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, promises to enhance the borough’s security posture by facilitating efficient searches of footage and automating access controls for municipal buildings.

While no major incidents have prompted the decision, ongoing safety concerns at locations like the library justified the upgrade, as noted by council members. The new system’s ability to integrate with existing police technology is expected to bolster coordination and response capabilities, thereby enhancing overall community safety.

The council meeting also addressed environmental initiatives, recognizing Kathy Redmond with the Environmental Stewardship Award for her contributions to rain garden projects and other sustainability efforts.

In other developments, the meeting included the introduction of Ordinance 2025-2022, establishing a promotion process for the chief of police, with a public hearing scheduled for May 27, 2025. The council also discussed the potential benefits of the Adopt-a-Drain program, a community initiative encouraging residents to maintain local storm drains, further promoting environmental stewardship and community engagement.

Public concerns were not limited to budgetary and environmental matters. The meeting shed light on road maintenance prioritization, with residents voicing frustration over the perceived lack of transparency in the selection process for road repairs. The council acknowledged these concerns but did not provide specific criteria for road project prioritization, leaving some residents seeking greater clarity in the process.

Upcoming community events were highlighted, including a concert series at the library and a “Music on Main” event. The meeting concluded with discussions on the potential legislative changes to allow online posting of public notices.