A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to the introduction of the 2025 municipal budget. The proposed budget reflects a 4 and 2/3 penny increase in the municipal tax rate, raising it to 63 cents per $100 of assessed home value. This increase comes in the wake of a $102,000 reduction in state aid and aims to cover the costs of a new full-time police officer, increased fire stipends, and rising health insurance premiums. The budget also allocates $1.8 million for self-funded road reconstruction, allowing the borough to avoid debt and associated interest costs. Additionally, the budget supports 24/7 fire service coverage starting May 2024 and introduces a new traffic officer position within the police department.

The largest budget segments are dedicated to debt service, public safety, and public works. The council emphasized the importance of maintaining public safety and infrastructure while managing financial constraints.

Following the budget discussion, the council addressed the future of Crows Woods, a site with historical significance as a nature area and community garden. The borough faces a $2.5 million remediation project to address environmental concerns at the site, necessitating a thorough understanding of the landscape and community needs. The remediation project’s success hinges on securing Brownfield funds to reduce taxpayer costs. Public engagement emerged as a componet of the process, with discussions highlighting the balance between maintaining active recreational spaces and preserving the community gardens that provide fresh produce to local food banks.

The council also discussed the borough’s housing obligations, focusing on the adoption of the third and fourth round housing element and fair share plans. The borough is required to submit the fourth-round plan by June 30, 2025, which includes obligations for 35 rehabilitation units and a realistic development potential of seven units. Two projects on North Haden and 118 Ellis were noted for their contributions to affordable housing, with plans to fulfill the borough’s requirements. The council’s efforts to address housing needs are part of a broader strategy to manage redevelopment and zoning adjustments in a largely built-out community.

Public comments during the meeting brought additional community concerns to the forefront. Bill Kelling, a resident, advocated for the inclusion of the Crows Woods gardens in future plans, emphasizing their importance to the community. Andrea Hotelling raised long-standing flooding issues at Choose Landing Road, questioning the effectiveness of mitigation plans. Another resident, Gilmore, sought updates on repairs to the borough building’s windows, highlighting ongoing infrastructure challenges.

The meeting also covered updates on public safety, including a change in the fire department’s response protocols. The new guideline specifies that EMS will not respond to fire calls but will attend motor vehicle accidents, optimizing resource allocation. The council is awaiting a report on response times, expected to correlate with recent investments in volunteer fire participation.

Finally, the council addressed the borough’s trash collection services, noting a new vendor’s lower bid, which prevented a substantial budget increase. The new contract covers trash collection, with recycling managed in-house, allowing for ongoing cost evaluations.