Simultaneously, the council considered modernizing the official title of police officers from “patrolman” to “police officer.” The change aims to align with contemporary standards and practices already adopted by many police departments across the country. The proposal involves an ordinance amendment with minimal fiscal impact, primarily concerning the phased update of badges and uniforms, which will be covered by existing uniform allowances.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to addressing public comments, with residents expressing concerns on various local issues. One resident, George Paul, voiced frustration over unresolved property damage caused by heavy rains, emphasizing the prolonged delay in storm drain repairs. He criticized the borough’s lack of a concrete plan and timeline, urging concurrent handling of processes to expedite solutions. The council assured that repairs were planned according to the engineer’s recommendations, which dictated the sequence of actions.

Another resident, Hela Zablaki, criticized the lack of engagement from Republican candidates in civic activities and the council’s unresponsiveness to public outreach. Zablaki also raised concerns about the appointment of Anthony Rodriguez as claims officer amidst ongoing lawsuits, questioning the council’s priorities and calling for greater accountability.

The council also addressed financial management practices, particularly the use of Jobs for Blue to manage police scheduling and payments. This program aids in reducing risks associated with fraud and favoritism while ensuring compliance with New Jersey regulations. The council discussed the 20% administrative fee charged by Jobs for Blue on borough jobs, exploring the possibility of negotiating exemptions for town jobs to minimize taxpayer costs.

In terms of infrastructure, progress on the civic center was noted, with roofing underway. Improvements were also reported at Hersfield Park, with walkway repairs and tree removal enhancing safety. However, concerns were raised about the ongoing issue of bamboo growth in town, prompting the council to explore more effective removal strategies.

Legislative updates included a notable change mandated by Governor Murphy’s new law, S4654, requiring legal notices to be published on government websites rather than in newspapers by March 2026. This transition aims to modernize communication and reduce costs, with the borough currently spending approximately $20,000 annually on print notices. The borough will need to create a dedicated portal on its website for these notices, along with a monthly newspaper advertisement for one year to inform residents of the change.

The council also discussed the challenging financial implications of the state budget, noting the absence of funding for the Department of Public Works garage for the second consecutive year. Despite efforts through local representatives, the borough continues to seek funding through federal grant applications.

Traffic and safety concerns were addressed with a proposed ordinance to implement one-side parking on Lambert Street to alleviate congestion. This recommendation followed an assessment of the street’s width and parking dynamics, with a public hearing to be scheduled to inform affected residents.

Further discussions included the potential for establishing alternating one-way streets in certain areas and addressing vegetation obstructing views at Lakeside Park. Additionally, the council acknowledged the need for updates to the borough’s social media policy, proposing a workshop to address these issues and potentially formalize an updated policy.