The proposal to lower the voting age for school board elections was a focal point of the meeting, as council members explored the implications of such a measure. The ordinance, designed to align with Senate Bill 3240 and Assembly Bill A4369, seeks to enable minors to participate in school board elections, contingent on residency within the district. The state has yet to finalize this legislation, but the council is considering drafting a resolution in support while preparing a local ordinance to facilitate its implementation.

Concerns were raised about parental consent, particularly regarding potential conflicts if parents oppose their children’s voting intentions. Despite these concerns, the legislation does not require parental approval, allowing minors greater autonomy in making voting decisions. The council deliberated on the administrative challenges of implementing the ordinance, such as the creation of separate ballots for young voters. With estimates suggesting fewer than 200 eligible students, the council considered this a manageable task and discussed collaborating with the county board of elections and the school board to ensure seamless integration into existing election processes.

Public comments were largely supportive, with a local student congress member advocating for the ordinance as a step towards greater civic engagement and representation for young people. The council acknowledged the importance of involving young voices in governance and expressed a desire to promote civic duties among the youth.

Another topic was the presentation of a diversity survey conducted among the borough’s boards and commissions, which is part of the borough’s efforts to maintain its Sustainable Jersey certification. The survey aimed to evaluate the demographic makeup of these governance bodies, focusing on gender identity, household income, home ownership, racial demographics, and age distribution.

The survey revealed that women continue to be overrepresented compared to men, consistent with previous data. At the same time, 53% of respondents reported annual earnings exceeding $100,000, highlighting a disparity when compared to the broader population. Racial demographics showed 78% of respondents identified as white or Caucasian.

Age distribution was another area of concern, with individuals under 30 comprising only 3% of respondents. The council recognized the need to attract younger volunteers to enhance community engagement and diversity. Representation from different neighborhoods was also discussed, particularly the underrepresentation of the Triangle area, which comprises 15-16% of the town’s population. To improve representation, the council plans to enhance outreach efforts to various social and faith groups, as well as focus on recruiting renters and younger volunteers.

The council also deliberated on improving data collection related to volunteer demographics. Suggestions included revising the volunteer application form to include optional sections for disability status and other identifiers, alongside concerns about privacy and data transparency. A proposal to attach a demographic survey form to acceptance letters for board and commission members was discussed.