The meeting commenced with personnel changes in the Middlesex Police Department. Resolutions to promote Lieutenant Thomas Carol and Lieutenant Thomas Faulk to Captains, and Sergeant Sean Flanigan to Lieutenant, were all unanimously approved by the council. Each officer’s career achievements were highlighted. Captain Carol, with 20 years of service, and Captain Faulk, appointed in 2005, have both been recognized for their specialized training and commendations. Lieutenant Flanigan, serving since 2012, has played a key role as a school liaison. The promotions aim to enhance the department’s structure and service capabilities, a sentiment echoed by a council member during the meeting.

The Mayor then took the opportunity to honor Lee Wandle with the “Pillars of Middlesex” award for his extensive volunteer work with the Office of Emergency Management, fire police, and the Swim Pool Commission. Wandle humbly accepted the recognition, attributing his success to the collaborative efforts of his teams.

The council’s attention then shifted to a presentation on a community solar program. The program promises a 45% savings on solar credits without requiring home installations, dubbed “virtual solar.” The representative emphasized the program’s environmental benefits and substantial cost savings, providing case studies from New York towns as successful examples. The program, operational since 2019 across multiple states, boasts a strong customer service record with no formal complaints. Residents are encouraged to enroll as the program offers financial incentives to the municipality and is entirely opt-in.

Questions raised during the discussion included the eligibility criteria, specifically the exclusion of homes already equipped with solar systems, and the potential for increased discounts. The representative clarified that while the program is currently capped at a 45% discount, it offers significant savings compared to other states. The council also discussed promotional strategies, with an emphasis on using mailers and social media, while excluding robocalls and door-to-door initiatives.

In the realm of community events, the council commended the successful execution of the recent food truck festival and a fundraising event for the fire department. The food truck festival, organized with limited planning time, received positive feedback, with attendees enjoying the activities and a popular petting zoo. The fire department fundraiser was highlighted as an event for the volunteer-based department, with discussions of hosting a similar event in the spring to maintain community engagement.

Infrastructure concerns were also on the agenda, particularly addressing the weight restrictions on Mount Avenue due to increased truck traffic. The council agreed on the urgency of action and directed the borough engineer to prepare the necessary documentation for the New Jersey Department of Transportation review.

The meeting also touched on the ongoing communication between the borough and the Board of Education, senior events, and the cultural importance of film production in the area. Proposals for a nature education and art center between Park Apartments and the flood wall were discussed, with the potential to connect to Mountain View Park. The council also received updates on environmental cleanup efforts and announced upcoming programs focused on invasive species awareness and tree conservation.