One of the most notable developments during the meeting was the unanimous adoption of Resolution 25-003, which involved updating the charter study commission bylaws. The council members deliberated on the language used in Section 2.3, which outlines the chairperson’s responsibilities as the spokesperson for the commission. They agreed to amend the bylaws to allow the chairperson to delegate spokesperson duties to any other commissioner without requiring a majority vote. This change was seen as essential to maintaining the commission’s functionality in the chairperson’s absence.

In addition to the bylaws, the council addressed the nomination and election of new officers. Mr. Biller was nominated and unanimously elected as vice chairperson, while Mr. Tana, though absent, had accepted his nomination beforehand and was also unanimously elected as treasurer. These appointments were part of the council’s efforts to streamline their operations and ensure leadership roles were filled effectively.

The council’s focus then shifted to the charter study, emphasizing the importance of public involvement in the interview process. Members discussed strategies to gather community input, proposing the creation of a dedicated email channel for residents to submit questions. This initiative aims to engage individuals with relevant expertise or experience in local governance. The council also considered utilizing social media platforms and community newsletters to solicit public feedback, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives.

There were discussions about the need for a structured approach to gather feedback from various stakeholders, including current and former Township Committee members and township employees. It was acknowledged that tailored questions for these groups could yield more relevant insights into the township’s operations and governance. The council also debated the potential inclusion of interviews with former town council members and department heads.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing how to educate the public about the township’s governance structure and the charter study’s objectives. Members suggested creating a simplified statement to explain the study’s purpose and the township government’s functions. The existing educational binder, which is nearly 100 pages long, was deemed too extensive for general public consumption, leading to a consensus on developing an accessible FAQ format.

The timeline for completing the first phase of the charter study was also a topic of discussion. While a nine-month duration was initially suggested, there was a push to expedite the process to six months, driven by the availability of certain members to dedicate time to the task. The council acknowledged the urgency of the study and the importance of timely completion.

Efforts to disseminate information to the community were highlighted, with suggestions to collaborate with local media platforms and community organizations. There was an endorsement for producing a news article or press release to inform residents about the study and how they could participate, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accessibility in communication.

Despite these efforts, the public comment period during the meeting saw no participation from attendees.