Stephanie K. Biano was appointed to fill a vacant council seat following unanimous support from the council. Biano, who previously served on the council in 2018, was recognized for her collaborative and effective nature. The council members praised her qualifications, with one member highlighting her experience on the planning board. Acknowledging the other candidates—Deborah J. Ledger and Thomas M. Engle—as strong choices, the council ultimately selected Biano and celebrated her return with light-hearted remarks as she took the oath of office.

Following Biano’s appointment, the council addressed the response to a catastrophic fire on Center Street that resulted in the complete destruction of a house. The Mayor commended the fire department, police department, Department of Public Works, and mutual aid responders for their swift actions in safely evacuating residents and containing the fire. The fire response was lauded as a community effort, with a donation box set up in the borough hall for the displaced family and a GoFundMe initiative shared on social media. The Mayor expressed ongoing support for the affected family and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of various organizations involved in the Christmas tree lighting event, which succeeded despite the fire incident.

The meeting also featured a discussion on resolution 25-0 TW-202, which opposes state bill S4736. This bill would allow religious and nonprofit organizations to convert certain properties into inclusionary developments with affordable housing, posing a potential threat to local zoning authority. The Mayor urged the council to support the resolution, emphasizing the detrimental effects that the bill could have on smaller municipalities like Garwood.

Infrastructure updates were another focus of the meeting, with the borough engineer announcing a New Jersey Department of Transportation grant of $322,825. The grant was attributed to traffic volumes on Second Avenue and sidewalk conditions on South Avenue. The engineer also reported the completion of fieldwork for stormwater mapping, compliance with state mandates, and successful coordination with local schools on construction projects. Plans for additional ramps and sidewalks were discussed, highlighting the possibility of completing these projects at no additional cost due to remaining grant funds.

The council also addressed ongoing issues related to the sanitary sewer system, with plans for a meeting with the Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority in the new year. Updates on the 2026 budget were provided, with department heads required to submit requests by January 2. Two ordinances regarding body art regulations and parking regulations at JFK Plaza were reviewed.

Public engagement played a role in the meeting, with Bruce Patterson, a local resident, raising concerns about council members-elect attending executive sessions and the borough’s ladder truck condition. Patterson also questioned the impact of Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) programs on school funding, prompting a response from a council member who clarified the council’s role in covering school district costs and the voluntary allocation of PILOT funds to the district.

The council addressed procedural matters, including the resignation of a planning board member due to a restriction on holding dual roles. Communications such as the approval of RVSA minutes and notices from Westfield on land use ordinances were received and filed. The council proceeded to discuss ordinances, with the introduction and adoption of amendments to the Borough Code regarding body art and tattooing services, as well as paid parking zones and the duties of the borough clerk.

Community reports highlighted the success of holiday events and preparations, including the installation of decorations and the facilitation of the tree lighting ceremony. The police department reported 248 calls in November. The library and school board liaison reports emphasized community involvement in festive programming and youth activities.

The meeting concluded with a public comment session, where Allison Manor shared her experiences regarding the borough’s new body art code, highlighting past challenges in opening a tattoo studio due to zoning law misinterpretations. The council expressed optimism about the potential benefits of body art establishments to local commerce.