The meeting commenced with the promotion of police personnel, a highlight of the evening. Mayor Thomas A. Giordano underscored the value of the police department to community safety, announcing the promotions of Christopher Cone to sergeant and Kyle Moore to lieutenant. The ceremony concluded with the swearing-in of Troy Seafford as chief of police. Mayor Giordano praised the contributions of former Police Chief Richard Brady, and Judge Helen Herbert officiated the swearing-in ceremony. Christopher Cone, who joined the Waldwick Police Department in 2014, has served in various roles, including as a resiliency officer and DARE instructor. Kyle Moore, part of the force since 2011, has held numerous supervisory roles. Their promotions were followed by a ceremonial oath reaffirming their commitment to their duties and the Constitution, with audience applause marking the occasion.

Chief Troy Seafford’s swearing-in was a notable moment, making him the eighth individual to hold this position since the department’s inception. His career trajectory from dispatcher to officer, and his leadership roles in community programs and the Waldwick Baseball Association, were highlighted. Mayor Giordano emphasized leadership qualities and encouraged Seafford to focus on developing others within the organization. Chief Seafford expressed gratitude for the council’s support, reflecting on the shared roots of the promoted officers, stating, “We are from Waldwick. We continue to serve Waldwick.”

The meeting transitioned to a public comment segment where Bruce Whitaker, representing the Duranti family, presented a proposal for redeveloping a property deemed in need of redevelopment by the council. The family plans to develop a housing project on the 1.525-acre site, proposing 54 residential units spread across two buildings, with eight units designated as affordable housing. The proposal includes a maximum building height of 45 feet and exceeds parking requirements by offering 98 spaces.

Raymond Verona, an architect with multifamily project experience, provided additional insights into the design specifics. Council members expressed differing views on the redevelopment proposal. Some members were concerned about the lack of commercial or retail space, arguing that the project did not contribute enough to the downtown’s vibrancy. Discussions ensued about potentially integrating commercial elements into the plans, as had been done in a nearby project.

The council deliberated on the impact of the construction on neighboring properties, particularly those on Prospect Street. A developer’s agreement would ensure no adverse effects on surrounding homes and businesses, including drainage and other potential disruptions during the construction phase. Concerns were also raised about fire truck accessibility, though it was noted that the buildings would be fully sprinklered and designed to RSIS standards.

Public comments reflected concerns about the project’s density and potential traffic issues. A resident inquired if the project plans would be available for public review, and the council confirmed their accessibility at Borough Hall. Another resident, Jim Schultz, expressed a desire for reduced density, stating, “I think 20 would have been plenty or maybe less.” Meanwhile, Gino Maria voiced skepticism toward the project’s promoter, citing past disappointments with previous developments and questioning the projected traffic impact given existing congestion.

The meeting also addressed concerns about a letter circulated on social media before the recent election, containing allegations against a candidate, Mr. Aster. A resident expressed dismay over the vague language used in the letter, which could lead to public misinterpretation. The resident asserted that Mr. Aster would have made an excellent councilman and defended the legality of postcards used in the election. This resident was troubled by the editing of the letter by two councilwomen.

Additionally, Pat Morice raised an issue about large tractor-trailer trucks navigating her neighborhood on Pennington Avenue, posing a danger to children. She suggested contacting Google Maps to correct inaccurate routing and proposed signage indicating weight limits or restrictions on truck traffic. Council members acknowledged her concerns, with one stating that it was the first time they had heard about the issue.