A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a special presentation by the police department concerning traffic on Island Road. The presentation, led by Lieutenant Mike, highlighted the prevalent speeding problem, with speed detection data revealing that most drivers exceeded the 25 mph limit, recording speeds of 33.44 mph southbound and 35.04 mph northbound. The officers explained the 85th percentile concept, which measures typical driving patterns by excluding extreme outliers, emphasizing that many vehicles used Island Road as a shortcut, contributing to high traffic volumes.

Despite the issuance of 466 summonses since 2022, speeding remained a concern. A review of crash data from the past four years concluded that none of the 20 recorded accidents were due to speeding. Incidents involved factors such as impaired driving, distracted driving, and improper turns.

Potential solutions to reduce speeding were discussed. While previous attempts such as rumble strips proved ineffective, the council explored alternatives like speed bumps, though concerns were raised about their maintenance, especially during winter. The Department of Public Works opposed speed bumps due to potential damage to snow plows. Instead, the council considered other traffic calming measures that had shown promise in neighboring areas, like lane narrowing and enhanced pavement markings.

The council proposed extending fog lines and adding marked parking stalls along Island Road to narrow the road’s effective width, thereby encouraging lower speeds. A visual representation of these changes was presented. The placement of additional digital speed signs was also recommended to deter speeding effectively. However, it was noted that these signs, while useful for monitoring, could not be used for issuing citations due to state regulations.

The public safety committee endorsed these proposals, which were approved following a roll call vote. The council committed to working with the borough engineer to finalize the technical aspects and ensure the measures’ successful implementation.

Transitioning to other council business, three ordinances were discussed. Ordinance 08-2026, aimed at encouraging lead service line replacement, extended the application deadline for a $750 rebate to the end of 2026. Ordinance 09-2026 addressed midblock crosswalk modifications to comply with county regulations, specifically impacting Main Street near Veterans Park. Additionally, Ordinance 10-2026 clarified parking rules, prohibiting overnight parking on borough streets except on federal holidays.

Council members also approved a series of resolutions, including a request for a block party on Popular Street and provided updates on community events. Upcoming activities organized by the Friends of the Ramsey Library and the Parks and Recreation department were highlighted, including a spring used book and jewelry fair, a glow-in-the-dark egg hunt, and a touch-a-truck event.

In public safety updates, upcoming meetings and initiatives were discussed, such as a presentation by the Ramsey Police Department on fraud and scams, and the progress of the emergency services complex’s design. The council also reviewed the municipal budget timeline, with a public hearing scheduled for April 22.

Further updates included the approval of a resolution extending the waste management contract with Bergen County Utility Authorities and the introduction of ordinance 11-2026, which allocates funding for capital improvements. These projects include resurfacing sports courts at Finch Park and safety enhancements around Tisdale School, with significant grant funding expected to offset borough costs.