09:56Public comments opened with sharp criticism from residents about the promotion process within the Pompton Lakes Police Department. Allegations of bullying and intimidation by Police Chief Derek Clark were brought forward, with accusations that promotions favored loyalty over merit. Residents Ron Kaki and Jacob Finel echoed these concerns, questioning the council’s adherence to ordinances that dictate merit-based promotions. Evangelist Staf added to the conversation by highlighting inconsistencies in disciplinary actions within the department, contrasting the suspension of one officer with the continued service of another facing serious allegations. He also pointed to intimidation within the fire department.

20:35A resident named Trevor shared a specific incident involving former Lieutenant Rodriguez allegedly running a stop sign in front of a middle school while accompanied by Chief Clark, who reportedly deemed the action legal. Trevor emphasized the need for strong leadership in the police force, stating, “We have a lot of good police officers in this town. A lot of really good guys, and they deserve good leadership.” He criticized a $20,000 expenditure by Superintendent Amarosa for a promotional video related to a referendum, which he claimed was improperly marketed to children and lacked public comments, expressing hope for a resolution to ongoing lawsuits affecting the borough.

34:43In response to these concerns, the council discussed the appointment of Captain Rodriguez as interim chief of police during Chief Clark’s upcoming leave. The interim arrangement would allow Rodriguez to maintain his rank while managing the department. The council clarified that the appointment was temporary and that future discussions on the chief position would involve testing and adherence to protocols. A council member expressed personal respect for Rodriguez, highlighting the need for continuity and leadership amid ongoing litigation involving the chief.

41:51Further addressing community concerns, the council rejected all bids for the Willow Field improvements project due to a material defect in the submissions, despite the lowest bid being within budget. This was the second rejection due to bid issues, prompting frustration over the project’s timeline and compliance with grant deadlines. The council assured ongoing communication with grant authorities and a plan to re-bid the project soon.

23:31Public discourse also shifted to infrastructure concerns, where residents like Ann Tinelli from Lambert Street expressed gratitude for council efforts in addressing long-awaited projects like guard rail replacement and problematic tree removal. However, issues such as flooding on a resident’s property were raised, with the council confirming that construction work to repair a problematic pipe would begin soon. The council reiterated their commitment to improving infrastructure, addressing property damage, and ensuring community safety.

19:21The meeting also tackled the condition of public displays, such as tangled American flags along Kolfax Avenue. A resident suggested a simple solution to improve the presentation of flags. The council acknowledged these concerns and agreed to coordinate with the Department of Public Works for resolution.

01:31:42In addition to these topics, the meeting addressed broader community engagement efforts. Captain Rodriguez offered to attend future council meetings to enhance transparency and communication with residents. The council also discussed the need for improved social media policies to maintain a consistent and positive public image. Concerns over video quality and technical issues related to broadcasting council meetings were raised, with a call for equipment upgrades to ensure better public access to meeting recordings.