The meeting began with a recognition of Caleb Morris for his heroic actions on July 19, 2024. Caleb intervened during a potentially dangerous encounter between a resident and an aggressive groundhog. The committee lauded Caleb’s bravery, with one member highlighting that many individuals today might have opted to film the incident for social media rather than take action. Caleb was praised as a role model for his peers and a valuable community member.

During the public comment section, a resident voiced concerns over Assembly Bill 3806, which proposes elevating motor vehicle theft to a second-degree offense. The speaker deemed the bill misguided, arguing it would not effectively tackle crime issues and drew parallels to punitive legislation from the 1980s that led to overcrowded prisons without resolving underlying problems. They emphasized a need to shift focus from punitive measures to addressing the root causes of crime, criticizing the Attorney General’s approach to bail reform as exacerbating current challenges.

The meeting also featured the appointment of Corporal Michael Yo as the new Office of Emergency Management director. Additionally, a change in Verizon’s public information channel from number 35 to 2135 was announced.

A member provided updates from the Municipal Alliance, detailing grants awarded for youth programs. These included “COPE,” which offers emotional support toolkits for elementary students, and “Grab and Go,” which provides craft kits for older students aimed at deterring substance abuse and promoting engagement in positive activities. The member also highlighted the recognition of Suicide Prevention Week and informed residents about upcoming QPR training sessions on October 17 and November 13 to educate the community on suicide prevention techniques.

Despite inclement weather, the recent townwide yard sale held on September 7 was deemed highly successful. Residents provided positive feedback, with one participant noting over 100 visitors even before the official start time of 9:00 a.m. The event was praised for aligning with environmental initiatives, such as recycling and donating unsold items. St. Marks and Atlantic Visiting Nurses are currently accepting donations related to the yard sale to minimize waste.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Embrace Dance Studios at Riverwalk marked another community development. Attended by council members, the studio is seen as a valuable addition for youth physical fitness. The council also discussed a recent board meeting on youth and technology, with an event scheduled for October 10 focused on finding solutions to technological challenges in the community. The mayor stressed the importance of parental engagement, urging parents to either attend the event or view it online.

The committee outlined several upcoming initiatives, including a business certification workshop on October 8, which requires pre-work for participants. The Bernards Chinese American Association will host a Mid-Autumn Festival on September 14, and the town is preparing for the Run With Me 5K on October 5, followed by both a sensory-friendly event and the Mayor’s Fall Festival. A townwide food drive is set to begin on October 27 in collaboration with the BRBA, with more details to be announced.

A tax presentation is scheduled for September 26, and the mayor reflected on the importance of the September 11 ceremony, emphasizing the need to remember the 17 residents lost and to honor first responders. Safety updates were mentioned, with a meeting planned with the Somerset Hills Public Safety Committee, and the mayor noted frequent resident inquiries about JCP&L.

The council revealed plans for a pilot middle school Ski and Board program for seventh and eighth graders. This initiative is being developed in response to the discontinuation of a longstanding ski club due to the pandemic. Information about the program will be shared soon, and volunteers are being sought to assist in its execution.

A public hearing for Ordinance 2564, which amends traffic speed limits on Somerville Road, saw no public comments and was unanimously approved. Similarly, Ordinance 2565 regarding no stopping or standing on Valley Road was discussed and successfully adopted without public input.