The board’s discussion of the proposed changes to the town’s master plan and the corresponding ordinances commanded the most attention. Councilman Paul Murphy, along with other board members, voiced frustration over delays in receiving feedback from the Land Use Board and the perceived lack of communication. He emphasized the importance of professional planners in endorsing the changes, asserting that they were consistent with the town’s master plan.

Board Engineer, William Psiuk, provided a detailed explanation of the 12 recommendations made by the board. He addressed each recommendation individually, explaining the reasoning behind the proposed changes and how they align with the master plan and municipal land use law. These recommendations ranged from modifying the definition of bedrooms to striking transformer boxes from the list of prohibited items in the front yard of non-residential buildings.

The discussion about beach locker rental fees was another significant topic. The Board proposed an increase from $575 to $600 for new lockers and from $180 to $200 for renewals. This sparked a debate about the impact on the town’s budget, the fairness of the locker assignment process, and the potential preferential treatment for certain groups. Moreover, the lack of a cash payment option and additional fees associated with the online registration system raised concerns about the accessibility of lockers.

The conduct of Mayor Larry Fox also came under scrutiny. Some residents claimed that the mayor seemed disengaged during council meetings. Further, the borough attorney, Mark G. Kitrick, advised the council on a proposed ordinance to limit the mayor’s temporary appointment power. This led to a debate about the mayor’s authority to make temporary appointments, the need for council consent, and potential legal implications.

The meeting also tackled financial allocations, with public members expressing frustration over late payments made to Prime Point and Marin Bell public relations consultant. They questioned the allocation of hours to specific events and departments, and the approval of purchase orders and shipping charges. Some residents voiced support for the proposed changes, citing the need for more affordable housing options. Others raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of certain processes, highlighting the need for clear communication about the proposed changes.