During the public comment segment, residents expressed urgent concerns about the town’s finances, highlighting a substantial 11.6% tax increase for the current year. This increase was partly attributed to the expenditure of $6 million from the town’s surplus, which one resident likened to the town’s “bank account.” The remaining surplus was reported to be a mere $445,000, sparking fears about future financial stability. Residents questioned the council’s oversight of the administration’s budget management, accusing it of unnecessary spending and a lack of public discussion regarding these fiscal issues. One resident pointedly criticized the council, stating, “you allowed the administration to squander our money and never said a word.”

The fiscal debate was not the only issue on the agenda. The meeting also addressed redevelopment, specifically the Planning Board’s recent decision to designate the former Ethicon property as an area in need of redevelopment. This decision, reached after a lengthy and contentious meeting that extended past midnight, was approved by a 7 to 1 vote, with one abstention. The plan’s discussion was described as charged, with accusations that halting the proposal relied solely on the Planning Board’s vote.

Residents also raised concerns about the transparency of the redevelopment process and the timeline for a master plan that has been in discussion for years without updates. One resident criticized the council’s report on the Planning Board’s vote, noting omissions and expressing frustration about limited public speaking opportunities.

In addition, the council meeting covered issues relating to the educational sector. A resident praised the Bridgewater Board of Education for its achievements, including a 2.5% increase in the high school graduation rate. However, they criticized the mayor’s comments about the school superintendent on a podcast and questioned his endorsements of school board candidates linked to groups labeled as extremist by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The implications of these endorsements on the nonpartisan nature of the school board were questioned.

Community engagement was also highlighted with the upcoming Skate for the Paws event, aimed at raising funds for a local animal shelter. The event was promoted as an inclusive initiative providing opportunities for local youth and supporting displaced pets due to recent hurricanes. The discussion extended to the use of hockey courts for skateboarding, with the speaker advocating for a new skate park and collaboration without taxpayer burdens.

Amidst these discussions, the council moved forward with resolutions related to grants, contracts, and public projects. They approved revenue and appropriations for a Clean Communities grant and an opioid settlement grant, awarded a contract for document solutions to modernize the clerk’s office, and authorized contracts for sewer department dump trucks. A change order for the Camp Cromwell dam removal project decreased the contract price by 2.5%, and a resolution was passed to designate the Township Administrator for a project with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The council unanimously supported a resolution to reimburse building permit fees for a local firefighter. Additionally, a special shopping mall liquor license issuance was approved, following recent legislation.