The proclamation of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month was a focal point of the meeting. Mayor Stacey Ewald acknowledged the critical nature of raising awareness about ovarian cancer, emphasizing its status as the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. The proclamation highlighted significant statistics, including the annual diagnosis of approximately 22,000 women. Residents were encouraged to educate themselves about the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for ovarian cancer. To support those affected by the disease, individuals were invited to wear teal ribbons. Ann McCormack from the Board of Health expressed gratitude for the township’s support in this initiative, pointing out the absence of a national educational campaign on ovarian cancer.

Following this, the council addressed a developing situation involving a send-receive agreement between the Chatham school district and Harding for high school students. The Harding district, which serves students through eighth grade, requested that Chatham’s Joint Recreation Committee assess the feasibility of including Harding’s K-8 students in Chatham’s recreational programs. The Mayor clarified that while the decision about the school district rested with the Board of Education, ongoing discussions about accommodating Harding students in sports programs would continue in the coming months.

A significant ordinance amendment was also discussed, aiming to prohibit construction on weekends and holidays, including Juneteenth as a recognized holiday. This proposed change would require further hearings if additional modifications were necessary. Another ordinance introduced was related to establishing an overlay zone on a portion of the Furber Farm, recently acquired by PSEG for a monopole installation project. This property would mostly be transferred to the Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge, with three acres designated for the Great Swamp Watershed Association’s headquarters. The overlay zone aims to provide a regulatory framework for the property’s future use.

The Fall Festival, scheduled for October 26 at Castle Park, was mentioned, coinciding with a day of service organized by the Environmental Commission. The Mayor thanked the committee for their work, noting that the festival would offer family-friendly activities following the environmental day.

The Utilities Committee reported a proposed rate reduction from PSEG, expected to save residents about 4% on their average monthly bills starting October 1. However, both JCP&L and New Jersey American Water announced rate increases, with electricity rising by 8-9% and water rates by 6-7%. These increases were attributed to the size of residential water meters, and residents were cautioned that their individual bills might vary.

A discussion arose regarding the inclusion of out-of-town children in Chatham’s recreation programs. It was noted that Chatham already accepted out-of-town residents in these programs, and there was a need for public clarity on this aspect. The current dynamics and policies of the recreation programs were discussed, highlighting the necessity for a clear understanding of these policies.

The Environmental Commission reported achieving a bronze level certification for Sustainable Jersey, recognizing their efforts in sustainability initiatives. The commission co-hosted a well-attended sustainability fair and announced a town-wide yard sale scheduled for October 19 and an educational program on mosquito management at the library on the same day. They continued to promote the Adopt-a-Drain program, encouraging resident participation in maintaining local waterways.

The council also discussed public safety concerns regarding e-bikes. Community concerns included the speed of e-bikes, helmet use, and safety on sidewalks and roads. The police department is engaging with students and e-bike riders to educate them about safe riding practices. Discussions also included potential registration requirements for high-speed e-bikes to enhance safety, especially at intersections. The fire department raised concerns about e-bikes and scooters in multifamily communities due to potential fire hazards from large batteries.

The consideration of a send-receive arrangement with Harding by the Board of Education was briefly mentioned, with a recommendation for interested parties to view the Board’s recent meeting video for more details. The Joint Recreation Advisory Committee recently evaluated the potential inclusion of Harding students in local programs, with a request for clubs to assess their capabilities. Current registration figures for Chatham’s recreational activities were shared, indicating over 5,100 registrants across 17 programs.

The public hearing for ordinance 2024-7, which aimed to incorporate the Juneteenth holiday, saw no attendees or submitted comments, and the ordinance was adopted as written. Another ordinance, 2024-8, related to parks and fields rules and regulations, also saw a public hearing with no attendees, although a late submission raised concerns about prohibiting golfing unless designated areas exist. The council discussed the safety implications and the need for designated areas for golf practice.