The meeting opened with a message from the mayor, who addressed growing community concerns about drones flying over the township. Emphasizing the seriousness of these incidents, the mayor stated that the police chief, township administrator, and he himself had contacted state, county, and federal authorities. Residents were urged to report any drone sightings through the FBI website. Expressing dissatisfaction with the governmental response, the mayor noted his intention to attend a governor’s briefing for further insights.

Another focal point of the meeting was the council’s discussion on awarding a contract for playground equipment, linked to a $67,000 grant received over the summer. The total cost of the equipment was projected at $74,000, necessitating additional contributions from the township. The selected vendor had previous experience with the township, having supplied equipment for other parks. However, a point of contention was the lack of public access to plans for the playground equipment, with one council member noting that such transparency could engage the community and potentially attract media attention. Ensuring ADA compliance and considering environmentally friendly materials were also discussed, with the council exploring consultations with the environmental commission.

The urgency of passing the playground resolution was underscored by the impending expiration of the vendor’s quote at the year’s end. While some council members advocated for swift action to prevent price increases, others urged thorough public vetting. The Department of Public Works (DPW) was noted to contribute in-kind work, such as mulching and repairs, to meet budgetary requirements.

The mayor took the opportunity to express gratitude to the township administrator, his team, and committee members for their efforts in maintaining a flat municipal tax levy compared to the previous year. Achievements such as new turf installation at Jump Pike Field, tennis court improvements, and collaboration with developers to meet affordable housing mandates were highlighted. Additionally, the addition of the Feny property to the open space inventory was mentioned.

Upcoming events were also announced, including a Winter Wonderland event and the grand opening of Cornerstone at Chatham affordable Family Apartments. The mayor expressed hope for increased transportation options between the new development and the train station, with a contract awarded to Boxcar and ongoing discussions to leverage shuttle services.

In committee reports, one member expressed disappointment over JCP&L’s lack of presentation on their Energize NJ plan despite recent rate increases. Advocacy for better communication with residents was urged. Additionally, concerns were raised about unutilized funds related to the opioid crisis, with a call to deploy these resources for community programming. Discussions on Colony Pool rates were suggested to be prioritized earlier, reflecting past feedback from the Colony Pool advisory committee.

The absence of recent environmental committee meetings was noted, alongside updates on library events, including a successful holiday book sale and new yoga and meditation classes. The deputy mayor recognized the Joint Recreation Advisory committee’s efforts in addressing a request from the Board of Education about including Harding students in Chatham Recreation programs.