The Green Village Connector Trail, a project aiming to link the sidewalk on Southern Boulevard with the Morris Cary Park system, took center stage as residents voiced concerns over its development. The trail design includes an eight-foot-wide path with porous pavement and an elevated boardwalk, designed to comply with US Department of Forestry standards. Adjustments to the trail alignment were made to accommodate wetlands and flood hazard areas, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Morris County Conservation District. The project has secured all necessary permits and funding through a grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, covering 100% of construction costs. Soil borings to verify the boardwalk foundation are expected to take place in the summer, with the Federal Highway Administration’s category exclusion determination process currently underway.

Public comments focused on the trail’s impact on surrounding properties, with questions raised about the extent of clearing required and the involvement of the township’s traffic safety officer in assessing the project. Concerns were also raised about the potential for the trail to lead to a crosswalk without further development, emphasizing the need for a commitment from the county for its completion. Residents also inquired about the type of fencing to be installed and the possibility of a parking lot and communal bathroom, expressing worries about the disturbance to wildlife and loss of privacy.

In addition to the trail discussion, the council addressed topics related to the town’s financial and developmental future. There was debate over funding for various projects, including a sidewalk project that was determined ineligible for federal program funding, road repaving, and the need to allocate funds for intersection upgrades. The council considered submitting a grant application without county approval of construction plans, deliberating on the timing and necessary clarity from the county.

The council also reviewed the seven-year Outlook for the Capital Improvement Fund, which includes capital requests, debt payments, and additional affordable housing obligations, among other items. There was discussion on the potential for solar energy projects and the costs associated with the library. Concerns were raised about the allocation of funds for park maintenance, the open space fund, and the need for a projection of debt execution and its impact on the tax rate.

Another topic was the proposed changes to OPRA, focusing on shifting the responsibility of paying legal fees to the judge’s discretion. The council discussed the implications of this shift for transparency and accountability, ultimately approving an increase in various fees, including peddler license and solicitor permit fees, as well as a pool license fee increase to $200.

The council also touched upon the ongoing effort to establish guidelines for spending from the Parks and Rec trust fund, the need for a thorough assessment of the WPC and capacity, and considerations regarding vehicle purchases given the current state of the car market. An ordinance on the use of native vegetation for municipal properties and the need for a tree ordinance were also discussed, as was the importance of budgeting for tree planting and grant applications for reforestation projects.