0:00A central focus of the meeting was the public hearing and subsequent approval of ordinance 204-12, which sought to amend the township’s anti-nepotism policy. The ordinance prevents relatives of elected officials from being appointed or employed in unclassified positions within the township. However, relatives of department heads and unclassified supervisory employees are permitted employment, provided they do not report directly to their relative, nor are they hired through processes involving their relative’s participation. While the floor was opened for public comments on this ordinance, no residents came forward, allowing the council to approve the ordinance unanimously.

Another prominent topic was the preliminary investigation into the redevelopment needs along Route 130 North. During the public comment segment related to this issue, a resident named “Gav” inquired about the specific areas included in the redevelopment assessment. The response clarified that the Mainline Shopping Center, inclusive of the gas station and old food market, would be considered for redevelopment. This redevelopment was also discussed in the context of affordable housing obligations due by January 31, as highlighted by resident Eric Heyman Meltzer. Meltzer advocated for the Mainline Shopping Center as a prospective site for affordable housing, drawing parallels with Morristown’s successful conversion of a mall into housing. He emphasized the importance of considering environmental impacts, particularly stormwater management, to mitigate flooding issues in residential areas.

14:22The council also received feedback regarding various community concerns. One resident, M, representing the Civic Club of Riverton East, voiced concerns over construction on Belleview, specifically addressing parking and accessibility challenges faced by local residents. M urged the council to engage with construction crews to ensure community consideration, as residents had been struggling to access their driveways due to poorly managed parking.

Another resident, Wendy Sanders, expressed her appreciation to a council member for addressing her concerns about the local community cat population. She was grateful for the confirmation that the trap-neuter-return (TNR) practices were compliant with township code, emphasizing the supportive framework provided for such initiatives.

Handicap accessibility at Wood Park during events was also discussed, with a resident named Mike proposing the designation of additional handicap parking spaces at the school memorial to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, Mike raised questions about maintenance and property issues on Unlanding Road, inquiring about the township’s role in cleanup and whether any liens would be applied against property owners, specifically mentioning Waste Management.

0:00The council meeting also touched upon routine matters such as the approval of the bill list for December 16, 2024, and the consent agenda, which included resolutions related to the Ravenswood Park tennis courts project and a shared services agreement with the county for snow removal. Resolution 2024-136 was particularly noted for authorizing a change order that reduced the contract amount for the tennis courts project, with confirmation from the township engineer that the project was substantially complete.