The cancellation of $1,178,916 in unused funds from past appropriations sparked a discussion. Council members clarified that the funds were surplus from prior projects, such as street paving from 2010, and their cancellation was a procedural step to clean up the town’s financial records. Residents questioned whether the original projects had been completed and suggested tabling the ordinance until more information about the roads’ conditions could be gathered. The council emphasized that the funds could no longer be used, irrespective of the projects’ completion status. This action was described as an “accounting cleanup” to remove old, unused funds from the books. Another resident raised concerns about a similar cancellation of $398,900 in bond proceeds, seeking clarity on whether these funds were being transferred to a “slush fund” or involved borrowing processes. The council assured that these were surplus funds that had not been borrowed and were instead being moved to a capital surplus account, which required council approval for any future usage.

The dialogue highlighted complexities in municipal finance and the importance of transparency. A public commenter, Maryann Hennessy, questioned why the funds allocated for roads remained untouched for years. Another resident, Joy Freeman, recalled a consolidation of accounts in previous years that was supposed to simplify financial operations but questioned why older, dormant funds were still being discovered. The council explained that once bond ordinances are passed, the funds are designated for specific projects, and any remaining funds cannot be repurposed until the accounts are closed. The finance department undertook the task of reconciling these accounts, which involved consolidating these funds into a surplus account for potential future use, such as debt repayment or infrastructure improvements, once approved by the council.

Another major topic was safety concerns at the intersection of Inman Avenue and Old Raritan Road. A resident highlighted the danger posed by overgrown bushes obstructing drivers’ views, particularly when making left turns. Despite previous pruning, the bushes regrew, creating a persistent hazard. The council expressed willingness to investigate potential solutions, with the chief of police and the engineering department expected to review the situation. The resident also suggested revisiting the possibility of installing a traffic light at the intersection to improve safety.

In addition to financial and safety issues, the council discussed the cost of living adjustment ordinance for the business administrator, director of water and sewer, and director of public works. A member of the public questioned the justification for providing raises to high-salaried positions, such as the business administrator, while other employees receive raises through their contracts. The council responded that the adjustment was limited to the three specified positions, with other employees receiving adjustments through separate ordinances or contracts. The proposed increase for the three positions was 3%, aligning with the adjustments received by other township employees. The public expressed concerns about the frequency and transparency of these adjustments, especially given the current economic situation.

Further discussions centered around redevelopment projects, specifically a resolution designating a redeveloper for the area known as 1,000 Inman Avenue. A resident raised concerns about the lack of available documentation for the redevelopment agreement, stressing that the public was unable to review the draft until after the resolution was adopted.

Other discussions included the approval of Resolution 487, which pertains to a redevelopment plan authorizing Fairway Country Club LLC to perform development on the lot. Questions about opioid funding allocation, sidewalk maintenance, and playground equipment were also raised during the meeting. Residents expressed frustration over the condition of sidewalks and the lack of communication from the administration regarding maintenance, emphasizing the town’s responsibility to notify homeowners about sidewalk issues.

The meeting concluded with discussions on various resolutions, including the approval of opioid funding for temporary positions related to substance abuse programs and the necessity of hiring outside plumbing contractors. The council emphasized the importance of procedural actions and transparency while addressing resident concerns.