At the forefront of the meeting was the subject of the upcoming property revaluation in Elmwood Park. The revaluation process, which is legally mandated and set to begin in late July or August, involves the inspection of all 5,651 properties within the borough. This process is expected to take approximately one year to complete. The revaluation sparked a conversation about the financial strain it imposes on the borough, with a council member expressing frustration over unfunded mandates, “I just wish that when the feds or the state say mandatory something they pay for it for us, but that’s not the case.”

The council also moved forward with an emergency resolution ordinance authorizing payment for the revaluation, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of this expense. While the financial burden was a source of concern, the council recognized the necessity of compliance with the law and proceeded with the discussion of other ordinances addressing local issues.

One such ordinance introduced was to limit parking time on Elm Street, a measure aimed at addressing concerns raised by a local deli. Another ordinance proposed to establish a policy pertaining to the display of flags on borough property, limiting it to government flags only. Additionally, the council approved an ordinance authorizing a special emergency appropriation for a borough-wide reassessment program, further highlighting the council’s action on fiscal responsibilities.

Further discussions on ordinances included one on second reading to fix the salary, wage, and compensation of borough officers, employees, and servants for the year 2024, which was passed. Moreover, an ordinance was introduced to amend the borough code, particularly concerning licensing and business regulations. During the public comment period, a resident inquired about the number of licenses for cannabis and microbusinesses. This prompted a commitment from the council to provide the necessary clarification.

The council also tackled the consent agenda, which included resolutions such as the approval of payroll and bills list, and the appointment of recreation staff for the 2024 summer program. Updates were provided on the Board of Health, the Chamber of Commerce, and police department statistics. Upcoming community events such as the summer concert series, movie night, and camp out were announced, as well as the opening of the spray park and the availability of seasonal passes. The mayor reminisced about the establishment of the sprayground, underscoring its importance as a public cooling option.

A resident named Craig Sullivan voiced concerns about the street skate project, particularly the brightness of the lights and their effect on his quality of life. The council acknowledged the issue and mentioned they would explore options to mitigate the impact, possibly through different bulbs or reflectors. Another resident’s concerns about the removal of old lights on the boulevard and the issue of illegally parked cars were also addressed, with the council assuring actions would be taken.

Council President Sheron expressed her appreciation to the police department for hosting an educational police night event and reflected on community events like the high school senior awards and the Flag Day event at The Oaks. She also noted the lower-than-expected turnout for the summer fair, speculating that it may have been due to Father’s Day weekend and adverse weather conditions.