A point of discussion was the council’s decision to authorize the purchase of a new electronic message board, a topic that had been revisited in several prior meetings. The council had been working with Casey Signs, though a representative was unable to attend the meeting due to extreme heat. Despite this setback, the council moved forward with plans for a site visit to determine the placement of the new sign. The budget for this project was set between $50,000 and $60,000, which had been allocated over previous years. A separate proposal to relocate an existing sign raised eyebrows among council members due to a proposed $20,000 charge, which many felt was excessive given the sign’s connectivity issues with both Wi-Fi and electricity. Ultimately, the council decided to proceed with acquiring the new message board, with delivery expected to take approximately eight weeks and installation aimed for September.

In parallel, the council approved a utility bills audit, to be conducted by Troy Banks. This audit is intended to identify any potential refunds from utility providers, building on the success of a similar audit in 2016 that recovered $7,500 for the borough. The council agreed to a compensation structure for the audit firm, allowing them to retain 22% of any funds recovered.

The council also confirmed an agreement with the Board of Education to refurbish the tennis courts at Emerson Junior Senior High School and to include pickleball lines, responding to the sport’s growing popularity. Plans include purchasing nets for public use, and the council proposed access fees: $25 for individual residents and $75 for non-residents, while high school students would play for free. The council is considering various methods to secure and monitor court access, possibly through staffing or a pass system. This initiative received considerable enthusiasm from council members, who credited a volunteer pickleball committee for their role in shaping the plans.

In addition to these initiatives, an ordinance to amend the borough code concerning park and recreation fees was introduced. A public hearing on this ordinance is scheduled for July 15, 2025, which will provide residents an opportunity to voice their opinions.

The meeting also highlighted several upcoming community events and initiatives. The council announced a summer concert series that will kick off on July 9, featuring performances from local bands such as The Rumies and Emerson resident Stephen Connelly. Concerts are set for Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at Borough Hall, with rain dates in place. Additionally, a new fire truck wet down event is planned for July 26 at the firehouse, which recently underwent exterior painting in preparation for the celebration.

Council members provided updates from various committees and departments. The Department of Public Works has been involved with the Shade Tree Commission, managing tree trimming and watering tasks. The environmental committee reported limited availability of community garden plots, while appreciation was expressed for the recreation commission’s role in organizing a successful summer kickoff event, which proceeded despite adverse weather conditions.

Other notable announcements included the opening of council chambers as a cooling station in response to a heat advisory, and the scheduling of a senior meeting on July 10 with activities for residents aged 55 and older. The Motor Vehicle Commission will visit the senior center on July 11 to provide Real ID services by appointment, with other services available without prior booking.

On the infrastructure front, the completion of street paving by PSEG as part of their gas modernization program was reported, with a second phase planned for the fall. The borough is also coordinating with grant writers and engineers for various road improvement projects, and the Emerson Senior Center ADA door improvement project is awaiting approval to proceed with bidding.

Finally, the council addressed budgetary matters, deciding not to issue estimated tax bills this year, opting instead to wait for Bergen County’s finalized tax rate. This decision aims to reduce postage and printing costs, though council members sought clarity on the timeline for receiving the county’s tax rate and its implications for residents.