The discussion on drone sightings emerged as a central topic during the council meeting. Residents have reported drones flying over Emerson, sparking concerns among some community members. One council member acknowledged these concerns, sharing that they had personally observed drones and did not find the concerns to be irrational. They emphasized that the federal government, including agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, had assessed the situation and found no threat or foreign interference associated with the drones. The council member advised against irresponsible actions such as shining lasers into the sky, which could pose a danger if drones were mistakenly identified as passenger airplanes. They underscored the importance of reporting unusual drone patterns to local authorities rather than engaging in potentially misleading social media discussions.

There was further dialogue about whether the borough needed a drone ordinance. It was clarified that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) holds jurisdiction over drone-related issues, making local regulation unnecessary and potentially improper. This clarification helped dispel any misconceptions about the council’s role in regulating drone activity.

Another matter on the agenda was the unanimous approval of a resolution to authorize an agreement with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for the Emerson stormwater project. This project, involving Jordan and Forest Avenue, received the necessary permissions from a local cemetery, provided that the work would not disturb any graves. The approval marks a critical step in addressing stormwater management issues within the borough.

The council also delved into public safety concerns on Forest Avenue, particularly regarding the installation of sidewalks. The police chief had raised safety concerns due to high traffic volume and speed, which were exacerbated by inadequate lighting and existing infrastructure limitations such as guide rails and utility poles. The absence of residential homes in certain areas contributed to these challenges. After a thorough discussion, the council reached a consensus to shelve the sidewalk proposal, opting instead to explore safer alternative paths for pedestrians, especially children.

In addition to these discussions, the council addressed the Bergen County open space grant of over $84,000 allocated for Rosengard Park. The council expressed the need to form a committee to determine how best to utilize these funds, with plans to establish this committee during the upcoming reorganization meeting. The possibility of applying for a local Recreation Improvement Grant for 2025 was also considered, with Long View Park identified as a potential beneficiary due to neighborhood changes and the presence of younger families.

Traffic safety was another key issue, with discussions on evaluating the speed limit on Kinder KAC Road. Westwood’s proposal to reduce their speed limit to 30 mph prompted considerations for Emerson to align their limit for consistency. Some council members expressed skepticism about lowering the speed limit without evidence of speeding issues or accidents, emphasizing the need for raw data to justify such a change.

The fate of a 1998 fire truck was also on the council’s agenda. With a new fire truck in service, the council weighed the options of auctioning the old vehicle through a platform like GovDeals or donating it to communities in North Carolina affected by a recent hurricane. The decision was deferred pending an evaluation of the fire truck’s value.

On a lighter note, Councilwoman Rice provided updates on various community initiatives, including the progress of the tennis court project and upcoming renovations on the baseball and softball fields. She also highlighted a recycling event for old holiday string lights, scheduled for December 21st at the Emerson Fire Department. The Department of Public Works was noted for its involvement in community activities, including the shredding day event and holiday preparations at Borough Hall.

The mayor shared information on community events such as the holiday decoration contest, a PBA toy drive, and the planned public menorah lighting with Congregation Benet Israel. Residents were encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through the Rave alert system, and the mayor provided updates on garbage and recycling schedules during the holiday weeks.