The discussion on the newly established pickleball courts was a primary focus during the meeting. A public hearing on Ordinance 1706-25, which addressed amendments to the borough code regarding parks and recreation, allowed residents to voice their concerns. Resident Christine DeSantis inquired about the timeline for the availability of the pickleball courts. The council clarified that a nominal fee would be charged for residents to use the courts, and they were considering various mechanisms to manage court usage and prevent conflicts among players. DeSantis suggested implementing a reservation system similar to Team Reach to organize play, an idea the council acknowledged they were exploring.

Concerns were also raised about the courts’ accessibility after school hours, especially for community events and high school sports. DeSantis expressed that limited access during the school year could lead to resident frustration, noting that the inconvenience of unavailable courts might outweigh the $25 fee. The council explained that the courts were dual-lined for both tennis and pickleball, necessitating coordination with local schools for scheduling tournaments. Furthermore, questions about the payment process for court access were addressed, with the council stating that the fee structure would be defined in a borough ordinance, allowing residents to pay by check. Lighting at the courts was also discussed, with the council considering this suggestion for future planning with the Board of Education.

Ordinance 1706-25 was subsequently adopted, paving the way for the introduction of another capital ordinance, 1707-25, aimed at enhancing police department resources with new firearms and related equipment. This ordinance will be further deliberated in a public hearing on August 12, 2025.

Concerns raised by Mr. Obenour, owner of a local Valero station, prompted discussions about traffic light maintenance, which was confirmed to be the responsibility of Bergen County, as per a 2011 shared services agreement. The borough engineer reported plans to attend an upcoming commissioner meeting with Mr. Obenour to address these issues.

In other announcements, the fire department will host a wet down event on July 26th to celebrate a new truck, featuring entertainment and refreshments. The mayor highlighted the summer concert series sponsored by the wellness campaign, with performances scheduled throughout July and early August. Residents were also encouraged to utilize Meals on Wheels of North Jersey services, and property maintenance issues were addressed with a reminder for responsible pet ownership.

Various council members provided reports on community activities, including a new adult summer reading program at the library, updates from the Emerson Recreation Commission about upcoming events like a cornhole tournament, and the Fall Harvest Festival. The Shade Tree Commission’s next meeting was announced, inviting residents interested in tree planting to participate. The Department of Public Works reported successful management of recent rainstorms and upcoming community recycling events.