One point of discussion was an ordinance related to water reservation applications for development projects. The ordinance was introduced to prevent developers from holding water reservations without proceeding with their projects, which could potentially affect the borough’s water supply. This concern was underscored by information provided on the town’s surplus water capacity, which stands at 29,000 gallons per day but could be impacted during dry periods. The council members debated the implications of the ordinance and discussed whether it accounted for state-required extensions on permits, acknowledging that the borough’s legislation could not override state laws.

The meeting moved on to deliberate on another ordinance amendment concerning the municipal budget’s cost of living allowance and the establishment of a municipal cap bank. This discussion tied into the introduction of the budget resolution for the upcoming fiscal year, which included adjustments due to additional state aid and a grant aimed at enhancing safety and security measures.

The council also conducted a public hearing on the proposal to institute a municipal occupancy tax on hotels and transient accommodations. This tax is anticipated to generate financial benefits for the municipality, although the specifics of the potential revenue were not disclosed.

Further, the council reviewed changes to event permitting procedures in Flemington, a topic that generated considerable discussion. The ordinance amendments aimed to streamline the process for obtaining permits for public events, especially those requiring borough services or causing traffic disruptions. The revised procedures now require organizers to apply for permits with adequate lead time—90 days for events requiring borough services and 45 days for those that do not. The council debated the ordinance’s application to various types of events, from those held in public spaces to quasi-public ones, and emphasized the importance of clear communication to ensure consistency and minimize the impact on long-established events.

During the meeting, the council approved a resolution related to architectural services for the police station improvement project, including a contract amendment for a not-to-exceed amount and authorization to award the design work to a specific firm. The council also reappointed the current affordable housing agent and affirmed compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines regarding arrest and conviction records in employment decisions.

An aquatic biologist’s proposal for a bio blitz event in Tucker Moran Park was another topic of interest. This event, designed to catalog urban wildlife, would involve volunteers and potentially the Hunterdon Land Trust, with discussions about the feasibility of conducting parts of the event at night. Council members expressed enthusiasm for the citizen science activity and its potential to contribute to future nature talk series and park activities.

Another environmental initiative discussed was a birdwatching event that would allow participants to document wildlife over a 24-hour period, highlighting the council’s interest in environmental conservation and education.

The council also touched on the introduction of a new ordinance regarding cottage licenses for home-based businesses, debating the potential zoning impacts and the economic opportunities for small business owners, particularly for women.

The meeting concluded with a vote to enter an executive session to deliberate on matters of litigation and contracts before the motion to adjourn was passed.