Nancy Paulus, a resident from Franklin Road, was among the first to address the council about the escalating issue of stray cats in her neighborhood. She reported a noticeable increase in stray cats, many of which appeared unvaccinated and infested with fleas and ticks. Paulus expressed her frustration with the current state of local animal control services, explaining, “When you call county animal control, they’re saying we don’t do that.” She further lamented the ineffectiveness of the existing pet ordinance, citing her inability to find any strays with the required collars and describing the regulation as “clearly unenforceable.” Her personal health concerns prevented her from capturing the cats herself, leading her to seek the council’s intervention.

Lamont Wilkinson, another resident, shared similar frustrations regarding stray cats at his home on Harding Avenue. He noted the presence of “fat cats” that posed a threat to his small dog, linking the issue to nearby student rentals. Wilkinson’s concerns extended to the stagnant water in a creek running between Washington and Lincoln, which he said was clogged and causing an uptick in mosquitoes and other wildlife. This situation, according to Wilkinson, disrupted his ability to enjoy outdoor activities such as barbecues due to the overwhelming mosquito population. He urged the council to address the drainage issues, stating, “the water’s just sitting,” and mentioned the emergence of snakes as a new concern.

In response to these issues, a council member assured Wilkinson that they would investigate the creek’s drainage problems. Wilkinson also proposed transforming a vacant parcel of land at the end of Washington Avenue, previously a school playground, into a community park. He noted the growing number of children in the area and the inconvenience of having to drive his grandchildren to distant parks. The council acknowledged the suggestion and promised to consider the feasibility of converting the land into a park, although no specific plans were currently in place.

Following the public portion of the meeting, discussions turned to the engineer’s report. Updates were provided on several development projects, including Camelot Phase Three and East High Street Estates, which were nearing completion with water and sewer cleanup efforts. The engineer also mentioned that the borough was following up on debris left by a contractor on Paddock Drive. Additionally, there was a site walkthrough planned for LTS cannabis, with most landscaping already completed.

The meeting also saw the approval of two resolutions within a consent agenda. The council unanimously passed a shared service agreement with the county authority for an upcoming craft beer festival and a redevelopment agreement with RLS Real Estate of Glassboro.

In committee reports, various council members highlighted ongoing projects and community events. Council President Anna Miller discussed ongoing work on Filbert Street and plans to pave the entrance to the water and sewer area on Deli Drive. Councilman Timothy D. Brown expressed gratitude for the success of a recent car show and encouraged participation in the forthcoming Italian festival. Councilman Andrew Halter noted challenges in the water and sewer department due to supply delays and reported on progress with the South Academy Street project. Councilwoman Deanna L. Garlic mentioned a scheduled park and recreation committee meeting and shared her enjoyment of the car show and food truck festival. Councilwoman Daniele Spence praised the car show and highlighted the upcoming Italian festival, particularly the statue procession from St. Anony’s to the town square.