The council addressed a recent power outage caused by a fallen tree on outdated electrical lines. The outage highlighted the necessity of upcoming upgrades to the electrical grid in the south end. The upgrades will include replacing poles and installing new wiring to prevent future outages caused by falling tree limbs. This work, coordinated with PSE&G, aims to eliminate the hazards posed by the old lashed cables. Additionally, the project may involve transformer replacements and tree work, which will be directly communicated to homeowners by PSE&G staff. The council expressed gratitude for the collaboration with PSE&G, particularly in developing an informative question and answer sheet for residents.

In another significant infrastructure development, the council awarded a contract to MSP Construction for replacing the Carteret water main. The project, valued at $873,000, is notably below the original estimate of $1.3 million. The replacement will upgrade the main size from 6 inches to 12 inches, thus improving water flow throughout the system. The project is scheduled for completion by September 2026, with funding arrangements already in place, including a 50% principal forgiveness grant.

The meeting also celebrated the achievements of the local boys’ soccer team, who won the Group One State Championship. The council acknowledged the team’s success and discussed plans for a formal recognition at a future meeting. One of the council members mentioned that their nephew scored a goal in the championship game, adding a personal touch to the commendations.

In the financial matters discussed, the council approved resolutions authorizing the payment of bills and addressing overpaid property taxes due to duplications by a mortgage company and a title agency. Additionally, an ordinance was introduced to establish titles and fix the maximum annual salaries for non-union and other borough employees for 2026.

Community events in Glen Ridge were also highlighted, including the upcoming Ashenfelter race and town tree lighting. These events are expected to draw community participation, with the race supporting the Glen Ridge Education Fund and the tree lighting event featuring performances and a visit from Santa.