Leading the discussion, the council issued a resolution acknowledging April as Autism Awareness Month. The initiative aims to “raise awareness, improve early diagnosis, encourage support and compassion to those affected by autism, and build a more welcoming and inclusive community.”

The council also deliberated over a tight 2023 budget, facing an approximate $800,000 increase in expenses and contractual obligations. Despite the financial constraints, a balanced budget of $23,371,500 was successfully introduced, due in large part to the diligence of CFO Benjamin and the finance committee. Council member Gilbreath acknowledged the hurdles, stating, “In the budget that we are presenting this evening, that’s exactly what we did and I want to thank our CFO and our Benjamin and my finance committee members Jill and Mary for all the work that went into this year’s budget process.”

However, not all discussions were so unanimous. Concerns over potential redevelopment plans at the former Nabisco site in Fairlawn drew intense scrutiny. Raymond F. Miller, a Glen Rock resident, expressed worries about potential negative effects of a warehouse development, including noise, traffic, and air quality. “I would think some sort of analysis could be done to say how this is gonna affect Glen Rock’s everyday… Not only the 100 families that live in the direct vicinity but the town,” Miller said.

The council responded by emphasizing their ongoing attendance at planning board meetings and commitment to voicing Glen Rock residents’ concerns. They noted that the potential impact is unclear as the developers have not confirmed the nature of the tenant, with the process of detailed impacts evaluation yet to take place.

Richard Lazarov, another Glen Rock resident with significant experience in warehouse and distribution business, warned about the substantial negative impact if the facility were used for high-volume distribution, predicting up to 2,000 trailers could enter and leave daily, disrupting local traffic and life in general.

In the face of these apprehensions, council members assured they maintain a good rapport with Fairlawn’s council and will advocate on behalf of Glen Rock residents. They confirmed their intention to ask pertinent questions and ensure transparency despite the jurisdictional boundaries.

Among other topics, the council announced the closure of primary election candidate submissions, confirmed the progression of pool repairs, and passed various ordinances, including one to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limit and another for public improvements and acquisition of new equipment.

Finally, the council also recognized National Local Government Week, emphasizing the importance of citizen participation in local government activities. The council passed a resolution encouraging all citizens, local government officials, and employees to partake in local government week events, further establishing a sense of unity and civic engagement within the Glen Rock community.