A focal point of the meeting was the presentation by a telecommunications consultant, who addressed the borough’s need for enhanced wireless coverage. The plan involves a hybrid approach of macro cells and small wireless facilities, proposing the installation of seven macro cells and 18 smaller facilities to improve the borough’s coverage.

The council discussed the modifications needed in local codes to align with federal regulations, notably the Telecom Act of 1996, which restricts local governments from prohibiting wireless infrastructure deployment. The aim is to encourage co-location on existing structures and prioritize concealed installations where necessary. Developers’ applications for new installations will be reviewed by the planning board, adhering to a structured timeline—150 days for macro cells and 30 days for small wireless facilities.

Another discussion revolved around a proposed PILOT agreement with a developer, set to last 30 years. This agreement allows the developer to pay a fixed percentage of gross revenues in lieu of traditional taxes, incentivizing the construction of new residential projects. Under the terms, the borough retains 95% of the PILOT payments, with 5% allocated to the county, providing a notable financial benefit for Haddonfield. The council highlighted the PILOT agreement as a strategic tool to offer developers financial predictability, with payments starting at 10% and gradually increasing to 13% over the term.

The meeting further addressed concerns about when the developer would start realizing profits from the project and the potential financial contributions to the school district as new residents begin to move in. The council emphasized the importance of managing these funds prudently, allocating them to one-time expenses to avoid budget strains.

Beyond the primary focus on telecommunications and the PILOT agreement, the council also discussed public safety communications. A proposed framework for more effective dissemination of urgent alerts and incident reporting was debated, emphasizing the need for clarity and consistency. The council acknowledged the importance of communicating significant safety events without overwhelming the public with trivial updates.

The council also tackled the organization and management of local events, discussing the financial burdens faced by organizers due to necessary safety improvements. A centralized resource for hosting events in Haddonfield was proposed, alongside a preliminary list of annual borough-managed events. This initiative aims to provide transparency regarding costs and facilitate community engagement.

Lastly, the meeting concluded with discussions about professional appointments and the establishment of a semiquincentennial committee in preparation for 2026 community celebrations. These topics, while less immediate, underscore the council’s ongoing efforts to foster community involvement and improve administrative processes.