Nicole Brown from JMT, the design consultant for the bridge replacement project, provided a comprehensive presentation on the project’s scope. The plan involves a complete overhaul of both bridges and includes the intricate task of relocating aerial utilities and a gas line underground. The council’s discussion with Brown focused on the project’s traffic control plan and the impact on local traffic during the construction phases, which are expected to last about 3 to 4 months for each stage. The project’s total duration is projected to be approximately one year.

Following the bridge discussion, Paul Giblin, Chief Operating Officer of Waves of Green LLC, introduced the council to his company’s plans for a cannabis cultivation facility located on Block 994, Lot 39 Oakwood Boulevard. The facility’s design aligns with the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s requirements. Giblin’s presentation covered the company’s progress, including interaction with the Pinelands Commission and the acquisition of a certificate of filing. Council members raised questions about the expiration of the company’s license and how the facility would interact with the surrounding community, including a nearby church.

The discussion intensified when the council probed into the facility’s pest control measures. The speaker outlined the employment of beneficial insects and spatial segmentation to mitigate contamination risks. Moreover, the facility plans to implement positive pressure air systems, recirculated air with filters, and secure entry points to prevent the spread of contaminants. The conversation also covered the use of organic amendments for soil-grown cannabis to reduce runoff and the integration of power storage with battery units and solar energy for the filtration system.

Security for the facility was another concern, with suggestions to collaborate with the Police Department to develop a comprehensive security plan.

Another topic was the discussion around the landfill redevelopment project, aimed at converting the site into a solar facility. The council debated the proposed execution of an addendum to the landfill Redevelopment agreement, which included a Gantt chart of a 705-day duration with specific milestones. Concerns were voiced about the clarity of the resolution and the addendum, with members emphasizing the need for specific dates to ensure future stakeholders could easily follow the timeline. Although the resolution was passed, there remained concerns regarding the document’s ambiguity, and the responsibility for monitoring progress and addressing potential delays.

The council also addressed the construction timeline for the landfill project, clarifying whether the 705 days were working or calendar days, and discussed the possibility of extensions. They moved to attach the addendum to the resolution. Additionally, the council introduced an ordinance on the impoundment of shopping carts and penalties for abandonment.

Water levels in the town’s lake also came under scrutiny due to a spillway construction project, with council members expressing concerns about managing the powerhouse to regulate water levels effectively. The meeting included updates on the Underhill Park project and discussions on community events such as the Earth Day celebration and a road cleanup initiative.