The council meeting’s most pressing topic was the adoption of Ordinance 23-47-24, which repeals and replaces Chapter 488 of the borough’s code concerning tree removal. The council opened the floor for public comment, but no residents spoke up. A motion to close the public hearing and adopt the ordinance was made, seconded, and carried unanimously.

The new ordinance permits property owners to remove one tree annually without facing penalties, although dead or diseased trees are exempt from this limit. Concerns were raised about the potential burden on code enforcement and the shade tree commission, tasked with overseeing the ordinance’s implementation. One council member highlighted the limited staffing of the code enforcement team, currently consisting of only two members, and emphasized the need for public education to ensure residents understand the new rules.

The council discussed various channels for communicating the ordinance to the public, including the borough’s website, newsletters, and public calendars. Despite these efforts, there were concerns that some residents might still miss the message. The council acknowledged the possibility of increased funding for enforcement in the future but noted the limitations of their current budget.

Clarifications were provided regarding the ordinance’s provisions for residents unable to plant replacement trees due to space constraints. If a resident can demonstrate a lack of space, they may plant the required trees in an alternative location within the borough. The discussion also touched on the role of the shade tree commission, which oversees tree matters but has not been assigned new responsibilities under the ordinance. Past incidents of improper tree removals were mentioned.

Shifting to administrative updates, Mayor John V. Lane announced the appointments of Cameron V. Bruffy and Adam Zandi as police officers, pending their completion of Police Academy training. Both appointments were motioned, seconded, and passed unanimously. Zandi, accompanied by his family, took the oath of office.

Mayor Lane also noted the mailing of tax bills, reminding residents to pay by September 18th to avoid penalties. He encouraged residents to subscribe to Nixle for notifications and highlighted the successful pool season, thanking Pool Manager Rob Berer and his assistant Maria. The mayor announced upcoming events, including the Hawthorne Soccer Association’s 2024 season kick-off, the annual 9/11 service featuring Assemblyman Christa Phillips as the keynote speaker, the Taste of Hawthorne event on October 8th, and the Citizens Police Academy beginning on September 10th.

Attorney Michael Pasqual reported on a counterclaim filed against Phil Spoil, who is seeking damages related to debris removal from his property, deemed a public nuisance. Pasqual also addressed a settlement with a firefighting foam manufacturer, resulting in the borough receiving approximately $180,000. He encouraged the council to continue pursuing smaller settlements related to ongoing litigation.

Engineer Joe Burn provided updates on ongoing projects, including the nearing completion of the galvanized water service line replacement and the approval for bidding on the Hawthorne downtown revitalization project. Burn mentioned the potential addition of addresses to the water line project without incurring extra costs.

Administrator Eric Mau discussed the upcoming disposal of solid waste contracts and the scheduling of a bond anticipation note sale. He also addressed a resolution to replace a brine storage tank at the Department of Public Works due to new regulations from the Department of Environmental Protection, emphasizing the need for compliance despite the financial burden.

Community concerns included issues with garbage trucks leaking sewage, with one council member expressing frustration over the lack of action despite raising the issue for two years. Another member addressed problems with goose waste management in public parks, calling for greater oversight and accountability for contracted services.

The council also discussed the use of orange poles marking no-parking zones, with one member questioning their effectiveness and appearance. The poles, not officially recognized as traffic control devices, often caused confusion about their enforceability. Alternative signage was suggested to clearly communicate parking restrictions.

Finally, concerns about the library’s roof leaks, storage of cars at a local mill, and signage related to the Board of Education were addressed. The meeting concluded with a motion to close the public portion and move to a closed session to discuss contract negotiations.