A major point of contention during the meeting revolved around the unexpected costs incurred by residents following sidewalk repairs. Diana Gallano, a Central Avenue resident, described damage to her driveway and debris left behind by contractors after sidewalk slabs were replaced. She highlighted the lack of communication from the borough, which left her driveway unusable for over a week. Another resident, Jolma Hernandez, expressed confusion over billing discrepancies, noting that the final charges were higher than initially quoted. Eddie Romero echoed these concerns, detailing how his driveway’s shape was altered, leading to increased costs. He provided visual documentation to emphasize the disparity between the initial estimate and the final bill, which soared from $1,600 to nearly $2,500.

The consistent theme of frustration and confusion among residents regarding the sidewalk repair assessments was apparent. Residents questioned the quality of the repairs and the contractors involved, expressing a desire for better communication regarding the nature and costs of the work. The council member present assured residents that the engineer would address their concerns, encouraging direct communication to resolve outstanding issues.

In addition to the sidewalk repair concerns, the council adopted several ordinances, including one amending stormwater management regulations. Ordinance 2349 D24, which repeals and replaces Chapter 540, was adopted without public opposition. Another ordinance, 23504, focused on housing standards and lead-based paint inspections, exempting homes built post-1978. The ordinance passed without public dissent, following clarification on inspection requirements.

The council also addressed amendments to police department employment regulations through Ordinance 2351-24, facilitating quicker payments to officers working off-duty. This ordinance aimed to streamline payment processes, particularly with public utilities. Ordinance 2352-24, concerning stop intersection regulations, was also adopted unanimously.

Amid these legislative updates, the mayor shared several administrative announcements and community updates. He highlighted the successful implementation of early voting in Hawthorne, noting an increase in voter turnout. The mayor commended local officials and departments for their efforts in facilitating the voting process. He also recognized the local ambulance corps for a successful fundraising event and congratulated several sports teams on their achievements.

In further updates, the mayor announced the initiation of leaf pickup, provided details on upcoming community events, and addressed concerns about speeding and dog barking in neighborhoods. The mayor’s attorney discussed upcoming changes in newspaper publication laws, with the Star Ledger ceasing print publication, potentially impacting public notices and ordinances.

The meeting also covered proposed changes to contractor job advertisement laws. A council member expressed intent to draft a resolution advocating for this legislative change.

Additionally, the council discussed zoning ordinance 23532-24, which allows gasoline service stations to combine with convenience stores in specific zones. This ordinance aims to modernize service stations while limiting their presence to high-traffic areas to prevent increased residential traffic.

The meeting concluded with discussions on a new bond ordinance funding improvements at Wag Field and the approval of a consent agenda covering various resolutions. These included clothing allowances for local volunteer services and a solid waste disposal contract. The session ended with a closed discussion on contract negotiations.