A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to addressing the opioid crisis. The chair of the opioid task force, Minda Maggio, detailed the harrowing impact of the epidemic, which has claimed over half a million American lives between 1999 and 2020 due to opioid-involved overdoses. Maggio emphasized the rapid onset of addiction, stating, “You can become addicted to opioid pain medicine in five days,” highlighting the severity of the issue.

The council announced the installation of the first Narcan distribution box at the Hillsborough Township Municipal Building. This initiative aims to provide free Narcan to those in need, with plans to expand the program to additional public locations. The Narcan distribution box is seen as a important tool in reversing opioid overdoses and saving lives. Maggio advocated for widespread access to Narcan, underscoring its importance by saying, “Every house should have Narcan.”

The task force managing the opioid settlement funds, composed of members from various departments including the Municipal Alliance and the Youth Services Commission, outlined their strategy for utilizing the settlement money. This strategy includes prevention education in schools, community programs for adults, and support for the Hillsborough Police Department’s community policing events and DARE program.

The council also discussed the ongoing efforts to raise awareness about substance abuse and mental health issues, reduce stigma, and provide resources to the community. Upcoming events, such as the “Not an Easy Fix” program and Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, were highlighted as part of the community engagement efforts.

Another major topic of the meeting was the redevelopment of the former Sunny Me landfill. The council discussed a resolution authorizing the planning board to investigate if the property should be designated as an area in need of redevelopment. This property, previously a landfill undergoing remediation for over a decade, is now being considered for a solar project. The council acknowledged the challenges and sensitivities surrounding the site’s history and emphasized the importance of public awareness and involvement in the redevelopment plans.

A council member expressed concerns about the proposed uses for the property, given the recent residential developments nearby. The discussion clarified that the property was unsuitable for large structures due to its subbase conditions, making a solar field a more feasible option. The redevelopment plan aims to include an adjacent property acquired by Sunnyme Ventures, expanding the scope of the project.

Public comments during the meeting raised questions about the ownership of the landfill and the tax implications of the planned solar array. The council confirmed that the solar project would be added to the property tax rolls and that the redevelopment plan does not include long-term tax exemptions.

In addition to these discussions, the council addressed various community and infrastructure updates. Committee Woman Samantha Hand reported on her tour of local parks, encouraging residents to utilize these spaces and reminding them about pet vaccinations and licensing. The Parks and Recreation Department introduced “Water Watcher” badges to enhance safety around water bodies and announced collaborations with the Hillsborough Bird Club to install recycling tubes for fishing line.

The council also highlighted upcoming events such as National Night Out on September 10 and Fire Prevention Week in October. The importance of smoke alarms was emphasized, with the message, “Smoke alarms make them work for you,” focusing on the need for installation, testing, and maintenance of smoke alarms.

Roadwork updates were provided, with assurances that work on Route 206 and Falcon Road paving would be completed by early September. The council introduced a new pavement preservation program to extend the life of roads using advanced technology.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on infrastructure improvements, including the upgrade of the heating and air conditioning system in municipal buildings. The new system will allow for individual office control, replacing the outdated central control system. This change aims to improve comfort for employees and reduce utility costs.