Environmental safety was a focal point during public participation. Residents expressed deep concerns over contaminated wells in the Konut Hill area, with Beth O’Brien from Hancock Street detailing the ongoing struggles her neighborhood faced. She revealed statistics, stating that 71 out of 74 wells tested were unsafe for consumption. O’Brien emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, which has persisted for eight months, and articulated the complexities involved in obtaining filtration systems and reimbursements for testing and bottled water. Her plea underscored the need for swift action to ensure residents’ access to safe drinking water.

Adding to the environmental discourse, Jeff Tiddle from Wilson Street highlighted the community’s anxiety over development threats, particularly on the hill and other sites. He criticized the town’s response to environmental challenges and questioned the suitability of planned developments given the associated risks such as flooding and increased traffic. Tiddle urged the council to explore alternative sites for development to avoid potential legal and environmental repercussions, warning that the town’s future was at stake if these issues were not addressed.

Roger Fergus, a licensed site remediation professional, also voiced concerns about Caval Park’s remediation efforts. He advocated for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to step in, citing a lack of qualified personnel from the current remediation firm. Fergus stressed the importance of safe public spaces and the need for competent oversight in remediation projects.

The council’s discussion on development plans extended to the proposal of a cannabis dispensary at Riverwalk, authorized under resolution number 70-2025. The planning board had already approved the application, and the city attorney reviewed it. Despite this, concerns lingered about potential traffic impacts on Wilson Street, prompting calls for ongoing collaboration between the police department and the dispensary to mitigate any issues. The council was satisfied with provisions preventing delivery trucks on Wilson Street, which was considered a positive step for local residents.

Further development discussions included resolution number 72-2025, supporting a collaborative initiative with Habitat for Humanity to construct six semi-detached houses at city-owned Pulham Farm. While the council recognized the necessity of affordable housing, they also acknowledged the community’s desire to avoid overdevelopment. The historical collaboration with Habitat for Humanity was seen as a promising avenue for providing affordable housing while respecting the site’s historical context.

Affordable housing mandates were another topic, with residents expressing frustration over the lack of implementation of a 20% affordable housing requirement in new constructions. In response, it was clarified that developments with five or more units must designate a portion as affordable housing, while those with fewer units contribute to the affordable housing trust fund. This fund, which has reportedly tripled in recent years, is intended to support affordable housing initiatives.

The meeting also addressed procedural matters such as the introduction of ordinances concerning city traffic regulations, salary and wage management, and affordable housing deed restrictions. Notably, ordinance 03-2025 allocated $140,000 for environmental investigation and remediation in Koala Park, funded through general improvement bonds. During public comments, queries arose about the engineering firm’s qualifications and the town’s strategy for recouping remediation costs.