The most significant topic of the meeting was the council’s deliberation over a resolution concerning fair share housing obligations in response to a class action lawsuit highlighted in a letter from the mayor of Montvale. The lawsuit challenges the new fair share housing mandates imposed on municipalities, which many perceive as unrealistic. The mayor of Montvale had expressed concerns regarding the new mandates, emphasizing the burden they place on smaller municipalities.

Addressing the council, the mayor explained that the obligation to provide affordable housing stems from a historical court case and is mandated by the state. These mandates require municipalities to demonstrate efforts to meet affordable housing goals. However, the current obligations were deemed excessive and burdensome. The mayor argued for a more equitable distribution of these obligations across municipalities to avoid overwhelming smaller towns. He stated that the costs of joining the class action lawsuit would be $10,000 immediately and an additional $10,000 in 2025.

Council members showed interest in ensuring that the fair share housing burden is manageable and reflects the capacities of the municipalities involved. They expressed a desire for a more realistic approach to assessing these obligations.

In addition to the housing discussion, the council addressed several community and public safety initiatives. Councilman Christopher Vancheri provided updates about a transportation committee meeting scheduled for the following Wednesday. He mentioned ongoing efforts to request a speed limit reduction on certain county roads and emphasized collaboration with the police department to finalize necessary paperwork. Vancheri also noted discussions regarding the installation of lighted crosswalks and speed signs in response to resident concerns about traffic safety.

Councilwoman Christine Hablitz reported on library activities, including an upcoming Halloween costume exchange and a poetry reading event. She highlighted the importance of National Library Card Month and encouraged residents to sign up for library cards. The library’s Farmers Market was also mentioned as a hub for community activity, supporting local initiatives like a new running club.

Council member Jayna Patel discussed enhancements to the health department’s website, including updates that facilitate access to health-related information and resources. She mentioned upcoming events, including a wellness presentation for parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities and free health screenings scheduled in Clifton.

The meeting also touched on initiatives related to Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A flag-raising ceremony is scheduled for October 1st in front of Town Hall at 6 p.m., and Town Hall will be illuminated in purple for the week in recognition of this cause. Acknowledgment was given to the committee members for their efforts in preparing ribbons and setting up the flag.

Additionally, a health event focused on arthritis is set to take place on September 27th at the Little Falls Civic Center, featuring Dr. Jack Zuckerman, who will present on natural healing techniques for arthritis sufferers. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP, and pizza will be provided following the presentation.

The Chief of Police reported on the upcoming Senior Citizen Police Academy, set to begin on the Wednesday following the meeting, with an initial registration of 21 residents, an increase from 18. This program will run for two hours every Wednesday until October 23rd. The Chief also noted that October is designated as Pedestrian Safety Month, during which the police department plans to conduct increased enforcement for pedestrian safety. This includes covert operations and warnings to the public regarding potential summonses.

During the public comment session, resident Thomas Barone expressed concerns regarding the existing ordinance that prohibits overnight parking in Little Falls. He noted that this prohibition had been suspended during Hurricane Sandy and has not been reinstated since, leading to difficulties for residents who own multiple vehicles but lack sufficient driveway space. Barone argued that allowing overnight parking could alleviate the danger posed by narrow streets congested with parked cars and potentially deter illegal multi-family housing situations.

In response to Barone’s comments, the Mayor acknowledged the complexities of the overnight parking issue. He remarked that many residents do not use their driveways, while others lack the capacity to park all their vehicles off the street due to the size of their driveways. The Mayor explained that many of the town’s homes were built over a century ago, when it was uncommon for a household to own more than one vehicle. The Mayor assured Barone that the council would consider his comments, stating, “We appreciate your comments, we’re going to take it under consideration again.”

Following the public comments, the council introduced several ordinances, including Ordinance 1501, which amends the chapter on administration of government, and Ordinance 1502, which amends street regulations. Both ordinances were scheduled for a second reading and public hearing on October 7, 2024. Other ordinances introduced included Ordinance 1503, authorizing a capital project for the Main Street streetscape, and Ordinance 1504, which seeks to vacate public rights in certain streets. Each of these ordinances passed the introduction phase through roll call votes.