A highlight of the meeting was the recognition of former council member Richard Delariper for his 11 years of service. Mayor John D’Amato praised Delariper for his extensive contributions to various local organizations, including the Bloomingdale Football Organization and the Swing Club at CL Wild Lake. Delariper’s involvement in the budget committee, public outreach committee, Board of Education, and the Municipal Drug Alliance was also noted. The Mayor presented Delariper with a plaque, expressing gratitude for his dedication to the community. Delariper, in his acceptance speech, emphasized the importance of volunteerism and the commitment of current and past council members to the community’s welfare. He credited his ex-wife and Mayor D’Amato for influencing his journey into public service.

Following this, the council honored local First Responders from the search and rescue team for their life-saving efforts during a missing person incident on Cedar Street. The Chief of Police detailed the situation, highlighting the team’s professionalism and dedication, which led to the successful rescue of a missing person from a wooded area at dusk. The Mayor presented certificates to individual team members, commending their commitment to the safety of Bloomingdale residents. The Chief of Police remarked, “If it wasn’t for your prompt response and your training and experience, unquestionably we would have lost a life that day.”

Infrastructure matters took center stage as the council discussed the upcoming purchase of a street sweeper. This item will be revisited in December, with the proposal posting period concluding on December 15, as required by state regulations. Additionally, the council addressed ongoing fires in nearby areas, urging residents to exercise caution against open burning. The fires in Greener Lake and West Milford were highlighted, with recognition given to the efforts of the county’s mutual aid teams and the collaboration with New York state to manage these fires. The council stressed the importance of vigilance, particularly when parking vehicles, to prevent potential ignition sources in the region, currently under a stage three restriction.

The council proceeded with various resolutions, including the second final reading and public hearing for ordinance number 18-220, amending Chapter 17 concerning water charges and fees. The ordinance aimed to correct fees for new water meter installations for new homeowners, clarifying that current water users would not be affected. The motion for adoption was passed following a brief discussion.

Another item was ordinance number 19-2020 regarding the vacated portion of Holster Court. The residents sought to expand their property by approximately ten feet, an area they had maintained for years. The council confirmed that granting this request would not impede access to the remaining borough-owned land. The motion for adoption was approved.

Additionally, the council addressed bond ordinance number 202024 for improvements to Bog Pond Park, involving financial appropriations and bond issuance to fund the project. The public hearing saw no comments, and the council swiftly moved to adopt the motion.

In new business, resolution number 2024 11.17 concerning the payment of bills was quickly passed. Resolution number 2024 11.18, awarding a grant for improvements on Katherine and Belly Roads, amounting to over $416,000, was also discussed. The improvements include curbing and paving, with the council emphasizing the necessity of passing this resolution to retain the grant funding. Confusion arose when a member abstained from voting, prompting a reiteration that failure to pass the resolution would result in losing the grant money.

Resolution number 2024 11.19 involved a maintenance agreement with a resident for a paper street, allowing the resident to maintain and park on the area. This agreement was presented as a continuation of past arrangements and was approved unanimously.

The council also addressed a settlement agreement related to litigation involving Bloomingdale and Agnoli Engineering LLC. The resolution confirmed a favorable outcome for the borough, allowing them to recoup $20,000 of previously invested funds.

In community updates, the council announced that the Teen Squad would hold a fundraiser at Wendy’s on December 11, and a craft fair was planned for March. The library board reported on various activities, including a successful painting sip fundraiser and upcoming winter crafts. The Senior Center provided updates on discounted lunch offerings and scheduled activities, including a special trip and various fitness programs.

Furthermore, the council discussed the upcoming Holiday Stroll on December 14, featuring activities such as a horse-drawn carriage ride, a DJ, an ugly sweater contest, and food vendors. While fire pits might not be present due to state restrictions, the event promises ample entertainment and community engagement.