05:26A primary focus of the meeting was the presentation by the Long Hill School Board, led by Superintendent George Alexis. He outlined the collaborative nature of the budget process, which involves teachers, staff, and board members. The budget aligns with the district’s strategic plan, prioritizing student learning, professional development, and school facilities. Notable investments include enhancements to the STEAM program and a new math curriculum. Additionally, the introduction of a multi-tiered support system aims to provide individualized learning, with the expansion of preschool classes and additional staff planned.

11:02Business Administrator Robin Bulmer provided a comprehensive breakdown of the proposed operating expenses for the 2025-2026 school year. She detailed a $22,410,000 operating budget, with additional funds from grants and debt service bringing the total to $23,153,525. Salaries account for nearly half of the budget, with local tax levies constituting 86.8% of revenue. A projected 3% decrease in state aid, driven by reductions in transportation and special education funding, was highlighted as a concern. Federal grants, particularly for special education and lunch programs, were acknowledged, but skepticism about their reliability was expressed.

20:42A point of discussion was the financial strain of out-of-district placements and charter school tuition fees. The council examined the impact of these expenses on the district, noting the challenge posed by the loss of students to charter schools. The budget aims to balance financial sustainability with student success initiatives, such as the new K-8 math program and facility upgrades funded by capital reserves.

25:51In addition to school budget matters, the council addressed several ordinances. Ordinance 570-25, concerning the municipal budget appropriation limit, was introduced to establish a cap bank, allowing the municipality to potentially exceed the usual 2.5% appropriation cap in the future. The ordinance received unanimous support. Another ordinance, 561-2, related to police promotion procedures, was discussed but not adopted due to planned amendments. This ordinance proposes changes to promotional procedures for police ranks, including a shift from written to oral examinations for some positions.

31:03The council also considered an ordinance repeal related to police chief promotions, aligning with changes in promotional processes. The public was invited to comment on this repeal, but no comments were received.

01:00:33Public concerns were raised about parking space management at local train stations, particularly in light of new residents from surrounding areas. The transit authority’s ownership of the lots prevents preferential treatment for Long Hill residents. Discussions about renewing parking tags earlier to accommodate reliance on public transportation were initiated.

01:11:13Traffic safety near schools, especially on Chestnut Street, was a prominent issue. Residents expressed concerns about speeding and the lack of proper school zone designation. Suggestions for formal designation and enhanced traffic enforcement were discussed, emphasizing the need for appropriate consequences for speeding in school zones.

55:48Affordable housing was another topic of public concern, with a resident questioning the timeline for adopting a housing element and fair share plan. The council acknowledged the tight timeline and assured that the plan would be shared with the public soon.