The most contentious topic centered around the potential elimination of the Chief of Police position, which sparked debate. A proposed ordinance aimed to update the police department’s organization chart by removing the Chief of Police role and clarifying the duties of the Public Safety Director and the Officer in Charge. This proposal met with substantial opposition from multiple speakers who argued for the necessity of maintaining a traditional police chief for effective law enforcement and community trust.

John Russo, President of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, argued against the proposed ordinance, emphasizing the importance of having a police chief for effective leadership. He underscored the value of the Chiefs Association’s mentoring program, which is provided free of charge, and warned that shifting to a civilian police director could lead to divisiveness and ineffective management.

Michael Koski, Chief of the Morris Plains Police Department, also voiced his concerns. He highlighted the need for established directives and objective assessments of current command staff. Koski referred to a report by a former Long Hill police chief that recommended maintaining the Chief of Police position, questioning the rationale for considering changes to the leadership structure.

Residents echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for a police chief to guide and support officers. Frank Liberato, a lifelong resident of Sterling, pointed out that the town had been without a chief for nearly two years and questioned the motivation behind the proposed changes. He implied that the absence of a chief could negatively impact department morale and hinder career progression for potential candidates.

The financial implications of the current police department management structure were also scrutinized. One speaker highlighted that employing both a civilian director and an assistant director costs the township $347,000 annually.

Despite the pushback, the council ultimately voted to pull the ordinance for further discussion, with a roll call vote showing unanimous support for this motion. This decision means that the position of Chief of Police will remain, at least temporarily, as the council continues to deliberate on the best path forward.

In addition to the police department discussions, updates were provided on local infrastructure improvements. Representatives from Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) presented plans for the Gillette circuit project, aimed at enhancing power reliability in Long Hill and surrounding areas. Bob Flynn from JCP&L detailed the New Jersey Reliability Improvement Program, which targets the lowest-performing circuits. The project involves replacing approximately 80 poles along a ten-mile stretch and transitioning from single-phase to three-phase power to provide a more stable energy supply.

JCP&L’s Jeff Panzarella elaborated on the specifics, noting that the project aims to reduce outages caused by external factors such as tree contact or accidents. Initial plans had estimated the removal of 144 trees, but this number was revised down to under ten due to project redesigns that allow for trimming instead of removal. The project, with a construction cost of $1.5 million and overall expenses estimated between $2.5 million and $3 million, includes the installation of smart devices to enhance system resiliency and reduce downtime for customers.

The council also discussed the delayed LED lighting project on Valley Road, originally proposed in 2019. A council member expressed frustration over the project’s stagnation, attributing the delay to the previous administration’s lack of follow-through. Efforts are underway to restart the project, focusing on replacing outdated street lights with more efficient LED lighting.

Further discussions included updates from the Long Hill Township Chamber of Commerce, led by President Gary Gakis. Gakis highlighted new businesses in town, such as the Black Bow Steakhouse, and emphasized the benefits of chamber membership for local businesses. He noted that while many businesses, like Starbucks, contribute to community events without being chamber members, there is a push to increase membership participation.

The meeting also covered various community projects and events. The Recreation Department announced plans for a Family Fun Day on August 24, featuring activities like contests and races. The department also reported on the success of pickleball play at Myersville ball field and upcoming events such as a rescheduled free concert and a dance event for students.

Public works updates included routine maintenance activities, traffic advisory discussions, and proposals for improving safety at specific intersections. The council considered the implementation of Park Mobile for parking management.