The meeting began with a proclamation recognizing the 40th anniversary of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Essex County. This organization, founded in 1986, was the first CASA program in New Jersey and has been instrumental in advocating for children in foster care due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. A council member highlighted CASA’s impact, stating that their volunteers have provided essential stability and advocacy for thousands of children, emphasizing community involvement. The Executive Director of CASA, Mara Higin Bothotham, addressed the need for more volunteers to support approximately 600 children in foster care within Essex County. She noted that the organization currently serves about 65% of these children and introduced several volunteer advocates and board members present at the meeting. Bothotham reiterated CASA’s reliance on local residents to improve the lives of these children, encouraging more community members to volunteer.

Another topic was the ongoing work by New Jersey American Water and its implications for local roadways. The council discussed coordinating efforts with the township and the school district to minimize disruptions from construction projects. An inquiry was made regarding the repaving plans for streets affected by trenching. It was clarified that not all roads would be entirely repaved; instead, the township engineer would assess the extent of necessary restoration. The strategy aims for more comprehensive repaving rather than patchwork repairs. The timeline for negotiations with New Jersey American Water is expected to begin early next year, with paving scheduled from late spring to early fall of 2026. Specific mention was made of Parker Avenue, which would be paved to accommodate new bike lanes, while other roads would follow the typical paving schedule.

The council also addressed issues related to expired no parking signs on North and South Crescent streets. These signs, intended to expire on October 24th, were still displayed, causing confusion among residents. The council emphasized the importance of communication between residents and township officials in addressing such issues and encouraged residents to report any expired signage to ensure timely removal by the responsible utility.

Public health initiatives were another focus, with updates provided by a health officer on upcoming vaccination clinics and efforts to aid residents experiencing SNAP benefit suspensions. Collaborative efforts with the township, South Orange village, and the school district were highlighted. Resources shared included the Food and Health Equity Coalition of Essex County and information on food pantries. Additionally, a blood drive was announced, with slots filled but potential for more appointments if demand increased. The health officer also introduced the revival of the Gratitude Graffiti Project, a community initiative promoting positive mental health through expressions of gratitude.

In the realm of community events, the council announced upcoming activities, including a screening of the documentary “She Cried That Day” for Native American Heritage Month and a Maplewood Girls and Boys lacrosse event. A discussion hosted by the Community Coalition on Race titled “How All Students Benefit from Integrated Schools” and a Senior Friendsgiving event were also mentioned. Furthermore, an acrylic art show featuring seniors was set to open at the 1978 Art Gallery.

The recent election results were a point of discussion, particularly the election of Jane to the township committee, emphasizing the representation of immigrants in local government. The Deputy Mayor expressed confidence in Jane’s leadership and extended congratulations to new council members in South Orange and school board members from Maplewood. The election of Congresswoman Mikey Cheryl as the first Democratic woman governor of New Jersey was also highlighted.