A resident from St. James Avenue expressed appreciation for the council’s attention to public safety issues regarding the proposed consumption lounge, praising council members for their concerns. The resident acknowledged the significant investments businesses would make in ventilation systems and licensing, questioning the practicality of retracting approval for such ventures. They urged the council to prioritize public safety over profit.

Another attendee echoed these sentiments, emphasizing concerns for children in the community and advocating for a examination of case studies from other regions before proceeding with the lounge. This resident called for further studies to ensure community welfare, supporting the council’s previous research but urging cautious progress.

Simultaneously, the council addressed a proposed ordinance regarding fees for properties undergoing reinspection. The ordinance suggested fees ranging from $500 to $3,000 for failing to conduct resale inspections at closing, a response to properties not adhering to existing regulations. The recent resignation of personnel involved in property handling added urgency to these discussions.

The engineer’s report provided updates on local projects, despite a temporary federal funding freeze. Somerset Contractors were addressing concrete panel issues at the community center, and future project phases were in preparation, including upgrades to Prior Street. An inquiry about the funding freeze impact was met with reassurance that efforts were underway to ensure continued project progress.

In other business, the council received congratulations from County officials for achieving sustainability certifications and announced a webinar for municipalities to earn points toward Sustain Jersey certifications. The Shade Tree Committee planned to meet at Borough Hall, and the Green Team reported progress on their maple tapping project, having processed over 40 gallons of sap so far.

The council administrator reported on court sessions and the status of the diversity committee, which faced challenges including meeting postponements and the need for more members. The committee was working on a new mission statement and had plans for events, though resource limitations affected some activities.

The police department reported involvement in 1,243 incidents in January, including nine arrests and resignations from Officer M and Detective Maron, who were pursuing new opportunities. The department faced hiring challenges, with only one strong applicant, Bradley Moore, commencing training.

Community events were also discussed, with a community night out scheduled for March 20th, receiving positive feedback. Financial reports revealed total bills for the month reaching $1 million, and concerns about budget discussion scheduling were addressed with a proposed meeting date. The council also approved banner applications for local schools to inform parents about registration for preschool and kindergarten programs.

A debate about the accessibility of tennis courts and their operating hours ensued, particularly concerning the safety of children present after school hours. Some members worried that restricting hours could interfere with school operations, especially during summer, while others stressed the necessity of keeping the facility open when children were likely to be nearby.

Concerns were raised about public awareness regarding agenda items, with frustration expressed over inadequate advertisement of ongoing discussions about the tennis courts and school banners. Despite this, the council moved forward with proposed ordinances, setting them for public hearing and adoption on March 10, supported by a series of motions and votes.