Starting with the topic that generated attention, the council deliberated on potential cannabis regulations within the borough. Updates from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission were acknowledged, yet formal discussions had not yet commenced. A concern was raised about the challenge of measuring impairment and its possible repercussions on public safety. This matter is particularly sensitive due to the shifting legal landscape surrounding cannabis and the implications it has for local law enforcement and community standards.

Concurrently, a resident commended the community’s tennis program during the public comment section, emphasizing its beneficial impact on the youth amidst the pandemic. The speaker underlined that the program was community-supported and not a profit-driven endeavor. However, the discussion revealed tensions over the exclusive use of the tennis facility. Residents had lodged complaints, prompting the council to consider negotiations and potential discussions of fees. A council member expressed concerns about misrepresentation of their prior meeting’s intent regarding the tennis program. The council strove to find a balance between maintaining affordable access to the program and addressing the need for negotiations on the facility’s use and potential fees.

The council also engaged in a conversation about the tennis program’s cost and approval processes. They debated the program’s operational duration and participant numbers over three seasons and compared the costs with those of other communities for exclusive facility use. Although concerns about the program’s sustainability surfaced, it was clarified there was no intention to eliminate the program. The council was in the process of reviewing information from other communities and considering the details for the program’s scheduling and approval process.

Further into the meeting, the council conducted a public hearing on ordinance 242 chapter 6B, concerning privately owned salt storage. With no public comments presented, the council moved forward with the adoption of the ordinance. A first and second motion were made, followed by a roll call vote that resulted in the approval of the ordinance’s adoption.

New business discussed included the approval of the use of facilities for various programs and events. The council gave the green light for the use of facilities for an M Truck, an Artis Farmers Market, the Village Walk run, and St. Peter School Field Day. Additionally, the approval of the tennis program’s use of the sports facilities at the community center was discussed, with the suggestion to negotiate a reasonable fee for the use of the facilities.

The consent agenda was also addressed, approving resolutions for the transfer of a vehicle from the Police Department to the Fire Department, a road project contract, and preservation efforts. The consent agenda was confirmed without objections.

Tree removal and replacement policies were another focal point, particularly concerning private trees. Proposed changes included a mandate for replacing any tree removed with a diameter of 2.5 inches or greater. The council discussed the approval process for tree removal and the possibility of donating to the tree fund as an alternative to actual replacement. There was an aim to introduce these changes for approval by May 1st, aligning with the MS4 requirements.

The meeting concluded with a motion to pay the bills, encapsulated in resolution 2437, which passed without further discussion.