The focal point of the meeting was the discussion over the digitization of JAYB archives, which exposed a rift between council members and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). A council member, whose identity remains uncertain, accused certain officials of not being transparent about the project’s exclusion from the budget. The CFO denied these allegations, clarifying that no department head had included the digitization project in their budget submissions. This sparked further debate and a proposal for an internal investigation by another council member, citing concerns over the integrity of the budgetary process and referencing previous incidents of alleged forgery.

The debate escalated as members discussed the transparency of the budget process, with conflicting accounts of whether the project had been discussed at a specific meeting. Accusations of dishonest behavior and a lack of transparency were central to the discussion, which became confrontational and personal at times. This revealed underlying issues of trust and communication within the council and emphasized the need for clear and accountable budgetary decisions.

Beyond the budget controversy, the council meeting also celebrated community contributions with the announcement of the Pillars of Middlesex awards. John and Sheila Ferman were the award’s first recipients, recognized for their extensive service to the borough and volunteer work in various community organizations. The council praised the Fermans for their dedication, highlighting the value of community involvement.

Public remarks further reinforced the importance of volunteerism in Middlesex, with a resident sharing their positive experiences of moving to the borough and engaging in volunteer activities. These comments underscored the sense of community and the positive impact that volunteering can have on individual residents and the borough as a whole.

Another major topic of discussion was the operational updates for the local pool. Mark CR from the swimming pool commission provided a detailed presentation on upcoming changes to the pool ordinance, preparations for the pool season, and the introduction of online membership purchases and credit card payments at the snack bar. The commission addressed issues relating to guests and parties, and despite a slight decrease in membership revenue, there was confidence in meeting the current year’s targets.

The council discussed several other items of interest, including the summer season plans at the pool, appointments to the Joint Land Board, and proclamations for Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Arbor Day. Updates were provided on the Resilient Communities Program application and the year-end audit report. The council also acknowledged successful community events like the volunteer fair and tree giveaway.

There were expressions of disappointment over the loss of grant funding for a bank stabilization project and discussions on plans for the Memorial Day Parade and Community Day. A council member voiced their dissatisfaction with being excluded from meetings related to the financial subcommittee, an issue they sought to address during the meeting.

Residents had the opportunity to express concerns, such as the delay in receiving an environmental study report for a church property and confusion over a legal bill. The council addressed these concerns along with other agenda items, including the approval of the municipal budget and the hiring of a substitute fire sub-inspector. A resolution regarding the installation of automated license plate recognition devices and video surveillance cameras was discussed, with a council member highlighting the benefits for law enforcement.

Other topics covered included the erosion of Heather Lane properties, the sale of surplus properties, police and fire department updates, and the progress of the Route 28 streetscape beautification project. The Department of Public Works reported on beautification projects and the development of a new tree farm.