The council was particularly impressed by a presentation from seventh grader Reagan Zelahowski, a Girl Scout cadet, who proposed the construction of a life jacket rack at the borough pool as part of her silver award project. Reagan’s proposal aims to improve water safety by securing life jackets through community donations and collaborating with the recreation director to select appropriate equipment. She also plans to conduct water safety workshops for children attending the local day camp. The council members expressed strong support for the initiative, with one member suggesting the creation of a website to facilitate donations. The council reached a consensus to include a resolution for the project in the next meeting’s agenda.

Energy was another key topic, as the council introduced ordinance 24158, which proposed amendments to the electrical service rates within the borough. A member voiced concerns about a demand fee included in the ordinance, arguing that it could adversely affect small businesses and contribute to the already high vacancy rates of local storefronts. The council acknowledged the need for further discussion on this issue in future meetings.

The potential implementation of a lithium-based energy storage system was met with apprehension due to safety concerns following a fire incident at Moss Landing in California. The council discussed the risks of overheating, non-compliant charging equipment, and extreme temperatures, emphasizing the importance of careful observation and maintenance. A phenomenon known as “thermal runaway” was also highlighted, which could lead to fire or explosion if lithium-ion batteries are overcharged. The council was assured that no upgrades to the power station were necessary to accommodate the new system, and that an internal suppression mechanism and a fire-rated wall would mitigate risks. However, the council emphasized the need for thorough research and requested additional safety training for local emergency services to prepare them for unique challenges posed by the battery systems.

In a separate discussion, the council addressed the introduction of the fiscal year 2025 budget through resolution 2025-140. The budget was presented without debate, and the council moved to approve it, expressing gratitude to the borough administrator and chief financial officer for their diligent efforts in preparing the budget on time. This fiscal planning underscores the council’s prioritization of financial stability and operational efficiency.

During the meeting, public comments highlighted several community concerns. Resident Steve Gargas expressed interest in joining the Schwindabid Committee and advocated for a beautification project at the Parton Avenue tennis courts. He also raised issues regarding flooding at Mil Pond, urging the council to revisit a five-year-old remediation plan developed with Spotswood and the county. Gargas emphasized the need for collaboration with county officials and potentially engaging an engineer to address the persistent flooding problem.

Courtney Williams, a representative of the human relations committee, addressed the council with a statement recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and March 25 as the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. She called for educational initiatives to promote inclusion and equity for individuals with developmental disabilities and recommended resources to further understanding of these issues.

The session concluded with a discussion on the organization and retention of municipal records, where concerns were raised about the labeling and management of document storage. The council affirmed that the destruction of records requires state approval, following the retention schedule established by the state division of treasury.