The council meeting, led by Mayor Stephen Dalina and attended by Council President Miriam Cohen, Vice President Terence Van Dzura, and Council members Michael A. Markel, Rupa Siegel, and Charles Dipierro, also saw the endorsement of assembly bill number 4536 and Senate Bill 304.

In response to the public’s plea for better staffing ratios at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, the council showed willingness to incorporate the language suggested by the public into the safe staffing bill 84536. The council concluded the meeting by drafting potential revisions to the resolution based on public feedback.

The meeting also covered several ordinances and resolutions related to local governance and community welfare. One such ordinance aimed to increase the number of lieutenants in the township’s police division from five to six, receiving unanimous approval from the council members. In addition, the council approved the payment of claims for the run date of November 30th, 2023, and the minutes of the previous meeting held on November 8th, 2023.

The council addressed various financial and legislative matters, including the management of healthcare increases, legal fees, and the lawsuit involving Republic Services and the township’s residents regarding the closed landfill. Councilman Dipierro raised concerns about street lighting outages, the use of state-approved cards for purchases, and the allocation of excess tax funds. These concerns were promptly addressed by the council president with clarifications in accordance with state statutes and audit procedures.

The meeting also served as a platform for community updates and public engagement. Council members highlighted recent community events, thanked nurses for their advocacy, recognized responses to local incidents, and discussed ongoing efforts to address issues such as street light problems and the energy aggregation program. The public comments section saw residents express gratitude for council efforts, raise concerns about public safety and services, and engage in discussions about community concerns.

Among the concerns raised by residents were issues related to public safety, specifically recent break-ins, and the quality of public services. Residents urged the council to increase surveillance and consider legislative action to address the involvement of juveniles in organized crime. They also expressed concerns about potential urban development’s impact on the environment and emphasized the importance of preserving trees and green spaces in the town.