A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the township’s affordable housing plan. Resident Michelle Armin expressed dissatisfaction with the process, questioning whether there had been adequate public presentation and transparency. Council members pointed out that a public hearing had been held at the planning board the previous week and that relevant documents were accessible on the township’s website. However, Armin’s concerns highlighted ongoing community interest in ensuring comprehensive public understanding of the housing plan’s implications.

Another major topic of discussion involved a change order for the police headquarters project, which amounted to a $413,000 adjustment. This change order included additional items such as security and camera installations, not originally planned in the project. Questions arose from residents about the initial planning process and whether competitive bidding had been conducted. It was clarified that while the original contract was competitively bid, the change order was negotiated with the existing contractor, resulting in a 7.2% increase in the overall contract. This discussion highlighted the importance of thorough initial planning and the need for transparency in how additional costs are managed and communicated to the public.

The council also addressed the township’s compliance with the local finance board regarding the 2024 annual audit. The audit was reported as relatively clean, with no material weaknesses or deficiencies, except for minor issues requiring resolution. A corrective action plan related to this audit was developed and would be made available to the public.

In addition to these primary topics, the council discussed ordinance 062025-014, which involved authorizing the conveyance of an access easement over a specific property. The property, identified as block 52, lot 2.05, was confirmed to be located on Buckaloo Avenue near the District 3 firehouse.

The council also introduced and adopted several ordinances aimed at improving local governance. Ordinance 062025-015 amended the township code to permit police enforcement of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Code Title 39 within specific areas of the Forest Gate Community Association. Ordinance 062025-016 authorized the acceptance of an easement for utility access to a water main.

Public comments touched on various subjects, including drainage problems on Schoolhouse Road and concerns about potential interactions with ICE. The council responded to these inquiries with a focus on providing clarity and ensuring transparency in the township’s operations and decisions.

During the meeting, council members also shared updates on upcoming community events, including Fourth of July festivities and the success of a recent Juneteenth celebration, which saw increased attendance.