A major focus of the meeting was the discussion surrounding the police department’s future. The council considered a resolution to place a public question on the general election ballot regarding the expenditure of $7 to $13 million for either renovating the existing police department building or constructing a new one. Two town hall meetings are planned to gather community input, with open-house tours of the police department scheduled to provide residents with firsthand insight into the building’s conditions.

In tandem with this, the council deliberated on the referendum’s wording, underscoring that the proposed location for any new construction is not fixed and may change based on community feedback and regulatory constraints. The referendum does not specify a location for the potential new building, offering flexibility should affordable housing or other issues arise. This approach aims to ensure transparency and adaptability in decision-making, allowing the council to address residents’ concerns effectively.

Another topic was the proposed change to the council meeting format, particularly the start time. The council is considering moving the start of regular meetings to 7:30 PM from the current 8:30 PM. This adjustment aims to encourage greater public attendance and participation, especially from those with work or family commitments. The council is exploring ways to streamline meetings by integrating discussions directly into the regular agenda, potentially enhancing the flow of meetings and allowing for more effective community engagement.

Debate ensued over the arrangement of agenda items, with differing opinions on the placement of public comment periods and executive sessions. A proposal was made to move the public comment section to follow the introduction of ordinances, providing residents an opportunity to ask questions directly related to new legislative matters. The council also discussed setting time limits for public comments, with a consensus on the need for flexibility to accommodate varying levels of public interest while maintaining orderly and efficient meetings.

Public safety was another critical area of focus, with the council emphasizing pedestrian awareness and traffic control measures, particularly as the school year commenced. The police department conducted enforcement details targeting drivers who failed to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, issuing numerous summonses to raise awareness of pedestrian safety. Discussions also highlighted plans to engage with the Department of Transportation to improve traffic safety measures, such as installing rapid flashing beacons at problematic intersections.

Community infrastructure and events also featured prominently in the meeting. Mayor Jason Karr mentioned updates on local infrastructure, including the installation of new pumps and lighting at the Community Park ball fields, as well as the New Jersey Transit’s decision to raise wires at certain bridges due to increased rail car sizes. The council also approved several resolutions, including one for architectural services related to a public pool and another for improvements to Styles Avenue, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance the borough’s facilities.

Furthermore, the planning board is set to review an application for a Rivian service center, which has sparked interest and discussion among residents. The board aims to streamline the application process for both residential and commercial applicants, addressing previous requests for additional information from board members.