The meeting saw the discussion of potentially financial relief for residents concerning the school tax levy. The positive development in the tax situation can be attributed to the strategic use of Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) programs and a recent reevaluation in Morris Township, which led to an increase in their equalized property valuation. The decrease in the levy is seen as a welcome change, as historically, Morris Township has shouldered a larger portion of the levy, at times as high as 67%. The council member who provided this update stressed the importance of this shift and highlighted that contrary to potential concerns, this decrease was not due to a drop in property values.

In other council business, there was a mention of the adjournment of two applications—one regarding the installation of additional signage by Lial US LLC and another concerning a request for an extension to file a subdivision deed by Mars Marketplace. Both matters have been postponed to the April 1, 2024 meeting. This postponement also led to the announcement that there would be no council meeting on March 18th, as there are no other applications ready for that date.

Additionally, the council addressed the adoption of the 2024 bylaws for land use boards, essential for the operation of the board and in compliance with the municipal land use law. The bylaws were re-adopted without changes, as there were no alterations to policies or procedures warranting an update. Furthermore, a clarification was provided regarding board member participation in meetings remotely, emphasizing that while general business could be conducted remotely, participation in hearings on applications for development required in-person attendance to avoid due process concerns.

The meeting concluded with a brief discussion on the upcoming school budget approval process, inviting public attendance and participation. The council member’s update on the school budget was an unscheduled but discussion point, providing an overview of the budget process and emphasizing the importance of community involvement.