Led by Mayor McGuire, the meeting addressed pressing issues, including budgetary measures, public infrastructure projects, and civic acknowledgements. But it was the contentious Ordinance #1069-2023, relating to the introduction of cannabis establishments, that dominated discussions.

The ordinance, backed by Mayor McGuire and Councilmen Menafra and Mattessich, would allow businesses with Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 licenses under the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act to operate within Northvale’s Light Industrial (LI) Zone, subject to strict conditions and tax provisions. Councilman Hogan abstained, and Councilmen Argiro and Sokoloski were absent.

Although the proposed ordinance is expected to bring significant financial benefits to the borough, a small fraction of residents have voiced their apprehensions. Linda Laporta, a resident of Paris Square, among others, put forward a series of concerns, including the potential for reduced property values, an uptick in crime, and the unlikely scenario of illegal immigrants finding employment in the cannabis facility. These fears, especially the latter, seem to reflect a misunderstanding of the regulated nature of legal cannabis businesses, and appear to be somewhat detached from the reality of such operations. Councilman Mattessich addressed these concerns, underscoring the fact that the proposed facilities are intended solely for manufacturing, thereby minimizing any potential impact on traffic or adding to the retail landscape.

Mayor McGuire assured the public that measures were in place to address potential issues such as odor and security, emphasizing the significant revenues the ordinance could generate, which could be reinvested in the Borough Hall building, park upgrades, a community center, and other infrastructural needs. Nevertheless, Councilman Hogan pointed to the speed of the council’s actions as potentially problematic, advocating for a more measured approach.

The council also discussed several other significant issues during the meeting. Notably, it approved the submission of a grant application for improvements at Hogan Park. The borough plans to secure a matching grant of approximately $80,000 for baseball and softball field improvements, which include replacing fencing, backstops, and installing safety netting. The council unanimously endorsed this initiative.