The council meeting commenced with a focus on recognizing local athletes who competed in the Special Olympics New Jersey, held at the College of New Jersey. The mayor expressed pride in the athletes’ achievements and the commitment of the community in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. Approximately 2,000 athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers participated in the event. The mayor underscored the mission of Special Olympics New Jersey, which emphasizes year-round training and competition, promoting physical fitness, courage, joy, and community integration. During the awards presentation, Karen Lewiki, the Special Olympic County Coordinator for Middlesex and Union Counties, presented certificates to athletes in attendance. The mayor acknowledged some athletes who were absent due to other commitments before calling up those present, such as Shreus, Michaelair, Kareem, Scott, and Rohan, among others. The event recognized athletes in various track and field events, including the 50-meter and 400-meter races, as well as the 4 by 100 relay. The importance of community support was highlighted, with gratitude expressed towards the council, coaches, and parents.

Following the awards presentation, the meeting transitioned to the formal business agenda after initially lacking a quorum. The mayor acknowledged the passing of Officer Andrew Peturk, who served the community for two and a half years. In his honor, flags were ordered to be flown at half-mast, and a moment of silence was observed.

A major topic of discussion was the upcoming changes to the township’s recycling program. The council announced a transition from the traditional 20-gallon recycling bins to 95-gallon totes with lids and wheels. This change aims to address residents’ concerns about bin size and capacity. The new totes will be distributed in mid-July, with the new collection service starting on August 4th. Residents were advised not to use the new totes until that date and were offered suggestions for repurposing old bins. The recycling process will continue to be single-stream, meaning residents can place all recyclable materials into the new totes without sorting. The public works department reassured residents that the new totes would provide ample space for those previously using multiple bins.

The discussion also covered the limitations and improvements of the new recycling program. Each household will receive one recycling can, deemed sufficient based on prior analysis. Educational materials, including a recycling guide, are available on the township’s website. Proper disposal of non-recyclable items like pizza boxes, syringes, and “tanglers” such as Christmas lights was emphasized to prevent contamination and operational issues at recycling facilities. The council announced plans to expand the recycling center to include cardboard drop-off services, which had been removed in previous years. This expansion, supported by grant funding, will also include handling scrap metal and concrete internally.

Residents raised concerns about the transition, particularly the potential for confusion and misuse of the new totes. The council encouraged residents to report any issues with the rollout and emphasized communication with the recycling department for accurate information. Concerns about the adequacy of the new totes and the disposal of large cardboard items were addressed, with options provided for residents to cut larger items or utilize the recycling center.

In addition to the recycling program, the council approved several resolutions for the renewal of plenary retail consumption licenses for various establishments, each with conditions such as the use of digital surveillance and ID checks. The council also addressed the bill list, payroll, and discussions on ordinances concerning affordable housing and daycare program fees. The latter involved a $20 fee increase due to rising operational costs, which the council approved unanimously.

The council then moved to a public comment period, where no comments were made. Various council members expressed appreciation for recent community events and updates, including the grand opening of a new Italian market and preparations for the township’s 50th anniversary celebration. The council also discussed the upcoming Saltwater Day celebration, emphasizing the measures taken to ensure its continuation despite rumors of cancellation.