23:53One notable issue at the meeting was the borough’s negotiations with the NJBA over affordable housing requirements. Old Tappan was initially assigned a target of 233 affordable and moderate housing units for development over the next decade. However, the council had proposed a lower number of 121 units, citing concerns over preserving the community’s character and avoiding overdevelopment. These negotiations have been part of a broader legal landscape, with 160 municipalities across New Jersey submitting alternative housing numbers, often leading to legal challenges from the NJBA.

The council discussed the ongoing negotiations, facilitated by a mediator and a special adjudicator, with the NJBA initially offering only a 4% reduction from the original target. The borough recently reached a tentative agreement to reduce the obligation to 212 units, a compromise seen as necessary to avoid costly litigation, given the low likelihood of success in court. The council emphasized the importance of this settlement, as judges often defer to the Department of Community Affairs’ figures, limiting the borough’s negotiating power.

There was debate about the motivations of the NJBA, with some council members questioning the association’s interests, suspecting they were more focused on maximizing unit construction rather than ensuring affordability or community sustainability.

15:57In parallel with the housing negotiations, the council addressed a proposal to mitigate noise disturbances in the community, which have been a recurring issue. The discussion centered around implementing noise decibel meters in police vehicles to address complaints proactively. The proposal involved purchasing three decibel meters, each costing $40 to $50, to be used by officers responding to noise complaints, especially during late-night disturbances.

The council debated the necessity of training and certifying officers to use these meters, with some expressing skepticism about the $500 training cost per officer. The plan is to have at least one certified officer on duty, who could then train others. The council considered amending the noise ordinance to establish clear acceptable decibel levels.

04:45Transitioning from these major issues, the council introduced several ordinances related to public improvements and equipment acquisitions. Ordinance 1275-25 proposed approximately $1.9 million for public improvements, while Ordinance 1276-25 focused on sanitary sewer enhancements with a budget of $197,000. Ordinance 1277-25 involved transferring $255,000 from the capital improvement fund for equipment acquisitions. Additionally, Ordinance 1278-25 aimed to exceed municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank. All ordinances were scheduled for further discussion at a subsequent meeting.

01:57The meeting also highlighted community engagement efforts, with a proclamation honoring Rabbi Menachim Schneerson for his educational contributions. April 9, 2025, was declared Education and Sharing Day in Old Tappan, urging the community to enhance educational opportunities for youth. The public comment period included expressions of gratitude for the council’s educational initiatives, with a rabbi emphasizing the importance of historical and educational outreach activities.