He emphasized the need for accurate and relevant information on the town’s website, noting that the current documentation seemed to be taken from Ridgefield Park and was irrelevant to Old Tappan.

Another resident, Anthony Patriarco, shared a similar struggle with tree removal. He recounted an incident where he was instructed to stop cutting down trees on his property after already removing three. Patriarco emphasized the financial burden of the associated fees for removing hazardous trees, which he claimed were unmanageable given the ordinance’s requirements for replacement trees. The council acknowledged the challenges posed by the new ordinance and highlighted the need for clearer communication about its provisions.

The council discussed potentially waiving certain conditions of the ordinance on a case-by-case basis until an arborist could be hired. The intent of the ordinance was to prevent indiscriminate tree cutting by developers and to comply with state regulations. However, the lack of effective communication with residents was a concern. The conversation highlighted the need for a clearer and more direct approach to tree removal applications and ensuring residents feel supported in maintaining their properties safely.

In addition to the tree removal concerns, the council addressed several other topics of community interest. The Wolf Road project was nearing completion, with only one round of funding pending from the Department of Transportation to address drainage issues near the golf course and finish the road up to Orangeburg Road. The borough road program was reported to be about 80% complete, with a few small areas left to finish depending on weather conditions.

Council members also shared updates on various community initiatives. The Veterans Banner program was introduced. The council opened the floor for public comments. A senior golfer requested a rollover of dues for the following year due to health issues preventing him from playing, and the council unanimously supported the motion to provide relief.

The police department reported on their ongoing community initiatives, including a bike safety program where officers distributed free ice cream coupons to children wearing helmets. The department was also in the process of hiring a new officer, pending a psychological exam, with hopes to finalize the appointment in September.

The council discussed the potential for a shared ambulance service involving multiple towns. A council member proposed engaging a larger company to provide emergency medical services across several municipalities. The chief of EMS contributed to the discussion. However, adding more towns to the agreement could complicate logistics and necessitate additional resources.

In light of these discussions, a motion was made to refrain from proceeding with the study proposed by Hillsdale regarding the shared ambulance service. The council acknowledged the need for further investigation and clarity before committing to such a partnership. The decision was framed as an opportunity to improve emergency services, yet the debates highlighted concerns about operational logistics and financial implications.

Other community activities and ongoing projects were also discussed, including the upcoming fall season for Recreation Soccer with over 250 children registered, and the conclusion of the summer basketball program, where four out of six Old Tappan teams won outright championships. The borough hosted its first family movie night on July 19, with future movie nights scheduled for August and September.

The meeting concluded with discussions on new business, addressing two ordinances: one to amend existing codes regarding departmental officers and another to update the filming ordinance. Both were introduced for first readings and scheduled for further consideration at a subsequent meeting. The council then opened the floor to public comments before adjourning the meeting.