A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the police department’s budget and its future staffing requirements. The department faces potential shortages due to impending retirements, with 11 officers eligible to retire and some already having departed. The current staffing cap is set at 113 officers, but the Chief suggested that this limit might need reevaluation to meet the township’s expanding needs. An increase in calls for service, up by 15,000 compared to the previous year, has placed additional demands on the department.

The Chief reported a decrease in residential burglaries from 51 to 29, attributing this decline to the department’s proactive measures and increased community engagement. Despite these successes, the Chief expressed concerns about retaining talent, as many officers opt for early retirement due to personal reasons and evolving career expectations. To address staffing challenges, the department is collaborating with local schools and community colleges to establish a recruitment pipeline, avoiding traditional civil service exams that often yield a large pool of applicants.

The police department’s budget also includes a focus on reducing overtime costs, which have decreased from $14,000 last year to $6,000 this year. However, supervisor overtime remains high, prompting discussions about promotions to alleviate staffing pressures. The Chief emphasized the importance of maintaining manpower to ensure public safety and considered the potential establishment of police substations in high-growth areas, although expressing skepticism about their current necessity.

In addition to police staffing issues, the council reviewed the budget for public works, parks, and engineering departments. The transition within the public works department following the retirement of a long-serving member appeared to be managed effectively, with existing staff stepping up to fill leadership roles. The engineering budget highlighted the need for building maintenance and capital improvements, particularly for roadwork, with a request for $67 million aimed at infrastructure upgrades.

The parks and forestry department discussed the necessity of additional staffing for skilled positions in tree maintenance and safety. The budget also included provisions for upgrading aging infrastructure, such as Musco lighting systems and garage facilities. The roads department proposed capital expenditures for replacing trucks and equipment to enhance road maintenance capabilities, with an emphasis on safety improvements for pedestrians.

The meeting also addressed the challenges of maintaining the emergency communication system, which now incurs maintenance fees following the expiration of its initial warranty. The improved radio system has achieved nearly complete in-building coverage.

The town’s water and sewer departments presented their operational and budgetary challenges, including significant investments in infrastructure improvements and compliance with state regulations. The water department’s budget included $3.6 million for operating costs and $9.1 million for capital improvements, focusing on increasing water supply capacity and replacing aging water mains.

The sewer department highlighted difficulties in recruiting qualified personnel and managing aging infrastructure, including the need for equipment upgrades and compliance with EPA standards. A grant for a compensation project was mentioned, although delays in meeting review timelines have hindered access to these funds.

The council discussed potential revenue enhancement strategies for the Nola Utility, with ideas such as introducing outdoor pickleball courts and miniature golf facilities. The success of the utility is closely tied to weather conditions, which can affect revenue.