The council heard public commentary from Alexander Mendoza, representing the nonprofit organization Heroino, which advocates for the Latino community. Mendoza emphasized the need for better communication with city officials, citing blocked emails as a barrier to effective dialogue. He requested the council read his submitted letter and unblock the mayor’s official email to ensure direct communication.

A central point of the meeting was the debate over tax abatements for a proposed residential project at the intersection of Route 9 and Brighton Avenue. This issue sparked differing opinions, with some council members advocating for the financial benefits such incentives could bring in the long run, while others criticized the move for shifting the tax burden onto existing property owners. The argument against the abatements was particularly vocal, as some members feared it would lead to a loss of city revenue and expressed a preference for developments that foster commercial growth and contribute more to the tax base. This debate underscored a broader concern about recent property tax increases and their impact on homeowners.

The council also discussed the 2025 municipal budget, which was initially introduced with a proposed tax increase of 22 cents. An amendment was suggested to reduce this to 6 cents, with discussions revealing that the increase was mainly due to contractual salary negotiations and necessary upgrades for police department technology, such as body cameras and vehicle software. The police department’s budget alone saw a notable increase of $148,000. Additional budgetary pressures included underfunded areas in the recreation department and unexpected expenses from a fire at a dual fuel site. To address these pressures, the reassignment of municipal tax liens had brought in $1.3 million in 2024, providing some relief for the current budget.

The ongoing development of vacant land near the recreation center by the Black River was another significant topic. Frustration was expressed over the lack of progress on this project, which has been under discussion for over 15 years. The council debated the merits of offering tax incentives to developers, with some advocating for businesses that would contribute higher taxes and foster commercial growth rather than residential projects. There was a strong call to prioritize commercial development to generate higher return investments for the city.

Further into the meeting, the council approved several resolutions, including the endorsement of the Urban Enterprise Zone fiscal year 2026 administrative budget and the approval of the Franklin Boulevard Pavement Project. These resolutions were passed unanimously.

Community engagement was highlighted with the opening of a new park, a successful event that drew significant attendance. The mayor thanked council members and staff for their efforts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the park’s condition to continue fostering community pride. Additionally, a new youth engagement program by the fire department was introduced, aimed at involving children and their parents in firefighting activities, which received positive feedback for its community-building potential.