The meeting’s most issue was the call for urgent safety improvements at the intersection of New Road and Woodland Avenue. Dante Holly, a resident and business owner, presented a petition nearing 500 signatures to the council, emphasizing the intersection’s hazardous conditions. He highlighted that since January, there had been 13 reported accidents, with five occurring in the first month of the year alone. Holly shared a notable personal account of a woman who suffered severe injuries after being t-boned at the intersection, stressing the real-life consequences of the situation.

Holly urged the council to support efforts to enhance safety measures, noting that he had already contacted the county but believed the city’s involvement would expedite the necessary changes. The discussion revealed that the intersection is classified as a state road. Despite this, council members agreed on the need for action, sharing their own experiences with the intersection’s dangers.

The council’s acknowledgment of the issue resonated with another resident’s comments during the meeting. This individual had long perceived the street’s safety as a problem, having gathered numerous accounts over the years. They expressed gratitude for the council’s support and highlighted the urgency of addressing the ongoing safety concerns. Another participant reflected on past efforts to implement traffic control measures, such as installing a streetlight, which had previously been unsuccessful. They expressed optimism that the current community-driven petition and council backing could lead to progress.

Beyond the safety concerns, the meeting addressed several procedural and development-related resolutions. Resolution 196 authorized a shared services agreement for the installation of digital message boards and electronic speed feedback signs, aimed at improving traffic safety. Resolutions 197 through 201 were related to electronic tax sales and penalties for delinquent taxes, all of which were unanimously approved. These resolutions were described as procedural, facilitating the recovery of overdue taxes and related charges.

Resolution 202 focused on applying for a grant to mitigate urban heat islands, which also received unanimous support. Notably, Resolution 203 endorsed a project under the urban enterprise zone assistance fund for a $57,000 demolition project at Main and Washington Avenue. Resolution 204 authorized a redevelopment agreement with a real estate development company for the expanded city area, signaling ongoing efforts to revitalize the community.

Another notable resolution, 205, approved the lease and installation of holiday decorations from Christmas Decor, New Jersey. This sparked a brief discussion about the motion and seconding process. Resolutions 206 and 207, concerning the renewal of software licenses for city management systems, were passed without incident. An add-on resolution addressed personnel changes, including a title change for a firefighter.

In the latter part of the meeting, a council member raised a question about the necessity of Resolution 201, which authorized special charges to property owners for work on neglected properties. The council clarified that, while an ordinance already allowed for such charges, the resolution provided explicit authority for the tax collector to charge property owners when they failed to address notified issues.

Mayor Judy M. Ward addressed the attendees, expressing condolences for recent tragedies affecting residents and encouraging community participation in upcoming events, such as the annual Veterans Day program. She mentioned an organization, Angels in Motion, collecting donations for a family displaced by a recent fire.