A major focus of the council meeting was the ongoing concern over the town’s sewer capacity, which has been under strain due to increased monthly flows that frequently exceed the contractual limits. The proposed development, consisting of 43 additional housing units, prompted an intensive discussion about whether the town could accommodate such expansion without exacerbating existing sewer issues. It was noted that the project conformed to zoning regulations as the area was designated as a redevelopment zone, yet uncertainties lingered about its alignment with the council’s previous legal settlements and existing infrastructure capabilities.

Council members deliberated on the potential implementation of a “scarce resource order” to temporarily halt new sewer allocations until the current issues are resolved. This would affect not only the new development but also any residential requests for sewer connections, as the town’s infrastructure was deemed incapable of supporting additional demand. The council recognized the need for transparency and proposed sending letters to developers, including those responsible for the Shimer School and another unnamed project, to inform them of the sewer capacity challenges and the likely difficulties their applications might face.

The meeting also covered updates on legal matters, with the town attorney providing significant insights into ongoing litigation and recent resolutions. The attorney anticipated that groundbreaking for the project could occur later in the spring, potentially leading to financial benefits for the town, such as housing development fees.

The council received updates on another project involving Greek and National Realty nearing a settlement agreement for minor intersection adjustments. The New Jersey Department of Transportation reportedly supported the changes, with construction expected to progress within the year. Moreover, a major tax appeal concerning the old Master Walmart site was resolved, eliminating current exposures to tax appeals in State Court. However, the council was cautioned about the deadline for filing new appeals, which remains open until April 1.

Further discussions centered around infrastructure projects financed by grants, notably the Persing Avenue drainage project, which was under construction despite weather-related delays. The council also reviewed a local Freight Grant application, anticipated to yield substantial funding in 2026, and discussed park and recreation grants with expected awards in June or July.

A contentious topic involved a sewer connection request from Green Witch Shamy, with connection fees totaling $124,000 and additional downstream improvements estimated at $779,000 to address inflow and infiltration issues. The feasibility of proceeding with the project remained uncertain due to the financial requirements and the need for a municipal agreement with Greenwich. The council stressed the importance of transparent allocation discussions, especially in light of existing agreements that had not been thoroughly detailed in recent communications.

The project plans to utilize cooperative purchasing to avoid the bidding process.

Routine updates included a report from the Department of Public Works detailing maintenance activities, snow removal efforts, and various repairs. The council acknowledged the outgoing police chief, Scott Rob, for his service, and discussed traffic concerns on Pennsylvania Avenue, considering additional measures to mitigate speeding.