The redevelopment plan was a point of contention during the meeting, with members debating the extent of the council’s control over approving projects. Concerns were raised about the effectiveness of the redevelopment agency and its alignment with the council’s decisions. Members sought clarification on the specific steps involved in designating an area as in need of redevelopment, including the planning board’s study and public hearings.

Moving to technological advancements, the council announced the launch of a new and improved Pompton Lakes website, aimed at enhancing the user experience and accessibility of information. The potential implementation of a mobile parking app called Park Mobile was introduced, with the intention of allowing residents to pay for parking through their phones, providing convenience and better accountability for revenue collection.

The council also discussed the proposal of auctioning retired street signs as a fundraising initiative, planning to engage a municipal auction company for the process. Additionally, the difficulty in locating the town calendar on the current website was addressed, prompting suggestions to make it more prominent on the homepage.

Furthermore, the meeting included considerations about the town’s email archiving and cell phone use policies. A member raised the issue of immediate email archiving upon delivery for security purposes and discussed the retention periods and the potential need for consent for automatic deletion. The use of personal cell phones for official business was debated, with a preference expressed for separate town cell phone numbers for business use. This led to a broader debate about whether council members should be issued separate phones for town business, revealing differing opinions on the matter.

The council also tackled a range of community and infrastructure concerns. They approved resolution 24-244, securing a $60,000 Recreation Improvement Grant for Willow Field improvements, and discussed the awarding of a contract for the removal and disposal of deer carcasses. The debate considered whether the Department of Public Works could undertake this task or if investing in a freezer for in-house disposal was feasible.

Public comments brought attention to local issues, including a resident’s concern about ongoing garbage collection problems, a tree down along the river, and damage to a vehicle during recycling. The council acknowledged the issues and expressed a willingness to find solutions. Additionally, a local resident commended the Shade Tree Commission for their work, while criticism was directed toward a council member for previous comments.

Other discussions at the meeting covered a variety of reports and initiatives. The council discussed the progress of a road being built between Riverdale and Wanaque, intended to divert truck traffic from Pompton Lakes, and held a follow-up meeting on the Do Highway bridge. The implementation of parking meters in the pond hole area was considered, along with the progress of the Press Box at Carlo Field.

Moreover, the meeting highlighted community involvement and recognition of local achievements. The council noted the success of the high school baseball team and discussed the approval of a new science program for the high school, funded by a grant. The council also acknowledged the dedication of the police force and the process of conducting interviews for promotions within the department.

The council made several appointments and heard reports on various events, such as the Memorial Day service and parade, the New Jersey planning and Redevelopment conference, and meetings with Aqua CLE company regarding lake evaluations. Additionally, the council discussed the Flags for Heroes fundraising effort and the logistics of involving the VFW in the project.