Michael Paresi was appointed as Captain of the Ramsey Police Department, filling the position following Captain Sherin’s retirement. Paresi’s promotion was part of a broader set of appointments, which included James WBA as a probationary officer, Conor Fulham joining the Rescue Squad, and Bradley Allinger and Adam Hutchinson being sworn into the Ramsey Fire Department. These appointments were unanimously approved and celebrated during the meeting, with Mayor Dillon and other officials commending their dedication and contributions to community safety.

A major highlight of the meeting was the approval of several ordinances. Ordinance 09-2024 proposed amendments to Chapter 7 of the Borough Code, introducing two-hour parking on the north side of Carrol Street from North Spruce Street to Church Street. This adjustment aimed to align parking regulations with nearby segments, with time-limit parking in effect every day except Sundays and holidays. Additionally, the ordinance established a four-way stop at the intersection of Carrol Street and North Spruce Street, a recommendation from the Ramsey Police Department’s Traffic Bureau. The public hearing for this ordinance saw no comments, and it was subsequently passed unanimously by the council.

Another ordinance, Ordinance 10-2024, authorized the resurfacing of East Oak Street and West Oak Street from Wof Avenue to Ferman Avenue, with an appropriation of $150,000. The borough planned to finance this project through bonds and bond anticipation notes. The borough had already secured grants totaling approximately $371,000 from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, reducing the financial burden on the community. The project was out for public bid, with completion anticipated for the fall. Like the previous ordinance, it received unanimous approval without public comment.

The council also addressed Ordinance 11-2024, which involved amendments to Chapter 34 of the Borough Code concerning signage. The amendments stipulated that signs could not be internally illuminated without approval from the design review board and prohibited LED type illumination for signs at accents and raceways. These changes were proposed by the Design Review Board and were incorporated into the ordinance. Following a public hearing with no comments, the ordinance was approved unanimously.

In addition to the ordinances, the council approved several resolutions. Resolution awarded a contract to DS Meyer Enterprises LLC for the resurfacing of Grove Street, East Oak Street, and part of West Oak Street. This followed a competitive bidding process and significant funding to offset the project’s cost, reducing the financial impact on taxpayers. Other resolutions included professional service agreements with various firms, such as Burgess Associates for affordable housing compliance and First Environment for project management services related to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection permitting.

The meeting also featured a series of community updates. The Ramsey Municipal Alliance announced an upcoming parent event on October 9th, featuring a presentation by a former professional athlete. The council expressed hopes for strong attendance from athletes, coaches, and parents from neighboring towns. The Ramsey Chamber of Commerce encouraged residents to visit booths from local businesses during Ramsey Day on September 7th, promoting both traditional storefronts and businesses without formal locations.

The Environmental Committee reported on the growth of its food waste recycling program, now including 85 families, and plans to set up an informational booth at Ramsey Day. The committee is also exploring options for styrofoam recycling.

Reports from the Recreation Commission highlighted the conclusion of summer camp and the start of various sports programs, including a new K-3 basketball clinic. The Ramsey Farmers Market was praised for its range of vendors, and upcoming events like the Apple Fest were mentioned.

Public Safety updates included progress on the new Emergency Services Complex, which will replace a 70-year-old building. A grant of $557,000 for firefighting equipment was announced, with congratulations extended to the grant application team.