At the heart of the meeting, concerns were raised by resident Alan Hill regarding the selection process of the Historic Preservation Commission’s new members and the lack of accountability and transparency in various committees, including the Emergency Management Commission and the police department. In response, Mayor William J. Portman clarified that the previous members of the commission were not carried over and that most of the new members were volunteers, some appointed at his discretion. The council also acknowledged the need for improvement in communication and reporting, expressing a desire for heightened transparency.

Adjustments to resolutions and appointments were made during the session, including the integration of Pennon Engineering into the Professional Services contract pool and the replacement of former administrator Darren McConnell with current manager Jim Gant in the Red Bank Emergency Management committee. The council approved a slew of appointments to various boards and committees.

Council Member Triggiano’s election as Deputy Mayor for 2024 was a notable event, coupled with her congratulatory recognition for her new role as the second Lieutenant over Westside Hose.

Mayor Portman took the opportunity to congratulate new officials from Atlantic Highlands while reflecting on Red Bank’s governmental changes, including the transition to November elections and the formation of the Cannabis Review Board, which has resulted in the awarding of cannabis licenses and infrastructure improvements. He highlighted the borough’s initiative to replace all lead water lines at no cost to homeowners and the implementation of weekly open office hours to better engage with the community.

Deputy Mayor Bonatakis shone a light on the borough’s health and well-being initiatives, such as the Mayor’s Wellness campaign, the distribution of flu and COVID vaccines, and the collaboration with Pulse, a social worker program aiding the police in community service situations. The Mayor lauded the Red Bank Police Department for their commitment and skill in de-escalating potentially dangerous circumstances.

Looking forward, Mayor Portman detailed several substantial projects for 2024. The council is determined to implement ‘complete streets’ in Red Bank to enhance walkability and bikeability. Portman conveyed optimism regarding the funding for these projects, citing low debt service and anticipated revenue from various sources, including developer fees and cannabis businesses.