The most notable issue at the meeting was the proposed purchase of a rearload packer garbage truck, which led to a debate among council members. Council member Lorraine Reynolds suggested reallocating funds intended for the shedler property to cover the truck’s cost, emphasizing the need to avoid additional tax burdens on residents. She encouraged public participation in the budget discussions.

Her proposal was met with opposition from other council members, including Evan Weitz, who stated, “We need the truck right away. Reopening the shedler argument to delay getting a garbage truck for us doesn’t make any sense to me. It’s not in the best interest of the village.” Weitz and others stressed the importance of investing in the village’s capital infrastructure and the need for the sanitation truck to ensure uninterrupted garbage collection.

The council also discussed ordinance 3990, which pertained to the acquisition of the garbage truck. The urgency of approving the ordinance was questioned by Reynolds, who had sought clarification on alternative funding options. However, Weitz argued against delaying the purchase due to the immediate need for the truck.

Another topic that sparked discussion was ordinance 3978, which aimed to amend the Parks and Recreation areas. Resident Boyd Aling expressed disappointment with the introduction of the ordinance, citing concerns about the inclusion of privately owned properties and lack of communication with property owners. The council acknowledged the need for thorough communication and consideration of private property rights in the drafting of ordinance.

Flooding and infrastructure were also major points of discussion during the meeting. Keith Killion, the Village Manager, addressed concerns raised by residents about flooding, the Blue Acres Program, and the involvement of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Killion detailed the village’s efforts, including a formal request to the Army Corps for flood mitigation assistance and the establishment of a photo submission portal for residents to document flood damage.

Additionally, the council addressed several appointments, including Sarah Kafir as the village historian and members to the Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board, with Reynolds dissenting on some resolutions.

Community contributions were acknowledged, with proclamations recognizing the collaboration on the Lunar New Year Festival and honoring Audrey Finn for her work with the Ridgewood Arts Council. Nicole Campesi was appointed as the new tax collector, and Shannon Greer was sworn in as a new police officer, both receiving applause from the council and attendees.

Mayor Paul Vagianos recapped the council’s achievements over the past year, praising the dedication of council members and staff. He discussed infrastructure improvements, such as road paving and addressing the lifeguard shortage at Graden pool, and mentioned the $100 million project to address PFOA remediation.

Public comments reflected residents’ concerns about various issues, including overdevelopment, the responsiveness of the council to petitions, and the prioritization of community well-being. Cynthia, a resident, spoke about the flooding issue in the shedler neighborhood and the proposed construction of a ball field. Ann Loving defended Reynolds’ position on the garbage truck funding, and Susan Rowan questioned the fulfillment of campaign promises.