One of the most noteworthy actions taken by the council was the approval of multiple financial resolutions, including a sizable $631,000 allocation from the General Capital Fund. This allocation will fund various projects within the borough, including necessary infrastructure improvements. Smaller amounts were also designated for animal control, trust, and developers’ escrow. The council moved forward with these expenditures without debate.

A council member raised questions about the ongoing sidewalk and curb replacements throughout the borough. It was clarified that while not all work was related to ADA compliance, the curbing efforts were part of these compliance measures. Sidewalk replacements were identified as necessary updates by the Department of Public Works (DPW) superintendent. The protocol established by the council ensures that curbs and sidewalks are replaced one year, followed by street repaving in the subsequent year, to maintain compliance with federal regulations before any repaving occurs.

Another topic of discussion was the work being conducted by PSE&G. Residents had expressed concerns about the ongoing street repairs, prompting a council member to request an update. It was mentioned that a meeting was scheduled for the following day to obtain further clarifications. The council acknowledged PSE&G operates under limited jurisdiction and that the project timeline was dependent on their schedule, with paving anticipated to commence in early October, weather permitting.

Public comments added another layer of complexity to the meeting. Resident Robert Schuman raised concerns about school taxes and police training. He questioned how school taxes are determined and expressed frustration over the lack of tax reductions for seniors without children in school. Schuman also shared a personal experience involving a police patrolman who prematurely labeled a kidnapping incident as a scam, raising concerns about the adequacy of police training for handling serious matters.

In response, the council clarified that school taxes are determined independently by the school board, a quasi-separate municipal entity with authority over hiring, firing, and tax rates. The municipality itself has no control over these taxes, which comprise a portion of the overall tax bill. Regarding the senior tax reduction program, it was noted that such benefits require application by the individuals seeking them. The council emphasized that the municipality handles only about 25% of the overall tax bill, with the majority allocated to the school board and county.

On the topic of police training, the council reiterated that training protocols are in place for officers. Residents were encouraged to report any specific instances of inappropriate conduct directly to the Chief of Police. This discussion highlighted a perceived disconnect between the resident’s concerns and the jurisdictional limitations faced by the council, particularly concerning serious criminal matters like kidnapping.

The meeting also saw the swearing-in of new volunteer firefighter Andrew Kang, who was introduced by the Chief of the Fire Department. The Chief expressed gratitude to the council for their support and emphasized the importance of volunteer recruitment, noting that Kang was the eighth new volunteer to join the department. This event underscored the ongoing efforts to bolster the borough’s emergency response capabilities.

Additionally, the council addressed several ordinances and resolutions. The first ordinance sought to amend the animal control chapter to ensure proper disposal of pet waste, in compliance with New Jersey stormwater regulations. This ordinance passed without debate. The council also conducted second readings and adopted three other ordinances concerning the Board of Health meeting schedule, tree regulations, and updates required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding stormwater control.

A resolution recognizing Alexis Asnowski for her honesty in finding and returning $531 to the police was also highlighted. The council expressed appreciation for her commendable act, and the resolution noted that the money would now be returned to her after the statutory six-month holding period.