At the forefront of the meeting was the River Edge Swim Club’s request for a lease renewal. Teresa Donahue, president of the swim club, highlighted its 64-year history and its contributions to the community. The club requested to maintain its current lease rate of $51, which covers both rent and water charges, a rate unchanged since 1992. Council members debated the fairness and financial implications of this request, given the club’s financial stability and community value. A resolution to discuss this matter in a closed session at the next meeting was proposed.

Another issue was the police department’s new billing policy for nonprofit events, which came to light following the annual car show organized by the local cultural center. For the first time in 25 years, the cultural center received a bill for $1,876 for police traffic control services. This unexpected charge prompted discussions on whether to require payment, reduce the fee to just the officer’s overtime rate, or waive the fee entirely for this year. Recognizing the cultural center’s lack of prior notice and budgetary constraints, the council leaned towards waiving the fee for the current year while making clear that future events would incur costs unless arrangements for reduced rates were made in advance.

The meeting also addressed concerns about ordinance 25-18, which aims to amend tree regulations in the borough. Resident Cindy Uquath raised issues regarding the ordinance, advocating for fee waivers in special circumstances for properties with significant tree counts. The council clarified that the ordinance provides exemptions for hazardous trees and does not impose fees for maintaining existing trees.

Parking regulations also took the spotlight as resident Lou Graasso voiced concerns over proposed changes that could impact local businesses. The council acknowledged these concerns and scheduled a traffic and safety meeting to gather further input from affected residents.

Additional topics included the introduction of a stricter attendance ordinance for committee members. The council emphasized that while the ordinance allows for member removal after three consecutive absences, it also offers flexibility for extenuating circumstances. This measure aims to enhance participation in borough governance.

The meeting concluded with announcements of upcoming community events and initiatives, including the celebration of River Edge Day and the reopening of local businesses. These developments reflect the council’s ongoing efforts to foster community engagement and economic growth.