Residents and council members engaged in a discussion about the status and future of the pickleball courts at the Borough’s tennis facilities. Highlighting the growing popularity of the sport, several community members, including Michael Rosof, Tony Pasio, and Kathleen Milk, advocated for more permanent solutions to accommodate the rising number of players. Tony Pasio emphasized that there are “roughly 80 plus pickleball players in town” who often gather in groups of “15 to 20 people” for games. He recounted an incident where temporary tape used to mark the courts was removed by individuals, causing disruption and discomfort during a tournament. This incident underscored the need for a more permanent solution to prevent vandalism and ensure organized play.

Kathleen Milk raised questions about why the courts remained temporary and suggested that shared space between tennis and pickleball could be managed more effectively. The council responded by explaining that the courts were initially designed for tennis and that a grant application had been submitted to create dedicated pickleball courts. The results of this grant application are expected by the end of the year or early next year. In the meantime, the council is considering painting the lines permanently if it is confirmed that the existing courts were previously painted. A council member urged residents to report any vandalism, framing it as “absolutely unacceptable” and potentially criminal, and encouraged the community to notify the River Edge Police Department if they witness such behavior.

The discussion revealed a consensus among council members to proceed with painting the courts if it aligns with previous practices. However, they also noted that maintaining the temporary setup might be a more flexible solution until a permanent grant-funded facility could be established. A proposal was made to gather data on court usage to better understand the demand and availability of tennis and pickleball courts, with a council member tasked with compiling relevant statistics for future considerations.

In addition to the pickleball court debate, the council addressed several other topics. Samantha Mari and Morgan Kennedy presented a proposal for a concert named “Buster Stock,” intended to raise awareness about drug addiction in memory of Samantha’s brother, who died from a fentanyl overdose. They requested approval to display a vinyl banner in River Edge to promote the concert, which would take place at the Paramus Library Band Shell on September 13, 2024. The council members expressed enthusiasm for the event and swiftly approved the banner, which will be displayed from August 23 until the concert date.

Other notable items included personnel changes, such as the resignation of Pedro Perez from the Department of Public Works and salary adjustments for two police department personnel, Shan Mastro Pio and Salvador CH, whose pay periods increased from $1,400 to $2,000, effective August 12, 2024. These motions passed unanimously.

The council also moved to pass several ordinances on first reading, with a public hearing scheduled for September 9, 2024. These included Ordinance 24-9, which reduces the number of Board of Health meetings from five to four annually, Ordinance 24-20, which updates the tree planting process and establishes new fees for tree removal permits, and Ordinance 24-21, which ensures compliance with Department of Environmental Protection regulations regarding stormwater management.

The council’s discussion of resolutions included a notable inquiry about Resolution 24-256, which involved emergency repairs to a sally port in the police department. It was clarified that the initial contract amount had increased due to unforeseen deterioration discovered during repairs. The council emphasized the importance of structured funding requests with “do not exceed” limits to accommodate the unpredictability of emergency work.

New business discussions also focused on the potential addition of an extra pickleball court. Councilwoman Kaufman noted that the Recreation Commission supported the addition, and a resident highlighted the need for more permanent lines on an existing tennis court used as a pickleball court during a tournament. The council expressed a willingness to engage in further discussions regarding this proposal.