One of the issues that took center stage was the engineering department’s budget, particularly the increase to $190,000 for stormwater management compliance due to new state regulations. This raised concerns among the council members about the financial commitment required over the coming years and the implications for the town’s infrastructure. The town engineer, Melanie Machete, outlined the budget which depends heavily on general taxation and includes grants for specific projects. The council debated the availability of grant opportunities and the need for infrastructure changes to meet these new requirements.

Another item of discussion was the need for improvements to the water system. This included refurbishing tanks and interconnecting various water systems to improve the use of existing wells and accommodate the development of new villages. Mayor Jacqueline Albrecht noted that these improvements were essential not only for new developments but also for existing water customers. The council deliberated on the financial aspects of these projects, weighing the options between using cash funding for smaller projects and borrowing for larger ones. The debate extended to the sewer system’s needs, as aging equipment and infrastructure require replacement. The council considered borrowing money or using cash funding from the utility fund balance while emphasizing the importance of maintaining financial stability.

The relocation of a traffic light on Main Street at the intersection of Hillside Avenue due to the street skate project was also a topic of concern. With an estimated cost of $75,000 and not eligible for grant funding, council members highlighted the challenges of financing and the importance of the traffic light’s design and placement to prevent damage from passing trucks. The broader street skate project, which is funded by a grant, was discussed in terms of how the traffic light relocation fits into it.

Construction projects such as the Elan Avenue repaving, funded partly by the state and the city, were noted for their potential challenges due to the narrowness of the road and the proximity of trees and gas lines. The council also considered a new drainage evaluation project aimed at addressing recent flooding and storm issues, with Mayor Albrecht and Councilman Mark Crowley proposing the improvement of pedestrian access around Kanas Park amid debates about feasibility and cost.

The Kennedy Jefferson scour repair project was addressed, focusing on drainage issues on Mooney Mountain and highlighting the complexities of the problem. The sewer department’s budget, particularly the grinder pump replacements and the doubling cost of the RBC unit replacement project at the Ajax treatment plant, prompted questions about expenditure and the reasons behind not funding it the previous year.

Discussions about the water system also included the Mount Arlington Boulevard segment and the need to manage high pressures in certain areas. The fund balance for the water system, reported to be 3.3 million dollars, was scrutinized, along with the council’s consideration of borrowing to finance the necessary improvements. The potential impact of EPA regulations and the importance of securing grant money, especially for the difficult posos project, were discussed. The council also reviewed plans to address impacts on the water system’s eight wells due to ongoing settlement talks and to combine the Shore Hills and Sky View systems.

The council praised the efficient management of the water and sewer utilities, noting that rates had not increased since 2013 and were reasonable compared to other towns. Questions about the availability of the operating budget on the town’s website were raised, with assurances that it would be accessible once finalized.

During the public portion of the meeting, a resident expressed concerns about aging fire department vehicles and the need for a replacement truck for Company 2. The resident emphasized the importance of adhering to vehicle replacement recommendations and highlighted the financial implications and potential delivery delays. The possibility of combining rescue and engine vehicles into one unit to overcome current limitations was also discussed.