The meeting began with the swearing-in ceremony for three new council members: Florence Mazzer, Andrew Cimiluca, and David Gierek. Each took the oath of office, pledging to fulfill their duties with fidelity and impartiality. The ceremony was led by notable figures including former Mayor Lewis Darino and Assemblyman Chris Tully, who commended the new members on their election victory and emphasized the importance of public service.

Following the swearing-in, the council elected David Gierek as the new Council President. Gierek expressed his gratitude for the leadership of the outgoing president and acknowledged the challenges faced during the election year. A formal presentation was made to the former Council President, recognizing his contributions.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on upcoming infrastructure projects and improvements. The council highlighted the continuation of the road resurfacing program, which has successfully resurfaced over 60 roads since 2015 with an annual budget of approximately one million dollars. They also discussed ongoing gas main replacement projects by Public Service Gas and Electric, noting the necessity of these upgrades despite temporary inconveniences.

Grant funding will play a role in the town’s development plans. The council announced the receipt of a million-dollar grant for the restoration of a pond in Saddle River County Park, along with federal funds for upgrading the municipal complex generator. The new generator will enable the entire complex to be powered during outages, thanks to efforts by the late Bill Pascrell in securing these funds.

Community recreation was another focus, with the council celebrating the success of new initiatives such as a summer concert series and a month-long summer camp for children. Collaborations with the local library have introduced programs like arts and crafts and yoga for preschoolers.

Looking ahead to 2025, the council outlined goals including capital improvements and new park projects, notably a spray park supported by $800,000 in grant funds. They acknowledged the challenges of budget constraints but stressed the necessity of combining grants with capital budget allocations to complete these projects.

Public safety was addressed, with plans to have the police department fully staffed. The council also discussed the potential implementation of a townwide video camera system, despite its high costs. Support for the fire department and ambulance corps was reiterated, emphasizing the importance of recruiting volunteers.

The council also proposed relocating the senior center to the municipal complex due to the need for renovations at the current location. They suggested repurposing the existing property for affordable senior housing, aligning with the town’s obligations to provide such options.

During the public comment section, residents congratulated the elected officials and expressed gratitude for their efforts. One resident, Thomas Van Winkle, thanked the council for his reappointment as the mayor’s youth group liaison and reported on the youth group’s holiday decorating contest, highlighting community involvement.

They acknowledged the challenges of the election campaign, which included intense competition and “mudslinging.” Despite these hurdles, the council emphasized their dedication to serving Saddle Brook and prioritizing the town’s interests.