The Old Firehouse, a historic building in the borough, was the focal point of the meeting. A proposal to designate it as a local historic site had been brought forward, emphasizing its significance in the town’s heritage and the potential to revitalize it for community use. Frank Tonino, a resident, supported the designation, proposing the building’s use for various community purposes. Despite the support, the council voted down a specific resolution due to concerns about the condition of the building, potential cleanup costs, and insufficient project details.

The debate extended to the financial aspects of the project, with some members questioning the allocation of funds between the renovation of the building and road repair needs. The renovations would include the removal of hazardous materials such as lead pipes and asbestos and the installation of an elevator and fire suppression system to comply with ADA requirements. The high costs associated with bringing the building up to code were of particular concern. The possibility of putting the issue to a referendum was mentioned as a potential next step.

The council also discussed the Veterans Preference for housing, with concerns raised about the fairness of eligibility criteria requiring veterans to be homeless to qualify for certain housing units. The governing body was urged to review and respond to these concerns.

Environmental initiatives were also a key topic, with the council passing a resolution related to the Kennedy Park bathroom and discussing rain gardens, a community garden, and a future municipal leader scholarship.

In addition to these discussions, the meeting included updates on committee reports for Administration and Finance, Public Safety, and more. Several authorization items were discussed, such as tax refunds for disabled veterans, the approval of a beauty shop application, and contract awards for consulting services. The council considered adding Board of Health ordinances to the general ordinances, allowing County Health Inspectors to enforce health codes.

Personnel announcements were made, including promotions, appointments to fill vacancies, and the renewal of a social work services contract at the police department. The council also discussed the need to call for a certified list for patrolman due to upcoming retirements and authorized accepting a grant for the safe secure communities program.

During the public comments, concerns were raised about open space acquisition and the Chief of Staff’s position. A resident also addressed a pothole issue on Main Street, bringing attention to the safety hazard it posed and the need for county assistance to address the problem.