The most pressing topic at the meeting was the scrutiny of JCP&L’s electrical service, particularly regarding the borough’s street lighting. A resident raised concerns about a $67,000 charge for electricity, of which $38,000 was attributed to street lights. They questioned whether the borough was receiving the services it was paying for, emphasizing that street lights are not metered. The resident urged the council to ensure payments were only made for operational lights, as non-functioning street lights posed a public safety concern. The council acknowledged these concerns and confirmed a longstanding agreement from 1985 that allows the borough to withhold payments for non-operational street lights. They discussed the possibility of inviting a JCP&L representative to a future meeting to address these issues and explore a timeline for resolving the malfunctioning street lights.

In addition to the street lighting concerns, the council discussed JCP&L’s temporary substation on Main Street, which remains operational due to delays in obtaining necessary parts for permanent repairs. Residents have experienced multiple power outages, though JCP&L has attributed these to external factors rather than the temporary substation. The council expressed interest in investigating rising municipal bills to identify any billing errors or unusual usage patterns contributing to increased costs. An invitation has been extended to JCP&L to send a representative to an upcoming meeting to address these concerns.

Another discussion involved the public hearing for Ordinance 8-25 and Ordinance 9-25, which aimed to set the salaries of borough officials and employees for 2025 to 2027. During the hearing for Ordinance 9-25, a resident questioned the pay rates for Recreation Department employees, specifically junior and senior counselors. They noted that the pay rates were “to be determined with the minimum wage law” and pointed out that seasonal park counselors are not subject to this law. The resident suggested amending the ordinance to specify a pay rate. Despite this input, the council adopted Ordinance 9-25 after closing the public hearing.

The council also introduced Ordinance 10-25, proposing regulations for the planting of bamboo across the borough, and Ordinance 11-25, intending to update regulations concerning borough-sponsored athletic organizations. Both ordinances were approved for first reading, with public hearings scheduled for March 24, 2025.

The Administration and Finance report mentioned upcoming activities at the Active Adult Center, including a health presentation and a free health screening on March 28. Planning and Zoning updates included ongoing work related to the borough’s affordable housing obligations, with anticipated answers expected by the end of March.

In the Public Works report, a council member expressed gratitude for the lack of snowfall this winter and highlighted preparations for spring, particularly for the opening of baseball fields on April 4. The Recreation Department shared information about the upcoming summer camp and registration, as well as community events such as a St. Patrick’s Day celebration and an Easter egg hunt scheduled for April 12.

During public comments, a resident expressed satisfaction with the council’s executive session discussion on affordable housing and emphasized the importance of accurate housing numbers. They also raised concerns about misleading statements regarding dead geese found in Kennedy Park, questioning whether the geese had been tested for Avian flu. The resident demanded clarification and accountability regarding the testing status.

The meeting concluded with a discussion surrounding communication with the mayor. A resident claimed their communications were being blocked.