At the forefront of the meeting was the election of the council president. Following unanimous support from fellow council members, the newly elected council president expressed gratitude, emphasizing the members’ commitment to improving the borough. Highlighting a sense of unity and local pride, the council president referred to the members as “Die Hard River people,” underlining their dedication to the community.

Significant emphasis was placed on infrastructure initiatives, with the council president outlining past achievements and future plans. Over the previous year, infrastructure improvements included the paving of five roads and enhancements to local parks. The council secured substantial grants, including over half a million dollars from the Green Acre Grant and an additional $79,000 from the DCA Grant, which are earmarked for community projects focused on drainage improvements and park equipment replacement. The council president assured attendees that these efforts are just the beginning of a broader plan, stating, “We’re moving forward on it,” and noting that these projects are merely a “scratch on the surface” of their broader goals.

Looking ahead, the council plans to focus on recreational facilities, with specific attention to the development of a turf field for Kowski Park and ongoing redevelopment projects.

Public engagement was a recurring theme throughout the meeting. The council president encouraged residents to bring issues directly to the council, promising personal attention to concerns. “I promise you I will show up to your front door if there’s a complaint,” the council president assured, emphasizing the importance of open communication between the council and the community. This approach aims to foster a more interactive and responsive local government, moving beyond reliance on social media for community feedback.

The meeting also marked the swearing-in of new council members and fire department officials. Matthew DeSantis, a new council member, took the oath of office, pledging to uphold the Constitution and perform his duties impartially. “I’m going to be approachable to all of you, come see me, talk to me,” he stated, underlining his desire to remain engaged with the community.

The swearing-in ceremony extended to the fire department, where Steven Drugo, Scott Wolf, and William Smith were respectively sworn in as second assistant fire chief, first assistant fire chief, and fire chief. Each pledged to uphold the Constitution and perform their duties to the best of their abilities.

The council meeting also involved the adoption of organizational consent resolutions, which included the establishment of council rules, appointment of various borough officials, and approval of the 2025 meeting schedule. These procedural steps ensure the council’s administrative framework is solidly in place for the year ahead.

Acknowledgments were made to former council president John Krenzel for his years of service, with particular recognition of his contributions to the borough over several decades. The remarks underscored a respect for the borough’s history and a commitment to building on its foundation.

As the meeting drew to a close, a council member reflected on the journey to their current role, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and expressing gratitude for the support of family and the zoning board. This sentiment was echoed by other council members, who expressed enthusiasm for the year ahead and the collective objectives of the council.