The council meeting began with a presentation from a group of high school students who outlined an plan to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. They proposed a series of events aimed at engaging the community and enhancing civic pride through a deeper connection to local history. Ronald, one of the students, emphasized the historical significance of the area during the Revolutionary War, noting that British and Hessian troops had passed through while pursuing General George Washington’s army. He highlighted the Westell House as a key historical landmark in Tenafly.

Nicholas, another student, detailed a proposed townwide scavenger hunt spanning from April 19th to July 4th, centered at Highwood Park. The event would involve participants visiting ten historical sites, solving clues, and uncovering a secret phrase, with prizes awarded to the first three teams to complete the hunt. Sid suggested a separate event on November 20th, 2026, to mark the invasion of Fort Lee by British and Hessian forces, proposing a ceremony with a moment of silence.

The council expressed enthusiasm for the students’ initiatives but noted potential scheduling conflicts, such as the community cleanup day planned for April 19th. Additionally, a council member raised the need for refurbishing historical route signs. The council committed to facilitating coordination between the students and members to ensure successful events.

In another significant agenda item, the council reviewed a redevelopment proposal for a property on North Summit Street, known as the Benjamin Brothers property. Matthew Capzy, representing RRD Summit Street LLC, presented the revised plan, which seeks to modify zoning regulations to allow residential units on the first floor, previously designated for commercial use. The revision reduces the total number of units from 112 to 104 while maintaining the same number of affordable housing units. Capzy emphasized the benefits of the new design, which includes pitched roofs and townhouse-style elements, reducing the building’s mass and increasing green space.

Council members engaged in a discussion about the project, particularly the ratio of retail space to the overall building footprint. Some expressed skepticism about the retail component’s adequacy, while others acknowledged improvements over previous designs. The inclusion of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations was also debated, with the proposal setting 15% of parking spaces for EVs. Capzy assured that the new design, which incorporates garages, would facilitate the installation of additional charging stations.

The council also addressed the proposed creation of a new affordable housing zone specific to this project. Legal counsel clarified the implications of the affordable units, noting that they would contribute to the borough’s future housing obligations. The need for an ordinance to permit the proposed zoning changes was highlighted.

Subsequent discussions included infrastructure topics such as sidewalk installation on Washington Street and West Railroad and a $600,000 investment proposal for downtown rehabilitation. The council deliberated on whether to replace existing brick sidewalks with concrete, weighing the cost implications against long-term maintenance and safety concerns.

Traffic safety near schools was a recurring theme, with public requests for speed bumps around elementary and high schools. The council considered previous recommendations and the potential impact of future developments on traffic patterns. The meeting also covered administrative matters, including the submission of the 2025 best practices inventory and updates on the state health plan for employees.