11:55The council faced a decision regarding the Little League field project, which involved a $70,000 grant requiring a $100,000 match, and another Bergen County Open Space grant of approximately $119,000 with a matching requirement of over $140,000. The lowest bid for the project stood at approximately $610,000, revealing a funding gap of nearly $200,000. Amidst the deliberations, some council members expressed discomfort with expecting families involved in the league to shoulder additional fundraising responsibilities. One member remarked, “I feel that that is not appropriate for this type of a project when we are sitting on so much open space funding that we’ve already raised revenue from taxes.”

Another voice countered, pointing out that the Little League board had already been collaborating with the council and understood the necessity for fundraising. The debate revealed differing opinions on the propriety of asking families to raise substantial funds, with one member arguing that expecting families to contribute $100,000 was excessive, akin to previous community organizations’ contributions. The council underscored the importance of transparency and support from the Little League to ensure families were adequately informed about their financial obligations. Ultimately, the decision was made to reject the bids and continue discussions with the Little League on potential fundraising strategies, with a shared understanding that community backing would be vital for the project’s success.

In a related discussion on recreational spaces, the council considered a phased approach to a field project. A suggestion was made to wait for new bids before advancing discussions on funding and project details, with a council member humorously noting, “there’s no need to have this conversation until we get the bids back.” Concerns were expressed about the high costs of turf installation, emphasizing the importance of drainage in the bidding process.

02:57Attention then turned to the dust control ordinance draft, which proposed incorporating additional materials alongside soil for dust control. The ordinance’s classification was debated, with options to place it under either litter control or building and construction regulations. The council sought to ensure the ordinance adequately covered both contractors and individual homeowners, recognizing the need for permits for construction-related activities. Feedback on the draft was encouraged for further review.

22:01The meeting also addressed preparations for the Spring Fling, scheduled for May 4th. Discussions highlighted the responsibilities of the Department of Public Works for downtown sidewalk maintenance and the importance of timely trash collection. Moreover, a resident’s concern was raised about a fee imposed by the Chamber of Commerce on high school and middle school students participating in the event. The students were required to pay $150 to join the chamber, prompting discussions on creating a lower-cost option for student participation in community events, thereby encouraging youth involvement.

22:52In new business, the council unanimously voted to set a hearing date for an ordinance establishing a municipal pool utility. Additionally, a community initiative to plant yellow flowers downtown as a symbol of hope for a local resident received positive feedback from the family involved.

31:58Among other reports, the council heard about the senior center’s activities, emphasizing its engagement with local schools and the community through initiatives like art projects with students. The council was encouraged to continue fostering connections between seniors and youth and to enhance communication about the town’s emergency sirens for new residents.