A major focus of the meeting was the introduction of Ordinance 2026-02, which proposes amendments to zoning regulations to increase the permitted density in designated affordable housing overlay zones from 10 to 15 units per acre. This amendment is important for ensuring compliance with updates to the Fair Housing Act and meeting state legislation requirements. The council emphasized the importance of introducing this ordinance before the March 15th deadline to ensure the borough’s housing needs are met over the next decade. The ordinance received unanimous support from council members, who acknowledged the intricate and demanding nature of managing affordable housing obligations, as remarked upon by Mr. Bassang.

In alignment with housing discussions, the council also approved Ordinance 2026-01, which amends parking time limits on West Prospect Street. This ordinance, recommended by the police chief, aims to address increased traffic from local businesses by limiting parking to 30 minutes. The adjustment is intended to ensure parking availability for patrons. The ordinance passed without opposition after a brief discourse.

The council then turned its attention to the 2026 municipal budget, with a particular emphasis on the road resurfacing program. Budget allocations for road projects have seen a gradual increase over the years, with $560,000 proposed for 2026. A significant project under this program is the Hudson Avenue resurfacing, a long-standing concern due to notable deterioration. The borough successfully secured $322,199 in grants from the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the project, which has an estimated cost of $690,000. After applying the grant funds, the borough will cover the remaining $367,801.

Council members discussed the potential inclusion of additional streets, such as Dora A, Grove Street, and Lincoln Place, in the paving project. There was some debate about whether to include Malcolm and Duncan Streets due to budget constraints. One council member suggested exercising fiscal conservatism by possibly deferring these streets, as they are not directly adjacent to Hudson Avenue. This discussion highlighted the council’s ongoing effort to balance infrastructure needs with budgetary limitations.

Additionally, the council approved various consent resolutions, including residents’ requests to use pavilions for events serving alcoholic beverages. Specific approvals were granted to the Riml family for a birthday party on May 2nd, Caleb Pacini for another birthday party on May 30th, and Angela Scraven for a year-end soccer celebration on June 6th. The council also authorized environmental treatment works and appointments for Clean Communities and Municipal Recycling Coordinators.

Public safety updates were provided, noting a recent house fire that resulted in no injuries thanks to the quick response from multiple town fire services. The public safety committee reported no recent meetings but shared updates from the fire department, including new onboarding processes for five members and January’s activity, totaling 28 calls.

Councilwoman Angela Smith highlighted the successful Ramadan welcome celebration at the Waldwick Public Library, which attracted over 80 attendees, including local and county officials. This event was praised for its demonstration of the borough’s inclusivity and community spirit, with residents sharing positive experiences regarding the warm welcome extended to Muslim families.

As the meeting concluded, a public comment from a resident named Ted addressed queries regarding how leftover funds from previous years are factored into the proposed budget, underlining the community’s engagement with fiscal matters. The council then moved into a closed session to discuss litigation matters, ending the public portion of the meeting.