Waldwick Council Explores Adding Retired Officers for School Safety Amid Budget Challenges

The recent Waldwick Borough Council meeting delved into topics, including the proposal to station retired police officers in schools, budget discussions for 2024, and ongoing infrastructure issues.

36:01The proposal to enhance school safety with the addition of retired police officers was a significant highlight of the meeting. The plan involves placing four retired officers at the high school and middle school campus, with two officers assigned to each side, and additional officers at Crescent and Traphagen schools. This initiative aims to bolster security as a preventive measure, despite no specific threats being reported. The Board of Education showed interest in the proposal, and conversations are ongoing regarding the financial aspects, with costs anticipated to be shared between the Borough and the Board. The idea was generally well-received, emphasizing the importance of a stance on school safety. The council underscored that this move aligns with trends in neighboring areas, where similar security measures have been adopted. The proposal included discussions on the officers’ roles and integration into the school environment.

In addition to school safety, the council addressed the municipal budget for 2024, highlighting three main components: the general budget for daily operations and salaries, a capital budget for infrastructure projects, and the water department budget. The general appropriations are projected at $15.3 million, with a reserve for uncollected taxes. The council acknowledged a debt burden of approximately $24 million, with plans to increase this through a bond to fund past capital expenditures. Concerns were raised about managing statutory costs while keeping taxes low. The council member noted that nearly $1.5 million was spent on interest and principal for existing debt, emphasizing the need to alleviate future financial pressures by focusing on infrastructure projects for 2025. Revenue streams include $4.2 million from miscellaneous fees and nearly $9 million from taxes, with concerns about using surplus funds to balance the budget, raising questions about financial sustainability.

Water quality issues also took center stage, with residents expressing dissatisfaction on social media. A council member praised the dedication of the Department of Public Works and administrative staff in addressing these concerns, highlighting that many staff members live in Waldwick and share the community’s frustrations. The council acknowledged the need for a clear plan to resolve water quality problems, with discussions scheduled with engineers to outline a strategy. Public comments during the meeting voiced frustration about water contamination, with residents calling for more consistent communication from the borough regarding updates.

50:52The council also discussed the impact of a recent property revaluation, which increased the total net valuation from $1.8 billion to $2.2 billion, affecting future tax rates. Projected tax increases were discussed, with a 2% rise expected to generate an additional $588,000 in revenue, while a 2.5% increase could yield around $634,000. Despite efforts to manage expenses, mandatory cost increases in pensions, insurance, and the Sewer Authority present ongoing challenges.

1:05:04Infrastructure projects, particularly the Hudson Road repaving, were prominent topics. The proposal to delay repaving until 2026 was considered due to potential damage from nearby construction. Temporary patching by the Department of Public Works has held up well, leading some residents to support the delay. Plans for a comprehensive solution, including drainage and curbing improvements, were emphasized. The council proposed a meeting with residents to communicate these plans and the broader vision for the area’s infrastructure improvements.

The meeting also covered budgetary allocations for various projects, including HVAC upgrades, Lions Park playground improvements, and IT infrastructure enhancements. The council outlined a budget of $25,000 for HVAC maintenance, with a commitment to auditing existing systems to ensure cost-effective upgrades. Lions Park playground improvements received a grant of $113,000, with hopes for additional funding to meet the estimated project cost of $400,000. IT upgrades were deemed necessary, with a proposed allocation of $25,000 for server replacements and Windows updates.

Public safety building improvements were also discussed, with a $775,000 request for insulation, heating upgrades, and a transition to a wet sprinkler system to prevent leaks. The urgency of these upgrades was underscored by previous leaks in the facility. The council also addressed the need for ADA ramp upgrades, with plans to apply for funding to offset costs, and traffic safety enhancements, including solar LED signs for pedestrian crossings.

1:19:05The council meeting concluded with discussions on future capital needs, including a $500,000 budget for a pistol range HVAC system and roof replacement. The project is expected to take three to four months, with considerations for outsourcing the range’s use to other departments once completed. A new software system proposal aimed at improving officer training and complaint tracking was also discussed, alongside a grant of $228,000 linked to accreditation processes.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly: