One notable topics during the meeting was the effort to secure a grant for an essential sanitary sewer project along McLain Syn Brook. The application for the grant has been submitted, and the council is seeking additional funding through state budget resolutions and New Jersey Department of Transportation discretionary aid. The project’s significance was emphasized, considering its impact on community safety and water supply.

Residents utilized the public comment period to voice concerns, particularly regarding the bridge’s surveillance cameras. Additionally, residents expressed a desire for garbage collectors to place bins on private property instead of the street. An inquiry was also made about an $88,000 payment to the Washington Township Recreation Basketball Association for referees’ fees.

Other topics of interest included a review of the criteria for Loap awards to the township’s volunteer Ambulance Corp and the effectiveness of schedule changes to increase participation. A council member requested detailed information on 2023 and 2024 response rates and call volumes.

Regarding the township’s financial management, ordinance 24-8, which proposed to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank, was met with questions from the council regarding its purpose and financial implications. The motion to table the ordinance passed, pending further information. Resolution 24-216, authorizing the publication of ordinance 24-8 and scheduling a public hearing, was passed with minimal discussion.

The council also introduced ordinance 24-9, addressing overnight parking for active first responders, and discussed potential amendments for snow emergencies and commercial vehicle parking. Similarly, ordinance 24-10 involved a bond ordinance appropriating $1,110,000 and authorizing the issuance of $961,000 in bonds or notes for various improvements. The council sought more information on bond rates, existing balances, and the duration of the bonds.

Additional deliberations involved the temporary capital budget for 2024, with confusion over the need for additional road program funds. The introduction of the 2024 municipal budget prompted questions about its layout and content. There was also a debate over the process of issuing refunds and the use of Community Pass for this purpose.

The council discussed the potential for co-mingling vegetative waste and debris at the DPW yard, focusing on enforcement and regulations. The verification of residency for individuals using the ecology facility was also debated, with the suggestion to use driver’s licenses for identification.

The meeting touched on other matters, such as the authorization of refunds, the appointment of municipal representatives to the Bergen County Community Development Regional Committee, and the submission of a spending request application for storm water infrastructure repairs.

Remote working regulations for town hall staff and the use of summer hours year-round were also notable topics. Discussions about police dispatching, the possibility of outsourcing or shared services, and the status of a property purchase were brought up, highlighting concerns about delays and contract changes.