One notable topics addressed was the significant increase in insurance premiums. Council members were faced with a 15% hike in risk management insurance premiums and a recommendation to increase the liability insurance budget from $28,995 to $59,000 due to a 10% increase. This unexpected rise prompted a debate about the town’s insurance policies and the exploration of alternative risk management organizations. The need to overfund the health benefits line was scrutinized, with some council members questioning the need for such precautions in light of anticipated savings from a transition to a new health benefits system.

During the meeting, the council also discussed funding sources for the uniform construction code officials’ licenses and training. Some members debated whether it was the council’s responsibility to cover these costs or if the employees should maintain their own licenses. The discussion extended to the department’s printing budget, where a motion to reduce the allocated amount from $500 to $250 was passed, despite concerns about underfunding.

Financial deliberations continued with a focus on the revenue from the building department for 2023. One member highlighted the potential issue of funding the department with taxpayer money, citing previous instances where staff had to be let go due to insufficient revenue. The council scrutinized various line items, including salaries for the uniform construction code official and the planning and zoning liaison, questioning the justification for the proposed increases and requesting more information to make informed decisions. Additionally, there was talk of reducing the budget for office supplies and furniture based on the previous year’s expenditures.

The topic of health insurance was another area of discussion. A council member proposed cutting the insurance budget by $50,000 in anticipation of savings, though the exact figures and implementation timeline were uncertain, resulting in the decision to table the issue until more information was available.

Public affairs and the distribution of calendars also occupied the council’s attention. After a presentation by the mayor on the costs and potential savings, council members expressed varying opinions on the most cost-effective way to provide calendars to residents. Some members suggested giving out calendars at senior group meetings or implementing a pre-order system to determine the necessary quantity. Despite the concerns about the cost of mailing individual calendars, the council voted to allocate $5,500 for the calendar, proposing to reimburse a trust fund with part of the amount and use the remainder for printing.

The meeting encompassed various other discussions, including the archiving of social media posts, the cancellation of a senior exercise class, playground closures, and township office schedules for Good Friday. Moreover, a demonstration on new voting machine equipment was presented, and the council approved changes to planner fees, COA special master fees, and tax law of tax appeals appraisers’ fees.