Council members raised questions about the reliance on tree companies that are licensed by the State of New Jersey Board of Tree Experts for assessing trees instead of independent arborists. This was partly due to concerns over potential conflicts of interest. The council agreed to further investigate the definitions and roles of arborists versus tree experts to inform future decisions and possible ordinance revisions.

Another topic was the placement of stop signs on the same posts as street signs, a practice some council members argued could confuse drivers. They referenced guidance from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which recommends spacing signs requiring separate decisions. Despite these concerns, the administration, police department, and township engineers recommended maintaining the current setup to comply with standards and avoid additional taxpayer expenses.

Further, the council considered a change order for the resurfacing of Koolage Avenue to upgrade storm inlet frames at a cost of $16,300, which would fall within the project’s contingency allowance and not increase the overall cost. Concerns were raised about why these upgrades were not included in the original bid, but it was clarified that the change order was necessary to accommodate new components.

The meeting also covered the approval of a settlement agreement with Mass Construction Services LLC, which involved dismissing a complaint regarding an unpaid construction bill. The council voted in favor of the settlement.

In addition, the council discussed traffic safety concerns on Pascack Road, where residents had complained about visibility issues due to parked cars. They considered an ordinance to prohibit stopping and standing on the road to enhance safety. Meanwhile, the township’s purchase of automatic license plate readers and video cameras was approved, though concerns about ongoing costs for SIM cards and software were noted.

The need for amendments to the tree ordinance was further underscored by discussions about tax exemptions for agricultural properties. Concerns were raised about a property classified as agricultural due to tree harvesting, which could potentially allow the owner to cut down trees without facing penalties. The council deliberated on modifying the ordinance language to prevent potential abuse of such tax exemptions.

Parking regulations also received attention, particularly for landscapers and delivery trucks on Pascack Road and surrounding areas. The council considered whether restrictions should apply to all well-traveled roads in the county. Additionally, the council addressed demolition oversight.

Lastly, zoning board recommendations on application fees and escrow requirements were discussed. Council members acknowledged challenges in managing escrow accounts, which could delay projects due to insufficient funds for engineering and legal services. They considered researching fee structures in surrounding towns to ensure their fees are competitive while not being prohibitive for potential projects.