The meeting began with a notable presentation by James Kane, a local entrepreneur, who introduced his board game, “Fishing for Compliments.” Kane, whose game centers on promoting kindness and self-esteem through compliment exchanges, detailed its mechanics and potential applications. Aimed at fostering positive interactions, the game involves players “fishing” for compliments using a time-limited card collection system. Kane suggested its use in West Orange public schools for anti-bullying efforts, recreational programs, and community events.

Council members showed support for Kane’s initiative, particularly appreciating the game’s potential in combating bullying. One councilwoman praised the effort, recommending Kane consider pitching his idea to “Shark Tank,” while the Mayor recalled a prior game night experience that underscored the game’s community-building potential. Despite technical difficulties with a planned video presentation, Kane’s detailed explanation captivated the council, sparking dialogue about the game’s impact on local initiatives.

Parking issues near Seton Hall Prep dominated the public comment segment, with residents expressing frustrations over student-induced congestion. One long-term resident highlighted the struggle to park near their home due to students occupying residential spaces. They called for permit parking implementation, noting previous efforts had seen little progress. The resident emphasized inconsistent enforcement of traffic regulations as a safety concern, urging Seton Hall Prep to better manage its parking facilities.

Another resident detailed their history of accruing parking tickets, attributing it to restricted parking during school hours. They criticized the council for insufficient communication and perceived inequities in parking enforcement, advocating for more consistent and fair treatment of their neighborhood. The council acknowledged these grievances, with a council member expressing solidarity and noting the long-standing nature of these issues.

The meeting also addressed the delayed municipal budget process. A resident criticized the mayor for the late submission of the proposed budget, which arrived in April instead of the expected January deadline. This delay, they argued, complicated the budgetary process and necessitated multiple workshops to resolve discrepancies. The budget initially proposed a 6% tax increase, which the council worked to reduce to under 1%.

Council members discussed the procedural challenges around budget management, with one member reflecting on the previous year’s delays and advocating for a more transparent and timely approach. Plans were shared to deliver a draft legal budget document by January 15.

Concerns regarding the performance bond for a local construction project were also raised. A resident reported property damage allegedly caused by construction activities, urging the council to retain the performance bond until thorough investigations and remediation are completed. The council debated the appropriate course of action, considering legal and procedural implications.