A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to the proposal to suspend the Class II officer program and instead hire three full-time police officers. This topic generated discussion among council members and the public. The chief of police highlighted that applications for Class II positions have decreased drastically from hundreds to roughly 15 in recent years, and the costs of these seasonal officers, now at $23 to $25 per hour, have become a financial burden. He noted that it is fiscally inappropriate to pay seasonal officers more than full-time officers, who work year-round.

Mike Marino, a concerned resident, voiced his apprehensions about the financial implications of the proposed hiring. He questioned the logic of replacing seven seasonal officers with three full-time ones, highlighting the need for a detailed financial analysis. Marino stressed, “When I do the math, the seasonal Class IIs we give up seven, we get three full-time; that doesn’t make sense to me.” He urged the council to consider all associated costs, including salaries, benefits, and potential hidden expenses like signing bonuses. Marino’s call for transparency and a thorough understanding of the costs before proceeding with the ordinance amendment was echoed by other participants.

In response, a council member suggested that many of Marino’s concerns had been previously discussed and proposed a meeting to address specific questions about costs, including training and uniforms. The chief of police clarified that the expenses for training and hiring new officers are recurring annual costs, and the new hires would not require additional vehicles or equipment. The chief argued that moving to full-time officers would ultimately save costs by eliminating the need for seasonal hires, which currently amounts to approximately $150,000 annually.

The debate underscored the urgency of addressing public safety and police staffing needs while ensuring fiscal responsibility. The council and the chief of police agreed to continue discussions with Marino to address his financial concerns comprehensively.

Another topic discussed was the establishment of an Insurance Review Committee and other resolutions. The council unanimously passed several resolutions, including waiving fees for a one-mile foot race and the Ukrainian Congress Committee event, increasing the contract with Star Septic LLC, and refunding property taxes for a disabled veteran. The council also authorized the purchase of tasers and software for the police department under a state contract totaling $39,290 over five years.

The engineer provided updates on capital projects, noting the nearing completion of the beach patrol headquarters and the significant interest in the Bayside bulkhead replacement and flood mitigation project. A bid opening for this project was scheduled, with the potential for awarding a contract at the next meeting. The engineer also mentioned a $2 million principal forgiveness grant from the New Jersey I Bank for sanitary sewer replacement and roadway improvements, with a pre-planning application meeting set for September 5.

Public safety reports highlighted a successful month for EMS and the fire department, with the police department reporting 3,238 calls for service and an increase in motor vehicle stops. The need for volunteer recruitment was emphasized, and signs were posted around the borough to attract community involvement.

Lieutenant Murphy provided an overview of the lifeguard programs, noting the conclusion of the junior lifeguard and Futures programs with 187 registrants. Murphy emphasized the importance of weekend emergency response teams in mid-September and the need for community safety around the beach areas.

The administrator’s report covered various ongoing projects, including the Army Corps dune and beach project, New Jersey Avenue planning work, and the Washington Avenue flood mitigation project. The council discussed upcoming bathroom renovations at Crest Pier and an application for a federal grant aimed at safe streets.

Other discussions included the management of street light outages and the process of reporting them. The chief of police explained that outages could be reported through the police department or an online application managed by Atlantic City Electric. The council acknowledged the need for clearer communication regarding reporting processes.