34:21The meeting’s public comment section turned contentious when a speaker, Lisa Ripo, expressed dissatisfaction with the council’s responses to her previous inquiries. Ripo criticized the handling of her open public records request, stating that the replies were vague and insufficient. Her grievances extended to allegations of bullying and cyber harassment, which she claimed were not being taken seriously by the council. Ripo recounted a personal incident where she felt bullied by a council member during a prior meeting. Despite attempts by council members to manage the discussion, Ripo persisted in demanding an internal investigation into late tax notices and spoofed communications. Her remarks highlighted a perceived ineffectiveness of the local police in addressing these issues, further escalating tensions during the session.

02:38Beyond the public comment turmoil, the council approved a resolution authorizing a professional services contract with OSK Design Partners PA, not to exceed $28,520, for architectural design related to municipal building renovations. This step marks the beginning of planned exterior modifications and improvements to the police side of the borough hall, with hopes for completion by 2026. Stakeholder meetings will be scheduled to gather input from borough personnel to shape the renovation plan effectively.

09:28Another point of discussion was the shared services agreement with Stone Harbor for uniform construction code administration. A council member expressed concerns about proceeding without further study, advocating for additional discussion. Despite these reservations, the resolution passed with a split vote.

14:31The council also addressed parking regulations, emphasizing the need to prevent large vehicles from parking on residential streets for extended periods. Additionally, plans are underway to implement traffic calming measures, particularly pedestrian crosswalks, along Park, Ocean, and Atlantic Avenues.

Infrastructure projects continued to dominate the agenda, with approvals for various work orders, including the conceptual design of the crest fishing pier and related grant application services. The council authorized a resolution for sanitary sewer improvements, with funding allocated to address necessary updates. The ongoing dredging efforts and the Army Corps Dune project remain in a holding pattern, with the council expressing concerns about transparency and communication among municipalities regarding these initiatives.

10:56A notable development was the borough’s pursuit of a LEAP grant for shared services with Stone Harbor, which passed unanimously.

07:18In financial matters, the council authorized an amendment to the 2025 municipal budget to account for additional funding for a local arts festival grant and approved the expenditure for a 2025 Ford F250 pickup truck for public works.

06:11The council also adopted a civility policy for public interactions with borough employees. Further resolutions included designating National Public Works Week and Emergency Medical Services Week.