Held on July 26, the council session, attended by Council members Dominick Azzolini, Ezio Altamura, Edward Marino, Philip Romero, Michele A. Mabel, Michael Donato, and other borough officials, passed two ordinances. One of these, Ordinance No. 2023-7, sought to enhance road safety, sanctioning a 3-way stop at the intersection of North Avenue and 12th Street.

Beyond these significant decisions, various council reports shed light on community engagement. Notably, Councilperson Altamura highlighted the Wood-Ridge Police Department’s commendable efforts in community involvement. These endeavors included participation in the ‘Chief for a Day’ initiative, the annual Junior Police Academy, and providing security at town events. Additionally, recreation activities saw an uptick with promising registration numbers for fall sports and recent championship wins in Girls Softball. On the other hand, Councilperson Romero shared insights on the tireless efforts of the Wood-Ridge Fire Department during June.

Financially, the meeting witnessed discussions on a myriad of expenditures and budget considerations. A considerable portion of the budget was earmarked for park and recreation activities. Funds were allocated for baseball tournaments, the Babe Ruth League, and summer recreation programs. Building and grounds expenses captured attention as well, including payments for service repairs and liability insurance. As part of celebrating the community, costs for organizing events in June 2023 were outlined.

Further scrutiny of the council’s financial ledger revealed payments to vendors such as CORELOGIC, SPATIAL LOGIC INC., and NEGLIA ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES for services varying from refund processing to engineering. Interestingly, an involvement in or sponsorship of the American Legion Tournament was indicated.

Multiple budgetary lines detailed charges for municipal library expenses, police, and administrative expenses, payments to suppliers like AMERICAN UNIFORM and Verizon, among others. A significant outlay was made for health-related expenses, including second-quarter Medicare reimbursements. On the technological front, expenses were earmarked for services from renowned vendors like NJ Advance Media and Amazon Capital Services.

The meeting’s extensive budgetary discussions also highlighted significant payments for various services such as legal fees, water charges, gas and electric costs, and street lighting expenses. The building and grounds maintenance division engaged diverse vendors, focusing on recycling, landscaping, and other essential services. The police department’s expenses leaned heavily on specific suppliers, while the parks and recreation budget covered special events and leagues. The information technology department’s focus remained on backup software and other IT essentials.

A meticulous financial record, demonstrated by specific references to invoice numbers, check numbers, and account types, portrayed the council’s commitment to transparency and rigorous financial accountability.

All in all, the recent Wood-Ridge Borough Council meeting painted a picture of a community on the move, determined to bolster its infrastructure and ensure the safety and recreation of its residents, all while maintaining a clear and accountable financial track record.