During the public comment period, a resident named May from Russell Avenue raised an important issue regarding organized sports from outside towns utilizing local parks, particularly near the tennis courts. She pointed out that existing ordinances prohibit outside lessons and require badges for park access, but these regulations are often ignored. May highlighted two incidents in neighboring Glenrock that have raised safety concerns, especially for children using the facilities. She suggested that increased security measures, such as a police presence, might be necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of the children. The Mayor thanked her for her comments, acknowledging the significance of the issue.

The topic of park security led to broader discussions about community safety and the enforcement of local ordinances. Several council members expressed their agreement with the need for stricter enforcement and potential security enhancements. The issue of outside groups using local facilities without proper authorization was seen as a growing concern, not only for the safety of children but also for the overall maintenance and availability of the parks for residents.

In another development, Mariana, a member of the board of education for Ramapo Indian Hills, announced the hiring of a new superintendent, Shauna DeMarco. DeMarco, who has eight years of experience in the role across multiple schools in Bergen County, was praised for her qualifications and prior experience as a teacher and administrator. The Mayor welcomed this news and suggested that DeMarco should meet with the town council members to maintain a strong connection between the schools and the township. Mariana confirmed that DeMarco was interested in engaging with local officials, which was met with approval by the council members, who emphasized the importance of collaboration between the educational and municipal sectors.

The council also approved several resolutions and introduced an ordinance related to routine township matters. Notably, a resolution was passed to award a contract to Hotl Communications for cell tower lease compliance and consulting services related to 5G. This contract had been previously established but was not formally included in the reorganization meeting agenda. During the discussion, it was confirmed that a new cell tower provider, Dish, was approved last year, and an additional spot on the Cedar Hill Tower was expected to be available for bidding, which would likely increase revenue following Sprint’s departure from the town.

Another resolution involved the approval of vouchers and the payment of bills, while a third aimed to cancel two taxes due to a memorandum of judgment for tax-exempt status. The council also introduced an ordinance to amend stormwater management regulations to comply with state requirements under MS4 permits. A redlined version of the amendments was provided to the council members, showing that the changes were largely compliant with state mandates.

Updates on local infrastructure projects were also provided. The Department of Public Works (DPW) is engaged in several initiatives, including the repair of a disintegrated metal corrugated pipe under Clinton, which is expected to be completed soon. Additionally, the framing for the Memorial Field restrooms is nearing completion, with work on electrical and plumbing set to commence shortly. The tree protection and removal ordinance has been adopted, and registration forms for contractors are now available.

A notable topic of discussion was the significant increase in local government employer health insurance rates, which saw a 17.2% increase compared to state employees’ projected increase of 11% and local school employees’ 14.9%. The council members expressed concern over the disparity in rates and the lack of a clear explanation for the significant increase.

Other updates included reminders that garbage collection would revert to a once-per-week schedule, Town Hall would return to normal Friday hours, and the library would resume normal Sunday operations beginning September 8. The fireworks event was set for September 21, and final tax bills were expected to be distributed that month. Additionally, the state’s Anchor property tax relief program was set to launch on September 15, aimed at providing financial assistance to residents.

The police department is in the process of hiring a sixth School Resource Officer to replace an officer who will not be returning. The administrator is also investigating increases in electric rates approved by the Board of Public Utilities in February, which have notably impacted residents in recent months.