James Booth

The session included presentations for an ALS Awareness proclamation and the observance of Youth Week, featuring the recognition of Youth Week officials. The engineering department provided reports on municipal aid grant proposals, road improvement projects, and survey work. The council addressed several consent agenda resolutions covering tax bill authorizations, professional engineering proposals, construction contracts, interlocal agreements for school resource officers, financial contract increases, and property tax cancellations for disabled veterans. Additionally, resolutions were reviewed concerning bond anticipation notes, staff salary adjustments, and the payment of municipal bills.

The work session included a public hearing on an Open Space, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Fund Grant application for walking path rehabilitation. The council reviewed various communications regarding speed limits, youth week, and coalition initiatives. New business items addressed budget ordinances, financial agreements with urban renewal entities, and salary supplements. The consent agenda covered resolutions for contract increases, tax refunds, playground equipment proposals, maintenance bond releases, school tax deferrals, and the authorization of payment of claims. Discussions focused on the 2026 budget and upcoming filing deadlines.

The council meeting addressed various official reports, committee updates, and communications. Key actions included the introduction and first reading of several ordinances regarding municipal budget appropriation limits, a financial agreement with TFJ North Haledon Urban Renewal, and salary adjustments for borough employees. Resolutions were passed for the reading and self-examination of the municipal budget, and the official introduction of the 2026 municipal budget. The consent agenda included approvals for raffle licenses, contract increases with engineering and cleaning services, playground equipment proposals, tax refunds for veterans, and authorization for the payment of claims totaling $3,026,583.02.

The meeting focused on the adoption and hearing of several affordable housing ordinances. The Council discussed the Fourth Round Fair Share Settlement Agreement and moved to adopt ordinances regarding an overlay zone, general affordable housing, and a specific B-2 affordable housing overlay zone. Additionally, the Council approved a resolution to endorse the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan.

The council agenda covers several key items, including the consideration of a bond ordinance for 2026 capital acquisitions and improvements, revisions to the recreation commission membership, and updates to municipal parking lot regulations. Additionally, the council reviewed various resolutions encompassing library remittances, appropriation reserve transfers, raffle license approvals, personnel changes within the Planning Board, and the awarding of contracts for municipal cleaning, engineering services, and fuel supplies.