Kenilworth — The borough council introduced a bond ordinance on first reading to finance $2,298,500 in capital improvements and discussed lingering concerns about the town’s tree‑maintenance funding and inspection practices.

Councilman Morrow presented the capital program and said the budget groups spending into public safety and infrastructure categories. The proposed bond ordinance (Ordinance 2025‑10) would appropriate $2,298,500 for a range of projects and equipment purchases and authorized issuing bonds and notes to finance the appropriation; public hearing on the ordinance was set for Aug. 20, 2025 at 6 p.m.

Why it matters: the capital plan includes police and fire vehicles and equipment, pedestrian‑safety measures and radar speed signs, security cameras at Mario Park, ADA ramps for the police detective bureau, continued paving work on Monroe and other streets, senior‑center window replacement, a wash facility at the Department of Public Works (DPW), park improvements, tree planting, and sewer/catch basin work. Council members and staff said the borough secured more than $822,000 in grants to reduce the local borrowing burden.

Most of the council discussion focused on the borough’s tree budget and maintenance approach. Council members recalled that the tree line item was increased to $75,000 in 2021 and then lowered to $35,000 in 2022; last year a one‑time infusion raised available funds but did not change the recurring line item. Several members said the borough has been “reactive, not proactive” and asked for clearer inspection protocols and a maintenance plan before simply increasing the line item.

Councilman Boyle and others asked for a proactive inspection program that would identify hazard trees and limbs before failures, and Councilman Morrow offered to work with members and staff to define inspection staffing and budget needs. No formal change to the recurring tree line item was adopted during the meeting; council members said the finance committee and relevant departments will review inspection procedures and return with recommendations.

Formal action taken: the council introduced Ordinance 2025‑10 (bond ordinance) on first reading by motion and set its public hearing for Aug. 20, 2025. The capital budget components described in the meeting are reflected in the proposed ordinance; the introduction vote passed on a council motion. The council also approved a consent agenda of resolutions (Res. 25‑159 through 25‑167) by a single roll call; Resolution 25‑168 was pulled for separate consideration and later adopted after executive session.

What’s next: staff and the finance committee will review tree‑inspection procedures, and the bond ordinance will return for public hearing and final adoption at the Aug. 20 council meeting. The council did not set a new recurring dollar amount for the tree budget at this meeting.