Council members and borough staff provided updates Wednesday on several water-infrastructure and capital projects, including PFAS remediation design, the state‑mandated lead service line replacement program and proposed bond ordinances to fund water and borough facility projects.

Councilwoman Judy Cusick, reporting for utilities, buildings and grounds, said H2M (the borough's engineering firm) is working with the Ramsey Water Department on treatment approaches for PFAS at well sites including Arrow Road, Darlington, Brookfield, North Central and Spring Street. She noted U.S. EPA PFAS water quality limits were discussed as driving the need for treatment planning.

Cusick also summarized the state lead service line replacement requirement: the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s legislation requires replacement of all lead service lines served by the water system by 2031. The borough and the Board of Public Works are planning implementation and a draft borough ordinance is under consideration to provide economic incentives for residents to replace the privately owned portion of service lines.

Borough Administrator Vose outlined several potential bond ordinances under discussion: (1) Board of Public Works bond to fund the 2025 lead service line replacement phase, Snyder Avenue water-main upgrades and associated mandated service-line replacements; (2) a borough bond ordinance for projects such as initial upgrades to the emergency communications/radio system and resurfacing and lighting upgrades to the Finch Park basketball and pickleball courts. Vose said Finch Park court upgrades would be partially offset (about 50%) by accumulated open-space grant funds when reimbursements are completed; the Board of Public Works project would also include design work for PFAS remediation.

No formal votes on bond ordinances occurred at the work session; officials described planning steps, grant offsets and the need for state reviews before bidding for capital projects.