Kenilworth Borough Council approved a consent agenda of resolutions and introduced an ordinance to set local liquor-license fees during its Feb. 25 meeting at Barrel Hall.

The action matters because the consent agenda includes routine purchases and personnel or contracting items that affect town operations, and the ordinance would set fees for distribution and consumption liquor licenses within borough limits — a local rule tied to state caps and a public hearing date.

By one motion, the council approved Resolutions 25-80 through 25-88 after a roll call vote. Councilman Morrow moved the consent agenda and Councilman Scurries seconded; the motion passed by roll call with the council members present voting in favor and one member excused, according to meeting minutes.

The council also introduced Ordinance 2025-01, described as “an ordinance amending and supplementing Chapter 57, Alcoholic Beverages, Section 4 (Fees),” intended to set local fees for liquor licenses. Councilman Morrow moved the ordinance on introduction; Councilman Scurries seconded. A public hearing and adoption were scheduled for March 19, 2025.

Borough Administrator Paul told the council there were also two resolutions on the evening’s agenda to join cooperative purchasing systems: one to allow purchases for a police-department equipment need and another to permit using a cooperative for the installation of a gazebo. Paul said joining the co-op “opens up to several different things” and that those systems have their own competitive vetting, which lets the borough piggyback on preapproved contracts. Paul told the council the gazebo purchase would be paid from Kids Recreation Trust funds and that a pending liquor-license transfer would remove Boulevard 572 from town and add Center Steakhouse.

Councilman Boyle, reporting for the Department of Public Works, said the DPW collected and disposed of 237 tons of municipal solid waste at a cost of $18,237, collected 33 tons of recycling for $3,430 and transported 40 cubic yards of mixed vegetation for $940. He noted the borough’s sewer inspection, performed Feb. 3, drew praise: “our licensed operator from Central Jersey Pump called it ‘the best report he has seen in his line of work,’” Boyle said.

On finance, the council’s finance chair said department heads are reviewing budget requests and the borough will be monitoring state aid after the governor’s budget speech on Feb. 25. The finance chair reminded residents the borough’s budget must be introduced at the first meeting after March 31; for Kenilworth that date is April 2.

During public comment, Aria and family members asked the council to support a neurodiversity fundraising event and flag-raising at a central public location in April. “The neurodivergent fundraising event aims to celebrate neurodiversity,” resident Ron Kathiwari said, asking for town support with space and promotion. Mayor and several council members indicated willingness to work with the organizers and follow up.

Resident Jeremy Grimaldi urged the council to explore returning shooting teams to local high schools through public–private partnerships and off-site ranges. “I would like to see … shooting teams back in high schools,” Grimaldi said.

Several residents raised long-standing concerns about bulk pickup: early placement of large piles, construction material left at curbs and scavenging that leaves yards messy. Council members discussed options — stepped-up code enforcement, defining allowable quantities by number of pieces, or changing pickup frequency — and agreed to review alternatives in committee before proposing ordinance changes.

Before adjourning to executive session, the council confirmed an executive-session motion and voted to enter executive session for matters not disclosed in the public record.

The council set a public hearing on Ordinance 2025-01 for March 19, 2025, and expects to introduce the municipal budget at its April 2 meeting.