Heater’s Pond application tabled as council flags lifeguard shortage; summer hours, lead mandates and grants discussed

The council tabled a facility-use application from ORA for Heater's Pond after council members said the borough currently has no lifeguards.

Councilwoman Cowdrick said Lifeguard staffing is not in place and requested the application remain on the table until the availability of lifeguards can be confirmed. Mayor Hutnick and council members agreed; a roll call to table the application passed unanimously. Councilman DeMeo asked for staff to notify the applicant and continue communications.

Separately, council members discussed adopting summer hours for the Department of Public Works to avoid late-afternoon heat, citing other municipalities’ practices (proposed hours 6 a.m.–2 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day). Borough Attorney Robert McBriar advised the handbook may require amendment to authorize schedule changes.

The council also discussed new state lead-abatement mandates and lead-line replacement efforts; Councilman Ciasullo said he had consulted four other towns and that several have begun exploratory digging. Councilman DeMeo reported outreach on grants, including one police grant the borough is eligible for and an application submitted to Senator Kean's office for major water-systems improvements; any such grant would require a local match (DeMeo said a 20% match would apply if selected). The council agreed to identify two roads to pursue for NJDOT FY2025 State Aid grants and to continue exploring lead-line funding options.