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Residents ask council to allow cross at Walker Park; counsel advises religious neutrality
Summary
Several residents requested permission to display a cross at Walker Park for the Lenten season beginning Easter; Borough Counsel advised against placing a cross to avoid government endorsement of religion and the council discussed moving displays to Gould Avenue or Borough Hall.
Multiple residents urged the council to permit religious symbols at Walker Park during the Lenten season. Rita Lodato asked the governing body to vote on her request for the immediate display of a cross at Walker Park through the Lenten season commencing on Easter (April 10, 2026). Doreen Custode and other residents pressed for clarity on dimensions, maintenance responsibility and procedures.
Borough Counsel Jarrid Kantor reviewed relevant case law and advised the borough to remain neutral, drawing a line between seasonal decorations and devotional symbols. Kantor said he advised the borough not to place a cross at Walker Park so as not to endorse a particular religion. Council members discussed alternatives including concentrating displays on Gould Avenue or moving symbols to Borough Hall. No formal vote to change display policy occurred; the council said it would consider relocation or removal of future displays and follow counsel's guidance.
