Council Proclaims Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Marks Completion of Lead Line Replacement

Mayor Patrick proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Borough Administrator Michael Zichelli announced the completion of the borough's lead service line replacement project, crediting Erik DeLine for the work — more than 700 lead lines were replaced, meaning all borough-maintained water services are now lead-free. Councilor Lisovicz opened the meeting with a moment of silence honoring Sgt. Charles "Rob" Roberts on what would have been his 46th birthday.

The council approved a Phase Two CARES Act reimbursement agreement with Essex County to recover pandemic-related costs, authorized the $108,411.14 purchase of a John Deere 310SL Backhoe Loader for the Department of Public Works, introduced an ordinance appropriating capital funds for equipment and improvements, and gave final adoption to Ordinance No. 1734 amending the borough's smoking-in-municipal-buildings rules.

During public comment, resident Amanda Porcell raised concerns about speeding on Washington and Lincoln Streets, which Chief Byron-Lagattuta addressed directly, and Kristin O'Neill flagged an infestation and unsafe conditions at Barrows Field. O'Neill returned later in the meeting, joined by Mary Mullin, to press for a long-term plan to fix the borough's deteriorating athletic fields, with Mullin specifically asking the council to consider artificial turf. Chief Byron-Lagattuta also announced parking enforcement would fully resume October 1 and promoted a virtual National Night Out on October 6.

What to watch

• A long-term plan for repairing Barrows Field and other borough athletic fields, including possible artificial turf
• Prequalification applications underway for the Library roof and Train Station restoration projects