Council honors Santa Run volunteers; manager reports Borough Hall window incident and council moves to executive session

The Red Bank Borough Council used its meeting to honor two community volunteers, hear department and commission reports, address a recent Borough Hall property incident, and then move into executive session for litigation and personnel matters.

Mayor Portman read two proclamations recognizing Mary Ferraro for founding and growing the borough’s Santa Run and Dana Kalingres for her volunteer support, design work and sponsorship coordination. The proclamations said the event began in 2016 with about 30 stops and has since expanded to roughly four fire trucks, more than 150 stops and has served more than 1,000 children, crediting the Navicent Hook and Ladder Company and community volunteers for the event’s growth.

Council members and staff used the reports portion of the agenda to promote community events and outreach. Christina thanked the governing body for support of renters and previewed work to modernize the borough’s rent‑leveling ordinance; Parks & Rec and Environmental Commission members announced a Green Fair at Red Bank Middle School on April 22 and other seasonal events.

Borough Manager Jim reported on municipal operations and described a Friday night incident at Borough Hall in which windows were smashed. He said officers responded, subdued the subject after the individual allegedly assaulted officers and used what was described as a six‑foot metal pole as a weapon. "Our officers handled that very professionally," Jim said, and staff will obtain quotes to install impact‑resistant windows and work with insurance on repairs.

After those reports the council voted to adjourn to an executive session to discuss pending litigation and personnel matters; the governing body announced the session would last approximately 25–35 minutes and said no action would be taken following the executive session, after which the meeting would be adjourned.

The proclamations and community announcements give a look at local volunteerism and upcoming events; the manager’s account of the Borough Hall incident triggered a facilities and insurance follow‑up and led the council to move into a closed session to discuss legal and personnel implications.