Police, Road Improvements to Lead Council Agenda

Hopatcong will host a mayor and council meeting at borough hall at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Look to the right or click here for the agenda. Below is a breakdown of are expected to be the night's biggest issues.

MORE POLICE? Hopatcong could adopt a resolution to request the Division of Local Government Finance to approve adding $51,082 into the 2011 budget for the Safe and Secure Communities grant program. The Department of Public Law and Safety said the program, which was enacted in 1993, was "designed to provide municipalities with funding to add law enforcement personnel vital to effective police operations and other crime related strategies as warranted by the needs of the community." Furthermore, it said the program allows for funding of additional officers or for funding law enforcement support personnel.

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS Hopatcong could adopt a resolution giving Mayor Sylvia Petillo and the municipal clerk to submit a grant application to the state Department of Transportation for improvements to various borough roads.

PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE EXTENSION Hopatcong could adopt a resolution to extend the grace period for property tax payment until Sept. 9 for specific properties, said Dawn Edwards of the Hopatcong tax collectors office. Property taxes for the average borough homeowner went up $76 in April, from $1,751 to $1,827. The average Hopatcong home is assessed at $315,000.

ROSCO'S HOUSE The Hopatcong police hope to build a dog house surrounded by a fence near the department for Rosco, a K-9. The mayor and council are expected to discuss the idea.

BETTER RECOGNIZE Hopatcong volunteer fireman Robert Tallaksen and teacher Danielle Kovach are expected to be honored during the meeting. Tallaksen leaped on a stray hose during a recent house fire in Hopatcong, potentially saving other firefighters from harm. Kovach, a Tulsa Trail third-grade special-education teacher was named the 2011 New Jersey Teacher of the Year.