Red Bank, NJ (June 5, 2025) — On Wednesday evening, Borough leadership welcomed residents to the first Community Conversation of the year at the Red Bank Senior Center. The event marked a meaningful milestone in the Borough’s commitment to open governance, community input, and continued transparency.
The meeting was led by Mayor Portman, the borough council, borough manager Gant, and a panel of department heads who shared updates on a wide range of key initiatives including water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, current and upcoming roadwork, park improvement projects, pedestrian and bike safety planning, public safety updates from the Red Bank Police Department, and the Borough’s expanding efforts in community engagement.
“Our goal is to be transparent, accessible, and accountable in everything we do,” said Borough Manager Jim Gant. “This Community Conversation reflects the hard work of our team and our desire to keep residents informed and involved as we invest in infrastructure, safety, and quality of life improvements across Red Bank.”
Residents were invited to submit questions in advance through an online form, with additional time provided during the meeting for open discussion. Questions ranged from traffic and parking to stormwater management and road safety. Borough staff took the time to answer each inquiry with honesty, clarity, and care, reinforcing the Borough’s focus on being proactive, responsive, and accessible.
The two-hour meeting provided valuable space for residents to engage directly with those shaping Borough policy and operations. Many concerns raised by the community are already being addressed through ongoing projects or have solutions currently under development. This transparency underscored the value of the forum and affirmed the Borough’s commitment to moving from conversation to action.
Holding the meeting at the Red Bank Senior Center, a Borough-owned space, was also intentional. It served to highlight the multi-use potential of public facilities and to physically ground the conversation within a building that reflects civic purpose and community service.
This was the first meeting this year in a series of planned conversations, with future meetings to take place at various locations throughout town to ensure accessibility and broaden participation.
Missed the meeting?
Watch the full recording here:
Submit additional feedback or questions: RBcommunity@redbanknj.org