Arnold J. Conoline

The Commission addressed personnel resolutions, ratified payments of legal invoices, and received public comments. The meeting included comprehensive financial reports regarding cash balances, bond status, and investment classifications. Additionally, the Commission reviewed toll traffic and revenue statistics, noting the impact of toll rate increases and adverse weather conditions on traffic volumes across various bridges.

The Regular Monthly Meeting covered several key administrative and financial actions. Key items included the appointment of Commissioner Michael Lavery to the Office of Treasurer to fill a vacancy. The Commission accepted the 2025 Toll Bridge Annual Inspection Report. Resolutions were adopted to approve increases to the not-to-exceed amounts for the Electronic Toll Collection/Tolling Task Order Consultant Agreement (Contract C-770A) and the Construction Management Task Order Consultant Agreement (Contract C-789A). Furthermore, the Commission authorized several personnel actions, including promotions for four maintenance employees, one public safety and bridge security employee, one Toll Bridge Corporal, and one Regional Maintenance Supervisor. Payments for invoices submitted by legal counsels, including NJ Labor Counsel, PA General Counsel, PA Labor Counsel, and NJ General Counsel, were approved. The Commission also received public comments regarding the Washington Crossing project meeting format.

The agenda outlines the proceedings for the meeting, beginning with a call to order and announcement of the public meeting, noting that an Executive Session was held prior to discuss personnel and legal matters. Key items requiring commission action include the acceptance of the 2025 Traffic Engineering Report concerning 2026 toll bridge traffic volume and revenue projections. Furthermore, numerous personnel actions were scheduled for approval, encompassing appointments of several individuals to Toll Supported Bridge Monitor II and Control Center Monitor II positions, promotions to Fleet Manager and Fleet Supervisor, and the approval of retirement benefits for two retiring employees. Financial actions included approving payments for invoices from legal counsel for labor and general counsel services.

The meeting agenda included key discussions and actions. The Executive Session addressed personnel and legal matters or pending litigation. General session items requiring action involved the approval of the Operations Report for December 2025 and several executive session actions, such as the appointment of Michael Lavery to the Office of Treasurer. Engineering actions included the acceptance of the 2025 Toll Bridge Annual Inspection Report and approvals for increasing the not-to-exceed amounts for consultant agreements related to Electronic Toll Collection/Tolling and Construction Management Task Orders. Personnel actions covered the promotion of four Maintenance Employees, one Public Safety & Bridge Security Employee, one Toll Bridge Corporal, and one Regional Maintenance Supervisor. Financial actions included approving payments for invoices to multiple legal counsel firms. The schedule for the next meeting in February 2026 was also set.

The Regular Monthly Meeting addressed several critical agenda items, most notably the adoption of the 2026 Toll Adjustment. This action followed extensive due diligence, staff review, and a public comment process, including three virtual hearings, conducted in October 2025 to meet the financial resilience policy requirements regarding debt service coverage ratio and general reserve fund balance. The Commission also approved the Committee Meeting Schedule and the Regular Monthly Commission Meeting Schedule for 2026. Contract awards were approved for Non-Destructive Bridge Pin Testing at Southern Region Bridges (Contract C-813A) and Central Region Bridges (Contract C-813B). Additionally, several personnel actions, including promotions for five Maintenance Employees, two Toll Bridge Corporals, and one Regional Maintenance Supervisor, were authorized, alongside the approval of retirement benefits for the Fleet Operations Manager. Finally, payments to the Commission's General and Labor Counsels were approved.