Chad Eckert

The meeting included the administration of the Oath of Office to newly elected Council Members and the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Calendar Year 2026. Key resolutions were approved, incorporating authorizations for professional services contracts for Township Attorney, Prosecutor, Public Defender, Auditor, Bond Counsel, Labor Attorney, and Special Tax Counsel. Appointments were made for a Public Agency Compliance Officer and an Official Township Host/Hostess. Various Council Liaison and Member appointments were confirmed for commissions and boards including the Environmental Commission, Library Board of Trustees, Planning Board, Economic Development Committee, and Water/Sewer Committee. A significant portion of the meeting involved the public portion where numerous residents expressed concerns and urged the Council to oppose the potential establishment of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Roxbury, citing concerns over human rights, public safety, strain on municipal resources, and trauma to residents. The Mayor reassured the public that officials are proactively monitoring the situation and seeking information from federal and state representatives.

The primary focus of the meeting was the introduction and unanimous adoption of Resolution No. 2026-029, which unequivocally opposes the locating of a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing or detention facility in warehouses within the Township. Key reports included updates from the Lake Hopatcong Commission, Morris County Re-Organization Meeting, and Planning Board. The Council also introduced Ordinance No. 01-26 concerning the calendar year 2026 budget appropriation limits and approved several resolutions addressing contract awards, release of guarantees, and tax refunds. During the public portion, residents raised significant concerns regarding traffic congestion and parking issues on Riggs Avenue, which the Council committed to addressing collaboratively, and further discussed the implications of the ICE facility resolution.

The agenda for this special meeting included the Pledge of Allegiance, the Open Public Meeting Statement, and a Roll Call. The primary substantive item was the discussion and potential action regarding the NJ Green Acres Program Park Development Application, specifically concerning the Horseshoe Lake Park Imagination Station Renovation. A public hearing was scheduled for this matter. Supporting documents included a public hearing announcement and a memorandum detailing the project scope, conceptual design for a universal design playground, and preliminary cost estimates totaling approximately $892,049.74 before contingency.

The meeting agenda for the Township Council included the Pledge of Allegiance and the Open Public Meeting Statement, noting that public notice was provided on December 31, 2025. Key items slated for discussion and potential action included the introduction and potential adoption of Ordinance 02-26 regarding establishing 'No Parking' zones on Riggs Avenue and Morris Street. The agenda also listed numerous resolutions for adoption, such as authorizing the execution of a lease agreement with Morris County for a nutrition site at the Roxbury Community Center for 2026, amending the membership of the Fire Department, awarding contracts for water utility chemicals (Sodium Hypochlorite and Sodium Hydroxide), awarding a contract for a primary sludge pump at the Ajax Terrace Water Pollution Control Plant, authorizing a grant application to the NJ Department of Community Affairs for the Imagination Station Replacement Project, awarding a contract for a Community Forestry Management Plan, authorizing the payment of bills, and concluding with an Executive Session.

The meeting commenced with a statement opposing the federal government using any location in Roxbury as an ICE processing facility, followed by Mayor Potillo expressing disapproval of disruptive campaigns and noting that proposed ordinance suggestions were referred for legal review. Budget presentations included the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) budget, which was reported as flat for 2026. The Health Department requested an increase in part-time hours to meet inspection requirements and requested capital funding for vehicle replacements. The Police Department requested one additional officer, an increase in the overtime budget due to increased call volume and new de-escalation guidelines, and noted budget increases for body-worn camera maintenance due to grant expiration. The Engineering Department presented its 2026 capital requests, including mandated stormwater retrofits, streetscape projects, drainage improvements, and various road resurfacing and sidewalk projects, offset by several grants. Policy recommendations included requiring developers to submit final plans in AutoCAD format. The public portion featured significant discussion regarding the proposed ICE facility, with residents expressing opposition, concern over language used in budget reports (e.g., 'emotionally disturbed'), and questioning sufficiency of mental health counseling budgets. One resident expressed support for the facility based on job security for union members and potential federal funding.