James Booth

The Council meeting involved several key actions, including the appointment of personnel for the after-school program, the Recreation Advisory Committee, and public works. The Council addressed the adoption of bond ordinances for improvements to Hofstra Park and street infrastructure, including North 14th Street and Cyril Avenue. Further resolutions authorized an agreement with Spatial Data Logic, LLC for software services, the designation of handicap parking spaces, engineering plans for park and street projects, and approval of the monthly bills list. The session also included executive session discussions regarding personnel and litigation matters.

The Re-Organization Meeting commenced with ceremonial elements including the presentation of colors, flag salute, national anthem, and invocation. The agenda proceeded with administering oaths of office to newly elected Council members, Anand Shah and Mohamed Hussain, followed by greetings and recognition of elected and appointed officials. Key actions involved mayoral appointments requiring Council advice and consent, including the appointment of Heidy Amaral as Full-Time Borough Administrator (Resolution No. 2026-01), and appointments within the Police Department (Sergeant Craig Bonagura and Interim-Sergeant Mohamed H. Daghstani via Resolutions 2026-02 and 2026-03, respectively). Further resolutions confirmed appointments for administrative roles, volunteer fire department positions, and various municipal officers and committees for 2026, such as the Borough Engineer, Auditor, and Planner. A consent agenda addressed numerous routine resolutions, including setting official depositories, authorizing investment strategies, continuing the wage and salary ordinance, and setting the animal control agreement. Additionally, an ordinance amending the Police Department Composition (Ordinance No. 2026-01) was introduced for future public hearing.

The meeting included discussions and actions on various topics, such as amending parking regulations, renewing employee benefits funds, establishing meeting dates for the upcoming year, approving budget transfer appropriations, accepting a grant for the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign, and authorizing grant agreements with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. Additionally, there were council and committee reports, a public hearing, and an executive session to discuss matters pertaining to personnel, litigations, and attorney-client privilege.

The ordinance amending the annual salaries of the officers and employees of the Borough of Prospect Park for the year 2025 was passed on second and final reading and adopted by the Mayor and Council.

The meeting included the appointment of Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers and a member to the Prospect Park Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. Communications and correspondence were reviewed, including a request for a fee waiver from the PTO. Discussions and actions were taken regarding Ordinance 2025-10 related to parking regulations and Ordinance 2025-12 concerning the annual salaries of officers and employees. The council also addressed a consent agenda involving contracts for a fire truck and benches, the purchase of hoses, a veteran exemption, handicap parking space additions, and an insertion into the municipal budget. Updates were provided by legal counsel, the engineer, and various council members on public service, communication/ordinance matters, housing/health & welfare, parks & recreation/buildings & grounds, public safety, and finance & economic development/insurance.