Jeffrey K. Jones

The key discussions focused on administrative items, including the closing of the public comment period (during which no public comments were offered). The board also reviewed correspondence received from the County Health Department and the DEP regarding various properties, including Certificates of Compliance, Environmental Investigations, and Permit Termination Applications. Furthermore, the board reviewed records related to Sanitary Inspections, noting which properties were in compliance or required septic/well applications.

The primary focus of this reorganization meeting was the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected Township Committee members, Ronald DeBaecke Jr. and Christopher A. Doyle. Key procedural actions included the nomination and swearing-in of Ronald DeBaecke Jr. as Mayor and John Giberson as Deputy Mayor for 2026. The Committee also appointed the Township Attorney and established various Township Committee Liaison Positions for 2026 across departments such as Police, Public Works, Recreation, and Housing. The Committee approved resolutions concerning professional service agreements for 2026, the appointment of various officers and employees, fixing the schedule for regular meetings for 2026, establishing a temporary municipal operating budget, authorizing fund transfers and investments, fixing interest rates on delinquent taxes, authorizing the Tax Assessor to file tax appeals, naming legal depositories and newspapers, adopting a Cash Management Plan, authorizing a standard tax sale, authorizing the cancellation of small tax delinquencies, appointing a Risk Management Consultant and Labor Attorney to the Joint Insurance Fund, authorizing advance payment of certain bills, adopting Robert's Rules of Order, and appointing Fund Commissioner, Claims Coordinator, and Safety Coordinator to the Joint Insurance Fund. Resolutions were also adopted regarding Bingo/Raffle applications, exchanging construction code services, authorizing the Prosecutor to name an alternate, adopting Police Department Rules and Regulations, affirming the Civil Rights Policy, applying for a Local Recreation Improvement Grant, authorizing advance expenditures for the Summer Recreation Camp Program, approving software services for the Tax Assessor, and authorizing an Executive Session to discuss contract matters, personnel, and litigation. The committee agreed to hold a special meeting on January 22nd for a CDBG Public Hearing and discussed drafting ordinances regarding Clothing Donation Bins and Dumpsters/Pods.

The special meeting included a public hearing regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application, specifically for proposed project work to replace exterior doors at the Jeanette Bowers Community Center with handicap accessible ones, estimated at $60,000. The Committee passed Resolution 2026-30, authorizing the submission of the CDBG application for these accessibility improvements and designating the Township Engineer to represent the Township for the submission. The Committee also authorized a resolution (2026-31) to enter a closed Executive Session to discuss Contract Matters, Personnel, and Litigation matters.

This document outlines the Township of North Hanover's Housing Element and Fair Share Plan Amendment, detailing its strategy to comply with constitutional and court-mandated affordable housing obligations under the New Jersey Fair Housing Act. The plan addresses the municipality's present and prospective fair share of low- and moderate-income housing, covering the period from 1999 to 2025. It focuses on continuing a rehabilitation program and utilizing three existing affordable family rental complexes (Millstream Apartments North, Millstream Apartments South, and Maplewood Apartments) to fulfill its unit requirements, with affordability controls extended until 2047. The plan also details administrative mechanisms, funding, and reporting for compliance.

Key discussions during the meeting included responding to a Notice of Violation from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection regarding stormwater management audit findings, with the Engineer preparing a response. The Engineer also presented on upcoming NJDEP Stormwater Compliance requirements, noting potential expenditures and options for Tri-Annual Street Sweeping, and reported on submitted grant proposals for park and road improvements. The Committee addressed personnel matters by appointing several members to the Recreation Advisory Committee, appointing Nolan Jolly as a full-time Clerk-Typist, reappointing Maryalice Brown as Municipal Tax Collector, and reappointing Joseph P. Montalto as Municipal Court Judge. The resignation of Administrator Joseph B. Bellina was accepted. Resolutions were passed approving Mobile Home License Renewals for 2026, Blue Light Permit Applications, Fire Company Member enrollments into the New Jersey State Firefighter's Association, execution of a maintenance agreement for the Munidex Dog License System, budget transfers for the 2025 budget, and a Chapter 159 request regarding a Shared Service Agreement with the North Hanover Board of Education. Additionally, a software licensing agreement with Spatial Data Logic, LLC was approved for various municipal offices, and a service agreement with Barnabas Health Medical Group PC dba BHMG-Corporate Care for pre-employment physicals was approved. The Committee discussed and agreed upon a date change for the 2026 Reorganization Meeting and considered establishing a snow/storm emergency trust fund. The meeting concluded with motions to enter into an Executive Session to discuss contract matters, personnel, acquisition of real property, public safety tactics, and litigation.