Jennifer Martin

The agenda for the Mayor & Council meeting included several resolutions and ordinance readings. Key items involve authorizing appointments to the 2026 Recreation Committee and administering oaths of office. Resolutions cover the approval of the March 4, 2026, Bills & Claims List, the approval of the February 18, 2026, minutes (excluded from summary details per instructions), and numerous consent items related to training, rentals, LOSAP program qualification, engineering services proposals from Remington Vernick Engineers for road milling, landfill testing, and water treatment plant assistance, as well as awarding a landfill monitoring well testing contract to Eurofins, LLC. The meeting also scheduled a second reading and public comment period for Ordinance 2026-6 concerning Affordable Housing Regulations and Ordinance 2026-7 regarding a new overlay zoning district. An executive session was planned to discuss personnel matters related to the Purchasing Assistant position.

Key discussions focused on a finance recap, including a scheduled budget meeting and the upcoming start of purchasing activities. Correspondence was reviewed, and volunteers shared updates on their assigned responsibilities: event sponsorship/donations, vendor management, yoga instruction logistics, and inventory preparation. The committee planned and set layouts/dates for major 2026 events, including the Memorial Day Parade/River Festival, 4th of July, Community Luau, Harvest Festival (where glow sticks were unanimously approved), and the Holiday Tree Lighting (where the duration was reduced and inflatables/choir agreed upon). The Classic Car Show location was moved to the waterfront, and the Community Yard Sale was eliminated. A significant discussion centered on integrating Senior Services into Recreation, involving coordination with RWJ Health and Mrs. Battaglia, and brainstorming ideas like the Silver Sneakers Program and a Senior Citizen luncheon.

The agenda for the Mayor & Council Meeting included a second public hearing for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant Program and a proclamation honoring Eagle Scout Aidan Liston. Key actions involved the approval of the February 4, 2026, certified bills list and the approval of the January 21, 2026, regular and executive minutes. Consent resolutions addressed various administrative matters, including authorizing seminar attendance, community center rentals, participation in the Ocean County document shredding event, an inter-local service agreement with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office for the FAST team, the appointment of a full-time Laborer in Public Works, fund investment authorization, rescinding a purchase for playground equipment, authorizing the hiring of a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class II, renewing the optional dental plan, and applying for a Governor's Council on Substance Use Disorder grant. The council reviewed second readings for an ordinance amending traffic schedules to add stop intersections and introduced first readings for ordinances concerning Mayo Park/Community Center fees, transfer of title/rental/reinspection fees, and zoning permit/certificate of occupancy fees. An executive session was scheduled to discuss personnel (Civil Service Code Enforcement), contractual matters (Ocean Avenue Park), and terms/conditions (Water Rates).

The meeting agenda included the authorization of a Police Special Officer Class II appointment for Vincent G. Pedone, followed by a Proclamation honoring K-9 Unit Patrol Officer William Manganiello and K-9 Ace. Key items involved a first public hearing for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant Program and the introduction of an ordinance amending traffic schedules to add four-way stops. Consent resolutions covered routine matters such as training authorization, facility rentals, amendment of the employee wellness incentive program, authorization for a petty cash fund, submission of the CDBG application for ADA compliant entrances, rejection of a tractor bid, tax refunds for disabled veterans, salary increases for full-time employees and the Mayor, dental plan renewal, sick leave approval, and a requirement for the Sewerage Authority to provide a sewer map. The session was scheduled to conclude with an Executive Session to discuss personnel (DPW salaries/promotions), contractual matters (Donated Land to VO-TECH), and terms and conditions (NJ Film Rentals, Water Rates).

The Re-Organization Meeting included the administration of the Oath of Office to Councilmen-Elect Edward Zakar and Gerald LaCrosse. Key agenda items consisted of numerous consent resolutions covering appointments for 2026, including those for the Land Use Board, Environmental Shade Tree Committee, Beachwood Sewerage Authority Commissioner, Recreation Committee, Office of Emergency Management, Municipal Alliance Chairperson, School Crossing Guards, and Volunteer Fire Company #1. Mayoral appointments were also confirmed for various positions, including Class I, Class II, and Class III Land Use Board terms. Furthermore, resolutions authorized professional services agreements for 2026, council assignments, official newspaper designations, 2026 annual meeting dates, contractual holidays, tax appeal procedures, investment policies, tax lien sale authorization, and the temporary budget.