Joe Hathaway

The session began with a Budget Session, including presentations from the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and the Police Department, followed by a review of other budget considerations for General Government, Land Use, Library, and Capital. The Regular Meeting portion involved combined action resolutions, including authorizing recreation program fee refunds, awarding a professional services agreement to CSG Law not to exceed $16,000, and endorsing a NJDEP Water Extension Permit application. Several ordinances were introduced, addressing municipal budget appropriation limits, and amending zoning regulations for various districts, including the Village Center Residential Overlay District-3, South Salem Street Overlay District, and Specialty Shop/Village Office District (SS/VO). Other ordinances related to water and sewer rate schedules and establishing new Affordable Housing and Development Fee Ordinances.

This meeting agenda outlines several key operational and financial discussions. The session includes opening procedures, public comment periods, and departmental budget presentations from Public Works, Health, Construction, Engineering, and Water & Sewer departments. Specific budget considerations involve revenue, the Open Space & Recreation Trust, a review of the Fund Balance, and the Reserve for Uncollected Taxes. The agenda also allocates time for council questions, discussions, and a designated executive session.

The reorganization meeting established the leadership for 2026, including the unanimous selection of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary. Key actions included reviewing and adopting subcommittee appointments, approving the Annual Notice and Schedule of Meetings for 2026-2027, designating official newspapers, and adopting the Planning Board Procedures and Guidelines for 2026 with noted updates. Professional service appointments were made, retaining James Pryor as Special Planning Board Attorney for a specific matter, Boswell Engineering as Special Engineering Consultant, and Sarmad Planning Group, LLC as Special Planning Consultant. The document also covers the subsequent regular meeting which addressed new business, specifically the Minor Site Plan applications for Lamaj Plaza LLC and Center Grove Village LLC, which involved discussions on renovations, parking additions, bollards, and landscaping.

The agenda for this Regular Meeting included the opening proceedings, a proclamation celebrating the 106th Birthday of Marion Dietsch, and public comment periods. Key resolutions authorized the Tax Collector to redeem and refund a specific tax sale certificate, endorsed the Township's Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) Application, and awarded multiple MCCPC contracts for road resurfacing (Milling and Paving in Districts 1, 2, and 3) and pavement restoration/curbing. Further actions included authorizing the release of a cash bond and awarding professional services agreements for annual on-call engineering services. The council also considered and approved several raffle license applications for upcoming events hosted by RHS Choir Booster Association and St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church Community Center. The meeting concluded with council comments and a scheduled executive session.

The reorganization meeting commenced with the swearing-in of a Commissioner and the election of the Chairman and Vice Chairman. Key resolutions involved authorizing non-fair and open contracts for professional services. The Board retained Sarmad Planning Group, LLC as the Planning Consultant for 2026 and Boswell, Inc. as the Engineering Consultant for 2026. A resolution was passed to establish the schedule of regular Board of Adjustment meetings for the 2026 calendar year. During the regular session portion, the minutes from the October 9, 2025, and October 23, 2025, meetings were approved. The Board also acted on variance applications: the variance application for Peter Behson (31 Everdale Road) concerning steep slope disturbance, lot area, and frontage deviations for a single-family residence was approved, subject to final engineering review conditions. Additionally, the variance application for Joseph Marino (1393 Sussex Turnpike) regarding steep slope disturbance for an in-ground swimming pool was approved.