Robyn Esposito

The Reorganization Meeting included the swearing-in of Council members and the election of the 2026 Council President and Vice President. The Mayor delivered the State of the Township Address, highlighting accomplishments in Administration and Operations, including workforce updates, legislative changes, capital investments such as PFAS mitigation and the Health and Wellness Center groundbreaking, and successful shared services revenue generation. Financial highlights included maintaining a fund balance over $14 million and achieving zero recommendations on the annual audit for the seventeenth consecutive year. The meeting also covered administrative actions like approving the new OPRA system implementation, police department transitions and reaccreditation, Public Works updates on road resurfacing and water infrastructure planning, and significant progress in Planning regarding affordable housing obligations settlements. Furthermore, numerous appointments were made to various committees, boards (including Planning Board, Library Board), and official roles such as Township Attorney and Business Administrator. Finally, a consent agenda of twenty-one resolutions was unanimously approved, covering items like establishing the annual meeting schedule, appointing officials, and setting temporary budgets.

The Mount Olive Planning Board meeting agenda included committee reports and resolutions, specifically addressing an Operation & Remediation Plan Update for Saxton Falls Sand & Gravel. Key development applications reviewed included PB 24-18 Outfront Media, LLC, concerning a Preliminary & Final Site Plan, Variance, and a separate Application for Appeal for the same location. The public hearing segment covered an Amendment to the Housing Element & Fair Share Plan, along with discussions regarding an Affordable Housing Overlay District and ordinances related to the Budd Lake Motel & Kennedy's.

The Council meeting included a public hearing and unanimous adoption of Ordinance #29-2025, which revises consent and permission granted to New Jersey-American Water Company, Inc. for furnishing potable water. The consent resolutions agenda covered numerous items, including resolutions commending Chief Michael Spitzer and Officer Casey Grimm upon their retirement, authorizing the submission of a grant plan for the Mount Olive Municipal Alliance Committee (MOMAC), approving tax cancellation for a disabled veteran, requesting revenue insertion into the 2025 municipal budget, authorizing various purchases and contract awards (including for water treatment chemicals and professional services), designating property as an "Area In Need of Redevelopment," and approving an affordable housing agreement and a settlement agreement related to affordable housing litigation. A non-consent resolution honoring Councilman Greg Stewart for his service was also passed unanimously. The Council approved the Bill List, and administrative reports included updates on intersection improvements, legislative matters, and the Mayor's plans to establish a food pantry.

The meeting included committee reports from the Open Space Committee regarding water sampling of Budd Lake and planning for a future Kyack event. A resolution (PB 25-08) granting variance relief for 30 Fire Tower Road was approved. The Board held a public hearing for Application PB 25-09, Daniel Goykhman, concerning a C variance for a detached garage at 4 Brookside Drive. The applicant sought to convert an existing attached garage for a new bathroom and build a new detached garage to store recreation vehicles, requiring variances for lot coverage, side yard setback, and height. The application was approved with a condition preventing commercial use of the new structure.

The agenda for this Reorganization Meeting and Public Meeting included the Pledge of Allegiance, the Open Public Meetings Act Statement, and the Swearing In of Members. Key procedural items involved the nomination and election of officers for the Planning Board Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Attorney, Engineer, Planner, Environmental Consultant, and Traffic Consultant. The board planned to adopt the 2025 meeting dates and confirm the official newspaper. Committee appointments were scheduled for the Ordinance Committee, Street Naming Committee, Open Space Committee, Environmental Committee, and Board of Education. Resolutions were prepared to award non-fair and open contracts for professional services, including legal, engineering, planning, environmental consulting, traffic consulting, civil/environment engineering conflict services, and special counsel. The agenda also reserved time for an annual report on variances (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70.1) and the consideration of one development application, PB 25-16, concerning an interpretation request for 172 Smithtown Road.