Yolaika Gonzalez-VinaMarte

The Township Committee meeting involved an Executive Session authorized by Resolution No. 2026-41 to discuss personnel matters, including employee contributions, the Municipal Housing Liaison, and NJ Homes Liaison, as well as contract negotiations concerning the Alternate Prosecutor, EMS Services, Community Landmark Sign Initiative, and Deer Fencing on Ridge Road. The regular session agenda included the introduction and adoption of several ordinances, such as Ordinance 26-01 amending salaries and compensation, and Ordinance 26-04 to increase Summer Playground fees. Capital Ordinances 26-02 and 26-03, concerning road and general capital improvements including Mountain Road, were introduced for a subsequent public hearing. The committee also acted upon Resolutions 2026-42 through 2026-51, approving support for the Farmland Ride Event, authorizing participation in the TIPS cooperative purchasing system and an agreement with the Bergen County Cooperative Pricing System, authorizing the refund of unused escrow funds for a property, affirming the Civil Rights Policy, adopting the updated Personnel Policy Manual, authorizing a transfer of 2026 Reserve Appropriations, authorizing payment of bills and claims totaling $3,673,795.71, and authorizing the Environmental Commission to apply for a Sustainable Jersey Grant. Administrative reports and correspondence, including several introduced ordinances from Delaware Township, were also reviewed.

The agenda covered discussions and actions across several areas. Key items included an Executive Session authorized by Resolution No. 2026-41 to discuss personnel matters (Healthcare Contributions, Municipal Housing Liaison, NJ Homes Liaison) and contract negotiations (Alternate Prosecutor, EMS Services, Deer Fencing on Ridge Road). The Committee handled the second reading and adoption of Ordinance 26-01 regarding salary and wage amendments, with retroactive effect to January 1, 2026. First readings and introductions were held for Capital Ordinances 26-02 (Mountain Rd improvements), 26-03 (General Capital Improvements, Mountain Rd), 26-04 (Summer Playground fees increase), and 26-05 (Tennis Courts remodeling). The Consent Agenda involved approving several resolutions, including support for the 2026 Farmland Ride Event, authorization to participate in the TIPS cooperative purchasing system, entering an agreement with the Bergen County Cooperative Pricing System, returning unused escrow funds for a property on Rileyville Road, affirming the Civil Rights Policy, adopting the updated Personnel Policies & Procedures Manual, approving a transfer of 2026 Reserve Appropriations, and authorizing bills and claims totaling $3,673,795.71. The Committee also addressed administrative reports, construction permits issued in December 2025, and correspondence from surrounding municipalities regarding land use and housing ordinances.

The agenda for this special meeting was focused primarily on the second reading and adoption of several capital ordinances and general ordinances. Key discussions included adopting Ordinance 26-02 to amend road improvements funding using grant money, and Ordinance 26-03 for general capital improvements funded by grants. Ordinance 26-04 proposed an amendment to Chapter 75 to increase fees for the Summer Playground. Ordinance 26-05 involved appropriations for remodeling tennis courts. Additionally, the Committee introduced three new ordinances (26-06, 26-07, and 26-08) related to addressing compliance with the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Uniform Housing Affordability Controls (UHAC) concerning affordable housing obligations, setting their public hearing for March 12, 2026. The Consent Agenda included approving Resolutions 2026-53 for CivicPlus, LLC chatbot implementation and Resolution 2026-54 for a contract via the Keystone Sports Network through a cooperative pricing system.

The meeting began with an Executive Session followed by a Regular Meeting. Announcements included the closure of Municipal Offices for President's Day on February 16, 2026, reminders about the due date for Annual Dog Licenses (March 1st late fee), and information on new options for quarterly tax payments via Autopay and signing up for email alerts. Key discussions involved committee appointments, including alternates for the Planning Board and Environmental Commission, and a new member for the Parks & Recreation Committee. The agenda also covered the second reading and adoption of Ordinance 26-01 concerning salaries and compensation amendments. The committee introduced three new Capital Ordinances (26-02, 26-03, 26-04) related to road improvements, general capital improvements, and increased fees for Summer Playground, all scheduled for a public hearing on February 26, 2026. Ordinance 26-05 regarding remodeling the tennis courts was also introduced. The Consent Agenda included the approval of resolutions covering the 2026 Farmland Ride Event, authorizing participation in cooperative pricing systems (TIPS and Bergen County), affirming the Civil Rights Policy, and adopting updated Personnel Policies & Procedures.

The Reorganization Meeting included the reading of the Statement of Compliance and the election of committee officers, resulting in Dave Harding being confirmed as Chair and Paul Carluccio as Vice-Chair. Sub-committee leads were appointed: Paul Carluccio for Historic Farm Structures, focusing on collecting Elrich's documents and drawings for a registry, and Cassie DeCandia for EAT HPC 250th Involvement/Promotion, focusing on resident visibility and engagement. The reappointment of Freda Routh was noted, and Ralph Finelli chose not to be re-appointed. The subsequent Regular Meeting covered the approval of December 2025 minutes, recognition plans for former members Will Harrison and John Allen, and updates on ongoing business. Ongoing business included discussions on linking to the East Amwell Historical Society website rather than hosting their events, awaiting the rewrite draft for HPC Ordinance 86, planning the next steps for the Historic Bridges Report, coordinating 250th event support, sharing the pre-1900 Historic Homes list for review, arranging support for the Landis Cemetery Restoration, identifying next steps for the Servis-Quick Cemetery Restoration sign and donation transfers, and reviewing the 2026 Temporary Budget. The committee also agreed to review the proposed 2025 goals for the next meeting, while the mapping work was tabled.