Deputy Mayor Michele Mega was formally sworn in as the new mayor, succeeding Melissa Skabich. In her inaugural address, Mega emphasized the importance of volunteerism and community engagement. She expressed gratitude to her family and key figures such as Township Manager Josie Kelly for their support. Mayor Mega’s vision includes maintaining transparency and fostering direct engagement with residents, promising open sessions for community interaction. She also acknowledged the support from state representatives, underscoring her commitment to leading with passion and dedication to Cedar Grove’s welfare.

Mayor Mega detailed several community projects and initiatives that she plans to implement. One of the key highlights was an agreement with PSEG to replace outdated gas mains at no cost to residents, with paving operations set to continue. This partnership aims to improve local infrastructure without burdening the community financially. Additionally, the mayor announced the completion of the new North End Firehouse, a two-story facility designed to bolster fire services in the area. This significant investment in safety infrastructure is complemented by a $4 million reconstruction of the firehouse and an $80,000 upgrade for the police department’s equipment, which includes new body-worn camera docking stations.

Recreational enhancements were also on the agenda, with plans to re-surface Panther Park and the ongoing success of the Little Falls Road basketball courts. Cedar Grove’s senior citizens will benefit from weekly yoga sessions and organized trips, a response to their expressed needs. Mayor Mega announced a new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant website to improve accessibility for residents.

Affordable housing was a contentious issue addressed during the meeting. Originally, the state mandated Cedar Grove to provide 171 affordable housing units. However, through collaboration with township professionals, this figure has been reduced to nine units. Mayor Mega emphasized the township’s ongoing litigation to protect the community from excessive state mandates. She assured residents of transparency throughout this process, with informative videos and public meetings aimed at keeping the community informed.

A development is the planned ADA-accessible playground at Community Park, funded partially by a $750,000 grant from Jake’s Law. This project aims to provide modern facilities for children and families. Further, the remediation of the VFW site to restore it to a natural state was announced, stressing the importance of preserving community spaces.

The meeting also included the appointment of Joseph Maceri as the new deputy mayor. Maceri’s previous experience as a councilman in Little Falls and his professional and empathetic approach were commended. Council members expressed appreciation for outgoing Mayor Skabich and commended Maceri’s analytical skills, which are expected to benefit the township.

Expressions of gratitude were extended to various township officials. Rebecca Roth, the township’s CFO, was acknowledged for transitioning financial operations to a digital platform, improving efficiency. The township attorney was praised for his professionalism in handling legal matters such as tax appeals and litigation, helping to minimize the township’s exposure and liability. The introduction of a budget with an average increase of only $67 on residential assessments was attributed to the manager’s effective day-to-day operations.

The meeting also covered the appointment of members to various boards and committees. A motion was made to approve these appointments collectively, and all resolutions passed unanimously. The meeting concluded with a public comment session, though no attendees stepped forward to address the council. The council thanked participants for their involvement in the reorganization and swearing-in ceremony.