The meeting commenced with the ceremonial swearing-in of Councilman-elect Frank Dore and Ronald Peterson. The ceremony included the customary oaths of office, affirmations to uphold the Constitution, and concluded with the traditional pledge of allegiance. The event was accompanied by moments of light-heartedness as photographs were taken, and discussions about writing skills ensued. This marked not only a formal induction into the council but also underscored the camaraderie among the members and their commitment to the town’s governance.

Following the swearing-in, the council moved swiftly into the business of reorganization. Mayor Susan Marshall initiated the Mayor and Council Forum, a segment where the council members collectively expressed their gratitude for electoral support and reiterated their commitment to teamwork. With a unanimous approval, this forum set a collaborative tone for the upcoming council term. The public forum that followed was brief, with a single congratulatory comment from an attendee, further indicating community support for the newly elected members.

In the realm of municipal appointments, the council’s reorganization segment was extensive. A temporary budget for the year 2025 was introduced and passed without dissent. The council also appointed members to the land use board, covering various classes and citizen representatives, which was confirmed through a roll call vote. Kayn Alman was appointed as chair of the Environmental Commission, receiving unanimous support.

Among the appointments, Christopher J. Connors was named the borough solicitor, and Frank Little was appointed as the municipal engineer. The council also appointed T&M Associates as the conflict engineer and Brian K. Logan as the borough auditor. Each of these appointments was passed without opposition. Further appointments included William A. Meyer as bond counsel and Phoenix Advisors LLC alongside P&M Consultants LLC as financial advisors, all approved unanimously.

The council also focused on legal and public defense roles, appointing Deborah Rump, Esquire, as the Chief Municipal Public Defender, and Timothy Winr, Esquire, of Pepe and Winr LLC, as the Conflict Public Defender. These appointments were made with unanimous consent.

In a notable decision, Sam Colangelo was appointed as President of the Council for 2025. The motion was passed with a roll call vote, where Colangelo abstained due to a potential conflict of interest.

The council addressed logistical matters, such as designating official newspapers for legal advertising in 2025, setting interest rates for delinquent taxes, and authorizing signatures on borough checks. The official depositories for the year were named as M Squad Bank and New Jersey Cash Management Fund, all of which were approved without objection.

Further resolutions included the appointment of Joseph Iono as Tax Search Officer and Jenny Blor as Assessment Search Officer. The council also appointed Keith Freand as a Class Three member of the borough and Frank Damore as the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator.

In terms of zoning and inspections, Philip J. Reed was appointed as Zoning Officer, with James J. McAndrew serving as Deputy Zoning Officer. The council also appointed Lawrence F. D’Sle as Plumbing Subcode Official and John J. Helmstead as Electrical Subcode Official.

The meeting also included appointments to various committees, such as the Pride and Celebration Committee and the Economic Development Committee, with members like Renee Gello, John Miller, and Glenn Best being appointed to these roles. The appointments to the Historic Preservation Committee and the Environmental Commission were also confirmed.

Lastly, the council addressed operational needs, authorizing participation in cooperative purchasing programs and confirming borough holidays within the resolution for meeting dates. The liaison appointments for various committees were confirmed.