TOWNSHIP OF SPRINGFIELD
AGENDA
Organization Meeting January 1, 2024 1 p.m.
1. Meeting called to Order by the Township Clerk.
2. Posting of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance – Led by David Penna, Vice Commander, and Members Carl Ostergaard and Marty Mann of American Legion Post #228, followed by Member Ernie DellaSala playing God Bless America.
3. Township Clerk announces that the Meeting is being held in accordance with the Public
Laws of 1975, Chapter 231, and proper notification has been given in The Local Source,
The Star Ledger and posted on the bulletin board in Town Hall and on the Township’s
Website.
4. Invocation by Rabbi Mendy Avtzon of the Chabad of Springfield.
5. Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi presents Certificates of Election to Township Committee Members Elect Christopher Capodice and Harris Laufer.
6. Honorable Peter Capodice, administers the Oath of Office to Township Committee Member Elect Christopher Capodice.
7. Honorable Nicholas Scutari, administers the Oath of Office to Township Committee
Member Elect Harris Laufer.
8. Township Clerk calls for nominations for the position of Chair of the Township Committee for the year 2024:
a.Alexander Keiser seconded by Harris Laufer nominates Chris Weber.
A) Voice Vote
9. David Barnett administers the Oath of Office to Mayor Elect Chris Weber.
10. The Mayor calls for nominations for Vice-Chair of the Township Committee for the year
2024:
a. Christopher Capodice seconded by Alexander Keiser nominates Harris Laufer.
A) Voice Vote
11. Remarks by: Committeeman Christopher Capodice, Deputy Mayor Harris Laufer.and
Mayor Chris Weber.
12. The Mayor announces the Members of the Working Committees for the year 2024:
a. Department of Revenue and Finance, Includes Township Real Estate, Insurance, Budget Control, Treasurer, Tax Collector, Pension Fund, Purchasing and Assessment of Taxes
1. Alexander Keiser, Chair
2. Harris Laufer
b. Department of Public Safety, Includes Police Department, Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Local Assistance Board, Building Department and Construction Code Official
1. Chris Weber, Chair
2. Richard Huber
c. Department of Administration, Includes Office of the Township Clerk, Licenses, Personnel, Sanitation as pertains to Collection of Refuse, Township Attorney and Administrator
1. Harris Laufer, Chair
2. Alexander Keiser
d. Department of Public Affairs, Includes Parks and Public Property, Animal Welfare, and Recreation
1. Christopher Capodice, Chair
2. Chris Weber
e. Department of Public Works, Includes Engineering Department and Road Department
1. Richard Huber, Chair
2. Christopher Capodice
13. Township Attorney for the year 2024:
a. Resolution 2024-01 – This resolution appoints the Township Attorney and authorizes award of Professional Service Contract with Kraig Dowd, Esq., of the Firm Weber Dowd Law, LLC, for Legal Services for the period ending December 31, 2024, at a fee set by contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b.Second: Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call Vote
14. Bond Counsel for the year 2024:
a. Resolution 2024-02 – This resolution appoints Bond Counsel and authorizes award of Professional Service Contract with Steven Rogut, Esq., of the firm of Rogut McCarthy, LLC, for the year ending December 31, 2024, at a fee set by
Contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b.Second: Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call Vote
15..Labor Counsel for the year 2024
a. Resolution 2024-03 – This resolution appoints Labor Counsel and authorizes
award of Professional Service Contract with Nicholas Grieco, Esq., of the firm
Inglesino, Webster, Wyciskala & Taylor LLC, for the year ending December
31, 2024, at a fee set by contract.
1.Adoption
a.Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b.Second: Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call Vote
16. Township Auditor for the year 2024:
a.Resolution 2024-04 – This resolution appoints an Auditor and authorizes award of
Professional Service Contract with Warren M. Korecky, of the firm Suplee,
Clooney & Company, for the year ending December 31, 2024, at a fee set by
contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Keiser
b. Second: Deputy Mayor Laufer
Roll Call Vote
17. Township Engineer for the year 2024:
a.Resolution 2024-05 – This resolution appoints Consulting Township Engineer and
authorizes award of Professional Service Contract with CME Associates for the
year ending December 31, 2024, at a fee set by contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Huber
b. Second: Committeeman Capodice
Roll Call Vote
18. Township Planner for the year 2024:
a. Resolution 2024-06 – This resolution appoints Township Planner and authorizes
award of Professional Service Contract with Victor Vinegra of Harbor
Consultants for the year ending December 31, 2024, at a fee set by contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Huber
b. Second: Committeeman Capodice
Roll Call Vote
19. Special Counsel – Tax Appeals (Appeal Defense) – for the year 2024:
a.Resolution 2024-07 – This resolution appoints Special Counsel for Tax Appeals
(Appeal Defense) and authorizes award of Professional Service Contract with
Robert Renaud, Esq., of the firm Renaud Colicchio LLC, for the year ending December 31, 2024, at a fee set by contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Keiser
b. Second: Deputy Mayor Laufer
Roll Call Vote
20. Special Counsel – Tax Appeals (“Reverse” Appeals) – for the year 2024:
a.Resolution 2024-08 – This resolution appoints Special Counsel for Tax Appeals
(“Reverse” Appeals) and authorizes award of Professional Service Contract with
Charles Blau, Esq., of the firm Blau & Blau, Esqs., for the year ending
December 31, 2024.
- Adoption
- Motion: Committeeman Keiser
- Second: Deputy Mayor Laufer
Roll Call
21. Redevelopment Counsel Services for the year 2024:
a. Resolution 2024-09 – This resolution appoints Redevelopment Counsel Services
and authorizes award of Professional Service Contract with Trenk Isabel Siddiqi
& Shahdanian P.C. for the year ending December 31, 2024, at a fee set by
Contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b. Second: Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call
22. Licensed Real Estate Appraisal Services for the year 2024:
a.Resolution 2024-10 – This resolution appoints an award of Professional Service
Contract for Licensed Real Estate Appraisal Services with Appraisal Consultants
Corp. for the period ending December 31, 2024.
1,Adoption
a.Motion: Committeeman Keiser
b,Second: Deputy Mayor Laufer
Roll Call Vote
23. Conflict Counsel:
a.Resolution 2024-11 – This resolution authorizes the award of a professional
services contract to the firm of Adams Gutierrez & Lattiboudere, LLC, as
conflict counsel in connection with Labor and personnel matters, for the
period ending on December 31, 2024.
1.Adoption
a.Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b.Second: Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call Vote
24. Prosecutor of the Municipal Court for the year 2024:
a.Resolution 2024-12 – This resolution appoints Howard Egenberg, Esq., as
Prosecutor of the Municipal Court for a one year term, expiring December 31,
2024.
1. Adoption
a.Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b. Second: Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call Vote
25. Alternate Prosecutor of the Municipal Court for the year 2024:
a. Resolution 2024-13– This resolution appoints Michael Wittenberg, Esq., as
Alternate Prosecutor of the Municipal Court for a one year term, expiring
December 31, 2024.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b. Second: Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call Vote
26. Public Defender of the Municipal Court for the year 2024:
a.Resolution 2024-14 –This resolution appoints Steven Goldstein, Esq., as a
Public Defender of the Municipal Court for a one year term, expiring
December 31, 2024.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b. Second: Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call Vote
27 Alternate Public Defender of the Municipal Court for the year 2024:
a.Resolution 2024-15 – This resolution appoints Jared Weiss, Esq., Alternate
Public Defender of the Municipal Court for a one year term, expiring December 31,
2024.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b. Second: Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call Vote
28. Municipal Judge:
a.Resolution 2024-16 – This resolution re-appoints Jonathan H. Rosenbluth, Esq., as
Municipal Court Judge for a three year term ending December 31, 2026.
1.Adoption
a.Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b.Second:Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call Vote
29. Deputy Court Administrator and Violations Clerk for the year 2024:
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer, seconded by Committeeman Capodice,
nominates Rebecca McCarthy as Deputy Court Administrator and Violations
Clerk of the Municipal Court for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2024,
at a salary set by ordinance.
a. Roll Call Vote
30. Planning Board:
a. The Mayor announces the appointment of Marissa Ruggiero as a Class IV
Member the Planning Board serving as the representative to the Environmental
Commission for a three year term, expiring December 31, 2026.
b. The Mayor announces the appointment of Richard Cederquest as Class II Member
of the Planning Board for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2024.
c. The Mayor announces the appointment of Scott Wishna as an Alternate II Member of the Planning Board for a two year term, expiring December 31, 2025.
d. The Mayor announces the appointment of Yulieika Tamayo as as a Ckass IV
Member of the Planning Board for a 4 year term, expiring December 31, 2027.
e.The Mayor announces the appointment of Richard Huber as the Township
Committee’s Representative to the Planning Board for a one year term,
expiring December 31, 2024.
e.The Mayor announces the appointment of Alexander Keiser as the Mayor’s
Representative to the Planning Board for a one year term, expiring December 31,
2024.
31. Board of Adjustment:
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer, seconded by Committeeman Huber,
nominates Joseph Bianco as an Alternate II Member of the Board of Adjustment
for two year term, expiring December 31, 2025.
a. Voice Vote
b. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer, seconded by Committeeman Huber,
nominate Marla Napurano and Steven Firsichbaum as Members of the Board
of adjustment four year terms, expiring December 31, 2027.
a. Voice Vote
- 2. Board of Health:
a. Motion: Committeeman Keiser seconded by Committeeman Huber
nominates Susan Blanco as a Member of the Board of Health, for three year terms, expiring December 31, 2026.
a. Voice Vote
nominates Aron Laufer as a Member of the Board of Health to fill a term
expiring December 31, 2024.
c. The Mayor announces that Harris Laufer will serve as the Liaison to the
Board of Health for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2024.
33. Library Board of Trustees:
a. The Mayor announces the appointment of Erica DuBois as a member of the
the Library Board of Trustees of the Springfield Free Public Library, for a five year term, expiring December 31, 2028. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer, seconded by Committeeman Keiser, approve this appointment.
a. Voice Vote
b.The Mayor announces that Lisa Capodice will serve as the Mayor’s Representative
to the Springfield Free Public Library, for a one year term, expiring December 31,
2024.
34. Environmental Commission:
a. The Mayor announces the appointment of Betzy Blondet and Alyson Miller
to the Environmental Commission for three year terms, expiring December 31,
2026.
b. The Mayor announces the appointment of Marissa Horowitz as an Alternate II
Member of the Environmental Commission for a two year term expiring on
December 31, 2025.
c. The Mayor announces the appointment of Marissa Ruggiero as the Planning
Board Representative to the Environmental Commission for a three year term,
Expiring December 31, 2026.
d.. The Mayor announces the designation of Alyson Miller as the Chair and
Presiding Officer for the Environmental Commission for a one year term,
expiring December 31, 2024.
e..The Mayor announces that he will serve as the Liaison to the Environmental
Commission for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2024.
35. Tax Map Official:
a. Motion: Committeeman Huber, seconded by Committeeman Capodice
nominate Michael McGurl, PLS, as Tax Map Official for a one year term,
expiring December 31, 2024.
a. Voice Vote
36. Rent Leveling Board:
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer, seconded by Committeeman Capodice,
appoint Kenneth Stele as a Member of the Rent Leveling Board for a three
year term expiring December 31, 2026.
a. Voice Vote
b. Resolution 2024-17 – This resolution appoints Agata DelMauro as Secretary
to the Rent Leveling Board, for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2024,
at a salary set by ordinance.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b. Second: Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call Vote
c. Resolution 2024-18 -This resolution appoints Roosevelt Donat Esq., of the firm
Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP, as attorney to the Rent Leveling Board, for a one
year term expiring, December 31, 2024, at a salary set by Ordinance.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b. Second: Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call Vote
37.Municipal Alliance Committee:
a. Motion: Committeeman Capodice, seconded by Committeeman Huber, nominate
the following people for appointment to the Municipal Alliance Committee, for a one year
term, expiring December 31, 2024.
1. Board of Education TBD
2. Superintendent of Schools Rachel Goldberg
3. High School Principal Dr. Norman Francis
4. Police Department Chief John Cook
5. Recreation Department Director Adam Lieb
6. Board of Health Marconi Gapas
7. Chamber of Commerce Dr. Gary Hecht & Michael Scalera
8. Administrator John Bussiculo
9. Mayor’s Representative Chris Weber
10. Public Representative TBD
a. Voice Vote
38. Safety Officer:
a.Motion: Committeeman Weber, seconded by Committeeman Huber, nominates
Scott Seidel as Safety Officer for the year 2024.
a.Voice Vote
39. Emergency Management Council
a. The Mayor announces the appointment of the following to the Local Emergency
Management Council for the year ending December 31, 2024.
1. Coordinator Scott Seidel
2. Deputy Coordinators Apu Mullick, Frank Applegate &
Ryan Westover
3. Police Department John Cook
4. Fire Department Michael Mastroeni
5. Hazmat Officer Marc Corea
6. 1st Aid Squad Apu Mullick
7. Township Engineer Michael Disko
8. Health Officer Marconi Gapas
9. Mayor Chris Weber
10. Administrator John Bussiculo
11. Township Clerk Linda Donnelly
12. School Superintendent Rachel Goldberg
13. Business & Industry Michael Scalera & Alternate John
Sommers
14. Media Tamara Vega
15. Logistics Jennifer Law
40. Union County Committee on Revenue Sharing:
a.The Mayor announces the appointments of Harris Laufer and John Bussiculo to the Union County Committee on Revenue Sharing for a one year term, expiring
December 31, 2024.
41. Union County Transportation Advisory Board
a. The Mayor announces the appointment of Robert Boettcher and Michael
Rella to the Union County Transportation Advisory Board for a one year
term, expiring December 31, 2024.
42. Union County Solid Waste Advisory Commission
a. The Mayor announces the appointment of Alexander Keiser to the Union
County Solid Waste Advisory Commission for a one year term, expiring
December 31, 2024.
43. Business Improvement District:
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer, seconded by Committeeman Capodice
nominate Alexander Keiser as Township Committee Member and Liaison to serve on
The Special Improvement District, district management corporation’s Board of
Directors for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2024.
a. Voice Vote
44. Mayors Council for Rahway River Watershed Flood Council:
a. The Mayor announces he will serve as the Township Committee Liaison to the
Mayors Council for Rahway River Watershed Council for a one year term,
expiring December 31, 2024.
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45. CONSENT ORGANIZATION RESOLUTIONS:
a.Resolution 2024-19 – establishes a cash management plan for 2024
b.Resolution 2024-20– authorizes CFO to pay certain claims
c.Resolution 2024-21– establishes petty cash funds
d.Resolution 2024-22 – authorizes the adoption of Current Fund and Pool Utility
Fund Temporary Budget appropriations prior to the Adoption of the CY2023 budget
e.Resolution 2024-23 – authorizes cancellation of tax overpayments or delinquent
amounts less than $10.00
f.Resolution 2024-24 – authorizes Tax Collector to hold an Electronic Tax Sale
pursuant to provisions of N.J.S.A. 54:5-19.1 as amended
g.Resolution 2024-25 – authorizes Township Committee to fix the rate of interest and
penalty to be charged for non-payment of taxes or assessments when same become\
delinquent.
h.Resolution 2024-26 – authorizes Tax Collector to hold to hold a tax sale for unpaid
taxes, municipal liens or charges pursuant to provisions of N.J.S.A.54:5-29, et seq.,
as amended.
i.Resolution 2024-27 – provides that certain over-time provisions are applicable to law
enforcement personnel, as per the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act
j.Resolution 2024-28 – provides that certain over-time provisions are applicable to
fire-fighting personnel as per Federal Fair Labor Standards Act
k.Resolution 2024-29 - appoints Recreation Council for 2024
l.Resolution 2024-30 - appoints Flood Mitigation Committee for 2024
m.Resolution 2024-31 - awards a professional service contract to Phoenix Advisors
LLC as financial advisor to the Township
n.Resolution 2024-32 – crossing guards for 2024
o.Resolution 2024-33 – OEM Deputies and Administrative Assistant
p.Resolution 2024-34 – unarmed and armed Auxiliary Police
q.Resolution 2024-35 – participation in Mayors Council for Rahway River
Watershed Flood Control
r.Resolution 2024-36 - ratifies and confirms establishment of The Green Team
s.Resolution 2024-37 – Risk Management Consultant
t.Resolution 2024-38 – Join (renew) with Statewide Insurance Fund
u.Resolution 2024-39 – appointing a Fund Commissioner
v.Resolution 2024-40 – appointing seasonal hire for DPW
w.Resolution 2024-41 – appointing SLEOII (Levenson)
x.Resolution 2024-42 – appointing SLEOII (Bonavitacola)
y.Resolution 2024-43 – appointing Substitute Fire Sub-Code
z.Resolution 2024-44 – appointing Tax Assessor
aa.Resolution 2024-45 – appointing M. Disko for engineering services
bb.Resolution 2024-46 – appointing M.Disko as PACO representative
cc.Resolution 2024-47 – designating official newspapers
dd.Resolution 2024-48 – meeting dates
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Laufer
b. Second: Committeeman Keiser
Roll Call Vote
46. Township Clerk administers Oath of Office to all appointees present.
47. Public Comment (Any Governmental Issue).
48. Benediction by Father David C. Santos, Pastor, St. James the Apostle Roman
Catholic Church.
49. Motion to adjourn: Deputy Mayor Laufer seconded by Committeeman Weber.
50. Mayor declares the Organizational Meeting of the Springfield Township Committee for
2024 is now closed.