TOWNSHIP OF SPRINGFIELD AGENDA Organization Meeting January 1, 2026 1 p.m.
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TOWNSHIP OF SPRINGFIELD
AGENDA
Organization Meeting January 1, 2026 1 p.m.
1. Meeting called to Order by the Township Clerk.
2. Posting of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance – Led by Carl Ostergaard, Commander David Penna, Vice Commander and Members Rich Castro and Marty Mand of American Legion Post #228, followed by Springfield American Legionnaire 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 Father David Santos, Pastor, St. James R.C. Church, Springfield
5. Union County Board of Elections Chair, Clara Harelik, presents Certificates of Election to Township Committee Members Elect Richard Huber and Harris Laufer.
6. Township Clerk Linda Donnelly administers the Oath of Office to Township Committee Member Elect Richard Huber.
7. Senator Raj Mukherji 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 2026:
a. Christopher Capodice seconded by Alexander Keiser nominates Harris Laufer
A) Voice Vote
9. Senate President Nicholas Scutari administers the Oath of Office to Mayor Elect Harris
Laufer
10. The Mayor calls for nominations for Vice-Chair of the Township Committee for the year
2026:
a. Christopher Capodice seconded by Chris Weber nominates Alexander Keiser
A) Voice Vote
11. Remarks by: Committeeman Richard Huber and Mayor Harris Laufer
12. The Mayor announces the Members of the Working Committees for the year 2026:
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. Harris Laufer, Chair
2. Chris Weber
c. Department of Administration, Includes Office of the Township Clerk, Licenses, Personnel, Sanitation as pertains to Collection of Refuse, Township Attorney and Administrator
1. Christopher Capodice, Chair
2. Alexander Keiser
d. Department of Public Affairs, Includes Parks and Public Property, Animal Welfare, and Recreation
1. Chris Weber, Chair
2. Richard Huber
e. Department of Public Works, Includes Engineering Department and Road Department
1. Richard Huber, Chair
2. Christopher Capodice
13. Township Attorney for the year 2026:
a. Resolution 2026-01 – 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, 2026 at a fee set by contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Capodice b. Second: Deputy Mayor Keiser Roll Call Vote
14. Bond Counsel for the year 2026:
a. Resolution 2026-02 – This resolution appoints Bond Counsel and authorizes award of Professional Service Contract with Steven Rogut, Esq., of the firm Rogut McCarthy, LLC, for the year ending December 31, 2026, at a fee set by
contract.
1. Adoption a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Keiser
b. Second: Committeeman Capodice
Roll Call Vote
15. Labor Counsel for the year 2026:
a. Resolution 2026-03 – This resolution appoints Labor Counsel and authorizes
award of Professional Service Contract with R. Scott Eveland, Esq., of the firm
Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs, LLC, for the year ending December 31, 2026,
at a fee set by contract.
1 Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Capodice
b. Second: Deputy Mayor Keiser
Roll Call Vote
16. Conflict Counsel for the year 2026:
a. Resolution 2026-04 – This resolution appoints Conflict Counsel (Personnel) and
authorizes award of Professional Service Contract with the firm Antonelli
Kantor PC, for the year ending December 31, 2026, at a fee set by contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Capodice
b. Second: Deputy Mayor Keiser
Roll Call Vote
17. Township Auditor for the year 2026:
a. Resolution 2026-05 – 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, 2026, at a fee set by
contract.
1. Adoption a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Keiser b. Second: Committeeman Capodice
Roll Call Vote
18. Consulting Township Engineer for the year 2026: a. Resolution 2026-06 – This resolution appoints Consulting Township Engineer and authorizes award of Professional Service Contract with CME Associates for the
year ending December 31, 2026, at a fee set by contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Huber
b. Second: Committeeman Capodice
Roll Call Vote
b. Resolution 2026-07 – This resolution appoints Consulting Township Engineer and authorizes award of Professional Service Contract with Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
(GPI) for the year ending December 31, 2026, at a fee set by contract.
1. Adoption a. Motion: Committeeman Huber b. Second: Committeeman Capodice
Roll Call Vote
c. Resolution 2026-08 – This resolution appoints Consulting Township Engineer and
and authorizes award of Professional Service Contract with Colliers Engineering
& Design for the year ending December 31, 2026, at a fee set by contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Huber
b. Second: Committeeman Capodice
Roll Call Vote
19. Township Planner for the year 2026:
a. Resolution 2026-09 - This resolution appoints Township Planner and authorizes
award of Professional Service Contract with Victor Vinegra of Harbor
Consultants for the year ending December 31, 2026, at a fee set by contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Capodice
b. Second: Deputy Mayor Keiser
Roll Call Vote
20. Special Counsel – Tax Appeals (Appeal Defense) – for the year 2026:
a. Resolution 2026-10 – 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, 2026, at a fee set by contract.
1. Adoption a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Keiser b. Second: Committeeman Capodice
Roll Call Vote
21. Special Counsel – Tax Appeals (“Reverse” Appeals) – for the year 2026:
a. Resolution 2026-11 – 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, 2026.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Keiser
b. Second: Committeeman Capodice
Roll Call
22. Redevelopment Counsel Services for the year 2026:
a. Resolution 2026-12 – 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, 2026, at a fee set by
Contract.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Huber
b. Second: Committeeman Capodice
Roll Call Vote
23. Licensed Real Estate Appraisal Services for the year 2026:
a. Resolution 2026-13 – This resolution appoints an award of Professional Service
Contract for Licensed Real Estate Appraisal Services with Otteau Group
for the period ending December 31, 2026.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Keiser
b, Second: Committeeman Capodice
Roll Call Vote
24. Prosecutor of the Municipal Court for the year 2026: a. Resolution 2026-14 – This resolution appoints Howard Egenberg, Esq., as Prosecutor of the Municipal Court for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2026.
1. Adoption a. Motion: Committeeman Weber b. Second: Deputy Mayor Keiser Roll Call Vote
25. Alternate Prosecutor of the Municipal Court for the year 2026: a. Resolution 2026-15– This resolution appoints Michael Wittenberg, Esq., as Alternate Prosecutor of the Municipal Court for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2026. 1. Adoption a. Motion: Committeeman Weber b. Second: Deputy Mayor Keiser Roll Call Vote
26. Public Defender of the Municipal Court for the year 2026: a. Resolution 2026-16–This resolution appoints Steven Goldstein, Esq., as a Public Defender of the Municipal Court for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2026. 1. Adoption a. Motion: Committeeman Weber b. Second: Deputy Mayor Keiser Roll Call Vote
27. Alternate Public Defender of the Municipal Court for the year 2026:
a. Resolution 2026-17 – This resolution appoints Jared Weiss, Esq., Alternate
Public Defender of the Municipal Court for a one year term, expiring December 31,
2026.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Weber
b. Second: Deputy Mayor Keiser
Roll Call Vote
28. Planning Board:
a. The Mayor announces the appointment of Scott Wishna as a Class IV Member
of the Planning Board for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2026.
b. The Mayor announces the reappointment of Richard Cederquest as a Class II
Member of the Planning Board for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2026.
c. The Mayor announces the appointment of Kenneth Korn as an Alternate I Member
of the Planning Board to fill a term expiring on December 31, 2026.
d. The Mayor announces the appointment of Kevin Fuaro as an Alternate II Member
of the Planning Board for a two year term, expiring on December 31, 2027,
e. The Mayor announces that Alexander Keiser will serve as the Township
Committee Representative (Class III) of the Planning Board for a one year
term, expiring December 31, 2026.
f. The Mayor announces that he will serve as the Mayor’s Representative of the
Planning Board for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2026.
29. Board of Adjustment: a. Motion: Committeeman Capodice, seconded by Committeeman Huber
nominate Mark Cunningham and Steven Hockstein as Members of the
Board of Adjustment for four year terms, expiring December 31, 2029.
a. Voice Vote
b. Motion: Committeeman Capodice, seconded by Deputy Mayor Keiser, nominate Randy Pearlman as an Alternate II Member of the Board of
adjustment a two year term, expiring December 31, 2027.
a. Voice Vote
30. Board of Health: a. Motion: Committeeman Weber, seconded by Committeeman Huber,
nominate Marissa Horowitz as a Member of the Board of Health, for a three
year term, expiring December 31, 2028.
a. Voice Vote
b. Motion: Committeeman Weber, seconded by Committeeman Huber,
nominate Jodi Bergen as a Member of the Board of Health, for a three
year term, expiring December 31, 2028.
c. The Mayor announces that he will serve as the Liaison to the Board of
Health for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2026.
31. Library Board of Trustees:
a. The Mayor announces the appointment of Scott Horowitz as a member of the Library Board of Trustees of the Springfield Free Public Library, for five year terms, expiring December 31, 2030. Motion: Deputy Mayor Keiser, seconded by Committeeman Weber, approve this appointment. a. Voice Vote
b. The Mayor announces the appointment of Marissa Ruggerio to the Library
Board of Trustees to fill a term expiring December 31, 2027. Motion: Deputy
Mayor Keiser, seconded by Committeeman Weber, approve this appointment.
a. Voice Vote
c. The Mayor announces that he will serve as the Mayor’s Representative to the
Springfield Free Public Library, for a one year term, expiring December 31,
2026.
32. Environmental Commission:
a. The Mayor announces the appointments of Mary Feldman and Hortense Diaz
to the Environmental Commission for three year terms, expiring December 31, 2028.
b. The Mayor announces the appointment of Marissa Horowitz to an Alternate II
Member to the Environmental Commission for a two year term, expiring
December 31, 2027.
c. The Mayor announces the appointment of Scott Wishna as Planning Board
Representative to the Environmental Commission to fill a 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, 2026.
e. The Mayor announces that Chris Weber will serve as the Liaison to the
Environmental Commission for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2026.
33. Tax Map Official:
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Keiser, seconded by Committeeman Huber nominate Michael McGurl, PLS, as Tax Map Official for a one year term,
expiring December 31, 2026.
a. Voice Vote
34. Rent Leveling Board: a. Motion: Committeeman Capodice, seconded by Deputy Mayor Keiser, reappoints Susan Blanco as a Member of the Rent Leveling Board for a
three year term, expiring December 31, 2028.
a. Voice Vote
b. Resolution 2026-18 – This resolution appoints Agata DelMauro as Secretary
to the Rent Leveling Board, for a one year term, expiring December 31, 2026.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Weber
b. Second: Deputy Mayor Keiser
Roll Call Vote
c. Resolution 2026 -19 -This resolution appoints Jarrid Kantor, Esq., of the firm
Antonelli Kantor, PC, as attorney to the Rent Leveling Board, for a one
year term expiring, December 31, 2026.
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Committeeman Weber
b. Second: Deputy Mayor Keiser
Roll Call Vote
35. Municipal Alliance Committee: a. Motion: Committeeman Capodice, seconded by Deputy Mayor Keiser, nominate
the following people for appointment to the Municipal Alliance Committee, for a one year
term, expiring December 31, 2026.
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 Michael Scalera
8. Administrator John Bussiculo
9. Mayor’s Representative Jay Spinelli
10. Public Representative Sergeant Matthew Schmidt
a. Voice Vote
36. Safety Officer: a. Motion: Committeeman Weber, seconded by Deputy Mayor Keiser, nominates Scott Seidel as Safety Officer for the year 2026. a. Voice Vote
37. Emergency Management Council
a. The Mayor announces the appointment of the following to the Local Emergency
Management Council for the year ending December 31, 2026:
1. Coordinator Scott Seidel
2. Deputy Coordinators Apu Mullick, Frank Applegate &
Salvatore Cocuzza
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 Harris Laufer
10. Administrator John Bussiculo
11. Township Clerk Linda Donnelly
12. School Superintendent Rachel Goldberg
13. Business & Industry Michael Scalera & Alternate John
Sommers
14. Media Jay Spinelli
15. Logistics Jennifer Law
38. 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, 2026.
39. 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, 2026.
40. 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, 2026.
41. Business Improvement District:
a. Motion: Committeeman Capodice, seconded by Deputy Mayor Keiser
nominate Harris Laufer 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, 2026.
a. Voice Vote
b. Motion: Committeeman Capodice, seconded by Deputy Mayor Keiser, nominate
Johanie Jean-Louis to serve on The Special Improvement District, district
management corporation’s Board of Directors for a three year term, expiring
December 31, 2028.
a. Roll Call Vote
c. The Mayor announces the appointments of Ken Gruskin and Dave Wavra to serve
on The Special Improvement District, district management corporation’s Board of
Directors for three year terms, expiring December 31, 2028.
42. Mayors Council for Rahway River Watershed Flood Council:
a. The Mayor announces that Alexander Keiser will serve as the Township Committee
Liaison to the Mayors Council for Rahway River Watershed Council for a one year
Term, expiring December 31, 2026.
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43. CONSENT ORGANIZATION RESOLUTIONS:
a. Resolution 2026-20 – establishes petty cash funds
b. Resolution 2026-21– authorizes CFO to pay certain claims
c. Resolution 2026-22– establishes cash management plan for 2026
d. Resolution 2026-23 – authorizes the adoption of Current Fund and Pool Utility
Fund Temporary Budget appropriations prior to the Adoption of the CY 2026 budget
e. Resolution 2026-24 – authorizes cancellation of tax overpayments or delinquent
amounts less than $10.00
f. Resolution 2026-25 – authorizes the Tax Collector to hold an Electronic Tax Sale
for unpaid taxes, municipal liens or changes pursuant to provisions of N.J.S.A.
54:5-19.1, as amended
g. Resolution 2026-26 – 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 2026-27 – authorizes Tax Collector 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 2026-28 - provides that certain over-time provisions are applicable to law
enforcement personnel, as per the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act
j. Resolution 2026-29 – provides that certain over-time provisions are applicable to
fire-fighting personnel as per Federal Fair Labor Standards Act
k. Resolution 2026-30 – appoints Recreation Council for 2026
l. Resolution 2026-31 – awards a professional service contract to Phoenix Advisors LLC
as financial advisor to the Township
m. Resolution 2026-32 – appoints Crossing Guards for 2026
n. Resolution 2026-33 – appointing OEM Coordinator
o. Resolution 2026-34– appoints Deputy OEM Coordinators and Admin. Asst. to OEM
p. Resolution 2026-35 – appoints Auxiliary Police Officers
q. Resolution 2026-36 – appoints general insurance consultants (RD Parisi)
r. Resolution 2026-37 – appoints health insurance broker (Acrisure)
s. Resolution 2026-38 – appoints vision, life broker (Nistar)
t. Resolution 2026-39– appointing RMC & RMC Agreement
u. Resolution 2026-40 – appointing Fund Commissioner
v. Resolution 2026-41 – awards professional service contract to M. Disko Associates for
Township engineering services
w. Resolution 2026-42 – appointing Diane Sherry, Chief Financial Officer, as the Public
Agency Compliance Officer for the Township
x. Resolution 2026-43 -participation in Mayors Council for Rahway River
y. Resolution 2026-44 – designating official newspapers
z. Resolution 2026-45 – meeting schedule
aa. Resolution 2026-46 – dental insurance coverage for active employees and retirees
bb. Resolution 2026-47 – shared services agreement with Bergen Tech - IT
1. Adoption
a. Motion: Deputy Mayor Keiser
b. Second: Committeeman Capodice
Roll Call Vote
44. Township Clerk administers Oath of Office to all appointees present.
45. Public Comment (Any Governmental Issue).
46. Benediction by Rabbi Mendy Avtzon, Chabad of Springfield
47. Motion to adjourn: Deputy Mayor Keiser seconded by Committeeman Weber.
48. Mayor declares the Organizational Meeting of the Springfield Township Committee for
2026 is now closed.