South Plainfield council adopts pay ordinances, approves capital spending and advances budget steps

The South Plainfield Borough Council on April 21 adopted three ordinances affecting employee compensation and capital spending, introduced two additional ordinances for later public hearing, approved multiple budget resolutions and authorized payment of $1,357,563.42 in borough bills.

Amy Antonides, the borough clerk, read the ordinance titles for the meeting, including ordinance 23-44: “an ordinance amending ordinance 23-09 that provides for the compensation of employees of the borough of South Plainfield and the method of payment such compensation for the years 2024 through 2028 for nonunion and committee secretaries,” and ordinance 23-46, a capital ordinance authorizing purchases related to police vehicles, fencing and environmental testing of the former borough sanitary landfill totaling $170,000.

The council voted 4-0 to give final adoption to ordinance 23-44, which amends compensation for certain nonunion employees and committee secretaries; ordinance 23-45, which updates compensation for part‑time employees for 2024–2028; and ordinance 23-46, the capital ordinance for two police patrol vehicles, fencing and environmental testing/sampling of the former sanitary landfill. Council President White moved the final-adoption motion for ordinance 23-44 (seconded by Councilwoman Mott). Final-adoption motions for 23-45 and 23-46 were likewise moved and seconded as recorded; each passed on a roll call vote of Council President White, Councilwoman Faustini, Councilwoman Mott and Councilman Benjovanga (4-0).

The council also introduced (first reading by title) ordinance 23-47, amending Chapter 5.15 (development review performance guarantee and escrow fees), and ordinance 23-48, described in the meeting as an ordinance to exceed the municipal budget cost-of-living allowance "pursuant to NJSA 48:4-45.14"; both were introduced on unanimous 4-0 votes and set for public hearing on future agendas. The clerk and council noted the public hearing for the municipal budget will be on May 19, 2025, after the council authorized budget-related resolutions (25-160 through 25-163) to permit budget introduction and set the hearing date.

The council passed two grouped sets of regular resolutions (25-164 through 25-171) and authorized payment of bills totaling $1,357,563.42; both actions passed on recorded roll-call votes of 4-0. The meeting also adopted an executive-session resolution (25-172) as amended and voted to table two closed-session matters — a legal matter concerning revaluation and a personnel matter regarding the tax assessor — by unanimous voice vote.

No additional public testimony was recorded on any ordinance during final-adoption votes; one member of the public, Deborah Laparino of 125 Lakeview Avenue, spoke during the public comment period and asked about commissions and advisory groups that had been removed from prior ordinance drafts.

Details of formal motions, movers/seconders and roll-call tallies are recorded in the council minutes and appear below.

Votes at a glance - Table two executive-session matters (legal revaluation; personnel matter regarding tax assessor): motion tabled; seconded by Councilwoman Faustini; outcome: approved (voice), recorded roll call 4-0. - Approve council minutes of April 7, 2025 (motion by Council President White; second by Councilman Benjovanga): outcome approved, roll call 4-0. - Ordinance 23-44 (final adoption; employee compensation amendments): motion by Council President White; second by Councilwoman Mott; outcome: approved, roll call 4-0. - Ordinance 23-45 (final adoption; part-time employee compensation): motion by Council President White; second by Councilman Benjovanga; outcome: approved, roll call 4-0. - Ordinance 23-46 (final adoption; capital purchases: two police patrol vehicles, fencing, environmental testing/sampling of former sanitary landfill; total authorized cost stated at $170,000): motion by Councilman Benjovanga; second by Council President White; outcome: approved, roll call 4-0. Council comment noted the ordinance is a capital appropriation paid from the borough’s capital fund and does not require bonding. - Ordinance 23-47 (introduction; development review performance guarantee/escrow fees): motion by Council President White; second by Councilman Benjovanga; outcome: introduced, roll call 4-0. Public hearing scheduled for May 5, 2025. - Ordinance 23-48 (introduction; exceed municipal budget cost-of-living allowance as referenced in the meeting as "NJSA 48:4-45.14"): motion by Councilwoman Faustini; second by Councilwoman Mott; outcome: introduced, roll call 4-0. Public hearing scheduled for May 5, 2025. - Budget resolutions 25-160 through 25-163 (authorize clerk to read proposed 2025 municipal budget by title; certify sub-plan; CFO self-examination; introduce budget and set public hearing for 05/19/2025): motion by Council President White; second by Councilwoman Faustini; outcome: approved, roll call 4-0. - Regular resolutions 25-164 through 25-171 (various contract/award/administrative matters including construction awards discussed during council reports): motion by Councilman Benjovanga; second by Council President White; outcome: approved, roll call 4-0. - Payment of bills totaling $1,357,563.42: motion by Council President White; second by Councilman Benjovanga; outcome: approved, roll call 4-0.

The council announced the municipal budget public hearing date of May 19, 2025. Several council members and staff provided routine reports and community announcements after votes, including construction awards, recreation projects, community events and scheduling items.