Kenilworth council approves police promotions, adopts zoning change; introduces budget and cap-bank ordinance

The Kenilworth Borough Mayor and Council voted Tuesday to approve multiple police promotions, adopt changes to the borough zoning code permitting houses of worship in the C Commercial zone and to introduce the 2025 municipal budget and a cap-bank ordinance.

The council approved Resolution 25-104 promoting officers in the Kenilworth Police Department. The motion was made by Councilman Phyllis Finistrella and seconded by Councilwoman Giordano Passerno; roll call recorded unanimous “yes” votes from Councilmen Boyle, Finistrella, Morrow, Piper and Scurries and Councilwoman Giordano Passerno. After the vote Sergeant Anthony Tanks, who was sworn in at the meeting, said he was “honored to continue to serve” his hometown.

Council members also adopted Ordinance 2025-o2, which amends chapter 120 (land use) to permit houses of worship and daycares as permitted uses in the C Commercial Zone and to revise related bulk, lot and design requirements. The ordinance was opened for public comment, received no speakers, and passed on a roll-call vote after a motion by Councilman Scurries and a second by Councilman Morrow.

On the administrative side, the council introduced Ordinance 2025-o4 to establish a cap bank pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14 (note: introduced in meeting as NJSA 48:4-45.14), allowing the borough to bank unused levy capacity for future years. The motion to introduce was made by Councilman Morrow and seconded by Councilman Finistrella; the introduction passed on a roll-call vote. The ordinance was scheduled for public hearing and adoption on May 7, 2025.

Separately, Resolution 25-103, the introduction of the 2025 municipal budget, passed on motion by Councilman Morrow and seconded by Councilman Scurries; the council set May 7, 2025, as the public hearing and adoption date. Finance committee members told the council the budget is under both the appropriations cap and the 2% tax levy cap after spending cuts of about $285,000 and revenue adjustments of roughly $824,000; the projected municipal tax increase for an average house (assessed at about $185,000) was presented as $143.86, down from a preliminary projection near $343.

The consent agenda (Resolutions 25-105 through 25-111) and Resolution 25-112 were approved by single motions; the council recorded those items as approved and said full details will appear in the minutes.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 25-104 (police promotions): Motion by Councilman Phyllis Finistrella; second by Councilwoman Giordano Passerno. Roll-call: Boyle Yes; Finistrella Yes; Giordano Passerno Yes; Morrow Yes; Piper Yes; Scurries Yes. Outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025-o2 (zoning: houses of worship/daycares in C Zone): Motion to adopt by Councilman Scurries; second by Councilman Morrow. Roll-call: unanimous. Outcome: adopted. - Ordinance 2025-o4 (cap bank — introduction): Motion to introduce by Councilman Morrow; second by Councilman Finistrella. Outcome: introduced; public hearing scheduled for 05/07/2025. - Resolution 25-103 (2025 municipal budget — introduction): Motion by Councilman Morrow; second by Councilman Scurries. Outcome: introduced; public hearing and final adoption scheduled for 05/07/2025. - Consent agenda (Resolutions 25-105 through 25-111) and Resolution 25-112: approved in single motion; roll-call recorded unanimous votes.

Why it matters: The promotions affect the makeup and leadership of the Kenilworth Police Department; the zoning change expands permitted uses in the commercial zone; the budget introduction and cap-bank move the borough toward adoption of the 2025 municipal budget and preserve limited future levy capacity.

What’s next: The council set May 7, 2025, for public hearings on the cap-bank ordinance and final adoption of the municipal budget. Items approved on the consent agenda will be recorded in the official minutes.