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South Plainfield council completes reorganization, approves appointments and professional contracts
Summary
At a Jan. 6 reorganization meeting, the Borough of South Plainfield reappointed its borough attorney, swore in elected and appointed officials, adopted committee assignments and approved a slate of appointments and professional-service resolutions in unanimous votes; the council voted to enter executive session at the end of the meeting.
The Borough of South Plainfield’s governing body completed its Jan. 6 reorganization meeting, reappointing the borough attorney and approving a slate of mayoral and council appointments and one-year professional-service contracts in roll-call votes that were unanimous.
Superior Court Judge Robert J. Jones Jr. administered oaths of office to newly reelected and newly appointed officials, and the council installed Councilman Derek White as the 2025 council president before announcing committee chairs and members for the year.
The reappointment of the borough attorney under Resolution 25-01 passed on a 6-0 roll-call vote. The governing body also removed Resolution 25-46 from the agenda by unanimous motion at the start of the meeting.
Details of the reorganization and appointments
Superior Court Judge Robert J. Jones Jr. administered swearing-in ceremonies for reappointed and newly elected officials, and the council adjourned the 2024 governing body before convening the 2025 body. Amy Antonides, the municipal clerk, conducted roll calls for votes throughout the meeting.
Derek White was nominated and approved as council president for 2025 by unanimous roll call. White then announced 2025 committee assignments: Administration and Finance (Chair: Councilman Joe Wallach; members: Councilwoman Christine Faustini and Councilman Benjovanga); Public Works (Chair: Councilwoman Melanie Mott; members: Councilman Wallach and Councilman Smith); Economic Development (Chair: Council President Derek White; members: Councilman Benjovanga and Councilwoman Faustini); Health, Welfare and Environmental (Chair: Councilman Smith; members: Councilwoman Mott and Councilman Joe Wallach); Public Safety (Chair: Councilman Benjovanga; members: Councilman Smith and Council President White); Recreation and Office on Aging (Chair: Councilwoman Faustini; members: Council President White and Councilwoman Mott).
The council approved several blocks of resolutions by roll call. Resolutions approving council appointments (Resolution 25-04), mayoral appointments with advice and consent (Resolution 25-05), and grouped professional-service contract resolutions (Resolutions 25-06 through 25-23 and 25-24 through 25-45) were all adopted on unanimous votes recorded as 6-0.
Public comment and recognitions
During the public-comment period, resident Scott (last name not stated) spoke briefly; Diane Pender offered remarks thanking the governing body and expressing support for South Plainfield. Council members also congratulated Mike Pellegrino on his appointment as fire official, succeeding Joe Abbruzzese.
Executive session
Near the end of the meeting, the council voted unanimously (Resolution 25-59) to move into executive session. The mayor and presiding officer indicated it was unclear whether any action would follow from the executive session.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to remove Resolution 25-46 from the agenda — Moved by Councilman Smith; seconded by Council President Benjovanga; outcome: removed (vote 6-0). - Resolution 25-01 — Reappointment of borough attorney (DeFrancisco Bateman, as stated on the record); outcome: approved (roll call 6-0). - Resolution 25-02 — Appointment of Derek White as 2025 council president; outcome: approved (roll call 6-0). - Resolution 25-04 — Council appointments (multiple named positions); outcome: approved (roll call 6-0). - Resolution 25-05 — Mayoral appointments with advice and consent (various boards/commissions); outcome: approved (roll call 6-0). - Resolutions 25-06 through 25-23 and 25-24 through 25-45 — Professional service and related contract resolutions, one-year terms and grouped approvals; outcome: approved (roll call 6-0 for each grouped vote as recorded). - Resolution 25-59 — Motion to enter executive session; outcome: approved (roll call 6-0).
The meeting record shows consistent unanimous support for the reorganization slate and contract resolutions. Several items were approved en bloc with single motions and roll-call votes. The mayor indicated mayoral appointments that did not require a separate vote were being read for the record and that individuals named should come forward to be sworn in.
