Angel Albanese sworn in as Clark mayor; councilwoman Jessica Hoff sworn in at-large

Angel Albanese was sworn in as mayor of the Township of Clark during the council meeting on Dec. 15, 2025, pledging to "listen, lead with transparency, and work tirelessly for every resident." Councilwoman Jessica Hoff was sworn in as councilwoman at large in the same ceremony.

Albanese used her first remarks to thank voters and to preview several administrative items. She told the council the branch pickup program is complete for the year and reminded residents not to place branches in leaf piles; the final leaf pickup began Dec. 15. She also thanked public works staff for snow removal after a storm that delayed plowing until about 10:30 a.m. and praised volunteers who organized the town's holiday events, noting more than 1,000 people attended the breakfast with Santa and roughly 300 seniors attended the senior luncheon.

On municipal operations, the mayor said the council will vote to change its schedule to two regular meetings per month to speed bill payments and allow more timely handling of issues. The change was presented as a way to reduce delays between workshops and formal meetings. Albanese said the Planning Board approved redevelopment of the A&P property for a mixed-use project with 138 apartments and first-floor commercial space, including 21 affordable units.

The mayor closed her remarks by thanking staff and volunteers and inviting residents to a free situational self-defense seminar hosted at the recreation center later in the week. The meeting recessed after the swearing-in and then resumed to complete the night's agenda.

The swearing-in and opening remarks were followed by routine departmental reports and the formal business of the council.