Somers Point — The Somers Point City Council on Jan. 2, 2026 held its annual reorganization meeting, swearing in newly elected and returning council members, electing council leadership for 2026 and approving a temporary city budget and a broad slate of appointments and contracts.

Mayor Dennis Tapp opened the meeting and reviewed accomplishments and projects from 2025, saying Somers Point “continues to grow and thrive” as the council moved through ceremonial proclamations and routine appointments. The meeting included the swearing in of the Ward 1 and Ward 2 council members, the election of a council president and president pro tem, approval of the temporary budget, and the passage of more than 20 resolutions covering legal, planning and advisory appointments.

The most immediate procedural items included the swearing in of the Ward 1 council member, who identifies himself in the oath as Sean McQueen, and Ward 2 council member Morgan Slaughter. Council then opened nominations for council president for 2026; following a roll-call vote Councilmember Garrity was elected president. Janice Johnson was nominated and approved as president pro tem.

On the fiscal front, the council approved Resolution 4 of 2026 adopting the 2026 temporary budget. The meeting also approved Resolution 20, authorizing an award of contract for unspecified professional insurance-consultant services to Professional Benefits Consultants Inc. pursuant to cited state law and regulations (NJSA 40:11-5.1(a)(1) and NJAC 5:34-1.1). The minutes and roll-call records show the motions for the listed resolutions were moved and seconded and that each vote carried.

Council approved a long list of appointments and contracts by resolution, including (but not limited to) municipal solicitor (Resolution 1), fire department officer appointments (Resolution 2), harbor master and emergency management coordinators (Resolution 3), municipal prosecutor and public defender (Resolutions 6 and 7), municipal accountant contract (Resolution 8), engineering contracts for the sewer utility (Resolution 13), bond counsel (Resolution 14), counsel for New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing and Fair Housing Act matters (Resolution 15), and appointments to the planning, zoning, recreation and arts commissions and advisory committees. The council also accepted the resignation of municipal judge Howard E. Fried (Resolution 23) and appointed Mark J. Niemad to fill that unexpired term (Resolution 24).

A member of the council announced an immediate resignation from the council by email; the body moved to accept that resignation and instructed the clerk to notify the appropriate authorities about the replacement application process. The council also noted record payments totaling $84,580.06 and approved a motion to pay bills.

Quotations and remarks during the meeting were largely ceremonial or procedural. Speaking after being sworn in, Sean McQueen said he was “honored and humbled to be put back in this seat” and pledged to work for Somers Point residents. Mayor Tapp used his remarks to highlight recent housing, waterfront and infrastructure projects and thanked volunteers and department staff.

Votes at a glance (selected resolutions recorded as approved during the meeting): Resolution 1 — municipal solicitor (Natalie Thomas D. Smith); Resolution 2 — fire department officers; Resolution 3 — harbor master and emergency management coordinators; Resolution 4 — 2026 temporary budget (approved); Resolution 13 — engineering services for Somers Point Sewer Utility; Resolution 20 — contract award to Professional Benefits Consultants Inc. (cited under NJSA 40:11-5.1(a)(1) and NJAC 5:34-1.1); Resolution 23 — accepted resignation of municipal judge Howard E. Fried; Resolution 24 — appointed Mark J. Niemad as municipal judge. (All recorded motions for numbered resolutions during the meeting were carried as announced by the chair.)

The council opened the floor for public comment, recorded no public speakers and closed the public portion. The meeting concluded after approval of bill payments and an adjournment motion. The clerk will carry out follow-up items, including notifying relevant officials about the vacant council seat and updating appointment records.

The meeting was procedural in nature, focused on reorganization duties, ceremonial proclamations, routine appointments and the temporary budget. No substantive policy debates or contested votes were recorded in the transcript.