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Clark council adopts temporary 'cap bank' ordinance; consent agenda includes tax appeal settlements and shared-service agreements
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 2603 to allow an appropriation 'cap bank' up to 3.5% above the base DCA allowance; the consent agenda approved an emergency temporary appropriation, donations, shared-service agreements, two 100% VA property tax exemptions and tax appeal settlements totaling $76,193.83 in credits.
The Township of Clark Council voted on Feb. 17 to adopt Ordinance 2603, which permits the municipality to exceed the Department of Community Affairs' base appropriation increase (1.5%) and budget up to 3.5% where justified, and to bank unused cap for up to two years.
The ordinance was presented with a clerical citation correction to the statutory reference (NJSA 40:4-45.14) that the township attorney described as non-substantive. After a short explanation of the cap bank's purpose — to allow flexibility in years where appropriations exceed the DCA's base percentage — the council closed the public hearing and adopted the ordinance by roll call (all present members voted 'yes').
The meeting also approved a consent agenda that included several routine items. Highlights adopted under the consent agenda included:
- An emergency temporary appropriation in accordance with NJSA 40A:4-20 (current fund). - Acceptance of a trailer-mounted message sign donated by the Borough of Roselle Park for use by the Clark Police Department. - A shared-services agreement with the Borough of Mountainside for Clark to provide a studio production associate to support Mountainside's media needs. - An agreement with the City of Elizabeth Division of Health STD clinic. - Pool rates and fees for the 2026 season. - Two 100% property tax exemptions for parcels (Block 51, Lot 17 and Block 52, Lot 6) per directives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. - Tax appeal settlements authorizing credits of $48,837.53 for Block 70, Lot 28.01/ C0002 and $27,356.30 for Block 92, Lot 1 (total credits $76,193.83 across listed years). - Appointment of Dante Tignini as a regular member of the Board of Adjustment to fill an unexpired term.
Council member O'Connor reported bills through Feb. 11, 2026 totaling $152,521.86 for payment. The council moved, seconded and approved the consent agenda and the ordinance adoption by roll call vote.
"This is money that's spent by the township," Mayor Albanese said while explaining the cap bank, describing the DCA's permitted base increase and the mechanics of banking unused cap. The council recorded a unanimous roll-call vote in favor of adoption and consent items among members present; one council member was absent.
