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Northfield mayor flags service cost increases, drought warning; council adopts salary ordinance and approves $2.48M in bills
Summary
Mayor Chau reported ACUA CPI-driven increases to recycling and yard-waste costs and relayed a drought advisory from New Jersey American Water. The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 1-2026 on salary ranges and approved payment of bills totaling $2,482,324.22.
Mayor Chau used the Jan. 20 council meeting to report a set of administrative and public-service updates, including higher municipal costs tied to ACUA’s CPI adjustment and a drought advisory from New Jersey American Water.
The mayor said the Atlantic County Utilities Authority notified the city of CPI-related increases that will be effective March 1: recycling costs of $184,640.37, yard-waste costs of $168,921.64, and a pull charge of $172.17. He also relayed that New Jersey American Water had issued a drought warning and was calling for mandatory water conservation. Mayor Chau noted higher police overtime for the month tied to emergency work at Shore and Zion and mentioned he would present a gift to outgoing Police Chief VonColln and administer a ceremonial oath to Captain Pollak.
Engineer Nassar, newly returned to the city, reported he will run a dry test of the Zion Pump Station generator the next day; Councilman Smith asked about water work on Catherine Place. The council received these reports as informational and did not take separate action on them during the meeting.
On formal business the council adopted Ordinance 1-2026, establishing salary ranges for city officers and employees, on unanimous roll call (motion by Councilman Polistina; second by Councilman Smith). The council also approved payment of bills totaling $2,482,324.22 (motion by Councilman Dewees; second by Councilwoman Carfagno) by unanimous roll call.
What happens next: The ACUA cost increases are effective March 1 and will be reflected in upcoming budgets and billing. The drought advisory signals a local call for conservation; any measures beyond advisories would require further council action.
