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Commission reorganizes officers, adopts admin resolutions and 2026 schedule
Summary
Commission appointed officers (chair, vice chair, treasurer, deputy treasurer, secretary), approved administrative contracts (CFO, attorney, engineer, consultants), set official newspapers and the 2026 meeting schedule, and accepted the treasurer's report.
At its Jan. 15 meeting the Watershed Commission completed its annual reorganization and adopted a number of administrative resolutions.
Appointments and contracts: By roll call the commission appointed Don Bridal as chairman and Carolyn Rorty as vice chairman for one‑year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2026. The commission appointed Margo Nicola as treasurer, Eric Hotelling (deputy treasurer) and Jeannie Toer as secretary and administered oaths of office.
The commission also read and approved contract authorizations for administrative professionals and consultants: a CFO (Richard/Ricky Gourds) at $7,800 annually; an attorney (named in the transcript as Paul B. Fornicola/Esquire) with specified per‑meeting and hourly rates and a not‑to‑exceed cap mentioned in the reading; a general engineer contract not to exceed $8,500 annually; appointment of Dr. Steven Souza (Clean Waters Consulting Services) as the environmental consultant (not to exceed $7,000 for 2026); and Princeton Hydro, Inc. as environmental consultant for special projects at current hourly rates on file.
Administrative policies and schedule: The commission named The Coaster and the Asbury Park Press as official newspapers and discussed a new state law effective March 1, 2026 that will require posting legal notices on the commission’s website; staff will set up a prominent “public notices” area on the homepage. The body adopted a 2026 meeting calendar (Feb. 19; Mar. 19; Apr. 16; May 14; Jun. 18; Jul. 2; Aug. 20; Sep. 17; Oct. 15; Dec. 3 reorg).
Finance and minutes: The commission adopted a cash management plan, appointed Ken as webmaster, approved corrected minutes from Dec. 4, 2025, and accepted the treasurer’s report (presented figures: deposits and receipts and disbursements were read during the meeting; the transcript records totals). The commission also approved a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for goose‑management work not to exceed $5,000.
Votes at a glance: multiple posted resolutions were approved by roll call; where roll‑call answers were read, the meeting record shows unanimity or recorded affirmatives by the municipalities present. The commission also voted to reject existing bids for a water‑quality grant and reauthorize receipt of bids so revised, DEP‑compliant plans can be submitted.
What’s next: Administrative tasks — signatures, contract execution, and website updates for legal notices — were assigned to staff during the meeting. The commission scheduled a watershed improvement workshop and asked consultants to provide materials for public distribution and the website.
