Council approves claims, adopts salary ordinance and fields questions about purchases and events

On Feb. 9, 2026 Monroe Township council voted on routine business including payment of claims and personnel compensation. After questions about line items, the council approved payment of claims (run date Feb. 4, 2026) by roll call: Councilwoman Miriam Cohen (yes), Councilman Charles Dapiro (no), Council Vice President Michael Markel (yes) and Council President Rupa P Seagull (yes), and the motion carried 3-1.

Council then opened and closed the public hearing on Ordinance 0120260001 and adopted the supervisory personnel 2026 salary and wage ordinance. Administration said historical raises have been 2.9% annually and confirmed the current increase is applied across the board. The ordinance passed unanimously by roll call.

During the claims discussion council members pressed staff on specific purchase orders: a $7,771 requisition for 5,000 pencils from Four Imprint (Cultural Arts Commission distribution) and a $3,000 (20%) deposit to Open Sky Productions for a drone show component of the township's 250th-anniversary events. Administration explained the procurement approval workflow (department requisition, purchasing agent, business administrator, signature) and said some deposits are standard practice for event bookings. The council approved the claims package following discussion.

Separately, the council approved consent-agenda resolutions with two items removed for separate consideration; items removed were handled and the consent agenda passed by roll call.