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Boonton council approves consent agenda, promotes police chief and introduces $150,000 boiler appropriation
Summary
The Boonton Mayor and Town Council approved a consent agenda that included the promotion of Chris Peronic to police chief, introduced Ordinance 17-25 to fund a $150,000 boiler replacement and Ordinance 18-25 amending the town's property maintenance code, and referred emergency SNAP-support options to the finance committee for review.
The Boonton Mayor and Town Council approved a consent agenda Tuesday that included a personnel resolution promoting Chris Peronic to police chief and introduced two ordinances, including a $150,000 appropriation for a replacement boiler at town hall.
The administrator, Neil Henry, told the council that "the administration opened bids for leaf disposal and pickle ball courts," and that contract awards for those projects are expected at the council's Nov. 17 meeting. Henry also reported the town had obtained an extension from PIOSHA through Nov. 28 to make repairs at the Department of Public Works building and said the present town-hall heating system is unrepairable and will be replaced.
Why it matters: the consent agenda bundled multiple routine and personnel actions; the promotion of the police chief and the boiler appropriation signal near-term staffing and capital changes that will affect departmental budgets and schedules.
What the council did and decided - Consent agenda: The council opened Resolutions 25-247 through 25-261 for discussion and approved the entire consent agenda by roll call. The consent pack included Resolution 25-249, promoting Chris Peronic to police chief. The meeting record shows the roll-call approval with all present members voting in the affirmative.
- Ordinances introduced: The council introduced Ordinance 17-25 (title only), authorizing acquisition and installation of a boiler system and appropriating $150,000 from various town funds. The body also introduced Ordinance 18-25 (title only), amending chapter 214 of the town code on property maintenance. Both introductions passed on roll-call votes; they proceed as first readings and will return for later hearings or votes as required by town procedure.
Other council business and discussion - Infrastructure and procurement: Administrator Henry said bids for leaf disposal and for new pickleball courts are under legal review and—if review goes smoothly—awards could be on the Nov. 17 agenda. The DPW committee and council members discussed the town-hall chairlift, roof maintenance, and striping work on Lorraine Terrace and various parking lots.
- Public safety and traffic: The police committee reported ongoing hiring to cover upcoming retirements and described capital changes such as plans for a female locker room. Committee members reviewed speed data for Oak Street showing most drivers average about 29'31 mph and discussed possible speed-feedback signage and interjurisdictional coordination on speed limits.
- Emergency food assistance referral: A council member raised concerns about interruptions to SNAP benefits affecting roughly 300 local families, with benefit amounts described in the meeting as ranging roughly from $95 to $300. The speaker asked the council to refer the question of a potential short-term municipal appropriation (the suggestion was $20,000'$30,000) to the finance committee; the council agreed to refer the matter.
- Personnel announcement: Council member Jake announced he is stepping down from the council because his family is moving out of town. Jake thanked his colleagues and highlighted his work on veterans banners; colleagues offered tributes.
What comes next Ordinances 17-25 and 18-25 were introduced on title and will return for further readings and votes according to the town's ordinance schedule; the administrator indicated boiler contract action could appear on Nov. 17. The finance committee will schedule discussion of potential short-term municipal assistance related to SNAP interruptions.
Quotes - Administrator Neil Henry: "The administration opened bids for leaf disposal and pickle ball courts," and said the contracts are under legal review and may be ready for award on Nov. 17. - Council member Jake (announcing his resignation): "I unfortunately have to announce that I am stepping down from council."
Notes: This account uses the meeting record and corrected local place names; transcript variants spelling the town name as "Bootin" have been normalized to the official town name, Boonton, for clarity.
