Hawthorne council adopts 2025 municipal budget; one member dissents

The Borough of Hawthorne adopted its 2025 municipal budget at a regularly scheduled council meeting on May 7, 2025, following a public hearing and roll‑call vote. Council President opened the hearing and administrators urged prompt adoption to finalize appropriations and financing plans.

Council votes to adopt the budget (BR2‑25) were recorded by roll call. Council Members Bennett, Leosa, Millie, Sasso, Skiara and Waki voted yes; Council Member Matthews voted no. The council had previously authorized reading the budget by title (BR1‑25) and proceeded to adopt the ordinance and associated budget resolutions.

The council also adopted related ordinances on the consent agenda that evening, including ordinance 2366‑25 addressing 2025 municipal appropriation limits and ordinance 2367‑25 revising parks and recreation fees. A separate ordinance fixing 2025 salaries and compensation (2368‑25) was adopted after correction to a typographical error; roll call for that ordinance likewise recorded a single dissenting vote. Ordinance 2369‑25, proposing a temporary one‑way traffic change on North D, was tabled pending coordination with Prospect Park and the county.

Administrator Eric Mau and the director of revenue and finance urged the council to approve the budget so the borough could move forward with scheduled capital and service projects. The administration said certain financing resolutions related to NJIB low‑interest bonds and a pending PSEG invoice for pump station service would be handled through the municipal finance process; staff noted the $28,000 PSEG charge for the Gothal Hill pump station is under insurance review.

The council’s adoption of the budget concludes the public‑hearing requirement for the 2025 appropriations. Council President said the council will continue to monitor implementation and capital projects tied to the budget at subsequent meetings.