Byram council adopts cap-bank ordinance, approves gypsy moth program and discusses one-time budget items

Byram Township's council passed an ordinance to increase its COLA cap and bank the difference, adopted a gypsy moth-control resolution and discussed proposed one-time budget adjustments totaling $60,000.

On second reading the council passed Ordinance No. 001-2025, which authorizes the township to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank under N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14; the ordinance raises the COLA percentage from the State-mandated 2.5% to 3.5% and allows the township to bank the difference. The minutes state the ordinance was passed on final reading and that the notice of final passage will be published according to law.

Council also adopted Resolution No. 049-2025, determining that a gypsy moth control program should be instituted with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and authorizing application for available federal or state funds to support that work.

Township Manager Joseph Sabatini reported the municipal budget introduction is scheduled for March 4 with adoption expected at the first April meeting. Council discussed proposed one-time uses of fund balance totaling $60,000: $20,000 to supplement the fire department fleet budget for a one-time tanker repair; up to $20,000 estimated to cover cleanup/hazardous tree removal and rodent abatement at 10 Johnson Blvd.; and an additional $20,000 for hazardous-tree removal on township properties. Sabatini also raised the cost question for scanning township records and noted prior payroll-record scanning cost $25,000; council asked staff to define scope and costs before allocating funds.

Manager Sabatini also reported the township received a DOT grant for paving Roseville Road. The council did not take new formal budget-adoption votes during this meeting; the schedule for introduction and adoption was set.