Saddle Brook council names Andrew Simaluca president, approves temporary 2026 budget and routine reorganization measures

Andrew M. Simaluca was appointed council president at Saddle Brook’s 2026 reorganization meeting and took the oath of office as the council began its annual round of appointments and administrative resolutions.

The council voted to appoint Simaluca to serve as council president through Dec. 31, 2026; the formal resolution was moved, seconded and approved before members administered the oath.

The mayor outlined the council’s priorities for the year, including plans to install a 9/11 memorial at the municipal complex for the 25th anniversary, complete a splash pad at Veterans Field, pursue park improvements on May, Kern and Fifth streets, resume planning for an addition to Engine Company No. 1 at the firehouse, and pursue repairs to aging sewer pump stations — notably the Midland Avenue station. “We’re going to work with the committee. We have a committee to erect a 9/11 monument,” the mayor said, noting volunteers and contractor contacts involved in the project.

The council approved a suite of routine organizational measures: appointment of the township planning-board representative and municipal professionals (municipal accountant and bond counsel), designation of legal newspapers, official depositories, signature authorizations for checks and payroll, and a temporary municipal budget for 2026. Council members also adopted resolutions that mirror state statute setting interest rates on delinquent taxes and delinquent water charges (8% on the first $1,500 of delinquency and 18% on amounts in excess of $1,500, with an additional 6% penalty possible prior to year-end).

Among contract and service actions, the council renewed a contract with Triads Advisory Services for affordable-housing work and authorized Remington & Vernick to provide 2026 environmental services for Engine Company No. 2 at a cost not to exceed $81,000.

The council also approved participation by the Saddle Brook Police Department in the Defense Logistics Agency Law Enforcement Support Office (1033) program, which allows local departments to request Department of Defense equipment and vehicles; the resolution authorizes the police to request such equipment in accordance with program rules. The motion to authorize participation was moved, seconded and adopted during the reorganization batch of resolutions.

The mayor read a long list of mayoral appointments (planner, subcode officials, licensed sewer operator, township treasurer, grant writer, risk manager, special counsel for tax appeals, labor counsel, municipal physician and chiropractor, housing liaison, historian, emergency management coordinators, and several liaisons and committee appointments). Council received and filed the mayor’s appointments by roll call.

Several newly appointed board members were sworn in during the meeting, including Nancy Murray (zoning board) and Norman Schmeltz (alternate); Councilman David Garrick was sworn as the council planning-board representative.

The reorganization meeting concluded after a brief public comment period and routine administrative business. The council adjourned with no additional substantive legislative items scheduled at this session.