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Garwood swears in two council members, names council president and outlines 2026 priorities including flood study
Summary
At its reorganization meeting Garwood sworn in two council members, elected Karina Boto council president, honored Vincent Carney’s election to the state Assembly, and the mayor outlined 2026 priorities including an engineering study for flood mitigation and infrastructure projects.
Garwood’s mayor and council opened the borough’s 2026 reorganization meeting with swearing‑in ceremonies, committee appointments and a mayoral address laying out priorities for the coming year.
Council business and ceremonies: The mayor administered the meeting’s ceremonial items, and county clerk Joanne Rajapi administered oaths to the newly sworn council members. The council nominated and elected Karina Boto as council president by roll call. The council also presented a proclamation honoring Councilman Vincent Carney for his election to the New Jersey General Assembly, 21st Legislative District.
Mayor’s priorities and accomplishments: In a year‑end review the mayor cited upgrades to the recreation complex, a redesigned borough website, street‑safety projects including pedestrian signals and ADA ramps, police accreditation and support for small business openings. On flood mitigation the mayor asked the council to include funding in the 2026 budget for an engineering study to evaluate potential measures ranging from green infrastructure to detention systems. "I'm asking the council to fund an engineering study in this year's budget to take a deeper look at our source system and identify potential solutions," the mayor said.
Council remarks and community numbers: Council members used their remarks to identify near‑term priorities and celebrate recent civic programs. One council member recited participation figures for borough recreation programs (including "155 participants in Garwood's summer recreation camp" and other program tallies) and highlighted grants and local arts and culture initiatives.
Appointments and committees: The mayor announced mayoral appointments to boards and committees (planning board, library board, Shade Tree Advisory Board, Green Team and others) and named standing committee chairs and liaisons for finance, fire, public works, police and community engagement.
Public comments and process: Members of the public offered congratulatory remarks to returning and newly seated officials. The meeting closed with the mayor’s call for continued attention to infrastructure, sustainability and community engagement, and the council set its next regular meeting for Jan. 22, 2026.
What was not decided: The council did not take new policy votes beyond appointment confirmations and consent agendas at this meeting; several operational items were placed on future agendas for ordinance adoption and planning‑board review.
