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Stafford reorganization: LaRocca named council president; temporary 2026 budget adopted and cap‑bank ordinance introduced
Summary
At its Jan. 6 reorganization meeting Stafford Township Council selected Owen LaRocca as council president, adopted a 2026 temporary budget and introduced an ordinance to allow a 3.5% CAP bank for the 2026 municipal budget. The consent agenda also included dozens of 2026 professional and vendor appointments.
Stafford Township’s governing body opened its 2026 reorganization meeting Jan. 6, selected Councilman Owen LaRocca as council president and adopted a temporary 2026 budget to carry municipal operations until the final municipal budget is approved.
The council voted 4–0 with one abstention to name LaRocca council president; Councilwoman Lisa D. Mower recorded the single abstention and two members were absent. In the same set of motions the council approved Resolution No. 2026‑02 appointing Lauren R. Staiger, Esq., of Dasti & Staiger as township attorney and adopted Resolution No. 2026‑03 establishing the township’s 2026 temporary budget.
The temporary budget covers interim appropriations through the adoption of the final 2026 municipal budget and follows statutory limits; the full temporary budget text adopted by the council lists a municipal subtotal of $18,217,869.88 and a water/sewer subtotal of $6,149,000 for a grand total of $24,366,869.88. The council approved a voucher resolution to pay township bills totaling $3,389,593.46.
The council also introduced Ordinance No. 2026‑01 on first reading. The ordinance, if adopted on second reading Feb. 3, would authorize the township to increase its 2026 budget up to 3.5% over the prior year’s appropriations and to establish a CAP bank under N.J.S.A. 40A:4‑45.14 so any unused margin may be carried as an exception into the next two succeeding years. Council voted to introduce the ordinance on a roll call and scheduled the public hearing and second reading for the Feb. 3 council meeting.
Why it matters: the temporary budget keeps township operations funded in the weeks before the full municipal budget is finalized; the CAP‑bank ordinance preserves the option to carry a partial margin into future years, a tool municipalities use to manage property tax and spending growth. The ordinary reorganization business also set senior staffing and legal counsel for 2026, which frames governance and the township’s ability to respond quickly on contracts and land‑use matters.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 2026‑01 (appoint Owen LaRocca as council president): adopted by roll call (LaRocca, DarConte, Fossa, Henken yes; Mower abstain; Otte and Esposito absent). - Resolution 2026‑02 (appoint Lauren R. Staiger as township attorney): adopted, unanimous of members present. - Resolution 2026‑03 (adopt 2026 temporary budget): adopted, unanimous of members present. - Ordinance No. 2026‑01 (introduce CAP‑bank authorization): introduced on first reading; hearing set Feb. 3, 2026.
What’s next: the council will take public comment on Ordinance 2026‑01 and consider final passage on Feb. 3, 2026. The administration will prepare the full 2026 municipal budget for introduction and adoption later in the statutory schedule.
Sources: Stafford Township reorganization meeting, Jan. 6, 2026 (public minutes and roll calls).
