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Rockaway Council approves labor counsel, multiple zoning ordinances and $864,737 for PFOA remediation
Summary
The Rockaway Township Council approved the appointment of Hatfield Schwarz Law Group as labor counsel (8–1), adopted a $864,737 appropriation from DuPont settlement reserves for PFOA remediation in the water utility, and passed several land-use ordinances creating multifamily overlay districts (all recorded as 9–0 votes).
The Rockaway Township Council on Feb. 10, 2026, approved the mayor’s appointment of Hatfield Schwarz Law Group as labor counsel and passed a bundle of ordinances including a $864,737 appropriation for PFOA (PAS) remediation funded from a DuPont settlement, not from general tax revenue.
Town administration representative Ms. Palmary described the hiring process: "They gave us both their resumes. They gave us an overview of what their credentials are ... we were very impressed," she said, summarizing a face-to-face selection meeting that included town attorney John Yafano and the administration.
The appointment vote for Hatfield Schwarz carried 8–1; Councilmember Kelly cast the lone no vote. During the discussion Kelly questioned whether Yafano had recommended the firm; administration said the firm was presented through Yafano but that the selection was made by the mayor’s team with personnel staff.
On environmental spending, the council introduced and adopted Ordinance O2601, "providing for PAS remediation" and appropriating $864,737.74 from reserve funds tied to a DuPont settlement. Officials clarified the funds are designated to water-utility remediation activities (described in the meeting as PFOA treatment at the Foxills wellfield) and are not paid from the township’s general-tax levy: "That money is generated within the water utility. So it's not tax dollars," an official said.
A set of land-use ordinances (O2602–O2606) updating wedding/civil-union ceremony rules and creating multiple new multifamily overlay districts (RBM MFO, RMF14, RMF15B, RMF15C) were introduced and passed by roll call, each recorded as unanimous (9–0) votes.
The council also passed a consent agenda that included a resolution naming the new water utility building the "Stalter Ryell Building," honoring longtime water supervisors Tom Stalder and the late George Ryell; officials said a dedication is tentatively scheduled for March.
Why it matters: The PFOA remediation appropriation commits settlement money to utility remediation work and clarifies it will not be borne by township property taxpayers. The zoning ordinance package establishes new multifamily overlay districts that will affect future land-use reviews in portions of the township.
Next steps: Officials said additional settlement funds may be received in coming months and could prompt a subsequent ordinance to allocate them. Zoning ordinance changes will proceed through the council’s publication and adoption process as required by local code.
