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Cedar Grove council adopts 2026 municipal and solid-waste budgets, approves capital projects and contract awards
Summary
The Township of Cedar Grove adopted its 2026 municipal and solid-waste budgets, passed multiple capital and bond ordinances (including $1.55 million in short-term financing) and approved engineering and construction contracts for street, stormwater and water-main work. Several measures were funded from capital reserves or connection fees, with most votes unanimous.
The Township of Cedar Grove council adopted the 2026 municipal budget and the 2026 solid-waste collection district budget at its meeting, and approved a slate of capital and bond ordinances and professional-service contracts for infrastructure work.
Mr. Zeli, speaking for township staff, described the municipal budget as "a very fiscally prudent budget," and said multiple capital items are being funded from existing capital improvement and utility connection-fee reserves rather than new long-term debt for those specific projects. The council approved the budget and related measures by roll-call vote.
The council adopted pending capital ordinances that include: capital ordinance 26-969, a $875,000 appropriation from the capital improvement fund to reconstruct Mountain Way Ridge Court; 26-970, $667,850 for general capital improvements; 26-971, upgrades to the Soore Utility Plant funded from utility connection fees; and 26-972, water-utility SCADA upgrades and design/installation of a water main on Monroe Street funded from water connection fees. Mr. Zeli stated several of those projects "create no debt" because they are paid from fund balances or fees.
Council also passed bond ordinance 26-973, authorizing short-term financing (bond anticipation notes) of $1,552,850 to support various general improvements. Mr. Zeli told the council this item would create debt for the projects covered by the bond ordinance.
On contracts and project approvals, the council authorized multiple professional services and construction actions: a change order to repair collapsed stormwater pipes at the lower Community Park playground (an increase of $16,335, paid from township capital funds rather than the playground grant); Suburban Consulting Engineers contracts for Cedar Street stormwater engineering (not to exceed $45,400), design for Donado/Bergen/Loretta drives reconstruction (not to exceed $67,425), and design/administration for a new 8-inch water main on Monroe Street (not to exceed $96,825); and a $10,700 increase to an existing professional services contract for bank stabilization engineering near 615 Pompton Avenue.
The council approved payment of audited bills totaling $242,398.52 and adopted routine consent items including a resolution to prepare estimated tax bills under PL 1994 C72 and a raffle approval for the Alpine Learning Group Foundation.
Most measures were approved unanimously on roll-call votes by Councilwoman Peterson, Councilwoman Scavage, Councilman Zazali, Deputy Mayor Miseri and Mayor Mika. The council did not receive public comment on the budgets during the agenda-specific public comment period.
The council scheduled a public hearing for a housekeeping personnel ordinance (salary grades and ranges) for June 1, 2026.
What happens next: The adopted budgets will be published on the township website and take effect as prescribed by law; capital projects will proceed to design and procurement steps per the approved contracts and funding sources.
