Jefferson Township Council reorganizes: Kalish named president; council approves appointments, amends deputy clerk term and public defender language

Josh Kalish was chosen Council President and Councilwoman Garruto was elected Vice President at the Jefferson Township Council reorganization meeting on Jan. 7, 2026, at the municipal building in Lake Hopatcong.

Township Clerk Michele Reilly opened the meeting, read the notice required by the Open Public Meetings Law, and called the roll; Mayor Eric Wilsusen and Administrator Debi Millikin were in attendance. In his remarks after being recognized, President Kalish said he had three key phrases for 2026—"Challenges, Added Value, and Respect"—and urged council members and residents to keep discussions constructive as the township addresses budget, taxes, schools, re-evaluation and elections. "My number one goal is for everyone to respect each other," Kalish said.

By roll call the council moved through a broad consent agenda of routine resolutions that included annual meeting schedules, designations of official newspapers, a cash-management plan, a temporary 2026 budget resolution and numerous appointments and professional-service contracts. The mayor's slate of appointments—ranging from Land Use Board members and municipal prosecutors to advisory-board and committee appointments—was presented and considered with advice and consent where required. Councilwoman Senatore recorded an abstention on the appointment of Neil Senatore to the Lake Hopatcong Commission.

Several items were removed from the consent agenda for separate consideration. Vice President Garruto successfully moved to amend Resolution 26-21 (Deputy Clerk) to include a term of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026; the amended appointment was approved. The council also discussed Resolution 26-31, the professional-services agreement for public defender work with the Law Office of Robert S. Bohrod, LLC. Administrator Debi Millikin explained the contract is being awarded for $14,000 but the resolution also listed $17,500 to cover potential Pay-to-Play contingencies; Township Attorney Ms. Leo recommended changing the language from "will" to "may" regarding the higher amount. Councilwoman Senatore moved to revise the text accordingly and the amendment passed.

Council members voted to table several larger professional-service awards listed on the consent agenda for separate consideration, including Resolution 26-30 (labor attorney services), Resolution 26-35 (township attorney services), and Resolution 26-36 (municipal planner). Other professional contracts approved on the consent agenda included audit services from Nisivoccia LLP (annual fee not to exceed $104,663), water/wastewater management engineering with H2M Associates (not to exceed $300,000), and a two‑year award for certain water/wastewater chemicals to Main Pool & Chemical Co., Inc. (amount not to exceed $200,000). The council also authorized smaller or routine awards such as a 2026 Employee Assistance Program contract with One Source EAP (Saint Barnabas Management Services) for up to $5,000.

During public comment Donna Vander Ploeg urged coordination between the Mayor/Administration and the Board of Education after receiving a postcard about free all-day preschool; Yvonne Ioffredo asked the township to request additional "wrong way" signage on Route 15 (Mayor Wilsusen noted Route 15 is a state highway and the DOT would be asked to consider additional signs); and Stephanie Kaulfers announced formation of a Jefferson Township Kiwanis Club and encouraged interested residents to join. Vice President Garruto asked Ms. Kaulfers to share the Kiwanis website information by email.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn at 7:40 p.m.