Hillside council approves emergency budget, appointments and contracts; residents press for clearer project information

HILLSIDE — The Hillside Township Council on Jan. 22 approved a slate of routine municipal actions including an emergency temporary budget appropriation, several professional appointments and contracts, committee appointments, and license renewals. The meeting also recorded public concern about vendor payments, committee appointments and access to meeting information for seniors.

The council adopted R-25-028, an "Emergency Temporary Budget Appropriation" for a total of $11,270,015.16; the minutes record the motion as carried on the affirmative vote of the five members present (Council Members Lisa Bonanno, Angela Garretson, Andrea Hyatt; Council Vice President Robert Rios; Council President Craig Epps). The council also approved appointing Suplee, Clooney & Company as auditor (R-25-030), NW Financial Group, LLC as financial advisor (R-25-031), and Bruno Associates, INC as grant writer (R-25-032). A contract award for the purchase and installation of a SonicWall security/firewall system was made to PCS (R-25-034). Purchase of traffic signs and materials under R-25-035 was pulled by administration.

Public comment: during the open public comment period residents raised procedural and transparency concerns. Annie Davis (1544 Morris Place) said the council appeared not to have current information about the pool and library projects and asked whether project details had been shared with council members; Tyisha Jackson (242 Dorer Ave) asked for better channels for seniors who lack social media; Val Mayo asked who authorized a large payment to Edmunds and requested details on a "Crystal Myers" project and a tree grant; Tyrese Outlaw described Wilson Tree Service Landscaping as a small company that removes curbside trees only. Following public comment the council voted to reconsider the bills list and include the previously pulled $2,500 Wilson Tree Service Landscaping item.

Contested bill item: Council Member Andrea Hyatt moved to pull a $71,215 invoice for Edmunds GovTech but the motion received no second and failed. Minutes show subsequent motions to pull smaller items (Wilson Tree Service Landscaping, Remington & Vernick Engineers, Inc. for $10,555) were brought and handled through the bills process; the Assessment Notices item for $3,494.96 was included and the amended bills list was approved.

Appointments and votes: The council approved multiple committee and board appointments by recorded resolution numbers. Most appointments and awards passed unanimously among those present; Council Member Andrea Hyatt recorded a "nay" vote on the appointment to the Health Advisory Council (R-25-046) and on the appointment to the Personnel Committee (R-25-048), but both motions nevertheless carried.

Additional actions: the council accepted a $10,260 Risk Control grant from the Statewide Insurance Fund (R-25-036) and approved a related emergency appropriation (R-25-037). The council renewed limousine licenses (R-25-049 to Route 22 Corp.; R-25-050 to Havana Rose LLC) and approved a $500 payment from Council O&E to cover a DJ and photographer for a Senior Valentine event (the minutes list the event date as Feb. 7, 2024). The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the minutes): R-25-028 emergency appropriation — yes 5, no 0, abstain 0, absent 2; R-25-034 SonicWall award — yes 5, no 0; R-25-036 Risk Control grant acceptance — yes 5; R-25-046 Health Advisory Council appointment — yes 4, no 1 (Hyatt); R-25-048 Personnel Committee appointment — yes 4, no 1 (Hyatt).