Mount Arlington council reorganizes; Mayor Stanzilis touts tax restraint, grants and redevelopment

Mount Arlington — The Borough Council convened its annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 7, 2025, at the municipal building, swearing in two newly elected council members and unanimously approving committee assignments, municipal appointments and a broad slate of 2025 administrative resolutions.

Mayor Mike Stanzilis delivered the 2025 Mayor’s Message, framing the administration’s approach as "Smart Growth + Prudent Fiscal Management = Success." He highlighted recent equipment purchases for the Department of Public Works intended to keep services in-house, and said the borough will continue street-sweeping schedules to protect stormwater management and Lake Hopatcong water quality.

Stanzilis announced several grants and funding developments he said will improve public safety and recreation. He told the council the borough secured a $277,000 federal COPS grant for technology upgrades including public-area cameras and automatic license plate readers, credited Congressman Tom Kean Jr. for help obtaining the award, and said the borough received a $70,000 American Rescue Plan firefighter grant for turnout gear. The borough also received a $75,000 Recreation Improvement Grant for playground and lighting work.

The mayor described ongoing infrastructure projects, including McGregor Avenue water and sewer work, which he said is expected to be completed in spring 2025 after challenges in procurement and construction. He also said the borough expects a $550,000 federal appropriation — still going through the congressional appropriations process — to dredge and rehabilitate Memorial Pond.

Stanzilis reviewed shared-service arrangements with neighboring municipalities (court services with Wharton, construction officials with Jefferson, public-health with Mount Olive), a recent fire apparatus study and an operational analysis recommending two-year terms for line officers. He said the borough is conducting a feasibility study for a potential new firehouse and civic center.

On redevelopment, the mayor said two small projects have been approved: "Orchards Village," an 88-unit development on a property he described as deteriorating, and redevelopment of a former Catholic school into 36 residential units. He said both projects will return formerly tax-exempt property to the tax rolls and have a "minimal impact" on infrastructure.

Stanzilis reiterated a numerical claim about the borough's municipal tax levy: he said the average homeowner's municipal portion of the tax levy was $2,352 in 2016 and $2,346 in 2024, which he characterized as a 0.25% decrease over nine years and cited as evidence of the administration's fiscal approach.

The council unanimously approved the mayor’s committee and board appointments and adopted a package of administrative resolutions for 2025 (Resolutions 2025-01 through 2025-34). Roll-call votes on motions recorded in the minutes list Council President Jack Delaney, Councilwoman Melissa Fostle, Councilman Fuller, Councilman Cangiano, Councilwoman Nita Galate and Councilman David "Dave" BaRoss voting "Aye," with no recorded opposition or abstentions.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows a single unanimous vote to approve the listed 2025 appointments and administrative resolutions (2025-01 through 2025-34). Specific items in that resolutions package include designation of official newspapers, petty cash and cash-management procedures, civil-rights policy reaffirmation, interest rates on delinquent municipal charges, authorization for tax sale, appointment of professional services, temporary appropriations, and support for the Lake Hopatcong Commission.

The meeting included no public comments and adjourned at 6:55 p.m. The mayor’s full 2025 address is attached to the meeting record.