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Mayor Stanzilis touts $975,000 school transfer, road projects and new AI assistant in 2026 address
Summary
In his Jan. 6 address, Mayor Michael Stanzilis highlighted completion of McGregor Avenue and Bertrand Island Road, said the borough transferred $975,000 to the schools last year to avert program cuts, and announced a new AI-powered municipal website assistant and expanded meeting livestreaming.
Mayor Michael Stanzilis delivered the Borough of Mount Arlington's 2026 mayoral address during the Jan. 6 reorganization meeting, reviewing infrastructure work from 2025, technology initiatives and the borough's response to a school budget shortfall.
Stanzilis highlighted two completed road projects as visible accomplishments: McGregor Avenue and Bertrand Island Road. He specifically thanked residents of McGregor Avenue for their patience during a challenging construction process and commended CP Engineers for managing the work.
The mayor said the council stepped in last year to support the school district amid a serious budget shortfall, transferring $975,000 from the borough to the schools. "We were able to transfer $975,000 from the Borough to the schools," Stanzilis said, adding that the move "preserved critical academic programs and saved teacher jobs." The transcript records this as the mayor's characterization of the 2025 action; no supporting documents were included in the meeting record.
On municipal technology and transparency, Stanzilis said Mount Arlington launched an AI-powered assistant on the borough website, calling it "our digital ambassador" to make information and services easier to access, and said the borough will continue to add AI functionality while maintaining human service. He also noted the council's expansion of meeting live-streaming with recordings posted the following day.
The mayor used the address to thank municipal staff, volunteers and first responders, and he recognized department leaders by name, including Police Chief Ryan Sherburne and the volunteer fire department leadership. He singled out Carolyn Rinaldi for her administrative leadership and named professional partners and service providers that supported municipal work in 2025.
Stanzilis closed by reaffirming a governance formula he said guides the borough: "Smart Growth + Prudent Fiscal Management = Success," and said he remains "deeply honored and humbled to serve as your Mayor."
