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Runnemede council approves first reading of new trash ordinance, confirms police appointment
Summary
At a regular meeting the Borough of Runnemede gave unanimous first-reading approval to Ordinance 2609 — tightening rules on excessive trash and regulating medical waste — and confirmed a Class One police appointment; council also recognized public-works crews for winter-storm response and reviewed storm and cannabis-tax figures.
Mayor Nick Cappatis and the Borough of Runnemede mayor and council on the floored a series of routine and policy items and approved a first reading of a new solid-waste ordinance intended to curb excessive trash and to regulate medical and radioactive waste.
The meeting opened with proclamations recognizing the Department of Public Works for its handling of back-to-back storms and observing April as National Donate Life Month. "Now therefore I, Nick Cappatis, on behalf of the Borough of Runnemede, do proclaim that Runnemede, New Jersey observes April as National Donate Life Month," Cappatis read as he urged residents to consider donor registration.
The most consequential action was the first reading of Ordinance 2609, which amends Chapter 316 of the borough code (solid waste) and specifically revises Section 316‑3 to address disposal of medical waste and update collection requirements. Councilors discussed replacing a written-notice requirement for "excessive amounts" of trash with a simpler notification process (phone, email or website submission) so residents need not file formal written notices. Mr. White moved the ordinance on first reading and Mr. Farrell seconded; a roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from the council, and the mayor said a second reading will occur about 30 days after the required advertisement.
Council also approved Resolution 2663 confirming 2026 appointments to municipal positions, including naming Michael Duwaski as a Class One police officer who will attend the police academy. The resolution passed on roll call.
Finance and administration reports highlighted costs tied to winter storms and general revenues. Councilman Murray told colleagues that storm-related work for the Feb. 22 storm is about $61,400 excluding labor and that, with labor included, the borough submitted roughly $89,300 to FEMA for reimbursement. He also reported the borough took in about $87,000 in cannabis-tax revenue in the first quarter, a 58 percent increase from the prior year.
Public-safety reporting from Mr. Kelly included monthly service tallies (police calls, summonses and arrests), fire-department activity and an award of $3,135 from Colonial Pipeline to purchase a Turtle EV firefighting nozzle designed to address thermal runaway incidents in electric-vehicle battery fires.
The council moved routine business — including payment of monthly bills — by roll call, then closed the public portion and adopted Resolution 2664 to meet in closed session for approximately one hour to discuss personnel and attorney-client matters. The mayor said no action would follow the closed session.
What happens next: Ordinance 2609 returns for a second reading and final vote after the statutory advertisement period; the borough will proceed with the confirmed police appointment and continue FEMA reimbursement and budget planning tied to storm expenditures.
