Wallington council adopts short-term rental and police ordinances, appoints two police officers

Mayor Melissa Dabal called the Borough of Wallington Mayor and Council to order at 6:30 p.m. on May 21, 2026, at the Wallington Civic Center. After opening formalities and roll call, the council heard a public comment on bicycle and e-bike safety before moving through a multi-item consent agenda and several ordinances and appointments.

During the public comment period, resident John Rebecky of 269 Hathaway St. raised concerns about juveniles performing unsafe maneuvers on bicycles and e-bikes on Maple Avenue and in a nearby park and asked about enforcement and forthcoming regulations. Captain Stolarz told the council that a new State law anticipated to take effect in July will establish requirements affecting e-bikes, including registration and insurance requirements, and noted the requirements primarily apply to e-bikes rather than electric scooters. Borough Administrator Jennifer Appice answered follow-up procedural questions about applicability and enforcement.

The council approved a consent agenda en masse that included resolutions to convene in closed session (Resolution 2026-162), payment of bills, infrastructure payments including Payment No. 4 to Smith‑Sondy Asphalt for Primrose Drive/Tulip Place/Orchid Drive roadway improvements (CDBG funded), refunds of escrow funds for several properties, approval of a social affairs permit for Wallington Engine Company 202 Inc., appointments of crossing guards, a contract for “SafetySticks,” HVAC purchase for Fire Truck Company #201, and fireworks contract execution. The consent agenda passed by roll call with Ayes recorded for Councilmembers Eugeniusz Rachelski, Justyna Marciniak, Susanne Preinfalk, Sylwia Hejzner, John Kosuda and Dennis Graham; no Nays were recorded.

Two resolutions pulled from the consent agenda appointed new police officers. Resolution 2026-176 appointed Jacob Plewa as a police officer and Resolution 2026-177 appointed Kara Santoro as a police officer; both measures passed on roll call with Councilmembers Rachelski, Preinfalk, Hejzner, Kosuda and Graham voting Aye and Councilwoman Marciniak recorded as Abstain on both votes.

On ordinances, the council adopted Ordinance 2026-12 (second reading) to amend the borough code governing short-term rentals, increasing penalties and fines for violations after a public hearing in which Administrator Appice described the amendment’s purpose. The ordinance passed by roll call: Aye — Rachelski, Marciniak, Preinfalk, Hejzner, Kosuda and Graham; Nay — none.

The council also adopted Ordinance 2026-13 (amending contracted off-duty employment) and Ordinance 2026-14 (amending police department code) on second reading. Both adopted measures recorded one abstention by Councilwoman Marciniak; no Nays were recorded.

Council members introduced Ordinance 2026-15 (first reading) to add a subsection titled “Safety Sticks” to Chapter 307, and they also introduced a walk-on Ordinance 2026-16 amending hours of sale and service of alcoholic beverages. Both ordinances were introduced on first reading by roll call vote.

The council convened into executive session at 6:43 p.m. under Resolution 2026-162 to discuss matters related to litigation, negotiations, and attorney-client privilege, with the meeting record noting that formal action may be taken upon return to open session. The minutes record a return to public session and roll call at 8:28 p.m. The meeting’s adjournment entry lists 8:20 p.m. as the adjournment time; the minutes therefore contain an internal timing discrepancy between the recorded return to public session and the adjournment time.

There was no old business or new business discussed in open session. The meeting record is signed by Borough Clerk Casey Kimmel.