Stanhope council adopts budget 'cap bank,' increases clerk pay and allows student liaison on Environmental Commission

At its March 24, 2026 meeting the Stanhope Mayor and Council enacted several ordinances and resolutions affecting municipal budgets, personnel pay and board membership.

Ordinance 2026-05: cap bank and budget increase The council adopted Ordinance 2026-05 after a public hearing and no public comment. The ordinance uses statutory authority in the Local Government Cap Law (cited in the ordinance as N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.1 et seq. and related provisions) to increase the Borough’s CY 2026 final appropriations by up to 3.5%. The ordinance text states a 1.5% increase would amount to $64,031.40 and that a 3.5% increase equals $149,406.60; the council adopted the measure by roll call (yes votes recorded from Councilmen Smith, Romano, Thornton and Simpson; Riccardi and Wachterhauser absent).

Clerk pay and salary schedule Council adopted Ordinance 2026-06 amending Ordinance 2025-16 to set the Borough Clerk’s salary at $90,000 per year. Separately, Resolution 072-26 fixed the 2026 salaries for full‑ and part‑time non‑contract employees and listed a set of salary amounts for named positions (for example, the Administrator, Borough Clerk and Department of Public Works superintendent appear with specific dollar figures in the resolution). The resolution authorizes the Administrator to set salary levels for certain temporary part‑time positions.

Environmental Commission student liaison Ordinance 2026-07 amends Chapter 12 to permit the Environmental Commission to nominate a Student Liaison. The ordinance specifies the liaison would be non‑voting, ideally a high‑school environmental club member (ideally from Lenape Valley Regional High School), age 16 or older, appointed by the Mayor for a one‑year term (September 1 to August 31), and unpaid. The council adopted the ordinance after no public comment.

Other resolutions The council adopted Resolution 073-26 waiving water and sewer fees for 19 Hill Road (property owner Inna Earley) from February 8, 2026—the date the property became uninhabitable due to a fire—until the property obtains a Certificate of Occupancy; the council stated Ms. Earley remains responsible for fees up to the date of the fire. The council also granted approval for the American Legion, Musconetcong Post 278 to hold its Memorial Day parade on May 25, 2026 (Resolution 074-26) and authorized payment of the current bills list (Resolution 075-26).

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2026-05 (cap bank / budget increase): adopted; roll call yes — Smith, Romano, Thornton, Simpson. Absent: Riccardi, Wachterhauser. - Ordinance 2026-06 (Borough Clerk salary amendment): adopted; roll call yes by present members. - Ordinance 2026-07 (Environmental Commission student liaison): adopted; roll call yes by present members. - Resolution 072-26 (2026 salaries): adopted; roll call yes by present members. - Resolution 073-26 (waive water/sewer fees for 19 Hill Road): adopted. - Resolution 074-26 (Memorial Day parade approval): adopted. - Resolution 075-26 (payment of bills): adopted.

Why it matters The cap bank ordinance gives Stanhope flexibility to increase appropriations in CY 2026 beyond the standard cap, which can affect municipal spending choices and property tax implications. The clerk salary amendment and the salary resolution formally set compensation levels for Borough officers and staff. The student liaison provision creates a formal route for youth participation in environmental advisory work. The fee waiver provides financial relief to a property owner following a fire, and the parade approval sets the path for a community event.

Next steps: Ordinances were ordered posted and published as required by law; the sergeant promotion remains subject to Civil Service Commission approval where noted in the promotion resolution.