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Stockton Borough Council re-organizes, approves consent agenda and applies for county grant
Summary
At its Jan. 5 re-organization meeting, Stockton Borough Council administered oaths to two new members, nominated a council president, approved its consent agenda including appointments and shared-service agreements, and authorized applying for a Hunterdon County grant to codify land‑use ordinances.
Stockton Borough Council met via Zoom on Jan. 5, 2026, for its annual re-organization meeting. Mayor Aaron Lipsen called the meeting to order, led the pledge and Attorney Lisa Maddox administered the Oath of Office to newly seated council members Nina Brander and Jacob Gilinger. William Brown nominated Michael Mann as council president; the nomination was seconded by Jacob Gilinger and carried by voice vote.
In prepared remarks, Mayor Lipsen reviewed 2025 accomplishments and outlined 2026 priorities including pursuit of grant funding, continued infrastructure work, and efforts to improve the borough website and digitize municipal records. "It has been an honor for me to work with so many different members of council and the different professionals over the last 15 years," Lipsen said, thanking long-time resident Robert Ent for his service.
The council approved a broad consent agenda by motion of Councilperson William Brown, seconded by Councilperson Michael Mann; roll call recorded four ayes, four nays: none. Mayor Lipsen had earlier noted that Resolution 2026-26 (the Hunterdon County grant application) would be removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion.
On Resolution 2026-26, the council authorized submission of an application to the Hunterdon County Economic Development Grant Program to fund codification of Stockton's land‑use ordinances with vendor General Code. The project cost is listed at approximately $14,630; the borough committed up to $1,460 as a 10% local match and acknowledged an expected annual maintenance fee of $1,295 if the grant is awarded. Attorney Lisa Maddox clarified the resolution authorized applying for the grant and committing the local match; formal contract approval would follow if the grant is awarded. The motion to approve Resolution 2026-26 was made by Brown, seconded by Mann, and passed by roll call.
The council also approved a slate of committee and professional appointments for 2026, including designation of Northfield Community Bank as the official depository, adoption of Robert's Rules of Order as the council's parliamentary procedure, and several non-fair-and-open professional contracts (borough attorney, bond counsel, borough engineer, and auditor) as documented in the meeting record. The governing body authorized temporary budget appropriations for early‑2026 operations and set debt‑service temporary appropriations for the year.
Two shared-services agreements were authorized: a five‑year agreement with Delaware Township for Chief Financial Officer services (Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2030) and a five‑year shared police services agreement with Delaware Township to provide supplementary traffic enforcement during the same period. The resolutions state those agreements are made under the Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act and that Stockton's primary law-enforcement provider remains the New Jersey State Police.
During public comment, resident Mike Odenwald reiterated an earlier written offer to sell his barn to the borough "for possible use as a wellness center or borough hall," and asked for transparency about absent council members. Mayor Lipsen reminded speakers of the public-comment rules and the agenda scope. Adam Juncosa congratulated the new council members, raised local traffic concerns and noted a Jan. 15 "locals' night" fundraiser at Odd Bird Brewing benefiting the Delaware Township Fire Company.
The council announced its next regular meeting for Jan. 26, 2026, and adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
