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South Plainfield council adopts three ordinances, approves $189,435 change order for Oak Tree Avenue drainage
Summary
The Borough Council unanimously adopted three ordinances and a package of resolutions, including Resolution 25-350 authorizing a $189,435 change order to PNA Construction for drainage repairs on Oak Tree Avenue; the council also introduced an ordinance rescinding a $1.25 million emergency appropriation for a property revaluation and set a Nov. 10 public hearing.
The South Plainfield Borough Council voted unanimously to adopt three ordinances and a set of resolutions during its public meeting, approving capital and operational measures that include a $150,000 kitchen upgrade for the senior center and a $189,435 change order for Oak Tree Avenue drainage work.
The council adopted Ordinance 2372 (vehicles and traffic), Ordinance 2373 (capital improvements to the South Plainfield Senior Center kitchen at $150,000, plus police items totaling $25,000) and Ordinance 2374 (an amended master license agreement with New York SMS Limited Partnership, d/b/a Verizon Wireless). The measures were approved by roll call vote with Councilman Benjanga, Councilwoman M, Councilman Smith, Councilman Bulock and Council President White voting yes.
Why it matters: the council also added and approved Resolution 25-350, which authorizes Change Order No. 1 to PNA Construction to expand the Oak Tree Avenue project to include drainage repairs on Tyler Place and increases the contract by $189,435. The addition was announced during the agenda review and then included in the package of resolutions the council voted to adopt.
Staff updates and scheduling: Robert (staff) told the council that milling and repaving of Oak Tree Avenue is scheduled for the week of Oct. 27 (one day for milling and one day for paving) and that the senior center may be closed tentatively on Oct. 27–28 while work occurs. Robert also said that revaluation-related work connected to Ordinance 2375 will be delayed into 2026 while staff revise the RFP and coordinate with the assessor.
On Ordinance 2375, the council introduced a measure to rescind a $1,250,000 special emergency appropriation for a complete program of revaluation of real property and to rescind authorization for related special emergency notes; Councilman Benjanga moved introduction, a second was recorded, and a public hearing was scheduled for Nov. 10, 2025.
Other routine business: the council approved payment of bills totaling $1,324.91 and passed Resolution 25-349 to enter executive session to discuss personnel, legal and contract matters. The meeting also included a proclamation establishing a 7 p.m. curfew for minors on 'mischief night' (Oct. 30) and setting trick-or-treat hours on Oct. 31 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Community notices and clarifications: during public comment, a resident representing Pacers (the National Bullying Prevention Center) urged participation in Unity Day (Oct. 22) and offered T-shirts for distribution. Staff announced the Mayor's Wellness community health fair on Nov. 1 at Sutton Park with free testing and community services. Council members and staff clarified that EPA work near Veterans Park involves a temporary access ramp (not a permanent road), though staff noted the temporary access project could last more than a year and will use the senior-center traffic signal for control. Staff also reported Conrail has scheduled replacement of the South Quinn extension railroad crossing for 2026 and is attempting to move it to 2025.
The public portion concluded and the council moved to executive session on personnel, legal and contract matters.
