Seaside Heights council confirms reorganization, approves wide-ranging consent agenda including temporary budget and appointments

Seaside Heights’ governing body on Jan. 7 selected Robert Triano as president of council and approved a broad consent agenda that included the 2026 temporary operating budget and numerous professional and service appointments.

Mayor Tony Vaz opened the meeting and the council confirmed Triano as president by voice vote after a motion from Councilman Harry Smith and a second from Councilman Michael (Mike) Carbone. The vote was recorded in favor by Triano, Smith, Carbone, Councilwoman Penny Graichen (participating by phone) and Councilman Vito Ferrone (participating by phone).

The council approved a bundled consent agenda that established the borough’s 2026 meeting dates, committee assignments and official newspapers; set routine administrative policies; and authorized the 2026 temporary operating budget. The agenda also included numerous appointments to professional municipal roles: borough attorney (Jean Cipriani, Esq. and the firm Rothstein, Mandell, Strohm, Halm & Cipriani), special counsel panels, borough engineer (Robert Chankalian, P.E., Van Cleef Engineering Group) and special project engineers (Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor; Suburban Consulting Engineers; ACT Engineers; CME Associates).

Other appointments and awards approved by the council included bond counsel, labor counsel, redevelopment counsel and planners, assistant prosecutors, a borough planner, hearing officer assignments for mercantile-license and discipline matters, and a borough architect. Financial and administrative designations accepted during the session included Phoenix Advisors as financial advisors, Conner, Strong & Buckelew as insurance broker for prescription and dental coverage, and the designation of TD Bank, Kearny Bank and the New Jersey Cash Management Fund as approved deposit locations. The council also authorized a $200 petty cash fund.

The council approved an award of a contract to Axon Enterprise for body-worn cameras and authorized EB Employee Solutions, LLC d/b/a The Difference Card to provide HRA services from May 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026. The HRA-services resolution passed on a motion by Carbone with Triano, Smith, Carbone, Ferrone and Graichen recorded as approving. A person-to-person alcoholic beverage license transfer was approved with one abstention recorded (Carbone).

The reorganization portion of the meeting followed customary practice for annual municipal reorganizations; most items were adopted by consent with motions and recorded approvals. Lisa Francosi asked questions about appointments near the end of the meeting; the transcript does not specify the substance of her questions. Mayor Vaz and council members offered New Year greetings before adjourning at 5:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance - RESOLUTION NO. 26-01 (authorize executive session): Motion Smith; second Carbone. Approved (Smith, Carbone, Graichen via phone, Triano). (SEG 006–012) - RESOLUTION NO. 26-02 (appoint Robert Triano as President of Council): Motion Smith; second Carbone. Approved (Triano, Smith, Carbone, Graichen via phone, Ferrone via phone). (SEG 020–023) - RESOLUTION NO. 26-05 (2026 temporary operating budget): Adopted as part of the consent agenda. (SEG 024–033) - RESOLUTION NO. 26-56 (award to Axon Enterprise for body-worn cameras): Adopted on the consent agenda. (SEG 156–199) - RESOLUTION NO. 26-59 (HRA services contract with EB Employee Solutions/The Difference Card, May 1–Dec. 31, 2026): Motion Carbone; second Triano. Approved (Triano, Smith, Carbone, Ferrone via phone, Graichen via phone). (SEG 204–207) - RESOLUTION NO. 26-62 (person-to-person liquor license transfer): Approved; abstention by Carbone recorded. (SEG 221–223)

What happens next Most resolutions were adopted by consent and take effect per their terms. Ordinances introduced at first reading (see separate item) will return for a second reading and final adoption at a later meeting. The council adjourned at 5:30 p.m.