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High Bridge council adopts temporary 2026 budget, approves broad slate of resolutions and appointments
Summary
At its Jan. 2 meeting, the High Bridge Borough Council elected a council president, adopted a temporary 2026 budget and approved a large consent agenda of resolutions and appointments, while tabling a police rules item and scheduling a Jan. 22 public hearing on an introduced salary ordinance.
The High Bridge Borough Council met Jan. 2 at the Fire House and moved through organizational business and a package of municipal actions, adopting a temporary 2026 budget and approving numerous resolutions and appointments.
The council elected Councilwoman Matos as council president after nominations from Councilwoman Ferry and Councilwoman Conroy; the roll call resulted in five votes for Matos and one abstention by Councilman Nowell. The temporary 2026 budget (Resolution 002-2026) passed by unanimous roll call vote (6–0).
Why it matters: Adopting a temporary budget allows borough operations and payments to continue pending the adoption of a full 2026 municipal budget. The package of resolutions signed as a consent agenda sets administrative policies, committee rosters and interlocal agreements that govern borough services and personnel for the year.
What the council approved: The consent agenda covered multiple resolutions (listed in the meeting agenda) including board and committee appointments, borough newspapers, OPRA hours, borough fees, insurance and depository designations, shared-service agreements for animal control, and authorization to bid on projects. The council adopted Resolution 008-2026 (borough fees) after a brief discussion about revising field use fees and the process for adopting such fee changes.
Appointments: Mayor Michele Lee announced mayoral appointments to the Planning Board: Robert Ryder and Benjamin Yu (each Class IV through 12/31/2029) and Tom Osborne as an alternate (term to 12/31/2027). The council also confirmed a council-appointed Class III Planning Board member, electing Councilwoman Conroy by unanimous roll call vote.
Ordinance introduced: The council introduced Ordinance 2026-001 to set salary and wage ranges for 2026; the measure was introduced by motion and passed by roll call for introduction. Mayor Michele Lee said the ordinance will be published in the Hunterdon Review and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat and scheduled a public hearing for Jan. 22, 2026.
What was set aside: The council voted to table Resolution 022-2026 concerning police rules and regulations to allow for additional review. The meeting closed with adoption of remaining appointments and an adjournment; the next meeting was set for Jan. 22, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 001-2026 (Council President): passed (5 yes, 1 abstain); Resolution 002-2026 (Temporary Budget): passed (6 yes); Consent agenda bulk resolutions listed in the minutes: passed (majority roll calls 6 yes where recorded); Resolution 022-2026 (Police rules and regulations): tabled (6 yes); Resolution 029-2026 (personnel manual/bereavement amendment): passed as amended (6 yes).
