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High Bridge council swears in two members, elects Nowell as council president and adopts temporary budget
Summary
At its Jan. 4 organizational meeting, the Borough of High Bridge sworn in Natalie Ferry and Kelly Matos, elected Councilman Nowell as council president after a 4–3 roll-call vote, adopted a temporary 2024 budget and approved a broad consent agenda of routine resolutions; council members also discussed committee appointments and a personnel-related appointment question.
Michele Lee, mayor of the Borough of High Bridge, called the Jan. 4, 2024 regular council meeting to order and led the flag salute.
Natalie Ferry and Kelly Matos were sworn in for terms expiring Dec. 31, 2026; Sen. Andrew Zwicker performed the swearing-in. Mayor Lee then solicited nominations for council president. Councilman Doyle nominated Councilman Nowell and Councilwoman Ferry nominated Councilman Silvestri. A roll-call vote resulted in Councilman Nowell being elected council president by a 4–3 tally.
The council moved quickly through procedural items. Members voted to dispense with the reading of the Dec. 14, 2023 minutes, approved an amendment to remove the word “lease” from those minutes and then approved them as amended.
On substantive business, the council adopted a temporary budget (Resolution 003-2024) on a motion by Councilman Doyle with Councilman Nowell seconding. The meeting’s business largely proceeded through a broad consent agenda that bundled dozens of routine administrative resolutions—covering meeting dates, board and committee appointments, depositories and cash management, tax and utility delinquencies, grant authorizations, personnel appointments and miscellaneous policy readoptions. Most consent items passed on roll-call votes without extended debate.
Several consent items prompted discussion. Councilwoman Natalie Ferry questioned appointments and membership procedures tied to Resolution 005-2024 (Boards and Committees), raising concerns about redline language, removals and use of Special Events Committee funds. Attorney Barry Goodman said the Board of Ethics’ composition requires further review. Mayor Lee described recent communications with committee members and said the Special Events Committee had not met in the previous year.
Councilwoman Kelly Matos asked for clarification on a resolution concerning check signatures; Clerk Adam Young explained how signatures are applied to borough checks. Councilman Silvestri pressed for the removal of Water Operator Alan Brower and raised a question about the mayor’s spouse being appointed to a borough position; Mayor Lee suggested taking personnel-level discussion offline, and Attorney Goodman advised discussing personnel matters outside the public meeting while noting the mayor can make appointments with council advice and consent. The transcript records a related vote on the set of items with a 5–1 tally on certain consent items where dissent was recorded.
Other discussed items included a pending green purchasing policy from the Green Team, posted signage and DEP oversight for Nassau Road, and whether the Creative Team’s authority and fundraising stemmed from a resolution rather than an ordinance; Attorney Goodman said fundraising authority can be granted by the council. The council tabled Resolution 062-2024 at Mayor Lee’s suggestion and amended Resolution 063-2024 to clarify that the council president will serve as the backup liaison if the mayor is unavailable; the amendment and the amended resolution passed 5–1.
Councilman Nowell raised questions about event scheduling tied to Resolution 070-2024 and a pending agreement for events at Solitude House. Attorney Goodman said the agreement needs additional review. The council amended Resolution 070-2024 to delete three listed events and to add a March 17 open house for Robert Taylor’s birthday; the amendment and the amended resolution passed.
The council introduced Ordinance 2024-001 (Salary and Wage Ranges 2024) and set a public hearing for Jan. 25, 2024. The body approved the bill payment list totaling $17,755.86 and adjourned. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fire House, 7 Maryland Ave.
Details drawn from the meeting minutes show routine procedural votes dominated the agenda, with several committee and personnel questions referred for further review or offline discussion. Public commenters raised concerns about the Special Events Committee membership and volunteer roles.
