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Moonachie Planning Board elects Joyce Molinari chair; approves attorney contract and 2026 schedule
Summary
At its Jan. 15, 2026 reorganization meeting the Moonachie Planning Board elected Joyce Molinari chair, named John Wende vice chair, appointed Jessica Doneman secretary, approved a one-year attorney contract for James T. Novello and set the 2026 meeting dates.
The Moonachie Planning Board on Jan. 15, 2026, completed its annual reorganization, electing Joyce Molinari as chair and C/John Wende as vice chair and approving a set of appointments and resolutions to guide the board’s work for the year.
Chairperson Joyce Molinari opened the meeting at 7:03 p.m. and reminded attendees that "this meeting is a judicial proceeding" and that remarks should be limited to matters the board may legally consider. On motions recorded at the meeting, board members voted unanimously to waive the regular order of business and to approve the slate of officers and appointments.
The board appointed Jessica Doneman as secretary for 2026 and adopted Resolution No. 2026-1 authorizing the Chair to execute a one-year professional-services agreement with James T. Novello to serve as board attorney. The resolution sets Novello’s hourly rate at $165 and caps the annual contract at $5,000; the resolution states the award is a "professional service" to be made without competitive bidding under cited New Jersey statutes and that funds are subject to appropriation by the borough.
The board also named Kevin Boswell as planning-board engineer for 2026 and adopted Resolution No. 2026-2 setting the board’s 2026 meeting schedule. Regular meetings are set for the third Thursday of each month, with executive sessions at 6:45 p.m. and regular public sessions at 7:00 p.m., to be held at Moonachie Municipal Building, 70 Moonachie Road, Moonachie. (A typographical error in the transcript listed "July 16, 2025" among the dates; the board’s calendar is for 2026.)
During new business, the board adopted the bylaws dated Dec. 12, 1996, approved minutes of Feb. 20, 2025, and directed Attorney Novello to review the bylaws and return with recommended updates. Member J. Brattoli raised the timeline for the Master Plan update in 2027; Novello said the board will retain a consultant to assist with the Master Plan process, and G. Tessaro asked that updates regarding accessory dwelling units be included in that effort.
Two appointed members were sworn in at the meeting: Mathew Vaccaro (term expiring Dec. 31, 2029) and Terri Campbell (term expiring Dec. 31, 2028). The board closed the public hearing by unanimous vote and adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
Next steps: Attorney Novello will review the bylaws and the board will proceed with hiring a consultant for the Master Plan update; no formal land-use applications or ordinance adoptions were considered at this meeting.
