Mountainside fills council vacancy, approves hires, contracts and budget actions

The Borough of Mountainside Mayor and Council on Aug. 20, 2024 appointed Alex Van Deusen to fill a council vacancy and approved a series of personnel hires, contracts and budget actions affecting public safety, recreation and municipal finance.

Mayor Paul N. Mirabelli administered the oath after the council voted to nominate Van Deusen. The council approved minutes from prior meetings and then adopted multiple resolutions, each by roll call (Ayes: Dierkes, Matejek, Pacifico, Rinaldo, Wass; Abstained: Van Deusen where noted).

Among personnel actions, the council appointed Zachery Myretetus as a probationary police officer effective Aug. 5, 2024, with a one‑year probationary period and a probationary salary of $50,500 (Resolution 97‑2024). The council also hired N’dela Costley as part‑time Planning Board Secretary at $30.00 per hour not to exceed six hours weekly (effective Aug. 6, 2024) while Kristine Moran will remain recording secretary (Resolution 98‑2024). Jerry Eger was appointed part‑time Construction Official at an annual salary of $34,034, 15 hours per week (Resolution 99‑2024), and Pedro Pons was named part‑time Electrical Inspector at $50 per hour not to exceed six hours weekly (Resolution 100‑2024). Each personnel resolution carried the same roll‑call pattern and included six‑month probationary terms where specified.

On procurement and public‑safety equipment, the council authorized purchase of firefighter protective clothing and equipment from NJ Fire Equipment Co. under State Contract for $51,623.00 (Resolution 108‑2024). The council also awarded a Sourcewell Co‑Op contract for field lighting to Musco Sports Lighting, LLC not to exceed $110,996, after the Recreation Director recommended the vendor and the chief financial officer certified funds (Resolution 109‑2024).

Financial and grant items included designation of a $6,355,000 bond anticipation note (dated July 19, 2024, payable July 18, 2025) as a qualified tax‑exempt obligation under federal rules (Resolution 105‑2024); a request to insert $16,632.21 from the Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund into the 2024 budget along with a matching appropriation (Resolution 104‑2024); and authorization to apply for a $225,000 Union County "Kids Recreation Trust Fund" grant for recreation facility improvements with $112,500 in matching funds appropriated (Resolution 110‑2024).

The council granted two property tax exemptions for residents determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be 100% disabled. Resolution 102‑2024 granted an exemption and a $625.42 refund to Victor Mennella retroactive to his March 6, 2024 application; Resolution 103‑2024 granted an exemption for Mr. Ford effective Jan. 24, 2024 and authorized a refund of $1,747.04 to CoreLogic on his behalf.

The body also approved a shared‑services agreement under N.J.S.A. 40A:65‑1 et seq. enabling the Borough to provide Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers to the Mountainside Board of Education and authorized the Mayor and Borough Clerk to sign the agreement (Resolution 111‑2024). Separately, the council approved a $500 donation to the Mountainside Rescue Squad for its "Spooky Trail" event (Resolution 107‑2024) and authorized payment of audited bills totaling $448,732.90, subject to available funds.

The meeting concluded with council members welcoming the newly sworn council member and the new police officer; Mayor Mirabelli thanked sponsors for National Night Out. There was no public comment, and the meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.

What happens next: most items take immediate effect as stated in each resolution (appointments and contracts listed effective dates are in the resolutions); the shared‑service agreement will be filed for informational purposes with the Division of Local Government Services as required by statute.