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Hasbrouck Heights reorganizes council for 2026; Charlotte Sodora named council president
Summary
At the borough's Jan. 1, 2026 reorganization, Mayor Ron Kistner administered oaths to newly elected council members, Councilwoman Charlotte Sodora was nominated and abstained from voting for herself as council president, committee assignments and a 20‑item consent agenda were approved, and professional appointments were confirmed.
Mayor Ron Kistner presided over the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights' 2026 Reorganization Meeting on Jan. 1, 2026, at Borough Hall, where he administered oaths to newly elected council members and led routine reorganizational business.
The council nominated Councilwoman Charlotte Sodora for Council President; Councilwoman Susan McGuire made the nomination and Councilman Robert (Bobby) Bing seconded it. The motion carried with Sodora abstaining from voting for herself. Deputy Municipal Clerk Anne Michelle Sery read the required Sunshine Law notice, stating that adequate notice had been given under the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975.
The reorganization set committee assignments for 2026 across finance, police, fire, transportation, public works, health, land use, recreation and social services. Highlights of the committee slate included Councilman Joseph Samperi as Commissioner of Finance and Councilwoman Susan McGuire assigned as Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Transportation; Councilman Christopher Blum named Commissioner of Land Use; and Councilman Robert Bing retaining several liaison roles. The full list of committee appointments was read aloud and accepted by unanimous motion.
The council approved a 20‑item consent agenda that covered administrative and financial housekeeping: adoption of a Cash Management Plan, a temporary budget and the 2026 debt service budget; authorization for the chief financial officer to invest idle funds and prepare payrolls; designation of Valley National Bank as an official depository; and designation of The Record, Herald News and TapInto as official newspapers, among other routine items. The consent agenda was moved and approved unanimously.
Mayor Kistner also presented a slate of professional nominations and appointments for the year — including engineer, auditor, borough attorney, bond counsel, planner, appraiser, grant writer and various legal counsel — which the council approved on a unanimous vote.
In brief remarks, Mayor Ron Kistner thanked “his wife, Marie; his Council; Administrator Rob Brady; DPW; volunteer Fire Department; Police Department and the residents of Hasbrouck Heights.” Council members offered short statements thanking supporters: Councilwoman Susan McGuire praised the community and likened public service to “a whole team working toward a common goal,” Councilman Joseph Samperi called the community “unbelievable,” and Councilman Robert Bing thanked borough employees for much of their unseen work. Councilwoman Charlotte Sodora and Councilman Christopher Blum each extended New Year wishes to residents.
The meeting record notes Councilman Michael Sickels was absent for the reorganizational meeting. The public session was opened and, with no members of the public speaking, closed without comment. The meeting adjourned after final motions and the minutes were certified by Deputy Municipal Clerk Anne Michelle Sery.
The reorganizational actions set Hasbrouck Heights' leadership and administrative responsibilities for 2026 and formalized routine financial and administrative delegations for the year.
