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Mountainside council approves budget transfers, contract awards and staffing hires
Summary
At its Nov. 25 meeting, the Mountainside Borough Council adopted a package of resolutions approving budget transfers, tax refunds, a paving contract award, a recycling contract renewal, a part‑time hire and vendor appointments for employee HRA services; all measures passed on unanimous roll calls.
MOUNTAINSIDE, N.J. — The Mountainside Borough Council on Nov. 25 approved a set of routine financial and operational measures, including budget transfers, tax refunds, a paving contract award and personnel actions.
The council ratified Resolution 135‑2025 to authorize transfers within the 2025 municipal budget under N.J.S.A. 40A:4‑58, reallocating $6,000 from Planning Board operating expenses to the Tax Assessor account and adjusting other line items for a total transfer of $12,000. Councilwoman Wass introduced the resolution and Councilman Matejek seconded it; the roll call vote was Ayes: Dierkes, Matejek, Pacifico, Van Deusen, Wass; Nays: none.
Council approved Resolution 136‑2025 to issue refunds for duplicate tax payments on five properties, authorizing payments itemized in the record (individual refunds listed in the minutes) totaling $24,978.62. The resolution was introduced by Councilman Matejek and seconded by Councilwoman Pacifico and adopted by unanimous roll call.
On contracting, the council awarded Contract 2025‑6 for paving improvements on Virginia Avenue to Denbar Construction Inc., accepting the Borough Engineer’s recommendation and approving the combined base bid and alternate for $221,442.00 (Resolution 137‑2025). The resolution notes award is subject to attorney review.
The governing body authorized Resolution 139‑2025 to exercise a two‑year extension of the borough’s recycling services contract with F. Basso Jr. Rubbish Removal, Inc., at an annual cost of $204,625.44, covering Jan. 19, 2026–Jan. 18, 2028.
Personnel and benefits actions included hiring Sarah Post as a part‑time DPW/Engineering/Zoning/Tax Assessor Secretary at $29.00 per hour (not to exceed 28 hours per week without prior approval), effective Oct. 28, 2025, with a six‑month probationary period (Resolution 138‑2025). The council also appointed EB Employee Solutions, LLC (d/b/a The Difference Card) to provide Health Reimbursement Arrangement services, offering a fully funded HRA of $12,400 per employee and charging $92.17 per employee per month plus a $2,500 one‑time setup fee (Resolution 141‑2025); the CFO certified funds will be included in the 2026 operating budget.
The council implemented State Tax Court judgments for Valley National Bank (882 Mountain Ave.) through Resolution 140‑2025, adjusting final assessments and authorizing refunds totaling $20,854.77, to be processed within a 45–60 day window per the judgment timeline.
Councilman Dierkes introduced and Councilwoman Pacifico seconded the bills and claims resolution approving payment of vouchers totaling $436,736.20.
All roll call items recorded the same five affirmative votes (Dierkes, Matejek, Pacifico, Van Deusen, Wass); Councilman Rinaldo was recorded absent.
Why it matters: The package keeps routine municipal operations funded and maintains contracted services and staffing needed for borough maintenance and employee benefits. Several items (contract awards, refunds, personnel appointments) have immediate budgetary implications and will appear in the borough’s 2026 operating and capital planning.
What’s next: Ordinance 1346‑2025 (salary ranges) received first reading and is set for public hearing Dec. 16, 2025. Contract awards are subject to standard post‑award reviews such as attorney review or administrative execution.
