Council designates acting officer amid police chief retirement and agrees to memorialize $60,000 exit payment

The Mayor and Council approved a resolution designating Captain Robert Wacht to serve as officer in charge of the Old Tappan Police Department beginning Dec. 1, 2025, to cover the period between Chief Joseph Tracy’s retirement and the appointment of a successor.

Council members said naming an officer in charge is administrative necessity to ensure continuity and to provide formal authority for duties such as signing permits. The council discussed the timeline for police‑chief interviews with a third‑party facilitator and contingency plans if a gap existed between retirements and a successor’s swearing‑in.

Separately, council members discussed an exit contract for Chief Tracy, including a proposed $60,000 lump‑sum payment and continuation of benefits as prescribed by borough ordinance. The council moved and seconded a motion to grant the payment and agreed to draft a resolution memorializing the full terms (including any ordinance‑based insurance or post‑retirement benefits) and confirm the funding source in the budget.

Both items were advanced by motion at the meeting; the council directed staff to circulate the drafted resolution and the supporting ordinance citations for final adoption at an upcoming meeting.

No individual vote tallies by name were recorded in the transcript beyond roll‑call confirmation; the council recorded the measures by roll call and approved both the officer‑in‑charge resolution and the motion to memorialize the exit payment.