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Pennington council appoints new CFO, approves hires and introduces sewer‑leak relief ordinance
Summary
At its May 4 meeting the Pennington Borough Council appointed Lubna Muneer as chief financial officer, approved a deputy‑clerk appointment and two short‑term hires, ratified a supplemental HDSRF grant application, and introduced Ordinance 2026‑20 to allow sewer‑bill adjustments for verified customer leaks.
The Pennington Borough Council on May 4, 2026 approved several personnel resolutions, ratified a supplemental environmental grant application and introduced an ordinance to permit sewer‑charge adjustments for verified unintended water leaks on the customer’s side of the meter.
Council appointed Lubna Muneer as Chief Financial Officer by resolution (Resolution 2026‑5.3). The resolution states the CFO’s four‑year term runs from Jan. 1, 2025; it notes Ms. Muneer holds a Municipal Finance Officer Certification from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and other municipal certifications, and that she is scheduled to begin full‑time work on June 15, 2025. The minutes record a roll call vote in favor of the appointment.
Council also approved the appointment of Robin Tillou as Deputy Clerk (Resolution 2026‑5.4), effective upon passage and publication of Ordinance 2026‑21, which the council introduced at the same meeting. The deputy‑clerk ordinance establishes the office, provides that the deputy will serve at the pleasure of council and requires certification or progress toward certification as a Registered Municipal Clerk.
Two temporary, part‑time hires were authorized. Resolution 2026‑5.6 authorizes hiring Jacqueline Nagin as a part‑time payroll and benefits specialist through June 15, 2026, at $100 per hour for up to five hours per week (with possible extra hours as determined by the administrator). Resolution 2026‑5.7 authorizes hiring Zoe Storck as a part‑time communications and media specialist (up to two hours per week at $25 per hour; total not to exceed $2,500 for 2026); the minutes state Storck currently works at the Pennington Library and has relevant outreach experience.
The council ratified prior authorization for Excel Environmental, Inc. to prepare a supplemental Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF) application for Block 205/Lots 4, 5 and 12 in the amount of $24,734.08 and affirmed authorization for the mayor to execute the application and a professional‑services agreement; the minutes state Excel will hold the borough harmless if the supplemental funding is not approved by NJDEP/EDA.
On utilities policy, the council introduced Ordinance 2026‑20, which would permit the Department of Public Works to recommend a reduction in sewer charges for customers who experience an unintended water leak on the customer’s side of the meter where the water can be shown not to have entered the sanitary sewer system. The draft ordinance defines "abnormal consumption," requires documentation of repair (photographs, plumber invoices, permits where applicable), limits adjustments to no more than one per 24 months and to a maximum of two consecutive billing cycles, and establishes timelines and an appeal path to the borough administrator.
Why it matters: The CFO appointment and updated signatory list affect borough financial administration; the temporary hires provide short‑term operational capacity; the sewer‑leak ordinance, if adopted, would provide a narrow relief mechanism for customers who can document verified leaks that did not enter the sanitary sewer system. The HDSRF application moves forward remediation funding work for identified lots.
Next steps: The introduced ordinances (2026‑19, 2026‑20, 2026‑21 and 2026‑22) will return for public hearings and final action; the deputy‑registrar resolution was tabled.
