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Mayor and council flag tight budget season; mayor reports tentative Fair Share Housing settlement
Summary
Mayor Dave Gallagher and council members previewed a tight 2026 budget, highlighted department-year achievements, and the mayor said the borough reached a tentative settlement with Fair Share Housing on fourth-round obligations; ordinances and a court date in Trenton were mentioned.
Mayor Dave Gallagher and council members used the reorganization meeting to review 2025 departmental highlights and to frame priorities for the coming year, including a tight 2026 budget cycle and ongoing work on affordable-housing requirements.
Council reports summarized departmental metrics: senior programming participation, 495 open construction permits and $378,681 billed to date in construction fees, DPW safety records and shared-services revenue exceeding $170,000. Council members thanked staff and volunteers for a busy year and signaled budget constraints ahead.
On affordable housing, the mayor said the borough reached a tentative settlement with Fair Share Housing related to fourth-round obligations; he said some ordinance changes will be necessary and that a day in court before a federal judge in Trenton is scheduled. "We reached a tentative settlement with Fair Share Housing…we have our agreement with Fair Share in regards to the 4th round," the mayor said, adding he will represent the town in Trenton.
Why it matters: Affordable-housing obligations carry potential zoning and ordinance consequences for the borough and can affect planning, master-plan updates and local development approvals. Budget tightness was emphasized as upcoming work for the council and administration.
Council members pledged to continue committee work on police staffing, planning-board issues and capital projects while the administration completes the budget and follows up on the Fair Share matter in court.
