Old Tappan council adopts retiree-health ordinance, approves broad consent package

The Borough of Old Tappan Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance 12-87-25 on second and final reading, amending sections of the municipal code that govern retiree health benefits. Councilor Watt read the ordinance aloud and opened the public hearing; no members of the public spoke before the council moved to adoption.

The ordinance was adopted by roll call after Councilor Watt presented it for final approval. The clerk recorded affirmative roll-call responses from the council, and the borough clerk was authorized to publish the notice of adoption as required by law. "This is ordinance 12 87 25, 2nd reading, final adoption, retiree health benefits," Councilor Watt said when presenting the measure.

In the same session the council approved a consent resolution that bundled a long list of routine administrative items, including bills and claims, canceling and transferring 2025 appropriations, a temporary 2026 budget, professional-services agreements (auditor, bond counsel, engineers), shared-services and cooperative purchasing authorizations, mutual-aid agreements with neighboring fire districts, volunteer tuition-credit program enrollment, participation in the federal LESO program, and a slate of municipal appointments and committee assignments. Council President Boyce introduced the consent package and the clerk conducted the roll call for approval.

Why it matters: The ordinance changes retiree health benefits local employees and retirees receive and was handled on a routine two-reading schedule; the consent resolution sets the borough’s administrative framework and temporary budget-authority for the coming months, affecting contracts, vendor relationships and municipal finance operations.

The council took no further public testimony on the ordinance, and the meeting proceeded to routine business and committee reports.