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Stockton council approves routine hires, payments and forms cannabis review committee amid procedural confusion
Summary
At its Aug. 18 meeting Stockton Borough Council approved multiple routine resolutions including audit certification, personnel appointments, meter‑installation hires and payment of $288,505.27 in municipal obligations; it also formed a cannabis review committee while recording a quorum mix‑up and heard a public commenter say he submitted $15,000 toward a cannabis application.
The Stockton Borough Council on Aug. 18, 2025 approved a slate of routine measures, appointed an office assistant, authorized hires for water‑meter installation and set payment of municipal obligations, then moved into executive session on contracts and personnel and took no further public action.
Among measures passed were Resolution 2025‑66, certifying the borough’s 2024 annual audit review under N.J.S.A. 40A:5‑4 and the Local Finance Board rule N.J.A.C. 5:30‑6.5; Resolution 2025‑67, authorizing a $150 park deposit refund to Sarah DiAlto; Resolution 2025‑68, appointing Devon Roberts as an Office Assistant at $3,500 through Dec. 31, 2025; and Resolution 2025‑70, hiring Michael Schneider and Steve Cottone to replace borough water meters at $100 per meter. The council also authorized payment of municipal obligations totaling $288,505.27 under Resolution 2025‑72.
Council approved a CO‑OP energy opt‑in (Resolution 2025‑71) and concurrently voted to create a Cannabis Review Committee composed of Mayor Aaron Lipsen, Hunt and William Brown. The minutes show Councilperson Fisher recused from the cannabis committee vote. The minutes also record a procedural complication: after initial action on the cannabis committee it was realized the council lacked a proper quorum to vote; Hunt rejoined the meeting and a subsequent motion by Folz, seconded by Meltzer, approved the committee with Fisher recused; Hunt later left the meeting. The minutes reflect the procedural uncertainty.
During public comment on agenda items, Michael Odenwald said he believes he is the only applicant for the cannabis review process, that he submitted a $15,000 check and a 200‑page application packet, and asked the borough to provide an answer in September so he can invest in required stormwater improvements and other infrastructure. The council then approved a resolution to go into executive session to discuss contractual matters (snow‑plow bids and a Worman Road contract) and personnel; the session concluded at 8:36 p.m. with no public action reported.
The council scheduled its next regular meeting for Sept. 15, 2025 and adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
