Stockton Borough Council raises zoning fines, approves contracts and introduces 2026 budget

Stockton Borough Council on April 20 adopted an ordinance increasing the borough’s maximum penalty for zoning violations and approved a slate of contracts and personnel appointments as it introduced the town’s 2026 budget.

Council voted 6–0 to adopt Ordinance 2026-05, which amends Article 16 of the Borough’s 1975 zoning ordinance to raise the maximum fine for zoning violations from $500 to $1,250 while preserving judicial discretion on penalties. Mayor Aaron Lipsen said the change sets a stiffer maximum “to become an actual deterrent.”

The council awarded a $22,400 contract to National Water Main Cleaning Co. for CCTV inspection and cleaning of approximately 4,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer main, a measure the mayor described as “an investment to save money for the town and to protect the environment and sewer lines.” Council clarified the work includes both 10-inch and 12-inch lines after review by the borough engineer.

Council also authorized codification services with General Code for up to $14,630 to digitize and maintain land development ordinances; approved a one-year concession to LEW Environmental Services, LLC to provide certified lead-evaluation inspections paid for by property owners; and adopted a 2026 salary resolution listing pay scales for elected and appointed positions, including a $14,560 annual salary for the newly appointed Deputy Clerk/Registrar/Office Manager.

The borough authorized mowing and property-maintenance services with Sowsian’s Landscapes (not to exceed $17,500) and a shared-services agreement with the City of Lambertville for street sweeping (initial one-year amount not to exceed $1,200) to meet MS4 stormwater requirements. Council also authorized Colliers Engineering & Design to complete an updated park master plan and concept plan for the Stockton Playground Park for $13,000.

Mayor Lipsen introduced the CY 2026 municipal budget, explaining the council proposes a 1-cent increase across the tax base. He said the change would amount to roughly $10 per quarter for a home assessed at $400,000. The full budget document lists Total General Revenues and Appropriations at $1,380,299.10. A public hearing on the budget will be held via Zoom on May 18, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance: • Ordinance 2026-05 (increase zoning fines) — Adopted; roll call Ayes 6, Nays 0. • Ordinance 2026-09 (first reading — allow CY 2026 budget to exceed cap to 3.5%) — Introduced on first reading; public hearing May 18, 2026. • Resolution 2026-49 (award sanitary sewer inspection/cleaning contract to National Water Main Cleaning Co., $22,400) — Adopted; roll call Ayes 6, Nays 0. • Resolution 2026-50 (codification services to General Code, not to exceed $14,630) — Adopted; roll call Ayes 6, Nays 0. • Resolution 2026-51 (appoint Kimberly Franklin as Deputy Municipal Clerk/Deputy Registrar/Office Manager, $14,560) — Adopted; roll call Ayes 6, Nays 0. • Resolution 2026-52 (concession agreement with LEW Environmental Services for lead inspections) — Adopted; roll call Ayes 6, Nays 0. • Resolution 2026-53 (2026 salary resolution) — Adopted; roll call Ayes 6, Nays 0. • Resolution 2026-54 (municipal budget introduction) — Adopted; roll call Ayes 6, Nays 0. • Resolution 2026-55 (shared services street sweeping with Lambertville, up to $1,200) — Adopted; roll call Ayes 6, Nays 0. • Resolution 2026-57 (mowing/property maintenance, Sowsian’s Landscapes, not to exceed $17,500) — Adopted; roll call Ayes 6, Nays 0. • Resolution 2026-58 (hire Jennifer Terepka for clerical assistance at $30/hr) — Adopted; roll call Ayes 6, Nays 0. • Resolution 2026-59 (Colliers park master plan, $13,000) — Adopted; roll call Ayes 6, Nays 0. • Resolution 2026-60 (payment of municipal obligations, $320,980.81) — Adopted; roll call Ayes 6, Nays 0.

Why it matters: Council’s actions advance several operational priorities — updating and digitizing ordinances, investing in water and sewer condition assessment, building out personnel capacity in the clerk’s office, and preparing a budget that modestly raises taxes to fund those operations. The budget hearing and the Ordinance 2026-09 public hearing are scheduled for May 18, 2026.

Next steps: The council’s budget hearing and public hearings noted above are scheduled for May 18, 2026; staff will proceed with contract execution and project starts per contract terms.