Brielle council approves $60,000 eco-path ordinance, retains planner and passes $390,908.04 in bills

The Brielle Mayor and Council on June 22 adopted a capital ordinance appropriating $60,000 to rehabilitate the Mamie Moon Memorial Eco-Path and passed a consent agenda that included a sewer-service agreement and a $12,500 contract for a master-plan reexamination.

The ordinance, approved on final reading by a 5–0 vote with one councilmember absent, funds eco-friendly improvements to the walkway and covers preparatory work such as an Environmental Impact Study. Administrator Nolan told the council that Monmouth County will provide a $30,000 grant covering half the appropriation and that the final design will return to council for vetting and approval.

Council members also approved Resolution 26-98 (consent agenda), which included hiring Dominick Grasso as a laborer in the Water Utility, retaining Kendra Lelie of Kyle McManus Associates for the master-plan reexamination at an amount not to exceed $12,500, and authorizing execution of the 2026 amended Sewer Service Area Agreement with the South Monmouth Regional Sewerage Authority. Resident Daniel Burke questioned how many firms submitted proposals for the watermain project; Administrator Nolan said three firms—H2M, French and Parrello—responded and that Suburban Consulting was selected. Burke also asked about the per-1,000 rate and whether the SMRSA agreement included it; the Mayor said the borough would find out and report back.

The council approved Resolution 26-99 authorizing payment of bills in the amount of $390,908.04. The meeting record shows the standard vote form for several measures as “Councilmembers Colon, Gianforte, Laufer, Shaak & Visceglia; all ayes. No nays.” The minutes note Councilman Colon abstained from the June 8 minutes vote. Councilmember Nolan was recorded absent for votes taken that evening.

Other procedural actions included the introduction of an ordinance to amend Chapter 16 (Openings in Streets) with first reading passed and a public hearing set for July 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. (Resolution 26-102 and 26-103). The council also authorized publication of ordinance and resolution passages as required by law.

The meeting opened with Recreation Commissioner Mary Beth Wheeler presenting the 2026 Scholarship Award to Will Ballentine, who was noted to have more than 300 hours of volunteer firefighting service and to be an Eagle Scout. The council closed the evening after an executive session on contract negotiations; no public action followed the closed session.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 26-98 (consent agenda)—passed (recorded as all ayes; one abstention earlier on minutes); Resolution 26-99 (payment of bills $390,908.04)—passed; Resolution 26-100 (final reading, Mamie Moon Eco-Path ordinance)—passed; Resolution 26-101 (publication)—passed; Resolution 26-102 (introduction, Openings in Streets ordinance)—passed; Resolution 26-103 (publication/hearing date set for July 13)—passed. Executive session authorized under Resolution 26-104 (topic: contract negotiations); no public votes or actions reported following the session.

"Tonight, due to popular request, we are instituting a new and old business agenda item," Mayor Garruzzo said, describing the new opportunity for council members to raise new matters and revisit prior business; she emphasized that public questions should still be raised in the public portion of the meeting.

The council adjourned at 8:16 p.m.