John’s Notes on the 10/21/2025 Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting Agenda

Animal Sales Ban – Final Vote – Up for final adoption, retail pet stores would be prohibited from selling dogs, cats and rabbits with violations carrying a $500 fine.  Stores can still hold adoption events when partnering with shelters and rescues.

Finance and Purchasing Roles – Final Vote – Up for final adoption, renames and clarifies responsibilities of the Chief Financial Officer and Qualified Purchasing Agent. The CFO would continue budget oversight, debt management, payroll, and ensure compliance with state regulations. The QPA would manage procurement and bidding. The CFO could serve in both roles if certified (a practice we’ve expressed concerns about in the past). The measure does break down how assistant positions and dual appointments would work.

Overhaul of Bill Payment and Purchasing Procedures- Final  -A companion to the one above requires detailed vouchers, certification, and CFO review before payments are considered. Bills must be given to council members 48 hours before a vote. On the purchasing side, three written quotes will be required for purchases above 15 percent of the state bid threshold, and confirming purchase orders will be limited to emergencies. Petty cash purchases will be capped at $100 with all contracts required to be in writing.

New Redevelopment Plan on Springfield and Sherman Avenues –The “Terrace II Redevelopment Plan” is up for adoption and seeks to amend the town’s zoning map and guide future development.

Routine Financial and Administrative Actions –A resolution authorizing $589,754.71 to cover bills and claims with another measure releasing a $2,000 road-opening bond for 110 Roosevelt Avenue are up for a vote.

Changes to Legal and Professional Services Contracts –The township will look to amend a tax attorney services agreement with DiFrancesco, Bateman, Kunzman, Davis, Lehrer & Flaum, reducing the total cost by $8,000 to $71,000.

A new contract with Neglia Group (valued up to $89,590) is also on the agenda for surveying, engineering, and construction oversight of the Emerson Lane roadway project. This will be mostly funded by a state grant.

Another contract with Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor, ($53,500), looks to cover design and construction oversight of repairs to the peracetic acid disinfection system at the wastewater plant. A previous PS&S contract for sewer inspection will be canceled ($34,663 unspent).

Wastewater Infrastructure Projects – $100,000 contract with National Water Main Cleaning Company to rehabilitate sewer manholes and pipelines through the BuyBoard cooperative purchasing program. The program exempts it from traditional bidding. Another proposal would award a $3,150 contract to Denbar Construction Inc. for paving the wastewater pump station driveway on Hampton Court.

Budget Amendment to Accept State Transportation Grant- Amendsthe township’s 2025 budget to accept $312,390 in state aid for the Emerson Lane improvement project – a necessary routine step before the town can spend grant funds.

Federal Grant Application for Senior Services –Looks to get $25,000 through a federal grant (CDBG) to expand services for older residents.

The Town Council meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

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