John’s Notes on the 01/20/2026 Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting
Berkeley Heights Township Council is set to meet tomorrow (Tuesday- January 20 @ 6:30 p.m. that is, yet again, jammed pack.
One of the biggest-ticket items scheduled for action is a resolution authorizing the form and details of not exceeding $590,000 in bonds through the New Jersey Water Bank Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program which connects to the purchase of a jet vac truck. The resolution references Bond Ordinance #10-2023 which was adopted July 18, 2023, and appropriated $590,000 for the purchase. The Township’s CFO would be authorized to determine principal amounts, repayment schedule, interest rate and other final terms within the program’s structure.
As we’ve seen in most Town Council Meetings since the NJDEP uncovered several violations at the waste water plant – there a several items tied to the facility
-Chemical purchase from MOMAR, Inc. for “Vanillas in the Mist solution” in an amount not to exceed $28,000 contingent on approval of the 2026 budget. This is a No Public Bid Contract.
-Contract with Hanna’s Mechanical Contractor’s, Inc. for the replacement of a motor in an amount not to exceed $3,840, also subject to approval of the 2026 budget. This is a No-Bid Contract.
-Another resolution authorizing Hanna’s Mechanical to provide HVAC preventative maintenance and repair services for the Wastewater Treatment Plant for 2026 through an ESCNJ cooperative contract, in an amount not to exceed $88,000…again… subject to approval of the 2026 budget. This is a No Public Bid Contract.
And, as we come to expect -more tree removal contracts. The vendor is Tree King, Inc. and it’s going through the Morris County Cooperative Pricing System for the period January 20 through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $140,000- again contingent on the Budget. The resolution shows a funding split between Streets/ Roads and Engineering accounts. This is a No Public Bid Contract.
Two agenda items are memorializing actions, meaning the Council is being asked to approve contract actions after the work occurred. The include..
– Denbar Construction Inc. for snow removal and equipment services on 12/14/25 (includes two snowplows with drivers) in an amount not to exceed $4,290. The resolution cites staffing issues and equipment breakdowns that required outside resources beyond previously contracted services and it ratifies the action back to December 14, 2025. This is a No-Bid Contract.
– Neglia Group for professional engineering services tied to emergency road and drainage repairs resulting from the storms and flooding of July 14, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $47,844.38. I could not find any specifics of what streets this money is being used for and am unclear if this is coming from the controversial bond passed last year. Other items on the packet mention specific locations while this one does not. This is a No-Bid Contract.
-Ammendment to another Neglia contract that increase the original amount by $1,076, bringing the total to $116,076, with the change ratified back to January 1, 2025.
The consent agenda also includes approval of the Township bill list dated January 20, 2026, in the amount of $1,667,044.96, with vendor level details posted separately online.
Top Questions to Ask…
- What are the final loan terms and timeline tied to the $590,000 jet vac truck?
- What is the scope and volume of work connected to the $140,000 tree services contract?
- Is it is really a good idea to have the Township engineer continue to profit from Town Contracts in this manner?
- What streets are going to be covered by the Neglia contract and where is the money coming from?
Read More on Berkeley Heights Town Council Agendas and Meetings
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