New Providence Council to Take Up Community Energy Plan, $2.9M Bond and Police Equipment Spending

It’s another packed agenda for the 05/26/2026 New Providence Borough Council Meeting ….

Energy Plan Presentation

Developed with support from the NJBPU, the plan is intended to align local efforts with the state’s 2019 Energy Master Plan. Goals include bringing down emissions, increasing renewable energy, increased energy efficiency and supporting folks who fall into the low to moderate income bands and includes….

EV infrastructure/outreach

training first responders and other staff on electric vehicles

municipal fleet efficiency;

public EV charging infrastructure

solar permitting/community solar

energy-efficiency outreach to residents, businesses and large energy users

green building policies

energy storage

possibility of a local microgrid

There are also some survey results showing that 62% of 97 respondents identified increasing the use of renewable energy like solar as one of the most important strategies; 80% don’t own an electric vehicle; 29% said they would consider switching to one within five years.

$2.9M Bond Ordinance

Biggest item in the packet looking to approve ~$2.9M for capital improvements; ~$2.4M in bonds and ~494K in down payments. Some of the big ticket items connected to this figure….

$441K for wastewater treatment plant equipment

$360K for repairs/improvements to roofs for Borough-owned buildings;

$360K – boilers at the Muni. Center;

$315K road paving/repair

$240K for stormwater pipes

$240K for sewer lining and manholes

$171K for computer/automation system-wastewater treatment plant

$105K for Fire Department self-contained breathing apparatus.

As a side note, who remembers this …

Police

Pellegrino Chevrolet – NTE $61,095.99 – Chevrolet Tahoe fire command vehicle – Bergen County Co-op;

Nielsen Ford of Morristown – NTE $45,385.50 – Chevrolet Tahoe patrol vehicle – Morris County Co-op;

Elite Emergency Lights – NTE $8,741.15 – upfitting the Tahoe patrol vehicle;

Island Tech Services – NTE $6,835.60 – MDT computer for police vehicle

Harrington Moving & Storage – NTE $13,035 – moving fees connected to the Police Department reno.

The patrol vehicle package comes to $60,962.25 for the Tahoe, upfit and MDT computer. If you include the Fire Command Vehicle and the Police Department moving costs, the total rises to over $135K.

One clerical issue worth noting: the Island Tech item is listed as R2601162 in the agenda and title but the body has it as R2601160 – the same number used for Elite Emergency.

1033

The Council is also set to allow PD to participate in the federal Defense Logistics Agency Law Enforcement Support Office 1033 Program for 2026 which would allow the Department to request and acquire excess Department of Defense equipment/property – authorization runs from January 1 through December 31, 2026.

The concern here is that the resolution goes beyond routine office-type surplus property and also references “DEMIL B through Q” property. The resolution says an attachment identifies that property, but that attachment was not visible in the materials reviewed. Given the long-running public debate over the militarization of local police departments through surplus federal equipment programs, the missing detail matters.

The resolution does require the Department to develop a training plan /policy and quarterly accounting around what they end up getting.

Bills List @ $4.7M

We tried to look at it but weren’t granted access.

Other Items Include:

Resignation of Bryan Flynn as Tax Assessor, effective May 31, 2026 (though theres a record of a vote for 03/24)

Current Elevator Technology – set to get a final payment of $7,500 – Barabash Elevator project

Foggia Trinity Electric – $6,650 – Wastewater Treatment Plant Summit Meter

Resolution 2026-191 puts $33,483.26 2026 Clean Communities Grant (NJ) money into NP’s ’26 budget, with a matching appropriation-same amount.

The consent agenda also includes a Community Activities salary resolution for a part-time seasonal employee connected to the 2026 summer camp program. The resolution lists Ethan Ciffarelli as a Playground Camp counselor at $17.25 per hour.

Correspondence

NPFD notices accepting Ali E. Ayvedi and Reese C. Cooper as junior members

Section 8 Waiting List – Union County Notice indicating that the application period has been rescheduled – will open Monday, June 1, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

-500 applications will be accepted

-Applications need to be submitted online – anything on paper won’t be accepted

-Only one application per household will be accepted – dupes may lead to disqualification.

NJ American Water – two notices

New Jersey-American Water is looking to increase operating revenues by about $146.4 million – this means that for an average residential water customer using 5,793 gallons per month, the notice says the monthly bill would increase from $83.87 to $93.89, or $10.02 per month. Virtual public hearings are scheduled for May 27, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Distribution System Improvement Charge, Wastewater System Improvement Charge and Resiliency and Environmental System Investment Charge. For a 5/8-inch meter, the listed maximum monthly proposed charges are $5.64 for DSIC, $5.04 for WSIC and $3.92 for RESIC. Public hearings scheduled for June 1, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

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