[Music]
Happy new year and welcome to the council's reorganization. meeting January 5th, 2026. Would everybody please stand for the salute to the flag? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Please remain standing. I have an invocation written by Father Bill Sheridan of St. Agnes Church. Eternal God, we gather today at the very
beginning of this new year of grace to offer our heartfelt thanks and to ask your blessings upon our gathering. We are grateful for the many gifts that you have lavished upon us. May we always respond generously to your call for us to use them on behalf of the common
good. We ask your blessings to upon the elected officials of the township, its employees and residents. May the coming year be one of happiness, health, and prosperity for all. We offer this prayer in your holy name. Amen. >> Amen.
>> You may be seated. This meeting is in compliance with the open public meetings act as adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by mailing the annual schedule of meetings to the star ledger the leader Union County local source by posting such annual meeting schedule on the
bulletin board and town hall reserved for such announcements the official website of the township in compliance with the uh I'm sorry website of the township in compliance with public laws of 2025 chapter 72
effective March 1st, 2026 and the proper filing of said notice. Formal action may be taken at this meeting. A reorganization meeting will begin. I'll call the role. Council member Hoff >> here. >> Council member Hund
>> here. >> Council member Maserella >> here. >> Council member Maniti >> here. >> Council member Okconor >> here. >> Council member Smith >> here. Council member Tol here. >> Thank you. The first order of business is to elect a council president. I'll
open nominations for council president. >> Do I hear a nomination? >> Yes. I'd like to nominate Bill Smith. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second it. Are there any other nominations? >> Hearing none, I call for a motion to
close this portion of the meeting. with that. >> I'm sorry that was Jimmy Mity and Okay. Will the council confirm the nomination of Bill Smith for council president? I'll call the role.
>> Council member Huff, >> yes. >> Council member Hund, >> yes. >> Council member Maserella, >> yes. >> Council member Maniti, >> yes. >> Council member Okconor, >> yes. >> Council member Smith, >> yes. >> Council member Tol, >> yes. >> Congratulations, Mr. President.
Thanks. Mayor, please uh join President Smith at the podium to be sworn in. >> That's okay. Okay. Left hand on the Bible. Correct. Okay. Now, perform the oath of allegiance for
our new council president, William Smith. I >> I William Smith >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I support the Constitution of the United States >> that I support the Constitution of the United States >> and the State of New Jersey >> and the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and
allegiance >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people
>> and I will faithfully and that I will faithfully >> impartially and justly perform >> impartially and justly perform >> all the duties of the office of council president >> all the duties of the office of council president >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability
>> for the township of Clark >> for the township of Clark >> so help me God >> help me God >> congratulations >> thank you >> let's go in [Applause] All right. Happy new year everyone and
welcome to our council meeting. We are now going to move on to election of the council vice president. At this time I like a motion to for council president. >> Vice president. >> I'm for a vice president. Thank you. Councilman Okconor. I get a motion to
nominate anyone for vice president. >> Like to nominate Frankella. >> All right. Thank you. Councilman Steve Hunt. Can I get a second? Second. >> Thank you. Council member Jess Huff. Are there any other nominations?
All right. Hearing none. I call for a motion to close nominations. >> Thank you. Is that Councilman Tol? I get a second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Councilman Manidi. All in favor? >> Any opposed? All right. Will the council confirm the nomination of Frank
Maserella for council vice president? Madame Clerk, roll call, please. >> Council member Hoff, >> yes. >> Council member Hund, >> yes. >> Council member Maserella, >> yes. >> Council member Maniti, >> yes. >> Council member Okconor, >> yes. >> Council member Tol, >> yes. >> Council President Smith,
>> yes. >> Thank you. >> All right, we're going to have uh Frank be sworn in. You want to join the mayor up at the DAS? Let me do it. Yeah. your right hand, left hand on the Bible.
>> Okay. I state your name. I, Frank Maserella, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the State of New Jersey >> and the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance
>> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established >> in the United States and in this state >> in the United States and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of people >> and that I will faithfully
that I would faithfully >> impartially and justly perform >> and impartially and justly perform >> all the duties of the office of >> all the duties of the office of >> council vice president >> council vice president >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability
>> for the township of clark >> for the township of Clark >> so help me God >> so help me Thank you guys. Okay, we're going to have a special presentation. So, I like a motion to suspend the regular order of business. >> So, moved. >> Uh, who is that? Councilman uh Okconor
and second, Councilman Tol. All in favor? >> Any oppose? Mayor Albaneseise, you want to uh do the recognition? >> And Pat, do you want to go up there? >> Sure.
Okay. Now, we'll say good evening everyone. Happy New Year. Great to see all of you here. And um we're here to honor Lorie Sheldon and um she has
received the 2025 lifetime achievement award for volunteer EMS. And it's really a great great honor to receive that award. And um I'm going to read through this proclamation but leave out some of the wherees in the old
English and just talk through it. And I'd like to ask Lori to come up here. And uh as she comes up, I I would like to also take a moment to thank JH Bar for his relentless pursuit of bringing to the attention to the state of New
Jersey all of the work that Lori has done over all these years. So thank you. So, let me just say that Lori is uh formerly Lori Floodsheldon, a lifelong resident
of the township of Clark, and she joined the squad 42 years ago. 42 years ago in 1983 as a volunteer emergency medical technician, which is amazing. She graduated from Ruters with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration.
So, she's got a good head for business and later earned a master's degree in public administration at the American UN military university. Um, she's states a state certified EMT, nationally registered EMT and she began
her training began training others in first aid, basic life support and EMT practice in 1990. So, that's 35 years she's been training people, which is quite amazing. And um so many people have I mean
thousands of people have been trained by Lori. It's amazing. Plus you you are a professor at I don't know if you're still there at Union County still a professor at Union County College. Um through her work um she worked with
Union Hospital, Marstown Hospital, Trinitas Hospital and as I mentioned is a professor at Union County College and she's be widely respected as an EMS instructor um ultimately training as I said
thousands of New Jersey residents which is truly amazing including many from Clark as statecertified EMTs and I'm really pleased that the squad is is really well represented as well as your family tonight to come out and support
you um in this uh recognition, Lori. Um Lori's devoted outstanding leadership and commitment to the Clark Volunteer Emergency Squad and throughout the year she served as president for 17 years. um as well as in the roles of captain,
trustee, New Jersey first aid council delegate, membership recruiter, and numerous committee chairs. Um she's like the mighty mouse of EMTs. Um which is a compliment because I one
of my bosses used to call me because just give it to Angel. She's mighty mouse over there. Um, she served also as the New Jersey Aid Council second district as the public relations chair and later serve statewide as public relations vice chair
and chair as well. Um she obtained instructor certifications in many areas including cardoppulmonary resuscitation, prehosp trauma life support, pediatric
education for prehosp providers, geriatric education for EMS, weapons of mass destruction. That's a pretty interesting one. um incident command system, hazardous materials,
national incident management system, and numerous additional first responder disciplines. Um, having mentioned all these items, I I would like to say that I, as the mayor, uh, and also on behalf of the township council, hereby proclaim Lorie
Sheldon as an exemplary leader and lifelong contributor to emergency medical services and call upon the residents of Clark to join me in recognizing and celebrating her extraordinary achievements, service, and
commitment to the safety and well-being of our community. Congratulations. Thank you. [Music] All right. All right. Say a few words. >> Okay. They told me to say a few words,
but anybody who knows me knows We'll just say better. >> Take take a seat. >> So, I want to thank everybody for all their efforts. I wouldn't be here with everybody else behind me. That's number one. Um, there were so many people that
guided me and mentored me. One of my first crews without Riley. Where is Alan? There he is. Uncle Al. Um, and there's been just so many great people that I've worked with and learned from and grew from. So really this is on behalf of all of us because if it wasn't
for the family feeling we get at the squad. We would have left long ago but it's home. So it's my honor to and pleasure to be able to serve you guys and to thank my family because they're here and Lord knows how many times we've
rewarmed a dinner or missed something because of squad duty. And I get it more now because my daughter Katie is now chief uh captain of the squad. So we rewarmmed dinners again, which is great
because it it's just so thankful to all of you for all that you've done to support me through all my efforts. So thank you all. Thank you very much. [Music] >> We'll get your family. >> You want to say a few words?
the podium. Come on, take the photo. >> And you heard Lori here talk about her daughter on the squad, but let's not forget her husband was the chief of the fire department, too. So, this family gives and they give a lot to Clark. So, thank you very much. >> There you go. >> We met on the squad.
Come [Applause] on, J. >> You're emotion. He's going to go in a big guy section. >> Here we go. Coming. All right. Can I get a motion to resume
the regular order of business? >> Moved. >> Thank you, Councilman Maserell. Second. Councilman Okconor. All in favor? Any opposed? >> All right. Now, we're going to move to mayor's appointments. Uh terms run concurrent with the mayor unless otherwise stated. Are you read?
Would you like me to read the appointments or >> Thank you. >> Sure. Okay. So, these are mayor's appointments. Confirmation of council required. So, we'll have a resolution uh a vote after this. Number one is director of law Albert Cruz.
And the second uh is the library board of trustees. Cynthia Sang for a five-year term. Jessica Hoff is the mayor's alternate for a one-year term. and Carla Wagner is the superintendent's alternate for a one-year term. >> Hey, can I get a motion on resolutions
one and two confirming the mayor's appointments? >> Move. >> Thank you, Councilman Hund. And second, Councilman Maserella. Uh, roll call, please. >> Second. >> Council member Hoff, >> yes. >> Council member Hund, >> yes. >> Council member Maserella,
>> yes. >> Council member Maniti, >> yes. >> Council member Okconor, >> yes. >> Council member Tol, >> yes. Council President Smith. >> Yes. >> Thank you very much. >> Welcome aboard. >> Uh, next appointments do not require
confirmation of council. So, first we have the local emergency management council for a one-year term. Mike Nordis, emergency management coordinator. Adam Nortis, deputy EM coordinator. Angel Albanesey's mayor and public information officer. James
Olrich, business administrator. Patrick O' Conor, Council Liaison. Director Patrick Grady, Police Department. Captain Christian Lot, Police Department. Captain Miguel Akaboo, Officer in Charge, Police Department. Frank Sarasa, Fire Chief. Lorie Sheldon,
Emergency Medical Coordinator. David D. Roza, Health Officer. Scott McCabe, supervisor, public works. Elizabeth Clay, director of communications and business development. Jeff Reagan, communications officer. Ralph Bernardo, director of senior citizens. Megan Kach
Cachchell, library director. Edward Grandandy, superintendent, Clark Public Schools. Brandon Sullivan, director of security, Clark Public Schools. Richard O'Conor, Township Engineer, Albert Cruz, Township Attorney, and Dr. Tashar Rafi, Township
Doctor. Planning board appointments. Mayor Albanese, class one for a one-year term. James Olrich, class two member for a one-year term, and Eric Gersonner, class four member for a four-year term. Environmental Commission, Edward
Drosski, regular member for a three-year term. Martha Kamichoff, regular member for a three-year term. Union County Transportation Advisory Board. Christy Vieiraa, one-year term. James Olrich, alternate for a one-year term. Union County Utilities Authority
Solid Waste Advisory Board. Council Member Brian Tol for a one-year term. Council Member Frank Maserella, alternate for a one-year term. Union County Community Development Revenue Sharing Committee, Council Member Jessica Hoff, regular member for a
one-year term. Mayor Albanesey's alternate for a one-year term. And last is the traffic advisory board for a one-year term. Police Director Patrick Grady, Officer in Charge, Police Captain Miguel Akaboo,
Police Captain Christian Lot, Angel Albanesey's Mayor, Frank Olrich, Frank, I'm sorry, Jim Olrich, business administrator. Rich O' Conor, engineer, and Edward Grandy, superintendent of Clark Public Schools.
Those are the mayor's appointments. >> Great. Thank you. Okay, now we'll move on to the citizens hearing on the agenda. I'll open the meeting to agenda items only. The public comment portion of the meeting is to allow the public to bring to the council's attention their
concerns or comments in accordance with NJSA10 col4-12A and the code of the township of clerk. Each person addressing the council shall give their name and town in which they reside to the clerk. All remarks shall be addressed to the council as a body and shall not exceed 5 minutes in
duration. At the conclusion of the statements or questions from a member of the public, the council president at his discretion may choose to respond or not respond. So if anyone would like to come forward on agenda items only, please do so. >> Good evening, John Gre from Clark. Uh I
just had a quick question. I saw a ordinance to create a um HR human resources department. Uh and there's like three jobs there. I just wanted to get a sense of, you know, what's the um what's the amount that that's being budgeted for. That's it really.
>> Great. Thank you. >> Okay. Seeing no one else, I'd like a motion to close this portion of the meeting. >> Thank you, Councilman Tolk. Can I get a second? >> Second it. >> Uh thank you, Council Member Hoff. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed?
Okay. Now, we're going to move on to appointments by the director of law. >> Are you taking that for me? >> No, the clerk can do that. >> Okay. All right. You like me to read it? >> Clerk, you want to? Yep. >> Sure. Uh, John Henry Bar, chief municipal prosecutor for a one-year
term. Robert Pansula, alternate prosecutor for a one-year term. And Jared Weiss, public defender for a one-year term. Okay, now we're going to move on to consent agenda resolutions. >> Okay. The following resolutions number
25-3 through 25-47 are considered routine and non-controversial items by the township council and will be enacted upon by one motion. There will be no separate vote on these items unless a council member so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the
consent agenda to be discussed and voted on following the approval of the remaining items listed on the consent agenda. >> Uh we're actually going to pull number 15, a special counsel for Oprah and make that a separate resolution at the end. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Do we need a motion to do that or or just >> move that? >> We'll have a motion to pull it. >> Uh >> yes. the agenda. >> Yeah. So, a motion to pull number 15. So, first was Councilman Okconor and
second is Councilman Maserella. >> Okay. >> But all the other consent agenda resolutions will remain. >> Okay. You want a roll call on that? >> Uh, yes. Roll call, please.
>> Council member Huff. >> Yes. >> Council member Hund. >> Yes. Council member Maserella, >> yes. >> Council member Maniti, >> yes. >> Council member Okconor, >> yes. >> Council member Tol, >> yes. >> Council President Smith, >> yes. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. So, now we need a motion to add a special uh resolution for that. The Oprah attorney. >> Uh we have the resolution. >> We're going to vote on the items. >> Vote on the consent agenda. >> On the consent. >> Okay. Vote on that first. >> Vote on that first. >> All right. >> And then you'll do the other. >> All right. So, we're going to have a
motion to adopt the consent agenda items 3 through 47 with the exception of 15. Can I get a motion? >> So, moved. >> Thank you, Councilman Tol. Can I get a second? >> I'll second it. >> Thank you, Councilman Maniti. And roll call, please.
>> Council member Hoff, >> yes. >> Council member Hund, >> yes. >> Council member Maserella, >> yes. >> Council member Maniti, >> yes. >> Council member Okconor, >> yes. >> Council member Tol, >> yes. Council President Smith. >> Yes. >> Thank you.
>> Now we will add number 15. So that would um be added at the end and that is the special counsel Oprah attorney Robert F. Varity Esquire of Lort Bundy Varity and Canella.
>> So is there a motion? >> I'll move it. >> All right. So, Councilman Maserella to add that as a second, a separate resolution, and Councilman Hund as a second. >> Uh, all in favor? >> Any oppose? We have to do a roll call for that. >> Madame Clerk,
>> yes. I'll call the role. >> Okay. >> Council member Hoff. >> I'm abstaining. >> Abstain. Council member Hund. >> Yes. >> Council member Maserella. >> Yes. >> Council member Maniti. >> Yes. >> Council member Okconor. >> Yes. >> Council member Tol.
>> Yes. Council President Smith. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um we're going to move on to introduction of proposed ordinances. >> Yes. The first ordinance 26-01 is an ordinance entitled an ordinance to fix
minimum and maximum salaries. >> Can I get a motion? >> Thank you. Councilman Okconor. You get a second. >> Second. Thank you, Council Member Hun. Any uh discussion or questions? Jim or Mayor Alan, you have anything to add?
It's uh basic uh just salary uh structures. >> Um we're we're making some changes uh regarding the question that came up regarding the personnel. We're adding it to the ordinance, but we'll not be hiring all those positions.
It's likely one will be selected. Great. Thank you for the explanation. Anyone else have any questions? Otherwise, roll call, please. >> Council member Hoff, >> yes. >> Council member Hund, >> yes. >> Council member Maserella, >> yes.
>> Council member Maniti, >> yes. >> Council member Okconor, >> yes. >> Council member Tol, >> yes. >> Council President Smith, >> yes. >> The public hearing on this ordinance will be January 20th. Next ordinance is 26-02, an ordinance establishing a human resources
department and creating the positions of personnel aid, personnel assistant, and senior personnel assistant. >> Can I get a motion? >> I'd like to move up, please. >> Thank you, Council Member Hun. Get a second. >> I'll second that. >> Thank you, Council Member Maniti. Any further discussion on that? So,
basically, we're adding u potential positions down the road if we need and the town grows and we need a bigger HR department. >> Correct. I mean it it's not going to be a bigger HR department, but it it allows for progression. So from the start through different positions throughout
the civil service titles. >> All right. Thank you for the explanation. Uh roll call, please. >> Council member Hund, I'm sorry, Huff. >> Yes. >> Council member Hund. >> Yes. >> Council member Maserella. >> Yes. >> Council member Maniti. >> Yes.
>> Council member Okconor. >> Yes. >> Council member Tol. >> Yes. >> Council President Smith. >> Yes. Public hearing on this ordinance will be January 20th. Uh, ordinance 26-03 is an ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a
cap bank. >> Can I get a motion? >> I'll move it. >> Thank you, Councilman Maserella. Second, please. >> Second, please. >> Thank you, Councilman Okconor. Any, uh, discussion? Go ahead, Mayor Al. Each year um we're permitted to establish a a cap bank. In
other words, we can go up to a certain limit of the um appropriations of 3 and a half%. And that permits us to if we don't reach reach the cap limit, we can use that money or set it aside and set it in a bank and use it must use it within the
next three years. And that's done every year. And it must be done prior to the adoption of the budget. And that's what we're doing. >> Great. Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Council member Hoff, >> yes. >> Council member Hund, >> yes. >> Council member Maserella,
>> yes. >> Council member Maniti, >> yes. >> Council member Okconor, >> yes. >> Council member Tol, >> yes. >> Council President Smith, >> yes. >> Public hearing on this ordinance will be January 20th. >> Great. Thank you. Right now, I'm going to announce the council committees for
2026. Uh, finance committee Patrick O'Connor chairman Jessica Hoff James Maniti legislative committee Brian Tol chairman Patrick Okconor William Smith
public safety James Maniti chairman Frank Maserella Steve Hunds and Recreation William Smith chairman Patrick O' Conor Jessica Hoff public works Frank Maserella chairman William
Smith and Steven Hun. And then council liaison board of education Jessica Hoff emergency squad Patrick Okconor recreation William Smith fire department James Maniti police
department Steven Hund public works Frank Maserella Emergency Management Patrick Okconor Public Library Jessica Hoff Senior Citizens Frank Maserella and Environmental Commission Brian Tol
Okay. Now, we'll move on to uh public comments. I'll open the meeting to the public, >> Mr. President. >> Oh, yes. >> If I could, first thing I would like to do is um first of all, welcome our new legal counsel, Mr. Cruz. And uh it's a pleasure to have you here this evening. and I would like to ask
him to um update us and advise us regarding Judge Walsh's recent ruling regarding the pending police department disciplinary matters um to inform the council and uh the actions that we need to take in the future.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. On November 23, uh, 2023, the township of Clark issued preliminary disciplinary notices to three police officers. Shortly after that, the police officer sued the municipality, and that matter has been
in litigation. until recently on December 18th, 2025, uh the Honorable Lisa Walsh, the assignment judge for Union County in the Superior Court, ruled that these preliminary notices were properly issued and that the
disciplinary actions could proceed. This ruling was on a procedural question, namely whether the notices of discipline were timely issued and not a decision on the merits of the disciplinary charges.
The next step in this process is for the hearing is for a hearing for each of the police officers before a hearing officer. The township is in the process of selecting and retaining a hearing officer. Once the hearing officer is retained, the hearing or hearings will
be scheduled. Once hearing or hearings are concluded, the hearing officer will determine whether the township met its burden of proof as to the disciplinary charges and if so, make a recommendation regarding the discipline, if any, to be imposed by the township on those police
officers. Because this matter involves continuing litigation and is a pending personnel matter. My guidance to this board or this body uh is not to further comment beyond this status report. The proper
forum to litigate these matters is before the hearing officer and if necessary before the Union County Superior Court. However, once there is something to further report, I will do so. Uh thank you. >> Thank you for the update. Okay. At this
time, I will open the meeting to the public. The public comment portion of the meeting is to allow the public to bring to the council's attention their concerns or comments in accordance with NJSI 10:4-12A and the code of the township of clerk. Each person addressing the council shall
give their name and the town in which they reside to the clerk. All remarks shall be addressed to the council as a body and not exceed 5 minutes in duration. At the conclusion of the statements or questions from a member of the public, the council president at his discretion may choose to respond or not respond. So if anyone would like to come
forward, please do so. >> Hello. Happy new year. Mary Semler, Conger Clark. Uh so I am uh here to uh speak about the comments and that uh about uh what we just talked about about the um officers who have been um let's
just say our town has been under this scrutiny for many years. Uh, so I would just say that I hope we move forward with all due haste in appointing a hearing officer um and keeping our finger on the pulse because certainly this has been something that's been hanging over our town for many years now
uh costing the taxpayers as we all know. Um I do appreciate the need for due process. Uh but as a public employee, a former public employee for 42 years, um I really could not imagine being in a situation where I get paid to uh not
work and get my raises and continue to pay towards my pension. So understandably, you have asked for the council to not comment. This has been a point of contention for a long time. Um, and I would say that the town at this
point does support um, action to move this as quickly as possible. So hopefully we can move on from this dark matter that has really hung over us. So thank you for listening. >> Thank you, Miss Stemler. Good evening, John Gre from Clark. Um,
just a couple small things. One, you know, I'm I'm happy to see Mr. Cruz as the new town attorney. I've seen him on the planning board and I think he been doing a good job there and I appreciate his work there and I I hope that he continues doing good work here. I'm glad to see him here. Um, another thing, um,
I was just looking at the, um, town website and I'd sort of been looking, uh, we I haven't seen a 2025 userfriendly budget where it sort of breaks down certain things in a certain way. Um, on the website, there's the regular adopted budget, and we have user friendly budgets for all the previous
years, but not 2025. I was just hoping we could get that at some point. Um, I probably should have brought it up a little earlier. Um, in regards to the police situation, um, I understand that there is the litigation and and all that, but
there is a deafening silence when it comes to the issues that were raised by the conduct of those officers um, specifically with racial racially charged issues. Um, and we saw recently on social media in Clark that there was
a recording of somebody who was acting in a a negative way in a racially charged way as well. And you know, the thing that stuck out is that it seems that Clark has a reputation, a bad reputation. And um, I'd like to see that
change because I know that there's a lot of great people here that, you know, are just trying to have a strong community. And the silence about these things from the outside seems to be at at the very least a lack of condemnation of
that. And at the worst, you know, it it it's it can appear to other people that there's an acceptance of this type of behavior. And I'd like to see if there's some way that we can move forward or make some type of commitment to see things change. Um, you know, I at the very
least, you know, our former mayor had a same the same issue because the person that was recorded on social media, they can easily say that that person doesn't represent Olive Clark, but our former mayor did. And we haven't heard a condemnation of that. And we were told that because there was pending
litigation about that, we couldn't do anything about it. But that's over. And we still haven't heard anything about that. and we haven't heard anything about, you know, basically a commitment to move forward with a more positive um positive way. So, I I would
just like to see something come from the council that can help to show people from the outside that that's not really how Clark is and that we want to move past that and do something that affirmatively shows
that, not just sort of pushing it to the side, which I I I've seen and I'd like to put it front and center and say that that is something that we condemn. Um, and we haven't heard that. So, that's essentially most of it. And, you know, I think one of the main things is is, you know, this
affects us in more ways than just, you know, the way people talk. Um, one of the things that, um, I've heard is that, you know, developers would never develop here if we didn't give them tax breaks. I think that it's not 100% that, but I think bad reputation can contribute to that and it makes people
not want to do business and and and visit Clark as much and I think that's a shame. I I want to I want to do something that encourages that. So, um please I I would like to see if there could be some commitment towards, you know, moving forward with a a more positive future. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Greavves. Anyone else like to come forward? Okay, seeing no one, I'd like a motion to close this portion. Thank you, Councilman Tol. Can I get a second? >> I'll second that, please. >> Thank you, Councilman Okconor. All in favor?
>> I. >> Any opposed? All right. Now, we're going to move on to council and professional remarks. Mayor Albanese. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um earlier this evening, I welcomed everyone,
friends, family, employees that are here this evening. We appreciate it. I'd also like to welcome um former Governor, Acting Governor, and State Senate President Donald D. Francesco. Welcome. Um, Madame Clerk, thank you for reading
that invocation prayer this evening. Uh, we appreciate uh, Father Sheridan's blessings um, during our annual reorganization meeting. First, I'd like to congratulate our newly reelected council President Bill Smith and Vice
President Frank Maserella. I wish you the best in the upcoming year. I look forward to working with both of you as always. Um, I also want to thank Bill Smith and um as who who was our council president last year uh taking over and
um also Councilman Steve Hun for their service. Uh Councilman Steve Hund was vice president. So, thank you very much for that. Um as many of you know, um Jess and I were running mates. we had to run for
office. Um we were both elected and and normally we would have this swearing in this evening, but we had to do it earlier because we were fulfilling unfilled terms. Um so I just want to thank Councilwoman Jessica Hoff again. Um you really get to know someone when
you hit the pavement and get out there and knock on almost every door in town. Um, so, uh, I've missed you recently and hope to talk to you soon. Of course, I want to thank every member of council, Bill
Smith, Jimiti, Pat O' Conor, Brian Tol, and Frank Maserella for also hitting the pavement and getting out in the community, talking it up and um, making our election a big success. I also want to thank the Clark Republican Party and the committee
members for their support, some of them here this evening, um for getting the word out, um making phone calls, putting out signs, picking up signs. Thank you very much. Thank you to Union County Republican Party leadership members and
Chairman Carlos Santos for his support. And thank you to all of those who contributed to our campaign, which is a big help in in getting things done. And uh very important, I want to thank you to our super business administrator,
Jim Olrich, the department heads, and every township employee and every department and the library staff as well for all their hard work in 2025 and their support in the transition. Your work is greatly appreciated. Uh we
had a lot of issues this year with Save New Jersey. uh we had three big planning board projects this year um that we had to um get through in our um redevelopment zone. So, thank you very much. Most important, I want to thank the residents of Clark who voted for me
and Jess. And um as I said in the past, I represent all the residents, no matter who you voted for, um even if you didn't vote. And um I also want to thank my
especially my family, my sons Taylor and James for their support, all their sacrifices that they've made not only this year but also over all the years. So thank you very much for that. It's an honor to serve the citizens of Clark as your mayor. In the upcoming weeks, I'll
be providing more details of what we've accomplished in 25. In the meantime, we've been working very vigorously on the 2026 budget as well and meeting all the challenges to make Clark as affordable as possible for our
residents. I do hope that you subscribe to the weekly email updates that keep and that keep up so you can keep up with what's happening in Clark as things change. Uh this year we'll be meeting the se the uh
first and third Monday with our regular meetings. I look forward to that uh which will help us to expedite um business matters as well in the township. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Council Member Hoffen. >> Thank you very much. Happy New Year to
everybody. Um thank you to the mayor. You said 95% of what I was going to say, so I don't want to necessarily repeat it, but I do miss you. I feel like we have been we were walking around day in and day out and it's been like a few weeks. So, um it was an absolute honor and pleasure uh running with you and I'm
grateful for the township um and the residents of Clark for uh your trust in electing me and as well as the mayor, although she can thank you herself as she did um as I enter in the first calendar year of my time on council. I continue to be grateful um to all of you
uh in the town and especially to my fellow council members, to Mayor Albaneseise and to the administration and everyone who's involved with it for your support and confidence, but especially the generosity of time and conference that our business administrator James Olrich likes to mention that I reach out and ask
questions and I appreciate you taking those calls. Um, I've learned that there's a level of nuance and legal guidance that we have to address and live within and respect and work within as the legislative body of the town. And that doesn't mean it's easy and it
doesn't mean it's fun. Um, but it's what frames us and I appreciate everything that I've learned so far and continuing going forward. Um, of course I want to thank my family as well. Um, and I continue to be appreciated appreciative of all of them and I love them very very much. um to the town. I look forward to
continuing to earning your support and trust throughout this next year and I wish you all um an amazing start. I think that this is a fantastic town. I obviously think it's a f fantastic town because I've been here since I was five and live here and my parents are here and the whole thing and it's where I've
chosen to raise my family and I'm proud of that every day. Um, I look around and there are so many loving and giving and dedicated residents who work within the town, who volunteer within the town, who give their time, whether it's in our
emergency services. I mean, take a take a look at the life of the exemplary ser uh public servant that's Laura Sheldon and everything that she has done um between and her whole family. My goodness, talking about everything that she's done, meeting her husband who was a fire chief. Um, and I just want to um
say that I'm proud to be from Clark. I'm proud that I'm involved with with the township and serving everyone in this town, whether you voted for me or not. Um, I know where my obligations are. And um
I I hope everyone can continue who especially those of us who live here and know what's going on in this town, not to judge Clark on anecdotal social media stories that are repeated or incorrectly put out there. Um constantly putting the negativity about
the town out certainly doesn't help. um the volunteers, the coaches, the students, the the the amazing scholarship recipients, and the athletes and and all of the things that make up this town. I'm just a big believer that um I'm a big believer in the law of
attraction. And if you seek out negativity, that's what you'll tend to see. Um and I go online and I get to see the PTA pages and the the parent groups and the mom pages and things like that. And I see so much good in the community of people helping each other. And I encourage everyone to continue to share
the positives, the overwhelming positives that make up this town of Clark and drown out the noise of the few negatives. Um, and I'm very much looking forward to an excellent uh 2026 with all of you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Hund.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. Happy New Year to everyone in attendance and also to the residents of the town. Uh, first I'd like to offer my congratulations to Mayor Albanesey's and Councilwoman Hoff on their election win and looking forward to serving
your tenure out as well as my tenure and hopefully after the election my tenure will continue into 27 and beyond. Um, kind congratulations to Bill Smith on being elected vice pres excuse me,
president again and Frank as being vice president. Um, congratulations to all the appointees tonight. Um, we don't see them that often. You see our faces, but they're people that work behind the scenes and mean a lot to the town and help the town flourish as it does. As
Councilwoman Hoff just said, there's many positives that go go along with living in Clark. Um, congratulations to Lorie Sheldon Sheldon. Um, congratulations to Katie Benga on her promotion today that we were informed
of. Okay. He's been a long longtime friend of mine and my family. So, congratulations again and looking forward to a wonderful and prosperous 2026 for the township and the residents of the town. Um,
we have a great town and people still come here to move here. Um, it's a very soughtafter town. So, it has its pluses that we all know about, a few minuses, but every town has that. So, that's all I have to say, but thank you very much.
Thank you, Council Member Maserella. >> Yes. Thank you, Council President, and congratulations to you. >> Thank you. >> And I pledge my service to you for this coming year. >> Um, I'll make my comments brief. I just want to congratulate Mayor Albanese and
uh Jessica Huff uh for their win. Uh, I could tell you, ladies and gentlemen, that I've known um the mayor for 29 years along with Jim Olrich, and I could tell you that they are
undoubtedly the right two individuals to guide us through 2026 and beyond. And um I pledge my support to you. And um I just want to just make mention to
all the residents that they will continually do the right thing for our community and our residents. Um they're here to serve as we all are on council and I just again want to
congratulate you mayor and Jessica. Uh to Lorie Sheldon, I'd like to congratulate her as well. I've known Lori Sheldon for over 30 years. Uh, as maybe some of you don't
know, I started my career in Clark for service on the first aid squad for nine years and um that was that was a very unique experience uh befriending um Lori and she had
guided me when I first came here and I wish her all the best. to the residents of our community. As was as my colleague Steve has said, we have a great community here. We're a caring community and we will continue to be that no
matter who um wants to question that. Um so we're here to serve all of our residents in the right way. The right way is doing the right thing for our community. And um please ladies and gentlemen, don't forget to lock your
vehicle doors and your home doors at all time. And if you need something, if you see something that's not quite right to you, please don't hesitate to call our police department. They're going to respond. Likewise, call our emergency squad or our fire department. They'll
respond quickly um to care for you. Uh until next month, be safe, stay well, and happy new year. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Manetti. >> Uh thank you, Council President. Um I will keep my uh comments brief. Uh first and foremost, want to wish the township
and our community a very happy, prosperous, and uh healthy new year. Uh I want to congratulate all our appointees today. Um I'm not going to go down a list. I don't want to forget anybody, but I do want to recognize Council President Bill Smith. Um and Council Vice President Frank Maserell. I
look forward to working with you guys over the next year. Um, also, uh, Mr. Cruz is sitting next to me, uh, who I have the pleasure with sitting on the planning board. I congratulate you also and the mayor and everyone else. Um, on a personal note, I want to thank the Clark uh, Police Department and the
Clark emergency uh, squad um, for their professionalism, their guidance, and support on a personal health scare that I had last week um, on New Year's Eve. And I just want to say that they were uh great with the assistance and everything I needed and the support during that
period of time. And again, appreciate all the wonderful things they do for our community. Uh with that, that uh concludes my uh comments and again, happy new year to everybody. >> Thank you, Councilman Okconor. >> Thank you very much. Happy New Year, everyone. Hope you're doing well. I'm going to keep my comments brief. I'll
comment obviously in two weeks when we're here for our other meeting. Um, Mayor and Jess, um, I did congratulate you when you got sworn in, but congratulations again to Bill Smith and Frank Maserella. Congratulations on uh, your council president and vice president election here. So, uh, look
forward to working with you guys as well for the entire year. Um, and again, you know, by the time it gets down to here, it's a little bit of repeating, right? But I do want to acknowledge and congratulate those who are appointed. Um, thank them for their service. Uh, a lot of those positions are uh are not
paid. So, thank you for that. Um, Lorie Sheldon. So, I'm sure Brian will go into a little bit more, but uh you know, Lorie Sheldon and her husband um graduates of Johnson and I grew up with them and a little bit older than I am, but uh great people. Um I did mention
before that her husband was uh chief of the fire department. You heard her mention that her daughter Katie is captain of the emergency squad. And of course, Lori got a great lifetime achievement award. And um as I mentioned last month, Angel and I were uh at their installation dinner of
the new officers and it was um great to see people so happy for Laurier to get the award. Um you saw that tonight by the representation of the squad. She said they're a family and it's true. they are, you know, and uh I think we
take our volunteers, I'm not going to say for granted because we're thankful for them, but Christmas Day, I saw the fire truck out. Christmas Day, I saw an ambulance from Clark out. So, these people come out when, you know, we're enjoying time with our families.
And guess what? They were too. I I know um uh you know and you know I don't want to bring this up but again my dad was on the fire department and I remember days on Christmas day he left. You know we're sitting there opening our presents and you know the pleon went off and we had to go and and that's what they do. Um
same thing with the office of emergency management. You know your house is flooding. You got things going on. They leave their homes to help you out and what do they ask for it? Nothing. Nothing. You know I forget who said it today. you you don't get to see the faces behind with the work that gets
done. I think it was Councilman Hund. So, tonight was an opportunity to see some of the people that that do the volunteer work for us. And again, um that's that's that's something and that that is the township of Clark. The township of Clark is the township that gives back and we thank you all for
that. One last comment I do want to make though is um our auditors for 2026 are Scott Kellen, CPA of PFK Oconor Davies LLP and our engineer is Rich O' Conor uh PE of Grotto Engineering and they are not related to me. We have no relation.
We just have the same last name. Thank you very much and uh I'm going to pass it on to my to my uh counterpart over here. >> Thank you, Councilman Tol. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I'm going to come back to you. But first of all, we have a special guest in our midst in
this chamber. Former Governor Donald D. Prince Chesco, former C New Jersey Senate President. Do you understand the connections to the Senate President Governor? Let me just give you a little bit of a background in history. Former Clark Mayor Bill Magcguire was an
assemblyman. When Donnie D just started back in the mid70s, 7778ish when he went on and became ran for the state legislature. So when he started his career, he worked with a clerkite and a clarkite helped in training until Bill got to where he stepped aside and Donny D moved up to state senate to governor
50 states in the in the union of the United States of America. 50 states and we have a gentleman sitting in our midst tonight who sat in the governorship who made decisions every day for you the citizens of New Jersey. And that should be recognized by you today and those
watching from TV. On this day, January the 5th, 2026. We thank you, Governor, for being here. You were always a part. You've always were loyal, always dedicated to all your citizens, but Clark, you always had a special home. So, with our former mayor and our current mayor, we thank you for all your
support, your loyalty, and you're just giving good government and good knowledge back to the community. If uh if I can ask to uh relay my time, Mr. President, to the governor. >> Governor, would you like to come up to the microphone, please?
You don't get a governor in the chambers at any time blink of an eye. [Applause] >> History lesson. >> Push the button. Turn on. Is the green button on? Green light. >> Yes, it is on. Yeah. >> Yes, it's true. I ran with Bill Magcguire in 1975.
>> 75. We're going back >> 50 years ago. Uh, dear goes November. Uh, we were I was elected. We were elected as assembly members. Pete Mcdana was the state senator and of course uh 50 years ago now was the bsentennial. >> Yes, it was
>> my first year in the legislature and I served for 26 years till January of 2002 and of all the districts I had as you know Clark was always in the district. So it was like a second home to me because I grew up for those who don't
know in Scotch Plains and uh and that was my of course my home for many many years with a huge family. I used to say that's how I got elected because I had so many relatives. But uh in July of 7 of 76 the income tax was passed which was
supposed to solve all the problems of the state of New Jersey. Uh we were there July 4th actually July 4th and 5th and that's when they passed it. And so that'll that's coming up you know 50 years uh in the bsentennial. So now you'll probably have a lot of great events in Clark celebrating the 250th
anniversary of the country. And of course young people don't realize how important that is. They will now after this year goes by. But uh I want to just say quickly though, Brian, that uh in my 26 years having my legislative office in
Scotch Plains and serving in the assembly in the Senate as Senate minority leader as Senate President as Governor and Senate President in 2001, 911 coming up 25 years next year, this
year rather. Um, and we didn't have social media until after I left. So, you know, you either wrote me a letter, you gave me a call. But in those 26 years, I never received
one complaint, one letter, one phone call, one personal contact about anything negative about Clark, New Jersey. Particularly what what you were referring to. Perception is perception. The reality is it's a great community
with great people. I had many friends as you know that I developed over those years that I'll never forget, big supporters and friends. And it's been a it's a great community for all the 50 years that I've that I've known it. It's been a fabulous community, great people,
uh, fantastic tax base, the best you can do with a county like Union, of course, and uh, I I just was thrilled to be representing Clark for those 26 years. And, uh, it's all I wanted. I just want to add that note particularly since you
mentioned that uh that perception about the community cuz I went to school I went to Scott Plains High School played baseball right out here against Clark basketball and never saw anything
at all with respect to any kind of uh unusual conduct or or or statement. So I just want to add that for the record. Mayor, congratulations to you. Congratulations to you and our best wishes to all of you for a fantastic,
healthy, successful new year. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. President. I'm going to finish out in a moment. I just have a couple other comments. >> I know I gave my el my time to the governor, but when you got a governor in the house, what are you going to do? Um
1989 to 1992, the late great Bernie Hayden. Mr. Hayden served four consecutive years as council president. Mr. Smith, you're one year shy. I know you're going to break the record or tie it. So, we wish you only the best as our new council president for the third year, and we welcome you.
You always bring solid, solid leadership. Uh to Frank Maserella, my friend, congratulations on being the vice president. You know, Bill always sits gets lost on the shore during those beautiful summer nights, so you'll be filling in for those long meetings in the summer. Um to Lorie Sheldon, of
course, Lori and I, we all grew up together. We are Clark. Pat O' Conor's Clark. Lori was class of 79, a year ahead of me. Sorry. Danny Sheldon was a Clark kid, too. And it all joined up. And you when you the charge of the first aid squad marries the fire department,
you know there's something going on. And it's all good because these people loved the township and love to help others. The simple words, they went out in the middle of the You heard the stories. They went out in the middle of the night when a call comes in. Somebody's hurt on the parkway an accident. They don't
just, well honey, I got to go take care of it. Fire calls. There's always something and they're always responding to it. And that's called love of community and love love of giving back to your fellow man. And God bless all them and good health to Chief Sheldon and to Lori. To the three people we lost
in this last month and I call them anchors of the community. Nicholas Sodus. Mr. Sodus was an engineer architect to Mrs. Sodus, Nancy, Doug, and Robert. Again, three people we grew up with. and the and his 57 Chevrolet. Hey, he restored and was in his garage. Anytime
I came by, he opened up his garage. He goes, "Hey, I'll go take a look at it." He built a 1957 and restored it to a mint class award-winning issue. You have to go see that car. It should be in a museum. But that was Mr. Sodas. He just always gave up himself to his community.
If I needed something, hey, come on. What do you need? And I didn't go ask him for money, but I went over and said, "Hey, what would you do with the situation?" when the parkway was doing some expansion, what would you do? He goes, "Well, tell them to do it this way. Tell them to do it that way." And that kind of advice kind of gives you a
sense of what you're supposed to be doing as a council official. Um to Mrs. Deloquid, Mrs. Deloquid, there was Dell's Pharmacy on Wes Avenue. That's where the paper chase is. And they ran it. They lived up on Kennedy Drive. They had three kids. Vincent was the son.
Lisa and Diana. Mrs. Deloquid just passed. again, another part of the community, another person who's left us. And the last one is Frank Demarzo. Mr. Dearzo, 53-year resident of the township, a World War Korean War veteran
who served as a New York police officer and a member of the Clark BFW Post. I'm going to end this now because it is getting late, but just again, it's a new year. It's a 20 It's a 250th anniversary. Let us all celebrate together of why we're on in this country
for the greatest country on the planet earth and thank you governor for being here to all happy and healthy new year. >> I'm done. >> Thank you. Uh police director Grady, would you like to >> make any comments or say anything? >> No.
>> No. Go ahead. >> Hi. Good evening everybody. Uh, Director Patrick Radio at the police department. Just a few words. I won't keep you too late. Uh, in terms of our of our township, okay, anybody that knows me um
knows I am a fierce uh defender of our township and our police department. I have lived here for over 50 years. I raised four children in this in this community. Um, I have at least I was trying to add it up as I was sitting there. at least 18 relatives still
residing in the township of Clark. So, you know, uh, Governor D, uh, D. Francesco, he he said it very well, um, perception verse reality, uh, when it comes when it comes to the township of Clark.
I can't I personally can't think of a better place to live, raise a family other than Clark. Um, I have no regrets over 50 years raising my family here. As far as the police department goes, uh, for those of you that don't know, I
retired here in, uh, 2019 as a captain. It was my lifelong dream, uh, to be a police police officer in this township. Uh, to be back here as director, I'm I'm extremely happy and proud to help to
help lead this agency. Now, this agency, you've heard it tonight, you know, has worked under a cloud the last 5 years. And I give them all the credit in the world, okay? They haven't they haven't skipped a beat through all the negativity, the social media. They're out there doing their job every single
day, and that is a credit to them. As long as I'm here, I will continue to to push that. Um, I am a big believer in proactivity. All right? Nobody will ever tell me different. this town is what it
is today. This the safe the safety the state as safe as this town is today. All right, is because of the police officers past and present. No one will ever you won't win that argument with me. Okay. Uh without they're the glue that holds
this town together. Okay. this police department and officers past and present. Um, we will not allow this cloud that hovers over us stop us from doing what what we're doing. I can promise you that. They're out there every day doing their
job. They will continue to do it with the utmost professionalism and integrity. I can guarantee that. As long as I'm here, I can guarantee that. Uh, I'm proud of those guys and um, they des they deserve a lot of credit. It's been tough few years for them. So, um, you
know, proud to them. I hope they're well, hopefully they're on the road and not inside watching this, but, uh, if they are, they they know I'm proud. Uh, lastly, uh, I think they they left already, but congratulations to, uh, Lori and her family. I knew them since the early 90s. I was a member of the
Clark Volunteer Fire Department. Uh, many many moons ago. Great people, great family. Congratulations to them. Happy New Year, everybody. And I thank you. >> Great. Thank you, >> BA. Mr. Olri,
>> um well, congratulations on um council president and Frank. Uh congratulations to you also. Um look forward to working with you both. Um you know, Jess, I'm glad you're there. Um you keep me on
my toes. And um I do have a nickname for everybody. And um I think you're going to be Mrs. Columbbo. Just one more question. One more question. One more question. So, I think that's going to be your nickname. Um, still you still don't beat the Red Baron at the other end, but
um he's going to be there forever. Uh, but um yeah, so you know, congratulations everybody. I appreciate it. And Albert, welcome. I look forward to working with you. Uh, it's um it's a close relationship. There's a lot going on and there's a lot of back and forth,
but you know, I'm glad you're up there. Um, another thing is I want to thank the DPW. We had a couple of tough storms. Uh they fell on holidays and weekends. Uh not good for overtime, but that's, you know, that's mine and Christiey's
problem. Uh so, but uh it's um you know, they did a great job. They got out there. They took care of the streets. They took care of the plowing, the salting. Um you know, it was a this some of these storms were a little bit difficult because they were right on the verge of, you know, do we plow, do we
not plow, wait for enough snow? Um but I think they got through the town fairly quickly with um minimal concerns and all of them were either you know followed up and that's why we have gov pilot that's why we have you know report a concern you know during the the storms we do
monitor that and um get people out as soon as possible and I do want to also bring something up for uh Lori. I spent, you know, give or take 25 years with her overnights. Uh, and um, well, I could tell you she was
always, no matter how bad the call was or time and day, um, always, you know, professional, cheery, you know, looking forward to, you know, helping people. I wish I could say the same about me, um, at times, but that's, uh, neither here
nor there. It's um but she's you know it's a welldeserved award for Lori just knowing her personally for like I said 25 years I probably ran you know 200 plus calls with with Lori over the years and um you know she was always dedicated
her family's always dedicated and um I couldn't think of a better person for that. >> Thank you everybody. >> Thank you Madame Clerk. >> Thank you Mr. President. Congratulations on being president again. We know we
work well together. So, I'm looking forward to this year. Congratulations to Councilman Maserella as vice president as well as Councilwoman Jessica Huff and Mayor Albanese. And it's actually been a pleasure for many, many years and continues to be a pleasure to work with
all of you. Uh, I want to say a special thank you to Terry Maserella who just recently retired. Um 2025 was a transitional year for our office and she helped us put this meeting together. She
helped train our new team and I love her like a sister and I just wish her the best retirement ever. I also want to thank Nicole and Christina who have really not only caught on quickly but made great improvements in the office
and I appreciate them very very much. uh we all put this meeting together. There's a lot of documents here and I really appreciate my team. So, thank you everybody. Happy New Year. >> Thank you. Counselor, do you have anything to add >> other than to thank you and you've made
me feel very welcome tonight. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Look forward to working with you. Welcome aboard. I just want to thank the council members for having faith in me and uh trusting me to be council president again. Look forward to working with everyone again and the administration and the mayor. Uh, happy new year to everyone and at this time
I'd like a motion to adjurnn. >> Thank you, Councilman Tol. Second. >> Second. >> Uh, Councilman, who's that? Okconor. >> Councilman Okconor. All in favor? >> Any opposed? All right. See you in two weeks. [Music]