Agenda: January 15, 2026 Agenda

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UPDATED AGENDA

January 15, 2026 Backup - Part 1

January 15, 2026 Backup - Part 2

Amended Resolution #26-34

Amended Resolution #26-41

VERNON TOWNSHIP COUNCIL 

JANUARY 15, 2026

EXECUTIVE SESSION 5:00 PM

REORGANIZATION 6:00 PM

1. CALL TO ORDER 

2. STATEMENT: Adequate Notice of this Reorganization Meeting was provided to the public and the press on January 19, 2025 and was posted at the Municipal Building in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A.10:4-7.

3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG 

4. ROLL CALL 

5. SWEARING IN COUNCIL MEMBER PATRICK RIZZUTO 

6. SWEARING IN COUNCIL MEMBER SANDRA OOMS 

7. SWEARING IN COUNCIL MEMBER CARL CONTINO

8. SWEARING IN FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEFS AND DEPUTIES 

      Township Fire Commissioner -John Cosh

       Deputy Commissioner - Jeff Anderson 

      Vernon Fire Department

      Chief- Kevin Cooke 

      Deputy Chief- Tim Davis

      Mcafee Fire Department

      Chief- Mike Passaro

      Deputy Chief- Dan Gros 

      Highland Lakes Fire Department

      Chief- Scott Semchesyn 

      Deputy Chief - Karen Thomas

      Pochuck Valley Fire Department

      Chief- John Cosh 

      Deputy Chief- Brian Enering 

 

                                           *****SHORT RECESS*****

 

   9. MAYOR COMMENTS 

 10. OUTGOING COUNCIL PRESIDENT COMMENTS 

 11. COUNCIL PRESIDENT NOMINATIONS & SELECTION 

 12. COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT NOMINATIONS & SELECTION 

 13. INCOMING COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS 

 14. INCOMING COUNCIL PRESIDENT COMMENTS  15. PUBLIC COMMENTS (On Current Agenda Items Only)

 15. PUBLIC COMMENTS (For Current Agenda Items Only, Limited to 3 Minutes Per Person)

 16. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

      December 8, 2025 – Executive Session

      December 8, 2025 – Regular Meeting

      December 29, 2025 – Special Meeting     

 17. CONSENT AGENDA 

      Resolution #26-01: Designating of Official Newspaper for 2026 

      Resolution #26-02: Reauthorizing Petty Cash Funds for Calendar Year 2026

      Resolution #26-03: Authorizing a Contract with Munidex to Maintain the Township’s Vital Statistic Software for 2026

      Resolution #26-04: Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Vernon, County of Sussex, and State of New Jersey Appointing Deputy Custodians of Records      

      Resolution #26-05: Authorizing the Award of a Contract for 2026 Between A & E Clothing and the Township of Vernon to Locate Clothing Donation Bins at the Municipal Recycling Center

      Resolution #26-06: Authorizing a Memorandum of Agreement with Signature Information Solutions for “Inquiry Only” Access to Certain Tax Collectors Tax and/or Utility Records via Edmunds and Associates  

      Resolution #26-07: Authorizing a Memorandum of Agreement with Accurate Abstracts for "Inquiry Only” Access to Certain Tax Collectors Tax and/or Utility Records via Edmunds and Associates 

      Resolution #26-08: Authorizing a Memorandum of Agreement with Valtech Research for "Inquiry Only” Access to Certain Tax Collectors Tax and/or Utility Records via Edmunds and Associates  

      Resolution #26-09: Authorizing a Memorandum of Agreement with Action Title Research for “Inquiry Only” Access to Certain Tax Collectors Tax and/or Utility Records via Edmunds and Associates

      Resolution #26-10: Authorizing a Memorandum of Agreement with Priority Search Services, LLC for “Inquiry Only” Access to Certain Tax Collectors Tax and/or Utility

      Records via Edmunds and Associates  

    Resolution #26-11: Authorizing the Municipal Tax Assessor and the Special Municipal Attorney to Defend the Township Before the Sussex County Board of Taxation for Tax

    Appeals

    Resolution #26-12: Resolution of the Township of Vernon, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, Granting Authority for Approval of Certain Purchases in Excess of the Bid

    Threshold Through New Jersey State Contracts and/or Purchasing Cooperatives for 2026

       Resolution #26-13: Granting Authority for Approval of Certain Purchases Through New Jersey State Contracts and/or Purchasing Cooperatives for 2026

       Resolution #26-14: Governor’s Council on Substance Use Disorder Fiscal Grant Cycle July 2027 – June 2031

       Resolution #26-15: Authorizing the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to Sign an Agreement with the County of Sussex for Nutrition Site Premises for Senior Citizens

       Resolution #26-16: Appointing ADA Coordinator

       Resolution #26-17: Appointment of Public Agency Compliance Officer

       Resolution #26-18: Establishing Interest Rates for Delinquent Property Taxes and Assessments

       Resolution #26-19: Continuation of the Beautification Committee

       Resolution #26-20: Continuation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee

       Resolution #26-21: Approving a Solicitor’s Permit – Archtop Fiber

       Resolution #26-22: Approving a Solicitor’s Permit – Archtop Fiber

       Resolution #26-23: Approving a Solicitor’s Permit – Archtop Fiber

       Resolution #26-24: Designating Meeting Dates of the Township Council for the 2026 Calendar Year

       Resolution #26-25: Authorizing the Award of a Required Disclosure Contract with “Special Data Logic” for Permitting / Licensing Software

       Resolution #26-26: Resolution to Adopt a Cash Management Plan-2026

       Resolution #26-27: Authorizing the Continuation of Award of Contract for Professional Services

       Resolution #26-28: Resolution Adopting Temporary Budget for the Township of Vernon Temporary Budget Appropriation for Year 2026  

       Resolution #26-29: Resolution Authorizing Vernon Township to Execute a Shared Service Agreement Between the Township of Vernon and the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority for the Provisions of Financial Clerical Support Services

       Resolution #26-30: Resolution Authorizing the Township of Vernon to Execute a Shared Service Agreement Between the Township of Vernon and the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority for the Provision of DPW Services

       Resolution #26-31: Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Shared Service Agreement with the Township of Vernon for the Provision of Snowplowing Services on an as Needed Basis

       Resolution #26-32: Authorizing Signatures on Township Checks Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:5-16

       Resolution #26-33: Resolution Authorizing the Award of a Required Disclosure Contract with “Lawsoft Inc. for Police Records Management System Fire Cad Software”

       Resolution #26-34: Resolution to Appoint a Council Member Liaison for Development Matters in Vernon Township

        Resolution #26-35: Resolution Appointments to the Vernon Township Municipal Utility Authority

       Resolution #26-36: Resolution of the Township of Vernon Appointing a Municipal Prosecutor

       Resolution #26-37: Resolution of the Township of Vernon Appointing an Alternate Municipal Prosecutor

       Resolution #26-38: Resolution of the Township of Vernon Appointing a Municipal Public Defender

       Resolution #26-39: Authorizing the Vernon Township Council to Approve a Person-to-Person Transfer of Liquor License #1922-33-001-004     

        Resolution #26-40: Appointment to the Land Use Board

        Resolution #26-41: Resolution Authorizing Appointment of a Chief Financial Officer for Vernon Township    

        Resolution #26-42: Authorizing the Award of Contract for Professional Services

        Service:                                           Account #:                 Amount:

Twp Attorney                                       6-01-20-100-91             75,000.00

Twp. Planner                                        6-01-20-100-91             10,000.00

Twp. Engineer                                      6-01-20-165-41             40,000.00

Qualified Purchasing Agent                   6-01-20-100-95             10,500.00

Financial Advisors                                6-01-20-130-20                 7,500.00

Twp. Auditor                                        6-01-20-135-91             60,000.00

Twp. Atty - In Rem Frclsr/Rdvlpmnt      6-01-20-155-44             50,000.00

Bond Counsel                                       6-01-20-155-45             15,000.00

Twp. Atty. – Tax Appeals                      6-01-20-155-52             60,000.00

Twp. Atty. – Labor                                6-01-20-155-53             50,000.00

Litigation (all attorneys)                        6-01-20-155-54               70,000.00

Alt Municipal Prosecutor                       6-01-20-155-57                3,000.00   

Municipal Prosecutor                            6-01-25-275-92             36,000.00

Public Defender                                    6-01-20-155-51                4,000.00

Public Defender                                    T-14-56-825-00                6,200.00

Health Benefits Consultant                    6-01-23-220-57             70,000.00

Appraisal Services                                 6-01-20-150-37             10,000.00

               

18. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE     

      Ordinance #26-01: Calendar Year 2026 Model Ordinance to Exceed the Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits and to Establish a Cap Bank (N.J.S.A. 40A: 4-45.14)

       Ordinance #26-02: Ordinance of the Township of Vernon, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, Releasing, Extinguishing and Vacating the Rights of the Public in a Portion of Block 436, Lot 22, Burgher Road.         

      Ordinance #26-03: Ordinance Extending Lease Agreement Between the Vernon Township Board of Education and the Township of Vernon, and Sub-Lease Agreement Between the Township of Vernon and the Dog Owners Gathering Society of Vernon Township Inc., For Certain Unimproved Real Estate Identified on the Official Tax Maps of the Township of Vernon as Block 308 Lot 2 (Old Block 133, Lot 2.05)

       Ordinance #26-04: An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 250, Entitled “Fees and Escrows” of the Code of the Township of Vernon, Sussex County, New Jersey

19. MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES

      Beautification Committee

      Board of Recreation       

      Economic Development Advisory Committee

      Environmental Commission

      Land Use Board

      Senior Citizen Committee 

20. PUBLIC COMMENT (Limited to 5 Minutes On Any Topic) 

21. COUNCIL COMMENTS 

22. COUNCIL PRESIDENT COMMENTS 

23. ADJOURNMENT