[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6029663,"mediaKeyId","5564873-7978de04eed48da58c6b6d2ed0793644","parentId",5564873,"title","Votes at a glance: Clark council adopts ordinances, approves budget introduction and routine resolutions","audioSeconds",2064,"startMs",1194000,"endMs",3258000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564873-7978de04eed48da58c6b6d2ed0793644&start=1194&end=3258","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564873-7978de04eed48da58c6b6d2ed0793644/thumbnail_1194000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6029663/New-Jersey/Votes-at-a-glance-Clark-council-adopts-ordinances-approves-budget-introduction-and-routine-resolutions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6029663-d7be6bb95edada291dfd56fd82f01c89/orig.mp4?Expires=1770493355&Signature=h7NRYNKDaO-RpkpBhg8f0Oq1Fbu0o79Tu4Sx~jcorboLLl5LxyFgYzpqUO9Eg1-1DL4Cg17wDoC~w7x1ENfiYUBt6nl38RvwAkX~0NKzbLRXakiHstiVijZvOP1ym-jiBaMASNp6Gopb4ogn13s~5M55avFKXL4ZX0M5kHxKlzwpkd0CBDTaNt-K3RRhyBK0KXIhgjlo3QRoeon9wI56h8bB4TCA94USO6Jwa8299w6Ad9PSzRR874k~cHYg9Oq1Bk3HGtCRBURRKht5PEnLBiaZsPhEE5w3vP9dL8ZECiut3gqVanCieXa13TzvI4MPRuKskBsqGOSb3m-8oQjj4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Clark Town, NJ","date","2025-04-22T21:20:11Z","article","The Township of Clark council took the following formal actions on April 21. Vote results reflect roll-call outcomes recorded at the meeting.

Ordinances adopted (final action)
- Ordinance 25-09 (Vehicles and Traffic: motorized bicycles and scooters): Adopted by roll call (all present voted yes). Public hearing had no speakers.
- Ordinance 25-10 (Clothing donation bins: locations/numbers): Adopted by roll call (all present voted yes). The ordinance allows an exception for veterans’ organizations while requiring compliance with standard pickup and cleanliness rules.
- Ordinance 25-11 (Bond ordinance for public improvements, IT and apparatus): Adopted by roll call (all present voted yes). The ordinance included road improvements, ambulance purchase and computers; staff said grants will offset part of the cost.
- Ordinance 25-12 (Bond ordinance to acquire a new fire truck): Adopted by roll call (all present voted yes). See separate coverage for public comments and staff response.

Ordinances introduced (public hearings set)
- Ordinance 25-13 (Vehicles & Traffic amendments): Introduced; public hearing May 19.
- Ordinance 25-14 (Parks & Recreation fees): Introduced; public hearing May 19.
- Ordinance 25-15 (Motion pictures/film-ready fees): Introduced; public hearing May 19.
- Ordinance 25-16 (Salary ordinance supplement): Introduced; public hearing May 5 at Town Hall.

Budget
- The 2025 municipal budget was introduced. Summary numbers read into the record: general appropriations within caps $23,513,749.22; appropriations excluded from caps $9,012,023; anticipated non-property revenues $11,456,152.75; amount to be raised by taxation $20,868,495.47; minimum library tax $1,301,124. Public hearing scheduled for May 19 at 7:30 PM at the Public Safety Building, 315 Westfield Avenue.

Resolutions and appointments
- Resolution 9: Appointed Christy(ie) Vieira as acting chief municipal finance officer (effective 03/26/2025) — adopted by roll call.
- Resolution 10: Appointed Joseph D'Aiorio as qualified purchasing agent and increased bid threshold pursuant to NJSA 40A:11-3(a) and NJAC 5:34-5 — adopted by roll call.
- Resolution 11: Confirmed James Ulrich as director of public works/shade tree — adopted (unanimous consent recorded by roll call).

Contracts and awards (selected)
- Awarded grass disposal services contract to The Yard LLC at $18 per cubic yard — awarded by roll call.
- Awarded curb and ramp improvement project (CDBG) to T. Fiatakis Construction, Inc. at $16,540 — awarded by roll call.

Consent agenda (items adopted together)
- Authorize submission of a $250,000 capital project grant application for Sexton pump station upgrades.
- Approve Edward Fiennes as Class 1 special law enforcement officer (effective through 12/31/2025).
- Authorize municipal alliance grant strategic plan submission for FY2026 ($13,194).
- Authorize tax-collector adjustments and refunds for sewer accounts (amounts listed in resolution text).

Other votes
- Payment of claims for the month totaling $472,370.57 was approved by roll call.

All measures listed above were adopted by roll-call votes as recorded in the meeting minutes; items with public hearings were scheduled for the dates listed above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Clark Council Meeting April 21 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A compact roundup of formal actions taken at the April 21 Township of Clark council meeting, including ordinance adoptions, ordinance introductions, personnel appointments, contract awards, and introduction of the 2025 municipal budget.","taxTitle","Clark Township, Union County, New Jersey","taxId",80534,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":44,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":50,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6029668,"Clark adopts ordinance on motorized bicycles and scooters; residents press for traffic calming",3636,4830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564873-7978de04eed48da58c6b6d2ed0793644&start=1194&end=4830","/articles/6029668/New-Jersey/Clark-adopts-ordinance-on-motorized-bicycles-and-scooters-residents-press-for-traffic-calming","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6029668-a42a366e04fefd11044beb884aab7df3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770493355&Signature=U-IQT0UsbvHiEfZ7lYn2JZYadiI9OFxlXdOwjzS4d19hogDOTpHQxpAdOTOcdcdZ~7dQC3ZXUaWbR8z2QM-~j6mJKI7jaXGlD78rQJvLKbZXHOCRwcq2I6gAXvNrLnDq02R9hBG7o8snfxC2siXddsZ~YFekriiO04ajSBhmVuw1emO2usn0h8j0ED0MDoxTxi9qJEZr32JgzlpZvC7hfiea5s1mRV3HcQ2qxI10OZwRA8di2Jpu6GCTPPS84qJh5ophxXHnWf8N3skcsVXJ-R0BttdVBz3BGFSfi-9diQz~IvrGYiS06o--JGGfINs1PmGm6E5q-orq81J~kKa1Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Township of Clark council on April 21 adopted Ordinance 25-09, an amendment to the traffic code adding rules for motorized bicycles and scooters. The public hearing drew no speakers; the council adopted the ordinance by roll call.

Mayor Joseph Albanese summarized the measure as a safety initiative. “As we discussed at when this was introduced… it's about safety,” he said during the ordinance adoption process. Officials said the amendment responds to an increase in resident complaints about rider and driver safety over the past 12 months.

The ordinance was followed later in the meeting by public comments on broader traffic safety. Resident Michael Shulman described repeated speeding on Featherbed Lane, near two schools and a community club, and asked the council to direct the engineer and police to study traffic-calming measures, including speed humps, tables or increased enforcement. Shulman told the council he could find no state law prohibiting speed humps and requested a formal study.

Police responded that speed humps are not per se illegal but are subject to placement restrictions (for example, minimum spacing and roadway volume limits). Captain Mike Jacob of the patrol division said the department will deploy a radar trailer to survey speeds and run targeted enforcement in locations with complaints; he added the department can request traffic studies and coordinate with the traffic unit.

Why it matters: The ordinance establishes local rules for motorized personal vehicles that increasingly share neighborhood streets with walkers and school travel routes. The follow-up resident requests and police commitment to data-driven enforcement indicate the issue will return to council with study results or additional action.

The ordinance passed by unanimous roll call; police and public works staff were asked to follow up on traffic data and engineering review for neighborhood requests.","Council adopted Ordinance 25-09 regulating motorized bicycles and scooters citing safety concerns. Residents raised separate traffic and speeding issues, asking the council to study speed controls; police said radar trailers and targeted enforcement will be deployed.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6029673,"Clark council appoints acting chief municipal finance officer and qualified purchasing agent; confirms public works director",151,2884000,3035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564873-7978de04eed48da58c6b6d2ed0793644&start=2884&end=3035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564873-7978de04eed48da58c6b6d2ed0793644/thumbnail_2884000.jpg","/articles/6029673/New-Jersey/Clark-council-appoints-acting-chief-municipal-finance-officer-and-qualified-purchasing-agent-confirms-public-works-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6029673-7c2c4fc6dd45a9a46c6eab451385dd3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770493355&Signature=WIRvdbgNcZcwtGFtdApToGpQ6w55JwwB1hIeTh54CUWHvTRGLKO4Dl4FBYVFwbjGTiUqEe4TtbtUPTEzdjZJ7GEr4u4EBVVVHgNRYMN6~9J3Se5GmvSHAPAesX7-OjXbYazqg2DgnT4e17ub8S~45if5odRnYQFNH-c87~B5S7-OsatNTj3F0oySawirfzPLU1B6nHhrnx2iTnsMEv~tYmOAITK69e2nm6gXosNFWYAetzmN0kif7mCT8ZrwKzI525qP67XDAzX9LY5dBT-iZ4UCFnbK94IK0vF-W2gcvDkaM-AsO3NJfYCreqNHs0HO34rpXcsRQ1L9uzs0Bhra6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Township of Clark council on April 21 approved several finance and operations appointments to fill recent vacancies and raise procurement thresholds. By roll-call votes, the council:

- Appointed Christy Vieira as acting chief municipal finance officer, effective March 26, 2025, for a one-year term subject to renewal and state approval. Council documents and staff said she will serve in the finance director position while completing required civil service examinations.

- Appointed Joseph D'Aiorio as the township’s qualified purchasing agent (QPA) and increased the local bid threshold pursuant to NJSA 40A:11-3(a) and NJAC 5:34-5. Staff said D'Aiorio is certified by the Division of Local Government Services and will be retained to review procurements on a case-by-case, hourly basis.

- Confirmed James Ulrich as director of public works and shade tree director at the salary shown in the record; council moved the confirmation by unanimous consent. Later in the meeting officials clarified the DPW/shade tree pay scale has a minimum of $1,750 and a maximum of $20,000 for that title in the municipal table of organization.

Public comment raised questions. Delia Collins, identified as a Clark resident, asked whether the town now has multiple finance-related positions and whether Christy Vieira’s appointment was in addition to or a replacement for the prior finance director; the mayor and staff explained Jennifer Kubliska had resigned to take another job and Vieira is serving in the vacant role until she passes required tests. Collins also stated that Joseph D'Aiorio had been fined by the New Jersey Local Finance Board in February 2024 and paid the $750 fine in October 2024; the council did not dispute the public comment and Jim (business administrator) said D'Aiorio’s DLGS certification was in good standing.

Why it matters: The QPA appointment raises the township’s local bid threshold (allowing higher non-bid purchasing limits) and the acting CFO appointment ensures a civil-service–compliant finance officer is in place while staff complete formal certification steps. The DPW director confirmation consolidates title and responsibilities for operations and shade-tree approvals.

All three measures passed by recorded roll-call votes at the meeting. Staff said details on job duties, hourly engagement for outside consultants and posting of the adopted municipal budget will be made available after formal paperwork is filed with the state.","Council approved three personnel actions: Christy Vieira as acting chief municipal finance officer, Joseph D'Aiorio as qualified purchasing agent (QPA) and James Ulrich as director of public works/shade tree. Residents asked about staffing levels, prior employment and a fine recorded against D'Aiorio in 2024.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6029679,"Clark council adopts $3.34 million bond ordinance to buy new ladder truck; residents question need",491,1569000,2060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564873-7978de04eed48da58c6b6d2ed0793644&start=1569&end=2060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564873-7978de04eed48da58c6b6d2ed0793644/thumbnail_1569000.jpg","/articles/6029679/New-Jersey/Clark-council-adopts-334-million-bond-ordinance-to-buy-new-ladder-truck-residents-question-need","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6029679-dc72b6a44055de4c2db7a764632ae5a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770493355&Signature=DAwXVaX6Twch7INVIewfrq0P2ntFjyeSvqEgeykN0efFZfgb~nBcCXnTHDZgpfxxBWD1eVUHcBU3DW1VtOvh-9nvRY4YCOZCxGCNx8-HzCTCGncWlzP2bMg3ntlifXMyW7BeCaEdMBZyxZfx30737S-DM0t1Yyb8Yv3OY4TC~-fdkryVZOpgn0MqXAnch9SEapa92W4e5E4JyoSPhjFv95iLbpKJeuKi1EHGnYYwksK2sEw4GIrKxS1CuXal3ZcxAMJY00A2r6ViiIrlW3hzTkMOvajMAwNGYh8C7FxzkZRFZ8a3Uz5gVazek0o8TC4Mdw5lZFmMjlW66RCWVWThLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Township of Clark council on April 21 adopted Ordinance 25-12, a bond ordinance appropriating $3,340,000 for a new fire truck and related capital work. The ordinance passed by roll-call vote with all members voting yes.

The ordinance funds a new ladder apparatus and other improvements; Mayor Joseph Albanese and staff said the project is heavily subsidized by a state grant that will cover roughly three-quarters of the truck’s cost. Albanese told the council the grant covers 75 cents on the dollar and credited state leadership for securing the award.

Why it matters: Fire apparatus are specialized, have long lead times and must meet state manufacturing standards, officials said. Council and staff said replacing an aging ladder truck is necessary for department operations and regional mutual aid.

Resident Jeff Alexander, who identified himself as a Clark resident, questioned whether the expense matched local need. He said he compared Clark’s truck and staffing numbers with neighboring towns and told the council, “It seems disproportionate to the number of trucks we have, the number of firefighters we have, and I just questioned whether we actually need to spend this kind of money on another truck.”

Business Administrator James Ulrich answered that Clark’s fleet includes different vehicle types (ladder, pumper, quint, rescue) serving distinct functions and that the ladder truck is approaching 25 years of service. Ulrich said the department expects a lead time of roughly one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half years for delivery, and that the town will either auction the existing ladder truck or accept a trade-in credit at purchase.

Chief Sarasa and other staff were cited by Ulrich as sources for technical details; council members and the mayor emphasized the apparatus is intended to meet operational needs in Clark and to support mutual aid requests from neighboring towns.

The council adopted the ordinance by unanimous roll call. The mayor and administrative staff said grant funding and long lead times shaped the timing and structure of the purchase.

Looking ahead: Officials said delivery will take at least a year and a half; the council did not set an immediate implementation schedule beyond formal adoption and related procurement steps.","The Township of Clark adopted Ordinance 25-12 to appropriate $3,340,000, including grant offsets, for a new fire truck. Officials said most of the cost is covered by a state grant; residents and one commenter asked whether the purchase is proportionate to the town's call volume and what will happen to the old truck.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Clark council adopts ordinances, approves budget introduction and routine resolutions

Clark adopts ordinance on motorized bicycles and scooters; residents press for traffic calming

Clark council appoints acting chief municipal finance officer and qualified purchasing agent; confirms public works director

Clark council adopts $3.34 million bond ordinance to buy new ladder truck; residents question need