The Borough Brief: 05/06/2026
PLEASE NOTE: This newsletter is intended to share information and context about local government and community issues. It is not an official Borough communication.
Hello Mendham Neighbors,
As we move further into spring, the Borough is gearing up for a busy summer season, including Mendham Day Camp, the Summer Concert Series, and upcoming America 250 celebrations. We’re fortunate to have so many volunteers, committees, and staff members working behind the scenes to make these programs and traditions possible for our community.
We also want to extend our thanks to the Pastime Club for their recent donation toward improvements at the Botti Field playground. Mendham Borough is fortunate to have such an active community of volunteers and local organizations that continually step up to support our parks, recreation programs, and community spaces. Contributions like these help make Mendham such a special place to live and raise a family.
This month, we wanted to highlight Recycle Coach, a helpful tool available to Borough residents that serves as a one-stop shop for recycling and bulk pickup information. The app is also a great educational resource for improving recycling habits and helping keep contamination out of the recycling stream. Residents can download Recycle Coach through the Apple App Store or Google Play and register for local Mendham Borough updates and reminders.
We continue to hear positive feedback about The Borough Brief, and we sincerely appreciate the thoughtful comments, questions, and engagement from residents. We want to reiterate that this newsletter is not an official Borough communication. We launched The Borough Brief in direct response to resident feedback asking for more accessible, plain-English explanations of local government actions and decisions.
Importantly, this publication is independently funded through our campaign donations. We strongly believe in reinvesting those resources back into services and opportunities that benefit residents directly, including initiatives like The Borough Brief and Coffee with the Council. Our goal is making local government more understandable, accessible, and connected to the people it serves.
If you’ve found this newsletter helpful, we encourage you to subscribe and share it with friends and neighbors.
As always, this issue of The Borough Brief breaks down what Council acted on, why it matters, and what happens next, along with a deeper look at how Mendham’s form of government is structured to make these decisions.
With appreciation,
Councilmember Alexandra Henry Traut
Councilmember Matthew Bruin
PLEASE NOTE: This newsletter is intended to share information and context about local government and community issues. It is not an official Borough communication.
The Breakdown
The Breakdown is a recurring series where we explain important resolutions and ordinances that come before the Borough Council. Each issue will break down what was proposed, what was decided, why it matters, and what happens next in clear and straightforward terms. Full agendas and minutes are available on the Borough website.
Ordinance #06-2026 Vacating Sanitary Sewer Easement (40 Mountain Avenue)
What happened: Council adopted an ordinance to vacate a sanitary sewer easement located on a private property at 40 Mountain Avenue. Borough professionals determined the easement is no longer needed for public use and recommended its removal. The Borough holds easements across various properties for infrastructure access. In this case, the property owner requested the easement be removed as part of a pending sale. The Borough Engineer and Sewer Superintendent confirmed the easement is no longer needed for any public purpose.
Why it matters: Vacating unused easements can simplify property ownership and facilitate property transactions or future use of the land. Importantly, utility companies retain any existing rights to maintain infrastructure if applicable.
What’s next:
Ordinance #07-2026 Ironia Road Improvements
What happened: Council adopted an ordinance to fund improvements to Ironia Road, with a total project cost of approximately $554,540. The project includes paving, drainage, curbing, milling, and related infrastructure upgrades. Funding will come from a combination of Borough capital funds (~$314,630) and a New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Municipal Aid grant (~$239,910).
Why it matters: This project invests in critical road infrastructure, helping improve safety, drainage, and overall driving conditions. Leveraging state grant funding helps offset the cost to local taxpayers.
What’s next: The ordinance will move to a public hearing and final consideration at an upcoming Council meeting, where residents can provide public comment before adoption.
Ordinance #08-2026 Historic Preservation Improvements (Cary Barn & Phoenix House)
What happened: Council introduced an ordinance to authorize proceeds from various grants to begin improvements on two historic Borough properties - Cary Barn and the Phoenix House.
This ordinance funds two separate projects:
Cary Barn (Scott Farm Barn) — Phase III Stabilization, Rehabilitation & Structural Improvements: $740,017. Funded by a $305,172 Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund grant and a $434,845 Preserve New Jersey Historic Trust grant.
Phoenix House — Phase III Building Exterior Rehabilitation & Structural Improvements: $250,000. Funded by a $250,000 Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund grant.
Why it matters: Both properties are cornerstones of Mendham's historic character, and the Borough has been working for years to secure outside funding to restore and stabilize them properly. This is entirely grant-funded. The Borough successfully secured these grants through state and county preservation programs, meaning our historic landmarks get restored at no local cost.
What’s next: The ordinance will move to a public hearing and final consideration at an upcoming Council meeting, where residents can provide public comment before adoption.
Resolution #091-2026 Seasonal DPW Hiring
What happened: Council approved the hiring of 2 part-time seasonal laborers for the Department of Public Works at a rate of $20 per hour, with no benefits.
Why it matters: Seasonal hires help the DPW manage increased spring and summer workloads, like road maintenance, landscaping, and park upkeep, without adding long-term staffing costs.
What’s next: Both employees will begin supporting DPW operations during the peak season.
Resolution #082-2026 Cary Barn Contract Award (Spartan Construction)
What happened: The Borough awarded a contract to Spartan Construction for Phase I structural rehabilitation of the Cary Barn (Scott Farm Barn). Two bids were received, and Spartan was selected as the lowest qualified bidder at $767,150, within the project budget.
Why it matters: This follows the legally required competitive bidding process and ensures the project is completed by a qualified contractor at a responsible cost. The work represents an important step in preserving a historic Borough asset.
What’s next: Spartan Construction will proceed with Phase I structural upgrades, with the project moving into the construction phase.
Resolution #093-2026 Phoenix House Bids Rejected
What happened: The Borough rejected all bids for the exterior restoration of the Phoenix House after the lowest bid came in at $924,235 which is well above the project’s construction budget.
Why it matters: Rather than proceeding with a significantly over-budget project, the Borough is exercising fiscal discipline by rejecting the bids. This avoids unnecessary spending and allows the project to be reevaluated and scaled appropriately.
What’s next: The project will be re-scoped into a smaller, more manageable phase and rebid, while the Borough also pursues additional grant funding for future work.
Resolution #094-2026 DPW Hiring
What happened: The Borough approved the hiring of a full-time Laborer/Driver/Operator for the Department of Public Works, effective May 26, 2026.
Why it matters: The position fills a vacancy created by a resignation and helps maintain staffing levels for core public works operations.
What’s next: The new hire will join the DPW team later this month and begin supporting day-to-day municipal operations and infrastructure maintenance.
Resolution #096-2026 Pastime Club Donation
What happened: The Borough formally accepted a $1,000 donation from the Pastime Club to support improvements at the Botti Field playground.
Why it matters: Community donations help enhance local recreational spaces and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers. State law also requires municipalities to formally accept donations by resolution.
What’s next: The donated funds will be applied toward playground improvements at Botti Field.
Resolution #097-2026 Hiring
What happened: The Borough approved the hiring of Kyle Vongas as Deputy Tax Collector and Utilities Billing Clerk, as well as Finance, Purchasing, and Payroll Clerk.
Why it matters: Mr. Vongas has already been working across multiple departments as a Finance Intern and is actively completing the state certification program required for tax collection work. Promoting a trained internal employee helps maintain continuity in several critical municipal functions without adding new budget costs.
What’s next: Mr. Vongas will transition into his expanded full-time role immediately while continuing his certification training through Rutgers Center for Government Services.
Government, Explained
Government Explained is a recurring series where we take time to explain how local government works in simple terms. Each issue will focus on a different topic we believe will be helpful for residents, breaking down the process, roles, and decisions so it is easier to understand what is happening and why it matters. A lot of the questions we hear from residents come down to process. Why something happened when it did, why certain discussions aren’t public yet, or who is responsible for what. Understanding how local government works can help distinguish between a true lack of transparency and legal or procedural requirements that guide how and when decisions are made.
This Month's Topic: How Your Property Tax Bill Is Actually Calculated
TL;DR:
Your tax bill is not set by one government. It's set by several.
The Borough only controls a small slice of what you pay.
Your bill = your assessed value × the combined tax rate from all four taxing entities.
Every year, property tax bills go out but here's something that surprises most people: your Borough Council does not set your entire tax bill. Your property tax bill is actually made up of several separate charges, each set by a different government.
First: Your Assessed Value
Before any tax is calculated, the Borough Tax Assessor estimates the value of your property based on things like size, age, condition, and recent comparable sales in your neighborhood. Your taxes are calculated based on that number.
Second: Multiple Governments, Multiple Tax Rates
Each of these entities sets its own tax rate based on how much money it needs to raise:
Mendham Borough School District funds our local public schools
Morris County funds county government, parks, roads, and services
Morris County Open Space funds county land preservation efforts
Mendham Borough funds municipal services like police, roads, and public works
Mendham Borough Open Space funds local land conservation, farmland preservation, and historic preservation
Those rates are added together to create your combined tax rate, which is applied to your assessed value to produce your bill.
Third: Who Actually Controls What?
The municipal portion — the piece the Borough Council controls — is typically the smallest slice of your bill. Schools make up the largest share by far, roughly 65% or more of what you pay. So when the Borough adopts a modest budget increase, it affects only a small fraction of your total tax bill.
A Note on the Open Space Tax and Why It's Worth Knowing About
The Borough's Municipal Open Space tax is a small but meaningful line on your bill. What makes it special is that it's a dedicated, protected fund and the money collected can only be used for specific purposes: acquiring land for recreation and conservation, preserving farmland, protecting historic properties, and funding related debt service. It cannot be redirected to cover general Borough expenses. In other words, every dollar you contribute to it stays focused on preserving what makes Mendham, Mendham.
The Bottom Line
Your property tax bill is the product of several governments, each with its own budget and elected officials. The Borough controls its piece, and works to manage it responsibly, but the schools, county, and other entities set their own portions independently. Knowing this helps you ask the right questions and hold the right people accountable.
How to Stay Engaged
📅 Next Council Meeting: May 20th, 2026 @ The Garabrant Center | 4 Wilson Street, Mendham
📧 Reach Out: atraut@mendhamnj.org | mbruin@mendhamnj.org
🗣️ Get Involved: Attend a meeting or reach out if you have questions, concerns, or ideas you’d like to see covered in future newsletters.
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This newsletter is intended to share information and context about local government and community issues. It is not an official Borough communication.
