The Borough Brief: 06/03/2026
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,
This week's Council meeting included several important discussions that will continue in the weeks ahead.
Most notably, Council introduced the Bernardsville Road Affordable Housing Overlay Zone ordinance, a key component of the Borough's court-supervised affordable housing compliance plan. The ordinance establishes zoning standards for the former Motherhouse property and is intended to help the Borough meet its state-mandated affordable housing obligations while maintaining local control over how development occurs. The public hearing and final adoption vote are scheduled for the June 17th Council meeting, and the Borough Planner will be in attendance to answer questions from residents.
Council also approved a motion directing the Borough Administrator to develop a proposal for live streaming Borough Council meetings. We believe this is an important step toward improving transparency and public access to local government. Transparency is about more than simply notifying residents that a meeting is taking place, it is also about ensuring residents understand the discussions, decisions, and reasoning behind the actions taken by their elected officials. We look forward to reviewing the proposal and continuing the conversation about how to make local government more accessible.
We've also heard a great deal of discussion recently regarding grant funding and the various grants the Borough has secured for projects throughout town. Because grants are often misunderstood, this month's Government, Explained section takes a closer look at how grant funding actually works, including the difference between state, county, and private grants, why grants are not always "free money," and how matching requirements can impact project costs. We also discuss an important point that is often overlooked: many state and county grant programs are funded by taxpayers, meaning municipalities are competing to bring a portion of those dollars back into their communities.
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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 #09-2026 (For introduction) – Bernardsville Road Affordable Housing Overlay Zone
What happened: Council introduced an ordinance creating a new Affordable Housing Overlay Zone on the Sisters of Christian Charity property on Bernardsville Road. The ordinance establishes zoning standards that would allow the adaptive reuse of the vacant former Motherhouse building for an inclusionary housing development of up to 150 residential units, including affordable housing units required under New Jersey's affordable housing laws.
The ordinance is part of the Borough's court-supervised Fourth Round Affordable Housing Plan and was developed following negotiations with state affordable housing advocates and property owners. Adoption of the ordinance is intended to help satisfy the Borough's state-mandated affordable housing obligation while maintaining compliance with court requirements.
Why it matters: New Jersey municipalities are legally required to provide opportunities for affordable housing under the state's Fair Housing Act and Mount Laurel doctrine. This ordinance creates one of the Borough's mechanisms for meeting those obligations and maintaining protection from costly "builder's remedy" lawsuits that could allow higher-density development with less local control.
The ordinance establishes detailed standards governing building size, density, setbacks, buffering, parking, affordable housing requirements, traffic access, and environmental protections specific to the site. By adopting local zoning regulations, the Borough retains greater influence over how any future development occurs.
What’s next: The public hearing on this ordinance is scheduled for June 17, 2026.
Resolution #115-2026 – Clean Communities Grant Funding
What happened: Council approved a budget amendment to accept an additional $3,892.97 from the New Jersey Clean Communities Grant program. Because the grant amount became available after the 2026 budget was adopted, state law requires the Borough to formally amend the budget to recognize the revenue and appropriate the funds for use.
Why it matters: The Clean Communities program helps municipalities fund litter prevention, community cleanups, public education, and related environmental initiatives. Accepting the grant provides additional funding for these activities without increasing local taxes.
What’s next: The grant funds will be added to the Borough's 2026 budget and used to support Clean Communities program activities throughout the year.
Resolution #116-2026 – DPW Hiring
What happened: Council approved the hiring of a replacement Laborer/Driver/Operator for the Department of Public Works. The new employee will fill a vacant position and is required to obtain a CDL Class B license as part of the role, with the Borough providing tuition assistance and reimbursement for the necessary training.
Why it matters: Maintaining adequate staffing levels within the Department of Public Works is essential for delivering core municipal services, including road maintenance, snow removal, parks upkeep, and other public infrastructure responsibilities. Filling vacant positions helps ensure the department can continue operating efficiently and meet community needs.
What’s next: The employee will begin work with the Department of Public Works, subject to completion of required background and license checks, and will begin training and certification requirements associated with the position.
Resolution #118-2026 – Affordable Housing Trust Fund Loan for Senior Housing Improvements
What happened: Council approved a $122,000 interest-free loan from the Borough’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support repairs and upgrades at a local affordable senior housing community. The funding will be used to address safety and habitability improvements, including upgrades to kitchens, bathrooms, balconies, and the installation of backup generators. The loan will be repaid once previously approved Morris County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is received.
Why it matters: This action helps ensure that affordable senior housing units remain safe, functional, and available for residents who rely on them. Importantly, the funding comes from the Borough’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which is funded through development fees rather than property taxes. The loan allows critical improvements to move forward immediately while awaiting reimbursement from grant funds.
What’s next: The Borough will enter into a formal loan agreement, allowing the rehabilitation work to proceed. Once the County grant funding is received, the full loan amount will be repaid to the Borough’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund for future affordable housing purposes.
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 Grant Funding Works
TL;DR:
Grants can be a valuable way to fund local projects without relying entirely on local property taxes.
State and county grants are funded by taxpayers, meaning residents have already contributed to these programs through various taxes.
Many grants require the Borough to contribute matching funds, so grants are rarely "free money."
Understanding grant requirements helps explain why some projects move forward and others do not.
State and County Grants
Many of the grants discussed at Council meetings come from programs administered by New Jersey or Morris County. These programs are funded through taxpayer dollars collected at the state or county level.
In other words, residents are already contributing to these funding pools through taxes. When the Borough successfully secures a grant, it is often bringing a portion of those dollars back to Mendham to support local projects rather than seeing those funds used elsewhere.
This is one reason municipalities should aggressively pursue competitive grant opportunities. If Mendham does not apply, those funds will typically be awarded to another community.
Examples include:
NJDOT road improvement grants
Morris County Historic Preservation grants
Morris County Open Space and Trail grants
Clean Communities grants
Private Grants Work Differently
Private grants come from foundations, nonprofit organizations, corporations, or other private entities.
Unlike state and county grants, these funds are not generated through taxes. They are usually tied to a specific mission, such as historic preservation, environmental stewardship, recreation, education, or community development.
Private grants can be highly competitive and often come with strict requirements about how funds may be used.
The Catch: Grants Usually Aren't Free
A common misconception is that a grant pays for an entire project. In reality, many grants require the Borough to contribute matching funds.
For example, a grant may cover 80% of a project's cost while requiring the Borough to provide the remaining 20%. Some grants also operate on a reimbursement basis, meaning the Borough must spend the money upfront and then seek reimbursement after the work is completed.
That means local taxpayers still have a financial stake in many grant-funded projects, even when outside funding is secured.
The Bottom Line
Grant funding is an important tool for local government, but it isn't free money. State and county grants are funded by taxpayer dollars that communities compete to bring back home, while private grants come from independent organizations with specific funding goals. Understanding how grants work, and the matching funds often required, helps explain both the opportunities and the financial decisions that come before the Borough Council.
How to Stay Engaged
📅 Next Council Meeting: June 17th, 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.
