The Borough Brief: 09/23/2026
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,
It was a relatively light Council agenda this month, but the room was anything but quiet! We were thrilled to see so many residents come out for the swearing-in of Chief Patrick McNichol. It was a special evening for our community and our Police Department, and we want to congratulate Chief McNichol once again as he officially steps into this important role.
Council also adopted a resolution allowing the Borough to move forward with becoming conforming with the New Jersey Highlands Planning Area. This is a significant accomplishment for Mendham and one that was completed in a relatively short amount of time. It took a lot of work and coordination behind the scenes, and we are grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.
And finally, we hope everyone will come out for Mendham Fest on October 3rd! Events like this are a great reminder of what makes our community so special—getting together, supporting local organizations and businesses, and simply enjoying time with our neighbors. We hope to see you there!
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 #13-2026 (for adoption) – Highlands Planning Area Conformance
What happened: Council adopted an ordinance establishing new Highlands Planning Area regulations throughout Mendham Borough. The ordinance brings the Borough’s zoning and land-use regulations into conformance with the New Jersey Highlands Regional Master Plan, following the Highlands Council’s approval of Mendham’s voluntary Plan Conformance.
Why it matters: Because Mendham is entirely within the Highlands Planning Area, the ordinance establishes Highlands-specific standards for development and environmental protection. It creates overlay zones addressing areas such as water resources, forests, steep slopes, groundwater recharge, wildlife habitat, and riparian areas. The standards are intended to protect sensitive Highlands resources while providing a clearer process for reviewing development applications.
The ordinance also adds additional review requirements for qualifying development applications, including information about proposed development, water and wastewater demand, and affected Highlands resources.
What’s next: We’ll be working on some educational opportunities to help residents better understand what Highlands Plannaing Area Conformance means.
Ordinances #13-2026 (for introduction) – Polishing Lagoons and Monitoring Wells
What happened: The ordinance authorizes the Borough to undertake the closure or liner replacement of the Polishing Lagoons and three monitoring wells, including the necessary studies, design, surveys, equipment, and related work.
Why it matters: The ordinance allows the Borough to redirect available sewer capital funds toward the lagoon and monitoring-well work rather than leaving those funds committed to projects for which may no longer needed.
What’s next: The ordinance will move to a public hearing and adoption vote at the October 7th meeting.
Resolution #161-2026 – IT Services Contract Extension
What happened: The Borough authorized a second one-year extension of its contract with Peggnet Computers for information technology services. The extension will run from October 28, 2026 through October 27, 2027, at a total cost of $84,892. The Borough’s CFO certified that sufficient funds are available.
Why it matters: This continues the Borough’s existing IT services agreement without changing the other terms of the original contract. Peggnet’s services have continued to meet the Borough’s needs.
What’s next: The Borough is exercising the second and final one-year extension available under its existing IT services contract, at $84,892 for the 2026–2027 term.
Resolution #165-2026 – Private Fireworks Display
What happened: The Borough authorized Garden State Fireworks to conduct a 15-minute private fireworks display at 500 Bernardsville Road on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Why it matters: The approval is subject to required safety and insurance protections. The Borough’s Fire Safety Bureau reviewed the application and determined that the necessary permits may be issued, pending a final site inspection and approval by the Fire Official.
What’s next: Before the display, Garden State Fireworks must provide the required liability insurance, obtain the appropriate Fire Safety Permit, and ensure that the Mendham Borough Fire Department is present during the display. All parties involved must also hold the Borough harmless from liability related to the event.
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: The Role of the Borough Clerk
TL;DR
The Borough Clerk is the administrative backbone of local government. The Clerk:
Keeps the official records of the Borough and Council proceedings
Prepares Council meeting agendas and records minutes
Helps ensure public meeting and records requirements are followed
Administers licenses, permits, and certain municipal applications
Serves as the Borough’s chief administrative officer for elections
Maintains vital records and other important municipal documents
In simple terms: The Mayor and Council make decisions. The Clerk helps ensure those decisions are properly documented, communicated, and carried out according to law.
The Clerk and Council
The Borough Clerk is appointed by the Borough Council and, under the Borough Code, serves as the secretary to the governing body and the municipal corporation. The Clerk attends Council meetings, maintains the official record of proceedings, and keeps track of matters pending before Council.
Before a Council meeting, the Clerk helps prepare the agenda. After the meeting, the Clerk prepares and maintains the minutes, creating a permanent record of the actions and discussions of the governing body.
The Clerk as Keeper of the Records
One of the Clerk's most important responsibilities is maintaining the Borough's official records. This includes ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, bonds, archives, and other municipal documents. The Clerk also serves as custodian of the Borough's corporate seal.
The Clerk's office also plays an important role in public access to government information. In Mendham, OPRA requests for municipal records are submitted through the Clerk's office, which helps residents access public records maintained by the Borough.
Elections and Vital Records
The Clerk's responsibilities extend well beyond Council meetings.
The Borough Clerk serves as the chief administrative officer for elections held in Mendham and as the local voter registrar. This includes overseeing local election administration, certifying election results, issuing and certifying candidate petitions, coordinating polling locations, and handling certain procedures when a municipal elected-office vacancy occurs.
The Clerk's office also serves as the Borough's vital records office, processing and maintaining records related to births, deaths, marriages, domestic partnerships, and civil unions that occur in Mendham.
Licenses, Notices & More
The Clerk's office also administers a variety of municipal licenses, applications, and notices. In Mendham, residents may interact with the Clerk's office for matters such as raffle licenses, special event permits, road closures, banner requests, public service projects, marriage licenses, and OPRA requests.
The Clerk also maintains filings of municipal rules and regulations and performs other duties assigned by law or by the governing body.
The takeaway
Much of the Clerk's work happens behind the scenes, but it is essential to how local government functions.
Council meetings, ordinances, resolutions, elections, public records, licenses, and other municipal actions all require accurate documentation and careful administration. The Clerk helps create the official record that allows residents, elected officials, employees, and future governing bodies to understand what the Borough did, when it did it, and under what authority.
Good government isn't just about making decisions. It's also about making sure those decisions are properly documented, accessible, and carried out according to the rules.
That is a big part of the Borough Clerk's job.
How to Stay Engaged
📅 Next Council Meeting: October 7th, 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.
📱 Follow Us on Facebook & Instagram: Stay up to date with news, reminders, and community updates.
Follow Us On Social Media —>
This newsletter is intended to share information and context about local government and community issues. It is not an official Borough communication.
