The Borough Brief: 09/09/2026
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’s hard to believe summer is already winding down. As our kids head back to school and we get back into the familiar routines of fall, we want to wish everyone a happy and safe start to the school year. Please take extra care on our roads and around our schools as buses, bikes, pedestrians, and busy drop-off and pick-up schedules return. A few extra seconds of patience can go a long way.
September also gives us a moment to pause and remember. On September 11, we honor the lives lost and the families and communities forever changed by that day. We remember the first responders who ran toward danger, the countless acts of courage and kindness that followed, and the importance of never forgetting. In a busy world, taking a moment to reflect and remember is something worth doing together.
This month also marks an important transition for our Police Department. We congratulate Patrick McNichol on his appointment as Mendham Borough’s Chief of Police. Chief McNichol has served our community in the Police Department and most recently as Acting Captain and Officer in Charge. We look forward to his leadership and to the continued work of our entire Police Department in keeping Mendham safe and serving our residents.
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 introduction) – Highlands Planning Area Conformance
What happened: Council introduced 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: The ordinance must go through the required local review and public process, including review by the Joint Land Use Board and consistency review by the Highlands Council before adoption.
Ordinances #11-2026 & #12-2026 (for adoption) – Reaffirming Mendham's Cannabis Prohibition
What happened: Council adopted two ordinances that reaffirm the Borough's existing prohibition on cannabis businesses and continue the Borough's cannabis regulations under Chapter 70 of the Borough Code. The ordinances do not create any new restrictions but formally continue the Borough's longstanding policy prohibiting all classes of cannabis businesses from operating within Mendham.
Why it matters: New Jersey law requires municipalities to periodically review and update local ordinances related to cannabis. These ordinances ensure the Borough's existing ban remains in effect and provides continued legal clarity regarding cannabis businesses within the community.
What’s next: Mendham's prohibition on cannabis businesses will remain unchanged.
Resolution #150-2026 – Chief of Police Appointment
What happened: The Mayor and Council approved the appointment of Patrick McNichol as Mendham Borough’s new Chief of Police, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the previous Chief. The appointment followed an interview and oral examination process, with the Council providing its advice and consent to the Mayor’s nomination.
Why it matters: This formally establishes new leadership for the Mendham Borough Police Department.
What’s next: The appointment takes effect immediately.
Resolution #151-2026 – Hiring of Class III Special Law Enforcement Officer
What happened: The Borough approved the hiring of Robert Wysokowski as a Class III Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO) with the Mendham Borough Police Department. He will provide services under the Borough’s shared-services agreement with the Mendham Borough School District for the 2026–2027 school year.
Why it matters: Class III SLEOs provide law-enforcement services in schools. This appointment fills a position needed to carry out the Borough’s agreement with the School District and provides an additional law-enforcement presence for the school community.
What’s next: The appointment takes effect immediately September 10, 2026.
Resolution #154 and 155-2026 – Highlands Plan Conformance Grant
What happened: The Borough authorized the addition of $66,000 in grant revenue from the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council to the 2026 municipal budget. Resolution #155 specifies how the grant will be used:
$25,000 – Municipal Stormwater Management Plan
$20,000 – Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Plan
$10,000 – Highlands Element of the Municipal Master Plan
$5,000 – Highlands Interactive Environmental Resource Inventory
$5,000 – Adoption of Highlands Conformance Ordinance
$500 – Highlands Council training sessions
$500 – Municipal exemption determinations
Why it matters: These resolutions formally add the grant to the Borough’s budget and designate the funds for planning, environmental resources, stormwater management, historic preservation, and other work associated with Highlands Plan Conformance. The $66,000 is grant revenue being added to the budget rather than a new local tax.
What’s next: The Chief Financial Officer will submit the required documentation to the State Division of Local Government Services. The grant funds can then be appropriated for the purposes outlined above.
Resolution #156-2026 – Recycling Tonnage Grant
What happened: The Borough authorized the addition of $2,461.89 in Recycling Tonnage Grant revenue to the 2026 municipal budget. The Borough had already budgeted $4,806 for Recycling Tonnage.
Why it matters: The resolution formally recognizes the State grant as revenue and appropriates the same amount within the Borough’s recycling-related budget. This is additional grant funding supporting the Borough’s recycling program.
What’s next: The required budget adjustment will be submitted to the State Division of Local Government Services, allowing the grant revenue to be incorporated into the 2026 budget.
Resolution #157-2026 – Morris County Trail Construction Grant Application
What happened: The Borough authorized submitting a 2026 Morris County Trail Construction Grant application for Phase II of the Borough Park and Arboretum Trail project. The total project is estimated at $343,818, with $340,318 eligible for County grant funding.
Why it matters: The Borough is seeking $272,254.40 in County funding, which would cover the majority of the eligible project costs. The required 20% municipal match is $68,063.60, plus $3,500 in project costs that are ineligible for County funding, bringing the Borough’s total share to $71,563.60.
The project builds on the Borough’s previous $28,000 Morris County Trail Design Grant, which funded Phase I design work.
What’s next: The Borough will submit the grant application. If awarded, the project will operate on a reimbursement basis, meaning the Borough must provide the funding upfront to complete the project before receiving reimbursement from the County. The Mayor is authorized to execute the grant agreement if the application is approved.
Resolution #159-2026 – Local Control Over Data Center Development
What happened: The Borough adopted a resolution reaffirming its support for local control over the siting and regulation of large-scale and hyperscale data centers. It opposes state actions that would preempt or limit a municipality’s ability to regulate, restrict, condition, or prohibit data centers through local zoning and land-use authority.
Why it matters: The resolution raises concerns about the potential local impacts of large data centers, including electricity and water consumption, noise, environmental impacts, infrastructure demands, emergency services, property values, and potential costs to taxpayers and utility ratepayers. It calls for local officials and land-use boards to retain a meaningful role in determining whether and under what conditions these facilities are appropriate.
The resolution does not itself prohibit data centers in Mendham. Rather, it is a policy statement urging the State to preserve municipal authority over data-center development and to ensure local taxpayers and ratepayers are not required to bear development-related costs without meaningful local involvement.
What’s next: The resolution directs the Borough Clerk to send copies to the Governor, state legislative leadership and the Borough’s legislators, the Board of Public Utilities, DEP, League of Municipalities, Association of Counties, Property Taxpayers Coalition, and neighboring municipalities. It also encourages other municipalities to support local land-use authority.
Resolution #160-2026 – Special Environmental Wastewater Counsel
What happened: The Borough authorized hiring John A. Napolitano, Esq. as special counsel to advise the Borough on a specialized environmental wastewater matter involving NJDEP TDS violations.
Why it matters: The resolution allows the Borough to obtain specialized legal advice on the wastewater issue and its regulatory implications with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
What’s next: The Mayor and Borough Clerk are authorized to execute the professional services agreement. The contract and resolution will be maintained on file with the Borough Clerk.
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: What is a consent agenda?
TL;DR
A consent agenda lets Council efficiently approve routine items in one vote.
Each item is still publicly listed and subject to Council approval, and any Council member or member of the public can ask for an item to be pulled for separate discussion and a vote.
What Is a consent agenda?
A consent agenda is a tool the Borough uses to handle routine matters efficiently during a Council meeting.
Mendham’s Borough Code authorizes a consent agenda as part of every regularly scheduled Council meeting. Items that are considered routine can be grouped together and approved with one motion and one vote, rather than requiring a separate motion and vote for every individual item.
The Code specifically lists examples of matters that may be placed on the consent agenda, including:
Approval of meeting minutes and payment of bills
Requests to use Borough facilities
Banner requests
Bingo and raffle applications
Certain permits, such as parades and sidewalk sales
Other routine matters that do not require further discussion
Does a consent agenda mean Coucil doesn’t review the items?
The consent agenda is a voting procedure.
Each item must still be listed separately on the agenda, and the underlying resolution, report, or other document must be filed with the Borough Clerk at least 24 hours before the meeting. Once approved, the items appear in the Council minutes in their complete form.
The purpose is primarily to avoid spending meeting time separately discussing and voting on routine matters when there is no request for discussion.
Can an item be removed?
Yes, and this is an important part of the process.
Before Council votes on the consent agenda, the Mayor opens the meeting to the public specifically to allow requests to remove an item from the consent agenda.
A member of the public, the Mayor, or any Council member can request that an item be removed. If that happens, the item is taken off the consent agenda and considered separately in its normal place on the agenda, where it can be discussed and voted on individually.
In other words, “consent” does not mean “no questions allowed.”
Why use a consent agenda?
For example, if Council has five routine items that have already been reviewed and nobody wants additional discussion, Council can approve all five with one motion and vote. If someone believes one of those items deserves additional discussion, that item can be pulled out and considered separately.
This allows Council meetings to spend more time on matters that require substantive discussion while still giving the public and Council members an opportunity to ask that individual items receive separate consideration.
The takeaway
A consent agenda is essentially a streamlined way to vote on routine Borough business.
It does not mean the items are exempt from Council approval, hidden from the public, or permanently shielded from discussion. Each item must be separately identified on the public agenda, supporting documents must be filed in advance, and any member of the public or Council can request that an item be removed and considered separately before the vote.
The goal is simple: use meeting time efficiently while preserving the ability to give any individual item the discussion and attention it deserves.
How to Stay Engaged
📅 Next Council Meeting: September 23rd, 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.
