MOUNTAINSIDE — The Mountainside Borough Council voted to introduce its 2024 budget during its regular meeting on Tuesday evening.
According to Mayor Paul Mirabella, this is the first time in recent years that the new budget has translated to an increase for Mountainside residents.
According to his budget report, the increase will be approximately $161 per household on an average borough home assessment of $629,424.
The mayor listed some increases responsible for the additional expenses, such as police promotions, the recycling contract, the utilities contract, ladder truck repairs for the fire department, group insurance rates and pensions.
It was noted that there was an increase of $234,490 from salaries and police promotions, a $10,000 increase for legal expenses and a $30,000 increase for the Department of Public Works (DPW).
The mayor noted that the second reading and public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Tuesday,April 16, at 7:30 p.m.
In other business, there were two police promotions at Tuesday’s meeting as well as many police department awards.
Officer William Sforza was sworn in as a sergeant at the meeting. It was reported that he has served the borough’s police force for eight years. He grew up in Mountainside, attending both Deerfield School and Governor Livingston High School. In addition, Officer Nicholas Hussey was sworn in as a corporal after serving the borough since 2018. He holds a bachelor’s degree in justice studies from Montclair University.
Officers Eric Pastore, Atreu Melville, Timothy Stasyshyn, Melissa Hernandez, Corporal Jonathan Hagan and Sergeant Thomas Norton were all awarded Life Saving Honors for having saved citizens from an overdose, choking and another medical emergency.
Officer Brendan Carlos, Detective Ryan Carr, Detective James Debbie, Sergeant Christopher Feighner, Officer Timothy Stasyshyn and Corporal Nicholas Hussey were all awarded for their work apprehending a dangerous suspect who had various aggravated assault and other criminal charges.
Officer Carlos was awarded for his work in taking away an unlawfullypossessed firearm. Many of the previously- mentioned officers also were recognized for their work in finding a missing child who had wandered away from their family in the Watchung Reservation.
In separate business, the Mountainside Elks awarded monies to the following groups: the Mountainside Rescue Squad, in the amount of $4,000; the borough’s Police Athletic League, in the amount of $1,000; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, which received $1,000.
Further, the governing body unanimously approved a resolution compensating each council member $3,000 and the mayor $5,000 for their service to the borough, effective immediately.
ThenextMountainsideCouncilmeeting will be held on Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m., at the Municipal Building.
