The Council passed Resolution 2025-119 during the Council Meeting held on Monday May 12th. This Resolution authorized modifications to the contract with NJ Community Solutions LLC.

This resolution allows the firm to provide a Borough Clerk and extend the consultant's services to an estimated 42 hours per week for an additional four weeks. These hours include evening meetings and any additional hours authorized in the original agreement, with a total cost not to exceed $76,000 without further approval from the Mayor and Council.

This is the third resolution expanding the consultant firm's role. The first, Resolution 2025-62, allocated up to $32,000 for Administrator services, with NJ Community Solutions providing a part-time consultant to serve as Interim Administrator and assist in recruiting a permanent Administrator.

The second, Resolution 2025-70, increased the contract amount to $48,000 and expanded the firm's role to include providing a Deputy Clerk, following the resignation of the previous Clerk. Subsequently, Resolution 2025-71 appointed Acting Administrator Maureen Ruane as Deputy Clerk.

Despite these efforts, the Borough has yet to hire a permanent Administrator.

Interviews with what appeared to be three candidates took place during Closed Session, but it remains unclear if interviews for a new Clerk have begun, or will commence once an Administrator is hired. The prolonged absence of permanent officials highlights the urgency of these appointments.

This brings the consulting firm's contract to a total of $76,000. An increase of $44,000 from the original hiring of the firm for $32,000.