One Minute to Mansfield - Episode 2 - Town Meeting Recap 09/24/2025

Hey everyone, Mike Bollard here, your Republican primary nominee for Mansfield Township Committee. If you caught my One Minute to Mansfield video, this is the extended version with more details from the September 24th meeting.

The Committee approved an ordinance appropriating $196,000 from the township’s General Capital Reserves for various municipal needs. The funds break down as follows: $183,781.75 for road reconstruction, $9,006.85 for fire gear, $2,011.26 for DPW equipment, $1,000 for police equipment, and $60 for municipal improvements. Most of this money focuses on keeping our roads in good shape, while smaller amounts go toward safety and equipment needs for our emergency and maintenance departments.

The township approved roughly $65,000 in municipal bills this cycle. That total includes regular operating costs such as legal and engineering services, payroll and data management, and department supplies. Notable items include $1,500 for the annual speed sign maintenance renewal, which covers software licensing and support for the radar speed signs around town; new soccer and cheer uniforms for youth programs; a community event called “What Makes Magic… Magic” for senior residents on October 16th; and DPW orders for parts, filters, and safety supplies. The township is also rehabbing the tennis courts at Hector A. Caffarata Jr. Park, which have been in need of resurfacing and repair. Additionally, a property tax sale has been scheduled for November 19th.

Several resolutions were also passed. A new full-time police officer, Jared Van Valkenburg, was officially hired and will begin academy training on November 13th at the Passaic County Police Academy. His starting salary is $40,000 with a one-year probationary period under the PBA Local 369 contract. The township finalized the sale of Block 601.03, Lot 55 on Route 57 through Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Company. This sale was originally authorized under Resolution 187-2025 and closed on September 17th. A $60 zoning permit refund was issued to Rockstar Group LLC (Alte Roofing) after a duplicate payment was identified.

The township also accepted the donation of a 2006 Ford E-450 ambulance from resident Thomas Schiano. The vehicle was accepted “as-is” and is currently in undetermined condition. It will be assessed to determine if it can be placed back into service, and no additional costs or intended use were discussed at the time of questioning.

At Mansfield Meadows, 22 driveway permits and 3 Certificates of Occupancy have been issued. There were complaints of septic odor near the on-site processing plant, and a letter was issued to the developer addressing a line-of-sight concern at the entrance to the development.

The Committee also approved a motion for the Township Clerk to apply for the 2025 Safety and Loss Control Grant through the Statewide Insurance Fund, which could help fund new safety equipment and training initiatives. They also entered Executive Session to discuss personnel matters and updates from the Office of Emergency Management.

This meeting was largely procedural, but a few items — like the donated ambulance and the Mansfield Meadows concerns — will be worth following in the coming months.

Thank you for staying informed and engaged with our community. This has been another edition of One Minute to Mansfield — see you at the next meeting.

MANSFIELD TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING

September 24th, 2025 - 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Downloadable Files

Meeting Agenda - Here

Meeting Minutes - Here

Bill List - Here

Full Meeting Audio

Mansfield Township Committee Meeting Summary For Residents