Mary J. Novak
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 13
- Total speaking time
- 1:33:39
- Avg per meeting
- 7:12
- Segments
- 1528
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Top issues during term (20)
Data Center Moratorium
Undetermined — a ban would shape what kind of large-scale development can locate in town.
Capital Budget and Road Funding
$2,177,433.50 combined from capital accounts.
Flock license plate cameras
The borough reportedly pays about $180,000 for the Flock system, per a speaker.
1909 town hall / President Park firehouse repair delays
It's a roughly $3 million renovation currently drawing on historical preservation funds.
Main Street downtown parking and speeding
A bypass project funded with about $9 million in state aid has stalled, per a resident.
Cheesequake Road Property Preservation
No purchase price or cost estimate has been discussed.
Optimum Cable Service Complaints
Potential consumer savings through competition; $14.95/month low-income Internet Essentials program cited.
Hercules Redevelopment Plan II — Sunshine Biscuit site
Opponents warn data centers could raise residents' electric bills; a realty brochure cites up to 4.6 million gallons of fresh water per day possible for the development.
Volunteer firefighter LOSAP increase
Voter approval would increase the Borough's annual LOSAP contribution to volunteers.
Dispensary ban reconsideration
2026 Municipal Budget introduction
The 2026 budget remains unadopted, creating uncertainty for borough spending and taxes.
Fire District Budget Question
Any increase would hit the 2027 budget, not this year's.
Willow Street Sewer Force Main Work
Roughly $690,000 combined across well maintenance and two pump station projects.
2026 municipal budget and tax increase
The 2026 budget remains unadopted, creating uncertainty for borough spending and taxes.
Remote participation (Zoom) in council meetings
Opponents cited added costs for technology, IT staffing and meeting moderation.
Cultural Arts Committee leadership dispute
The council operates with a budget line item historically separate from recreation; members are asking for an increase in 2026.
Senior center pole barn parking loss
Funded by surplus CDBG money rather than new taxpayer dollars.
Old Firehouse Repair
Repair costs are borne by the responsible contractor, not the borough.
Canal Road flooding after pipe replacement
Youth sports and scouting fee assistance
Cost unknown until troop numbers are submitted; the current-year budget is already adopted.
Decisions during term (296)
Recorded while Novak was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of Prior Minutes — September 28, 2026 Regular/Agenda Session
Adoption of Consent Agenda Resolutions 2026-252 through 2026-257
Acceptance of Correspondence
Closure of Public Portion
Motion to Adjourn
Rent Leveling Board – October 13, 2026.
Authorization for the Tax Collector to refund taxes and cancel all subsequently billed taxes due to 100% Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption for the following: a) 26 Creamer Drive, Block 83.16, Lot 32 in the amount of $537.94. b) 1302 English…
Approval of September 14, 2026 meeting minutes
Appointment of Sgt. Brian Braille as deputy OEM coordinator
Appointment of Rich Papalski to CDBG committee
Consent agenda Resolutions 2026-244 through 2026-250
Motion to ban data centers borough-wide
APPROVAL OF PRIOR MINUTES OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL: September 14, 2026 - Regular/Agenda Session
Resolution approving bills for payment.
Authorizing the Tax Collector to refund taxes and cancel all subsequently billed taxes due to 100% Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption for Block 449.08, Lot 100 in the amount of $10,917.76.
Authorizing the Tax Collector to refund taxes and cancel all subsequently billed taxes due to 100% Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption for Block 442.11, Lot 206 in the amount of $1,691.90.
Authorizing the Tax Collector to refund taxes and cancel all subsequently billed taxes due to 100% Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption for Block 435.02, Lot 10 in the amount of $3,118.06.
Authorizing the Borough Clerk to advertise for the RFP’s for Professional Services for the upcoming year 2027.
Authorizing the Mayor and Borough Engineer to execute the necessary NJDEP permit application forms associated with the HCI DP Land Acquisition LLC Site Plan project.
Authorizing the Mayor and Borough Clerk to execute a Multi-Party Traffic Signal Agreement with the County of Middlesex and Main Street South II, LLC at the intersection of Kimball Drive East and Main Street.
Voting record (128)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Motion to ban data centers borough-wide
Receive and file Planning Board resolution re Ordinance #19-26 (Hercules Redevelopment Plan II)
Adopt Ordinance #19-26 — Amended Hercules Redevelopment Plan II (Sunshine Biscuit site)
Adopt Ordinance #20-26 — Handicapped parking space on Pulaski Avenue
Adopt Ordinance #21-26 — Comcast rights-of-way use agreement
Adopt consent agenda Resolutions 2026-233 through 2026-243
Wants the JCP&L payment issue addressed at the finance meeting but supported the package.
Motion directing attorney to draft resolution objecting to NJDOT roundabout project
Believes the roundabouts would make the intersection more dangerous than it is now.
Accept correspondence, including Beth Freyer retirement
the following minutes be approved, subject to correction if necessary: July 20, 2026 - Regular/Agenda & Executive Sessions August 17, 2026 - Regular/Agenda Session
the following proclamation be approved
the Public Hearing be closed and the Ordinance be adopted on second and final reading and advertised according to law
the Ordinance be approved on first reading, advertised according to law and a Public Hearing be scheduled for September 28, 2026
the Ordinance be approved on first reading, advertised according to law and a Public Hearing be scheduled for September 28, 2026
the Ordinance be approved on first reading, advertised according to law and a Public Hearing be scheduled for September 28, 2026
close the Public Portion and adopt the Consent Agenda Resolutions and tabling Resolution #2026-232
accept the correspondence
the appointment
intent to add the property on Cheesequake Road (bus depot) to Open Space
Appointment of Veronica Konopka — Cultural Arts Council
Had not read the application prior to the vote.
Motion to permanently ban data centers
Motion of intent — Cheesequake Road bus depot property as open space
Adoption of Consent Agenda Resolutions 2026-205 through 2026-218
Acceptance of Correspondence
Motion for permanent ban on data centers
Appointment of Kurt Hulse as Plumbing Subcode Official (PT)
Opposed until it is confirmed the hire is a borough resident.
Adoption of Ordinance #17-26 (Deed of Dedication and Easements from Parlin Section 1 Urban Renewal, LLC)
Appointment of Bharti Shah to the Cultural Arts Council
Introduction of Ordinance #18-26 (Junior Firemen's Auxiliary requirements)
Appointment of Kimberly Sutton as Public Safety Telecommunicator (Per Diem)
Won't vote yes without knowing whether the hire is a borough resident.
the appointment
the Ordinance be approved on first reading, advertised according to law and a Public Hearing be scheduled for September 14, 2026
appoint Kimberly Sutton as Public Safety Telecommunicator – Per Diem in the Police Dept., effective September 1, 2026
close the Public Portion and adopt the Consent Agenda Resolutions with 2026-216 amended as described by Counsel which strikes the term renovation and replaces it with preservation
the Public Hearing be closed and the Ordinance be adopted on second and final reading and advertised according to law
make a permanent ban on data centers that will give the residents and the governing body infinite time to make a thoughtful decision and not rush a decision to allow these data centers in
accept the correspondence
appoint Kurt Hulse as Plumbing Subcode Official - PT in the Construction Dept. effective September 1, 2026
2026 Budget Amendment (Resolution #2026-184)
Adoption of Ordinance #15-26 (18-Month Data Center Moratorium)
Once an application is filed it is too late under state law
Motion to Amend to a Permanent Data Center Ban
Wants a complete ban on data centers
Motion to Implement Zoom Public Participation
Ordinance #15-26 — Data center moratorium: total-ban amendment fails 3-3
Ordinance #15-26 — 18-month data center moratorium introduced (first reading)
Prefers a total ban but accepted 18 months as better than nothing.
Ordinance #15-26 — Motion to extend moratorium to 24 months fails
Motion for a data center referendum fails 3-3
to reintroduce Ordinance #15-26 extending the moratorium from 18 months to 24 months
to amend the ordinance for a total ban
for a referendum on data centers
Motion for 18-Month Data Center Moratorium
Initially opposed as too short, but preferred 18 months over no action at all.