February 18, 2026 Minutes
Budget Meeting of the Mayor and Commmittee

Mayor VanderGroef called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and requested that the Clerk call the roll. Upon roll call, the following members of the governing body were present: Mayor Justin VanderGroef, Deputy Mayor Ron Bassani, and Committeeman Justin Dudzinski. Also, present: Administrator Michael Restel, CFO Ashley Kannaley, and Township Clerk Melissa Morales.

Mayor VanderGroef stated, “This meeting is being held in compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meeting Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231. It has been properly noticed and certified by the Clerk.”

Presentations of Budgets

Recreation

Mayor VanderGroef opened the Budget Meeting to Wantage Township Recreation.

Nicole Dunn presented their 2026 Recreation Budget request and went line by line with explanations of their proposed budget.

Public Works

Mayor VanderGroef opened the Budget Meeting to DPW.

Supervisor Mark Little presented the 2026 DPW Budget.

Mr. Little requested two additional full-time employees, an increase in the salt budget, and an additional storage area in the upper-shop repair area. Mr. Little requested a single axle dump truck and parts for the skid steer. Mr. Little requested an increase in the budget for stormwater needs.

Emergency Management

Mayor VanderGroef opened the Budget Meeting to OEM.

Wantage Township Office of Emergency Manager, Joe Konopinski presented his budget increase needs.

Mr. Konopinski requested radios, mobile and handheld, for the new deputy coordinators estimating $7,300.

Mr. Konopinski stated the OEM conference is $500 and training is $1,050.

Mr. Konopinski requested $20,350 for a Portable Sign Board to be used by the Fire Department and Road Department for township announcements and safety notices.

Fire Departments

Hunter Space, Wantage Township Fire Department Chief, Captain Alex Rubin, Collesville, and Mike Ferrarella, Deputy Chief Colesville presented their 2026 Fire Department Budget.

Chief Space gave an update on the total responses for the Wantage Township Fire Department, Unionville Automatic Aid Responses into Wantage and Sussex Automatic Aid Responses into Wantage from 2022-2025.

Chief Space requested a $5,000 increase to the Chief’s Budget to cover increased costs associated with mandatory testing, also fund training that is required by the New Jersey Division of Forest Safety.

Captain Alex Rubin requested a replacement plan for Collesville Engine 621.

Chief Space stated PEOSHA budgets remain the same.

Chief Space presented quotes for hoses for Collesville Fire Department ($5,365.80) and for Beemerville Fire Department ($27,999.95).

Public

Mayor VanderGroef opened the meeting to the Public.

Kathy Gorman. Mrs. Gorman asked if there was a budget for the animal shelter. Mr. Restel advised they have a budget.

Adjournment

Mayor VanderGroef requested a motion to adjourn. Motion made by Mr. Bassani and seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. All were in favor. Meeting adjourned 6:47 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Melissa Morales, Township Clerk