Last night, the Mayor and Council held their first official meeting of the new year. The meeting agenda included several resolutions, none of which elicited any public comments. With two new council members, the committees have all been reassigned, and no formal committee meetings have been held yet. After some brief public comments, the mayor, council, clerk, attorney, and labor attorney went into a closed session at 7:50.

The agenda for the closed session indicated they were discussing four topics: Personnel, Contract Negotiations, Potential Litigation, and Acquisition of Land with Public Funds. At times, raised voices could be heard coming from the room, and the closed session ended at 9:25.

Coming out of closed session, Mayor Richard Onderko said: "This evening, Council President Skirkanish would like to read a motion, and he will require a second. Ron?"

(Editor's Note: The following Resolution text was read verbally and has been transcribed to the best of our ability.)

Update Note 1/15 5pm: We've learned that immediately after the meeting adjourned, Councilwoman Camacho changed her vote from "No" to "Abstain". It is our understanding that this was permitted by the attorneys present.

"Resolution 2025-26. Terminate the employment of Traci Dillingham. Whereas Traci R Dillingham has since January 2023 been serving in various positions as a salaried employee of the Borough of Manville.

Whereas said employment has been an at-will employee, and at the majority of the governing body has concluded it is best interest for the Borough to terminate Ms. Dillingham from her employment with the Borough.

Now therefore, be it resolved, by the Mayor & Council of the Borough of Manville, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, as follows:

1. Effective immediately, January 13th, 2025, Traci R Dillingham is hereby terminated from all employment positions, appointments, or titles that she presently holds or has held in the Borough of Manville.

2. Having considered Ms. Dillingham's request for extended leave of absence and her demands for modification of the terms of her employment. It is concluded that such requests are not in the best interests of the Borough and its operations, and said requests are denied.

3. Ms. Dillingham shall be paid 2 weeks salary as total of severance in full of any and all sums due to Ms. Dillingham, provided that such severance shall be offset by (unintelligible) any sums due to Ms. Dillingham. The Mayor & Labor Attorney are hereby authorized to sign such documents as are necessary to evicuate the intention of the resolution."

Council President Skirkanish Introduced this Resolution, seconded by DeVito.

Roll Call:
Council President Skirkanish -- Yes

Councilwoman Camacho -- "I just had a lot of information thrown at me, and I would've liked a little bit more time to review. So I will have to say no."

Councilman DeVito -- Yes

Councilman Lukac -- Yes

Councilwoman Puia -- (Paused for several seconds before answering) Yes

Councilwoman Zamorski -- Yes

Motion was adopted to 5 to 1. Mayor Onderko immediately moved to adjourn, and the meeting ended.

Manville.Today will be providing more information related to this story, particularly events from back in November. Stay tuned.