Jackson, NJ—A grant from Jackson’s Clean Communities program helped a local organization clear hundreds of trash bags of litter from the city’s roadways this weekend.
New Jersey Clean Communities is a statewide program that promotes volunteer cleanup of public lands.
This week, dozens of local groups hit the highways with trash bags and began cleaning the streets.
Each year, the township hosts these public cleanups and reimburses organizations and community groups $500 per mile of road cleaned. That funding comes from the NJ DEP’s New Jersey Clean Communities grant.
This year, approximately 30 groups, directed by Jackson DPW under Shawn Bolinksy hit the roads and cleaned up over 200 bags of trash. That doesn’t include the tires or wood pallets discarded along the roadside, which were also collected.
Jackson Council President Jennifer Kuhn worked alongside the Jackson Thunder Travel Little League to clean up Grawtown Road.
“This is a great way for the community to pitch in and help keep our roadways clean,” Councilwoman Kuhn said. I want to thank all of the organizations that came out to pitch in today.”
The Clean Communities Program was organized under Mayor Michael Reina’s administration. It was previously managed by Patricia Wood, who grew the program over the years before her passing in 2021.
- Jackson Council Votes 4-0 in Favor of Mayor Kuhn’s 5% Budget Increase With Minor Changes
Jackson Budget Fight Erupts as Mayor Declares ‘It Is Now Their Budget’ Amid $3.1 Million Spending Increase, as Mayor Kuhn skips an important budget hearing, delivering a sharply worded message that shifts blame and reinforces her public perception.
Jackson, NJ — A bitter political battle over Jackson Township’s proposed 2026 budget spilled into public view Tuesday night as Mayor Jennifer Kuhn sharply distanced herself from the spending plan, telling township council members that once a budget is introduced, “It is now their budget.”
The confrontation unfolded during a public hearing on a proposed $62.85 million municipal budget, which would increase total appropriations by approximately $3.08 million, or 5.15%, over the township’s 2025 budget of $59.77 million. The meeting featured criticism from residents, concerns from council members, and procedural challenges over how the budget was presented to the public.
Rather than defending the proposal, Kuhn used a statement read into the record by Business Administrator Terrafano to place responsibility squarely on the council before final adoption.
Mayor Challenges Council to Change Budget
Jackson’s interim Mayor Jennifer Kuhn was not present, but delivered a sharply worded message to the council, shifting the budget from her desk to theirs and distancing herself from the process.
Kuhn’s statement, delivered by Business Administrator Charles Tarenfenko, carried a confrontational tone, arguing that the governing body’s complaints about spending should be addressed through amendments rather than public criticism.
“Council may approve the budget as is, can increase or decrease any specific line item in a proposed budget and may amend the budget in any way they deem appropriate,” Kuhn said.
“If they wish to increase taxes, make any cuts, or make any other changes, they are free to do so. And I, as a mayor, have no say in those changes. It is now their budget.”
The mayor noted that council members had five weeks to review the proposal after its introduction.
“Tonight, they have the chance to put their money where their mouth is and change the budget as they deem fit,” Kuhn said.
“If they want to cut spending, now is the time they can do so. If they want to raise revenue, they can do that as well.”
She concluded with a direct challenge to critics.
“The final adoption in terms of the municipal budget by law can only be done by the council. If you don’t like it, change it.”
The council did not cut or change much in the budget at all.
Council Opposition Emerges
Councilman Christopher Pollak openly questioned whether he could support the spending plan, raising concerns about the township’s financial direction and recent spending priorities.
At the start of the meeting, Pollak criticized township leadership and referenced broader concerns about Jackson’s fiscal condition, including discussion surrounding a proposed $5 million softball complex.
“I’d like our leadership to take responsibility for where we are at today financially,” Pollak said.
He later added, “I have a lot of concerns and I don’t know if I could put my name on this budget.”
Pollak’s comments signaled growing divisions within township leadership as officials move toward final budget adoption.
Key Points
• Jackson’s proposed 2026 budget totals $62.85 million, up $3.08 million or 5.15% from 2025.
• Mayor Jennifer Kuhn told council members, “It is now their budget,” challenging them to make changes if they oppose spending levels.
• Councilman Christopher Pollak publicly questioned whether he could support the budget.
Cap Bank Ordinance Draws Questions
The budget debate also included a public hearing on Ordinance 2026-17, a cap bank measure needed to support the township’s spending plan.
Resident Sheldon Hoffstein questioned why the township was seeking to exceed appropriation limits and establish additional spending capacity. He asked whether the move would ultimately result in higher taxes.
Township financial officials responded that the ordinance itself does not raise taxes and instead addresses appropriation limitations under state budget laws.
Officials explained that Jackson has historically adopted the ordinance each year and warned that failure to pass it would force significant spending reductions.
“If this was not to be voted through, then an additional $700,000 would have to be cut for appropriations inside your cap,” the township’s chief financial officer said.
The ordinance passed following the public hearing.
Residents Attack Spending Increases
Public criticism intensified during the budget hearing itself.
Resident Eleanor Hannum delivered one of the sharpest critiques of the proposed spending plan, arguing that the budget reflected poor financial management and unnecessary growth in government costs.
Hannum pointed to the proposed $62.9 million budget and highlighted what she described as major increases in administrative and executive salaries. She also questioned a nearly $938,475 legal judgment line item and estimated that legal expenses and judgments together total roughly $1.5 million.
She further criticized emergency spending practices and raised concerns about how open space funds are being utilized.
Her comments reflected broader frustration among residents who questioned why spending continues to increase while township finances remain under scrutiny.
Procedural Challenge Targets Budget Introduction
The hearing also produced a challenge to the budget adoption process itself.
Zoning Board member James Silecchia argued that the budget should not move forward because the user-friendly budget document was not available when the spending plan was originally introduced.
According to Sclafani, residents were deprived of the information needed to adequately review the proposal before the public hearing.
“The introduction was incomplete. The mistake is clear, and the correction is simple. Reintroduce the budget properly,” Sclafani told council members.
His comments raised questions about procedural compliance, though no immediate action was taken during the hearing.
Amendment Approved Before Hearing
Before opening the public hearing, council members unanimously approved Resolution 167-2026, which amended the introduced budget, shaving only $81,000 from the budget.
The vote was unanimous, despite Councilman Pollak’s earlier speech against the mayor’s budget he abstained from voting. The 5% increase is now the council’s budget going forward.
The council then proceeded with the formal budget hearing, where residents and officials spent considerable time discussing spending levels, legal costs, procedural concerns, and the township’s long-term financial outlook.
The available meeting record ends during public testimony, and the final vote on adopting the 2026 municipal budget was not visible in the portion reviewed. As of the conclusion of the available proceedings, the amended budget remained under consideration while township officials and residents continued debating Jackson’s fiscal priorities.
- Jackson Police Chief Responds to Viral Video Alleging Racial Profiling During Traffic Stop
Jackson Township police say they are reviewing a traffic stop that sparked allegations of racial profiling and excessive force after a video of the encounter spread across social media.
JACKSON — The Jackson Township Police Department has launched an internal review after a viral video prompted allegations that officers racially profiled a Black motorist during a traffic stop near the Jackson Mews apartment complex.
In a statement released this week, the department said it is aware of the concerns raised online and is conducting what it identified as ‘a thorough and impartial review’ of the incident.
Key Points
• A Jackson Township resident alleges he was racially profiled and injured during a traffic stop.
• Police say the incident is under review and all allegations will be examined.
• Video of the encounter has generated widespread debate on social media.
“The Jackson Township Police Department takes all allegations of discrimination seriously,” Jackson Police Chief Mary Nelson said in a statement. “We are aware of the concerns that have been raised and are reviewing the matter in accordance with our policies and procedures.”
Officials added that they encourage anyone with information related to the incident to contact the department so it can be included in the review.
Driver alleges racial profiling
The motorist, a Jackson Township resident and DJ who performs under the name ViBin Mall, alleges officers targeted him because he is Black after observing him sitting in his vehicle inside the Jackson Mews apartment complex.
According to the man, he was speaking on the phone inside his vehicle before leaving to go grocery shopping when a patrol vehicle drove past him, later positioned itself near the complex entrance, and eventually followed him before initiating a traffic stop.
Video recorded during the encounter captured an officer explaining why police initially became interested in him.
“When we drove by in the Mews, we just saw you. I was a little concerned. It looked like you were reaching down, just like hiding your face,” the officer said.
The officer also referenced the driver’s clothing and a handicap placard displayed in the vehicle.
“We came by, you’re wearing a sweatshirt in 80-degree weather, you got the handicap placard up. There’s people that complain in the Mews about people parking in handicap spots,” the officer said.
The driver challenged the explanation and accused officers of targeting him because of his race.
“So you’re trying to say I look suspicious walking out of my own apartment? Why? Because I’m Black?” he responded.
Dispute escalated during stop
Throughout the encounter, the driver repeatedly requested a supervisor and declined officers’ commands to exit the vehicle.
Video shows officers warning that continued refusal could result in an obstruction charge.
“Step out of the car, you’re going to get locked up for obstruction,” one officer said.
At another point in the recording, officers referenced an expired vehicle inspection sticker as a traffic violation.
The driver questioned whether officers were attempting to justify the stop after the fact, while officers maintained they were investigating suspicious activity and enforcing traffic laws.
Man claims arrest aggravated spinal injury
The motorist alleges the encounter became physical after recording stopped.
According to statements posted on social media, he claims officers forcibly removed him from the vehicle, slammed him against his car, and aggravated injuries from a previous spinal fusion surgery.
The man said he was transported for medical treatment and underwent X-rays following the arrest. He alleges additional testing was recommended to determine whether existing spinal hardware had been damaged.
Department promises review
The Jackson Township Police Department has not released details regarding the arrest report or officers’ full account of the incident. Officials said the department remains committed to professionalism, accountability, and maintaining public trust while the review continues.
“A thorough and impartial review will be conducted to ensure all relevant facts and circumstances are considered,” the department said.
The allegations made by the motorist have not been independently verified, and the department’s review remains ongoing.