Mountainside Council Acts on Field, Paving, and Police

The Mountainside Borough Council, at its regular meeting on August 18, 2026, passed a bond ordinance for a pool replacement project, awarded contracts for a new athletic field and road paving, and authorized the hiring of a new police officer.

The largest action of the evening centered on Beechwood Athletic Field, to be built behind Beechwood School. The council passed a resolution awarding Gallen Contracting of Midland Park, NJ, the construction contract at $797,000 — the lowest of six bids the borough received. A separate ordinance appropriating $250,000 from the capital improvement fund for the Gallen contract was introduced at the same meeting.

The full Beechwood Athletic Field project will be paid out of the capital improvement fund, with part of the funding drawn from previously sold borough assets. The planned field will measure 110 yards long by 65 yards wide, making it a regulation sized soccer field — the only other regulation sized soccer field in the borough is at Deerfield School. The layout allows for reducing the field size, moving or rotating goals, and creating smaller fields across the larger playing surface. Proposed retaining walls would be built along Beechwood Court and the back end of the field.

The Mountainside Board of Education approved plans for the field in June. Mayor Paul Mirabelli addressed the field's long term management in a May statement: "Once the borough creates the field, we're going to be turning it over to the board of education. Once we turn it over to them, they're going to be responsible for maintaining the sprinkler system and maintaining the area out there."

On road work, the council awarded a paving contract for Nottingham Way to Midwest Construction Inc. of Southampton, NJ. That contract totals $258,256.61, and Midwest Construction was the lowest of five bidders.

The council also authorized hiring James Greany as a new Mountainside police officer. Greany officially began with the department on July 27 and will serve a one year probationary period.

The council additionally passed a bond ordinance to finance a replacement project for the borough's pool.

Union County Life covers Mountainside government and municipal announcements. Stay informed about Mountainside borough decisions on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: What is Mountainside's largest capital project?
A: The Beechwood Athletic Field project behind Beechwood School, with a construction contract of $797,000 awarded to Gallen Contracting.

Q: What are the field dimensions?
A: The field will measure 110 yards long by 65 yards wide, making it a regulation-sized soccer field.

Q: Will the field be flexible in size?
A: Yes. The layout allows for reducing the field size, moving or rotating goals, and creating smaller fields across the larger playing surface.

Q: How many regulation-sized soccer fields does Mountainside have?
A: Currently one at Deerfield School; Beechwood will be the second.

Q: Who will maintain the Beechwood Athletic Field?
A: Once the borough completes construction, it will turn the field over to the Board of Education, who will be responsible for maintaining the sprinkler system and the field area.

Q: Did the Board of Education approve the field plans?
A: Yes. The Mountainside Board of Education approved plans for the field in June 2026.

Q: What is the paving contract for?
A: The council awarded a paving contract for Nottingham Way to Midwest Construction Inc.

Q: How much is the paving contract?
A: The contract totals $258,256.61, and Midwest Construction was the lowest of five bidders.

Q: Who is the new police officer?
A: James Greany, who officially began with the department on July 27 and will serve a one year probationary period.

Q: What other project did the council approve?
A: The council passed a bond ordinance to finance a replacement project for the borough's pool, though specific bond amounts were not detailed.

Q: When is the next council meeting?
A: Check the borough website for the next meeting date and agenda.