Rahway City Council Approves Tree Removal Contract, Budget Transfers at Special Meeting
A brief, holiday-season meeting focused on shifting year-end funds and approving a contract to remove more than a dozen large trees.
A condemned tree at 580 W. Lake Ave. in Rahway, included in a city-approved tree removal contract. (via Google Maps)
December 29, 2025
The Rahway City Council convened a short special meeting Monday night to approve a series of year-end financial resolutions, including budget transfers between departments and a contract to remove multiple large city trees.
The meeting, held during the holiday season, lasted just over 10 minutes and featured no public comment.
The most detailed discussion centered on a resolution awarding a $66,300 contract to Rich Tree Service of South Plainfield for the removal of 16 city-owned trees deemed unhealthy or hazardous.
Mayor’s Chief of Staff Robert Landolfi, who also serves as executive director of the Rahway Redevelopment Agency, explained that the removals stem from a citywide review conducted by a certified arborist several years ago. He emphasized that arborist recommendations are guidance, not mandates, and that the city weighs multiple factors before deciding to remove a tree.
Those factors include:
- The tree’s overall health and anticipated longevity
- Risk of falling limbs or property damage
- Proximity to heavily traveled sidewalks or school routes
- Damage to sidewalks, underground utilities, or sewer infrastructure
- Accessibility concerns, particularly for residents using wheelchairs, canes, strollers, or other mobility aids
Landolfi said accessibility issues are often decisive, noting that exposed roots can make sidewalks impassable and pose safety risks.
“When an arborist says a tree needs to come down, that’s an easy decision,” Landolfi said. “But even when removal isn’t explicitly recommended, we still have to look at the broader impact on public safety and accessibility.”
The resolution passed unanimously as part of the consent agenda.
The council also approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of $705,800 in 2025 budget appropriations between departments. The transfers, permitted under state law during November and December, shift funds from departments that underspent their allocations to those facing higher-than-expected costs, including police, insurance, group health benefits, and the library.
Landolfi described the transfers as a routine year-end practice that allows the city’s finance staff to “drill down” and fine-tune departmental balances before the close of the fiscal year.
In addition, the council adopted a resolution approving the city’s 2024 Corrective Action Plan in response to recommendations from its annual audit. The plan outlines steps to improve recordkeeping, reconcile grant and capital accounts, address stale checks, and ensure compliance with public contracting laws.
Emergency Appropriation for Terminal Leave
The council unanimously approved a resolution creating a $970,000 emergency appropriation to fund terminal pay for accumulated sick and vacation leave, primarily within the police department.
Landolfi said such costs are often unanticipated due to flexibility in collective bargaining agreements regarding when leave can be taken. The resolution authorizes the city to issue emergency notes and defer repayment to the 2026 budget if necessary.
Landolfi closed his remarks by conveying Mayor Raymond Giacobbe’s wishes for a “happy and healthy New Year” as the city heads into 2026.
All four resolutions were adopted together on a single consent agenda vote.
No residents were present to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Council President Joseph Gibilisco adjourned the meeting roughly 15 minutes after it began.
A condemned tree at 835 E. Milton Ave. in Rahway slated for removal under a city contract. (via Google Maps)