Rahway City Council Recap: Tenants Demand Action at Packed Meeting
Council members addressed Plaza Apartments complaints, advanced new parking rules, backed immigrant protections, and discussed the NJ governor race.
Residents of the Rahway Plaza Apartments lined up to address officials during Tuesday’s Rahway City Council meeting. (The Central Jerseyan)
October 15, 2025
The Rahway City Council tackled a packed agenda Tuesday night that spanned housing, redevelopment, parking, and immigration.
Residents from the Rahway Plaza Apartments demanded rent control and accountability from their landlord, while city officials approved several bond measures and advanced new parking ordinances.
The council also voiced support for immigrant protections ahead of the NJ governor race and confirmed Matthew Pukavich as Rahway’s new business administrator. All measures on the docket passed unanimously.
Plaza Apartments Residents Press for Action
Dozens of tenants from the Rahway Plaza Apartments packed City Hall on Monday night, demanding rent control and relief from what they called illegal rent hikes and skyrocketing electric bills.
Robert Landolfi, chief of staff in the Mayor’s Office, said the city is issuing fines to the building’s landlord until elevators are fully repaired. He added that an audit of the complex’s energy billing is underway and that management has agreed to provide tenants with detailed usage and rate information.
Council Vice President Jeffrey Brooks called the conditions abhorrent, while Councilman David Brown urged residents to stay organized and work with the city to pursue legal remedies.
In response to the complaints, Denholtz released a statement:
Denholtz has proudly managed Rahway Plaza for decades and remains deeply committed to ensuring a positive experience for every resident. We take the concerns raised by residents seriously and have been engaging directly with them and the City of Rahway to address their feedback. We will continue to work closely with residents to ensure concerns are resolved fairly and promptly.
New Business Administrator Confirmed
The Rahway City Council unanimously approved Matthew Pukavich as the city’s new business administrator. Council members praised Pukavich’s leadership and public service record.
“He’s a brilliant choice by the mayor,” said Councilman Jeremy Mojica, adding that Pukavich’s appointment will “help drive great things for Rahway.”
City Leaders Express Support for the Immigrant Community
Mayor Raymond Giacobbe and several council members voiced support for passing a local resolution endorsing the Immigrant Trust Act. The proposed bill in Trenton would turn into law a directive by the state Attorney General’s office that limits the types of voluntary assistance that state and local authorities may provide to federal immigration authorities.
Giacobbe said that as the husband of an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, he is personally sympathetic to the concerns of Rahway’s immigrant community. He also said that local police are abiding by the state attorney general’s directive.
Residents urged the council to act before the NJ governor race concludes next month, citing fears the directive could be reversed if Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli wins.
Council Vice President Jeffrey Brooks echoed support for a resolution and said he has noticed fewer Latino residents at community events in recent months.
Resident Calls for Safer Streets for Cyclists
John Pisco, president of a local cycling club, asked the city to install clearer “Share the Road” signs to protect bicyclists. Pisco referenced a recent fatal crash in Westfield, where a 71-year-old cyclist was struck and killed by a driver accused of being under the influence.
Mayor Giacobbe responded that the city would work to improve signage and awareness to make Rahway’s streets safer for cyclists.
Bond Measures and Parking Ordinances Advance
The council approved and introduced several ordinances tied to redevelopment, infrastructure, and Rahway parking regulations.
Advanced to final reading:
O-49-25: Allocates $750,000 for new ambulances and vehicle upgrades.
O-50-25: Appropriates $500,000 for property acquisitions on Lewis Street and East Cherry Street.
O-51-25: Provides $1.5 million for downtown and Arts District property purchases.
O-52-25 & O-53-25: Expand permit-only parking on Central Avenue near the Willows Apartments and UCPAC.
Approved on final reading:
O-38-25: Funds $365,000 in parking utility improvements.
O-42-25: Updates rate structures for high-volume water users.
O-44-25 & O-45-25: Adjust Rahway parking meter rates and create new residential zones.
O-47-25: Sets aside $250,000 for environmental testing in redevelopment areas.
O-48-25: Requires registration and inspection of rental properties with four or more units.
Resolutions and Community Updates
The council also approved:
AR-244-25: Closure of St. Georges Avenue for Netflix’s upcoming film “Bad Day.”
AR-238-25 & AR-239-25: Designating new redevelopment areas on St. Georges Avenue and Church Street.
AR-237-25: Submission of CDBG funding priorities to Union County.
AR-234-25: Extending a private inspection contract for elevator enforcement.
AR-241-25: Shared services with Plainfield for lead hazard investigations.
All resolutions passed unanimously.
Lastly, the council approved a street closure for the Midwood Drive Halloween Block Party and recognized National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as highlighted by Councilman David Brown.
***Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include a statement from Denholtz.