Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Mountainside Borough Council Election 2026
2 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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How to vote · 12 days left
Early voting begins (Oct 24): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
Borough Council
Vote for up to 2- Robert BarlettaSenior communications executive and former chief of staff in the New Jersey General Assembly. He is a longtime volunteer youth soccer coach in Mountainside.7sourced
- Stefania ColosimoCPA and Director of Financial Planning & Analysis at a private equity firm, and a former Deloitte auditor. She also owns investment properties and runs an interior design business.6sourced
- Steven MatejekIncumbentLicensed CPA, chief financial officer of a commercial real estate firm, and Borough Council President. He joined the Borough Council in January 2021.11sourced
- Valerie WassIncumbentBorough Council member and project manager with a background in auditing, finance and project management. She is the council liaison to the Mountainside Rescue Squad, the Planning Board, Mountainside Active Retirees and Children's Specialized Hospital.12sourced
Voters choose two of four candidates for at-large Borough Council seats with three-year terms; the mayor is not on the 2026 ballot.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- U.S. Senate
- Cory Booker · Democratic
- Justin Murphy · Republican
- Veronica Fernandez · End the Corruption!
- Joanne Kuniansky · Socialist Workers Party
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
- Alex Van DeusenCouncilmember; term ends December 20276sourced
- Rene DierkesCouncilmember; term ends December 20285sourced
- Paul N. MirabelliMayor; term ends December 20271sourced
- Donna PacificoCouncilmember; term ends December 20285sourced
- Donald Rinaldo Jr.Councilmember; term ends December 20275sourced
Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.
What the next council decides
01Community pool renovation3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn August 2026 the council adopted an $8.4 million bond ordinance to renovate the Mountainside Community Pool.
What's on the tableThe next council will oversee bids, borrowing, grant applications and fees for the pool project.
- Ordinance 1358-2026 appropriates $8.4 million for the pool renovation, including a $400,000 down payment and up to $8 million in bonds or notes. Borough of Mountainside · Aug 18, 2026
- The council adopted the pool bond ordinance 6-0 on Aug. 18, 2026. Borough of Mountainside · Aug 18, 2026
- Councilman Steve Matejek said the borough has applied for $1 million in grants for the project. TAPinto Mountainside · Oct 8, 2026
02Affordable housing obligation3 sourced facts
Where it standsMountainside committed to a fourth-round obligation of 137 new units in January 2025 and adopted zoning to carry out its housing plan in August 2026.
What's on the tableThe council will decide how the borough meets its 2025-2035 affordable housing obligation and where any new units go.
- Resolution 31-2025 says the correct Round 4 prospective need number for Mountainside is 137, not 171. Borough of Mountainside · Jan 21, 2025
- Ordinance 1359-2026 establishes an inclusionary zone district called L-1/AH2 and a town-wide mandatory set-aside. Borough of Mountainside · Aug 18, 2026
- In December 2025 the council passed a resolution urging the Legislature to defeat bill S-4736. Borough of Mountainside · Dec 16, 2025
03Speeding and pedestrian safety2 sourced facts
Where it standsA resident submitted a petition about speeding to the council in October 2025.
What's on the tableThe council will decide whether to add staff, signs, crosswalks or sidewalks to address speeding.
- At the Oct. 21, 2025 meeting, Robert Barletta submitted a petition about speeding for the record. Borough of Mountainside · Oct 21, 2025
- The mayor said e-bike safety programs are being offered and requiring e-bike registration is forthcoming. Borough of Mountainside · Oct 21, 2025
04Budget and capital planning3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe 2026 municipal budget authorizes $11,258,113.49 for municipal purposes.
What's on the tableThe council will set future budgets and decide how to plan and pay for capital projects.
- The council adopted the 2026 budget 5-0 on May 19, 2026. Borough of Mountainside · May 19, 2026
- The mayor said the borough received $967,458 in grants in 2025. Borough of Mountainside
- In August 2026 the council appropriated $590,000 for joint-use field improvements at the Beechwood School athletic field. Borough of Mountainside · Aug 4, 2026
1 note on these statements
Incumbents Valerie Wass and Steven Matejek are seeking re-election; Stefania Colosimo and Robert Barletta are running for their first terms. TAPinto Mountainside · Sep 22, 2026
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Who matches you?
Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.
1. How should the $8.4 million pool renovation go forward?
2. How should Mountainside respond to the state's affordable housing numbers?
3. Who should lead the borough's response to speeding complaints?
4. Should Mountainside add sidewalks?
5. How far ahead should the borough plan its capital spending?
Key dates
- Voter registration deadlineUnion County ClerkOct 13, 2026
- Early voting begins (through Nov. 1)Union County ClerkOct 24, 2026
- Last day to apply by mail for a mail-in ballotUnion County ClerkOct 27, 2026
- General election day (polls 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.)Union County ClerkNov 3, 2026
The seat math
5 stay (not up this year): Alex Van Deusen, Rene Dierkes, Paul N. Mirabelli, Donna Pacifico, Donald Rinaldo Jr.2 on this ballot
6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.
- Mountainside has a mayor elected to a four-year term and a six-member Borough Council elected at-large to staggered three-year terms. Borough of Mountainside
- The Borough Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:30 pm in Borough Hall. Borough of Mountainside
- Mayor Paul N. Mirabelli's term ends on December 31, 2027. Wikipedia
- The 2026 ballot has two Members of Council seats with three-year terms (vote for two). Union County Clerk · Sep 3, 2026
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