Plainfield council approves raises for mayor and council after heated public hearing

Plainfield — The City Council voted on second reading to increase pay for the mayor and for council members, adopting MC2025-46 and MC2025-47 after public hearings that drew dozens of residents.

The council adopted the mayor's salary ordinance (MC2025-46) by roll call: Briggs Jones — No; Cherry — Yes; Graham — Yes; McCray — Yes; Wyatt — No; Sessoms — Yes; Hockaday — Yes (5 in favor, 2 opposed). The subsequent council pay ordinance (MC2025-47) passed with an identical roll-call pattern.

Supporters who called in and attended the meeting argued the raises will make elected office more accessible. Former councilmember Bridget Rivers said, “Public office was rooted in privilege, not accessibility... the work does not stop at city hall.” Other callers and speakers, including several residents from the gallery, opposed the timing and the size of the increases and raised procedural concerns under the Open Public Meetings Act. One in-person speaker said the proposed mayoral increase from $85,000 to $115,000 was “a little too much” and criticized how the matter was presented; callers also pushed back that the public did not receive adequate notice of late adjustments.

Mayor Adrian Mapp addressed public concerns later in the meeting, saying his administration has engaged immigrant communities and hosted a roundtable with ministers and immigration attorneys to explain residents' rights in the event of ICE actions. He also stated he has consistently opposed draconian federal immigration policies and said, “I have never been silent about ICE raids.”

City clerks and counsel explained the agenda and notice requirements during the meeting, citing NJSA 10:4–6 procedures that allow agenda modifications and on-the-spot amendments when items are introduced at a regular meeting. Council members who voted no cited fiscal optics and constituent concerns; those voting yes said the increases were modest relative to city budgets and would help broaden who can serve in elected office.

The ordinances will be published as required by law after adoption. The council also approved multiple other ordinances and resolutions in the same session, including redevelopment plans and equipment purchases.