Township Committee — February 24, 2026
The Committee adopted the 2026 Fourth Round Spending Plan for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and an agreement extending affordability controls on Ridge Oak's 247 age-restricted units for 40 years to 2072, introduced capital Ordinance #2594 ($1,449,000.00) and received the Tax Collector's 2025 report, all 5-0. Two people spoke.
- Housing
- Taxes
- Government
Meeting recording
Recording plays on the township archive
This meeting does not play on this page. The township's recording is complete and plays in full on the township's own channel.
What happened
What the record shows
All five members were present: Asay, Hodges, McNally, Tompkins and Mayor Duarte McCarthy. There was no executive session. Every vote below was 5-0 (aye Asay, Hodges, McNally, Tompkins, Duarte McCarthy). The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
A proclamation marked Black History Month and honored Captain Robert Terry, a Tuskegee Airman pilot and flight instructor who learned to fly at the former Somerset Hills Airport, and Estelle Terry, a licensed pilot who served in Tuskegee Airmen ground support (#2026-0165). Kayla Raff of Community Hope, Inc. presented its 2026 Community Development Block Grant application to Somerset County for an employment training program at its Hope for Veterans transitional housing; members spoke in support.
Housing
- #2026-0177 adopted the 2026 Fourth Round Spending Plan for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, prepared by planner Kendra Lelie, PP, AICP.
- #2026-0189 approved an affordable housing agreement with Ridge Oak Management, Inc. and Ridge Oak, Inc. extending affordability controls on 247 age-restricted units at 150 Manchester Drive for 40 years, November 1, 2032 to October 31, 2072. The resolution says this satisfies Ordinance #2573’s precondition for a site plan for at least 29 age-restricted low-income rental units at 95 Manchester Drive.
- #2026-0190, on consent, added $20,000.00 to the Central Jersey Housing Resource Center’s contract as administrative agent, to $113,730.00.
Attorney Belardo summarized the first two. See Fourth Round housing.
Ordinance introduced
- #2594, appropriating $1,449,000.00 for various capital improvements: hearing March 10, 2026. The minutes give only the title. See budget and taxes.
Resolutions
The consent agenda included:
- #2026-0185, the Tax Collector’s report of 2025 receipts, $158,151,551.14 in all, including $155,663,099.66 in 2025 taxes and $519,037.26 from Ridge Oak in lieu of taxes.
- #2026-0187, a $150,000.00 change order on rock salt, to $500,000.00 for 2026. See roads and paving.
- #2026-0184, the library’s 2026 contract with the Morris Automated Information Network, not to exceed $70,498.27, and a library assistant hire.
- #2026-0178, a clothing recycling bin license at Fellowship Village. See trash and recycling.
- Three disabled veterans’ property tax exemptions, an Engineering vacation payout, and a permit closing Lurline Drive for the Our House, Our Run on May 9, 2026.
By separate vote Gerald Slack was appointed to the Pool Commission. The February 10 minutes were approved.
Public comment
Two people spoke. Todd Edelstein of Riverside Drive spoke about the two public comment periods at Committee meetings and, later, about the ski club, the police department’s hours and residents’ clearing snow from sidewalks and fire hydrants. Mary Jane Walsh of Jamestown Road spoke about the Black History Month resolution and the monument honoring Captain Robert and Estelle Terry.
Records
- Minutes (township document page)
- Agenda (township document page)
- Video on the township’s YouTube channel. This page follows the Committee’s minutes.