Township Committee — November 10, 2025

The Township Committee’s minutes of this regular meeting, approved at its November 24 meeting, are on the Township’s Documents-On-Demand portal, linked from its Agendas/Minutes page, in the Township Committee and Board of Health minutes folder. Mayor Thomas Young called the meeting to order at 8:02 p.m. Present were Mayor Young, Mr. Brendon Beatrice, Mr. James Schworn and Mr. David Owens; Mrs. Anna Columbus was absent. Also present were Township Administrator Gregory Bonin, Director of Finance Diane Schubach, Township Clerk Maggie Schmitt and Township Attorney William Willard. The minutes record about 10 members of the public. No one spoke in either public comment period.

Radio bond ordinance

The Committee held the second reading and public hearing of Ordinance No. 2025-1502, “Bond Ordinance providing for the acquisition of communications equipment in and by the Township of Branchburg … appropriating $1,200,000 therefor and authorizing the issuance of $1,140,000 bonds or notes of the Township to finance part of the cost thereof.” The ordinance, read into the minutes, appropriates $1,200,000, including a $60,000 down payment from previously adopted budgets, and authorizes $1,140,000 in bonds or bond anticipation notes. It sets the period of usefulness at 10 years, includes up to $120,000 for “items of expense listed in and permitted under N.J.S.A. 40A:2-20,” and says any grant money received will go to the cost or to paying down the debt.

Mayor Young said the ordinance “will allocate funding to upgrade the radios for our Emergency Services Agencies.” No one spoke at the public hearing. The ordinance was adopted on motion of Mr. Schworn, seconded by Mr. Owens (the motion line in the minutes, under the 2025-1502 heading, reads “Ordinance No. 2025-1501”). Recorded vote: 4–0 (Aye: Schworn, Owens, Beatrice, Young).

Sewer rates and salary ranges introduced

Ordinance No. 2025-1503 amends Chapter 10, Section 10-5, “Rates for Sanitary Sewerage Service,” “to modify the rates and charges.” Mr. Bonin said it amends the annual rate collected for sewer service charges and “will add $50 to the average home on public sewer.” The minutes add that municipal rates had remained unchanged for many years, while charges from the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority continue to rise, “and it is essential for the utility to maintain financial stability.” It was introduced on motion of Mr. Schworn, seconded by Mr. Beatrice, for a public hearing on November 24, 2025.

Ordinance No. 2025-1504 amends Chapter 20, Subsection 20-1.1, “Schedule of Minimum and Maximum Salaries.” Mr. Bonin said it reflects a State requirement to update the minimum and maximum salary ranges for Township officials and employees each year. It was introduced on motion of Mr. Schworn, seconded by Mr. Beatrice, for a public hearing on November 24, 2025.

Digital signs in the I-1 Industrial Zone

The Committee held the second reading and public hearing of Ordinance No. 2025-1501, amending Subsection 4-8.12 of the Land Development Ordinance, “Signs in Nonresidential Zoning Districts,” “to permit digital signs in the I-1 Industrial Zone of the Township.” As read into the minutes, digital signs are permitted in the I-1 zone where not bordering or adjacent to a residential zone and prohibited where they are; they may display on-premises information only; they must be ground or monument signs meeting N.J.A.C. 16:41C-1.1 et seq. and the other sign rules of §LDO 4-8; existing signs that do not comply may not be converted to digital; and billboards may not be converted.

Mr. Schworn said the Township’s sign ordinance is out of date and that this ordinance will permit digital signs in the I-1 Industrial Zone. No one spoke at the public hearing. The ordinance was adopted on motion of Mr. Schworn, seconded by Mr. Beatrice. Recorded vote: 4–0 (Aye: Schworn, Owens, Beatrice, Young).

Other business

Sitting as the Board of Health, the Committee approved Resolution No. BH-2025-05, awarding a contract to Zufall Community Health Center, 4–0 on motion of Mr. Schworn, seconded by Mr. Beatrice.

Resolutions No. 2025-197 through 2025-202 and the departmental reports passed 4–0 on motion of Mr. Schworn, seconded by Mr. Beatrice: accepting inspection fees from GDB International Inc. (2025-197); 2026 amusement machine licenses for the Branchburg Sports Complex (2025-198) and for C.R.I. Branchburg (The Royal), Thirsty’s and Riverside Inn (2025-199); purchases of fire apparatus equipment for the Country Hills Volunteer Fire Department from FFI Apparatus LLC (2025-200) and for the North Branch Volunteer Fire Company from New Jersey Fire Equipment Company (2025-201); and a fully exempt disabled veteran property, Block 5.07, Lot 16 (2025-202). The claims for payment also passed 4–0; the attached bill list totals $4,600,135.36. The minutes of October 27 were approved.

Bernie Rosario, Chair of the Communications Committee, recognized the winners of its annual photo contest, voted on at the Branchburg Country Fair, where he said over 500 votes were cast: first place, Jackson Fiore (Neshanic Baseball Field); second, Chris Smith (Studdiford Bridge); third, Rich Skoba (Little Red School House).

In his report, Mr. Bonin said the contractor had planted about 100 trees so far in the tree planting program, with planting continuing the next week; that leaf pickup continues through the first week of December; and that he would meet that week with the consulting firm about the tennis courts.

In liaison reports, Mr. Owens said the Township does not take sewer-fee increases lightly, and a discussion of the current state of the sewerage authority followed. Mr. Owens and Mayor Young thanked residents who voted in the election, and Mr. Schworn and Mr. Beatrice congratulated them; Mr. Schworn also recognized Veterans Day. Mr. Beatrice listed upcoming Recreation events. Mayor Young asked Mr. Bonin to arrange a Parks and Open Space Committee meeting to set objectives for 2026, to set up a meeting with Readington Township about the Solberg Airport expansion, and to meet with RVCC to coordinate priorities on the properties in the north end of town. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

See police, fire and emergency services.

Records

• Minutes and agenda: Agendas/Minutes page of the Township’s website, which links its Documents-On-Demand portal (Township Committee and Board of Health folder)
• Meeting video on the Township’s Granicus archive