Township Committee — January 12, 2026
The Committee introduced Ordinance No. 2026-1506, which adds the review of recreation programs to the duties of the Parks and Open Space Committee, with a hearing set for January 26. A 12-item consent agenda passed 5–0, including authorization to auction Township-owned property at 200 Harlan School Road and annual purchasing and professional contracts. The claims for payment also passed 5–0.
- Government
- Environment
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
The Township Committee’s minutes of this regular meeting, approved at its January 26 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 James Schworn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All five members were present: Mayor Schworn, Mr. Brendon Beatrice, Mr. Thomas Young, Mrs. Anna Columbus and Mr. David Owens. Also present were Township Administrator Gregory Bonin, Township Clerk Maggie Schmitt, Director of Finance Diane Schubach, Certified Financial Officer Mindy D’Amico and Township Attorney William Willard. The minutes record two members of the public. No one commented on agenda items.
Parks and Open Space Committee ordinance
The Committee introduced Ordinance No. 2026-1506, “Ordinance amending Chapter 24 ‘Open Space Conservation’ Section 24-2 ‘Parks and Open Space Committee’, of the Municipal Code … to include duties and responsibilities pertaining to recreation programs and activities.” Mayor Schworn said the ordinance will add the assessment and evaluation of recreation programs to the duties of the Parks and Open Space Committee.
It was introduced on motion of Mr. Beatrice, seconded by Mr. Owens, with a public hearing set for January 26, 2026. All were in favor.
Consent agenda
On motion of Mr. Beatrice, seconded by Mrs. Columbus, the Committee approved Resolutions No. 2026-29 through 2026-40, with the departmental reports for December and the annual reports. Recorded vote: 5–0 (Aye: Young, Columbus, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn).
- 2026-29: authorization to auction municipally owned property, Block 17.13, Lot 12.02, 200 Harlan School Road
- 2026-30 to 2026-36: authorizations to purchase auto parts (multiple vendors), computer hardware and software (Computer Systems and Methods; Dell Marketing, LP), diesel fuel and gasoline (Allied Oil), mobile radios and communications equipment (Motorola Solutions, Inc.) and rock salt (Atlantic Salt, Inc.)
- 2026-37: professional services contract for Class 4 real estate assessment services, Sopko
- 2026-38: professional services contract for Township Planner, Kyle McManus Associates
- 2026-39 and 2026-40: a grade increase for a Public Works employee and grade elevations for three Police Department employees
Other business
The claims for payment were approved on motion of Mrs. Columbus, seconded by Mr. Beatrice. Recorded vote: 5–0. The minutes of the December 22, 2025 regular session were approved.
In the Administrator’s report, Mr. Bonin said the tennis court reconstruction is moving along and the courts should be ready for play by April 30. He said the Township will begin another round of the Tree Replenishment Program, with planting planned for April; residents choose a preferred tree species, and the deadline to submit requests is February 15. A discussion of the program followed.
In public comment, Greg Linde, of 22 Windy Willow Way, asked whether trees were available in a smaller growth size and asked the Township to consider acquiring trees in the twenty-to-forty-foot range.
In liaison reports, Mrs. Columbus spoke about the North Branch Volunteer Fire Company’s reorganization meeting, and Mayor Schworn said he swore in the company’s new officers at its installation dinner. Mr. Young said he attended the ribbon-cutting for Celltrion USA, which moved into the facility formerly occupied by Eli Lilly; he said it is Celltrion’s first flagship facility in the United States, that the company has committed to investing $1 billion in Branchburg, and that significant job creation is anticipated. Mr. Owens and Mr. Beatrice had no report.
The Committee went into executive session at 7:22 p.m. (Resolution No. 2026-41, on motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Young) and adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
See open space and Township land stewardship.
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