Township Committee — February 23, 2026
Meeting the day after a snowstorm, with Mrs. Columbus absent and Administrator Gregory Bonin appointed Acting Deputy Clerk, the Committee approved a police new hire and tax refunds, 4–0, and appointed Reinhard Pratt to a five-year term on the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority, 4–0. Two retirement commendations were postponed to March 9.
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Meeting recording
The township's record
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What happened
The Township Committee’s minutes of this regular meeting, approved at its March 9 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. Present were Mayor Schworn, Mr. Brendon Beatrice, Mr. Thomas Young and Mr. David Owens; Mrs. Anna Columbus was absent. Township Attorney William Willard was also present. The minutes record no members of the public, and there were no public comments, either on agenda items or in the general comment period.
Acting Deputy Clerk
The minutes record that neither Township Clerk Maggie Schmitt nor Deputy Township Clerk Ashley Biondo could attend because of the snowstorm that night and that day. On motion of Mr. Beatrice, seconded by Mr. Young, Township Administrator Gregory Bonin, a Registered Municipal Clerk, was appointed Acting Deputy Clerk for the meeting; all were in favor. Mr. Bonin read the Sunshine Statement and signed the minutes.
Sewerage authority appointment
On motion of Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Owens, the Committee appointed Reinhard Pratt to the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority (SRVSA) for a five-year term expiring January 31, 2031. Recorded vote: 4–0 (Aye: Young, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn).
Other business
On motion of Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Beatrice, the Committee approved Resolution No. 2026-58, a Police Department new hire (Ramirez), and Resolution No. 2026-59, tax collector refunds. Recorded vote: 4–0 (Aye: Young, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn). The claims for payment were approved on motion of Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Beatrice, recorded vote: 4–0. The minutes of the February 9 regular session were approved. Commendations for Diane Strohl (Code Enforcement technical assistant) and Barbara Litchkowski (Code Enforcement administrative assistant), Resolutions No. 2026-56 and 2026-57, were postponed to the March 9 meeting because of the snowstorm.
In the Administrator’s report, Mr. Bonin said the storm of the night before brought between 15 and 20 inches of snow and commended the Department of Public Works, saying roads were cleared and safe by midday Monday. He said about 85 residents had signed up for the spring 2026 tree planting program, which this round is limited to residents who have not received a tree in past rounds.
In liaison reports, Mr. Beatrice said the newly reformed Recreation and Open Space Advisory Committee (ROPAC) met the past week and would meet again the next month, and that he would report after that meeting. Mayor Schworn thanked the Public Works Department for clearing the roads. Mr. Owens and Mr. Young had no report.
The Committee went into executive session at 7:13 p.m. (Resolution No. 2026-60, on motion of Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Beatrice) and, on returning, adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
See municipal roads and traffic and 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)