Township Committee — March 23, 2026

The Township Committee’s minutes of this regular meeting, approved at its April 13 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 7:05 p.m. All five members were present: Mayor Schworn, Mr. Brendon Beatrice, Mr. Thomas Young, Mrs. Anna Columbus and Mr. David Owens. The minutes record approximately 50 members of the public. There were no public comments, either on agenda items or in the general comment period.

The 2026 budget and the cap-bank ordinance

Resolution No. 2026-69, “Introduction of the 2026 Municipal Budget of the Township of Branchburg … with a public hearing date of April 27, 2026,” was read by title and introduced on motion of Mrs. Columbus, seconded by Mr. Young. The minutes record that all were in favor.

The Committee also introduced Ordinance No. 2026-1510, “Calendar Year 2026 Ordinance to Exceed the Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits and to Establish a Cap Bank (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14),” on first reading, with a public hearing set for April 13, 2026. Mayor Schworn said it is an annual budgetary requirement that lets the Township increase its budget appropriations and establish a cap bank for possible use in future years. It was introduced on motion of Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Owens; all were in favor.

The notice page of the Township’s posted 2026 budget states that the Committee approved the proposed budget on March 23, 2026 and scheduled the public hearing for April 27, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. The budget appropriates $28,437,328.59, raises the municipal-purpose levy by $1,497,931 (9.98%) to $16,504,732, and sets a $2,671,898.30 open-space trust levy.

In the Administrator’s report, Township Administrator Gregory Bonin said all the budget documents would be posted on the Township website the next day.

The Red Rock Preserve fire

Opening the police awards ceremony, Mayor Schworn spoke about the recent fire at the Red Rock Preserve residential development. He said that, because of the quick actions of the Police and Fire Departments, there were no injuries or fatalities from the fire, which destroyed numerous units at the complex. Police Chief Buck also spoke about the police force’s work at the fire.

In the Administrator’s report, the Mayor said the fire the previous week caused major losses to the property and the residents, with no fatalities or serious injuries; that residents were being assisted by Somerset County Social Services and the Red Cross; and that the Township’s Office of Emergency Management and other agencies had helped residents find temporary housing. Mr. Bonin said emergency services, staff and many local businesses stepped in to organize and provide help. The minutes record further discussion of where to donate and the coordination of housing, and that the Township would post more information on where to donate when it became available.

Police awards and new officers

Chief Buck read a short biography of each of three new patrol officers, Owen Booker, Daniel Soffer and Oscar Ramirez, and Mayor Schworn administered their oaths of office. Chief Buck presented the 2025 awards: Officer of the Year to Nicholas Reisinger and Top Cop to Hector Lopez, with Awards of Recognition and Letters of Commendation to several other officers. The Committee recessed from 7:57 to 8:13 p.m.

Other business

Consent Resolutions No. 2026-70 through 2026-77 passed on motion of Mrs. Columbus, seconded by Mr. Owens. Recorded vote: 5–0 (Aye: Young, Columbus, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn). They accepted a 2026 Safe and Secure Program grant (2026-70); covered Public Works personnel actions (regular status, 2026-71; a step increase, 2026-72), a Police Department grade increase (2026-73), recreation program salaries (2026-74) and a recreation refund (2026-75); released a maintenance guarantee for Branchburg Centre Associates, LLC (2026-76); and authorized the sale of general improvement bonds (2026-77). The claims for payment passed 5–0 on motion of Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Owens.

The minutes of the March 9 regular session were approved. Mayor Schworn read a commendation for Tax Assessor Frances Kuczynski on 50 years of service to the Township and proclaimed April 13, 2026 as Frances Kuczynski Day; Resolution No. 2026-68 was approved on motion of Mrs. Columbus, seconded by Mr. Beatrice. In the Administrator’s report, Mr. Bonin also said the tree planting program was underway and Silver Saddle Community Pool sign-ups had opened. In liaison reports, Mr. Beatrice said he and Mrs. Columbus had met with Community in Crisis, a recovery awareness program that helps with drug addiction with support from opioid settlement funds, and announced the April 7 meeting of the Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Committee and the April 1 opening of summer camp registration. The Mayor thanked the Police Department, emergency personnel, the Office of Emergency Management and volunteers.

The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.

See budget and taxes, the Red Rock Preserve fire and public safety.

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
• 2026 adopted budget (Township PDF; budget notice)