Township Committee — April 27, 2026

The Township Committee’s minutes of this regular meeting, approved at its May 11 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 7:04 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 10 members of the public. No one commented on agenda items.

The 2026 budget

Under the heading “2026 Municipal Budget – Public Hearing/Adoption,” the Committee took three votes:

• Resolution No. 2026-86, “Municipal Budget of the Township of Branchburg, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey for the Year 2026,” was read by title and adopted on motion of Mr. Beatrice, seconded by Mr. Young. Recorded vote: 5–0 (Aye: Young, Columbus, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn).
• Resolution No. 2026-87, “Authorization for Self-Exam,” was adopted on motion of Mr. Beatrice, seconded by Mrs. Columbus. Recorded vote: 5–0 (Aye: Young, Columbus, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn).
• The Mayor opened the public hearing. No one spoke, and the hearing was closed on motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Beatrice. Resolution No. 2026-88, “Adoption of 2026 Municipal Budget,” was then adopted on motion of Mrs. Columbus, seconded by Mr. Young. Recorded vote: 5–0 (Aye: Young, Columbus, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn).

The Township’s posted 2026 adopted budget appropriates $28,437,328.59 and sets a municipal-purpose levy of $16,504,732, up $1,497,931 (9.98%), and an open-space trust levy of $2,671,898.30.

In liaison reports:

• Mr. Owens complimented the Budget Committee for its stewardship in preparing the 2026 budget and for being prudent with taxpayers’ money.
• Mrs. Columbus agreed, and said the Township must be doing a good job since there were no questions from the public.
• Mr. Young said staff had been developing a multi-year budget plan and that the Township does long-term planning and has an efficient capital budget process. He said the Township is likely to be challenged in the coming years, with more stress on the budget from the affordable-housing buildouts, and that in the coming months the Committee would be working with the Board of Education on some of these challenges.

The Lehigh Road rail crossing

In public comment, Lauren Mates of 98 Briar Way asked about the expiration of the temporary quiet zone at the Lehigh Road rail crossing and whether the Township would ever consider closing the road permanently. Township Administrator Gregory Bonin said the temporary quiet zone is a two-year permit and that, if the roadway has not been improved before it expires, the Township will reapply. The minutes record a discussion of whether the Township would eventually consider a permanent closure, noting that some residents who first opposed one may no longer be opposed.

Jana Casey of 108 Briar Way asked Mr. Bonin for more detail on the design and construction phases of the rail crossing project. She said she had postponed planned renovations to her home because of uncertainty over whether the train horn might resume, and asked whether the Township would revisit other options if a permanent solution were not in place by fall 2026. Mayor Schworn said he believes it is very likely the Township will come to terms with Norfolk Southern, and that if it cannot reach a deal, it may consider other options.

The towing ordinance

Ordinance No. 2026-1511, “Ordinance Amending Chapter 3 ‘Police Regulations’ Section 3-10 ‘Towing’ … to Amend the Towing Rotation Schedule and the Table of Maximum Fees,” was introduced on first reading on motion of Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Owens, with a public hearing set for May 11, 2026. Mayor Schworn said it would amend the towing rotation schedule and update the towing fee schedule.

Other business

Consent Resolutions No. 2026-89 through 2026-93 carried unanimously on motion of Mrs. Columbus, seconded by Mr. Owens: a purchase of flooring and workstations for the Municipal Building from All State Office Interiors (2026-89), compliance with U.S. EEO hiring practices under P.L. 2017, c.183 (2026-90), cancellation of capital appropriation balances (2026-91), a recreation refund (2026-92) and a totally disabled veteran exemption for Block 76.10, Lot 12.02 (2026-93). The claims for payment passed 5–0 on motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Columbus.

The minutes of the April 13 regular session were approved. Mayor Schworn read a proclamation congratulating Domingo Gatti of Somerville High School on his swimming records and gold medals. In the Administrator’s report, Mr. Bonin said Silver Saddle Community Pool registration was going well, with opening day on Memorial Day weekend, and that only two trees from the tree planting program had died and were replanted. Mr. Beatrice asked whether NJDOT had been contacted about the timing of the traffic signals at Route 202 and Old York Road; Mr. Bonin said NJDOT is aware of the issue, and the minutes record a discussion.

In other liaison reports, Mr. Beatrice described two programs the Township supports, Community in Crisis (CiC) and ARRIVE, which offer support for addiction recovery and mental and behavioral health emergencies, and announced the 250th Anniversary Celebration (July 5) and the Harvest & Hops Celebration (September 26). Mayor Schworn offered condolences on the death in March of Bill Schleicher, whom he described as a steward of Branchburg’s historical resources, and announced that the Branchburg Historic Society would honor him on June 21 at the Ten Eyck House.

The Committee went into executive session at 7:40 p.m. (Resolution No. 2026-94), returned at 8:03 p.m. and adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

See budget and taxes, roads and traffic and Route 202 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)