Township Committee — May 26, 2026

The Township Committee’s minutes of this regular meeting, approved at its June 8 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, Mrs. Anna Columbus and Mr. David Owens; Mr. Thomas Young was absent. The minutes record approximately four members of the public. There were no public comments, either on agenda items or in the general comment period.

Four capital ordinances adopted

The Committee held the second readings and public hearings of four capital ordinances introduced on May 11. Each is paid from existing Township capital funds, sets a period of usefulness of at least five years, and amends the capital budget to match. No one spoke at any of the four hearings, and each was adopted with the recorded vote 4–0 (Aye: Columbus, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn).

• Ordinance No. 2026-1512 appropriates $100,000 from the Capital Fund balance for facility improvements at the Municipal Annex and other Township facilities, including new and replacement doors, a water filtration system and HVAC replacement. Moved by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Columbus.
• Ordinance No. 2026-1513 appropriates $240,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund to buy and outfit three new sport utility vehicles for the Police Department and to acquire equipment including radar units, radios, tasers and handguns. Moved by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Columbus.
• Ordinance No. 2026-1514 appropriates $1,018,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for new or replacement Public Works equipment, including a street sweeper, a loader, a double drum asphalt roller and a mini asphalt track paver. Township Administrator Gregory Bonin said a street sweeper and a loader would be bought this year to replace older ones. Moved by Mr. Beatrice, seconded by Mr. Owens.
• Ordinance No. 2026-1515 appropriates $150,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for emergency services equipment: SCBA air packs (North Branch Volunteer Fire Company), thermal imaging cameras (Neshanic Volunteer Fire Company), fire gear (Country Hills Volunteer Fire Company) and turnout gear (Readington Volunteer Fire Company). Mayor Schworn said the money is for safety equipment for the Township’s emergency services volunteers. Moved by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Beatrice.

The Lehigh Road rail crossing

In the Administrator’s report, Mr. Bonin said the Township’s consultant for the Lehigh Road railroad crossing was adding further right-of-way crossings that Norfolk Southern had asked to include in the construction plan, and that the final plans were being sent to Norfolk Southern that week. He said that if Norfolk Southern approves them, the full plan should be approved and the construction project can move forward. Asked by Mayor Schworn whether a dollar amount had been given for the easements, Mr. Bonin said the plan is to wait for Norfolk Southern’s approval and then have all the easements appraised. He said Norfolk Southern is doing rail work along the tracks, some of it work the Township had planned to do within the Norfolk Southern right-of-way, and that the Township’s consultant was meeting with the engineer doing that work in the hope of overlapping the two projects and possibly reducing the Township’s cost. Mr. Owens suggested that Maurice Rachad attend the next meeting to give an update on the crossing and explain where the money is being spent.

Other business

Consent Resolutions No. 2026-101 through 2026-110 passed on motion of Mrs. Columbus, seconded by Mr. Owens. Recorded vote: 4–0 (Aye: Columbus, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn). They authorized bidding for sewer pump station maintenance, repair and parts replacement (2026-101); the purchase of a Toro Groundsmaster mower for Public Works (2026-102); the sale of solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) through Flett Exchange (2026-103); and the sale of surplus property and of unclaimed vehicles through GovDeals (2026-104, 2026-105). They also covered the appointment of an electrical and plumbing inspector (2026-106), recreation program salaries (2026-107), recreation refunds (2026-108), a fully exempt veteran (2026-109) and tax refunds (2026-110). The claims for payment passed 4–0 on motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Beatrice.

The minutes of the May 11 regular session were approved. Mayor Schworn read a proclamation declaring May 15 through June 15, 2026 Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month and presented it to Claudia Lijo.

In the Administrator’s report, Mr. Bonin said the Silver Saddle Community Pool was closed Memorial Day weekend for weather and new members could still join, and that the White Oak Park tennis court resurfacing would start May 28 and take about three weeks. Mr. Owens asked that newly planted trees at White Oak Park be tightened so they grow properly; that all American flags in the Township be replaced, and a few flagpoles added at White Oak Park, ahead of the 250th Independence Day celebration; and that residents be sent a message about debris blocking drainage grates, with a reminder to clear the grates in front of their homes. Mayor Schworn asked Mr. Bonin to have someone observe electric and motor bikes on the White Oak Park paths, citing pedestrian safety; Mr. Owens and Mr. Beatrice said a State law on electric and motor bike use takes effect July 19, 2026.

In liaison reports, Mr. Beatrice reminded residents of the 250th Celebration on Sunday, July 5 at White Oak Park, and Mayor Schworn thanked the Neshanic Volunteer Fire Company for its Memorial Day Parade. The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

See public safety and roads and traffic.

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