Township Committee — June 22, 2026
The Committee passed Resolutions No. 2026-120 through 2026-131 as a consent agenda, 5–0, including a contract to sell Township real estate at 200 Harlan School Road and purchases of a drum roller, street sweeper and wheel loader for Public Works. Claims of $945,518.94 also passed 5–0. The Administrator reported that Norfolk Southern's work at the Lehigh Road rail crossing was underway and may cover almost all of the work the Township had planned there.
- Government
- Infrastructure
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 July 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 7:00 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, Director of Finance Diane Schubach, Deputy Township Clerk Ashley Biondo and Township Attorney William Willard. The minutes record about 12 members of the public. There were no public comments on agenda items.
Consent agenda: a property sale and Public Works equipment
Resolutions No. 2026-120 through 2026-131 passed on motion of Mr. Beatrice, seconded by Mrs. Columbus. Recorded vote: 5–0 (Aye: Young, Columbus, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn). The minutes list them by title:
- 2026-121: authorization to execute a contract for sale of real estate at 200 Harlan School Road, Block 17.13, Lot 12.02
- 2026-122: authorization to bid for a mini-paver for the Department of Public Works
- 2026-123 to 2026-125: authorization to purchase, for Public Works, a drum roller (Hoffman Equipment), a street sweeper (Jet-Vac Equipment LLC) and a wheel loader (Foley Inc.)
- 2026-126: settlement and title transfer of a 2014 Western Star dump truck
- 2026-127: a fireworks permit for the 250th Anniversary Celebration on July 5, 2026
- 2026-120 (2026–2027 ABC license renewals), 2026-128 (seasonal Public Works help), 2026-129 (personnel policy and procedures amendments), 2026-130 (recreation program salaries) and 2026-131 (recreation refunds)
The Lehigh Road rail crossing
In his report, Administrator Bonin said maintenance work by Norfolk Southern at the Lehigh Road rail crossing was underway, that Norfolk Southern “may do almost all of the work that the Township had planned to do,” which would speed the project and reduce the Township’s cost, and that once Norfolk Southern finishes, the Township will reevaluate its plan and determine what is left for it to do in the right-of-way.
In public comment, Alex Casey of 108 Briar Way said he came for an update on the Lehigh Road railroad crossing. Mr. Bonin said that once Norfolk Southern completes its work in the right-of-way, the Township will review the as-built plans and send its plans to Norfolk Southern for review, and that he was hopeful they would be approved since the Township will now meet Norfolk Southern’s requirements.
Other business
The claims for payment passed on motion of Mrs. Columbus, seconded by Mr. Young, 5–0. The attached bill list totals $945,518.94, including $562,847.36 to Schifano Construction for road resurfacing. The minutes of the June 8 regular session were approved.
Mayor Schworn read a proclamation honoring William (Bill) Schleicher, a local historian, one of the original members of the Branchburg Historical Preservation Commission and a founding trustee of the Branchburg Historical Society, who died in March; his family accepted it.
Mr. Bonin also reported that Silver Saddle Community Pool membership revenue was “well over $200,000.00,” toward a season goal of $220,000.00, with about 1,200 members, and that the renovated tennis courts were nearly ready to open. In public comment, Carrie Kirshanko of 14 Otto Trail said about 100 children were signed up for recreational tennis and waiting to use the courts; Mr. Bonin referred her to Recreation Director John Voli. In liaison reports, Mrs. Columbus noted the opening of Unbound Golf, an indoor golf simulator business, and the June 21 tribute to Mr. Schleicher at the Ten Eyck House; Mr. Beatrice described the July 5 250th Celebration at White Oak Park; and the Mayor spoke about residents who work to protect the Township’s historical assets.
The Committee went into executive session at 7:31 p.m. (Resolution No. 2026-132), returned at 7:57 p.m. and adjourned.
See 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