Township Committee — August 10, 2026

The Township Committee’s minutes of this regular meeting, approved at its September 14 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 7:01 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, Chief Financial Officer Mindy D’Amico, Deputy Township Clerk Ashley Biondo, Township Attorney William Willard, Township Health Officer James Norgalis and Deputy Health Officer Kathryn Nelson. The minutes record that no members of the public were present, and there were no public comments.

The e-bike ordinance, adopted

The Committee held the second reading and public hearing of Ordinance No. 2026-1516, amending Chapter 3, “Police Regulations,” Sections 3-5 (“Public Parks, Recreation Areas and Open Space”) and 3-6 (“Use and Parking of Motor Vehicles on Public Lands”) of the Municipal Code “to address the use of electronic motorized bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters within the Township.” The ordinance, read into the minutes:

• recites that the Police Department has identified increased use of these vehicles on pedestrian paths, sidewalks and trails, which it calls a safety issue because they can operate at higher speeds, and that the Chief of Police recommended the changes; it cites the State law on their use, licensing, registration and insurance, Public Law Chapter 285;
• provides that footpaths, walkways and trails in public parks, recreation areas and open space “shall not be used for any vehicular travel or any form of conveyance that is not solely human-powered or human-propelled,” including electric motorized bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric bicycles, low-speed electric scooters and motorcycles, and prohibits any unregistered or uninsured motor vehicle in those areas, excluding municipal and other authorized vehicles;
• adds definitions of motorized bicycle, low-speed electric bicycle, low-speed electric scooter, electric motorized bicycle (more than 750 watts and capable of more than 28 miles per hour) and motorcycle, and applies the existing careless-operation and private-property-consent rules to these vehicles.

Mayor Schworn said the ordinance enforces the State-mandated requirements for electric and motorized bicycles at White Oak Park. He said Somerset County has not adopted a specific ordinance prohibiting them; the County’s position is that they are prohibited where existing regulations or ordinances already restrict their use.

No one spoke at the public hearing. The ordinance was adopted on motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Columbus. Recorded vote: 5–0 (Aye: Young, Columbus, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn).

Ordinance No. 2026-1517: Public Works equipment, first reading

The Committee introduced Ordinance No. 2026-1517, “Capital Ordinance to Authorize the Purchase of New or Replacement Equipment, By and For the Department of Public Works … and the Expenditure of $330,000.00 from the Capital Fund Balance.” Mayor Schworn confirmed with Mr. Bonin that the purchase replaces a dump truck that caught fire a few months earlier, which was partially reimbursed through insurance. It was introduced on motion of Mr. Beatrice, seconded by Mr. Young, and carried unanimously, with a public hearing set for September 14, 2026.

Consent agenda

Resolutions No. 2026-150 through 2026-155 and the departmental reports passed on motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Columbus. Recorded vote: 5–0 (Aye: Young, Columbus, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn):

• 2026-150: authorization to bid for co-location on the Township’s cellular communication tower at 34 Kenbury Road
• 2026-151: award of contract for the provision and planting of trees throughout the Township to Louis Barbato Landscaping Inc.
• 2026-152: award of contract for sewer pump station repairs and maintenance to Rapid Pump & Meter Service Co., Inc.
• 2026-153: a fireworks permit for the Branchburg Food Truck & Music Festival on August 30, 2026
• 2026-154 (permanent status for a Public Works employee) and 2026-155 (recreation refunds)

The departmental reports list July amounts including $1,904,894.49 for the Tax Collector and $225,691.48 for the sewer utility.

The Dartco property

Mayor Schworn asked about the status of the Dartco property. Mr. Bonin said Karen Murphy, counsel for Dartco, has reached out to the Township repeatedly, and Mr. Willard said Ms. Murphy has sent several emails trying to set up a meeting with NJDEP, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and Dartco that has not materialized. Mr. Bonin said that under the judge’s order, clearance has been granted to offer the property to Branchburg Township, but that before the Township accepts it there needs to be a meeting with NJDEP to confirm the Township will not be liable for any prior contamination. Mr. Willard said testing and monitoring on the property has been ongoing. The Mayor said there needs to be a waiver from NJDEP before the Township accepts the property, and Mr. Bonin said the Township will continue to work on the details “so that everything is binding.”

Other business

The claims for payment passed on motion of Mr. Owens, seconded by Mrs. Columbus, 5–0. The attached bill list totals $10,693,929.56, including $4,664,159.00 in 2026 school taxes to the Branchburg Board of Education, $4,028,939.84 in 2026 county taxes, $521,560.36 in library taxes and $447,614.04 in open space taxes to the County of Somerset, $433,366.74 to Schifano Construction for road resurfacing, $178,411.67 to FieldTurf USA for the White Oak Park tennis and pickleball courts, and $7,795.00 to The Goldstein Partnership for police building conceptual design. The minutes of the July 27 regular session were approved.

In the Board of Health report, Health Officer Norgalis reported on pool inspections, temporary food events, FIFA World Cup preparations, grant money received, water testing, festival events and the annual flu clinics, and said homeowners who rely on well water are responsible for testing it annually. Mr. Young asked whether the Township should seek grants more actively; Mr. Norgalis said that depends on each grant’s eligibility requirements and conditions.

In his report, Mr. Bonin said the fall tree planting program, the program’s fifth round, will begin in mid-to-late October, with applications due September 15, and that about 1,000 trees have been planted along roads and in parks so far. He said Branchburg is the only town he knows of that runs such a program with developer funds for both public property and along streets of private property. He said the Silver Saddle Community Pool had about $230,000 in membership revenue from about 1,900 members, and that new playground equipment for White Oak Park, replacing equipment about 27 years old that no longer met ADA safety standards, is scheduled for installation in October. In response to Mr. Owens, Mr. Bonin said an additional White Oak Park flagpole will be ordered from next year’s capital budget, and that the Township is working on the wording of signs dedicating the Sempre and Advance properties as open space parcels, with a ceremony to follow. Mr. Owens suggested planting shade trees near the new playground. In liaison reports, Mr. Beatrice said the fireworks from the 250th Celebration will take place at the end of the August 30 Music and Food Truck Festival and that summer camp ended with no incidents.

The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

See public safety, roads and traffic and open space and 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)
• Meeting video on the Township’s Granicus archive