Township Council — January 8, 2026

What was decided

All five members were present: Bucko, Isla, Kirsh, Ring and Council President Geiger. Mayor Moench proclaimed January 2026 Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Board of Adjustment appointments

Councilman Kirsh said he was concerned about not retaining Jeffrey Foose, Don Sweeney and Chris Gabbett, that resumes and letters of intent for the new members should have been provided in good time, and that appointments should be made collaboratively. Council President Geiger said the board should reflect the town’s demographics, citing gender, political affiliation, inclusivity and geography. The roll calls:

Motion	Ayes	Nays	Result
Jeffrey Foose, regular member (Kirsh/Ring)	Kirsh, Ring	Bucko, Isla, Geiger	failed
#26-01-08-013 James Franco, regular member (Bucko/Isla)	Bucko, Isla, Geiger	Kirsh, Ring	adopted
Kirsh slate of regular and alternate members (Kirsh/Ring)	Kirsh, Ring	Bucko, Isla, Geiger	failed
#26-01-08-014 Christine Henderson-Rose, regular member (Geiger/Kirsh)	Bucko, Isla, Kirsh, Geiger	Ring	adopted
Claudio Vescio, Alternate #1 (Kirsh/Ring)	Kirsh, Ring	Bucko, Isla, Geiger	failed
#26-01-08-015 Johanna Wiseman, Alternate #1 (Bucko/Isla)	Bucko, Isla, Geiger	Kirsh, Ring	adopted
#26-01-08-016 Claudio Vescio, Alternate #2 (Bucko/Kirsh)	Bucko, Isla, Kirsh, Geiger	Ring	adopted
Chris Gabett, Alternate #3 (Kirsh/Ring)	Kirsh, Ring	Bucko, Isla, Geiger	failed
#26-01-08-017 John Colucci, Alternate #3 (Bucko/Geiger)	Bucko, Isla, Geiger	Kirsh, Ring	adopted
#26-01-08-018 Anthony Mignella, Alternate #4 (Bucko/Geiger)	Bucko, Isla, Geiger	Kirsh, Ring	adopted

Temporary budget

Councilman Bucko proposed a temporary budget of $20,160,000, covering fixed costs and five payroll cycles to about March 15. The Mayor said the Finance Director projected it would run about $144,000 short by March 15, with no buffer for snow removal or overtime. The Mayor committed to deliver a draft budget by the February 10 statutory deadline, and the Council amended the figure to $21,736,006.64, running through March 31 with a contingency.

• #26-01-08-028, 2026 temporary budget, Current Fund, $21,736,006.64 — 5-0.
• #26-01-08-029, temporary budget, Sewer Utility, $4,957,755.83 — 5-0.

Other actions (5-0 unless noted)

• Mayor’s appointments with advice and consent (#26-01-08-005 to -009, by consent): Vilma Day, Registrar of Vital Statistics; Sarah Housman, 2026 Public Agency Compliance Officer; Rehabco, Inc. as affordable housing administrative agent and housing rehabilitation services, up to $180,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund; Round Hill Risk Partners, LLC (health insurance) and NAIM d/b/a Acrisure NJ Partners Insurance Services, LLC (property and casualty) as risk managers at no cost.
• Auditor: Suplee Clooney & Company, up to $67,475.00 (#26-01-08-011). William H. Burr IV, P.E., Assessment Search Officer; Blanca Lyons, Tax Search Officer.
• Liaisons to the Green Brook and Raritan Millstone flood control commissions, the County Community Development Consortium, the County Solid Waste Advisory Committee, the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority (SRVSA), the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter committee and the Regional Center Partnership.
• CERT: 24 of 25 names on the 2026 roster (the returning members) approved (#26-01-08-010); one new applicant was held for review at the request of Geiger and Isla. Ring said annual approval is needed for liability and workers’ compensation coverage.
• Fire districts: the Council acknowledged review of 2026 salaries for the Boards of Fire Commissioners, Districts 1–4. An additional $7,254.73 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund was approved for repairs to one low- or moderate-income home.
• Middle-Brook Regional Health Commission: the Council’s appointments were tabled 5-0 after the Mayor raised a point of order that, under the Faulkner Act, commission appointments are mayoral with Council advice and consent. By consensus, the Mayor would appoint Christine Madrid and Scott Stevens and the Council would name Ring and Isla as liaisons at the next meeting.
• The Mayor also announced appointments that need no Council vote, including Planning Board members Bruce Bongiorno (Class I), Michael Pappas (Class II), Henry Wang (Class IV) and William Atkins (Alternate I).

Discussion

Bucko suggested requiring human-trafficking hotline postings in public restrooms; the Mayor supported an awareness campaign but said legal authority under the state health code must be checked. Kirsh reported meeting State Senator Douglas Steinhardt about a “sliding scale” for the 200-foot notice radius in the Municipal Land Use Law, larger for commercial uses next to homes and for use variances.

Public comment

• Mary Gallagher of Highland Avenue raised the effect of new manufacturing development on groundwater and wells near Green Knoll, asked for a certified environmental professional on the Planning and Zoning Boards, and said the 200-foot notice rule treats a home addition like a warehouse.
• Claudia Bateman of Catherine Lane thanked the outgoing councilmen and suggested working with agencies such as Safe+Sound on trafficking prevention.
• Cathy Franco of Weemac Road asked why the temporary budget exceeded a standard quarterly allocation.
• Robert Albano of Papen Road, a former councilman, invited the Council to tour the SRVSA treatment plant and the Martinsville Rescue Squad, which he said had about 50 volunteers and answered 800+ calls last year.
• John Tegeler of Loft Drive asked for paper volunteer applications at meetings and about the Budget and Finance Committee; Isla and Bucko are its members.

Records

• Minutes (township document page)
• Agenda (posted on the township site; LocalWhy has not yet reviewed it)
• Video on the township’s YouTube channel (2:15:46). This page follows the Clerk’s minutes.