Township Council — April 9, 2026

What was decided

All five members were present: Bucko, Isla, Kirsh, Ring and Council President Geiger. Administrator Pappas reported for the Mayor, who was in Washington, D.C. Every roll call below is recorded 5-0 (ayes Bucko, Isla, Kirsh, Ring, Geiger); for the Somerville Elks fee waiver (#26-04-09-108) the minutes also state that Councilman Ring abstained, while its roll call lists him as aye.

2026 budget introduced

Pappas presented a Current Fund budget of $54,903,722.86, which he said was up $3.375 million from 2025, largely because of costs outside the township’s control (healthcare, pensions, fuel, snow removal and mandated expenses), and a Sewer Fund of $13,924,398.82. The municipal tax rate was proposed to rise from 0.2440 to 0.2448 per $100 of assessed value, with current service levels and planned investment in first-responder equipment, cybersecurity, parks, infrastructure and drainage. Pappas put the health insurance increase at about 18%. The public hearing was set for May 7, 2026, subject to the State’s 28-day review; Ring said the hearing could proceed then with the vote deferred if needed. See budget and taxes.

Ordinances introduced (hearing April 23)

• The 2026 ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14), Ring/Geiger.
• The revised Chapter 182 amendment requiring snow and ice removal from private roadways in multifamily developments (Bucko/Isla): fines of $1,500 to $5,000 for violations of §182-1.3, the Health Officer and Code Enforcement removed from enforcement authority, and township discretion on remediation; Kirsh called enforcement a last resort.

Resolutions

• #26-04-09-103, an emergency temporary appropriation of $1,525,000.00, as the temporary budget ran only through March 31.
• #26-04-09-104, Sovereign Consulting Inc. (Robbinsville), Middle Brook Sanitary Sewer Pumping Station Phase 2, up to $2,946,000.00 under sewer bond ordinance #25-13; bids ranged from $2.9 million to $4.4 million.
• #26-04-09-105 and -106 (consent): an additional $79,605.60 for road salt (total up to $229,605.60) and an additional $121,446.25 to RJM Landscape and Design, LLC for snow removal (total up to $681,446.25).
• #26-04-09-102, a $6,745.12 refund after a state tax appeal at 245 Union Avenue; Ring disagreed with the structure but said the township must comply.
• #26-04-09-101, Anda Cytroen to the Municipal Alliance; #26-04-09-107 to -109, fireworks for a private event at TD Bank Ballpark on September 26 and fee waivers for the Somerville Elks food truck festival and the Al Falah Center Eid celebration.

Reports and discussion

• Proclamation: supporting the First Responders and Veterans Lung Cancer Screening Access Act and commending the Bridgewater-Raritan High School founding chapter of the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative. Five people spoke on it, including chapter president Srikrishna Dowlapalli, who said Bridgewater was the first municipality to back the bill.
• Emergency radios: Ring said a county initiative requires most police, fire and EMS agencies to buy new radios to keep communicating after January 1, that Bridgewater’s cost is about $3.2 million, and that the Administration is seeking grants. See fire and emergency services.
• Board vacancies: Geiger listed openings and applicants (Health Advisory 2/3; Library 4/5; Park 5/6; Recreation 5/3; Historic Advisory 4/0; Shade Tree 4/2; Veterans Advisory 3/0) and an approach of one appointment per person; Ring noted some seats require service on linked bodies.
• Speeding: residents raised Vosseller Avenue and Allen Road at Ash Street; Council members, Police Captain Thorsen and Pappas said they would review signage, enforcement, traffic calming and coordination with state authorities.

Public comment

• Lisa Balducci of Ringoes thanked the Council for her Municipal Alliance appointment.
• Filipe Pedroso of Yohn Drive said the affordable housing plan approves 600+ units to obtain 141 affordable units and the township should have built its own; said his March 9 OPRA request for the self-build feasibility study took 22 business days and the one document was withheld as attorney-client privileged; and said municipal taxes rose 30% and sewer bills over 35% in four years, with $730,000 moved from the sewer budget to the general fund last year. Ring said the Council had evaluated developing township-owned land, including sewer and water extension costs, and found it not financially viable.
• David Kitchen and Thomas Shaffrey, both of Vosseller Avenue, described long-standing speeding there and asked for permanent measures beyond radar signs.
• Anda Cytroen of Stangle Road asked that future budget presentations include the sewer utility, debt service, fund balance, revenue trends, surplus targets and long-term planning.
• Joan DiPaola of Ash Street asked for a marked crosswalk with advance warning signs on Allen Road; Captain Thorsen said crosswalks must meet regulatory standards and the area will be evaluated.
• Carolyn Gioia of Palley Court raised tariffs on public safety equipment, federal election legislation and inflation, and asked about the health insurance increase.

Records

• Minutes (township document page)
• Agenda (posted on the township site; LocalWhy has not yet reviewed it)
• Video on the township’s YouTube channel (2:56:46). This page follows the Clerk’s minutes.