Township Council — April 23, 2026

What was decided

Present: Bucko (presiding), Isla, Kirsh (arrived 7:03 p.m.) and Ring. Council President Geiger was absent. Administrator Pappas reported for the Mayor.

• Ordinance #26-06, the 2026 ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14) — adopted 4-0 (Ring/Kirsh; ayes Bucko, Isla, Kirsh, Ring). No hearing speakers.
• Ordinance #26-05, amending Chapter 182 so that multifamily developments must clear snow and ice from interior private roadways and walkways, as owners must for public sidewalks, with the township able to clear as a last resort — adopted 3-1 (Bucko/Isla; ayes Bucko, Isla, Kirsh; nay Ring). No hearing speakers. Bucko noted the Loft Farm HOA’s concern that its contract allows 24 hours after a storm against the ordinance’s 12 daylight hours, and said the timeframes are generally consistent in winter. See snow removal.
• #26-04-23-114, waiving $100.00 in fire permit fees for the Somerville Elks drug awareness food truck event — 3-0-1 (ayes Bucko, Isla, Kirsh; Ring abstaining).
• #26-04-23-115 to -117 (consent, 4-0): fee waivers for the Al Falah Center Eid event, the SCVTHS PTO tricky tray and the Martin Luther King Youth Center summer camp.
• #26-04-23-118, a closed session on tax appeal and trash transfer station litigation.
• Tabled by voice vote: the FY2027 Bridgewater/Raritan Municipal Alliance application to the County, $15,731.50.
• The April 9 minutes were approved by voice vote.

Reports and discussion

• Vosseller Avenue: Police Chief Mitzak reported 13 days of directed patrols, 27 vehicles stopped and 21 summonses. Bucko said he asked NJDOT to study replacing the yield sign with a stop sign where the U.S. Route 22 exit meets Vosseller Avenue, and contacted neighboring towns about border roads (Vosseller Avenue, Van Holten Road, Adamsville Road). See roads and traffic.
• Two ordinance requests from the Administration: temporary vehicle-storage parking on about 11–12 acres the Mercedes-Benz dealership on Route 22 acquired next door, whose earlier hotel and commercial approvals are not proceeding, until a permanent site plan is filed; and a correction of the owner’s entity name, with an urban renewal designation for state and federal funding, for the Planning Board–approved five-unit apartment building for hearing-impaired residents on Whitney Court.
• Pappas distributed the first of two memos on the annual liquor license renewal review.
• Other reports: well water testing on May 9, 9 a.m.–noon, at the Municipal Building (Raritan Headquarters Association); the “Trees for Tomorrow” initiative; NJ Transit’s World Cup guidance relayed by Ring; Isla said the Planning Board reviewed a proposed SRVSA administrative building; Kirsh said the Animal Shelter expanded its parking, funded by the shelter.

Public comment

• Cynthia Blumenkrantz of Somerville, president of the Heritage Trail Association, outlined the semiquincentennial timeline and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8 at the courthouse green.
• Jen Loughran of Falcon Court spoke on recognizing Revolutionary War veteran Oliver Cromwell.
• Tim Kenny of Short Hills Drive asked for native plants and trees in municipal landscaping and parks.
• Rebecca Melick of Lebanon Township, of Melick’s Town Farm, opposed losing the farm market at 351 Route 28 to a proposed storage facility seeking Zoning Board variances and asked that any development preserve it. Kirsh said the Council cannot comment on pending Zoning Board matters. See self-storage at Routes 22 and 28.

Records

• Minutes (township document page)
• Agenda (posted on the township site; LocalWhy has not yet reviewed it)
• Video on the township’s YouTube channel (2:33:16). This page follows the Clerk’s minutes.