Township Council — September 17, 2026

What was decided

All five members were present: Bucko, Isla, Kirsh, Ring and Council President Geiger. Administrator Pappas reported for the Mayor. Every vote below was 5-0 (ayes Bucko, Isla, Kirsh, Ring, Geiger).

• Ordinance introduced (became #26-16; hearing October 1): amending Chapter 206, Article XIV §44, to add streets to the snow emergency no-parking list. Ring and Kirsh raised using the Park and Ride lot near Milltown Road and Route 22 during snow events. See snow removal.
• #26-09-17-208, Motorola Solutions, Inc., emergency radio communications equipment under state contract, up to $2,950,000. Pappas said this is about $3 million of the $4.2 million bond, that another resolution may follow, and that the radios are expected in use January 1. See fire and emergency services.
• #26-09-17-203 to -207 (consent): 2026 budget insertions for a $45,150 Safe and Secure Communities grant, opioid settlement funds of $28,573.18 (2025) and $60,942.15 (2026), a $13,643.89 bulletproof vest grant and $1,090.85 for municipal court alcohol education.
• #26-09-17-209 to -212 (consent): a Foley, Inc. backhoe loader, up to $192,417; the place-to-place transfer of a pocket liquor license to The Clubhouse of Somerset County, 1213 Route 22 (Kirsh described a golf, restaurant and bar venue); the KM Construction final change order ($465,184.05 to $476,452.42), project acceptance and final payment; and extending Police Chief John Mitzak’s contract through December 31, 2027.
• #26-09-17-213, a closed session on litigation. The August 20 minutes were approved by voice vote; the September 3 minutes were deferred.

Reports

• Chief Mitzak said Vosseller Avenue gets heavy patrol and the township is buying two flashing speed signs for it, that he will seek school bus camera footage for stop-arm violations, and that a teenager hit crossing Route 22 is recovering; he urged use of the pedestrian bridge near the mall.
• Pappas distributed a draft ordinance releasing affordability controls at the Village at Bridgewater after a 30-year deed restriction expired; qualifying current residents keep reduced rents.
• Ring said his ordinance ending elected officials’ health benefits is drafted for October 1, that private donations are funding a First Responders Memorial, and that Bridgewater Commons may regain the former Lord & Taylor space and see a liquor license transfer for the former Redstone Grill space. See elected officials’ health benefits.
• Geiger reported meetings on the litigation over county tree removal near Vosseller Avenue. See Washington Valley Park.
• Kirsh said the township does have an ordinance on the timing of trash containers and will use targeted communication.
• Proclamation: Hunger Awareness Month, September 2026.

Public comment

• Rand Milton of Turnbull Place, of the North Branch Fire Department and a former fire commissioner, asked for an equitable allocation of radio costs among the fire districts, as Fire District No. 3 already bought radios through its own taxing authority; Kirsh said it will be reviewed.
• Jen Loughran of Falcon Court thanked police for their school presence, asked for pedestrian safety signs near Routes 202/206 and Bridgewater Commons, and supported Visions and Pathways.

Records

• Minutes (township document page)
• Agenda (posted on the township site; LocalWhy has not yet reviewed it)
• Video on the township’s YouTube channel (1:47:46). This page follows the Clerk’s minutes.