Township Council — October 1, 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 #26-16, amending Chapter 206, Article XIV §44, to add streets to the snow emergency no-parking list — adopted. No one spoke at the hearing.
• Ordinance introduced (hearing October 15): authorizing a quitclaim deed releasing affordability controls on the affordable units at Block 520 Lot 17. Pappas said the 30-year deed restriction on about 16 apartment units expired in June 2026, that income-eligible current tenants may keep reduced rents, and that the release is legally required. See Fourth Round housing.
• Ordinance introduced (hearing October 15): amending Chapter 26, Personnel Policies, to eliminate the eligibility of elected officials for township health benefits. See elected officials’ health benefits.
• Tabled to November: a right-of-way use agreement with Pilot Fiber NJ LLC, so the Environmental Commission can review it.
• #26-10-01-217, a closed session on property acquisition and litigation. The September 3 minutes were approved by voice vote, Ring abstaining; the September 17 minutes were approved unanimously.

The health benefits ordinance

Anda Cytroen said health costs for participating elected officials were about $638,000 over the past five years, objected to current officials keeping eligibility while future ones are excluded, and asked that the ordinance be tabled and revised to classify officials as part-time. Bucko supported clarifying the classification; Ring raised legal and workers’ compensation questions; Kirsh said elected officials are a specialized category of employee; Geiger supported the ordinance as fair to current recipients; Isla stressed the savings to taxpayers. Pappas will review the budget figures.

Floodplain ordinance

Director of Municipal Services Thomas Genova presented a required replacement Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. He said Bridgewater joined the National Flood Insurance Program on December 1, 1978, and must adopt the revised ordinance by November 13, 2026, the date of the new flood insurance rate maps, to keep its eligibility. The Council asked for a side-by-side comparison before introduction on October 15, with adoption in November. See flooding and stormwater.

Reports

• Proclamations: Liver Cancer Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Presentation: Adopt-A-Pet Month; Director Brian Bradshaw said the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter has been no-kill for 12 years.
• Bucko met Vosseller Avenue residents on speeding and urged truck-tarping enforcement after stones spilled at Finderne and Union Avenues; early voting runs October 24 – November 1 in Council Chambers.
• Geiger asked a resident group to form a committee for residents with disabilities or mobility issues, reported ongoing work on the lawsuit over the County’s tree removal, and announced a November 15 memorial for a British soldier believed buried at Bulmer Cemetery. Ring said the Council has no oversight of school district matters.

Public comment

• Hursith Adimulam of Milltown Road thanked Ring for addressing the vacant Redstone Grill and Lord & Taylor spaces.
• Claudia Bateman of Catherine Lane announced an October 3 cholangiocarcinoma awareness event.
• Anda Cytroen of Stangle Road spoke on the health benefits ordinance (above).
• Jane Gandolfe of Washington Valley Road, of the Friends of Bridgewater History, announced the Journey Through the Past event, October 10–11, at the Lane-Brokaw House.
• Deanna Nye of Country Club Road suggested Nixle alerts for bulky waste dates and supported compensation and health benefits for elected officials based on the time they devote.

Records

• Minutes (township document page)
• Agenda (posted on the township site; LocalWhy has not yet reviewed it)
• Video on the township’s YouTube channel (2:09:26). This page follows the Clerk’s minutes.