Township Committee Regular Meeting

All five members were present: Committeeman Blick, Committeeman Fine, Committeewoman Kian, Deputy Mayor Croson and Mayor Lontai, with Township Administrator Mark Krane and Township Attorney William Willard. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. and adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Mayor Lontai and Planning Board Chairman John Lindner read a Planning Board resolution recognizing Dan Gallic for his service on the board.

Ordinances adopted

Each public hearing drew no comments, and each ordinance passed 5–0.

• Ordinance 25-17 appropriates $975,000 to buy real property and authorizes $925,000 in bonds or notes. Motion Deputy Mayor Croson, second Committeeman Fine.
• Ordinance 25-18 amends Chapter 2, Section 2-35, to establish an Open Space Advisory Committee under the Open Space, Recreation, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. Motion Fine, second Croson.
• Ordinance 25-19 amends Chapter 4, Section 4-2, to create a no-knock list for canvassers and solicitors, adopted as amended, 5–0 (motion Blick, second Fine). Mr. Krane said concerns had been raised about §4-2.7.1(e), which would have required the list to be posted and maintained on the township website; the Committee changed it to require that the list be maintained in the Township Clerk’s office and provided to canvassers and solicitors on request.

The executive and regular minutes from October 16, 2025, were approved. Mayor Lontai abstained. The other four members voted yes.

Ordinance introduced

Ordinance 25-20 would amend Chapter 16, Section 16-25.5, to prohibit posting signs on public property. It passed first reading 5–0 (motion Croson, second Fine), with the public hearing set for December 11, 2025. The Committee discussed the need for the rule after the election cycle. Committeeman Fine raised the added enforcement and possible cost, and Deputy Mayor Croson agreed. Mr. Willard said the current ordinance stays in effect and this amendment extends it to public property, while posting on private property remains allowed.

Consent agenda

Resolutions 2025-268 through 2025-279 were adopted in one motion, 5–0 (motion Kian, second Croson). They included:

• 2025-268, accepting Lieutenant Ronald Roselli’s resignation, effective January 1, 2026.
• 2025-269 and 2025-270, procedures for promotion to lieutenant and to sergeant, with notice of intent due November 21, 2025 and promotion lists effective through December 31, 2027.
• 2025-271, $122,000 in 2025 budget transfers, from accounts including Zoning Officer salaries ($30,000) and Fire Department salaries ($11,000) to Recreation salaries ($30,000) and FICA ($26,000).
• 2025-272, a property-tax exemption for totally disabled veteran Muammar Salamae at 245 Jasmine Drive, Block 208 Lot 4.62, cancelling $2,104.20 of 2025 taxes and $1,394.59 for the first two quarters of 2026 and refunding $772.00.
• 2025-273, inserting $204.03 from the opioid settlement with Walmart (Year 3) in the 2025 budget.
• 2025-274, promoting Christopher Merkle to Grade 5 and Juan Antigua to Grade 8, effective December 4, 2025.
• 2025-275, a professional services contract with Sarmad Planning Group, LLC for special planning services on the Green Brook Housing Element and Fair Share Plan challenge, at $125 per hour, not to exceed $10,000 without Committee approval.
• 2025-276, releasing a $25,320.00 seasonal performance bond at 22 Wychwood Way, Block 55 Lot 2.04.
• 2025-277, releasing inspection fees, including $2,540.93 for RUDR at 181 Mount Bethel Road, Block 78 Lot 12.
• 2025-278, a resolution opposing S-4736 and similar legislation, directing copies to Senator Jon Bramnick, Assemblymembers Nancy Munoz and Michelle Matsikoudis, Governor Phil Murphy, Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
• 2025-279, requesting a six-month NJDOT extension of the Mountainview Road Project Phase 2 grant to April 30, 2026. See road projects and the overlay program.

Resolution 2025-267, the bill list of $13,671,564.16, was read in full and approved 5–0. It included $5,037,059.00 for the Warren Township Board of Education, $5,340,611.53 for Somerset County, $2,046,342.00 for Watchung Hills Regional High School, $246,258.46 for the Sewer Utility and $1,001,293.17 for township expenses.

Hofheimer House

Mayor Lontai continued to support preserving the Hofheimer house. She was concerned it would deteriorate further if the project was delayed. She said the need for space would grow and fundraising could help offset costs, but a workable project must come first. Committeeman Fine also supported the project and a referendum. He said it would cost taxpayers $98 per year for 20 years. Committeeman Blick stated that projects with significant tax impacts should be put to a public vote. Committeewoman Kian also supported the project. She discussed putting the question on the November ballot. Deputy Mayor Croson said the project is greatly needed and deserves a special referendum election.

The Committee agreed to a special bond referendum election, and the Clerk was to contact the County Clerk and Board of Elections for direction. The minutes state that a resolution authorizing the special election is necessary. See the Hofheimer House ballot question.

Other discussion items

• Lithium batteries. Mr. Krane said the Fire Marshal recommends amending the code in light of legislation on e-bikes and equipment using lithium batteries; the ordinance would affect multi-family dwellings only, not single-family homes. The Committee agreed.
• Agenda process. Committeeman Blick proposed changing the Rules of Order: agendas are posted 48 hours before a meeting and supporting documents the morning of the meeting. The Committee agreed the Rules of Order should be amended so the agenda, including any available ordinances and resolutions, is posted 48 hours before the meeting.
• Park & Ride. The Clerk said 50 passes for 2026 will be issued by lottery, drawn December 10, 2025; the first 50 names chosen receive a pass and the rest go on a numbered wait list. Mr. Krane discussed complaints about crowded buses and said the township is looking at other options. See the park-and-ride license.
• Variable lot size. Mr. Krane said Township Planner John Chadwick recommends a generic zoning amendment because open space dedications leave some zones unable to meet standard yards and setbacks, and that Zoning Officer Stanford is enforcing the code as written. He said he was providing information without a recommendation and would give Mr. Willard time to review.
• Passaic River Flooding Coalition. Mr. Krane reported that Berkeley Heights would be the lead municipality and the Union County Manager’s Office would provide a project manager. The Committee agreed to rejoin the coalition.

Public comment

On agenda items, Will DiGrande of Orchard Way asked why the township opposes Senate Bill S4736; Mr. Krane said the legislation as written takes zoning rights from the municipality. Joe Faro of Sage Drive asked about Resolution 2025-279 and the Mountainview Road extension; Mr. Krane explained the reason for the extension with NJDOT. John Lindner of Providence Road thanked Committeewoman Kian for notifying the Planning Board that elevators in new multi-story buildings should accommodate stretchers.

Joe Faro agreed with the action on campaign signs. He supported preserving the Hofheimer house. Antonio Manata of Green Valley Drive asked about the agenda process. He agreed with a Hofheimer referendum. He asked the status and cost of the affordable housing litigation. Committeeman Fine said the litigation is ongoing and cannot be commented on. Mr. Krane said he would get back to him on cost. Bill Gilbert of Flintlock Drive said the township should act quickly on the Hofheimer house. He asked it to consider a noise ordinance. He described noise from leaf blowers. David Milkis of Stirling Road asked whether businesses could be on the no-knock list. He was advised the ordinance addresses residential properties only. Rory Britt gave an update on Wagner Farm Arboretum’s Brite Nites events. This included the first event at which alcohol was permitted on public property. He said he was disappointed the Hofheimer project is not moving forward at this time. Greg Fitzgerald of Olsen Drive asked for continued support during the referendum campaign. He said work on the plans should begin as soon as possible once the referendum passes.

Reports

Committeewoman Kian reported that Watchung Hills released its Regionalization Feasibility Report on October 30, 2025. The Warrenbrook Senior Center at 500 Warrenville Road will be closed November 17–21 for flooring. A Senior Safety Town Hall is planned for December 16 or 17. Three EMS cadets were sworn in. Committeeman Fine recognized three Pop Warner cheerleading teams competing at Nationals in Charlotte in December. He reported that a consultant will price updates at Moorecraft Farm and Dealaman Pond for a Green Acres grant application. Deputy Mayor Croson reported a $63,350.00 Somerset County grant for the Kirch Ford Terrill House preservation plan. He reported 260 feet of drainage pipe being installed in Plainfield Gardens. He reported NJDOT approval of the King George Road project with bids being accepted for spring construction. He reported Mountainview Phase I going out to bid. Mayor Lontai reported a CPR class for 20 residents. He reported a funding agreement to direct opioid litigation money to the K-8 district. He reported a Youth Services grant for peer mediation at Warren Middle School.