Township Committee Regular Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 7:09 p.m. Present were Committeeman Fine, Committeewoman Kian, Deputy Mayor Croson and Mayor Lontai. Committeeman Blick was absent and excused. Township Administrator Mark Krane and Township Attorney William Willard were also present.

Ordinance 25-20 adopted 4–0

The Committee held the second reading and public hearing on Ordinance 25-20, which amends Chapter 16, Section 16-25.5 to prohibit posting signs on public property other than official Township signs about the property, public events or public information. Mayor Lontai opened the hearing; the minutes record no comments, and the hearing was closed. The ordinance was adopted 4–0: Fine yes, Kian yes, Croson yes, Lontai yes.

The minutes from the November 13 and December 2, 2025 executive and regular meetings were approved 4–0.

Bills and personnel

Resolution 2025-284 authorized payment of $2,383,638.57 in current bills, including $359,061.76 for the Sewer Utility and $2,024,576.81 in Township expenses; it passed 4–0.

• 2025-285, promotion of Robert Dinsmore to Lieutenant 2nd Grade, 4–0.
• 2025-286, promotion of Michael Dollard to Sergeant 2nd Grade, 4–0.
• 2025-287, a Youth Mentoring and Mental Health Programs funding agreement with the Warren Township Board of Education, 4–0 with Mayor Lontai abstaining. The resolution commits $40,000 for 2025–2026, $30,000 for 2026–2027 and $20,000 for 2027–2028 from opioid settlement funds.

Consent agenda 2025-288 to 2025-307, 4–0

All twenty resolutions passed on one motion, 4–0. Some of them included:

• 2025-290 and 2025-291 approved plans and specifications for King George Road Phase II, from Berkshire Drive to Washington Valley Road, and Mountainview Road Phase I, from 15 Mountainview Road to Round Top Road.
• 2025-292 extended the Park and Ride license agreement at 300 Warren Corporate Center Drive for three months, January 1 through March 31, 2026.
• 2025-294 awarded an affordable housing rehabilitation contract for 6 Round Top Road to Dry Tech Restoration, not to exceed $15,999.99, against a second estimate of $28,600.00.
• 2025-297 awarded the Stiles Road Pump Station upgrade to Rapid Pump & Meter Service Co., Inc. at not to exceed $566,735.00, the lowest of seven bids.
• 2025-298 awarded King George Road Improvements Phase II to Stilo at not to exceed $221,889.98, the lowest of nine bids.
• 2025-300 awarded Mountainview Road Improvements Phase I to Stilo at not to exceed $357,660.05, the lowest of ten bids.
• 2025-301 and 2025-302 awarded PS&S engineering contracts of up to $65,000 for the Stage IV wastewater generator replacement and up to $74,500 for construction administration on the Stiles Road pump station.
• 2025-303 authorized $113,000 in 2025 budget transfers.
• 2025-304 awarded sanitary sewer line repair contracts to three firms, with purchase orders not to exceed $150,000 combined unless the Committee authorizes more.
• 2025-305 authorized a lease of a 2025 Horton ambulance to the Warren Township Rescue Squad for up to 15 years at $1.00 a year.

Mediation agreement with Fair Share Housing Center, 4–0

Township Attorney Willard described the affordable housing process to date, the challenges filed to the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, and the proposed mediation agreement. He said a hearing was scheduled for the following day, December 12.

Planner Katherine Sarmad said the urgency came from the program’s timeline, not from inaction by the Township. She said the draft settlement largely aligns with the compliance plan and includes a 100% affordable housing project in the center of town, with a backup plan if that project does not come to fruition by March 31, 2026. Committeeman Fine said the 100% affordable project reduces the amount of building needed to meet the obligation.

Resolution 2025-308 authorizing execution of the mediation agreement passed 4–0.

Discussion items

• Maxwell Court drainage. Remington & Vernick Engineers presented findings on conditions in the Maxwell Court and Cherry Tree Lane drainage areas and recommendations for improvements. The presentation is attached to the minutes.
• Valley View Road. Township Engineer Christian Kastrud reported a $252,952.00 NJDOT grant for milling, overlay and drainage work on Valley View Road, in addition to the Township’s overlay project.
• Firearm permit fees. A resident had written asking the Committee to refund firearm permit application fees. Chief Ferreiro explained the permit process and said he had contacted the state and other municipalities. Attorney Willard said the statute requires the municipality to collect the fee.

Public comment

During comment on agenda items, Bill Gilbert of Flintlock Drive asked for the timing of the King George Road and Mountainview Road paving projects; the minutes record that both will likely be spring projects. Patricia Zohn, president of the Warren Township Board of Education, thanked the Committee for Resolution 2025-287 and said the funds would support a mentoring program for students in grades 6 through 8.

During privilege of the floor:

• Patrick Tucker of Stiles Road supported removing fees for permits to carry firearms.
• Joseph Faro of Sage Drive thanked the Township Committee for the Valley View Road grant. He asked for drainage maintenance and repairs on Mount Bethel Road.
• Bill Gilbert of Flintlock Drive said the clear-cutting on Hillcrest was done under the approved plan. He recommended maintaining barriers in future standards, particularly along Route 78.
• Rory Britt of Sneider Road thanked Mayor Lontai for her support of the historical community.
• Jaymin Patel supported expanding the Park & Ride facility.
• Frank Kane of Maxwell Court asked about next steps on drainage. Mr. Krane said meetings would be scheduled with R&V Engineers and the DPW on immediate maintenance, costs, and construction plans. Mayor Lontai suggested the DPW review all Township culverts and set a maintenance schedule.

The meeting ended at 8:52 p.m.

Records

• Agenda
• Minutes