Township Committee Regular Meeting
The Township Committee approved the bond counsel contract with McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, 5–0, after tabling it on January 6. It introduced three ordinances 5–0, including a sanitary sewer easement with MDR Equities, and adopted consent resolutions 2026-050 through 2026-071, 5–0, including the Paragon contract for the Mount Bethel Meeting House.
- Government
- Housing
- Infrastructure
Meeting recording
The township's record
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What happened
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. Present were Committeeman McCarey, Committeeman Blick, Committeeman Croson, Deputy Mayor Kian and Mayor Fine, with Township Administrator Mark Krane and Township Attorney William Willard.
Presentation and proclamations
Katherine Negri of Mira Vie presented a support group for families caring for loved ones with dementia. The Committee recognized the Watchung Hills Wolverines Mitey Mites and Junior Pee Wee Cheer teams and their coaches for their success at Nationals.
Members reported on fire company meetings. About 230 residents registered for the No Knock List. Courtroom audiovisual work began that day. Winter road operations were also discussed. These operations cover 345 or more municipal roads. There are 12 salting routes and 18 plow routes. Plowing begins when snow is more than 2.5 inches deep. Six to eight hours are typically needed after a storm for plowing.
Bond counsel vote 5–0
Mr. Blick raised concerns about a member of McManimon, Scotland & Baumann’s prior Township involvement and public commentary. Mr. Croson said he had requested written confirmation about possible campaign contributions and was satisfied with the response. Mr. McCarey questioned attorney Matthew Jessup about the firm’s role, experience and proposal. Resolution 2026-046 awarding the contract was then approved 5–0 on a motion by Mr. McCarey, seconded by Deputy Mayor Kian.
The bill list, Resolution 2026-049, was read in full and approved 5–0. It authorized payment of $13,927,013.58, including $4,085,197.00 and $4,085,196.00 to the Warren Township Board of Education for January and February, $2,559,503.00 and $1,730,895.00 to Watchung Hills Regional High School, $258,833.58 to Somerset County and $135,161.65 to the Sewer Utility.
Ordinances introduced, 5–0 each
- 26-01 authorizes a sanitary sewer easement with MDR Equities, LLC for a sewer line within the Township-owned Mountain View Road, Block 11 Lot 2 property and the Mountain View Road right of way, to connect its property to the public sewer system.
- 26-02 amends Chapter 2, Section 2-8.2 on appointments to the Board of Health.
- 26-03 amends Chapter 2, Section 2-19 on the Township Administrator.
Public hearings on all three were set for February 19, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the Susie B. Boyce Meeting Room.
Consent agenda 2026-050 to 2026-071, 5–0
All twenty-two resolutions passed on one motion. Among them:
- 2026-057 awarded Phase 3A interior restoration and site improvements at the Mount Bethel Meeting House to Paragon Restoration Corporation at not to exceed $556,250.00, the lower of two bids; Spartan Construction bid $583,750.00.
- 2026-064 authorized purchase orders for fire and police radios from Motorola Solutions through Wireless C&E under a state contract, not to exceed $75,000.00.
- 2026-068 and 2026-069 authorized a New Jersey Historic Trust grant amendment for the Mount Bethel Meeting House and a grant agreement for the Kirch-Ford-Terrill House.
- 2026-070 awarded dental insurance to Delta Dental for February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027.
- 2026-071 awarded Clarke Caton Hintz a $63,350.00 professional services contract for a preservation plan for the Kirch-Ford-Terrill House.
Other resolutions covered the 2026 recycling agreement with Somerset County, tree trimming and removal services, purchases of fuel and rock salt, software licenses and computer equipment, the cancellation of taxes for a totally disabled veteran, and a performance bond release for Sleepy Hollow of Warren, LLC.
Discussion items
- Business recognition. Mr. McCarey and Deputy Mayor Kian described a proposed milestone recognition program, a restaurant week and inviting one local business to each monthly meeting. Additional details were to be released the following week.
- Hofheimer House referendum. Attorney Willard said the question would be on the General Election ballot as required by statute, that Township resources cannot be used to advocate for either position, and that next steps are meeting with the Historic Sites Committee and adopting a resolution placing the question on the ballot.
- 73 Mountainview Road. Mr. Krane reported that the property was purchased on December 30, 2025 for $875,000 following Township Committee authorization and will be designated as open space.
- Emergency equipment. Mr. Blick said he and Mayor Fine had discussed buying a truck or trailer to supply water, charging and warming during power outages, supplementing use of the Court Room as a warming station. Discussion is ongoing.
Public comment
On agenda items, Greg Fitzgerald, chairman of the Historic Sites Committee, asked about the next steps for the Hofheimer House referendum, whether the committee would have input on how the question is presented, and for continued support from the Committee. Mayor Fine said members would be in contact. Heather Trumpore of Old Farm Road commented on the bond counsel discussion.
During privilege of the floor:
- Joseph Faro of Sage Drive welcomed Mr. McCarey, stressed the road overlay program after winter weather, supported Hofheimer House restoration and asked where 73 Mountainview Road is and how the open space will be used.
- Bill Gilbert of Flintlock Drive asked about maintenance of the Hofheimer House if the referendum is delayed to November. Mayor Fine said the Department of Public Works will address issues that arise.
- David Green of Sycamore Way asked for an update on the Green Brook challenge and was told there is none. On the affordable housing litigation, the minutes record that the matter is pending before the State Appellate Division with an additional appeal filed in the Third Circuit, and that the Township is awaiting a decision on its housing plan.
- Doug Fontanello of Bardy Road, president of the Warren Rescue Squad, introduced himself and reported that the squad handled 324 calls totaling about 18,000 man-hours in 2025.
- Patrick Tucker of Stiles Road continued his request to eliminate the application fee for permits to carry a concealed weapon. Mayor Fine described the administrative burden on the Police Department and asked Mr. Tucker to contact Mr. Krane.
The meeting ended at 8:45 p.m.