Township Committee Regular Meeting

The meeting began at 7:06 p.m. in the Susie B. Boyce Court Room. Committeeman McCarey, Committeeman Blick, Deputy Mayor Kian, and Mayor Fine were present. Committeeman Croson was absent and excused. Township Administrator Mark Krane and Township Attorney William Willard also attended.

Committeeman McCarey presented a proclamation to the Valerie Fund for its 50th anniversary. He introduced Dominic DiBari, chairman of its board and a Warren resident. Mayor Fine presented a proclamation to the Blue Ridge Sportsmens Club for its 50th anniversary. Rory Britt of the 250th Anniversary Committee gave an update on planned activities.

Public hearings: eight ordinances adopted, 4–0 each

Each hearing was opened and closed. No public comment was made. Each ordinance was adopted by a recorded vote: Committeeman McCarey voted yes, Committeeman Blick voted yes, Deputy Mayor Kian voted yes, and Mayor Fine voted yes.

• 26-04, amending Ordinance 25-11 to raise the New Jersey Historic Trust appropriation for improvements to the Mount Bethel Meeting House to $763,343. The agenda and ordinance title say the earlier amount was $524,155; the attached ordinance text and January 22 Resolution 2026-068 state $524,115. Motion Blick, second McCarey.
• 26-05, a bond ordinance appropriating $445,000 for Valley View Road improvements and authorizing $420,000 in bonds or notes. Motion Kian, second McCarey.
• 26-06, repealing and replacing Section 15-5.4 “Development Fees to Fund Affordable Housing” and Section 16-6 “Affordable Housing Unit Regulations.” Motion McCarey, second Blick.
• 26-07, creating a new AH-10 Affordable Housing District. Motion Blick, second Kian.
• 26-08, creating a new AH-11 Affordable Housing District. Motion Kian, second Blick.
• 26-09, creating a new AH-12 Affordable Housing District. Motion McCarey, second Kian.
• 26-10, amending Section 16-22A, the AH-4 district, to remove hotel area as a permitted use and provide for age-restricted inclusionary housing. Motion Blick, second McCarey.
• 26-11, creating a new AH-9 Affordable Housing District. Motion Kian, second McCarey.

The Committee then approved the January 22 and February 19, 2026 executive and regular meeting minutes, 4–0, on a motion by Mr. McCarey seconded by Deputy Mayor Kian.

Reports

Liaisons reported the following, as recorded in the minutes: The insurance company’s subrogation team toured Town Hall. They appeared to be investigating potential claims against third parties related to the flooding. A new summer internship program is limited to four Warren resident high school students. It will run from July 13 through the week of July 27. The Board of Health issued cautions about bird flu. The Fire Department’s March 13 installation dinner is scheduled. FIFA World Cup preparations are underway. Recreation events include the March 18 Sports Recognition Dinner, April 15 Senior Spring Fling, and May 9 Fishing Derby. Courtroom audio-visual upgrades are on hold. They are waiting until staff is relocated. A restaurant week is planned for June 12–26 with Connections Magazine.

Bills and new business

Resolution 2026-092, the bill list, was read in full and approved 4–0.

Three ordinances were introduced, 4–0 each, with public hearings set for April 16, 2026:

Item 26-12 appropriates $900,000 from a congressional appropriation. This is under the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 2026. The funds are for public safety communications and related improvements. Motion by Kian, seconded by McCarey. Item 26-13 amends Bond Ordinance 25-13. It adds $100,000 for the Cherry Tree Lane drainage improvements engineering feasibility study. Of this, $95,000 will be in bonds or notes. Mr. Krane explained that the initial Maxwell Court study showed the downstream area, including Cherry Tree Lane, also needed attention. Motion by McCarey, seconded by Kian. Item 26-14 amends Section 16-22C, the AH-6 district. It increases housing units from 26 to 28. The two additional units are designated affordable. Mr. Krane said this is the Berlant project at Straits Lane and Mountain Boulevard, approved under the third round. He added that the two units replace units not completed on Hauser Lane without expanding the project footprint. Motion by Blick, seconded by McCarey.

Consent agenda 2026-093 to 2026-105, 4–0

All thirteen resolutions passed on one motion by Deputy Mayor Kian, seconded by Mr. Blick. They included a contract with Rehabco, Inc. for the housing rehabilitation program (2026-093), a Park and Ride extension agreement (2026-096), $121,000 in reserve budget transfers (2026-097), a contract with Community Grants, Planning & Housing to administer affordable units (2026-098), the Affordable Housing Trust Fund fourth round spending plan (2026-099), an affirmative marketing plan (2026-100), procedures for promotion to police captain (2026-102), an amendment to the 2026 temporary budget (2026-103), endorsement of the amended Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (2026-104) and deed restrictions with Cooperative Housing Corporation on Lindbergh Avenue (2026-105).

Mr. Krane said several resolutions implemented the affordable housing plan; Mr. Willard said the Planning Board had adopted the amended Housing Element and Fair Share Plan and the Committee was being asked to endorse it. The Clerk administered oaths to Rick DePinho as a member of the 250th Anniversary Committee and Brielle LaCosta as a member of the Board of Health.

Discussion

Tree ordinance. Mr. Krane said the Engineering and Zoning offices prepared a proposal to amend the tree ordinance. This is so it can be properly enforced. He suggested the Environmental Commission receive a copy. Mr. Willard suggested reviewing the model New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ordinance. 2026 sewer rates. The recommendation is that the Township not adjust rates for 2026. Mr. Krane said average water use rose. This means the average user’s bill will rise slightly due to usage, not a rate increase. 2026 budget. To meet statutory deadlines, the budget will be introduced April 16.

Public comment

On agenda items, John Lindner of Providence Road thanked the Committee and professionals. He is chairman of the Planning Board. He thanked them for their work on affordable housing planning.

During privilege of the floor, Rick DePinho of Wilshire Road asked for an explanation of Ordinance 26-14. He also asked for an update on the Green Brook affordable housing litigation and about Zoom. Mr. Krane said 26-14 added two units transferred from another site to meet a missing third-round requirement. Mr. Willard said the footprint is not increasing. Bill Gilbert of Flintlock Drive said the tree ordinance needs more enforcement. He also said it should be publicized to realtors. Doug Fontanello of Bardy Road, president of the Warren Rescue Squad, reported 57 calls and 3,100 man hours in February. He also reported the opening of temporary centers during two snowstorms. Joe Faro of Sage Drive asked about additional streetlights on Mountain Boulevard and about revisions to the tree ordinance.

Mr. Krane said 26-14 added two units transferred from another site to meet a missing third-round requirement, and Mr. Willard said the footprint is not increasing. Bill Gilbert of Flintlock Drive said the tree ordinance needs more enforcement and should be publicized to realtors. Doug Fontanello of Bardy Road, president of the Warren Rescue Squad, reported 57 calls and 3,100 man hours in February and the opening of temporary centers during two snowstorms. Joe Faro of Sage Drive asked about additional streetlights on Mountain Boulevard and about revisions to the tree ordinance.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Records

• Agenda
• Minutes