Township Committee Regular Meeting

The Township Committee met on August 20, 2026, at 7:10 p.m. in the Susie B. Boyce Meeting Room. Present were Committeeman McCarey, Committeeman Blick, Committeeman Croson, Deputy Mayor Kian, and Mayor Fine. Township Administrator Mark Krane and Attorney Michael DeFazio were also present. The meeting ended at 8:20 p.m. The minutes state that the township stopped showing meetings on Facebook Live. It now streams them through the township app, the website, and the cable stations.

Before the meeting, Resolution 2026-205 authorized an executive session on Police Department interviews and a potential litigation claims settlement involving a tanker accident. The minutes record no action from that session.

Mayor Fine read a proclamation remembering Susie B. Boyce, former committeewoman and the township’s first female mayor. Deputy Mayor Kian recognized three businesses operating in Warren for more than 30 years. Committeeman Croson presented a proclamation recognizing September 14–20, 2026 as National Diaper Need Awareness Week.

Dealaman appropriation adopted, 5–0

Ordinance 26-22 appropriated $1,140,160 for Dealaman Nature Trail and Pond improvements. At the public hearing, Bill Gilbert of Flintlock Drive said he supported the ordinance and the work, and Bill Boyce of Springdale Lane asked for better trail surfaces. Mr. Krane said the township received 50% matching grant funds through a Green Acres Stewardship Grant. Mayor Fine closed the hearing. On a motion by Mr. McCarey, seconded by Mr. Croson, the ordinance was adopted. Roll call: McCarey yes, Blick yes, Croson yes, Kian yes, Fine yes.

Mr. Blick moved to approve the minutes of the July 16, 2026 executive and regular meetings. Deputy Mayor Kian seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by voice vote. Mr. Croson abstained. There were no public comments on agenda items.

Bills, 5–0

Resolution 2026-206, payment of bills, was read in full by Mr. Croson and approved on a motion by Mr. Croson, seconded by Mr. McCarey. Roll call: McCarey yes, Blick yes, Croson yes, Kian yes, Fine yes.

Ordinances introduced, 5–0 each

• Ordinance 26-23 appropriates $1,400,000 and authorizes $1,330,000 in bonds or notes to acquire property. Mr. Krane said the township negotiated to buy the Round Top Swim Club for $1,050,000 through the Open Space Trust Fund. He said the appropriation also covers due diligence and any immediate repairs, and that the township is buying the property, facilities and fixtures, not the entity. Introduced on a motion by Deputy Mayor Kian, seconded by Mr. McCarey. Roll call: McCarey yes, Blick yes, Croson yes, Kian yes, Fine yes. The Clerk announced a public hearing for September 24, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
• Ordinance 26-24 vacates a portion of San Road and a portion of an existing brook and drainage easement for Block 86.01, Lot 30.01. Introduced on a motion by Mr. McCarey, seconded by Mr. Croson. Same roll call, 5–0. A public hearing was announced for September 24, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

Stirling Road affordable housing memorandum, 5–0

Resolution 2026-207 authorized an agreement with Nouvelle, LLC and Pillar Care Continuum, Inc. for a 100% affordable supportive-needs project on two township-owned parcels: 107 Stirling Road, Block 114 Lot 28, about 8.48 acres, and 101 Stirling Road, Block 114 Lot 29, about 1.09 acres. The resolution describes a framework for a project of a minimum of 32 affordable units, including development plans, funding exploration and negotiation of a future development and affordable housing agreement. It was moved by Mr. Blick, seconded by Mr. Croson. Roll call: McCarey yes, Blick yes, Croson yes, Kian yes, Fine yes. The minutes record no public comment on agenda items before the vote and no discussion of the terms.

Other resolutions

• Resolution 2026-208 supported S4472, which would require members of the Legislature to hold annual town hall meetings. Mr. Croson recognized Brian Lee of Senator Bramnick’s office, the bill’s sponsor. Moved by Mr. Croson, seconded by Deputy Mayor Kian; 5–0.
• Resolution 2026-209 accepted the resignation of Lieutenant Daniel Gleeson. Mayor Fine asked Chief Ferreiro to speak; the minutes say Gleeson served nearly 27 years. Moved by Mayor Fine, seconded by Deputy Mayor Kian; 5–0.

Consent agenda, 2026-210 through 2026-234, 5–0

The 25 consent resolutions were adopted in one motion by Mr. McCarey, seconded by Mr. Croson. Roll call: McCarey yes, Blick yes, Croson yes, Kian yes, Fine yes. Among them:

• police promotions to lieutenant 2nd grade (2026-210) and sergeant 2nd grade (2026-211);
• a settlement stipulation in 45 Technology Drive LLC v. Township of Warren, Tax Court Docket No. 002865-2026 (2026-215);
• a payroll services contract with Primepoint (2026-216);
• a special revenue item from the nationwide opioid settlement (2026-219);
• Change Order 1 for Mount Bethel Meeting House Phase 3A interior restoration (2026-223);
• Change Order 1 for King George Road Improvements Phase II (2026-224);
• a two-month NJDOT extension of the Mountainview Road Phase II grant (2026-225);
• a professional services contract with Remington & Vernick Engineers for a preliminary assessment report for Dealaman (2026-226);
• a school resource officer shared service agreement with the Watchung Hills Regional High School Board of Education, which the resolution states totals $155,000.00 for the 2026–2027 school year (2026-227);
• acceptance of a $5,000 donation from the Somerset County Business Partnership (2026-228);
• extension of the leases at 3 Mountainview Road through December 31, 2026, for an amount not to exceed $82,000.00 (2026-229);
• the 2026–2027 deer management hunt on certain township and county-owned properties (2026-230);
• purchase of furniture for Town Hall (2026-231);
• a development agreement with Somerset County and Parkside Villas, LLC on transportation improvement contributions (2026-232);
• a shared services agreement with the Warren Township Board of Education for use of the Middle School field by the adult men’s softball league (2026-234).

Discussion

Mr. Krane presented a memo about the 2027 budget process. He asked the Committee for their reactions at the September 24 meeting. The minutes state the budget goals are to keep the amount raised by taxes the lowest possible. They also aim to continue services and keep the AAA bond rating. Mayor Fine asked for draft mission and vision statements to be finalized. Deputy Mayor Kian asked the Clerk for information about the Zoom pilot program. This information should include its rules, procedures, and what worked well. Deputy Mayor Kian also asked for more information from the vendor about improvements needed for virtual participation. Mr. Blick stated the initial requirements included two-way virtual communication and a system that worked on any platform.

Privilege of the floor

Bill Boyce of Springdale Lane spoke on what makes a successful governing body, thanked the Committee, and said he supports the proposed Hofheimer House improvements and asked the Committee to support them. Rick de Pinho of Wilshire Road said he supports virtual participation and commended the Committee for reconsidering Zoom, asked it to decide about the old municipal building, and asked it to keep budget considerations in mind to hold down tax increases.

Records

• Agenda
• Minutes