Township Council

Township Democrats head to the polls June 2 to choose whether a party loyalist or a young upstart will represent their party in November’s mayoral race. This is the third time in township history that residents will be able to directly elect a mayor, but the first time the position has been primaried. Running for the opportunity to carry the Democratic banner …

The Township Council at its April 28 meeting presented a handful of commendations and proclamations, recognizing heroism and anniversaries, among other things. Township police officers Deyo Swartz, Steven Ellmyer, Brian Quigley, Walter Skrowbowski and Nicholas Gambino were honored by the council for their actions April 15 in saving a Spruce Street woman from her burning home. Skrobowski and Swartz saved …

A public hearing on the slimmed-down version of the proposed Catalpa Park is set for 7 p.m. June 30 in the Township Council chamber. The new plan has been making the rounds of various boards and advisory groups with Township manager Robert Vornlocker since February. Vornlocker has been explaining the changes and asking the members to create recommendations to be delivered …

The township council has a message for drivers tired of getting their vehicles rattled when they travel over the Veronica Avenue and Clyde Road railroad crossings: Call Conrail. In fact, that message is posted on signs at each of the roads’ crossings. Angry residents have been calling township administration for about a year, complaining of the potholes around the railroad …

Republican Mayor Chris Kelly and Democratic Township Councilman Phil Kramer will lead their respective parties into the 2015 mayoral/council elections this November. Kelly, who was appointed mayor earlier this year to fill the term of County Freeholder Brian Levine, and Kramer, serving his second 4-year term as councilman, are running for mayor. Joining Kelly on the GOP ticket for At-Large seats …

Three of the four township residents who were named “Outstanding Women” in the county were honored at the March 10 Township Council meeting. Michéle Samarya-Timm, Joanne Polito and Lisa Frey were given council commendations for their accomplishments. The fourth honoree, Betty Barber, was not at the meeting. The women were honored for their selection by the Somerset County Commission on the Status of …

Former state Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula was the recipient of two proclamations at the Feb. 3 Township Council meeting. Chivukula, who last year was appointed to the state Board of Public Utilities, was given a proclamation by the council and by the state Assembly. Chivukula was a councilman for more than 8 years, first being elected in 1997. He served as mayor …

He’s a triathlete, a pastry chef and now, a mayor. Township native Chris Kelly was sworn in as mayor at the Jan. 13 Township Council meeting, replacing Brian Levine, who has moved on to the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Kelly will serve out the final year of what would have been Levine’s third term. Levine was the first …

Township Republicans have submitted three candidates to the Township Council to fill out the one-year unexpired term of former Mayor Brian Levine. Levine is now a Somerset County Freeholder. The candidates are township Republican chairman Bob LaCorte of Blackwells Mills Road, Chris Kelley of Hilltop Lane and Raleigh Steinhauer of Pinecrest Drive. The names were submitted by LaCorte to Township …

Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois (D-At Large) was unanimously elected Deputy Mayor at the Jan. 6 reorganization meeting. Francois will lead council meetings until a replacement is picked for former Mayor Brian Levine, who is now a Somerset County Freeholder. The council has 15 days from the time three names are submitted to pick a candidate for the post. Francois, who …