Township Council

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mayor Brian Levine was honored Dec. 11 by the Township Council at what was his last meeting as a local official. Come January 2015, Mayor Brian Levine becomes Somerset County Freeholder Brian Levine.

The ad hoc committee formed to strike a compromise in the dustup over a sound system in Middlebush Park may have accomplished its mission after one meeting. The committee is comprised of four Township Council members, three Middlebush area residents, three representatives from the township’s Pop Warner football program, and a neutral resident.

Seeking to find a compromise among residents who are for and against installing speakers in Middlebush Park, the Township Council Oct. 14 tabled a proposed ordinance that would have prohibited the use of any type of sound system in the park. Instead, the council decided to form an ad hoc committee comprised of council members and residents to try and hammer …

The controversy over a sound system in Middlebush Park will likely erupt again at the Oct. 14 Township Council meeting, as a large contingent of Pop Warner families are expected to attend to oppose an ordinance banning speakers in the park. The council on Sept. 22 passed a resolution banning any type of sound system in the park, which is …