Taxes

A Lafayette-based contractor has been tapped to replace the Steep Hill Brook Bridge on Blackwells Mills Road. The contract was awarded by the Somerset County Freeholders at their May 13 meeting.

Township Councilwoman Roz Sherman (D-Ward 2) has entered the fray over whether a permanent sound system should be installed at the Middlebush Park football fields. “Yes, we needed the fields, yes, we were very happy to have the fields,” she said at the May 27 Township Council meeting. “Speakers are not necessary.”

A water main break over the Memorial Day weekend has been fixed, and the damaged road repaired. Township manager Robert Vornlocker told the Township Council at its May 27 meeting that the work did not cost the $75,000 allowed in an emergency resolution it eventually passed for the repair.

The Board of Education’s search for a new schools Superintendent is barely underway, but “seven or eight” hopefuls have already submitted applications, the school board was told May 15. Representatives from the board’s superintendent search firm, Hazard, Young & Attea Associates, sat with the board in a special meeting designed to help the company prepare a “leadership profile” of the type …

The potential for a sound system to be added to the athletic complex at Middlebush Park, off DeMott Lane, sparked a debate among residents at the May 13 Township Council meeting. In general, residents who live near the area were opposed to the idea, while residents connected with the various sports organizations that use it were supportive.

A $57 million spending plan for 2014 that includes money for road repaving and new sidewalks in parts of the township was approved May 13 by the Township Council. As he did when the spending plan was introduced, Mayor Brian Levine (R) cast the lone “no” vote.

UPDATE: Orvyl Wilson, the school district’s director of school management, has been named acting principal at the high school. Wilson served as the high school principal from 2001 to 2008 and as acting principal from April through July 2012. District spokeswoman Mary Clark said the issue of Wilson’s compensation “is under review and will be determined by Board of Education policy …

A $142 million spending plan for the 2014-2015 school year was approved May 6 by the Board of Education. The budget is powered by a tax levy of nearly $130 million, comprised of $124,774,680 for the general fund and $4,626,751 for the district’s debt service.

Here’s what’s happened since the FR&A broke this story: An online petition has been created, urging the Board of Education to not accept Bevere’s resignation at its May 8 meeting. The board will consider the resignation as part of the interim Superintendent’s personnel report. The reason given for Bevere’s resignation in that report is “personal.” Orignal story:

It took the Board of Education president to change her vote, but Home Street resident Edward Potosnak III was selected to fill the board’s vacant seat at an April 25 special meeting. Potosnak, who is also an alternate member of the township Planning Board, was one of six candidates vying for the seat vacated earlier this year by Robert Trautmann.