Township Council Taxes

Sparks flew at the Township Council reorganization meeting Jan. 1 when the all-Democrat Council refused to place Republican Mayor Brian Levine on a key township committee. The refusal sparked a rare show of public anger from Levine, who accused teh council members of playing politics. But one Democrat said the reason Levine was not placed on the Administration Committee as …

It’s not uncommon to have special guess show up at municipal reorganization meetings. But it is a bit unusual to have a sitting U.S. Senator and Congressman appear at the sessions. That was the case Jan. 1 when newly minted U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ, and Rep. Rush Holt, D-17, showed up at the Township Council reorganization meeting. Both spoke …

Resolutions to buy nine RADAR units for township police cars and a dump truck with a plow were approved at the Dec. 11 Township Council meeting. The council also voted to award bids for HVAC maintenance and repairs for township buildings, extend its current snow plowing contract and increases in two attorneys’ retainers at the meeting. The nine RADAR units …

The township and the Franklin-Somerset First Aid Squad are on the verge of a deal over two ambulances, but some details still have to be worked out. Township Council members at the Nov. 26 council meeting seemed amenable to the idea of selling two 1990s-era ambulances to the squad for $4,000 each. The only sticking point is who would pay …

The township Ethics Board was officially dissolved at the Township Council Dec. 10 meeting, by a vote of 6-2. Voting for the motion to move the board’s duties to the state Department of Community Affairs’ Local Finance Board were Council members James Vassanella (Ward 5), Ted Chase (Ward 1), Brian Regan (At-Large), Phil Kramer (Ward 3), Rajiv Prasad (At-Large) and …

The Township Council Nov. 26 voted to buy a new Dodge Durango for the Department of Fire Prevention and lease copiers for the finance and animal control departments. The 2014 Durango is needed by the Fire Prevention department because of the addition of a new fire inspector, according to a memo from Township Clerk Ann Marie McCarthy. The truck, including …

New Brunswick should “ante up” if the township has to do any additional water supply testing in the wake of charges that the neighboring city’s former water department operator falsified three year’s worth of water tests. That was the word Nov. 26 from Township Councilman Brian Regan (At-Large) and Mayor Brian Levine after the council was told of a possible …

Minor adjustments to two ordinances were approved at the Township Council’s Nov. 26 meeting. The ordinances have to do with licensing and fees. The council approved an ordinance amendment that strikes the $50 per vehicle per year fee charged to limousine companies. Mayor Brian Levine said the change brings the township into compliance with state law. A second ordinance change, …

The organization that funds the Franklin Township Animal Shelter received a $2,000 donation to help it buy pet food for families in need. The Franklin Township Community Foundation, started about 15 years ago through a grant from the Heller Corp., provided the grant. It was presented to Second Chance for Animals president Bob Pezzano at the Nov. 12 Township Council …

The township’s willingness to house its medical and dental health care plans with one company led the company to slash its initial 2014 renewal premiums by more than $750,000. That was the word Nov. 12 from Stuart Migdon, of the Woodbridge-based Business & Governmental Insurance Agency, the township’s insurance broker. Migdon told the Township Council at its meeting that Horizon Blue …