Thomas Emens

The meeting agenda included opening remarks regarding compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and fire safety announcements. Key items for consideration included several resolutions for the appointment of official roles, specifically an Attorney, Engineer, Planner, and Alternate Attorney for the Board. The agenda also featured consideration for granting an amended Use Variance for 333 Forsgate Drive regarding food uses and convenience stores, and granting amended site plan approval for 36 West Railroad Avenue. Two public hearings were scheduled: one concerning a request for a bulk Variance to install a generator seven feet from the southerly property line at 191 Gatzmer Avenue, and another for New Jersey American Water Company regarding a Conditional Use Variance and Site Plan approval for a Chemical Building and upgrades at the Mill Road water tank site.

The agenda for this reorganization meeting includes the swearing in of new Land Use Board appointments. Key administrative resolutions cover the election of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, the appointment of the Secretary, Attorney, Engineer, Planner, and Alternate Attorney, as well as designating official newspapers and setting the meeting dates for 2026. Substantive matters include the consideration of a minor subdivision application for 166 Buckelew Avenue and granting a second one-year extension for the Vardhan Real Estate Enterprises project. Furthermore, the board is scheduled to hold public hearings regarding an application for an amended Use Variance for 333 Forsgte Drive to allow various food uses and convenience stores while seeking to remove a deed restriction, and another application for 36 West Railroad Ave proposing to convert an existing bank into a retail firearms and ammunition store.

The meeting agenda includes the reading of the Open Public Meetings Act compliance announcement. Key discussion items involve the consideration of Resolution #12-25 concerning 70 West Railroad Avenue, which seeks a Use Variance and Preliminary and Final Site Plan approval to renovate the first-floor office into two units and renovate the existing second-floor apartment. Another item addresses a request from Vardhan Real Estate Enterprises for a third one-year extension of Final Major Site Plan approval. Furthermore, a public hearing is scheduled for 166 Buckelew Avenue, proposing the subdivision of four existing lots via lot line adjustments into four conforming residential lots.

The reorganization meeting agenda included the swearing in of new Land Use Board Appointments. Key resolutions to be addressed included appointing a Secretary, designating official newspapers, and setting the meeting dates for 2026. Discussion was scheduled for professional bids and several resolutions pertaining to existing properties, specifically Resolution #01-26-166 Buckelew Avenue concerning a minor subdivision into four lots, and Resolution #14-25 regarding a second one-year extension for Vardhan Real Estate Enterprises for a medical building. Public hearings were planned for 333 Forsgte Drive to address an amended Use Variance request to permit various food uses and convenience stores (excluding fast food with drive-thru) and to remove a deed restriction, and for 36 West Railroad Ave to consider converting an existing bank into a retail firearms and ammunition store.

The Governing Body Meeting included discussions and resolutions regarding several personnel matters, notably the appointment of a new Chief of Police, Jason Muller, and the swearing-in of Patrolman Angelo Nicosia, alongside the retirement recognition of former Chief James Craparotta. Key resolutions involved approving the Chief of Police contract and appointing a full-time probationary officer. The council addressed public concerns regarding heavy vehicles on East Railroad Avenue. Several bond ordinances were introduced for public hearing, authorizing appropriations for preparing an approved Tax Map and for MS4 Stormwater Management. Consent agenda items included accepting monthly financial and operational reports and approving vouchers. Non-consent resolutions covered accepting minutes from previous meetings, authorizing special emergency notes related to the Tax Map and Watershed Improvement Plan preparations, approving tax cancellations and refunds for disabled veterans, awarding the dental contract, confirming Fire Commissioners' salaries, extending the Solid Waste Collection contract, participating in the Defense Logistics Agency 1033 Program, authorizing change orders for parking lot and NJDOT projects, including grant revenue into the 2025 budget, approving a property usage agreement for temporary Police Headquarters, withdrawing an escrow application for Jamesburg Vet, authorizing a Shared Services Agreement for tax mapping, and authorizing budget transfers and salary increases. Committee reports covered financial stewardship, community events like the tree lighting, police department operations, and public works activities including leaf collection and equipment maintenance.