[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6057497,"mediaKeyId","3305755-acce6f4abd7fa0ca23c3e3e0224f6a05","parentId",3305755,"title","Residents press council over loud firehouse siren and speeding on county roads","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",9076000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3305755-acce6f4abd7fa0ca23c3e3e0224f6a05&start=9076&end=9076","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3305755-acce6f4abd7fa0ca23c3e3e0224f6a05/thumbnail_9076000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6057497/New-Jersey/Residents-press-council-over-loud-firehouse-siren-and-speeding-on-county-roads","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057497-c1eccad61d2060b076bdd03a9933c7e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140315&Signature=T~AMTm9~F1OqO5JVCdyKz4AUOMBc73-RWPsFepgEMbMrnCjxDWwPwfRByo9eeI3AidaySt60~Hr0Bj04tYnL0AHv7I7-ZzAksYfQwMLb89NF5olyNkC4WMCRPG1cwrQqLBuvr2eb92NxL6Z6aY4-hjgcbRP2GB4du7sAZ6OoR2g82W~ZLb9v7NyXyRaXNZTQ44LLpePLAxgfhsDpe5GbOM~0DhpX0-7w6~tQP-X7JGkPDZbKmNkdL9-pk50TiWoZ2Npg5qavvKuOyBvMAmuYx7Ydh7QhLqYm4hr~SknXMtLYOSh20p45VlvrG13gMW-Itm281rlz-eU6-fKqnNPQwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe Township","date","2025-05-08T13:42:21Z","article","Multiple Monroe Township residents raised public‑safety and quality‑of‑life complaints during the May 20 public‑comment period, asking the township to address a repeatedly sounding firehouse siren and widespread speeding and loud vehicles on local roads.

Residents who live behind the former firehouse on Harrison Avenue said a stationary siren at that facility sounds multiple times per day, often in two consecutive bursts and at a measured level one resident reported at about 110 decibels. “My house shakes when it goes off,” said resident Jennifer (DeCarlo). Tom DeCarlo said the alarm “is the most annoying thing you ever heard” and said the noise is disrupting residents’ ability to use yards and sleep during daytime hours.

Council and administration said they would engage the fire department to determine why the stationary siren is still active at the decommissioned building and whether the alarm can be adjusted or retired. Township Administrator Kevin McGowan urged residents to raise concerns with the fire department and said the administration would pass complaints to the fire officials for follow‑up.

Separately, multiple residents complained about excessive speeding and loud, modified vehicles on roads including Federal Road, Union Valley Road, Monmouth Road, Spotswood‑Englishtown Road and local residential streets. One resident described a near head‑on collision on North State Home Road when a driver passed a garbage truck at high speed on a double yellow line.

Residents asked for stepped‑up enforcement, more traffic calming and deployment of speed‑monitoring trailers. Council members and the administration said the police department enforces vehicle and noise laws and that they would refer the specific locations and incidents to the police for targeted enforcement.

The council also noted state law on helmets and e‑bikes and said it would pass helmet and e‑bike safety concerns to police. Responders asked residents to document incidents and file reports so police can take enforcement action and to attend future meetings to continue dialogue about traffic and noise mitigation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monroe Township Agenda/Regular Council Meeting 2025-05-07","oneSentenceSummary","Several residents at the May 20 meeting urged the council and police to address a stationary firehouse siren that sounds repeatedly and to step up enforcement of excessive speeding on county roads; officials said they will inquire with the fire department and police.","taxTitle","Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey","taxId",56437,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6057503,"Valor Point veterans housing opens; township begins outreach to fill remaining units",2448,7076000,9524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3305755-acce6f4abd7fa0ca23c3e3e0224f6a05&start=7076&end=9524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3305755-acce6f4abd7fa0ca23c3e3e0224f6a05/thumbnail_7076000.jpg","/articles/6057503/New-Jersey/Valor-Point-veterans-housing-opens-township-begins-outreach-to-fill-remaining-units","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057503-3fc1e58d1fd0dee2aee8e66472a6a45e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140315&Signature=DfAN0NRZGT4D2nDyE0iP1yzmcHQwW8fzPEa8-m62Y9oaZjz6NIu1pS~SgFMY-3Y0YMYvjQj63SNmwCgejNXEkhy-PcSh0VORNQ6PLrT3uUfAQuwEYdfFJFRpRlKpV86mR-7Swb-fKBK4IbusUkJ48QVPlut13xr1L4K-Eb~cozAiLBalvUSMiJXkJ05ziprgK63SC~~PYLgzWWUcQBpfzOATKlHEKA5JkhQTYMLkYUX7OuXzZs6TmfhclNm1VAhSYb3q8PLdQpmluXvVc-k7M7-mRM76IxIcnzCv3-aFDXbXP3y2KbzQVpmn6tHVz-QEPjlkuurFfnJ8eNAjVETy1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe Township officials told the council May 20 that Valor Point — the town’s recently completed veterans housing facility — has moved in 23 veterans and 15 non‑veteran residents who qualify under the facility’s affordable‑housing rules.

Township Mayor and staff said six additional veteran applications are in final stages of approval and seven veteran applications are being processed. Officials described active outreach to veterans organizations, VA hospitals and regional offices to encourage qualified veterans to apply.

Mayor Delina said the township has contacted multiple organizations, including the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, county veterans’ offices and nonprofit groups, and urged local partners to publicize the facility and upcoming open‑house dates. The mayor said two open houses are scheduled to allow veterans and families to tour the building and to apply for units; administration asked residents and veterans groups to spread the word.

Council members asked about occupancy and noted outreach is under way. Officials said the facility has 80 units; at the time of the meeting about 38 units were occupied. Township staff said the facility targets veterans meeting income and service requirements but, as with many affordable‑housing developments, some units are occupied by qualifying non‑veterans until additional veteran applicants complete processing.

The mayor asked the township administration to continue active targeted outreach and to work with local veteran groups to increase awareness and applications.","Township officials reported 23 veterans have moved into the new Valor Point facility, 15 non‑veterans occupy affordable units, and administration is conducting outreach to veterans’ groups to increase veteran occupancy.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6057507,"Monroe awards $1.74M 2025 road‑repaving contract; 13 roads scheduled",165,5902000,6067000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3305755-acce6f4abd7fa0ca23c3e3e0224f6a05&start=5902&end=6067","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3305755-acce6f4abd7fa0ca23c3e3e0224f6a05/thumbnail_5902000.jpg","/articles/6057507/New-Jersey/Monroe-awards-174M-2025-roadrepaving-contract-13-roads-scheduled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057507-0cd05e3a9e62c392a4d8488d494a6be0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140315&Signature=gC4INbQRvc7sWntDfx2D1RszV53JYiumd5oAFcGTVf2e~aAWE2Opv52E8u3mbBYyTpaNBaIqDk3P8dDp6tAG-5qgHiptBoRPspg3UA6TlLnkEJDJUgX2BE7vcNqfnoAPPBxVcA0GVKsKuFX95w1xnpDjl-sLUuWccPGC~IKNfiPNWZwZIIpxnkDoW9czn81n6kLe0nhqGLuWIZjjCNN8bji7aLNiw5bQMUnhNpE6beSNMe1U7cOB3-LgmLKB8EcYtMBjytkX9Ik0ZJYvhm7qby94yIKomDq~5hSapkvwFnimuTQM6L6Uet-n6pjNwzfH~7dBk3b2AtPAJQICkGStbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monroe Township Council on May 20 awarded the 2025 municipal paving contract after receiving 13 bids, administration said, approving the base bid plus three add alternates for a total award of roughly $1,738,000.

Township project manager and public works staff told the council bids came in competitively and the contract covers repaving for approximately 13 roads across town. Administration said some paving will follow utility valve and water‑main work and that residents can expect work to begin as early as June in some neighborhoods.

Council members named a selection of roads included in the repaving plan: Deerpath, Lawrence Road, McFarland Circle, Highland Drive, part of Day Grove Road and Grace Hill Road were cited during Ward updates. The public works and utility departments will coordinate valve replacements and other preparatory work before paving crews begin final surface work.

Township Administrator Kevin McGowan and Public Works Director reported the contract includes the base bid and add alternates 1, 2 and 3; the low bidder had performed the 2024 paving program for the township and officials said the work had been satisfactory.

The council’s action was taken by roll call; funding for the project is included in the approved 2025 municipal budget.","Council approved the 2025 roads repaving program, awarding base bid and three alternates; administration said bids were competitive and paving will cover about 13 roads with work expected in June.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6057513,"Monroe Council adopts 2025 municipal budget; officials say tax rate rise stays at 1.5¢",1290,4570000,5860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3305755-acce6f4abd7fa0ca23c3e3e0224f6a05&start=4570&end=5860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3305755-acce6f4abd7fa0ca23c3e3e0224f6a05/thumbnail_4570000.jpg","/articles/6057513/New-Jersey/Monroe-Council-adopts-2025-municipal-budget-officials-say-tax-rate-rise-stays-at-15","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057513-36864e82fc600ecd83a5a83c491d8896/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140315&Signature=WRiQuea8V-roK86VknYANpiSNnF6KIAHjICEuhlAmz6sUqdegi7pc9F0PTQNVXMqpgLM9YiZl1cUqGuWuzk2PIz9H5JjTUWXypaBVyVZTsgC5x31426lx5OQEmQdLy4J6ituw2GgscopXLpDg93a8PDdldIOPejeOVHjBfurj8WHSUYGJme3b0pbrw~FJqy1NlZIyHewu~uC4qNnUwu6oJP1qY64PLr4g0Xonp7LVR3uHVmga9nL9iXRcdsOrmKuNnKYco~U4TE0plHC~qya7iXMfNLTSVxdD1YMaQdrwmC7vxI2TNGTMktPJICZjOrZFlunx5nMZ4HNYVBisHZ83A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monroe Township Council voted unanimously May 20 to adopt the 2025 municipal budget after a public hearing and a minor amendment requested by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

Council members approved Resolution R 05/2025‑104b adopting the budget following discussion and a separate motion to amend the introduced budget, a change the administration said reallocates some introduced charges (notably debt service previously charged to the library) so the town need not raise the tax rate beyond the previously announced 1.5‑cent increase.

Township Administrator Kevin McGowan said the DCA requested that certain debt service amounts not be charged to the library fund; finance staff reallocated funds and identified savings so “we do not have to raise the tax rate in any way, and the overall budget amount remains virtually the same.” CFO Lori (finance staff) said the budget documents are posted online in the state’s standard format.

During the public hearing residents asked for a fuller, in‑person budget presentation. Multiple speakers, including long‑time residents and former council members, urged the township to restore department‑level slide presentations and provide a user‑friendly summary of the audit and budget numbers. Resident Prakash Parab and others said public slide presentations make the budget easier for lay readers to understand.

Questions at the hearing focused on ratable growth and timing. Speakers sought clarity about recent ratable increases (the township’s assessor and finance staff explained that ratable growth in the prior year had been larger than this year’s growth but that the ratable base remains up from prior levels). McGowan said the town’s ratable base increased this year by about $75 million and emphasized there was no net loss in ratables.

On staffing and the budget’s new positions, McGowan estimated that three police officers and two EMT positions included in the budget would cost roughly $200,000 on a prorated basis depending on hire dates. A resident asked where roughly $1.3 million in revenue from the proposed 1.5‑cent increase would go; McGowan said the tax change on an $8.7 billion ratable base would raise roughly $1.3 million, a portion of which covers personnel additions and other budget items.

Council and administration also noted the township recently received an A+ rating from S&P, which administration credited to sound financial management.

The budget was adopted by roll call vote with all five council members in favor.","Council adopted the 2025 municipal budget after a public hearing and a minor amendment required by state review; administration said the 1.5‑cent tax increase remains unchanged and the amendment does not raise taxes further.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6057515,"Monroe Council adopts PRC‑2 change on medical‑facility rule after months of Stonebridge debate",2136,2337000,4473000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3305755-acce6f4abd7fa0ca23c3e3e0224f6a05&start=2337&end=4473","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3305755-acce6f4abd7fa0ca23c3e3e0224f6a05/thumbnail_2337000.jpg","/articles/6057515/New-Jersey/Monroe-Council-adopts-PRC2-change-on-medicalfacility-rule-after-months-of-Stonebridge-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057515-bab9954b77a6b878d93b07f20e5719d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140315&Signature=IJMyzP91kZ05rC-e5FuQ6OzwMwI5E6Q4PJ1HjDjJypQ7Ai-jnp~qLLRrq3svLHZeX-oNQRdKx2THhPqsZasPz2Jr5H0fJT8pnV7Izmd~Mo~JguQcnW8bgo-c8rwQTsIF1M-qsAxaci7B-DV1bgfPpYc9rIVO340f7zXY3ehCzZVFn3eN8MGojw-3z9MSFXX8vzSsytqBi2uAuh51VRPu2KmsYdHt~3lwYsy~HQqOjQiRTP80rK1CzqhLFSS5gInLFGm30z9LPGNcOLPEm65Lhmi8PMRYNdYnD9QxEDCa0VVTK8zLf5LT2KMXFIGKzZuvjQ2vMvs8rm3Hzpj1qhZEfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe Township Council on Tuesday adopted an ordinance amending the township code’s PRC‑2 medical‑facility requirement, including language the council and administration said clarifies the municipality’s zoning standard for planned retirement communities.

The change, carried by a 4–1 roll call vote after public comment, updates Chapter 108, Section 6.23 of the township code to revise the medical‑facility requirement in the PRC‑2 zone. Councilman Charles DePiro voted no; Councilmen Michael Markell, Rupa Siegel, Terence Van Zora and Council President Miriam Cohen voted yes.

Supporters of the amendment said it was needed to make the treatment of Stonebridge consistent with other 55‑plus communities in town. Stonebridge residents and HOA leaders urged the council either to remove the original mandate or to include homeowner protections; several people asked the council not to insert language that would bind Stonebridge to a unique voting requirement.

Barbara Levine, president of the Stonebridge HOA, told the council during the agenda‑item public comment period: “We’re going to ask once again that the township consider removing the mandated nurses’ ordinance.” Levine said Stonebridge residents wanted “parity with the other communities.”

Several Stonebridge residents proposed a single sentence to be added to the ordinance that would tie any future reduction or elimination of nursing services to a two‑thirds homeowner vote. Stanley Fisher read the suggested wording into the record and said the language “takes what our HOA board has promised, and you just heard Barbara Levine’s statement, and codifies it.”

Stonebridge HOA board member Alan Stauber opposed embedding the two‑thirds voting requirement in a township ordinance. “If the council now adds that 2‑thirds voting requirement to the ordinance, now it doesn't become a Stonebridge requirement. It becomes a township requirement,” Stauber said, arguing that would make it harder for Stonebridge to change its own governing documents in the future.

Attorney and resident Irvin Rothfarb told the council that putting the two‑thirds rule into the ordinance would protect homeowners: “It would protect the homeowners, and it would prevent Stonebridge or more likely a future board in Stonebridge from succumbing to the temptation of simply doing away with a homeowner vote to change the nurse provision.” Rothfarb offered to provide the council the language and supporting materials he had mailed to officials.

Other speakers from Stonebridge said the township should avoid micromanaging HOA governance, with Lauren Sattinger urging the council to “pass the ordinance as currently written and do not include the amended language.” Jerry Morelli, vice president of the Stonebridge board, said if the council’s language applied to all 55‑plus communities equally, “then it doesn't apply just to Stonebridge, and we're being treated equally.”

Council discussion addressed future development in the PRC‑2 zone and the ordinance’s effect beyond Stonebridge. During roll call before adoption Councilman DePiro said he was “concerned about future development” in PRC‑2 and voted no; the ordinance passed on the recorded 4–1 vote.

The council and staff confirmed the ordinance adoption will take effect after the statutory post‑adoption waiting period specified in town code and state practice: a 20‑day period after signature and publication before enforcement. Council members also said the ordinance as adopted will not apply retroactively beyond the scope described in the text adopted by the council.

The council’s action came after months of public comment and exchanges between Stonebridge residents and township officials about parity with other 55‑plus communities and homeowner voting thresholds.","The Monroe Township Council on May 20 adopted an ordinance amending the Planned Retirement Community (PRC‑2) medical‑facility requirement, a measure Stonebridge residents said affects whether a homeowners association can eliminate an on‑site nurse without a homeowners’ vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council over loud firehouse siren and speeding on county roads

Valor Point veterans housing opens; township begins outreach to fill remaining units

Monroe awards $1.74M 2025 road‑repaving contract; 13 roads scheduled

Monroe Council adopts 2025 municipal budget; officials say tax rate rise stays at 1.5¢

Monroe Council adopts PRC‑2 change on medical‑facility rule after months of Stonebridge debate