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Byram Council adopts consent agenda, hears USDA grant update and urges state action on health premiums
Summary
At its May 5 meeting the Byram Township Council approved a consent agenda including a fireworks permit for Byram Fest, a $3,285 risk-control grant, property-tax billing authorization and a trails-grant application; the manager reported USDA grant constraints on a police building renovation and the council adopted a resolution urging state reforms for public-sector health premiums.
The Byram Township Council on May 5 approved a multi-item consent agenda, received an update on a USDA grant tied to a planned police building renovation and adopted a resolution urging state leaders to address rising public-sector health benefit premiums.
On routine votes the council approved a consent agenda that included: Resolution No. 099-2026 authorizing public fireworks at Byram Fest on Aug. 22, 2026 (or a postponement date); Resolution No. 100-2026 accepting a Risk Control Grant for $3,285; Resolution No. 101-2026 authorizing estimated property-tax billing for the third quarter of 2026; and Resolution No. 103-2026 authorizing submission of an application to participate in the Sussex County Trails Grant Program. Councilwoman Franco moved and Councilman Proctor seconded the motion to adopt the consent agenda.
Township Manager Joseph Sabatini told the council that the USDA grant tied to the police building renovation faces constraints because flood-elevation requirements may affect the project. He said a meeting with the USDA director is scheduled for Friday and that the town will be obligated to seek state-level permitting as part of the process. The transcript records the manager’s update in the meeting packet but does not include further detail on projected costs or a timetable.
Separately, the council adopted Resolution No. 102-2026 urging state leaders to implement fair and equitable reforms to mitigate unsuitable increases in health benefit premiums for public-sector employees. The resolution was presented and adopted during the meeting.
Council business also included approval of the May 5 bill list and the April 21 regular and closed-session minutes. The council opened two public-participation periods; during the first, Dave Silberthorne, identified in the record as the newest Sussex County commissioner, introduced himself and offered assistance to the township. A second public-comment period drew no comments.
The council went into two executive sessions during the meeting to discuss confidential matters under the Open Public Meetings Act—attorney-client privilege concerning CO Johnson Field 8, contract negotiations with Brian Golick and Art Thibault, and personnel concerning the tax assessor position—and returned to open session at 7:30 p.m. and again at 9:35 p.m. The transcript records the motions to enter and exit executive session but does not disclose deliberations or outcomes from those closed sessions.
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
