Old Bridge council meeting roundup: ordinances, pipeline opposition, and open‑space ballot question

The Old Bridge Township Council on June 9 conducted routine municipal business and approved multiple ordinances, resolutions and contract items.

Key outcomes

• H1 (Lunch Wagons): Council held a public hearing, received no public comments and adopted the ordinance amending the township code concerning lunch wagons on second reading (roll call recorded; motion carried 7–1).

• H2 (Daycare fees): After a department presentation and public comment, the council approved the Parks & Recreation department’s fee schedule for the 2026–27 before‑ and after‑school programs; staff said the program is self‑sustaining and outlined costs for nurses and one‑on‑one paraprofessionals.

• H3 (BH Manzo Boulevard Urban Renewal): The council approved a financial agreement for BH Manzo Boulevard Urban Renewal LLC after a public hearing with no speakers present.

• C5 (Resolution on health‑care costs): Council approved a resolution asking the state and relevant agencies to study and pursue reforms to unsustainable public‑employee health‑care costs affecting municipal and school budgets.

• C6 (Opposition to Transco NES pipeline): The council reinstated opposition to the Williams/Transco Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline and said it will forward the resolution to the governor’s office. The vote carried (recorded roll call; one no vote and one abstention noted in the transcript).

• C7 (Open‑space levy to ballot): Council approved placing an open‑space trust fund question on the November ballot (administration and supporters estimated roughly $30 per household per year), citing the need to match county and state funds and preserve land; opponents said timing amid rising costs was poor.

• C12 (Contract for tax appeals): Council approved an increased contract related to tax appeals work; members said appeals had driven an uptick this year.

• C13 (Senior housing financial agreement): Council approved a financial agreement to support substantial renovations at an age‑restricted affordable housing complex. Township planner Vina Swan said the project would produce LIHTC‑eligible upgrades and add long‑term affordability credits that help the township meet its affordable‑housing obligations; council asked staff to pursue contractual safeguards to protect seniors and create a liaison role for resident complaints.

What went unanswered

• Revaluation appropriation (H4): Council held a public hearing on a special emergency appropriation of up to $4 million to fund a mandated revaluation. Staff explained the $3.5–$4 million estimate (based on circa $100–$150 per parcel and ~22,000 parcels) and repayment options over five years; the public questioned why this was treated as an emergency rather than a planned expense. The matter remains on the docket for implementation and final action was discussed during the meeting record.

Documentation and next steps

Agendas, ordinance texts and vote tallies will be posted to the township website. Several items (including any ordinance to ban data centers) will return for additional readings and public hearings before final adoption.