Byram Council affirms Sutton Lane is private driveway, approves consent agenda including park improvements

The Byram Township Council on Aug. 13 adopted Resolution No. 140-2024, confirming that Sutton Lane is a private common driveway and not a public street, and authorized the mayor to notify property owners that they are responsible for its maintenance and repair. The resolution passed on a recorded roll-call with four yes votes; Councilman Gallagher was absent.

The council also approved a consent agenda of routine measures by motion, which included participation in an electronic tax sale, tax-notice fee authorizations, a tax refund for Block 291, Lot 1.01 (779 West Shore Trail), the award of a professional services contract to The Canning Group, an E-911 shared-service agreement with Sussex County, disposal of outdated fire department turnout gear, allocation of Chapter 159 ARP funds ($209,721), and authorization to award a contract for proposed improvements to the Mansfield Drive and C.O. Johnson Park tennis courts (contract not to exceed $274,721). Resolution No. 144-2024 (award for a leaf-and-brush debris building) had been removed from the agenda earlier and was not considered.

Council action on the consent agenda was recorded by roll call as four yes votes and one absence. The same motion-dyer pattern was used for approval of the July 16, 2024 meeting minutes and the August 13 bill list, both of which passed with the same recorded vote pattern.

The council directed the municipal clerk to file closed-session minutes from the earlier attorney–client executive session as confidential until such time as confidentiality is no longer required.

What happens next: the mayor will send the maintenance-notification letter to Sutton Lane property owners as authorized by the resolution. The awarded tennis-court contract and professional service agreement will proceed per standard municipal contracting procedures; the council will oversee any required follow-up communications or project scheduling.