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Byram council moves to seek DEP permits for park improvements; hears broadband and utility concerns
Summary
Council reached consensus to pursue DEP permitting for CO Johnson Park improvements, heard that ETG will not pursue service in Cranberry Lake, approved multiple routine consent items and received public comments about a downed tree and local utility infrastructure. Budget adoption and bond-introduction are scheduled for April 1.
Council members on March 18 agreed to move forward with permitting for planned improvements at CO Johnson Park and directed staff to pursue approvals from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Mayor Rubenstein told the council that ETG (as named in the record) has deemed the Cranberry Lake area economically challenging because of mapping gaps, tariff changes and project costs and will not be deploying service there at this time; ETG will conduct a survey to assess interest and economics.
Township Manager Joseph Sabatini told the council that April 1 is set for budget adoption and a public hearing and that Grade Construction is expected to begin work at CO Johnson Field on March 24. Council members approved the consent agenda, which included release of 2024 closed-session minutes, a raffle and 50/50 license for the Byram Township Volunteer Fire Department (April 26, 2025), the appointment of Doris Flynn as Deputy Clerk (Resolution 075-2025), and temporary budget amendments (Resolutions 076-2025 and 077-2025).
In other business, Councilman Roseff raised an ongoing dirt-quality issue on Hemlock Road; Manager Sabatini said the matter is with DEP and the mayor said he would invite DOT and DEP to a future meeting to discuss the Hemlock Road situation and a Cranberry Lake footbridge update. The council was also notified that the Department of Transportation plans to mill and pave Route 206 from Route 80 to the Andover Tunnel in April 2026.
During the second public-comment period, resident Annalise Demagistris reported a tree down on North Shore Road that took down wires and said the road was not closed even though she believed DPW had been notified; Manager Sabatini said DPW placed cones and closed portions of the road. Shawn Pond expressed concern about JCP&L’s pace of infrastructure updates; Mayor Rubenstein said he would ask JCP&L to attend a meeting to discuss residents’ concerns.
The council also adopted Resolution 074-2025 revising meeting calendar dates. The meeting returned from executive session at 9:45 p.m. and adjourned.
