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Votes at a glance: West Amwell Committee approves personnel appointments, tax-exemption adjustment and shared services pact
Summary
The West Amwell Township Committee approved four resolutions on April 15, 2026 — including an honorary tax-exemption billing cancellation, two personnel appointments and a salary restoration — and approved a shared-services agreement with Lambertville. One member recorded a dissent on the salary restoration.
The West Amwell Township Committee on April 15 approved multiple resolutions and intermunicipal arrangements, taking several personnel and financial actions during its regular meeting.
The Committee unanimously passed Resolution #62-2026 to cancel tax billing for Kathleen A. Waters after approval of a disabled veteran tax exemption for Block 17 Lot 25. Clerk Maria Andrews certified the resolution for the Tax Collector and Finance Officer.
The Committee appointed John Sabel as Temporary Fire Official/Inspector under Resolution #63-2026, effective April 15, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026, at a compensation of $25,000; the resolution authorizes the mayor and clerk to execute an agreement and provides that Mr. Sabel may receive a township-issued phone and vehicle subject to policy. The appointment was approved by roll call (Balaam: Yes; Fitting: Yes; Vanderveen: Yes; Deal: Yes).
Resolution #64-2026 appointed Pauline Bahrt as Assistant Treasurer effective Feb. 1, 2026, with annual compensation set at $12,500; the motion passed by roll call (Balaam: Yes; Fitting: Yes; Vanderveen: Yes; Deal: Yes).
By roll call vote, the Committee adopted Resolution #65-2026 to restore the Land Use Board Secretary salary for Maria Andrews to $22,709.68 retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026. The motion passed with Mr. Balaam recorded in opposition (Fitting: Yes; Vanderveen: Yes; Deal: Yes; Balaam: No). The resolution directs that any retroactive amounts be paid through ordinary payroll processing.
The Committee also approved a shared services agreement with the City of Lambertville for street-sweeper services, stormwater video inspection services, use of a front loader and a municipal housing liaison position; roll-call approval was unanimous (Balaam: Yes; Fitting: Yes; Vanderveen: Yes; Deal: Yes). Mayor Deal had earlier welcomed Lambertville officials Mayor Nowick, Councilman Steven Stegman and Stormwater Coordinator Brittany Gorish to the meeting.
Other administrative approvals included authorization to cancel billing tied to the veteran exemption and approval of two bill lists (3/26/26 and 4/14/26), with one abstention noted on the 3/26/26 bill list. The Committee also approved payment of a $10,000 invoice to KSBranigan Law P.C. for an independent investigation of an alleged hostile work environment; that payment was approved by roll call following a motion by Committeeman Fitting and second by Committeeman Balaam.
The Committee approved entering a closed session under Resolution #61-2026 to discuss pending litigation, personnel and attorney-client matters; closed session occurred from 9:39 p.m. to 10:17 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 10:18 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - RES #62-2026 (Cancel billing for disabled veteran exemption for Kathleen A. Waters): Approved (voice vote). - RES #63-2026 (Appoint John Sabel, Temporary Fire Official/Inspector): Approved (roll call: Balaam Y, Fitting Y, Vanderveen Y, Deal Y). - RES #64-2026 (Appoint Pauline Bahrt, Assistant Treasurer): Approved (roll call: Balaam Y, Fitting Y, Vanderveen Y, Deal Y). - RES #65-2026 (Restore salary of Land Use Board Secretary Maria Andrews): Approved (roll call: Balaam N, Fitting Y, Vanderveen Y, Deal Y). - Shared services agreement with Lambertville: Approved (roll call: all Yes). - KSBranigan Law P.C. invoice ($10,000): Approved (roll call: all Yes).
