Green Township Committee approves park improvement contracts, Halloween curfew and municipal court join

The Green Township Committee met Oct. 6, 2025, and approved multiple measures including contracts for EverGreen Park improvements, a two-night Halloween curfew for minors, and a payment to the contractor who completed embankment work along Hunts Road.

Mayor Virginia "Ginnie" Raffay opened the meeting at 7 p.m. and presented the township’s Outstanding Older American Award to Paul "Skip" Henry; she also administered an oath of office to Michael Rose (the record does not specify the office tied to that oath). The committee then moved through the agenda and approved the consent items by roll call.

Why it matters: The approvals commit township funds and grant-supported work to projects that will change public access to EverGreen Park, affect road infrastructure, and alter where local court cases are heard. The municipal court change shifts Green’s judicial services into an established regional court and may affect court operations and budgets beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Park contracts and funding: The committee accepted the township engineer’s recommendation to award the walking-path contract at EverGreen Park to Riverview Paving Inc. for up to $89,544; the resolution says $81,000 of the appropriation comes from a New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Local Recreation Improvement Grant. The committee also authorized Riverview Paving for parking-lot improvements at EverGreen Park in an amount not to exceed $122,143.30; the resolution lists the Open Space Fund as the source. Township officials confirmed the township engineer will provide on-site oversight for drainage work.

Hunts Road payment: The committee approved Payment No. 1 to Bob Viersma & Sons, Inc. for embankment improvements along Hunts Road in the amount of $213,732.61, reflecting work completed through Sept. 26, 2025. The engineer certified the estimate and the payment was approved by roll call (Ayes: Qarmout, Rose, Raffay; abstention: Phillips; DeYoung absent).

Court consolidation and shared services: By resolution the committee authorized joining the Andover Joint Municipal Court for a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Separately, the committee authorized a shared-services agreement with the Town of Newton for animal control services for 2026 at a cost not to exceed $13,000, while requesting that language be reviewed to remove responsibilities for handling live wildlife.

Other votes: The committee adopted Resolution 2025-150 establishing a curfew of 9:00 p.m. for minors on Oct. 30–31, 2025. The committee also approved a bills list and other routine personnel and administrative resolutions, including a repayment agreement and a vacation payout.

Public auction sales: Two township parcels were offered at public auction and sold at the advertised minimum prices. The Township Attorney announced the successful bidders and stated a 10% deposit is due immediately; the committee will prepare a confirming resolution at the next meeting.

Process and next steps: Two ordinances were introduced and scheduled for public hearing Oct. 20, 2025: Ordinance 2025-10 (amending Chapter 30 to create an R-1.5/0.5 Residential District and revised lot/bulk standards) and Ordinance 2025-11 (amending municipal court code provisions to reflect joining the Andover Joint Municipal Court). No final action on those ordinances occurred at this meeting.

A written public works report detailed completed drainage and roadway work across the township and noted paving for Yellow Frame Road was scheduled for Oct. 7, weather permitting. The committee entered executive session to discuss acquisition of Block 19, Lot 15 and returned with no recorded action.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 2025-150 (Establish Halloween curfew): Adopted by roll call; Ayes: Phillips, Qarmout, Rose, Mayor Raffay; Absent: DeYoung. - Resolution 2025-151 (Bills List 09/12/2025–10/02/2025): Adopted by roll call. - Resolution 2025-152 (Authorize red light/siren permit — Michael Rose): Adopted; Rose recorded an abstention; Ayes otherwise. - Resolution 2025-153 (Award walking-path contract — EverGreen Park): Adopted by roll call. - Resolution 2025-154 (Award parking-lot contract — EverGreen Park): Adopted by roll call. - Resolution 2025-155 (Authorize shared services — Animal Control with Town of Newton): Adopted by roll call. - Resolution 2025-156 (Authorize joining Andover Joint Municipal Court): Adopted by roll call. - Resolution 2025-157 (Vacation payout — Nicholas Brigante): Adopted by roll call. - Resolution 2025-158 (Repayment agreement — Nicholas Brigante): Adopted by roll call. - Resolution 2025-159 (Payment No. 1 — Hunts Road improvements): Adopted by roll call; Phillips abstained; DeYoung absent.

What was raised by members and residents: Committee members asked for clarifications about funding levels, engineer oversight on park drainage, and contract terms. Residents Kristen Freid and Ed Wlodarski spoke during discussion of Shore Road/ Halloween safety about crowding and the need for traffic/parking controls; the committee agreed to restrict parking on the lake side of Shore Road and Lakeview Drive and asked the Township Attorney to draft a resolution and consult the Risk Manager.

What’s next: Ordinances 2025-10 and 2025-11 are scheduled for public hearing Oct. 20, 2025, and the Township will bring a confirming resolution for the two auction sales at the next meeting. The committee also will continue discussion of the property maintenance code after input from the zoning officer.