Resident urges refund of $150 municipal portion of permit-to-carry fee; township will review

At the meeting's public-comment period resident Araine Williams (Berwyn Street) asked the Township Committee to consider adopting a resolution to refund the municipal portion ($150) of the permit-to-carry application fee for Union Township residents.

Williams argued the cost creates a barrier to exercising a constitutional right, noting that the municipal portion increased from $20 to $150 and that the total statutory application fee rose to $200 before applicants pay for fingerprinting and training. She said Union Township processed only 13 permits prior to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen and that post-Bruen the township has processed approximately 580 applications according to the state dashboard. "By refunding the 150 municipal portion of the fee, the township can remove a financial barrier while remaining fully compliant with the state law," Williams said.

Mayor Frazier and the clerk responded that the committee had received Williams' email and that the township attorney would examine the matter for legal and procedural implications; the committee did not vote or adopt a resolution at the meeting. No opposing public comment or formal motion on the refund was recorded.