Montgomery Committee Advances Open Space, Public Safety, Infrastructure and Affordable Housing Funding in Series of December 4 Votes

Nicholas Mistretta

MONTGOMERY — The Township Committee moved through a substantial slate of business on Dec. 4, approving a wide range of resolutions by roll call vote that touched nearly every corner of municipal operations — from open space preservation and police equipment to sewer infrastructure, food pantry expansion and the legal and financial steps tied to the township’s affordable housing strategy.

While the meeting also included multiple ordinance actions, the bulk of the night’s formal decision-making came through resolutions, all of which passed unanimously among members present.

Consent agenda adopted
The committee first approved its consent agenda by one motion, adopting Resolution #25-12-382 and Resolution #25-12-386 without separate discussion.

Open space: Agreement authorized for 11.42-acre acquisition
Resolution #25-12-387 authorized a land purchase agreement for Block 13001, Lot 21 (“Forbes/Rader”), an 11.42-acre parcel located at Route 601 and Grandview.

Township officials said the property has been targeted for open space acquisition and that Somerset County will participate by bringing funding to the table. The resolution represents the first formal step in the acquisition process. The next phase will include due diligence, including a property survey and an environmental Phase I review, before an ordinance is introduced for final acquisition if the reviews are satisfactory.

Officials also clarified for the record that the “Forbes” in the property’s name is not related to a member of the township’s Open Space Committee.

Infrastructure: FEMA grant added to budget for sewer upgrades
Resolution #25-12-388 authorized the insertion of a special item of revenue under Chapter 159, enabling the township to add a 2025 FEMA sewer grant of $1,259,580.06 to the municipal budget.

Township officials said the funding will support upgrades and flood-protection work tied to the Stage II sewer treatment plant, which sustained significant damage during major flooding events, and will help offset current costs rather than fall to taxpayers.

Affordable housing (Round 3 projects): Legal instruments authorized
Two closely related resolutions advanced long-approved inclusionary housing projects that are now moving through the detailed execution stage:

1. Resolution #25-12-389 authorized execution of multiple easements, restrictions and related legal instruments with Harlingen Associates, LLC for the Country Classics at Montgomery project.
2. Resolution #25-12-390 authorized similar documents with The Haven at Princeton, LLC.

Officials said both projects were approved as part of the township’s Round 3 affordable housing obligations. The documents cover the “nitty gritty” of development — including drainage, access, sewer and other technical easements — and do not include any road dedication, which would require separate action by ordinance.

Committee members noted that as construction proceeds, residents may also see expanded opportunities to connect to new sewer infrastructure in the area.

Animal control: Contract awarded amid regional staffing challenges
Resolution #25-12-391 awarded a contract for animal control services to Animal Control Solutions, LLC through the competitive contracting process.

Township staff reported the vendor was the only bid received, underscoring ongoing challenges in the animal control labor market. The contract is set at $66,192 per year for years one through three, with two optional one-year renewals at the same rate. Officials said the township continues to explore whether Somerset County might someday provide this service on a countywide basis.

The service is described as primarily focused on domestic animals, while wildlife issues remain under the jurisdiction of state agencies.

Public works: Salt brine shared services renewed
Resolution #25-12-392 authorized execution of a shared services agreement with the Borough of Manville for salt brine services.

The township has participated in the arrangement since 2018, producing excess brine with municipal equipment and charging Manville for its use. Officials described the agreement as beneficial for both municipalities and a modest revenue source for Montgomery

Finance: Year-end budget transfers approved
Resolution #25-12-393 authorized routine 2025 budget transfers, which officials said carry a net-zero impact on the overall budget.

The committee noted increases in the legal services line tied to affordable housing matters and litigation, as well as higher-than-anticipatedelectricity costs, requiring internal reallocations.

Public safety: Radios, police vehicles and in-car video systems
Several resolutions advanced public safety purchases and financing:

1. Resolution #25-12-394 awarded a contract to Motorola Solutions, Inc. for first responder radios for the Office of Emergency Management through a state contract. Officials said the purchase is funded through a prior federal grant.
2. Resolution #25-12-403 authorized execution of documents associated with the Somerset County Improvement Authority’s Somerset Municipal Banc Program, supporting the acquisition of two police vehicles and outfitting at a cost of $139,559, which was already included in the 2025 budget.
3. Resolution #25-12-404 authorized purchase of two WatchGuard/Motorola M500 in-car video systems through state contract for a five-year term, at $21,709, to support the new police vehicles.

Human services: Food pantry partnership expands capacity
Resolution #25-12-395 authorized a memorandum of understanding between the township and the Food Bank Network of Somerset Countyfor the Montgomery Food Pantry, which operates out of the Otto Kaufman Community Center.

Township staff said the partnership will broaden access to bulk food supplies — including weekly shipments — and provide the pantry with the Food Bank’s OASIS Insight system, a platform for client, inventory and volunteer management. Officials emphasized the township will retain operational autonomy, and that local fundraising will continue to stay with the Montgomery pantry.

Professional services: Contract figures updated
Resolution #25-12-396 amended 2025 professional services agreements to reflect changes in contract amounts or terms.

Officials said the most notable adjustment was an increase for bond counsel, from a previously budgeted maximum of $7,500 to $35,000, attributed to work associated with affordable housing bond ordinances.

Sewer utility: Generator contracts updated and re-awarded
Two resolutions addressed generator maintenance for critical sewer facilities:

1. Resolution #25-12-397 amended a 2024–2025 contract with Foley, Inc., reflecting a $4,000 overage tied to emergency repairs.
2. Resolution #25-12-398 awarded a new 2025–2026 Foley contract through the Morris County co-op, with a not-to-exceed amount of$75,000.

Officials said the higher ceiling reflects rising emergency repair costs and the need to maintain backup power across multiple treatment plants and pump stations.

Technology: SHI purchases confirmed after correction
Resolution #25-12-399 authorized and confirmed 2025 purchases from SHI International Corp. under state contract and cooperative purchasing.

The committee briefly paused to correct an apparent clerical error in the stated amount. What appeared on the resolution as $16 million was clarified as $160,000, after which the resolution was adopted as amended by roll call.

Fleet: Electric truck authorized for sewer department
Resolution #25-12-400 authorized purchase of a Ford F-150 Lightning Pro 4×4 electric pickup truck for the Sewer Utility Department through state contract pricing.

Township officials said the vehicle will replace an older truck and that the township is exploring potential grants to help offset both vehicle and charging-station costs.

Tax matters: Appeal settlement authorized
Resolution #25-12-401 authorized a tax appeal settlement for Block 31001, Lot 17.01, a property owned during the subject years by Alma M. and Mark Eisenhawker.

Officials said the settlement adjusts the assessed value in exchange for a voluntary withdrawal of the appeal. Because the change could affect the tax rate, the agreement required Township Committee approval.

Development oversight: Guarantees extended
Resolution #25-12-402 authorized extensions of various guarantees tied to ongoing development projects.

Township staff said the extensions allow the township to retain performance and related guarantees while remaining work is completed. Projects referenced include Montgomery Promenade and Village Walk, with officials stating that Promenade’s progress remains on track and that a June timeframe is still anticipated for Whole Foods to open.

Bills approved
The committee concluded the resolution portion with Resolution #25-12-405, approving payment of bills.

Officials highlighted several major line items, including:

$7,450,365 representing the township’s regular monthly school tax payment, part of the broader distribution of collected property taxes to schools, fire districts and county entities.

$91,206 for a municipal court shared service payment to Hillsborough;

$91,824 to Winner Ford tied to police vehicle purchases;

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com