Somerset County Town Hall: Week of Oct. 12, 2026

Good morning, Somerset County. Here is what your town governments have been working on, and what is coming up. Raritan put a nine-month pause on new data centers on the table, Far Hills moved to borrow for two road projects, and Bedminster is rewriting its flood rules with a hearing set for October 19.

Most of what follows comes from posted agendas and packets. Official minutes for these meetings have not been posted yet, so items described as introduced or on the agenda may still change before final votes.

Decisions behind

Raritan Borough: a data center pause and higher police side-job rates

At its October 6 meeting, the Borough Council took up three ordinances:

Ordinance No. 2026-19 would make data centers a non-permitted use in every zone for nine months while the borough studies them.
Ordinance No. 2026-17 raises the rates charged for extra-duty police work, the side jobs officers work for private contractors and events.
Ordinance No. 2026-18 would abolish the Redevelopment Advisory Committee.

The council also proclaimed October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, recognizing the nonprofit Dance for the Cure. The next council meeting is October 20.

Far Hills: $725,000 for road work

The September 28 meeting brought two ordinances on first reading: Ordinance No. 2026-14, appropriating $575,000 to reconstruct Far Hills Avenue and Schley Road, and Ordinance No. 2026-15, appropriating $150,000 to resurface Campbell Road and Willow Avenue.

Bedminster: new flood rules, a new officer, a shared-policing deal

On October 5 the Township Committee introduced Ordinance No. 2026-020, which repeals and replaces the township's flood damage prevention rules. The consent agenda included a reciprocal law enforcement agreement with Bernardsville, a new backhoe loader, seasonal help for Community Day, the transfer of a retail liquor license, a development agreement with S/K Bed One Associates, and the hiring of a new police officer.

Warren Township: San Road, a property bond and a new dump truck

The Township Committee held public hearings on September 24 for Ordinance No. 26-23, a bond ordinance to acquire property, and Ordinance No. 26-24, which vacates part of San Road and a drainage easement. The agenda also awarded a contract of up to $271,604 to Robert H. Hoover & Sons of Flanders for a 2027 Freightliner dump truck with plow and spreader.

A special meeting on October 8 was set to celebrate the finished restoration of the Mount Bethel Meeting House and to receive a March to Victory town marker from the National Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association.

Manville: bonds for Ida stream repairs

The September 28 meeting introduced bond ordinances for new equipment and vehicles, real property for municipal use, and stream bank stabilization to repair damage from Tropical Storm Ida. The council also discussed its 2026 capital plan and adopted a corrective action plan for the 2025 audit.

Montgomery: Hometown Heroes banners and a farm day permit

At its October 1 meeting, the Township Committee heard from the Veterans Memorial Committee about Hometown Heroes banners and proclaimed Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The consent agenda included Resolution #26-10-263, raising the budget for technology purchases from SHI International, grant revenue for youth services, opioid settlement funds and Clean Communities, and an outdoor assembly permit for the Jutt Bhutta Family Farm Day on October 17.

Watchung: fire code update and a new hire

On October 6, the Mayor and Council introduced an ordinance updating the borough's fire prevention rules, appointed Mallory Helmes as administrative assistant, and approved a professional services contract for grant work. The next meeting is October 22.

Hillsborough: tow-truck rules

The Township Committee held a public hearing on September 22 on an ordinance amending its wrecker service and vehicle storage rules. Girl Scout Troop 60561 presented its inclusiveness training for restaurants, and the committee moved to apply for FY2027 state Legislative Grant funds.

Millstone Borough: tax bills pushed back

The September 22 agenda included extending the due date for third-quarter property tax bills because the certified tax rate arrived late.

Meetings ahead

No agendas for the week of October 12 have posted yet in the towns County Brief follows. Dates already on the calendar:

Monday, October 19: Bedminster's public hearing on flood ordinance No. 2026-020. Bedminster meetings
Tuesday, October 20: Raritan Borough Council. Raritan meetings
Thursday, October 22: Watchung Mayor and Council. Watchung meetings

Agendas usually post a few days ahead. Check the Somerset County government page for the latest.