Somerset County Town Hall, Week of Oct. 19: Franklin PILOT, Branchburg Flood Rules, Manville Bond

Good morning, Somerset County. Here is what your town governments decided last week, and what's coming up. Franklin approved a 40-year tax agreement for 142 affordable apartments on Davidson Avenue. Branchburg started rewriting its floodplain rules, and Manville introduced a $1,025,000 bond to buy property. Montgomery received state funding for its wastewater consolidation project.

Several of these summaries come from posted agendas and packets. Official minutes for most of these meetings have not been posted yet, so an item listed on an agenda may not have reached a final vote.

Franklin Township: a 40-year PILOT for a hotel-to-apartments conversion

On October 13 the Township Council approved Ordinance No. 4520-26, a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement for 260 Davidson Ave. The developers, CWP-ASR Somerset I LLC and CWP-ASR Somerset II LLC, plan to convert an extended-stay hotel there into 142 apartments for very low-, low- and moderate-income households. Instead of conventional property taxes, the developers will pay 4% of the project's annual gross revenue. The township is also committing $3.5 million from its affordable housing trust fund, paid out over 10 years.

At the hearing, residents questioned whether the site is a good place to live, given the warehouse truck traffic along Davidson Avenue and World's Fair Drive. They also asked why the agreement runs 40 years when earlier Franklin PILOTs ran 30. Township officials said the current affordable housing rules allow 40-year terms for developments that are entirely affordable. They also said the site is close to shopping and transit. TAPinto Franklin's full report

Branchburg: new floodplain rules, with a hearing October 26

At its October 12 meeting the Township Committee introduced an ordinance that updates Branchburg's floodplain rules to match new state requirements. The update keeps the township in the National Flood Insurance Program, which it has been part of since 1978. The rules adopt the updated federal flood maps that take effect November 13. State-regulated flood areas can reach past the lines on FEMA's maps, and the rules would apply to them too. Even routine work in a flood hazard area, such as new windows, a new roof or new flooring, would be reviewed. New construction in some areas would have to sit at least a foot above the flood elevation, and violations could bring fines of up to $2,000. The public hearing and final vote are set for 7 p.m. Monday, October 26, at the municipal building. TAPinto Branchburg's report

Manville: a $1,025,000 bond to buy property

On October 12 the Mayor and Council, with Mayor Richard Onderko presiding, introduced a bond ordinance of $1,025,000 to acquire real property for municipal purposes. Public hearings were scheduled for other ordinances covering property acquisition and rental housing registration. The council also approved vouchers, charitable solicitations and liquor license renewals, then went into closed session. Manville meeting details

Montgomery: wastewater funding and a 9/11 memorial request

At its October 15 meeting the Township Committee received a check presentation from the District 16 Assembly delegation: fiscal year 2027 state funding for the township's Wastewater Treatment Consolidation Project. The agenda also included Resolution #26-10-281, which renews Montgomery's shared-services agreement with Tewksbury Township for chief financial officer and purchasing agent services, and Resolution #26-10-280, which certifies the committee's review of the state Best Practices Inventory. Correspondence included a September 29 request to move the World Trade Center granite block from the 9/11 Memorial at Veterans Park to Fire Company No. 2 on Route 518. The committee also scheduled an executive session on infrastructure contract negotiations and an affordable housing litigation update. Montgomery meeting details

Far Hills: affordable housing rules and two road projects

The October 13 Borough Council agenda included three ordinances. Ordinance No. 2026-13 amends the Land Management Ordinance to comply with updated affordable housing rules. Ordinance No. 2026-14 would spend $575,000 to reconstruct Far Hills Avenue and Schley Road, and Ordinance No. 2026-15 would spend $150,000 to resurface Campbell Road and Willow Avenue. Both road ordinances were introduced September 28. The council also took up Resolution 26-144 on Planning Board resignations and appointments and Resolution 26-145, which appoints a Board of Health alternate. Minutes are pending, so final votes are not yet confirmed. Far Hills meeting details

Hillsborough: new hires and recreation center design work

On October 13 the Township Committee heard a police accreditation presentation from Harry Delgado, president of the Chiefs' Association. It also took up the hiring of Dante Secchiano as a part-time electrical inspector and Gianna Bianco as police operations manager. The agenda included a resolution to have Cornerstone Architectural Group provide architectural design services for the Mike Merdinger Community Recreation Center, a reduction of Performance Bond No. 621-102626-9 for Campus Associates (Fernmoor), a property tax reimbursement for a 100% disabled veteran and appointments to the Community Partner Grant Advisory Committee. Hillsborough meeting details

Schools

The Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education placed its superintendent on administrative leave last week, and a board member resigned. In Bernards, the Board of Education heard parents' concerns about lunch time at William Annin Middle School. Education news

On the calendar this week

No new agendas had posted yet for the week of October 19 in the towns County Brief follows. These dates were announced earlier:

Monday, October 19: Bedminster's public hearing on flood damage prevention Ordinance No. 2026-020. Bedminster meetings
Tuesday, October 20: Raritan Borough Council. Raritan meetings
Thursday, October 22: Watchung Mayor and Council. Watchung meetings
Monday, October 26: Branchburg's public hearing on its floodplain ordinance, 7 p.m.

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