This Week at NJ21st: Turf Tensions, BTC Creep, Nixon Exit and County Budget Questions

Sep 20, 2025

What is Happening?
We start our newsletter with a Town Council Meeting that lands in the top ten strangest Berkeley Heights has ever had in the past ten years. Starting with a “shock and awe” agenda chock full of chickens, no-bid contracts and increasing sewer costs. Part of our agenda coverage includes focused coverage of the Township’s decision to move a resolution that begins work on the CMS field despite the Recreation Chair’s silence in response to BOE requests for answers and documents (this part gets weirder). Natasha and Sai both confront the council on the decision and lack of answers during the meeting which results in Councilwoman Poage having an outburst in response to requests for delaying the vote until the Recreation Chair answers the Board’s Questions.

Here’s Where it Gets Weirder
Two days later, during the BOE Meeting we find that the Recreation Chair did in fact back out of her commitment to attend the meeting and BHPSNJ Administration behaves as if her role in a process that involves public dollars and land (that she placed herself front and center in) is a state secret. On a positive note, the Township Administrator did respond to questions we’ve been asking over the course of two weeks.…sort of.

Don’t Do It, Livingston
An Educator in the Community gives Livingston a brief history on Building Thinking Classroom in hopes the District reverses course before it’s too late.

Another Step to Progress
John’s notes on the 09/18 Berkeley Heights BOE Agenda reveals the District is moving to limit the number of OPRA requests that go to attorney review– a win for students and families in connection to dollars and transparency.

Candidate Statement
BOE Candidate Javier Morales introduces himself and provides a look into his policy priorities as he makes his bid for office.

Third Time’s the Charm
In his quest to find signs of life, Michael sends his third letter to the Council on Town’s power outages and we provide a quick follow up on JCPL’s troubles with the Utilities Board.

Nixon to Millburn
I mean that’s pretty much it. Mr. Nixon is going to Millburn.

County Questions
John took a look at the County Budget (finally) and emailed questions that are waiting on answers – you can check them out here.