Berkeley Heights Township Cites Need for Oversight on Project It Can’t Account For

During the 4/7/26 Town Council Meeting, Berkeley Heights resident and BOE Representative Natasha Joly asked the Council basic questions connected to the Lower Columbia project. Where was the money appropriated? What authorizes the project to move forward? What action was taken to move it out of the Rec Commission and under Townships’ purview?

While representatives and administration indicated the project was funded through grants and donations with the Township as grantee, they didn’t identify a specific budget line, appropriation, or action authorizing the project. While on the one hand, arguing a new position was created because the project required a high level of oversight, they also indicated they would need to look back at prior budgets to find out where the money is included.

Ms. Viana indicating the entire project was entirely funded with grants while Ms. Varnerin indicated she was hopeful the entire project would be funded with grants and donations.

A similar line of questioning surrounded the projected during the Planning Board Meeting the next day – this time from a former Recreation Commission Chair that led to one Council Member declining to answer without an attorney present.