While “Lower Columbia” does appear on the July 21, 2026 Town Council Agenda, it is far from the context that the public was promised by Council President and Mayoral candidate John Foster at the public emergency Recreation Commission Meeting. The topic surrounding Lower Columbia will be held during the Council’s executive session and will focus on contract negotiations in regard to the shared service agreement for Lower Columbia.
On May 20, 2025 the Township of Berkeley Heights voted to approve resolution 2025-196, a shared service agreement between the Township of Berkeley Heights and the Berkeley Heights Board of Education for maintenance of the property at Lower Columbia.
It is unclear about the reasons behind why these contract negotiations are happening as the Lower Columbia Project has reportedly, from the Recreation Commission and Township Council members Foster and Machado, been put on hold. In addition to the unequivocal silence and refusal, from Town Council, Recreation Project Manager and Township Administrator, to respond to a single question on the Lower Columbia project and DEP objection, this executive session agenda item is drawing some noteworthy buzz.
The Council is set to approve two resolutions for professional contracts for the historical preservation of Littell-Lord Farmhouse.
The first resolution, 256, will authorize Connolly & Hickey Historical Architects for bidding and contract administration services for the exterior and interior restoration and rehabilitation. This particular professional services contract is exempt from public bidding and is being awarded through a non-fair-and-open process. The original proposal is dated April 11, 2023, but the resolution contains inconsistent updated dates of July 7, 2025 and July 1, 2025. The services provided by the architects are not to exceed $18,100. The firm has certified that it has not made reportable political contributions in the last year to any candidate or committee in Berkeley Heights.
The second resolution is for a contract to be awarded to Dell-Tech for Phase II, which will entail the exterior restoration and structural stabilization for Littell-Lord. The costs for Phase II are not to exceed $395,900. The funds are reportedly $1,833 from a UC Historic Preservation account, $10,000 from a Preserve Union County Grant received in 2017 and $384,067 from a NJ Historic Grant received in 2026.
Also related to the 07/21/2026 Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting:
$800K Words In The Air: Berkeley Heights Proposes $2.5M in New Sewer Debt
Examining the Facts Behind Berkeley Heights’ Proposed Data Center Ban
Questions Mount Over Lower Columbia and No-Bid Contracts Ahead of July 21 Council Meeting
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