This Week at NJ21st: Berkeley Heights Goes Dark, Warren Goes Quiet, and Michele Goes On Record
We Don’t Need No Stinking Meeting Despite the video blackout of the May 6, 2025 Town Council meeting — where the Council voted to begin the sale of our sewage plant, passed the municipal budget, and approved millions in new spending — we’re unpacking everything they passed. This week, our coverage focused squarely on the sewage plant. Our first article...
Beyond the Payout: Lessons New Jersey Residents Can Learn from the Berkeley Heights’ Sewer Referendum
Pay Attention, NJ. Berkeley Heights political leadership stands to gain a great deal from the sale of our sewage plant: An influx of cash. The ability to pass off years of neglect—and the responsibility for raising rates—onto residents through a private entity. The ability to shift accountability for plant operations to another oversight body. Despite relieving themselves of the responsibility...
Warren Township Officials Shut Down Facebook Comments Without Committee Vote
The Echoes-Sentinel is reporting that Warren Township has disabled the ability for residents to comment on its official Facebook page—and that this decision was made unilaterally by the Township Administrator, without a vote from elected officials. From the Sentinel: “Township Administrator Mark Krane said that he made the decision to disable comments alone and that this change is consistent with...
Privatizing Sewer Systems: What Berkeley Heights Residents—and All NJ Towns—Should Be Asking
Berkeley Heights is the latest New Jersey town to consider privatizing its sewer system—a move that could shape how residents pay for water services for decades. On the surface, the idea promises infrastructure upgrades and financial relief. But similar deals across the state suggest the long-term cost may fall on the backs of residents who are left with fewer avenues...
This Week at NJ21st: Council Ducks Public Scrutiny, Police Transparency Case Heats Up, Business Office Reset at BHPSNJ, and Elections Loom
Quack Quack. In one of the most significant meetings since the school reconfiguration battle the Berkeley Heights Town Council voted on whether to let voters decide the fate of the town’s sewage plant, adopted the municipal budget, and approved millions in new spending. Or did they? There’s no recording of the meeting. Once again, residents are left to rely on...
No Video Exists of Pivotal Berkeley Heights Council Meeting
The township confirmed today that there is no video recording of the most recent Town Council meeting, citing “technical difficulties.” The meeting—held at 6:00 p.m., earlier than usual—had one of the most important and packed agendas of the year thus far. It included a vote to send the possible sale of the sewage plant to referendum, adoption of the budget,...
What Happened After Shots Were Fired: The Fight Over Police Transparency in Jersey City
States Newsroom, the New Jersey Monitor, and attorney CJ Griffin challenge Jersey City in a potentially defining court battle over police transparency. During an August 2019 party, an off-duty Jersey City police officer—Lt. Michael Timmins—allegedly got drunk, got angry, and fired his gun after an argument with guests. No one was hurt. But that’s not really the story. Despite the...
Sewer Plant, Budget, and $3.8M in Spending on the Table Tuesday in Berkeley Heights
On Tuesday, May 6, the Berkeley Heights Township Council will vote on whether to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) to explore the possible sale of the town’s wastewater treatment plant. The resolution is part of a packed agenda that also includes final adoption of the 2025 municipal budget, introduction of a $3.8 million bond ordinance, and salary range updates for...
This Week at NJ21st: Fact-Checking the Sewage Plant Push, ACT Scores, BOE Drama & More
Berkeley Heights residents, brace yourselves for another PR-style referendum campaign—this time, it’s the possible sale of our municipal sewage plant. Shauna unpacks what this means for the community and why residents must fact-check everything coming from the Mayor and Council. Following last week’s SAT piece, our local educator returns with a 7-District ACT comparison. While the results remain underwhelming across...
The 05/01/2025 BHPSNJ BOE Meeting: Strategic Planning or Strategic Posturing?
Last night, I watched the BHPSNJ BOE meeting on the strategic plan, and before sharing my thoughts, I want to clearly state my bias upfront. I’ve worked extensively on strategic plans, even leading the process several times in my career. This experience has taught me that, more often than not, strategic plans serve primarily as tools for high-level leadership to...
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