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...
What’s at Stake in the Potential Sale of the Berkeley Heights Sewer Plant
Many towns across not only New Jersey, but the nation, have been selling their waste treatment plants to private companies. Berkeley Heights mayor, Angie Devanney, along with Town Council members put out an article detailing their intent to vote on moving forward to solicit bids for the sale of the town’s waste treatment plant and highlighting some of the reasoning...
Private Tour, Public Questions: Does Recreation Department Invite Lead Council & BOE to Violate OPMA?
The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) 10:4-7 clearly states: Legislative Findings and Declaration: “The Legislature finds and declares that the right of the public to be present at all meetings of public bodies, and to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision-making processes of public bodies, is vital to the enhancement and...
Former Council Member Paul Donnelly Accuses Berkeley Heights of Code Violations & Permit Misconduct
Former Councilman Paul Donnelly confronts the Berkeley Heights Council over unresolved drainage issues linked to a neighboring property, alleging code violations, a fraudulent permit, and failure to enforce local ordinances. Tensions rise as he accuses officials of misconduct and questions why the matter is being dismissed as a civil dispute. Read More on Berkeley Heights Town Council Subscribe to NJ21st...
Quick Notes on the Berkeley Heights Municipal Budget-04/08/2025 Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting
Overview Total Spending: $30.5 million (↓ $1.9M from 2024) Raised by Taxes: $17.0 million (↑ $715K from 2024) Surplus Used: $4.9 million (↑ $460K) Revenue: Property Taxes: 55% of the budget. Surplus (“Rainy Day Fund”): Usage up 10% this year. PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes): Up 258% to $2.15 million. These are payments from developers instead of traditional taxes...
Turf or Grass? Environmental Concerns for Lower Columbia Field
The Berkeley Heights Township’s lease of the lower Columbia field has been approved, but there is much to be done before residents will see a playing field at this location. One of those things needs to be a review of environmental conditions in that area and how placing a turf field in this location will impact the ecosystem. According to...
Council Passes Lease in Special Meeting as Residents Raise Transparency Concerns
The Berkeley Heights Town Council held a Special Meeting over Zoom this past Tuesday at 3:30 PM. The only item on the agenda was the lease agreement with the Board of Education for Lower Columbia property. Councilmember Margaret Illis was absent, and both Council President John Foster and Vice President Susan Poage—who are employees of the school district—recused themselves due...
BOE Representative Joly’s Comments on CMS Lease Agreement During the 03/25/2025 Town Council Meeting
The majority of residents who attended and spoke at the 03/25/2025 Town Council Meeting expressed concerns about the project, the information published by corporate media and/or the process surrounding the agreement. Most residents were not aware that the meeting was zoom-only. As predicted the measure passed with Foster and Poage abstaining due to their employment with BHPSNJ – though both...
Fear of Facts: A Response to Councilwoman Poage’s “Fake News” Claim
The March 18th council meeting served as yet another reminder of how some elected officials misuse their platforms to undermine fact-based journalism. Unfortunately, history repeated itself. Councilwoman Susan Poage followed this well-worn path, spinning legitimate reporting with a “fake news” narrative during Tuesday’s meeting. Yet, despite her grandstanding, she failed to cite a single instance of misinformation—because none existed. This...
The Facts They Won’t Print: What Hyperlocal Media Left Out On The Lease Agreement Articles
As our local hyper-local media outlet continues to push incomplete timelines and the false narrative that insurance issues were the reason the Mayor and the Recreation Department locked students out—we believe it’s important to set the record straight. Instead of a productive budget meeting focused on our students, the discussion devolved (yet again) into political theatrics driven by the Mayor’s...
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