Old Bridge backs new internet provider pole access
The council unanimously approved municipal consent for a high-speed internet provider to use existing poles, a first step toward more competition beyond Comcast and Optimum.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — separated consent item c13, approval of finance items 1–12, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Council members said residents have been asking for another internet option, though the company still must strike separate deals with the utilities that own the poles.
A small vote opened a larger question about internet choice. Old Bridge Township Council approved separated consent item C13 by unanimous roll call vote, granting municipal consent for a new high-speed internet provider to use existing telephone poles in the public right-of-way. Council members described the step as a long-overdue statutory requirement and tied it directly to a familiar complaint from residents: too few choices for broadband service.
Members said people have been calling for alternatives to Comcast and Optimum. They argued that more competition could help on both price and service quality. The action does not build a network on its own, but it clears one local hurdle for a company trying to enter the market.
The next step sits outside the council dais. Even with township consent in hand, the provider still has to negotiate with the companies that own the poles, including Jersey Central Power & Light and Verizon. Council members noted those owners would not be offering free space, a reminder that the unanimous vote was permission, not a finished deal. Before the vote, the council acknowledged a representative in the audience for sticking with the effort long enough to get it to this point.
Approval of finance items 1–12; shared services agreement for school security (item 9)
The school board approved finance items 1 through 12, then paused to clear up one detail in item 9. A board member said the agenda had described the shared services agreement for school security as the fifth extension, but it was actually the sixth.
That distinction mattered because the agreement is a standing arrangement with the township for SROs and security coverage across school locations. The board member said shared services agreements work differently from bid contracts, which come with set terms and expiration points. By contrast, this kind of agreement can keep being renewed unless one side decides to end it.
The board member thanked the township for continuing the partnership and for providing security measures across the district. The finance package passed by roll call vote. The transcript indicates some members were absent, including Mr. Dunn and Mr. Vanitation.
School board weighs meals and soda
A Food Service Committee report said secondary schools may add featured meals and keep discussing whether to remove soda at the high school. That debate carries a clear budget angle: soda sales brought in $27,000 last year, and a board member asked how vending machines fit into the plan if cafeteria soda goes away.
Any soda policy change could affect student health choices and district revenue from vending and cafeteria sales.
Administrator lists tax, aid and retirements
Himanshu Shah used his report to flag utility-aid appointments, a PAS-1 filing event, an extended third-quarter tax grace period through August 21, 2026, and Moody’s reaffirmation of the township’s A1 bond rating. He also announced the July 31, 2026 retirements of Police Officer Steven Connelly and Lieutenant Robert Masalooski.
Administrator announced energy-help appointments, PAS-1 filing event, and tax-bill grace extension.
Council approves bills after overtime questions
The council unanimously approved the bill list and payroll after asking staff to explain overtime in two recent pay periods. Staff pointed to 250th celebration events at Mannino Park, public works building improvements, and a "swarm," while noting offsets from grants, ETO, and accreditation and beach patrol.
Council approved routine bill list and payroll with overtime tied to events and public works.
Board approves curriculum items 1-4
The school board approved curriculum and professional development items 1 through 4 by roll call vote. During discussion, a board member thanked teachers and Dr. Tui for completing elementary science curriculum work that had been raised as a concern two years earlier.
Approved curriculum and professional-development items, including completed elementary science curriculum work.
- Old Bridge Township Planning Board. One resident spoke during public comment, stating traffic congestion and accidents are a major problem and expressing concern that additional development will worsen conditions. The resident asked for a public forum for community discussion and said they had not seen postings about such a forum. Officials responded about meeting formats and the state-mandated nature of affordable housing requirements.
- Old Bridge Township Zoning Board of Adjustment. Multiple members of the public commented on the Dream Home Associates subdivision proposal at 127 Morningside Avenue. Several residents opposed the application citing drainage, crowding, privacy/light/air impacts, traffic and parking, and neighborhood character; one speaker supported the project as beneficial new construction that could increase property values.
- Old Bridge Township Zoning Board of Adjustment. One resident spoke during the public portion on Application 12-206Z, stating water had entered their yard during rainy periods and raising concerns about privacy due to the height and proximity of the deck near the property line. The resident requested township engineering review of grading/drainage if approval were granted.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Old Bridge Township had 58 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of certificated personnel items 1–24 with administrative corrections (including removals and renumbering). The board approved certificated personnel items 1–24 after multiple administrative corrections, including moving and renumbering items, correcting names/positions, and removing an item. Several staff names were read into the record as part of the corrected lists.
- GOVERNANCEPolice department swears in new sergeant and lieutenant. The township recognized two police promotions: Brian Brady to Sergeant and Michael Machan to Lieutenant. Both officers were honored by the Police Chief and took the oath of office.
- GOVERNANCERecognition: Staff retirements (combined 128 years). The board approved recognition of multiple staff retirements and expressed appreciation for a combined 128 years of service. Several board members spoke about the retirees’ impact, including specific remarks about Karen Karns.
- GOVERNANCEOld Bridge Police Department awards recognition (officers listed) and remarks by Police Chief. The council held a special segment recognizing Old Bridge Police Department personnel with awards and certificates. A list of officers was read, and the Police Chief praised officers for courage, professionalism, compassion, and commitment, highlighting that officers step forward in dangerous situations to help others.
- GOVERNANCESchool board approves and highlights scholarship and donation recognitions. The board approved recognition items covering retirements, a scholarship recognition, and a donation acknowledgment. It specifically highlighted a $1,000 NJ ASBO scholarship for graduate Gabriel Teddaro and a $700 lemonade stand donation to the Carl Sandburg Middle School Play Unified Club.
- GOVERNANCEGuest remarks: Assemblyman Alex Sauickie on school funding and property taxes (S2/SFRA issues). Assemblyman Alex Sauickie addressed school funding and property taxes, criticizing the S2 funding formula and describing Old Bridge’s income tax contribution and state aid levels. He discussed disparities with districts like Newark and Camden, cited examples of spending in other districts, and described bills he introduced including A4750 and a proposed new per-pupil funding formula.
- GOVERNANCEDiscussion: speed bumps / traffic calming devices. Council discussed whether and how to use speed bumps/speed humps as traffic calming, referencing NJ statutes (Title 39) and restrictions (30 mph or less; fewer than 3,000 vehicles per day). Members cited prior opposition from fire/EMS due to emergency response and fire code approval requirements, and discussed enforcement and targeted locations such as Phillips Drive.
- GOVERNANCEDiscussion: creating a resolution to send to Governor Murphy regarding school funding. Council discussed preparing and adopting a resolution to send to Governor Murphy regarding school funding and the S2 formula’s impact on Old Bridge taxes. Members emphasized transparency, bipartisan cooperation, and encouraging residents to write letters; they noted a prior letter sent to the Governor had not received a response.
- GOVERNANCEFirst responder certificates: April 22, 2026 brush fire medical emergency and life-saving response. Mayor Walker described an April 22, 2026 brush fire response at 512 Marbar Road where a firefighter suffered a medical emergency. Police, EMS, dispatch, firefighters, and RWJ medics provided CPR and life-saving interventions. Certificates were presented to key responders.
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