Old Bridge Township Council ends stalled contractor agreement
Nine councilmembers voted to part ways with a contractor on a project awarded last year, clearing a path to seek new bids.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — contract action, public comment period (open space referendum, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The work had not begun, and staff said rebidding would avoid more delay than going through the contractor’s bonding company.
A year-old contract left a township project waiting for work to begin. The Old Bridge Township Council voted unanimously, with nine members in favor, to part ways with the contractor and seek new bids. Staff said the project was awarded in June of the prior year, but the contractor had been difficult to reach and had not started work. The parties agreed to separate after months of delay.
Staff said the contractor had assured the township it could do the job for its bid price as the lowest bidder, but later appeared unable to deliver at that cost. The next bid was approximately 150,000 higher, according to staff. After about four months, the contractor still had not ordered anything. Some shop drawings had been approved, yet staff questioned whether the items shown would fit the job. The township’s attorney and architect joined discussions before the parties agreed to part ways.
Nothing had been built, staff told the Old Bridge Township Council. The township had spent money on construction inspection, but staff said going through the contractor’s bonding company would bring further complications and delay. Rebidding is intended to get the work done properly; staff gave no new start date or updated price. Staff said the township could consider this experience if the contractor bids on future work.
Public comment period (open space referendum transparency; town hall/meet-and-greet; open space tax questions; kratom ban; traffic calming and meeting conduct)
Public comment before the Old Bridge Township Council centered on the open space ballot question. Several residents said they could not find the open space committee’s agendas or minutes online, and one asked how much money the proposed tax would raise. Staff said the committee did not meet every month and described canceled meetings and minutes still under review. A councilmember said the proposed rate was two cents per $100 of assessed value and could help secure state and county matching funds. The resident still wanted an overall total.
Residents raised other requests. One proposed quarterly informal meet-and-greets with councilmembers. Another asked the Old Bridge Township Council to put a kratom ban on its agenda. A speaker urged consideration of speed bumps and other traffic-calming measures, while others challenged how comments at earlier meetings had been handled.
A final speaker asked how residents could get answers when public comment was not a question-and-answer session. Old Bridge Township Council members suggested contacting the relevant department or emailing councilmembers, who could seek answers they did not have. The Old Bridge Township Council then closed public comment without opposition.
Gas-main work closes eastbound lanes October 26–31
The Old Bridge Township Council accepted a report announcing an eastbound road closure for gas-main work October 26–31, weather permitting, while westbound traffic remains open. The report covered recreation, November 7 tax-office hours, fourth-quarter tax collection and the November 2 deadline for 2025 PAS-1 forms.
Drivers will need to plan around the eastbound closure, while taxpayers have a Saturday window to visit the collection office.
Township Council sets cap on clothing bins
The Old Bridge Township Council unanimously adopted changes to its charitable clothing bin rules, shifting permits to a two-year cycle and capping bins at 75 townshipwide. Inspections remain annual, and the fee stays $25 per bin each year; no one spoke at the public hearing.
The cap limits new bin placements, while longer permits reduce repeat paperwork without ending annual inspections.
Township Council seeks grant for dispatch upgrades
The Old Bridge Township Council unanimously authorized an application to the FY27 NJ911 Next Generation Grant Program for upgraded dispatch consoles, more dispatch stations and training. Staff said the township applied last year too; the resolution would let it accept funds if awarded.
A successful application could help pay for more dispatch stations, updated equipment and staff training.
Township clerk outlines early voting schedule
The Old Bridge Township Council accepted the township clerk’s report on early voting, which runs October 24 through November 1 at the civic center. Polls open November 3 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; the clerk’s office can help residents find their assigned polling place.
Residents can vote before Election Day or ask the clerk’s office where to cast a ballot on November 3.
- Old Bridge Township Council. Residents commented on the open space ballot question and requested greater transparency and timely posting of Open Space committee agendas/minutes, asked about the total amount to be raised, and discussed fairness in land acquisition. Additional comments addressed meet-and-greet events, a request to ban kratom, concerns about traffic calming and speed bumps, and meeting decorum.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Old Bridge Township had 7 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCETownship Attorney report: appellate hearing date set for affordable housing case. The Township Attorney reported receiving notice from the affordable housing attorney that the appellate division set a hearing date in early December for the Township’s affordable housing appeal. The Council accepted the report and confirmed the Township’s affordable housing attorney would argue the case.
- GOVERNANCECouncil member comments. Council members shared announcements and remarks including congratulations to student athletes and the Oak Ridge Marching Knights, Halloween safety reminders, support for pursuing a kratom ban, a reminder to vote, and updates on traffic enforcement and planned traffic safety measures.
- GOVERNANCEAuthorization of payment of bills, claims, and statements ($17,247,953.66). The Council approved the bill list authorizing payment totaling $17,247,953.66, including accounts payable and payroll. An overtime breakdown was provided, noting a major uptick in sworn police overtime and two officers on light duty.
- GOVERNANCEAppointment of commissioner to Old Bridge Housing Authority (term ending May 31, 2031). The Council appointed Mike Giasi as a commissioner to the Old Bridge Housing Authority to fill an unexpired term ending May 31, 2031.
- GOVERNANCEAcknowledgement of first responders and community response to Glenwood Apartments fire. Officials and invited speaker David Hernandez described the community response to the Glenwood Apartments fire, including donations, volunteer support, and mutual aid from multiple fire and EMS agencies. Council members thanked responders and highlighted the role of 911 dispatchers.
- GOVERNANCEAnnual Best Practices Inventory discussion (2026). Staff presented the 2026 Best Practices Inventory required by the Division of Local Government Services, explaining scoring categories and the Township’s score. The Township reported scoring 45 out of 48 points and stated the minimum needed to receive full state aid payment was 34 points.
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