Woodbridge Township Council announces Route 35 railroad closure
Both directions of Route 35 were scheduled to close near the railroad tracks from October 23 through October 25 for a state crossing project.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — agenda/order of business, public comment period (mid-meeting), and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The Woodbridge Township Council said businesses and homes on either side of the crossing would remain accessible, but asked drivers to avoid the area.
A railroad crossing repair will close both directions of Route 35. The Woodbridge Township Council announced that the closure near Aspen Lane was scheduled to begin Friday, October 23, at 10:00 p.m., with reopening expected Sunday, October 25, around 5:00 p.m. The state transportation department plans to reconstruct the crossing as part of a railroad safety project. The council announced detours for northbound and southbound traffic and said drivers could still reach businesses and homes from either side.
The Woodbridge Township Council used its announcements to flag several dates beyond the roadwork. A groundbreaking for an inclusive playground at the former School 14 property in Fords is set for October 27 at 4:00 p.m. A downtown trunk-or-treat is scheduled for October 28 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The council also announced holiday food programs and asked for non-perishable donations to local food pantries.
For residents checking their calendars, the Woodbridge Township Council announced a November 2 deadline for state property tax relief applications. Councilman Daniel R. Harris said some residents were automatically enrolled in the ANCHOR program, while others still needed to apply. The council also announced a November 28 holiday parade and a 5K Turkey Trot in Sewaren. Registration for the run begins at 8:30 a.m. that day, ahead of a 10:00 a.m. start.
Public comment period (mid-meeting): taxes, vacant lot development, rail/train impacts, Route 35 safety concerns, and federal law/media remarks
Questions about tax bills and a vacant lot opened the Woodbridge Township Council’s public comment period. A resident asked about development near a deli on West Avenue and compared tax bills from different years. In response, the council president advised comparing January and July bills across the same years and invited the resident to call for help reviewing them.
The same resident described trains idling, delaying children on their way to school buses and shaking homes during rock unloading in Sewaren and Port Reading. The Woodbridge Township Council discussed work on a rail switch intended to reduce delays and make train movements more direct. Councilman Small and township staff said the township had limited control over rail operations and did not promise that trains would be removed. Another resident asked whether there was a limit on train length; the council president gave no number.
A separate resident asked the Woodbridge Township Council to examine speeding and crashes on Route 35 near the high school, including whether a camera could document traffic. Another speaker raised concerns about media practices, immigration policy and public-service costs. The council closed public comment without announcing action on those requests.
Council adopts stop-sign and truck restrictions
The Woodbridge Township Council unanimously adopted changes to Chapter 7-20 covering stop sign locations and restrictions on overweight vehicles. During the public hearing, a resident supported the measure as a way to discourage repeat violations by truck drivers and companies.
The changes affect where drivers must stop and where overweight vehicles face restrictions.
Council changes fire prevention enforcement designation
The Woodbridge Township Council unanimously amended Chapter 24 to remove KSB Fire District Number Four as a local fire prevention enforcement agency. A resident asked about fire protection and taxes; the council president said this ordinance does not change taxation.
Residents asked whether the enforcement change would affect their fire protection or property tax bills.
Council sets November hearing for new ordinances
The Woodbridge Township Council unanimously introduced ordinances on first reading and scheduled a public hearing for November 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The council said the ordinances and notice would be published on the township website; their subjects were not stated during the meeting.
Residents will have a scheduled hearing and online notice before the council considers these ordinances again.
Council approves 16 consent agenda resolutions
The Woodbridge Township Council approved a consent agenda containing 16 resolutions. One councilmember said they would abstain on resolution 16; the meeting record did not describe the individual resolutions or explain the notation made about that item.
The vote passed, but residents need the published resolutions to see what each approval covers.
- Woodbridge Township Council. Council held a public hearing on Letter C to amend Chapter 24 (Fire Prevention) by deleting KSB Fire District Number Four as the local enforcement agency. A resident raised concerns about taxes and protection levels; Council leadership responded that the ordinance did not change taxation and described prior public meetings on the merger. Council adopted the ordinance unanimously.
- Woodbridge Township Council. Council opened the public hearing and considered Letter B on second reading to amend Chapter 7-20 regarding stop sign locations and restrictions on overweight vehicles. One resident spoke in support of enforcement and deterrence. Council closed the hearing and adopted the ordinance unanimously.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Woodbridge Township had 1 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCECouncil approves 2027–2029 Superior Officers Association agreement. Council met in executive session to discuss collective bargaining with the Superior Officers Association. After returning, it unanimously approved a memorandum of agreement covering January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2029.
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