Council Update: Bond reading, Byram Day makeover, and a new firefighter

By Mandy Coriston
The Byram Township Council on Tuesday, July 9, had the first reading of an ordinance to bond totaling $311,000 to regularly compensate the Nader Group, LLC for the next four analysis and design phases of the new municipal building. The ordinance is drawing resistance from Councilman Harvey Roseff, says it’s premature to set aside money for a project before knowing the cost.
Roseff is a proponent for fiscally responsible government, and was one of the members of the petition committee who fought for and received a repeal of a bond ordinance in 2017, under the town’s Faulkner Act. That $7.4-million bond was also for a new municipal building. A petition in 2016 accomplished a repeal of a similar $10.4-million bond.
Bond ordinances can be challenged by petition during the 20-day waiting period that Bond Law requires between a governing body’s approval and enactment of the bond.
“We’re setting out money for the architect before we even know how much a new building will cost,” Roseff said.
Councilman Scott Olson disagreed.
“I think this bond is just a way for us to lay the groundwork for moving forward with the project,” Olson said.
The second reading and public hearing on the ordinance will be held at the Town Council’s next meeting, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at the municipal building. Residents are encouraged to attend The council is also tentatively planning its next joint meeting with the Municipal Building Subcommittee and the Nader Group, LLC for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug 13, 2019, pending availability of all parties. That meeting will also be open to the public.
Byram Day getting a makeover
The committee charged with bringing Byram Day to life has decided to give the annual community event a year off, and will be looking to hold a new, improved Byram Day in June 2020. Not wanting to leave residents without a town-wide fall gathering, the committee is organizing the first ever Byram Food Trucks and Fireworks Festival, to be held at 5-9 p.m. on Friday Sept. 29, 2019 (rain date, Oct 4).
Trail Cleanup Scheduled
The Environmental Commission invites volunteers to a trail cleanup of the Brookwood Trail at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2019, with a rain date of Sunday, July 14. All residents interested in helping, can meet commission members at the trailhead on Brookwood Road, dressed for outdoor work. Appropriate sun and insect precautions are advised.
New addition to BTFD
Benjamin Palmer took his oath of service to become Byram Township Fire Department’s newest firefighter on Tuesday evening, July 2. Residents are reminded that the all-volunteer department welcomes new members. Information can be found on the BTFD website at www.byramfd.com.