South River, New Jersey
Recent meetings
Mayor & Council
The South River Borough Council will hold a public hearing and vote on Ordinance 2026-15, which appropriates $2,921,000 and authorizes $1,805,000 in bonds for sanitation, police and fire equipment, sewer upgrades, and improvements to the Veterans Drive Athletic Field. The agenda also includes second‑reading hearings on Ordinance 2026-16 to update public‑safety and parks property procedures, and Ordinance 2026-17 to change Sunday alcohol‑sale hours. A series of consent resolutions (2026‑179 to 2026‑197) covering tax refunds, water‑operator awards, lease bids for 6 Thomas Street, water‑testing contracts, and a fireworks display will be adopted without individual debate.
- Ordinance 2026-15: $2,921,000 appropriation and $1,805,000 bond issuance for sanitation truck, police and fire equipment, sewer system work, and Veterans Drive Athletic Field upgrades
- Ordinance 2026-16: amendment of Chapter 72 (Public Safety) and Chapter 246 (Parks, Playgrounds and Public Buildings) to update borough‑owned property administration
- Ordinance 2026-17: amendment of Chapter 103 (Alcoholic Beverages) to change prohibited Sunday sale hours
- Consent Resolution 188: authorize receipt of bids for a lease of public property at 6 Thomas Street
- Consent Resolution 190: authorize a competitive contracting process for water testing and laboratory services
Planning Board (Land Use Board)
The Planning Board will hold a discussion on a proposed amendment to the Redevelopment Plan to increase maximum permitted height from 4 stories/40 feet to 5 stories/48 feet. The board will also vote on a resolution for a property at 52 Reid Street and hold public hearings on a minor subdivision at 2 Muravski Ct (rescheduled to July 14) and a bulk variance request for a 31.5-foot driveway at 57 Kamm Ave.
- Resolution PB–2026–04 for Cristina Martinez at 52 Reid Street
- Public hearing PB–2025–21 for a minor subdivision at 2 Muravski Ct (rescheduled to July 14, 2026)
- Public hearing PB–2026–05 for a bulk variance for a 31.5-foot driveway at 57 Kamm Ave (allowed width is 20 feet)
- Board discussion of Council Resolution 2026–152 to amend the Redevelopment Plan to increase maximum height from 4 stories/40' to 5 stories/48'
Board of Health
The South River Board of Health will vote on a resolution to appoint Michelle Urbanowicz as Registrar of Vital Statistics for a three-year term. They will also review financial reports for the Registrar and Health Inspectors for April and May 2026, and discuss old business items including Food Bank funding of $163,126.47 and animal control costs. New business includes planning blood drive dates.
- Resolution 2026-6 appointing Michelle Urbanowicz as Registrar of Vital Statistics effective June 3, 2026 through June 2, 2029
- Food Bank allocation of $163,126.47 in old business
- Animal Control/TNR expenses of $1,773.09 ($1,769.84 for TNR, $3.25 for pet pantry)
- Health Inspectors sanitation report for April/May 2026 list conditionally satisfactory ratings at Thirty Threes Tavern, Shaan Grille, and Cirino Cafe
- Registrar's monthly financial reports turned over $332.00 (April) and $277.00 (May) to the borough
Mayor & Council
The Borough Council will hold public hearings on four ordinances: renaming a special law enforcement officer title, creating no-standing zones on Charles and Lincoln Streets near Pillars Preparatory Academy, adding a farmers' market vendor permit fee, and acquiring a Little League property for nominal consideration. The council will also introduce a $2,921,000 bond ordinance for capital improvements and equipment, with final adoption scheduled for June 29. A consent agenda includes 22 routine resolutions, such as awarding contracts for pickleball courts and an inclusive playground, and appointing a police officer.
- Bond ordinance 2026-15 appropriating $2,921,000 for capital improvements, authorizing $1,805,000 in bonds
- Ordinance 2026-14 acquiring Block 58, Lot 1 from South River Little League for nominal consideration
- Ordinance 2026-12 creating no-standing zones on Charles Street (from Stanton to Lincoln) and Lincoln Street (from Charles south 265 feet)
- Ordinance 2026-13 adding a farmers' market vendor annual permit fee
- Consent resolution 2026-174 authorizing conditional appointment of Kerwin J. Sampson as a police officer
The Borough Council adopted Ordinance 2026-11 to change the title of Class One Special Law Enforcement Officer to 'Supervisor' and Ordinance 2026-12 to create no-standing zones on Charles and Lincoln Streets near Pillars Preparatory Academy. Both ordinances passed unanimously.
- Adopted Ordinance 2026-11 (6-0) to rename Class One Special Law Enforcement Officer to 'Supervisor'
- Adopted Ordinance 2026-12 (6-0) to create no-standing zones on Charles and Lincoln Streets
- Waived full reading for Ordinance 2026-11 and Ordinance 2026-12
- Closed public hearings for both ordinances with no public comments
Board of Health
The Board of Health will vote on Resolution 2026-6 appointing Michelle Urbanowicz as Registrar of Vital Statistics from June 3, 2026 to June 2, 2029. It will also review minutes, reports, and old business including financial balances for the Food Bank ($165,144.77), Animal Control/TNR ($1,773.09), and event accounts. New business includes planning a blood drive.
- Resolution 2026-6 appointing Michelle Urbanowicz as Registrar of Vital Statistics
- Food Bank account balance of $165,144.77
- Animal Control/TNR account of $1,773.09
- Frost on the Pumpkin event balance of $2,986.15
- New business: Blood drive planning
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
The South River Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will convene to discuss upcoming events including the Fishing Derby, Fireworks, and sport activities. The board will also vote on a consent resolution to approve the minutes from the March 9, 2026 meeting. Public comment is invited on non-agenda items.
- Discussion of Fishing Derby event planning
- Discussion of Fireworks event planning
- Discussion of Sport Activities
- Consent Resolution 2026-05: Approval of March 9, 2026 meeting minutes
Planning Board (Land Use Board)
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on application PB-2026-04 for a single-family home at 52 Reid Street in the R75 zone, with requested variances for undersized lot, lot width, and side yard setbacks. Another application (PB-2025-21) is carried to the June 16 meeting. The board will also discuss other matters and take public comments.
- Public hearing for Cristina Martinez at 52 Reid Street (Block 148, Lot 24) for a single-family home with variances
- Application PB-2025-21 (Tioumbelekchieff) for minor subdivision at 2 Muravski Ct carried to June 16
- New Board Member Carlos Cerqueza introduction
- Approval of minutes from April 14, 2026
- No resolutions scheduled
The Planning Board approved a variance for a 3-story home on Reid Street, allowing construction on a flood-prone lot. The board also carried a public hearing for another application to the next meeting.
- Approved variance for 3-story home at 52 Reid Street (9-0)
- Carried public hearing for PB-2025-21 to June 16, 2026
- Approved April 14, 2026 meeting minutes
- Adjourned meeting at 7:15 PM
Mayor & Council
The Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing and adopt the 2026 municipal budget. They will also consider several ordinances on traffic changes, a farmers market vendor fee, and acquisition of property from the Little League. Additionally, the council will vote on a consent agenda containing numerous routine resolutions.
- Adoption of the 2026 Municipal Budget (Resolution 2026-134)
- Ordinance amending handicap parking on Phillip Street (second reading)
- Ordinance establishing no standing zones on Charles Street and Lincoln Street (first reading)
- Ordinance adding a farmers' market vendor annual permit fee (first reading)
- Ordinance authorizing acquisition of Block 58, Lot 1 from South River Little League for nominal consideration (first reading)
The council adopted the 2026 municipal budget and passed two ordinances amending traffic codes. A third ordinance was introduced but not yet adopted.
- Adopted 2026 Municipal Budget (6-0)
- Passed Ordinance 2026-9 amending handicapped parking on Phillip Street West
- Passed Ordinance 2026-10 adding no-parking zone on William Street West
- Introduced Ordinance 2026-11 to change title of Class One Special Law Enforcement Officer
- Proclaimed May 2026 as Older Americans Month
Board of Health
The South River Board of Health will hold a regular meeting on April 21, 2026, at 6:00 pm. The agenda includes approval of March 2026 minutes, reports from the registrar and health inspectors, and discussion of old business items such as the food bank, animal control/TNR, volunteer list, event planning, Operation RAM, and Frost on the Pumpkin. New business consists of a blood drive, followed by public comments and board liaison comments.
- New business: blood drive
- Old business: Food Bank, Animal Control/TNR, Volunteer List, Event Planning, Operation RAM, Frost on the Pumpkin
- Registrar’s financial report shows $167,007.79 in vital statistics funds for March 2026
- Health inspection report includes food inspections, complaints, and enforcement actions
- Public comments period open to residents
Planning Board (Land Use Board)
The board will vote on a resolution (PB-2025-26) concerning a property at 185 Whitehead Ave. A public hearing for a minor subdivision application at 2 Muravski Ct (PB-2025-21) is proposed to be rescheduled to May 12, 2026. Other items include approval of February 10, 2026 minutes and board discussion.
- Resolution PB-2025-26, Carvalho, 185 Whitehead Ave. (Block 332, Lot 2)
- Public hearing PB-2025-21, Tioumbelekchieff, 2 Muravski Ct (Block 93, Lot 1.09) – application for minor subdivision, proposed rescheduling to May 12, 2026
- Approval of minutes from February 10, 2026
- Public comments period
The South River Planning Board approved Resolution PB-2025-26 for a property at 185 Whitehead Ave. The board also carried a minor subdivision application from 2 Muravski Court to the May 12 meeting at the applicant's request. No public comments were received and the meeting adjourned after 10 minutes.
- Approved minutes from February 10, 2026 (voice vote, all in favor)
- Approved Resolution PB-2025-26, Carvalho for 185 Whitehead Ave (3-0 roll call, 3 absent, none abstained)
- Carried PB-2025-21, Tioumbelekchieff minor subdivision public hearing to May 12, 2026 (voice vote, all in favor)
Mayor & Council
The Mayor and Council will vote to introduce the 2026 municipal budget (Resolution 2026-118) and hold a public hearing on an ordinance to amend loading zones on Marks Place. They will also introduce first-reading ordinances for a handicap parking zone on Phillip Street and a no-parking zone on William Street. The agenda includes mayoral appointments to the Shade Tree and Environmental Commissions, and a consent agenda covering shared services, contracts, and utility refunds.
- Introduction of 2026 Municipal Budget (Resolution 2026-118)
- Public hearing and second reading of Ordinance 2026-8 to amend loading zones on Marks Place
- First reading of Ordinance 2026-9 creating a handicap parking zone on Phillip Street
- First reading of Ordinance 2026-10 establishing a no-parking zone on William Street
- Mayoral appointments to Shade Tree Commission and Environmental Commission/Green Team
The Council approved the 2026 municipal budget and adopted Ordinance 2026-08 to modify loading zones. Two other traffic ordinances were introduced for first reading.
- Approved 2026 municipal budget (Resolution 2026-118)
- Adopted Ordinance 2026-08 to modify loading zone on Marks Place West
- Introduced Ordinance 2026-9 to amend handicapped parking on Phillip Street West
- Introduced Ordinance 2026-10 to add no-parking zone on William Street West