Woodbridge meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Woodbridge Council logs no votes; fire district, $1.2M bond ahead

The Woodbridge Township Council's regular meeting on Aug. 18 was largely procedural, with no formal votes or decisions recorded in the minutes. The most consequential items on the township's calendar — a fire district reorganization and a $1.2 million property purchase — remain pending.

Fire district reorganization

The council held a special meeting on Aug. 12 to consider a second-reading ordinance that would dissolve Keasbey Fire District Number Four and expand Fords Fire District Number Seven, under state statutes. The ordinance was listed as the final vote on the restructuring, but minutes have not yet been published, so the outcome is not known.

Council meeting: no votes, license transfers under review

The Aug. 18 regular meeting included no recorded votes. The Municipal Clerk reported several liquor license transfer applications under review, including:

• Anais Lounge to Xperience Hospitality Group II, Inc.
• G.M.R.I. to Social By Dhaba Woodbridge, LLC
• Highgate Hotels to R Hotels New Jersey, LLC
• Satya Beverage LLC to S&K Beverages, LLC
• Colts NB LLC to Daniel G. Paulus
• Daryl LLC to Daniel G. Paulus

A corporate structure change was also reported for Apple Food Service of Woodbridge (Applebee's). No action was taken on these items.

Pending council agenda items

The council's Aug. 18 agenda included several items that have not yet been acted on, according to the agenda-only listing. These include:

• A bond ordinance to appropriate $1,200,000 for real property acquisition via eminent domain.
• A subdivision of Lot 1 in Block 491 into three lots in Colonia.
• A final change order for Fords Park Pickleball Courts Phase II, decreasing the contract to $540,782.
• A change order for stormwater improvements, increasing the contract to $716,571.
• An agreement with MCUA for solid waste disposal at rates from $76.64/ton (2027) to $84.04/ton (2031).

A work session on Aug. 18 discussed resolutions on tax and sewer overpayments, county board tax appeals, a state tax appeal, and a traffic amendment ordinance. These are scheduled for action at the Sept. 1 meeting.

Planning and zoning hearings

The Planning Board held a public hearing on Aug. 19 on a time extension for the Raritan River Logistics Center in Keasbey and a new restaurant pad at 675 Route 1 South in Iselin. The Zoning Board of Adjustment held a hearing on Aug. 20 on a 27-unit apartment plan with affordable housing at 551 and 555 West Avenue in Sewaren. No decisions were recorded for either meeting.

Coming up

• **Planning Board** — Sept. 2, 2026: Public hearing on a minor subdivision and bulk variance for 80 Dewey Ave., Colonia. The applicant, Apex Properties, proposes to divide a 20,000 sq. ft. lot into two 10,000 sq. ft. lots, each with a two-story dwelling and garage.
• **Zoning Board of Adjustment** — Sept. 3, 2026: Public hearings on a PSE&G switching station at Blair Road & A Street in Port Reading, plus residential variance requests for properties on Dawn Drive, West Walnut St., and McLean Street. The board will also adopt resolutions for previously granted applications.

Woodbridge Roundup: $7.8M Bond, Fire District Dissolution on Agenda; Liquor License Votes Set for Aug. 4

Woodbridge Township's council had a busy late July, with multiple meetings scheduled covering a $7.8 million bond ordinance, the proposed dissolution of Keasbey Fire District Number Four, and several liquor license transfers. Minutes from all recent meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed in the public record.

$7.8 Million Bond Ordinance for Public Improvements

The council's July 21 agenda included a bond ordinance authorizing $7,800,000 for various public improvements and equipment purchases. The same agenda listed a second reading of ordinances amending traffic stop intersections and affordable housing payment-in-lieu-of-construction and fractional obligations.

Additional items on that agenda included a contract with Hanna's Mechanical Contractors for HVAC upgrades at Greiner Towers, not to exceed $311,669.77, and an agreement to purchase a Chevrolet Tahoe for K-9 police use at $96,792.38. The agenda also listed designations of multiple properties in Woodbridge Proper and Iselin as Areas in Need of Redevelopment (non-condemnation).

Keasbey Fire District Dissolution Proposed

A special council meeting was scheduled for July 28 to abandon all official actions from the June 30, 2026, and July 14, 2026, special meetings, citing claimed violations of New Jersey's Open Public Meetings Act. The council was also scheduled to introduce an ordinance to dissolve Keasbey Fire District Number Four and expand Fords Fire District Number Seven.

Liquor License Transfers and Corporate Changes

The July 21 council agenda listed multiple liquor license transfers and corporate structure changes, including:

• Transfer from Anais Lounge Center (t/a Anais Lounge) to Xperience Hospitality Group II, t/a X Hale, 85 Lafayette Rd., Fords
• Transfer to Saffron Social, LLC, t/a Social By Dhaba Woodbridge, 401 Gill Ln., Iselin
• Transfer to Delta Hotels by Marriott Woodbridge, Rt. 1 South, Iselin
• Corporate structure change for Apple Food Service (Applebee's Neighborhood Bar & Grill), 251 Woodbridge Center Dr., Woodbridge

The August 4 meeting agenda includes these same items plus an additional transfer of liquor license #1225-32-06-011 from LeMalt and Wine Chateau to S&K Beverages, 1021 St. Georges Ave., Colonia.

Planning Board Activity

The Planning Board met July 22 with an agenda to approve minutes from its July 8, 2026, meeting and adopt a resolution for 14 Water Street, LLC (P26-09). A public hearing was scheduled regarding a request for an extension of time for Minor Site Plan and Bulk Variances #P24-16 at 734 Green Street, Iselin.

Work Session Items

A July 21 council work session agenda included a Tax and Sewer Overpayments Resolution, a 100% Disabled Veteran Resolution, and a Traffic Amendment Ordinance for discussion ahead of the August 4 meeting.

Coming Up

• **August 4 — Council Work Session & Regular Meeting:** Agenda includes the Tax and Sewer Overpayments Resolution, Traffic Amendments Ordinances, a final change order for Shore Top Construction Corp. ($55,390.00 decrease), Fords Pickleball Courts Phase II (Contract No. 2025-006), and Township Wide Stormwater Improvements (Contract No. 2024-008, $119,428.00 increase). Liquor license transfers and renewals are also scheduled for votes.
• **August 5 — Planning Board (conference call):** Tentatively scheduled to adopt a resolution regarding ANG Investments P24-16.
• **August 6 — Zoning Board of Adjustment:** Public hearings on eight bulk variance applications, including a T-Mobile Northeast request for a two-year extension on a temporary wireless facility at Blair Road, Port Reading (Block 641, Lot 5, M-1 zone), and hearings for new single-family dwellings at 181 Cutter Avenue, Fords and 35 Lee Street, Port Reading. The board will also adopt resolutions on four cases decided July 23, 2026 (two granted, two denied).

All recent meeting outcomes remain unconfirmed until minutes are published. Readers can verify details through the official township agendas.

Woodbridge roundup: Fire district dissolution, affordable housing ordinance, and liquor license transfers on July agendas

Woodbridge Township had a busy stretch of meetings from July 7 through July 14, with the Council, Planning Board, and Zoning Board all convening. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, so outcomes of votes and hearings are not yet confirmed in the public record. Here is what was on the agendas.

Council: Fire district dissolution up for second reading

The most consequential item scheduled was a July 14 special Council meeting for the second reading of an ordinance that would dissolve Keasbey Fire District No. 4 and expand Ford's Fire District No. 7. The agenda cites New Jersey statutes N.J.S.A. 40A:5A-20 and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-90 as authorization. Because minutes are not yet available, the vote outcome is not confirmed.

Council: Affordable housing ordinance and contracts

The July 7 Council agenda included a first reading of an ordinance amending the land use and development code to eliminate payment-in-lieu-of-construction provisions and establish rules for fractional affordable housing obligations. Also on the agenda: a contract with Community Grants, Planning & Housing for affordable housing professional administrative agent services up to $140,000 for July 2026–June 2027, and a memorandum of understanding with Raritan Bay Area YMCA.

The Council also was set to consider an emergency purchase of a refurbished 2017 front load sanitation truck from American Hose & Hydraulics for up to $220,000, and environmental services for the Up Smiths Creek redevelopment for up to $171,500.

Council: Liquor license transfers

The Municipal Clerk was scheduled to present several liquor license transfers, including:

• License #1225-33-024-013 from Anais Lounge to Xperience Hospitality Group II at 85 Lafayette Rd., Fords
• License #1225-33-101-010 from G.M.R.I. to Social By Dhaba Woodbridge at 401 Gill Ln., Iselin
• License #1225-33-061-010 from Havyah and Lehar Holdings to Woodbridge Liquor LLC at 360 Fulton St.

The July 21 upcoming agenda adds additional transfers, including one to Delta Hotels by Marriott Woodbridge on Rt. 1 South, Iselin, and a change of corporate structure for Apple Food Service (Applebee's Neighborhood Bar & Grill) at 251 Woodbridge Center Dr.

Council: Traffic, refunds, and fees

A July 7 discussion session covered items slated for a July 21 vote, including a tax and sewer overpayments resolution, traffic amendment ordinances presented by Police, a refund from the Developer's Review Fund, and an amendment to the discovery fees ordinance presented by Legal. Road Safety Audit for Oak Tree Road and re-striping at Main St. at Amboy Ave. were also listed.

Planning Board: Subdivision hearings and redevelopment studies

On July 8, the Planning Board held a public hearing on a minor subdivision and bulk variances at 14 Water Street, Colonia (Block 468.10, Lots 2094 & 2095), where the applicant proposes demolishing an existing dwelling and constructing two new 4-bedroom homes.

The board also received redevelopment investigation presentations for multiple properties: eight on Oak Tree Rd., Hillcrest Ave., and LaGuardia Ave. in Iselin (Block 442.16); six on Woodbridge Center Dr. in Woodbridge (Block 280); 70 Wood Ave. South, Iselin (Block 356.02, Lot 15); and 2 Amboy Ave., Woodbridge (Block 524, Lot 1).

Zoning Board: Two parcel cases

On July 9, the Zoning Board considered a minor site plan, minor subdivision, and use and bulk variances for a 99,271-square-foot parcel at 52 Clyde Avenue in Hopelawn. The applicant seeks to split the property into two lots — 29,572 sq ft (Lot 1.01) and 69,699 sq ft (Lot 1.02) — with the existing building and parking remaining on Lot 1.02. No development plans were proposed at this time.

Also July 9, the board considered The Arches at Sewaren, LLC, for a minor site plan and use/bulk variances at 551 & 555 West Avenue, Sewaren, proposing two two-story apartment buildings with 27 total residential units (14 and 13 units), including affordable housing.

Coming up

• **July 21 — Council:** Multiple liquor license transfers and corporate changes, street closings for special events, and votes on items discussed July 7 including traffic ordinances, the tax and sewer overpayments resolution, and the discovery fees amendment.
• **July 22 — Planning Board:** Resolution adoption for 14 Water Street, LLC (P26-09) and a public hearing on a time extension request for a minor site plan and bulk variances at 734 Green Street, Iselin (P24-16).

Note: All recent meetings listed above are marked "agenda only" in the official record, meaning minutes have not yet been published. Vote outcomes, hearing results, and final approvals are not confirmed until minutes are available.

Woodbridge roundup: Fire district dissolution, affordable housing ordinance, and liquor license transfers on July agendas

Woodbridge Township's boards and councils covered a packed agenda over the past two weeks, with items ranging from the proposed dissolution of a fire district to affordable housing policy changes, liquor license transfers, and multiple redevelopment studies. All meetings listed below are agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes and vote tallies are not yet available.

Fire district dissolution and budget appropriations

The Township Council scheduled a first reading of an ordinance to dissolve Keasbey Fire District Number Four and expand Fords Fire District Number Seven. The same June 30 agenda included temporary appropriations for the 2026/2027 fiscal year budget and debt service, cancellation of grant balances totaling $418,669.79 in appropriations and $615,810.84 in receivables, cancellation of outstanding checks totaling $84,903.50, and renewal of club, plenary retail consumption, and plenary retail distribution licenses.

Affordable housing ordinance and contracts

The Council agenda included an ordinance amending the land use and development code to eliminate payment-in-lieu-of-construction provisions and establish rules for fractional affordable housing obligations. Related items on the agenda included a contract with Community Grants, Planning & Housing for affordable housing professional administrative agent services up to $140,000 for July 2026 through June 2027, and a memorandum of understanding with Raritan Bay Area YMCA.

Equipment and environmental services purchases

The agenda listed an emergency purchase of a refurbished 2017 front load sanitation truck from American Hose & Hydraulics for up to $220,000, and environmental services for the Up Smiths Creek redevelopment for up to $171,500.

Liquor license transfers

The Municipal Clerk was scheduled to present three person-to-person liquor license transfers: license #1225-33-024-013 from Anais Lounge to Xperience Hospitality Group II at 85 Lafayette Rd., Fords; license #1225-33-101-010 from G.M.R.I. to Social By Dhaba Woodbridge at 401 Gill Ln., Iselin; and a person-to-person and place-to-place transfer of license #1225-33-061-010 from Havyah and Lehar Holdings to Woodbridge Liquor LLC at 360 Fulton St.

Traffic, refunds, and fees discussion

A July 7 discussion session covered items slated for a July 21 vote, including a tax and sewer overpayments resolution, traffic amendment ordinances presented by Police, a refund from the Developer's Review Fund, and an amendment to the discovery fees ordinance presented by Legal. The agenda also noted re-striping at Main St. at Amboy Ave. and a Road Safety Audit for Oak Tree Road.

Planning Board: subdivision hearing and redevelopment studies

The Planning Board scheduled a public hearing on a minor subdivision and bulk variances at 14 Water Street, Colonia (Block 468.10, Lots 2094 & 2095), where the applicant proposes demolishing an existing dwelling and constructing two new 4-bedroom homes. The board also scheduled redevelopment investigation presentations for eight properties on Oak Tree Rd., Hillcrest Ave., and LaGuardia Ave. in Iselin (Block 442.16); six properties on Woodbridge Center Dr. in Woodbridge (Block 280); 70 Wood Ave. South, Iselin (Block 356.02, Lot 15); and 2 Amboy Ave., Woodbridge (Block 524, Lot 1).

Zoning Board: Clyde Avenue subdivision and Sewaren apartments

The Zoning Board of Adjustment scheduled a public hearing on a minor site plan, minor subdivision, and use and bulk variances for a 99,271-square-foot parcel at 52 Clyde Avenue in Hopelawn. The applicant seeks to split the property into two lots — 29,572 square feet (Lot 1.01) and 69,699 square feet (Lot 1.02) — with the existing building and parking remaining on Lot 1.02 and no development proposed at this time.

A separate Zoning Board agenda included a minor site plan and use and bulk variances (#Z25-44) for The Arches at Sewaren, LLC at 551 & 555 West Avenue, Sewaren, proposing construction of two two-story apartment buildings with 27 total residential units, including affordable housing.

Coming up

• **Planning Board, July 22** — Resolution adoption for 14 Water Street, LLC (P26-09) and a public hearing for Minor Site Plan and Bulk Variances #P24-16 at 734 Green Street, Iselin, regarding a request for an extension of time.

Woodbridge Library Board Approves Budget Amendment and New Attorney; Council Tax Levy Vote Outcome Pending

The Woodbridge Public Library Board was the only body with confirmed decisions over the past two weeks, approving a budget amendment, a new legal counsel appointment, and several personnel changes at its June 25 meeting.

Library Board Actions (Decided June 25)

The Library Board appointed Rainone, Coughlin, Minchello, LLC as Library Board Attorney, with a $4,000 limit. The board amended the 2026 budget to increase appropriations for electric, water, and salaries.

Personnel actions included promoting Julia Brys to Senior Library Assistant at $20.94 per hour and changing Kimberley Velez to full-time status at $38,127 annually. The board approved a bill list totaling $119,186.42 and approved minutes from its April 23, 2026 meeting.

Council — June 23 Meeting

Official minutes from the June 23 Council meeting record no votes and no official actions. The minutes consist of a list of council members' areas of responsibility and pending liquor license applications.

Separate work session and action agendas for June 23 list items scheduled for discussion or future votes, but minutes confirming outcomes have not been published. Those items include:

• A preliminary tax levy of $111,641,077 for calendar year 2026 (Resolution 8)
• An ordinance to rescind the acquisition of 77 Queen Road (Block 404.07, Lot 17)
• Acceptance of a $1,063,528.60 Natural Climate Solutions Green Carbon Grant from NJDEP (Resolution 19)
• Agreements for Pirate Ship Playground improvements in Sewaren: $53,993.12 for equipment and $60,390 for resurfacing (Resolutions 25, 26)
• Authorizing $302,604 for two single-axle dump chassis and $263,950 for two dump truck bodies for Roads and Parks (Resolutions 30, 31)
• A 100% Disabled Veteran Resolution and a Parking Permit Refund Resolution, with action scheduled for July 7

Council — June 30 Agenda (Outcome Pending)

The Council's June 30 agenda included a first reading of an ordinance to dissolve Keasbey Fire District Number Four and expand Fords Fire District Number Seven. Other listed items were temporary appropriations for the 2026/2027 fiscal year budget, cancellation of grant balances totaling $418,669.79 in appropriations and $615,810.84 in receivables, cancellation of outstanding checks totaling $84,903.50, and renewal of various liquor licenses. Minutes have not been published.

Planning Board — June 24 Agenda (Outcome Pending)

The Planning Board was scheduled to consider a resolution to investigate whether two Iselin properties (Block 356, Lots 2.02 and 2.03) should be designated as an area in need of redevelopment. The agenda also included approval of May 20 meeting minutes and tentative adoption of resolution P26-12 for Federal Business Centers, Inc.

Zoning Board — June 25 Agenda (Outcome Pending)

The Zoning Board was scheduled to hold public hearings on bulk variance requests for four properties: 70 Edgewood Avenue in Colonia (gazebo and patio), 181 Cutter Avenue in Fords (new single-family dwelling), 447 Florida Grove Road in Hopelawn (concrete patio and driveway), and 30 Park Avenue in Iselin (addition and alterations).

Coming Up

• **July 7, Council (regular):** Liquor license transfers including Anais Lounge to Xperience Hospitality Group II at 85 Lafayette Rd., Fords; G.M.R.I. to Social By Dhaba Woodbridge at 401 Gill Ln., Iselin; and Havyah and Lehar Holdings to Woodbridge Liquor LLC at 360 Fulton St. Also re-striping at Main St. at Amboy Ave. and a Road Safety Audit for Oak Tree Road.
• **July 7, Council (discussion):** Items for July 21 vote including a Tax and Sewer Overpayments Resolution, traffic amendment ordinances, a Developer's Review Fund refund resolution, and an amendment to discovery fees.
• **July 8, Planning Board:** Public hearing on a minor subdivision at 14 Water Street, Colonia, proposing two 4-bedroom dwellings. Redevelopment investigation presentations for multiple properties in Iselin and Woodbridge.
• **July 9, Zoning Board:** Public hearing on subdivision of a 99,271-square-foot parcel at 52 Clyde Avenue, Hopelawn. Also, a proposal from The Arches at Sewaren, LLC for two two-story apartment buildings totaling 27 units, including affordable housing, at 551 and 555 West Avenue, Sewaren.