John Mangini - Warren, Local. (Page 7)

A summary card listing the six Fourth Round affordable housing components in Warren Township's mediation agreement with

Warren Local

Warren signed a mediation agreement in December 2025 locking in 262 units, six sites and a March 2026 deadline

The Mediation Agreement with Fair Share Housing Center was filed in SOM-L-180-25 on December 21, 2025. It meets a 262 unit Fourth Round obligation with 197 units and 65 bonus credits across six components, and sets a March 15, 2026 ordinance deadline.

The Watchung Hills Regional High School sign, a brick and white sign with the maroon WH monogram above an electronic message board reading Welcome to Watchung Hills Regional High School.

Warren Local

A state funded study presented in October 2025 puts Watchung Hills regionalization savings at $2.7 million, and Warren gains under every model

The Rowan School Regionalization Institute study models three options for the Watchung Hills districts. Savings run from about $2.0 million to about $2.7 million. Warren gains under every apportionment method modeled and Watchung pays more under all of them.

The Welcome To Warren Township sign, a blue and gold carved sign reading Welcome To Warren Township, Est. 1806, with the township seal mounted above it and pines behind.

Warren Local

Daniel McCarey won the Warren Township Committee seat by 746 votes in November 2025

McCarey took the single three year seat 4,052 to 3,306 over William DiGrande, a 10.12 point margin. Turnout was 7,708 ballots of 14,241 registered voters. In the governor's race Warren recorded 4,055 for Ciattarelli and 3,571 for Sherrill.

A summary card listing the July 14, 2025 Somerset County flash flood reports by municipality and time.

Warren Local

Flash flooding hit the Watchung Hills area July 14, 2025, and Warren went looking for federal money

NOAA logged flash flooding in Watchung, Green Brook, Bound Brook and Manville on July 14, 2025, and no point report for Warren Township. The Township Committee discussed its own response and a possible FEMA reimbursement on July 17.

The Township of Warren Fourth Round affordable housing site map, an aerial of the township with the plan sites outlined and numbered.

Warren Local

Warren's June 2025 Fair Share Plan puts about 376 units on three sites, not about 1,200

The Planning Board adopted the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan 7-0 on June 25, 2025. Three sites carry roughly 376 total units at about a 40 percent affordable proportion. A conventional set aside would have required roughly 1,200.

Warren Town Hall, a cream stucco and brick municipal building with WARREN TOWN HALL lettered over a columned entrance, flower beds and a brick walk leading to the door.

Warren Local

The 2025 municipal budget added $68 to the average home, and the full tax bill added about $460

Resolution 2025-124 adopted the 2025 municipal budget 5-0 on May 15. Total appropriations are $25,492,526 and the amount to be raised by taxation is $15,812,533, up 3.5 percent. The municipal share of the average home's increase is a small fraction of the whole.

A summary card showing the sequence from Warren Township's 181 unit claim to the rejected 225 unit mediation agreement to

Warren Local

Warren turned down 225 units in March 2025, and a judge set the number at 262 in April

Resolution 2025-097, a mediation agreement settling at 225 prospective need units, failed 2 to 3 on March 31. On April 23 Judge William Mennen entered an order setting Warren's obligation at 262. The difference is 37 units.

Central School in Warren Township, a brick elementary school with a white cupola, lettering reading Central School over the entrance and a mown lawn in front.

Warren Local

Warren voters approved an $8.5 million school project 822 to 424 in March 2025

The March 11, 2025 special school election passed with 822 yes votes to 424 no. The project draws $3.4 million in state funding and the district projects no increase over what taxpayers already pay. Total turnout was 1,246 votes.

Warren Local

In January 2025 Warren told the state it owes 181 affordable units, not 262, and the mayor voted no

Resolution 2025-064 passed 4 to 1 on January 30, 2025, substituting a 181 unit prospective need obligation for the state's 262 and sending the township to court within 48 hours. Mayor Lontai cast the lone no vote.

The Township of Warren dais, a wood paneled bench with the state and township seals and flags, empty chairs, a lectern and rows of public seating.

Warren Local

Warren elected a mayor 3 to 2 in January 2025, and the same five people split the same way twice

At the January 2, 2025 reorganization Victoria Lontai was elected mayor over Shaun Fine on a 3 to 2 roll call, and Daniel Croson was elected deputy mayor on an identical 3 to 2 split. Resolutions 2025-001 through 2025-034 passed 5-0.

A suburban house at sunset behind a large red line chart arrow rising to the upper right, an illustration of housing market direction.

Warren Local

Mortgage rates held at 6.67 percent this week, and here is what that costs at Warren prices

Freddie Mac's August 13 survey put the 30 year fixed at 6.67 percent, two basis points under last week and nine over a year ago. On a typical Warren purchase that year over year move is about $56 a month.