Byram roundup

Historical Society

The Historical Society is seeking new members to assist with stewardship of the Roseville Schoolhouse, as well as participate in guest speaker events, township activities, and general historical preservation. Any Byram resident interested in history and being part of the committee should contact Township Clerk Doris Flynn at (973) 347-2500 ext. 127 or dflynn@byramtwp.org to be put in touch with Historical Society President Frank Gonzalez.

Recreation

The Recreation Committee asks that residents save the date for Byram Fest 2020, tentatively scheduled for Friday evening, June 5. The format will be similar to last September’s event, with food trucks, fireworks, and children’s activities, and will also include the crowning of the town’s 2020 Royalty Court to determine who will represent Byram at the Fair in August.

ISO Rating Committee

Councilman Jack Gallagher reported that he and other township officials met with a representative of Insurance Services Office (ISO) to discuss the town’s ISO rating, which is a measure of how well-equipped a fire department is to handle residential house fires. The rating is based on a number of criteria such as water supply and distance and response times from fire stations. A community’s ISO rating has a direct effect on the cost of homeowner’s insurance.

Gallagher, who is also an officer for the BTFD, said the list of criteria is comprehensive and eye-opening.

“It makes you see the deficits,” he said, “But we can knock the points off easily with a few corrections.”

The ad hoc ISO committee was first discussed nearly a year ago, and the aim of the committee is to work with ISO to improve ratings and lower insurance costs for residents.

Radon Test Kits

Earlier this month, the council proclaimed Jan 2020 to be Radon Action Month, and Byram residents are welcome to come to town hall during regular business hours to pick up a free home radon test kit. The kits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, visit www.byramtwp.org and click on the ‘Radon Test Kits’ link on the News & Noteworthy page.

Municipal Building Subcommittee

After an autumnal hiatus and a weather cancellation in December, the Municipal Building Subcommittee will be gathering for its first meeting of 2020 in a joint session with the Township Council at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb 4. The subcommittee and council will be discussing the options surrounding the plans from The Nader Group, LLC and the results of the council’s exploratory talks to lease space at the ShopRite Plaza for municipal offices. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the meeting, which will be followed at 7:30 p.m. by the regular council meeting.

February 4, 2020 Council Meeting

Residents should take note that the council’s next regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb 4 was not only be preceded by the joint municipal building subcommittee meeting, but that the proceedings included the police department’s promotion ceremony and a presentation by John Anderson, the Vice President of External Affairs for JCP&L. Anderson discussed progress on the utility’s Reliability Plus program.