Edison Township officials approved temporary emergency funding Thursday night following hours of debate, a move aimed at restoring township operations and allowing furloughed employees to return to work.

The vote came during a lengthy and at times heated meeting at the Edison Municipal Complex, where council chambers reached capacity as residents, township employees and union members filled the room. Attendees voiced strong opinions on both sides of the funding debate.

In addition to approving the temporary emergency funding, council members voted to temporarily reduce their own salaries until the township's full budget is approved.

Edison entered a partial municipal shutdown earlier this week after temporary emergency funding failed to gain approval.

As a result, hundreds of township employees were furloughed, and several municipal services were affected. Impacts included municipal court operations, permitting services, recreation programs and the township's splash park.

The funding approved Thursday night is intended to keep township operations running while officials continue work on the full municipal budget.

Although the vote provides temporary relief, the budget process remains unresolved.

Council members are expected to take up the full municipal budget during their next meeting scheduled for Aug. 3.