Act of New Jersey. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided on December 5th, 2025 by sending written notice and electronic notice to the Courier News and the Breeze, posting on the website and the bulletin board in the municipal building and filing with the township clerk. Roll call, please.
>> Councilman Bakov >> here. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> she she will be here. She's running late. >> Okay. Councilman Kersh, >> yes. Here. >> Councilman Ring, >> here. >> President Geer >> here. will please stand for the pledge of allegiance.
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, we will now move on to approving
the minutes. Has everyone had an opportunity to review the minutes from May 7th and May 18th? Are there any questions, comments, concerns about the minutes from anyone on the deis from May 7th or May 18th?
Then can I have a motion to approve the minutes from May 7th and May 18th? >> So moved. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I minutes are approved. Township council reports. Anyone want to volunteer to go first?
>> I mean, I can go first because I think we sort of agreed that I would be the one that speaks about Chick-fil-A. Um, but I'll get to that chronologically. So, on May 21st, I attended um the proud to be in American celebration that was
over in Rariton. Um, very uh, you know, impactful ceremony that was very well attended. So, certainly glad to be there on Bridgewwater's behalf. Uh on May 25th, uh Council President Guyger and I participated in the Memorial Day uh uh
parade um and ceremony. Um and I don't remember seeing if you went over to the American Legion post afterwards, but I know I Okay, I did. I said so I I went three for three, you went two for three. Uh and and you know, all kidding aside, critically important that as a community
we gather each year on Memorial Day uh to to to to honor the fallen. um uh you know also acknowledge the sacrifices made made by families of uh military members uh during and even after service. Um so it was a you know again
an impactful uh ceremony hosted by the American Legion Post 327. Also should be noted that we um continue to honor uh the um the uh VFW uh uh that's um up in Martinsville even though they have uh
ceased formal activities. Uh on May 31st, uh I attended the Shimon and Sarah Burnbound JCC Spring Carnival. That's uh co-sponsored with the township over at the um uh the mall. Um very well attended, beautiful day. Um you know,
food trucks, fun uh to be had uh had by all um many many different vendors were there also. Uh and I use that as an opportunity to thank them for supporting our event. Uh couple days ago, June 2nd was the primary election. Uh and we had
a success. Well, I mean, some people more successful than others, but um from our standpoint of, you know, was the event run as a success, the answer is as always, yes. Uh and I wanted to call out from the clerk's office uh Grace, Juliana, um Ally, uh and and Natalie for
their usual work. from engineering. We had support and assistance from Kunal and Lauren and from tax collection Nicole along with um uh some of our public works employees. Um we uh on primary election day have 36 voting
districts in 12 locations. Um and um Grace makes it look easy, but it's not necessarily that easy to make sure that everything uh goes off without a hitch. Uh yesterday, June 3rd, we opened Chick-fil-A. Uh we had the ribbon cutting. So, here here's where my show
and tells come in. We we have our um eat more chicken cow. Uh and here's a piece of the ribbon. Uh I always like to maintain a piece of the ribbons uh as we have them. Um that is is really going to be uh it now is since they're open for
business um an asset for Bridgewater um because they are committed to being an integral part of our community. um the um uh owner operator um you know we we we we are in a a very strong partnership. Um so it's not just um you
know a place to do business. We are not just a location for them to to be situated but they really have made a commitment u to being part of everything we do and and we certainly reciprocate that. Um they've also brought uh 90 jobs um some career, some um you know
potentially more geared toward uh entry level and younger workers, but nonetheless um 90 additional uh workers uh will be coming through uh Bridgewater on a regular basis. And if I missed anything, um you know, I know that Councilman Bucko was there, Council
President uh Guyger was there. If I've missed anything, you can certainly hit those as well. Uh today the environmental commission just met. I since they just met I didn't have a chance to get a report um but I will report at the next meeting. Um you know they are now uh active and an asset on
behalf of the community. Uh and two things that are coming up that I wanted to mention uh because it's before we uh we meet again on June 12th. That's a week from tomorrow. Um we will be having our first ever uh flag day Hopkinson
flag raising ceremony. Um, so I think everyone is pretty familiar with the Hopkinson's story. Um, it is a a unique version uh of the American flag because it's the first version of the American flag. Um, with all due respect to Betsy
Ross in Philadelphia, um, and the circular design of the five-pointed stars, uh, in Bridgewater Township, a version that had six pointed stars in a slightly different array, um, uh, was was raised, uh, on Flag Day 1777.
Uh, and that is the first time it's happened in America. So, what will happen uh a couple days sooner than flag day, just cuz we wanted to pick a weekday uh is a week from Friday, we will have a brief ceremony uh and we will raise uh this flag uh so everyone can kind of see their six-pointed stars
um and we'll have a brief ceremony and hopefully that will become part of our uh a part of a new tradition where we kick off essentially um a the July 4th celebration that occurs each year at Middlebrook by raising this this or a similar flag on our property. We'll do
it at the uh Garrison Roadside. Um and you know, for about 3 weeks, fly this flag and hopefully it'll be a a point of uh conversation and discussion. Um want to just acknowledge that um it it is proper flag etiquette and code uh to fly
either the current flag of the United States or a historically appropriate flag. And that's what we will be doing uh at least this year for three weeks. And I hope that becomes a tradition for many many years. Um and then um
the other item I have uh is just to point out the uh crescendo of our patriotism will hopefully be uh on July 4th uh at the Washington campground. So around town you'll see some of these signs. Uh everyone is cordially invited and certainly at a future meeting I can
provide details there. We hope to see uh you know flag day, this ceremony will do and what occurs at the campground on the 4th of July uh be um be um you know tied together and hopefully a nice new Bridgewater tradition. And that's my report.
>> Thank you, Councilman Bucko. >> Uh thank you very much. Um, I also uh attended the spring carnival uh put on by the uh Bridgewater JCC and would like to also echo uh Councilman Kersh's uh
comments thanking the organizers, public works employees, uh the police, fire, and rescue squads who were there to uh to make it happen. Um, I I also uh would like to uh um point out um that I got to
meet uh the sheriff's latest, newest, youngest K-9, uh Lucy, who was handled by Sergeant Snook, and got a trading card of hers. Um uh Lucy is a uh just
over a little over almost a year and a half old and uh is a explosive sniffing German Shepherd and uh is the first uh female K-9 who was handled by a female
sheriff's officer in Somerset County. So that's a interesting tidbit. Um, I also want to thank the uh our clerk and the staff uh both in uh her office and uh
throughout the uh uh municipality who made the primary election and early voting a success. Um it's a very vital part of our uh democracy that uh we have elections that are are run um smoothly
and professionally and uh thank you very much for the hard work that that went into that. Um, I also would like to um mention that um uh a number of members of of the
public came to us several meetings ago expressing concern with the speed of cars exiting onto Vasler Avenue from US22 east and it was suggested that um perhaps changing the yield sign to a
stop sign could slow down the traffic. Um, I wrote to the uh Department of Transportation uh commissioner uh in New Jersey Department of Transportation and I'm pleased to announce that I I received a letter back indicating that the Department of Transportation has
determined that installing stop controls would be appropriate and that uh division of traffic engineering engineers uh will prepare the necessary work order for the stop signs and associated pavement markings. things uh to go in place and that they will be
installed at the earliest possible time. Uh so um that is uh I think good news and and will go a long way towards uh slowing down the traffic on Bosler Avenue and and hopefully uh making it
safer for pedestrians and other uh other drivers and uh could potentially save a life. And on the subject of saving lives, I'd just like to also um mention I have here a a Narcan kit, which um if
you're not aware, if somebody is is experiencing an overdose of um certain drugs like fentinyl, um a uh Narcan can save their life. And you can get one of these kits from the county
administration building. And uh you can also get them at TD Bank Ballpark, which is where this came from. Just go to the um customer service counter, ask for one, and they hand you a kit, no questions asked. Uh so um if you're out
enjoying a game, um go get a go get a kit and uh you could save a life and potentially uh save somebody who you love and care about. Um and I believe that is it for my report.
>> Okay, I will go next. Um I attended the Memorial Day parade and I just want to highlight um that one of the things they had there and for me this was the highlight of the Memorial Day parade was you could fill out a paper dog tag and
on that dog tag you could put the name of anyone any friend, family, anyone you knew who had served in the armed services. So, I was able to write down my father's name um and several of my family members who were World War II
veterans. And I was told afterwards that they are collecting these paper dog tags um and they will eventually when they have enough of them, they will make a wreath that will hang up in the VFW in Bradley Gardens. So, if anyone wants to
um make a dog tag for their um relative or friend or neighbor who served in the armed services, go to the Memorial Day parade um at uh Bradley Gardens next year and you can do so. Um there have been some snafuss lately regarding
missed announcements um or commemorative events. Uh, so I have contacted Grace and Grace is in the process if she has not already done so, which she probably did, creating a list of future um events so that we won't miss any in the future for the meeting. So, we'll try to be
more diligent. And to segue into that, May was Jewish American Heritage Month. Um, and I do want to acknowledge that Bridgewater has a very vibrant and active Jewish community. you you heard the talk about the most recent event
from the other two councilmen. I think we're very grateful for all that our Jewish community does in this town. Um and I think everybody who went to the event last weekend really enjoyed it. And that segus into our fun history fact. Um, I know we talk a lot about
America being a a Christian country uh country and we think of the revolution sometimes in those terms, but I did some research and I found that there was a local soldier known as Sergeant Aragon
Lutader. L U Z A Der. He was Jewish. Um and he was born in Bound Brook in 1731 and he served in the revolution in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and participated in several major engagements. We don't know specifically if he ever fought in
Bridgewater per se, but he probably walked through here um and probably did spend some time here. Um, I also attended a Victory Town event in Hillsboro and I met the mayors of Hillsboro and Manville. And just for the record, um, they were both Republican
and I think everybody knows I'm a Democrat. And one of the things that we were talking about is that history is an area where regardless of party affiliation, we can all be proud of and we can all agree and it's an area where we can certainly work together. Um, we all had our pictures taken with a George
Washington reenactor on a great big horse and it was a lot of fun. Um, I also attended the EMS proclamation ceremony. Um, Councilman Kur was there and Councilman um, Bucko was there as well. That was on May 22nd, 2026.
There has been some confusion about this. So, if anyone um would like to stand uh get up at the podium during the public speaking portion of today's meeting um and just say a word about being thankful and and all of the
wonderful things that our EMS workers have done. We have one sitting on the deis here. Um I would just ask that the other members of the public let them go first. Um and also last another missed um
commemorative. Uh apparently in May there was a DPW appreciation week. Um and I think we all appreciate our DPW workers. Um and I know that very often we hear a lot of concerns from residents
about fallen trees, about water problems, about snow removal. But one of the things um we also hear is we get a lot of compliments about our DPW workers. Um I hear a lot and I'm sure the other members on the deis hear a lot
and I'm sure Mr. Papis hears it a lot that they are always polite, they're always helpful and they really do the best they can with what they have. And lastly, with respect to the Chick-fil-A um ribbon cutting, I just want to give a shout out to the planning board members
that came. Um, these are private people, you know, these are are private citizens who aren't getting paid. They they took time out of the middle of the day to um come and be there for the opening. Oh, and finally, I lied. I do have one more. I want to give a shout out to Nancy
Propes, our land use administrator and deputy zoning offer, and to our very own Grace. Um, those of you who read The Breeze would know that last month they did a full page about Grace and this month they did a full page about Nancy
and I can't wait to see who they're doing a full page about next week. Is that the the youth council that wrote those articles? >> Yeah. Okay. So, maybe you want to address that. Um, and with that, Councilman Ring, it is your turn. >> Thank you. I'll echo the thanks and
appreciation uh regarding primary night. Um, I unfortunately was not able to make the ribbon cutting at Chick-fil-A yesterday, but I did travel past there twice today. Um, and both times there was quite a line of cars still uh there.
So, uh, hopefully it's a long successful business. Uh, May 20th I had the opportunity to attend the annual 200 club Valor Valor awards uh, ceremony and this year they recognized uh, issued two
valor awards. one to a group of prosecutors, folks, and some officers from Manville, Somerville. But they also recognized Bridgewater's own Noah Lot for his actions related to the car accident last year on Route 22 that I know we're all very familiar with, but he was formally recognized by the 200
Club. Anyone's not familiar with the 200 Club of Somerset County, it is a organization that raised funds to support first responders, police, fire, EMS. Um, several years ago, someone I
knew in EMS uh passed away and within two days they wrote a check to his widow to help with funeral expenses before the insurance kicked in. They've done things where they've paid off mortgages. uh police officer died in the line of duty.
Um so they do a lot for the first responders. They also have a very uh aggressive scholarship program for first responders, family members or anyone looking for a career uh in police, fire or EMS. So 200 Club is a great
organization that supports our first responders here. That's my report. >> Councilman Bucko, I mean Councilman Isla. Thank you so much, Council President. Um, and I'd like to start also with uh wishing everyone a happy
Jewish American Heritage Month. And I wanted to particularly thank the JCC. They hosted uh beautifully decorated boxes right at the entrance of the JCC right here in Bridgewwater by the Bridgewwater Youth Council. um that
resulted in 111 pounds of food being donated directly to the Somerset County Food Bank at a time where um I can't emphasize enough how much food insecurity we have in a very you know considered from a state
standard um you know richer part of the of the state county but there's a lot of food insecurity so I really appreciate the JCC for hosting the boxes you know a lot of times you have time to go to the food bank and volunteer, but sometimes you don't. So, it's it's nice to be able
to just drop off and and have the dropbox right um where you're entering every day. So, um I thought that was amazing. Uh then and that just happened a few weeks ago. And I want to thank one of our volunteers, Liz, for actually collecting 111 pounds and taking it over
to the food bank and then also uh learning about, you know, not just the long lines that were visually active, but um speaking to the director at the food bank and and learning how how how much more we can help out. It it is, I think, some of the longest lines they've ever seen there. Um so I'll start off
with this Monday. Uh we had our regional health commission meeting. It was held in Wa Chong. The last one was in Bridgewater. This time we talked about everything from FIFA. FIFA uh players are here. So they are playing in Pingri. What I'll do is share the meeting
minutes with with our um council because we we have captured a lot of the details what to avoid, the dates to avoid those those uh roads when they are doing the practice right here. Um you know very uh much overlapping with Bridgewater
Martinsville area. Um and then we also spoke about the infectious diseases. You know, it wasn't just about mosquitoes and ticks. You know, mosquitoes might be at a zero level now. Uh there's a lot of uh data coming out on the ticks as well. Um but we also talked about uh other
types of diseases that you know could come up when we have these um FIFA and then other 250 uh year celebrations in town or in our nearby town. So just you know keep keep an eye out on anything that the regional health commission uh mentions. Um we
have been doing press releases as you saw earlier this year with measles. There is a quarantine going on with anyone that could be impacted by Ebola. So you know nothing to stress out over right now. Everyone's negative, but you know there's travelers and there was actually a traveler from the health
commission itself. So you know they're they're being quarantined. everything is being looked at um and and and monitored. So, you know, if I if I hear anything uh we'll definitely share that with you. Um and then off to Tuesday this week, we actually had our planning
board meeting and our special planning board meeting was held in the library since it was election day. And I wanted to thank our uh township planner, Katherine Sarmmed, for really um doing uh real time work. I had a little request from Tim Kenny, one of our
residents, who spoke um at our recent council meeting about native trees. So, I don't have a green thumb, as a lot of people in this room might know. Um things die in my backyard. Once my mom plants it, it doesn't last very long when she doesn't visit back. But he he
shared the Rutgers list with us last time. And in real time, I think with the uh one of the uh discussions on Tuesday, uh Katherine Sarmad was able to do a cross check in real time at the meeting to see the plant um schedule. They were
actually, I think, almost a dozen or two native trees already there. So, you know, it's nice when um you know, our upcoming plans, the builders are very much aligned with what our residents like to see in in their neighbors, uh
new developments. So, uh thank you for that and keep sharing your ideas. I think it's important. And then I'll go off to I guess today, I'm sorry again, I I did walk in late. Uh there were quite a few events. Um I'll start with one just last week. I wanted to wish a
belated Eid Moubarak. So last Wednesday was um uh we we have two Eid celebrations for Muslims. This was the second one. Uh the last one was Ramadan. This was um uh just last Wednesday uh where we actually uh celebrated uh at
the Alphala Center, but also in the evening it coincided with American um AsianAmerican and Pacific Islander Appi Heritage Month. And it was a celebration uh at the governor's mansion in in Drum Walket. So I was with uh Mikey Cheryl,
our governor and Lieutenant Governor Dale Cwell. And it was it was beautiful um presentations, dances. Uh really enjoyed there. Uh and then today I was late because the Muslim Americans in public service had an event um where I I was speaking alongside our Lieutenant
Governor again and Mayor James Solomon from Jersey City. Um and um I I came here right after, but it was really nice uh you know, seeing a lot of folks uh that that are really sharing a lot of the same issues that we're having right here in Bridgewater with uh other
leaders across the the state. So, um again, I think that's enough. There were other probably other places that I've been to around town, but I can catch up on those next time. And then the Bridgewater Youth Council that Jo uh President Joan Guyger mentioned, there
is an article out there um where they shared some of their ideas, but there there's a survey out there. Also, you know, feel free to share your ideas with them. Just because they can't vote in on election day, these are 14, 15, six year 16 years old. Doesn't mean that they
can't influence policym, right? We saw that recently with the lung cancer initiative. Um, so let's let's keep that going that even when you can't vote, there's so many things that you can get involved in in town. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Um,
Mr. Papis, would you like to give the mayor's report? >> Yes. Thank you very much. Uh the mayor also wanted to acknowledge the efforts of the JCC in cooperation with the numerous township departments such as police uh public works and the um OCR
and uh certainly our emergency responders for very very successful carnival which he he was very happy to attend. Uh, Councilman Kersh mentioned the Flag Day event, and the township is extremely pleased to be able to participate and support that event with
our historical um, uh, organization partners. Um the the last thing I just want to mention, I know it's it's listed as a presentation, uh but Dicky Shimp is here to talk about trees for tomorrow, and I certainly wanted to acknowledge
his uh ingenuity and his hard work in uh putting this concept together that uh we're very very excited about. there is a resolution on the agenda tonight that would help put that in place and I know he'll describe all of that but I really appreciate all of his efforts and the
the organization of this program that he has uh established with his team. Uh but the other person that I want to acknowledge that has been an important part of supporting this is Suzanne Mater who has uh assisted greatly in the promotional materials on our website and
other social media that has gotten the word out about this. So the two of them have really worked uh very very well together and uh I really appreciate and the mayor I know very much appreciates this. Thank you. >> Thank you township administrator. There
are no proclamations. Um there is a presentation uh trees for tomorrow by Mr. Shimp. Mr. Shimp, if you would come up and if anyone wants to take a look at the May bulletin, there's a whole page about it. Um and Mr. Shim.
>> Okay, council members, thank you for having me tonight. And Council President Guyger, thank you and everyone else for the kind words about our staff at DPW. So there's not a day really doesn't go by down in my world where we talk or don't think about storm water and the
effects uh that it brings upon the township of Bridgewater. Um one of the things we kicked around I have a great staff and a great uh team at public works is a program we were trying to figure out how to do something that's green and also that can help us with storm water and our
staff came up with this program trees for tomorrow. So, what it involves is, of course, planting trees, improving storm water, and committing to a greener and healthier tomorrow. Um, the program, what it entails is that
we're looking to plant trees along the roadside and neighborhoods. Um, we're going to try to spread this program out evenly as possible throughout the township. In public works, we live and die by our maps. And um our township is spread into six areas and we're going to
try to hit each of those areas equally uh through this program. Um we're going to use native trees and the trees that we have uh kind of selected uh vary in size because we know we're going to experience different impediments as we go out here and look at uh different
properties. Um these trees are also that we're offering driven by the availability of native trees at the nursery that u contractor that we're going to be enlisting to help us run this program. Um the primary focus here though is these trees are going to be
out of the townships right away and we're going to try to keep them away from any of the utilities overhead or underground. Residents will be responsible for care and pruning of these trees. Currently, as of today, we have 184 residents that signed up for the program. to a lot of people. Um,
thankfully through the efforts of Mr. Papis and the support of the mayor, uh, we're allocating approximately $60,000 towards this program. Uh, and in our math in which, uh, I had to take off my shoes a few times to count, uh, we expect to probably hit about 120 of
those residents out of the 180. Um, that should bring us up around $50,000. I'm looking to probably use the leftover of that amount between $10,000 or so to one pay for um fertilization of these trees
by the contractor and also we're going to have uh a few areas in town in our park system in which we're looking to replace trees that have fallen over the years. Uh we're definitely looking over here at the municipal turf field of trying to bring some shade because I
know a lot of our soccer parents um don't have anywhere to sit other than the blazing sun. So that's part of the program is going to be used towards that as well. The goals of our program is to increase tree canopy coverage on private property
and improve storm water management. Um as you know or may not know, trees will help reduce runoff. um the trees on the trees, excuse me, the leaves on the trees themselves will actually capture water and a lot of that water will eventually evaporate back into the
atmosphere. Not all that water is going to fall to the ground. The canopy of these trees also will slow water down from getting into our uh uh drains and um causing issues. As you all know, we had two u flash flooding events last summer, June and August of last summer
affected mostly our north northern part of the town. And during that event, we saw approximately three or four um roads that we haven't seen in the past become impassible due to uh I think we got 2 in of rain in like a 40-minute period. So,
we're hoping that this will help us through this program to alleviate some of the water getting into our um storm water system. Um also with the benefit of the trees, roots allow the water to penetrate into the ground. Less water sheeting off of lawns and roadways um equal less water in our storm drains.
So, we're looking to plant as many as we can this year, and I'm hoping to continue the program next year. The fund that this is going to be taken out of is not taxpayer driven. It is the uh shade tree removal fund. So, it will be uh something that is not the cost is not
borne upon the taxpayers. So, the process is every resident who has applied so far um is placed into our public works um work order system. Uh and the work order system actually has divided that uh all the addresses up into the six areas around town. Um
plantants, as I said before, plantings will be divided as equally as possible between the the six areas. What's going to take a little bit of time is for our staff to visit each address and assess the situation as to a if the situation is a good spot for a
tree to be planted and what type of tree should be planted. Um, we're going to have a checklist, so we're pretty much going to apply this evenly to every u residents that we visit. Trees again will be planted outside the rightway. Um, utility locations are the driving decision of tree size and planting.
Residents can express a preference of tree. Um, but staff will make a final determination as to what tree will go in there. And generally the trees we selected u vary in height as I said, vary in canopy width. Um
if um Suzanne if you could just hit the next one. So we have one that's a red maple. Uh the red maple will get up to approximately 60 to 70 ft tall. Um so a lot of residents may not be able to house a red maple. So in that regards we
picked three other trees. One being a Canada red chokeberry. And I'm sure you've seen these type of trees through town. They're purplish color. They start out green in the spring and turn a deep purple. um they'll get to be about 20 to 30 feet tall and about 15 to 20 feet wide. So that's a kind of a medium-sized
tree whereas the red maple is one of our tall large trees. Our third tree we're looking to offer is called uh amalanchier service berry. Now basically it's kind of an ornamental tree. It's smaller in size. It can get
to anywhere between 15 and 30 feet, but the ones I've seen around town generally are in the 20 foot range. Um, this has berries that start in the spring along with flowers. Um, so it will supply wildlife with food. Um, and
it's just a a nice looking tree that will um be able to be placed in areas that are tight. Um, we call it the maze down off of Vanderbee Road area. uh we've have a lot of residents in that uh neighborhoods that want trees planted uh on their property. So those types of
residents as we all know if you've been down there u may not be able to see the red maple but we have smaller trees that should fit their property. And the last one one that we have is an eastern red bud leaf. And this one also starts out with flowers. Um in the springtime it
will have um fruit that birds like to eat and then eventually it will turn into a green uh foliage type tree. Um this one again this should be around 20t tall, 20 to 25 ft tall and roughly 20 ft wide. this type of tree. Uh we will be
telling the residents they may want to prune it because if they don't prune it, it will kind of turn into a bush. Um because the uh lower part of the tree will branch out if they're not pruned upward. Um
so with that being said, we're looking to start rolling out this program. Actually tomorrow I'm going to make my first field visit. Um we've had to come up with I uh ways of u leaving residents messages um in which we came up with a form in which most people are
at work so they're not home when we're there. So we'll drop off a form saying that we have reviewed u their application. Uh we will have a QR code on that that will bring them right to those four trees that you have seen and then we will follow up with either a
phone call or email via email to get in touch with them to talk to them about what type of tree they may want. And we'll also probably talk to them about the location of where that tree may be. We've had some residents inquire, you know, can we put it in the backyard? Can we put it on the sideyard? And we've told those uh residents that no, this
tree is prim primary primarily for lining our streets. Um and it's going to stay in just out of our right away. To plant this on private property, we will uh require a right of entry from each of these residents. and they'll also have
to sign off that they're going to take care of the tree once it's in their possession and that they understand that this tree is theirs uh and theirs to own. Um all trees on our township roadways are really the possession of the uh residents, but uh we're going to
make it quite clear that these trees that we're planting are their trees. With that being said, any any questions? So, every once in a while you plant something and it doesn't succeed. What
What happens if we plant a tree on someone's lawn and that tree dies? >> So, our uh we got about a year uh to make a claim. >> Okay. >> Our contractor um he is going to uh so the contractor we had a meeting once uh
I learned of the bid opening for this contractor. We had a meeting and talked and so they're going to fertilize it. We will have to purch purchase the fertilizer. They're going to use amended soil. Um and they're going to mulch the tree. They're going to put a um a
resistant wrap uh that will prevent deer from rubbing up against a tree because in their experience uh they've they do several towns um in the area uh with this type of program. They've had deer come up and kind of rub the bark off these newly uh minted trees that they
planted. Generally, the trees are going to start out in the area of around five to six feet. Nothing big yet, but uh a lot of these trees are growing at a rate of about 1 to two feet a year. Um so some of these trees may we may not be around for some of these trees when they get to uh their final height, but they
should be enjoyed by a lot of people. >> And who's responsible for 211? >> I'm sorry. Who's responsible for two with 211? Call before you dig. The contractor will be making that call. Thank you. >> Okay. >> So, they'll call on behalf of the homeowner.
>> Yeah. So, what what what we'll be doing though is trying to keep a tight area of, you know, >> Yeah. >> residents because the contractor doesn't want to run all over the town so they can come in. The one thing we're experiencing now, as you all know, is a a drought. And so, generally, what we're
going to try to do is get some trees in for the rest of the month of June. I'm hoping to have something in by the end of June. In talking to them and looking at our drought situation, we're probably going to hold off uh through the July, August months and start the program back up in the fall. I want to kind of ensure
that we um give the tree as much u support as possible and not plant it where residents may forget to water. And some of these trees you do have to water weekly um to keep them survivable. >> I can't thank you enough. This is just
wonderful. >> Thank you. It's a It's a good team I have. So, we got a lot of people. >> We know that it's a good team you have because everybody in town tells us that. >> Thank you. >> I'd like to echo that for my neighbors. I live on top of a hill, but my
neighbors that are on the bottom of the hill, I know they filled out the application. They're very excited about it. um you know and especially from the event I came the maps event I met with folks that work at the D and this was exactly like perfect timing they shared you know build more trees I'm like we
have on our agenda trees for tomorrow you know for flood water management especially with IDA that you know uh council uh president Gger has talked about many times you know let's let's uh do things like this but in a you know very specific to the geography where
these zones are downhill uphill you know keeping those in mind and prioritizing it. So, thank you for the thoughtful presentation today. >> You're welcome. And this uh does help us with storm water points with New Jersey D. >> Yes. Thank you. >> It's a good program. >> Um whoever picked out the trees, I
thought they were all beautiful. >> Thank you. I hope I hope everyone's happy with them. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions, comments? >> Thank you so much. Thank you so much for taking time out of of your busy day.
Okay, we will now open the meeting to the public after a motion. Um, members of the public wishing to address the council on any matter will have three minutes to speak which may be extended in the discretion of the council president. An additional minute will be allotted for responses to comments from
the deis. Can I have a motion to open the meeting to the public? >> So moved. Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Um, is there anyone here that wants to uh talk about the EMS worker appreciation week last last it was last
month? Okay. Anyone else want to address? Anyone else want to say anything? You better get up here and and and thank Mr. Shimp for planting native trees. >> Okay. My >> Did you sign it?
>> Not yet. I'll do it after >> you sign it. Okay. >> Yes. I am Tim Kenny, 198 Shore Hills Drive. And I'd like to thank the everyone who got involved for uh involving native trees.
Yes. But uh one thing is uh that I heard is fertilizer. Native trees are used to our soil. So you don't have to fertilize them. They can handle the soil because they've been here for thousands of years. So, uh that but obviously the deer uh
what they do is in the fall when the uh the bucks have their velvet on them, they rub them against new trees because it's soft and they even eat the uh bark when it's uh tender. So, that's why you need uh protection for them. So, um if
you were in an area like we all are where we have these goats, they go, you know, they're you know, they're a lot like goats. their teeth and their stomachs are like goats. So that's why they eat our trees and plants, but um
it's really a bigger issue. I don't want to be known as the native tree guy, >> right? Um and you talked about public health. >> Too late. >> Yeah, exactly. Okay. Um, what's happening is bacteria, there's thousands of different bacterias,
obviously viruses as well, and we've seen what's happening around the globe, and Councilman Isla brought that up tonight. Thank you for bringing that up. So, um, I saw something today in the news that was interesting because the
ground is getting warmer. I know not everyone in both parties agrees on global warming, but because the soil is getting warmer, the bacteria in the soil is becoming
resistant to the antibodies that they're given in the hospitals and the tr so I'm not going to talk more about the problem. Obviously, it's an huge issue. people are dying of bacterial infections because the antibodies are not working.
>> So, um we have to do everything we can to bring down the temperature on of our planet. And native trees obviously help because trees will um take the heat and they absorb it, the water and absorb it. So they're they're and you know they
breathe out oxygen so they help us too, right? So they're our inverse. So that's why we need them. Um so I just want to make sure that we're doing anything we can to bring down that uh temperature with um clean energy.
Um any sort of uh program that you can to put in our town that is going to help that temperature come down. >> You know, I forgot to tell you to state your name. >> I did that. >> Did Okay, you did. Okay. All right. >> All right. So, um, does anybody have any
questions about what I said? >> No. Thank you very much. I appreciate everything you don't. >> Thank you for bringing up the super bug, the antibiotic resistance. Is there anyone else that would like to address the council?
>> You can sign later, too. >> I Who? >> You can sign later, too. >> Yes. Okay. >> Just Yeah, you can pull it down. >> Yep. because you're also broadcasting >> much better. I'm Michelle Glicklick for Sterling Drive Bridgewater.
I just want to say I did not have an opportunity to say thank you and be part of the celebration that you had for the EMS workers and I would like to say I really appreciate and I'm sure we all appreciate what they've done. >> We have one right here.
>> Yes. >> For they saved my life. Thank you. So it's very important and they they're not acknowledged enough times. So I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge them. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you so much. >> Would anyone else like to address the council? >> Seeing no one, I move to close open or public comment. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. Now we have the introduction of
ordinances. Uh, an ordinance a an ordinance amending chapter 206 entitled vehicles and traffic article XVI traffic and parking in public and semi-public places
pursuant to NJSA39 col 5A-1 of the municipal code of the township of Bridgewater County of Somerset State of New Jersey so as to add a new section 59.3 entitled Starbucks 1298 Route 22. Um
would you like to just briefly explain this township administrator? >> Sure. The uh there are times where private property owners uh have um in this case had a site plan approval before a land use board. And within the
site plan, it had um uh provisions for handicap designated parking, perhaps stop sign. And this uh ordinance will enable the municipal police department to enforce those uh signs as if they
were on public roads. >> Does anybody on the deis have any questions or comments about it? >> Some people may not realize that police department is limited on enforcement to public roads. So I know this has come up
on other properties in the past. So >> when you go to a parking lot when you see those and it's a board member. They're typically done this way like any project. >> Thank you. >> I will I'll move the introduction of it. >> I have a second. >> I'll second. >> Think we have to have a roll call
because it's an ordinance. >> Yeah. Counciloman Buck. >> Yes. >> Wait. Mark this down. Grace rarely misses anything. >> A delay. It wasn't a miss. >> All right. Con Councilwoman Isla. Councilman Kush,
>> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Gger, >> yes. >> Um, the final action for this ordinance um is scheduled for June 25th, 2026 at 700 p.m. here in the municipal courtroom. Public inspection of this
ordinance is available on the township website, the bulletin board, and in the clerk's office. >> Okay, moving on to resolutions. We have a resolution to resend the petty cash fund for the public works department. I don't think there's too much to it, but township administrator, if you want to
give a brief explanation. >> Yes. Uh, our auditor realized as they um go through records, they found a petty cash fund designating a lady who is no longer an employee in Bridgewater uh Township listed and uh this simply uh
rescends that. >> Can I have a motion to approve this resolution? >> I'll make the motion. >> Second. I'll second it. All in favor? Uh, I think we need a roll call. >> Councilman Beo, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kh, >> yes.
>> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Gger, >> yes. Next, uh, 12B, authorizing the reduction of taxes due to approved state tax appeals and refund of an overpayment for a property located at 10 North Crossing Road. This is just something we have to do. They they won the tax
appeal, so that's that. Can um I have a motion to approve this resolution. I'll uh make the motion with a brief comment. Sure. Go ahead. >> Sometime I don't want to sound like a broken record, but this is just another one of those situations where we're refunding the money, including the money
that was distributed to other taxing authorities such as the school board and the county. >> It's probably not. >> Okay. >> And I just, you know, I'm going to sound like a broken record, too, but we have very few tax appeals in Bridgewater. So,
High collection >> and oh and a very high collection rate. Very good. >> Good. Good. There you go. >> That was a motion to approve. >> I'll second it. >> Can we have a roll call? >> Anakob. >> Yes.
>> Councilwoman Isla. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kersh. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> And President Geger. >> Yes. Uh 12 C. Authorizing the award of contract to the law firms of Levery
Svaji and Cohen PC and McManon Scotland and Bowman LLC to provide professional legal services for legal matters requiring a special council for Bridgewater Township um for the year 2026. This is related to our litigation
with Warren Township right now. I don't know if you want to give any further explanation, township administrator, it's up to you. >> No, I think this frankly this was just an oversight. This should have been done earlier in the year and it just cleans it up. >> Okay. Um can I have a motion to uh adopt
this resolution? >> Motion to adopt 12 C. >> Second roll call. Uh before we um uh before we vote on that, do do we have the uh amount of
um the expected um total spend there? It's just authorizing them if needed. So it's not actual spend. So we we've done this frequently where we go out collect bids, we approve
people that they can then subsequently be hired. >> I I understand that but um just concerned that it's seems to be open-ended. >> Well, it is not in that um as Councilman
Ring said, these are authorized to um serve if the township needs them. There is and I don't what the actual line item budget is for this but there is a cap that for any special council that we
could expend funds without council further authorization. So there is there it's not open-ended >> constrained by the budget but we can hold that line. >> Yeah I I would like to know the amount. never very much on either one of these, >> but we can certainly get that
information. >> It's my understanding this isn't huge litigation. At least I think they're mostly talking, right? They're mostly >> could have big impact though, >> but also not. >> Okay. Um, can I have a motion to approve
the I think we did that. >> You got a motion. You got a second. >> Yeah, we got a second. So we need a roll call. >> Councilman Bako. >> Uh yeah. >> Councilwoman Isla. >> Yes. >> Councilman Crush. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> Guyer. >> Yes. >> And moving on to D. Authorizing the
award of contract with SJC Lawn Care Inc. 305 Elizabeth Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey to provide tree supply and planting services for the trees for tomorrow program in an amount not to exceed 60,000. That was the program that
uh Mr. shrimp just explained and it is not costing taxpayer dollars. Um, is there any further comment on it? >> Just like to point out in the resolution you can see there were five uh businesses that were interested in this uh program for other landscape companies
beyond the one that is recommended here. >> Okay. Can I have a motion to approve this resolution? >> I'll make that motion. >> I'll second. Roll call, please. >> MCO. Yes. Council >> woman Isla. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kush. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring.
>> Yes. >> President Geger. >> Yes. Uh and E. Authorizing execution of a developers agreement between the township of Bridgewater and Bridgewater Realy 2 LLC pursuant to zoning board approval
for Starbucks located on block 222 lot 6.01 01, CO1, CO2, CO3, also known as 1288 and 1298 Route 22 in the township of Bridgewater. Is there any questions, comments, or discussion about this?
>> I'll move it. I do have a a question. Um, is there um any access to Morgan Lane from this property? >> I'd have Miss Sarmmed. She may remember that question was in the zoning board
application for the Starbucks. Is there any access onto Morgan Lane for the in the site plan? You remember >> please if you would. >> Good evening. Um so the the approval actually included the closure of the uh
access from Route 22 right in front of that property. The Morgan Lane access restricts the right turn out of the Starbucks. So on Morgan Lane out of it towards um main towards Route 28. >> Um so you can only go back out onto
Route 22. And signage that was included because they were closing their route 22 access was um intended to direct to the to the entrance right now beside to the east of Stone Tavern. So that entrance to make that a common entryway. Um, but there is the ability to get into the
site off of Morgan Lane. So, ma making a right onto Morgan Lane from Route 22 into the site. Um, and then also to come back out and to make a left out of Morgan Lane to get back onto Route 20. >> Okay. Is there a is there a physical barrier to prevent turning out of the
property right onto Morgan Lane or is it just signage? >> There is a um like a triangle that kind of guides the lane right into the property. I think it it I'm not sure if it's constructed today, but they were going to modify it so that it could be could basically restrict um that that
turnout. >> Okay. To the extent that New Jersey drivers sometimes do their own solution anyway. >> Correct. And I I can't recall if if there was any condition. Um I it feels familiar that maybe there was a condition about when they do open up that there would be some sort of police
presence to help enforcement to have it kind of become regular. Um so that people wouldn't wouldn't turn out the wrong way um and then get ticketed and then you know it would condition people to do the right thing. So, I I'll second and also acknowledge um you know,
because this this was the subject of of a significant number of hearings before the zoning board um to to really get the flow onto this property right. Um you know, concerns about the highway safety, concerns about the residential neighborhood, um concerns about both, as
I stated, both getting people on and off um safely. And and so, you know, those those issues uh you know, were addressed. we believe successfully. Um certainly time will tell. Um but certainly there there was considerable u
defense if you will for the the residential neighborhood to make sure that um you know they they don't see an an unnecessary uptick uh in in traffic. Uh you know it's also it is a challenging site though. Um you know there you know it is it is within a
fairly high accident corridor. Um, and there there is certainly concern about, you know, people taking their their Starbucks and doing a Jersey uh Jersey slide across three lanes of traffic to get on to 287. So, um, you know, that through the planning process, uh, as
much of that was accommodated as possible. Uh, and you know, certainly the real life condition once this is built will will tell. I think it's also just to clarify too these are not >> I don't know that we are approving a developer we're voting on a developers
agreement the discussion of >> turning and barricades or traffic flow traffic control devices that was all determined >> by the zoning board. These aren't it's not something we can say, hey, we want to make this change to the agreement.
Developers agreement really protects us and how the site is is making sure they follow our processes, procedures, payments for fees, inspections, all of that stuff. >> You you're 100% correct. I was really just interested in providing some additional commentary. You know, since
since uh you know, it is a that is a challenging area to get to get cars safely on and in and out of. Yep. Um >> I did have a quick question on pedestrian traffic. Um are were crosswalks um addressed here? If new
crosswalks are needed or new or updated crosswalks with the proper signage. So most of the pedestrian activity is internal to the site. So the property is actually one larger property that takes up that that takes up that whole corner. Stone Tavern is one condominium lot. The
Starbucks or the approved Starbucks that goes to the corner of Morgan Lane is one. And then there's another another pad in the back that's actually approved for a hotel back there. So there is a bit of internal circulation that these properties would all share um including the drive aisle that would come in off
of Morgan Lane and then it would attach basically to the Stone Tavern and the Starbucks would have its own internal circulation off of there including a road that feeds the parking and then a drive-thru two drive-through lanes um next to one another. So um in consideration of that because there will
be a lot of internal circulation, there was um I believe conditions and their site plan showed and it was a topic of conversation to include um crosswalk areas between those connections between those different uses that were either through um through paint, you know,
stripes crosswalks um or um you know um the depressed curbs for um you know the walking the pad that goes across the from from the sidewalk. >> Okay, great. Thank you. You're welcome. >> I I don't expect you to to have the answer to this. Uh if if you do not, uh
but do you know the number of uh zoning variances that were required for this property? >> There was a use variance because the the drive-thru was not permitted. That's why they were before the zoning board. And I believe there were a handful of um
setback variances for the building setback. Um I think I think that was it. But but I don't have it off the top of my head. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Do I have a motion to approve this
resolution? >> Motion in a second. >> Can I have a roll call? >> I don't have a second. >> Oh, we need a second. Grace says I'll second it. >> I think I seconded it. >> Okay. Sorry. Councilman Bakov, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kush, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Geger, >> yes. All right. Moving on to F. Authorizing the use of competitive contracting to procure information technology management and computer consulting services for computer
programs and peripheral equipment used throughout the township. Um, we we need this, right? Anyone that's tried to use the internet in this building knows that. Um, and is there any further discussion or questions or comments on this?
>> I'll move it. >> Can I'll second. Can we have a roll call? >> Counciloman Buckle? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Isla? >> Yes. Councilman Kush? >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring? >> Yes. >> President Geger? >> Yes. >> Madam President, I'm sorry. May I there's one other item I forgot to
mention in the report. Um so I think it was the last meeting there was a member of the public who was here complaining about a drainage concern. If you folks recall that but uh Mr. Ahern and I had a chance to visit him a week ago Friday and walked his property and and um just
wanted to report to the council that uh I did that personally and had a very thorough conversation with him and and told him that you know we would be back in touch. >> Thank you. Is there any discussion? We're going to go into close session and and have a fair amount of discussion, but is there
any any further discussion anybody wants to bring up in in public? Hearing none, we will >> Okay. You know, I'm I'm really really sorry, but the public
I can. Well, all right. I'll tell you what. Can we Thank you. Can I have a motion to reopen public comments? >> So moved. >> I'll make a motion to reopen public comment on that topic alone. >> Thank you. >> All in favor? Everybody's in favor. Right.
>> I >> I >> We'd rather have you come up here so we can hear you. Anyway, >> I live on Buckton Road, 1051 Buckton Road. Um, I just when I was listening to the >> You got to talk into the microphone. >> The discussion about the Starbucks and
Rijana brought up about pedestrians. I'm just thinking about that Jify Lube and that's prime for like you're sitting there waiting for half an hour. Are people going to be running across Morgan Lane? You know, if you're a Jify Lube, that's prime time that you're going to maybe go walk to Starbucks to kill a half an
hour. Yeah. It's just something that kind of struck me and I don't even know if there's sidewalks on Morgan Lane. >> So, I don't believe there's sidewalks at turn off of 22 right there. Um I I think um it actually did in my recollection
did not come up during the hearing um about that. So, what I assume will likely happen because there's not crosswalks is um someone will try it maybe once and then not again. Um, two, uh, they will likely go and get their Starbucks and then go to their Jify Lube
appointment. Uh, hopefully, uh, but the I think one of the things just off the top of my head is you should only build things if you want to invite that kind of use. So, if you want to invite pedestrians to cross Morgan Lane, which would have to be at
the corner. It can't just be in the middle across their driveways. Um, you would have to sign for it. Put put signage up. um and then put a crosswalk and then um you would be inviting people to be crossing there which sometimes is not the best thing particularly when
you're on a state highway and so and there's a you know a turn onto Morgan Lane to get in there where there might not be people who see the pedestrians because they're moving at a high speed of tra of of travel. So, um, while I think in theory what you're saying will make sense, there are it will attract
people who are moving between those two uses who are going to get their car service and want to get a drink. Um, you don't necessarily want to tell them that that's okay, that that's that's endorsed to go walk across Morgan Lane when you're coming off of 22 there. >> My concern is that people will do that.
The Madam President, if I may, the rationale for the for the traffic flow that was um extensively discussed and ultimately chosen was to allow for safe access
to that property and get people off of 22 to prevent rear end collisions. Um that was if I remember the details of the case um that was was really the the the prime rationale was um entry from 22
would have created likely a more dangerous scenario of people using the deceleration lane or you know whatever you would call it >> in Somerville where sometimes the drive line is backed up onto Route 22. too
creating potential accident situations. Question though, for a crosswalk at Morgan at 22, I'm assuming this that would have to go to the state for review most likely. >> Depends how far the state right of way goes into the property >> into the you know where there's actual
curbing might actually be DOT right ofway. Um so it might have to go to the DOT and I doubt that they would want to invite pedestrians along 22. Um and to you know see the other points the main topic of conversation because this is a drive-thru right this is an autoor oriented business that wants to attract
people to stay in their cars um they their drive-thru actually I think accommodated you know close to 40 cars when they were looking at it and even then the board showed concern that the drive-thru was basically emptying out had the potential for overflow onto Route 22 and they were very very nervous
that people moving at a high speed on 22 or to decelerate into Morgan Lane would would then you potentially cause an accident for overflow onto 22. So rather than have that be a potential threat, they agreed to actually close off the entire um frontage there in their
access, which is a big deal because they they were grandfathered with the DOT and would have to seek other, you know, if they close it, they'd have to seek it in the future if they ever wanted to change it. But essentially the traffic pattern that um the board um worked towards was to get people to to leave the site by
going back towards Stone Tavern to get through that exit. So they'd have a few hundred more feet to actually get back onto Route 22. So well I think you bring up a good point. pedestrian activity really was rel or pedestrian signage and striping was really related to internal
to the site because there will people if the hotel is ever built um if the workers from Stone Tavern ever um come over to Starbucks after it's built they wanted to make sure that internally pedestrians were accounted for properly. Everything else really with a Starbucks with a drive-thru which is the whole reason they were at the zoning board um
is that it's an auto oriented. They're really they're really trying to attract people. A lot of their business comes from a drive-thru. Um, so what what will likely happen is as people get used to that drive-thru is they will do their drive-thru and then they'll go across, you know, out on Morgan Lane right over to the Jiffy Lube and get their coffee
before they go for their appointment. >> Just specifically think about Jeff Jiffy Lubby drop into the mic. >> I'm just specifically thinking of car service. Drop your car off, then you go get your coffee to kill a little time. >> Well, there's always going to be some Jersey people that do that. In the words of of council mid kers,
>> know even if you're making the turn onto Morgan, people come off of a turn pretty fast. So, it's it's just something that kind of just caught my attention as you were talking earlier. >> Um, just make sure you sign your name and address. I have a motion to close. >> We close public comment.
>> Thank you. I'll second. All in favor? I. All right. So, we are now moving into closed session. You got to read. >> Oh, I need a motion to move into close session. Councilman Ring, >> you need to read it. >> You're reading first.
>> Oh, okay. So, the close session will be about contract negotiations. >> Read that. >> I don't have this. >> Yeah, you do. >> It's in Oh, okay. be resol be it resolved by the Bridgewater Township Council that this body will now convene
convene in a closed session to discuss the following contract negotiations softball field and superior offers association S SOA and potential litigation relating to 1200 Route 22. When and if the matters discussed become public record, that information will be
made known to the public at the appropriate time. the public is excluded from said meeting and further notice is hereby dispensed with all in accordance with sections 8 and 4A of the open public meetings act. So I think I already have a motion and I already have
a second. So uh can we have a roll call? >> We can make a motion now. >> I thought we made the motion. Okay. >> We were waiting for you to read that. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. Make the motion. >> So moved. >> Second. Can I have a roll call?
>> You can do an I. >> Okay. >> Okay. A roll call. We need a roll call. >> Councilman Beco. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Isla. >> Yes. >> Councilman Harsh. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> President Gger. >> Yes.
>> Madame President, could we handle the uh potential litigation first because Miss Sarmat is here specifically for that. >> Okay. >> Okay. So I had asked for this. Um, I had had a eating. I make a motion to close our meeting.
>> Second. All in favor? >> I >> I mean journ. >> What a day. What a day. Jo. And for that earn a nice dinner.