Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the December 3rd, 2025 meeting of the Bridgewater Town Council. In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act of New Jersey, the adequate notice of this meeting was provided on December 10th, 2024 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. May we have the roll call, please? >> Councilman Kersh
>> here. It's right here. Councilman Codella, >> here. Councilman Pedroso >> here. >> Councilman Ring. >> President Ngalas >> here. Uh would you please rise if you're able for the pledge of allegiance to be fed by Councilman Kersh?
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Item four, we have minutes for approval.
The regular session of November 6, 2025. Has everyone had an opportunity to look at them? I will motion approval. Could I have a second, please? >> I'll second. >> All those in favor of approving the minutes signify by saying I.
>> I. >> Opposed? The minutes are approved. Uh the closed sessions for October 6th and November 6th are circulating. Township Council reports. We'll start with Councilman Cordella, please. >> At this even meeting, I do not have a
report. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, Councilman Kersh, thank you. Uh, back on Veterans Day, November 11th, I had the privilege of speaking uh at the American Legion in uh briefly speaking at the American Legion in Bradley Gardens.
Uh November 25th, uh the zoning board met for and had its sixth and final hearing on 821 Bridgewater LLC uh and the Jewish Community Center. They approved a D1 to expand for an expanded use uh of the JCC, but denied uh three
use variants that requires a super majority and did not uh achieve that super majority and that's for age restricted town houses. Uh on uh December 1st, earlier this week, Monday, I attended the Bridgewater Senior Club
holiday party. Uh and uh uh I guess it was last night, December 2nd, the planning board met. Uh heard a sign uh sign waiver uh request uh from the wine outlet over at the Prominade. Uh that
was um that that will be uh a second portion will need to be heard. uh and also a um uh the uh Bridgewater master plan um [clears throat] uh uh you know re uh review uh and um
that will be um uh I believe subject for our next meeting. Uh also I've had the opportunity to meet with uh with the new council colleagues individually. Uh that would be of course Joan, Rodana, and Andrew. Um, couple other just quick
items. Wanted to maybe pull back the curtain and and dispel some of the myths of of how council works. Um, some at some points people have said, well, I I just don't understand, you know, wh why aren't council members more vocal on the
deis? You know, why aren't we jumping up and down and screaming about different things that, you know, may may not be happening at the timeline or in the way that we each want. And while certainly that's an option for behavior, the way that I've chosen to act is behind the
scenes. Um uh as as a a result of the open public meetings act, each of us uh is only allowed to speak to one other at a time. Um because more than two of us makes a quorum. So uh behind the scenes there are a sizable number of
conversations that occur sizable number of conversations with administrator Papis, sizable number of conversations uh with uh with Mayor Mench. Um so you know just because we're not jumping up and down and hollering and screaming from the deis uh doesn't mean that an issue is not being addressed or is not
important to us. The other thing I wanted to to to note is uh zoning board planning board applications. Um the the process there is when a land owner submits a completed application and it's current on their on their taxes, they
will receive a timely app they will receive a timely hearing and we take that very seriously on both the zoning board and the planning board. Uh at times there have been instances where people have essentially waged their fingers at us as a community and said how dare you even hear this application
and the reality is there is no pre-planning board. There is no pre-zoning board. If a landowner wishes to submit an application, again, as long as it's complete and the taxes are paid, they have the right and they will be heard in with through a fair and thorough hearing. Uh, and I think it's
just important as there has been more um um interest in our land use boards and that's generally a very very good thing. I I think there needs to be further education for exactly how our land use process works and hopefully through that glimpse I've started to provide that and
that's my report. >> Thank you. Uh Councilman Pedroso, please. >> Uh thank you, Council President. Uh first of all, well, thank you all for being here tonight. It's nice to see so many faces here this evening's council meeting. Uh but first, I want to
acknowledge the Bridgewater Rean High School boys football team. Uh they had Bridgewwater had its first win in the uh had it first state sectional win. Great accomplishment. Uh they almost made it to the finals. I was rooting for them. I was watching all the games. If you
anybody yell and scream out the window was probably me. Uh but nonetheless, the boys achieved uh so much and just want to express to the coaching staff, to all the players, the families who get these players back and forth. just want to
express my congratulations to them for phenomenal season. I have a short statement. I'd like to begin tonight by congratulating uh Andrew Buuko uh Ruana Isla and Joan Guyger. I see two of them here tonight uh on their
election night victory. Having served the residents of Bridgewater for 14 years on this township council and another 10 years on the zoning board of adjustment, I know firsthand the tremendous commitment it takes to serve this community. So, I sincerely thank
Andrew Rwanda and Joan for stepping forward, dedicating themselves to this responsibility and choosing to serve the people of Bridgewater. As I make my way out, there are several people I want to acknowledge, individuals who truly deserve recognition.
First, my wife Lyanna. None of these 14 years on the council would have been possible without her. Her support, her patience, and her strength allowed me to devote the time required to serve this town. I also want to thank my four children, Sophia, Julia, Alina, and
Nicholas. They've helped on countless campaigns, and more importantly, they sacrificed time with their father when government responsibilities pulled me away. Their love and support have been my foundation. I am blessed beyond measure. Second, I want to thank Alan
Cordella and Howard Ngales for their decades of extraordinary service, their dedication from the fire department to countless boards and and committees as well as serving practically decades on this governing body has shaped this township in profound ways. Their commitment to
Bridgewater is a legacy to be admired. Third, throughout my years on the council, I worked under two remarkable township clerks, Linda Doyle and Grace Jaguna. Is that right? Okay. Both have
led the clerk's office with exceptional professionalism, pride, and integrity. They and their teams embody service at its best, and Bridgewwater has been fortunate to have them. Fourth, to the members of the local media who show up meeting after
meeting to shine light on township government. Thank you. It's not glamorous work, but it is essential. A special recognition goes to Roman Ushach, who's here tonight, front row of the of the of the breeze, who has
attended more council meetings than just about anyone not elected to sit at this dis. and to Audrey Bloomberg who once covered these meetings herself before becoming the big shot over at the breeze. Thank you for your continued commitment to informing our residents. I
also thank Mike Deick of my central Jersey and Alexis Dazzi of the patchwork ensures Bridgewater never has to wonder what happens in these chambers. Fifth, to the voters of Bridgewater, thank you.
Thank you for placing your trust in me and for elections. Thank you for allowing me to serve the town I love and have called home since 1977. Every vote I cast, every decision I made was rooted in one simple principle, what is best for Bridgewater. The greatest
rewards in serving on this council have been protecting what makes this town special and meeting countless incredible, compassionate, and caring people along the way. And finally, and most importantly, I thank God for wisdom, for courage, for guidance, and
for the strength to serve this community faithfully for all these years. Over the past 14 years, there there are many accomplishments that I feel proud to have played a role in, too many to list tonight, but I want to highlight just a few moments that truly shape Bridgewwater's future. In 2015,
Bridgewater faced one of the largest overdevelopment proposals in its history, center of excellence. It was being pushed forward rapidly with little transparency and minimal public involvement. With only Councilman Ogalas and myself opposing it, I knew we had to
bring the public into the process. That's when I launched Preserve Bridgewwater. One woman, Lauren Wellen, came to came to meetings and meeting after meeting and I didn't know whether she was a Republican or a Democrat. What mattered was was that she cared about Bridgewater. I reached out and I was
happy she accepted to help manage the preserve Bridgewater movement together and would with the help of countless community members. We stopped a project that would have flooded Bridgewater with 400 apartments and an illconceived retail center that would have forever
changed the character of our town. No, nothing has threatened Bridgewwater's quality of life more than that proposal and we stopped it. I'm proud of that and Bridgewwater is better for it. In 2020, when the defund the police movement swept across the country, I was the
first elected official in Bridgewater to publicly defend and support our police department. Throughout all my years in office, I have always prioritized public safety and always supported our law enforcement officers. Bridgewater residents should be proud of their police department because Bridgewwater's
officers truly are Bridgewater's finest. Also in 2020, after years of pushing for it, we finally adopted the historic preservation ordinance. This created a town historian and historic committee, something I championed for years to preserve Bridgewwater's artifacts,
protect its history, and ensure future generations can learn from it. In 2021, during the height of COVID, I served as council president. I made the decision to bring council meetings back in person while preserving public access by
continuing live streaming and that that started with co virtual meetings. Transparency in government has always been one of my priorities. I ar I argued for live streaming early in my tenure and in 2021 I am proud to have made it
permanent that year. In 20 in 2021, I also joined the board of Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. After years of near financial collapse, I helped restructure and stabilize the shelter, ultimately serving as chairman, and leaving the shelter financially strong,
debt-free, the budget balance. And with hundreds of thousands in savings in the bank, it went from from near insolveny to a thriving, humane, and responsible community resource. In 2023, I stood up for juvenile girls who were being
sexually harassed at the Bridgewater Commons Mall and advocated for measures to protect them, standing alone on this council in doing so. And in 2025, I again stood alone as the only governing official in supporting women's rights
when speaking out regarding policy 5756 at the board of education meeting. Board of Education policy 5756 permits biological males who identify as female to use female bathrooms and locker rooms in our schools and thou
violates women's rights. I will never regret standing up for women and girls in this community. I've also I have always believed that Bridgewwater should be welcoming to everyone. In 20 in 2016 as C council president, I became the first to invite
all four major major religious groups to participate in the reorganization meeting. It was historic. Five years later, when I was again council president, all four participated, again, a first in Bridgewwater's history. Bridgewater is
beautifully diverse and our government needs to be inclusive. For 10 years on the zoning board and 14 years on this council, I have consistently opposed highdensity overdevelopment and apartment complexes. We've all seen how such projects can
dramatically alter the character of neighboring towns, and I have always fought to protect protect Bridgewater suburban identity. When faced with town changing highdensity housing mandates referred to as affordable housing by Democrats, I propose an out-of-the-box
solution. Bridgewater self-building its affordable units. That idea, however, was completely ignored by the administration. During my tenure, Bridgewater's population remained stable, proof that we successfully resisted the push towards mass
development. From 2013 through 2020, I served as one of two council members on the budget and finance committee. During that time, Bridgewater saw its longest stretch of t of tax stability, an average increase of
just over half of 1% per year, and Bridgewater reached the lowest municipal tax rate in Somerset County. These are only some of the accomplishments that I'm proud of. This past November, an election was held and the voters spoke.
Some may call it quote a blue wave end quote, but the truth is more pointed. It reflects the public's loss of confidence in this government. For years, I have warned this council and the administration that it was heading in the wrong direction. Nearly 30% tax
increases in six years. A 33% increase in sewer fees from 2022 to 25, just three years. Bonding without a budget, budgets delivered late year after year, late audits, a declining bond rating.
I voted no to these policies, no to the tax hikes, no to the sewer increases, no to the irresponsible bonding. But my opposition was not enough to prevent what have become some of the highest tax increases in Bridgewater's history.
After years of steady, stable taxes from 2013 to 2020, this mayor has driven cost in the opposite direction. Everything is up. taxes, sewer bills, recreation fees, permits, you name it, it's up. It's
important to understand the structure of our government. Bridgewater operates under what is typically referred to as a strong mayor, weak council form of municipal government. In this system, the mayor runs the show, holding tremendous power and serving as the
primary driver of the town's direction, finances, and policies. The council has a role mainly in adopting the budget, but the mayor largely sets the course. Because of this, the policies of this administration are directly responsible
for the results of this November's election. The public expressed its frustration clearly, and I hear you. I hope this governing body hears you, too. It's time for a course correction. Bring back sound fiscal responsibility.
stop raising taxes, reduce unnecessary bonding, and lower the sewer bill. Some may argue that that speaking out now helps the Democrats until next election. But the truth is, I'm not saying anything they haven't already been
saying. And frankly, enough is enough. Without a serious course correction, you will continue to hand the Democrats the tools to win. As I conclude my service on this council, one thing will not change. I will continue to fight for
Bridgewater. I will continue to speak out for responsible financial policy, for quality of life, and for the safety and character of this community, regardless of party politics. I'm not going anywhere. I I will be back and I
will be back to continue fighting for the town I love. Thank you. I hope that everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving. And as we move forward into the holiday season, we remember those among us who are in need of a
simple hug, a good meal, or temporary lodging during cold winter nights. Congratulations on a number of police promotions. Uh, moving up to Sergeant Anthony Mendoza. Also moving up to Sergeant Adam
Alosi. Uh, Lieutenant Michael Zeronowski, Lieutenant Robert Riley, Captain Joseph Dolinski, and Captain Douglas Dorson. These represents significant movement within our ranks.
Uh, and we are blessed to have such a wonderful police department with us. Speaking of police issues, Sergeant Jamie Edwards deserves the credit for wrangling the township departments in the completion and the acceptance of a totally revised OEM package which was accepted by Somerset County and the New
Jersey State Police. It was a massive undertaking with virtually every department having to redo their input or in some cases create entirely new details in order to meet the expanded state police OEM requirements. The township Christmas tree lighting
ceremony was moved from yesterday to next Monday due to the weather. The manura lighting and crescent moon lighting representing the Jewish and Muslim religions will follow. There is only one council meeting left in 2025. That will be on Wednesday, December
17th, 2025 at 7:30 here in the courtroom. The 2026 council reorganization meeting will be on Monday, January 5th at 5:30, also here in the courtroom. Mr. Mayor, your report, sir.
>> Thank you. Just a couple uh couple quick items. I wanted to uh publicly uh congratulate and thank our captains, Captains Tenant and Captain See, who recently retired after decades of service with the uh Township Police
Department. Um they uh were here to celebrate the promote recent promotions to fill their well their captain's spots they vacated along with celebrate the lieutenants and the sergeants who were promoted and uh their service is left a
mark on our police department for uh decades and uh thank them again publicly for uh for their service. I also want to uh congratulate uh get first time publicly our three uh council elect members who are all here. I look forward
to working with all of you. Uh hopefully we'll get down to work in January with a lot of collaboration, good work and probably less grandstanding from the deis. So thank you very much and uh congratulations. >> Mr. Allen uh wants a repeat here.
Yeah, I I'd just like to amend my report a little bit. Um, I forgot about Veterans Day. Please forgive me. But this every Veterans Day and every Memorial Day for the last 22 years, I've met with the now defunct
Martinsville VFW uh, Post 6588. And it's a it's something that I look upon as a as a privilege and an honor over the years to to meet with that group to meet with the
VFW group at Trinity Rock Park. Um, this year I went up again and uh I met with Jack Dilly and the both of us paid homage to the to the members who we
would always meet up there on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. And obviously the years the years have passed and many of the members have passed, but I wanted to publicly say that having served on the
township council and having the ability to represent the township to this fine group, I I took as perhaps the a privilege that I just can't properly put into words.
And I also admit that when you speak for a group 44 times in a row, every year was a challenge to come up with a topic. However, the uh the group was always amazing. The
veterans are a group to be tremendously respected. And I just want to mention Jack Dilly for his service to the community with the VFW. and also honor the memory of those who have passed.
Thank you. >> Thank Thank you, Alan. Uh, moving on. Proclamations, we have none. I We've already discussed the police promotions, presentations, we have none. Moving to item number 10, a meeting open to the public. Members of the public wishing to address the council any manner will be
allowed three minutes to speak unless there are unusual circumstances. Could I see a show of hands of how many people want to address the council tonight? Could you raise your hand? Okay, good. Thank you. Uh, could I have a motion open to the public, please? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second.
>> I'll second it. >> All those in favor? >> I Okay, we are open to the public. Please come up uh sign the little ledger there so we know your name and give us your name and address and tell us what's
on your mind. Uh, good evening. My name is Moren Dwire. I live at 275 West Summit Street in Somerville, New Jersey. Um, thank you for everybody who is going to be like leaving. I know that you've been here for years. I used to work for >> step closer to the make >> I used to work for Wreck and I know a
lot of you. So, thank you for your service. We really appreciate it. Okay. I respectfully oppose the placement of a 15-unit affordable housing complex intended to benefit Bridgewater on the Somerville side of the border where the zoning was recently changed. While the
project may satisfy obligations for Bridgewwater, Somerville receives no direct benefit yet is expected to bear the full weight of the consequences. This location sits on the entrance of a major highway, an area already pressured by heavy traffic patterns, safety
concerns, placing new residential housing at the gateway with further strain circulation, increased congestion. It raises safety risks um for both motorists and pedestrians, impacts the f the full entirety of Somerville's infrastructure and
emergency services. Additionally, the project requires cutting into an existing natural environment buffer, a feature that currently protects our neighborhood from noise, pollution, and storm water issues. Removing this buffer raises urgent questions. How will the increased runoff and flooding risk be
addressed? What protections will remain once the green barrier is removed? Why must Somerville sacrifice its natural resources to accommodate another municipality's obligations? Finally, several previously identified alternative sites were deemed suitable. The community deserves a transparent
explanation of why these particular plots was chosen, especially when it places the burden of Somerville while offering no local benefit. We support thoughtful, responsible planning. This proposal, however, places an unfair share of impact, traffic, environmental disruption, safety concerns, and the
infrastructure strain on Somerville res residents. We urge officials to reconsider this location and pursue a solution that distributes responsibility more fairly and protects the well-being of both communities. Lastly, I'm asking the council tonight to possibly table
this issue since there's a change in guard, a new political people are coming in. Um, a big change here on the Adas and we're hoping that uh the new party control and that the incoming council address it in January. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh, next person, please step up. I saw a lot of hands before. Okay, come on up, John. >> John Arolio 1110. >> Sign in, please, John. >> Um, okay.
>> Thank you. Um, John Roly, 1110 Washington Road. Tonight is just a night to say thank you for um, uh, Allan, Howard, and Flee for their service to the public. I know Bob told me that you guys take a tally of every time you're thanked, and I hope
you you appreciate my thanks tonight for all your public service. I know you have other activities for the public service. I hope you can continue on serving the town of Bridgewater. And that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you, John. >> Thank you. >> Next person, please.
Joan Guyger, Councilwoman elect, I want to thank all of you for your kind words and congratulations to um Bako Isla and Guyger. First of all, I will save my comments about all of you um for the next meeting and and for the reorganization meeting. But I do have a
lot of kind words. I just want you to know that. Um, and the only other thing is, uh, it would be really, really respectful, I think, if you were able to table the discussion about the property on Cornell Drive, um, until the new
council takes, um, you takes office. Um, we do have a lot of concerns about it. We have expressed them. We don't pretend to know, well, I don't want to speak for Andrew and Ridana, but I don't pretend to know everything there is to know about it. Um, and I am still in the
learning process. We'll be meeting with Mr. Corzini um, and his law firm to learn more about it, but um, we do have a lot of concerns and I think you're aware of that and it would be probably best if this was tabled. Um, not
necessarily for us um, because if whatever decisions you make we will not then be responsible for, we will have to take responsibility for our own decisions and I understand that. But we have listened to the concerns expressed by many of the people here and and do
really want to study them before we make any final decisions. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next person, please. >> Sign in, please, sir. >> Absolutely. Tim County, 198 Shore Hills Drive.
First of all, I would like to thank the council members that are leaving for your service. I really appreciate what you've done. And uh so first of all, I received a letter on April 28th of this year from
Remington and Vernick engineers telling me advising me that my street and my Short Hill Drive and the streets around my neighborhood were going to be repaved and um that has not happened. They
filled the potholes which is temporary and we have the Eisenhower buses going up and down our street throughout the school year. And uh so when I called the town um they told me well there's six areas of town that we got to uh pave the
streets. though. And then on top of that, we had two water mane breaks on our street. And uh so I was talking to one of my neighbors at 250 uh Short Hills Drive and he knows somebody at American Water that he he works as a uh
you know, he repairs the pipes and he said it's going to keep happening up the street. So I so I contacted uh Anthony Gallo and um and he had a nice response to my email telling me that uh uh they you know they're going to repair the uh
uh street and the sidewalk, but um they're going to look into the water problem because obviously if we have uh an employee of American Water saying it's going to keep happening up because of the pressure up the street then we're going to be out water many times And
obviously uh we've seen in Newark and many other uh you know Trenton the old old cities where they have uh wooden uh pipes. My so my neighborhood was built in 19 uh 67. So obviously we don't have the wood ones but uh I'm hoping they
address that because we can't keep having uh water mane breaks on our street and losing water on our street so twice this year already. So, um, that's one thing that I wanted to address and hopefully Mr. Gallow and, uh, you know, maybe, uh, Mayor Munch, maybe you can,
uh, make sure American Water is on top of that. I'd appreciate that. >> Yeah, we'll we'll follow up with them, make sure. And I know that, uh, your road is on the engineering design is done for paving. We are trying to, sometimes it's alternate bids and we also try to coordinate with the water companies, the gas companies, so that we're not if we know they're paving a
road next year or they're tearing it up. We attempt >> as much as we can coordinate. So, uh, but our engineering work is done. that is uh you know you hear people say you're on the list you guys are at the we've already got the engineering work done so you're at the top of the list once we coordinate with the water company
>> all right thank you for that also uh I I listen to your uh meetings on YouTube every every for every meeting and I heard that uh you're worried about the uh the you know electric rates have been skyrocketing and uh 12 years ago I put
solar panels on my house so I have 30 uh because luckily my my house faces north so on the south side of my house so I don't have to worry about that. [laughter] Yeah. And uh obviously the town it's a little different uh because like I looked at it am I going to buy
them and get the uh srex uh you know because that went down and then um but uh but you can also lease them and so what I did I leased them and so all I had to do is pay every month. So I I'm saving a lot of uh money and obviously
the high school has them on their park parking lot. So uh municipal solar is spreading around New Jersey. So maybe you should consider that too. >> There's uh there's also some larger scale community um solar projects too that have been at least you know folks are interested in it. There's some pros
and cons to some of them but uh yeah the larger scale projects but yeah certainly something to continue looking at for private owners and the township too. >> Yes. Okay. I trust everyone is aware that American Water Company is the purveyor of water uh in Bridgewater Township, including your street and my
street. Uh and and although they respond to water breaks, uh the the system it it's not a 100-year-old system, and so we don't suffer some of the same things as as the inner city stuff, but the pipe pipes do break. And it's unfortunate that there were two on that street uh
within within weeks. Uh but um I'm sure they're aware of the situation and and if there if there is a need for a longer term fix. Uh they did repair uh the area uh where where the construction took
place. I know at one point there was a concern as to the reconstruction of the grass area. Uh but I believe that was taken care of. So >> yes. Yeah. So they repaired and uh they put the Belgian blocks and they paved the >> Yeah. >> sidewalk again. Yes. >> Okay.
>> And I also want to thank you for your service. >> Oh, thank you. Thank you for recognizing it. >> Yes. >> And a long time. >> Yes. [laughter] >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. Uh, next person, please. Hi Kathy Franco we road. Um let me start
with um thanking Councilman Ngalis Credilla and Poso um for what I calculate to be over 50 years of combined service um on this council. Uh it is truly appreciated by the residents um that you have dedicated yourself in
that way. I want to give a special thank you to council president Mgalis for the courtesies that you have extended to all residents during the public comment period this year. It has truly been appreciated by all of us. Um now getting down to a little bit of
business. Um item 11 C um it's an ordinance amending uh and reconfiguring the health code. Um the fee increases are really significant and I don't know if you've all like compared what they
were to what they're going to be and I know it's been a very long time >> the fees have been increased but you know just as we get upset with New Jersey Transit or anybody else when they don't or you know the turnpike or Garden State Parkway when it's 35 cents forever
and then it goes up to a$125 or whatever. um you know it's just a drastic increase. I think in a couple of cases it was 400% um increase and and you know some of that is increases to small businesses when it comes to inspections and I don't
know if that's reflective of what we're being charged by Middbrook um for those inspections or not. I don't know if there's an answer to that or >> we we happen to be fortunate to have the director of human health and human services Christine Madrid is here.
>> Uh and I think she would tell you that what what we're doing is attempting to emulate the same rates that are used by the other members uh of the uh commission that that we are part of and have been part of for several years.
>> Well, what's the profit margin I guess is my question then. Is there a profit margin to this or are we simply covering our cost? >> Well, well, I I hope it covers the cost, but then I'm wondering obviously not an exact science, but the the goal here is that we have the township hasn't been
woefully deficient in keeping up with its fees. So, the problem when you do that is that there's larger jumps because you haven't kept up with the the cost. And so, when it's covering inspectors, covering the middle broke fees. So, this is supposed to help this is supposed to help us break even. Okay.
There's not a built-in profit margin in terms of pay, it's, you know. >> Thank you. No, I do appreciate that. And hopefully moving forward, we can stay up to date and, you know, u make sure we're covering our fees all the time. Um,
okay. And item nine, um 139 is ratifying, um a memo of agreement between International Brotherhood of Teamsters, local number 11. I just wondered who they represent. >> Public works. >> I'm sorry. >> They're the public works union.
>> Okay, great. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Have a good night and all. If I don't see you again the rest of this year, have a very happy new year and blessed holidays. Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to address the council? Come on up. Hey, Bob.
This is Bob Albano, a longterm councilman. 20 some odd years. >> 24. >> 24. And he and he still comes back to meetings. You just can't stay away from them. >> Lift up the mic. >> Lift the mic. There you go.
>> You all know that. Uh, distinguished council members, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Administrator, learned attorney, I've known and of course, how could I forget our learned clerk. I've known all of you for many,
many years. Um, I come here, three things tonight. Um, I come here first as a representative of the Martinsville Rescue Squad, of which I am an active writing member and trustee and [clears throat] bring to your attention
Assembly Bill 675. I have a copy of it and I will give it to uh Grace. um in which um the state is going to propose that emergency medical service become an essential service and it of course it has ramifications of who
pays for it but I'd ask the council including the new council members to take it under consideration as a 24-year member of the Martinszo rescue squad. Um I've seen what we do
and you all know what we do. Uh let's see. Well, some of you have been served. Anyway, this is great. >> Thank you. >> Um I I know we have a an EMS advisory committee and it may want to be referred
to that. I know you got the uh report from that committee of which I was a member. Uh so that's item number number one. Item number two is it's been said many times tonight. Thank you. Uh but
unlike other persons who've spoken, they have not been on that side to know what it's really like. And so I can truthfully say I know what you do. I know what it takes and I do appreciate
each and every one of you. And uh I wish you good luck in your future endeavors. and I know I will see you around town again. And to the incoming members, I
wish them the best of luck. And as I have attempted to bring benefit of my experience to current members, I would offer that to the uh council members elect. And the
final thing I have to ask, as you know, when I was council member, a council president, I kept track of the number of compliments that were indicated or given to the council. I believe Howard, you are the current
>> Yes. >> keeper of that record. >> 29 >> up to 29. >> 29. >> 16 when I left. So, I I hope that you will pass that honorable uh challenge on to the new members uh and keep that going because
it's important to know that you who work so hard need to know that we do appreciate what you do. So, that I wish you all a happy new year. And Mike, I will see you again. [laughter] Matt, I will see you often and I'll see
all of you. Mike, Phipe, good luck, Howard, Allan, Chris, >> best wishes to you. >> Happy New Year, happy Merry Christmas and everything else that you will celebrate. >> Thank you.
Next person, please. Hi, good [clears throat] excuse me, good evening. Andrew Bako, 543 Baywood Lane. I would also like to um uh comment on item 11 C and uh uh besides the increase in fees which I
understand after 16 years they probably do need to be uh uh re-evaluated and and some of them are are frankly rather low. Um, I did notice that there is a significant fee cut in the form of the in reinspection fee uh for food
establishments that fail the health inspection. Uh, the first um uh the first reinspection um was $500. It it's been cut down to $150, which would be a 70% discount from
the current fee. The second reinspection, an 85% cut from $1,000 down to the same $150. The third reinspection, a 92.5%
cut from $2,000 down to $150. And uh the current uh ordinance says the basically if you need a fourth inspection, uh you're losing your license. The changed text does not
include that. In fact, it just says that the reinspection fee will be $150 presumably no matter how many times a reinspection needs to take place. Um, great if you run a sloppy food service
business. Uh, maybe not so good if you're a uh customer of that. Um, I also want to point out that the school cafeteria and the church and nonprofit uh fees previously were set to none. Um,
that is also been removed. Presumably, you want to collect the inspection fees from uh schools, churches, and nonprofits as well. Um uh I just uh think that maybe more attention needs to be paid to the uh
details of the change. Um because uh while it's uh it's good to bring some of these more in line with uh neighboring towns and and also the uh costs that the township uh bears from um various
inspections. Um, uh, cutting the reinspection fees probably does not make sense. I don't know. That's just me. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Andrew. Anyone else wishing wishing to address
the council? Come on up. >> Good evening. My name is Kyle Bow. I'm an employee. >> Fill your name in, please. >> Thank you. Hi uh council and mayor. Um this afternoon the uh yesterday when the
agenda was posted or recently when the agenda was posted I don't know if it was yesterday um there was a call for a change to the or a new Bridgewater employee handbook um that is to be considered for this evening's council. Um, I was able to obtain a copy.
>> Could you step closer to the mic, please, so we can make sure we record you? >> Obtained a copy of the um employee handbook that's proposed late this afternoon. Um, I want to note that particularly it does not change the current status or
uh employment benefits of existing employees. Um, however, there's a significant change in the in regard to sick leave that is earned by township employees. Uh the existing uh ordinance allows employees 15 days of
sick leave and for that time to be carried over year to year. The proposed document shows that 30 hours worked uh crews one hour of sick leave and a maximum of 40 hours of sick leave can be
um carried forward to the future years significantly impacting employees in the future. um to utilize sick time in future years should uh health be a concern. So just wanted to make that noted um and make sure that the council
was aware of the that and and many other changes that may be presented. So thank you very much. >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to address the council? >> Seeing no movement, could I have most movement to close public input?
>> I'll make that motion. All those in favor? >> I I >> I opposed. Okay, we're closed to the public. Uh, okay. Uh, moving on to public hearing and final action. 11A is a bond ordinance providing an
appropriation of one uh $4.1 million for Middlebrook Sanitary Sewer Pumping Station Improvements phase two in and by the Township of Bridgewater in the county of Somerset, New Jersey, and authorizing the issuance of $4.1 million in bonds or notes of the township for
financing part of the appropriation. Now, normally the process for a bond, by the way, it requires a bonding requires a supermajority. That is to say, four affirmative votes of a body of five. Uh we're going to hold we're going to break this into two pieces tonight. We're
going to hold the public hearing if anyone wants to address this matter, but we are not going to take final action and vote. Uh there is at least one question that has arisen within the council that needs to be addressed. Uh I do expect final action to take place
which would mean a vote. Uh so I >> Yeah, that's on advice of council John. >> Yeah. By bond council suggestion is that we proceed with the with a public hearing uh but simply uh carry the vote the final vote till next one.
>> John's relying on that in his discipline. >> All right. Well, if you prefer, I'll take it off. >> All right, I'll tell you what. >> Do what John said and then if we need to. >> Okay. >> Yeah, Harry, I think proceed with the proceed with the public hearing if we have to have a second public hearing at next.
>> All right. Uh, could I have a motion, please, to open a public hearing for 118? >> I'll make that motion. >> Okay. Uh, all those in favor of opening. >> All right. All right. We are now open for public input. Anyone wishing to address this council on 11A, which is
the bond ordinance for $4.1 million for a redo of pumping station. Come on up or down, depending on which game show we're on. >> Hi, Kathy Franco. Um, I I have one
question, which is um, you know, this is $4.1 million. um and it's bond and I don't know over what period of time but how will that affect the sewer rates um that we're being charged currently um because you know we've had drastic
increases over the past 5 years and you know I just want us to be able to anticipate what additional increases we might have with taking out $4.1 million that wasn't there before >> anyone wishing to
>> I I don't have off the top of my head what the um what the expected repayment period is. we have the information bond council does. So before the next meeting, we can make sure you get it in terms of we won't know what the budget impact is until we know what the overall budget is every year, but we can
certainly figure out uh as a general matter the e the expected cost the expected based on interest that's going to be paid back each. >> Yeah, this one is a little bit unique too and we can get you information because this is this is not traditional bonding. This is done through the I bank which is a state program which has
different um different parameters. This is not like the same bonding we do with the roads where we just borrow the money go out. It's a unique program for infrastructure projects. Okay. >> It makes it better rates and better terms for us. >> Okay. Great. Thank you very
a plant that really really needs to work. >> I I I you know I understand um you know I just know that we've had significant increases in that budget and in the fees that we've been charged. So, I just want to be able to plan for my budget at
home. Um, how much I need to budget for sewer fees. Thank you. >> Uh, and by the way, the eye bank that the mayor has nothing to do with eyes. It It's the infrastructure bank. I thought first when I heard about it, it was eyesight, but it's not. It's it's the infrastructure bank. Anyone else wishing to address the council on this
matter? U Joan Guyger, Councilwoman Elect. Um I just want to say that I understand how serious this is. Um and I do want to thank Councilman Kersh, Councilman Ngalas. Um, and I'm going to meet with Councilman Ring to to to learn as much
as I can about this particular issue because it it may not be the sexiest topic in the world, but it is very very serious and we understand the need to replace the 50year-old >> system and and beyond. So, thank you.
>> Probably the best part of learning experience really is a visit to the station. Uh, and uh and it's not creepy or anything. It's just it it's smelly. Uh and it you'll give you a firsthand in firsthand view. I I think seeing is
believing. Uh and and so at some point when uh Mr. Papus can arrange for a a a trip to you, it's not very far. It's by UPS. >> Will he volunteer to come with me? >> Well, he did last time. >> Okay. All right. >> No, I am. I'm planning on it. >> That's good. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Should I move to close the uh public hearing on 11A? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second, please. >> Second. >> Okay, we are closed for the public hearing. >> May I have a brief discussion? >> Sorry. >> Just a brief discussion. There's been
conversation anytime we bring up the utility of the massive increase and and that requires context. The context is that the sewer rate was stuck at 3.99, if I'm not mistaken, for like a 12-ear
period. Um, candidly, the sewer utility that I inherited when I took office in January of 2020 was both a fiscal and on the verge of being a physical disaster. Um, so this administration and this
council took the responsible step of resetting the um the uh sewer utility rate to an amount that would allow us to achieve both fiscal and physical uh stability. It was rampantly irresponsible of the previous
administration to live in the year 2018, 2019 into 2020 uh as though it was still 2007. Uh and um so yes, the rate is higher. Uh but candidly um it was um it
was an inevitability that that was going to have to happen. Um so um you know those who want to spin it different ways can spin it different ways but those who sit on this day either today or in the future have a responsibility for both the fiscal and the physical uh uh health
of that sewer utility. Um and uh you know that that's the context that's critically important anytime that we we we we speak of that. So uh so that's my comment. >> I have a I have a couple comments. Uh
just number one uh in response to Councilman Kersh that may be true. However, proof in the pudding is the fact that you transferred $730,000 from the sewer budget to the municipal budget. So that means it's there's certainly proof that the sewer bill the
sewer budget is excessive. I think that there's room to give some money back to the to the taxpayer. The sewer bill should be lowered. Uh when it comes to this particular ordinance, we're not voting on it today. Um, so I guess I'll just I'll defer comment. I I feel like in general that if uh the governing body
is going to vote on $4.1 million in bonding, it's a significant number. Uh having an election just occurred in November and the voters have spoken. Uh I would defer this topic to the the new council members to vote on it. That would be my position. I think that
incident they're going to get sworn in in a matter of weeks. Um the voters have put upon them the responsibility of dealing with these issues. It's 4.1 $4.1 million in bonding. Uh I I would at this point um my position would be that that there should be this should really this
issue should go on to the new the new governing body sitting here in January. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh the final action on 11A will be carried to December 17th uh for the meeting at 7:30. Uh moving to uh 11B, an ordinance amending chapter 138,
massage and body work therapy of the municipal code of the township bridge order to clarify certain provisions thereof. Uh Mr. Papus or mayor, would you like to comment on that one, please? >> Uh no, this has been discussed before.
This is updating our municipal code on this topic. It's I got I'd like to at this point open up 11B for a uh for public meeting for public hearing and final action on uh 11B. >> I'll make that motion.
>> Second, please. >> I'll second it. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I Okay, we're we're open. By the way, this issue uh first came to us through the health department and the police department. uh both of which have been concerned about the uh the effectiveness
of the of their ability to be able to monitor uh these functions within the township. Uh we are now open for a public hearing on on 11B. Anyone wishing to address the council on this matter uh please come
forward. Seeing no action, could I have a motion to close public hearing on 11B and move for final action? >> I'll make that motion, but could I make a comment? >> Yes, sir. Let's make the motion then we'll then we'll hear comments. Second, please. >> I I'll second.
>> Okay, go ahead. Now, now your comment, please. >> In all the years that we've been sitting on the governing body, there have been many interesting topics. Some that make you scratch your head, some that make you wonder what's going on. This topic
makes you sick in all honesty. When you find the police report, you see what's going on and what the intent is of the inappropriate activities that this ordinance wants to address.
I will say to everybody the u this goes beyond your imagination as to what's going on in these facilities. Not all, but there there are some that really you wish you could just padlock them and say, "Get the hell out of town." Thank
you. >> Okay, Mr. President, just the briefest of comments. Um, this uh this ordinance will uh uh allow those uh establishments that operate legally uh to continue to uh hopefully be successful and prosper
and those that are uh operating less legally would would face additional consequence. uh via our um our ordinance. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> I have a question. >> Okay. >> Perhaps maybe for council or for the
administration in section 9, paragraph Q. So, paragraph Q. Um it says no employee of any massage, body of work, etc., etc., etc. uh shall possess any personal lubricant,
calm lingerie or suggestive clothing. What is suggestive clothing mean? I mean that could be like wearing yoga pants. What does that mean? Suggestive clothing. Is that defined somewhere? >> Well, that's the problem. I mean, you can't leave a a ordinance the
imagination. I think it's a tool in the tool box to help people similar to what Justice said. I think >> in the eyes of the beholder. Well, it was actually [laughter] uh you know it when you see it. Uh
>> yeah, >> council can council can vote on how how this >> I mean I be can we can we I think suggestive clothing uh really should be defined because it's subjective when you
ask holding people to a standard that's that's really that they don't even know what it is and it's not really fair because there are a lot of legal massage parlors, right? and and then you're holding them to a standard that they
normally know know what to do to comply. >> Okay. >> You know, I'm saying it just subjective. What is what is that? What does that mean? >> Yeah. If I may comment, um, this document has been available to members of council for probably 60 days. Uh, and I have reviewed every single line of
this. Uh, and I provided multiple comments, probably Mr. Papus, as many as 10 or 12 comments. some of which all of which were considered uh 14. Thank you. Um so at some point in the last 60 days at least I for one read
this uh document in its entirety provided feedback all of which was considered uh you know I think one or two items may have been uh clarified. Uh so I think at this very late stage uh commentary like that uh is is just
clearly questionable in terms of the amount of preparation that was done for this hearing. Thank you. I only had three comments at the time. A roll call, please, on 11B. >> I have another qu another question. >> We'll call for the roll call. >> Huh? >> Go ahead. >> I can't ask any more questions.
>> No, you're done. >> No, I'm done. All right. >> Councilman Crush. >> Yes. >> Councilman Quadiller. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pedroso. >> Uh, I'm I think the ordinance is vague. I'm going to vote no. It's not clear enough. It's not well written.
>> President Ogalas. >> Yes. Okay. Uh moving on. An ordinance uh amending this is uh D C uh an ordinance amending chapter 94 to aven to amend and recon reconfigure subsection F health
thereof of the municipal code of the township of Bridgewater. Uh motion to open the council. >> Make the motion to open. I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I I All right. We are open for public input on 11C, an ordinance amending
chapter 94 fees to amend and reconfigure subsection F therefore of the municipal code of the township of bridge order. Anyone wishing to address the council, please come forward. Seeing no movement of the public, motion. Oh, we do have
>> just like to reiterate my comments about >> I put your uh >> Yeah, Andrew 543 Berrywood Lane. just like to reiterate my comments about the uh changes to the uh reinspection fees and the significant cut and uh boon it
would be to a uh um less than sanitary uh establishment. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to address the council? Could I have a motion to close public input? Move for final action, please. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second, M.
>> I I'll second and then I think there may be discussion. Mr. C President, I just have one uh one quick comment if I I could uh to answer uh questions from uh Mr. Buckco. Um the uh the fees that were there, the the prior fees that you referenced that were like $1,000 or real
high. Um the reality is is that township because they were so high, the township wasn't charging them in practice. So this is actually bringing it more in line than which would have been occurring. That said, I don't disagree with you that if you're there for like a second or third reinspection that perhaps the fees should be um you know
elevated by the time you get to the second or the third reinspection. So I certainly don't have any um objection to um if uh if in January uh you want to propose sit down and propose an amendment to it on that section, I'd be happy to work with you on it. Um you
know or we could consider it now. But I think the because of all the other fee sections, I'd be more inclined to um suggest that we pass it now. And if in all seriousness, if you want to address that section or take a look at those things, we can come back in January just to focus on the reinspection fees
without holding up the rest of the of the ordinance at this time. >> And public needs to realize that health inspections are are they they're punitive if you if you fail inspection and that you have to pay to get reinspected. But the function is to get
the the situation to a healthy state where nobody gets sick. And therefore, it's it's in the best interest of the township uh and the health department. We want to recover our cost to make sure we're not subsidizing somebody else's activity. Uh but it's it's a very
important function. Okay. Did we have a second? >> I'll second it. Con that >> uh consistent with my statement doing the council portion, I'm going to vote no. I think the fees are increasing excessively.
It's the pattern. Roll call. >> Okay. Councilman Kersh. >> Yes. >> Councilman Codeller. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pedroso. >> No. >> President Ogalas. >> Yes. All right. We're up to uh D, which is an ordinance amending chapter 216, recorder roster section 216-7, issuance
of license, denial, suspension, termination of the municipal code of the township of Bridgewater to create a new suspension provision. Could I have a motion, please, to open to the public on >> I'll make that motion. >> A second, please.
>> I'll second. Now, anyone in the public wishing to come forward to talk about the ordinance amending the record roster, please come forward. Seeing no movement. Could I have a motion to close the public input?
>> I'll make that motion. >> Second. I'll second it. Now, discussion. Any discussion on this? I know this is an issue that the police department has uh has shared a fair amount of insight. This has been a resid this has been a
consistent pro a persistent problem over numerous years and this provides the teeth with which to address that issue so that all uh recorder organizations are operating on the same plane. Any
other discussion? Any other comments among uh roll call please? >> Councilman Kush. >> Yes. >> Codeller. >> Yes. Councilman >> Pedroso. >> Yes. >> President Ogalas. Yes. All right. We're moving to 12A, which is an introduction
of ordinance. 12A, an ordinance of the township of Bridgewater amending section 126 of the Bridgewater Township Code, repealing and replacing section 126-321.10 10 titled AH3 affordable housing zone
allowing for 11 100% affordable multif family residential development units and four disabled veterans housing units pursuant to the provisions of the fair housing act and any uniform housing and affordability controls on block 406 lot
2.01. Um, >> I'll make a motion to introduce. >> Okay. Could I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Uh, any uh open for discussion now on uh on this one? This is an introduction.
>> Pardon? >> Just council president. Just a just as a a commentary. >> Oh, I wasn't open to public. I meant within the council. I'm sorry. I was going to say uh just on this item uh just to make sure that I do understand the um both the concerns from the from the from the uh residents in the
surrounding area as well as the requests from our incoming council members. And um you know the um the reality is on this particular project. I think this may be information few people know already but just to make sure uh for our affordable housing plan because of the
type of housing that this is which is for disabled veterans and uh it's all affordable project uh for us we get uh extra bonus credits on it um so if this was a market rate if we had to replace if this project went away um we wouldn't
be replacing 15 units we'd have to replace about 150 units is what the ramp ramp ification would be if this project um was not vanished because the we get bonus credits, we get double credits for the fact that it's an all affordable
project with especially with the type of housing that it is and if a private developer was doing it, they do it on a 4:1 ratio. Um so for us it's the question is 15 units or about 150 units. And so while I wish we didn't have to do any of this housing anywhere in town, um
the reality is is that we do by state law. And um this is the best of a bunch of bad options for us at a township uh townshipwide plan. So um uh and we recently just or late last week,
Governor Murphy gave awarded Bridgewater $3 million towards this project um to help fund it uh with state money. So, it's not coming out of all of our affordable housing funds. So, um this is a significant project and cornerstone piece to our affordable housing plan.
And while I um wish uh we could wait and uh let our new council colleagues um have the joy of voting for it or against it. Um the reality is is that this is so important to our plan that um we need to do it uh and get it done with the state
money that we have uh to make sure we don't lose this project for the plan. Motion to introduce. >> Did we already do that? >> We did. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Don't interrupted. >> Okay. >> I have a comment. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um I'm not going to support this
because uh I have an issue with the township's affordable housing plan. Uh some time back I had asked the administration to consider uh what will be the cost analysis of the township uh self building the affordable housing to mitigate the impact on our community and
our township. Um my you know I believe it was going to get done but then it got totally ignored and never got anything back. There's been really no consideration for it. I think the township will at least look into it. They haven't done that. Um, so I'm going to vote no.
>> Mr. President, if I may comment, uh, I can't speak for the, uh, reaction that the administration did or did not have, but I believe that the, uh, proposal that was made for, uh, self-funding would have easily costed millions upon millions of dollars. That was not going
to be, you know, a $50,000 or $100,000, something at the margins. that was likely to be a multi-million dollar uh uh requirement of certainly an amount of money uh that we do not have lying around. >> That's I mean that's a guess. We we don't even know what it would cost
because administr you're cutting me off. I don't cut anybody off. I got cut off. We we don't even know what that cost would would have been because no analysis was done. the cost if I if you're finished the cost of land acquisition and construction construction in the state
of New Jersey at this point is typically going to be in excess of $200 per foot. >> So, you know, let's be real. Any any type of impactful program would have cost millions, even tens of millions of dollars. And perhaps if it was a serious proposal, there could or should have
been some numbers put onto a piece of paper so that it could be reacted to. Well, that's I'm going to call for the role this roll call, please. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Codilla, >> yes. >> Councilman Pedroso, >> no. >> President Oalis,
>> yes. And now, >> yeah. Final act, final [clears throat] action for this ordinance um is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17th. Um here at the municipal courtroom at 7:30 p.m. Public inspection of this ordinance will be made available on the
township website, on the bulletin board, and in the clerk's office. A copy of this ordinance will also be presented to the planning board for their review and recommendation. >> Councilman Kersh, it would have been over it would have been over over $und00 million not including ongoing fees
depending on cost depending on who was operating the township purchase plan. >> That's another guess because no analysis was done. >> That's not true. >> That's another guess. Uh, reading 12B, an ordinance amending chapter 26, personnel policies, article 4,
compensation and pay periods of the municipal code of the township of Bridgewater clarify compensation standards. Uh, Mr. Papis, would you uh provide details on that, please? Um the council has before it a draft resolution that other municipalities
have utilized that would simply in this case uh clarify how uh types of increases that non-union employees would receive. Uh we do have three collective bargaining units that their compensation increases are contained within the uh
collective bargaining agreements and so this uh addresses that. It also uh addresses a couple of other [clears throat] um provisions of um our ordinances that really update them to meet the uh Fair Labor Standards Act. Um
and um I think that really covers the major points here. >> Could I could I have a motion, please, on on this ordinance? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second, please. >> Second. >> Okay. Uh any other comments? Uh, if not, um, roll call, please.
>> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Codilla, >> yes. >> Councilman Pedroso, >> yes. >> President Ogalis, >> yes. >> Um, final action for this ordinance is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17th at 7:30 p.m. here in the municipal courtroom. Public inspection of this
ordinance will be made available on the township website, the bulletin board, and in the clerk's office. A copy of this ordinance? No, that's it. >> Thank you. I'm moving to C. An ordinance of the township of Bridgewater amending section 320.3 entitled BRCC Bridgewater
Regional Corporate Corporate Center zone within chapter 126 land use of the municipal code of the township of Bridgewater so as to bring the Bridgewater regional corporate center zone into conformance with the township 2025 master plan re-examination report
and its adoption by the township planning board. Any comments, Mr. Papus or mayor? >> The only the only comments I have is that uh you know these 12 C and 12D are you know the first in several you know what will be an ongoing process of now
taking the master plan that was um adopted throughout this year and now it comes to the council to implement the master plan. As everyone knows master plan's a a guiding document but it's not law until the council passes it. So the
planning board has uh begun its role now of reviewing implementation and uh in this case it's going to provide more flexibility uh to this particular uh area and zone in Bridgewater. >> Thank you. Uh motion introduced please. >> I have a question. There isn't a um a
map provided. What is the BRCC zone? >> It's right by TW it's like 22. It's like SJP properties. It's the the um not the mall uh >> you know area but the office buildings by the uh by the mall. >> It's only that specific area.
>> Yeah, it's basically right there. It's uh uh it does not cover ethicon property. Uh I don't I don't believe >> that's why the maximum floor area is set at 5,000 square feet not because the area is limited. >> Yes. >> Got it.
>> Thank you. [clears throat] >> Yeah. Yeah. Mr. just mentioned that the the report that's attached that you should have or you can get has the details attached to it. >> Okay. All right. Again, motion to introduce. >> I'll make that motion.
>> Thank you. A second. I'll second it. Roll call, please, on introduction. >> Councilman Kersh. >> Yes. >> Councilman Codeller. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pedroso. >> Yes. >> President Ogalas. >> Yes. Okay. Moving to D. An ordinance of the township of Bridgetard or amending section one.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. Please. >> Final action once again is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17th here at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal courtroom. Public inspection will be available on the township website, the bulletin board, and in the clerk's office. And this ordinance will also be presented to the
planning board for their review and recommendation. >> Thank you. An ordinance of the township of Bridgewater amending section 126 of the Bridgewater Township Code amending section 126-311 titled C1 neighborhood business zone to permit additional
conditional uses. >> Thank you um council president. This like I said this is the next another one of the process of updating the master plan. This addresses updating the C1 neighborhood business zones. That's like uh Martinsville, certain areas of of
Finder areas where it's um uh yeah like the you know the smaller again traditionally neighborhood type businesses uh to bring it into conformance with the recommendations of me plan. >> Excellent. Thank you. Uh >> question. >> Yes. question.
>> Uh, section I C8A uh allows for mixed use buildings above above the second above the main floor up to two stories residential and up to threetory buildings. Do you know what is
the current allowed the currently allowed building heights in that area as it is prior to this amendment? Do we allow threetory buildings in Martinsville? I don't know off the top of my head. It should be in the the report. The planning board is still going to they
just looked at this. Um I don't have the report um here, but um it's there. Yeah, we could check it out, introduce it, and then if there's a height issue, but I don't believe we're if we're not increasing um you can't go like five stories in this area, but I don't know if I'm ahead
of three is allowed or if it's something less than that. >> I can't think of. >> Right. Somebody will find out from >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Okay. Uh, I'll move the introduction of this. Could I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Uh, roll call, please. Introduction on a D.
>> Councilman Kersh. Yes. >> Councilman Kodeller. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pedroso. >> I'm going to abstain because I don't have that information. >> President Ogalas. >> Yes. >> Um, final action is scheduled for
Wednesday, December 17th, um, at 7:30 p.m. here in the municipal courtroom. Public inspection will be made available on the township website, the bulletin board, and in the clerk's office. And once again, this ordinance will be presented to the planning board for their review and recommendation.
>> Thank you. All right, we're moving up to section 13, which is resolutions 13A, resolution adopting the Township of Bridgewater employee handbook. Now, if there's anything that has had a long, long tail to it, it is it is this one.
uh all the way back to the Flannery administration and I am overjoyed to know that we are making progress in having an employee handbook >> and and council Gallas I want to thank you for the work and obviously you have
done uh this has been a a project that you have uh uh taken a large interest in in in uh uh advocating for and pushing along and we were I'm glad that we were able to to do it um uh while you were on
the deis to see it come to fruition. >> Thank you. >> And uh the only comment other than you know uh a lot of our employees as people know a lot of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. So to some extent for those employees certain things are um addressed in those
uh those agreements. But there are uh separate employee handbook that can supplement the collective bargaining contracts the extent that they're not in conflict or address non um the non-un employees. So this is updating that. It's gone through extensive review. The
one comment that was made by one of our employees um I I I believe and and we could certainly get him the information. I believe he's uh was misreading the particular section of the handbook. um that section he was looking at is applying to non- full-time employees, not full-time employees. Uh so there's
different policy about sickly for full-time employees uh different than the non uh full-time employees and the handbook is really a living document and over time uh if it needs to be changed, amended, etc. uh I'm sure
there'll be opportunities in the future to continue to enhance it. Uh, with that in mind, could I have a motion to uh resolve 13A, the employee handbook? >> Mr. Mr. President, why don't you move that?
>> He's We have a motion. Okay. Second. >> Well, why don't you second it? >> I'll be I'll be glad to second it. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Codilla, >> yes. >> Councilman Pedroso, >> yes. >> President Ogalis, >> yes. Council President, I just also want to build on the mayor's comments here.
In addition to collective agreements, we've always had chapter 26 of the municipal code. >> Thank you. Okay, moving to B. Authorizing the Bridgewater Tax Collector and treasurer to release premium bid money, which is actually $22,700.
Uh any comments on that? If not, could I have a motion on allowing that that release of funds? I'll make that motion. >> Thank you. Second, please. I'll second it. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Codiller,
>> yes. >> Pedroso, >> yes. >> President Ogalas, >> yes. Moving to C. Uh, this is an easy one. Resolution requesting approval of items of revenue and appropriation for NJS40 under 40 4A 487
Country Club Road Ardsley Lane and Gold Fringe Drive Improvement Project in the amount of $356,411 uh under budget chapter 159. So folks, this is incoming money to us. Uh any comments? Uh could I have a a motion? Please
>> make that motion. Okay. Second. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> This is a grant. >> Yes. >> Kersh. >> Yes. >> Codilla. >> Yes. >> Pedroso. >> Yes. >> President Ogalas.
>> Yes. Uh D is authorizing the award of contract seeks Kioa Ford 215 US highway 202 Flemington New Jersey 08822 for the total amount not to exceed $144,231
for the acquisition of two 200 year is 2026 Ford F350 trucks via the Mars County Cooperative Pricing System contract number 15 C item number 12 to be funded through clean communities
grant from 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Uh these are to replace aging uh vehicles at DPW. Uh any additional comments from the right hand side? >> Yeah. Yeah. The only uh comment is that this is being paid through the clean
communities grant. So it says budget neutral. >> And Mr. Mayor also that this was discussed extensively through the budget process and is an anticipated action uh that that relates to our our budget from this year.
>> Yes. Okay. Um I'll move it. Can I have a second, please? I'll second. Uh roll call, please. >> Councilman Kersh. Yes. >> Codilla. >> Yes. >> Pedroso. >> Yes. >> President Ogalas. >> Yes. Okay. E is authorizing the award of contract to Paveright Incorporated, 40
Radal Avenue, Bridgewater, New Jersey 0807 for the total amount not to exceed $68,746.40 for the Ash Street Road repairs via the Somerset County Open-ended Cooperative Pricing System contract number
CC-000028-24. Any any comment, Mr. Papus? Uh the only comment I have uh council president is that if you remember there was a resident here talking about dangerous road conditions uh on Asht Street couple couple months ago um with regard to the pipes that was crushing in the road and
um this is in response to that. We were able to address that issue through the cooperative pricing. >> Excellent. Uh motion please. >> I'll make the motion. Motion. I hear motion. I hear a second. Roll call please. >> Kersh. >> Yes. >> Codilla. Yes.
>> Councilman Pedroso. >> Yes. >> President Oasis. >> Yes. >> Okay. F is authorizing change order number one and final change order decreasing the amended contract price from $651,677.93 to $651,52.35.
A decrease of $6258. Authorizing acceptance of the project. Release of the performance bond. acceptance of the maintenance bond and final payment to Topline Construction, 225th Street, Somerville, New Jersey 08876 for the Foxcraftoft Road and
Spring Valley Drive roadway improvement project which includes the entire lengths of Foxcraftoft Road, Spring Valley Drive funded through the 2023 Road Improvement Capital Fund and and 2023 New Jersey DOT municipal aid grant.
That's a great story by the way. Uh I'll move acceptance of this one. Second roll call please. >> Kersh. >> Yes. >> As Kodell. >> Yes. >> Pedroso. >> Yes. >> President. >> Yes. We're up to G. Resolution ratifying
the memorandum agreement between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters local number 11 and township or Bridgewater for terms to a successor collective negotiations agreement. Mr. Papist, we need some help on this. some time.
[clears throat] >> Uh the uh township successfully negotiated a four-year contract with the Teamsters. Um it is uh the substance of the changes are captured in the few page MOA that um I had reviewed with the of
course the mayor and then with the council and um this is to officially approve this and a contract that would uh capture these amendments. >> Great. Okay. Thank you. Um could I have
a motion please to accept G? I'll make that motion >> and I'll second it. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Kersh, yes. >> Councilman Kodilla, >> yes. >> Councilman Pedroso, >> yes. >> President Gallas, >> yes. Do we have any close session?
>> We do. >> Okay, we have no close session. We are up to a very very special part of our agenda tonight, which is adjournment. And it is my pleasure to offer adjournment uh if uh if the rest of the
council is willing. Anyone? >> I'm not gonna I'm not I'm not gonna object. >> Motion to adjurnn. All those in favor >> by saying I. Okay. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending tonight. Uh we are adjourned. >> One more meeting.