with the township clerk. Can we have the roll call, please? >> Councilman Bako >> here. >> Councilwoman Isla >> here. >> Councilman Kersh >> here. >> Councilman Ring, >> good evening. Here. >> President Ga >> here. I think we all 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. Next, we have the presentation of the
minutes for the approval. And I believe the minutes for the December 17th, 2026 session are not ready yet. >> Okay. >> Well, that would be the December 17th, 2025. That's right. >> If the 26 are ready, we have a problem.
>> That's right. That's right. Um, so I think uh we need a motion to uh review them next at the next meeting instead. No, >> no, we just need to carry. >> Okay. They will be carried. I think the same is true for the um reorganization
meeting minutes from January 5th, 2026. So, they will also be carried. >> That's correct. >> Okay. So, now we have the township council reports. Not sure what the order is. Who usually goes first? Do we have >> you asked to go first?
>> Oh, it's arbitrary. Well, I guess I'll start in alphabetical order. Andrew, welcome. >> Hi. Good evening. Thank you, Madam President. Um, my uh uh report is going to be uh fairly brief uh considering um only been in the
uh officially in the position for three full days. Uh so um I'll just say that I had the opportunity and the privilege to attend the township uh Christmas tree lighting and monora lighting in December. And uh just like to uh thank
the township employees and volunteers who put those events uh together and um had them go off without a hitch. um they should definitely be commended um uh for the uh the great work.
>> Okay, I think we're going to go in move movement order. Uh Councilman Kersh, your report. >> Yes, thank you. Um I'm not going to go back to the way back machine of 25. I'm just going to uh acknowledge that since we last met, I attended on uh Tuesday evening the 6th both the ribbon cutting
and the reorganization meeting in our neighboring burrow of Rariton. uh Donald Tazy was named the new mayor. Uh the previous um mayor Cara had resigned and um new mayor Tazy uh will serve um uh at
least the the first year of the unexpired term. Uh I did want to speak briefly about an issue um that I know is important to all of us in the room, will certainly be an important theme for the year, and that is affordability. Uh, I find it interesting that affordability kind of became this
buzzword. Uh, the, um, now mayor of New York, he talked about it a great deal and our governor elect talked about it. Um, uh, my point of view is it's really, it's nothing new. Um, affordability has been a concern that we've had in Bridgewater on this day. So, I know it's
a concern that people have around their kitchen tables as they're discussing their own family's affairs. Um during the reorganization meeting I spoke about the finding a sweet spot between affordability and desiraability. Potentially desiraability also includes
or may have a separate bucket smart development. Uh and those are going to be certainly important things for our for this group to work through during this year. Uh I also heard at least once during the reorganization meeting a comment to the effect a budget is a reflection of a community's values. And
I agree with that 100% mainly because I think I I've spoken the same or very similar words uh at at at several times over the last six years. One thing to consider though is uh you know we are living in a hyper or we have been living in a hyperinflationary time. Just a
couple of quick stats. The 2021 uh inflation rate this is national 4.7% 2022 8.0 0 2023 4.1 2024 still being finally calculable which should in be in the range of 3 to 3.2 and this year's is
expected to be 2.7. The net of that is when you add that up that's nearly 25% specifically 24.76% over the last uh 5 years. Uh and we we all feel that we all feel that when we've tried to buy gas, groceries, uh automobiles, you know, you you name it.
Um and and the challenge that we have uh here is that you know not only are we you know personally feeling it but then you know we have the responsibility to deliver uh outstanding government um that is uh uh consistent services consistent and reliable services and
keep it at a price tag uh that uh that people can afford. Of course energy costs a major problem. Uh we did have a circumstance unfortunately where our state government was derelct in their responsibility to provide long-term capacity and that's the main reason why we've seen uh all at a personal level uh
you know that uh skip of your heartbeat when you opened your uh when you open your uh electric bill. Unfortunately governments do that too. We open our electric bill, the school district opens their electric bill. Um and um you know my final thought on this subject is we
need to continue to make decisions where we can avoid being pennywise and pound foolish. We need to make sure that we are providing not only for our immediate needs but also reasonable medium and long-term needs as well. And that's my report. >> Thank you Councilman Kersh. Councilman Ring.
>> I'll be very brief. No report. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Councilman um Isla. >> Thank you. Council woman. >> Um, so on New Year's Eve, my family and I drove through a very interesting event. It was beautiful. It's called the
Bridgewater Tree Balls and Luminaries. So, it was located around 1632 South Brick Drive. And they actually collected food bank. Um, they had a bin to collect all the perishable donations there. And the event ended yesterday. It was very beautiful. But, you know, feel
free to donate to any food bank in the area. um as a continuation of the affordability crisis that people are feeling, our neighbors are feeling. And then on Tuesday of this week, uh Joan and I uh went over to Hillsboro for their reorg meeting. And they currently
um have three women on their committee, including uh electing a new uh female mayor. So, congratulations to Hillsboro on this new milestone. Uh that's all for me. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. I believe uh I
I have no report other than to say I'm thrilled to be here and thank you to all the people that have showed up today. Um now it's time for the mayor's report. Mayor Mench, >> thank you. Good evening. Um I have no report uh this evening other than um the
proclamation which is item seven. So I can read that now uh if you'd like, council president. >> Sure. >> Um just for some some very brief background for the for the council. I think many of you may not know from some of the other meetings or from the public. Um, you know, one of the issues at the end of the year that we passed
was a an ordinance that was helping to strengthen the enforcement abilities for some of the u various massage parlors um to make sure that all the massage parlors in town are operating uh appropriately within the bounds of the laws and not uh providing extra services
that are um not permitted by law. And one of the things that in looking and learning about this issue is that um you know a lot of human trafficking um folks are uh forced to work in facilities that
don't provide legal services and it's massage parlor. It's also a lot of um hair and nail salons uh have a lot of human trafficking that goes through them. And it's a it's an issue not just for uh for the workers that are in the places that operate illegally. Um but
those folks those places also attract people to Bridgewater or a town that would have a facility that's operating inappropriately which puts our residents at risk. And we've seen that happen uh in to a resident here in Bridgewater who was attacked by somebody who was trying to go to a place that um we don't
believe operates legally. So um it's a uh it's a important issue uh for all communities including ours and uh so it happens to be that January is human trafficking awareness month. So we have a proclamation uh for it. Uh whereas human trafficking is a grave injustice
that strips people of their freedom, dignity and safety. It exploits individuals through force, fraud or coercion and affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Whereas while is often thought of as something that happens elsewhere, the truth is that human trafficking can occur in any community, including communities like Bridgewater,
it is frequently hidden, making awareness and education especially important. Whereas preventing human trafficking begins with understanding the warning signs, encouraging responsible reporting, and ensuring that victims and survivors are met with compassion, respect, and access to support. Communities like Bridgewater play a vital role in creating an
environment where exploitation is recognized, addressed, and never ignored. Whereas each January, human trafficking awareness month reminds us that this is not only a law enforcement issue, but a human one. It calls on all of us, residents, families, educators, and community leaders to stay informed, to look out for one another, and to
stand against exploitation in all its forms. Whereas Brid Township is committed to doing its part through thoughtful policy discussions, collaboration with law enforcement, and ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight and prevention. Our township works to create conditions where exploitation is less likely to occur and where safety
and accountability is accountability are prioritized. Now therefore, I Matthew Mench, mayor of Bridor Township, do hereby proclaim January 2026 as human trafficking awareness month in Bridgeworth Township. Encourage all residents to take time to learn to remain vigilant to help foster a community rooted in safety, dignity, and
respect for all. And I note that our chief is here and our command staff. Um, one of the, uh, we've been discussing a program that, uh, that chief has made me aware of that would also provide additional, um, education to the public through our police department. Uh, so to
help our residents be able to recognize signs of human trafficking and report it appropriately. So, that will be more to come on that as the chief gets that up and ready to go. So, thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, we do not have any presentations, so the meeting will be open to the public in a minute. 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 deas. May I have a
motion to open the meeting to the public? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone wishing to address the council may do so. Now, I would ask you to make sure that you write down your name and your address. There should be a sheet
there for that. My name is Mary Gallagher. I live at 102 Highland Avenue in Bridgewater. >> Got to write it down, too. >> Oh, I do. Okay. Print or write, doesn't matter. Welcome Mary from Branchburg. Okay. All right. Um, the reason I'm here
is is some of you know my concerns, but I will reiterate for the new members. Um, and I welcome all the new people that have come. Um anyway, I have been concerned highly about the um water
supply system, both groundwater and with city water. I've had issues at some of the planning boards this last year that permits weren't obtained when they should have been for building purposes.
Um Councilman Ring is very aware of the situation. Um, and so is Councilman Kersh Papis, every one of you. Um, but I've been thinking about it a lot because it's very, we are in a moderate drought.
It continues to go on. We have hot summers. The manufacturing building that was going to be put in that area that was halted. I fought that because that could contaminate our groundwater for br for
for the green hole area. And we've got two examples of Bradley Garden having contaminated water by Fiser Scientific and they had to go on city water because remediation of groundwater is very
difficult. And then we had Ethicon. They've polluted of course the Peters Brook. There's no residential areas right there right now, so it's not as significant, but it it is a significant contamination. My concern is that we are filling in
wetlands. We are having more torrential rains. We don't have we have nothing but flooding and when it does get dry, we go from extreme to extreme. So my concern is what are we doing about it and how are we building? First of all, that
manufacturing and should not have been ever even accepted for that site. It's adjacent to a community on wellwater. You're building on a wetland. The Eminem developers basically lied. They changed
the back the whole scenario of the map and they made the wetlands a storm drain. That's that's terrible. And we accepted it. the planning board accepted it. I didn't like that. So, I did call the D and they
helped get stopped, but I shouldn't have had to do that. And that's concern I have. So, my recommendation at this point is that you try to get a certified neutral environmentalist for the planning board meetings and for the zoning board meetings. So that when
you have something like this, they will look at the outside neighborhood and say, "Well, what is it adjacent to that you are going to be building?" Because, you know, I'm over the 200 feet, but yet I would be the first one to have contaminated water should that
manufacturing company like Ethicon did contaminate my groundwater. I'm on wellwater. I like my wellwater. I'm a native Bridgewater. I was born and raised here. I've always grown up on well water. I love it. So don't take it from me. And I shouldn't have to plead
to get it my w my wellwater. So what I'm telling you is that I think you need to start looking at the planning and zoning boards for the areas maybe high risk, maybe not. I'm talking about mountain sides, too, because Chimney Rock Road, I'd never heard of flooding before after
Ida. But you know what? You built all of those malls. you took the basis integrity of the mountain away. So, you need to have somebody who knows what they're doing when it comes to the environment. Now, we're getting very crowded, overdeveloped. We need to know how to develop and we can't do it. We
don't know the environment. And that's kind of where I'm at. >> My only comment to you, Mary, is I don't think there's too much that anybody on this day would disagree with what you said. I don't know enough about it and it's obviously an area that I need to learn more about it and I don't know if anyone else on the deis wants to
comment. >> I'm willing to make a brief comment and simply say that um our our land use boards are critical. You're 100% right. Um I encourage you to to stay and and see the actions that we're going to take uh and the individuals that we're going to uh name particularly to the zoning
board. um critically important critically important uh what's happening on the properties that are the subject of of a of a hearing as well as the as neighbors. Uh typically speaking projects will have environmental studies that are done commissioned by the uh the
um the applicant. Um >> that that excuse me but that's my concern because the developers from Eminem basically lied. They changed that map and that whole environment I read through that file. It's like two that's that's what I got. I got the interpretation letter here
>> and and and you know moving forward um you know there there may be a greater role for an environment environmental committee. There may be a role again I can't commit to this there may be a role for additional professionals um so that you can have those protections. The other thing I just want to note to you and anyone else who's interested in land
use matters uh is that we have a couple of different versions of our electronic newsletter. uh we have the one you know what I'll just call general one which comes out monthly um and then we also have essentially a subversion of that um which any person can can join uh and
they'll get the um they'll get the agendas for all planning board and zoning board so whether you're within the 200 ft or not um that's the way to get to get notified. Um it's really not feasible for us to um contact 46,000 residents for each and every every every
um uh land use uh application nor is it required but we have uh put into place a way for residents uh or professionals anybody to to to keep an eye on what's going on. >> Yeah. I and I know that you have tried very hard to communicate and it's very
difficult and I was wondering how that could be changed that 200 foot notification. Well, it's interesting that you also you it's interesting you ask that because I have had conversation with Senator Steinhard. There are multiple areas where um I would like to
see it's just my personal opinion. I would like to see that lifted to a larger number. Um the areas that particularly concern me are residential abuing commercial um and anytime that there's a use variance involved in commercial. Now I I don't know how much
of a lift that's going to be. I've spoken with him. I've spoken with his staff and it is something that I expect to pursue during the year. >> Just to clarify to that point, it's not the 2004. Not something we can change here. It's driven by >> it's driven by Trenton. Yes. So, we need
Trenton to allow us to basically change it. >> So, who would you contact in Trenton to >> Well, I I've been been discussing that with Senator, our state senator Steinhart and his staff. it it is uh you know I I I don't have a a follow-up meeting scheduled yet, but he he he and I know that we need to we need to get
back on the calendar and get that moving >> cuz because it really was scary for me to realize that we're having a manufacturing and if my water got contaminated, you know, and I didn't even know about it that it was being built there because I'm I'm just outside that 200 foot. So,
it was like a real concern. And that's why I've I've been so driven. >> As you know, Mary, there's a lot of from having come to those planning board meetings, there's a lot of things on that application from the D to the DOT
and what we could do on 2026 where, >> you know, it unfortunately we're limited to pieces of that property and not the overall impact. >> I understand that. I I guess I'm trying to find out is what will they use that property for though? I mean the office
building worked fine so there was never a problem there but I'm just trying to figure I know the office buildings are out but it is a concern because we are so adjacent to it what gets built there. >> Have we received anything rescending their plans? >> No just that it's it's approved for
manufacturing and uh >> subject to all the state approvals. >> Yeah. Subject to whatever the you know the laws are but from a use standpoint it's a it's it's approved for manufacturing. um assuming they can comply with everything >> and it shouldn't. >> All right, I'm gonna see if ask you if we could just move on. I think there
might be other people that want to speak as well. >> Give these copies to you. They are >> Do you Is this your only copy or this is >> No, I've got copies at home. >> Okay. >> But if you could just look at that to see. >> I'm giving it to our town clerk and she'll probably make a copy for all of
us. >> They're all in the files, too. So, >> okay. Thank you. >> That's basically what I wanted to my concerns. And just a quick question. How many years have you been bringing this up for? >> Probably about two. >> Okay. >> Maybe about two.
>> Well, the application started. >> It happened. You did the warehouse first. The warehouse didn't go through because it didn't get the variance. I found that out. The way I found out. >> Well, there was an application submitted for a warehouse there and then they pulled it.
>> They switched it to the manufacturer. I found out because I was driving down 202 and I saw the building being destroyed and I said, "Oh, what's going on there? So, let me go call the town." And that's how I found out. And that had to be one
or two years ago. >> Yeah. >> Because they went with the warehouse first and they came back about a year later with the manufacturing. That's when I found out because the building was being knocked. >> But I had no idea. And it's the first contaminated water before they had it. Is there anyone else that
>> No, it's just to Mary was a regular at our planning board meeting and her and I have talked many of times, exchanged emails and telephone calls and >> Yes, I know. And I'm I appreciate all of that input. I just am very nervous about what's being >> Okay, I think it might be time for us to
move on now. >> Before we do, I just uh would would like to ask we we do have an environmental commission. Um when is the next meeting of that? Uh at the moment uh there is I don't think there's any actual appointees to it. I have a list of well I shouldn't
say that there's to be two new appointees. Um it's a it's a board which is um my my appointments unilaterally. So uh Mr. Fouse who was a member who was the chair of the zoning board is going to be appointed to that and uh one of
the that board um has the statutory power of reviewing land use applications that uh for the environmental standpoint and issuing comments to the planning and zoning board. So uh that has not been done in the past but it's going to be done moving forward. So Mr. Fouse and
there's another gentleman we'll put on and um we're going to kind of reinvigorate that board to take a a greater use in land use applications. >> Okay, that's awesome. >> And you brought up a great point, a certified environmentalist because I know our neighboring town, Somerville,
they have people that actually have degrees and degrees in this. So, real experts to help us out. And I'm going to say this. If anyone in the audience knows anyone, a certified environmental expert, or if anyone who's watching this on video, knows anyone in Bridgewater
who is a certified environmental expert who might want to put in uh a volunteer application for the mayor to consider for appointment to that commission. That might be a very good start. >> Thank you, Mary. >> And I thank you.
>> Anyone else like to approach the deis? And again, you have to write your name. You have to say it and you have to write it down. Sorry, I have to do my password quickly to look at the clock. >> Oh, well, >> okay.
>> Loosely enforced. >> What was that? >> It's loosely enforced. >> Okay. Um, so, uh, Claudia 11 Baitman, I've been here since 1962. I live at 94 Katherine Lane. I lived at
62 Stella Drive. I've lived in nearby exotic locations like Branchburg, Rariton, Hillsboro, North Planefield. And I know the area. I am a Jersey girl. I am a Somerset County girl. I'm a Bridgewater girl. So, I need to w say
hello to everyone and welcome our new people. Councilwoman Isla, Councilwoman President Guyger, and P Councilman Guo. working on the names. Michael, Councilman Kersh, happy to see you back.
And Councilman Ring, Mayor Mench, of course, and our honorable township administrator, attorney, and municipal clerk. Might be the last time I do that, but >> I'm telling you, the next time I have to
uh name dignitaries, I'm going to have you do it. >> Okay. And um a little late to the game, but that was a big meeting earlier in the week. I would like to thank past Congressman Howard Norg Gillis, >> Councilman.
>> Councilman, what did I say? >> Raise your hand, Howard. >> Oh, oh, I would like to thank you again. And um Councilman Alan Cordella and Councilman Phipe Destro and years they've given to this board.
Others spoke very eloquently about I think 50 years combined service doing their homework coming here early to review their homework. Um big shoes to fill obviously make your own footprints but I wanted to go on
record thanking them. Um, and I have a lot of stories having lived here for a long time. But I will start with councilwoman Isla. And I would like to thank you for sharing your story of
immigration. I believe a first or second generation into the USA by way of New York City until you wound up in our buolic suburb of Bridgewater, which reminds me of my family. Same
thing. uh eastern Poland, western Russia, Bellarus, the Pale over to New York City where they wound up in the buolic suburb of first Branchburg and they're then Bridgewwater and to Bridgewwater's
credit they developed Ethicon uh state-of-the-art international company of Johnson and Johnson that developed and manufactured sutures. and that's why my family and I came here. Um, so I wanted to share that if I
have another minute. Um, uh, Council Vice President Buco, you mentioned, um, community involvement. Um, my husband for one loved coming here. He loved sitting in these meetings. He went to the planning board
meetings, the zoning board meetings. If he couldn't make them, he put the stream on. sometimes he listened to the stream later. So, we have active, plentiful community involvement. It's great to see more, but I'd like to
see that you've recognized that we are doing it and we do have that as one of our traits in our town. Many more stories. Call me back when we have floods. And regarding Chief Mitsac and
um the trafficking, I I can do a decent shrimp in jiu-jitsu because some of the officers sitting in the back taught me how. So I know our officers and police department have a lot to offer us. So I'd like to hear
what they teach us about prevention and recognizing it, how to report it. And I we probably have some social agencies around like safe and sound for victims. Okay. Thank you for your time. >> Maybe we could have a presentation on that uh at one of our meetings.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Anyone from the deis want to comment? >> No. Except to say it's always nice to see uh Miss Baitman when she comes to join us. >> Yeah. And I I just wanted to share thank you for your um kind summary. I do have
a best friend from high school from Stson who actually did reverse immigration and she's a doctor now in Poland. So I'll be visiting her and her dogs pretty soon. So you know it works both ways. Thank you so much. >> Anyone else like to approach the de?
>> Hello Miss Franco. >> I don't have to tell you to write your name and address. Good evening, Kathy Franco, Martinsville. Um, so a couple things. One is I'd like to welcome the new members of the council
and it's always good to see the um other members who have been serving for six years here as well. Um, and I just wish you all well. Um, and don't worry, I'll I'll keep coming back. Um there's no change in that. Um the other thing is uh
item 16A. I see that there's a temporary budget allocation of 20,000 or 20,160,000 which is more than a quarter. And I know I've heard this in the past that in the early part of the year um you know
there's a lot of bills that have to be paid that cover the whole year. Um but you know budget was a big issue for me in the past. It'll continue to be a big issue for me in the future and um I and other members of the public will be watching closely um as this council
moves forward. So thank you very much and I wish you all well. Um I believe Andrew Bucko is going to address in great detail that how we arrived at that 20,160,000 number. um and not and and there may be
other comments from the deis but I know uh Andrew looked at it very closely and if you stay tuned if you can stay till the end you'll hear it. >> Okay, great. Thank you very much. >> Anyone else want to comment from the deis? >> No. >> Okay. Um do we have anyone else that
would like to speak publicly? Mr. Albano also a former councilman, right? What years? What years were you count on the council? >> From 1985 to 2009.
>> Oh, my era. I know. I remember 1985. >> I don't regret a day of it. You want to know which day that was? After I joined the council, Bob said to me one day, "How do you like it?" I said, "Some days it's good, some days it's bad." He goes, "I know you're being truthful."
Do you remember that, Bob? >> Good evening. My name is Robert Albano and I live at 1149 Papen Road, Bridgewater. Most people just pronounce it papen road
>> but it is of German origin after von poppen who was the last chancellor of Germany before the Nazis took over. >> Piece of irrelevant Andrew. That's what I want. You know where the I know where the bodies are buried. Anyway, uh
congratulations. Happy new year to everyone and uh I wish the new council members uh the best of luck and thank the current council members for all of their good work. Um uh two two things I want to
talk about. Number one, um I am the Bridgewater representative to the sewage authority and uh Jolola Fieri who is the other member couldn't make it tonight. He's recovering from surgery. But I wanted to thank Tom Goenova, Bill Burr,
and Dicky Shrimp for all their help um with the sewage authority and helping manage the sewer system of of Bridgewater. Uh I also want to invite the new layers on members. I Mike is assistant one, but to come and tour the
facility and any other member who would like to be I know Mr. Papis has been there and he understands it. But I think it's important to know where it goes when you go. So, let's set up some time and we'll all come. >> So, I was going to come while the
weather is still cold because I think that might be I might be colder, but the odor might be a little better. Am I right? >> For me, it's the smell of money. No, it's there's a lot of outside stuff
and it is cold. I mean, today would have been a great day. >> Okay. >> But it's up to you, but as long as there's no more than two, >> right? >> We know. >> And and council president, there's really two pieces of it. It's the um uh this the pumping stations that that that
we own and I do recommend gaining familiarity with that system. And then what he's discussing is is further downstream, so to speak, the uh at SRVSA, the processing plant. >> It's not the pump stations and pipes that Bridgewater owns, but it's at the
end of the pipe when it gets treated when we turn into portable water. >> Okay. >> Cleaner than the stuff in the river, by the way. That's >> a >> little scary. >> That was my first. Now, and my other one,
>> I as a trustee of the Martinsville Rescue Squad, I want to invite each of you to come to the building to take a look at our facility and our equipment and get a firsthand understanding of what the 70 or so volunteers do in the
1300 calls that were made protecting and helping this township uh last year. So again, no more than two. Uh and uh any member, Mr. Mayor and Mr. Papis are also
welcome to to come. And that was that's it. So thank you. Good night. Oh, by the way, this is Howard's hat. >> He knows what that means. >> I was going to say you didn't invite me for a tour. >> Sorry. >> You didn't invite me for a tour.
You are. >> He's the life member of the Martinsville Rescue Squad. He can come anytime you want. >> The mayor The mayor is actually a former member. >> The mayor's father. >> No, the mayor's a former member as well. >> Are you a life member? >> You want to ride?
>> No. >> No. >> Yeah. Nothing's on my plate. >> Good night all. Thank you. >> Thank you, former councilman. >> Would anyone like to anyone else like to approach the deas? Well, I'm interested in finding out how to become a member now.
>> No, you're not. You have enough to do. >> There's a link on the township website. >> I don't see the paper for writing my name and address. Somebody >> Oh, sometimes people walk away with it. >> Bob, did you steal the signin sheet? >> No, the sign.
Uhhuh. >> I've done that, Bob. So, don't feel bad. >> That's Bob. You were trouble when you're on a council and you're still trouble now. >> That's why Chief Bitsack's in the back of the room. Stop you on the way out.
>> Okay. John Tegler, 45 plus year resident of Bridgewater, originally of Highland Avenue. One of our uh my neighbors was up here recently. Uh, I know a lot about uh water issues in Bridgewater in that
house around 1982. Uh, my basement was flooded up to the windows and we had the fire company there to pump us out. At that time, neighbors were putting pipes through their backyards, getting companies to
come and dig trenches and put pipes so that we would have some kind of drainage. Of course, that's it's been improved dramatically in that area. now. But Bridgewater has water problems everywhere, but I'm not here about that. The other
thing uh I wanted to mention was we really are lucky to have rescue squads like the Martins View Rescue Squad. I'm from Martinsville. Uh three loft drive Martinsville. So we downsized recently
from uh originally 40 Highland Avenue and then 8:16 Starview Way for uh quite a number of years. Um and we have used the rescue squad three or four times.
So, I know the importance of of the Martinsville Rescue Squad. Okay, that's not the reason why I'm here. The reason why I'm here is I read the minutes or what was offered as not minutes, but a a summary of the agenda. And it's very confusing to me what all the uh who are
all the committees and where are all the opportunities for um citizens of Bridgewater to offer their services to join a committee. It's a little bit. Yes, you can find out if you know the name of it. You can go to the go to the website, you'll find something. But
there's it might be something for you to consider. Is there is there some kind of a simplified uh >> there is there's an application and maybe in the future we could print a couple of them out and leave them outside for people to see. But there is an
application. Um, mayor, you may have noticed an uptick in the number of people sending in applications because we have been asking people to apply in terms of the confusion >> out there now. So, >> I know I because I forgot to ask Grace
to do that. Um, but uh it's it's very confusing. There are a lot of them. It's very confusing. Some of them are more active than others, but I think we all would like to see more citizen involvement. So, at the next meeting, we'll have it. But in the meantime, you
can find it on the website. You have to dig a little bit to find it, but you can find it on the website. >> After looking through the list here, I understand all that. Uh I don't didn't see anything here about the budget finance committee. And who are the representatives from this council
>> that there there will be not we we limited the um agenda as much as we could for tonight because we only had three days since the reor. >> I understand. So, there's going to be there's more to come, but you I just want you to know you're not the first
person to ask about it. Other people have asked as well. >> That was my real primary question. I know it's a key issue for you and for for everyone. And so, we're uh we're wanting to to see that clarified. Thank you very much. Thanks for all of you for
your efforts and what you're putting yourself out for. It's really important for Bridgewwater. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else want to comment from the deis? I mean, we could just maybe answer the question right now that the two members of the budget committee are uh
Councilwoman Ela and and Councilman Bucko, but as a five member um uh council, we all are quite interested in in the budget and the budget process. It's simply the fact that only two of us at a time can meet and that's why two
are designated for budget and finance. >> Anyone else like to speak? Seeing no one, motion to close public comment. I >> have a second. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> opposed. Okay. Um,
so now we will move on to a series of mayor's appointments with advice and consent. The first appointment, I think I can I think I can read a fair number of these. Can I read them all and we can approve them all by by consent
>> with me? >> Yeah. So, mayor's appointments with advice and consent would be a appointment of the registar of vital statistics, Vilma. Is Vilma here? No. Okay. Appointment of qualified purchasing agent Sarah Houseman as the
2026 public agency agency compliance officer. Paco. I don't think she's here. Uh, but I will say she was very very helpful today um to the new council members and helping us figure out some things about the budget. C. Authorizing
an award of contract to Rehab Co. I'm not going to read the address um for affordable housing and provide housing rehabilitation program services for a 12-month period commencing on January 1st, 2026 in an amount not to exceed 180,000 paid from the township's
affordable housing trust fund. I will comment with respect to that. Um I think that we are looking into whether or not to retain them for the future, whether or not to go in-house. It has been in-house in the past. It seems to be a
back and forth, but there are some discussions about it and next year you may or may not see the same resolution. Um D, authorizing an award of contract to Round Hill Risk Partners uh to serve as the township's risk manager for health insurance services
for a term of one year commencing on January 1st, 2026 pursuant to the fair and open process as defined by NJSA1944A-20-7 at no cost to the township. Um and I will comment there as a new council member. Um, everyone I've spoken to
seems to be happy enough with them and with the work they've performed. Um, and e authorizing an award of contract to North American Insurance Management. Um, and I'll again I'll skip the address to serve as the township's risk manager
for property and casualty insurance services for a term of one year commencing on January 1st, 2026 pursuant to the fair and open process as defined by NJSA194A 20-7 at no cost to the township.
Again, that seems to be no problems with them. It seems to be running relatively smoothly. So, can I have a motion to uh approve all of the mayor's appointments with advice and consent? >> I just had a quick question on C. Um, I just wanted to make sure that the
expenditure complies with the trust fund regulations. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Do we need a motion to combine the items first? >> I don't think so. Do I need a motion to combine? >> Move them all on consent. >> Okay. So, can I have a motion to uh move all of them by consent?
>> Moved. >> Second. Sure. All in favor? >> I No. Roll call. Roll call. >> Councilman Bucko. >> Hi. >> Council Councilwoman Isla. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kersh. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> President Gea.
>> Yes. >> Now we move on to the mayor's appointments with advice and consent. These are the appointments >> without advice. >> I'm sorry. Without advice and consent. So we don't vote on it. We just read them. Right. >> Read them. Yeah. Yeah. You could read them or just, you know, acknowledge
books that >> Yeah, I'll read them. Some people work hard to get on these things. A appointments to the local emergency management council. Christine Madrid, Christopher Corazini right here. James Edwards, I don't think he's here. John Mitsac, he's here in the back. Our
chief, John Tillitson, Michael Vorhees, Richard Shrimp, Shrimp, uh Thomas Scalera, Timothy Ring right here, uh Wayne Carter, Scott Ste and Scott Stevens. He's here or he was. I thought he was. Yeah. Um, appointment of
planning board members. Class one, Ruth Bonjorno. Class two, Michael Papus. He's here. Class four, uh, Henry Wang. And alternate one, William Atkins. Any of those people here? >> Bruce is here. >> All right. Um, appointment to the
Somerset County Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Tom Goenova. I don't think Yeah, there you go. Uh, appointments to the Somerset County Community Development Consortium, Scott Stevens. He's here. Um so >> and council president just one other uh two other notes real quick. Um I've also
reappointed Jamie Edwards as our OEM coordinator. Um and so I just want to it's not on the agenda but again since it's not without advice and consent I mean because it's does not involve advice and consent. Um I have done that
and I think I mentioned earlier um Mr. Fouse and there's another appointee that I will appoint to the environmental commission. >> Okay, that's it, right? >> That's it for without advice and consent. >> Okay. Um, now we're moving on to the
council appointments. These we will handle separately. appointment of the auditor Subly Clooney & Company uh in an amount not to exceed 67,475,000 for a one-year term commencing on January 1st, 2026. Um can I have a
motion to approve that appointment? Unless is there any discussion? >> I'll make the motion. >> I have second. >> Second. >> Do we need a roll call for that? >> Councilman Bucko >> I. Councilwoman Isla, >> yes.
>> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Geer, >> yes. >> Appointment of the assessment search officer, William Burr Township Engineer. Can I have a mo any discussion? >> Second. >> I'll second.
>> Any discussion? >> Can I have a roll call, please? >> Answer BO. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. Councilwoman Councilman Kush, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. President Geiger. >> Yes. Uh, appointments to the board of
adjustment. James Franco as a regular member, Christine Henderson Rose as a regular member, Johanna Wisman as an alternate one, Clauddio Basio as alternate two, John Kawuchcci as alternate three, and Anthony Mcnella as
alternate four. Um, can I have a motion? >> Sorry, I have these as separate resolutions. Yeah, I I thought they I thought they were two, but >> if if if we could do number one first, please. >> Okay, so we'll start with number one.
James Franco, can I have a motion >> and then we'll have discussion? >> Well, is there a motion? >> Yeah, a motion to appoint James Franco as a regular member to the board of adjustment. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? There is
definitely considerable discussion. Um so I'm not going to belver the point. I'd like to have the the most of the zoning board conversation once and it will apply to all of these nominations. So the first thing I'd like to say is um how appreciative uh I am and I think we all are for people who are willing to
serve. Um the the the board of adjustment in particular is one that takes a lot of time and care. Uh and the reason why that's important is because it has such a such a spectacular impact on our community. It has in the past, it
will in the future. Um bears noting that uh two members who have who are not scheduled for reappoint uh had a combined I don't even know how many years. Um Jeff Fouse was on for at least 12 years including uh the last six as
chairman. Uh, and uh, Don Sweeney was on over 20 I don't know, mayor. How how long was Don Sweeney on? >> He was on at least since 2006 when I was first on. >> Okay, so let's just call it 20 years. Um, he was the chair prior to U. Mr.
Fouse. Uh, and our zoning board um, has an outstanding reputation. um uh individual or I should say cases that come before the zoning board uh receive a very fair and very thorough hearing. Um that is certainly not a
rubber stamp board by any stretch of the imagination. Uh the board of adjustment is quasi judicial um and um you know individuals who submit who submit completed applications uh are entitled to a fair and thorough hearing and that's what they receive here. Um so uh
I am very concerned uh that um you know Mr. Fouse is not being retained. I'm concerned that um uh uh Mr. Sweeney is not being retained. I am concerned that also uh again assuming that these appointments go through that we would be
losing the expertise of uh Chris Gabbot. Uh but I'm also realistic to understand that this body is different than it was last year. But it bears noting that we're going to make essentially five new appointments. Uh assuming that it goes as anticipated, uh we're going to be moving Clauddio
Vesio, who's in the audience, from alternate three to alternate two. That means five new people or five opportunities. Um and when we met here just three nights ago, there was all kinds of talk about bipartisanship and collaboration and and and let's all work
together. And basically in just about the first opportunity to either be that way or go in a different direction, it looks like we're going in a different direction. Um we're going with uh individuals um who or the uh choice of three of the
council members uh without taking into account um uh the feelings of the other two. So essentially this is going to be five to nothing uh in terms of how these seats uh are are distributed. Um, I'm also particularly troubled. Um, you know, we love to use the word
transparency. I think we need to understand what transparency means. Um, until two days ago when I requested information about these individuals, there was nothing on record. There were no letters of intent. There were no resumes. There there was there was
nothing absolutely nothing. I guess maybe there were were winks and nods uh of of who who was to be appointed. and and that in my mind is is not is not transparent at all. Um because of the uh documentation that's been provided over the last couple days, there's at least
something for the public to see about these individuals. Uh and then just the final comment uh that I'd like to make uh particularly about this first one. Um I I I have no objection to Mr. Franco uh being being a member uh of the zoning
board per se. Um but this seat um could and should uh remain um with uh with with Mr. Fouse. Um he is uh he has had outstanding feedback um from people of all political stripes uh from
professionals. Um uh the feeling is that that board has operated exceptionally well. Uh and I just find it to be a shame that um everyone on this day has heard that feedback. But unfortunately, one bit of feedback they heard was that
he was difficult to get along with. Um, and he was difficult to get along with in 2019 when we had a Republican primary. And I just think it's disappointing that 6 years later, instead of just letting the results
stand for what they were, a pound of flesh is being exacted through this action. So, with that said, I would like to make a motion to amend this uh resolution 12C and where it states
uh James Franco and his residence. I will make a motion uh to amend that to read Jeffrey Fouse residing at 6 Forest View Drive in Martinsville, New Jersey 08836. Do >> I have a second? >> I'll second it.
Can we have a roll call on this or is there any discussion? Well, >> I have a lot of things to say. First of all, I find it fascinating that your comment is is that we've only had this discussion a couple days ago. So, let's
talk about the real history here. It seems to me that you and I had discussions about this uh starting about two weeks ago. It was the holidays. It was very difficult. It was very rushed. You've been aware of the intent to
appoint Mr. Franco and Ms. Rose for quite a while. It was originally supposed to be two full-term members and two alternate members because someone dropped off and is going to the planning board that then
became two full-time members and three alternate members. and as late as Tuesday, I became aware of the fact that it would be four alternate members. So, in terms of the lateness, um, and I
would say this to you, Michael, you did not ask me for any information about any of these individuals until Tuesday. Secondly, >> well, the information I'm speaking, excuse me, I'm speaking. >> Okay. I also in my introductory speech
made a lot of comments about diversity and I would like to point out to the public what diversity we do or do not have on the zoning board which is part of the reason for some of these appointments. I believe and you can correct me if I'm
wrong but as the current board stands I believe there is no woman on the board. >> That's inaccurate. >> Who's on the board? One >> mean >> one. So there are how many women and how many men?
>> I think there are five men and one woman. >> Okay. I believe there is one maybe two persons of color. I believe there is no member of the LGBTQ community.
Excuse me. Excuse me. You are you you're out of order. There are no Democrats. There are no Republicans. This town, this council has had 37 years
of Republican rule. And for 37 years, you have appointed primarily, if not exclusively, Republicans to this board. So, it is time for a woman, another woman to be appointed to this board. Christine Rose, who by the way is a
Republican and a former council woman. >> I think it is nice president as well. >> Two women on this board instead of one. >> Mr. Franco is a registered independent. And I think it's nice that there will be
an independent on the board because as I said in my reorganization speech, a third of our voters are independents, a third of our voters are Republicans, and a third of our voters are Democrats. I also think it's really nice to note that the first alternate who I have
proposed is a known member of the LGBTQ community. And I'd venture to guess that she is the one of the first, if not the first member or alternate member of that community to be appointed to this board. And that would make her the second woman
that could potentially be voting on this board. The other members, the second alternate was one specifically recommended and specifically appointed because Councilman Kersh requested it. So that was for you, Michael. I'm sorry
you do not appreciate it. And the other three are all Democrats. And frankly, I don't think it is unfair that the board of adjustment will now be made up of one independent, two women, four what? Three
Democrats, and the rest Republicans and one or two people of color. I think that's fine. And I'm going to say this. I think even more importantly and I want to thank you Michael for drawing the attention to the importantness of the
different uh aspects of the people being appointed to this board because something I didn't consider until today and I can assure you I will be considering in the future and I would urge every member on this day and the mayor when we are looking at our
appointments we should be looking at geographics we Should our board of adjustment should have if possible a qualified member from Bradley Gardens, a qualified member from the Find section of Bridgewater, a qualified member from
Green Null, a qualified member from Martinsville, and a qualified member from Miltown. And if there any other sections that people feel should be covered because geography is important. We know that the demographics of this town vary depending on the different
sections. And when we're looking at commi at at appointing people to boards and committees, I think it is very important to look at the mixture of men and women, the mixture of Democrats, Republicans, independents, making sure we include people from all different
communities such as our LGBTQ community, and especially that we consider the geographics and what part of town they live in. Thank you. No, you may not. This is not open to the public. Uh, well, actually, I take that. Is this >> No, it's not.
>> It's not. Sorry. >> Um, >> so having said, was there any further discussion? >> Mr. Buck did. I would like to um I would like to to point out that um uh this is not a complete turnover of the the board
and and I understand uh uh Councilman Kersh's concern about uh the experience of the individuals who were um uh on the board and and uh ult ultimately uh not being reappointed. But uh there are uh a
number of individuals who will remain on the board who have that uh institutional knowledge and um I think it is is uh a good opportunity for them to uh pass on that institutional knowledge to uh uh
other individuals. Madam President, just being very brief and and not being uh combative. Um I I don't believe it was my place um to ask for background information. I believe it need it should be delivered. Um but just
so that we can kind of cut to the chase here, I believe that that the uh lineup should be Mr. Fouse and uh former councilwoman Christine Rose. Uh I believe that the first alternate should be the highly experienced um and uh
multi- uh uh jurisdiction uh uh engineer Clauddio Vasio. I believe that should not should then place Mr. Franco in alternate number two. Uh uh potentially uh Miss Wisman uh in uh
alternate three uh and uh uh Mr. Kucci uh in alternate 4. That is my preferred uh lineup. Uh I believe that that achieves many of your uh goals. Uh and I will uh you know I will attempt to see
if there is support for that batting order. Fouse and Rose as the permanent members Vesio, Franco, Wiseman and Kuchi in that order that reaches balance. Uh that uh is is a mixture of old and new. It gives it gives the board an
opportunity on day one to have people who have substantial uh land use knowledge, which is critically important because when decisions are made without complete knowledge, it it it uh opens the township up to uh litigation and
other challenges. >> That a motion. >> I did make the motion and it was seconded. >> Okay. Can we have a roll call, please? >> Councilman Bako, >> no. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> no. Councilman Kush, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Geer,
>> no. The motion is denied. We go back to the original motion. >> I don't believe I need to reiterate it. Uh, are there any comments with respect to the original motion? >> Yes. Um, you mentioned earlier during
the public comments about how you were in, uh, asking everyone who wanted to be involved to fill out applications. Do we have applications for these individuals? Uh we have Mr. Mr. Kersh asked for uh resumeumés and uh letters of intent and
I believe they are attached in your packet. >> No, I understand that. I'm just wondering is there also application? >> No, I don't I don't believe there is a specific application. The applications we have are for the um committees. >> Okay. Thank you. Um >> but we can we for the future we can have one. We can make one up or we can make
it clear that it would be for that as well. >> Um You're absolutely right. This is a a process that started some time ago with some conversations and I'm going to go back to a convers a meeting that took place uh at the end of uh last year
where there was some discussion about the zoning board and as uh the comment uh a bipartisan comment about the wonderful work that uh chairman Fouse had done uh on the planning board but a concern that we couldn't reappoint him
because of um personalities issues outside of the zoning board. Uh and then in further discussion about well who was going to be appointed, one of the comments was we were appointing someone who was a great realator but you couldn't remember her name. Um and while
we may disagree on certain things, my perception is that we're not doing what we perceive to be best for Bridgewater but for partisan purposes. And again, that's my perception. I respect your opinion, but I will not be supporting. Well, I don't think that having a board
that consists of 100% Republicans is nonpartisan. >> My proposal is bipartisan. >> And how many Democrats are included? >> I don't, you know, I don't know. You tell me. I don't I don't know. Is Mr. Kuchi a Democrat? I don't know. Is Miss Wisman a Democrat? I don't know because
that's not how I view the world. I view the world as quality land use board members. >> The best candidate for the position. >> Can we have a motion? I I believe there's a motion on the table. Can we have a roll call, please? >> Councilman Bakov, >> I
>> um I'm sorry. Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kush, >> respectfully, no. >> Councilman Ring, >> no. >> President Giga, >> yes. >> Motion is passed. And I just want to comment not only for this appointment but a lot of the vol
other volunteer positions we have been asking including today I received a resume and an letter of intent whether they get to the appropriate people just let us know if you know if you don't get that letter of intent with that resume because people are spending a lot of
time filling out the application the volunteer application giving me a copy of that their resume and letter of intent you know out of their busy lives. So there are a lot of people that are putting these three separate applications together for us. So I hope we get time to review it. If you've
missed any of them, just let us know immediately so we can provide them to you. We've been asking for copies for us so we can provide them to you in case they get miss mix, you know, missed somehow. >> Okay, moving on to um D. Appointment of
class three planning board member. >> Well, we need to do the others in C. >> I'm sorry. What? I'm sorry. What >> the others in one zoning? >> Oh, okay. So, we have to Can we have a motion? Um, do we need a separate motion for all of them or we just do a roll call? Okay. Can we have uh a motion?
Well, I I will make a motion to appoint Christine Henderson Rose as a regular member. >> I'll second. >> Uh, roll call. Um, Councilman Bakov, I >> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. Councilman Kush, >> yes. Councilman Ring,
>> no. President Giga. >> Yes. >> Can we have a motion to appoint Johanna Wisman as alternate one? >> So moved. >> Do we have a second? >> I'll second it. >> Discussion, please. >> Discussion. Go ahead.
>> And I'll I'll be brief because there's no point in going over all old old um old ground. I believe that this order should be and it would be a bipartisan uh solution. Uh Mr. Vesio, well, I guess Mr. Franco has now been seated. Um uh
then Ms. We wisman and then Miss Kawuchcci. Um and you know kind of figure it out from there. You know I'm a little out of order now but um you know you know I believe that uh this uh uh this uh seat number one it should go to a licensed and experienced engineer who
has board experience who is ready from day one is trained is highly capable. Uh, so I would make a motion to amend where it says uh, excuse me, where it says the name
Johanna Wiseman. You would make a motion. >> Joanna Wiseman uh, and her address. I would make a motion to amend that to state Clauddio Vesio whose address is 2151 Pine Road uh, in Martinsville, New Jersey 08836. Do
>> I have a second? >> Sure. Roll call. >> Councilman Bako, >> nay. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> no. >> Councilman Kush, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Gea, >> no. >> Moving on to Clauddio Vio as alternate.
>> We need to approve. >> I'm sorry. >> We need a motion to approve. >> Oh, we need a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Roll call. >> Um second. I need a second. Do we need a second? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Bako, >> I.
>> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kersh, >> no. >> Councilman Ring, >> no. >> President Geger. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry. We're on I thought we did Joanna Wisman and we were on Claudio. >> Now we're on Claudio. >> Okay. Now we're on Claudio Viovia. Okay.
So, uh I need a motion to uh appoint Clauddio Vuvio as alternate two. >> So moved. I'll second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Bako. >> Hi. >> Councilwoman Isla. >> Yes. Councilman Kush. >> Yes. An >> Ring?
>> No. >> President Geger. >> Yes. Um, now we moving on to alternate three. John Kucci. Can I have a motion to appoint John Kuchi as alternate three? I think Mr. Kawuchcci is here in the uh
the audience. >> So moved. Second. I'll second >> a discussion, please. I I have no no objection to to Mr. Kawuchcci. I also had no objection to Miss Wiseman. I just have an objection to the batting order. Uh and in this case, uh I believe that
this seat should go uh to the experienced uh Chris Gabbot. So, in the place on the resolution where it says uh John Kawuchcci, I'd like to uh uh propose an amendment that it instead state Christopher Gabbot whose address
is 1118 Sky Hill Road in Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807. Do >> I have a second? >> I'll second it. >> Councilman Bakov? >> Nay. >> Councilwoman Isla? >> No. >> Councilman Kersh? >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring?
>> Yes. President Geer. >> No. >> I think that brings us back to the original motion. It >> does. >> Um, and can I have a motion to appoint John Kushi as the alternate number three? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Councilman Buck, >> I. >> Councilwoman Isa, >> yes. >> Councilman Kersh, >> no. >> Councilman Ring, >> no. >> President Giga, >> yes. >> And moving on to alternate number four, Anthony Mcnella. Can I have a motion to
appoint Anthony McNella as the alternate number four? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Discussion. You know, you know, this is not the batting order that I would have preferred. This is not uh the makeup of
this board that I would like uh at and that I believe Bridgewater deserves. Uh so with appropriate respect to Mr. McNella as well as all the others, uh I will be voting no. We're going to take a roll call. >> Councilman Bucko,
>> I. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kush, >> no. >> Councilman Ring, >> no. >> President Geer, >> yes. The appointments are approved. So, we're moving on to uh D. Appointment of class 3 planning board member Ridana Isla. Do
I need a motion for that? >> I'll move it. >> Got a second. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? I mean the only I mean I'll just say the only discussion is this is also a critically important position because uh it it determines or can determine uh
changes in the face of Bridgewater uh our uh you know the planning board has one member the class 3 member uh appointed from among us and this is a a critically important decision as was the case for all the zoning board uh uh appointments that we just did.
>> Any further discussion? Can we have a roll call? >> Councilman Bako, >> I. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Geer, >> yes. So moved. Uh appointment to the
Greenbrook Flood Control Commission. Uh the there's a mo that can I have a motion to appoint myself as the council liaison and a motion to appoint Miss uh Councilman Kers as the alternate liaison. So >> moved. Second.
>> Any discussion? Can we have a roll call? Councilman >> Buckle. Hi. Council >> woman Isla. >> Yes. Councilman Kush. >> Yes. Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> President Ger. >> Yes. Appointment of the tax search officer Blanca uh Lions. Can I have a
motion to moved? >> Second. I'll second. Um any discussion? Can we have a roll call? >> Ano? >> I. >> Councelwoman Isla. >> Yes. >> An Kush. >> Yes. >> Ring. Yes. >> President Geger.
>> Yes. Appointments to the Somerset County um community development consortium. Can I have a motion to appoint Joan Guyger as the council liaison and Andrew Bucko as the alternate liaison? >> I will move it.
>> I'll second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Can we have a roll call, please? >> Council Councilman BCO. >> I. >> Councilwoman Isla. Yes. Councilman Kersh. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> President Geer. >> Yes. Appointments to the Somerset County
Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Um Okay. Can I uh The appointment here is for myself as the council liaison and uh Councilman Kur is the alternate liaison. Can I have a motion? >> Make a motion. All right. Second.
>> Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Councilman Beco. >> I. Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Geger, >> yes. Appointment to the Somerset count, the Somerset Rarent Valley Sewage Authority. Um, can I have a motion to
appoint Michael Kersh as the council liaison and myself as the alternate liaison? >> So moved. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Paco, >> I. Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kush, >> yes.
>> Councilman Ring, >> yes. President Geger. >> Yes. Appointment to the Raritton Millstone Flood Control Commission. Uh can I have a motion to appoint myself to appoint Joan Gyer as the council liaison? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Councilman Bako, >> I. >> Councilwoman Ela, >> yes. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Gger, >> yes. appointments to the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter Management Committee. Uh,
Robert Deonani, James Widelli, Tony Hoffman, Joan Flynn, Michael, and Michael Kersh as council liaison. Can I have a motion? >> All right. Well, all right. Take your motion. I'll hold my comment to let >> a motion. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second.
>> Yeah. Discussion, please. Um, there there's a an inaccuracy that needs to be corrected. Um Joan Flynn needs to be a representative member because she uh is is the secretary and you need to be a full member and Robert Devani should be designated as the alternate representative.
>> That's in the actual resolution itself. >> In the resolution itself. So the the names are correct. Um but the you know in the be it further resolved um if we could um I I guess maybe I'll make the motion to amend uh the designation of
Robert Devani to alternate representative and the designation of Joan Flynn to representative >> second. >> Any discussion? I do I just have a question. I know that um Andrew you were trying very hard to reach out to these people. Were you able to reach out to
all of them? I believe they have all served before. But um have you did you have contact with all of them? >> Um I did not have the opportunity to speak with Robert yet. >> Okay. So if if if you do speak to Robert
and for some reason or another he does not want to continue on, then we would I guess presumably reappoint or appoint someone >> appoint someone different. Correct. >> Um any any further discussion? Roll call, please. >> Councilman Beck, >> this is this is to this is to make the
amendment. I don't >> on the amendment. Do we can we do yay and nay on on an amendment? >> Yes. Can we can we have all in favor of the amendment? >> I >> I >> Any opposed? >> Okay. So, the amendment has passed and then can we have a roll call on the uh
motion as amended? >> Councilman um Councilman Bo >> I. Councilwoman Isla. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kush. Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> President Geer. >> Yes. appointments to the Middlebrook uh regional health commission. This may
require some discussion. Um can I have a motion to appoint Councilman Timothy Ring and Councilwoman Ridana Isla to the Middle Brook Regional Health Commission? >> So moved. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Is there a discussion? Council President, I just wanted to clarify
whether or not this resolution is intended to appoint um liaison or intended to appoint the actual members. Is right because I I believe um my understanding um is that the appointments to the Middle Brook
commission itself uh are mayor's appointments with advice and consent of the council. Um if if the council wants to have leaison to it, that's a different I don't have any objections to that. And my my um issue or concern is that the commission is
essentially an administrative department and runs our health department. And I believe that those appointments should be ours. At one point in time, I had we had staff Christine Madrid and Wells Wager, who was our deputy administrator at the time, uh were the were the appointees.
Last year, in deference to Councilman Orgalis, it was uh Councilman Gallas served. I believe somewhere along the line I think it kind of got translated into council appointments which I don't think is what it should be. Um especially because it involves
operations administration of the health services in town. So um yeah. So if this is going to be liazison appointments then I have zero concerns. If it is intended to be the actual commissioners, um,
then I would have an issue because I think it's supposed to be vice cassette. >> Um, and I would appoint and to be clear, I would appoint administrative staff to those two positions. That's what my intention is. >> Yeah. Can you just for for the record, um, I'm not sure Ridana and Andrew, I'm not sure all the other council members
know who you would appoint. I >> yeah it would be Christine Madrid who's our you know who's in charge of our our human services which would include health um she had been on that previously and uh I would appoint Scott Stevens who was our deputy administrator um and uh I which is what we've done
initially I don't have a problem appointing we get a third we get a backup uh an alternate I don't have a problem appointing a council member as an alternate um or you know again having a council member attend as a liazison um but that is my uh would be my intention.
I don't I can't go walk through the exact history as to how it kind of evolved into getting on our agenda this year as a council appointment without input from the administration. Um, if I if I could, um, I I, uh, looked
it up and and, um, granted I'm not an attorney, so I'm I'm just going by the the plain language reading of of the the state statute, but um, in, uh, what I found was that in in title 26, uh, section 26, uh, 3-85,
it says that in municipalities having no independent local board of health, which I believe Bridgewater would, would qualify as members of regional health commissions shall be appointed by the local governing body which presumably is >> this council.
>> Yeah, there there's case law um because this comes up as you can imagine in different scenarios um the term governing body isn't actually defined anywhere. So there's cases that indicate that governing body means whatever the given our different forms of government.
So if you're a burough form, governing body means whatever the appointment process is for the for a bureau. If you're a um commission form of government, it's whatever that is. So there's been discussions in cases where the term governing body has applied to a Faulner act mayor would be consistent
with the normal appointment process, which is uh you know, in almost every instance, advice and consent um between the two. Um I don't know if there's any case law on this issue specifically
and the issue quite frankly is not one of of I mean I mean obviously you guys are looking to appoint Tim as you know the number one representative I'm not trying to it's really a matter of just practicalities in governing you know the department and the services that's really the concern
>> so um I just consulted with the at with Mr. Corzini, our attorney, he indicated that we could do both. In other words, that you can do the appointment and I I we can we can call it with advice and consent of uh the two people that you wanted and then we can also appoint two
liaison which would then be Rbana and um Councilman Ring and then everybody's happy and we have the best of all worlds. >> Yeah, I I have zero problem with that. Yeah, that's that's fine with me. >> Okay, so let's can we do that then? Can we can we I don't know if we can amend the agenda at this point or how you want
to do it. >> We can Well, who do you So, you want to Who do you want you want to appoint? Christine, >> right? Christine and >> Scott. >> And do you want to fill the alternate? >> So, I suggest um adding Grace, I would change L if there is a motion to do this
to appointments of commissioners. Oh, pardon me. So, I would say appointment of liaison to the Middle Brook Health Commission. That would be one. And then I would say that I would amend the agenda. It's a little out of order at this point.
I would go back up to just have that read of commissioners to the Middleport Health Commission for individuals. That's reflects what you want. uh that I can I make a motion to that effect that >> why don't we do this since we're on 12L?
>> Okay. >> And we've let we we've got a motion. >> Is there a motion on 12 L? >> Yes, there's a motion. It was seconded. So I was going to suggest we amend 12 L, close it out, then go back and do 10. >> So we're >> Okay. So I'm going to make a motion to
amend 12 L to um >> appointment of liaison >> liaison and alternate liaison in the first whereas >> okay >> may I just ask is the is the appointments to this uh commission
timesensitive in that it wouldn't be able to function without >> Christine when's the first meeting I forget >> you want a motion to table this and we'll handle it properly on >> fine second meeting makes no difference. I mean I I whatever the council wants to do um I mean I think I think we have it
worked out so we can vote on L and >> yeah and then we could we could fix the agenda. >> Whatever you guys want to do it doesn't matter. >> Yeah, we could fix the agenda and clean it up uh for the for the uh meeting on the 22nd. >> Fair enough. So we will table >> I'll make the motion to table 12 uh L so
that it can be considered uh at the meeting in two weeks. I'll second. Can we have a roll call? >> Councilman Bako. >> Uh, this is to table. >> Yes. Correct. >> Hi. >> Council Councilwoman Isla. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kersh. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes.
>> President Giga. >> Yes. >> All right. Appointment to the regional center partnership committee. Uh, Timothy Ring as liaison. Can I have a uh I'll I'll make that motion. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> We have any discussion?
All in uh I guess we need a roll call. >> Councilman Bako, >> I. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. Councilman Kersh, >> yes. Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Gger, >> yes. Now we have the oaths of office. I think we >> before we move on, I apologize. I have a
question I would like to raise regarding appointments with consent and approve advice and consent. Do you want to do that now or do you want to wait before we do office or do you want to wait till the end? Uh, which ones do we We're not We're not We're not doing I think we
That's it. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. You want me to surface it now? >> Okay. Oh, you want to take the question now? >> I No, I would like to I have a question regarding appointments and advice with advice and consent. >> Sure.
>> So, okay. I we have a group of township residents who um go through a very rigorous process uh through um citizen corps federal government program uh who
then um go and complete a a training program uh that's administered through the state office of emergency management and uh the training is actually administered here locally by the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management. This group is known as C or
community emergency response team. Um these individuals are then go through an application process where they go are fingerprinted go through an extensive background check by the police department and have been serving our community for a number of years. A
couple of years ago, we discovered there there was an issue raised to us by the state uh on our C program where we needed to basically have a roster every year of who the CERT members were because um it allows them when they're operating it makes it clear they're
operating as a township employee uh therefore covered under liability and workers comp insurance. Um working with uh office of emergency management, we had tried to get this on today. I'm not quite sure what happened to it, but my
concern is by us not taking action in uh approving the roster of these individuals who have volunteered uh in the CERT program, if we god forbid, had some kind of flood uh we we've talked about today or something else tomorrow or or next week, these individuals have
not been approved and therefore would not be able to provide assistance in the community. So, I'm just like to understand what happened. I'm I'm well aware of what you're talking about and I saw the list today. Uh Ridana and I saw it. I don't I think you've seen it in
the past because it's identical to last year's list. >> It's a we have to do the appointment. You've seen it and we're aware we we need to do that tonight if possible because of the insurance issue. The list had one new individual added. Um and we
had requested meaning we meaning Ruana Andrew and I had requested that that one name be removed. That person was not appointed last year. >> They they've made an application since then. >> Um and the reason I I'll let Ridana address why we asked that that person be
removed, but the other I I think there were like 20 names. Um the other 20 were fine. You know, they seemed fine. there didn't seem to be any problem with any of them. Um, and we I think we we we need to go ahead if we can at all and at
least approve those 20. And if we have to come back and have more discussion about the one that we have concerns about, maybe we could do that. But let's at least get those 20 appointed. Can we do that, Chris? I guess I would have to really we really would need to understand what those concerns are given
the fact that these individuals go through a vetting process approved by the federal government and the state and our police department fingerprints them and does background checks on >> I'll let I'll let address that. >> Yeah, sure. So, the new person um we don't have any information on that
person and then also that person has reached out to me with some comments. So, um they're free to speak to me why they made those comments. Um these comments came in within the last 24 hours uh directly towards me. So um we would need to address them and
understand what the intention is because these are emergency services. We want this person to be able to serve anyone that needs help. Um the opinions of this person are very specific and and divisive. Um I'm afraid that if we do
have an emergency, they will cherrypick who they will serve. >> I wait a minute. I I maybe I'm missing something. Are we talking about members on this deis going through a list of people who are certified and qualified and we're now
blackballing individuals? We are cherrypicking who we will accept and not accept. Is is that what's happening on this day? Well, uh, that might be your interpretation of it, but you have not seen the specific, and I don't think it would be appropriate to read it in
public, the specific, um, social media post that's being talked about. So maybe we, and I don't want to table it. I think the obvious solution is appoint the 20 or so that we don't disagree on. And frankly, if there are 20 people all
right on that or 21 people on that list and the three new members are saying we accept 20 of the 21, is it really a big deal to remove that one person? >> I don't think it's this governing body's position to do that. I think based upon
our program, our police department does that vetting, the fingerprinting and background. So, if there's a concern that someone has here, I would recommend that be shared with the police department so they can review that in their process. I don't think it's this governing's body's uh position to do
that. >> That's fine. Then I would suggest, and I'm not sure exactly how to go about it, but I think what we want to do is approve the 20, >> table the 20 first, speak to the police department. Although please understand neither neither one of us the only
person that can we cannot directly speak to um the police department. Okay? Because actually I wanted to do that today but I can't do that and for good reason. I'm not this is for good reason. The law does not allow us to do that. You can't you have to go through the
mayor. So without being able to do that at this point maybe we can have a further discussion about that 21st person. Can we get the 20 approved that we need so that they are insured so that if we have an emergency tomorrow, we have 20 people that are certified that
can help with that response. >> And and we learned today that I think the police when they call them, they won't call all 20, right? It will be as needed and they can decide who they call. Um I think my my suggestion I I have not I have not seen whatever it is the you know these are these are
technically I guess you know the way this works to be clear this is this group is a little bit different than some of our other committees or other committees for the public's benefit are a little bit more small people political you know you know when we point people to the wreck board or something like
that it's really just the individuals up here that decide who we're going to appoint or I make nominations and the committee the council votes to approve approve or not approve. I mean, this is a little bit different where, you know, I don't know who the like I think these people are, but I mean, this is not this goes really through the police
department. It's kind of a formality generally that I nominate them versus, you know, I don't vet them. I get the list from the police department. I don't go through and say, "Hey, you know, this is where you kind of drop in, you know, um, random community activist, things like that." Um, but it is my appointment
and I haven't seen the comments that are being made. So what I would um feel most comfortable with uh this evening would be that we move forward with the I counted by the way I think there's actually 24 other ones. Okay. >> So just to be clear so we don't have confusion. >> Um but what I would suggest is that we
move forward with the other ones. And if councilwoman if you could um you know either provide the information or direct us to where we can find it so we can ask the the chief and his crew to take a look at it because I don't know what it I don't want to speculate in terms of,
you know, and if there's something about the about the comments which would otherwise disqualify somebody from serving on this committee, I'd like the department to review it and and say that. And if that's the response from the police department, then I would withdraw that nomination. And if it's
not, you know, the department says, hey, this comment would not from their standpoint remove that vetting, then um, you know, we can come back and discuss it uh at the next meeting. Um, you know, we haven't done uh most of the mayor's
appointment with advice and consent. So, I assume at the next meeting or some meeting thereafter, we'll have more of those on there and we can do it then. So, >> that makes sense to me. And >> I've shared it with Mr. Papus today already the comment specifically. I have it. It is directly related to political parties. It's directly related to
policym and it was directed at me. So, I just wanted to make that clear, but I did share with Mr. Papis today. >> It's on social media. So, it's out >> the last 24 hours. it's out in the public view. Why don't we why don't we just say what it is? If it's if it's out, you know, I'm I'm not on Facebook. Everybody knows that. But if someone's
on Facebook, let's let's read it right here, right now. >> Our council has suggested that we move on with this. And I think that's >> I would because it's because it's my appointment. Technically, it's my appointment. I'd like to um move forward with the rest of them, removing that one for now because I haven't seen it. And so therefore, I can't comment about and
I want to be able to see the context of it. And you know, I just would feel much more comfortable if we move forward with the other ones minus that nomination. And um and I can read um >> yeah, I just want to make one more comment. We we you know, we first we didn't see the list until this morning.
And the minute we saw the list, Ridana looked at it and said, "Oh, >> you know, and that's how it came out." But if you have the the other three names, it's not it's the second name, I believe. >> Yeah. So, so, um, >> if we eliminate that name, >> just just to clarify, what we're going
to do here >> is, um, >> actually, I guess this would really would be a 10. >> Yeah, I can um >> this would be a 10F for to to approve the uh, SER volunteers. And you're going
to read the list of names. >> Yeah. Or I can or I can um >> Yeah. Okay. Okay. Okay. Oh, okay. Council, if you'd like to make a motion to amend the agenda for 10F.
>> Yep. >> I'm going to make a motion to amend the agenda to add uh resolution 10F to remove the list volunteers to include the names that the mayor will now read. >> I think it would be 10 G. 10E is OEM.
10F is the environmental. Oh, >> Middlebrook is 10F. >> No, no, 10. We're on 10. >> We're going backwards. 10. 10F is going to be the the Middlebrook. >> You see? >> I'm sorry. Not 10. >> Go right here. >> My bad.
>> No, I think you're right. >> No, >> right there. That's >> This would be >> this. Yeah. >> Mayor Mayor's appointments with advice and consent. >> You're right. Right. Correct.
>> Everyone agrees on this as mayor. >> I I don't know which number it is. You know, whatever. >> Um, yeah. So, just the list >> actual resolution. >> I I'll I'll butcher I'll I'll butcher all the names. Council president. I should have >> Okay, you have the list. All right. >> We have We have a resolution.
>> Don't have to read the names. So, a motion to amend the agenda and add resolution 10F approving CR volunteers as circulated. And I I think Grace is going to read the names, right? >> Who is Who is Who is >> We're going to circulate the names.
>> Circulate the names. >> Do you have another one? >> Yes. >> Right. So I just for the for the record is clear. These names should all be familiar. These names are all familiar to Rana, Andrew, and I because we looked at them today. And these names are
probably familiar to Councilman Ring and Councilman Kersh because they are all appointments from that have people that were appointed last year and perhaps in other years as well. >> I've been you know I I've I've >> distribute water at at emergencies. I I know most of these people. Yes.
>> Okay. >> All right. >> Just the briefest of additional discussion though. So, so for the individual whose name has been removed, I guess the next action is to go to to go to the chief of police for his point of view of whether or not the comments uh either keep the person in the mix or
take that person out of the mix. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. If the counciloman provides uh whatever information to Mr. Papis in terms of either directing us to where we can find it or forwarding whatever it is, get to Mr. Papis. We will provide that to uh to the chief. his team will do whatever they do with
regards to the vetting and the process. We'll get some kind of comment back from the chief will share it with council and either we will withdraw that nomination if it if it removes that person from the program or if um you know the the chief and and you know in my review I guess I
still want to move forward the nomination and we'll then bring that nomination back and we can have a more detailed discussion um if it warrants it. All right. Well, I will pledge that I will follow whatever the recommendation is from the chief of police. I appreciate that. >> So, I think there's a Well,
>> there's a motion. We need a second. >> I'll second it. And I think somebody has to read the names. Um I I I'll read them if somebody wants me to. I may butcher some of them and I apologize in advance. >> You have a resolution. If you want to, you can do it if you want. Whatever. Council President, >> if we don't need to read the names, I we don't Okay. If we don't need to read the
names. >> Okay. Then if we don't need to read the names, is there any further discussion? >> Okay. I guess roll call. Councilman Buckov >> I. >> Councilwoman Isla. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kersh. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring
>> with Thank you to everyone. Yes. >> President Geer. >> Yes. >> Okay. Let's see. >> If you're here, stand up. >> Yes. >> Call. You have to call on me. I'm not going to jump on you.
>> Oh, you have to you swearing me and as liaison and all that stuff. Oh, okay. Yes. Also, I would just say that um I would say that if you received a appointment tonight, please uh stand up. I will swear you in now. Just you can stay in your seats. You just can stand up in your seats. So, you don't have to
move out of your seats. So, just repeat after me. Um I state your name. >> I >> Joan Guyger. >> Little enthusiasm, guys. Come on. Do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support >> that I will support
>> the Constitution of the United States >> the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established
>> and to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully impartially and justly >> and I will faithfully impartially and justly >> perform all the duties of and then state
the name of your committee >> all the duties of um the liaison I've been appointed to per the agenda >> of the township of Bridgewater >> of the township of Bridgewater >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability help God
>> so we'll get the back you're consider yourself sworn >> you just let every Jul. >> Sorry. >> Oh, okay. So, now Juliana has all of the oaths for all of you to sign. Juliana, just stand up so everybody can. Not
everybody knows you. So, if you just would see Juliana, I don't know if you want to go outside and start doing it now or you want to wait till after the meeting's over. I think we're we're almost done. >> Yeah, actually, I think we are just about done. So, item 14, there are no uh
ordinances. There's no introduction of ordinances. Uh, next one, resolutions. Um, okay. So, this is going to require a little bit of discussion. Um, the first resolution is the 2026 temporary budget current fund in the amount of
20,160,000. Um, can I have a motion to approve the this uh this resolution? I don't need a Do I need a motion on a resolution? >> Yeah, a motion. Yes. Yes. >> Okay. Can I have a motion
on the resolution? >> So moved. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Discussion, please. >> Yeah. Discussion. >> Yes. 16a. I think Andrew has a lot of comments. I did speak to Councilman Ring and I think um Andrew spoke to um
Councilman Kersh about this and I know Ridana and I and Andrew are all relatively familiar with it. So, Andrew, if you want to explain to everybody um how we got to the number of 20,160,000. >> Uh yes, thank you uh very much. Um the
uh um uh state law for uh temporary budgets allows uh until this year um 26.5% of the previous year's budget. Um
and uh it's that uh limit has been updated to to up to 35% of the previous year's budget. So um uh rather quickly uh today uh we looked over the the numbers that um the administration
provided and uh uh came to um uh the proposed uh 20,160,000 uh dollars because it uh it will uh
provide uh enough funding for um the uh fixed yearly costs that uh are required to be paid um upfront. Uh there are a number of um items and and I'm sure the uh um administrator, the mayor uh can
elaborate on them. Um but this also uh provides um sufficient funding for uh five billing cycles of uh salary and wages for uh the municipal
employees. And that um that would would bring us to the um middle of March uh which the um by then the uh budget proposed budget draft from the
administration is expected to be um uh submitted to uh the council. Um the the due date is uh February 27th according to the uh uh state uh department of community affairs and um we would expect
that the uh the administration will will be able to uh uh to meet that. >> Yeah. And and just very briefly, I know um the the information provided by um our director of finance and Miss
Houseman and our CFO um I I think the council has all this, but um this would show that the by March 15th, we would be $125,000 under expected budget. Um and uh that the current budget also does not include
any in any if there's overtime for snow, if there's an event that requires overtime from our public works or from our police department, this budget would not allocate uh not enough money for that. Um if uh I think Miss Franco is probably the preminent expert on our
temporary budgets from last year. Um and if the you know the council members may remember there was we had to have a couple different resolutions. caused some confusion and some conrnation, but because some of our payments are they're not evenly spread. So, you can't just take the budget and say 12 years divide
by 12 and there's the payments. >> And um last year, if you looked at the total temporary budget that we had done, it wound up being about a 37% um you know, total percentage of the budget because the way the expenses ran.
So um you know our concern with the current proposal is that um if from a budget perspective if we are completely on time if we are everything is moving swimmingly there's no issues
we have no debates we have plenty of money falling from the sky we can't get a budget um you know finalized until the end of March if not into early April anyway just based on the timing of of the you know meeting requires ments. And so, um, if the council decides to move
forward with this proposal, then the council needs to understand that, um, we will absolutely be back, you know, at some point between now and uh, March, you know, well, to make payroll by March 15th, we would have to
have a temporary budget in place, you know, before that. So based on the current meeting schedule, um it could be as early as the 19th of February. Um I don't know the process on the the 5th in terms of timing of getting a new budget
approved on the 5th for purposes of the 15th payroll. And if there's any expenditures that aren't anticipated, then that cycle could be moved up. We could be back in a month if there's an issue with regard to, like you said, emergencies, overtime, that kind of
thing. So, um, that's our concern. Just simply the council needs to be very, very aware that, you know, there's not much room for error if we intend to pay employees on the 15th. And I understand the council's desire to make
sure that the administration is um, you know, uh, we are meeting the, uh, expected timeline on the budget. Uh, it is our intention to do that. Um, you know, I guess the flip side of that is, you know, unless you're telling uh us, the public, and the employees that if we
don't make it, you're going to shut down government on uh March 15th, you know, I'm not exactly sure what the shortening the temporary budget does on um you know, moving the budget process along, but u most importantly, it's making sure the council knows that if this is no
room for error with regard to expenditures and costs over the next six months, >> what's the number you're looking for. >> Well, you know, we were originally looking for Oh, we have to the the I'm sorry. >> No, no, no. Tim Tim was Councilman Ring
was asking what we had originally proposed, which was 35%. Um, and it was the Hold on. >> Scenario. >> Scenario two, a temporary budget of 21,736,664. >> In round numbers, we're talking a difference of a little over 1.5 or 1.6
million. But yeah, >> I guess my other question is um I heard the date of February 27th, but it's my understanding that the some of the dates for budgets got pushed this year uh because of the fact that so many towns across the state struggle with the
deadlines. Is that February 27? >> Yeah, that date is still that date is still the date. >> So, it's just the final adoption. >> Yeah, they pushed back the final adoption because they knew the towns needed more. I guess where I'm concerned with this and I'm trying to understand the rationale. Um, Councilman Buckle
mentioned anticipate a budget by February 27th. Once the budget's introduced, it has to sit for 30 days before we can hold a public hearing. So, if everything works perfectly, we need to fund this government through the end
of March uh before an actual budget would kick in. I don't understand why if we're look if the why we would want to end it in the middle of March like what we know we have to extend it no matter what. So what's the rationale for not
extending it now? Um, thank thank you for that question and and I think the rationale is that um the the previous year's budget was uh uh several months late um and uh we need to
make sure that the uh process uh stays on track this year. >> So what are you going to do if the process doesn't stay on track? >> I think that the administration uh would need to answer that question. >> But but no, what what are what are we going to do? What is this council going
to do if the budget doesn't stay on track to your expectations? >> Are we going to shut down the government? >> We're not. Well, the federal government didn't seem to have much of a problem being shut down. >> I'm not asking government. I'm asking. >> But the the answer to your question is we would have to approve another budget
and I'm sure I think I think we are going to have to approve another budget no matter what. I don't think there's any scenario under which we won't be having some type of temporary budget. I guess I just have a few questions because I'd like to understand this. So, this $20.16 million
will essentially allow us to meet payrolls on the 15th and the 30th of each month through March 15th as well as other known expenditures with a very limited reserve for anything unexpected
through March 15th. Is that correct? >> That's correct. Yes. So on so on March 16th if action is not taken or if we're looking out the window and too many snowflakes are falling, we got a real problem on our hands, >> right? We'd have to be back with either
either the money would run out sooner um or the count you the cows would have to either then extend it >> then then let me let me ask this question. What number would keep this government functioning properly through March 31st? just got that >> 21,736
$6 $6.64. You know, you know, look, I I know the hour is late. We've been through a lot of issues. I I don't mean need to belabor this point, but um I I I think this is this is really bordering on uh
not abiding by our form of government. Um, we have budget responsibility and we all take that very very seriously. But execution of that budget, getting employees paid, uh, getting street lights on, keeping fire hydrants paid, uh, you know, all the things that are in
a budget, those are the responsibility of the administration. That's what the Falner Act tells us. So, it it feels to me like this is a bit a bit micromanaging. Uh, it feels a bit uncomfortable. Um, I would prefer to see us uh fund this government uh even with a little bit of
excess that if heaven forbid we have a larger than expected snowstorms, uh, as long as we can stay within the guideline of the state, I I would make a motion that uh the number 20,160,000
be amended upward to 21,736,664. And my and my rationale for that is, you know, you know, I've used the phrase, I I certainly hope we're not moving toward the Washingtonization of Bridgewater government. And what I've typically meant about that is some of the vitriol. Um, you know, some of the some of the
demonizing, some of the I'm right, you're wrong. I'm I'm wonderful, you're horrible. Unfortunately, we are seeing some of that. I fear that now even beyond that we are now going down the pathway of our vendors not knowing if they're being going to be paid, our
employees not knowing if they're going to be paid. Uh you know that that that that's an impossible situation to manage through. I I I think I think we must you know quarterly is is a point that people understand. uh you know, we might run out of money middle of the month and and
you know, that I guess means we're going to need to have met some kind of some kind of uh milestone by our March 5th meeting. What happens if it snows that day? We can't have our meeting. It just seems there's there's far too much uncertainty. So So I've made the motion
to to amend that number so that we have a little bit more comfort here. >> And I'll just echo to my comments uh and I already second it. I think that as governing body, we owe it to our township. We we owe it to our residents
to ensure we have sufficient funds to fund our police department, to fund our public works, to go out, salt the roads, plow snow, whatever needs to be done. But I also think we owe it to each and every one of our township employees from a both their personal comfort and morale
to know that we've got a budget that funds them that there's not uncertainty. Well, is this meet this deadline? Am I going to do I have to worry about getting paid at the end of March. The the men and women of this township employees and the teamsters and the PBA and the S SOAS and all of them deserve
to have that comfort. So, >> and in all due respect, uh, and I I certainly understand, uh, your your concern and, um, making sure that all of the, uh, employees of the township are paid on time is is a absolute priority.
Um, that does not that amount then runs out at the end of March. >> Correct. >> Correct. So, um it it still will require us to come back and revisit a additional
appropriation and in and uh all likelihood. >> Yeah, it yeah it absolutely would especially because the budget's not going to be you know ever completed by the end of March. I I think the concern I mean look my number one concern is making sure that the council understands
that if you go forward with the proposal as is then we will have to act and there's no room for error. I think that the concern that uh you know, Councilman Ring was raising is that um you know the
temporary budget is historically and in most towns I think it's just you know they get the numbers from the from the CFO they get the numbers from the finance and it's a it's you know proforma it's not an allocation of you know we don't go through this and say what's our spending priorities we get finance department says here's what you
need to get yourself through the first quarter and you get through and And you know, you then look at and say, "Where are we in the budget process? We need one more month. Do we need, you know, two more months, whatever." And um it's never been used certainly in this town, as some sort of weaponization of the temporary budget to say, "Hey,
employees, if uh you know, if there's a problem and the council doesn't like what the mayor's doing, you're not getting paid on, you know, March 30th." And that's that's what's occurring now is >> I I do not uh agree with that characterization. I think that is out of line to suggest that. Um I I will ask
and um I have not received an an answer uh because I I did ask this uh earlier today. Um we received a draft of uh what the uh temporary budget would be uh towards the end of of December and um
towards the end of December it asked for the 26 uh 26.25% 25%. The debt service on the draft and and I understand it's a draft. Things are subject to change. The debt service for
2026 uh has has has gone from uh 8,70,567 uh to uh today's amount uh in the um resolution we we have in front of us. Uh it's increased by $87,5946. Um,
now correct me if I'm wrong, but but generally, uh, bond bonds have a a payment schedule and you know ahead of time when you take out the debt what that's going to be. I'm just I'm just wondering where the discrepancy was.
>> Yeah. Our CFO made a mistake. >> Okay. December. >> Okay. Um, are we sure that the other numbers then? >> Yeah, we've gone back and similar mistake. Yeah, we've gone back and asked him to double check. >> These numbers came from our >> I just want to be This is our former CFO, correct?
>> Current CFO Miss Hman is uh as of December the director of finance, >> right? But the mistake was made >> by the CFO by the prior >> by the former CFO. >> No, not prior. Still CFO, but the the >> Yeah, I CFO did the numbers. The new
numbers have come from the our new director of finance. I understand. >> Has reviewed the numbers. Who's reviewed the numbers? >> Thank you. just from a from a from a calendar standpoint. I know m uh Councilman Ring, you you were you were Mr. Calendar um uh in the past with the expectations is is it accurate? Do I
recall it accurately that that the starting line we can't even start until like the middle of February because there's certain actions that have to occur by the county? Correct. >> So yeah, there's a we do our annual assessment increases. There's a I forget the term what's the
>> re when the county equalization equalization across all towns because not all towns do reassessments every year. So there's an equalization process. So part of a budget process is obviously your expenses, but it's also your revenue because we have to have a balanced budget to the penny revenue
versus expenses. Um we will not know our revenue until it's usually sometime in the first half of February. Um, we can certainly check with Tony on what those dates are, but we don't get that equalization as to uh assessment adjustments finalized by the county till
sometime in the first two weeks of February. I believe >> it's also it's also the state, you know, the state numbers. State gives out state aid that you know how much you're getting in your budget. There's a couple different factors that go in um to it. I mean, I think everyone understands that the budget is not going to be done by the end of March and no one I don't
think up here is suggesting that. I you know the >> but our best practice is to start with the first quarter. >> Yeah, that's that's what that's what is typically done. Last year, um, as I think Councilman Bucko pointed out, the state, um, Governor Murphy actually
extended, you know, allowed for greater increases in a temporary budget and a longer period of time because so many towns were nobody was hitting the deadlines because of the pro the process. So, um, again, you know, and I mean, everyone knows these issues at this point. I'm not trying to belabor
it. Our position is that we should follow the advice of our finance staff, which is to fund uh fund the township through the end of March at the amount calculated by the CFO. CFO was currently calculated that as of March 15th, we
will be $127,000 short of what we need to pay the bills as of March 15th. Um so, um the council has all the information it that we have. Um, and the council can decide how you want to go. >> Well, well, I've I've made the amended
the amendment to accept the number that will keep this government successfully running until March 31st. >> Can everybody second it? >> Any further comment? Um, I I would just uh ask uh if we can
um we can get a commitment from the administration to have a uh uh a budget in a in a draft form, whatever it might be, by that uh February 27th date. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And I will just say this, uh,
given that commitment, I would be willing to support the, um, higher, you know, the budget that's been proposed, the sec the amendment that's been proposed. >> And I, um, we did talk to Sarah today, so appreciate her because understanding
what those risks are, those overruns, those shortfall falls are very important. As you heard in December, there were some numbers, discrepancies. Last year, apparently health care plans, a lot of things were miscalculated. They were added almost weekly. I think they
had to come back and ask for more money. We definitely don't want to be burdensome, but we want to make sure that just because we have to wait until February 27th, we're not ignoring those risks, overruns, and shortfalls. That should be happening in real time every day, making sure we don't miss anything
and until we can get that draft budget in. So, you know, just making sure, you know, we're a little bit more hands-on and in real time, not just waiting for something to come out. >> And and not to set the bar and expectations too high, if I can do it sooner, I'll do it sooner. I just I mean, you know, I don't want to now uh,
you know, get everyone's hopes up too much, but uh um I'd like to get the budget I don't want to see this budget process, you know, go on into, you know, the late spring or early summer. And uh, you know, you know, I don't want to do that. I I I would not want to see that
either. Uh and that's that's really the the concern that I have is is that um we ensure that that is as as close to the the um statutory date as as possible. Um
again, my my uh number one priority is to make sure that the uh the township continues to run and everyone gets paid on time. I I I don't think anyone anyone disagrees. The question is just at what point are we going to need to revisit
the temporary appropriation? Um and from from all the information that uh we've we've heard today um even at the the 35% number that still happens uh by the end of March,
>> right? That's the that's the estimate the estimate from the you know the CFO. >> All right. >> And just for clarity we are now at what was termed and distributed as scenario 2. >> Correct. >> So the numbers are um the temporary budget correct me if I'm wrong would now
be 21 million736,64. >> That's what I said. >> 21A 736A006.64. >> Right. Right. Michael 1,736,664. >> Michael, if you had it. >> Michael, if you had it, why'd you ask me to >> If I may play mediator for a minute, we're really arguing over two weeks
here. Um, I personally don't think it makes that much of a difference. >> Well, Council President, that the one thing to bear in mind, it's not the two weeks. It's also, if you if the area 2 number uh says that we'd get through March and also still have 600,000, meaning if there is a if if there's a snow event,
>> I understand. We're not. So, it's it's two weeks plus the buffer. >> Yeah, I understand what you're saying. >> If expenditures run lower than expected, theoretically that could take us through April 15th if if >> frankly, I think we're all making a big deal out of nothing because I think at the end of the day, we are going to have
to approve another temporary budget. And whether we approve that temporary budget on March 5th or 6th or 7th or March 31st or April 2nd or April 3rd, I don't think it's going to the the sky is going to fall. So, at this point, unless there's any further comments, I'm going to ask for a roll call. And
>> this is a roll call to go to the 21 million number. >> Correct. >> Councilman Bako. >> Hi. >> Councilwoman Isla. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kersh. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> President Geer. >> Yes. >> Thank you, council. >> The next one should be a lot less
controversial. So, if anybody's watching at home, uh, now might and and you're getting tired or you're getting bored, I can assure you that the fireworks are over for the night or I hope so. Anyway, >> you just jinxed us, council president. >> We still got two more resolutions left.
>> So, um, B 2026, the temporary budget sewer utility in the amount of $4,957,5583. >> So moved. >> Second. Is there any discussion? >> Uh yeah, just wanted to mention Andrew also caught this one. Um the numbers we
received for the debt surface back in December. Um there was I think a miscalculation. So it has increased. So let's just you know learn from those mistakes and make sure in the future we don't create those little errors. But thank you Andrew for catching that as well. >> Uh yeah. Yeah. I I I guess I just um
would like to also point out that there there was a um I assume a similar miscalculation of uh in the amount of about $95,000. It it was, you know, significant. It was it was 19% of the the stated uh debt service number on on
the initial draft. Again, >> draft I I understand um things change. you check the numbers and and they uh um you know don't don't number all the way. Um but
uh I I you know it's it's I'll just say I I am I am pleased to see that you you have um recognized the need for new financial leadership uh at the end of last year. So uh can we have a roll call on uh res
>> only other discussion is upon doing this people can continue to do their laundry and flush their toilets. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um >> Councilman Bako >> Iwoman Isla. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kush. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> President Geger. >> Yes.
>> All right. Resolution number C acknowledging the township council's review of salaries for the board of fire commissioners of fire district number one, number two, number three, and number four for the year of 2026. Um, and just so the public is aware, um, we
really don't have an option here. It's the if you look at the wording carefully, we're just acknowledging that we've actually looked at the numbers. Um, and I can tell you that I have looked at the numbers and I think I can say with confidence that everyone every
other council person up here has looked at these numbers. Um, so I'm going to make a motion to uh uh to approve uh resolution 16C. Do I have a second? >> I'll second it. And just so the public understands is this is a state
requirement that we have to review the numbers. It is not an approval of the numbers. Um we are merely uh and this is to um every February there are fire district elections throughout New Jersey. It is held on I think the second
or third Saturday uh of the month and you have the opportunity to go out and vote for who your fire commissioners are. Um and this resolution is to approve what those commissioners receive as a pay or stipen for their service on
an annual basis. And again, we scratch our head why we have to do this, but the state says we have to review them. >> Thank you. That was a better explanation than mine. So, I appreciate that. >> And and you know, just an additional comment that these fire districts are separate taxing authorities. It's a very very small amount, but certainly
critical. It's a service that hopefully nobody wants to take advantage of, but is important that it's available. And >> and by no means does it mean that we have any oversight or uh authority over the fire districts. they they uh each district is um um
>> their own separate government >> organizing. So you know the uh um the leadership structure of them is slightly different. Correct. >> And and just from an audit perspective to keep everything running nicely um they have submitted all financial
documentation Mr. Papis, right? >> They don't have to submit it. >> No, they don't. Yeah, they submit this. They have their own audit function and they're um separately governed >> there and and when you actually vote in February to elect the commissioner, you
actually the residents vote on the fire district budget. They are a completely separate government entity in in our grand scheme of things. It's no different than the school board. >> Can we have a roll call?
>> Councilman Bco. >> Hi. >> Councilwoman Isla. Yes. Councilman >> Kersh. Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> President Geer. >> Yes. >> All right. Resolution uh 16D authorizing dispersal of an additional um $7,254.73
from the affordable housing trust fund for renovations and repairs for one low and moderate income property through the Bridgewater Housing Rehabilitation Program. And again, just by way of a little bit of explanation, this is a fairly common resolution. You know, as
repairs and renovations are needed, we have to approve them um from the affordable housing trust fund. Um can I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Uh roll call.
>> Councilman Bako, >> I. Councilwoman, >> yes. >> Councilman Kush, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. President Gea. >> Yes. Um and number 17, I think we've had a lot of discussion, so I don't know that we need to have any more, but um I
did add this um to the agenda and you will see it in all the future agendas. Um I was there was originally going to add um new business and old business and Mr. Corsini pointed out that it might be a whole lot less confusing to just add discussion. Then we don't have to worry
about whether it's new or whether it's old. But um is does anyone have any further discussion? >> Um I actually do have something. Um and this this piggybacks on the um uh the human trafficking awareness proclamation
from um well couple hours ago. Um um is there is there any any consideration uh to um uh through uh health code ordinances uh require public bathrooms
in Bridgewater to to post u information about uh if you're a victim of or you know a victim of human trafficking, you know, here's how you can confidentially seek help. I I I've noticed this in uh in in restrooms uh in in other locations
and um you know considering the importance of uh of that um you know maybe it's something we should uh consider for um for for requiring public ba bathrooms in in Bridgewater. Yeah, I think part of what we've been trying to
work with chief on in terms of, you know, public awareness campaign and the um uh some of the prosecutor's offices have resources, things like that. Uh certainly support encouraging it. I don't I don't know uh whether we can
require it um you know through the health codes to mandate it. Um, I don't know if we could if I would support mandating it, but um, definitely definitely, you know, encouraging and we're going to come up with some ideas in terms of public awareness and I know, yeah, to your point, a lot of bathrooms,
especially in women's bathrooms, will have um, kind of the how do you get help if you need it type of thing. So, >> we'll keep looking at those ideas. And >> and on this subject, it bears noting that the ordinance was passed in in in December on a on a 3 to one vote uh, of
the previous council. would have been a four to one vote had had Mr. Ring been in in town uh that that night. Um but yeah, it it was it was passed. It's certainly a great accomplishment not only for those of us in involved in it, but um you know, for those really on
behalf of the full community. >> Mr. Bucko, I think in answer to your question, um some of that ties into uh our health department has to operate according to the state health code >> um both in restaurants and other
situations. So, um I don't I can't say for sure, but I think it's something uh for the health advisory board to, you know, they could probably give a better answer than any of us. >> Certainly, as as as you probably know, you know,
>> bathrooms in in establishments generally have are required to have >> employees must wash their hands. >> Yes. Yep. >> Yeah. Well, but that's not a township requirement. That's a state requirement. And you know, and I don't want to get too far into the discussion on human trafficking. Um,
I work full-time in the hospitality industry. It's very prevalent. And most um, you know, first of all, the fact that it's January, it's very interesting that with World Cup coming up in New Jersey this summer in three of our neighboring towns, we will have teams
staying. But events like World Cup uh unfortunately are a um >> they're a big the human traffickers actually will move people from parts of the country to where big events are taking place because of unfortunately I
hate to say this supply and demand. Um and and it's a we're going to hear a lot more about it in the next several months. Um >> just to give you an idea to that point a couple years ago there was a targeted operation during the NCAA Final Four game. uh for human trafficking and they
rescued 28 people that year including one minor who were being trafficked. >> Yeah. Are are we uh and this is this is uh I guess a question for uh the mayor and Mr. Papis. Are we are we prepared to handle um such a um influx of uh um
potential um due to due to that? >> Yeah. And it's not just about human trafficking concerns. I mean there's going to be when we start getting to the World Cup games um the whole area is expecting a you know big influx of people whether it's the not just the teams but the staff that goes with the
teams and then of course the tourists that come by and that base is the big one >> you know and um there's a lot of opportunities with that I mean you know we hope that our hotels will be filled there'll be lots of people at you know >> going to the Patriots games as well as the but it's also means there's a you
know a larger police presence and that's already been starting to be coordinated with, you know, all the different law enforcement entities. There's a lot of PR um, you know, groups to get information out to us to be able to >> I think that's a headache that belongs to the gentleman way in the back of the room. >> Let's put it this way. If you have
friends and family coming this summer, plan their trips around World Cup because hotels probably in this area um will be particularly heavy and and the World Cup final, the final match for the World Championship is at Metife Stadium.
>> Yeah. And it's on July 19, my birthday. So after that, we can celebrate. >> Listen, my daughter wants to know. She says that there could be Ronaldo versus Messi in Kansas City on July something. Uh if I hit the lottery, I'll be there. >> Hasn't he retired yet?
>> Um motion to adjurnn. >> I know. I lost I lost my place. Yes. Can I You have a motion to second. >> Second. I >> All in favor? I I