You've been working out, sweating. >> Yeah, I walked across the park. >> I'm giving you a hard time. >> Sir, >> ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the regular council session of Bridgewater Township Council. Today is Thursday,
September 4th, and we are live and in person. In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act of New Jersey, the adequate notice of this meeting was provided on December 10th, 2024 by sending written notice and electronic notice to the
Courier News and the Breeze, hosting on the website and the bulletin board in the municipal building and filing with the township clerk. Madame clerk, may we have the roll call and welcome back. >> Roll call, please.
Councilman Kersh >> here. Councilman Codella >> here. Councilman >> Ring. >> Good evening. Here. Councilman >> Pedroso. President Ogalis >> here. >> Uh Councilman Ring, would you please lead us in the pledge? Stand if you're
able to for the salute to the flag. 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. Under item four, we're going to hold the minutes until the next meeting. Moving to township council reports. Uh, Councilman Credilla, would you provide your report, please, sir? Um,
this evening I'd like to uh report on two things. I will never again ask for the clock to be repaired. Usually it's two minutes maybe three minutes off. This evening it's 17 minutes off. So I had asked I had asked
for it to be fixed. I'm stopping right there. Um, I attended a ribbon cutting uh yesterday at 600 East Main Street for the Aurora Eye Care Center. And with the uh Patel family, they have the eye care
center, the Manhattan Bagel occupancy right next to it and the uh laundry center adjacent to that. Also, uh I know Mike, uh Councilman Kersh will talk a little bit about the eye care center, but I have to say it was very
impressive and I can't wish him anything but the best. Thank you. That's all that I have. >> Thank you, Councilman Ring, please. >> Thank you. Um, for those that have not seen the Bridgewater bulletin, um, one particular noteworthy item in this
month's issue is the bulky trash drop off days, which I know are very popular, September 13th and 20th from 8:00 a.m. to 100 p.m. Um, township website has additional information. Uh, I'd like to extend my congratulations to soon to be
Lieutenant Knap and Sergeant Han. Um, I've had the chance as a longtime first responder to work with both of these individuals in the community and um, congratulate both of them on well welldeserved promotions. And then lastly, I received an invite earlier this week. Uh, the Green Fire Department
is having a 911 memorial dedication recently built this Saturday at 9:30 which is open to the public. That is my report. >> Thank you. Uh, Councilman Kersh. >> Yes. Thank you. Few items on the land use side. Uh planning board has not met.
Zoning board met. Uh the uh let's see that must have been a week ago Tuesday right before Labor Day. Uh two residential applications both were approved. Uh pre-existing improvements um uh required use in bulk variance at
756 Harding Road. Uh and uh second floor addition uh triggered sideyard uh uh and bulk variances at 160 Oak Street. Uh and as I as I uh as I stated, both were were approved. Um uh it was mentioned earlier
the the ribbon cutting yesterday. I'll just go into a little bit more detail. Um it's uh uh it's a building that um was heard on the zoning board back somewhere in the vicinity of 2017 2018 when I was on that board. Um that
allowed them to to construct that. It is now a very successful uh three business operation uh all all being run by the by the same individuals very um uh you know very very entrepreneurial. The Manhattan bagel is the one that's on the corner
probably most people see. The one in the middle is the Aurora Eye Care which which was spoken of for the ribbon cutting. And then there's also a state-of-the-art uh laundromat. Uh and the individuals involved uh Tahas uh Patel uh he's the gentleman on the uh
on the left in the photo. Uh and then um uh Dr. Talia Michigan is uh is uh toward the middle next to uh Councilman uh Councilman Cordilla. A state-of-the-art facility, beautiful uh uh set of
diagnostic uh equipment uh able to um you know really do a fullervice uh uh optometry operation there. So we certainly uh wish them well and they appreciated the support from uh Councilman Cordilla and
myself. wanted to briefly report out on two other issues uh that have come up uh earlier. Uh one uh is the uh increase in energy costs that we're all seeing on an individual basis. Uh that will have impact on on our township budget. So
I've been speaking on a regular basis uh with administrator Papus. Uh, you know, certainly we're doing the best that we can to continue to be as energy efficient as possible, but that was an increase uh that was not anticipated. Um, perhaps with better planning at the
state level, it could have been anticipated, but unfortunately, the same way each of you is left with a higher electric bill, uh, so are we. Uh, it won't be pretty, but we'll get through it. Uh and then the um the other item I wanted to follow up on was the DOT presentation uh from from last week
regarding uh the closure of the Prince Rogers uh bridge which will occur sometime in the vicinity of 2020 uh 2020 or >> 20 No, not for 26. >> Five years out.
>> All right. Being whenever it's going to be uh >> for a few years. >> It's a few it's still a few years out. Um but basically um we we have some decision making potentially on a plan. Councilman Ring uh had there were two um
options delivered to us. Councilman Ring suggested a third. Uh and we are working uh through our staff with the DOT to make sure that they deliver the particulars of what those three options may look like, confirming hopefully that Councilman Ring suggestion is viable in
a reasonable time frame. And then we will be uh in touch with the mall, other businesses, residences, and and those who may be impacted. The concern is is if the bridge closes, if the bridge is closed and it's completely closed, that would uh prevent pedestrian
traffic and and uh we're we're getting our hands right now on uh some numbers of of what that looks like. We want to make sure that there is as little inconvenience as possible while at the same time we're improving the infrastructure of that bridge. And that's my report.
>> Thank you. Uh, Councilman Ring has a >> Yes, I apolog forgot one of my most important items. Um, recently had a conversation with the school board liaison. We talked about several different things. Um, the school
district is very concerned uh regarding the Prince Rogers uh bridge project and would like to be part of that not only for school buses to and from schools but uh after school uh activities on North Bridge Street. So, um I told them we
would do our best to include them. Um and then there is also currently I guess the school district has been having some discussions on school start times and next week September 9th they are actually having a presentation. There's
currently two proposals uh that they're considering regarding start times. I'm not going to go into all the details. Uh if anyone is interested certainly would encourage you to attend the presentation next week. Uh I did pass on some information earlier this week to Chief Mitsac as school times adjust that does
have an impact on our crossing guards and SRO's. So thank you. >> Thank you. Uh my report is as follows. While the issue of vaccine uses continues at the national level, um I'd like to remind Bridgewater public that
vaccine inoculations including flu and COVID continue to be the norm for medical practitioners in our area. In Bridgewater, we utilize the Middlebrook Health Commission and our health purveyor of health support and information. The commission is offering COVID and flu shots at two sessions at
at the Warren Township Town Hall uh for folks wishing to uh be a little closer. Branchburg Health Department is also offering uh shots at their Branchburg town. Uh both pieces of information can be found on the web addresses for those
two organizations. Uh by our next meeting on September 18th, I hope to be able to hold a public review of township plans for our overhaul of the Middlebrook Suridge pumping station. Uh this project will require bonding probably in the area of $4 million to
bring the facility up to the current best practice standards. A council bond introduction on on October 18th and adoption on November 6th is my plan piggybacking on the work of Tom Gova and his team which started last year.
Introduction and adoption must take place in the same calendar year and we're running out of meetings in 2025. I want to thank the uh township's uh Somerset Regional Sewage Authority representatives, specifically Bob
Albbano, a former councilman, uh and Joel Lefairy, who are both here for joining the council meeting to to take part in our closed session later tonight to share some insight into the regional contracting discussions. Uh piggybacking again on on what has just been said by
Councilman Kersh and Councilman Ring, uh two weeks ago we had a presentation from NJ DOT regarding a rather complex and long-term project involving bridge over 287. At the time, Councilman Ring and Kersh both had numerous questions and concerns. At the time, I suggested a
subcommittee of the council to work with the administration and DOT to smooth the planning. And I would like to codify that issue by formally asking both if they will serve as the committee. I think they both have. Uh so Mr. Papus, they will be part of the standing committee. I assume it will be chaired
by Scott or somebody in your administration. Uh that is my report. Uh Mr. Mayor, do you have a report, sir? >> Yes. Thank you. Uh very briefly, I wanted to thank Eric Murdoch and Eric Murdoch Foundation. They hosted a uh
school supply and backpack giveaway uh at over two weekends ago. Um no, this weekend, Labor Day weekend, feels like so long ago. Uh they uh to provide school supplies for uh students in the area. Uh there is a golf outing coming up for the
Eric Murd Foundation um next week. So, anybody who's interested in going, but it was a great event. Uh second or third time that they've done the backpack giveaway. It's getting bigger and bigger every year. and uh thank him and those that work with his foundation for that
um that contribution to our community. I was unable to attend unfortunately but I sponsored an event that was hosted at the ballpark with the Imagine Center. I think some of you are aware Imagine is a grief counseling center that was originally started in Newark. uh now has
two locations and is run by an executive director Lindseay Shambach Cullinin who is a Bridgewater resident. Um her husband Mike Shambach had passed away both are Bridgewater residents and as part of um her grieving process had come
in contact with Imagine. She left her job as a school principal to run that organization and um uh they continue to try to bring some of their programs out to Somerset County. So, it's a fantastic organization and um I was glad to support them in spirit although I was
not able to attend in person at their event. And uh last two events just wanted to bring everyone's attention for the future. Uh there was a uh a Taiwanese fair that was held at the mall on Mon is it Sunday? Saturday? I can't
remember these dates now. Saturday. There you go. Um it was a much bigger event than I realized. I don't know if anybody had an opportunity to attend it, but uh there was a lot of food vendors there. A lot of them came out from the New York City area, but it was a again a much bigger event than I was
anticipating. It was phenomenal. Uh the food was great, and I think they're going to come back next year to do it again to be able to uh bring some of the um the traditions and the food and the businesses um from some of our Taiwanese American residents and business owners
in the area out to New Jersey. not just in New York City. Uh last but not least, I attended a dance performance at the uh the temple on Saturday night. Um and uh for a student who is now going to
Ruckers uh but she performed her graduation from the traditional dance program that she was in. Uh and it was phenomenal the skill of the the traditional dancing that she did. I think she was the only when her and her sister performed it was like I was able to attend the whole thing but it was like a three-hour performance in terms
of the dancing and everything else. So um that was wonderful event. That's my report. >> Thank you Mr. Mayor. We are now proceeding we are now proceeding to item number seven which is what most of you folks are here for. And uh I'm going to turn it over to the mayor for the
swearing in semary se swearing in for Lieutenant Patrick Knap and Sergeant Jonathan Han. Mr. right here. Thank I had to check with the chief first. I think last time I I messed up the order of speaking and I I this time the chief
wanted to make sure we were very clear as to who was speaking first and who was speaking second. So like a good leader, he made sure everything was in order and uh we are. So, um, I want to start by welcoming everybody to Bridgewwater Township to join us at our meeting
tonight. Um, for those of you who don't know me, I'm Matthew Bench. I'm the mayor here in Bridgewater. Um, for some of you, you've sat through uh some of these before with with me providing presiding and uh hearing some of my remarks. Uh, it doesn't get old for me
at all uh doing this. Um, I I think most of officers know I try to get to when I can every swearing in or promotion. I miss a few, but I I try not to because I think when we are able to honor our police officers,
uh, it is something as a community we absolutely should take a moment to do. And tonight we have the opportunity to celebrate two of our officers of our finest officers in our department who are continuing their service on behalf of our residents and stepping up into
positions of leadership within our department uh or or further leadership uh from what they've already had. when an officer puts on a uniform a and and goes out and serves our community, whether they live in our community or or
whether they live elsewhere and come here, our families are in their hands. Um it's our lives, our family, our loved ones are protected by the men and women of our police department. And when we have officers who are willing to step up
and set the example for everybody else, it is a tremendous responsibility to have not just to be able to be required to preserve and protect, but to lead and to lead men and women that are facing difficult situations at any possible
moment. And to know that now they're the ones in charge. They're the ones who have to make the decisions for those officers and our public, for their safety and for ours. And um it is a phenomenal responsibility which I am
truly grateful for that you have stepped up and continued to step forward to do. Um for the for the families of the officers that are here, thank you. Uh thank you for lending us your your loved ones. Thank you for allowing them to
come here every day um and to serve our community. I want you to know that uh from on behalf of myself and the council and our administration and the township, we will do everything we can to make sure that they are safe, that they have the tools that they need to uh to
succeed and that uh they know that we have their backs the way that you know they have ours. And so we will do everything we can to make sure that they have a long and fruitful career here in Bridgewater and they know that they are respected and appreciated and to that
they're welcomed here in our town. Uh I know it's an immense responsibility that they have and that you have to be able to support them in what they do. So um with that, thank you for for being here. And these are I know that the chief is
going to speak a little bit more about each officer, but uh these are two officers who as it may room know of course are are just phenomenal. Um they are the the cream of the crop that we have. Um I've known uh you know Lieutenant Knap
was one of the the first officers um when I became mayor who was uh you know helping to provide guidance to me u or giving me a hard time depending on what I was doing. um but uh an immense advocate not just for the public but for the police department when he was in uh
his former role um on behalf of the PBA um amazing advocate for the police department and uh a real asset to me both helping me learn and teach and like I said occasionally keeping me alive when he said what are you doing you can't do that that's a horrible idea um
but uh I appreciate somebody who was in a position to tell me that so I could be a better mayor on behalf of our community and our police department and officer Han anybody who has talked to members of the public who have interacted with Officer Han um know that I don't think I've ever had a bad word said and not just that but glowing uh
reviews everybody um who has interacted with you in every role that you've had um you know I don't always get feedback all the time I mean people might say something to the officers oh we had a good interaction um but that feedback gets got was so often and so pervasive it got up where I hear over and over
again the accolades that you receive so thank you for stepping up into into this role and doing his job. So with that, congratulations to both of our officers. I will turn it over to our amazing chief, Chief Mizak. >> All right, the mayor said it all, so I guess I'm done for tonight. He usually
steals my thunder, so but uh I'll give it a whirl. Um I just want to thank everyone for coming here tonight. Moments like this are some of the most uh rewarding we have in law enforcement. the opportunity to recognize excellence,
celebrate dedication, and witness um leadership rise to meet new challenges. Tonight, we do just that as we promote two outstanding officers, Sergeant Patrick Knap to Lieutenant and Officer Jonathan Han to Sergeant. I'll begin with uh Sergeant Patrick Knap, who has
consistently demonstrated commitment, loyalty, and leadership within this department. Patrick began his uh journey by earning his bachelor's degree from Ruckers University. Soon after that, he graduated from the Summers County Police Academy in June of 2007.
Two months later, he was sworn in as a Bridgewater Police Officer in August of 2007. And from that day forward, he's never looked back. For 15 years, Patrick has served in patrol, approaching each call with professionalism, consistency, and a calm presence. Between 2016 and
2022, he's also served as our PBA president, as the mayor said. A role that takes not just leadership, but diplomacy, patience, and grit, traits that Pat has always demonstrated in abundance to the mayor and with his fellow officers. He was promoted to
sergeant in November 2022, leading first on the night shift and then transitioning to the dayshift, finally in January 2025, where he currently serves. Um some collaterals about Pat. He's a respected member of our honor guard. He
is uh currently actively involved in police licensing, PT testing, testing and interviewing. He does some internal failures work and of course the ever popular annual golf outing. Pat really does a great job with that. He's also
been involved with the uh jiu-jitsu group contributing to a sense of teamwork, confidence, and competence. Lieutenant N's promotion reflects not just his years of service, but the quality of that service, marked by support for his colleagues, dedication
to the department, and his steady commitment to our core values. Pat, we're proud of what you've accomplished and confident that you'll continue to lead with integrity, thoughtfulness, and calm in your new role. I now invite Pat's mother, Kathleen, and if his father wants to come up, Frederick, who
is a former US Marine, to uh assist with the swearing in the Bible. United States [Music] under the authority. [Music]
[Applause] [Music] [Applause] Okay, now we'll turn to a leader who represents the next generation of
supervisors in this department, officer Jonathan Han, who is uh will be promoted to sergeants shortly. John graduated from the Montlair State University in 2013, then went on to graduate from the Mercer County Police Academy in 2015, bringing with him not only strong
academic credentials, but a passion for learning and a drive to serve. He began in patrol in early 2015, served with excellence, and was soon assigned to the Youth Service Bureau as a school resource officer in 2018. From there, he
was transitioned to a detective in 2021, where he spent four years handling a range of complex and sensitive cases. Most recently, John made the decision to return to patrol to broaden his experience and further prepare for
future leadership responsibilities. That kind of initiative and dedication to growth is something that we value in our supervisors. John also brings a wide range of specialized skills to the department. He is a forums instructor, a proud member of the Somerset County SWAT
team, and he is proficient in the Korean language. Something that he's helped bridge gaps and strengthen our connection with the community. Perhaps the most telling thing about John is his personal mission. I had him write a little biography and this is uh one thing he uh included I thought was
important. His mission is to make those who believe in him proud and to lead this department stronger for those who come after him. That's the mindset of a leader. That's the mindset of a true servant. Sergeant Han, today we recognize your talent, your discipline, and your readiness to lead. We are proud
of your journey, and we're excited to see how your future unfolds. I now invite your uh your wife Christine and your son Johnny to come up as you're promoted to sergeant. >> What? >> You're throwing Suzanne off. You're
gonna get yelled at. I'm a politician. I got the picture. Stand up. hard for your wife to put on. So, I'm just going to give it to you. Good pictures. >> Yeah,
>> okay. >> You got to come up. Ouch. Wow. All right. We got to face it this way for the people now, right? >> Correct. >> Nope. Thank you.
Get back up there. >> Hold on. Suzan, one more. One more. Sorry. One more. One more. One more. I want just the officers, please. Trust the >> officers. >> You don't have to flip it. >> Okay. >> One more. Okay.
>> There. Over. Perfect. Perfect. a little bit. >> And then That looks pretty good to me. >> Thank you. Thank you. Folks, you're more than welcome to stay
for the rest of the council meeting, but if you prefer to uh celebrate some with at another location, that's okay. Now would be a good time. Yeah, >> the trouble with being on the end of the picture. >> Okay, folks, we're back. Uh, under proclamations, we have none. So, that
finishes off item eight. Item nine, presentations. We have none. Moving to item 10, which is the meeting open to the public, members of the public wishing to address the council on any matter, we'll be allowed three minutes to speak unless there are special circumstances. May I have a motion to open to the council, please?
>> So moved. I'll second it. >> All those in favor? I >> Okay, we are open to public. Please step up. Uh, put your name and address on a piece of paper and get and and verbally provide your name and address, please. [Music]
[Music] Uh, I'm here tonight to address the issue of the pilot program that it looks like you are voting on. >> Uh, name and address. >> Uh, I'm sorry. My name is Dan Zalinski, 715 Chimney Rock Road.
Uh, as I recall, this administration ran on not doing pilots, and here we are doing a pilot. We only have two pilots in Bridgewater. Uh, I can't believe that this pilot is on
this agenda tonight after promises of transparency and asurances from the administration and this council, uh, that there would be ample public discourse. Uh but you're preparing to vote on this tonight. Uh I only recall
uh speaking at this council once as it relates to uh this pilot and it was for a very short period of time and uh I was told that uh that would be happening later that discourse. the agreement that
you are prepared to sign contains errors and misrepresentations. And uh has I reviewed this uh I was astonished at how sloppy the work was. Uh thanks to uh I believe her name is
Kathy Franco uh who forced disclosure of the agreement through the Oprah process. The document became available through her social media page, which kind of leaves me wondering why why we weren't given
this document right from the council, why this woman had to go through that just to get this document. >> By the way, sir, this is the open to the public part. There is a a a public hearing on 11A which will address specifically that topic. >> Okay. Would you like me to come back?
>> Yeah, I'd like you to hold your comments on that until you get to that. But we can cover any other aspects of Sure. >> that that are not covered by the agenda, if you will. >> I will I'll hold my comments. I have some very specific >> questions that I have about this. >> We'll look forward to hearing. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Uh anyone have any uh input for the council on any items that's not covered in the rest of the agenda? Please, please come forward. You want to pull that mic down? So you There you go. >> Okay. You want my name? >> Yeah. Your name and address, please.
>> Okay. Barb Cook, 199 Cornell Boulevard, Bridgewater, New Jersey. Um, I was kind of sensing a theme here uh from the last gentleman. Um, I guess my first question would be, has
Bridgewater Township already fulfilled its affordable housing requirement? No. Because there's little information that's not quite clear. Okay. Um, so I I see that tonight there's a close
session going to be uh contract negotiations for affordable housing. Um, I >> would you uh be closer to the microphone, ma'am, so we can make sure we kept capture all your comments. >> I'm I'm balancing speaking and being able to see the page.
[Music] >> Um, there was a meeting on August 7th, we we have learned that um aside from the session tonight uh that will be closed about contract negotiations for affordable housing, you
still can't hear me. You're speaking not only to us, but it's also being broadcast >> right into it. Okay. Sorry, whoever I'm blasting. Um, >> we've learned at your meeting of August 7th that there was a public hearing and
ordinance introduced. Um, one was uh a amending anyway, there was a a permit to uh allow supportive housing. Uh, that was one. I'm not going to read all the numbers for you. You know what they are. The at
the same meeting there was an or ordinance by the township to uh allow a hive 3 affordable housing zone allowing for 100% affordable multif family residential development and disabled
veterans housing pursuant to the provisions of the fair housing act and any uniform housing and additional additional controls. Um, back on June 29th, bear with me, there was authorization
uh, under resolutions, the township entered into a tax agreement with, oh boy, NJRPI, comma, LLC, pursuant to the affordable housing agreement. And another one also under resolutions on June 29th
consenting to the assignment and transfer agreement between uh GCP Bridgewater LP and NJGP LLC pursuant to the affordable housing agreement. Um
the um I guess what we're trying to find out where I live is what is the affordable housing agreement that has repeatedly been referenced. We don't we
don't know what the affordable housing agreement is. Can somebody give me some concise uh our our our neighborhood, not just my neighborhood, Bridgewater on our half of Cornell Boulevard, but all the way down to Mountain Avenue, Arlene Drive. I don't know how many of you are
familiar with it. Uh the impact is going to be interesting and we don't know what what it is. We have not heard anything about it. Uh I guess we're responsible for keeping a breast of everything that's going on. Uh but we just this was
all happening and we didn't know it. So um somebody at I'm here representing a bunch of folks who are probably doing what we'd all like to do is watch the game and regardless never mind. So what what is this affordable housing agreement that keeps being referenced?
Can anybody give me a a synopsis? Ma ma'am, we've been discussing the affordable housing for for many many months, including the litigation uh the requirement of the state uh the state requirement that they mandated to us uh
and which was negotiated down. Our planner for affordable housing has been here has presented the the various options. Uh so there's been a lot of discussion about this. uh and at this point we we are committed to I think
it's 421 uh affordable uh units uh as part of the the fourth round. Uh so uh I I'm concerned that you're you the implication is that you haven't heard anything about affordable housing. >> Uh yes, I'm concerned too as the people
who would be very impacted by it. I said it's our fault for not knowing something that has to do with us. >> I'll defer to the mayor to >> m real quick that we can certainly uh if you contact the office we can get you a lot more information specifically on your area. >> Who should we contact?
>> Uh you you can contact the office of constituent relations. Um Minister Papas can give you his card. Uh Scott Stevens is in the back. He might have a card on him as well. But to answer your question, the agreements that you referenced back in June are are are different. The town of the don't relate to your property. the property that
you're talking about uh in the Cornell area, it's it's the um >> it's where one of the new streets is supposed to go. >> Right. Right. So So um the the plan that was submitted for the for the township is a townshipwide plan. So there's mo
the the plan for the affordable housing is a townshipwide plan involving multiple different projects. >> Yes. >> So uh which still has to be approved by the court. So there is we had to file the plan. There are objectors who have
filed objections. So the plan may not be final depending on what the court says. But as it relates to your property, your property that the area the project you're referring to, it would be 15 uh 15 apartments for supportive housing. That would be the
project that is in that lot near um Time to Eat Diner. It would be all just affordable housing. It would be total of 15 units that are supportive housing. I forget there's a there's a breakdown of it, but it's that's what it would be.
>> I I think it's often for um moms and kids who >> I I think that's right. I don't want to speak uh without having exact information, but it's the plan itself is public and but that's it's 15 units is what is being proposing. >> Okay. Um then then is there's something
for uh veterans also? four units is for four units is for veterans over there and 15 >> four of the 15 is veterans and 11 is supportive housing >> right uh and again I I I acknowledge that I guess we should have known very much about this and we're uh I'm sorry
that we were lax less laxed about not staying informed uh I uh I just I just want to um to to say I'll be quick from here on in um we've lived at one uh 199 Cornell Boulevard for 40 years. Uh
raised families there. Um seen births and deaths. We've been the most honest homeowners and residents. We did our due diligence before buying the property. We know the lot in question was a was a flood zone. I know there's question
about that. I'll just add that. By the way, uh we know we have one of maybe the very few uh documents that Mr. Strowmire didn't carry out of the building. Uh this one shows clearly flood zone
topography. It's very detailed. It's very detailed and we would have we would have wanted to be sure that was true. And I'm going to go really fast. We knew our driveway had uh been Prospect Street or I guess Hillrest Road also been
vacated. Uh we have survived uh any attempts for development on that property because nothing could be dug deep enough to support structures and because runoff just couldn't be couldn't be contained. With what we've seen of the proposed
plans, our driveway is taken away to become one of one of the streets to lot 2A and a white vinyl fence of ours protecting our property would be destroyed, removed to get into our garage after 40 years to get into our
garage. We would have to work around other vehicles traveling through and from this new road, this new street. If I'm in my front yard, I would be exposed to walkers and drivers traveling on this illegal street.
>> Ma'am, ma'am, I'm sorry, I don't want to cut you off, but I just want to make sure I don't know what plans you're referring to, but there's been no detailed plans for development submit that they have to come to a planning board. Like, so I'm not saying that your concerns that you're raising are not valid concerns. I'm just saying that
there's no plan there's no uh no site plan's been developed that shows exactly where a driveway goes or a street goes. Ah, okay. So, I'm not sure. >> So, if if there's >> I don't know if that's true. >> All I can tell you is if it h if there is a plan out there, it has not been approved. Um, >> I believe that.
>> Yeah. So, so that means the town has not uh the planning board would be the entity that would do that. Um, I think Councilman Kersh there's no because the plan has not been approved by the court yet. We haven't moved forward with >> There is a plan. >> Well, I'm just telling you, right? I mean,
>> future just curious, where'd you get the where there's a plan out there? We nothing's been seen up here. >> So, we'd love to know where this plan is. >> I'll have to wait. >> Do you have a copy of that plan? >> Not with me, but not with me. >> Do you have AC Do you have access to that plan?
>> Uh, do we have access to it >> or does >> Oh, it's okay. >> Well, what here's what I'd like you to do. Yes. >> When whenever you can get access to that plan in whatever state it's in, give it to Mr. papus so that uh the township
understands the information as you see it because right now we're not aware of any development and any approved plan >> that absolutely shocks me because but and again we'll we'll we'll we'll be dealing this it's funny you know we we
support afford uh affordable housing we some we we've given to play forget that I just this will be my last my last question it uh and I guess I'm not going to get an answer now. If there are bene benefits to any will there be benefits
to any uh any to taxpayers for any of these plans that may happen is that part of it taxpayers benefit >> saves a lot of legal cost. >> I mean I don't know why you're doing this. Well, the the the the benefit of of this entire plan is that we would
maintain the integrity of our in of of our entire um uh plan across of planning across the town. If we fail to be in compliance, then builders can apply for remedy and can potentially build everything and
anything they want >> any anywhere they want to. So, so we have a sword kind of hanging over us as does every other of the 500 municipalities in New Jersey. Um, you know, with these mandates from Trenton, um, you know, saying no is not really an
option. We've chosen to say yes in terms that are as positive as possible to our community. Now, in terms of the the the the the property that's near yours, >> in order for any shovel to go into the
ground, each and every one of them is going to need to come to the planning board for site plan review. >> Yeah. >> Um and at site plan review, you would be noticed and you'd have every opportunity to review and comment and everything else. and the members of the planning
board in that case out and I'm one of the members our responsibility is to make sure that what is built is appropriate for that property and does not negatively impact others and that can be things like access to the property, storm water runoff, um you
know uh orientation of buildings, uh materials used on buildings. Those are the sorts of things that occur in a planning at a planning board meeting and that's a little further down the process. >> That's good to know that we'll be notified and I I promise it's my last question. Are are closed sessions um
always taped and recorded >> like >> notes are taken? >> They're never >> closed sessions never happen. >> Okay. There there are no minutes nothing >> there's no recordings just uh summary
minutes that are All right. Again, thank you. I I think I will be going back to our neighborhood from Cornell uh Prospect down to Mountain Avenue was there a lot of homes affected by this. We think and I
appreciate your time. You have very kindly told me I didn't do what I should do be for all these previous meetings. And I'm just going to see I haven't signed this. I'm going to sign it and then I'm going to leave. And thank you. I hope you get to see part of the game tonight if you're interested.
>> Thank you for coming out and sharing with us planned tonight. >> I'm not interested. >> Thanks again for your patience. There's a pin there. Hello again. Uh Dan Masterani, 941 Spring Run Lane.
All right. I have some paperwork I wouldn't mind giving everybody. [Music] Okay. I uh had a few minutes today. I put something on paper so people could look at it. If you don't mind, can I give you these?
>> Give it to the the clerk. >> A couple weeks ago, I expressed my concerns and uh >> why don't you lift the mic a bit so we can be sure to add. >> I expressed my concerns about 941 Spring Lane. Um they're pretty busy around my
neighborhood. I had a quick conversation with Mr. Gallow. He's one of the first people I spoke to. Would like to get a little clarity on uh the whole entirety of Middle Road. That phrase seems to be coming and going with
breeze. Um they're ready to pave. There's some ambiguity on what's being paved, what's not. So, if you've had a chance to peek at what I basically it's been four years almost to
the date since the incident in my house. The the yellow is the easement that exists. It shows the pipe. It shows the junction box. It shows the storm drain coming from Mauard. And I, you know,
this is kind of an ugly map. I just took a picture when I was downtown. So the whole area to the right as the paper runs out uh that's the mountain running down collecting all that water and pushing it into eventually my backyard.
My lot is lot 12. So since I haven't heard anybody give a viable proposal, I threw one together and I wouldn't even I know 10 excavators people that could actually give a price to do something. I again I haven't all
I've heard so far is it's too expensive. I don't know what too expensive means when nobody has any type of plan put together. I understand we have a town engineer but they don't do any preliminary engineering and throw it out to bid just to get a price and all I've
heard is it's too expensive. So what I'm proposing is a very common sense if if you stand outside I'm I'm not an excavator. I'm not a surveyor. I'm not a plumber, but there's pitch. If if you look at where the easement runs out, where it
says uh existing pipe, the 30 inch, that's roughly where it dumps into my neighbor's yard. Okay, that point down to the, you know, at the end of uh my home, there's probably three feet of pitch. It should be more
than enough to get the water from where it is to where it needs to go. What we offered day one when we met people out on the site was easements on our property lines. Uh Drew and I, you know, Amy and Drew, Carol and I have offered
the easement between 12 and 11. If you look, the easement encroaches into a very weird corner there, which doesn't make any sense. That's no man's land. That that is an area where no human wants to be in the back of all our
yards. Okay, we we will all gladly give up whatever it takes to get this water out of our yards. In the street where you see the dotted blue line on the uh on the other side of the street away from my home, there's
already a drainage system that runs down to what I call the moat. That pink line, that's the moat. It's horrible. It's filled with soot. It's probably got two feet of soot in it that it shouldn't have. So, it can't handle the volume that it takes. So basically that moat
was created to take all the water from the other side of the street. Okay. So long story short, I think common sense wise, if you give the water where that junction box is is where the water wants to go. Okay.
There's actually on the street some kind of a weird drain that I have no idea where it goes to. if those were connected. And I haven't tal to Patty Marshall yet, but I'm sure she would give an easement through her yard. So that that junction box cover, that's the
one I spoke about a couple weeks ago, that thing's 5 in thick, 4x4 ft, it popped off like a, you know, like a Lego. That's how much water we're talking about. So, if that wire were given a chance to get to the street sooner and eventually a line to connect
to the moat, which should be made bigger, I would suggest the pre-cast vault. I have a friend who makes pre-cast. I'll get prices on all this stuff. If nobody's got time or nobody wants to put the effort in, but this is at least something for someone to look at, put some common sense to it. Can we
put a number on it so we can solve the problem? I don't see this being the hardest problem to solve. The water from another neighborhood needs to make it down to the reservoir. It's pretty cut and dry. So, I'm not going to ramble on again. I'm not going to yell, but you did
mention last week that you were asking for a report. Was anything presented? Has anyone put anything together? >> Uh, nothing yet detailed. >> Okay. So there are guys out in the street very nice topline people
pipes going in all over the place people are getting their existing drainage remodeled I still don't have any drainage >> well the section Mr. Mastriani as you know Ridge Road the section the parallel section of Middle Road and Bulmer Farm Road those
three roads are being paved not the section of of middle road that is perpendicular to those three roads but those >> so that was an error so many >> no no that was that was the plan because the portion of middle road that partially fronts in front of your house
is part of the area that our engineer says has to be part of the engineering design and then once that's addressed then the rest of the roads would be paved. >> That's what Mr. Gallow had stated to me. >> So the email that went out that said the whole entirety that was just a mistake.
>> I I I Yes. If that was what was said that was not correct, >> right? Because my neighbor is livid. Joe Bole, he's on the committee. He's livid. My wife's more than that. Um it just seems like everyone else that doesn't really have as big a problem as we have
is getting treated with kick gloves. You know, everything's great. They're going to get new roads. Everything's great. And we're just the people from four years ago that pointed this out all out way before anybody else. Way before Ida 5 days, you know, we're just getting the
not yet. No, no money. Not yet. Too expensive. I'm just going to keep coming here with more and more information and and I I'm just going to come here till you do something. Something needs to be done. I mean, anyone with any kind of common
sense can see that this is wrong and it needs to be fixed. >> Mr. Papis, will you make sure Mr. Gallow gets a copy of this? >> Yes, please. Of >> course. There's >> Can I be assured that some Mr. Mayor, you're here. You're not always here. Um,
you've done a great job of buffering me to you. You have people that take care of things for you. I I need to hear from your mouth that you're going to do something for me. >> Yeah, Mr. I, you know, I I'm not disagreeing with anything that you're saying. Um, I don't think anybody up up
here is. Um but you know I don't want to set your expectations in terms of uh you know the the first step for us is doing the engineering work to figure out what you know what you said in terms of this the solution you outlined here may be
the exact correct solution. Um we also have to look at how that impacts the other drain. I'm not an engineer but to make sure that when we fix this part of your system it doesn't have an impact somewhere else. The plan uh as a general matter is, as you know, we've been going
section by section through areas of town with road work. Some of the road work's easy. We don't need to do drainage. We can just pave it. It's it's simple. Um other stuff's more complicated. So, this year we're doing the simpler roads in in Spring Run because it's it's simpler to do. We have the money to do it. The
roads that involve the more complex drainage projects like yours, it just requires more funding and and more effort to do. What would you consider a reasonable amount of time to do that? >> Well, it it's not going to happen before next spring at a minimum because this budget's already set. And the other
thing that you have to remember for a from a public purchasing standpoint, like some of the things you mentioned about like um uh vendors who do, you know, like the the concrete work, things like that. For the township, we can't um we have to go out and bid every project.
So, we have to have an engineer fully design the project. then we have to go out to a public bid to let all of the various companies bid on it. So even if we had somebody who said hey we'll don well don don't I don't know if we could do that but donate might be different but you know somebody who says hey I can get you guys a good rate I can come in
and do this as a vendor as a general matter we can't just simply say great come in and do it we have to go out through the bidding process unless there's exceptions and all that other kind of stuff so I think what we're hoping to do and what we've started to do is to make sure that there is an
engineering solution not just for your project you know your your part of the property but for that whole area so that the the hope is that next year when we go out and do the next set of of road work that we have a plan in place that we can go out and bid we can get the the
drainage work done in connection with then doing the rest of the roads in your in your neighborhood. That is the that is the plan. Now when we engineer it they give us a ballpark price. I don't know what the ballpark price is, 500,000 or five million and obviously that
impacts >> what stage is the engineering at right now. >> I'm just still looking at it. I mean, you said, you know, Galla's been out there. Um, but >> what's that? >> For planning, for bidding, what what stage is it at? >> I don't know. I mean, there >> four years into this. >> Well, I understand it, but what I'm what I'm telling you is that uh it's not
going to be put out to bid until sometime at least early next year. So >> when you say out to bid the engineering or the >> No, no, it would be >> the engineering is in the works. >> That's what we're saying is that we're looking at it. Now if it's something that we can't do uh if it's too
complicated to do in-house, then we have to bid out the engineering. We we have to get engineers to come in and we have a process for selecting engineers for project specific matters. So if it's in-house, we can do it. If it's more complicated than we can handle in-house, we get an engineer. The council will
pass a resolution. They'll approve spending for a particular engineer. They go out and do it. >> What would you say a reasonable expected date is to have the engineering completed for something like >> winter? Winter of this year. >> This winter. >> Well, you know, December, January, February.
>> All right. >> That's the plan. Like I said, we're trying to get the engineering done so hopefully it can be included in the road plan for next spring when we present it to the council. That's the plan >> to keep the um people at peace that are
going to be screaming the loudest. Um in all fairness too, I don't think our roads would have been paved if you didn't get a letter from 60 of my neighbors people signing a paper. We we were ghosted and told maybe someday never and then all these people put
together something and miraculously we're getting a roads paper which is great. But what I'm saying is the people that really need the work done. Our road is awful. >> It's awful. You gonna patch it. Can you do a quick patch something? >> Unless there's a giant pothole. We're
not we're not doing uh we're trying to do the roads um say the the right way the first time because for too long every everyone did was just patch up the roads >> and uh you know that's just a waste of money. Um, so the the plan we we've
we've gone we knew we were we knew we were going to get to spring run uh either last year or this year. So obviously we got to spring run this year and now we're going to work our way through spring run as part of our road plan. All right. So that's you know that's coming. Um, and if we have a
problem uh with something, we need to get easements from residents, you know, as part of this plan, if we need to do that process, we'll have to come to the residents to get approval for easements or to get, you know, modifications, something already there, we'll work with the residents to do that. >> All right. I'll be in touch.
>> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to address the council? John Arcolio, 1110 Washington Valley Road. I get two comments, I guess, from the previous people who spoken. I guess we'll just tackle the first one. Um, the
gentleman talked about uh patching his his road. Uh, I've noticed that both two prop two roads in my neighborhood, Washington Valley Road and Summerville Road in Bernards Township, both were sealcoded very this year. Uh is is
anybody willing to address seal coating as a viable solution to extend the life of our roads? I mean >> why are the why is the county spending the money? Why is the Burners Township spending the money whereas the portion of Hunter Road adjacent to between Washington Valley Road and Summer Road
is a disaster. Ongoing disaster even even the previous work you've spent. >> Yeah. Seal has to be some merit to it if the other >> it is. We've done we've done seal coding in Bridgewater. We did seal coding in 2020. We did seal coating in 2021. Um, we stopped, we haven't done it in the past couple years because seal coating
only works for roads that are they have to be in good enough shape, >> correct? >> That it can't be if it's already looks like a war zone, you can't do it. And what we found now is that where we are with our road plan, there's not enough roads that meet the criteria for the the
seal coding to to spend the money doing that. Uh because right now the roads have ever been paved or we're about to pave them and we don't want to spend money to do that. Long term that's probably going to be part of the road plan which is roads are newly paved. If you seal colum seven to eight years from
when you paved them you can extend the life from a new road out. >> That's uh all right that's that sort of address that issue. Second one was affordable housing. Um u the the couple here describe Cornell Boulevard as a lot that's unsuitable for development. I I
noticed that since 2017 there's another property in Bridgewater. It's called Patriots Green on Radel Avenue. Is that currently being in any plans development? Has any been submitted to that or is it still just uh >> that's that's part that's approved already? The planning board approved
that in 20 >> 17 17 I thought it was 18. But yeah. >> Yeah. But is it being developed? I mean >> it's part of the it's part of the >> is it going to be developed a yes or no question? >> Well, it's the developers one that develops it. So, uh it's approved. developer could go in at any point in time and develop it. It's part of the
third round plan. So that requirement does not um we're not building extra units somewhere else because that has not been built. That's into our calculation from the third round. >> Does that ever expire the fact it's not been built? >> No, but at some point in time if it's if
we get to like the fifth round and it's still not built, then at that point in time they could come back to us and say you got to make up to your 220 units somewhere else. Does that is the state tracking that or is they just going to >> Oh, yeah. Are you Oh, yeah. >> I see your concern.
>> All right. Thank you much. And just a general note, I don't want to take too much time, but uh there may be more questions than I have at 11A, but um uh Bridgewwater has always been the town with the highest uh ratables in the county, and we've lost that title to Franklin Township, uh you know, several
years ago. And u uh it all was due to a gentleman named John P. McMurray who was planning board president in Bridgewood from 1930 to about approximately 1960. He was also uh the first planning board in the state of New Jersey hire uh you know on the county level at Somerset County. He brought in a lot of major
companies and uh we really need leadership like that in this town to salvage the commercial uh real estate base. It's going down the crapper and that's all I can have to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to
address the count? >> Good evening, Kathy Franco, 766 WAC Road. Um, a couple things not having to do with the pilot. Um, one is I know the woman who came up and
spoke about the affordable housing. Um, you spoke about the fact that it hasn't come in front of planning board. Um, I just need to bring to everybody's attention. Planning board has canled like every meeting this summer um because of lack of agenda and yet we're
still waiting on a master plan. Now, I know I was promised I'd see that in September. So, that's my expectation and I will be at every meeting sharing that expectation this month. Um, I also wish that
Councilman Prosa was here. Um, I've also noticed his absence all summer. Um, page six of the newsletter um that came out this week. I just want to remind residents to pay cl care careful attention that the sewer payment is due
on September 1 with a grace period until September 10th. Um, resolution 13A. Um, so 13A is a resolution which amends I think or or is related to the pilot or
>> ordinance. You say 13A. >> 13A is a resolution to allow fire districts to get a piece of the action when the pilot goes through. Is that correct? >> That that is correct. In a quick whatever money is derive me remember me
remember me remember me remember me remember me remember me remember me remember me remember me remember 5% has to go to the county the rest of the 95% the township gets to decide how it is distributed. They can provide money to the fire district, to the library, uh to whatever purposes,
>> right? To you could choose to provide some to the schools, but apparently it's only the fire district which um will be >> the fire district is a taxing jurisdiction. >> No, I understand that. So is So is the school district. So is the school district. >> So is the county. And the county
normally gets 15% and they'll get 5% of whatever your negotiated financial agreement is, not 5% of the assessed value of the property. So they're not just losing 10%. Because if you're only going to
charge in the pilot 50% of what normally would have been charged, now they're going to be getting instead of 5%, they're going to be getting two and a half%. So >> that's not that's not exactly right. The the uh with a pilot it's off of the approve it's the assessment of the land
stays the same and it's it's off the >> off the improvements. Right. >> Right. So in other words they're not >> they're getting 15% of the land. >> No. Right. Nobody nobody loses something they're getting now. They don't share in the increased value. >> We're not getting what we were getting five years ago when there were
improvements on that property since been knocked down. >> Right. It's it's the baseline is whatever is is >> well and let's face it when it was the center of excellence project okay which did not have a pilot proposed on it
which we never saw an ordinance come before this board >> there was one proposed >> no there was not well there was one no there was a resolution proposed by councilwoman uh rose okay which you brought issue about >> I did yeah absolutely
>> yes you did right >> because there was one approved. That's my point. >> No, that was not approved. >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Not approved. There was one proposed, >> but that was a resolution. It was not an ordinance, >> but there was it was being talked about. It just hadn't been it was never voted on because it didn't have the votes. It was proposed. >> Okay. So, it was being contemplated.
Yes. >> It I don't know who was contemplating it because it was never discussed in a public meeting. >> Developer is the one who >> it was never discussed in a public meeting. >> Well, there was was discussed a lot in the public meeting, Mrs. Franco. There was resolutions on it. There was discussion about it. >> No, there was not. You You know what?
Then I will come to your office this Friday. Okay. >> And you can you can have your secretary show me those resolutions that were proposed for a pilot on the center of excellence. >> I didn't say that it was a resolution proposed on the pilot. I said there was discussions about a pilot. >> No, you said there were resolutions.
>> There wasn't. We passed one saying we would never approve one on the center of excellence project. >> Okay. Okay. >> So, there was a resolution on it. Yes. >> By the way, Miss Franco, the the pilot only applies to the improvement on the project. >> No, I I understand that. Okay. But my other concern is, you know, and then I have a concern in general about pilots.
>> I understand >> because pilots can only take place >> on areas in need of redevelopment. >> True. Correct. >> Now, up until this year, we only had two areas in need of redevelopment. >> That is true. >> Which were center bridge and the mall.
>> And both of those had pilots. >> And now we have this coming up as an area in need of pre-improvement. Okay. and it's asking for a pilot and we've since had three more areas in need of re development.
So, you know, are we to expect as taxpayers that all of these developers are going to try and cut deals with you? That's my concern. Okay, which doesn't have to do with that spec with specifically with 12, but it's just my
concern. Um, but okay. So anyway, getting back to 13A, when if if you vote in favor of the ordinance 12 A and B tonight, when exactly does that ordinance become effective?
>> It the ordinance becomes effective right away, but the pilot doesn't kick in? >> No, no, no. Does the ordinance have like a 20-day? >> Yeah, every every ordinance has a has a window uh for it's like a 20-day I think it's 20 days on everything. >> Okay. So, how can you vote on a resolution to an ordinance that isn't
going to actually take effect for 20 days? >> Because it's >> I'm just asking. >> Yeah, because when it takes effect, then this is the this is the policy statement of the ordinance that would go with it. >> If you wait 20 days to do that? >> No. >> Okay. I'm just asking. Just doesn't make
sense to me. Okay. Um 13B. I'm very confused about this because you're asking for additional funds for the year 2024. Now, I could swear we're in September of
2024. >> No, but the year is correct. This >> Okay. And and I I would have thought that those books would have been closed on December 31st. >> This this was for work done in 2024. And so basically, maybe to
help me understand, um, this should have been a resolution that was brought forth in 2024. >> Can't argue with that one. >> Well, >> so so you're nine months late in figuring out how much you owed. >> No, it it depends on in some instanc
>> or that you hadn't approved to be. Sometimes sometimes the vendors don't always submit their invoices timely, >> but don't they bid on them? >> What's that? >> Don't they didn't they didn't you speak with Sullivan about how much are you going to charge us for each of these areas in need of redevelopment?
>> Yeah, but not not for a professional services. We have an idea, but sometimes even if we have an idea, sometimes they don't submit the invoices right away. So the idea was for him the idea was to not exceed $20,000 in the year 2024,
>> right? >> And they've gone $55,000 over that. >> Yes. >> So So you didn't have a very good idea. >> We asked them to do more work. So we expand the >> And so you asked him to do more work in 2024. >> Correct.
>> He did more work in 2024. Should you not have anticipated and increased that line item in order to cover that 9 months ago? >> Yeah. But that that's what we're doing is we're increasing this gets paid out of 9 months late for
>> this is when we are you a cash and acrruel >> basic accounting. >> We we pay based off of what we anticipate every year to be. So you should have anticipated correct that that should have would have been in 2024. You should have passed a
resolution and it was more than we anticipated. That's right. So now it was >> it gets paid out of the 2024 budget. >> It was more than two times what you anticipated. It was almost three times what you anticipated. We expanded the project. Anyone else wishing to address the
council? >> Jen Lockin, uh, Bridgewwater. Uh, I I'll keep it brief because, uh, obviously, um, everybody has a lot more serious topics than than I do. Um, but first I just I wanted to thank uh Lieutenant
Knap and Sergeant Han for their service and their families for their sacrifice and having to worry about their uh you know their safety. Um and also the Bridgewater Police Department because um
they've invited us once again to National Night Out uh for uh October 30th, which is a really great great event um where all of the first responders come out and the kids get to, you know, see all the trucks, but they
also get to come skateboard with us. So, I just wanted to share my appreciation for that. Um really I I wanted to comment on uh on Camp Cromwell. Um I mean I don't know if you know this about me, but uh I I really really dislike
pickle ball. >> Oh, >> I do. I do. But I'm so happy to see this facility uh being considered for this space because there's so many people in the community that don't share my
feelings about pickle ball. Um and and also for the basketball courts because um Eric Murdoch, you know, when I was a kid, he was a hero to us and to have such an advocate um in our community for
for for sport that similar to to skateboarding tends to um to to attract kids that uh that you know that that that don't always have access to to the same kinds of uh programs. And his program is great. my kids have have
taken it. He's a wonderful advocate for the community. Um so I just I wanted to thank you for uh for moving forward on that. Um, I did want to perhaps advocate for the consideration of um of activities like uh
skateboarding and BMX, particularly BMX, because in that space, you know, you're upgrading the mountain biking trails, but uh there's this thing called a pump track and and kids that ride bikes really, really, really like them. And I
know a lot in my own neighborhood who have had the police called on them for digging up holes and making, you know, uh, little jumps and stuff. So, uh, if you could just give that some consideration, that would be great. And, uh, it's good to see you all again, and I hope you have a good night. Thank you.
>> Anyone else wishing to address the council? Uh, motion to close public input, please. >> Make that motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. All right, we're close with public input on item 10, moving to 11A, public hearing and final action ordinance. Uh,
ordinance of the township of Bridgewater, County of Somerset, New Jersey, approving an application for a long-term tax exemption and authorizing the exe execution of a financial agreement, also known as a payment in lie of taxes, parenthesis pilot, with AR
Bridgewater Urban Renewal LLC. I'll ask Mr. Papis or the mayor to have a comment on this please. >> I just want to say I know this is going to be the public hearing on this but this is the product of a lot of work a lot of time and uh this is going to be enormous financial benefit to the
township and we're glad that this is uh getting done. >> If there are any comments could I have a motion to open to the public please on 11 A. >> We'll make the motion to hold the public hearing on 11 A. >> Second please. >> I'll second it. Second it.
>> All those in favor? >> I >> I Okay, we're open to the public for 11. Anyone wishing to address the council, come on up, Dan. >> I know it's redundant. Please say your name and address again, please, sir. and my name is Dan Zalinski and I live
at 715 Chimney Rock Road. >> Thank you. >> Um, you know, listening to the two residents as well, I think it's it's pretty obvious that uh more information is needed or uh better clarity of
information uh is needed in what's going on in the town. Um it's very difficult to work through a lot of these issues uh to understand these issues as uh is this pilot program. Um so um where I left off
was that um the agreement which uh Miss Franco uh got an Oprah request from uh in reviewing that I can see that uh you're prepared tonight to sign uh an
agreement uh with that contains errors and misrepresentations. Um a detailed reading of the document revealed to me several misrepresentations uh or errors. Uh the methodology uh note
that the uh ASC method used in the financials does not match any method uh described in article 4 as an example and I'll get into detail on this. Uh second error that I noted was the
majority if not all of the financials uh the base rate is used instead of the annual gross revenue and this isn't really clearly explained. Uh the third piece uh of note that I
picked up on uh was for building number seven and building number eight the determination of 2% uh annual service charge. I'm I'm having a hard time understanding that. Lastly, and most importantly, the deal
is implicitly bad for residents, taxpayers, the schools, the county, and firefighters. Um, an analysis of the financials presented in the agreement and the comparison of
taxes paid with and without the pilot are kind of startling to me. You are giving the developer an average tax break of over 45% for 30 years.
That extrapolates out to about $104 million. That's $104 million that residents, taxpayers, us, all of us in this room will have to carry.
Over $150 million will be diverted from or can be diverted from the school's revenue. 103 million from the county and 5 million from firefighters and potentially the library.
Still and likely the sole mode of the municipality, the council, the administration will see an increase of 77 million which can continue to support what I had been coming to this council most of last
year and part of this year uh to say are uh out of control spending patterns when uh and I've graphed this out uh for anybody body that might be interested in seeing it
in the room. This uh represents uh a tax savings to the developer of 103,933 928 in a tax savings to the developer.
a gain in taxes to the municipality or to the the administration is $77 million. Uh 77,625351. That's a gain for the administration. Loss in taxes to the schools could be as
much as 153 million 173. These numbers are like so large. 153,17 uh769 loss to the county 37,945
uh 630 loss to the fire department and uh a library over the course of 30 years. 5,192911 and the residents, the taxpayers, us, the burden to us, we're the losers in
this is over a hund almost 104 uh million dollars. This all begs the question, why are we so in favor of a pilot at this point? What is it that makes us believe in this
community? I grew up here. I'm sure many of you have. I'm sure people in the audience have. Why are we discounting Bridgewwater's land at this point? Uh I don't understand that. has uh Bridgewater
fallen so far for as a desired community that we believe a 46% tax breaks must be given to developers seeking to build warehouses and offices. I don't understand that. What does it
say to companies like um and I hope I'm pronouncing this right in in grid in Gridion um who made a full fair share invest in investments in that property. I hope you know the property
that I'm referring to. They they got in they gutted that building they refurbished it and it's now functioning as part of the pharmaceutical industry. And what does this foretell of the truck depot plan for the Ethicon property and
other interested companies? Why are you having what I perceive to be an economic fire sale here in Bridgewater? Or could the reason simply be the most obvious, which is strictly the administration, not the taxpayers's
point of view? pilots divert more money into the administration's coffers that can support the current unchecked spending that has resulted in record tax increases of the last several years. I spoke about this the tail end of last
year and the front end of this year and a council member supported that that the tax levy has increased to over 20%. I I I just don't understand. Uh you know, it means that we're we're cutting
sweetheart deals with developers, hurting residents, schools, the county, firefighters, the library. I think it's a shame. So, this is another graph.
It shows the tax break to developers and the taxes paid by the developer. That's the tax break and that's what's paid by the developer. So I very much oppose this pilot
program. But even before that, I have to say in reviewing the document that um Miss Franco Oprah, it's riddled with math errors
and it doesn't take a college degree to take a detailed look through that document and find the errors. I think it's a shame that you guys are voting on this tonight and I strongly recommend you step back and take another
look at this before you involve >> Bridgewater, >> the taxpayers in an agreement that you're going to make that could last well over 30 years. >> Mr. President, may I ask a couple of clarifying questions? You've used a few
phrases and I want to make sure that I'm understanding you. >> Sure. I've used the phrase loss of revenue and you've also used the phrase um uh you know what what that last graph that you had.
>> Well, it's you know when you give a tax break. >> Oh, a tax break. All right. So, so so so I I just want to understand your your definition >> tax break that you're giving to a developer. >> I'm not going to debate your opinion. I want to make sure I understand answering your question. >> I want to make sure that I understand. >> What's your next question? I'm going to
ask you a question. I want to make sure I understand your definition. >> So, if we have a property that at full payment would be 100, >> that's right. >> But under this program would be 50.
>> Well, >> you call that a loss. You call that a loss of 50. 100 minus 50. >> The property has potential to it. >> Okay. >> And it's being sold. But but the assumption >> discount >> the assumption is that the property
could be developed and actually reach that 100. >> Uh yes. >> So so so but that's not that's not necessarily reality. That's speculation. >> The over under on that is well we'll
take what we can get. We're not going to try to get more for it. We're going to discount it. That's what I am saying. We are discounting Bridgewwater's property to warehouse developers. That's not what we want in
Bridgewater. >> All right. Thank you for your comments. Uh do we have a second bite at the apple from Mrs. Franco? By the way, I want to leave you with two things. uh one, the board of education
and the fire districts are both uh taxing jurisdictions. Uh they raise they get whatever money they need to run their their part of the business. When when somebody gets up here and says, "Gee, you're disadvantaging the school
system because they're not getting the money they need." That is patently false. Go ahead, Mrs. Franco. Not you're close, sir. Please sit down. Please sit down. >> Please sit down. Mrs. Franco did
>> Hi, Kathy Franco 766 we road. Um I think I've stated over and over my feeling about pilots. I do want to thank the clerk's office um for their graciousness the day after your last meeting because I did go and visit them and they let me
look at the document that was available at that time. Um at that time though there were no numbers whatsoever. it talked about an appendix A and an appendix B and that would be cross referenced to all of that. Um so I did an OPRA and fortunately when I did
receive the OPRA it had all the numbers um so they could be looked at and indeed my concerns are similar to um what Mr. Zillinsky had talked about, which is that I know members of this council
don't like us us little people down here um calling it a discount, but to me if if you're not charging 100%.
It's a discount. I know I buy all my clothes on discount. I don't pay 100% for anything, okay? But I pay 100% of my taxes. I pay, you know, I pay for what my property assessed value is and what the
improvements to that property's assessed value is. So indeed I don't understand and I guess part of my big frustration with this pilot and all these areas in need of redevelopment is we've been waiting and
waiting and waiting for a master plan. And I think we could have attracted individuals to buy properties in this town um and not come to our zoning board
asking us to bend the rules all the time or asking us to oh can we have an area in need of redevelopment because as I said areas in need of redevelopment put the trains on the track which then asks for a pilot. It's happening all over the state of New Jersey and I know that I I
see it. I see it in Warren. I see it everywhere. Okay. Um, so and I think that for Bridgewater Township government, it's a quick fix.
It's a way of not raising your tax level, you know, the percentage that you're charging because you'll be getting a bigger bite of this apple. Um, and yet during campaigns
we the public will hear, "Oh, well the school can't control their taxes, but look at how we controlled ours." So that's those are my frustrations. Um, and I would hope that you do not approve this pilot. Um, and thank you very much
for your time. [Music] John Arcolia, 1110 Washington Valley Road. Uh I basically looked at some of the numbers in the in the pilot. Biggest one I see is that it's based on a every year it's based on approximately a 2%
increase in the rate that the uh you know developer is willing to pay. I lived in Bridgew long enough under this administration to see greater than 2% increases in my tax rates and the the the assessed value of my property and my
and improvements. Why is this developer limited to 2%. Why why is the taxpayers having to go five 6 7 8% increases in their assessed value on their improvements? Can you explain that to me why this document is fixing at 2% when
you people can't keep tax increases un you know at 2% or less? Please explain it to me because this propertyy's already at a 50% discount. And if you guys keep spending money and and tax increases go beyond 2%, we're talking about a even greater discount because
taxpayers going to have to pick up the balance when there's tax increases beyond 2%. Okay. >> Thank you for your comments, John. Second of all is that you people are proud to take pride in our school system. You you claim how great it is.
You you tout brings you know people to Bridgewater want to live here. How can you keep robbing the school district of revenues >> because we haven't have a long we don't have a long track record of offering pilots. >> We're not robbing anything from anybody.
The school district raises what it needs to provide education. Will they get it? Are you planning to give them anything out of the $3 million that you're planning to get from these properties if you build six 200,000 foot warehouses? Is anything going back to the school system?
>> I see you laughing, Mayor Mench. >> Yeah. >> Nothing. So zero to the school district out of any proceeds from this pilot. Correct. >> Thank you for your comments. Could I have a if and in the absence of anyone else, could I have a motion to close? Yes.
Hi, good evening. Andrew Bucko, 543 Berrywood Lane. Um, if the pilot is not a simple cash grab, I would challenge the council to uh put the uh put the the
uh item back on the table, fix the uh um math errors in it and also commit to dividing the revenue up amongst the schools, library, fire districts at the ratio of whatever ever the tax rate is
for that particular year. I challenge you to do that and and prove to all of us here and the residents of Bridgewater that this is not simply a cash grab. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Motion. Oh boy.
>> Joan Guyer, 154 Hillside Avenue. Um, some of you may or may not know that I am an attorney and I am a mediator. And I would ask you to consider something tonight. In view of the comments made, in view of the fact that this is the first time, well, yesterday was the
first time that I heard that we were talking about a 45% whatever you want to call it, okay, on taxes. Um, you know, if you vote no on this tonight,
you get negotiating power, I would be willing to bet that that developer will come back and pay more. So, that's one option that you have. The
other concern that I have is if this developer on this property, and I believe Mr. Zalinsky brought this up gets a 45% whatever you want to call it. How do you
stop the next developer from getting the same treatment? And where does that go? You have power, gentlemen, tonight. You can vote this down. You vote it down tonight. I
guarantee you you will get a better deal tomorrow. Thank you. >> Just as a reminder, we discussed this at a public meeting in May. Uh we didn't approve it in May and got a better deal between May and now, which involve payments in the short term because the
pilot itself doesn't kick in until the uh full the building's actually built. So, uh the revenue that we see from this doesn't happen immediately, but we made sure to make get a deal that gets us revenue. Now when we discussed this in
public and went over the pilot in May. So um we are pleased that this agreement is here with additional revenue >> and and and any >> please. >> Thank you. >> All right. Can I have a motion to close
public input? Uh, Jen Lockan. Um, I'll admit I'm I'm not great with numbers, so I'm not even going to attempt to to talk to that. I I have two questions. How long has the property been like not used like some
since maybe 2008 or 2009 because we originally was owned for one only one use. We then tried to subdivide it so that it allowed for smaller uses. that didn't work uh to attract businesses. Uh that was in 2011 12. Then there was the
original COE proposal from you know the 20 first start talk about in 2014 maybe obviously became very public in 2016 through 2020 and now we're on this version of it. >> And my my second question is like what
was the last pilot program that that Bridgewater has >> the mall? It was the mall. >> Okay. >> It could have been center bridge. We we only have two right now. I don't know which was first, the mall or center bridge. >> Okay. That that was >> that was it. I I just had those two
questions. Thank you. >> Ruana Isla 32 Timberline Drive. Um just building on what we've heard today. I just want to know, you know, we're working on the center of excellence project. Why can't we be more excellent in this pilot project? There's a lack of
accountability. There's a lack of transparency. There's no public audits in that contract. And there is a complete lack of financial statements. If you've done your due diligence, if you've done any idees, any kind of partnership contract, this is
unacceptable for Bridgewwater, especially for something that's called center of excellence. We can do better. >> Actually, not called the center of excellence. >> Move to close. >> I'll make a motion to close and move to final action on 11A.
>> Second, please. I'll second it. Any other comments? Roll call, please. >> Well, I'd like I'd like a a brief opportunity to comment. Um, so we we've heard a lot of um commentary tonight about um 100% value and 45% value and we
even heard the phrase sweetheart deals um that was an interesting one that was that was that was thrown around um falsely, I might add. Um and if anyone thinks that there's a sweetheart deal going on, they should go to the appropriate um authorities to
investigate that. Um and if there is no evidence, they should have the courtesy to those of us who sit on the deis to keep that opinion to themselves. Um but as far as the whole, you know, what is what is this property valued at?
The whole concept behind a pilot is 100% is not viable. um it will not be built to 100%. That's the reason it hasn't been built already. So the whole idea behind a pilot is to come to an agreement that is
appropriate for the municipality while still being financially feasible to build. So this this com this this comparison to 100% is fantasy. This property right now is very poorly
underperforming. If we do nothing, it will continue to underperform. If through this pilot, we are able to come to an arrangement that is both appropriate for the municipality and appropriate for the developer, we will
be able to get this property closer to its full value on our books. And when I say this property, it could be the one we're talking about here. It could be anyone. It it could be any other properties. It could be anywhere in New Jersey. That is the way pilots work.
They are partnerships to make the development capable of being successful. In the absence of an agreement, nothing will be built. When nothing is built, there's no revenue. The municipality doesn't get it. Nobody gets
it. And then we have land that lays. That's why it is an area in need of redevelopment. That is why pilots when structured correctly are appropriate. My question though is there have been some allegations about the math isn't right,
the numbers aren't accurate. So my question to the mayor and to the administration is do you have full faith and confidence in the numbers that we're about to vote on? >> Yes. And and the numbers, I don't know where some of the residents got some of the numbers from, but our agreement has a formula. It doesn't have specific
numbers on it. Our numbers that we get are from our financial adviserss. I think the numbers they're referring to may have been some numbers proposed by the developer. Uh we rely upon the numbers of our financial adviserss who have given us their assessment. So, uh
there's no issue with with the numbers. If if there's some typo somewhere and and I'm misspeaking, then obviously there is then obviously there is there is uh nothing that prohibits us from uh correcting if there's a there is a typo. But I've looked at this. I've asked our
our professionals to make sure the numbers are correct. They say that they are. So I have full confidence that they are good to go. And mayor, do you agree with the assessment that with with my assessment that in if we do nothing on this and other properties, >> they will they they they will continue
to be underperforming. >> It's even worse than that. >> They will they will in turn become become uh even become eyes. They will become they will they will become drains on our resources rather than benefiting our community. Well, well, I it's it's
worse because uh this project while it's it's currently politically valuable to talk about uh its warehouses, the majority of the property is uh supposed to be life sciences uh specifically built for the life science users. So, in order to do that, that's a specialty
build. You don't just go out and as a developer and just build a shell of an office building and then lease see who comes in to lease it out. You build it to spec. Those companies who are going to want to do that kind of investment want to know with certainty what their costs are going to be. So by doing a pilot we provide financial certainty not
just for the developer the big bad developer but for the end users and those companies that we want to attract here because they know those costs those tax costs everyone talks about they're not born by the developer they're passed on to the tenants. So if we want to attract the tenants uh because towns all
over the state are trying to attract people to their town and they're offering as we pointed out we have not typically used pilots as a financial incentive to manage and attract the businesses that we want. other towns are. So by not considering that a tool
in our toolbox, we are limiting ourselves while other towns are saying, "Hey, big great life sciences company, come to us." And we want to sit back and just simply say, "Well, we're Bridgewwater, so people are going to come." That will work sometimes, not every time. And the worst part is if
this if this project were to fail, we could either see the developer come back with uh the original center of excellence proposal and say, "We can't build life sciences under this financial model." So, we're coming back with either hundreds of apartments or it's going to they're going to come back for all warehouses and neither one of those
are acceptable alternatives. So, if we want to attract the life sciences companies that we want in Bridgewater that we've been successful at in Bridgewater, this is a way to do it. And in this site in particular, as we've said, it's been vacant since 2008. There's been various proposals. None have worked. This will allow us to work
with our development partners to attract the businesses that we want which are the high quality life sciences over the next number of years. And by the way, the financial benefits from this that are that the township will see, you know, the folks are saying on this deis right now, uh, you know, it will be a
couple years before uh the biggest amounts of money uh come in, which means uh we'll take the flack now, but uh the political benefits of that will be in a couple years when uh you know, some of the res you know, some of our successors are here. Um, so it's not like this is a
quick fix that we do this and all of a sudden, uh, there's an inflow of cash and we have a million dollars extra in next year's budget. Not how this works. >> Yeah. Pilots do not become effective until a certificate of occupancy is issued for the completed building.
>> Okay. So, mayor, just a f just a final. >> No, please, sir. Just we're not open. We're not open to the public. >> It's a oneway conversation. >> We're not open to the public. So, so, so, so, mayor, is my assessment accurate that in the absence of doing something,
properties like this will continue to underperform? >> Yep, >> that's correct. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, >> okay. All right. Roll call. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Codella,
>> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Ogalas, >> yes. All right, we're moving to 11B, an ordinance of the township of Bridgewater in the county of Somerset, state of New Jersey, providing for special assessment of the cost of certain improvements on
block 483, lot 17, uh, C00001, uh, C001.2, C001.3, C005.1, C005.2, 2, C006
and C007 on the official tax maps of the township and authorizing special assessment agreement in conjunction uh therewith. Uh the um this by the way is income. Uh Mr.
Papis or mayor, would you want to offer any insight on this? >> Nothing additional. >> Okay. >> Okay. Any discussion? >> If not, could I have a motion open? >> So moved. >> Second, please second. >> Second it. >> Second. All those in favor. I. All
right, we're o open for public input and hearing. Final action on 11B. Seeing no one rise, a motion to close public input. Move for final action 11B, please. >> I'll make that motion. >> Okay. Second. >> I'll second it. Roll call.
>> Kersh, >> yes. >> Codella, >> yes. >> Rain, >> yes. >> Ogalis, >> yes. >> Uh 12A and 12B. I'd like to uh consent on both. Um as introductions, >> I can't do that. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I have to do it
separately. I I beg your pardon. Uh 12A, an introduction of the Township of Bridgewater, amending sections 126-321-10 of the Bridgewater Township Code to clarify dwelling units. Uh this was an extensive discussion uh two weeks ago.
In fact, uh we were on the cusp of holding up. This is a this is a change to an ordinance that was just uh completed and I believe Councilman Ring uh was very strident in wanting to make sure uh this this was handled uh at an appropriate time. Is that correct, sir?
>> Yes. >> Okay. Uh is there any comment on that? If not, >> I'll move it introduction. >> Okay. Uh second, please. >> I'll second. All those of uh let's say roll call on introduction. >> Hman Kersh. >> Yes. >> Codilla. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rain.
>> Yes. >> President Ogalas. >> Yes. And your >> Y. And final action for this ordinance is scheduled for October 18, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. here in the municipal courtroom. Public inspection of this ordinance is available on the township website bulletin board and in the
clerk's office. This ordinance will also be presented to the planning board for their review and recommendation. >> Thank you. Moving to 12B, an ordinance of the township of Bridgewater amending the R10A single family zone section 126-3.
>> I'm sorry. The public hearing for this is not October. It's September 18th. Excuse me. >> Sorry. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh I'll I'll repeat it. An ordinance of the township provision order amending the R10 single family zone section
126-308.1E of the township code to clarify dwelling units and maximum building size >> any disc >> goes with 12A and I will move its introduction. >> Okay. Second please. >> Second.
>> Okay. A roll call on introduction please. >> Councilman Kersh. >> Yes. >> Councilman Codella. Councilman Cordilla. >> Yes. >> Sorry, I was distracting. Good council. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> President Gallas. >> Yes. >> Final action.
>> Plenty of time now. >> Thank you. I'm sorry. Final action is scheduled um for this ordinance is scheduled for September 18th, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. here in the municipal courtroom. Public inspection of this ordinance will be made available on the
township website, the bulletin board, and in the clerk's office. This ordinance will also be presented to the planning board for their review and recommendation. >> Thank you. >> Moving to the introduction for 12C, an ordinance amending chapter 4, administrative ordinance um article 14,
Department of Police sections 4-83, promotions of the municipal code of the township of Bridgewater to amend the police promotion ordinance. Um, >> I know I uh I know we had a presentation on this and I had given some feedback.
I'd like to thank the administration and uh Mr. Corsini for incorporating some of that feedback in here. I'm happy to introduce it. >> Thank you. Uh second >> I'll second it. Uh, one of the things I I had I had favored the pro leaving the
probationary piece in as it turns out I understand from uh our legal expert that it should never been in there before and he didn't know how it ever got in. So um anyway uh if there are no no other issues. >> Councilman Kersh
>> yes >> Codella. >> Yes. >> Ring. >> Yes. >> President Ogis. >> Yes. Okay, final action for this ordinance is scheduled um once again for September 18th, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. here
in the municipal courtroom. Public inspection of this ordinance will be made available on the township website, the bulletin board, and in the clerk's office. >> Okay. Uh moving to uh resolutions. Uh resolution regarding the appropriation to certain fire districts soon to
NJSA4814-34. Uh this basically uh recites the parameters um for the option for the township uh at on receipt of pilot funds to be able to distribute uh appropriately and limits
uh specifically the amounts that can be provided through volunteer fire companies and the like. So >> actually the fire districts >> I I understand. >> Okay. You said volunteer fire companies. Well, the the fire districts are limited to the amount that they can provide to
the fire companies. So, in so far as as we feel we're giving information giving in dollars to the fire companies, we are not. We are giving it to the fire district. >> Yep. >> Okay. Um >> I appreciate the administration working
on this as well. I know I was uh rather vocal on this. I will uh Yes. >> move 13A. >> Second, please. I'll second it with a comment. >> The only this one is specific to a you know a
specific property, but I think it I'm looking at it as a template in moving forward for any fire district for any property that's, you know, affected by it. And I think the fifth paragraph says that whereas
>> Yep, that was the revision. >> Okay. Uh roll call, please. 13A. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Codilla, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Ogalis, >> yes. Uh 13B, uh authorizing an
additional $55,000 to Michael Sullivan of the firm Clark Kaitton Ein DC redevelopment planner for the professional service contract for the year 2024 for a total amount not to exceed 75,000 to be funded through the
legal services fund account. Um, and the date is correct. Uh, I had asked Grace about that. 2024. This is a residual owing from last year. Uh, could I have a
motion, please, on 13B? >> I'll make that motion. >> Okay. Second, please. >> I'll second it. >> Roll call. >> M Kersh? >> Yes. >> Codella? >> Yes. >> Ring? >> Yes. >> President Gallas? >> Yes. Okay. for now for C and D. I'd like
to I'm going to read them uh and go for consent. C is authorizing change order number one/final change order decreasing the contract price from 682,573,80 to 645,643.50 a decrease of 5.41%
or $36,930.30 30 cents authorizing acceptance of the project, release of the performance bond, acceptance of the maintenance bond, and final payment to SLI and Sun Contract Incorporated, 18 Franklin
Avenue, Nutley, New Jersey, 07110-3234 for the 2024 prep project, which includes the entire lengths of Glenn Road, uh, Saratoga Avenue, Crest Drive, Shady Lane, Deerhead Drive, Haywood Street, Cathy Court, and Betsy Ross
Place funded through the 2024 capital road project. D is authorizing change order number one and final change order decreasing the contract price from 1,153,943.65 to1,80,741.35 a decrease of 6.34%
or $73,22.30 30 cents authorizing acceptance of the project, release of the performance bond, acceptance of the maintenance bond, and final payment to SB Brothers Incorporated, P. Box 317, South River, New Jersey 08882
for the 2024-4 roadway improvement project, which includes the entire lengths of Barber Drive, Catalpa Drive, Lake View, Lake View Drive, Long Road, Star View Way, and Stella Drive uh route which is Route
2026 to Star View Way funded through the 2024 Capitol Road project. Uh are there any comments uh regarding those two items? If not, could I have a motion uh to resolve them? >> Make that motion
>> and second, please. >> I'll second that with a comment. I think the uh resolutions here based contradict public opinion about excessive and carefree spending and so forth. We have two projects here that were engineered.
Vendors were selected based on bids and work was done where we have roughly auh almost $100,000 in decreased pricing >> and and Mr. Mr. Mr. President, just a
brief comment. You know, projects, especially complex projects, they they there are minor adjustments that occur as the project goes on. It it's it's designed, it's engineered, it's drawn up in a particular way, and perhaps the project is delivered 99% of
that way. But at the margins, any construction project has deviations. That's typically what happens here. >> Mr. President, could I just make one comment? typ there there have been instances where we've come to the council and asked for an increase. In
those instances, most of the time it's because once the project uh work began, a resident, a property owner would then point out a drainage concern that we were not aware of and we try to be responsive to those uh those comments.
>> Motion, please. I'll make that motion. Second, you have a motion. >> I think we already did. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Kersh. Yes. >> Councilman Codella. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> President Ogalas. >> Yes. Or up to E. A waiver of fire permit in the amount of $60.
Turn page. Uh for Pioneer Family Success Center in connection with the family camp campfire event to be held at the Bridgewater YMCA 601 Garrison Road, Bridgewater on Thursday, September 19th, 2025. Rain date is September 25th, 2025. Uh, I will move that one. Is there a
second, please? >> I'll second. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Kersh, yes. >> Councilman Codella, >> yes. >> Ring, >> yes. >> President, >> yes. Now, before we move to the close session, I want to alert the public uh
that I expect additional action to follow after the meeting. But I'm going to read the title to the resolution uh that I believe will be offered after uh the close session reopens to the public. It's authorizing a grant to Noville LLC
of 610 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, New Jersey 07010 for up to $525,000 from the affordable housing trust fund to enable Noville to purchase property at Route 20220 206 known as block
4061.20.02 property to build 15 units of affordable housing. Uh these these units by the way well I'll cover more of that later. Uh we're now going to move to a close session. Uh be it resolved the Bridgewater Township Council of BYU will
now convene in a closed session to discuss the following uh litigation for uh afford litigation uh for affordable housing uh litigation overview from our SRVSA representatives. contract
negotiations for affordable housing and contract negotiations. Uh, forget the next one. Okay. Um, when and if matters discussed become public record, the information will be made known to the public at the
appropriate time. Public is excluded from said meeting at further notice is hereby expense with all in accordance with sections 8 and 4A of the open public meetings act. Could I have a motion to go to close session, please? I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor of going to
close session. I >> I uh just uh to mention that uh the first part will be the uh SRBSA uh readout from our two commissioners, Joe Lefery and Bob Elbano. Uh gentlemen,
if you'd come forward, please. The door is now closed. We're on. >> Okay, ladies and gentlemen, we're back. We have just closed the closed session. The door chambers is open and we are in open session. Uh, as promised before the
meeting, there is an additional item that was discussed in close session uh that I'm now going to uh read for action. And it's authorizing a grant to Noville LLC of 610 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, New Jersey 07010 for up
to $525,000 from the affordable housing trust fund to enable novel to purchase property at Route 20220 206 known as block 406 uh 1.201 uh to build 15 units of affordable
housing. uh these f these uh 15 units will include four units for disabled veterans u and among other things. This is by the way a mortgage note. There is a statement that I'd like uh Councilman Ring to to state at this point in terms
of of a a future change. Go ahead. >> No, I was just I I was going to move it with the understanding that the agreement will contain a 30-year reverter clause. >> There you go. Okay. Uh, and that will be so noted. Uh, if there are any other questions, >> need a second.
>> Gonna move to a second. >> I'll second. >> Second. Any other comments? Um, roll call, please, on the additional item. >> Councilman Kush, >> yes. >> Codilla, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Gallas,
>> yes. I believe that concludes our agenda for tonight. The last piece of you got something to say >> would be adjournment. Ajourn. We have a motion. All those in favor of adjournment signify by saying I. I. We are adjourned. Thank you very much. Have
a nice day. Oh my god.