Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Bridgewater Council meeting on May 22nd for in person with live stream. Um, notice of the meeting. In compliance with the o with the open public meetings act of New Jersey, the adequate notice
of this meeting was provided on December 10th, 2024 by sending written notice and electronic notice to the courier news and the breeze posting on the website and the bulletin board in the municipal building and filing with the township clerk. Madam clerk, will we give the
roll call, please? Counc here. Councilman Codilla, Councilman Pedroso here, Councilman Ring here, Ogalis here. Council Vice President Pedroso will lead us in the pledge of allegiance. If you're able, please stand
for the salute. 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. Thank
you. We have the minutes have been circulated for May 8th, regular session. Has everyone had an opportunity to look at them and offer any comments? Just let the record show it will be abstaining. Okay. Since I was not here. Okay. Could
I have a motion? Make a motion to approve. The second. I'll second it. All those in favor? I I Please note Councilman Ring's abstension. Um, Township Council reports. We're going to start with uh
Councilman Padroso, please. Uh, thank you, Council President. Uh, first of all, uh, good evening, everyone. Thank you for being here with us tonight on this rainy day. Uh I see a lot of uh EMS personnel in the back. So I start off by
saying thank you uh for your service to our township. Um most of us here on this governing body have served in fire and rescue in one way or another. Uh I think four of us have. You got to get Kersh on board. You got to get K on board. That's
right. You have an application. You have to know your strengths. Yeah. It would not add to the public safety. Tim and I are both EMS guys. I know Tim served a lot longer than I did. I I served for six years a long time ago. But I do know from personal experience uh you know
what a tremendous amount of time uh it takes to serve on these rescue squads and uh for really for no pay and it's really your volunteer time and it provides such an essential service to our township and our residents and just to be there at the time when people need
you is super important. So on behalf of myself and uh my capacity serving representing Bridgewater residents, I just want to thank you all uh for those are here present and those that are not. Certainly appreciate that service. Uh speaking of service, this
Monday is Memorial Day. Uh so I hope everyone takes the time to one way or another in your own personal way find a way to acknowledge and remember uh the men and women that gave the ultimate sacrifice to our country. um and died
serving us to protect our freedom. Um I did take the time on the weekend to go down to McQuire Air Force Base um to watch the uh the air show as I had the opportunity to thank many many um members of the armed service as I saw
them there and and doing their service to our country. Uh today I went to the high school for the the art show. Um, our student was so nice to see so many talented students
here in the township exhibiting their artwork. Um, for how long does the art show last? Is it only one day? Do you know? No. All right. Sorry. Putting our board member on the spot. Um, but if it does go on for for more than just this evening, do take the
time. There's a lot of beautiful artwork there on display and I think it's uh it's certainly worth worth the time. Um, we had a Somerset County governing I'm sorry Somerset Regional Center partnership meeting this week. Uh,
really nothing can't say anything of significance to report back. Um, and yesterday I the San County Federation Republican Women hold an annual Melissa Fenwick award. It was the 32nd
annual such award. And congratulations to San Jose County Republican Chair Tracy De Francesco for receiving that honor and she certainly deserves it. And that's all I have. Oh, a happy
healthy Memorial Day to all. Enjoy the weekend. Thank you. Uh Tim, would you provide your report, please? Yes. Relatively brief. um multiple uh meetings relative to the budget which I guess you will have more
to say in a few moments. I'll defer to you on that. Um and then the only other item is extending my sincere appreciation to not only those members of the EMS community that are here in the room tonight, but all of those members that serve our community uh and
extending a happy National EMS week. That's my report. Thank you, Michael. Your report, please. Yes. Thank you. Um few brief items uh in chronological order. May 13th, the
zoning board met. Two re two cases uh one residential, one commercial. Uh residential on Brown Road um regarding uh exterior alterations. Uh another which was a continuation of previous hearings on Find Avenue, an amended site
plan uh along with variances for a gas station and a food mart. Uh on uh May uh on Sunday the 18th uh I had the privilege of uh representing the governing body. I was there with Councilman
uh Cordilla and uh we were at the Bridgewater Chinese Schools 20th anniversary celebration uh with um uh an outstanding cult a series of cultural performances
uh music uh dance uh range of other uh cultural performances and the graduation of seven students uh from that school. Uh it bears noting uh that May is uh Asian-American and Pacific Islander
Heritage Month. Uh so that was um you know certainly you know a good uh you know a good way to to to celebrate that important designation. On uh earlier this week on Tuesday night the planning board met. Planning board met to prepare uh for
consideration of our fair share housing plan that will be coming toward the end of the month of June. first heard by the planning board on June 25th and then heard by the council on June 26th. Uh and then as was mentioned
um over the last roughly 2 and a half weeks uh the budget committee as well as other all all council members have been very actively engaged uh in our budget process and I am certain that the administrator on behalf of the mayor will report our progress and our plan
going forward and uh also want to extend my gratitude uh to all of our EMS volunteers uh and I know that we'll be acknowledging them in just a few minutes. That's my report. Thank you. My report is as
follows. Uh the 2025 budget introduction which was scheduled for tonight has been postponed by the administration and has been rescheduled to a special council meeting which I have called for next Tuesday that is May 27th at 7:30 here in
this room. The public notice of that meeting was published by the clerk this morning. I want to thank uh zoning board chairman Jeff Fouse, the zoning board members, and the applicants who were scheduled to use the courtroom that night for graciously accepting and understanding our need to use the room
at 7:30. In fact, on Tuesday, they will be sitting in the back of the room awaiting the completion of a severely truncated council agenda. Uh by the way, the few days delay from uh today to Tuesday will not impact uh the the
scheduled adoption of the budget on June 28th. Moving on with my report, I'm sorry, Tuesday. Tuesday is it Thursday, June 26th. June 26. You said the 28th. That's what I wrote down.
Sorry, June 28th. Wait, what? The adoption schedule 26th. June 26th. Thank you. Moving on to my report. He attended the quarterly township emergency management planning committee
meeting. After many months of fruitless discussion with FEMA over some residual reimbursement from the last major flood incident, it is now obvious that FEMA has no intention of providing uh any of
the funds about $100,000 in in federal aid rather than spend countless hours on which we are sure is a lost cause, we will move our efforts to more productive issues. Last Sunday, it was my last Saturday, it was my pleasure to attend the graduation of my grandson, Jonathan
Howard Travisano from Wake Forest University in North Carolina. He received a master's of science in business analysis, business analytics degree. That's a degree didn't even exist when I was in school. Attended the monthly municipal alliance meeting and continued
to participate in numerous 2025 budget discussions. Mr. Papus, anything for our mayor's report, please? Yes, thank you very much. I want to just begin by uh acknowledging the passing of Michael Monton, a longtime resident and volunteer firefighter in the Fender Fire
Department. Um the uh the other item I'd like to mention is early today I met with Mr. Will Kaine who is the CEO of Avenos, which is a relatively new business that has established its headquarters here in Bridgewater Township. Um there will be an official
ribbon cutting uh for their expanded uh facility later this year. It was the subject of a planning board application in January and they're very uh pleased with the progress that they've been able to make. The last uh comment on behalf of the administration is regarding the
2025 budget. As has been referenced, uh the administration greatly appreciates the council's patience and its collaboration as we have been uh undertaking uh numerous discussions, responding to questions, uh making various presentations about some of the
challenges that uh we have been reviewing and um we uh greatly appreciate the council's indulgence and in calling a special meeting on Tuesday. We believe the additional few days will enable us to ensure that the document
presented is um thoroughly examined uh by all of the appropriate individuals that would need to do so to present a document that is accurate and certainly reflects the importance of delivery of services to the taxpayers of Bridgewater
uh in the most efficient way possible. Uh obviously we'll have more to say later. Thank you. Thank you. Moving to item seven on the agenda. It's a proclamation. Uh if it's it's EMS week as has already been referenced and I'm going to ask Councilman Ring who is
himself a long-term EMS member. He of Green Rescue Squad. He is also uh the county coordinator for EMS activities and he will read the proclamation and then an individual proclamation will be given to each of the four rescue squads.
Sir, thank you. So, yes, uh, a couple years ago when I turned 18, um, I joined the Martinsville Rescue Squad and have continued to serve, uh, in in two different organizations based upon what part of the town I lived in for a number
of years. So, um I will tell you that presenting this proclamation is a very small token of appreciation for what our volunteers do. Um on a night like tonight where it's little chilly and dreary and wet and some of us wanted to
stay home, these are people that get up all hours of the day and night and go out and help people at their worst time. They meet people at their worst. um and they do it happily and they volunteer their time to do it. So um extremely
grateful for everyone's efforts. So proclamation recognizing emergency medical services week and honoring Bridgewater's EMS agencies. Whereas emergency medical services is a critical part of our community's public
safety network, ensuring that timely and skilled care is available whenever and wherever it is needed. Whereas Bridgewater Township is proud to be served by four outstanding volunteer EMS
agencies. the Bradley Gardens First Aid and Rescue Squad, the Finn Durn First Aid and Rescue Squad, the Green Rescue Squad, and the Martinsville Rescue Squad. Whereas the dedicated members of these agencies give their time, talents,
and training in service to others, responding at all hours, in all conditions with professionalism and compassion. And whereas access to highquality emergency medical care not only saves lives, but helps people
recover more fully and more quickly from sudden illness or injury. And whereas EMS providers serve as an essential role beyond emergency response, bridging health care gaps through out of hospital care, community education, and
preventative services. Whereas those who serve with the four Bridgewater EMS agencies are part of a broader emergency care system that includes EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, firefighters,
police officers, nurses, physicians, and countless others who work together for the good of our residents. And whereas we recognize and deeply appreciate the commitment, skill, and sacrifice required of the members of the Bridgewater Rescue Squad, whether they
serve as volunteers or career professionals. Now, therefore, the mayor and council of the township of Bridgewater, led by Mayor Matthew Mench, do hereby proclaim the week of May 18th to the 24th, 2025 as Emergency Medical
Services Week. We honor and thank the members of all four squads for their unwavering commitment to the health and safety of Bridgewater. The 2025 EMS week theme, we care for everyone, truly reflects the
spirit of our community and the heart of our EMS volunteers. encourage all residents to express their appreciation and take part in efforts to promote emergency preparedness, community health, and support for our
first responders. And I'll add to that, also consider volunteering. They would love to have you. So, I would ask those members that are here from our agencies in Bridgewater, if you please come up. We'll give proclamations and I'm sure Suzanne will tell us where to stand for a photo.
[Applause] Yep. Y've not been here before. One shoulder. [Music] Good. Now step forward and fill up that space.
[Applause] For the record, Councilman Cordilla has joined us at 7:49. Welcome, Alan. Tonight we'll have a presentation on the New Jersey DO Route 20220 206 and Route
22 interchange with Peters Brook the Commons Way. We have six guests with us tonight. Four of them are from the Department of Transportation and two are from the contract support. Now uh I have a list of the names and I hope I don't
mangle the spelling too badly. Uh uh patience Eene Sosa Yeshael Konisha Trapeni those are all folks from uh New Jersey DOT and then
the representatives of the support agency Bernard Berser and Lauren Dimmitelli. Now Mr. Papis, are did you have any uh words you'd like to offer at this point? I think just one. Uh we have had the opportunity to uh as
professional staff meet with these folks virtually and uh felt that because of the magnitude of this project, it would be uh very appropriate for the presentation to be made before the governing body. And by the way, it was several years ago we we had a a an initial thought that
there was going to be an interchange. Um and then it went away for a while. So I'm glad it's back. So uh feel free uh please use the microphone so we can uh make sure we Oh, excellent. Thank you. Hi everyone. Thank you so much. Um my
name is Patient Sangi. I am here with the uh New Jersey Department of Transportation. I am the regional coordinator in the office of community relations, community and government relations. I am joined today by my project team which is led by Krishna
Trapathy and my design team which is represented by Bernard Borcher and um we also have uh Lauren Demiselli and I also have my other uh counterpart which is Eileen Sosa. We're going to present to
you our project and we ask that you hold all of your questions for the end which we will be happy to answer then. Thank you. Thank you Eileen and thank you uh for uh giving us an opportunity to present this project. Route 202, 206 and 22
interchange project is uh located in Bridgewater Township, Somerset County. The purpose of this project is to improve safety and reduce congestion uh while minimizing the surrounding impacts like environmental right of way and
utility. uh New Jersey DOT uh division of project management is currently performing a concept development level studies uh to identify the uh improvements uh to improve the safety and congestion uh uh services within
this interchange. Um I have as patients mentioned I have my designer uh Bernie from GPI who is going to start the presentation and we are happy to address the questions at the end. Thank you.
Um thank you very much. My name is Bernie Borchers. I am with Green Peterson Incorporated GPI proudly located in Bridgewater Township uh on Route 22. So um I'm going to start the presentation and once again it's for the interchange of route 20220 206 and route
22 interchange uh and we are in the concept development phase. Um just see if I can there's so briefly uh the interchange as we all know here the interchange of route 22 and 20206 is low Cambridge
Township Somerset County just south of where we are now. Um the project limits extend along route 22 from a point west of Peters to Grove Street to the east. The limits extend along route 20220 206 from south of Commons Way to the
acceleration lane for the Somerville Circle. The overall purpose of this project is to improve safety and reduce congestion at the interchange while also minimizing impacts to the environment, access, rightway, utilities, and the traveling public. The purpose is driven
by the safety scores and congestion management scores as noted on this slide. The safety score considers several crash uh data elements to determine the relative ranking compared to the statewide average crash rate for a roadway with a similar
cross-section. Excuse me. This score is on a scale of 0 to 10 with zero representing no crashes and 10 representing the worst score. Similarly, the congestion management score uses traffic and roadway data to determine the relative ranking compared to the statewide average on a scale of 0 to 10.
A high score indicates significant congestion while a low score indicates little to no congestion. As you can see, Route 22 within the project limits has a high crash rate over three times higher than the statewide average for a similar grow cross-section. In addition, both
Route 22 and Route 202 206 rank in the top two percentile for congestion. The safety and congestion management data on the previous slide was a little dated. Uh however, when we obtained more recent data, it only supported the high
crash rate along Route 22. It also indicated that the crash rate along Route 202 206 has increased since the initial data was obtained. A significant percent of the crashes occur along the weaving section of Route
22 westbound between the entrance ramp from Route 20220 206 northbound and the exit ramp to Route 20220 206 southbound. Each circle in this diagram represents a crash. The colors represent different years. This page is currently uh I mean
excuse me this project is currently nearing the end of the uh concept development phase. The NJ DOT project delivery process consists of five distinct phases and it is how the NJT evaluates, plans, designs and constructs capital projects. The first phase, the
problem screening where the problem statement is thoroughly evaluated and consideration is given to the priority type and location when assessing if a project should move to the next phase. The next phase for which we are nearing completion is the concept development
phase during which data on the existing conditions is collected and analyzed. The project's purpose and need is determined and a preliminary preferred alternative also known as a PPA is selected based on input from the end DOT
project subject matter experts local officials key stakeholders and the public. The follow is followed by plary engineering where plum where the preliminary preferred alternative is advanced to the point necessary to obtain any design exceptions and the
environmental document. The preliminary engineering f phase is then followed by the final design phase where we develop the contra construction documents and finally we go into um construction excuse me. The PPA proposes a collector
distributor roadway along Route 22 westbound, which will provide a physical separation between the through movement of Route 22 and the weaving movements between the entrance ramp from Route 202 206 northbound and the exit ramp to
Route 2026 southbound. The PPA also proposes extending a third lane along Route 22 eastbound, Route 2026 northbound, and Route 2022 206 southbound through the interchange. In addition, the PPA includes pedestrian
safety improvements at the intersections of ramp M andN, which are by Mountain Avenue near Immaculata Immaculata High School. The Route 22 westbound collector distributor roadway will begin after the exit ramp to Route 202 northbound and
will continue west through the interchange past the entrance ramp from Route 202 southbound. The third eastbound through lane will begin at the existing threelane section west of the interchange and continue east of Mercer
Street. The PPA proposes to widen structure number 180171 uh which is I guess a meaningless number but uh which carries Route 202's 206 northbound over Route 22. And it's also going to replace the structure which
carries Route 202 206 southbound over Route 22. Apologize I can't get your mouse to work. Um, I apologize. We have a malfunction. Okay, I apologize. Can't get this mouse to work.
Anyhow, let me move on to the next slide. So the PPA, oops, I apologize. Moving east along Route 22, the acceleration lane for the ramp from Route 22 206 northbound to Route 22 eastbound and the stop control for Mountain Avenue ramp are maintained in
the PPA. However, the proposed third eastbound through lane eliminates the two-lane bottleneck east and west of the interchange, which in turn will provide more opportunities for traffic from Route 2026 northbound and Mountain
Avenue to enter onto Route 22 eastbound. To provide for the third uh eastbound through lane, the entrance lane from Commons Way is converted to an acceleration lane terminating prior to the driveways for Buffalo Wild Wings.
This will maintain the existing shoulder adjacent to the restaurant for motorists to safely enter and exit the establishment. The PPA also includes sidewalk improvements and enhanced pedestrian crossings with high visibility crosswalks and ADA compliant
curb ramps along Mountain Avenue adjacent to the high school. Of additional note, the authorized uh vehicle access opening AC that crosses Route 22 for New Jersey State Police will be maintained at all times.
We have more detail on this, but I kept it very simple for tonight if the council requires additional information. Can you go back to the prior slide? I'm sorry. Can you go back to the prior slide for a second? I hope. Yeah. The pedestrian crosswalks on Mount Avenue
that you referenced, it seems like the the crosswalks go through that little pyramid in the middle, right? the the crosswalks actually they go to a um they go to actually a um what we call
a channelized island, right? Why don't they just cross over Mount Avenue and not go through those three different steps? Why not just go straight across Mount Avenue? Like if you're going to use that crosswalk, your your intention is to cross over is to cross Mount Avenue. Why
make the pedestrian go through three different crosswalks if it could just be one? Well, we tried to keep the pedestrian outside the physical curb to curb roadway opening as much as possible. Uh we need the channelization island to properly channelize the right
turn from Mountain Avenue onto the entrance ramp for Route 22 eastbound. So, the channelization island is necessary and provides a haven to shorten the distance for the crossing distance for pedestrians. I have the hunch though in all reality people are just going to cross over Mountain Avenue
without using the pedestrian crosswalks. They're going to take the shortest distance possible to cross over the road. Uh that is practicality they will, right? I mean that's possible, right? But they should um you know we have that with any crosswalks we put in. Uh we
tend you we put them in the locations that are per the guidance of the MUTCD. Um, and we try to keep the pedestrian, we tried to guide them to the shortest distance, the shortest crossing distance the roadway. Will copies of your presentation be
available and can we put it on the web, Mr. Papis? Where, since we're on this slide, um, I apologize. Where does the crosswalk over Route 22 tie into that
Mountain Avenue? The Are you talking about the pedestrian bridge? Yeah. The pedestrian bridge will remain the same. The structure actually that carries Route 22 over Mountain Avenue. That that structure will be replaced. The pedestrian bridge remains
right. The pedestrian bridge will Where does that tie on this photo in the bottom right corner? that's up on the screen ties into the existing sidewalk that goes underneath the structure that carries Route 22. So that's on the right side of that's on the right side east side. Okay. Yeah. So
yes, we will maintain that sidewalk and actually increase its width. So, so the reality is if I'm coming from the mall and I come over that pedestrian walkway, I'm really at a point where there's a crosswalk to go right or a crosswalk to go left.
Roughly, that's correct. Okay. Thank you. Will the bridge I I was unsure whether the bridge over 22 is going to be replaced that that physical structure uh for 2026
going either way. Uh right now I guess it's it's two lanes and u frequent potholes. Yeah. Is it is it going to be replaced? Yes. The there will be a complete replacement. One bridge was I won't say recently. It's it's a a
comparative term, but yes, one bridge will be completely replaced as it's needed for the additional widening. The northbound bridge was built when the mall was built. The southbound bridge was there for when I was a kid. If you
were coming northbound, you had to take that Mountain Avenue exit, go underneath the highway, and back around to go north. There was no northbound bridge. I remember that. Yep. So yes, there will be a full replacement of the bridge. So
that bridge and the bridge that carries Route 22 over Mountain Avenue will also be replaced in kind uh completely. Actually, it won't be replaced in kind. We'll have to raise the profile for Route 22 by about 3 and 1/2 ft because that bridge that carries um carries
Route 22 over Mountain Avenue has a substandard under clearance. So just to expand on that a little bit, m Mr. President. Yes, sir. A couple of questions. Um, is there an is there an estimate for when when the this work may
be done based on where we are in the project? I I will get to that near the second to last slide. Okay. Any other questions at this point? Okay. We can come back to any slides that you so desire. You kidding
me? This is your I apologize. Okay. Anyhow, thank you. So, as I was stating before, the PPA will significantly reduce congestion uh with the proposed improvements as is expected since we'll be um eliminating the uh
bottleneck on Route 22 eastbound where there's three lanes west of uh the interchange and three lanes east of the interchange. We'll be adding a uh third through lane along route uh 20220 206 southbound uh that will connect to the
uh deceleration lane for the Somerville Circle and we'll be adding a um a third through lane northbound. Um, so that will the that will enhance uh the operation from the Somerville Circle up
to the ramp that takes Route 202 206 northbound to route 22 eastbound as that existing weaving section currently operates at levels of SE F or uh basically F. Both of the um weaving
sections along Route 202 206 through the interchange operate a level service F or worse. So, they'll be significantly improved and the travel time through the interchange both northbound and eastbound uh will be reduced by at least
30%. The level of service E is pretty poor, right? Uh when uh when these improvements are done, what would you anticipate would be the new level of service? No, the the new level of service for weaving segment will be an
E. Uh currently it's an F. The level of service for a weaving segment is not based on delay. It's based on the um uh the speed. And currently um the the weaving section along Route 2026
northbound and route 2020 southbound um significantly reduces the speed along not only the weaving section but along the main line. So the u the the flow will be improved. So, uh, and and E, you know, um, it's
hard to get an A, B, or C in this type of area. Um, I'm not going to get into all the details about the construction staging um, as that will probably be more well vetted during the uh, primary engineering and FD phase. But at this
point in concept development, we anticipate that the project can be constructed in six major stages uh while maintaining all existing lanes of traffic uh with only minor um short period uh you know to install u overhead
cranes and what have you. But all lanes will be maintained. All access to the pedestrian bridges will be maintained and all pedestrian access from the high school to the mall will also be maintained at all times during construction. As far as the public
outreach program, um during the process of during the phase of concept development, we had our first local officials meeting back in April of 2021, met again in December 2023. We had a public information center that was done virtually that was done on
February 12th. We had a uh two-week comment period. Uh we accepted comments from the public and that was all comments were addressed and uh we then met again on March 31st 2025 and uh we are here tonight to answer any
additional questions. Um could you define who were the local officials who were in those meetings? So local officials would be the um the township and the county. This township. This township. Mr. Papus, were those meetings you were in? We did. We did
meet with them. They they came and made a Yeah. Yeah. And the police chief, myself, township engineer, uh other members of the engineering staff were present. [Music] Right. So, uh, based on the current
progress, it's anticipated this project will advance to play engineering in the spring of 2026, followed by final design in winter of 2028, and uh, construction should begin in um the winter of 2030.
Um please note that uh any of these subsequent project design and construction phase dates are dependent on on dependent upon available funding, rightway acquisition, environmental permitting obviously and any necessary approvals uh between each phase of the
project. And with that PowerPoint presentation popping in different directions in front of me, uh I think I'm done. Uh, so I'm open for any questions, comments, and I apologize about the PowerPoint. So, so if if we do hit that 2030, what
amount of time does the construction likely take? I would anticipate right now that this is probably going to last three construction seasons. Three construction seasons. What does that mean? Three. Finish in Start in 2030, finish in 2033.
Yeah, roughly. Yep. Yeah. by the fall of um 2033, winter weather can be a factor, of course. Yeah, that's assuming winter shutdowns. Winter shutdowns typically run from uh November 1st to uh March.
So, if we have continue to have warm winters, the contractor will work through them. Do you anticipate that the entry ramps and exit ramps will be will be closed for certain time periods or will you find alternate ways around them and try to keep them open? I'm sorry, the ramps.
Yes. Will they will the ramps remain open or closed? All all ramps will remain open. I mean, there may be um short closures, overnight closures. Um when we put the when we replace the bridge deck for the new bridge, we'll
need an overnight closure obviously to pull the deck in. So there will be some of that, but um for the most part they'll remain open all time and all lanes will remain open. When you use the phrase replacement bridge, replacement in the same place or
will it be shifted in in some meaningful amount or is that not determined? We were unable to it it'd be obviously preferable to build a bridge offline so we could build a new one then replace the other one but given the geometrics and other constraints environmental we have to replace the bridge in its
current location. And does that elongate the amount of time necessary? It it does make it a little longer. Yes, Mr. Pre question. Yes, I do. I have two. I just want to clarify. Um, so 2026 southbound, you're going to
add, as I understand, a third lane there, correct? Okay. Will that So, a couple years ago, the state took care of one of the other nightmares, and that's the merge of 2026 southbound and 287 southbound
by creating more of an acceleration lane there. Now, where there's three lanes, but that comes to an end right near Commons Way. that that was actually my project as well. Okay. So So you're familiar. So will that third l will that third lane in essence continue from
that? No. Or is it going to go 323? It it's the um the it will start basically just north of the interchange. Um so you're going to go we're going to go from three lanes merge to two and then back to three lanes all in a
quarter of a mile. We're going to we're going to take the third through lane up. And then what's going to happen is the the lane that you currently have that's dedicated for southbound that goes onto the ramp that takes you on through Route 22 westbound. Yep. That is going to be shifted over
and be a separate acceleration lane. Okay. So, we're going to have three lanes through that whole area. We're trying to eliminate all the bottlenecks. Yeah. And then I I next question is regarding Bridge Street and 22 on the
south side of 22. So Bridge and 22 east. Um probably not the same as you heard. I've been involved in EMS for a long time here. I can tell you the hot spots without some studies. But um I think one of the other areas where there's not as
many accidents but the severity of the accidents with you know as far as injuries and stuff a little higher get a lot of people that come out of Bridge Street onto 22 East that try to cut across the Buffalo Wild
Wings. And so if you're looking at that I think that's you know something to consider. I haven't had that input before, so I really appreciate that. Thank you very much. Yeah, I'm sure our police department could give you data on that.
That'd be great. We we try to collect we get all the data. Uh but if there's any additional information that the police can provide, we greatly appreciate it. They're in the back of the room listening. So, fantastic. Uh we've met before uh but we're happy to meet again on that. Um the other thing to note too
is that um when we were doing our initial uh study, we developed a what's called a gravity model for the area, a traffic gravity model. Uh so we looked at not only just the counts and and analysis at the inter interchange, we looked at the whole area and um we were
surprised. We lost 400 vehicles and um our analysts couldn't figure it out. Uh eventually it came to we as we expanded our model we realized that people and like but you already know this uh are bypassing interchange and uh using
Bridge Street, Grove Street, etc. to head south so and north. So hopefully um we're hoping that we by increasing the capacity at the interchange that we'll be taking some of these this traffic off the local roads and putting it back. there. I know a fair number of people
that come south on 202 206 from like Bedminster. They'll turn onto Foothill Road, take that out to North Bridge just to avoid that whole interchange. And I I I know people including myself from Bridgewater, I'll go down Bridge Street to 206 and Somerville to avoid that
interchange. So, there's a lot of that. Yeah. So, hopefully hopefully we'll reduce some of that. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Any other comments you'd like to offer? Uh, no. We really appreciate the opportunity and uh we'll reach back out
uh for additional information on the uh on the Bridge Street and the Buffalo Wild Wings. Excellent. And and if you can provide the media information so it can be put on our our website. Uh now is there a process whereby as our residents
become more conversant with the project that that they could ask a question of somebody in the township so that it could be cobbled together and maybe get back to you folks for would that be possible Mr. Papis? Of course they can they can
contact the office of constituent relations. Uh I know that the folks from the DOT also indicated that there would be another opportunity I'm assuming another opportunity for public questions with their their folks. Okay. I'm sure
not there will later on in the process and at that time have another opportunity to look at the improvements we have. out so far. Okay. Okay, folks. Thanks very much for your time and effort and especially for
the good news for for future traffic control. Thank you. We appreciate it. Thank you. Okay, we're now going to move on to section number nine, which is the meeting open to the public. Members of the public wishing to address the
council on any matter will be allowed three minutes to speak unless there are unusual circumstances. Could I have a motion to open to the public, please? So make that motion. Second. Second. All those in favor? I I Okay, we are now open to the
public. Scott, excuse me. Could you just move a microphone onto the podium, please? Thank you. Thank you. How you doing tonight? My name is Carrie Stickle. I live over on uh Peepen Road. Did you have a daughter, Liz? Yes. Yeah.
She was one of my students at the middle school a bunch of years ago. Okay. I don't know if that's good or bad. It was good. It was good. I enjoyed having her. The middle school is East. Yes. Used to be old high school East. So, um, greetings. Thank you. I'd like to thank, by the way, I'd like to thank you for your time that you spend dedicating to
this community. Um, and what I'd like to speak with you tonight is about developing an ordinance for light trespasses or glare. I'm not sure if you're familiar with this or not, but um, so what we've noticed, my wife and I have I've lived in Bridgewater since
2011, lived in Somerset County since 2003, and we've noticed that a lot of homeowners have been putting on some very, very bright lights. Maybe you've noticed those headlights that people have on their cars and they're very bright and like cause glare. Well,
what's happening is that in our case, um, these lights are illuminating. They're set on people's garages and they are illuminating our house. And I've seen this in other neighborhoods where these lights are so bright that they just come right across the street and
shine in through your windows and stuff. And as a result, um, in our home, for example, uh, we can walk around at night and not even turn on the lights. It's so bright. And so when we're coming down the stairs or something, you know, in the middle of the night or whatever, it's just, you know, blinding.
Um, and so as a result, um, you know, my loss of sleep, it's tough for us to, you know, tough for my wife and I to get to sleep at night sometimes with these lights on. And as we know, like sleep deprivation can have pretty adverse effects on one's health and mood and any
number of things. Um, a couple of our neighbors have been amicable to, you know, turning down the lights, but they're still often very bright. Uh, we had one situation where a neighbor kind of turned a little belligerent with us about, uh, turning off the lights. You know, we tried talking with her and
everything and it just leveled up. But we were just thinking that it would be really great if there was some kind of light ordinance deal with shielding the lights and direction how far off they could admit from the property and that sort of thing. Um number of towns have
this ordinance already. Uh Milburn being one of them, Long Beach, Bloomfield. And uh we had spoken to Dan Ahern about this. um and he was very sympathetic to our situation, but unfortunately because there is no ordinance in place, there's
nothing that can be done. So, I just wanted to know if the council would like to take that up and you know if we somehow developed an ordinance dealing with light trespass or glare, however you want to call it. Apologize. You said Milbourne Long Branch and what was uh Milbour Long Branch and uh Bloomfield.
Thank you. So, uh, trying to think, uh, I think New Jersey also has a Let me get my glasses on really quick. Um, I think New Jersey has in New Jersey, light trash is generally defined
as light emitted by a luminere that shines beyond boundaries of the property where it's located. Um, like I said, many municipalities have enacted ordinances, light tres, uh, light trespasses aiming to reduce light pollution and its impact. Uh, these
ordinances typically regulate the placement, direction, and shielding of outdoor lights to prevent them from shining into neighbors properties or public rights of way. So, and I know a lot of times people are concerned with security and that sort of stuff and you know, but in the case of
our one neighbor, she's actually just leaving them on all night now because she knows that it it's an a nuisance to us. So, we would like to get it addressed. Oh, well, thank you for your input. I'm sure uh Mr. Papus will put that on his list of things to consider. Okay. Thank
you very much. Appreciate it. Okay. Sorry. What did you teach? Thank you. [Music] Good evening. Kathy Franco, 766 Wemac Road. Um, let me just start by saying I
am disappointed. Um, two weeks ago I was here and Councilman Kur said you will have an exceptionally clear answer in two weeks to the budget. Mayor Mench said it was a draft working budget on
May 8th and that we would have it on the 22nd. Councilman Kersh again said close is in the eye of the beholder as to when we or what the number would be. And Council President Ngales also said you will have a budget introduction in two
weeks. So, I know we have we don't have it tonight. Um, there's a special meeting that's going to be held next week. Uh, when I went and looked at 12A, which is a resolution where you're
going to vote to permit the tax assessor to send out preliminary tax bills. I tried to do the quick math, okay, and look at what our tax assessment rates were in 2024 versus what was proposed in
that 12A ordinance. So, the county in 2024 was.36 cent or 36 cents. Now, it's 37.4. Um, the school was $132.1. It's going to be 13 or
$1.32.6. The municipal was 24 cents, 24.3 cents and now it's going to be 26.1 cents. So when I do the math on the municipal, that's a rate of about 7.41 increase is what I get.
Um, you must have a budget if you're going to send out a preliminary tax bill. So, I'm just sharing. I am once again very disappointed um that you cannot provide that to the public tonight. Also, some of the resolutions
or things that you're proposing during that meeting next week as far as I I don't quite understand what they mean. I read all of those attachments that are attached to those minutes or that agenda. Um, will members of the public
be able to do a deep dive into that budget beginning the day after that budget introduction, I guess, is my question. Mr. Papis, would you like Will we have a co copy of it? Will it be posted on the website? The introduction uh after the
council adopts it. Yes. No, no, after it's introduced. Excuse me. I meant introduce. I'm sorry. I misspoke. So the day after the day after. Okay. Thank you very much. And Mr. President, if I could just make a couple of other comments. The the uh estimated tax bill, you know, we've done that in the past. It's not
every year. Many municipalities do it. And the tax rate, Mr. Franco, I'm addressing your question. The tax rate that is uh uh listed is not uh the identified tax rate for the year. That's for the estimated bill only. That is not
the tax rate that would be uh reflected in the introduced budget. [Music] And as Androan 654 Stangle Road, I have um three quick comments I wanted to make. One on tonight's presentation by
DOT. Two points of u concern or clarification that I think the township needs. One is it appeared that the data that the whole project is based on is quite dated. I think 2016 to 2018 was
one of the roots. 2018 to 2020 was another. Obviously, we all want to enhance safety within the township roadways, whether they're state or local. Um, but obviously this is going to be an very extremely disruptive um
protracted uh event in our township. So, one, I'd like to know if that the project truly is based on almost 10 years old data, and two, um, what the proposed target is. So if safety the the graphics that were shown
uh highlighted how unsafe that that particular roadway is, at what point will there be an assessment whether after all this is done that we truly do experience a marked, measurable, tangible improvement after all is said
and done. And I think the township is owed that because we're going to bear the brunt of the disruption for that period of time. Um my second point was um I do agree with the gentleman who spoke about the light ordinance light pollution especially as we further
develop the township and residential areas and commercial areas start to become closer I think we do need to be mindful of the impact of light pollution uh whether it's in a purely residential or a mixed use area. Um third is I have
a question on resolution uh or 12A of the agenda. The resolution authorizing the Bridgewater Township task collector and chief finance officer to prepare and mail estimated tax bills for 2025 calendar year. It begins with
whereas the Bridgewater Township tax collector will be unable to mail the township's 2025 tax bills on a timely basis due to unforeseen issues. And I ask, what are those unforeseen issues? The uh fact that the budget has not been
formally adopted. [Music] Thank you. Thank you. [Music]
Daniel Zalinski, 715 Chimney Rock Road. Um not all uh payment in lie of taxes or pilot programs are bad, but uh the one that is being promote uh promoted currently
uh ultimately short changes residents of tax revenue and provides no guarantee that the tax revenue derived from it would be dispersed as a tax revenue normally is, shouldering more of a tax burden onto the residents. And let's remember that we only have two pilot
programs currently in Bridgewater. Numerous times in the past 10 months, I have come here with concerns about our fiscal house being on fire and the largest depletion of our budget surplus in this
administration's tenure. Many of the questions that I've had for this council over the various times that I have geared here have never been answered. Information on our fiscal health is rarely discussed beyond the uh
annual budget. Recently, it emerged that a $4 million grant for Camp Camp Cromwell cannot be redeemed because we do not even have $80,000 to kickstart the famili the
fulfillment of that grant opportunity. This administration is now in its third year of submitting budgets late by your own audits, the council's audits. Two years in a row, you have
indicated an over reliance on the use of our budget surplus. Short of an immediate cash infusion has residents, we face an unprecedented tax increase. The pilot the mayor now seeks
approval for he was staunchly opposed to when he campaigned to be the mayor. The mayor says the pilot is an opportunity for us. The fact is the pilot will be at the expense of the
taxpayer. The developer will be offered a discount that could be as much as 30% less than they would normally pay in taxes. Since when has Bridgewater been offered up at a
discount? And this all for a developer who has been involved since the original Center for Excellence proposal in 2016, which this council shot down and
caused Santa Fe uh Seni, I'm sorry, to leave Bridgewwater. No pilot programs were entertained by this developer until recently. Until now, when this township is
cashstrapped, it's a win-win for the administration and for the developer, but not for the taxpayer. Warehouses and trucking terminals do not bring a large number of jobs and they
are jobs that are offered at the low end of pay scales. They crowd our roads and strain our roadway infrastructures. Mr. Kersh suggested a win as it would bring new residents.
This is a mayor that is pushing back on building apartments and is pushing back on affordable housing. And in fact, Councilman Cordelloo very clearly stated that he wanted, as he put it, zero
affordable units brought into Bridgewater. Housing is a key issue for employees looking to start families in Bridgewater. We are discounting Bridgewwaterat's developable land
developable land and for no reason other than a quick fix to the financial mess we find our town in. A decision that we will have to live with for 30 or more years. Just two
years ago, this administration tried to push through a billboard monument that would have been a deal Bridgewwater would have had to live with for 30 years. That company is now out of business. It begs some
questions about the choices this administration is making. And in fact, that billboard would have gone up where just a few minutes ago we saw is one of the highest accident areas in our
township. Not to mention, why in God's name do we want warehouse and trucking terminals in the middle of Bridgewater adjacent to residential sections of Bridgewater? I believe because it's our fiscal house
is on fire and this council's complicity is going along with it. This pilot leaves open the possibility that res residents will shoulder more of a burden for the essential services that directly impact
our lives. It ultimately shortch changes residents of tax revenue and provides no guarantee that the tax revenue that would be dispersed that the tax revenue would be dispersed as it's normally done in a tax situation. Excuse me, sir. Two
more questions. How two questions? How much longer do you have to go? You've been going on and and by the way, you have repeatedly stated these items at multiple meetings. I think the council is well aware of your concern. And by the way, one of the things you said was
we drove Santa Fe out of Bridgewater. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. Uh they closed down because they got a better offer to go someplace else. Right. They could have had that offer right here. But the two questions that I have and I will finish that point. You have to blame the state New Jersey. You
have to blame You have to blame the state of New Jersey for not negotiating Santa and keeping them in Bridgewwater. And you are correct. Speak to your governor. Governor Murphy should have negotiated with Santa and he should have kept them in New Jersey. You are 100% correct and he didn't. He failed on
that. Okay. Okay. I have two questions for this council. What steps are being taken to curb the over reliance on our budget surplus? We'll note your question. Thank you. The second question I have is what will
happen to residents property taxes if this pilot program is not approved? Thank you. When will I get answers to those two questions? Well, the answer on the surplus that you'll get is when we
introduce the budget. And what you will see if you choose to look at the numbers is that on average and over time our surplus has been remarkably similar year to year to year gone down and down and down. That is that is not true. That's not correct. It has been within a
reasonable it has been within a reasonable deviation of $6 million every single year. Say that again. I'm sorry. It has been within a reasonable deviation of $6 million each and every year. Those are the facts. When you see these is then that on the last budget it
was at $445,000. I don't know where you're getting these numbers from. They're not accurate. When you see the introduced budget next week, you can look at the surplus and make your own determination as where we are. Okay. Thank you. And I
will return with last year's budget. That's fine. to show you exactly where I am. The answer is $44 million has been roughly speaking the amount of surplus each year. I don't know where you get $400,000 from. Okay. From your We have
Sir, we have heard you out. Thank you. Mr. Council President, I was mentioned uh regarding my opinion about affordable housing. Yes, sir. May I make a comment, please? You may certainly do that. Mr. Zillinsky was correct in my statement
saying that my opinion I would prefer to have zero a zero number on affordable housing. However, the rest of that comment was that I know that when it is the number is finally adopted, it's going to be somewhere between 0 and 400.
I know that it's not going to be zero. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to adjust the council, please? Seeing no one moving forward. Motion to close. So moved. I'll second it. All those in favor of closing signify by
saying I. I. I. Hi. Mr. President. Mr. President. Yes sir. Yeah. I if I could I just want to make a couple of comments about some of the statements that were made. I'll be very brief if I may. Yes sir. Um the gentleman that spoke has spoken about the budget the surplus
previously. I did uh a couple of months ago did recite to him. I don't know if he was here that night. Over the past probably 10 years, the amount of budget that was used in each budget and the amount that was replenished each year. Uh, and I think what Mr. Kers said is is
pretty accurate. Um, and I did I did recite that. I'm not I'm not going to get into a debate here, Mr. Zalinsky. I'm just making comments. Um, and and I and I can if I can continue. Oh, sir, we're we're closed. I'm sorry. And so, um, I I think that that's important to
recognize. I think the clerk will know that I did recite those numbers pretty definitively in the budget in the public comments at a meeting a few months ago. Um, I I I think the other important thing to clarify is the center of
excellence. the the project that Mayor Mench opposed was very different from the project that has ultimately been approved through a court settlement and subsequent approvals by the township planning board. So I think uh it's a
mischaracterization of uh suggesting that the administration supports what is uh been recently approved as compared to what had been opposed. The previous approval at the previous planning board approved had 400 apartments, had a 80 or
90,000 squid square foot supermarket, had a over 100 room hotel, u significantly more uh commercial space, and I think 200,000 square ft of retail versus 30,000. So the the comparison
between the two as you have tried to suggest that there's an identical uh project that was originally proposed and approved versus now I I think that's a it's a inappropriate comparison. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Rapis. Moving to item
number 10 public hearing and final action ordinances. There are none. Item 11 uh introduction of ordinances. There are none. Moving to resolutions 12A, authorizing the Bridgewater Township Tax Collector and Chief Financial Officer to prepare and mail estimated tax bills for
2025 calendar year in accordance with PL 1994 C72. So moved. I'll second it. Is there any discussion? Which resolution are we on? 12. This is the tax collector piece. Okay. the tax
collector estimated tax bill 128 authorizing the tax comm collector to issue bills. We have a motion and a second. I have a comment before we vote. Go ahead. Yeah. Um you know I share in some of the frustrations that the public
has expressed. I concur that uh you know this budget is long overdue. We should have had a budget before this governing body a long time ago. Um I I don't know. I'm not sure why we don't we don't have a budget, but we
still don't. I hope I hope and pray that the reason why we're delaying this another week uh is because the administration is going to uh further cut on uh our township expenses and um and and reduce
the tax burden to the residents. Um I share in the frustrations that we have that have been expressed. uh our budget is long overdue. I concur with that. Um and I I you know I hope to see this issue to finality. Just for the
record, this governing body, the township council, uh under state law has has uh has very little that we can do to force the administration to produce the budget. Uh the budget really it's on the administration's hands. uh it's our
obligation to bring forward a budget to this governing body and once we uh then introduce it, it becomes our budget to change and adopt uh but we you know this we have to wait like you have to wait and hopefully hopefully we will be at a point where we have a budget for
introduction next week. You know I it's also um it's also a bit concerning in this in the sense that by not introducing the budget this week we are we are cutting the time period you know for the public to have to review the budget. I think
the public's review of the budget is an important an important part uh of this budgetary process. certainly have the budget finance committee that reviews the budget, but uh I view it and I certainly take a lot of uh a lot of weight into the input I get from the
public and I strongly value uh what what they provide to to to me. Um and I think that by cutting the time period that they have to review the budget, I think that's also important and significant. Uh I implore on the administration uh to not delay this any further and to give
us the budget. Thank you. Roll call, please. 12A. Councilman Kersh, yes. Councilman Codella, yes. Councilman Pedroso, yes. Councilman Ring, yes. President Ogalis, yes. 12B, authorizing the amend uh the
amendment of resolution 25-1-2-11 for the award of contract for professional legal services municipal uh prosecutor John Lansquire in an amount not to exceed 80,000 for a one-year term. commencing on January 1st, 2025. I
understand that the original contract uh had a typographical error. Uh there was no increase in the 80,000. It had to do with the daily. Yes, I moved it. Second. I'll second it. Roll call, please. 12B.
Kersh. Yes. Codilla. Yes. Pedroso. Yes. Mr. Yes. President Ogalas. Yes. Uh we are uh there is no close session tonight. We are at the point where we have completed tonight's business. But I
have a motion to adjurnn. So moved. All those in favor say I. Uh we are journed. Thank you very much for the public.