Good evening. It is not on. Good evening. In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act of New Jersey, adequate notice of this meeting was provided on December 5th, 2025 by sending written notice and electronic notice to the
Courier News and the Breeze, posting on the website and the bulletin board in the municipal building and filing with the township clerk. Can I have a roll call, please? >> Councilman Bako, >> here. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> here. Councilman Kersh, >> here. Councilman Ring, >> good evening here.
>> President Geger, >> here. We'll now stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Next is the approval of the minutes from February 5th, 2026, the regular session. Has everyone had a chance to review them?
Are there any comments, corrections to the minutes? I think we can have a roll call. >> Well, I'll move approval of the February 5th minutes. >> Ah, sorry. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? I I
>> opposed. The minutes are approved. Township council reports. I'll start with you, Councilwoman Isla. >> Sure. Thank you. I had the opportunity to engage with some more residents, honor service, and strengthen connections both locally and internationally again. So, my family and
I, we were actually honored to be invited by Tom Clark. He's the cons c console general of Canada. We were invited to attend the opening night of Come From Away at the Paper Mill Playhouse. And the production is very powerful. I hope more people get to to
see it because it is a reminder of compassion and solidarity in the aftermath of September 11th. And um there I made some connections and they actually invited me to speak at the 911 memorial in New Finland in Gander. So we'll see if that happens. But you know it was it was it was a very nice
reflection of that really special bond we have between our community especially as Canada is co-hosting the upcoming uh FIFA World Cup with Mexico. We look forward to any um any opportunities for continued collaboration and regional partnership and Joan Guyger was also
invited there. Um and then we also uh at the regional health commission we didn't have a meeting but we received a notice which I forwarded on to Grace on the measles outbreak at RWJ uh uh hospital in New Brunswick. So this
was a few weeks ago. Um and then residents also more recently reached out to me in the last few days uh based on the news coverage of a potential aven flu outbreak. But I will say just um you know be sure that public uh health uh
colleagues are preparing for anything but we want to make sure we verify any data before sharing it publicly. So just stay tuned on that. And then I was also invited to attend a beautiful Ramadan crescent moonlighting event in Franklin,
Somerset County. Uh and the Eid committee actually of New Jersey said that you know they would love to host celebrations in Bridgewater as well so we can speak about that uh for next year. And then uh the Somerset County Sheriff's Office actually asked me to speak at Black History Month event uh
right here in uh New Jersey where brave police officers, most of them women from across the country were recognized with service awards for their dedication to our community. And sadly, this observance was actually on the same day where Reverend Jesse Jackson had passed
away. So, you know, it really just uh reminded all of us of his commitment to justice and equality. And I wanted to share a quote. I always love sharing some quotes. So, we must not measure progress by how far we have come, but how far we have yet to go. And then this
week was really busy. On Tuesday, I went to the planning board meeting and thank everyone on the board as well as uh the the all of the residents and and their council that came out to speak. It was really interesting engagement. Wednesday, I was invited by Somerset Leadership to join a panel along with uh
Joan and it was really nice speaking to a lot of residents that are interested in getting into uh leadership roles within the county. And then that night, which was yesterday night actually, emergency services training for all the three new elected officials. And today,
a bunch of us went to the grand opening of a very nice new business right in town. It's a big grocery store. So really welcome addition to Bridgewwater's local business. It's called Patidar in the Somerset set circle, but if anyone else has updates, I'll let them speak since I spoke so
much. Thank you, >> Councilman Ring. >> Good evening. Thank you. Um, a lot of people in Bridgewater, New Jersey overall probably not aware, but in Bridgewater, we have uh four fire
districts. In each of these fire districts is a separate government entity. There's one in Martinsville, there's one in Fin Durham, one in Bradley Gardens, and one that covers the remaining portion of the township. Uh those fire districts every year uh on
the third Saturday in February, i.e. this Saturday is their elections. Uh public is um anyone that's registered to vote is allowed to vote. Um the polls are open Saturday afternoon. I believe it's 2 to 8. Um, so, uh, you know, take
advantage of your opportunity to vote with that. Um, I know I've gotten some questions this year and something we've looked at in the past. Um, if you have a vote by mail for this weekend, you cannot drop it in the dropbox outside. Um, and >> here,
>> here, >> anywhere, >> anywhere, because the the the dropboxes for ballots are not owned by the township. Those are uh county board of elections, county clerk. They set the policies on when those are open and not open. So, it's a county decision that
that box is not available to the residents of Bridgewwater who have a vote by mail ballot. If you wanted to drop it in the box this weekend, you cannot. So, um and that's my report. >> Can you drop it in the box at the in Somerville?
>> No. >> None of the drop boxes are available for >> Then why would they send you a mail in ballot if you >> mail it in the mail? You can put it in your mailbox to have it picked up by the US post office or you can drop it to a post office. >> I can hand it >> in the mail in the special ballot
dropbox. >> You can hand deliver it to the county or you can put it in the US postal service, but the boxes the county has scattered around the county, you cannot use in a fire district election. >> I'm very glad you told me that. >> Um, so what happens if somebody
accidentally does that? Are those >> can't. It's locked. >> Okay. Well, you could still try as people do, but >> it's not available. >> Okay. So, so since we're on this topic, um the guidance I've been giving to
people is uh go to the post office, go to a a staff person, get it handstamped so that you can ensure that you took the behavior either tomorrow, Friday, or Saturday, and there would be no question that you did your civic duty rather than
whatever may or may not happen. Uh if a ballot goes into uh just a random mailbox, >> yeah, your ballots have to be postmarked. I did an election case, prior to election that was a two vote uh difference >> and not in Bridgewater, but um there was
a bunch of ballots where people had put them in their mailbox on the Saturday of the fire election, but since it didn't get picked up for another day, it didn't get stamped on time. It didn't get there on time. So even though the person thought they were putting their ballot
family in their mailbox. Um, so don't wait on >> Okay. Um, I forgot to mention uh last at the last council meeting that January 27th was Holocaust Remembrance Day. Um, and I just think that's important for us
to all acknowledge. Um, this month is Black History Month and I believe we have a historian from Hobstown who will be speaking during the public session um and give us a little bit of history of black history of Hobstown which is a
section of Bridgewater. Um, I did want to mention that um and our firefighters and EMS uh from Bradley Gardens, Martinsville Fire Department and Green Fire Department provided mutual aid um in the bitter cold. It was
almost zero degrees um to help a pretty big fire in Bernard'sville on February 8th, 2026. So, thank you to all of those who who uh did that. Um I think Mr. Papis is going to um give a little explanation of the sewer bill. I think
everybody got their sewer bill this week or last week. Um I did also want to say that there has been some concern expressed over the time taken for appointments by council. Um and I do want to note that there have been over
53 um appointments so far of staff, professionals, and committees. 11 remain open. And I just want to say just for the record, considering that we have three new council members, I don't think that's too bad. Um there's also been
some concern expressed um about the uh specific appointments of the um in the municipal courts with respect to the uh public defender and the um the uh prosecutor. So I did contact um
Judge Gerard Shammy. He is the presiding judge of Visenage 13. Visinich 13, by the way, is Somerset, Honan, and Warren counties. That's how it that's how the courts are run in um in Somerville in Somerset County. It's three counties. Um
anyway, I asked him if the courts did have any concerns over holdover appointments. He said, "No, hold over appointments are not a concern. Um there can be a concern of a vacancy um if it lasts more than six months, but other
than that, it's not an issue. So, anyone that's concerned about that can rest assured. Um I do want to note that the Middlebrook 5 General's tour is this weekend, February 22nd. There's several tours. The tickets are $40 each and they
are available on the Heritage Trail website. There is also um at the Elks there will be a lunchon at 1:00 on Saturday for the Washington camp ground annual lunchon. So for any history buffs, there's a lot going on this
weekend. Um I do want to mention the aven flu. I did speak to the director of parks um for the county and it is confirmed now those birds um did have aven flu. It is not considered to be a human health hazard
at this point. Um, but you might want, anyone that's concerned about it might want to double check and get some specific information from the board of health. Uh, from the parks department, I think has some things posted on the county website. And the general advice was stay away from birds if you can help
it, especially if they're dead or they look sick. Um, but don't take my word for it. Check with a medical professional. Um I just want to say uh oh I did I attended the opening of
the grocery store um the Indian grocery store. It is the largest grocery Indian grocery store in the tri-state area. The grand opening was today. It's off the circle where Bye-Bye Baby was and they do have both American and Indian food
just in case anyone's wondering. Um, I want to offer condolences to our friends in Canada for their losses from this school shooting at the Tumblr Ridge School. About eight people died. Um, five of them were children and a teacher
and about 25 people were injured. And my last my fun history fact. Um the Vatler Avenue house on Foothill Road was built in 1754. And Washington and his troops passed by the house on route to Morristown
from that distance from the from the house to Morristown is 16 and a half miles. And I think they started way before that. So God bless them. And that's my report. >> They didn't take 287. They did not take 287. It was probably a an Indian trail
at that point. >> All right. Um, so a few items. Um, as I I think I noted last last time, I had a very productive meeting with our state senator Doug Steinhard. Uh, we reviewed a sizable number of um of issues. I'll
report out on three of them. Uh I know um you know we we are eager to make sure that from our side and the state side we are making sufficient progress on any decision making with the Prince Rogers Avenue uh bridge over 287. Uh I know
that uh you know we're we're kind of seeing exactly where we where that issue stands and Senator Steinard and his staff if necessary are certainly willing to step in and bridge any gaps. Uh we also had a conversation about uh what I've been talking about from this day
since July uh which is uh the high the high energy costs in New Jersey. Um my concern specifically uh is that the lack of forward thinking has not only caused a challenge for individuals as we all open our bills particularly in the summer and the winter but we Bridgewater
open a pretty big bill uh and the school districts and uh every other taxing authority. We still have to run our pumps uh at the at the at the the sewer uh through the sewer utility and the lights in here and um obviously the school district. I did raise this to him
as you know essentially a hidden tax. Uh and you know while he was certainly very um you know concerned about the impact. I asked him well you know does the state have any money to help us out? Um and you know he said he'd take it under advisement but you know the state's
coffers are are challenged as it is. So, um, you know, I did raise it and certainly, you know, can can can dialogue with him again on that. Uh, and then the final one, uh, where there's probably more opportunity moving ahead is potentially some updates on the municipal land use law, MLUL, as it
relates to, uh, notice requirements. Uh, you know, specifically the area, the thing that concerns me, we've seen this on our land use boards, is uh, residential abuing commercial and the possibility uh, of of the need to expand that. I did mention that we have a specialized uh newsletter. Um so we sort
of have our own unique uh solution here in Bridgewater, but certainly something beyond that would be advised. Uh the uh Padar supermarket was mentioned a few times. I was there. Uh joyous occasion. Uh they will be employing 45 people uh
at that location. It is their fifth in New Jersey and they were already having a parking lot challenge uh being overwhelmed uh in a good way with uh with new customers this morning. Hopefully that will be the case every day that they're open and they will um
thrive at that location. And just wanted to mention two other things upcoming. Uh on the 28th, two Saturdays away, we have our uh Bridgewater Township uh coordinated uh Chinese Lunar New Year celebration that's at the Senior Center at 3:00. And at the risk of uh
cannibalizing anybody who's interested in going to that, uh hopefully people will want to celebrate twice uh by going this Saturday, the 21st, uh the uh communitywide celebration at the mall focusing uh on this is the year of the firehorse. So, uh, two opportunities
each at 3:00 the next two Saturdays. And that's my report, >> Mr. Bucko. Council, >> thank you very much. Um, uh, this past Saturday, uh, I, uh, had the pleasure to attend the, um, RWJ Barnabas, uh,
Somerset Hospital healthy heart fashion show that was at the Bridgewater Mall, uh, which featured a number of, um, uh, models, uh, modeling, um, uh, fashions that were sourced from within, uh, various stores in the mall. And each of
the the the models had um a a connection to uh heart health and uh whether um they had their own uh challenges that they had recovered from or a um a loved
one who um had has had um heart health issues. Uh it was it was a very um uplifting event and uh Councilwoman uh Council President uh Geer and uh the mayor were were both there as well.
>> And there there were two very special young models, right? >> Yes. And I was terrified the entire time. Every year they get older, they get scarier and scarier to see those girls up there like runway models attitude,
>> heels. uh heels. People think they're queued up there. They're they're just as terrifying at home. It's it's rough. >> Uh as uh Councilwoman Isa mentioned, uh I did attend the ICS 402 training at the Somerset County Emergency Services uh
training academy. Um uh that was >> Water had the most number of attendees. I just want you to know. >> Yes. Uh that that is true. Uh um in addition to uh elected officials, we had a number of fire officials there as
well. Um so we uh um you know, we definitely took over took over the the facility and uh uh brought the house down. Um, also, uh, this past, uh, week was on February 15th was National School
Resource Officer Appreciation Day. Uh, so I would just like to recognize the the two uh, resource officers in our local school district, Officer Arthur Atkins Jr., and Officer Mike Thompson.
uh our resource officers. Um they are uh in uh the the school district um you know providing uh both uh security and um uh and and services to the the student body. Um and
so so thank you to their service. Um uh also the uh supermarket grand opening that was earlier today. Um, I think we also, um, there there's been a lot of concern about, uh, snow removal in, uh, apartment complexes, and I think what
we're going to have, uh, some, uh, uh, some movement on on some, uh, an ordinance change uh, that that is in the works. Hopefully, we will have, uh, good news to come out of that within uh, next couple of weeks. Um, and that is my
report. Mayor, >> thank you. I have a few items to report. Um, first of all, just touching on the on the sewer bill issue. Um, the for I think most of the council knows and for the public's benefit, uh, your sewer
bill consists of essentially two portions. You don't see it. One is the portion that's goes to pay our sewer employees as part of our public works. that pays for sewer, that pays for the salaries and the equipment to clean out the sewer um to maintain our sewer
system that we that we control. The other part portion of the sewer budget is the bill that the township gets from the SRVSA, which is what processes all the waste. So, we control everything that happens with the waste until it gets to the SRVSA who then has
to process it all. And uh as you can imagine like almost everything else that rate goes up almost every year. So what you see um in the past unfortunately because it was usually politically convenient to just you know you don't
want to pass along costs um the town would you know when possible they would absorb it but then it ran the sewer financially into the ground because all the surplus any of the um money that we had for that would go away. So what
we've done over the past few years is make sure that um our sewer system remains healthy and remains um sustainable so we don't have to sell it to a private entity or do something else with it. Um so any increases that you see are because of the bill that we got
from SRVSA. That's their increase on what they charge the town. So that's not reflective of um any policy decisions that this governing body this year has made with regard to our 2026 sewer budget. Um, we haven't done our 2026 sewer budget yet and I'm not late yet,
Andrew. So, uh, we're not there yet. Um, but so that's what that is. So, for the or as council, council president mentioned, it's the pass it's the cost increase that we got from SRVSA. >> I'm sorry. I think when we did that, um, whatever the percentage increase is from
SRVA, that's our set. We use the same if they raise it 2%, we raise 2%. >> That's right. It it's it tracks it tracks that so that way we don't put ourselves in a position where the sewer utility is not financially sustainable. >> And I believe if I'm not mistaken a few years back, didn't we get called out by
the state because the general fund was actually subsidizing the sewer utility? >> Yes. Yes. It was not in a good when I became mayor, the first thing that they said was you have to sell the sewer system because it's broke and is not going to be able to function. And thankfully we've been able to not have
to do that. Um, but that's the short answer is we could go into a whole meeting and if Tom Genova knows that we're talking sewer and he's not here to chime in, >> he's gonna burst in. >> He was He's coming already. He's got like, you know, >> radar, too. >> So, um, would be >> a uh a couple other issues. Um, just
following up briefly on snow removal. I want to thank uh Dicki and our entire public works team for uh the work that they did on the snowstorm. Um, it's never easy and uh unfortunately some road has to be first and some road has to be last. I can promise you we did in fact get to every road. Um sometimes
twice or three times. Um but uh I want to thank them for their their work. Um I want to thank Councilman Bucko for um uh you know some of his ideas with regard to the apartment um uh addressing snow removal departments. We had a good conversation yesterday and he has got
some good ideas that uh we're going to try to kick around and and uh get back in front of the council. Um uh with regard to um a couple of the events uh uh heart health month at the mall of fame has never been. It is a
very nice event. Um and uh they have some of the models. I mean obviously I'm biased uh with my daughters uh being there but um it's really nice to see some of the families. There was a a gentleman who uh could barely maintain his composure because he was so emotional having uh suffered a a I think
it was a heart attack back in like April, April, August and he was still walking the runway. His family was there cheering them on with signs and his picture on it. Um it's a very very um nice event. Um and uh I've been blessed to have my girls participate um for the
past few years now. Um I was out uh I missed the last council meeting. I was out um with the Republican Mayors Association. I'm the chair of the advisory board. Uh we had our quarterly one meeting in Scottsdale. Um and uh it was I hate to say beautiful weather. Um
I didn't miss you guys at all while you were uh here freezing cold. Um but uh that's a >> told you to enjoy it. >> I know I did. I did. Um but it was uh it's always interesting to hear in trade um uh you know perspectives from other
people across the country in terms of the some of the problems are very similar to what we deal with here. Some of them are very different um as you talk to mayors from all over the country. Um the event this morning as everyone talked about was was a wonderful event. Um everyone there was
really excited. It's going to bring about 40 jobs to Bridgewater and um it's going to be something that's going to enhance our community. Whether you're, you know, you live here, whether you work here, whether you're coming to worship here, uh there's a lot of folks who cross through our border who um are
going to want to be able to conveniently shop at a store that has the Indian food that's there. And as it was mentioned, there's American food there, too. So, you can do both shopping uh while you're there. The last item I want to talk about, sorry, two last items. One, just a quick reminder to the public. Um,
social media has a lot of benefits to it. Um, we've had two instances over the past week, um, where people put up information that was either blatantly false or unknowingly false that had that did in fact cause a significant amount
of concern, uh, to members of the public. I would just caution everybody um you know if there is a um if you're going to go on to social media for your news please go to the websites or the Facebook pages of the township of the police department of a an official
source um your Facebook chat group who says I've heard the following rumor is not reliable uh information and unfortunately whether people are well-meaning or not it can cause a lot of harm and concern. Um, you know, we had there was a rumor about a shooting
at the mall, which was not true. Um, as uh my wife and I were driving back from our otherwise relaxing two days um at a bed and breakfast, as we drive in the car, my wife says, "Oh my god, there's an event at the mall." And my 11-year-old daughter was there for the first time with one of her girlfriends
and their mom who was going to be in the mall with them, but not next to them. So, this was a big deal for my daughter. And of course, you know, panic sets in because we see something on social media that says there's a shooting at the mall. Um, obviously not true. Um, uh, but uh, but so just reminder to
everybody, please be cautious what you post on social media. If you don't know something, especially a public emergency or something like that, if you don't know it, please don't post it or confirm it. Um, I promise you, if there is something that the public needs to know, our police department will get out by NIXL. We'll get it on the social media.
You will know if there's an emergency bridge order that the public needs to be aware of. We will let you know. Um, the chief is here as he always is with our command staff. um and uh you know they were great in responding to both the instances this week and um you know we will get information out there um to the
public. So uh the last item I have uh on a more upbeat note um we I wanted to announce one of a new hire as well as a couple promotions uh in Bridgewater. Um uh first I'd like to announce that we hired Rob Field uh who is sitting here
in front. Um Rob Field is uh one of our uh two deputy uh administrators uh that we have. Rob, for those of you who don't know, Rob is a uh Bridgewater resident. Um I'd like to think that he was so inspired by me, he followed in my footsteps. Uh Rob was in the marching
band at Bridgewwater High School, as was I. Um Rob was deputy chief of staff for the governor. Uh so was I, although different governors to be clear. Uh Rob most recently was deputy chief of staff for Governor Murphy. um and uh was in
charge of ultimately all of the governor's office uh interactions with elected officials, uh legislators, departments, um uh everything that um governor's office would need to interact
with. And um uh our local department here uh office of constituent relations was modeled after my experience uh doing the same job for Governor Christie. And so I couldn't think of anybody better to um step into that role for us here in
Bridgewater than than Rob who is a like I said Bridgewater resident lifelong and uh he's going to do amazing job for us. So thank you Rob for uh coming on board. So um uh so we have Rob and then we also have a couple promotions internally. Uh Christine Madrid who is here as well
sitting in couple rows back. Um Christine as you all know is director of human services will also serve as a deputy administrator moving forward. Um uh Christine is going to focus um I mean there'll be crossover between both positions but she'll be focused a little bit more on the internal uh project
management and internal operations. Rob will um be focused uh you know more on the outward um the OCR and and those events although they'll both have overlap. Um I also wanted to announce
that Dan Ahern um is our new director of constituent relations. Um, Scott Moraldo, who some of you know, uh, wound up, he was away at the military. He came back, but he is, uh, back full-time with the military. He has left for that job.
So, Scott Moraldo has left. And, um, Dan Ahern is now the director of constituent relations. And, uh, Suzanne Mater, who is here, I think. We keep her in the closet in the back. Thank you, Suzanne. Making sure everything is running well. Many of you know Suzanne. uh she is the
director of public information and information technology. So her role has expanded um not just to doing some of the um outward press and public information but also helping us internally with all of our information technology. So it's a broader role than than she had before. And uh last but not
least, Sarah Houseman who is here I also believe way in the back. Um Zara at the end of um last year uh was appointed as director of finance and qualified purchasing agent and uh she is now the
um appointed as the acting chief financial officer with the um our prior CFO has moved on to another role. Uh so he has left Bridgeart Township and so uh Miss Houseman is the acting chief financial officer until um she uh gets
appointed ultimately as the CFO. So for now um I want to thank all the staff um our our new hire as well as all the staff who have been here for taking on additional roles. uh the council and the public will see all these individuals um even more frequently than you might
already um based on their expanded um responsibilities and I am confident that they will all live up to um the uh challenges that uh we have provided them. So, thank you everybody for everything you've done for the township and that we will all require of you moving forward. So, that is my report.
>> Thank you, mayor. Um we do not have any proclamations. Uh we don't have any presentations. So, The meeting will be open to the public. Members of the public wishing to address the council on any matter will have three minutes to speak which may be extended in the
discretion of the council president. An additional minute will be allotted for responses to comments from the deis. Uh can I have a motion to open the meeting to the public? >> So moved. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor.
>> Anybody opposed? Okay. The meeting is now open to the public and I believe we have someone here who will be speaking. >> Reverend Hobbs, >> good evening. >> Oh, you got to write down your name and address. >> I got to write down my name and address.
>> Just your address. We know you. We probably know your address, too. But First of all, I want to thank God for this opportunity and I want to thank the council for inviting us to come. >> Sorry. When you're speaking, it's broadcasting. So, if you Yeah. Thank you. >> Oh, sir. >> Yeah.
>> How's that? >> Perfect. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Just want to make sure the folks watching online can hear you. >> I don't feel like I'm a stranger here. I feel like family. There are those that are new on the desk that don't know me, but there are those that know me very well. I got an opportunity to sit on the
desk at one time when Bridgewater was going through uh a time of uh trouble with a situation, but they reached out to Macedonia. Macedonia's
always reached out to the council, to the township. Um, you've always been so gracious to us and we've been gracious to have you guys come. Don't forget August, the last the fourth Sunday in
August, Family and Friends Day. Don't miss it. Be there. Amen. >> Food's really good >> and the dancing. >> Tonight, we just want to present to you the history of Hobstown. There is a sign if you're coming off of North Bridge Street on the side of the library, going
past the library, there is a sign that says Hobstown. It is small, but I enlarged, we enlarged this so you can be able to see it. And it actually says this. Hobstown, founded in 1920 by Reverend
Amos Hobbes, General Hobbs, and Robert Hobbes as a haven from racism. The Hobbes brothers purchased land in the bridge in Bridgewater seeking freedom of self-expression and economic opportunity.
They built homesteads, businesses, a ball field, and established Macedonia Baptist Church. The Hobbs brothers with family and friends created a vibrant,
supportive community for generations. And this was n from 1920 to 2020 the centennial year that we started and we had this sign put up and this is from the house family union. Tonight I am not
going to give the history. We have a historian that's going to come Nan Bennett and Hobs and give you the history of Hobstown. If you haven't heard it, it's a great history. So, she'll come and share what she has for
us tonight and I'll come back just to finish if that's okay. Thank you very much. >> Good evening. >> You got to write down your name and >> I will do so. Okay,
greetings elected officials and fine Bridwater residents for being here in attendance tonight. Whenever I visit the municipal complex, I always go to the wall, walk past and take it in one more
time. I find that it is a landmark that all of us can take great pride in. I also know that it is places,
the stories that are attached to places that really define our history. So tonight, in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month celebrations,
I'm privileged to be the voice that acknowledges the ingenuity, the brilliance, and the resilience of our local African-American community, Hobstown.
Take a mental tour with me, if you will, as we enter Bridgewater, North Bridge Street, and we see the small sign. That's our welcome to Hobstown. Making a turn onto Mammoth Avenue, we
move slowly down and we approach the Phillip and David Miller Park. That is in honor of two gentlemen who in their lifetimes, born and raised in Hobstown,
were the greatest influence on Hobstown youth, Bridgewater athletes, and most recently Hall of Famers. We all know their names. Further down Mammoth Avenue, we passed
the original house built by Amos Hobbes in 1920 1921. That house still occupied and owned by Hob's descendants. At the intersection
of Mammoth and Mercer stands the Macedonia Baptist Church. Founded by Reverend Amos Hobs in 19 constructed in 1922. Macedonia remains today
a spiritual center and a community positioned for all of the events that take place in Hobstown. It housed the original Somerville Manor
Civic Association, which was created back in the early 60s when Route 287 was proposed proposed to run directly through Hobstown, destroying the Macedonia
Church building and displacing the entire community. It was that civic association with the help of local, state, and federal representatives that found a way to have Route 287
rerooed and the community remains today. In the early 60s, Abstown was really a um quiet negro enclave.
Not much attention was paid with the civic association. By 1969, they had introduced all of the services that Bridgewater has to offer, water, sewage.
1969, from that point on, Route 287, the township grew leaps and bounds. no longer a rural country backwater, but really a very distinguished
suburban area. A family and friends reunion is held every year as you've been invited. That was initiated in 1927. Every year held in the summer months
right at the Macedonian Baptist Church. I would close this in just saying that there's one other section outside of the Hobstown neighborhood, Prince Rogers cere cemetery.
And that cemetery houses or houses is a burial site for previously enslaved persons. Prince Rogers was one of it. His grandfather was born outside of
Bridgewater in 1756. Prince Rogers fifth granddaughter, Victoria Rogers Hobbs, learned of that only in the early 90s.
Dr. Edith Block did research and determined all the sites at that cemetery. Prince Rogers Road, which we traveled daily, is named for that previously enslaved gentleman.
>> So, we have former slaves buried in Bridgewater >> on Foothill Road just past the firehouse. >> Wow. >> You you probably drive by it. You probably have driven by it a hundred times and you don't realize the cemetery is there.
>> Yeah. >> Very interesting. >> Yes. These are the places that contribute to our fierce claim to
our identity and this local community. In 1986, Ronald Reagan gave the first Black History Month proclamation and he stated that understanding the
history of Black Americans is the key to understanding the strength of our nation. Black History Month reminds us and encourages us to emulate the people
who understood immense promise of America. So tonight, as I said, it it's my privilege just to speak about this township, this neighborhood, and our ancestors.
The original families which we honor tonight are here with me. Descendants of all of these original families. The Hobbs family, the Hicks,
the Bryants, the Millers, the Murdochs, the Proctors, the McCraes, the Tukques, and the Surmans. 100 plus years in Bridgewater Township and actually colonial history with
Prince Rogers. >> Wow. >> Thank you for your time tonight. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And in our closing, we actually have others that are here. We have the Stack House family that's here. >> Raise your hand. >> We have
>> who's not original. We have the J the J family that's here. And And we have who else? Town's family that's here. >> Williams. Williams. That's right. The Williams family. Yes.
>> I just want to make sure I acknowledge each and every one of you. Before I leave, I just want to just say this because I feel like we're family and I can speak to you as family. I'm going to speak to you as a pastor
tonight just for one minute. I want you as you govern in Bridgewater, take this advice when you're governing in Bridgewater.
Not just for us, but for everybody. DEI is not your enemy. It's for everybody. diversity, equality, and inclusion of each and everyone.
We all wake up in the morning and we all wake up with a cup that needs to be filled. God says he gives us blessings, new blessings every morning. And we get a cup that God fills. Some of
us get more than others. So I just want to leave with the deis that is here. Keep this in mind. When you have your cup and you go through the course of the day, don't look in somebody else's cup to see
if you have more than what they have or they have more than what you have. Look into somebody's cup and see what they need. And as long as you do that, you'll be meeting the needs of everyone in
Bridgewater. Thank you for my time. Thank you for this opportunity. And I pray that you would think about your cup and how you can be a blessing because some of us have a blessing in our cup
that overflows. The overflow is for somebody else, not for you. Treat everybody with dignity and with compassion and you will be successful. Thank you for your time. God bless. >> Thank you very much. >> M I hope you never choose to run for
mayor because I don't know if I could beat you. So, uh >> Madam President, if I could just make a couple of a couple of comments. Um first of all, what what I love most about the the Hobstown story is it's a living history. Um and um uh I I I want to
express appreciation to to all of you uh for for making me personally feel welcomed every time I've come. Uh I do recall the 100th anniversary of the church delayed because of the pandemic. Uh but but celebrated nonetheless. Uh
and I want to just acknowledge maybe this is obvious but I think it needs to be stated. Um I I I come from a different faith. Uh I come from a from a a different race. Um but I always feel welcomed. I appreciate seeing the
familiar faces. Uh Reverend, whenever I see you, I I I I I I know we're going to exchange a smile and and I think it's because we we do have a shared uh compassion and commitment for the for this community. Uh I'm very grateful for
that and I think that this sets an example a positive example that hopefully um you know more in our community can aspire to. We do live in difficult times. Uh we always live in difficult times it seems. Um, you know, again, without at the risk of of of
going into preaching myself, uh, I I I do believe that a path forward is more reliance uh on on faith and community, and I thank you for for bringing that to the table. >> Thank you. Anyone else like to address
the council? >> Seeing none, can I have >> Seeing none, I'll make a motion to close public comment. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Madam President, real quick, I I know while um the representatives of Hobstown
were speaking, I saw some cameras and stuff out and recording. Don't know if you know this, but if you go to YouTube, Bridgewater Township has a channel on YouTube and by the time we hit join at the end of tonight, within a
minute, you will actually be able to pull up the YouTube video of all the comments. So, it's available on the internet for you to download. So, just so you're aware. >> Would we be able to take a picture though of everyone while we have everyone in the room? I know we have a
lot of families here. If >> Yeah. Can we do that >> for memories? >> Let's try. Can we do it? >> Absolutely. >> All right. >> Pictures. We like pictures. >> This is a big one. instruction.
Pardon me. I'm so sorry. Pardon me. Watch the cord. Watch the cord. Watch yourself. All All right. So, moving on with the business. Um, we have an we have the introduction of several ordinances. So,
we have an ordinance adopting an affordable housing ordinance and development fee ordinance in accordance with the fair housing act uniform housing affordability controls and NJAC 599-1 at SEC. Um, and that's just a fee
update. Um, Mr. Papis maybe could explain it a little bit, but my understanding is it's a slight increase and it's it's pursuant to state law, so it is what it is. >> Yes. And there are other provisions of this that update the ordinance pursuant to the state legislation that's really
required of all municipalities in New Jersey. >> So, uh, we need a vote to introduce the ordinance. Can I have a motion to introduce the ordinance? >> A motion to introduce 11A. >> Second. All in favor?
>> Oh, no. You Yeah, you roll call that. >> All in fa We do. >> We do. Okay. We need a roll call for that. >> Councilman Bako, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Guyger, >> yes.
>> Um, let me set the final action. Final action for this ordinance is scheduled for March 5th, 2026 at 7 p.m. here in this courtroom. Public inspection of this ordinance will be available on the website, the bulletin board, and in my in the clerk's office.
That's it. >> Okay. Second ordinance or B, an ordinance of the Township of Bridgewater amending section 126-3093.1 of the Bridgewater Municipal Code RMDU-26 multifamily residential zone allowing
for a multifamily residential development on the property known as block 400 lot 7.06 06 on the Bridgewater Township map and located at 520 Route 22 East, including affordable housing pursuant to the provisions of the Fair
Housing Act and the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls. This is um just to basically meet our um fair housing requirements. >> One of several. >> One of several, right? Can I Can I do all three of them together? >> You have to introduce them separately. For resolutions, you can for ordinance.
>> Okay. Thank you. So, I have a motion. >> Yes, you do. >> I'll second. >> Uh, we need a roll. >> Council President, can I just make one brief comment on it really applies to all these ahead, which is under the under the state law, uh, they have to be um enacted on ultimately by March 15th
in order to be compliant with the state law. Um there are Bridgewater is not a part to um any of the lawsuits that are challenging the law. Although um there are about 30 um towns that are challenging various aspects of the law. I know that because my law firm is
representing 30 of those towns. Uh the only thing I would just ask is that we that we when it gets closer to the March 5th meeting date that we just check with our legal counsel as to where any of those lawsuits are in case um in case there's any >> change
>> change in terms of deadlines. I just want to make sure that we are not we're not acting sooner than we need to act in case any of the courts um have any impact on the law. >> And I want to make a further comment. Um I don't think it's any secret that there is a difference of opinion on the deis
as to affordable housing. But regardless of that, Bridgewater has is probably one of the best states in the one of the best towns in the state in terms of compliance in terms of overcomplying
um in terms of regardless of the feelings of some people on this day about it, they follow the law. >> Yeah. Yeah. And and that's to be clear just from my comments is that the lawsuits that are out there and some of the comments that we've made is like the lawsuits aren't challenging the need for
affordable housing, but if the lawsuit was successful, it could impact what Bridgewwaterers requirements are. So maybe instead of 421, maybe we would need 321 and therefore there may be projects that some members on this day don't like that maybe we wouldn't need
to do um or other ones that we would have to do instead or whatever. So that's the only So I'm just raising that now. Now it's put on everyone's radar that um while it's even if there is relief in any of those cases, Bridgewater is not a party. I don't know whether the relief could be narrowed to those parties. I don't know. I'm just
flagging it that it could be that we get here on March 5th and we have a public hearing, but we may decide depending on what if anything is going on that we delay final action until March 15th. You know, we may have a special meeting or I may ask the council to consider a special meeting to act if there's any
question about what's going on with those cases. So that's it. Mayor, may I ask just from a procedural standpoint, um if we take this action on March 5th after the public hearing of course and then there is some change later, would
you be able to veto the ordinance and send it back to us? >> So technically I have 10 days to sign ordinances uh or veto them or take no action. If I take no action or I sign them, they become law after 10 days. If I veto them, it comes back to the
council. Um, so depending on the timing, then yes, you could pass them on March 5th and if something happened on March 10th, I could veto them on the 11th. And but the problem that you have there is, you know, this is not the the power of the mayor to veto is not like um I can't
just scribble out which lines I don't like or change numbers and send it back. It's an all or nothing proposition. So um look, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it if we get there. um my I only raise it now so that way it's on people's radar just in case you
know we get to March 5th and there's some issue or question about the state of the law. Um look to be fair those um so far those cases have not you know there's been very minor relief granted but nothing has undercut the ultimate um
state legislative framework that has set forth all these various requirements. So, um it's very possible we get to March 5th and nothing has changed or the courts have ruled against um the towns that are challenging it. I just want to put on everyone's radar that um we want
to make sure that we are compliant with the law. You know, Bridgewater, there are some towns that didn't even participate in this process. At no point in time did Bridgewater do that. Did I suggest Bridgewater do that? I just want to make sure that once we pass the ordinances and they go into effect, if
you're a if you're a potential developer of those sites, as um I think everyone knows, uh you are governed by the law at the time you put in your application. So, if we pass the ordinances, let's just say, and they go into effect on
March 25th on March 26th, if somebody files an application in front of the planning board or the zoning board, then that our ordinance is the law that governs that application. Even if the law changes later, if somebody comes back and says,
"Oh, Bridge, you didn't actually need 421. You only needed 221." Well, if the projects already went forward or there's developer applications in there, then doesn't matter. We've already passed the ordinances. So, all I want to do is make sure that we are compliant with the law. We at no point in time put Bridgewater
Order at risk for not meeting our affordable housing obligations and opening us up for builder remedy uh lawsuits, but at the same time not acting any sooner than we need to. So that way we make sure we have all the information and the answer might be that we still do all the projects as is as
proposed even with there's a change in the law. I just want to make sure that we don't act sooner than required and therefore um >> build more houses than we have to if we that's right if we would have the option. >> Correct. At least we'd be able to have
that conversation that says would we still want to do these projects if we didn't have to build 421 because of the state mandate or would we change the type of projects we're doing or we don't want to have those discussions. The reality is that the timing might be that nothing changes. This is probably a um
even way more in-depth conversation speculating on what a court could do or when. I just want to make sure that everyone is aware that there is a chance that there could be a change and that if that was the administration would come to the council asking you to wait until if there was a question that we wait
until you know March 13th, 14th, whatever the deadline is to act. >> Do you have any indication that the court has any intention of making a decision before all these deadlines for all these very interesting thing um and and I'm happy to have further conversations not here um but uh it is
public >> everybody to death >> yeah well it it is public right now that um there's about 20 some odd mayors uh there was towns and mayors so they individual officials also sued and they went to federal court there's a state court actions and there's federal court
actions and the federal court action got dismissed on a technical was a standing standing grounds Um the third circuit uh did a very quick denial of an appeal and uh we've brought the case to the Supreme
Court and um it has not been uh rejected yet. Um Sam Alo is the judge, the justice for the district and um Justice Alto asked the state to provide briefing um in response to our brief which is now
all pending in front of Justice Alo and the Supreme Court as to whether or not they would grant a stay of the law pending further uh adjudication. So um all I can tell you is that they asked for extra briefing so it was not dismissed uh at hand and that briefing
is all now in the um in Supreme Court. So >> fascinating. Okay. >> So anyway, Madame President, just another final brief comment. Um it was alluded to that Bridgewater has a very positive track record as it relates to previous uh affordable uh uh housing uh
rounds. Uh that is a strength of this community. It's a credit to previous mayors and previous councils that we came to this from a position of strength. Um, it's also, I believe, a strong accomplishment of the mayor and the most recent previous council that we
put together a comprehensive plan. Um, uh, that that that meets the meets the law, meets the needs for this community moving forward. I'll be the first to admit though, I I don't think any one of us that participated loved every component. Um I I know there
were certain uh pieces that I didn't like, but as was as is the case when putting together a plan as a group or as a committee, we reached consensus and that's what you see here is is these three. Uh I know there was one before, there will be others. Um you know, this
is the plan that that was determined to be uh the the best solution to a very challenging question. I think it's also important to note that while we're doing these ordinances, since we're talking about affordable housing overall, while we're doing these ordinances tonight, uh
to meet our obligation, these are one small portion of our overall obligation because of um I'll say because of the work of Mr. Corsini and his firm in particular, Bill Savo, over the years of um helping us,
for example, when you do an affordable housing unit over in the crossroads 30 years, that 30 years you can go sell it market. Bill was instrumental over the years in, okay, we will help you uh with projects in exchange for extending that
30-year cap. So, um, there's a lot of stuff that goes on in Bridgewater on an affordable housing on a daily basis to help us, uh, for every 10-year cycle that a lot of people don't realize. And I think it's important to acknowledge that. >> And I, you can correct me if I'm wrong,
Mr. Corsini, but I believe um that with respect to the 30 years that most of the people stay because they really like the housing, they like the town, they like living here. So we continue to get the credits beyond the 30 years, which is really nice. >> And there's a lot of towns that don't do
that. And so if you do that and you keep a 100 units, that's a 100 less units to develop every 10 years. >> And you still have you're still providing housing for people who need it. So you're you're it's a win-win for everybody. >> There's a lot of work that goes on year
day in and day out, not just every 10ear cycle. >> Yeah. And I think we're already two years into the 10 years, right? >> Yeah. >> We're practically there. So, >> yeah. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um I think I have to read this ordinance, right? An ordinance.
>> No, you did. >> Yeah. I interrupted. You were about to vote. I I I interrupted. >> Okay. Take the roll call. >> Okay. Um Councilman Beco, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Gger, >> yes. Final action for this ordinance is
scheduled for March 5th, 2026 here at 7 p.m. Public inspection is available on the township website, the bulletin board, and the clerk's office. And the next one is an ordinance of the township of Bridgewater amending section
128 of the Bridgewater Township Code to add section 126-321.8 8 entitled AH-1 affordable housing zone allowing for a multifamily residential development on
property known as block 170 lot 4.02 on the Bridgewater Township tax map and located at 250 Route 28 including affordable housing pursuant to the provisions of the fair housing act and the uniform housing affordability
controls. Uh, is there any discussion? >> I'll move it. >> Second. Actually, now there would be the discussion. >> Which item are we on? >> D. >> Did we skip C? >> Yeah, >> I read I thought I read C. >> We did B. Now D, which is all right.
>> Okay. Well, I just did it out of order. So, >> let's make sure we're I'm reading the address. >> I thought I did. >> Let's do the vote and then we can go back and do C. >> Okay, perfect. >> Um, did I get a first and second? What did I get up first? >> Oh, uh, I'll second >> for 11D.
>> 11D. >> That's 11D, right? >> Delta. >> Yep. Okay. Councilman Bakov. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Isla? >> Yes. >> Councilman Kersh? >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring? >> Yes. >> President Guyger? >> Yes. >> Final action once again for this ordinance is scheduled for March 5th, 2026 at 7 p.m. here in the in this
courtroom. Public inspection is available on the township website, bulletin board, and in the clerk's office. >> Okay. And now we'll go back to C. An ordinance of the Township of Bridgewater amending section 126 of the Bridgewater
Township Code to add section 126-3 to1.9 entitled AH2 affordable housing zone allowing for a multi-residential development on property known as block 711 lot 7 on the Bridgewater Township
tax map and located at 1400 Frontier Road including affording affordable housing pursuant to the provisions of the Fair Housing Act. act and the uniform housing affordability controls. Can I have a motion? >> I I'll make a motion.
>> Second. And just just for a quick uh conversation, this is the um senior restricted, correct? >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. >> Any further discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Bako, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. Ring. >> Yes. >> President Guyger. >> Yes. >> Final action scheduled for March 5th, 2026 at 7 p.m. here in this courtroom. Public inspection is uh will be made available on the township website, on the bulletin board, and in the clerk's
office. >> Okay. Um and now we're moving on to resolutions. So, a resolution appointing director of finance and QPA Sarah Hman as the acting chief financial officer,
CFO. So moved. >> Second. Is there any discussion? >> I just want to say she's fantastic and I am so grateful that she's willing to step up and do this role. >> And um is this going to I assume this is
this is uh a helpful step in terms of getting the budget proposal due by uh 227. So, I don't want to say that if you don't do this, we won't have a budget in by the 27th. But this will certainly help us. >> Notice how carefully I worded it.
>> But she is doing two people's role now. >> Right. Right. You are doing the job that used to be done by two people. >> Yes. At some at some point in time, we will have to backfill some position to get Sarah help. But in the meantime, she's indicated she can work 20 hours a day and doesn't need to sleep. >> We should vote on this now so she can
get back to doing the budget. you still want to do it. >> All right. Um C >> on the on the subject of the budget um speaking at least for myself um uh I'm I'm sure councilwoman Isla compos uh
comprises the budget committee uh would be willing to uh meet with uh the u CFO at any point uh uh when when available to to discuss that sooner rather than later. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Yeah. And I and I think um the I believe that the last numbers that the administration needs to start putting together a true budget picture for the council, we should have tomorrow. That's what I'm told, which is our final surplus numbers. And then I think next week, uh we'll be able to have you guys come in and start talking about what the
budget looks like, where we stand, and start having some of the policy conversations that we need to have so we can get a budget that we can get finalized and introduced and voted on. >> Thank you. >> Any further discussion? Councilman Bako, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes.
>> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Counciloman Ring, >> yes. >> President Geger, >> yes. >> Congratulations, Sarah. >> Yes. Congratulations or condolences, whatever, whatever the case may be. Um, yeah, it is. It's tough job, big
town. Um, I think I can do >> Google anywhere that makes sense to you. >> Okay. So, first I have a question about the next series of resolutions before I group them together. Um, when if we approve these, do that do these numbers
automatically go in the budget? So, if we're approving 20,000 for the redevelopment planner, does then 20,000 go in the budget? >> Yes, it goes in the budget. It doesn't necessarily get spent. So, these are, if you look at most of these, it's not to exceed numbers. So that's what goes into
the budget for purposes of making sure that you know we have to CFO has to be able to certify when somebody submits a voucher that we have the money available to to pay. There's a line item attached to it. So yes, these would go into budget grouped. It wouldn't be um like there'd be a legal line item that would
have all of the legal budget together as an example or planning would go under the planning department budget. You wouldn't see one specifically for >> each one. So, oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, but to be clear though that the the work that any of these professionals does is
still controlled by the administration. So, it's not like we say to somebody, hey, you know, um, uh, you know, redevelopment planner, you now have a cart blanch to, you know, make up your own projects and start building work and telling the town like this is none of
the professionals do work unless they're directed to by the administration or by ordinance or depending on what the project is. Um so this just says these individuals are hired for these positions. we are capping the the approved amount
of of funds so it's available in the budget and then every month they you know submit their invoices and >> right >> so and if you on the supporting documentation for each one of these there's a certification of availability
of funds and it actually not only so the first one B the 20,000 it even tells you what line item of the budget it goes to >> the temporary budget But it's it's also going to that that will go in the has to go into the final budget. That's correct. Proposed budget
>> unless we went back and mended the resolution. >> Oh, I see what you'd have to do. >> But as an example, like um for 12B um which is the redevelopment planner, you know, last year, this is an identical ordinance to the one resolution that was done last year. uh the amount that this
professional actually received was like $11,000 because that's all the work there was for that professional to do last year. So this is providing us enough flexibility that you know we think that all these professionals will come in under the numbers that are here.
It provides uh a tight window so that there's a little flexibility so that we're not coming back to you on every penny um that's needed, but obviously we don't want anybody running a muck. So >> Okay. Um,
can I read them? >> Okay. >> Whatever. What are >> Okay. >> And then you can call. >> So, I'm going to group a a group a series of them together. So, a resolution appointing director of finance. Oh, we did that one. I'm sorry. Authorizing the appointment of my
>> What What are you looking to do on consent? B through what? I was going to do B, C, D. I thought I would stop at the um at the the uh municipal prosecutor ones.
I do the court ones in a group and then everything and all the rest of them. It's going to be a lot of reading. So, pull out your phones and play a game. um authorizing the appointment of Michael Sullivan of the firm of Clark Canton Hints PC as redevelopment planner and
award of professional service contract in an amount not to exceed 20,000 for a one-year term commencing on January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026. Authorizing and approving the fee schedule for professional legal services
for the law firm of Savo Shaw Gazeppi O'Gradnik and Fiser PA in the amount not to exceed 460,000 for the period of January 1st 2026 through December 31st 2026 authorizing and approving the fee
schedule for affordable house affordable housing legal services for the law firm of Savo Shaw Corzini Warner Gazeppi O'Rnik Fischer PA in an amount not to exceed a 100,000 for the period of January 1st, 2026, December 30 through
December 31st, 2026. um authorizing and approving the fee schedule for tax appeal legal services for the lawn form of Savo, Shock, Corzini, Warner, Joeppi, O'Rnik, Fiser, PA in an amount not to exceed 40,000 for
the period of January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026. >> I'll move 12B through E on consent. just like to um make a note that >> I have a second and then we'll have discussion. I'll second. Go ahead.
>> Uh 12c uh left off uh Mr. Corsini's name out of the title. >> Yeah, it did. >> I I just texted Chris and said, "Did you do that on purpose?" >> Oh, no. No. It's It's >> the thing. So, excuse me. >> We'll fix it. I'm sorry. >> You can blame somebody else. I didn't
type this. >> I'm sorry. So, we we're going to add it. >> As amended. >> As amended. Okay. >> Mayor, I did not. And Councilman Bucko, I did not realize that. And I I am not so vain that I care. So,
>> Warner was left off as well. >> Oh, you can leave him off forever. Actually, I love Steve. You can agree. He says amended. I'm sure the council >> I'll fix it. >> It's fine. >> Okay. >> Um, I just want to make a comment on D. I don't think we expect the fees to be 100,000 this year. I think we're we're
hoping that they'll be lower because we there will be less work this year than there was because we've already completed round >> but based we heard we don't know. >> We don't know. You never know what's going on. >> Okay. Uh I think we need a roll call. >> Councilman Bako. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Isla.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Kersh. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> President Gger. >> Yes. All right. So now we're up to F. uh authorizing the appointment of Matthew Gioequire of the law firm of Clary
Gakobe Alfieri and Jacobs LLC as labor council for the township of Bridgewater for a one-year term commencing on January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $120,000.
>> I'll make that motion at 12F. >> I'll second. Um I do have a comment here. U the mayor and I did work together on this. Um I did try to uh get a few other labor councils appointed as well. They did not submit RFPs.
So I can't help you if you don't submit an RFP. >> I do thank the council president for uh working with me on uh on these. So um there there's always next year. >> I tried um and and the mayor was there was mayor cooperated. So there we go.
That that's in the minutes, Grace. The mayor cooperated. Council president said it. I want it in the minutes. All right. >> Okay. Okay. >> Maybe the last time she says it, so I want to make sure it's clear in February. >> And and hats and t-shirts printed, too. >> Okay. All right.
>> I think we can have a roll call. >> Councilman Beco, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Isa, >> yes. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Gger, >> yes. Then I think I'm going to do uh G and H
and I and J together. Okay. So, uh, authorizing the award of pro of contract professional legal services municipal prosecutor John Lanza Esquire in the
amount not to exceed 80,000 for a one-year term commencing on January 1st, 2026 through December 31st uh, 2026 authorizing the award of contract professional legal services of alternate municipal prosecutor
to the law firm of Savo Shak Corzini. Warner, they both got included. Jeppi O'Gradnik and Fiser, PA for a one-year term commencing on January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026 in an amount not to exceed
$3,600. Authorizing the award of contract professional legal services municipal public defender to Scott Mitsner Esquire for a one-year term commencing on January 1st, 2026 through December 31st,
2026 an amount not to exceed 40,000 and authorizing award of contract professional legal services alternate municipal public defender to Daniel Fella Esquire for a one-year term commencing on January 1st, 2026 through
December 31st. 1st, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $3,600. Can I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion on that. >> Second. >> Second. Is there any discussion? >> Hearing none. Can we have a roll call?
>> Councilman Paco, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Gger, >> yes. Um, now we're on to K. authorizing the appointment of Jordan R. Vogul PMP of
Kier's engineering and designed to provide professional sewer engineering services construction management inspection and New Jersey water bank loan administration services for the township of Bridgewater for the term of project commencing on February 5th 2026
in an amount not to exceed $327,225. Can I have >> relate related to the upgrade >> the middlebrook pump station construction management oversight? >> I'll move it. >> I'll second. >> Second. Uh any discussion?
>> Roll call. >> Councilman Beco. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Isla? >> Yes. >> Councilman Kush? >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring? >> Yes. >> President Geger. >> Yes. L. a resolution to adopt procedures for administration and inspection of federal aid highway projects. Um I'm just going
to ask the township administrator to give a brief description of this. It's about the safe routes to school. >> Yes, for the Garrettson Road project, this is a grant that we received. This is the first step in a series of resolutions the council will consider. The grant amount is $768,000
and uh over the next probably two months we'll be back to uh request the adoption of another resolution which would be selecting an engineering firm for the design of the project. >> Basically we're going to have sidewalks. >> Correct.
>> Um on the other side of Garrettson Road >> west of they did it a couple years ago they did it on the one side and now they're doing it on the other side. >> This will be west of country club. >> Yeah. 28. >> Yeah, >> move it. >> Um, did did you want to mention the amount of the aid?
>> 768, >> yeah, >> second. >> I'll second it. Um, is there any further discussion? >> We have a roll call. >> Councilman Bakov, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Isa, >> yes. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes.
>> Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Geger, >> yes. Uh, Council President, before you read M, um, this was brought to my attention shortly before tonight's meeting that one of the names on here uh, may have actually moved out of the township, which would make them
ineligible. Did not have a chance to confirm that yet. So, I'm going to make a motion to uh, table 12m till our next meeting so we don't have to change it again. >> I'll second that motion. >> We need a roll call for that or we can just all >> procedure motion. You can do all the
>> Okay. All in favor? >> I I >> I opposed. Okay. Table. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Since we're revising the resolution, I don't want to have to revise it again. >> Fair enough. Um
and authorization to execute an agreement with the board of commissioners of Somerset County for uh 2026 recycling in an amount not to exceed $477,537.28 28 based on a fee of $2816 for services for up to 16,958
households funded from the various accounts from 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. And again, I'm going to ask town administrator Papis to just explain why it's coming uh from four different years.
>> I'm actually going to ask Sarah to come forward. She's the one that discovered this and let her get the credit that is due her for this. This is an annual contract. Uh I don't know if Miss Madrid has anything to add, but uh uh funding is from numerous sources. So Sarah,
stand at the mic if you would. >> During the >> You got to talk into the mic. >> During a recent audit of the books, we found multiple grants still had old recycling tonnage grant balances in them. So per the auditor, we're using up
the old grant funds and then the balance goes to current fund. >> So we saved a little money for this year. >> We did. >> Okay. Keep it up. >> Um >> Sarah is very good at finding these kinds of things. I will tell you. So
>> there's reasons that things have happened the way they've happened, right? Um can I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. I'll second it. >> A brief just brief discussion. want to just acknowledge uh something that's happened in the past where we have also
audited our number of households to be certain that we are charged the accurate amount. So Mr. Papus that will will occur again this 16958 is an upward number. The amount may may be a smaller number than that. >> That's supposedly three more. Our tax
assessor works with the code enforcement department of community affairs. We instituted this three or four years ago. Miss Madrid uh and Mr. Dorado really did yman's work in in making sure that the number of households was accurate because there didn't seem to be a system
the county was using consistently and we've been able to correct that. So, we're pretty confident about the number. >> Um just a a a brief question. I mean the um uh have has the has the the town um
investigated the comparative cost of of using a a private um service uh in place of the county. Several years ago, we did uh members of the council had asked and uh I spent a considerable amount of time
uh contacting various private entities and uh there was really no other financial financially viable option. >> We also considered Mr. Papis, if I recall, an an alternate but uh adjacent county. Uh and that was also deemed not feasible at the time.
>> I have no objection at some point in time though. uh Councilman, if uh if at any point in time, you know, can't do it, we can't change anything for this year, but if you know, if we want to look at it again, you know, just because it was uh you know, not viable 5 years ago, >> I'm always, you know, I'm always happy
to take a look if there's if you know, we have other thoughts that uh you or you know, the rest of the council has. Um but, uh >> yeah, just just important to to keep the options open and and investigate whether or not, you know, we're getting the
most utility out of each dollar. >> When you think about the county running the county recycling program >> and you think about the collection costs, meaning the trucks, the manpower, the bins, and then the entire county
recycling center, >> it's $28.16 for a household for one year. I we can always look, but I'll be very surprised. It's probably a lot cheaper than if if
you didn't recycle if you were paying your garbage people to remove that garbage. >> That's a whole another separate because it's actually come down. We had um a gentleman who used to uh oversee uh services for the county here uh two
years ago, three years ago. It's improved dramatically, but at one point uh like six, seven years ago, almost half of what the county collected in recycling went in the garbage. Um, cardboard in particular has taken a very rough hit. Um, you recycle a pizza box
cardboard and it's got grease on it. When that goes overseas, they reject it and say it's contaminated. >> So, >> so it ends up in their garbage. >> Yeah. But there's cost to that. It's it's what commodities and part of that is the county tries to sell stuff and other stuff they have to pay somebody to
take it. >> Yeah. Sure. My my my point is just that we we don't know the answer until we ask it. I wish I could get my garbage picked up for $28.16 a year. Pretty >> cheap.
Okay. Um, can I Did we do a motion on this already? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. To do a roll call. >> Roll call. >> Oh, no. I think we have to do a Yeah. Roll call. >> Councilman Beco. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Isla? >> Yes. >> Councilman Kersh? >> Yes. >> Councilman Ring? >> Yes. >> President Gger?
>> Yes. >> Oh. um approving participation with the state of New Jersey in a safe and secure communities grant program administered by the office of the attorney general, Department of Law and Public Safety for
an for a grant amount up to $45,150 and a matching expense of up to three $300,31 3031,741.73. It's my understanding that this is something for the the police department.
I believe Mr. Papis. >> Yeah, this helps to offset salaries for traffic safety. So, it it goes against our police officer salaries. Um and we're always happy to offset the cost of uh of the salaries. >> Okay. Um can I have a motion?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> And we need a roll call. >> Um just one one brief question. Um, it just seems out of place that the match amount is
eight or so times the grant amount. >> I mean, that's probably >> Yeah, it it's however the for there's a formula to it and it basically says, you know, they're they understand that a officer's salary only a certain portion of it is attributed to the traffic
safety this grant goes to. So, it's there's a formula that figures out here's the amount of time we think you're spending on traffic safety and here's the percentage that the state's willing to pay towards it. >> Okay. >> There's you'll see some other grants that are, you know, sometimes it's much better matching and we get, you know,
more money. This one is >> Yeah. Yeah. I understand that, you know, you you hear, you know, matching a grant, you would think it would be one for one. It's >> Yeah. Yeah. Not matching that way. I wish it was >> not as much. >> And and Councilman, to be clear, that these salaries are for officers that
already exist. In other words, we're not obligated to hire new officers. If we didn't get this grant, >> these officers salaries would still be on our books. You would just be paying the full cost of them. >> Yep. >> We'll take it. Right. We'll take the 45,000. Um,
roll call. Councilman Bako, >> yes. Councilwoman Isla, yes. Councilman Kush, yes. Councilman Ring, >> yes. >> President Ger, >> yes. P. Award of contract to Air Systems Maintenance, Inc. 718 Jefferson Avenue,
Kennallworth, New Jersey 07033 for HVAC quarterly maintenance services to various township locations in the amount of $31,310 for quarterly maintenance and 20,000 for emergency repairs if needed for a total
amount not to exceed $51,310 for the period of March 1st, 2026 through February 28th, 2027th. It's my understanding this is the HVAC for the town hall um and a couple of other uh buildings. It's the same vendor we've
used in the past and I believe there were several bids and these were the lower the lowest bidder. Correct. >> That's correct. And this is the uh the lowest bidder was the contractor we currently use and we're satisfied with that work. >> Just to clarify because I was somewhat
confusing with this. the $31,300 for quarterly maintenance. That is not a quarterly charge. The $31,300 is the annual charge for quarterly maintenance. >> That's a good clarification. >> Yeah.
>> Can I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Come on. Keep our people comfortable. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Behov. Yes. >> Councilwoman Isla. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kersh.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Ring. >> Yes. >> President Gger. >> Yes. All right. Q. You're up. Mr. Ash. Authorizing professional uh professional services agreement with Carlin Ward Ash and Hart. Is that how you say it? Hart
LLC for special tax council services and appointing Carlin Ward Ash and Hart LLC special tax council to be paid on a contingent basis at no cost to the township. I think we're going to table this while we go. >> There's no need to table. You just can
leave it on agenda. >> Okay. >> Go into executive. >> Okay. >> That's what we're going to do. So, we're going to go into the executive session now. Um because >> just to clarify for the penalt's benefit, we're going into executive session and we anticipate taking action
following the public's the close session. >> Okay. So we'll come back to the public we'll come back to this for the public portion of the session. Okay, that makes sense. >> We try to tell them when we go into executive session whether or not we're going to take action afterwards.
>> Thank you. That's good. Um, >> do you need a motion to go into executive session? >> Okay. So, can I have a motion to go into close session? >> So, so moved. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? Do I need a Oh, I need a roll call for that, right? >> No, no. Okay. >> You have res.
>> Okay. >> Be it resolved by the Bridgewater Township Council that this body will now convene in a closed session to discuss the following matters. litigation, special tax counsel. When and if the matters discussed become public record, that information will be made known to
the public at the appropriate time. The public is excluded from said meeting and further notice is hereby dispensed with. All in accordance with sections 8 and 4A of the Open Public Meetings Act. Do I need a motion for that? >> We already
make the motion again. >> Okay, >> Michael can second it again. >> I'll second it again. >> Okay. Okay. I should have read this first before motion. Okay. Um, so we need a roll call now. >> No, we don't. >> We don't. >> All in favor? >> All in favor? >> All in favor? >> I
>> opposed. >> Hearing none. Motion is approved. When are the lights going to be green? >> Be careful. Okay. >> Okay. >> But my light is green now.
>> Lights are live. We are live. >> The lights are green. >> Okay. So, we are back in open session. Um, and I think >> motion to be back in open. >> Okay. >> Okay. And I think we are ready to um >> I'm going to make a motion to modify 12Q
to change it to authorizing a professional services agreement with Carllin Ward Ash and Hart LLC for special tax council services for the 2025 tax year and appointing Carllin Ward Hart LLC special tax council to be paid on a contingent basis at no cost to
the township. Uh, and then um move said modified resolution. >> Can I have a second? >> I'll I'll second. >> We can do both of one, right? >> All in favor. >> No, you need a resolution. >> No, we got >> and do a roll call. Okay, do a roll call. >> Councilman Bako, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Isla, >> yes. >> Councilman Kersh, >> yes. >> Councilman Rain, >> yes. >> President Gger, >> yes. >> Motion to close. >> Congratulations, Mr. Ash. Now, can we make a motion? >> Motion to adjurnn. Second. >> I
>> I >> I >> I >> We are >> No, no, no, no. You go nowhere. You go no more.