Good evening everyone. I just want to welcome everybody to the January 12th work session for tonight's meeting. Let's all please rise for this pledge of >> allegiance 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. Madam Clerk, adequate notice call. >> Council member Brusher. >> Council member Coyle >> here. >> Council member Dimma >> here. >> Council member Kentos >> here. >> Council member Patel >> here. >> Council member Patio
>> here. >> Council member Shuel. Adequate notice of this meeting as as required by the open public meeting act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice sent to the home news tribune star ledger desi talk and news India times on November 17th 2025 and post the
municipal complex on that same date. >> Well, thank you everyone for joining us here tonight. I'm excited to see each one of you. And for those who are here to speak on public comment, I just want to first make you aware you have you can speak on the comment for resolutions, but you can also speak at the end on council on open remarks. For those who
are watching and have anything to say, you certainly can email me at jcoy edisonenj.gov or email any council member and you can speak to the clerk for their emails. Again, good evening everyone. Um this year's uh 2026 committee all all across the countries
will be participating in America's 250 celebration of the 250 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States. Tonight Edison will kick off America's 250 Edison, a celebration of unity in Edison and pride in the United States. For
months, this growing committee of township employees, historic community leaders such as Walter Stoell and many others have together planned a series of events that recognize Edison's revolutionary heritage. events that Netison have traditionally done so much
as Memorial Day parade and the July 4th celebration will enhance to include America's 250 uh celebrations at new events are being planned for all ages and all parts of the township. As a lifelong resident of Edison, I know this
will be an exciting year. All of us are excited. Edison TV has been working hard creating a series of historic minutes that will be shown on Edison TV this year from settlements of this era in 1666 to the Edison we know today. These
minutes will tell our history in a visual way. Tonight we will premiere one of the minutes uh that been filmed the presentation by the Edison High School drama class of life in Edison 1776. a presentation of America's 250 flag to
the township. So now without further delay, let the celebration begin. The Edison of 2026 is a 32 square mile 19,000 acre municipality with 108,000 people. 250 years ago, Edison Township
did not exist. During the British colonial era, what is now Edison was part of Piscataway and Woodbridge townships. This continued after independence in 1776 for nearly 100 years. Then on March 17th, 1870, the
western half of Woodbridge in the eastern side of Piscatoaway were combined to create a new township. The people considered naming this new town Matuchen Township or Washington Township, but chose Raridan Township after the river. The original settlement of Piscataway remained in Raridan and
was then called Piscataway Town. In 1900, the residents of the center of Raridan Township decided they wanted their own town, and the burrow of Matuchen was created. Finally, in 1905, the people across the river from New Brunswick voted to create the Burrow of
Highland Park, and the boundaries have remained the same to this day. In 1954, a group of citizens proposed a change in the name of the township, partially because several municipalities in the state also shared the name Raridan. The name the voters selected was Edison. Named of course after Thomas Alva
Edison, the genius whose wizardry at Menllo Park brought the world, among other numerous inventions, the first sustainable electric light bulb and recorded sound. And that's how our town became Edison. At at this time, I'd like to recognize
Hannah Park, our resident from 1776. My name is Hannah Parker and I live in Middle Sex County, New Jersey. A place many now call the crossroads of the American Revolution. Situated between New York and Philadelphia, our county has become a constant route for marching
armies. British troops occupy nearby New Brunswick, using it as a supply base along the Ritan River. From there they move through our towns demanding food, shelter, and loyalty to the crown. The war has divided our
community. Citizens battle over independence. Some support it while others remain loyal to the king. Families and friendships have been torn
apart by these choices. In 1777, the fighting came dangerously close. During the Battle of Bound Brook, British and Hessen soldiers attacked patriot forces only miles from our homes. Later that year, during the
Battle of Short Hill, British troops attempted to trap General Washington's army. We could hear cannon fire in the distance and see smoke rising beyond the fields. Still, we endure. Women manage farms and homes while men
fight, flee, or hide. Children grow up quickly, learning the true cost of war. Though fear follows us daily, many of us remain hopeful, believing that liberty, once won, will be worth every sacrifice.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Anna Parker. And now I'd like to recognize Joseph Renan, a young resident from 1776. My name is Joseph Renan and though I am young, the Revolutionary War has shaped my life here in Middle County. Even the
children must do their part. My end, I help my family by gathering messages, collecting firewood, and watching for enemy troops. I have seen the British red coats marched through our roads in New
Brunswick, their boots muddied from crossing the Ritan River. I have also watched patron militias gather quietly, waiting for the right moment to strike. Our roads are filled with wagons,
soldiers, and entire families fleeing nearby battles. At night, we would wait quietly and pray that our homes weren't searched or burned. 1777, during the Battle of Short Hills,
British forces tried once again to capture General Washington, but he escaped, proving his skill and determination. News of victories in places like Princeton, not too far from here, filled
us with hope. And each battle reminds us that this land, our land, is one worth defending. And I believe history is being written right here in Middle Sex County. One day
when this struggle is over, I will say that I live not just through the revolution, but within it. My parents remind me that freedom is never free. And I dream of a future where New Jersey
is not a battleground, but a free land and a free new nation. Thank you. Thank you, Joseph. And thank you to all the residents of 1776. Great job. And uh from what I understand
you have a flag to present to the council. Would the council like to join me up front the presentation? Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Oh, Mr. Pence, >> you want more?
>> I'm going to take dance. Yeah. They they all left. Are we not? >> I feel bad they walked out. We would have thanked them. >> Yeah, I know. So, we'll just skip that, Joe. I I was going to >> Okay, we we'll we'll ask Walter to have them come back here. >> Maybe Howard, you can ask them to come
back sometime between our agenda. We'll interrupt the agenda. back. >> Yeah. Bring it back in. >> Bring them back in. >> Yeah. >> If they're >> Yeah. An encore. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Abs. Absolutely. I just was
like, they're gone, you know. >> Cute. >> Yeah. I just want to thank the students again and the um Rev 250 committee for putting this special event together. Um, I want to thank uh Walter Stocial for uh spearheading this uh presentation as
well and everybody that worked to to put it together. Um, I want to thank the mayor for his support and um putting forth immediately putting forth a Rev 250 committee. Um, I want everybody to know that we're going to be working on a resolution and a proclamation um for Rev
250 as well as um getting the uh 250 flag out front in the circle flying as well as um going to work with the council president to get one placed in here as well. Um so again, thank you to everybody. Um I just want to remind everybody to um this year we have a lot of historic
society events. Both um the Matuch and Edison Historic Society and Edison Township are planning a lot of events that are going to be even more patriotic. We're going to have trolley rides from here to um Perth Amboy along the old route. Um Fourth of July is going to be even more spectacular this
year as well as the Memorial Day parade is going to be bigger and brighter. So just um keep a lookout for those on the township website as well as social media. Um you could always go to my website, roberkentos.com. There is a Rev250 page as well as a MEES page. I'm not sure if we have that up yet, but
it'll just be for this year for the Rev 250 events to get everybody to be able to come out to the events. And um again, I I just encourage everybody to please um participate in these events this year. You know, um 50 years ago or a
little over 50 years ago, um a lot of our historic societies were formed back then in anticipation for the bicesentennial. And uh since that time, a lot of these historic um historic societies have barely held on. Most of them are still here. So now here we are
at the 250 at 50 years later. So I encourage everybody to go to those events. Again, thank you to all the students and thank you to everybody who put this together. Truly appreciate it. Thank you. >> Other council members want to make any remarks?
>> Please stay. Council person. >> Yes. Uh, Councilman Patil. Yes. >> I'd like to thank uh Councilman Rob Kentos for leading tonight's celebration as we mark 258 years since the signing of Declaration of Independence. Today,
our community gathers not just to look back at 1776, but to ask what those ideals means right here in our neighborhoods in 2026. As a council member, the promise made tonight is simple. to listen, to serve, and to help
ensure this community is one where everyone feels seen, safe, and included. The next chap chapter of our history will be returned by the choices we make together in our public meetings, our schools, our houses of worship, and
around our kitchen tables. So this 250th anniversary, let us celebrate our progress, face our unfinished work, and renew our shared commitment to each other. Once again, thank you, Councilman Kintos, Council President Coyle, all the
council members, Mayor Johi, and the administration for making this happen tonight. Thank you. Council President, >> yes, you're recognized. So thank you so much Rob for putting this together and um especially our beginning of the council term seeing the spectacular
performance by the kids uh you know this that's wonderful that's a great way to start and we look forward for the all the celebrations and informative uh events throughout the town this year and thank you so much to all the volunteers who help for helping with this. >> Any other members of council? I just
want to remind everybody I did not solely put this together. I just helped facilitate the council part of it. >> Point of order. Point of order. Take the credit. >> That's all. But thank you again to the students. >> Not going to happen much. >> If you wait a second, uh, council vice
president, I have some pins to present. I have four for your side and he has three. Just be one. We'll come out. I'll be quick with my words. Thank you so much. I do appreciate everybody who's involved in the committee and is involved in the 250 committee and the time you put in to make this a wonderful
event. We've talked about this for the last two months. And uh I also want to just uh recognize Walter Sto who's here who I've known since I was about 20. Um he saw me when I had a lot of hair on my head. I know you students are surprised
but there was a day Bob there was a day but uh and I also want to recognize at his artisan tower Kathleen Carluchi is here and also Bruce Diamond who's been involved in a lot of things in Edison including the historical stuff. So thank you very much for being here and have a
great day. Thank you again. Now we'll begin our meeting. Uh council members from the administrative agenda. Uh, A B C D E F G
H I J K LM. Any questions or remarks in the following? Hearing none, we're going to six proposed ordinance amending article of boards of commissions and committees and agencies and of chapter 2 administration
of the municipal code. Any questions or comments? Hearing none. Uh second ordinance we have here is the ordinance amending the chapter 39 land use section of 3912-15 technical review committee of the code of the township of medicine. Any
questions or comments? Council person. >> Yes, council member. >> Just a question here because this won't be a public meeting. Uh will those meeting minutes be documented and available on the website? >> Councelor, >> I'm sorry I didn't I couldn't hear the
question. I apologize. >> Will the meeting notes will be available for the public to review on the website? >> Well, the meeting notes so the the the way that the Sorry, let me get the the microphone out. the way that this is being redesigned uh and part of the
reason why the change is going on is because the technical review committee is really just that it's a technical review of of the the application once those notes are done that applications then will go to the planning board. So yes, by by that nature then they would be publicly available. Um but it's really just the purpose of this is is as
I'm sure you would agree um when these applications come forward is to try to streamline the process by the time it gets down there. So and keeping them open from a meeting perspective really made that very difficult. So >> understood as as long as you know meeting minutes are available for public
to review so everyone knows what the outcome was of the technical review. >> Yeah the the technical review at the conclusion of they're going to make a recommendation to the planning board and that recommendation will be public. >> Public. Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments on the ordinance?
Hearing none, moving to from the business administrator A through U. Any questions or comments from the business administrator A through U. >> Yes, council. Council, >> I'm really happy to see that, you know,
we have a lot many choices, lot many vendors in pretty much every single professional service contract that is listed here. So happy to see the change. Thank you. >> Hearing no other questions or comments. Moving to from the Department of Finance
A through C. Any question come? >> It's A through E. A through E. >> A through Oh, A through E. I'm sorry. A through E. Any questions or comments? Hearing none, moving to the Department
of Health A. Any questions on A? There are no questions or comments. Moving to the Department of Planning and Engineering, A through J. Hear. No question or comments. Moving to the Department of Public Works. We have A.
A only. Hearing no questions or comments. Moving to the oral petition and remarks. Uh this meeting is open to the public. If anybody has questions, please come to the microphone or raise your hand. Octar,
before my time starts, can I give you guys something to hand out? name and address. >> Dr. Nasser, Pleasant Avenue. Um, so what you guys are going to be getting before you is going to be a synopsis of what I'm saying, uh, different questions that are there because I'm going to rat off a
lot of questions about certain property. Council President, I appreciate that you have given your email address at the start of each meeting and I appreciate that you answered my email within two minutes after I send it. So, I appreciate that. >> It's two long words, but I did it. >> You did.
>> So, uh, I'm here tonight because I need answers urgently. I have only about 10 days to decide whether or not to challenge the planning board's December 15 approval of 1039 Amboy Avenue. all my points that requires me to address the council as a whole body today because
will not allow me to meet with you guys separately to talk to you as a whole big group. As you know, the application for 1039 Amboy Avenue was rejected by the planning board and recently remanded from the superior court due to ordinance 2233-2024,
something that councilman uh former councilman Pointer worked together with and this council approved as well. So it was done to cons to ensure the consistency with the master plan, the ARP formbbased code. It discussed how all cars should be hidden behind a
building or liner from Amboy Avenue, but it also made parking more lenient. So my questions and concerns, one, the MLUL compliance, that ordinance that I spoke about does relax parking requirements, but it again requires cars to be concealed so that on Amboy Avenue, you
cannot see those cars. But the existing plan does not share that value. There are violations, I believe, of the cantal lever. There is no first floor, so therefore you can see right through. There was no variance that was put onto this application for that. Um, so it
doesn't make sense to me how that was done. So my question for you is this. If you are not compliant to the full ordinance, isn't a variance required for each new thing or I'll call it a violation? Again, no variance was asked for this application. So according to
the the ordinance that I spoke about, there should be again a minimal liner so you can't see the cars on Amway Avenue. So hopefully I can get an answer about that too. Another um thing I want to talk about was angle parking on Cabote Avenue. In our town ordinance section 7-18 does not list this street as to
have angled parking. Yet it is permitted and was allowed. And I have asked the applicant to provide evidence that these locations did exist, but they never did. Also, they do not comply by the code of RSIS where they're supposed to be 18 ft
long, but they are not. They are 1 foot short. So then my next question is, does grandfathering end? When when does grandfathering end to an application or to some existing property? And when do we comply to the RSIS and the ADA of 2026?
Also, I have a question. I never really understood this. Is Cabin Avenue defined as a front yard? If so, then there is no parking that's supposed to be allowed there. So, the issue that I'm bringing to your attention is not something that we have to worry about. Another issue that I have is about sidewalks and student safety. Ordinance um 0.138-216
prohibits sidewalk waiverss within 2 miles of a school. This property is point4 miles away from a school. So therefore, I'm not sure how that was allowed. That's also by New Jersey code. Can the planning board wave safety requirements when ordinance and state law prohibit it? I brought up the sidewalk concern multiple times, but it
has never been addressed. Another issue was about ADA compliance on the right of way. The New Jersey law and ordinances by Edison state that there should be a sidewalk within that area from the curb to the other area. I've emailed the ADA
compliance officer. the public right of way. Again, I spoke about that, too. Should boards conform confirm legal access before approval. I'm asking that I get some of the answers that I emailed to you and a lawyer. I see that I'm running out of time. I also think that we need a public advocate because then I
would not have to use all my time for this issue. >> Uh, your time's up. Our just stay for a moment. Um, I just want to consult with our counselor for a second here. Um, is this more of a planning board? Yes,
>> I guess the question I have to our counselor is first I appreciate all the work you've done. You've done a lot of work and I have some of these same questions. Um it's just a matter and I and I think I definitely refer this to the B. It's a deep dive tonight to get into this in
detail and I think you've done a great job laying out your questions. Uh, I don't think anybody here is an expert on the planning end of this, but I'm just curious whether or not some of these questions be directed to our the attorney for that board. And I also, since you don't have representation
today, they probably could answer some of your questions as a resident. Uh, once you have representation, that day will be over. Um, so I'm just curious where you stand to get these answers so you can properly decide on make what decision. That's the angle I think you're you're looking to adjust to. So I
guess first to my to my counselor here what should he be within our division or a different law division? >> So the answer is it sort of depends and I know that I gave this sort of answer the last time you here too. So I apologize but it's it's kind of the standard lawyer answer. Um these are
interesting questions. I don't have the application in front of me. I don't really have any of the details in front of me. It's hard for me to give you a definitive answer as to the yay or nay to this or where the appropriate place to go is. And I'm hesitant to try only because you prefaced it with you're
trying to make a decision. And I can't provide for you legal advice as to how you should handle a situation that's pertinent to you um when it comes to exploring your own rights. I I just that's that's not something I'm able to do. I am happy to take a look at some of these things and then to do a deeper
dive into the application that went I don't I I'm not familiar with the application as it stands. Um so if it's all right with you, I'd like an opportunity to just read this. I think we're back here on Wednesday. Um so at least give me some opportunity to kind of go through to see where the appropriate place to go is on these things and kind of get an idea as to
what's happening. Does that work for you? >> Can I meet with you after just to go I have a lot of paperwork here too just to show >> Yeah, you're after the meeting. We can talk offline. You're happy to give me anything that you want to give me. I'm happy to review all of it. I just I don't have an immediate answer um based
on what's going on and and I I know that you have probably have a lot of the details. I unfortunately I just don't have any and I'm not comfortable giving you legal advice um with more hypothetical when these are more specific. So I just want to make sure I'm getting you the right answers. >> Thank you. >> And and just you know first again you
did a great job. Second, you know, part of this is almost like a deposition of the of the questions you've asked. And I I just don't know what position that puts uh the township in. And some of these questions, again, I know you may not have been prepared that evening and who would be prepared when an
application comes up so fast. Um but some of these questions would have been better answered that night because your your opportunities would be be your outcomes would be different. Um, >> I'm not familiar with I'm not familiar with which body you should speak to, but
I will definitely pass this to the administration to look at and, you know, we're taking this serious. I just don't know whether or not this attorney is the right check, but great job on the work. I hope I was helpful. And your your question on public advocate, of course, this body will look, this council will look into that. As you know, I I don't
support the public for a few reasons, public advocate, but I do appreciate you still uh trying to make that accomplishment. Thank you. Thanks. Any other members uh residents that like to speak?
>> Sure. Uh Anthony Damron, uh Edison. Um I don't see the police chief here today. I just wanted to uh but I wanted to say uh a real special thank you to him. Um, not getting into specifics, but there was a concern uh of mine uh last week and he
met absolutely met that concern. Um, and I couldn't be more happier. Um, and uh for his uh for the response. So, um I really I really do mean I would say it to him, but he's not here tonight. Um >> you can thank him twice. I'm sure he'll be okay with that. >> I'm sure he would. Yeah, I'm sure he
would. Maybe I'll call him tomorrow, actually. So, but um and uh and to the officers involved. So, I couldn't uh so thank you to him. Um and I guess the second thing would be is uh one recommendation um for the upcoming year
would be uh council president to allow at least um a back and forth uh minutes. I I I'm I'm agreement with you I think on the minutes. Um, but I think a back and forth it's it solves a lot of the uh, you know, to to it just some things just need to be talked out and I think,
you know, 99% of the people here that come up and speak, um, it's not going to be a problem. There just some things, you know, whether or not it's through a council person or to the BA or whatever convers, you know, whatever needs to be discussed. Um, usually that's how things are, I think, solved. I think to to take
all the questions, write them down, and then to to go that way. I I think it just um it's it's just not natural, you know, it's just not a natural flow. So, I think to come up here and just to allow just that back and forth um would probably be best, but that's just one man's opinion. So, thank you, Council
President. >> Thank you for your comments and I will share that com with the council. Thank you. Anybody else, please? >> Thank you. Am I recognizing? >> Yes. >> Thank you.
He's doing the same thing he did the last time he was council president. Goes to the bathroom. I guess it's so Sam Joshi doesn't hold him accountable for not throwing me out. Well, at least I don't have to pretend Kentos
like I'm looking for something on the paperwork. through the chair to council. Oh, Kentos is the chair actually. You think that they're going to make a resolution that we can't play music at the podium during our time? >> I would hope not. >> Not neither.
Oh, if your YouTube is monetized, it's going to demonetize today's channel. You won't be able to pop it off today's video. as he lost his life.
Oh, easy. And he walks very well. Is he alive or dead? I see in his head. Why should we even care? It's all right. Wednesday, I'm going to
ask chat GPT about Councilman Coyle and I'll come back with the results. >> Was that Aussie Osborne or Black Sabbath? >> Black Sabbath. >> There you go. Oh great. >> It's all right. You're going to respect
the music. you're going to respect um the people being silent, but I know you won't be able to respect when I come back on Wednesday and have opinions and my own perceptions. So,
I'll be back for Wednesday. >> Thank you for your comments. Any other members of the public? Seeing none, have a motion to it to to close the public uh portion. >> Motion to close the public portion. >> Second. >> Second.
>> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Okay. Okay. Points of light. Uh clerks. >> Yeah. We're sponsor the county association. The Middle Sex County Clerk Association sponsoring a blood drive on
Thursday, January 15th in the council chambers from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Uh see the flyer on the website to sign up. Monday, January 19th, the town should also be closed and celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday. Martin Luther King celebration in service on January
20th at the Minville uh open to the public 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Any other points in line from council members? Hearing none, we're going to go to uh discussion items. Um I'll go for my left. Councilman AJ Patil.
>> None at this time. >> Council member Pier Patel. >> None. >> Council member Council Vice President Rob Ktos. >> None at this time. >> Council member Councilwoman Kentha. >> None at this time.
>> Yeah. Thank you. Well, I thank everyone for joining us tonight. Thank you for the residents who've come out to make public comment. Thank you uh to the students who have put together this wonderful celebration for the 250. Thank you for the administration for participating in putting this together. For any residents who are watching us now and have any
public comments, please reach out to me personally at our council president email at jcoy edisonj.gov. That's jcoy edisonj.gov. Have a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Motion to adjourn. Second. >> All in favor?
>> I meeting adjourned.