You know, I But I Council meeting Wednesday fe >> February 11th. All please rise for the pledge of >> allegiance. 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. >> Neither of them. >> Well, that's a first. We're just pausing. Marlene is coming right back. I thought I thought she was
in the back. Yeah. Good. problem Well, anyone can take the call. offering. >> I would like to hear that. Okay. Sorry. Thank you,
>> Madam Clerk. Roll call. >> Council member Brusher >> here. >> Council member Coyle >> here. >> Council member Dimma >> here. >> Council member Kentos >> here. >> Council member Patel >> here. >> Council member Patiel >> here. Council member Schmuel >> here.
>> Adequate notice. >> Adequate notice of this meeting 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 postmay
lobby mismal complex on that same date. table. Well, thank you for your patience. I apologize. We had a print issue on an item and I made our our team uh reprint the entire packet. I apologize. Uh moving forward, for those who are here for your first time, I just want to let
you know that you have a chance to speak for four minutes on the resolutions. Uh you'll see a part there and you also have a chance to speak for minutes on each ordinance. And and last, you have a chance, there's a section at the bottom for public comments. You can also speak for four minutes at that time. If you
have any further questions that that may not be answered for you today, you can email myself at jcoy edison jenj edisonj.gov. Again, jcoy@edisonenj.gov. For those who are watching and have any comments, you can also email me at jcoy@edisonenj.gov.
Thank you for participating today. Uh moving forward here we are tableabling 2273 2026 and we are tableabling 2275 2026 which is being amended and reintroduced later in this meeting.
>> Have a motion to table 2273. >> Motion to table second. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Roll call. >> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes.
>> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yes. >> Council member. >> Yes. >> Council President Coyle. >> Yes. >> And have a motion to table 2275 2026. >> Motion to table. >> Second.
>> Table. >> Madam clerk. Roll call. >> Council member Brusher. >> No. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Patiel, >> yes. >> Council member Shuel, >> yes. >> Council President Coyle,
>> yes. >> Okay, so they're both tabled as were on the agenda. >> Just some quick announcements. The township office will be closed on Thursday, February 12th for Lincoln's birthday and also on Monday, February 16th for President's Day. Saturday,
February 21st, is the Luna New Year celebration at Thomas Jefferson Middle School from 12 to 3:00 p.m. >> We're at item five. Can I have approval for the minutes? May I have a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion. >> Second.
>> Second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any nays? Thank you. Unfinished business. >> 2274. >> Yeah, this is it. >> Next page 2274 is the one we're going to
is unfinished. We tabled the other two. >> Okay. An ordinance. >> Yes, we tabled that one. >> Unfinished business for this one. >> Okay. >> An ordinance. An ordinance amending the township code to update and address list of persons entitled to handicap parking
spaces and to delete a handicap parking space. >> Open public. >> Any public comment? >> Seeing none, could I have a motion to close the public portion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I.
>> I. We're approving this. Motion to adopt. >> Motion to adopt. >> Second. >> Madam clerk, roll call. Any council comments? Hearing? None. >> Madam clerk, roll call.
>> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yes. >> Council member, >> yes. >> Council President Coyle, >> yes. It's also 2275, right?
>> We're reintroducing this right here. >> Yeah. >> Don't we have to introduce 73, too? Or you introducing that one? Military. Where's that? >> Going to do all three. We're going to go back to
>> Yes. This is Mike. >> I will read the title. Yeah. So, we're going to go to 2273. this new introduced ordinance. >> Uh we're reintroducing 2273.
Madame clerk, >> an ordinance amending chapter 4 personnel policy section 4-13 military leave subsection 4-13.x of the municipal township code. >> Can I have a motion to introduce?
>> Motion to introduce. >> Can I have a second? Second motion to introduce you to read. >> You have to read the thing. >> Oh, the thing right there. >> All right. So, I move this ordinance be passed on the first reading published according to the law for further
consideration and public hearing set down for March 20 February 25th. >> Have a second be uh second is Kelly ready and madam clerk or roll call. Council
member Brusher, >> no. >> Council member Dimma, >> yes. >> Council member Kentos, >> yes. >> Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Patiel, >> yes. To introduce. >> Council member, >> yes. >> Council President Coyle, >> yes. >> So, this is the reintroduced. Okay. Give
me this back. Then we'll reintroduce that. >> And here's her. when you're ready. >> Oh, yeah. You wanted to council comments on that one. >> My comments I meant public comment. >> No, no public comment on it.
>> No, >> not on introduced. >> Oh, there's no comment on it. >> It's not being voted on. >> It is only being introduced. Can comment on it? >> Um, three. Okay, fair enough. Yeah, just
making sure we skip. >> Yeah. Uh we're reintroducing 2275. Uh this was a salary ordinance that we discussed in the past uh after speaking to uh our colleagues. We've also looked at several townships uh and their council salaries across the town and uh
we reintroduced a salary ordinance. M clerk read ordinance. An ordinance established in the not to exceed salaries of certain officers, department heads, and employees of the township. >> Have a motion to introduce.
>> I move this ordinance be passed on first reading published according to the law for further consideration and public hearing set down for February 25th. >> Have a second. >> Second. Madam clerk, roll call. >> Council member Brusher,
>> yes to introduce. >> Council member Dimma, >> yes. >> Council member Kentos, >> yes. >> Councilman Tel, >> yes. >> Council member Patiel, >> yes to introduce. >> Council member, >> yes. >> Council President Coyle, >> yes. >> Now we have
>> We have this one. I have this one. Now, new business 76. Tell 2276 >> uh for new business 2276 >> ordinance of the township of Edison County of Middle Sex State, New Jersey authorizing the acquisition of negotiated agreement by real property
and/or property interest required for drainage project that is planned for the area of Calvert Avenue and Abbott Court Wayne and Huntington Road. Motion to introduce. Motion to
introduce. >> I move this ordinance be passed on first reading published according to the law for further consideration and public hearing set down for February 25th, 2026. >> Second.
>> Madam clerk bro. >> Council member Brasher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yes. Council member, >> yes. >> Council President Quail, >> yes.
>> Now we're here. Yep. >> That's the one that he um addressing the council changing the time. We're at 227726, an ordinance amending the chapter 2 article addressing the public speaking time.
>> Do you have a motion to introduce? >> Motion to introduce. I move this ordinance be passed on the first reading published according to law for further consideration and public hearing set down for um February 25th, 2026. >> Do I have a second?
>> Seconded. >> Council President, if I may, um I have comments about this, but I will spare my comments to later on in the meeting when I have my turn to speak. Um about I can come to comments now. I can speak now.
Okay, then I'll speak now. So this ordinance which is being introduced today is for changing public speaking time from 4 minutes to 6 minutes from what I understand. Now let me say clearly this is not a small procedural adjustment. This is a structural
decision about how this council conducts its meetings and how the public engages with its government. I previously served as a member of board of education for four years. During my entire tenure, the public comment there
was six minutes. I did not try to change it. I worked within that structure. Now, and during my tenure, my one year as a board president, when I chaired those board meetings, I occasionally exercised
discretion to allow speakers additional time when it was fair and appropriate. In fact, during an October 2024 meeting, I even told residents before the public come began that they can they are most
welcome here to speak as for you know a little bit longer and they can play music here. We'll entertain music here. Um I don't know if I said the speak part but I let people speak sometimes occasionally more but they can play music here now as long as it was
appropriate and we would entertain it. Um that was during a time when the council was navigating unique circumstances. The point is that that experience taught me two important lessons. First, there is flexibility
within any structure. Even when a time limit exists, the preciding officer, whether a board president or a council president, retains discretion to allow someone to continue if they are raising important points and if it is fair and
just to do so. Second, leadership requires thoughtful judgment, not quick reactions. Until 2024, Edison allowed 6 minutes for public comment, but that was changed to 4 minutes. Now in just very
few weeks or days of my council's fullterm with this one this it is suggest it's suggesting to change it again the real question is what is the right number for Edison and how do we
determine that responsibly is it six is it five is it four this just came upon us so in just just today I reached out to other council members who I know in other municipalities um some of them and according to their
responses to me that I have in front of me just from today river age township of River allows 2 minutes Livingston and Tennafly allows 3 minutes Franklin Township Cherry Hill Tinton Falls and Paripeni allows 5 minutes
there is no universal standard anywhere or New Jersey standard as such there is no obvious correct wrong or right number here. Some residents can organize their thoughts in 3 minutes. Some feel 4 minutes is just enough while some may
feel 4 minutes is rushed and they are not wrong about it either. And yes, occasionally some residents use their time repetitively um in their com their comments repetitively. There's no perfect number. That is precisely why this deserves a
careful study. Public participation is not limited to those standing at that microphone. There are residents who watch from home. There are residents who never attend meetings but pay attention. There are residents who may never speak publicly but are informed, thoughtful
and deeply invested in what happens in this town. Their voices matter as much and there are others too. Every resident matters and when we seek public input and I also want to acknowledge something important engagement in Edison does not
begin and end during this four minutes or 6 minutes whatever we have at this podium I have seen our clerk's office respond to residents in just last few days I have seen council members answer calls and emails from few years our
business administrator and members of the administration and mayor's office are active actly addressing concerns outside the meeting time. Uh mayor's office handled lot of query. There are statistics around that. Our council president exercises discretion when appropriate and responds to residents
outside of the council meeting. Our vice president Rob Kentos has openly invited residents to reach out to him directly if they have questions to not fully address and visit robkentos.com. Right. And then uh and the information he says
that people can reach out anytime and most of the other council members are also welcoming those you know decisions and responding to manner or situation depending on this uh scenario. Just recently when Mr. Dr. Akar Nasser was unable to complete his remarks within 4
minutes time period. I personally coordinated with the BA Pat Coyle and others to ensure that his concerns were addressed and answers were provided and things worked out for the benefit of residents and the children. This tells me something important that if residents
do have access now they do have avenues to receive responses. Government does not stop when the timer ends. As a firstterm council member, just fresh for a few days, just beginning my full service, I do not believe it is responsible to make a long-term
procedural change without sufficient data, historical context, and stakeholder input. I've only been in this side for a short time but I have not yet had opportunity to fully evaluate this situation being on this side how the current 4m minute structure
is even functioning or in practice or what what it should be longterm whether we ultimately decide for 4 minutes 6 minutes or 5 minutes or something else that decision should be informed in my opinion not reactive it should be stable something that we can
sustain very long term not something that shifts back and forth when the council changes or the year changes. Our residents deserve stability. They deserve decisions made thoughtfully, deliberately, and with long-term vision. So that being said, given the significance of this issue and how it
affects, I believe we should obtain comparatively data from the clerk's office, which I will reach out to the clerk's office. Review historical reasoning behind the prior change. Discuss thoroughly among other council members. Seek input from the residents, including those who speak here, those who watch at home, and those who may not
attend meetings. This is a structural decision. It deserves careful consideration and not haste. And therefore I respectfully move to table this ordinance so we can gather appropriate information as we need I believe we need time for that. Do I have a second for the table?
>> Do we have a second for the table? >> Wait a second. >> Well, >> we had a motion. >> We have a motion. The only thing is >> So he's essentially making a motion to table the introduction. Uh the council president can entertain
that motion um in the order he chooses. if there is a second on that motion. Um, if he chooses to entertain the motion to table first, he can do so. >> So, okay. So, we can have motion to table.
>> Let's see if we have a motion to table. Second to table it. Um, do we have a motion to table this? A second to table it. Second. >> We have a second. Um, >> yeah, Council Patel, nice job on your discussion item on that. I will
entertain a roll call on table in this ordinance. >> Council President, do we get to comment? >> I mean, >> sure. Well, we were we were we're tableabling it though, so >> Well, the Okay, so this is where I'm going, right? It's it's a table except um because we should be able to
>> if you want to if you're having a discussion to vote on it. >> Well, there was a com This is a comment, let's say, about the table. >> Yeah. >> Sure. >> Um yeah, and and I'll tell you where this goes. Um
I personally don't love this ordinance, right? I I what I what I've seen four minutes. I've only seen I'm gonna say one president um that I really do like him that has struggled to try and get
what he had to say in four minutes and he sounded like it was Evelyn's uh speed reading uh course that he was doing. Um, so for most people the 4 minutes seem to work, but I do understand that people want to compose their thoughts and 6 minutes, you know, you know what, for me
to sit here for an extra 15 minutes, it doesn't matter cuz I can sit up here and talk for an hour as some of you have seen. Um, and I'm here for you. So, for me to hear from you, I agree to that. What I'd like to see is the rebuttal, but not the way that we had the
rebuttal. Not where I could have one resident rebuttal another resident, but a rebuttal should be strictly a rebuttal to the answer that was given to them by this body or by the administration. You know, that should be part of this. Um,
in in looking at it though, right, where I go is that a lot of times you vote for something and they call it a small win or as council president puts it, a base hit. Um, so because of that, I would be
inclined to vote to pass this and take this now the way it is, um, as opposed to waiting to change it. and it goes on and on and on and it's like the deer thing where we never actually put the deer thing up for a vote. Um, so yeah,
I'm not in favor of tableabling this today. >> Thank you, >> Council Person. >> Any other council comments? >> Yeah, thank you council person for allowing me to make the comment. >> Absolutely. >> I think the fundamental difference in understanding this ordinance is we are
not changing anything. We are restoring what it was. That's a basic. This ordinance worked for 15 plus years. Something got changed last two years. Doesn't mean that we need to again stick to that. I will leave it to rest of the
council members. But I'm a big proponent of having residents come here, speak their mind because the people who are watching this council meeting are learning from this. It's not about four minutes. If they can't finish in 6 minute, I would if I'm a council president, I will give 8 minutes. Let
them speak. They are spending their they are using their family time to come here to present something. And I don't think there are people who are coming here because they are not getting responses from either council members or the administration or from the mayor's
office. There are genuine problems. Some of those are not resolved and that's why they want to come and present here. It's a very simple thing. So if you are saying that we don't want to let people speak, it's undemocratic. That's what I would say that let's restore not let's
change. Thank you council president. Thank you council member Patiel. Is there any other council members that'd like to discuss this item? We are between um a vote to introduce or a vote to table. Does anybody else have a discussion on this
>> hear? None. I'm going to entertain a the I'm going to stick with the first um request to introduce. Those who choose to not introduce this will vote no and those who choose to introduce this ordinance will vote yes. Madame clerk,
we have a motion and a second. >> Who is our second for the introduction? >> Council President, can you repeat that because I thought you vote on one motion. Um it would right now I guess it's the motion. We have two motions on We have two motions to We have a motion introduced that was started first with
council member Kentos >> and then we had a second who was our second further induction. >> I did and we had the rule pause and we had and we had a roll we're >> did not have a roll call. >> Yeah, council vice president. We're allowed to have do both. I'm
entertaining the introduction and we have a second by Councilman Patiel. for those who choose to introduce this will vote yes and for those who do not want to introduce this ordinance will vote no. Am I clear with that understanding from council members? >> Yeah, council president. Wouldn't that
veto the second vote? >> Well, yeah, we're going to we're going to bypass. He want council member Patel wants to >> wants to table it. >> To some degree it's the same. We're voting it up or we're voting it down. The difference is he's tabled it. I'm
taking the um choice to go with the introduction to vote it to vote on it. Obviously, you know my position of it. I don't have to tell you, but I just rather move forward with this introduction whether it passes or it fails.
>> So, right. So, formally like if I say yes cuz I want to I >> introduced >> I like it. Right. I want it introduced and we have enough votes. It's introduced. But if it goes no, then instead of it being killed is what you're saying, it will be tabled.
>> No, at that point if if um if the no votes carry the vote, uh there'd be no need for a vote to table uh because the >> ordinance would not have been introduced in the first place. >> At which point it would just have to be
reintroduced in the future. >> Okay. >> So it automatically resolves the motion to table. No, no. So, right. So, let me So, so the councilman put up a motion to table. >> So, so we're not going to entertain his motion to table. >> Correct. Yes.
>> He would have to bring up >> now. >> So, so if he would rather have it tabled, how do you do that? Because that that's what the man asked for. >> He he has the right to table an introduction >> and you have the right, as you stated, you wanted to see us vote on it for
introduction. >> So, >> okay. That was in your statement, >> right? So I'm I'm saying so a council member asked for it to be tabled. We he had a second, right? So he has the
ability to hear that. If I vote yes, right? And and other people vote no, that means that this motion here now is done, but it's not tabled. But his his request was to table it. not
to kill it, but to table it. >> So, Mr. Brerer, uh, Councilman Brer, apologize. Um, >> we have conflicting motions. Uh, if the motion is introduced, uh, and the vote to introduce passes, it
will be introduced and listed for the February 25th meeting. um that resolves at least partially uh the councilman's uh motion to table. The council president has the ability to
resolve them in whichever order he chooses at this point by resolving the motion to introduce first because it was the first one put forth uh and because of uh I guess the council members views on how we should handle this. uh he can resolve both motions through the
resolution of the first. If after that there is still a question as to whether or not uh the the councilman wishes to make another motion to move it to a different date rather than the 25th to put it out further than that. He can make that attempt as well. Um he can
call for a motion to list it for uh whatever date in March or April uh as however far out he wants to put it. that would then come up for uh comment and vote uh as to whether to push it out from the February 25th.
>> But the existing motion right now >> is is on this whether to approve it or not. >> The council president has decided to >> run that motion and see if this ordinance is even going to be introduced in the first place, >> whether it can pass, right? >> So if if we vote no, we're voting to
kill it. We're not voting to table it. It's it's a no vote. Like we just want to kill it and it's dead. >> Yeah. But like every other ordinance, it could always be introduced at a later time. I believe we introduced an ordinance to restore the six minutes >> three times last year. >> Right. Right. Could could happen at any
time. >> Yeah. This is the this is the fourth or fifth time. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, I'm just uh my to my council members, I'm allowing I'm accepting a second on the motion to introduce for those who choose to vote no to introduce.
uh will be voting no and those who choose to vote yes to introduce will be voting yes. Madame clerk roll call. >> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel.
>> Abstain. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yes. To introduce. >> Council memberuel. >> No. >> Council president Coyle. >> No. >> I passes introduction because it's 43. Okay. >> So it is introduced.
>> So how does it work now with >> so the >> this will go on the date um which date youth >> February 25th to to be fi for final vote. >> So some you so what's with the motion of tableabling it? >> So that resolves both motions since the
motion to table was uh made during the introduction. It has now been introduced and listed for February 25th. Uh procedurally, if the councilman would like to make another motion to push it out to a later date, he can do so and the council president can call for a
vote on that so that it wouldn't be introduced on the 25th, but rather a later date which could provide him with the necessary time that he's looking forward to review. >> Thank you. >> Basically, it could be tabled again. >> Yes. Council President, if I may, I I
think what people are misunderstanding here is under the rules, if you have two competing motions on the floor, you get to decide which one you're going to hear first. I think that's the part that people are asking here, but it wasn't that clear. So, if two people make motions here, you get to choose which one you hear first. That's you have that
power. >> Council person, just a request to the attorney, if you can double click on the law. My understanding past several years any motion that's goes first gets the priority. The second motion
gets nullified the way we did today. >> So it is not the jurisdiction of council president which he can pick. He or she it cannot. That's what we have followed but I'm asking you council patio. >> Thank you. >> That's that's why I I chose that way. He
had Mr. Patel jumped over the bow first. I would have entertained the table. Um, so I took council vice president's interest first because he introduced it first >> and appreciate that. It just >> I mean it's just it's just a formality
that I did >> parliamentary process. >> Okay, fine. I mean I I both pe the same outcome happened. It's on the agenda. We have time to vote for it and there'll be time again to do the same thing we did before. Obviously people know where I stand. I will not be voting for this.
our colleagues you have a chance to caucus with. Many of you have made phone calls to them. You can continue to do that. You have their emails. Um and thank you uh madam clerk. We're gonna move forward. >> Okay. So now we're up to resolutions, right?
>> We're done. Right. >> Comment on the resolutions. >> Okay. We're at eight. Uh forgive me uh for this delay in some discussions here. We're moving to public comments on resolutions. Would anybody like to raise their hand to
speak? Mr. Pointer in the back. Thank you, Council President. John Pointer, Roosevelt Boulevard. Uh, resolution 104. Just want to thank you for adding that to the agenda. Just want to make sure everyone can hear me. This is in regards to confirming the Edison
Wetlands Association representative to the Peter J. Barnes Wildlife Preserve Commission. It's quite a mouthful to say, but again, just want to say thank you for adding it to the agenda. I hope it has the support of the council. The commission is taking um great strides in
terms of making sure things are more formalized and done in proper process and procedure. This is one of those actions that we've requested to be taken. So, I look forward to your support and thank you. >> No problem. Uh c where is our tech? Can
we um check his microphone, please? I don't believe it was working. >> You do hear it on on >> Oh, okay. >> Why isn't it working on the speaker system? >> Okay. Um, the next speaker, we're going to test the microphone to see where it works.
And who's our next speaker? Sure. I haven't seen you in a while. >> Welcome back, Thank you. Thomas Leki, Netherwood Circle, Edison. Uh, resolution R95 ch for a change order for an amount of
$347,000. This goes back, I guess, to uh work that in 2023. >> It seems that freeze my time. >> I'm sorry. >> Okay. How we doing? We're doing well.
Testing testing >> okay normally in the contracting world when I see uh people looking for change orders from 2023 it looks like they're just trying to uh to make uh
you know make their books whole. In other words, you know what what can we do? We lost money. How can we go and change it? H do we have backup information received from the from the contractor to support this? Is it based on a per unit price
that has has been reviewed and agreed upon by engineering? You know, it just seems a little a little funny that we're we're paying money for something was done in 2023. Typically, when when a project is done, you want that work
closed and you want you want your monies you want your your your books closed at the within six months of the close of a project. Two years just seems like a it looks looks a little shady to me. And then R96,
which is not on the uh website agenda. Uh you had R95 listed twice. So, RO96 was not listed on the uh the electronic agenda or the PDF that was that I uh I I reviewed earlier.
We're we're looking to spend another 300 we're we're looking to spend $357,000 for best abatement and all that on the on the Stelton uh comm community the old Steelton community center. I remember a
few years back we went we took that building, we fixed the roof, we we put new windows in to make it quote unquote weathertight. I assume at that time estimates or
budgets were were developed to support that the complete what's called revamp of of that of that building. Is that 300 uh 357,000 in line with the budget that was that
was introduced or is this going to become another money pit aka the uh the the Edison uh sports complex? You know, we we know we have to we have to start tightening our belts. This isn't a
bottomless well that we that the of the town and the taxpayers. You know, I just I want is that is that money was it earmarked? Is it per budget? Is it over budget? Is there any way that somebody
can look and see is this how is this uh trending costwise in relationship to the actual uh money spent. It's just uh you know just don't want to want to see money spent unnecessarily. Thank you.
>> Okay. I I was listen I just was also answering another question for you. Um I'm going to answer your first question while you're there. The first um discussion about the um 095 that is part of a contract that's re
that's continuing and we've added additional streets and drainage which is right here. I'll give you a copy of all this here. Brower has been added, drainage is added. So, this is, you know, a part of an extension of the contract. >> So, and I'll provide that for you.
>> Um, >> do you have any more questions? Give you your last 10 seconds. Want to make sure you you you're welcome to stand, but we just we're not going to do a back and forth, but I'll I'll answer your question if you'd like to sit. I'll can answer the rest of your questions. >> Okay, that'd be great. >> And thank you for being here. Um,
I understand completely what you say when you mention the Stton Community Center and what we're doing here, whether we're putting good money on top of bad money and what process we'll make next. And I understand we did some improvements there with hopes we could utilize the building and later we found
out there's more work um needed to make this building a better place. So, we're in between decisions and half this council, if not more, than this council would like to see us have a new building. However, we have a process to go through before we get there. So, this
um study with the environment, this cost today will put us in a position to find out whether what we're getting involved in and whether we can reconstruct the building. Some people would like to see it reconstructed. So, we have to at least do the homework for the other public that wants to see it reconstructed. It's an older building.
Uh it has a beautiful facade. Um I personally have a different interest. It's going to cost more to keep it than to build a new building, but we're going through this process. So, I hope you understand. >> Council President, they'd like to respond to that. >> And and one more thing, too. Can we just What was his last That was it. The three
questions. >> Was there anything else? >> Was it? >> Okay. Good. Councilman Brusher. >> Um, yes. I I know that I'm one of the people I've spoken to the administration about this 095. Um, wait, no, 096. I'm sorry. Um the 095 is
ongoing work that we have, but the the 096, right, my concern was the same that that you expressed. Um and I've been asking the administration if there was way possible for them to hire a um like a management firm, not an architect, not an engineer, but a construction person,
someone that that knows the process. Um and we give them direction, let's say, so that we don't spend money. um they were telling me that they were thinking about even hiring someone um like on their staff because we do have a lot of projects and I commend them for it. This
one here in particular um right I I found egregious and I spoke about that at the last meeting but I did ask the administration to hire someone for the asbestous so we didn't have this um asbestous that kept on popping up you
know it was like 10 grand, 50 grand, 20 grand. So, it it works out better if we do hire someone. Not that I agree in the scope that I seen or not that I agree in the dollar amount. Um, but I think they're on the right track here anyway. Um, you know, in getting someone. I think if they get someone in the
construction field as a project manager, construction manager and they hire them at the township um while they do these projects, I think it'll be beneficial to the residents and to the administration. So, hopefully, you know, this looks good moving forward. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Brer. Um, okay. Our next person, Mr. Damron, Anthony Damron, Edison. Um, well, that answers my question. I was I was going to ask first of all for 096 if that was the one that you brought up, Councilman
Brusher, uh, last meeting. Um, I wasn't here for that, but I went back and listened after the meeting. Uh, I'm glad to hear that they're taking some of your advice on this this one. I I I think your area of uh, you know, this is this is what you did for a living. Um, and I
think you have a track record of finding these little holes and saving us some money if you can. So, um, but it's it's good to hear that they're they're looking into that. I had one other question on 086. I I I don't like resol I don't know what
that if that could be explained. health educator services um for 65,000. I don't like how do we come up with that number? Um why that number? I guess. Um so that could just be explained and I think that's uh that's going to be it. Thank
you, council president. >> No problem. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Uh to the administration, do you want to speak on that now or do you want me to come back to that question? requirement under state law that we have a health educator and rather than hiring
an employee, we're contracting with a private firm. >> Okay. Right. Uh thank you. Any other members of the public choice? >> Sorry. >> Ship Edison, New Jersey.
I I'm surprised that we're talking about 096. I sat in as a leazison with the board of ed. They explained the reason why they didn't want Stalton. They said it was a
$20 million price tag and that was over four years ago. So, I'm just, you know, I'm just curious like how we're like just throwing out money like it's just like candy and stuff and saying stuff. Then I heard from somebody, oh, 3.5 million we get
rid of all the speestus at all. You know, I just don't like the fact that we just uh play with money and do all these things and we know we know from the beginning that that building is in such
disarray. That building is in such bad shape because it was left to there the way it is. And I'm agree with the other man that spoke earlier that said this would be a money pit. And I you it will be a money pit. Yes, it will. And I
would like to congratulate um John Pointer. I think he'll be an asset to the Edison wet wetlands because he's a very good and a very thorough person. And I'm not even going to discuss all these work orders because I used to always talk about them all the time. I'm
like, get your money the way you can. That's how people do it nowadays at all. So, um, other than that with the, uh, 096, I'm very, very disappointed in us just throwing money back and forth
because it was said by people, oh, this is going to be paid for with grants. This is going to be paid for with grants. In case you haven't been with the news lately, it's not too much money coming from Washington DC. So, I don't want to be in a position like Jersey
City and other towns right now. these towns, everybody's like at a deficit and we getting ready to be at a bigger deficit. So, I don't want to be in that position. I just don't, you know, I feel bad for the younger people. I'm liking
uh the sen uh uh New Jersey stay. All right. So, you're going to be hurting the young people more so than hurting me. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you, Joyce. Um, in regards to 096 Stelton building,
um, I've been in that building since I was 5 years old. Um, I I'm aware of the condition of it. I've watched it deteriorate over the years. I went out to the building last week with the BA and some other people to find out what was going on. Again, this has nothing to
do with the price tag here. I didn't dissect the cost of this yet, but the administration is moving in the right direction. This this puts everything on the table. So, it puts everything on the table from reconditioning the building, attempting to keep some of the structure
or just tearing it down. As many of you know, the property is on the rosy. It's on the open space. So, we have to stay within the footprint of the current building. And um basically, to me, in my opinion, it looks like all that's been done to it so far is just stabilize the
building so it didn't get any worse. So, um that's my opinion on it right now. That's what I saw when I was out there. Um, but it looks like this resolution puts all the options on the table for the mayor to make a decision. So, um,
that's what I have on that. Oh, any other comments on resolutions? Joel Joel Bassoff, Beach Lane Edison. Well, it's um 26 resolutions and only four minutes. So, we still have to speak
efficiently. Um so, first of all, with resolution 104, uh I hope the council passes that unanimously and enthusiastically. Excellent choice. Um with regard to resolution 095, uh the change order to follow up on uh
Mr. Ly's question. Um so the explanation if I understand it I is that um additional work I is called for um for this multi-year project. Uh but then the question is I if the scope
of the job has increased so drastically uh shouldn't it have been put out to uh rebid to to do the additional work? Uh it just seems a little unfair that that someone can come in with a low bid for one project and they get that and and
other contractors might not have um been willing or able to um provide a bid that low for a project of that scope. But now we're talking about a project of a larger scope and maybe we could have gotten bids for that that that might
have been more cost effective. Um, I noticed that the resolution points out that uh the increase is about 17% of the total contract and that might mean that it complies
technically with uh state law regarding contracts, but but but it's hardly a ringing endorsement to say that it's only 17% more. So my question for that I is could it or should it have been put out for additional bid and uh why wasn't
it? Uh and now with regard to resolution 096, uh what Councilman Brusher was asking at the work session, I think was what was the scope of this job that's uh well over a third of a million dollars that
that it seemed exorbitant for something that really doesn't involve doing any of the work on the building. It looks like it's just for a survey. So, was that question ever answered? What exactly is the scope of the work that that
justifies such an exorbitant price tag? And was this put out to a competitive bid? I think what I heard was was that it didn't have to be because it was a professional services contract, but my understanding is that that doesn't mean
that you can't put it out for a competitive bid. It just means you don't have to. So again, there's a loophole maybe to award a very massive contract to um someone who's preferred for
reasons other than just um competence and thoroughess. Uh so those are my questions about those two resolutions. >> Council President, if I if I may, >> will you finish? >> Yes. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure he
finished his time. You still have 45 seconds. >> Did you want to ask any other further questions? >> He was done. >> Those are my questions. >> Yeah, he was done. >> Okay. Council Vice President, you want to answer something? >> Yeah, I did 096. I again, I didn't dig into it yet, but I do have some of the
answers off the top of my head that I that I learned. Um, this puts all the options on the table for the mayor from from conceptual plans to tearing down the building to even rehabbing the building, recreating the building. Um, I was so far the information I was given,
the biggest chunk of this money is the paperwork required. Literally, the paperwork required to have all options on the table. Um, there's a lot of paperwork involved with demoing this building because of the situation it's in.
That's what I was given so far. So, I just want to give you that information. That's all I had. >> Okay. Thanks, President. >> Sure. Did you? >> Yes. I And like I said, I spoke to the administration today. Um, this is kind of the idea. No one really knows where this is going yet. Um, you
know, the one of the biggest objections that I have and and I've had it for years is we hire engineering firms here. The engineering firms are always looking to make 20 22% on a project where when we go with architectural firms, the architectural firms, as Mr. Romano will
know, they're not making nowhere near 20%. Um, because the architectural firms work on the paperwork, they work on on the design, they work on all of that, and they only give the engineer things that actually need the calculations for.
But when you hire an engineering firm, they just know that they charge 20% and they make money. Um, so it's it's something that if they hire a project manager, if they hire a construction manager, they would make those same recommendations and I think moving
forward the town will be, you know, we're going to save money here. >> Thank you, Councilman Brusher. Thank you. Any other qu questions? Yes, sir. Joseph Romano, Edison, New Jersey. Mr. Brusher, you're
right. We have construction managers at JP Stevens. >> We do. >> Don Marshall, uh, JMI, all of the gymnasiums that we put up, they save us money.
problem that I have with Stelton. It's been a long time. Long time. What are we going to use the facility for? What p What purpose would we be using this building for?
I think my biggest problem is I want people to know what we're spending the money for. I've heard different things such as we have to put a giant tent over the building
if we demolish it because of the black mold, the green mold, and the asbestous. We've spent money on windows and parts part parts of the roof. That's the truth. I know that.
What is the end result? It's It's not the money. I I really It's not the money, but what is the end result? What are we building for? Where are we spending the money? And
what return are we getting from this property? To be perfectly honest, maybe I take up maybe I'll take and buy the building back for a $150 instead of a dollar.
I think there's people on the council know what that means. But I would like to have that as an elementary school, but I can't put kids in that school with black mold, green mold,
asbestous to renovate that facility to put children, your children in that facility. It's got to be done. It's got to be done right. So, a construction consultant,
sir, you know what I'm talking about. We not We have to have a plan to tell us what we're doing. If we're going to spend money on it, which I please, it's okay. But as long as we get to an end
result, give us a plan. That's all I want is a plan. I don't care what it cost, but give me a plan. Don't tell me I'm putting 25 new windows in and part of a part of a roof and then
come back to me, well, we need to do this or we need to No, Mr. Brresser, you know that at the end of the day, I look at architectural plans. I have people that sit there and go over it. In fact, the school
principles were just talked into giving us their idea about what they really need. It's not that we don't know what they need, but the principles, the teachers, the supervisors, they're the ones.
So before you make a big decision on this, honestly, give me an opportunity to sit down and listen to what your plans are. Thank you for your time. I I really hope that you
think about it. Thank you very much. >> You know, Council President, just real quick, if there's a way maybe that um Ken could get back to the administration because what Mr. Romano just said was um really enlightening. The residents don't
know really what goes on, but for the administration to determine what type of programming they want for the building and and the reason why I say that was the library had a certain thing. We were going to do a library renovation up on uh Grove Avenue and then when they came
up with the design, the director for the library said, you know, this doesn't work for the programming that I do. So we they they got a new architect. They redesigned everything, right? And the public doesn't know that we spent whatever it was hundreds of thousands of dollars, right? And it's just gone. But
instead of us doing that now, if we do that now where the administration can come up with what type of programming looking for the building and then speak to those type people like they do at the board ad where they'll go to the principal to see what their needs are. And and I understand what Mr. Romano was saying because I remember arguing with
one of my favorite principles um who who wanted like a larger auditorium um as opposed to classrooms and that was what he felt he needed as a tool. So when you go to the people for the programming I think that's um important
and if we could start that process you know maybe we get to the end and we're going to spend the money it's just a difference whether we spend 20 million or 30 million at the end of the day. Um, thank you for your comments. >> Thank you, Council President. Council >> President, I just before just just one
second before we kick this back and forth as council members, >> we're in the beginning stage of this happening. We're going through this process to find out. I'm quite certain there'll be input. If tomorrow morning we're building a 50,000 square foot building and we can divide on what we may need and what serves the public
best, whether it's today it's pingpong and tomorrow it's bad mitten, whether it's education rooms, whether it's practice rooms. Today we're going through a formality to to see whether we're able to keep the building or not. So I I don't I don't I'm not gonna stop anyone from speaking again, but this has
been a discussion for the 11 years I've been on the council with Councilman Patiel and uh these six years u wonderful years with council pressure and um and we've done we haven't done much and today we're doing something. So
I'm proud to say something's happening. I'm quite certain the mayor will have input from different colleagues we spoke to in the past some former members of the council. I'm quite sure we'll sit down and have public input on what this building, whatever size it'll be, will become. Uh, and let's hope it's for what
the future will be. Uh, that I will may never see, but to have an old building and rebuild it. I listen to Mr. Romano, it's it's ridiculous to even get in there. That's probably why they passed it up. But a a brand new building uh that could last a hundred years would be a wonderful opportunity for the township
of Edison. So, I'm sorry, Mr. Did I cover enough to brief briefly briefly fine. Very briefly no I everybody's >> yours everybody here that I could see is very you know our astute people who come to the uh council meetings and know this but for the public that may be out there
what we're talking about this building can only be used for recreation purposes. We the mayor just can't decide to put some type of other venue there. We are stuck with this being recreation unless we divert it. And if we divert it, that's a whole that's a whole
another animal right there. So, right now, the building would have to be used for recreation. I know everybody in this room knows that. >> Well, yeah, but you know, you know what? Like, let me just comment on that because when you say education, right, if you were going to do educational, I
mean recreational, if you were going to do recreational type things and you're going to do that for special needs children, right? that's different than um preparing kids for college sports. So, the programming and the
buildout of the of the building and the design and everything else would have to be taken into account. And that's where I'm going with the programming. It it doesn't matter to me so much what we're going to do, but that what we do is for that group, you know, that we're looking
to entice to use the building and the facility. Absolutely. I I just wanted to let the public We all know that. I just want the public to know that the mayor can't take this building and turn it into a hot dog stand. He's It's got to be recreation. >> Council President, if I may.
>> Um, so one of the options that was discussed many many years is school, right? Purpose of using for education for schools. Something that should be also considered. >> Okay. Listen, um, if I'm feeling that someone wants to start a committee and
head that, we'll discuss that later because I like the enthusiasm of everybody to sit back and discuss great ideas. Um, but we'll move forward in this. Um, thank you for your discussion. Any other members of the public that want to speak in resolutions? Miss Conway, >> Senator,
>> Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. I sat here listening to everyone speak and when I read the resolution that was the f first thing that popped into my mind. What are their plans down the road? Is it going to be another community center? Is it going to be
something related to recreation? Is it is it something going to be of an educational format? Not necessarily a school but some form of education. So I think we need to decide
that first. Where do we want to go with this before starting? So I'm asking you, I know some of you like to table things, but I think you think uh you need to think about this first and decide where do we want to go with this before we
spend uh a third of a million dollars. That's it. Dr. Nasser, Pleasant Avenue. So, I wanted to say that I with regards to Selton, I think that we're having a healthy discussion here and I do think that maybe a committee might be a good
idea. Um, also, um, I do want to go ahead and say that I'm in favor of R 104. I think that it'll be a great addition to this. Thank you. >> Thank you. Mr. Paris, did you want to speak? Did you have you hit? No. Okay, please
Ben's from medicine. Um, I know we've been talking about resolutions and I just want to uh wrap this up. I do approve all these resolutions except the healthy conversation that we all discussed about the Stton Community Center. So I really feel like we should
definitely should have recreational and half for education because we if you look at the statistics we do have a um uh people who are still have trying to have access to get their
GEDs. Okay. But there's a program out there and they're looking they're always going to Middle Sex County College have it over here at the Stelton so people can have access to get their degrees than waiting for a long time. But besides that, I do approve all all the
resolutions except if if this does get tabled for the R95. No, I'm sorry. R9 96. R96. I'm going to um agree with the public.
Listen to them. Let's get this done and uh let's let's literally save this building. This is this is a historic building and I've been there multiple times when I was a kid um from programs after school during the during the night
and even I still remember this day at the gymnasium. I I forgot the guy's the mayor's name, the Chinese guy when when we did the when they had the proposal of I used to go over there tell the guy like, "Hey, let's put a light at the uh at the D
close and Woodbridge Avenue when I got hit in a busy many years ago." I asked that guy, "Let's put a light down there." And that it started at the community center. So, let's give some light for the community center and let's pass these resolutions and get on to the to the main of the or petition remarks.
I have nothing to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments on the resolutions? Seeing none, have a motion to close the public portion. Motion to >> close. >> Second. >> Second. >> And second. All in favor say I. >> I.
>> I. Mo. The public portion is closed. We're going to move on the agenda. Um, council members. Uh, anybody who'd like to pull council pressure. Anything. >> 96. >> I'm sorry I can't hear you, sir.
096. >> Anything else? >> No. No. >> Councilwoman Dema, >> no. Nothing at this time. >> Um, council vice president. >> None. >> Counciloman Patel. >> No.
>> Council Patil. Council member Shuel. Anything? No. Okay. Uh so have a motion to adopt uh consent agenda without 096.
Okay. Removing 096 for a separate vote. I have a motion. >> Motion to adopt. >> Have a second. >> Second by Kento. Yep. >> Roll call. >> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel.
>> Yes. Council member Patiel. >> Council memberuel. >> Yes. >> Council president Coyle. >> Yes. >> Council member 096. >> Um. Yes. Well, I I spoke for 10 minutes before.
>> No, it was 14. It's okay. >> So, I I'm good at this point. >> All right. Let's see. You want a separate vote? >> Uh, yeah, if we could. >> Okay. Have a um a motion um for 096 to
adopt. >> Motion to adopt. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council member Brusher. >> No. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Patiel.
>> No. >> Council member. >> No. >> Council President Coyle. >> Yes. passes. >> Okay. Okay. We're at S at number 10, the oral
petition remarks. Uh M Miss Harris, >> Marggo Harris, Oak Hills Road, Edison. Um, first I want to thank uh Councilwoman Dimma for agreeing to serve as the liaison for the cultural cultural
arts commission. This is uh we we've just been feeling so stuck and rudderless and we're really really hoping that you can help to move us forward. So, thank you so much for for agreeing to that. Um, I also want to
thank the council for approving the introduction of the of the six minutes. Uh, just briefly to speak to you, Councilman Patel, as you were speaking your piece. Um, I didn't time it, but
your filib your filibuster went on for more than twice of four minutes. And that's that's fine except for I just find it ironic that you would be speaking so long about wanting to keep
limiting the public's time. And I really need you to to think about that. People want they want their they want to speak their peace for the six minutes. And yes, they can speak to various council members. They can do that. But sometimes
people want to be on record and they won't be on record if they speak to you privately. So I think that's just something you need to keep in mind. Uh moving on with the salary ordinance. What we don't have is what the new figures are. Are we able to to find out
what those are? >> We put on the back table for you. >> They're they're on the back table. >> I have them. I'll put it back as soon as >> Oh, okay. Well, so we're kind of in in the dark here right now. So even though the salary ordinance, the original one
was pulled thankfully. Um, and I'm not I don't know anything about the figure that's replacing it. I do want to respect >> Yeah. It's just >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, I had heard that unofficially. So, okay. So, um, I want to respectfully
>> the number is 26,500. the okay less than Woodbridge and we have a list of comparisons. Sorry to interrupt you. >> Um so um that's still steep. That's still well over a 50% increase. And >> no it's not
>> from 175 and from 175 that's like that's a 50% increase. Do you you can do you can do your math. Anyway, um I do want to go back and respectfully challenge statements made by you, Council President Coyle, at the January 28th meeting in response to the public's
clear disapproval of the original ordinance because my comments are just as valid with the new proposal for council raises. Um, you stated at the January 28th meeting that council responsibilities have changed, but Octar and I actually looked into this claim
and in fact there have been no changes to the charter since 2019, which means that nothing at all has changed from 2019 through my council term from 2022 to 2025 and right through the present. So your statement is simply not true. In addition, you justify this colossal
increase with the claim that this will open things up for candidates with less of lesser means. Two things are wrong with this claim claim. One, as I stated in my remarks at the same meeting, no one should be looking to be serving on council primarily to support their families. People serving on council
should be doing so first and foremost because they want to serve our community, as is the case with members of the board of ed. Second, council president, you know as well as I that Edison being the overwhelmingly Democratic town that it is. The reality is the council candidates are chosen first by the EDO screening process, but
the MCDO has the final say, and that's the bulk of where the campaign financing comes from. Admittedly, in 2021, the mayor, John Pointer, Nish Patel, and I were the beneficiaries of that process. And in 2023, you and Councilman Patil were the beneficiaries. And I'm I'm
running out of time unfortunately. I'm going to have to come back to this. Thank you. >> Yeah. Yep. Second. Uh thank you Margot. As far as your question um and your
comments uh in the ordinance as written uh council's responsibility, I think if each one of us sat here and tried to get elected on based on what the ordinance claims, I don't think anybody would get elected. Um it's obvious that the public demands more
for what we should do and how we should react and how we should be available. There's no question that residents believe we should be available 24 hours. We should react to pipe main breaks. We should react to public safety issues. Uh we should be involved in our financial
process. We should be involved in snow uh conditions, plowing and maintaining the streets. We should react to their comments and questions and their emails. So, uh, it's it's my position. The responsibility has has changed by the
comments of the residents. And now it's it's it's fine you disagree. It's perfectly fine. But you know what I admire about you is I caucused with you and you supported Andy Kim for the US Senate and he was the underdog in that room. He truly was. And you stood your
ground. And uh I do admire Andy Kim uh as a US senator and I believe a a introductory salary for those who want to strive to be in elected office is a wonderful opportunity and there's no
question across decades this salary has not been for middle income people. It has not. Okay. And that's just my position. You don't have to agree with it, you know, and and I think it's uh a great opportunity for other people to get involved. We talk about uh
volunteerism every day and and tell me where it is. Tell me where it is where where so many great organizations are today. Uh so uh so this is my opinion. Uh thank you for your comments. I appreciate that very much. And thank you
for supporting US Senator uh Andy Kim. And who's next? Yes, Anthony Damarind, uh, Edison. First of all, uh, let me start off by wishing Thomas Edison a happy birthday. Um, I don't know how that goes unnoticed
there, but it is his, you know, I I I've mentioned this before, council president, that we have a Edison just has a bad, we just don't do a good enough job of re recognizing Thomas Edison and what this town is, you know, it's named after. And uh I think we need to do a better job of that. It's his
birthday, I believe, today. Somebody um could could double check that, but it is Thomas Edison's birthday today. So, um >> happy birthday to him. Um, next thing, um, you know, it it's regarding the ordinance for the six
minutes. Um, and I I don't support it actually, and I'll tell you why. Um, because if it's not attached to having a back and forth and a conversation, then it doesn't really mean much. Like somebody said up here, uh, most people won't even use that time. And anybody
that really needs to use full six minutes is usually because when they after they ask a question, what ends up happening is they stop and they wait for an answer. Like that's normal a normal behavior to to uh you know to to do in
communication. So um that it's missing that part and without that it's it's just some like I said some things need to be talked out. I don't know why we don't have the back and forth. And if you're asking for a salary increase, it is not unreasonable to be asking to have
a back and forth and six minutes or whatever. But me, I need both. Otherwise, it's really it's not doesn't really do much. Um, but a couple, you know, speaking of which, you know, I in regards to putting this on the agenda, I I I I listened to um the January 28th. I
I came in here I think late, but all the way at the end the council vice president made a comment saying that he wanted to I believe put the this that ordinance on the agenda. Um but I guess it was too late. I'm paraphrasing, but uh it was it was too late. He they
couldn't do it. So, but he had spoken to the council president and the council president agreed to put it on the agenda. Fast forward to Monday's meeting. before Monday's meeting. I I looked at the agenda online and I didn't see it on the
on the agenda to only then come to the meeting late on Monday. And I hear that the council I see I hear the council vice president I found this out after the meeting cuz I I had to go play it back. He I guess what do they call it? Walk it on. He had to
walk it on. Why is that? Why did he have to do that when he had the support apparently of the council president. So either one or two things would would go on there. either the council council vice presidents not being forthcoming on that um and that conversation didn't happen. But I don't I find that hard to
believe because you would have corrected him right then and there if that was the case. So I don't know what happened, what transpired, but why wasn't put on the agenda originally? Why did he have to walk it on? I know you don't support it and I we've had those conversations. I already knew you didn't support it, but
you didn't correct them on the 20 the at the end of the 28th meeting. So and it wasn't on yesterday's meeting. So, I was just curious to know if there was an explanation for that. Um, also I had an opportunity to speak some to uh to individuals uh who work uh at Herbert Hoover um and and other more families
regarding uh you know the utilizing the greenway um and building a a um walkway um a very lit up type of walkway. I've explained it before. So, there's building some support there. They absolutely love it and it'll obviously help with a lot of the
traffic. So, um I I'm I'm hoping to reach out maybe with some of the commissioners um at the county. I know it's a county road. So, um but again, I'll just keep bringing that up. And um and that's uh that is really Oh, I did Thomas Edison's birthday. That's right.
I already said that. And um that's it for me. So, all right. >> Council President. >> Thank you, Council Vice President. >> Yeah. Um, so to clarify that, I agreed to after the fact walk it on. I knew there was going to be some contest up
here with it, so I figured if I if I walked it on and it failed, it would die just there. So, I I agreed to that with Joe afterwards. >> Council President, if I may. >> Yes. >> So, uh, Mr. Diamin, you brought a point about the greenway. Who were the kids walking? Something that I'm personally
aware of and people had brought it to my attention before when I was in board of it. So I know it's a county road and that those kind of lights there in Matach and all over and we also have it in Edison. I know one on Park Avenue we have and something that is very good
very safe for for the kids. It really helps those kids. Uh so certainly I think I believe county it's a county road so that's county commissioner is right but um you know get anything we can do from the township side to look into it. I think that's a good safety uh
concern for the kids and see if we can look into it. Thank you. >> Okay, sure. Please come up. >> I'm Miss Lis another circle Edison. uh want to talk about the I guess the recent snowstorm we had and I really I'm
really glad that the town uh in you know enforced their ordinance that they had to uh ticket cars or and or tell them that we're on the streets during the snowstorm to help the people plow that's all well and good but what we
need to what what would I you know I would recommend to the the township would the they send you send out those mailers with about the Edison light or whatever it's called.
Put some dos and don'ts in there. If it snows, don't park your car on the street. If it snows, do shovel. If it snows, do this. If it's just as a way to go and to reinforce what the people need
to do in the in the event of a snowstorm. the town the town plowed the streets and that was good. But I've noticed a new phenomenon going on in the town uh
driving around. Uh when the people go and shovel their driveways out, some people are nice and abiding, law abiding. They take and they shovel their snow onto the apron
so that the street is now open. What I've been noticing is instead of people going and and uh taking their putting their snow in the right spot, they're actually lining out from their from the apron
snow piles which are now, you know, icebergs, making it just as difficult to drive on the street than if a car was parked there, which I think is ludicrous. So that needs to be addressed with this
news, you know, this dos and don'ts because otherwise, you know, people can't just, you know, you can't just drive down the street, two people can't pass each other. You got to wait. So, but you know, I'm glad that what the town did and, you know, enforcing their
ordinance, you know, remove your cars from the street. That was great. Next thing I want to talk about is money. with the money that the town that the township is spending to give raises to individuals
and what's being reintroduced uh for the you know raises that affect you council you know we can hire police officers we can hire firemen uh fire
people we can hire DPW people in lie of you know giving money to the to the 1enters, let's call them, working in in business when when I had to when I had to, you know, look for re
my review, I I'd have to do a review. 3% was a lot was the average raise that normally normal businesses give their individuals. The government gave me a 2.8% 8% cost of living, not 120%.
I think it's ludicrous that the monies that this town is shelling out, you can go and go to the well so often before it runs dry and it's getting to that point where you need to you need to tighten your belts a little bit. We're kicking
the money down the road in the form of bonds and all that. So, our taxes are staying fairly level, but I think you need to tighten your belts, forego all these re all these increases and, you know, and and work with the
people. >> Thank you for your comments. Um, first I just wanted to make comments on your newsletter to-do list. If you'd like to send an email to the clerk about the few things you discussed just to
quantify each great idea. I think it's something we could entertain and do something and have a page of some dos and don'ts. I'll ask the administrator to entertain that. I do like it and thank you for bringing that to our attention. As far as the snow, if you have some photographs of these
particular homes, uh I'll be sure to see if I can get Zony out there and look at that. And like I've mentioned before to other people, we had a 20-year storm. It it's really challenging to quantify 40,000 driveways across the township, 750 lane miles of curbs, and get it all
right. And I and I'll have to say I I tip my hat to DPW and the great work they did because when you look at what matters, you look at other towns, the first thing you're concerned with is can an ambulance get to your house? And we made sure of that. you know, we we made sure fire uh safety and and public
safety and police can get to your home and we cleared main roads. We in prior to this uh me several coun several council members on this day um have been through DPW. We've done preliminary uh preparation checks in August. Uh
recently uh new members of the council, Councilman uh Patel and Councilman Kentos supervised and looked at DPW what was going on there. So, uh, I think we're doing a great job and we'll we'll see how we can make some improvements with zoning. So, thank you for those comments.
>> Um, anybody else from public? >> Yes, Miss Conway. >> Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. Um, at tonight's meeting, you pulled two ordinances and then reintroduced uh basically the same ordinance with
other facts and figures in it, but I looked to the back to find out what the specifics were and it's not in the back uh to look at. Uh, how can we get a a copy of that so we can uh look at it? Because usually if we want any uh
questions uh we can go to the back of the room and and we could get it. I know it you were running late tonight, but >> am I stopping? >> No, I can't stop. >> I next item. >> I'm sorry to interrupt you. I'll stop
the clock real quick. Um, it's being put back there now. I apologize. It I thought it was being done. Apparently, we have her doing another project right now and she can't leave her deis, but the clerk just put it back there. I apologize.
And this is just an introduction so it people have time to look at it. Uh there's it's not being voted on tonight. >> Uh my second item is uh the snow plowing. Uh it was rather uh hard to do
because it was kind of multiple storms. So, I know my husband and I, who are not spring chickens, went out to plow and shovel our property when it was snowing so we would get a handle on it. But then
it changed and then the snow plows came at us in both directions and all our work was undone. So, we had to go back out again. So, we actually went out three times, but I sent um a text to DPW
with my questions and concerns about plowing in my neighborhood as it is. So, I'm not going to bring it here, but I do notice and I want to bring it up because Inman Avenue has not they normally do the um
landscaping work during the warm weather on the grass on Inman Avenue, but yet they didn't do the the sidewalk. And I know people are still walking down Inman Avenue and they're walking out in the street. And I don't think Inman Avenue
is the greatest place to be walking out in the street. So, if you could have somebody uh look into that and coming out onto Inman Avenue itself on the corners, you literally have to come out onto Inman Avenue to look both ways. So,
if you could pass that on, I'd appreciate it before someone gets hurt. Uh and my third thing is, uh I'm going to ask again. Uh, I thought we were going to find out who the committee liaison are to the various committees
and commissions. Um, >> I'm just going to wait till you're finished. I'm sorry. >> No, and as far as the other things are concerned, we need to really think about what we're doing when we talk about the four to the six minutes.
It is a number, but it's a number that's been going on for years, and it seemed like a slap in the face to the public when it was brought back to uh four minutes. Now, I can talk for more than
six minutes, but I tried to watch the clock and now limit myself to four minutes, but then I'll notice, oh, I forgot this item. And then I don't get a chance to go back up. Whereas the six
minutes does give you a little more time to think about it. And as far as the rebuttal is concerned, is that going to be in in it? Because if I ask a question and you come back with a question that I
really cannot accept and I would like to uh check on it, we're not getting that chance either. Like for instance, right now I I'll go look and I realize that it was a a confusion tonight, but ordinarily if something else comes up,
we don't have a right to do a rebuttal. And that should be part of it. But I just felt from the very beginning it was a learning experience and less people are now coming for me to learn from.
>> Thank you. Um, madam clerk, if we can get the exact address from Miss Conway and go out, send DPW out there. Cat, I'll I don't know if we heard the exact address on Inman Avenue, but we'll get it. >> Yeah, if I will give you my card after
this and if you could just send me an email or to the clerk as well with the exact location of that along Inman Avenue, we can have DPW take a look. Thank you. >> Or just tell us tonight. I I'll stay after the meeting. Eminent Grove >> Grove to Church Hill. Is that correct? Thank you.
>> Okay. We'll get them out there right away. Um liaison, we've I finalized our committees and I'll be distributing that tomorrow. So, each member of the council will get it by 12:00.
>> Oh, we're closed tomorrow. So, I may Well, I can't distribute myself, but I will Well, unfortunately, it won't affect much. So since we're closed, so we'll we'll get it out on Tuesday. Tuesday, but it is completed.
Okay. And I'll discuss it with council members. Um, and you asked a question. This introduction is back there and there's no rebuttal on it. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? Uh, please. Bill Bassoff, Beach Lane Edison. Uh
first of all four cheers to the council for putting on the agenda uh restoration of the six-minute speaking time. Uh my question would be since the council depends on input from the public to do
its job more effectively, how does limiting the the public's time to only four minutes make it better for the council to respond to to the public? Um, another question is, uh, there's a
budget deadline coming up. The, uh, Division of Local Government Services, uh, has issued, um, some extensions to the statutory deadlines, but, but the, uh, the extended deadlines are are coming up. Um, the the first council
meeting after February is March 11th, and that's the deadline for the administration to submit the proposed budget to the council. Uh so my question is is that deadline going to be complied with? Is the budget in the works? Uh
then with regard to affordable housing, there's a deadline. Um the administration opted rather than to participate in a um uh uh an arbitration procedure set up by
the department of community affairs to resolve any discrepancies in the affordable housing numbers. Uh the township decided to embark on a path of litigation in superior court. Uh that's been a spectacular failure because the
court confirmed the numbers that were originally assigned by the state. Um the township is going to have to provide for that number of affordable housing, which means that uh you have to multiply that by five to come up with the total amount
of of housing that the township is going to have space for. But in any event, the deadline for the township to present its fair housing plan to Superior Court is March 1st. Um, so is that something that
the township is prepared to comply with? And then after that, there's a deadline in April for the township to actually amend its zoning code to comply with the fair housing plan that's been presented to the court. and is that something
that's in the works? Is that something that the council is prepared to comply with? Now, also uh under the rubric of land use since the existing zoning code has been
in existence, uh the zoning code has a definition for warehouse and a definition for truck terminals. And that's way out of date because now with 21st century e-commerce um there's also distribution centers uh
and fulfillment centers and each of these uh four types of logistics centers. The the warehouses, distribution centers, fulfillment centers and truck terminals generate different amounts and different types of vehicular traffic. and they have uh
widely disparit uh impacts on existing neighborhoods and many of the zones where these facilities exist impact residential areas. So uh in previous years the township that the
council talked about coming up with modern 21st definitions for logistics centers uh that didn't happen. Uh, will the council do that this term? Those are my questions.
>> I'm just waiting for time to expire if you have any other questions. >> I use my time efficiently and your time as well. >> Well, first Mr. Bass, if I received your email, thank you for the very welldetailed email and I'll discuss that
with the administration. I'm sure other council members include Mr. pressure. Uh we're working with affordable housing. So your questions are great and we will provide you answers to that. Uh do you want to make any comments first on this? >> Uh no, I can't talk about the litigation
itself. Um and I know Mr. Manello has had conversations with Mr. Bassoff about a number of these issues. I don't know how recent those conversations are. Uh and I don't want to misrepresent our current position >> for having >> Yeah, I I am trying to set that up with
with Mr. Zingaro I to he was away he is back now so I'm trying to get him on your schedule. >> We are going to go into close session on that. So but you have some great questions. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. You just discussed warehouse distribution fulfillment centers. um other council members in the
past have brought it uh to our attention and it failed and uh but I we are looking at opportunities in the residential zones uh with the master plan to see what we can uh adjust and identify but um I'm not in favor of
taking any of this away from our warehouse districts that are not in the residentials areas at all. You know, we're fortunate to have an assessment of 7.5 billion dollars in assessment because of, you know, our centers, you know, and we are blessed to have what
Edison has for our tax paid. So, I would never make a modification knowing we can never predict what the future is in the markets for warehouse to make changes. Um, it just would be financial suicide to change the opportunity that we have in those sections. But what I will agree
with you is that the residential sections that would interrupt uh the lifestyle of families there and the quality of life. Uh that's something we'll continue to take a look at. >> Thank you. Anybody?
>> Sure. Please. >> Did you want to address? >> No. And I forgot the your budget questions. Mr. B, could you hold for one minute? Did you stop her time? >> His budget questions. Could we answer some of his budget questions for the timelines that we're going to meet?
>> Yes, we're actively uh administration's actively working on developing the 2026 municipal budget and we will do our best to comply with the uh guidance from the local finance board and the new state law that changed budget introduction
deadline to March 31st. >> Thank you. Um, and I just want to share with Mr. Bass off for about 10 administrations, for 10 straight years, we never were on track more than this administration with Mayor Sam Jooshi. So, I I thank the administration for
getting ahead of it with uh our finance team, but it never happened and no one ever questioned it. But thank you for bringing it to our attention. I'm ready. >> Sumalone Barber, Pleasant Avenue. Um, I just want to thank uh, Vice President
Rob Kentos for for bringing up the ordinance to restore uh, the public speaking time to six minutes and thanks to this new council for um, voting to introduce it. Um, I I completely agree
um, with uh, Councilman Patiel that it's a restoration of time that was in place for years. Um, and because of the drama that we experienced a year and a half
ago ago, um, it was implemented in my opinion to control the public and, um, I think that's behind us and I think six minutes will not materially change the
the structure of the meetings. Um, you know, if 10 people speak two more minutes, you're talking 20 minutes. uh it's it's not the end of the world and it will send a message to the public I think because ever since it was taken
away people have been crying for it to come back um and I think it sends a message from this new council that um you're listening and uh I think it would
be great if you um could approve it. >> Thank you. Thank you, Dr. No, >> Dr. Nasser, Pleasant Avenue. So, I wanted to share um a quick update from the last combined council meeting. Um
during the recent sto snowstorm, a car violated the snow cleaning ordinance and was ordered to move by police. A few days later, I saw that person and her sons trying to remove their two cars that were parked on the street. And short story, long story short, I helped
them and we're good. So, I'm glad to see that that came about. Getting back to business, I wanted to talk about if we could pass a clarification amendment for ordinance 2234-2024. I tried talking to um the lawyer here and we've gone back and forth, but we
haven't resolved anything. I don't feel like the information there is clear enough for the planning board, for the public, for the spirit of what it was written for. Again, I want to know if all the parts have to be looked at in
some to decide on a development or not, or can a developer just use like one thing like parking or something like that and say, you know what, forget about the rest of it. regarding the TRC changes. Um, last time I was speaking about this and I
wanted to thank uh Sonia for uh getting me in touch with um the lawyer as well to talk about um what my question was. And the problem that I have is that it seems like the council has stripped the power from the people. They will not know about a development happening until
it's too late and they'll only have 10 days to do their research and try to go ahead and decide what's the best way to represent themselves at the planning board meeting. On the issue of sidewalks, I have something with compliance. There's the ordinance that
says you have 12 hours after a storm to clean up the sidewalks. And so I was thankful for Councilman Patel, Sonia, and Jim. uh these are the people that we have to um contact uh zoning um and not the council. We're putting a lot on your
plate and that's one of the things that we have to figure out like what is your job? Your job is to legislate. We don't have to come and overburden you by these things but we need to know what exactly your function is and I think that has to be documented somewhere explained and I'm thinking that we could use AI to
help with that. There can be AI chat bots on the website and that will totally make your job a lot easier and also allow us to get to the right places instead of asking you all the time. With respect to infrastructure, there are places that have been asking since 2024
about places where next to Wedro Wilson, probably other schools as well. I have not looked at it until I'm successful with Wedro Wilson. I'm not looking at the other ones yet. There are places that students have to play hopscotch. they're on the sidewalk, then they're on the road, and it's not safe. Um,
unfortunately, we were able to get some of the sidewalks that had snow um by zoning to be cleaned up for the residents. With regards to the salary ordinance that got pulled, again, your job is to legislate and we want you to
do that effectively. Um, I I don't know that we have to consider political implications with that. Um, I know that you everyone wants you to have a job that's 24/7. If I look at my phone right now, I looked at it earlier. I have emails that are coming at 7 8:00 and
it's consistent. Um, again, I I do answer them. Um, not required to in the past. Yeah, the day ended at a certain time and there was nothing further after that. But you know what with technology that's just how it goes. Finally, I want to talk about this. Um, we're talking
about compensation. I've seen lots of compensations throughout the last couple years, but have we increased the salary for our clerks? They are the backbones of this council and they facilitate by answering questions from me and everybody else. And with the Oprah that
we put on them, we've asked them for a whole lot. Finally, this was something that I forgot to ask because I'm not feeling so well. Can Stelton be sold back to the schools and then maybe we develop it as a school? Thank you. Can we can can we go with the last
question first? >> Um can can can uh Stton be sold back to the schools? >> Council President. Yeah, it would have to be there'd have to be a diversion program. And it's my understanding um
that since since Rossi, the school, whoever's purchasing it would have to give us the same property, the same size property, but the same quality. So, if there's a building there now, they would have to give us property where we could
build a building. The problem is we're running out of property here in Edison. So, the school would have to trade us something. I think the only property I I mean, you I I could give you a more extensive answer in email, but I think the the only property the school system
has right now to give us is some property maybe behind uh TJ. >> Um I know the the property up north is all swamp land, you know, behind the schools. So, I I think it would be behind TJ is the only tradable property and even then there's other requirements
for the diversion. So, Well, the the um that swamp land. >> What? >> The the swamp land. Actually, there's um they have pockets. The the board ad did a study. So, they could actually build fields in the middle in in sections. Um
it didn't help facilitate a roadway they were looking to put through. Um so, they didn't do anything, but but they do have areas in there that um actually they could use for recreation, >> right? But the quality problem here is there's a building there, a nice gigantic building. We wouldn't we'd need
property where we would be allowed to put that building up. >> Yeah, that's TJ is their only option. And TJ is only um 200 yards away, >> right? >> I mean, you ain't getting any closer than TJ. >> You're not. >> Um but, you know, at the end of the day,
I I don't know how the the board of ed was working on that. I I don't know what the the problem was, you know, the the entire time. I I had heard something about a road behind TJ that they may have to put in a road if they were going to do a diversion, but again, that would need a complete analysis again to figure
that out. >> Um, okay. Just on that question alone, I I don't think we're ever going to sell it back to the school and it, as long as I'm here, I would never recommend that. And I think a good part of this council would agree. We have the opportunity in our hands now. We've sat on it this
long. Let's make it something. Um, why they took a pass at it, I don't have the answer. Why they don't take a bite out of the apple when property sitting right in front of them. I I don't interrupt the board of ed and what they do and I think they do a pretty good job. They have a good superintendent and leadership there, but uh it's really not
up to me. But today, I think we're going to move forward and do something great there. Um, thank you for addressing the sidewalks and reaching out to um Jim Mayot and and getting some of that done. I'm sorry not all the school sidewalks were completed. We did reach out to
administration to coordinate with DPW to get to those other sidewalks. Uh they are still out there today doing more work. The TRC I I will look into seeing where we could notify the residents of when a plan comes. I think that is
important. uh very important that you uh get familiar with what has been proposed when accepted by the township and it so I I do hear you on that and I think that's certainly uh something that's very important 2234
um at this moment I don't have a perfect answer for you I mean I think the planning board is under the interpretation and takes each application under advisement and each they vote on it according to that I mean the planner
you know makes reports on what comes to as an application per application so I mean it's it's up to the discretion of that board uh for that so I don't know if you're looking for advice from us to interpret you know line by line what this ordinant spells out and I think
that would be a challenge because e even if we were to tell you as you can read what it is interpreted they can interpret something different but really comes down to the planner which we have a new planner and I if there's an opportunity we can get a chance for you to meet with that person and it would be
helpful give give them we don't have any applications pending today on Amboy Avenue I wish we did but we don't we don't because of the investment versus the value it's just not there so um but I I I do want you to see some
um opportunity in clearing up identifying the parking issue and a couple things you that. So, great questions. Um, today I I I can't give you an answer because the interpretation of that board and the planning board and their planners, but I could ask through the administration to see if we can get a professional answer from the planner
who would re reach out to you. So, did you send I didn't get an email. Did you get send me an email on this specifically? >> I I was going back and forth with the lawyer and at some point I was with Kentos, but then I stopped. >> Which which member of my firm was it? Mr. Renown or
>> it was um yeah it was Renown. Um okay Aaron >> yeah Aaron I had asked Aaron to look into it and Aaron was that that's why I had the puzzled look on my face. I was I don't recall this but >> I mean we can do this all day which I prefer not to. I'd prefer our attorney
not to speak to you about this because it's really interpretation of the planning board. we're we're we're not a part of their decisions and their planner and their expert is going to respond to the application based on its merits and we don't have any jurisdiction to change that what they interpret and what they vote on. I mean,
I hear your point, but I I I don't think we're going to be able to change what's been already modified, you know. >> But that's why I was asking about the clarification amendment. You guys can do that. >> Okay. So, let let me um let me pass this over to uh the
administration and the new the new planner. I'd like to see what their response is. Is that fair? >> Thank you. >> Okay. And I don't have anything else on my list for you. >> Just the the sidewalk. If we can figure out how to tie all the sidewalks together. There's some missing here and
there by schools. >> Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Anybody else? I'm sorry. We have a lot of people. Joyce >> number uh Joyce uh ship Freeman Edison, New Jersey. I would first like to thank
the administration and the council for not acknowledging Martin Luther King's birthday or African-American Heritage Month. Thank you very much. Um, another thing I want to discuss is
about the six minutes which is so ironic is somebody spoke for nine almost 10 minutes on why we only need four minutes. Talk about irony. That's what you get in an English class. All right. And another thing I want to discuss is
we still have a food desert down on the north side of town. I thought that maybe because we're getting housing down there that someone would encourage someone to do something. And
I don't call on the county on the council members to do stuff. I just call Pat Coyle. Pat Coyle if you have community concerns and stuff. That's what happens. Now, in discussing the salary 26 or whatever, and you compare
yourself to WBridge, each one of those council members at large, they have an actual town. Like, they almost the mayor of the town. You think you deserve as much as they do, and they're actually the mayor of their town. They all have whole towns to to
take care of at all. And like I said before, like I always stated, I always think that people are grifters, but I'm not talking about everybody up there because I've looked up there and I've seen some people have a mind of their own. So they understand and they know, okay? While some people are just in it
to see how much money they can get because um job-wise because all of the jobs for most people in America, uh we're the job market is is really bad. But I do remember I like
to mention uh council member AJ Patil when we were discussing the opening salaries the opening salaries of the people who work here every single day and wondering why at that time they wasn't even
meeting minimum wage. But you want the same thing that a person who works all day gets and I deserve it. And then you tell me about living stand and you tell me about these other high pollutant towns here or there. I you kill me how
you compare yourself to different things. You kill me how you compare yourself. To me it's just ridiculous. And it's just like I I I don't even know why you do it. And then they were talking about him saying putting different things in your mail or whatever. Why don't you just put it in
the tax bill like you put in there that everybody who doesn't vote for the mayor's budget, you get a slap on the hand through the tax bill, he sends it to us. So instead of wasting your time uh saying bad stuff about your other council people, you can just put that
inside the envelope, you know, because you're going to put something in there anyway. And also about Dave Tingle. I think that's just like terrible cuz I told Dave Tingle before I said I don't know if I was okay with that before. But then I realized
the police opened up the contract. This is before election. The mayor gave them raises on part-time. So, a guy like Dave Tingle who's taking care of us, who's a
veteran, who who does everything for the military he's supposed to, he's going to get cheated out of money because he's doing stuff for the United States of America. So, I just want y'all to just think about it. Think about the food desert
and how times are hard and how times are getting there and the time just ran out. You know, some people will use It depends on what night it is whether you'll use the six minutes or not. Thank you. >> Thank you.
Anyone else? John. >> Thank you, Council President, Council Vice President. Before I begin, can you give something to distribute to the council? >> Sure. Thank you. John Pointer, Roosevelt Boulevard. >> You want to pause for a minute so we
just so we don't kill your time where we're passing these around? >> Stop this clock. Did you just print these out now? >> Earlier. >> Yeah. Nice. Okay.
>> How do you afford to print? >> Isn't that one now? Okay. >> Well, wait. Let's wait for a moment. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Good evening, council members. As you know, Amboy Avenue has been a central
topic of discussion for this council over the past several years. As one of the township's primary commercial corridors, its success matters not only to this body, but to the residents as well. With several additional properties recently listed for sale, I believe
focus must remain on how we increase economic activity along Amboy Avenue. Over years of discussion, one consistent concern I've heard is the lack of an anchor business or anchor building that draws people into the corridor. A few years ago, the administration showed a
willingness to invest in the neighborhood by budgeting to bond and purchase property to potentially create that anchor. Unfortunately, that effort was derailed by misinformation. I dis disagree with the decision then and still do. I believe the township should
move forward with purchasing property for the proposed for the purpose of revitalizing Amboy Avenue. That leads to the next obvious question. What property and what goes there? Tonight, I am asking the council to advocate and support the purchase of the J Dynasty
property and construct a community center. What I've provided to you tonight is a variation of a concept I have already shared with the administration. I share it with you tonight to hopefully assist the council in envisioning something for Amboy
Avenue. Obviously, I'm not an architect or an engineer and any project would require professional design and review. I believe this idea made sense for several reasons. First, it would be an additional social and recreational resource for youth, adults, and seniors.
Second, central Edison would get a community center to complement Stelton in the south and mini beville in the north. Third, increased foot traffic could support existing businesses and help attract new ones, like the goals of the
redevelopment plan. Fourth, it removes one of the largest parcels on Amboy Avenue from being developed in a way that significantly increases density. Fifth, it could partner with the nearby Stewart property to host larger community events. And finally, it could
support the li it could help supporting the Clarebarton Library for providing additional space for programming. The J Dynasty property has been for sale for over two years and is one of the largest single lot parcels on Amboy Avenue. Due to its proximity to the
turnpike overpass, it could serve as a focal point when entering and exiting the corridor, helping define the neighborhood's character. From a design design standpoint, we could respect the Clarabartan history and draw from the Clarabarton heritage. I believe this
type of investment could be a catalyst for reinvestment along Amboy Avenue. It aligns with residents expectations, serves the public interest, and addresses a corridor in need of revitalization. I hope the administration, council, and
residents will support action on this opportunity. I thank you for that time. with that just for people at home's reference. And again, not an architect, not licensed, not professional, but in terms of just showing a visualization of
what could go there, you could have an over 10,000 square foot active facility for the public purpose for the residents of Edison Township. With that, I yield the rest of my time. Thank you, Council President.
>> Sean, thanks for a great job you did on this. I remember getting an email from you. This uh printout looks much better than the email. Um we'll we'll share this under the council and and um certainly take it under
advisement. I don't know the direction of where the mayor is going. I think u one thing you said right was uh the public uh and some some most of the people got together in that area had a blank check of $5 million to purchase
property to do some great things on the block and through misinformation it foiled I think now uh they may see a different light whatever they choose to do uh with the mayor is fine but um you know I I can't speak for
could go there. But I certainly as it's wonderful to see a plan that comes together because what I believe, you know, residents don't always understand is that the J Dynasty has a chance to be whatever it wants to be. It's it it can go into zoning and be a laundromat tomorrow morning. It could be is
something different. Um uh and or a different small mini box store or retail. It could be something that some residents may not want. uh creating something that will last 100 years is a great idea. So, um much appreciated. Uh let's see where it goes together. Any
any council comments? Seeing none, can any other members of the public? I had some back there. JJ, good evening. Ben from Edison. I just wanted to appreciate uh the public works for all their hard work during this
snowstorm. This is one of the the biggest ones I ever haven't seen since I think blizzard 96. Still asking for those statistics studies of the snow snowfall that we got that on that year and from there and now. Um
also I restarted my traveling agency. I'm still in training. I'm not fully fully set up yet. There's a lot of um it's frequent uh with the traveling agency. There was just a restricted air zone somewhere in uh El Paso, Texas. Al
Paso, Texas if I'm miss if I'm saying correctly. And then that guy uh waved away cuz it was uh indicated around 11:30 last night and then uh they waved that off as well. So, thank God there's no threat in El Paso, Texas. So, I have
some uh fans out there. So um by saying this the mirror speech was great. Um I had a little bit of concerns. I spoke to the administration won't talk publicly. Um but I will say this
um this was great over the years that the mayor approved uh from the Edison Sports Building, Edison Jets. I feel like we still got more work to do with the Stone Community Center. Hopefully that can be a big piece of the PU puzzle
that we can all can get on to that. Also, snowstorm. I think we should be having another snowstorm this weekend. I took a look at the weather channel. They said it might get another 6 to 12. I'm not sure how accurate is that. Um, if we
take a look at the GFS, European, all those models as well. Looks like we are might be having a little 50/50 we're getting any snow or we're not going to get snow, it's going to be 1 to 3 in or you know, let's let's keep an eye on that. Also, download the shoveler. If
anyone needs help with shoveling snow, please download the shoveler. I am one of my I'm also a shoveler as well. Get on the app, >> type in or you can Google search it. not Google search, excuse me, app. Uh, if you have an Android Apple, make sure you type in, please type in shoveler,
download it. If you're requesting services, they're there 24 hours a day when there's a nearest shoveler person uh who who is in your region as well. I made a lot of good money on that app, by the way, during that snow storm. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. I took that took that
money to the uh AM AMC um movie theater to watch the movie um Mercy Mercy movie. Really recommended it. Hopefully there's no Judge Madox. Oh, wait. I think that's him. No, never mind.
Anyway, I really appreciate this uh moment to talk. I know I haven't been on here. I'm going to be here more frequently. At least I'm giving my four minutes of talking time so I don't have to hear four minutes of music if you know what I mean. Thank you. But no
thanks. Let's talk then put in the music for those four minutes by the way. But anyway, I have nothing to say. Great job everyone. And also thank you to the fire department who came to my house. Um this past weekend I had a little bit of a electricity power outage down there.
Uh they also hooked up a fire detector. Um they're giving out fire detectors. If they don't have If you don't have one, they'll they'll set you up right now. They set me one up. Really appreciate Andy uh Chief Andy for this and appreciate the police department as well with Chief Brian from last week's
conversations disclosed. But anymore, thank you everyone. Let's get things done. This is Ben from Edison. We'll see you on the next one. >> Thank you. There any other members of the public that wish to speak? Um, can I entertain a motion to close the public portion?
>> Motion. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> You have a motion to adjourn. Oh, hold on. Did you want We we had something on the ending agenda for Thomas Edison. I'm sorry, Mr. Kentos. >> Oh, um, yeah. Let Let us not um anyone
forget that um we do remember Thomas Edison's birthday, February 11th. I think it was 1847. If I'm wrong, um, I'll probably get in trouble. Um, I encourage everybody to, um, visit the tower, visit the museum up there. We have a great director up there,
Kathleen. She does an awesome job. So, you know, encourage people to do that. And, um, I can leave you with this. My second great grandmother's fondest memory, which she wrote about many times, was when her fa her father took her on a hayride to see Thomas Edison light up Menllo Park. So traveling from
the south end of Edison um all the way to u Menllo Park would have been a very long ride back then. So that's all. >> And last, happy birthday to Martin Luther King. We did celebrate and have like we've always had for decades at the Minville Center. We did a wonderful
celebration for Martin Luther King and we had a great turnout. Wonderful. Can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion before Brasher. >> We can adjourn. Motion. >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Oh, okay. Have a second.
>> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. This meeting has ended 9:27. Thank you. >> Okay.