two >> one. >> Good evening everybody. Uh today is the combined meeting of July 20th uh work session and combined meeting. Today is a approval of our budget. We have budget on the list. That's why you see more people here today. Um, we were caucusing
just now to make sure we have a quorum, but also a quorum to pass the budget. So, at this time, we're waiting for a member uh to come so we can pass the budget, which is most important uh in today's meeting. So, I I'm sorry for the delay. It normally would start earlier. We are 20 minutes late and I do
apologize and I hope you understand. Will we all please rise for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America of America and to the to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
>> Say clerk. >> Madam clerk roll call. >> Council member Brusher >> here. >> Council member Dimma >> here. >> Council member Kentos. Council member Patil. Council member Patil. Council member Schmoel >> here. >> Council President Coyle.
>> Yes. >> Adequate notice. Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the Open Public Meeting Act of 1975 has been provided by an annual notice sent to the Home News Tribune, the Star Ledger, and Desi Talk on November 17th, 2025, and posted in
the main lobby of the municipal complex on that same date. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh before I begin, I just want to uh share with everyone if this is your first time here, you will get a chance to speak uh at the part where the resolutions on the
consent agenda, you can speak on the resolution for four minutes and you can also speak on anything you'd like at the open public uh part of this meeting. If you're watching from home and you want to see what is the agenda, you can see on the council part of the agenda and
look for council meeting and NC council agenda and you can look it up from there and you can also watch it on YouTube this meeting. So, thank you all for joining us from home or here today and thank you for being here. Clerk read clerk read uh resolution. Whereas Touretted Sis syndrome is a
neurological disorder characterized by involuntary motor and vocal ticks that affects approximately 1 in 50 individuals. And whereas despite its prevailence, Tourett syndrome remains widely misunderstood and increased
awareness helps reduce stigma while promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. And whereas June 4th was established as Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Day in the state of New Jersey through legislation signed by Governor
Phil Murphy in 2018. And whereas the New Jersey Center for Tourette's Syndrome, NJCTS, provides education, advocacy, and support to individuals and families throughout Edison and partners with local agencies to provide crisis
intervention team training for first responders. Whereas the Township of Edison recognizes the importance of fostering a welcoming and inclusive community where all residents are treated with dignity, understanding, and respect. Now therefore, be it resolved
by the municipal council of the township of Edison that June 4th be recognized as Tourett syndrome awareness day and encourages all residents to learn more about Tourett syndrome, promote understanding, and support individuals
and families affected by TS. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, at this time, we're going to open up this resolution for public comment. If anybody would like to speak on this resolution can come to the podium and speak on this resolution only. I'm sorry. For some reason, I was
confused. Please. Yes, of course. [laughter] >> Okay. Um, good afternoon, u, Mr. Corland and members of the Township Committee. On behalf of my family, the New Jersey Center for Tourett Syndrome, and the many families um here in Edison that are
affected by Tourette's syndrome, we would like to uh sincerely thank you for recognizing Tourette's syndrome awareness month um and presenting us with this um resolution. Um this actually means a lot more to me than um that it words can express. Uh I'm not
just a uh an employee of uh the New Jersey Center for Tourett Syndrome. I'm also a parent of sons with Tourette's. So, um this recognition is deeply um personal to me. Trent syndrome is a neurological disorder that kind of um displays in the way of um unvalent
movements, motor and vocal ticks. Um and it affects as you mentioned one in 50 individuals uh and one in a 100 school age children um make it um so far. So, it's really common. It's more common than we actually think about. Uh while the ticks are the most visible to the
individual, um Tourette's syndrome comes with other uh comorbid disorders such as OCD, ADHD, um depression, anxiety, and some learning disabilities. Um so sometimes these can be more challenging the the um the actual ticks. Tourette's syndrome is
often misunderstood. There is no test. There is no cure um as of right now. Um and there is no um medicine for it as well. Um there are some therapies that can help but there's really nothing right now other than um um CBIT training
and some medicine that can be given um for other comorbid disorders. Um um uh by recognizing Tourette's syndrome awareness um you're helping to create a community where children and adults living with TS are seen, supported, and
included. Thank you so much for taking the time to um acknowledge this important cause and for helping the community become more informed, supportive, and inclusive. If uh if you have any questions, uh please let me know. If not, we encourage you to kind
of visit our website um and just learn a little bit more about it. Thank you so much. We appreciate your time, your support, and your recognition. >> Thank you. You're both allowed to speak for four minutes each, but if you're good. Okay. Just want to make sure we're not Okay.
Thank you. Is anybody else from the public would like to speak on the resolution on the for Tourette's? Okay. Seeing none, I'll take a motion to close the public portion. Motion to close the public portion. >> Second. >> You made a motion. >> A second. I didn't hear a first. Did you
give me first? >> Council president. Okay. >> You were the first. >> I asked for a motion. I didn't. Motion >> motion to close the public portion. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Okay. Um, any council comments
on the resolution? >> Motion to adopt. >> Motion to adopt. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> And I'll do council comments again. >> Hearing none. I just want to um thank both of you for coming and making more awareness of threats. uh I've had some
experience and through your foundation and through the those you've been meeting along your trail of being informative on this issue. I only hope that more people get involved uh not knowing being a parent as you're the best advocate uh to certainly push this
forward and make more people aware. So, thank you for bringing to us our attention and um hope more people will get involved. All right, Madam Clerk, we can present it. We're going to present it now. Right. >> You guys can come up to the podium. stand. You guys all want to come down for a picture?
>> Everybody, if you guys have a camera, we'll take a picture of Jess. You want to grab a spot? Accelerate. like 60 people. [applause] How are you doing?
Thank you, council members, and thank you for again joining us. Uh, the next part of this meeting may be a little long, and you if you don't want to stay, you don't have to, but you're we're not we're not throwing you out, but you won't be the first you won't be the first that received the resolution and
left because it can get quite long. But thank you again for joining us. cry. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I know. But I just wanted to Yeah, >> members of the council, if and those who
are here today, I'm going to be moving to the moving down the [clears throat] agenda and leaving the budget last to vote on. We are short a member to vote on this budget. Three of our members are not here today. unusual. I'm certain there were [clears throat] circumstances of why they could not be here. Um I just
was notified at 5:50 that Bureau Patel could not be here and um we cannot reach one of our other members. So we apologize for that. But I will push this down hopefully be able to gain 20 minutes and perhaps they'll arrive and we can pass this budget. If this budget
is not voted on today, we'll have to reintroduce this budget. May I just ask to the clerk to the to the BA what would be our circumstances if we do not pass the budget today >> council president as I mentioned previously the further we push this
along uh we would be issuing furlows um that would be the other option because we would not be able to take this budget passed the temporary emergency appropriations take us till the end of uh the month >> this month uh I just wanted to confirm
with our CFO so um that would be our other option um to further unless the council wishes to put on a special meeting before the end of the month. >> Okay. And by statute, you have to issue furlows, correct? >> Yes, sir.
>> Okay. All right. So, um we're going to move this budget down uh as we vote to hope uh some members may show up. >> Council President. >> Okay, fine. >> Council President. >> Okay. >> Would that be an option? a a special
meeting if we don't >> Yes, that would be the that would be the option. I'm I'm >> that'd be an option for you. >> I'm hopeful that a member will be here shortly. Um and we'll be able to vote on the budget. Uh but we are in the work session right now. So, I'm just going to go through the budget as we speak for now and then
we will move it down during the vote in session. Okay. So, the um 2026 calendar year budget, municipal budget, and the solid waste budget A, B, C. Any council comments on the budget? >> Council President.
>> Um, >> Councilman Brusher, you have the floor. >> Just to say I I I I want to acknowledge that I did receive the amended budget right today. Um, I I think it was unfair because it was a 450 drop or whatever to
us. Like I didn't get it with my packet, right? So, so that's new of which we really didn't get to look at, but as you know, right, with our with our general budget, right, I thought we could have some cuts. Um, I don't believe furlows
are needed to have those cuts. I've requested a copy of the easy pass for the town, which I believe is in excess of $300,000, and the additional fuel that we've spent by allowing people to have take-home
cars, and I I assess that to be about $700,000. Now, my numbers could be wrong, okay? They're just gone by average um things, but but I've asked for this information. and you're aware of that and I have not received the line
items that those two items are in on the budget. So, I'm not a fan of the way the budget sits. I'm not a fan that I haven't gotten, you know, that information. As as a city councilman, I think I should have gotten that this is in line 36075
that I can then verify that that was taken out. I could see the gallons of gas that were used during the Lanki administration. and then from two years ago. I mean, it's a simple math equation. I'm not looking to get to the penny, but I'm assessing that we could be in excess of a million dollars in
savings and I haven't received it. So, I'm not happy about that. And I'm also not happy that this got dropped on me um at the last moment. So, [clears throat] I'm not really a fan of the budget the way it sits. Um and and I've explained that to you. And on another question I
have here for solo wave municipal budget. Okay. No, it's not here, but I was wondering about the sewer budget. That that's fine, council president. >> Yeah, sorry. >> Uh, council member, I the amendments were
the they were the auditor and state recommendations of amendments and they were line it on amendments. It wasn't changing any numbers financially on the budget up or down. And I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to explain that to you, but would you like to hear from the BA? We also have the auditor here to
discuss uh those amendments and I apologize you didn't get that in time. So I you're correct in that this was just a line item uh movement from related to our um separation of social
security charges from the utility out into the operating account. Uh so that that was just a financial function of the budget just moving line item to line item. Um additionally I did send Councilman Brusher back on May 20th all
of the information that was requested is question regarding uh the easy pass. I said we don't have that calculated because it would it's a new charge alto together for this year. So that is not been equated. It was not equated in the
past. Um, and I did explain that to him. Um, and I follow followed up with him June 1st, see if he had any further questions and I did not hear back. And >> council president, what looking for, right? It was really simple. the easy pass that
we paid when Lanki was mayor, which you would have access to. The easy pass charges that we've paid for the last four years also so that I could see, you know, an apple and an apple because um when the new administration came in, they allowed like a 100 cars to go home
with people. We all know that 100 cars going home and these aren't people living in Edison, right? These are people that are an hour away from here, right? And with the exorbitant fuel cost now, um, yes, it's substantial. So, I didn't see anything about the gallons. I
didn't see the easy pass. You did respond and you said that that's in the police department's budget, but the police department technically works for you and the mayor. So, therefore, when I asked for those gallons, I should have that. Okay. I shouldn't get a dismissive
answer, which is what I felt I I had. So, I didn't see all the easy passes so I could verify, right? I get a easy pass statement. Anybody in this room that gets easy pass statement, I know if you got on at exit 130 and you got off at exit 117, right? It's it's very simple.
I got none of this. The public you can operate I didn't get any of this. So, I'm sorry I didn't get what I requested. Um by telling me that the police department has it is not an answer. It's not my job to go to the police department. That's
the administration's function. But because of that, I'm still unhappy with it. Um, thank you, Council President. Now, >> Councilman, is it fair to say you would be would you be voting for the budget with this increase? >> If they showed me that they took the
money out of the current budget, so if they showed me that we during Lankey's time, we used 1,000 gallons of gasoline. We allowed take-home cars, which increased it to 2,000 gallons of gasoline, and now we're cutting it back to $1,000. And they said, "Councilman,
right here in the police budget under fuel, this is the reduction." I I'll tell you what, then I see that we are our belt is tight. But I don't see that and I haven't gotten it. And it was a real simple ask. So, because of that, yeah, I don't feel comfortable in voting
on this budget the way it is. That would be it for that one. >> Any other council members? Someone discuss the budget. Thank you, Councilman Brasher. Um, I think uh I I heard Mr. from brusher and I do understand his point and I I
confide with him on certain support on that and it is challenging to see uh cars go home. However, we also had an increase in in crime and uh we've had an increase in patrol and we had other things that have manipulated that number. But nothing far exceeds people
taking cars home and we know that um the fact that we can't get a line item answer uh is challenging. Uh and that's something I'll look to see where we can get that for you, Councilman. But at whole, we're in July. And if we were to
find this cut, whatever it may be, let's just say it's 450,000 in easy pass and it's $300,000 in additional gas that we are calculating based on a lot of things that have merit and don't have merit because you're going to base it on employee count. You're going to base it on how many cars are on the road, how
many people we hired between that time and this time, and how we retired. But you'll still get somewhat of a number. And if that number was 600,000 and we cut the budget 600,000 today, that budget cut would only be about 270,000. And I just want to explain that to those
as whatever we cut right now is about 60% of what that cut may be. It's we don't get that full 100% of that cut because we're already into the spending of month seven going into month eight. And I just want to explain that. But I do think this our committee has sat down
multiple times. They give every member a chance to look at cuts and what we came up with is every cut we make would be less surplus to have for the following year. So at this time if we were to cut the budget we're either going to pay for it now or we're going to pay for it more later. And this is just the obvious.
It's just how spending goes for each line item in each department. If we give someone 100% of their money in 2026 and they spend 70% which is pretty much a boundary that happens all the time, that 30% goes to the surplus and we have that
surplus to kick off our budget before we raise taxes. So if if any council member decides to cut back at that 30%, it'll be 5% less that goes into that pot for surplus and eventually will be a burden
to the taxpayers. And as we look at raising taxes, which is taxes is 4.4% for this missile budget. As we look at as a whole, each [clears throat] resident at a home value at about $675,000,
which is the total value of their property. It's not the assessed value. The assessed value is much later. It's it's about $130 per person. So, and that means a lot to a family, and I know that. But when we cut this budget, we also cut it for those who are the
stakeholders of our town that make a huge difference in that 444%. So whereas I may save you as a resident $130, but I'm saving a large corporation $150,000. And that's we're fortunate to have those big taxpayers. Every cut we make affects
somewhere in the chain of how Edison has such a great, you know, tax revenue. We have over 7 billion. Is it 7 billion in tax revenue? We have assessed revenue about 7 billion 7 billion in in assessed tax revenue. So you have to look at that as a whole. I
don't discount anything that council pressure says. What he says is true. We want to make cuts. But I just want to explain how the budget moves forward. But in this budget itself, when you look at the great things we've done in this budget, our public safety remains the
same. No cuts. Our fire and personnel remains the same, no cuts. Our public works department remains the same and no cuts. The services alone of those three departments are so demanding any taxpayer will tell you how comfortable
they feel that public safety in Edison, New Jersey is far better than so many other towns across this county and this state. When you look at our senior services, our health department, some of them here, some of them are here today and thank you for being here. Our health
department covers a lot of great things in senior services and in critical needs across this town. And nonetheless, our restaurants and all the great things they do to keep our restaurants open with licensing and different things they do. So, if you look at across the board,
I think we've had a good tolerance in every department. And I and it was challenging to listen to the 75 line item questions that Osaf sent to me in the four or five different meetings we've had together for three or four hours. And Councilman, you did a
great job with a lot of questions you've had. But all in all, when you look at this budget, you know, we for uniform services, for retirement, for tax appeals, which you see in our agenda today, you know, we are solid when it comes to forecasting how many tax
appeals we'll have for the following year and making sure that cushion sits at a certain number so that when we get hit in a in a certain market, we're prepared. And our assessor is here in the back, Joanne and their team does an excellent job with people who come to
compromise their taxes and appeal us. They do an excellent job making sure we are stable in that corner. Our pension and benefits, same thing. Our insurance that we have, each line item has to have a reputable number to compensate what
that number may anticipate to be. So all over when we look at this budget together, I think we've done a great job and leaving it where it is at this raise is where I stand to support. I'm sorry other members are not here today to vote on this budget. This budget may have to
be delayed and again I'm hopeful a member is just having a difficult time in traffic and they'll be here later. But that is my position. If you have questions during public comment, you may uh speak as well. I want to thank the members of the council including my council colleague Kelly Dimma who also
spent a lot of time in this council vice president Kentos who put a lot of time as well and councilman Ber Patel councilman AJ Patel councilman brer and all our team so thank you is there any other uh comments from the members of the council while we're in
the work session hearing none we're going to move on we're going to move on to seven unfinished business ordinance consider consideration for public hearing and final adoption. Any question or comments on the tree amendment? >> Council President, um I I know that
other council colleagues wanted to all weigh in on this. Could this be pushed to our next meeting? >> Well, I mean, we have I think um it's a good idea. Um,
but we have the votes to vote it down now. So, I don't know if I'd want to do that because I I didn't support it to begin with. >> So, you're putting me in a an awkward corner. >> No, listen. [clears throat] I would never I would never I mean, I just want to be fair. >> No, no, that's I mean, >> as members thought it,
>> you could vote it. You could vote it down. >> Okay. That bamboo grew through everybody's property in their neighborhood. >> You you can now that that majority is not here. >> No, but you know what it is with bamboo. >> I understand. So, so the attorneys heard everything of our gripes, right?
Of what our reason is that we wanted this repealed. So, we're looking for an answer. But here we are months later here. >> Okay. >> We're going to table it just as a courtesy. And >> no, I'm not asking for a courtesy. This
isn't a courtesy for me. August >> 24th. >> Were you voting in favor to where was your vote? Well, I was going to vote to get rid of the ordinance until I could get the law firm to make the new amendments to it because we I've been waiting four or five months hearing
we're going to change this. So, >> you you have a couple of options right now. We can go through the normal course of business and and vote on it. You can make a motion to table it and we can table it until the next meeting if everyone
agrees. um we can discuss it during the work council session and then during the regular session we can take either of those approaches as well. Um so either one of those any of those are viable options. Well, okay. Why don't we try
and and table it? But understand the big problem that we have is that dispute that when me and you live next door to each other and you planted the bamboo and it grew on my property and now Assaf buys your property and he comes in, he
wipes it out, but now he complains to the town about my bamboo, but it's not my bamboo, it was your bamboo, right? So, so how do we protect those people? Um, now I I have no problem if once we establish that you are the guy that planted the bamboo. I got no problem.
>> And I can explain that. Um, so our purpose, and I think I I tried to get into this the the last time that we discussed it, our purpose is to enforce the ordinances um that we can enforce, right? Uh so if we go out to a property because a neighbor calls us out and says
his bamboo is growing onto our property and we send out a notice of violation and it doesn't get cleaned up and it's because of exactly that situation. That's violation if it does in fact get written. If the zoning officer or the health department officer decides to write the violation anyway goes to the
municipal court and the judge has to say, "Okay, prove to me where this bamboo is coming from. there's evidence that it already existed, not that it's the neighbor that you wrote it for. You have to prove as the municipality
that it's actually encroaching and not pre-existing. And if I can't do that or if the the prosecutor can't do that, it gets dismissed. And if the and if along the way there is a failure in discretion to say, I can't prove this, then
ultimately it gets dismissed. Yeah. Now, that's that's part of it. And and that's the same like bamboo is a a trigger word almost for a lot of people, but that's the same with any of our ordinances where there's tall grass here. Well,
that's not my property line. And then the health department doesn't have the ability to go and check property records and deeds to say, "Hey, I'm going to write it to this person anyway." Well, what they have is a problem and they want that problem resolved. our our goal
isn't revenue generation. It's not punishment. It's compliance to make sure that the ordinances are followed, that the township stays a beautiful place to live. Um, and that these things get cleaned up. So, in that case, >> the township's not using Google Earth on
any of these like in in the order in in the fines that we sent out to the people. >> Well, we haven't sent any fines out to people. We've sent by notice of violation >> complant, right, for them to remove it. But but in that they there's no proof that we're showing them that they even own the bamboo and the guy came to
whatever six seven meetings going it's not my bamboo and yet we are unable as a body right to say here's the proof right that bamboo's been in your yard since you know 2001 and you can go back on
Google Earth for almost anything >> so so maybe it's the way we're implementing it and and our law needs to be changed that says >> the township administration has to bring it with Google Earth. What I'm saying is >> like there's a problem, right? And I know you're not
>> resolving the problem >> and I know you're not down in the municipal court, uh, Councilman. Um, but I have been and I've seen those printouts where it shows pictures from Google Street View or Google Earth from 2018, 2019, 2020 where it shows where
the bamboo started or it doesn't show that. And I've had those conversations and sometimes they're difficult conversations both with property owners uh with people who are uh receiving the violations and with the health department officials where uh and zoning officials where it's I don't have the
proof to push this forward and you're not going to get what you're looking for here in this scenario. That never precludes them from pursuing a civil remedy if they need to. If you have neighbors and they're disputing where the bamboo comes from, someone needs to
spend the money between those two neighbors to dig up the yard and find where those roots are coming from, right? They may need to spend the money to dig a trench on their own property and then try to collect that money from their neighbor. That's a civil dispute >> that that doesn't involve the township.
Now, if they spend the money and they have the landscaper come out and they dig the trenches and they have all the proof for us, that makes our job a lot easier to say, "Hey, >> we don't care what you do, but we're going to find you for not taking care of it." >> And council, point of order, we're going to table it.
>> All right. >> Table it till the August 26 meeting. >> That's like September. >> Is that fair enough? Are you okay if we hear it in September? >> Yes. >> Okay. Better than August. Council >> Brushford said September. >> [snorts]
>> That's the only bonus I get. >> Great. >> Thank you, Council Brusher. Um, [clears throat] Council President, if I and if in the meantime you have recommendations or suggestions for how to amend it rather than eliminate entirely, um, please reach out. Send send us something so
that we can address those. >> Okay. I'm going to tell you this. >> Wait, no, wait a minute. I'm going to tell you this cuz I exciting residents that are here tonight. They want to hear more about bamboo. >> I I have written, right? And then what ended up happening was you guys took it and you did your own thing with it. Um
so after that scenario, I rely on you guys to you know, you know what I'm looking for. Write it up, make it happen. Um but right, that that's the only thing. All right, I'm good. Thank you. >> You sure, Rich? >> Yes. >> All right. Um we're moving on to eight.
review of the U consent agenda and resolutions. We're adding uh which is on the it's in the general meeting, but we're adding in the work session the firefighter for engine number one, Tyler
Melinger. He added as a volunteer to the work session. Any question or comments on the >> Did you skip the review of minutes? >> Skipping over. He did it. >> Okay. Okay. So, I want to add that. And also we're going to do an eight is the review of the minutes for July June 10th. Any
questions or comments? Hearing none, we're going to go to the entire agenda from uh any any questions or comments >> for what? For the entire agenda.
>> Okay. So, uh, nine A B C D E F G H I J K L M N. Any questions or comments from Department of Finance? >> Yes. I one question. Um, Topgolf, [clears throat] I guess they filed an
appeal, you know, that we're going to give them a a a tax appeal. I thought that originally was for the entire property on Route One. That's where my question was. So, thank you for clarifying that it it's really just this
is just Top Golf alone. >> Correct. >> Right. Cuz when I seen the number, the number just looked too small for the entire property. Um, so thank you for getting me that. That that would be a council president. [clears throat] [snorts] >> And just to clarify for I for Top Golf,
they're uh their settlement is $593,000. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. So then that's but that's a breakdown of 2019 20 21 22 23 24 25 and
26. So that's a that's that is well over seven years. So seven divided by 600,000 is their discount that they got. So that's what Okay. Correct. >> More or less. Yes. More or less. More or less. More years were withdrawals
>> roughly. Okay. >> Uh great. Any questions or comments again from the Department of Finance for the resolutions? Hearing none, we'll move on to Department of Health number 10 A. Any
questions or comments? Hearing none, we're going to Department of Public Works. Any questions or comments on A, B, C, D, E, and F? from Department of Planning and Engineering. Any questions or comments?
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q and R. Any questions or comments? >> Council President. >> Yes. Yes. Councilman >> R >> R. Um,
how does this work to to the BA? What could you could you tell me how this works exactly? So, this goes to the planning board. Um, they do a study and then it comes back here. >> Yes. Correct. So, you're you're
delegating the planning board to now do the study. >> And what are the nuts and bolts on on on the study? Is that >> I I'll defer to it. It depends on what the planning board is looking to have
done. >> Yeah. So [laughter] under the the municipal land use law, the requirement to send it to them to conduct that study, make a determination
um sets forth specific criteria that they have to uh review and essentially create a report that then gets sent back to the council to say, is this abandoned property? Is this neglected property? Does this property have um certain
issues with it that fall under the the categories in the MLUL that say it is an area in need of redevelopment? Um I go through it, but there there's like 13 separate categories um of of qualifying properties uh depending on
the rehabilitation sought and depending on the redevelopment that is planned. So um once that goes to the planning board, they conduct their study. um that's done by professionals uh who uh generate and I don't know if you've seen them before,
but um usually it's a rather extensive report that takes pictures of each property that goes through uh the block and lot, the the owners, um any history with the property of violations, uh any current issues that are readily observable, whether or not they're able
to gain access to the property, whether or not they're able to speak with the property owners. Um and then they run through it all and send it back to the council for a review and then to take the vote uh either approving the area in redevelopment or not. So you it's a very
comprehensive process because the MLUL is very specific about what the requirements are to meet those um standards. >> More importantly, Councilman, before anything, you'll be able to review the report um and ask questions if necessary.
>> Okay. Thank you. [clears throat] I think I have an I think I have an old one from two years ago that I could possibly send you if I can locate it if you'd like. That way you can get some ideas to to what gets done before you get your hands on this one because it it's can
sometimes take a a little bit of time for them to actually get one done. But that'll at least give you an idea of what you're you're looking for. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Hearing none, we're going to go to 13. Department of Recreation A.
>> Um, wait, Council President. >> Yeah. >> I sure you want to roll back. No problem. >> Yes. To that. Well, I'll stop getting this answer. Um, but I I let me tell you an issue that I have and I don't know how we correct this and I know we talked briefly about it,
>> but we approve areas of redevelopment, right? because we've determined or the planning board and everybody determined that these areas are blighted or or not really used. So it allows the areas to be changed a little bit. Um but then
what happens is nothing takes place for years and years and years, you know, and the one that really sets me off the most and and I told you I know Amboy Avenue is one that I'm like, you know, why can't we get them moving if they want to
do something? But the old Ford plant where Top Golf is, right? I mean, I heard that was being redeveloped, Town Square, all these great things. 10, 15 years pass, nothing happens. And, you know, it's it's more of an eyesore than
when we had the Ford plant. [snorts] They're just starting now. Somehow I'd like to see us put something in these agreements of like timelines, you know, that they should have to meet along the way if there's a way for us to do that.
>> Councilman, just for discussion, I'm not trying to debate you. How do you make a statement that the Ford plant has had nothing go on? >> Um, okay. So, the Ford plant is how many acres? >> I don't have the answer.
>> Okay. If if I told you 100 acres, you'd probably believe that, right? As of 10 years ago, how much of that was already developed? >> Let me ask you a question. Where do you think they can fit something else? >> What's that? >> Where do you think they can fit
something else on that property? There's not much room left. >> I don't know. I'm looking at the Ford property. There is property. As soon as you pull in, there's a huge lot right there. >> So, I'm saying that they have now. But, but when did we do this? Jun Choy was our mayor, right? How long ago is that?
People probably here don't even know who Jun Choy was, but he was a mayor here. Um, that's how long ago it was. So, it's at least 8 + 4 + 4, that's 16, 17, 18. We're talking 20 years ago is is when
this idea came to fruition. And we still have land there that's not developed. That's that's my where I'm going. And and when I seen the Amboy Avenue thing, >> Yeah. No, that's >> that that's where I was going. That there should be a timeline where within 5 years we're going to see
somebody breaking ground, not my not when my grandson gets to sit up here type of thing. You know what I mean? >> I'll just let that comparison go because >> I mean [snorts] Ford plant has Topgolf, has Albatross, Supercharger,
it has, you know, several restaurants. >> Highfly. >> Highfly. I mean, I think it's almost at probably 85% capacity. >> Costco. >> I mean, it's I can go on and on. >> Oh, Sam's Club. >> I mean, aside from it being recognized as probably the a young adult
professional recreation place around the central New Jersey, but but it's but I understand, Rich, >> it's I do I do like what they're doing. >> Yes. the um I look at this sometimes I get challenged how we do this because we
already passed a um study for the Amway Avenue. We already have a AR zone and we have an over we have another zone and I'm not going to ask any questions. It just it if this study for the individual property gives the land owner an
opportunity to have some wiggle room to create something different that may may not be a part of the um the original uh ordinance in the original overlay zone. I can understand that it doesn't have big of a that big of a property to begin
with. Um, but at this moment, as I tell most residents who may object and come here, not much has happened on Amway Avenue. So, for something to happen, I'm happy they're taking this step and that the township is allowing it to be studied individually for that property.
But be it may, you can't change too much because the ordinance is the foundation of what it is. You're still going to go through the planning board. Um, but we'll see what happens. But that's where I think there's some rediscovery. Um because this person doesn't need to have this. They can go straight to the
planning board and as an application they do not have to go there. It's this zone. Several people have went straight to the planning board. But I'm not going to argue that. I'm not an attorney. I'm not a land use attorney. So let it go. All right. We're going to move down. Anything else um
from the department? Anything else to be discussed? That was F. We're going to move the 13 Department of Recreation A and B hearing none. Moving to Yes. >> What one question? We didn't cut anything from the latch key program,
right? >> To my knowledge, no. >> Okay. >> Okay. We're moving >> question. >> I don't know if that was a question or was going to that was question. So he's okay. He's
>> Oh, phone call. No problem. Okay. Any other questions for 13 hearing? None. We're going to we're going to our regular meeting right now. We're going to kick off our regular meeting. Um this meeting is a public hearing to
adopt the budget. However, we may not vote [clears throat] on the budget because there are three members that are not here. This will be the public hearing for the budget. This will be the public hearing for the budget. Um, at this time, Rich is not
here, so we'll go we'll have to go into a brief recess. We don't have a quorum. >> Yeah, you knew. >> Okay. So, while Rich is um on break, I have a motion to have a 4-minute recess.
>> Motion. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. It's now 7:05. We're at a 4-minute recess. minutes on. Now we're hot. >> You're good. >> Uh, first we apologize for the delay. We
had a 4-minute recess which turned into probably a 25m minute recess. Ask me why. Um, we can't continue our meeting. Councilman Brresser left the building. I don't know why. I hope it's not a medical emergency. I can't speak
for why he would leave a meeting knowing that we're voting for an important budget. Not just any budget, but a budget that, you know, has spending in it for public safety, for fire, for public works, for every emergency we
need in this town. I I but I don't have that answer because I I don't have communication with him right now, but he did leave. Uh but I'm hoping it it's something that he could not control. And we are here today by law we can convene
this meeting to pick a date. That's all we can do. But we cannot continue this meeting. So today uh we've discussed with the few of us and the and the administration and August 3rd is going to be the date that we pick for the next
uh public hearing to adopt this budget. But while I'm still here speaking, I am challenged that three members of the council could not make it tonight. Um, again, can't speak for them why. I only hope that there was a good reason for that.
I would say there was a council president prior to me that would call me with not the best voice if I did not call her. If I didn't call Council President Margot Harris to tell her I was not
attending a regular meeting on a Monday, I heard a lot and maybe 14 to 25 messages that would bombard my inbox. Um, it's important today. Today is a very important day in Edison Township
and tomorrow it's unfortunate that we will have no choice and the administration will issue pink slips to employees for a budget. uh we will not be able to spend money today. This entire bill list, every function of
government that may be needed for tomorrow will not happen today. It will not happen till August 3rd. Um this is my first time in 12 years I've ever seen council not convene for a budget that was important to the township of vettison and important to the safety of
our residents. Uh this is more than just not coming to a meeting. Um, and the fact that council brusher decided to leave for his own reason, purpose, let's hope it was a medical issue and I I will forgive him for that. But I don't know why he left, but we can't convene this
meeting and it's crucial. Uh, our budget being passed is very important. as council president, uh, council member Saf asked to delay this budget, which gave all of us plenty of time, more than the usual over the 12 years of my time sitting on this council. We've passed
the budget at introduction and then we passed it the following time. And there are two council members here that can prove that themselves. They were here both. I have two council presidents in the ordinance that have witness us. >> Are there three council presidents? >> One, two, three.
>> Oh jeez. I have three. John, I'm sorry. I I have council member Pointer, president, council president Marggo Harris, and former council president Joyce Ship. All former council members who have never experienced this ever.
Um, so I am challenged and I am sorry that members of this council are choosing to act this way and not to be here tonight. We need four votes to pass a budget. Just four. And we had four here. and for some unknown reason,
Councilman Brusher decided to leave and he walked out on the residents of Edison. He could have voted uh but he decided not to be here. Um again, I will convene with my colleagues. I I felt they did a great job, you know, speaking with them
collectively about the budget. We've had numerous meetings, numerous discussions. No one led for me to believe that they would not come to the budget. Not one person said, and we know this. Everybody knows this play. It's not a playbook
that we've not seen before, but no one has indicated they would not. No one has indicated a cut they wanted and had an ultimatum on top of that cut. Uh today, they should not show. Again, I will defend them to hope that it was a medical emergency or an issue in traffic
that they could not control. But again, we have set this date down for Monday, August 3rd to convene here at six o'clock. It'll be combined uh session again to hope pass the spending that is important to Esen and its residents for safety and for the needed uh uses we
have in town for our seniors. But I ask you if you see council member Brasher, if you see council member Dentos, if you see council member Bureau Patel, if you see council member AJ Patil, let them know how important it is for them to be here. And I ask you to reach out to them
in the most respectful way you can. This meeting is adjourned at 7:36.