Is he on? One, two, one, two, one, two, one, two, one, two, one, two, >> one, two, >> one, two. >> If it wasn't, [clears throat] >> we'll talk.
>> Okay. No, no problem. >> I am I am just letting you know. >> Good evening everyone. Uh this is the combined meeting of June 10th um 6 p.m. meeting. I just want to call the meeting to order. Can we all please rise for the pledge of
>> allegiance? Pledge >> allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[clears throat] >> 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. >> Council member Schmuel >> here. Adequate notice.
>> Adequate notice of this meeting is as [clears throat] required by the Open Public Meeting Act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice sent to the Home News Tribune, Star Ledger and Desi Talk on November 17th, 2025 and post main lobby municipal complex on that same date. [clears throat]
>> Good evening everyone. Thank you for joining us. If you're here for the first time, welcome. I just want to make some brief remarks on today's agenda. Good evening everyone. For those who are attending for the first time, welcome. You may follow along on the agenda provide at the back table. You have four
minutes to speak uh on public comments and resolutions and oral petition remarks at the um portion of the meeting agenda. [clears throat] If you're watching from home, please visit edisonenj.gov, click on departments, then click council, then select council agenda so
you can follow along with the meeting. If you have any further questions uh or comments, you may email me at jcoilisonenj.gov. Also, if you're looking for any backup of spending, um it's also right in the back on the table. If you have any
questions, please let me know in your comments and the clerk will provide you a copy of that spending item. Thank you. >> Okay, moving along to unfinished business. Ordinance for further considerations, public hearing, and final adoption. Um, at this time, we're
going to move this to the June 24th meeting. Uh, this ordinance Z 22 80206. Any questions or comments from council members? Moving forward, ordinance [clears throat] 0 2281
2026. Any questions or comments? >> [sighs] >> Ordinance 2282 20226. Any questions or comments? [clears throat] Council members adding to the agenda
proposed ordinance 2283, an ordinance of the township council of the township of Edison accepting an easement on the portion of block 124, lot 20.04 04 along with route 27 in the
vicinity of 2193 2195 Lincoln Highway in Route 27 for maintenance purposes. Any questions on adding that to the agenda? Uh we'll vote on that. We have to vote on that later. Adding it. >> Yeah. No. >> Okay. No, we don't. Right. >> Right.
>> Not here. Vote. >> Yeah. No problem. Uh council members on six, review of the council minutes. Any questions or comments? Hearing none for each department. [clears throat] Any questions or comments? Um from the business
administrator, line seven A. Moving to eight from the Department of Finance, letter A, B, C, D, E, and F. Any questions or comments from council members? Hearing none. Moving to the Department
of Planning and Engineering. Nine. [clears throat] Letter A, B, C. Any questions or comments on Department of Planning and Engineering? >> Council President. >> Yes, Council Member. >> Um C. Um this is they're going to provide some
engineering service for us. [snorts] Did the administration vet this vendor? Um, I mean in like a Google search it was some questionable things came up and I know that we've had problems in the past with engineering where we can't get
them, you know, actually to to do the engineering we need in a timely manner. [snorts] Um, but I'd like to know that, you know, they feel assured that they're a qualified vendor. They're a good vendor.
>> We have we put these out through an RFP and approved by the council early this year. So typically, you know, our between the council and our legal team, they review the engineering uh folks that we put before you and vet them um and purchasing as well. So we feel
comfortable with Remington and Vernick doing. >> Okay. So our legal team actually vetted this company. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any questions or comments uh from council members?
Council President. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. I I have the same concerns about see that this place has been embroiled in some controversies. I'm I'm actually going to pull this for a separate vote. I'm not I'm not comfortable. I didn't review this in the beginning of the year, so I'm that's where I stand with
it. Okay. Uh moving to 10. Any other question or comments for A, B, and C? Hearing none from council members. Moving to 10 from the Department of Recreation. Gre, we're removing A. >> We're removing A from the agenda.
Resolution [clears throat] uh call of New Jersey to have a park rental fee waved. This was R 2906 2026. Just any questions or comments on that removal hearing? None. B, C, D, and E from the
Department of Recreations. Any questions or comments? Hearing none. 11 from the chief of the fire department A and B. Any questions or comments from council members? Hearing none from the chief of police number 12, letter A, B, and C. Any
questions or comments from council members? >> Council president? >> Yes, sir. >> Um I I did ask Sonia about this. I wasn't able to read the backup on this, but the $72,000 that that we're going to give back to the prosecutor's office,
right? This was for a Fort Fitcher. So, our police officers arrested someone that had money and then I guess we have to give it back. Is that what this is? >> Correct. Uh, and that's so there were the case went through a a process of
appeal and settlement and so it was settled. So now we have to return whatever was in the asset forfeite. In this case, there was the actual two resolutions here uh that have funds that would need to be returned to the prosecutor's office. >> And we typically do receive funds from forfeitures.
>> We do in this ca in this case we it was just a held over, but the county uh resolved the matter rather than on our end. >> All right. Thank you. And um council president C. Um, I understand that I guess we're
getting this for free, but we're going to have to pay for maintenance and we have to pay to ship it, right? Is there a need now? Now, I know that the the money for the maintenance and that probably isn't that much, but is there really a need? I mean, we own a
tank, right? Um, we have another kind of armored vehicle here. Do we really need these type things? >> It it is for free. Um it's no charge to the township. Um as you know with the
more volatile storms we've had um you know at times we question whether we should have for example a boat but uh tactical equipment like this do come to some sort of use and so um it's again no
charge to the township. So um it it we just it was available um the police department our chief felt that It would be a piece of equip equipment that could be used um in the event that we had a major occurrence throughout the township.
>> I listen I I'd make that joke about that, you know, free because I own a boat, right? Even if you get the boat for free, it's not really free. Cost you money, but but what's that other armored vehicle we have? It's got uh some tires on it. They're about five foot tall. I
don't know. It's got like eight tires or something. Highwater rescue vehicle. >> It's not armored. This one is armored. This one is sort of you go into a mine and >> collapse hopefully.
>> Yes, we need it. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> H Have we had any mine incidents in Edison? [laughter] >> Landmine incidents. >> I mean, you could go into a building with this thing. uh if you've seen pictures from it, it's a active shooter
for example >> just various incidents that it could be used. >> Any other council comments? >> Council person, I have a question. Sonia, again just a quick question on that. Whatever the armored vehicles we have, how many times we use in that last
25 years? >> The current vehicles, >> this is the first vehicle we've we've gotten. >> No, we already have one. Not the similar. >> Not the same. It is not the same. >> Understood. It's not the same. But the one that we have, how many times we use in last 25 years? >> I can certainly get that number for you.
>> Okay. Do you know what is the cost of the storage and the maintenance for this vehicle? >> Uh we have the storage capacity here. >> Okay. What is the cost to maintain it? Do we know? >> I can find that out for you. >> Because we have the resolution. We are
approving it and we don't know the cost. That's something I can digest because we already have the tight funds. Our taxes are skyrocketing. [snorts] I would be very careful spending you on a dime. Now, so my first question is if you can find out that information and my last
question is do we have a qualified person to operate this vehicle? >> There is training that goes through with these vehicles. So we we have police personnel that for example the tactical team um they're pretty
qualified when it comes to hostage situations that this may be an item that would be used. So again, um I know you're putting uh a figure to this, but there is no figure. This is free to the township. Un >> understood. It's a good to have and again I'm not denying that we don't need
if we have a bandwidth. Yes, why not? But at this point in time as we know that we need to be careful where we spend our money and if it means that none of our officer has operated this type of vehicle, we will end up spending money for training. We'll end up
spending money for maintenance. >> Sure. The captain president could [clears throat] >> councilman. Would you mind if we let the c captain? >> Absolutely. Why not? >> But I need the evidences by the way. You know, I don't want just a word saying, "Hey, we know it." >> And then we see that >> we won't you're not you're going to yield your time and come back.
>> I know. But two months you come back and say, "Hey, we need X dollars to train the officer." >> Yes, sir. >> So, we have a uh SWAT team, dedicated officers to a SWAT team. Uh those officers go through training all the time. If we were to acquire this vehicle, which is extremely important to
their safety and the safety of um the civilians that they could use this for hostage rescue, they could use this for active shooter drills, search warrants. I mean, it's countless. >> The amount of operations that officers utilize these type of vehicles for,
>> it's it it sounds it's a it's a military vehicle. MRAP, we're getting it for free, right? These These officers are going to be going to the highest risk operations in this vehicle. So if there is an active
shooter, we go to those and now they can they the SWAT team could get transported to those types of jobs in this vehicle where they're going to be protected. They can also retrieve people from these types of jobs and get them to safety because of this vehicle. So it's extremely important. >> Understood. So I have two questions to
you. So in how long officer you are working in this town? 20 years >> myself. 24 years. >> You didn't feel a need of this vehicle in 24 years? >> I was on a SWAT team for 18 years and we needed one every day of those 18 years and we actually have an opportunity now to acquire one for free and it's 100%
the right move. >> My second question to you is I consider Edison is the safest town to live in state of New Jersey. How many incident plus your 20 years of your officer history?
Could we have used this? Every search warrant I've ever been on. >> No, but we lived with without this vehicle, right? >> But this takes a lot of the risk to officers going to the scene away. >> Normally, we're showing up in sprinter vans and they don't have any safety regulations or anything for officers if
we're getting shot at or if we're trying to rescue people during a hostage situation or an active shooter situation. This vehicle is actually built and designed to transport us to those jobs. >> Understood. Again, I'm not denying the importance, but my only the question here is first, we don't have officer train. We don't know the maintenance
cost. We have never used this vehicle. I consider Edison as the safest town to live. I want to know the last question to you is how many times this type of incident happened in last 20 years. >> In the last 20 years. Well, I mean, it's it's it's a hard question because every
every been on we could use this vehicle. >> Councilman, just point of order. I >> I At this moment, we have a free opportunity. I think your questions are valid. I just don't want to push my captain into a corner where he's releasing our strategy of what we do
every day in the time of time um allocations of our police department and and our force on the ground. >> You know, listen, I think we should go offline. I mean, that's it's courtesy to the council if you can. Either we I
mean, I'm going to vote for it. If you, you know, when you come to voting, you can do more comments. Vote it up or vote it down. I see your point. I really do. But when an officer gets to a a location for a search warrant, I know we're the safest town and and do we really need
this? But is there a time where we wish that we needed it and we didn't. And if this is the time, I'm not going to put my men and women in the situation. >> Counc my request to because we don't have the enough information. I would say that you know wait for two more weeks because you took two more weeks for the bamboo which I'm going to talk later
part of this discussion. Why can't we wait for two more weeks to get the the facts around what is going to cost us? >> We're talking apple and oranges. Councilmen apple oranges. I'm asking about the >> we we talking about not the bamboo right we're talking about the correct the
vehicle. Correct. So, I just want to be clear though, we, you know, we have active and veteran uh military folks on our police department who are trained. Uh so the the comment about not having
people trained is incorrect. Um I surely don't want to give out more information than necessary. >> I don't need I don't need >> Okay. But um >> if you're saying that, you know, it is a free vehicle. Uh we do have mechanics. Um we have three mechanics um who are
very willing and capable of working on all of our vehicles, our police vehicles, we have dedicated team to that. So if you want that information about what we maintain, what we're capable of maintaining, surely provide that for >> I don't need that. I need to know the cost to maintain or cost to own and
operate. That's what I'm asking for >> for free. >> You are getting it free. We don't know what the cost to operate cuz this might be 100 years old. We don't know. >> It it surely couldn't be 100 years old of any 1033 program that you've approved
in the past. And I can pull up those resolutions for you and it's had equipment, it's had vehicles, it's had everything. And usually I from my experience, they're no more than a 5year life cycle. The military give they give these things out like it's >> understood.
>> And that is where I'm saying if it is a five years life left and you have to shell 200 grand to maintain Does it make sense for this council even to approve? And that's what I was saying. If we know those numbers, and I'm not saying nickels and dime, but
roughly maintenance budget, maybe 100 grand, 50 grand, 10,000, >> it's within our budget. Uh, it's within our budget. >> If everything would have been our budget as you said last year and this year so far, why the taxes are going up? So, nothing is within our budget by the way.
Right? Again, we can debate on that. So council person my ask is not to approve this tonight wait for the factual information so we know what is going to cost us. Thank you. [clears throat] >> Thank you Councilman. Just to the BA if
there were if [clears throat] this vehicle does need improvements will that be part of our capital plan or would that be part of what would be part of if we were to improve this vehicle if it ever needed improvement? Uh maintenance is usually coming out of the operating account, not capital. >> Okay. But it's it's not something that
would last five years. Okay. Thank you. All right. Moving through the agenda. Did anybody else want to comment on the chief of fire A, B, and C? Chief of police, I'm sorry. >> Hearing
hearing none, moving to the township clerk. Okay. 13 A, B, C, D, and E. Any questions or comments on township clerk? Hearing none, uh we're going to move to
the regular meeting and start this now. And first at 14, we're going to have the approval of the minutes. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes for the May 20th meeting? >> Motion to approve. Okay. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Say I.
>> Thank you. um [clears throat] unfinished business ordinance for further consideration, public hearing, and final adoption. We're removing uh this uh 02280. Do we need a uh a motion for that or no?
We need to vote on that to remove it. Council, >> you want to vote to remove it? >> I thought you removed it during the >> We're moving 2280, right? >> Yep. >> 2280. Yeah. >> Right. To the next meeting work session. Yeah. >> So now public hearing is going to be now the 25th.
>> Okay. Do you need a vote on the the public hearing? >> There's no vote. We're just moving the date. There's [clears throat] no vote. >> Yeah. >> No, because you did it at work session, right, Mike? >> Yeah. >> We're moving it to Fair. Put it back on for June 24th. >> I'm sorry. That's why I got confused. I
apologize. >> Yeah, >> we did this already. >> Okay. >> All right. Good. So now >> any questions or comments from council members on moving it to the 24th? >> All right. [clears throat] Next, uh we're going to go to the clerk lead by read ordinance. >> An ordin ordinance to exceed the
municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank. >> We'll open this to the public. Any questions from the public would like to stand up and comment? Um, Jory Ship, Edison, New Jersey. Are we approving this before we even
entertain our budget? Before we know how much the budget is. [clears throat] >> Um, let me go to the BA. Do you have any other questions, Miss Ship? >> Well, you told me we're only on the ordinance. >> So, I'm just asking the ordinance. You
just said the ordinance. That was it. I just make sure >> you didn't say nothing to the BA. Any question? Can you just know a ordinance not to exceed the municipal budget appropriate limits to establish a bank? So, how we know it's not to exceed the
budget? We don't even know what the budget is. >> What? Joyce, what's your question? I'm sorry. I just misunderstood you. >> I asked we can y'all approve that without even seeing what the budget is. >> To the BA, can you please answer this? Sure. Um the reason we do this every
year is in the event that you it does exceed the CAT um we're able to do that and so that's what the ordinance allows us to do even though the budget was not adopted. >> Thank you. Because only because you're able to do it. All right. >> No problem. Thank you, Miss Shep. Okay. Moving. Uh
council president, could I ask a question on this? >> Could I mean if they finish the public? >> Yeah. >> If anybody have questions for comments from the public? >> Yes, Mr. Atar. I'm sorry. Councilman. >> Yeah. >> Don Tar 52 Reader Road.
>> Welcome. >> I have a question regarding the the vehicle 299. Am I correct in assuming that it's being provided to us free of charge? >> Sorry, this is the public portion on the ordinances. We're only discussing
ordinance 2281-2026 right now, sir. >> Sorry. Sorry, Mr. Tar. Any questions or comments on 0 2281? >> Yes. >> Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. >> Welcome. >> I just want to confirm this is a just in
case >> we need the money if it exceeds the budget that we don't know about yet. Hold on. >> To uh establish a cap bank. Could you explain that >> to the BA? Would you one more time?
Would you explain this? We do this every year, but uh and it's been done more than a few times, but please, >> this is a resolution that is done every year to authorize the township to exceed it. That doesn't mean that we do. We do
have a bank for it. So if we need uh to extend any on this current budget, we could use that bank first. This is just in case in the future is needed. >> Oh, I realize that it's a just in case, but it says establish a cap bank. So
>> yes, you a cap that you >> every every year every year we put up to three 3 50%. Then we when we do the budget we said okay we are going to use only this 0 point or whatever increase
in the budget which which we have not been using in the latest years. So when we are going to need it we have it there. It's a bank. >> I was just looking for the percentage. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments from the public?
>> Seeing none have a motion to close the public portion. >> Motion to close the public. >> Second. >> Second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Council member. >> Council president. Just clarification to the BA. Um it's my understanding that we
we we're voting on this because this is what we need to continue to do business until a budget is passed. Does that make sense? Is >> No. No. This isn't this is just to create sort of a a safeguard for us to
be able to have room in the event we need to increase the budget a certain percentage but up to the three and a half. >> Okay. Thank you. [clears throat] >> Okay. Um let me get a motion. We'll have other council comments. Motion to adopt.
>> Council President, I move to adopt this ordinance 02281 2026. >> Okay. Can I have a second? Second. >> Uh, any council comments? >> Hear 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. >> Madam Clerk, did we skip >> this? The rightway. Okay. This the one we added, right? No, that's no.
>> Where's me added? Okay, good enough. >> Okay, clerk read ordinance. >> An ordinance authorizing the township to lease the premises located at 922 Amboy Avenue for municipal and government purposes and authorizing the execution of lease agreement associated therewith.
>> I'd like to open up for any public comment. like to open up for public comment. >> This is the vacant lot across Joyce Ship Supreme Edison, New Jersey. This is the vacant lot across the street from the coffee shop.
>> That's correct. >> Is that correct? >> That's correct. >> That used to be leased for like a dollar a year if this other guy used to lease it for that. So, we're trying to figure out how much is the lease going to be now. It's um it's in the packet behind you, but I also have it right in front of you. It's 2500 a month.
>> 2500 a month. >> Yes. Oh, >> y'all should get the guy that get got it for a dollar a year. Thank you. >> Yeah. Let me know who's renting property for a dollar a year. >> You're right. And if he did it for just
to answer your question, uh Miss Ship, it was very kind that he did it for a bunch of volunteers for five years. That was very generous. I imagine you should ask that he we continue to give given for a dollar. Uh and you're right. I I would hope people would do more of that.
Generously give their property up for a dollar. That's very nice. But in this it's out of my control. So thank you. But I do understand your point. Any other questions or comments? Show Miss Conway. >> Elizabeth Conway 20 Netherwood Circle. Uh hearing that it's $2,500 a month. How
many times do you estimate it to be used within a year? >> I don't have that answer today. It's going to be I imagine it's going to be thrown into recreation and part of the mayor administration. [clears throat] So, >> so monthly, I'm just saying if you multiply
2500 times 12, um, it's a little high if you're going to use it three times a year. But if you're going to be using it on a regular basis, then it makes a little more sense. But before you vote on something like that, I'd like to know how many
times you're using it to see if it's worth my dollars to uh go into that lease agreement. I know $2,500 this day is maybe not high, but if you're using it every month, then it kind of makes sense. But if you're using it, I'm
thinking it's the place across from the Chinese restaurant. >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> So if if you're using it maybe three times a year, then you're multiplying 20. It's you're talking $10,000 to lease it for those three times a year versus
$2,500 a month. That's all I'm saying. >> Yeah. Council President, >> thank thank you. >> I just wanted to add we do currently use it. What we plan on doing it is putting into rotation. That specific neighborhood doesn't have a public space much like other communities throughout
the township. And so we do plan putting it on rotation for planned uh community events. So that will be forthcoming. We'll have that on the calendar and we're working [clears throat] with recreation to do so. And and just another uh opportunity
which wasn't part of it uh the fact of leasing space at 200 feet wide by 100 in a downtown where stores are slowly closing and the uh it certainly gives an economic opportunity which uh joy ship knows about last uh for 10 years there
will be no development there. So, I think that's also a good opportunity. But, and let's just um you look at the fact that I think it's about 15,000 a year just for the guy's taxes. So, minus the taxes, he's getting
probably about 1,250 a month. Um added into his his um you know, taxes at the end of the year, he probably has to pay 50% on that, he's getting about $600 net. So, I I I hope it comes through and it's a home run. Um but we'll see. But great questions.
Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Mr. Stocial, how you doing? >> Walt Stocial, 2118 Oak Tree Road. And I agree with with the statements that that neighborhood needs an event space, a space where the people in the neighborhood could walk to something um
and have their kids and their families out and get to meet their neighbors. Uh we don't we don't think like that too much around here and it's we need that in that neighborhood. We have we have things here at Papani Park. We have things up in Elder Park. There's really
no space that big in Clar Barton and I think this will help bring the neighborhood together with various events. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Any other qu questions or comments? Seeing none, can I have a motion to close the public portion?
>> Motion. Have a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Have [clears throat] a motion to adopt. >> Mr. President, I move the motion to adopt this ordinance 02282 2026. Do >> I have a second?
>> Second, Kelly. Uh any council comments? >> Council person. >> Yes. >> Just a quick question again. I think you know it's a good use of the uh dollar amount we we are investing by. Only the question here is I understand that we have only said two or three township events hosted at this place throughout
the year. This could be a good facility for the Clarabata neighborhood. My question here is is this open for the public especially nonprofit organization or any small groups who would like to host any event because this is not just
the funds coming out from one section of the town but this is the money coming from the entire town. So, anybody if they would like to use, is this facility open? That's a question. >> I would >> like a park. >> I would think like any public space, we'd have [clears throat]
an application process uh that would fit the neighborhood. Uh we certainly aren't probably not going to rent it out for a 500, you know, person wedding. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> But things that fit the criteria, which I'm sure the administration put together, I think would make a lot of sense. Those who get it for $1,000 or
for a fee waiver. It's a great question. >> Absolutely. >> Did you want to add to that >> and what that space would allow? >> Absolutely. That will be wonderful. Again, it's for the broader audience. If you can come up with some sort of a plan what this space can be used for will be
helpful. Thank you. I mean it in lie of that we discussed many times with the mayor the more events that are run by organizations that do not lean on tax dollars is good for Edison and we have and so also for risk management um when we run an event we're at risk and so are
us taxpayers so if people want to rent space uh that that works out great providing something that the neighborhood needs okay so we had council comments we have madam clerk roll call >> council member brusher >> yes >> council member Dimma >> yes Kentos. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel.
>> Yes. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yes. >> Council member. >> Yes. >> Council President Coyle. >> Yes. >> Okay. This proposed ordinance public hearing set down for Wednesday. Uh clerk read an ordinance. >> An ordinance of the township council of
the township of Edison accepting an easement of a portion of block 124 lot 20.04 along Route 27 in the vicinity of 2193-2195 Lincoln Highway. Route 27 for maintenance purposes.
>> Have a motion to introduce. [snorts] >> Motion to introduce or do I have to read the >> I'm sorry. >> The fancy stuff. >> Okay. >> Uh I move this ordinance be passed >> on the first reading published according
to law for further consideration and public hearing set down for June 24th. Yep. Do you have a second? >> Second. >> Any council comments? >> Hearing none. Madam clerk, roll call.
>> Council member Brasser. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yes. >> Council member. >> Yes. >> Council President Coyle. >> Yes. >> Okay. This the public comment for those
here for your first time. This public comment is not comment on anything. It's just only comment on the resolutions. So the list that is provided uh right below this below 17 on your agenda is a list of numbers from 281 all the way to in
the 300s here. If you have a question on anything here, you can comment now. After this, there'll be a public portion. You can comment on anything you'd like from street lights to garbage cans to nuisances in your community, whatever you choose. So at this time we're going to open the public comment
on the resolutions only. Mr. Tar 52 Rita Road. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Uh question either to the chair or to the business administrator. Am I correct in assuming regarding this ambush vehicle that it's being provided
free of charge to the community? >> Your question. I'm sorry, Mr. Tar. Am [snorts] I correct in assuming that the vehicle we're discussing 299 ambush vehicle is provided by a federal program that is being given to us without cost?
>> Yes, it's absolutely free. >> So therefore, the only cost we would incur would be routine maintenance and upkeep. >> Yes. >> Okay. A question I'd like to direct to representative from the police department through the chair. Captain,
>> is it the captain's impression that this vehicle is a multi-use vehicle that will make the lives safer for our SWAT team members going into whatever they may be forced to attend? >> 100%. Yes, sir.
As a father of a retired Edison police officer, let me say I don't think there's any question about what we should be doing here. If we're only providing for upkeep and maintenance, it's a no-brainer to acquire the
vehicle. Uh I can remember a few years back when the federal government offered u M16 rifles to the police department and they were uh turned away and I always thought considering the firepower of some of the people we have to deal
with that was a mistake. Please don't make that mistake again. Let's provide let's provide all the tools our police department needs. I think the cost will be minimal in comparison to what we're getting. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Any other comments from
the public on resolutions only? Please come up. >> Sergis Road. >> Sure. How are you? Welcome. >> I'm doing good. Thank you very much. Thanks for asking. Same thing about 299 resolution about the ambush vehicle. This vehicle what I understand from
discussions and what I know from common knowledge and English, I know this is for minds. I don't think there's any provision with the township to put mines in the area. I hope not. I hope the town is not putting mines in the Edison
township that you need anti-mine vehicle. I don't want to be sarcastic. I don't think that should ever happen in this country, especially this township. Ambush vehicle, IEDs, all that stuff.
This is a combat vehicle which has been used in Iraq, Middle East. We don't need such things in this town. And I will request even the police. He says the the is the the active police active army members they need this cuz they are
going into a foreign country to protect themselves. They need heavy metal [clears throat] under their feet. Not here. What do you need? Even common vehicles are very good. You have a shield. You can stop a shooter with that. And any questions? I'll volunteer
for that. Yeah. If there's a shooter in any school, I'll give my number to the police. Call me. I'll be there myself to protect the school and go into the school building myself [clears throat] first. And that is job of police officers. They are being paid for this.
And I'm very happy to know that our township is very safe [clears throat] and thanks to the police and I see the lot of vehicles going around and I'm grateful to the township and the police department for giving us security. But when there is time, it's the duty of the
residents to come forward. At my age, I don't care so much. Police officers, they may be younger, having families, children to look after. My kids are grown up. They can take care of themselves. I will go in the school only schools. Don't put me call me from all
shooting. But for school shooting, any of the 19 schools, I am there first person to enter if you want me to. Plus, please don't buy such things in this township. What impression you'll be creating on the young children? If it is for giving a right to my grandchildren,
I'll say yes. But if you say it's for the protection of police for active shooter, I have never heard of this. You know, 15 years I never heard of any active shooter in Edison. So please stay away. When you say free coming from central government, federal government,
they have tons of money. They have trillions of money. They can throw money by you know helicopters and still have enough money to waste. So please don't waste money of the township. The cost of living is going up here. It may mean
couple of pennies for me, couple of dollars for me but they all add up. So again my request for police they are trained they are trained they can shield. I have not seen active thing. I've seen a lot of cals, a lot of movies and that motivates me, you know, that I
can go in with these folks if they need me and so I mean I've heard the the police officer respond and say though it will save lives but past how many how many times we have gone through this and there are a lot of points you know in
this only one of them and it adds to that whatever budget amount you have 800 million or something >> the expensive Everyone voted. Marlene, would you stop the clock? I just want to give you I just want to respond to you and give you a chance to respond back because it's fair. First, I really
appreciate you coming up and caring uh for our tax dollars, you know, but I disagree respectfully and but I think your point is valid. I'm not the one that arrives at a scene, lights and sirens, my heart racing to an unidentified scene. That's not my role,
but it's the role of our officers to arrive someplace at a time unknown to what could be happening. So, if this vehicle puts them in a better place and there's no surprise and and if there was an active shooter, I feel comfortable having that. If you believe they should
go up with a shield as it was 1950 in the middle of New York at a at a raid, I understand your point. I just disagree with it. So, I I if I have the chance and this council agrees, I'm going to vote in favor of this to put our men and women in a good place. And you can't
speak from flying down the highway at 75 miles an hour, lights and sirens and chaos, and your heart racing at 100 miles an hour and there is, you know, a situation you're in where you can't see well, you're not sure, and you're going
to knock on a dark door. I just don't know when you've had that experience in life and I'm not saying you don't have a lot of experiences but it's certainly something I don't want to experience ever and if it makes them comfortable and it's free we're maintaining
maintaining hundreds and hundreds of vehicles one more I hope you can understand but I do really respect what you have to say you have 30 seconds we start the clock >> so again I would say you know it's a duty of residents also to protect the children at least I I won't say
everybody. That's not my job. But any shooter gets into a school, I'll give my phone number. I don't know if there are volunteers. You have volunteers for fire department. I don't know. The police department has volunteers. I'll volunteer for that incident, that moment. I will go in with the first
squad. I'll go in the first member of the first squad. That's all. Thank you. >> I appreciate your ambition. Thank you, sir. Any other questions or comments on the resolutions only? Sure. M Conway? Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. I just have a question. Um because I'm
always thinking dollars and cents and how much is it going to cost? And I realize that they're saying we're getting the vehicle for free and we'll only have to do like regular maintenance, but has someone already
looked at the vehicle and evaluated to see if there's any upfront costs? Because sometimes if they give something away for free, it's kind of scares me that uh how much do we have to put into it initially before doing maintenance?
because I I you know it's scary to see something like that to begin with, but if the captain says it's going to come in handy one day and save lives, I'm all for it. >> But if we're getting a lemon, we're not going to make lemonade with it. So,
>> has someone actually evaluated it and said, "All we have to do is regular maintenance. It's in great shape." Because sometimes when they give something away for free, >> Yeah. >> it's never for free. So, >> thank you, Miss Conway. I'm I'm I'm confident we're doing the right thing. I
respect your your question. You're taking a gamble on any 5-year vehicle of just basic maintenance. >> Oh, it's 5 years old. >> It's a It's a five year It's 5 years old, correct? >> I could get you the exact date, but it is in good condition. Otherwise, somebody has evaluated it. Okay. >> But, but a great question.
>> Okay. Mr. Social in the back. This is resolutions only. I just want to go over just a there's going to be public comment after just >> Walt Stocial 2118 Oak Tree Road on >> 289 the safe street and roads action
plan for 303,000. It wasn't clear from what I read what what that's all about. But it may be something we need to build on our complete streets ordinance that we passed a few years ago and our master plan had a lot of things in it for um
street safety like a um uh speed limit study. So if it's something like that, that's something we really need to do because you know a lot of our streets have old speed limits that were done in the 40s and uh they haven't been changed. on 301 to 342, the 41 liquor
license renewals for 2026 to 2027. I have a couple of questions on the liquor licenses. Um, is there a yearly fee for this and how much is it? >> Yes, the um club's yearly fee is $150
and the other licenses are $2,500. >> Okay. And these are all the my second question is all these are all for active businesses and locations. >> Uh there are a few pockets I believe that are on here too. >> I wasn't I wasn't sure about the pockets. So those aren't active physical
locations. >> Correct. >> Somebody just own owns them and maybe do something in the future. >> Yes. >> Okay. And what do we charge for the the retail consumption license? What do we do? We charge that goes out for bid or something like that or auction. >> These are all renewals. We don't have
any. We're at capacity for bids now on that. >> So, we won't need issue any new ones. >> No. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. And and resolutions only in the back. It's uh it's resolutions only, not public comment. It's all
>> Tahash uh Hillrest Avenue. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Um, just want to first commend the police force and the captain and every police officer who day in and day out for 365 days, you know, spend roaming the streets and obviously protecting our town. But I just have a
few concerns about the MRAP. Just speaking more, I guess logically from a different perspective. Um, from my research, and I guess this is very nuanced. I've only been doing this for the past six days since I saw the article. Why are we getting an MRAP and not a Bearcat for example to my and I
have a few questions to ask. Number one, most SWAT agencies within New Jersey specifically, I don't think it's fair to go into, you know, other red part uh red states or even other western states where they have more of the MRAPs. But why are we not getting a uh a Bearcat, which is AMV, I think. Why are we
specifically getting an MRAP, as one of the other residents said, which is mind resistant? This was used specifically in Iraq and Afghanistan and these certain areas which were high uh violent crimes and high uh explosive material. It was used to withstand that instead of
something that is very militarized. Why aren't we getting that is why are we get not getting something that is normalized to SWAT agencies which is the Bearcat or AMV. And number two, a question I have is if you look at Edison as a a safety ranking, we're I think we're in the top
90 percentile for safest cities in New Jersey. In historically or statistically speaking, um New Jersey as a as a as a state, we only have 13 towns that have the MRAP. And so the question that I come as a resident number one is if
we're in the 19th 90th percentile where we're one of the safest, why does 90% of the state not have MRAPs? Right? And it begs the question that do we really and I'm not going to discredit the SWAT. I'm just wondering how many hostage crime uh
scenarios do we have? How many school shootings and God I hope we don't but how many school shootings do we have? Um it it just makes me wonder. And then number two, just to understand from this, how many incidents and I maybe this is not public info. We can't understand this. To my knowledge, an MRAP would only be accessible or helpful
if there was returning fire or danger on the arrival. It's not something you can just drive through a house. Number one. And then the last part I you know the last two things I have necessarily about this or three things is if you look at California historically and you see this
in the past I think 15 years in 2005 I think this was post 2000 when 1099 came out uh I think no sorry I I forgot the uh federal government but California cities took these MRPs they took these APVs they took these vehicles and to this day they struggle with returning them back to the state uh the federal
government because there's you know bureaucracy so my point is you know how How long do we know of the lifespan of this vehicle? To my knowledge, I don't think it's 5 years old. I believe these are vehicles from the Afghan war that we just pulled out of. So, these are 10 years old, 15 years old. Like, do we
know the integrity, the maintenance, the insurance costs, all that other stuff. >> And then the last thing I want to mention is like or the last two things I want to mention is like the overmilitarization of police. Like I don't know how many of us are kept in touch, but I saw these vehicles at Delaney Hall a week ago when I visited.
These vehicles are meant not only of course to protect police officers and help them defend them at the stage of the crime scene or the stage of the the scene, but these are a form of militarization of showing the police as the dictator or you not necessarily the dictator but necessary as a powerfront
of the township. I don't think we're a town that stands for overmilitarization. So my suggestion to the council not necessarily is to you know shut this down to say no to this. I I strongly believe the council uh councilman OJ Patone and I want to re uh commend him for doing this is that we should push
this to two weeks or to next month and to not have this on the consent agenda where it's voted together. I think it should be a separate vote that the council makes after getting uh after getting uh feedback from the community. And last thing I want to mention I I have three seconds is ACLU and multiple
other law a uh law civic agencies actually warn about having townships using these. So that's what I have. I don't know if there's any response from uh the representative, but >> uh your time is up. Thank you. But we will answer a few of your questions. >> Can I stay up here or should I
>> You're welcome to stay. It's just I unfortunately there's not a back and forth, but um to the captain is what why did we pick this one? Is this the only one offered? >> So we it's whatever is available. It's not we we don't necessarily go and shop for
>> what we want necessarily, but it it is items that are available to any police department. I'll I'll let the captain answer the rest. >> First off, thank you for your comments. It's much appreciated on behalf of all the men and women I work with. Uh I
really do appreciate it. Um in terms of the usage of the MRAP, it's not going to be utilized on a day-to-day patrolling schedule. Um you you won't ever probably see it patrolling the streets of Edison. The only time this will be used is for highly specialized operations composed
by our SWAT team. Um which without giving any any of their um their secrets away. They operate mostly at night early morning hours. This is to safely transport members of our SWAT team who handle the most dangerous operations on
a daily basis. This isn't for routine patrol. We're not going to be stopping cars, making traffic stops in this vehicle. This vehicle is for officer safety transport to high-risk operations. Now, with that being said, our town is
one of the safest in the country because we have SWAT teams, specially trained officers, the chief of police and the mayor who support us and and supply us with the equipment needed and the manpower needed to keep Edison as the safest, one of the safest towns in the
country. This vehicle isn't going to be paraded around the town in a military fashion. This vehicle is going to be utilized specifically for the most dangerous, high-risisk operations that our SWAT team puts themselves at risk for every day. Some of them are search
warrants, some of them are barricaded suspects, some of them are hostage situations, which I can proudly say that we've operated without this vehicle in that higher state of risk. So with this vehicle, the officers that are on the SWAT team, which is special weapons and
tactics, they will be properly trained. They're highly trained now and I have nothing but the utmost confidence in them and their abilities while utilizing this. But this will not be used as a day-to-day patrol car. This will be parked and used for specialized
operations, high-risk operations where officers and civilians are at in danger. So, I know you asked a few questions. I apologize if there's anything else, Council President, that I missed. >> I I I think you hit on point. Thank you. Thank you. [clears throat] >> And I I I just wanted to mention first
we thank you for coming. Thank you for um saying what you said about our men and women on the police department. But as we prepare to make sure people know not to come to Edison to create a crime, I think it's great that we have plate
readers today like we didn't before. So if you come to Edison, we know you're here immediately by the fact you have a car that's unregistered. or you don't have a license coming through here. Um the fact that you know we're prepared in a township that is
surrounded by other townships and at the crossroads of so many major highways and uh and I would say it's easy for us to say Edison's a safe place and it is but if you ever were on a highway knowing
what's going through your town is the question no one will ever know. And I'm sure the captain can speak on that when you're on a major highway pulling someone over. So that's the difference. I mean, we're keeping crime out and I think this is a great opportunity when
we do have something in Edison and it's free. But I think what you said uh about it being paraded or any used in a situation that you mentioned, I don't see that happening here and I'm glad the captain answered those questions. Uh moving forward on, do we have any
questions or comments on resolutions only? Miss Joyce Ship, Joyce Ship Freeman. Um, I agree with the young man and I did a lot of research. Also, Edison already has a bunch of lawsuits against him for overmilitarization of harassing people that come through
this town there. You know, there's a bunch of lawsuits already. And I know for a fact that I remember when they had a hostage situation off of New Dover when the girl I think and her brother and her family and they were shot and you know Edison police does well like
they always do in that given situation but a helicopter was needed not an armored truck. Now in Edison we only have two lanes going anywhere. So to put that truck out there and to tear up the streets and all that. Ah maybe that's
good with y'all because you know we we rain money in Edison. That's what we do. That's the first thing we do. Now uh the other thing the um when we're doing the consent agenda and we're resolution approving dispersements and all that.
Someone told me to ask you um of all the six figure people who have cars is the tolls the >> So just a point of order. Uh >> yeah, >> that's the ship. >> Yes.
>> Um just right now it's resolutions only. So you're >> Yes. Yes. I'm asking you about this resolution. They want to know if the tolls, the taxes >> and the gas is included in this resolution. Can you tell me what resolution please? >> Dispersements >> approving dispersements. Is it is that
being approved? They they want to know if that's being approved. The the tolls, the gas, and the money spent and the people who have six figures who happen to manage to get cars all the time. All right. >> Your next question >> I wanted to ask also. Well, they want to
know that at all. That's part of your dispersement. >> I'm writing it down. >> Isn't the taxes and the all that spent? Is that not part of the uh dispersement? >> I wrote it down. I'll answer it when you're finished. No problem. >> All right. I wanted to know um and I wanted to speak about the uh resolution
of the housing that mayor to execute. Well, those funds are needed for a startup fund, but we will be getting those funds back as time goes on. So, it's not like we're giving the housing authority anything. And on this other resolution, I wanted to ask cuz this
says Delmare, California, resolution 330 062026. I want to know why it says California. It could be like this is a um a franchise or something, but I just wanted to know why is where it's in it's
in uh California. You know, we got more, you know. >> I'm sorry, Miss Ship. Just a point of order. What number are you relating to? The clerk's asking >> uh the um 33062026. Okay. I want to know the direction and the path of the trolley and which
direction it would be going in. Uh um about the fire department equipment and divisions. uh uh what kind of uh extra equipment that they're going to be using cuz down the street from my house they have a data center that has all
types of lithium batteries. I'm more concerned about you guys being protected against those lithium batteries than I am an armored truck cuz when lithium batteries burn sir you know that's a big deal. So explain that one to me and let's see because you got to run through this real quick. They only give you a
few minutes to talk. Okay that's good. All right. So far, so far so good. If you can answer me that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Ship. Um, just for this uh to the BA for the for the spending question she asked. Do you
have an answer? >> Council President, I don't know what the question specific line item in the dispersement is. >> For the dispersements, is it including tolls and fuel? You'd have to tell me exactly what line item that is, but typically under the current fund, we
would charge uh those kinds of expenses, fuel, anything like that. >> Okay. And she also had um a question on the Well, there wasn't a question house. She commented on housing. Okay. Thank you.
>> Um to the chief, did you want to um >> I'm sorry. Point of order, Miss Ship. >> Miss Ship, Miss Ship, you're not going to go back and forth. Your time is up, please. Only because if you start, >> but you're talking to somebody. And
don't tell me you're talking to yourself because I know that's not possible. Okay. [snorts] Thank you, Miss Ship. I appreciate it. Chief, would you please come up and just answer the question for the data centers and how we'd approach um fires today? for the data centers. Um, do you want to
prevent thermal runaway with the lithium ion? So, I believe the plans reviewed I think they added two more hydrants in there and um, I think it's still I don't know where it is in the did it get approved yet or not, but I saw the preliminary plans. I didn't see the final one, but we met with the company
and they met the code of the uh, the suppression to prevent the thermal runaways. I don't know if that answers the question. Any copious amounts of water? >> Thank you, chief. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. Moving
on. Any questions or comments on resolutions only? Anybody? Looks like we're completed. Have a motion to close the public portion on resolutions only. >> Motion to close. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. I.
Um, >> okay. Um, can I have that? As a courtesy of Mr. the Kentos. We're going to table 9 C um resolution 289062206. Can I have a motion uh to table?
>> Motion to table. Do >> you have a second? >> Wait a second. >> Second. >> 289. >> We need to do roll call or just all in favor on that? >> No, you have to do a roll call table. >> Yeah. Table. >> Okay. 289062 2026.
>> Council member Brasher, >> a yes to table. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Oh, he requests that he's not here. >> And and then just rewind real quick before we finish. This is to go on to the next meeting. We're just tableing to the next agenda. >> Okay.
>> Okay. >> So, can I just can restart the roll call? I'm making a motion and be June 24th. >> The June 24th meeting. Can I have a second to move to table us to that meeting? >> Second. >> Second by council member Patiel. Uh madam clerk, roll call.
>> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kos is left. >> Council member Battel. >> Yes. >> Council member Batiel. >> Yes. >> Council member. >> Yes. >> Council President Coyle.
>> Yes. >> Um going to the agenda. Uh any council members at this a time where they can pull any resolution off the agenda they'd like for a separate vote or to table? So I'll start from my right. Council member Brusher, anything to be pulled for a separate vote?
>> Um I the actually it was the one that you tabled already. >> Okay. Thank you. Council member Dimma. >> No. >> Council member Patel. Anything? Let >> Councilman Part 299. Anything Patil
>> 299 >> 299 >> council member Sashimo >> no >> okay nothing so we're going to pull for a separate vote 299 council person I would like to table the 299 until we get the information on the
life left the condition of the vehicle the maintenance cost and the training cost >> um I just I'm sorry I'm just um I'd had to reset. Can you please repeat that? >> So the reason I would like to table this ordinance to know the facts the life
left on the vehicle uh the condition of the vehicle maintenance cost again we can ballpark the number based on the make model and the life left and the training cost if any. >> Yeah. Uh I'm sorry I was in a I read some bad
news on the phone from one of our members of the councils. Uh Mr. Kentzel had to leave for an emergency and I uh pray for good things that are so I was a little bit in shock. Um any members of the council would like uh
to comment or you're making a motion to table? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Do we have a second? >> I'll second it. >> Um [clears throat] you'll have to do roll call and second and table this.
>> Council member Brusher. Um yes to table till we get the additional information. >> Council member Dimma. >> No. [snorts] >> Council member >> Patel. >> What? >> Yes to table. >> I want to comment on this. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yes to table but uh councilman.
>> I wanted to comment on on this. Sorry that >> Sure. >> I So coming into today's meeting I didn't think we were going to talk about a vehicle that were that were I didn't think we're going to debate a free vehicle. Uh, but I understand Councilman
Patil's u [clears throat] reservations. I hope that we that we never use this vehicle. I uh I don't and I I don't think that we ever will. Um and I think that u because of its slow usage uh like the captain said uh the the maintenance
will be minimal. So, this vehicle is going to offer uh our this free vehicle is going to offer our our our residents uh additional protection and it's going to offer police officers um additional
training. So, we'll have even better trained officers based on this vehicle. So, and and honestly, if it becomes too expensive, we could always retire it. So, I I I vote to uh yes on this uh resolution.
>> And just before we before we um let me just re could we just say yes. >> Just as a point of order, I'd like to restart the motion uh through >> you can't do >> he he didn't even vote yet. >> Done.
>> So, just procedurally, the motion to table has been made. The vote is started on it. Okay. Um at this point would be >> no to table. >> No to table. >> Okay. [snorts] >> Did you council petal? Did you you
voting? >> Yeah. I said already voted for table. Again I'm asking just two weeks of time to evaluate this. I'm not >> understand. >> Council president quot you vote >> um no to table. >> One two three one two three >> three and three. So it's
>> motion does not pass. does not pass. >> So, we're table failed. >> Motion and table failed. Can we have a a motion? >> We could first let's [clears throat] adopt the consent agenda. >> Have a motion to have a motion to adopt.
>> Council person, I will still pull that for the separate vote. >> You pulled it for a separate t. Let me just clarify. >> Table is a different thing. The voting for a se separate order is a very different thing. >> I thought you motioned to table. What
was council counselor? What did he do? >> Sure. Uh so the councilman motion to table the resolution. All that would do was is remove it from the consent agenda and table the resolution because that motion did not pass. It remains on the consent agenda.
Now the councilman is asking that it be removed from the consent agenda for a separate vote. Just >> are you okay? So, are you making another motion now? >> Yeah, I already made that. You know, I I No, not the motion. I'm asking to pull this for a separate vote.
>> It's a regular process. >> No problem. Okay. So, we're just going to add it to the 299. >> So, it's a separate vote again. >> SEP. She's going to pull for a separate vote, not a motion of T. The table failed. Okay, great. >> Um, anybody any other council members?
Council M, anything? You had nothing to pull? >> No. Okay. Can I have a motion to adopt a consent agenda withdrawing 299 for a separate vote? >> Motion to adopt. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Uh, Madam Clerk, roll call.
>> Council member Brusher, >> yes. >> Council member Dimma, >> yes. >> Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Patiel, >> yes. >> Council member, >> yes. >> Council President Coyle, >> yes.
Okay. I have a motion. Uh I'm just going to clarify uh during this particular I will make sure we have council comments on this. We normally do that. It's but some situations it's a faster motion and we don't have that. So the council member
you would you want to do your motion? >> Yeah. You know, I think you should call the roll call and if they want to make the vote by >> right now, we have a you have a motion from Council Patil. >> Yes, sir. >> To [clears throat] >> I already made the comment saying I'm
not comfortable for voting this resolution for the fact that I do not know the life left on the vehicle, the condition of the vehicle, how much it's going to cost to maintain, how many times potentially it could be used based on the historical information and the training cost. >> Okay. Thank you. We have a motion to
adopt a 299. Motion to adopt 299. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Madam clerk, roll call. >> Council member Brusher. >> No. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel. >> No. >> Council member Patiel.
>> I with the lack of information. >> Council member Shimwell. >> Yes. >> Council President Coyle. >> Yes. The pass. >> We got a one abensention two. No. So, same thing. >> No, you have a resolution that has five
council members voting on it. Three voted yes, two voted no. Um, if it's a resolution, it >> still requires uh a majority of the voting members, not a majority of the sitting council. So, if this were an
ordinance, it would fail. >> Um, >> it fails. Uh, counselor. >> So, it passed. No, >> sorry. >> Okay. Uh if you give me a moment to
verify, I can I can verify. Okay. Just just so that everyone's clear and on the same page. If you want to move on um so that we can make a determination, we can do that. Otherwise, you can wait about two minutes. >> I'm just going to wait.
>> [clears throat] [clears throat] >> extension that screws things up. Not 33 though because he abstained. He didn't know. >> That's the problem is that when it is an extension, he's not a member. He's not voting. >> So now you're down to only >> which means that you have five voting
members >> and you got three problem. >> You got three yeses. So there would be >> Yeah. So generally, >> it fails, man. >> So, it's a 32 vote.
>> So, it's pass. >> You don't Yeah. You You don't need a majority of the Sorry. You don't need a majority of the council, the sitting council to pass a resolution. If we had five people here, we could still pass resolutions, >> right? And we would pass those
resolutions three, too. >> So, councelor, just a question. So, if we had five council members and one person voted yes and four voted no, you're telling us that it passes. >> No, >> no, no, no, no. >> Uh, what I'm saying is that if you had
five council members and one voted yes and four abstained from voting, there would be arguably uh a passage of that. However, um that is a highly unusual and very strange situation. >> Council person, if that's the case, and
I will change my vote to yes, uh no. >> The the vote. Okay, that's already I'm not arguing your request, but I think your request is over. >> No, it didn't. You know, you had the several dialogues back and forth. You know, you were asking attorney sitting
here. >> No, you want to push it. I get it. >> Listen, I am Listen, I am pushing it. I think it's a great idea. I'm not I'm not denying that. I think I think I'm in completist listen I respect Councilman. We've worked together for 11 years. I respect
everything you've mentioned in here. I disagree respectfully. The roll call no different than the roll call before. Let's not have a double standard. [snorts] You you you voted. You chose to abstain. You could have chose no. The
rule of abstaining is not council. You don't need to explain me the reason of abstain. But what I'm saying you did allowment to make the comment when the roll call was going on. That was out of the process. By the way, >> listen, >> that was not by the process. So you can't change the process based on your convenience.
>> We've never we've never got sticky on someone commenting that's a member of the council during a roll call. >> We have we have council comments all the time. >> Okay. We have com comments. We've had phone calls >> on the ordinances, not on
>> but we've had >> Listen, I'm I'm not denying anything. I'm not going to debate with the councilman. The the counselor has said that it is it the motion was approved. So, we're moving forward. >> That's okay. No, you move forward. But I'm just saying that, you know, next
time I'll catch you in the I don't know why you decided to abstain. >> No, because I don't have the information, right? I cannot say no because I don't have the information. Again, I just thought you would be a hard no because you brought it up. You
decided to be to abstain. I can't control what you did. >> Council council person, >> as a courtesy, I'm not going to redo a roll call. >> No. Council person, you are on the council for 10 years. You know the meaning of abstain. When you don't have the information, you cannot vote yes or
no. You are making that your choice saying, "Hey, I don't have enough information. That's why I'm abstaining. I'm not voting no because this is important but I need to know the cost. But anyway, you can move on. >> Listen, as [snorts] a courtesy to my council member, I have no interest in
redoing a roll call, but Captain, would you just clarify is whether we do this today or in two weeks, what is your position? That was really a issue. >> Council, council president, my my position on what exactly
>> it to to accept this vehicle today. >> Yeah. Because we have emergency. Let's accept. >> Personally, I I I say yes. I mean, if it's going to keep my officers and the citizens of this town safer, then the the >> motion's approved. Thank you. >> Okay. We're going to move forward. Thank
you, Council Member Patiel, and I respect your argument. Clear. Uh, moving forward to the oral petition remarks. Um, reports from all council committees. >> Remarks. [clears throat] >> Okay. Or just remarks. Anyone from the
public that can would like to comment on anything? Uh this young lady in the back right here, >> um Tessy Yakamovich, um Edison resident. Um good evening. Um I wanted to talk a
little bit more um and like ask the the town to consider a traffic study um for an uncontrolled intersection where Old Post Road and uh the Boulevard of the Eagles meet. Um so I'm I'm a lifelong resident. I've lived there. Um, I've
lived in um near Opus Road um all my life. Um it carries a lot of traffic in both directions, especially vehicles coming from Route One. Um Boulevard of the Engles brings traffic from uh Edison High School. Um and there's no signal at
this intersection. Um and it frequently becomes congested uh due to the sheer amount of traffic coming in all directions. Um also many of these drivers don't slow down enough while vehicles are trying to turn. Usually it's right turns. Um, and this concerns me, especially given the
proximity of the intersection to the high school, um, and the unsafe situations it can create for high schoolers. Um, I know there was a like an incident in March, um, where, um, a student was hit at uh, a crossing um, where the intersection is. Um, and so I
was kind of concerned about that when I heard about it. Um, I'm not sure, you know, if the town council can do anything about it. I just wanted to kind of bring it up. Um, I did some research, um, and looked into some data from the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Um, I found the crash data, uh, portal. Um, and I kind of reviewed, uh, data on the area within 250 ft of this intersection. Um, the map showed, uh, 18 crashes, around 18 crashes, um, near the intersection um, from since 2019. Um,
that's including three that involved injuries and it said one fatality. Um again this data was kind of like calculated like 250 feet within the intersection uh the area of the intersection. So this could be inaccurate. Um but in general for one
location this is pretty concerning to me. Um especially because it showed um for for the incidences where um this uh the extra data data was shown um it showed that this majority of these uh accidents occurred um in daylight um and
uh clear weather. So these aren't like special circumstances in which these crashes are occurring. Um and yeah, so I I would uh you know, I would like for the uh the town to do some sort of traffic study. Um I'm not sure if I would have to reach out to any uh other
kind of party in this case, but um it would be a good idea. >> You still have a minute and 24 seconds. Did you have any other questions? >> Uh no, just I mean if I could get some advice on how to proceed with this. But while you're there, we can you can stay
there and I'm going to ask the uh captain um is this something could you answer the question whether we can do a study sometime in the near future or look at this for a study? >> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> Okay. >> I could pass that um I'll pass that information off to our traffic unit,
Lieutenant Turner, and uh we'll get you some answers in the in the future. >> Okay. I really appreciate it. Yeah, cuz I I live nearby and you know like I've had so many near near crashes that have occurred when I was just driving. Um I I was almost involved in one where the cars just don't slow down because
they're coming from Route One. You know, they treat it as if it's still Route One and >> So So members of the council know your location again. What intersection are you looking for this to be done at? >> This is Old Post Road between Old Post Road and Boulevard of the Eagles. So by
Okay. Are you a student? I'm sorry. No pass by >> living in the area. No problem. We'll have it looked at. If you want to leave before you leave, if you could >> give your email to the uh our deputy clerk. >> Okay. >> Or if you want to thread an email to the
clerk, that's up to you if you have to leave early. But if I can give the email information, she may come out if she has a moment so that you can have have some response back from Lieutenant Turner. >> Okay. I appreciate it. >> I'm sorry. One more thing. Sonia, did you want to answer this? I I did
>> your time is up. I'm sorry you can't and not to be rude, but your comments are over, but she's going to make a comment. >> Okay. I just wanted to alert everyone that between our engineering team and our traffic division, I've just emailed them and copied you, council president, to look into that to see exactly uh what
can be done. Even if something was done in the past, we always look into it again. So, uh that's been they've [clears throat] been put on notice. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. So, we we step one is is happening for you. >> Sure. Council President, since I've been here, and you've been here, and I know
Mr. Patiel has been here. Um, this we've we've done a traffic study. In fact, we went and did something about putting a crosswalk over there. Uh, we were talking about putting a crosswalk with the light where you hit the button. So, so I know that our department did a traffic study already that you have one
and and it's probably not any different than about a year ago when we did it. May maybe it was two years. Time goes by fast for me. Um, could we maybe get her that traffic study? >> Sure. >> If if we have one, we we can surely
provide it. >> Okay. Yeah. I just remember we did it. >> What if she wants an updated one >> from a year ago? I don't think we had any more people here in the last year. >> We have more electric scooters,
[laughter] but Okay. Thank you. Uh, any other qu members of the council? Um, I'm just going to go I'm going to come to you, sir. Uh, um, I'm just going to the left here. >> Thank you. Good evening, council members. >> Welcome.
>> Uh, you want to state your name? Did you want to state your name and address, please? >> Yeah. My name is Rahul Rahul Davin. I'm a resident of 419 Dam Avenue, >> close to the Shell gas station. That's indeed district 73. >> We are the residents of district 73 on
Durham Avenue near the Shell gas station, a designated state residential area. Uh we are here to strongly oppose the variance request that would allow the convenience store to be built in this residential zone. At the last zoning board meeting, residents were not
given a fair opportunity to be heard. What we witnessed was deeply concerning and troubling. a willingness to approve nearly 25 variances that appear to prioritize commercial greed over community needs.
While we understand that council does not make zoning board decisions, the council appoints the members who do, when those appointees act against the interests of the residents, accountability cannot be ignored.
Today it's district 73. tomorrow. It could be any neighborhood in Edison. We ask you to stand with your residents, protect our residential communities, and oppose this convenience store proposal. >> Thank you. You please you can stay
there. You have two minutes left and I'll do my best to answer some of your questions. Um, first question is, and I'm not familiar, we we don't have anybody. Um, >> I can talk. >> Is it Yeah. This has been approved already, right? was already up in there. >> This is a zoning board application which
was heard last month and what he is trying to say is the public portion was not there. Uh it's going to in the next meeting the public here public portion >> question is it still an open application or is >> it's still an open application. >> Okay. Okay. Um thank council pat you
want to say something? >> Yeah actually you know I I know this neighborhood exactly and that's very dangerous spot. In fact, the Shell gas pump, if you look, the road just literally divides and problem. >> Point of order. >> Yeah, but just want to just say before you say whether you're for or against this. >> No, I'm not saying
>> you could be voting on an appeal. So, I just don't want to >> I'm not uh >> I want to just hear comments, not >> understood. What I'm saying is it's a concerning to everyone if they are taking their time and attending the zoning meeting or planning meeting and if they are not allowed to speak [snorts]
that tells a lot. I don't think you know if it is a time issue they should have simply not heard the applicant because I'm pretty sure you know not one or two there might be 20 30 or 50 people in the uh zoning board meeting so just multiply their time hearing the zoning board
application for 2 hours 3 hours and then when their time comes up hey you don't have now we here next week and half of them will be gone we have seen this cycle of the process many times in the past many times in a past so to give run
around. So my request is again if you know anybody not to make any decisions uh but let's give that respect to the residents and see you know we can treat them better way next time. Thank you. >> And councilman well I know you're still here. Um are you saying the application
is still open? >> Are you saying the public portion is closed of this application? >> Not yet. >> Okay. So there'll be another time there'll be another swing at the plate for you to >> We want to be heard. Yes. We want to be heard. We want that fair opportunity to voice our concerns >> and and from what I understand and uh we
will reach out to the BA to communicate uh with the chairman there. I I can't call out a time >> we can't we can't actually even communicate with him but council member I don't call out a time and you can let me know later. I'm not putting you on the spot where this this has been a
better zoning board for a very long time and even council member Pinter and who serves on the environmental commission has been very happy with them and other members including former president council president Marggo Harris. So I mean I'd like to point to when they've had this problem in the past to see uh
to make comments but certainly it is going to be heard. you'll have a chance to do that. But from this body today to some degree we are kind of neutral at this and you want us to be uh neutral and not have an opinion which is why I this council member has been on for 11
years. We know better to say something about an application because you may get advice or an opinion to appeal something then it comes to us to vote to overturn it and we have to be neutral. So, I hope you respect that that you're not going to hear anybody say anything on this
because you're going to be in hope of their position at a later date, >> whatever that may be. And so will the gas station be in hope of us voting not to overturn it. So, I hope you Thank you very much and I'm sorry your time was up. Any other members? >> Council President, it seems like they
understand that that thing was they just want to express it seems like they want to express this opinion to another body of the town. >> No, no, absolutely. I just I we're we we're well heard. Sure. Um I'm going to move just for a second only because uh this gentleman's been waiting for a
while. Please come up. [gasps] >> Good evening everyone. Uh my name is Aloc Sud uh Quincy Road Edison, New Jersey. Uh I guess council I mean some of you guys may know me from last year. I came here multiple times. Some of the
people also might have seen me last year multiple times. And uh President Coyle, you last year also mentioned you don't want to see me come again for this same uh issue and here I am again for the same thing. And it's it's been ironic. I
mean last year even before the bamboo ordinance was approved when it was proposed I came here Mr. Pointer who brought the ordinance he assured me people who are grandfathered they won't have any issues. It's not for those people it's for the new bamboo to be
planted. And with that assurance, the council approved it. Then I got the summons. I came here again and then the the township attorney in front of everyone. It was recorded as well. It's still on YouTube. Confirmed to me that
uh I'm the the summon I should not have received anything and I am not in any violations and I'm grandfathered. Again, I kept receiving summons after summons all year long. I went to the court multiple times. Then in March this year it was dismissed. I was happy. Okay,
finally it got like closed. April I again got summons. So I don't know what the summons are for because first I'm grandfathered and the second thing is there was no bamboo on the other side when I received the summons in April. Not even a single bamboo. So I don't know what the violation was. And the
thing is the summons now again I I have to appear in court and uh I understand like I watched the the YouTube from last uh last council meeting and thank you uh President Coyle you uh requested the the attorney to pull it. So I appreciate that but the thing is I mean at this
point it's it's been multiple times I've been to the court for no reason. I mean there's nothing I mean we could all use this time to do something productive in the township instead of wasting time everyone's time not just my time court's time everyone's time we are wasting I mean what are we gaining out of it nothing I mean if I'm grandfathered I'm
grandfathered why I am I being harassed every time every month so I'll appreciate I mean I thank you again for supporting me last year when you said that you don't want to see me again for the same issue and thank you last last time when you mentioned that you want to pull it
>> I'm just I'm going to just do a point of order and stop the clock only because I want you have a chance to speak. Um, first, thanks for coming. Thanks for coming back. Um, at this time, I'm revisiting this only because I'm getting conflicting
stories about not just your property, other property. So, I'm asking for the council to do a site visit uh through the administration's agreement to go to your backyard to observe not your backyard. We have about nine backyards to look at. We've we've just set down
four opportunities for the council to meet on Zoom or face to face over the next four Tuesdays. So, I want to apologize. I didn't aggressively do enough hard work. Council member Patil, I owe it to him to to pull this. And today, after further discussion with the
attorney, I asked to wait. Uh so, he is hard to push to pull this. Um, I asked and he's still going to make comments and so were other members, but I was asking the council to wait for us to go back into the yards to look at this. I
read the ordinance thoroughly and I've also spoke to the attorney where your position is grandfathered. I'm unsure because you can have it, which you said you did. I didn't observe this so though. Okay. But you it cannot spread to another yard. Okay. today you can't
have it at all and it's a state uh law as well not to plant this. So if today you're telling me and again I'm just hearing your opinion but I will be in your yard possibly with permission of the town in the next few days or definitely next week and we are going to
meet over the next four meetings council members individually about this subject where it should go and how we should pull it and or amend it. So I hope you're satisfied with the aggressive approach I'm going to take. I'm not doing it tonight to put this up to be pulled. I have it here. I also have
other pictures to share with members of the council. I have a slideshow presentation. I'm I am hoping I don't have to do about other backyards of the issue. So, I will look into it. I promise you that you still have time to comment, but I at least wanted to let you know what I've done so far. And I'm
sorry I failed to do more work prior to this. And I did not like this ordinance from day one. And I and I did not. Today I'm revisiting it and I've changed some of my approach to this and I'm not complete in the homework to investigate
these backyards. So, and on one side I hear your point. On another side, I have other residents. It's growing through a into people's pools. It's growing through. It's it's almost unstoppable. And I think other members of the public may come up that served on the environmental commission or serve in a
green capacity for the environment. So, uh, I think I'm going to round up on that. I think Council Member Patiel may want to interrupt also if you can hold. So, I'm putting a placeholder on your time. Council member Patiel has to want to also comment during this round.
>> Absolutely. And Council President, thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on this topic. My intent my intent was not to repeal the ordinance. If you remember the last council meeting, I asked very specifically is there a way
for us to pause giving the summones, the notices violation until this council comes back with the consensus and amend this ordinance and I you can watch the recording and you said yes but that didn't happen. He has the court hearing this week coming week. So my only ask is
I'm not in favor of repealing. What I'm asking here is can this body move the resolution on now or any point in time before we close saying until this body comes back with the consensus no
summones no violations will be issued again you take two weeks good it takes 2 months at least the homeowner will get the relief that's only my ask >> yeah I I I think it's a valid ask the only problem is we don't sit in the judicial lane and I don't know whether that's >> we are a legislative body Council
President, we can pass the resolution tonight pausing everything that we can. >> Councelor, >> so at >> I don't disagree with you. I just want to hear from the council. >> At that point, you would be directing the administrative uh the administration's staff. >> Absolutely.
>> Um >> in order to essentially usurp the administration's role in governing their staff and directing what their staff does. Um a resolution that [sighs]
directs the administration to not enforce the ordinances. What essentially would have to be would have to be a resolution that directs the members of the department of health and the zoning department not to conduct a specific action. And I think that that
would be problematic in and of itself uh as a usurppation of the administrative authority over its employees. Um you could uh pass an ordinance >> [snorts]
>> um eliminating that aspect of the the ordinance that exists uh so that it would become a toothless ordinance uh that would have no enforcement mechanism. >> Can you repeat that please again? I just I lost you at your last 30 seconds. >> Sure. Um like I said, I don't know that
this council and I would advise against this council attempting to control the actions directly of the administrative staff. heard that. >> Uh, however, what you could do, uh, rather than a resolution attempting to do that, um, is you could pass an
ordinance that amends the current ordinance and removes the violation provision so that it becomes a toothless ordinance that can't be a it's a distinction without a difference almost. However, one of them usurps administrative authority, the other
properly exercises your legislative authority of the ordinance. Thank you. Let let me ask. >> However, it there is a medium ground there where >> you make that request of the administration and the administration makes a determination as to whether or not it would be appropriate to do so.
Right. And that >> absolutely that request was made two weeks ago or three weeks ago in the last council meeting and that's probably it's on the shoulder of the council president. Let me ask the question to attorney. Is the state leg legislation overrites the township legislation or
which takes the precedence? >> So my understanding is that the state legislation has prohibited the planting of new bamboo. >> No, no, my question is very specific. Which ordinance take the precedence? State or the local? >> It depends. So generally speaking, the
state legislation preempts the local legislation, but that only occurs when the state has completely preempted the field, i.e. determined to legislate all of the aspects of the particular as um subject being legislated. Um, in this
case with the state legislation, uh, it doesn't address pre-existing bamboo or the ordinances that may exist already within the states. That's still being debated within the courts
themselves as to whether or not those are enforceable or not enforceable. >> Understood. >> That that's where the issue is. That's why I say it depends. Generally speaking, the state has determined that you can't plant new. Understood. But the you guys circulated you know every
council member has this uh state legislation. If you look at the page number three line number 4546 clause C this section shall not apply to running bamboos that was planted before the date of enactment of this section.
It clearly says it's grandfathered. >> The now the the state legislation says it shall not apply to anything planted before. that doesn't necessarily usurp the local municipality's ability to legislate what already exists or how to
deal with bamboo that could be a problem. >> It doesn't specifically prohibit the municipalities from having their own more restrictive ordinances. That happens quite frequently.
>> Okay. My my understanding again we might have to double click on that with our prior attorney but I was told when I had introduced play-to-play ordinance paytoplay ordinance that the state legislation takes the precedence over the local ordinance and that's where we
couldn't do anything so that's why I'm saying you can double click it but my >> and that's accurate generally generally speaking the state legislation preempts when they try to occupy the same field if they don't occupy the same field and in its entirety. If the state legislation addresses one aspect of it
and the local legislation addresses a different aspect of it, that doesn't always invalidate the municipality's ability to control its own affairs. The only time that the municipality is prohibited from controlling its own affairs is when the
state has fully enveloped the field. >> Have you read this legislation? >> Yes. >> Okay. Have you realized that it covers every single aspect? a bamboo every single aspect I read everything that's why I'm saying probably our ordinance doesn't cover the thing that is covered
in this legislation so it is an exhaust you that includes every single condition yet you say that hey local could prohibit so either you have to be consistent with what you're giving the opinion to this council
>> I just want to just so aside from the subject matter we're discussing any change that you want to make to any ordinance we've done with other subjects. >> You can certainly do that to, >> you know, enhance what the state
>> tells you what what you should be doing. Okay. You can you can further it. You mentioned paytoplay. Yes, we can create ordinances that take takes that further. Okay. So, I'm I'm trying to follow. What is your question? What would you like the administration to do?
>> My my request again, I requested that two weeks ago. So I'm requesting again until this council comes with the consensus on the bambard or not the bambordance actually that ordinance itself of the invisible species no summonance should be or the violation
should be issued again it's a matter of two weeks if we can hold on that I think we're good we don't need to do anything >> uh counselor I have never heard of a request coming from the body to take that kind of directive um so you'll have
to tell me exactly ly how you want our m our property maintenance staff to do something like that >> especially if we have pending matters >> we're not councelor we're not having that conversation right now uh and I'm sorry councilman we're not going to
direct zoning what to do I can tell I'm not asking I'm not >> I know but I'd like to stay clear of that I'm going to have a meeting first thing tomorrow morning to rectify this face to face on this ordinance with our counselor on the phone to determine a
closer look at the meaningful purpose of this ordinance and I will have a strong meeting for an hour to to get this outlined in the open. Is that fair? We will have a meeting tomorrow morning between 12 before 12:00.
>> Sure. Sure. I I just want to understand though you you >> we are not directing we are not directing any department. We are just doing what we >> we are just going to go over the actual >> okay >> ordinance and identifying the the conversation. Council Patil has talked
about the state process, the process, the pre-existing bamboo and so forth. And I got to be clear with this because it's going back and forth too much. And that we're not done airing out the laundry tonight either. But I also want to have a separate meeting on that discussion with you.
>> Council President, I have a few comments about this bamboo. So I I saw pass. >> You've been the longest standing um longest standing resident with a minute and 34 seconds. Okay. >> Did you want to to sit down? Do you want to use up your time and speak?
>> Yeah, I think I think >> or do you want to hear his comments? >> My comments will not uh trigger anything else so he can finish his time and then I can go. >> Yeah. Let me finish your time only because please make a comment. >> Okay. Sure. Right now you start the clock please.
>> Thank you both of you. But uh president call there's one thing I I want to bring to your attention. You want to check if there is bamboo or not. But the problem is if their bamboo already exists I mean roots are everywhere. If it's there for like 10 years and in my case when I came
to you guys the first time even before it was approved I brought a point that this house was abandoned for 5 years from 2015 till 2020. All the stuff was coming towards my side. I had at least 10 novice spruce planted. All of them died because all this stuff started coming to my side and bamboo started
growing as well. So now if this new house was built from his perspective I grew the bamboo but from my perspective it came from the other side. So how is it fair to me when you guys are telling me that I I need to take care of it now? It's not I mean I that's where the grandfather comes in. If the bamboo's
there the roots are everywhere. How can you assume that I'm supposed to go and dig every route on the other side now? So what is grandfather then? Well, the grandfather, as far as I read this ordinance, is that you would contain your bamboo either in a, you know, if
you had in a pre-existing above ground pot, if you had an above ground bed, or you had a pre-existing in your actual planter that you would contain it to not go across the border line. >> If it's already there, how can you contain something? I I have a glass of water. I throw it. How can I put it back? >> I I'm not disagree I'm not disagreeing
with that. And I and and I'm and and I'm not I didn't I'm not a lawyer. I have a lawyer next to me. But >> in any matter like this, it may be a civil matter that's argued in a different courtroom on who planted it and who's responsible. I don't think you're going to win. I think I don't
think you're going to win that argument. I think a neighbor if you're no different than an oil tank that you didn't you inherited that spills across a few property lines. You are the person that's going to clean up that oil on that next property.
This is pretty close to oil seeping and just infects the the land of someone else's. It's not oil, but it is a root system that is causing a big problem. I stand to be as confused as you are on how difficult it is for you to put up
with. I'm just saying from my point today and Council Patiel called me early today. I we had debated for an hour on the phone. We're not pulling it today. I am going to ask the administration if I could permission to access your property to see this problem face to face with
other council members. Um, and if the root system is on the other side of people's property, I think we're entering another boundary of a civil litigation that that person has to have to take up with you. I don't know where we stop and start and I'm going to find
that out further. Okay, >> that's what I was told. >> Your time is up and I'm not trying to, you know, if you want to just have a brief comment, but your time is up. >> Just a brief comment. I mean, that's what I was told when I came here the first time by Mr. Pointer that it will
be a civil suit. Township will not step in because I'm grandfather and to your point of oil. The problem in this case is oil is not going from my property to their property. It came from the other property and now the other property is saying that I'm I'm the one responsible for it. >> Okay. again and I know you're finishing
your comments, but no different than any civil lawsuit for someone who has, you know, access something encroaching on their property. So, I'm going to sit with the counselor and see whether where the discussion goes or refine and stop and then it just
goes to litigation between two neighbors and that neighbor should have to take you to court. I personally would take you to court if this was in in my yard and I'd find out whether you've planted it or somebody else planted it. I'm not the one that dropped the seed to start this. And and your claim today is you
did not plant this. >> Yeah. >> You never planted bamboo in your backyard. >> It disappeared. >> Yeah. >> I mean I I moved it from when it was already there. I moved it from little bit from here to there. Couple of them, but otherwise >> you inherited the you inherited the bamboo through the purchase of the property.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So So I mean that's what it is now. >> I don't think that stops your your responsibility. But again, I I'm not saying the things you want to hear today, but the first thing is we're going to do some work. I've asked the the administration to set up four dates
that we can have discussions with rotating council people and the council president. That's the best I can do for you today. I can't stop the fines right now, but I'm going to ask for a meeting tomorrow as well to clarify this position and sit with the counselor. I'm hoping to move forward on this agenda.
If the counselor wants to interrupt me and override me, he can. If some another member wants to talk more, I can't stop that. But at the moment, I'm hoping to move forward and have these meetings with each member here, including council, council pats, and and and Mr. Kentos, and Kelly DMA. So, we will be
approaching this in the next four weeks, every Tuesday to have a meeting. >> Thank Okay. Um, does anybody else We He's finished commenting, but on this particular matter, any other council comments on the bamboo? uh council
president. Okay. So I was um not a council member last year and when this uh but I in last few days I have seen when this was brought to my attention I have seen many council meetings from last year where this bamboo ordinance was repeatedly talked about right uh so
there's a state law from what I understand and councilman pointer did a very detailed PhD kind of research on it I believe and you know he he brought a lot of points of light to people's attention and that's where this came in if I I maybe incorrect That's what happened and you this
resident has been getting a lot of summons from township for whatsoever reasons. I 100% agree with Mr. Burns. He says that you know we that directive that you so that's very helpful to know that we don't want to give administration any directive to tell people not to do their job. So I that's
that's very helpful to know in in any decisions that we make. My so that being said some doing something tonight may open up you know um some issues. So that that I understand from what Mr. Bun said. So we don't want to do it may not be a good idea to do something tonight.
>> But the concern the biggest concern is from the meetings the videos that I saw >> one minute >> all last year was this gentleman comes in and Mr. Pointer, former councilman Pointer and many other council members, including you guys over here, say, "Oh, yeah, yeah, we guys all agree that is
grandfathered and you good. You good." And they talked to you offline, right? I saw all of that. And then everyone agreed multiple times. I think an attorney was not Mr. Burn, some other attorney agreed. Yeah, you're good. Your grandfather, you're good. So, we'll be taking care of you. And then yet again,
Yeah. Yet again you have to come again again again and again and again to the same meeting same chambers and talk about the same thing again and we talked about this earlier this year too. We talked about it last meeting when we brought when councilman part brought it
up and I think the agreement was in this meeting um we are going to have a language to work on which we can resolve the problems again uh I'm not taking any side of whether you are right or the neighbor is right or whoever is right but this it was agreed upon then last
meeting was two 3 weeks back this time we had a 3 week break and today we stand here and really you know we don't have the language yet so I understand yes we should to take a look at it and I agree this tonight is not a night to act but what is where do we stand like next meeting is he going to keep coming again
and we're going to go in circles with this thing or are we definitely going to move forward with it because we are wasting a lot of time on this bamboo thing >> I um I have some photos I I have some photos we're going to just put up just so that we can understand
some of the and I don't want to go too deep into this and I'm hoping we can just move to our meetings there but >> okay we can show good and bad both the sides okay >> I I I don't have to show them if you these are Google photos >> if you're showing them then I need to bring up with the good good things
>> okay remove the photos um the the point the the point Councilman we're in the discussion we're we're hot in the discussion just finish it these are just Google photos of a situation that a member of the council wants removed
that's a lot more complicated than just removing I'm not asking to remove it. Clearly amended. You said amend. I I resend that. You want it amended in that. >> So to not look at photos to see how aggressive this is for those who are watching and those who are here in the
audience in a this is not just a tree seeping onto someone's property, which we all have dealt with. And there are many people here with more experience. I'm not saying who, that have seen trees grow, you know, onto others property. This is, you know, this I'm just taking a stronger look at it.
>> I I understand. But as I said, >> I brought pictures only to discuss. If you don't want to see them, I get the point. >> I don't want to see them because >> I would like to lean. >> I would like to present the good pictures as well that I'm witnessing 20 years in my neighborhood and there is nothing there. I'll be happy to provide those pictures to you.
>> I'm not going to show the f pictures out of respect to leaning the council. I just want to share with you >> there's value in us going to the backyards to make sure we see what the zoning is seeing. if that is allowed by the administration. Okay. So, moving
forward, I'm going to >> one last. Go ahead, >> council president. So, that's that's fine and we should do that, but my my concern remains about the timeline, right? So, this is since last year like councilman pointer said all good and
everything and I you know again so many things happened but it keeps moving from one meeting to other other to other. So what's the definite action plan? Like you know that's what I'm trying to understand here. >> It's fair that over the next few meetings we will discuss this and for
the July 20th meeting we will have an have an ordinance that is pulled and an ordinance that is amended or nothing at all. One of the three. >> Yeah. >> But I can but I can >> So why is it July 20 June 24th? >> Uh
>> that's a great question. I just wanted more time. But if we were to push it to the July 20 to June 24th, that's very well possible. >> Yeah. I mean, if it's July is July, that's possible. That's that's fine. >> I just I think you're going to get more environmentalists involved in this tomorrow than >> No, that's fine. The gentleman could be
wrong. There could be a concern, whatever. But whatever decision we make of >> can this chapter come to an end one way or another. I >> I think we have enough time. I think we have enough time to to have this discussion, >> visit the backyards and Yes. Okay, I
want to move forward on bamboo if it's okay. >> Well, council president, I just like to one one comment. >> No, no, Rich, you promised. >> No, no, just one. >> You made a promise. >> One quick one. >> Now, this is never one minute. >> No, no, it is. It's going to be less than minutes. >> I'm kidding.
>> One comment. Not one minute. >> Um I I'd say a lot of us recognize this is a problem. Okay. Bamboo is a problem. We also recognize that trying to decipher who is responsible for it is a
problem. Why don't we just amend it to something really simple where when you sell your house all bamboo has to be removed from your house. Eventually then the bamboo will be gone because when you buy your home your bamboo will be bamboo free,
right? and eventually the bamboo will be gone and [snorts] we don't have to fight about who's responsible and back and forth and we don't have to talk about it um you know and spend more time at our meetings so we miss the game but
>> I'm open to have that [laughter] discussion Rich thanks a lot okay um but it's a great amendment whether it fits in the criteria of deed transfers and so forth I don't have that answer and I'm going to leave that for discussion thank Okay, council members, I want to move
forward and we're not going to talk about bamboo if it's possible. >> I promise. [clears throat] And welcome, sir. If you if you want, please state your name and address. >> Yeah, my name is Rauram Rayam. I live in two Yanda Drive, Edison.
>> Yes, welcome. >> Yeah, this is regarding the same thing which my neighbor Rahul described you about the convenience store. um a growing group of neighborhood residents opposed to the proposed convenience store at 764 New Durham Road. Our
neighbor our neighborhood already has three convenience store very close by within one one mile radius. Uh still uh the gas station uh they want to create they want to construct a convenience store. It is uh very in inconvenience
for the residents. Um the proposed tour will bring increased traffic, dangerous congestion, crime, loitering and serious safety risk to childrens who walk and wait for school buses and these very
streets every single day. This is not about convenience. Uh this is about uh uh this is not the community need for this hour and uh the zoning board is appointed by council members, right? So is there any way you can help us uh with
this? I mean can you guys support us or anyway? I mean in case uh the zoning board is leaning towards approving it, what is the next step for the residents? >> No, absolutely not. >> Okay. >> We can't have a position and stop the
clock, please. Um as I mentioned before, the council cannot have a position. We're listening to you. We listen to residents and the business community. Um if that is appealed and comes to us um if that is appealed and comes to us
we can then vote on it and our vote our vote >> I didn't get what is appeal means. >> Okay. >> Um the let the council explain it. >> So this actually happened uh I want to say two years ago uh with a different application before the zoning board. Uh
members of the council then uh made comments on it, appeared uh at the the zoning board uh and it created issues during an appeal once the uh the application was granted and uh individuals appealed the um approval of
the zoning board to the council because of the council's interference with and um th those members are no longer uh on the council. um the appellet division or the superior court when it was appealed to the superior court had issues with
whether or not they should have been recused uh or recused themselves, whether or not there was uh improper influence [snorts] by the fact that they had expressed opinions, taken a position uh or uh participated in the the events
at the zoning board. Um the zoning board is an independent established entity. uh that needs to be free to act without undue influence um from the council or from the administration. They need to do
their job. Um this council uh is putting itself in a worse position if it comments. Uh it's putting itself in a worse position to effectively and objectively review any appeal that comes before them if they take a position now
uh rather than when the actual evidence and facts are put before them. You're here uh with your point of view on the application. I don't know anything about the application. You could be 100% correct about the issues with it. However, it's you, someone who is opposed to it, expressing a completely
opposed to it view. There's no one here from the developer from the property owner. There's no experts here. There's no attorneys here. There's no counterargument to what you have to say. Um and that's your right to come here and say it, but the council cannot comment on it. Cannot express any kind
of opinion on it, cannot offer you any kind of guidance uh or assurances or attempt to influence the zoning board in any way so that you understand what the council cannot can and cannot do. They can listen to you. They can thank you for your time and they can thank you for your concern and that's it.
>> As a resident, can I uh appeal once the zoning board approves? Uh I mean, should I have >> I can't give you that kind of advice. It's all in the uh it's all in the the codes and and statutes about what the process is. >> But so I want to restart the clock with
you real >> council president. Wait, I just need to correct our attorney just for a moment. Um when he said that if the that in that past case that somebody went and they spoke and they're no longer here. >> I I understand Mr. Brusher. I I I know
that was you. Honestly, yours your involvement was the least problematic because once you were advised, you you stopped being involved. Yours was not the one I had an issue with. >> Right. Uh and and just just so that he knows, this was something that the
public never knew really. In fact, a lot of council people didn't even know. Um because council doesn't want to be dragged into overturning other boards. Um but unfortunate for us, that is how our government, I think, was set up. you
were explaining. So, you know, that process you'll you'll work through, but you should just go through the process and speak about, you know, what you're looking for down there. >> Thank you for your comments, pressure. >> Yeah, I have one more question. Like, >> I'm just going to I'm going to let him
finish his comments. So, he's done. Uh, and there will be people to direct you down at the zoning department on the question you had to the counselor. That question you'll get answered very easy through chat GBT or anything. we just can't give you advice or opinion but
please continue start the clock. >> Yeah, thank you so much for the response and uh uh the gas station which I was talking about uh that owner has a 200 plus gas stations in New Jersey and he's a rich guy and he has a option uh to
hire a lawyer and whatever he needs to get the approval but as a resident how can we get a help like uh who can help us uh in this legal matters? continue your questions, please. I'll answer the all of them at the end. We're not going to have a back and forth. We're done
with that part. You just could ask questions. >> I'm done with my questions. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Well, you can remain standing there if you want to. >> Sure. >> But um essentially, we don't have an opportunity to [clears throat]
to fund a community a project to oppose a project. That's not something this body does. um you'd be speaking of a public advocate. In the past, people want a public advocate. I did not support a public advocate. Okay. And there's a lot of questions in that
public advocate, but the question you're raising is valid, but what would have to happen is you'd have to fund your own opposition in a in a in a project if that helps you. And I'm sorry that I don't have better answers, but I will direct you to
the right people in zoning to to speak to you about that. we and and I will establish communication with the BA to make sure your questions are answered by another professional. >> Thank you. >> Okay. I'm sorry President
with with regards to this uh question [snorts] for Mr. Burns. If the application gets rejected in zoning, does it come to council or if it gets approved, it comes to council and what are the options? How does it come? just for from previous experience from Charlie Browns.
>> Generally speaking, it wouldn't come to the council. Uh if it's rejected, the developer property owner would generally skip the council and go straight to the superior court for an adjudication. Uh be because generally speaking, if the zoning board rejects something, it is
very rare for the council to then turn around and approve it. um that that that's a matter of politics and not really something that that I should be commenting on or or getting involved in. But generally speaking, when a zoning board application is denied, they'll just go straight to the superior court
for an adjudication on on trying to get it overturned. >> But I think what what Councilman Patel is asking is that is the reverse. If it was approved and and what is our experience? What our experience is if
it's approved and it was appealed by you take it from here. >> Yeah. So in prior experience if it was approved and there was significant objection to it there are grounds that can be um utilized to uh appeal that approval to
the council. The council has a certain standard for review that they have to meet. There are submissions to the council that have to be done. uh it's all laid out um by the the statutory authority that that allows it and the ordinance that was adopted pursuant to that statutory authority. Um that's what
happens when someone wants to bring it to the council for review from the council. It can then be appealed to the superior court because you always have the option to take it to the superior court if you don't like the results of what you've gotten either at the zoning board here at the superior court. You go to the appellet division if you still
don't like what you've gotten. Sometimes the the Supreme Court of New Jersey will take it. A lot of times they won't, but sometimes they will. So that's the the path that it takes. >> So if you or any other council members remember from the past, how did Charlie Brown application end up in council for a vote?
>> We're not uh council, let me just real quick. >> I just want to move forward on this. >> Okay. >> And I don't want to I think there's a lot of back and I don't at the end of the day, we have a chance to appeal. the appeal can come to us and if it comes to us we will have a valid neutral vote on
that application for an appeal. That's the point of why I don't want anybody to comment what they love about life other than being a member that represents the entire town or don't like and Councilman Patio can speak for that. Uh and and Council Brusher knows we don't comment
on Facebook. We don't go to we don't go to rallies. You may not like that. If a member does they'll have to recuse himself from voting. So, uh, but you and I will have a discussion separate. Um, moving forward, uh, any other members? Can I just go to the back? Some people
have been waiting and in the back there. >> Thank you guys. I appreciate your time. Um, >> if you want to state your name and address. >> Uh, yes. My first name is Sergil Mansuri. Uh, my address is 236 Wman Avenue in Edison, New Jersey. >> Thank you. >> Do would this be better?
>> Yeah. Okay. Um, so I just have two three questions about specifically something that was approved last month in the council. It they're the flock cameras. It's something I wasn't necessarily aware of. Something that has it looks like it's kind of been um something that we've already installed
>> closer to the mic. I'm sorry. Pull it up to you. Don't be afraid to make a mess out of it. And >> I just feel that you're tall. Go ahead. >> Taller. Um, so my my my questions are uh will be rather quick. My first question is the flock cameras are used. I'm I'm
going to start the conversation with the fact that I don't have any doubts on the integrity of our Edison police force um nor their use of it. I just don't know what a flock camera is, nor do I understand its purpose. And I was hoping for that question to be answered. Um and
then the second question from at least my limited quick research on it is um are there I I I are is there a formal contract in the use of that information from the
from the flaw camera system? That that's really it for me. >> Can you be specific in that last question please? >> Sure. So well let's start with the first one. Maybe that'll maybe influence the second question. What? >> We understand the sec first question. Very clear. >> Sorry. >> We understand the first question.
>> Oh, okay. Cool. Um, so the second question is from at least what I understand about the flaw camera systems from what I uh what I googled is that the flaw camera systems are basically used to identify vehicles in I guess at the Edison area and um they only track I
believe uh license plates and and vehicle numbers. But I think the concern I have right now on this is the fact that like I would imagine that there would be some type of image and facial recognition associated with that. That's
kind of the concern that I have like are flock cameras allowed to I guess util be uh utilize facial recognition? >> Does [snorts] that make sense? >> Okay. I just want to be clear be clear. I think you may be asking a question.
I'm not trying to steer you, but you're worried about shared data. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Of the prop property. Okay, that's a question and and I'll have the C captain answer, but I can tell you before we pass this, my IT colleague, Councilman Patio and I definitely had a conversation about this and also my IT
colleague, Councilman Mentos. Got it. From what I understand, the software we will only share with with agencies that we have in trust in that have a collateral, you know, re um interest in sharing with us. Now, I'm going to have
the captain speak, but that's the answers we believe that we're sharing. We're not sharing with anybody else. It's not just an optin. It's not a I'll do you a favor. It's with agencies at stake that we want to exchange information with further purpose to protect our community. But if you're
concerned whether someone has the right to go there and say, "Hey, did my did my friend cross through this town?" That will flag uh an interest and that data will be skewed for that person who made that
request. So, you can't just do random, you know, work like that unless it's associated with a case and a purpose. So, I hope I'm helping you with this directive and I'm going to go to the chief. I just didn't want to distort not a story. I I was confusing your question, but we we're all over this
when it comes to data sharing and I I don't like them from day one, but at the same So, I'm going to speak to my chief or the BA. Would you mind me directing to our uh captain Sonia? Uh no I the only thing that I have to
add is that the contract with flock is for maintenance and for the software. So that's what and so it's sort it's done through sort of a lease program. Um so that's how we've established that uh entire program itself just from
a >> from that standpoint. But I I'll I'll defer to the captain for additional information. >> C council president, if you just want to be more specific. I know he had a few concerns or questions. I I don't want to miss any. So >> yeah, I think you know essentially what
he was identifying is how we share data, what um you know the the use of the software. >> Gotcha. >> And the use of the software and the purpose of the the purpose of it was his first question. uh which and then whether we're sharing data and if we
were who we sharing data with. >> So so the purpose of and I appreciate your question the purpose of the um that equipment is to run investigations. Um it's very rare that an investigation will start and end in Edison. A lot of
them either end here, begin here, but we work, our detective bureau works um every day with multiple jurisdictions, multiple agencies, and those agencies that also have flock cameras in their jurisdiction. We share data, share information with them. We work
handinhand with several agencies throughout New Jersey. Um in terms of the confidentiality, I understand your concern. We share this information with nobody except other law enforcement agencies. Um, the information that we do gather is license plates, make and model
of vehicle, color of the vehicle, location of the vehicle, which can help narrow it down. Now, to get any further into detail, I'd be doing our detectives a disservice by giving too much information out. Um, as far as locations of these cameras, I'm not going to disclose that um or or what they look
like or whether, you know, anything to that to that for the criminals to hear. Um, but I assure you that the data that we do share with other jurisdictions are is investigation based. And every time a flot camera, I can tell you this, with the addition of the flat cameras over
the last couple of years, our solvability rates and and most crimes that have taken place in Edison, that's our go-to tool. It's been invaluable. >> I understand that I I may be out of time, but I
>> I think your time is up. But no, I hope you were helpful. >> It was um >> Was there anything else, sir? >> There was one other question, but I don't want to. >> Um >> up to you. >> Unfortunately, your time is up. I I would I would have liked to >> offline. Yeah, we offline. Absolutely.
>> The captain will be here if you have the time to stay. I think he may stay. He's usually a nice guy and stays. You're not going to get coffee or anything fancy. I can tell you that. Thank you. >> Um I just want to share this to council members. We did have an emergency and our council vice president had to leave
and uh I'm happy to hear his father's he mentioned and say his father's doing okay. He did take a fall and there was a also a potential heart attack. So um I was concerned for a while. So excuse myself or any member who heard this that
did not properly listen to because uh he's a good friend too and we all know what that's like to have an emergency. He doesn't ever abruptly leave a meeting. So, I'm looking for him and uh so um my prayers are with his family. Uh
moving forward, we had um I'm I'm not going to get to some other people on a different subject. Um Mr. Stocial in the back. Walt, 2118 Oak Tree Road. Uh thank you, Council President, for the update on Mr. Kentos's father. Um, he's a really he's
a really nice guy. >> Yeah, >> really is. >> Um, on June 2nd, Middle Sex County announced they were hiring a Florida based sports facility company to manage the new 6,500 seat stadium on Woodbridge Avenue, the new artificial turf sports
complex on u Thomas Edison Park, and a fullervice restaurant and bar in on the Middle Sex County College campus. Prior to this, the county had and their bogus CIO plan said they were building a new student center at Middle Sex College. Nowhere did they say they were building
a sports bar on campus where most of the students are below drinking age. The announcement also says that the county will use Middle Sex College culinary students in the restaurant to gain hands-on experience. This is a governmentbuilt and funded restaurant
and bar that will use lowcost student labor to compete with our existing restaurants and bars in Edison. To open operate this bar, they're going to need a liquor license. And as we heard earlier, there are no new liquor licenses available in in Edison. Two
years ago, the county had to get approval from the National Park Service to cut down 11 acres of forest to build the plastic field complex in Thomas Edison Park. In the documents they submitted to the park service, the county said it would operate Thomas Edison Park, charge reasonable fees, and
all fees that were collected had to remain in the park for maintenance. Now, it looks like a for-profit management company will take the first cut of the fees and leave little for the park. That's not what the co county told the park service or the public in two 2024,
but maybe it was their plan all along. Those of us who opposed the destruction of Thomas Edison Park in 2024 knew this was what they were planning. And that's why we always said we wanted a free park, not a fee park. And I think it's time Edison demands from the county host
community v benefits where the county pays us for the hassle of having increased traffic and noise from these these facilities that they're building down there. Uh earlier um a resident asked about the trolley that was on the
agenda. Uh I'd like to follow up on that. and I am co-chair of the Edison America 250 Edison celebration committee and we are planning uh a series of historic trolley tours of Edison on two
weekends in August. Uh the trolleys will hold like about 30 people and we will do um four rides on on [clears throat] two two Sundays. Uh we'll take everybody around around town to look at the historic sites. So, I think it'll be a
really fun event and it's part of our celebration of the country's 250th anniversary and our Edison's revolutionary heritage. Thank you, >> Mr. Sushel. If you can stay there and just state the date and the day when you're
going to have that. >> You got me. I forget which days, but there's two it's it's two Sundays in in in August. They're they're in my notes at home. I didn't bring them, but we I'll next council meeting I'll I'll um update you on Thank you.
>> on that. And I'm glad you you passed the resolution so we we can do this. It'll it sounds like it's going to be very interesting tour. >> Absolutely. And it will be very informative for all the residents. So again, thank you. >> Thank you, >> former councilman Joyce Ship.
>> Joy Ship, Edison, New Jersey. Um I'm in total agreement because I on like the zoning board gives out like a two million varyes. If you say I need 14 var they say oh you need one more you know. So I don't even know why they have
a zoning board because you can just go in there and get whatever you want you know that has anything to do with it. And now on Woodbridge Avenue, I'm blocked off from that monstrosity of cutting down all the beautiful trees at Edison and all those things that you
know after the RA and arsenal and all the stuff that's under the ground, half the ammunition and stuff. So I'm blocked off that way. I can't get down there. Then there is um y here, y there. Then
now you're telling me that my last my last street new derm I'm like this. That doesn't make any sense. I'm sandwiching between them. Now here we go at Shell. You can't even live decently in there. You know, South
Bronx. That's what I'm talking about. That's how horrible it is living here now. No matter where you go, you can't drive. The streets were made for a small town. Nobody thought to widen them. Nobody thought we were going to overbuild this crazy. This is so
ridiculous that after a while, you know, you get outside and you don't even take your car cuz it'll take you two to three hours. What you do is you get outside and you start early, pack your lunch, and you start walking to the next destination. That's what's so horrible with it. And as I spoke earlier about the
dispersements about the people making six figures and stuff, they make SO MUCH MONEY THEY DON'T LIVE IN EDISON. So the people tell me they that's what they tell me. They said they take those cars down to Jackson, they go here, they go there, they go everywhere. And we paying
for it. I'm paying for you. You making six figures. Not me. I'm a retired teacher. So you know teachers never made money at all. Point blank. And then Christie cut us the rest of the way off. So now we, you know, we flat with that. But you know this, people want to know
why are all these people that make six figures, why do they get gas? Why do they get cars? Why do they get all their tolls paid? Why why is all this I'm telling you that when you doing the budget? It's not fair to us that live
here that we got to pay for everybody else that lives someplace else while we edge down the street and barely maybe make it, you know, to the next corner. All right. And I can go from Waw Wa to Waw Wa back and forth, but I can't go to
a real grocery store, but I can All those things sandwich me in. It's It's like ridiculous. It's so so ridiculous as crazy. And that's why I was asking about the trolley. Yeah, I don't want it just for that little bit of time. I think we need to trolley for a good
while. You know, I don't know if you you guys know where we live at over there by Durm, they're building four uh them homes over there by the recycling center. All right. So, over in that spot, it's already congested. >> 10 new homes. >> Yeah, 10 new homes. How many? It's
already congested. How good could we be? And then as I talk about our armored truck, he said it gonna be crime. I said, "Well, don't worry. We'll get the armored truck to come on out." But I know for a fact 10 [clears throat] years ago during the Obama administration, he wouldn't let people give those things out because people were trying to give
them back. There's no reason for them whatsoever. Not at all. Because we got all these police officers, we got more lieutenants than we can count, more captains than we can count, more sergeants than we can count. I think we got so many chiefs. I don't know where
the Indians are. All right. So I don't understand why we need a militarilization. And the last but not least, the reason why he don't the administration don't care about the lawsuits against discrimination and stuff. Jeff Paisy, >> the time is up.
Anyone else in the back? Yes sir. After him. >> Good evening. is Kulbinder Damija densis road. I was here last time with a request
about my permit. It's a permit for my house but I am having issues with that and I requested last time and the president spoke told councilman Patel who got in touch and I spoke to somebody and there were some emails exchanged and
I I think after a week or so I could meet the person from the administration and he took me to the engineering director. I met him for about 5 seconds. He said I'm busy and he said come on Tuesday I went on Tuesday
and still you know they wanted more information I gave more information I am waiting on the response now thing is about the process I mean I am absolutely clear that unless the the the the person the township is absolutely clear that I
can do this work only then they'll give permission and I'm I'm I I'll wait I have to wait I have no other option for my side I'm I have a dumpster in my lying on my driveway. I have made all the orders where to give Home Depot,
wfare everywhere and what to buy. It's a small renovation. I am I've been I gave a opera a request you know about certain information which will be coming through sometime it will take they told me seven business days
and about this process again you know it's you know learning of course and my only request was that if I can sit with somebody I'm making a bathroom I'm in a room and making a closet so bathroom is
the the width is 5 ft I'm going to put a shower 3 ft x 5 ft I made on a drawing. Next to it is toilet. I left three feet for that and I did I googled it says you need to have 15 in each side 30 in which is less than 36. I have a sink to next
to it 3 ft. All this fits in clearance you know 15 in around the toilet and all that couple of things. So what I was requested was if the township tells me what else they want in this I can do those things but they say no go to
architect get drawings. So I'm in the process what I thought probably you know I mean I didn't get to meet the township people for last 15 years but last one year I have gone around and my impression about the government is that the people don't
want to work and they're lazy or whatever you know. So I went in I met a lot of people and I felt they are qualified they are well qualified they know their job and the second thing is about the attitude do they want to help or not I found they are helpful they want to help but they have a constraint
of time and a constraint of process so they are tied to a process if I have to walk from if I have to go to to the now acting officiating president I will walk like this and it will take me 10 seconds I'll be there but what my perception
today still is if you if you tell the town guy to go and you tell him how much time you will take to reach there they say I don't know and when I asked them after 1 hour he saying I've been walking I've been walking in a spiral and still not reach
the councilman partail that's that opinion I hold firm and this process will let me know how it goes and about to center again I met the mayor two two and a half years back there's a small playground I will take my grandchildren there to play. I have been denied that
thing. You know, I can't take them there. That building is coming up. I don't know for whom and how long it will take. And of course, you know, and there was there were I was waiting for the president to be here. He's not here. I raised a point about a copier which I
don't have information still, which I think is a big mistake town is making. They are they are going to lease a copier for four years and paying 25,000. >> Sir, your time is up. >> That's a lot of money. >> Yep. Thank you. >> Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle.
I'm going back to that uh resolution 299. I was rather dismayed at the council. I thought uh Councilman Patil had a reasonable request
to give it two weeks to satisfy him as to what the costs will be for this armored vehicle. I gave you my opinion that as long as the captain thought it was worth doing,
we should do it. If it saves one life over 10 years, that's perfect. But your request to just ask some specifics and wait two weeks to say yes, I thought was
reasonable. Now, President Coyle asked the captain, "Do you want this today?" And he said, "Yes." But he neglected to say, "Would it be horrible
to respect your wishes and wait two weeks?" Never asked that. And I was very upset by it happening. And none of the rest of you or enough of you gave you the respect to get that
answer or to get your requests. It's a big thing happening. It was a little shocking to read about, but I took it that yes, if it's going to be worth for the town, do it. But I really
appreciated you asking those questions. What is it going to be beginning? Not just the maintenance, not just the holding on to it and and putting it in a garage. What is it going to be like when
you first get it? I was told I or I heard that it was 5 years old and then all of a sudden I heard it's could be 15 years old. Well, my car at 5 years old looked pristine. Well, my car now at 15
years old still looks great, but it doesn't look as good as it did at 5 years. So, what will it take to initially bring it up to code or whatever it costs?
You're given two weeks, find out, and they may come back and say, you know what, it's in pristine and it's not that. And then we can move on and everyone could be satisfied. So, I really don't understand why it's just
no, no, no. And when you abstained, I understood why you abstained, but it didn't really do any good, did it? So, I'm just asking, and you're probably going to say no. You asked the captain,
"Does he want it today?" He said, "Yes." But nobody asked him, "Would it be detrimental?" >> Yeah. >> In two weeks, and that's all I'm asking for. And I'm done, >> Councilman. Thank you, sir. Yes.
>> Yes. I'd like to comment to that. >> Sure. >> Um myself, to be honest with you, I was entirely disappointed by this body. Um and I'll tell you why. I I've sat on the board of ed. I've sat here. I've supported things. I've not supported things, right? I've been veenantly
against things. But when you have double meetings, right, and the meetings are combined and you get an agenda that comes on a Friday or or sometimes even a Thursday, right? But it's a nice weekend, so you don't really get to check it until
Monday or Tuesday. Um, [snorts] most of the items, like 99% of the items, with the exception of some of our appropriations that we need for our budget, we don't need today or tomorrow, like this armored tank vehicle that that we
were talking about, right? I mean, if if the police really want to intimidate people, like one of our residents said, you know, in Delaney Hall where they used it, um, Edison has a tank. Like I'll be honest with you, you come to my house in a tank, I'm pretty much intimidated. I don't know about the
metal vehicle, but the tank I'm definitely, you know, intimidated by. Um, but where I go with is is as a body, this shows you a dysfunctional body, right? When a body cannot give the other
members um the respect the ability to get that information for things that don't necessarily need to be bought today, right? That tells you that we're dysfunctional. So yes, and I
believe that we've been like this quite some time. I've been up here through the past administration um when Bob Deal was a councilman here, right? Bob deal always if if you didn't have the information Bob had no problem with putting something you know and getting
you that information and I'd like to see this body get back to that like when somebody doesn't have that information where you give your colleagues that respect and and right that's been lost for many years now so hopefully one day we get back to that. Thank you for
pointing that out Miss Conway. >> Thank you council lady. Yes sir. [clears throat] uh you know before you start before the clock starts let me ask the question to captain if it is delayed by two weeks would have been detrimental because that was the
question that was asked I I can't and nobody in this room can predict what's going to happen tonight tomorrow the next two weeks if you're offering me an opportunity to put my officers in a vehicle that's going to provide them additional safety today
then I want it today I don't know what's going to happen tonight we have SWAT team that may be activated tonight to to respond to an emergency, to save lives, to put their lives at risk. And if you're offering me an opportunity to put those SWAT team members in a in a
military style protective vehicle today, then of course, of course, I'm going to say yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any more? We're good. >> We Okay, start. >> Thank you. Uh my name is Vijay Achenta
and live at 421 Darham Avenue uh Edison and I'm talking I want to talk about the same topic about the convenience store which is at 764 New Darham Road. Uh it may look repeated to you guys. First of all even before that I good evening everyone I should have started with
that. Good evening all the council members and I want to thank you personally for all the work that you you put in and um I'm here primarily because uh of the Okay, I am primarily here because of the same
concern about the uh convenience store um next to my house and um this I want to raise that that this is going to cause us a serious safety issues. I already had some couple of personnel um I faced issues because of this gas
station. Now with this convenience store, people are going to loiter there, make a hell of that place and it it is so scary. And I also want to understand from this council [clears throat] like how many variances is the limit that anybody can apply.
>> We're going to wait for all your questions. >> Okay. So I want to understand ask them all. I'm going to write that down for you. No problem. So how many variances is um the max that we can go to and can anybody apply for anything that they want and the zoning board will consider all of my those requests
because last time we came we we were 50 of the people were 50 of us were here 50 of the residents were here and we were made to wait 3 and 1/2 hours after that they did not give an opportunity so 50 people into 3 and 1/2 hours that's the
amount of times that we have spent And today we again took time all this because of somebody applied for some unfancy thing that which they wanted to do in the neighborhood. I mean this is really really stress stress causing a lot of stress for us and I really want
to understand what is the process. Can I apply for something? I want to open a hotel next to the gas station tomorrow. Can I go ahead and apply? I mean this is there is no end to this building here. There are 10 new houses on the other side. there is 250
apartments that camson that are opening in the down the lane. What is the I mean when will this stop? >> So that's all uh that's all I had the questions [clears throat] and um I'm I'm going to try to answer a little bit here for you. >> Thank you. First, at any given time, an
owner of property or an or a person who's under contract to purchase a property, if they choose to spend and invest that money with an unknown outcome, which most people have a calculation of outcome, they can, you
know, invest that money in an application knowingly it may fit into the criteria of that neighborhood. Um, so if you wanted to, [snorts] if you had the money and the time to apply for a hotel, you can. You will
have a challenge by the neighborhood like yourself here today. But people to some degree could make an application for what they want to do in [clears throat] their with their property if they feel like spending the money on the engineering time and site
plan, traffic, and studies to do that. Um, is their outcome upside down? Good chance it is. But they can do that with a property if they choose to. Now, as [clears throat] far as you being at the meeting and having to listen to
testimony, it's procedure that the zoning board and the chairman [clears throat] request that experts and it's just pretty much a basic that they come in and they make a presentation with their engineer. All that takes time. So meanwhile, you come to a meeting, you're
hoping to just make your comments and leave. They have to prove their case. So they have that takes time. So I'm sorry you had to wait and then you couldn't speak or the day was up and they moved the meeting to the next date. That's not something a resident wants or they're familiar with. And neither was I when I
met Cheryl 30 years ago who soon will be retiring. Um we'll talk about that later, but we didn't know. Uh but so and I'm sorry for that. But no difference. Uh they have to show their testimony and that's the process that is painful and
that process is cross-examined by the board that they fit you know certain criterias that we don't work with every day. So I hope that was helpful in that. Now the limit of variances counselor.
So, if you want to know more about how zoning and uh the zoning board works and variances that can and can't be granted, it's uh 40 colon 555-70D. Okay, that's got under it all of the use
variances, all of the bulk variances that can be applied for. Um there's really no limit to the number of bulk variances that you can apply for. or bulk variances being issues as to setbacks, size, dimensional limits,
height, uh any of the the structural and dimensional issues that you might come across because you have a unusually shaped property or you've got um a a build that requires certain things on the inside that push you into the outer limits or you have certain parking
requirements. So, you could have a v an application that has 70 different bulk variances. um before the board. Uh but good luck proving that it's not detrimental to the zone plan to have that many variances
for the property that you want to develop. That's what the the zoning code is for to say this is the type of structure and these are the requirements for what has to fit onto a piece of property if you're going to develop here. The Dvariances are your use
variances and those are even more strictly regulated and even more strictly enforced. That's if let's say I want to build a hotel in a zone that is purely residential, I've got to show that there's special need for that, that it meets special criteria, um that there
is some sort of uh public benefit to putting it where it is and that it's specially suited to the zone. Uh and then not only that, I have to show that there's can be done without substantial detriment to the zone that you're pushing it into. Those are very very
high bars to reach and that's what council president uh is talking about when he talks about um what needs to actually be done in front of the board and what you have to prove. Those are well regulated. the statutory authority on it is very clear, very well defined
and the the um legal backing for it uh and court history for it is a matter of of contention, but is fairly clear when it comes to what you need to prove. That means it all comes down to factually what has been proven, what's
been presented, what's the weight of that evidence, and a judge making a call on it. Um, so I I can't educate you on how to how to make a zoning application or how to apply. Um, but I can tell you that there is a very large body of law
and some very knowledgeable people in that field that deal with it all the time. >> I I understand. Thank you for that. But my my point is >> I apologize, but your >> your time is up. >> Okay. >> And and someone else from your group who has not spoke could confer with you. I
didn't say this and finish your sentences in his format, but I hope I be of help. And and last, like you've mentioned, can anybody do this? Can anybody do that? Challenging. We hope that those who come to the board have weighed their odds before they come here. Uh could someone do what they want
and cause noise in your community if they have money? it would not be a good investment of their time and money because it's going to be problematic to get through those course of regul regulatory um you know zoning requirements but sadly you know people
can make an application for anything we don't have control what people apply for pool in your backyard fence you know 10 feet tall uh they can make an application doesn't mean they'll get they'll get the approval hope you and he can whoever hasn't spoken can come But I'm going to just
move around the room just for a minute. I don't want to be redundant on the same Thank you. >> There's anybody No problem. Thank you, sir. And I'm sure the council will be in touch. Um, is anybody else from the public that'd like to speak that haven't spoken already? I know we heard from you, Miss Miss Conway. I'm sorry I was
in the back, but I did have you on the YouTube channel. And also, Mr. Brresser, I also heard you comment that we were dysfunctional, and I heard that too. >> Thank you. >> So, and I'll make comment about that. But um although we you know although >> the respect thing I'll go back and forth with you every day council
>> president. It's okay. We do we do like each other. It's it's fun. >> Uh so any other members that would like to speak from the public that hasn't spoke already? Okay. Is your first time speaking? Sir >> I'm sorry your time if you spoke already
for your four minutes. I can't do that. But I can tell you we're going to be here afterwards. Um the council other people can you can speak to any member of the council when we get off and we adjourn. >> I want to take more than 30 seconds. >> I'm sorry. It's just we don't allow it.
It's and I'll tell you why. >> His favorite quote and I'll tell you why. We would have to allow other people to do the same thing. It's four minutes. That's it. It's it's a it's a box. It's four minutes. Although if another member of your group did not speak, they can come and speak for four four full
minutes. Next time you guys can, you know, you I apologize. Anybody else from the uh that wants to speak from the public that has not spoken already? Seeing none, can I have a motion to um close the public portion? >> Motion to close.
>> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Thank you. Uh the public portion is [clears throat] now closed. There'll be no further public comments. We're just going to move into the [clears throat] agenda here for the reports from all
council committees. From my right, council member Brer? >> None at this time. >> None. Okay. Council member Dimma. >> None at this time. >> Um Council Kento here. Council member Patel. >> None. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yeah, I have a few of them. Uh the first
one we already spoke about the Bambber ordinance, but in terms of the timeline, hopefully by next council meeting, you'll have some updates to this council. Thank you. Okay. [gasps] >> Uh Sonia, uh the status of this Chelton Community Center where we stand on that. >> This this is we're uh I apologize.
>> We're just going through committees. I'm going to come right back to you in one second. >> None at this time. >> No committees and council member Sal. >> None at this time. >> Okay. And then we're going to move over to my right. Um we have uh discussion names that were written down and I'm going to move right to council member
Patiel. >> Okay. Let me continue the question. uh the status of the Stelton Community Center. >> We are working through the uh or finalizing the design. >> Okay. So, is that the study what we were
talking about the uh what the resolution that we passed for the inspections everything was done like to see if we can keep the any integral part or or are we going to demo? Is that study done? >> Are you talking about the environmental study?
>> Yes. Yeah. Um, not yet. Not quite. >> Not yet. Okay. So, but you said that you know you are preparing the design. Does that mean that we are going to keep the footprint or we're going to demo it or what what that mean? >> So, the current design
um would keep the shell essentially of the building. >> Perfect. Okay. >> So, that that's what's being considered rather than obviously creating a new building or we're um we also we have restrictions there as you know. So we do have to keep the shell of the building.
>> Yep. So we'll we'll preserve the historic look that I understand. Okay. Perfect. Thank you. >> How about to center? Any any updates on the toad center? How far we are? >> So completion date we're [clears throat]
looking at uh the fall. So but we're still >> on target. >> We're still on target. Yes. >> Perfect. Perfect. Engineering if I can speak. I have a few questions. Sure. >> Brian, would you mind? [clears throat] [clears throat]
>> Don't worry, I'm going to be easy. Uh, for the road pavement [clears throat] paving, do we do the inspection once the roads are paved? >> I'm sorry. Can you [clears throat] Do we do the inspections once the roads
are paved? We go back at the 2-year mark prior to releasing the uh maintenance bond. >> Okay. Do you mind I'm going to send an email to Sonia and you can forward to him. Do you mind uh visiting those streets that I'm going to ask you to inspect? >> Not at all.
>> Absolutely. Thank you. Uh and I will also send some pictures with that. Uh that's only the question I had. Thank you sir. Right. >> No problem. >> Yeah. My next question is uh again I I don't know it is good to say that but there was a robbery next to the
substation and that's concerning to me. Uh I was expecting some phone calls uh from anyone to update what's happening there but yesterday or day before yesterday there was a big presence of police and lot many residents in that neighborhood called me. Is that an ICE
activity there? Is there any known activity happening in that area? >> Are you are you talking about oak tree? Yes. >> Okay. That is a county that was a county thing. >> Oh, there were county actions there. Okay. My next question is the KOA
contribution. Uh do we have do we charge for the new single family houses for the COA contribution? Do they contribute into COA? >> I'm sorry. Can you repeat your question? >> For the new single family houses, do they need to contribute into the KOA
funding? >> Are you talking about single family residential? >> Yeah. Um, no, not not for single family residential >> brand new. >> I don't believe so. Count council, if you have any additional information. >> I I don't have any additional
information on that. I would have to check with um with Mr. Zingaro. >> Okay. So, hopefully by next council meeting, you can update me. >> Do you think you could email me the exact question just so I make sure I cover it all? >> We'll do that. >> I don't want to forget any part of that. >> Sounds good.
>> That's it, Council President. >> Okay. Thanks, Council. um going uh my discussion items. I had a chance to speak to the BA and I'm waiting for answers on certain um questions in regards to the budget. As most you know,
we're going over the budget at this time and members of the council through the finance committee are asking great questions. I I want to thank those who are serving. We also have outside members um who also are involved including council, former council member Alvo Gomez. So, we are in a few rounds
of conversation and that um hearing date is set down for July 20th. So, um and it won't be sooner than that. So, moving right along. A lot of my questions have been answered. I'm not going to go through my point here, but anybody can read my discussion items there. So, I'm
just going to entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Have a second. >> Second. All >> in favor say I. I. I. This >> meeting is adjourned. Thank you.