You could do that. >> Oh, okay. All right. >> Okay. >> All right. >> John and then first. >> Well, no. I'm going to have her done first. >> I think AJ should go.
>> I think they should go and she should go. >> Oh, okay. All right. Then wait a minute. You should go. Okay. Where's AJ? All right. He's not here. >> No. You know what? >> The Christmas. >> Okay. Yeah. >> I have the ones that light up, but I
decided that's really I've got that look like Christmas bulbs. I just decided that would be that could been flashy for your flashy. >> It's the holidays. Thank you. >> Yeah, you're right, Lane. I did see that
in the thing. So, oh my god, look at this. I know you're going to be mad. >> You forgot your computer. I even told your wife. >> I did. No, you know what was bad? >> I I even told your wife and said, "Listen, I talked to him. When you go home, >> truck Joe asked me." And I'm like,
"Shit, I didn't even look for it." >> I told her that. >> I said, "Your husband told me he had to look for it. >> I know where it is. >> Did you you think you know where it is? >> One of three places. Can you just send it in? >> Send it in with her. >> Yeah, I just have to It's on the side of the couch in my bag or in the
>> side of the couch in my bag. >> Three places. >> Look at Councilman Cole. He returned all his stuff >> in a bag. >> Yes. >> Wow. >> Uh you sign this one. You sign this one
and then switch. You got your pen? Not yet. No, no, I don't have time. >> Okay, >> I'll do this. >> I told you deliver. >> I'll have somebody I'll get changed when All right. >> Wait, wait. He might have >> Wait, you're giving me a pen?
>> Yeah, I'm going to I'm giving you the pen. >> Okay. >> He has changed right here. >> Oh, this is third. Oh, perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Thank you. You are in good standing. at at the end what we discussed.
>> Yeah. >> I steal the pen. >> Well, you're not stealing my pen. That's my favorite pen, >> Marina. I I steal the pen every meeting. >> Okay. All right. You take that one. You take that one. We have full quorum today. >> Thank you, sir.
>> You're invited to come out with us afterwards. We don't know where we're going, but you're invited to come out. >> Well, don't you have I don't have no idea where we're going to go. >> TVD. >> Sorry. Marina doesn't love >> Oh, you missed. You missed water. I'm
like, >> I have my pen. >> Thank you. >> I did. Everybody else takes two. So, I was doing two and then we'll be all >> do I have change? >> Hey, you guys should
>> wait. You gave me >> You gave me forget. >> Where are you guys going? >> Oh, I see. I gave you time. >> I didn't think they had started playing until >> we did the pledge.
Hi. Thank you. >> Oh, I do one. >> How's everything? >> Yeah. No, I'm just >> when they go in and out, they are constantly so I never get >> test. One, two, check. One, two. It's
not very loud. You come to me though. >> Is that right? >> Take it off, please. Take it off, please. Thank you. Thank you. Excuse me. >> 45. >> All right.
>> Places. Places. Everyone places. I wish I had a pen. I'd be able to write so many people. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh, everyone ready? >> Okay. Oh, Marina. >> Oh, I'm ready. >> Can we start? Okay. You ready,
>> Cheryl? Easy here. Who? >> My computer. >> No. >> No, he's not here. You were supposed to bring your old. >> I have it. >> All right. Just give it to us. >> We're taking it. >> We're taking them. >> All right. Are we ready? >> Ready. >> Okay.
>> Good evening, everyone. This is the combined meeting of December 22nd, 2025. The time is 6:09 p.m. Please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with me. I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Madam clerk, could you read the role? Council member Brusher >> here. >> Council member Coyle here.
>> Council member Harris here. >> Council member Patel here. >> Council member Patiel >> here. >> Council member Pointer. >> Council member >> here. >> Thank you. Madame clerk, could you read adequate notice? >> Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the open public meeting act of 1975 has been provided by the annual
notice sent to the home news tribune star ledger desi talk on November 18th 2024 and posted main lobby mimal complex on that same date. >> Thank you very much council president's remarks. Uh first of all we want to congratulate the Edison Jets cheerleaders for their national
championship title. we will present it to them at the January 12th meeting because they were not able to attend tonight's meeting. So I hope everyone comes out for the January 12th meeting. Uh also ordinance 20 2270 will be
amending. Um so that's from the business end of things. I want to I want to extend my best wishes for I hope everyone had a nice Hanukkah who celebrates. Okay. Unfortunately, that Hanukkah, the first day was marred by tragedy that weekend before last at
Bonnie Beach in Australia. And uh unspeakable, unspeakable tragedy, unspeakable anti-semitism. And there's no place for it. Unfortunately, it still exists and it's growing. And my heart goes out to
everyone who lost their lives or who was injured. And I hope uh I I I hope I hope we can do something to stop this scourge of hate that's going on all over the world. Um we had a wonderful winter
wonderland celebration on December 14th or was it 13th? I can't remember. Um a really great crowd showed up and um the uh we we had the snow machine. It was DPW did a wonderful job with the lit trucks that were coming through with
lots of Sandas on them. But uh the most the probably the the best part was that we had the snow machines, but we really didn't need the snow machines because it started snowing on that night and it was actually Deputy Chief Dudash who said to me, um, I think the public is going
going to want to know how much it costs to get real snow coming from the skies. So, but it was a it was a great celebration and we had a we had a terrific turnout. So, that would conclude the council president's remarks. Um, we go to unfinished
business of the ordinances up for adoption. So, we have 2268 and 2269. Any in um do we have any comments or questions on those two ordinances?
Okay, seeing none, uh, and ordinance 2270, we will need to vote to approve that amendment and that will be during the regular part of the session. Am I correct? Yep. Okay. Um, administrative agenda. Any comments? This would be 6A
through A and B. Any comments on the administrative agenda? Library board appointments. I actually have just one and and Sonia or or Cat maybe you can answer. So it
looks like one of the appointees is for the one of the expiring terms. The other one it looks like is for the existing vacancy. Is that the Pat M is that for the Pat Massie vacancy? >> Uh yes. >> Okay. All right. I'm wondering so there
has been that that particular vacancy I'm glad it's going to be filled. that's been vacant for almost a whole year. What and and I know that there have been applications to the library board. I'm wondering why is that third position still being left vacant.
>> Um I can check with the mayor. This is this is his appointment. I know. I understand. >> Um so I will follow up with the mayor to see if there's anyone in the queue >> or an application that he's reviewing. >> Yeah, because I've had I've had a couple of people asking me and they said whatever happened to their applications that were filed early last year.
>> Understood. Okay, thank you. Um, so A and B, anything from anyone else? All right. Review of the minutes combined meeting of December 8th. Comments, questions. All right. We go to 8 A through C from
the business administrator. Comments or questions? All right. 9 A through H, Department of Finance. Questions? comments. All right. Department of
Health 10 A through C. All right. Department of Planning and Engineering A through I. Council President. >> Yes. >> Uh D. Uh for Lero Engineering,
what's the approximate cost um for this project? It's approximately 5 a.5 million. >> And are they going to do the um they're going to do the engineering of it? Are they also overseeing the project as like a construction
management firm? >> Yes. The proposals for all the all of the oversight and construction management. >> So they're going to design it and they're going to oversee it. >> Yes. Okay. And E, um, for the Jets building,
I I I couldn't find this um 600,000. What What was this for? This is for um if you take a look at your backup, the change order includes um
there were some gaps in the scope of work the contract drawings. >> Okay. >> Okay. I mean, >> um, as you know, with the architectural work, so this was all-encompassing of that. Um, and any mandatory revisions
that needed to be rectified to make sure that the building was conforming. >> Um, >> okay. >> Yeah. I just I didn't see like the the scope of it. I seen it listed. I just didn't know what the scope of work was for it. >> It um there there's a summary. She can call yours engineering attached.
>> Okay. I'll I'll I'll take another look during the during the meeting here before we get to the the other part. I just couldn't find it. >> Okay. Anything else, Councilman? >> Uh, no, that would be it. >> All right. Anyone else? >> Council President? >> Yes. >> Um, I know that the administration
advised me on this before, but just so it's on the record, uh, for E for the sports building. This is closing out pretty much all open change orders from the structural side. Understood? like furniture is still going to need to be
purchased. We just purchased like the uh you know the food um items and such, but from the building itself, this should pretty much close out the uh >> corre correct because the other um the the other uh mention the furniture for example, that is not part of the
contract. So that's separate. >> Yep. I just wanted to to make sure from an apples to apples perspective and um just as a general commentary for 11D um the backup shows that the existing building is built in the 50s. A lot of
our buildings were built pre 1970s and such and we've had issues from the uh contamination aspect and just in general properties of older value. So, uh, just a request to make sure that we're forward thinking in regards to those
types of items that we've experienced delays in over the past couple years. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Okay. Anyone else? >> Council President. >> Yes. >> Uh, also for D, uh, I just want to ensure that the project management aspect, uh, the delays that we saw in
previous projects will be, uh, dealt with with this project. >> Understood. All right. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else present? >> Yes. >> Just one last item in regards to item C for the uh forensic document solutions, the digital archiving. I think this is
fantastic for the township. Um many people that for instance may request uh certain OPRA requirements from planning engineering. A lot of those documents are just old and dilapitated. So, us having a digital copy of that forensic
evidence will uh definitely be be well worth the the township um the township's expenditure on this. So, >> thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Councilman Council Vice President. You know, you would think I would have gotten that right by now. Sorry about that.
All right. Anybody else for uh for number What? Where were we on on 12? Um All right. from number 13. A >> Oh, I'm sorry. 12 uh 12 public works A through G. Questions, comments?
All right, moving on to 13. Department of Water and Sewer A and B? All good. All right. 14. Chief of Fire A through C. Okay, we move on to the regular meeting.
And so now we go to the approval of the minutes. >> Motion to approve. >> Can I get a second? >> Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> All right. Good. Number 16. Unfinished business. Ordinance is for further consideration, public hearing, and final
adoption. Madame clerk, could you read the ordinance? >> An ordinance establishing the not to seed salaries of certain officers, department heads, and employees of the township. >> Thank you very much. Uh we open for public comments on this ordinance. Yes, Troll
Bassoff, Beach Lane. >> Okay. So, first of all, this ordinance shouldn't be on the agenda at this meeting. >> Can you can you speak into the microphone a little closer? Thank you. >> Yeah, this ordinance shouldn't be on the agenda at this meeting because there there's a problem with the the notice.
So, the the New Jersey statute that governs public notices for um ordinances, it's uh 4049-2 paragraph A. It says that the public notice has to state the time and place for further consideration. And the
notice for this ordinance just gives the date of the meeting but not the time. So, when a a date without a time is sufficient, the the legislature says date. Um but in this case they say time because they mean time. Elsewhere in the
ordinance uh it does say date because that's what the legislature intended. So when they use a different word it it's it mean has a different legal me meaning. So uh time and place means the time of the meeting. Uh date just means
that the date is sufficient. But aside from that um there's the way that this ordinance smells. Um, so I'm going to help the council because on this side of the the podium, uh, the odor of of this
ordinance might not waft to you, but I'll tell you how it smells to the public. Um, a 32% $48,000 raise for Mayor Jooshi um, stinks. Um
it it smells like it's cynical, greedy, uh grubby, and a money grab. Uh so it's good for the mayor that that he won re-election by a landslide, and it's okay to enjoy the the sweet smell of victory. But then to say, "Well, I won
big and I'm going to celebrate by getting my lame duck council to give me a nice big fat 32% raise." Well, well, that turns the sweet smell of victory into the stink of arrogance and greed. So, if there was a legitimate argument
that the office of the mayor should come with a salary of almost $200,000, the argument should have been made before the June primary and definitely before the November general election. The only reason to wait until after the election is because you know that that
the argument smells bad to the public. And also, if it was legitimate, you wouldn't be burying the mayor's money grab in an ordinance that has the salary ranges for employees because the mayor is not an employee of the township. He's
an elected official of the people. And if it's appropriate for the elected office of mayor to come with a bigger compensation package, then it should be in a standalone ordinance or it should be in an ordinance um for elected
officials. If you bury this in an ordinance that's for employees, it's subtrafuge. Also, if a 32% raise was legitimate, you would defer it to the next mayoral term starting in 2030. If if the raise is
appropriate for the office and it's not just a gift to Sam Johi, then it should be for whoever is inaugurated for the next term in 2030. If it's Sam Joshi, again, that's fine. Then it's legitimate. Um, and you should also be
aware that you're voting for a salary that's more than the governor of New Jersey currently makes. And it's almost as much as what the salary will be for the next gubernatorial term. And it's worth noting that when the legislature
gave a raise for the governor's office, they didn't know who the next governor was going to be. It it was prospective only and that's the only appropriate way to do it for this. So, you should delete the mayor's um raise from this ordinance
and just vote on the rest of it by itself. >> Thank you. Thank you. Councelor, can you shed some light on the situation in terms of the time and date? >> Certainly. Uh, so this was brought to our attention uh last week. Uh, Mr.
Renown and I uh reviewed this uh we reviewed the notice itself, the statute uh that governs the notices and the requirements and how that's actually been interpreted. Um, the ordinance was uh, you know, it had its first hearing.
It was publicly announced. It was publicly announced. the last meeting. Um the notice that was published includes uh the regular council meeting uh as the time and place for where it's to be discussed. That was published a year
ago. That's publicly available information. Um, and the purpose of the statute is to ensure that the public is aware of what the ordinance is, aware of of when it's it's to be uh heard and aware of the process by which they can
come in and um object to it or supported or whatever they need to do. That requires substantial compliance. That's the phrase that is all throughout the case law. Substantial compliance with the notice requirements. uh even technical violations do not ra rise to
that level. And a technical violation is just it's a violation that doesn't interfere with the primary purpose of the statute which is to >> uh fairly convey sufficient information to allow the public and other members to
make an informed determination as to whether or not they should participate in the public debate. That that's the goal here and I think that that's what has been accomplished here. Mr. Renown agrees with me. This has been adequately noticed and we're comfortable making that determination.
>> Right. And am I correct that this template has gone back to 2009? >> That's what the clerk informs us. Yes. >> Yes. Yeah. Okay. Thank you, Joel. All right. Anyone else? Yes, Liz. >> Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle.
I just have a a question. I did read that it was a 32% increase and my question initially was is that 32% spread over the four years or is it a oneshot deal for 2026 and does that mean
in 2027 there'll be another raise in 2028 another raise or is this good same raise flat for two years uh four years excuse me uh that was my question uh I realize salary salaries have increased
overall. And if you look at other salaries, I just got a kick out of they announced um the mayor of New York just got a huge raise and his salary is going up to $172,000. So I thought that was that was kind of funny. But if it was
8% 8% 8% and adding up to 32% because many times when you hear about negotiations, oh they're getting a 15% raise but it's over three years. Is this a 32% raise over one year
or four years? And that's specifically I know there were other raises on there, but the price of employment status is high, but this one just seems uh dramatic because it sticks out because of the
32%. So I was just asking um how that runs. Thank you. I believe that the 32% is the is what the is what the current salary the next salary will be starting for 2026. You can correct me if I'm wrong on that. It
would be changed only by another ordinance, another salary ordinance, but please correct me if I'm wrong. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Uh yes, Bruce. Evening Bruce sites 88 Park Tribe
Edison. Um first of all um happy Hanukkah, merry Christmas to everybody and I hope we all stay in a good holiday mood uh for the whole meeting. I'll talk about a few things in the open session.
Um, Sue Malone and I have talked about this, both of us having been senior corporate executives and most corporations, almost every corporation has salary guidelines. What a minimum is, what a max is, what the range is.
Okay, when I worked for Bristol Meyers, you got to raise based on performance 3 to 9%. There were guideline caps on everything. So, just picking up on what Elizabeth said, and she's saved me a few words because I'm not going to take I'm
only gonna take two minutes right now. Is what again is it? Okay. Uh if if it's justified or not, if it's incompetitive, that's fine. But what is the salary structure here? What is the salary policy? Is he going to come back next
year and say, "Oh, on another 20, is there a guideline? Does this mean he doesn't get a raise in four years? It's not clear. Every corporation that I've worked with, it's very clear what you get. You have a merit raise and then you have a raise for promotions and
sometimes there's combined. And I don't see any really good policy here on it or any guidelines or any restrictions. Okay. One minute and 35 seconds. I could do it under four. >> Bruce, did you have a question? a
specific question that we could answer for you. The question is what is what is the um is there a policy structure gallery uh side uh guidelines and can is it can he get another saying I want another 25,000 next year or is it a
controlled within a range >> of say 3 to 10% or 5% okay social security this year gave 2.9% okay companies are giving out I do work with some major companies I do consulting
and they're giving out raises anywhere from 3 and a half to 9 to 11%. Okay, there's got to be some structure here. I don't see it and if you do have it, I think it should be made uh to the public. Thank you. Uh I'm going to to
let uh either counselor or to councelor or um Sonia respond to that. But I would just say that any other salary increase would have to be done through ordinance only and you would have to have the council signing on to that. Um having said that uh to his specific question
>> that that is the restriction. It it needs to be voted on. It needs to be voted on openly sometimes hard to hear. >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Go ahead. Yeah. No, that that is the restriction. It needs to be voted on. It needs to be part of an ordinance. It needs to be
reviewed by council. Um you know, public employment is a lot different than private employment. Uh for those purposes, >> uh again, I would volunteer to help if there needed to be a structure or guidelines. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Okay. Gloria. Gloria Dipman, Edison, New Jersey, Midland Road, Edison. Um, first of all, I'd like to say merry Christmas to everybody and a happy Hanukkah and I hope 26 is a much more peaceful year.
And I want to thank you, Madame President, for addressing the anti-semitism nonsense that's going on. I think there should be a stronger statement coming from the mayor acknowledging that We should be in the peace business,
not all that other stuff. And a little act of kindness goes a long way. And it could start with me. People should remember that my background is human resources. I have worked with salary guidelines for many
many years. And there always is a strict guideline for each promotion. There are so many so much of a percentage that is given to each person and it is done on merit. No one in the real world I know that's
different from government but no one in the real world ever gets a 32% increase. No one. Nowhere. And for anyone to get that kind of an increase is just I mean it's very hard
to swallow. We're talking about people who their average, if they're really, really, really good, get a 5% increase. Think about it. And I would like to bring up just one particular incident where I really feel the mayor should not
get this sizable increase. There was a magnificent Veterans Day program right here in this room. Chief was a big part of it. And I'm happy to say that our veterans certainly deserve any accolades we can give to
them. But the mayor wasn't here to take care of that very important priority. Bob Deal was here. Now, if you're talking about Bob Deal getting a an increase, I might go along with it,
but I certainly can't go along with this one. Can I talk about uh 69 or is that off limits? >> No, that would be that would be when we're talking about the resol. No, we're not on that one yet. Okay, you can come back for that. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Joyce,
>> merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. It just ended on Sunday and I don't say anything for Quanza or Three Kings Day. How I know all the holidays from being in the public school system. >> Yeah. >> How I know all the holiday. I don't see a Quanza thing downstairs. Decorative. I
went to a program on Saturday that was Quanza. Now >> just you can just give your name. >> Excuse me. Oh, Joyce Ship Freeman. >> Thank you. All right. Edison, New Jersey. >> Can you hear me now? I >> can hear you now. >> Okay. Press. All right.
Now, in in talking about the 32% raise, is that to make the mayor's salary comparable to the rest of the directors? Because I'm looking at the salary grad for them and they a lot a lot of money
and I don't from being from the public sector. I'm not from the private like the rest of the people are. I'm from the you know the government uh structure. I don't mind people making money on different levels, but I want you to be
worth it. Like if I hire you to be the director of such and such, I want you to have some background, you know, not be somebody's friend or some political favor, that's when the money's okay. The reason why people are not okay with
different monies is because they look at their resume and they look at it and they was like but that amount of money oh we can get somebody better. That's my only problem that I have you know and if and if making the 32% if we want to tell the truth about it and say that we're
trying to make the salary comparable with the other salaries because I'm looking at that salary guy. Gee boy I shouldn't have went into education. I should have went into politics. The amount of money people are making while the rest of the people are on poverty level and like he said, I got a 2.9%
raise this year. And guess what? The tax went up so much they ate it up. Then the health insurance, they ate the rest of it up. So I I didn't even see it at all. I'm just saying there's a lot of people suffering. That's why people are complaining about people in government,
not just here, all over the place, making huge salaries because they're they're not, you know, our pockets are empty. All right. Thank you. >> Uh Joyce, you asked the question about where this a salary is a salary increase to try to make it on par with the
directors. Um any comment on that from uh either No. >> Oh, it's just a random 32%. Council. >> Yes. >> Can I can of course um just for uh comparison purposes, police of um the
police chief would range 250 to 310. Fire chief 225 to 270. The high range on water and sewer, finance, public works, plant engineering would go to the high end of 205. So if you're using the high range from a comparison standpoint, I hope that gives
>> you sound like you're saying the same thing I'm saying to compare. You know what I mean? What I said about it. >> Yeah. I just want to make sure that you >> make the salary. >> Yeah. I just want to make sure it's commented as to what those amounts actually are versus just saying, hey, it's 32%. I think it is good for us to
know how that actually compares to the other directors and such like that. Well, don't you think that would be good if people explain stuff to people rather than people sitting around trying to guess why the range is like out of sight? Because you know and I know that
percentages go up each time that you get a raise each percent when everybody else is getting 33 that's making 38,000. That's a little bit of raise. And then, you know, if you gave them 32%, man, you probably had standing all down the street around the corner to get a job
here if you was giving 32% to the 38,000 people. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Yes, AJ. >> Ben from Medicine. Do I have the floor? Council President. Thank All right. So,
um, about the whole raise, let's face it. Uh, see what happened four years ago. See what the marriages did. You see what what we saw last four years, the mayor completed. You know, I feel like if he deserves a raise, and
everyone from his administration and the police department, the chief of police, and all you guys deserves a raise as well. I have nothing else to say. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Anyone else? Yes, sir. Oh, ma'am. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Sue.
Sue Malone Barber, 85 Pleasant Avenue. Um, I I'm going to bring up some points that I brought up last week. Um, first I want to say I think it is really important to
remember that the mayor is an elected official, not an employee of the town. Um, when we talked about this at the last meeting, I think John, you said something about the related to the value
of money, like what your money can buy. I don't think that is a relevant measure because we're all >> point information like >> we're all uh dealing with that what we could buy five years ago with the same amount of
money we can't buy now. Uh John um Joe, you pointed out that the mayor, you know, basically does his job. That's great. That's great. Um,
as Bruce said, there is no scenario in business, and I think Gloria said the same thing, um, where an employee for doing the same job gets 32%. So, we can't call this a merit increase
because we need to be deciding the mayor's salary, not based on who the mayor is, but based on the the what the what the mayor of Edison is worth. And I think at the last meeting, um, we said,
well, the mayor, Margot said, the mayor of Woodbridge makes close to that for a township almost the same size. Well, that's one scenario. The mayor of Newark makes less than that.
Population of 318,000. That's three times the size of Edison with urban problems. The mayor of Patterson makes 140,000. 305,000 people. Again, twothirds um greater
population than Edison with urban problems. And I will reiterate that going into 2026, the governor of New Jersey will earn $210,000. I don't see any scenario where raising
the cost structure forever because that's what it does. You you increase your cost base and then you build on that. So every subsequent raise will be starting at 200,000 or 198,000.
I believe that to be completely irresponsible as stewards of our money. These this is taxpayer dollars. This has nothing to do with the job Sam is doing. It has to do with the value that what we
think the position of mayor is worth for Edison. And just because Woodbridge mayor is making that kind of money doesn't mean the Edison mayor should be making that kind of money. I urge you to think long and hard hard about this. Don't just rubber stamp
this. If you think we need to increase the salary for mayor, why does it have to increase 32%. Increase it 15%. Um it is not about the current mayor. It's about what the job is worth. Compared to our governor and
municipalities that are three times our size with big urban problems, this salary is inappropriate, not in line with the job. And I urge you to please not give this a rubber stamp. >> Thank you. Thank you, Sue. All right. Anyone else from the public? Going to
get a motion to Oh, John, did you want to say anything? Okay. >> Okay. Oh, I'm sorry. Who >> Who is Oh, yes. Okay. Hey, Mikey. I'm sorry. >> All right. Um, hello anonymous. Um, I
just want to get clarification. I apologize that I'm not up to speed on this. This is in reference to a salary increase for the the the it says certain officers, department heads, and employees of the township.
This is has to do with the mayor as well. >> Yes. >> Okay. And is this also involving the council? >> No. >> No. Okay. So, this is um All right. So, this involves the mayor. >> Okay. Um
yeah, I don't I don't I don't uh I don't think the mayor should be really getting much more money. Um, well, for a number of reasons, but and I don't like the comparison to like other towns, you know, I don't like that. Um, you know, because it's used as
leverage to try to justify, you know, pay increases and stuff like that. Um, I personally don't think that I personally don't think the mayor should get any kind of raise if he's if
he's happy being the mayor and everything like that. You know, be happy with what you're getting. Um, you know, people in the general public, you know, we don't get these kinds of raises like that.
There's been multiple issues over the uh term of him being mayor that uh generally has uh not reflected favorable for members of the public who struggle in a uh sinking economy as the dollar
just winds up having less value and stuff. And I just wonder how many people, you know, get involved in politics to actually, you know, serve the public. you know, I I I wonder that, you know, and I just uh I don't agree
with the mayor. I don't support the mayor. Um I'm not in favor of it. Um yeah, I'm not in favor of it. Uh also because of um the fact that
the the upstairs third floor where there was the uh art gallery. Um, as an artist, it broke my heart to see that all the art was taken away so he could put like, you know,
campaign type photos of himself and stuff like that. I think that's a slap in the face to the public. And um, you know, if it was on a referendum, I don't think the public would go for it, you know.
So since the theme for a while has been um disregard of the public, you know, I don't like the whole system of the council deciding on a raise for the mayor when the public has been very
vocal about many issues involving the mayor. And um I mean there's a number of things number of things that come to my head, but I don't even really want to start rambling off on them because I don't really think it's going to make a
difference anyway. I start giving an itemized breakdown of like certain reasons why I don't agree. I really don't think anything I say has any sort of uh impact over what anyone's going to do. You know, I I wonder why I'm, you know, why I'm even speaking on this to
be honest with you because I don't believe anyone is going to consider anything that I'm saying anyway. So, >> thank you. Anyone else? >> Did you Councilman Brusher, did you want to say something? >> A public wait. >> Well,
>> I'm good. I'm sorry. Oh, sorry, sir. >> Oh, okay. I'm sorry. Councilman Hitch, you want to say something? Yeah, I just wanted to comment because I I I heard what everybody everybody said and everybody has different issues um with it
and and some of the issues I I do agree with the public on. Okay. Um but some of those aren't really in in in all of our control here. Um, but I will tell you this, originally the raise came up and I
guess this came up a couple years ago and at that time, you know, everybody gave their consensus as to what they thought was um fair at the time. Um, and I know some people might think I'm crazy, but at the time I I did say I
believe the mayor's position was a $200,000 position. whether you believe that the mayor is deserving of that. It is that's that's not what this is about. This is about, you know, setting a a dollar amount for
that mayor. We've had mayors in the past, I think it was recigiano that took less. In fact, I think she took a pay cut of like $25,000. Um but but that was her her personal choice. um they could donate it to
charity, they could take it. But, you know, for that position, it's just hard to imagine a mayor making $100,000 and directors that are making $200,000. And and I'm not saying the directors are overpaid, but it it goes back to what our um ex councilwoman um Miss Joyce
Freeman said was it's kind of on par. Now, at that time, they didn't want to bring that up to $200,000 because they thought that it would be egregious and the public would be upset. Um, and I acknowledge that and I think at that time it probably would have been more
prudent to have done like an 8% and 8% and you know, kind of like Elizabeth was bringing up. Yes. Um, but that isn't up to to this body to decide. that's up to the administration and then they have to have approval by the council president
to put it on the agenda. Um, so that's how we kind of ended up here. You know, overall though, like I said, you know, the dollar amount I I don't find as being gross. You can take umbrage and saying that you don't believe he's done a good job, right? But
obviously a lot of voters do believe he's done a good job. So at the end of the day, that's your electability, right? where I'm talking about is just the dollar amount for the raise. And I just felt that $200,000 was a fair dollar amount for a raise for the person
of Edison. Um, and I just wanted to state that. >> Okay. >> Council President, point of order. Can we close the public portion, please? >> Yes. >> Motion to close the public portion. >> A second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Um, and Okay. Now, uh, we need a
motion to adopt. Council President, I just wanted to Are we going to have council comments? We have >> No, that comes after a motion to adopt. >> Okay. >> Okay. Can I get a >> motion to adopt? Can >> I get a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Uh, all right. Now, on to council comments. I believe Coun uh Councilman Brasher, I think those
probably were your comments, right? Okay. Um, anyone else? >> Council President. >> Yes. >> U, so I think with this you can compare to whichever one suits your needs better. You know, you can say Woodbridge, you can say the governors,
you can say New York City, it's fine. But like Councilman Brusher said that it is about the position. This salary is going to be regardless of whether Sam's in the office or not. And I truly think it should be even higher because at
maybe 210, 220, but it is not amount. It is like working as a CEO. You are the executive of a company of a massive budget and you are managing every single person that works in the administration office to the
police to the fire and you are every single situation and you are the first call whenever something goes wrong and I think that's a lot of pressure and a lot of ask of that position and I think it's well deserved. uh whoever is in this
position is putting in their heart and soul and yes they are serving the town but that does not mean that they cannot take care of their family or whatever issues that they have or anything along that lines. So yes you can compare to whatever you like but I think this
position requires the amount of paying that we are trying to get to. Uh and again, this is not like a yearly race. It happens, you know, randomly depending on the council or the administration asked. Uh if they would have asked right after they got whatever raised last time
and they asked, "Oh, we want another 40%." I'm pretty sure the council would have said no. So again, it's you can't really compare the percentage jump because again, that's unfair because it's not a yearly thing. Uh, and at the end of the day, if we have a good
salary, I'm not saying that that's the only thing that motivates people from running, but that wouldn't be a hindrance from someone not running. If someone is a good candidate for the mayor position, but if they cannot afford it financially, then I think that would be a sad day when someone says,
"Hey, you know, I would love to run and I would love to serve the town, but unfortunately I cannot manage it with the financial risk because, you know, I make x amount of dollars and this is what my family survives on and I don't have another source of income, but because of that, I can't take this on."
So yeah, I think there is a give and take, but I think this amount for the amount of work and effort that goes into this position, I think it's welld deserved. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Council President. >> Yes, Council Vice President. >> Thank you. Um, I agree with the comments
Councilman Brusher mentioned before wholeheartedly. Um, if you look at the original salary increase, I believe it was 2022 went up to the 150 mark. I can say for myself in
the four years experience since then just having a better understanding of what the position demands I believe that this is a fair level for the mayor position for the elected position of the the mayor regardless of who is in the
office. Um, so with that said, I think it's um I just I think it's the right level for the for what's involved and the size of our township. Thank you, Council President. >> Anyone else? >> Council President.
>> Yes, Council. I we're voting yes for this ordinance and I want to say that years ago I think the salary was I think 47,000 or 49,000 and maybe less at one time but you know for anyone to be involved in
volunteering or be involved in holding office. Uh some people may believe you have to be independently wealthy or have another income to do this. today sets another standard that if you want this job, this job certainly can separate
where you are today in a in making a living to take on this job and make a good living. And most people don't get involved in politics because it's a financial difference in what you're doing today and what you'll be doing tomorrow. I mean, how many people could
not run for mayor, you know, 10 years ago and leave their job making 125,000 to make 50,000? it just doesn't make sense and all the other things you may, you know, roll into as well. So, I I think it's a perfect salary. In fact, I
I I'd ask to increase it more, but uh I think it certainly separates uh the opportunity from others to get involved and I'm happy to see who else may run again in four years because you have a valid salary to take on this job. So, um I agree with Councilman Dish Patel. what
he said which is very similar to what I'm saying is that it definitely holds uh an opportunity for someone if you look at this audience right now they're I would guess that more than half the people in this audience that
speak are retired can afford to be here they have the opportunity time to be here and that that's somewhat factual near I mean we I don't want to point as most people are younger than me but they're close to retirement but you have that opportunity time let's face you
have time to be involved and be here and uh you can't say this won't inspire others to seek public office and be the mayor of Edison. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else >> council? >> Yes, council councilman Patil. >> I completely agree with my council
colleagues. In fact, uh when I was four years ago or for that matter 16 years ago when we were looking at the mayor salary, let's be brutal honest. Somebody needs to sit here for full time, look after
thousands of employees, spend more than 12 hours a day. And what is the reward? Yes, the public service is one part, but at the same token, they also have to survive, they also have to leave. Some of our mayors probably, you know, adjusted their
salaries based on their primary job. Some of them, most of them are not full-time here. But Mayor Johoshi took this challenge. He became a first full-time mayor and devoted his time more than 8 hours day over day including the weekends. So even four years ago
when the uh salary was discussed I was surprised that it was 150. In fact that time as well I was of the opinion that salary has to be at least $200,000. But that does motivate someone sitting in that office to fully focus on the
operation and the well-being of the residents and not worry about the politics not worry about the second job or find other way or other stream of revenue for survival. So in for that matter even today that 199 mark is still
not a competitive compared to the CFOs or the CEOs of the industry. I work in a corporate sector. I will tell you that I make much more than the current mayor which is not fair. I'm one employee of the corporation. Mayor is a safety
director. He has thousand plus employees. He works around the clock. He deserve much bigger salary than you know what we are. Again I'll be in fully support of this increase. Again thank you Marggo uh president for having this on agenda.
>> Thank you. Okay. Anyone else? Um, you know what? Just one more comment. Um, anybody that remembers our last mayor, um, probably has pretty good memories of him. Um, very empathetic, nice man,
thought about the town, thought about the people quite a bit. Um, but he was a part-time mayor. That was the only complaint that I ever heard about the um the past mayor, Mayor Lankey that we had was that he was part-time and that if he was full-time, he could have actually
taken care of a lot more things. Um maybe with a salary like this, he would have stayed and he would have ran again and he would have been the mayor. Um, but he had a job where he was getting paid a lot more than that salary, whatever it originally was,
50,000 or 75,000. So, if my council colleague said, for you to quit your job to come and take another job, you basically have to be retired to kind of be able to do that. Um, who knows, maybe Lanky will be enticed to come back and
give us another term, but that would be it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Um, I think Councilman Patil put it perfectly. I think it was well expressed. I would just I I said most of what I needed to say at the last meeting. I would just add to that that I
think that the mayor's position has been grossly underpaid all this time. For a 35 square mile town as such as we have where things can happen anywhere at any time, it truly is. It's more than full-time. This is this is often a 247
job as our current mayor showed with the snow and and he was out at 4:30 in the morning. Um, but that could be Mayor John Smith. It doesn't matter as as it's as has been stated, it's not about merit. It's about the position and this position is really deserving of
$199,000. I agree with my council colleagues on this and I'm happy to support this. Thank you. And with that, can we get a roll call? Council member Brusher. >> Uh, yes. >> Council member Coyle, >> yes. >> Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Patiel, >> yes. >> Council member Hoyer,
>> yes. >> Council member, >> yes. >> Council President Harris, >> yes. >> Okay. U Madame Clerk, can you read the ordinance for 2269? Ordinance approving the application for long-term exemption and authorizing the
execution of a financial agreement with Fairway Country Club Urban Renewal LLC concerning the property known as the proposed block 412 lot 5.04 commonly known as 1000 IM Avenue. >> Thank you. Uh we can open for public
comments. Yes, Joel. Bass off Beach Lane. So, this ordinance raises some questions. Um, so first of all, I noticed that in 2025, the property paid, um, almost $61,000 in taxes. So, um, under this ordinance,
how much would the developer pay in lie of taxes? uh and how much of a tax break does that represent compared to what the tax would be on the true market value after the property is developed? Uh and
why does the tax break have to be for 30 years? Um so even if a tax break is appropriate, um why wouldn't uh 10 years be plenty? Why would we be binding future generations to this deal? Uh, and
is it correct that the school district under this ordinance wouldn't get any tax revenue for from the property for the next 30 years? Uh, and I understand that it's senior housing and it won't produce school children. Uh, but commercial and industrial property, they
don't produce school children, yet they still pay school taxes. So, if this property is not going to be paying school taxes, then the school district is just going to have to raise our taxes by an equivalent amount. Uh, and
I'd note that Edison has an affordable housing obligation now of more than a thousand units according to the latest superior court decision. Uh, so how many of the units in this project will go to satisfy Edison's affordable housing
obligation? And if the answer is none, why is that? So those are my questions. >> A lot of questions. All right. Uh did you take note of of some of those? >> So um the developer paying in the
developer paying in lie of taxes >> was the was the question. What was the question? How much would the developer be paying in lie of taxes under this deal? >> Uh I I'm not entirely certain. I don't have it in front of me, but I know that um
>> uh we haven't determined that. This is just simply um the agreement in order to um establish the the project itself. So that will again then be forthcoming. >> Um >> so open question if I heard it correctly.
>> Uh you asked why 30 years. >> That that's the statutory guideline. So if they don't have an agreement in place yet, it could be up to 30 years because that's what the statute allows. >> So it could be less if I heard. >> Yeah. If if they haven't put together an
agreement yet, this is simply the res uh the ordinance authorizing entering into the ability to enter that agreement. >> Correct. It's the ability to um the mayor to be authorized to enter into that agreement. >> You asked uh how many units would be, if
any, are in affordable housing. Again, this would it's part of the agreement. It needs to be discussed at length. >> Council president. >> Yes. >> What I remember in the documents I'm going to approximate whether it was 49 or 60 or 59 to 62. So is about 60 just
as an approximation from what I recall. >> Right. Either way, the requirement is is 20%. So, um, 20% of two, don't quote me on the number, maybe 250 one, give or take. >> Okay. >> And school taxes.
>> Oh, and the the school the taxes with regard to school. >> Uh, that's just the way that the the pilot uh the pilot programs work. Um, is that there's not a designation um specifically to the school. That doesn't stop the township from taking any of
those funds and potentially sharing it with the school district or undergoing projects uh with the school district. It just uh cuts out the designation of how those are paid to the township rather than through the state tax mechanism.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Joel. Anyone else? >> President. >> Oh, yes. Uh Councilman Patel, >> I think I also wanted to add that because that we're doing the pilot the school formula. I think Councilman Pointer pointed this out that the school formula the state formula that they use
to fund our schools would mean that our schools got less in that formula. So they'll get more benefit from the state and so that in a way kind of works out and that's what that's why Woodbridge gets more school aid than us because they have a lot more pilot programs and
I think Woodbridge also gives more money to the school from the township side as some projects and stuff but it's a good way to get some more money from the state. >> Thank you, >> Council President. >> Yes, Councilman Brer. Um I I believe what I'm going to tell say is true, but
the um when you do a pilot program, the original base tax base on that property, the school still receives that tax. They just don't receive the taxes on the improvements that were
made. >> So the original taxes that they're getting today from that property, they'll continue to get that um forever. Uh, this project in particular I love and I I know it's additional housing here, but because I heard
originally they were going to do um like storage units, like a storage facility. >> Councilman, can we have that have you make those remarks during council comments? Thank you. >> Um, all right. Uh, Elizabeth >> Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle.
I only have one question. People are mentioning that this is a pilot program and from what I'm hearing tonight, uh the tax value to the schools are different. Then what is our benefit
to the township for uh going along with this is what my question is. >> Just so that we're clear, pilot just stands for payment in >> payment in lie of tax. that I know we're all on the same page. >> Means what are we gaining or losing?
>> Council president. >> Yes. >> So in a particular projects when there's a lot of environmental damages and it's really hard for a developer to come in and revamp that property. So in this case that site is one of the most
heavily environmentally damaged site in Edison. And if someone were to come in and start a project, it would require a lot of upfront cost and it makes the project unsustainable and not necessarily anything going to happen to that property. So there's less likely
anything that will change in that property. So then in 20 years time or 30 years time, we will have exactly what we have, the status quo, and we'll be making $67,000 every year. And that's fine if that's what we want as a town. But if we can get a pilot program going,
what this essentially does is we offer them a tax break to help them take this to the bank and say, "Hey, you you know, this project can be workable, can be profitable, and the bank can give them a loan to essentially allow them to assess
and revamp the area from the environmental damage and allow us as a township to benefit by upgrading that property into a more revenue generating property. And also it's a benefit in this census because we don't have any school children. That's one of the biggest
worry that all the residents generally have that we're making the schools more crowded. But in this particular situation, we won't we have to really worry about that. So I think this is a win-win and that is the main reason for doing the pilot, the environmental damage aspect of it. Uh if it was a clear-cut property and there was no
issues with it, I'm sure plenty of developers would have jumped on it and already already started working on it. But unfortunately, without this pilot program, this project would have never gotten started and completed, and we would have essentially been stuck with that. And I think that that's the I've lived across the street from there, and
that area has been cleaned up at least three or four times over the 42 years that I've lived there. I'm they're probably just finishing the job. I'm not too sure on the details, but there was a lot of environmental damage
and that they did do a lot of it testing and stuff which I'm not again I can't give you the exact numbers but that's what I have to know. >> You explained it. Thank you. >> Yeah, >> thank you. Yes. Joyce >> Joyce ship Freeman old um paint factory that was on that property
the whole time. Um pilot program Mayor M because I'm in Woodbridge like every morning. Mayor M got a performing arts center. He got a a a big recreation. I mean, he gets like he got tons of stuff. And you're telling us our only benefit
is what? >> Our only benefit is from that pilot program is what? Cuz I'm looking at these I'm looking at these other people and these other towns and they're getting these grandiose things from their pilot program and you're just telling me because the land is
contaminated, that's all we get? >> No. What I'm saying is we are have the ability to change that property from the status quo to something more of a revenue generating. And I'm not saying that they got the art center and stuff from one pilot project. They have a lot
of pilot projects. And if we accumulate a lot of these p pilot projects and we turn some of these properties that are dilapidated and just sitting around and not making money and we convert them as fast as Woodbridge does, then we should be able to collect more revenue and that
revenue down the road can lead to perform art project and any other good things that we want for town. But every good things require money. Nothing comes for free unfortunately. So this is just a step in the right direction in that path. And I'm not saying this is the end, but this is the right step.
>> We're a little late to the party. I I I gather that. And as I look around and I see other people with other pilot program and I see them as money making places, just like for instance, for the ice hockey center, instead of having one, he has two. You making money every
weekend from that. I I really don't see anything but private entities all over this town, private people uh having things that do not relate to us being a part of it or gaining anything from it. But I see a lot of amusement being built
here. So, I don't know. Even looking toward Menlo Park, they're they're talking about bowling alleys and stuff. I just keep seeing more stuff. Maybe my problem is that I I just don't see what our gain from this even though I'm
200% for the senior for the senior living down there because I don't want Edison uh seniors and stuff to have to leave Edison because they can't afford their taxes or anything like that. But um I I you know I I want a little more for if we gonna have pilot programs.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Yes, Bruce. Bruce sites first. Could I ask can we get the volume turned up here on not the temperature of everybody is very good tonight but we need to turn up the volume. Okay. We can't hear half of it
if someone's talking to the side or someone's reading notes. >> It's very hard to hear. >> Roger. Can we can we work on the volume and the at the podium? >> Let's let's u raise it a notch or two. Okay. regarding this ordinance. First of
all, everything this said, he's on top of it and I I agree with what he said. I just want to use as a frame of reference. Okay? My family had property up in Bergen County and it was contaminated and we got involved with
selling it. Okay? And we had to look at present value versus future value versus how much the cleanup would cost. As she had just said before, maybe this is in the last phages of the cleanup. I recall
Oh, it's louder now. Good. I recall that um at one of the meetings, the builder had made a comment that they're not going to make money on it. Now, come on. No builder is going to go into something. They're going to make a lot of money on this. There's a lot of apartments. Prices are up. It's going to
be very desirable on Emman Avenue. And hopefully that additional couple hundred people will get a supermarket to come in where the stop and shop was. But I don't like this open-ended that we give them a 10-year tax break or 30 years or
whatever it is. Okay. I think it needs to be indexed. Part of the payout that I did several years ago was that depending on how profit it will be, depending on how much money had to be put in the cleanup, they just can't say, "Well, the
cleanup's going to cost a million dollars." Maybe it will, maybe it won't. So, I'm just asking or suggesting that we have some restraint on this and maybe index the profitability. Okay? In business, you have your cost of goods,
you have your profitability, you have your margins, you have different things on here. I just don't know. Maybe I don't know what's going on there. John, you're shaking your head. But I think we really need to put some guidelines and index it. They're going to make money on
this and we shouldn't have to um give them a long-term tax abatement that takes revenue away from the township. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yes, Sue, >> I'm sorry. Did you want to >> Can I just address one of these
questions? Um, the question in terms of the uh the pilot revenue aspect in terms of the actual payment is based on the annual gross revenue that the project would have. So there is an index portion that
you're talking about. It does increase over the the following two decades. Um but to your point that is built into how the pilot program is is proposed uh in that the revenue is the basis for the
actual pilot payment. I had asked our legal how that's actually confirmed. There's an additional line item in there to actually pay for the audit of the project so that we will actually know what the the return from the municipal
side would be. It's a it's an independent audit. >> Council President, I had a question for the lawyer. So, there will be another step after this, right? Because this is just the beginning and then there'll be another step and they'll be brought back to the council
>> where we'll have a little more details, >> I believe. So, yes. >> Thank you very much. Uh Sue >> Sue Malone Barber, 85 Pleasant Avenue. My question was actually um related to what Nish just said. Um it
feels like there's a lot of unknowns. So when we pass this ordinance, what exactly is it allowing to happen? There's no deal made yet, right? So is it giving the mayor or whoever's making
the is the mayor making the deal cart blanch for 30 years or whatever? Like so when so you we passed this but we have no terms. So what are we passing? >> There are terms.
>> Council vice president. >> There there are terms. Um that's why I was just explaining about the annual gross revenue aspect because that's the determination of the actual payment that the township would receive. Um the financial vendor that the
township uses had produced a forecast but that's just a forecast. You you know the actuals versus projection may may vary but in terms >> why will why would it vary? >> Well cost could increase which decreases the actual net profit at the end of a
project. um general economic factors that's presuming that the pro that's the starting of the pilot would happen at the end of phase one if I recall maybe that phase one doesn't happen within a year maybe it ends up prolonging for five years so like you have a lot of
different variables that could come up during that same time >> okay so um I have more questions around that but first I I want to ask how how many units is it 600 >> no no how Close two. Is it 200
something? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> How many? I'm sorry. >> 250. >> 250. And of that, what would be affordable? >> 20%. >> 20% and they are all rental units. They're not for sale, are they? Or they're
>> they're not like they're rentals, so the developer will have ongoing income. >> Yes. Or are they being sold as like condos or >> I believe they're rentals. >> Am I right about that? >> I believe they're rentals. >> Yes.
>> Mhm. >> Okay. And the the attorney believes that another point. I feel like there's a lot that is not known here. So, what will determine if they get a 30-year tax
abatement or whatever we're calling it versus a 10? Especially when the contribution, yes, Nish, we are reusing the land. That's good. But I don't think the developer would be entering into this if the remediation was so ownorous that he he
couldn't build or they couldn't build apartments on it, you know, residential apartments on it. So, I feel like there's a lot unknown here. And my question is, are you going to see this again? That's a big that's a big question for me. >> I'm not sure what that question what
what do you mean by that? >> Are you gonna are you going to see the agreement? Do you get approval on the agreement? >> That's part of the backup with the >> I'm sorry, John. as part of the backup with all of the information is the actual pilot agreement
like the length of terms the the annual gross revenue >> right but what determines though it's it's a 30 >> it's up to so many years >> so what determines is it 30 is it 10 is it 20 >> it's 30 years nothing else has indicated otherwise >> it is 30 it's going to be 30 years
>> that's what the ordinance is for >> yeah So there is an agreement. >> Yeah, that's >> C council president. There's an agreement attached to the ordinance and I I I think every if everyone could just refer to that >> and I actually apologize I misspoke
there. It is a uh also not just rental. There is a 15% >> um ownership here sale. >> Oh okay. >> Just I just want to for the record correct that but the agreement is attached. All of the terms are >> this is the financial agreement.
financial agreement. Correct. >> There is still other agreements that need to be hammered out with the developer. >> Correct. >> And this is >> I think that's where some of the confusion is coming from. >> Right. And this is to establish their probably their financials in order to get the proper funding to start the build. Otherwise, they can't proceed
either on their end. >> Yeah. There's going to be more to this, Sue. There's going to be this is just about the financial agreement. There's going to be more to come once if if a financial agreement if this ordinance is approved. Okay. Council President, thank you. Yes.
>> These units are this proposal is age restricted units. >> Age restricted. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Okay. Um Yes, sir. >> Motion to close. >> No.
>> Um All right. Again, I apologize for um my lack of knowledge about what's taking place in Edison. I've been dealing with a lot of other towns and stuff like that and haven't been keeping up with this, but just um am I understanding that correctly? There's a 30 a 30-year tax exemption.
>> Yes. >> No, no, it's not a tax exemption. >> It's not an exemption. It is. So when you do a a pilot, it is both to encourage growth and to set a a certain
expectation for the developer so that they have an abatement on their taxes, but that abatement is is really to set a level of certainty. They know how much of the project going forward is going to be devoted to paying those taxes. kind of removes that uncertainty of the
yearly reassessments, re-evaluations, sudden spikes in the cost of uh property taxes. So that one year it may be, oh, I paid on a $ 1.9 million development, the next year it's a 3.8, and the market is what determine that. So rather than that, it sets out a a set financial
obligation for that course of 30 years that is pegged to and uh calculated against revenues generated by the project itself. so that a developer who's coming in to develop a project um like this that has significant upfront
costs and environmental cleanup can be certain of making a profit off of the development um and knowing what that profit will be and then if that developer decides that they can sell it or move on or go on to other projects, they have this squared away and in the
books under an agreement that's already been laid out rather than the vagaries of what the future might hold. Okay. So, so exemption is not the right word then. >> Yeah. Generally speaking, it works out
to be less than they would pay if they were taxed normally. Um, but that's also fairly speculative based upon what we know about how property taxes work and how property values and assessments work. So it is a it's better
to think of it as a certainty of payment and obligation to the township for the next period of time. >> There's no one word that really works for it other than okay >> understanding what a pilot is. >> Yeah. No, I think I think pilot program I think I think they're all scams
personally. Um it's just a way to make developers, you know, get rich, not have to put up money up front and stuff. And what winds up happening is they get these exemptions, these 30-year exemptions happening all over New Jersey and and the taxpayers are the ones who have to foot the bill. And that's what
always winds up happening. So, I think it's just a scam, personally. But I may not know what I'm talking about, but that's just, you know, how I how I interpret it. >> Yeah. And and exemptions do happen, but this is not an exemption from payments. >> Council President. >> Yes. Councilman Mo point of order.
Council President, is we finished with the public portion? >> I'm sorry. >> We finished with the public portion. Would >> I don't know. Uh, Councilman Brusher, were you going to be responding to >> I was, but I could do it during council comments also. It's >> okay. Anyone else from the public? Okay.
A motion to close. >> Motion to close the public portion. >> Second. >> I'm sorry, Council Pressure. >> Second. Thank you. All in favor? Oh, I don't have to do that. Sorry. Sorry. Okay. Um, let's go to motion to adopt.
>> Motion to adopt. >> Second. >> Okay. And, uh, council comments. >> Um, okay. >> Yes. >> Um, >> did you want to answer? >> A couple things. What when we talked about pilots came up quite a bit. Um,
and the reason I think is is the public doesn't understand pilots because all pilots are different and and they can be set up differently. I can only comment, I believe we did one pilot and um I believe when they showed me the numbers
for it, if I'm not mistaken, I'm going to make these numbers up, but it was something like this. The property should have generated $300,000 in taxes per year. The first four or five years it was going to generate $240,000
in taxes. So it was going to generate $60,000 less. But as you got closer after 10 years, it was generating more than the $300,000. So at the end of the day, the township was going to receive more money in
taxes, but it was over the 30-year period. And and the reason for that is if you had a developer and they they upfronted $2 million to clean up a piece of land, they're looking to recoup that, not over 30 years, but as soon as they
can. And then on the back end, they're hoping that their rents go up and that also then will cover that additional taxes later on. Um the So at the end of the day, the numbers kind of worked out for us here. I don't know that they do for every town and and every pilot, but
I know here they did when we checked into them. Um, this property in particular, I felt strongly that we should do residential because originally it was going to be like a storage unit. That's where they were going with it be
because they didn't have to clean up the ground to the same standard as they did for residential because residential is a lot stricter. So that had to cost them a couple million dollars extra to clean up the ground. To me, it's more important for us to clean up the pollution we have
in this town. Um, and if that meant that we had some additional homes, you know, it was like, okay, let's swallow the poison pill. Um, they did propose to do 55 or older, which which I I love the idea because as someone that's
approaching my seniors, or maybe I'm there already, um, I'm no longer looking to have my home or have a house of that big. I'm looking to do more like the townousy type of thing. And we don't have anything here in Edison. Um, so
there was nothing in that kind of range. We also have our co- requirement which they're dealing with and they're taking part in that because senior housing is part of our affordable housing which is a good thing. So there were many good aspects to it um that that I really did
like you know when we asked about the schools and the schools not receiving their money. They do receive the base money. They just don't receive the money afterwards. I was on the school board. Okay. Okay. And when I was on the school board, I advocated for the school board.
Now I'm on the council. I advocate for the council. Um for the residents here, I I don't think you guys really care who goes in your pocket, whether it's the school board or the township. Um so that money the township's going to get. You know, we had an argument with the school
board. I remember because the town doesn't pay the school board as per law. They pay them like monthly, not quarterly. So, the school board could actually be making $500,000 in interest on that money if it were sitting in an account. But at the end of the day, again, to the taxpayers, doesn't matter
whether the town has the 500,000 or the school has the 500,000. Um, you as a taxpayers, you're paying the combined bill of the township and the school. So, you know, as far as the school not getting that extra money, it also has seniors. So, it doesn't have children
that's actually putting the stress on the schools. So, I don't even feel that that's egregious here. U I mean, the whole thing actually does look good to me except for more traffic maybe um by one of our residents. Um but, you know,
maybe if we get that bus thing going, maybe that'll help. So, I I overall I'm I'm in favor of it. I I like it. Um I wish this wasn't in front of us now. I wish it was in front of us two years ago and I wish that the everything was done
and people were living there at this point, but you know, government works a little slower. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Uh any council coy? >> Council President, I'll be brief. I was listening to a comment what's known and unknown to this project. For those who
are uh unaware of it, it's been a property that sat for 35 plus years. We didn't receive much tax revenue at all. So that's known, right? It's sat contaminated for decades. That's known. 35 years I know involved and probably
more for other people. Not saying some people are older than me, but definitely for So we didn't receive much at all and it was contaminated and that could be a big problem for the environment. What's known is tomorrow uh this agreement will move this project forward investing 50
plus million dollars to develop it. What's known is we will have a tax revenue over the next 30 years. So yesterday we got very little tomorrow we'll get much more. So these are these are facts. So what's known and unknown I is the wrong opinion. It's known this
will be a big change. Thank you council president. >> Thank you councilman Coyle. Anyone else? >> Council president. >> Yes. Councilman Patio >> and I fully support this uh ordinance. I think you know we are a little late and I always say it's better to be late than never. Uh this projects was supposed to
be done probably four years ago. Uh lot many people have the concern about the pilot but I'll tell you in nutshell in a simple way there is no impact to the taxpayers. The taxes will be received whether it is received by the town it is split to the board of paid and all that
that's all internal. at the end of the day the taxpayer pays one bill so that is not impacted. So it's a good project for the community. We'll have some co- obligation fulfilled. We'll have the vibrant community around and of course you know we'll have the clientele for the you know the shoppers market that
you are looking on the inman avenue. Uh and in nutshell I'm pretty sure once this project is complete the the neighbors will also appreciate their house values will also go up. It's going to be vibrant community and so I'll be supporting this project. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Council President. >> Yes, Councilman. >> I too I agree with my colleagues. I I like this project a lot actually. Um I remember 15 years ago driving my kids to the nearby pool and uh seeing that property as as an eyesore and I'm glad
that it's finally getting developed. Um, what I like about it also is that it's it's senior housing, uh, which age restricted senior housing, which which doesn't put pressure on our school system. Um, so it's the added revenues over time without the added pressures on
our schools. So, I'm going to be fully supportive of this uh of this ordinance and this project. Thank you very much. >> Well, okay. Anyone else? >> Council President. >> Yes, Council Vice President. >> Thank you. Um, I think that there are a lot of goods associated with the project. I'll I'll
be honest, the projected costs of the project I personally think are lower than what they're going to be. And we're talking eight figures plus. Um, without getting into proprietary information. So, the level of investment that's going to be needed on this project to me is
just it's immense. It's been focused a lot on the contamination aspect of it, but it should also be known that it's right near a wetland aspect. So, there's additional D requirements that are going to be uh part of it. Um, while from a
total unit perspective, it might sound like a lot. When you break it out as a per acre amount of units per acre, it's not as intense as several other developments as we may be familiar with. And finally,
the actual pilot projected um payment compared to the projected conventional taxes. When you get to the later years, 26, 27 up to 30, the projections are that the actual pilot um revenue would equal what the conventional taxes would
be. Granted, that a higher percentage of that would obviously go into the municipality side on that. So in reviewing it from from those items, I think that is a good thing for us to to do and I will be supporting it. Thank you, Council President. >> Councilman Patel.
>> Yeah, Council President. Yeah, like my council colleague said, the only real downside I see is the traffic and I wish we could solve that too, but I everything else is a win and I'm happy to support this. >> You uh for myself, I I'm not actually even that worried about the traffic
because we're talking about this is going to be essentially senior housing. I don't I I compare it to the old Gulen property that is going to be that's going to be I don't remember how many units that's going to be on Durham in Matuchen and I think about the fact that
those are hundreds of those are way beyond what this particular senior housing is and I dread the opening of this I here is about January 15th and I dread what the traffic is going to be looking like on Durham. So um I I fully
support this. I think we need the senior housing. I don't think it's going to be a traffic nightmare on Inman. Uh I will miss the golf range. I I use the golf range there, but um I think uh I I think this makes a a load of sense and I do hope that this advances and and goes off
the ground. So I will be supporting it as well. And with that, can we get a roll call? >> Council member Brusher, >> yes. >> Council member Coyle, >> yes. >> Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Patiel, >> yes. >> Council member Pointer, >> yes. Council member Schmuel. >> Yes. >> Council President Harris.
>> Yes. >> Thank you. All right. Now we go to ordinance 2270 page. An ordinance amending article 5 boards, commissions, committees, and agencies of
chapter 2 administration of the m municipal code. Thank you. Open for public comment. No, >> no, we have to amend this. >> Oh, what? Oh, where's the amendment? >> The one we're going to amend. >> Uh, we're >> This is the one we're amending. >> Okay. Oh, where? Okay. >> So, we have to say what amendment and
vote, right? Cuz the public comment would be on the amendments, >> right? Okay. So, where's the amendment on this? >> We're going to amend it as taken out. >> Okay. >> Municipal. >> All right. So, are we taking out
section one? You're going to be removing section one section. Oh, good. We're moving 2-1.08.1. Yeah. 2-108.1. >> Okay. >> Right. >> That's Mr. Section one through
alliance. That's cable right here to 2 through 2-108.8. That correct? >> 2-108.1 through 2.108-8. >> 2-108.8. Yep.
>> Right. So, how are we presenting this? >> That's going to be removed from the ordinance. >> Okay. So, we are removing on this ordinance. >> Municipal Alliance. This is municipal alliance 2-108.1 through 2-108.8
>> and then do what do we do this? >> So now we need a vote on the amendment. >> All right. So >> council president >> it is not an omission of the what's here. It is simply just maintaining what
was in terms of the municipal alliance. I just want to >> Okay. All right. So, >> council president, I wanted to remove the entire ordinance. I just think it's >> we should table it.
>> Council President. >> Yes, Council McCoy. And it's we may not be able to do this, but clearly it doesn't matter whether we do this today or January. This unless this council pointer is something different, but I've read through this. Um I prefer
we just table it to next year only because I'm concerned with different grants we may be applying for that may need an ordinance of a committee valid. And I haven't finalized my, you know, research on that. I mean, I was just
going to play it out that if I needed one, we would readopt that committee and put it back on. But if we're sitting here going back, >> make a motion to table. >> I'd make a motion to table this. >> Oh, I'll second it. >> Okay. Wait. So, you need to Can you second it in the microphone, please? Thanks. >> Yes, I'll second it.
>> Okay. All right. Um, >> motion to table ordinance. >> Okay. And is that a roll call or not a roll call? >> Motion to take pressure. Mhm. And we're doing a roll call. >> Yep. >> Okay. All right. >> Council member Brusher,
>> yes. >> Council member Coyle, >> yes. >> Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Patiel, >> yes. >> Council member Pointer, >> yes. >> Council member, >> yes. >> Council President Harris, >> yes. Motion is tabled. And the um ordinance is tabled. All right. Um All
right. We move to public comments on the resolutions. Resolutions only. I'm sorry. >> What? >> Yes, we're t it's t being tabled till January. Um comments on the resolutions.
Resolutions only. Bruce, did you want to come? Th this is this is on the resolutions. So this would be on resolutions 676 through 715. Well, if you have if you have questions
or comments about the resolutions, you can come on up and and specifically name which resolutions you're commenting on. >> Okay. >> All right. Can you can you speak into the microphone? >> Oh, and >> thank you.
>> And give your name again. the one uh one two >> Bruce, can you just give your name? You're speaking again. Can you give your name and address, please? >> Uh Bruce Sites, 88 Park, A Drive. >> Thank you. >> Uh resolution authorizing the award of contract. >> What What number is that, Bruce?
>> Uh 122025. >> Wait, the first three numbers of the resolution are the identifiers. >> Yes. >> 70812205. >> Just just the 708. Yes. Okay. Okay. I just wanted to ask a question and I
involved I have a client that's in a recycling business and I don't know if this is um fact fiction or whatever but um a lot of the recycling now isn't being done. Uh there's no room for it.
China is not taking recycling and a lot of the recycling is being put into public dumps into the regular disposal areas. So if that be the case, are we paying for recycling that won't
be going to recycling? So that's just um I'm trying to open it up because of things that I've heard and some issues in the public domain. >> Okay. Um can you >> I have one other after this. >> All right. Hold on one second. Um to answer uh to answer Bruce's question,
what? Sorry. Council President, just to be fair to the speaker, if they could just cover all their questions, then I'd gladly answer them. >> Okay. All right. >> Go ahead, Bruce. What was the other What was the other resolution? >> Was um one 122?
>> No, we we need the first just the first three numbers. >> 69512205. >> 695. Okay. Um and what is your question or comment? >> Just a question on this. Has there been
any analysis or reconciliation on a sports center? It's been three times the original cost and now we see another $600,000. So, uh, if I could ask a silly question,
who's minding the store on this one having gone up from five to $15 million? >> Okay. Any Did you have any other questions on resolutions? >> No. >> Okay. Um, council vice president, you look like you're at the ready to answer this. >> Thank you, council president. Um, just a point of clarification. It's not 15
million. I know that I know people have been trying to associate the sports building with the uh the turf fields. They are separate projects. This project is at 12.7 is 13% over the lowest legally responsible bid that we originally did. By law, you can't go
over 20%. So, I just wanted to make those clarifications. Thank you, Council President. >> Right. And on his first question about the the the first question that he had. >> So uh the first question he had is correct that with the China not taking
in recycling. We obviously are paying into recycling but uh what we've done is as you know we've opened up the recycling center. So that that's been helpful and we use the county for those services. So we are trying everything in order to make it accessible to residents
to properly recycle and use county services. >> Thank you. All right. Uh, yes, Sue. >> Um, new library trustee trustees 686 and 687. >> 686 and 687. >> Um, who who are they? Who are they? What
are their qualifications? Where do they live in Edison? Um, my understanding is it's illegal for the these nominations to get final approval. According to municipal code 2-210,
final approval at this meeting, under no circumstance shall the nomination and the appointment of a candidate occur simultaneously. Um, I feel like the public uses the library and pays for the library and we we
should have an opportunity to review the res resume resums and comment on who gets appointed to the library board. As you know, it's the fear in Clar Barton still hangs out there that we could lose our building. So, this is kind of a
really important to us. Um, should I keep going? You want to answer those questions first? Okay. >> Um then uh 695. >> Um will this 604,000 I think it brings the total for the
steel building um to 12 million um is that it now? >> So that's that question and then same thing with the toad center R699. Can you tell me what is uh driving the
13 and a half% increase on that original contract and why is it $715,000 over what was initially thought? >> Okay. All right. Those three those three
those three resolutions those are the questions. >> There are four 686 687 for the library board 695 and 699. Yeah, I counted 686 and 687 is one. Um, all right. Let's start with the question about the u the
the approval of these appointments before the beginning of the year. Uh, council, can you uh can you >> the library board? >> I'm I'm not sure that that was that was her her question, but um certainly we
can approve them before the beginning of the year. Um there's no as we I believe established last year um there there's no holdover uh positions at the library board um unless you just want to have a gap for however long it takes to
renominate and and select you would you would nominate those those individuals to fill those vacancies immediately. >> So was that was that question? I don't think that was her question was whether >> why are we why are we introducing and approving them at the same meeting the
municipal code 2-210 under no circumstance shall the nomination and the appointment of a candidate occur simultaneously. >> So in other words we have have you guys had a chance to review them? We would like a chance to know about them. And um
does this uh municipal code not apply? Introduce and then approve at a later date. >> Yeah. >> So I'm I'm pretty good. Uh I I don't have that off the top of my head, but if
you give me a few minutes uh just to review it, I can have a a potential answer for you very quickly. Um if you want to move on to our other questions first and then I I will come back to you on that. >> Sonia, do you have a do you have any information on this >> in terms of the appointments
>> in in terms of Well, the first thing about the the fact that uh Sue feels she hasn't seen seen the backup. Is is there backup information? Are there résumés and applications available? >> There are they're included in >> Okay. Yes. >> Where are they? Sorry. Okay.
>> They're included in the packet. >> Yeah. Yeah. So So they they they are available. We have seen them. >> The resumes are >> I'm sorry, Sue. I'm sorry. Yeah. Sorry. Yeah. Your time your time is up, but we're going to do the best to answer the questions. Go ahead. So I I believe under 2 um 2110
>> what they're talking about there is nominations by council people for vacancies that are filled by the council. >> Um those uh can't be done within one meeting where you nominate to fill a vacancy appointment. These are mayoral appointments. Those only have to be
brought to the council's attention seven days prior to the meeting at which the action is to take place. that that's why I wanted to review just to make sure that I had the the ordinance correct in how it laid out the difference between what's a mayoral appointment and what is a council appointment.
So that so the short version is there's no issue with that because it's a maral appointment. >> Okay. Her next question was about uh 695. Uh I believe to quote you Sue uh is that it was was the was the question with regard to the change orders. As far
as the change order for the sports building, I believe this is the final change order for the sports building uh as it relates to um this contract. So, it's about 12 million. Um so, and I believe that that we've answered that
before. Uh anything outside of that as as far as furniture previously mentioned that would that's under separate um costings >> for the to center. So, as you all may recall, there was some remediation that needed to be completed. So, it did
extend the project um about about 2 years or so. And so, we needed to remediate. So, what that did once we um awarded the contract, it delayed any of the contract work that needed to be
done, including um new architectural designs. So as you all know that we had issues with the prior architect. So we required a new architect to be on on uh staff here to redesign the building. So those things uh required and are here
because the p the change order is here because of those um issues that we had dealt with in the past. Okay. Thank you Sonia. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, Joyce. Ship Freeman, Edison, New Jersey. Every time I think of that building, I think
that we should have went with the Amish. We probably could have had it done by now. It's not but a flat slate. It's not no big detailed place. It's very, very minute, whatever it is. But I just want to know um about the resolution 682.
Why are we authorizing the cancellation of grants? >> Any other questions? >> No, because she asked the other questions about the two library appointments and he already stated the answer that it's the mayor's choice. Yes. So, the whole board, you know, we
were sitting there before. >> Okay. >> He had the opportunity to say no to some different ones, but I'm fine. And I just like looking at resumes of people like I stated to you before. You know, a lot of people make a lot of money and you ask them questions. I get very it bothers me
that you making this exorbitant salary and you can't answer a question correctly. >> All right. Okay. >> So, I just want to know about the cancellation of the uh grants. >> Uh okay. Council President. Yes. So, these are just uh leftover funds that
were not used for old grants about $9,000. Collectively over four grants. >> Okay. All right. So, is it nine grand or is it four grand? >> 9,000 collectively four grants.
>> Worth for grants that we don't want anymore. >> We've used the funds. This is just uh leftover funding. >> Okay. All right. We We got so much money we can just cancel it and give it back. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else on resolutions?
Okay. Uh A motion to close. >> We have one more. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yes, Liz. Sorry. >> Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. I'm going to go and ask one more question regarding resolution 699.
I realize when you undertake large projects, uh, changes do occur over the time period, but this seems to be we're up to change order number seven. And I just question the knowledge of the people
we're hiring. It sounds like you had a company and now another company's coming in and we're changing everything. Do you start over or you just completely keep changing things from the original plans
is my question. >> Okay. Is that that's it? That's your question. >> Um I'm not sure how to answer that. Um >> we are just just for clarification purposes. Are we discussing the changes that were made to the architectural
design? uh because that was part of the issue with why the change order is in front of all of you. >> So with those uh changes to make sure that the building is um >> I'm sorry I
>> go ahead. Go ahead. >> So in order to for the building itself to be compliant, we needed to make sure that the architectural designs were on par and so we needed to hire a new architect. >> Okay. Council Council Vice President. >> Thank you, Council President. Um, most
of the original change orders dealt with the environmental aspect of the property. We had to do more soil testing that I recall. Actually, we had to do that like two times over cuz the first time came back with something that the D said we need to have more testing. I think that was like from two and number
three. Uh, number six kind of is the restart up of the pro of the total project given those delays. Number seven, uh the backup information has some of those discrepancies of the what's shown on the architectural drawings versus on-site conditions. Uh
for example, one of the images I saw showed like the layout of where the the foundation wall and the footings are supposed to be, and it's not where it's shown on the drawings, for example. So, it's some of those items that are being addressed with these change orders, but the initial ones primarily dealt with
the environmental aspect of the property. Thank you. >> Anyone else? All right. >> Motion to close. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> He raised his hand. I'm sorry. I was letting Liz go first cuz I'm not a resident. So, out of
courtesy, I was letting the residents go first. Um, no, to be quite honest, there's 40 resolutions here and there's only four minutes and point of even talking anyway, right? Uh, I won't waste any time. 40 resolutions.
Few things I want to touch on. Four minutes. It's the point, right? >> Okay. All right. Anyone else? Yes. AJ >> Ben's for medicine. I'm just going to be straight up with this with the resolutions from 676
all the way down to uh 7:15. Let's make good judgment. And if anyone wants to table it or take something out, go ahead. I have nothing else to say. I look >> I'm Yeah, I'm I'm I'm not understand. It's Can you speak directly into the microphone? It's >> Can you guys hear me?
>> Yeah, that's much better. >> Okay. Do I have to redo it again or >> Yeah. Yeah. Could you please? >> Okay. Absolutely. So, as I was saying for the resolutions for 676 and 706,
that's a lot resolutions. If you guys want to table or take something out, go ahead. Looks fine, but make good decisions when we approve this. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Anyone else? >> All right. Can we get a motion to close? >> Motion to close the public portion.
>> Second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Um, all right. Anyone have any of the resolutions they want to pull for a separate vote? >> 695. >> I'm sorry. >> 695.
>> 695. Okay. All right. 695. Anyone else? Okay. Uh, let's look to approve. So, we want to approve R 676 through 694 and
then 696 through 715. Uh, can I get a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> You get a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Uh, can we get a roll call, please? >> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Coyle. >> Yes.
>> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yes. >> Council member Poer. >> Yes. >> Council member Schmuel? >> Yes. >> Council President Harris? Yes. Okay, Councilman Brusher, take it away. >> Well, okay. I'm gonna be honest with you. I think I pulled the wrong one.
>> I'm but but I'm going to speak about this anyway. They're kind of related. >> Um I was really looking at at the other one for the um for Lero. And I I'll tell you where we we had concerns with this building
because we we hired an architect and then we we also hired them to oversee it. And with that came a lot of problems. Whereas if if this could be broken up to where from now on when we do projects where we it's overseen by
like a construction management firm and I know we've talked um in the back about that. so that you have somebody watching over somebody else that's actually doing the design and somebody's not trying to cover up for it. I I think we can alleviate a lot of change orders in the
future. Um, and I know, like I said, we did this, we talked about it. Um, but I'd like to see if we can get the administration, you know, looking at that moving forward this year where we break that up into two separate contracts. The one watching over and and the one that's actually doing the
designing. Um, and like I said, it wasn't for this one. That was for the other one that I had. >> But, um, overall, it's okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. All right. >> Council President, >> yes. >> I would also like to echo what council
pressure said. I think pro I mean, it's not related to this one, but the other project on 694. We are hiring another firm that's also overseeing their own work, and I don't think they're incentivized to find anything wrong. Uh I would like for us to hire a
independent project manager as Councilman Brure suggested that will be liable for the completion of the project um to a certain degree so that they are incentivized to make sure that the project is a complete from the start and
finishes on time and on budget. And maybe we can incent incentivize them with uh maybe a bonus if they can get that done because that would certainly be a lot less money spent than the constant uh change orders and we might be able to get this done faster. So we would also save time and time is also
money. So yeah, I would really encourage the next council to make sure any projects has a separate independent construction manager uh attached to it. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Uh, we're talking about 695, right? Okay. Can I
get a motion to approve 69 resolution 695? >> Rich Mitch, >> I I move to approve it. >> Can you Can you make a motion to approve? >> I make a motion to approve resolution 695.
>> And Councilman Coyle is the second. Uh, roll call, please. >> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Coyle. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yes. Council member Pointer. >> Yes. >> Council member Shuel. >> Yes. >> Council President Harris. >> Yes.
>> All right. Uh, now oral petitions and remarks. Mr. Nagel. >> Oh, you. Okay. >> Madam President, I will yield to the assemblyman. >> Okay. Assemblyman. Assemblyman Carabek.
Step right up. >> Thank you, everyone. Thank you, Council President. >> Can we wait for your name, please? >> Oh, >> uh Rob Caribbean. >> Thank you. >> I'm the state assemblyman in Edison Township. Okay. Greatest town in the
state of New Jersey. Anyway, I came here to to thank Nish John and Council Brent Marggo for your dedication to Edison for the last four years. Uh civic duty is not an easy task at all. And you've seen
it. You've seen the good, you've seen the bad, you've seen the ugly. However, you've stood here and you've done your absolute best for everyone in Edison, whether they agree with you or they don't. And quite honestly, that is something that you you should never
forget. Your names will be in history here in Edison for perpetuity. And quite honestly, everything that you've done is so important to all of the residents here. How you handle them
with the quorum with civility. That's what humanity should be like outside of here. Uh I'd like to see this happen more often in our real world that we live in today.
So I wanted to be here today. I wanted to be here a little early, but I got a chance to watch the whole meeting, which is brought back a long time ago when I sat up there. And quite honestly, the issues are a little different today, but the way you
handled everything was exquisite. And your due diligence for everyone in Edison is impeccable. And all I want to do is I came up here especially for you to thank you for your
time, your sacrifice, your personal sacrifices of your your lives be and your families that you put out because most people think that you just come here and this is what you do. Well, I know the hundreds and thousands of hours
you spend outside of these meetings, meeting with people, dealing with issues, dealing with one-on-one, answering the questions that come up here that you didn't answer tonight. And quite honestly, that's admirable. So, you should walk away with your heads
held high. You should be proud of what you've done because I'm proud of you. As an Edison resident, I can't tell you how much I thank you and quite honestly have a
great holiday. Be safe and thank you so much for what you do. Thank you, Council. >> Thank you so much. Thank you. See, this is why we need six minutes so that the assemblymen can continue talking about us. Okay, Mr. Nagel.
>> Uh Steve Nagel, 19 back drive Edison. I I forgot rule number one and 1A. Rule number one is never follow an assemblyman and 1A is never follow an assemblyman from Edison because they're a par above everybody else. Rob, it's a pleasure for
remarks and thank you for your friendship over many years. >> Thank you, Assemblyman. >> I I wanted to stand here for three purposes and I will make them quick. Number one, to thank you for tableabling the uh uh resolution, the ordinance on removal of the municipal alliance. The
municipal alliance is a very important part of the social fabric of every municipality in New Jersey. And if it's not working right, and ours works right in many ways, if it's not working right though, we need to fix it and not eliminate it. It's very important to the
health of our residents. And for those of you that are going to be there next year, please remember that. And hopefully um in your review, you say, "Yes, this is important. It's comprised of volunteers. It's a revenue generator for the municipality. They get grants
and awards. It doesn't cost anything. And I encourage uh the council people that will be there next year to please keep the municipal alliance as part of our social fabric of Edison. And speaking of things that don't cost the municipality anything, the Edison Human Relations Commission, of which I've had
the pleasure of serving as vice chair for the last two years, and Maria Orchid has been serving as our chair, is reorganizing on Tuesday, January 13th, right here in the council chambers at 7 p.m. Uh, any member of the of the community is welcome to all of our
meetings are the second Tuesday of the month. Please come and visit. And my last point of being here was to thank our outgoing council people for their service. Um, I'm friends with all of you. I've We've never We haven't always disagreed, but we've never been disagreeable. And I hope that your path
in public service doesn't end today. Uh, there's a lots more to do and lots more people to serve. And I hope you'll continue to step up and work to improve the quality of people's lives. And I need to just take a special moment uh and recognize my dear friend Margot Harris. Marggo and Harris sat we sat at
a head table of the Edison Democratic Organization for years. Uh Margot got to go up front and I got to go in the back of the room and I've waited four years to welcome Marggo back to the back of the room. So Madame Council President, you've served with honor and distinction and on behalf of the residents of
Edison, I thank you and Nish and John for your service. Happy holidays, happy new year. Please be safe. >> Thank you so much. Thank you. Okay, anyone else? Yes, Sue. Uh before I I add some closing remarks,
um I don't see any attachments to resolution 686 687 or ordinance um where is it? 2269.
So when when you say they're in the packet, does that mean attached to the agenda? Like I saw the resolution 2269 that the agreement should be exhibit A that it's not it's not on the agenda I pulled from
>> the website and it's not in the books back there. >> So I'd like to see the library. Uh >> I'd like to see all of that. We can we can give that to you after the meeting. Okay. >> Okay. >> Um and then I just wanna finally say thank you for your service, Margot and
John and Nish. It's it's never been easy and um I know that all of you led with your hearts and you you always wanted to do the right thing for Edison. We may not have agreed, but I I think it's a
tough job and you did it with integrity. And um thank you. >> Thank you. >> And John, especially thank you for the ordinance for Amboy Avenue, even though the planning board did not follow it on Monday night, but thank you just the
same. >> All right. Thanks. >> Thank you, Sue. Nothing. >> Uh Joyce Jerry ship Freeman. >> Council President, point of order. Can we close the back door? >> Can we close that back door? >> Thanks.
>> You just going to say that? >> Go ahead, Joyce. I'd like to thank you Marggo personally before I speak um about freedom of speech and about our six minutes that I was so disappointed because you know like I know
the women didn't even get the right they got the right to vote after everybody else. Then in 1969 in Edison, New Jersey, we were just allowed to wear pants. Then women didn't get Title Nine until 1972. Women didn't get credit. Wasn't
available for that until 1975. So if I'm telling you about free speech, read and read and read the women's voyage to get to where they are right now. All right? And that's why that's
the most the only thing that I did not like the most of all was the ability to take away somebody's privilege to speak. After you get dressed, you come home. A lot of you think that people are le are just leisure around when they're senior
citizens. No. I go out most of the time. I feed people. I knock on doors. I make sure people have different things that they need because, as you know, it's a food desert on the north side of town. So, I I welcome what they're building
for the seniors down there. Hopefully before they even built, maybe they'll get some type of food, some type of something down there that they would have to get. It's a shame that you there and you go, "Oh, I need an onion. I need a loaf of bread. Oh, I guess I have to get a Uber or something to go
somewhere." You know, I just think that most of us are well enough off that sometimes we forget about other people who don't have the advantages that we have. And that part gets on that part bothers me a lot also
because people don't think about other people that the the way this world is going now the way it's going everybody what's in it for me what's in it for me that's all they're very concerned about now I I knew that
it's a learning process and I did like the part of John Pointer explain Councilman John Pointer explaining different things because he would read information back and forth. A little disturbed with uh Councilman
Nish Patel. I figure he's a young kid. He's learning. You know, I'm still very disappointed because I'm still waiting on an apology for throwing me out of a meeting when other people have done worse who were male. All right. I I'm not liking that. But, you know, I figure
young people I'll give them a chance to apologize. I think they need to just grow up a little bit. But the whole part that we're sticking our feet, I hope the new council says, "What's the matter? We're seniors coming out late at night. Why we can't speak six minutes? We don't
speak six minutes every time." But if you got a hundred things or 40 things on here or we going to do the Evelyn Wood speed reading contest and get all the information and try to get it back and forth. And a lot of times you ask questions of people, they don't give you
answers. Like I tell you, I don't have a problem with people making nice salaries. I just want you to be accountable for your salary. I don't have a problem because I'm from the public sector. I know when people get their evaluations and the stuff that they're doing more and and they're increasing for the neighborhoods in
Edison, you know, been here most of my life, you know, and I know that the the information over there for the senior for the uh senior housing, I know that's contaminated. He was saying, "Oh, was I saw?" No, it was I saw when it was the
paint, but they changed that a long time ago to the golf range that was down there. But I wish they would have spent the same amount of energy down there of trying to get something for the people to be able to eat or get something to drink. Thank you. >> Thank you, Joyce. You know, council
president. >> Yes. >> Can I ask um Sonia, >> could somebody from the administration maybe reach out to the um the owner of our food desert um that we call it now
down on IM. We I think it was Shop and Stop was the last store that was there. Um to let them know that we're going to have additional units opening up down the street for seniors. And and the reason why I say it is a lot of retail
is based upon traffic that comes through, you know, and and that might help them acquire a new tenant um over there, you know, if they feel that there's going to be some additional uh customers.
Um so yeah, if you can get somebody to reach out and just let them know, um I appreciate it. Thank you. and council president. >> Yes. >> I'm thankful of our former council council member, council president going out to homes to help. And if you provide
a list of those who you're helping today, I'm always feeling jolly and I'll I'll pass out some stuff before January. So see the clerk right after you go and I'll help. >> Thank you, Councilman Coyle. >> Council President. >> Yes. I would like to personally
apologize to our ex- council woman. Saying sorry does not make you small and you know I'm growing and I'm still learning and I hope to be better. >> I thank you very much. That's why you know I just >> now Joyce your four minutes are up.
>> I know I know I know I'm out of line but Joyce >> thank you. Um, uh, Bruce, >> as they say in the railroad business, I guess I'm bringing up the rear. Anyhow, um, I thought tonight's meeting was very
good. Uh, in the spirit of Hanukkah and Christmas, and everybody was very candid. Uh, I want to end with a couple of compliments and one or two other remarks. First of all, I want to say thank you to the whole council. Okay? I
don't think the people appreciate all the work that goes into it. If I'm looking at this just for tonight's meeting, there's a heck of a lot of work that goes into it in front of the camera and behind the camera. So, thank you
all. To the departing members, to Margo, to John, and to Nish, thank you. Uh we've had differences opinions over the years and I've met and spoken with each of you privately but the bottom line is
we were all after the same end use of doing what's best for Edison. So again thank you and uh I'm not going to be repetitive. You've heard it a couple of times and you guys deserve the compliments. Okay. Number two, um I have
been on the cable committee for six years, two, three year terms. Uh my time is up now and I saw something that the cable committee is being disbanded. Uh I could understand that. Um Optimum has
made some very strong improvements over the years. Um, I've asked them for a 2025 annual report which they will give me in January and I hope to present it like I did last year
um for 2024. Um, and there's been improvements. Richie has been a big help. Also, most of the other council members were active. Um, which gets to one of the
point I want to make, uh, which is about the apathy in the township in certain areas. Uh, the mayor and the all of you in the council have done a great job in terms of recreation, sporting events, education, and everything. And it's
always been good turnouts at the the water park, at all of the outings and everything. But we can't get people over here into the meeting to participate in government. So if there's uh with everybody with the three different
letters in government and everything, I came up with I call IIP and we could discuss it next year with the new council if I could help or we set up some sort of committee because uh since March all of you have been trying for
the citizens um advisory board and there were three applications. I spoke to Margot and this is ridiculous. Doesn't anybody care? So maybe we should give this a thing. And I'm a marketing guy. Maybe I could help with you. We could do
some promotion on it. But my three letters are IP, which is create interest, get involvement, and then participation by more people. So if I want to use the couple of letters like that, uh it's be
the IIP program. One last thing, um, working and helping with a Bishop Dominic in Edison. Some of you may know them. Joyce is helping me out on this, and he set up u a nonprofit, a 504C,
which is called um um, Inspiring the Youth of Edison. And it's going to be programs for 13 to 19 year olds that need help in school with family, managing their finances, social media,
which lots of luck on that one. And um you'll be hearing more from us then. I mentioned it to Joe Coyle on it and maybe we get the uh the the business council and the chamber of commerce involved with it and get some support
for this. And I think this would be really good. And there's also going to be a food bank involved with this. So, >> happy and healthy New Year's to everybody. Thank you again and you are appreciated. >> Thank you, Bruce. Thank you.
>> Okay, Maria. >> Maria Orchid 83 Jefferson. I'd like to say thank you for tableabling the ordinance. I am a member of the Edison Municipal Alliance. We meet about every other month on Zoom. There is valuable
programs that we accomplished through the grants. There's the Babes program which helps second and third graders read as well as assist their families in time of crisis. Another program is the Bridges program and J and JP Stevens
which help at troubled youth. Um, I'm sure if you wanted to find out what other things besides National Night Out, uh, Touch a Truck at Trick-or-treating, as well as there are other programs throughout the community that we assist
in, we've also, um, partnered with other like Catholic charities, um, mobile family units in time of crisis. Uh, also we had applied to get our terms
updated. It says that we've expired on 2023, but that's not true. Also, I'm the chair of the human relations commission. So, asking anybody who wants to uh put in an application. We have some uh
vacancies. We reach out to everyone of Edison and we fight discrimination and bias. uh like to thank you president uh council president Marggo Harris for your dedication. Thank you council vice
President John Pointer and thank you former council president uh Nesh Patel. We thank you so much for what you've done for this community and we look forward to your future. Again, happy new year and happy holidays to everybody.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Maria. Thank you. Uh yes, Liz. Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. I have four items I'd like to discuss. Number one is Inman Avenue. Uh I've brought this up a number of times talking about the traffic and I'm
actually hoping that this development that's taking over for the golf range, which is not an isore, um will be similar to the Menllo Manor. I don't know the equivalence of the number of uh apartments available, but I know
it won't be 500 cars. So, but it will be an addition to Inman Avenue. And I've been talking about the progress of Inman Avenue. I see there is some sort of work going on uh down further uh but I
haven't seen anything done about um where Inman goes into Old Raritin and still when I go by there's uh either backed up traffic or uh a problem with the traffic and cars deciding to come together at the same time. So, you know,
I'm not going to give up on that. Uh the next thing is I was glad to see that the committee uh ordinance was tabled. I would like the council to truly look at the list of committees and make them uh accountable for their
titles. Like for instance, uh the one that stuck out to me was the cable committee. Yes, Optimum was in charge for all those years and we did have problems with them, but now we've brought in Xfinity with their group of
uh problems and I would like to see a strong cable committee stay on top of uh those two companies and if not bring in more companies and if we look at each individual committee I would love to see them become more active. Like for
instance, I'm on the human relations committee here in Edison and we still have never in the years that I've been on it had a full essence of people as committee members. And when I look at the list on the website, many of the
committees have vacancies and the people that are listed, their terms have been up. So, I think we need to look into these committees a little bit more before we decide what we're going to do with them. Uh, regarding the the food desert on
Inman Avenue, uh, I did hear that that mall had been sold uh, to a new company and it would be great if someone could reach out to them and maybe add a little pressure as to what to do with um, the
former Stop and Shop because if you want something rather quickly, you have to leave in my area, you have to either leave to go to Colonia or leave to go to South Planefield if you really want to do some uh food shopping. I'm sorry if you don't like what I'm saying, but
that's okay. Um >> uh the other item is um the six minutes. I've only got 49 minute uh 49 seconds left and I've left the best for last.
But I truly realize this will never make me or other people happy. It sent other people away that they decided it's just not worth going and I'm not going to give up. But
hopefully the council in next year will realize well maybe they won't talk for six minutes but they'll like the idea that we're giving them that chance and that's what I look forward to and in my last 14 seconds which I have to call have a happy holiday and I thank you
Margot John and Nish for putting up with the public for four years and next year come on the other side with your intelligence and your help. Happy holidays. >> Thank you, Liz. >> Yeah, I could have talked for two more minutes.
>> Thank Thank you, Liz. Okay. Uh AJ, >> good evening. Ben for medicine to have the floor, Madam President. >> You do. >> Thank you. >> Wow. Four years ago, all you guys were in her shoes, including Mr. a porn. I
don't know what happened to him. Did he leave? >> No. >> I think he might be in the bathroom. >> Reminds me of Joe when I'm keep talking. He You want to leave like Christo, but let me stop. Don't let me I'm I'm I'm done with the roasting. Let me stop roasting him for a second. He's been roasting too many times.
Even Mr. Pressure is laughing. You already know what it is. But look, I think the four years that we had as our township, you know, I I a lot of things has changed a lot. like the the flock cameras. Um I seen a crazy car chase.
What was it maybe four or five weeks ago? And on US1 I've even posted about that on the Edison residence page. I seen that literally right down the road. I guess the guy took off, but I need I need your help, M uh Chief, uh
to explain about that because I I seen it when you when the guy took off, but we can talk offline. But regardless, this this council did a lot. Uh we stopped the sex parlors. We we we stopped everything. We we stopped the
the people who were stealing cars in our township. Um but regardless, it's still happening every day in every uh neighborhood. Uh what else? You you guys basically
I'm just hoping if we let's go back one year ago. Um, if we go back to the water mane break, that was the camel that hid its back of in this township and the the resources I do remember out there with
Sam and and you guys out even even Joe and Rich was there too helping out. You see, this was Edison is about. We we appreciate the people who fix our towns, our roads, who listen to us. the assembly who was just here you know who
was was was part of you guys many years ago I didn't know that so um me personally I think this is the third time I spoke uh it was March September and now December and I was very very
rare of speaking because of situations what's going on with the town I I miss council president I give you props where prop is due you you. I seen it all. I I seen what you
guys are seeing on Edison on Edison TV and I'm mostly not here. I mostly have my soda, my popcorn, and watch the show and see what else is going to happen. But we are all family in this township.
I hoping for 2026 that things change. I hope we get our six minutes. And if we do get our six minutes, that'll be great. But I think when I did the I forgot to say this,
we'll give you we'll give you Mayor Sam Joi, we'll give you that raise. Well, we already did cuz we approved it. But if we didn't, we'd be saying we'll give you that raise unless you give us our six minutes. You give us our Right. There you go. The people behind me are are agreeing with me.
So to everyone in this township, thank you for doing what you do best from putting things together to make sure that we're all safe in this township. John Porner, Patil, Patel, um, oh my
god, there's so many names I can't even remember me can't even mention or remember. Like I'm I'm tired. I've been up since 3:00 in the morning, y'all. So, uh, happy new year. I got 5 seconds. I yield back my time. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, everybody. Let's
make Edison great again. >> Thank you. Thank you, AJ. Thank you. Um, >> uh, yes. >> All right. Good evening, Council President. Good evening, council. Uh, anonymous. Um, I came here tonight
mostly because I wanted to, uh, thank you, Council President Margot. um all the towns, all the municipalities that I've been to over the years. Um I thank you very much. Uh I thank you for uh being kind to me, never writing me
off, always having an open line of communication. Um and you are you are absolutely someone I admire in uh public service. um seen a lot of different things over a lot of over a good period of time and um
and I hate to see you go and I'd really admire the fact that you were willing to die on the six-minute hill and you made me um proud multiple times but um standing firm on that um
touched me and um I know you did it for the residents and um it's what you've always done. always, in my opinion, done what's best for all the residents regardless of political parties and this and that and stuff. Um, so that's my main reason for being here.
I wanted to say thank you, Margot. Um, in my opinion, you are credited for the antics going away this year. Um, I don't know if the rest of the board is even aware of that, but out of respect to you, I wasn't
going to give you a hard time. you never deserved it. Um, so I hate to see you go, but and um through the chair to Nish, you weren't here last time. It's been a few meetings since I've been here. Um, but
last time I had apologized to um Mr. Poer and you, but you weren't here. Uh I apologize for like some name calling and you know stuff that didn't help over the course of disagreements and everything like that. Um as people um I generally
think I generally think all of you are good people to be honest with you. Even you Joe, you know I hate your elected services and you know whatever but we still talk you know we can deal with that. Um,
same guy on the right. I'm always going to call you guy on the right. You know why? Because you barely >> name. So that's, >> you know, you barely ever uh, and I do a mental head check of the time and you spoke for about 30 seconds tonight, you
know, even though you took away time from the public. And I don't really want to spend much time on talking about all the disastrous things that happened uh because I feel like it kind of diminishes a little bit of the um of the thanks that I wanted to give to the council president. Um but but I guess I
can I guess I can frame it like this. I thank I thank the both of you for mistakes that were made. Um because what it did was um it kind of the spirit of
public participation and input was at an all-time high when people from all over like the country really came here from places as far as like Texas and you know it was like one of the most amazing
things to see. And in that situation, which is what it would always be if these rooms were packed, councils would remember who's in charge. They would remember who's the boss. So, I thank you guys for those mistakes
because um hopefully you were able to see for yourselves that um as much as you're there to serve the public, the people are in charge. And um so I'll frame it like that because I don't want to be mean. I don't want to say anything mean. Um and we'll
end it with again, thank you Marggo. I appreciate you as a person and I uh love your dedicated service to public service. >> Thank you so much. Okay. Any anyone else? Okay. Oh, yes. Yes, sir.
>> What's that? >> Thank you. I'm using my four minutes. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you. Manello doesn't allow this. the black shirt. Thank you. That was most eloquent. Um All right. Any anyone else?
All right. Uh can I get a motion to close public portion? >> Motion to close the public portion. >> Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Um, let's go to we have the Oh, he's not here right now.
The the planning board. Um, we'll come back to that. Uh, reports from council committees. Uh, Councilman Brusher, >> none at this time. >> Okay. Anything? Uh, Councilman?
>> Not at this time. >> Councilman Patio, >> none at this time. >> Council Vice President, >> non council president. >> Okay. Um I don't know where the plan All right. Um I have a report from the animal shelter. It's not complete
because December is not over, but uh we had 22 cats that were adopted and seven dogs adopted as of today. There are 11 dogs currently in the shelter and 30 cats currently in the shelter. And I
just want to say that just to piggyback on what Bruce said that the uh resident advisory committee, I'm really sorry that that did not that has not gotten off the ground. The people who complain about things and conditions in Edison,
you have an opportunity to step up and be a part of this of this committee and have your concerns heard and then presented. And I I hope that in the new year I hope that you will step up, that you will apply, you will step up and serve. We need people from all three
sections from North, South, and Clara. And I hope you I I hope you make this committee a reality. And that's what I'm going to say to that. Uh points of light. Any points of light? Where is everybody? Okay. Oh, Councilman
uh Councilman Coyle, was there any report from the planning board? I was not present. Although you can watch the meeting on public television. Thank you. >> All right. Um, points of light. >> Anyone, >> Mr. President? >> Yes.
>> Um, I'm sure this will be reciprocated afterwards, but I just want to wish everyone that uh just celebrated Hanukkah, happy Hanukkah. Everyone that's going to be celebrating Christmas, merry Christmas and uh, happy Quanza as well and happy new year to every year. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Yes. Uh, anyone else? >> I I have I have a point in light. >> Yes. >> Well, first I want to wish my council colleagues um merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and thank you for serving.
Although we may not have agreed sometimes, but uh I will say over four years, you know, you're going to look back to say, could have done more. It's gonna cross your mind. And you don't have to say that because you can truly
account for not just one turf field, okay, but two baseball field and a football field. All right. A rec center designed for the new tote center, senior center. You improved 27 parks,
improved our public safety, both fire and police. These are facts. You can play any violin you want. You can listen to whatever story you may hear from the audience, but these are facts. So, in
the 20 years I've watched council meetings, in the 35 years I've been involved, a lot has happened in four years. A lot. And that's because we believed together and certain things we knew we had to vote for for the public.
So, I'm proud that we worked together and we saw this for the residents of Edison because it's truly a great accomplishment. So, I mean, everybody here on the day voted for this as well, but you leave knowing in four years you
got this done. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Anyone else points of light? >> Uh, for myself, let me wish everyone also a very merry Christmas, happy new year, happy Quanza. Joyce, you said there was one other thing, wasn't there? >> Three Kings Day.
>> Three Kings Day. Okay, thank you. Three Kings Day. Um, I also want to give a special shout out to my sister Judy. This is uh today is her birthday, so I think she might be watching. I'm going to say happy birthday, Judy. It's now on record. It's official. It's going to be
there in perpetuity. And uh happy birthday. Hope you're having a great day. Um we now move on to discussion items. And um one second. Oh, okay. All right. Um this is for me.
Okay. Sorry. We have a few presentations. All right. No. Yeah. Okay. All right. All right. Councilman Patel and Council Vice President Pointer, could you join me on the dance
floor, please? >> Thought you'd never ask. >> Let's start with Coun Let's start with Councilman Nish Patel. Nish, it has been a pleasure. We we started out as a team back in in early 2021
and we have uh we've been through a lot together and uh I I remember campaigning was it was really fun campaigning with you when you I remember you would go to the doortodoor and I remember you you would introduce yourself that I'm what did you I think you would said I'm Dr.
Patel. Yeah. Yes. And I said let's let's kind of go with niche. Let's keep let's keep it casual. Um but but um anyway, you you went through some rough times last year as council president and I know you've learned from it and I uh and
and and we have worked so well together as a team and we have formed friendships that are not going away. We might be going away from council, but these friendships are not going away. And so I want to thank you for all you've done. You've made you've made us laugh. I'm going I'm speaking for you too, Council
Vice President, but I'm pretty sure I'm I'm I'm on good ground here. You've made us laugh. Um and you have really shown how much you care. And so I want to present you with the token of appreciation from the town for your service. Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. to you, council vice president. This is kind of like in in the Wizard of Oz. This is where at the and Dorothy says to scarecrow, I think I'm going to miss you most of all. Uh
>> um Council Vice President Pointer, yeah, I think all of you have seen just from his participation tonight just how how valuable council vice president Pointer has been to this council. He he digs in.
He dives deep. He He knows his facts. He has worked so hard for this town. And I'm going to miss him. I'm going to miss working with him, but I'm going to miss him being on this council. And I hope that you would consider coming back at
some at some time. Um he he has been a dedicated worker. I've learned I've learned so much from him. And so, Council Vice President Pointer, this is this is the township's gratitude and appreciation for you and mine as well.
Thank you so much. >> Mic drop. >> One more. One more. We have one more. >> Margaret, you stay there. >> You stay there. >> I'm okay. >> You also stay there. >> Just two minutes. >> Oh, you want to take pictures
afterwards? giving back to me. >> Thank you, council president. I have personal I sat alongside both of you and enjoyed your spirited conversations, your commitment, your commitment to the
community cannot be forgotten. So there is a token of appreciation from me personally and it says you are a piece of a puzzle and there is a reason for that. Thank you for your service. Now council president Marggo Harris what
I can say about you no respect from the resident last entire year I would say this entire year we have watched the council meetings. I think they are the short run good and bad. The long council meeting doesn't mean they are bad. That means
the those were the dialogues of of the democracy. Lot many people got a chance to participate. But the way you ran the meeting, the way you earned the respect, I don't think that I have ever seen a council president like you. It's in my
honor. This is my 10th year. In a 10th year, I can rank you as a number one council president of my choice. Again, thank you. Thank you for uh your commitment and thank you uh to the service of service to these towns and this is a proclamation on behalf of this
council. Thank you. And this is a special this this talks about the leadership leaders are born and you are one of them and this is what the message says about that. Thank you
and appreciate for your service. Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Get close to her. Take that back. I'm going to put it back in the box so you can take it home nicely. I'll give it back to you.
is going to take it from you now to put in a box. >> You're not getting this back. >> Council President, if we're on this topic, I I'd like to say something also. Um I want to Margot, Nish, John, I want
to thank you for your leadership. First and foremost, three council presidents here is uh it's a pretty big feat. Uh like the assemblyman said, uh you leave behind a legacy defined by integrity,
dedication, and a real impact on the people that you served. Uh you've each shown a clear passion for the position, and a strong commitment to serve the people of Edison. On a personal note, um you welcomed me and guided me uh two
years ago when first time councilman and I learned a lot from each of you how to deal with complex issues. I was fortunate to work with you over the past two years and even more grateful to call you my friends. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you so much. Okay. All right. Uh tough act to follow but let's go on to discussion items. Uh anyone for discussion items? Yes, Councilman Patio. >> I have a couple of them and they are
more of a followup. Uh Kilmer Court. Uh Sonia, this is something a month ago I brought up. If you can have someone go there and look at again uh Went Drive, this is a newly paved road. There are three big I don't know whether there
were water leak something happened but it's in terrible situation right now. So if before it is too late if you can find out I wanted to know more about the oak tree road grant you know there was a news article uh that we received
>> that was a county project um I can provide you with what I have. >> Sounds good. Yep. Thank you, Councilman. That's it. >> Thank you. Anyone else for discussion points? Councilman Coyle, Councilman Brresser. >> Um, I listen, I just like to formally and publicly um say thank you for your
service. Um, as our assemblyman said, there's a lot of work that you do that the public doesn't understand. They might not agree with you. I might not agree with you. We might not agree, but at the end of the day, you're here, you're representing Edison, and you're working for the town. Um, so for that I
I I thank everybody here that served. Um, in fact, Councilman Coyle here is making a list of all the council people that have served since he's been up here. Um, and and it is it is a daunting task for everyone. So, I appreciate it. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Any other >> council president? >> Yes. >> Can I offer my closing remarks? >> You may offer your closing remarks. It it would uh it would be a disservice if I didn't um at least speak one last
time, at least in my opinion. And apologies to anyone that does not like prepared speeches. I had to do my best though to write things down. And what seems to be a blank of eye, my term comes to a close. I'd like to give thanks to several groups and individuals
for all their time and assistance during my time on council. First and foremost to my wife, Brooke, for without her full support, I would not have been able to put as much time and energy as I did into serving our community.
Her encouragement for me to do what I felt was right was a source of strength for me throughout. I want to express my gratitude to various officials and departments, to our state legislature in the Senate and the Assembly, to former mayors and
previous council members, to our committees and boards, planning board, zoning board, housing authority and library board, committees such as the environmental commission, human relations, cultural arts, and open space. to our various departments,
health, recreation, tax and finance, Edison TV, IT, water and sewer, DPW, engineering, zoning, police, fire department. Thank you for all that you do for the township. Thank you to our clerk's office, Marina
and Cheryl, for your tireless work and guidance throughout my council term. A lot of your work was under the radar, but I hope you know I recognize all that you do. I also want to thank the administration and legal team, Sonia, Bob, Pat, Cat, Mary, Chelsea, Lou, Dave,
Aaron, Ron, and Mike for the countless hours spent providing information so I can make informed policy decisions and address residents issues that were brought forward. Again, to all the township employees, thank you for your dedication to the Edison community.
To my council colleagues, Councilman Brusher, you may not admit to this, but you were actually the first one that asked me if I would want to run in 2021. It's funny how things work out. >> Thank you for always being a steward of
honestly any of the ordinances I brought up, you always responded to them and your dedication to the finances of the township are commendable. Uh, Councilman Patil, I used your tactics of using subcommittees and
reading aloud agenda items as president uh during my council presidency. Thank you for helping me get involved with the net zero committee when you were council president. You can see how I I hope that you see that you know your actions as
such helped lead me to where I am today. Councilman Shuel, our our introduction to each other is a little bit different because it's from the professional field. However, your quiet dedication to our residents doesn't go unnoticed. I appreciate that
we both try to handle business outside of public light and be effective in doing so. and Councilman Coyle, your commitment to our residents and advocacy for community involvement significantly influenced my decision to become an
active member in our community. And if I'm being honest, is the reason why I registered as a Democrat when I moved to Edison. Of course, I need to thank my running mates, council president, former council president, talked about God placing into
my life the right people at the right time. Sorry, Council President. I always appreciate that you're always true to yourself. I can't express to you how much you helped me during my presidency term, and I
credit you for the primary reason why I believe I had a successful term. Councilman Patel, you've always been a calming source whenever I got wound up about an item. I look forward to venturing on new bike paths in the near future thanks to your work on those. You
both have been my biggest advocates and kept me grounded through challenging moments. Thank you for your unwavering support and friendship. It's been an honor to have experienced this this journey with you too. And finally to Mayor Johi, I'm proud to have been part
of your first term. Your overall vision aligned with mine on many aspects and I'm honored that you asked me to be part of your team and to have contributed to the good that's been accomplished. I wish you the best in your next term. To the residents of Edison, I've always
tried to bring light issues brought to me. We do our best to bat a thousand, but unfortunately that's not realistic. But nonetheless, you give your effort. Whether or not I fully agreed on an item, I did my best to make sure your
views and opinions were heard. Over the past four years, I've had the privilege of serving in several key roles. As the council's planning board representative, I worked to establish meaningful conditions of approval that addressed residents concerns. As both council vice
president and council president, I prioritized treating everyone with respect and aiming to go above and beyond in keeping residents informed and answering questions. I'm particularly proud of my voting record on development and zoning matters. Whether it was the
Charlie Brown's appeal, my impact on the initial 1039 Amboy Avenue application, or not voting for the Route One redevelopment plan due to proposed quantity of units, I've consistently voted based on what I believe is best for the community. I'm happy to have
supported initiatives that strengthen this community. Amongst other things, we've tackled blight, improved purchasing processes for better efficiency, and invested in critical water and sewer infrastructure. We've expanded recreational opportunities for
youth, adults, and seniors and set the foundation for zoning code updates that will continue improving quality of life for years to come. I'm proud I've drafted original versions of many ordinances and resolutions I've championed. Whether it was creating the smart advisory committee to research
artificial intelligence and governance, drafting the billboard guidelines for the ordinance update, updating graffiti remediation capabilities, updating our adopted area ordinance and others. I believe these enhance the quality of life for residents of the township. And
finally, as it was mentioned before, I advocated and crafted a thoughtful revision of the Amboy Avenue redevelopment plan. I believe the bulk guidelines drafted strike the right balance between development and preserving the charm of Clare Barton. There are several items I never
highlighted publicly, but take pride in having acted on that I'd like to mention. When the Clara Barton Library relocation was proposed, I spoke with the mayor and requested a town hall meeting for resident feedback. He obliged and afterwards adjusted his
position and the library remains in place. In 2024, during finance committee discussions, I was not supporting the initial proposed budget. With Councilman Coyle and Patel's support, we made sure to utilize reserves to reduce the
municipal tax increase. I also brought the Violytics road an analysis program to the administration's attention which the municipality now uses to enhance road paving decisions. Looking back, I recognize items I could have handled or approached differently.
On the cannabis zoning discussion and the decorum ordinance, my apologies, council president, there were certainly lessons learned. One item in particular I wish went different, the warehouse ordinance. I believe it would not have been detrimental to the economic effects
of the of the Liy zones and I wish there was the support here on council to have passed that. But now my focus turns to my next chapter. In the immediate future, you'll find me supporting my daughter's activities, helping my wife with her newly established business. I
remain committed to committed to community service. I'm looking forward to serving on the Peter J. Barnes Wildlife Preserve Commission to enhance recreation opportunities and protect the preserve. I'll also be reaching out to adopt an area with sites on the memorial on Amboy and Woodbridge and side roads
on Clara Barton. Finally, I hope to stay connected with current and incoming council members to continue advocating for policies that improve our residents everyday quality of life. And who knows, maybe one day I'll be back up here again. But in closing, I've always
aspired to serve as a governing official, sorry, and contribute meaningfully to my community. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity as it is not afforded to everyone. Throughout my tenure, I strive
to leave with integ with integrity and respect, ensuring I was knowledgeable about matters before us, spending countless hours researching policy initiatives and reviewing goals I set for myself at the beginning of my term. I'm proud to say many have been
accomplished or are underway. To the residents of Edison, I extend my heartfelt thanks for entrusting me with the privilege of serving our community in this capacity. It has been an absolute honor. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Patel.
>> Yes. So before I start state my closing remarks. I did have one ask for the human relations committee. Maria brought up kite festival and I brought it up to Bob's attention. He was supposed to give me a call. Uh I'm not sure what happened to that. So can we follow up on that? uh that is something that they would like
to have it uh next year in the springtime. Okay. Uh as for me, I am not as prepared as Councilman Pointer and he's always prepared to deep end. But I would like to first start say thank you to my family because without their support, none of this would have been
possible. And especially my wife uh who is essentially the engine of my house. She keeps everything running and takes care of my two kids so that I can and one of them is sick and you know if it wasn't for her I couldn't
fully dedicate my time to this. So I am glad I have her and without her I think this would have been a less a worse of an effort. So I want to thank her and I want to wish her happy birthday which is coming up. So it's official on town's records.
Uh the next person I would like to thank is all the people I met, everyone at the committees that I have served with and they are so dedicated to the town and I'm so appreciative of that. Uh and everyone I meet that is outside of those
committee people. I always tell them serve the town, you know, participate in the committees, participate on the boards, and I try to encourage everyone to get their voices heard through the committees because I truly believe the committees are the ways to improve the town and get good things happening in
the town's level. And so I'm truly truly thankful for everyone that serves on the boards or on the committees and the council here because without all of us communicating and advocating for what is important, none of us would know what is important. Uh so I am glad all of you
are here voicing your opinion and all of you dedicate your time to this. So thank you. I can't read my own handwriting here. But um now the the three of us have
essentially started this journey together and I in a way I'm glad we're ending it together and I hope we continue outside of this. uh most of you pe uh most of the residents won't know this but three of us meet every Sunday prior to the meetings to hash out any
details any questions we had you know what are our thoughts you know whether we disagree or agree and I think that has been so monumentally helpful to me personally to understand a situation cuz sometimes I come in from a one p particular perspective and I am glad I
have them too to point out you didn't think of this so I am glad that we had that tradition and I suggested to the next trio that they continue that tradition because I believe it has been one of the most impactful things that have come for my uh serving here. Um, I
would like to personally thank Councilman John Pointer who has become a friend and I I'm assuming that he's going to be my friend. So, I'm not really. And council president, you have been monumental to me learning few lessons
that I wish I learned very beginning, but unfortunately in life, you can't go back in the past and learn something. So, I'm glad I met you because without you, I wouldn't have learned the lessons of patience, uh, being true to yourself because sometimes I do
forget what is truly important to me. And I'm so glad that you're so steadfast in whatever you decide that it's important to you and you stay to true to no matter what the obstacles are. So, thank you for teaching me. and to the
rest of my council colleagues. You guys have been amazing. You guys have worked so hard and just like we keep mentioning that the residents don't see the back end, the efforts that go in to get these meetings done.
So, thank you for serving for the town and thank you for teaching me a lot of the things that I have learned from each of you. Uh, Council Member Rusher, you have I'll start with you because you have always been the dissident voice and
I truly appreciate it because in initially when I first started this journey, I didn't truly realize I needed that and I'm glad you were there to teach me the opposite side. And we whether or not we agreed or not, I always respect you for
it and thank you for that. Councilman Coyle, you have always been by my side and you always demanded me to be by your side and I'll always be by your side. Council Patel, thank you for serving here. Thank you for leading the way. You
have been one from the community and you have sit at the table and you always took care of our community which is very important to me and so thank you for that. As much you are essentially me when I first started and I know this journey is
hard but I think you will learn so much and you'll meet so many wonderful people that you will tr look back and be truly appreciative of it. Um, I also wanted to mention my friend Sake who has been a guiding force even though
he's younger than me when it comes to politics and meeting people and he dedicates his time to the community at his age when I truly didn't even think about these activities. So, I'm so glad that we have young people like him
putting in the time and the effort and I hope him all the success in the world. And I would also like to thank the mayor. Um, he had a vision. He got me on board and I am so glad I got to be on this journey and without him I wouldn't
be here. So, and he has I'm so proud to be part of his first term. Like Councilman Pointer said, he has accomplished so many things that I'm proud to be part of. And I don't think as a council we could do it. It it has to be him. He is the the leader or the
executive of the acts that we pass. But I am so glad he has accomplished all that he did because it makes me truly proud to be part of this first term. Um and the residents, the most important piece to the puzzle. I thank you each of
you that come here. I got to know each of you, a lot of you by their names and I love that the time and the patience and the dedications that you guys give to this. Um, it's not easy. I know you could be doing plenty of other things. So, I am thankful that you guys are here
and whenever you do come, I truly do listen. Even if it feels like I'm not, but I truly do listen. And even to the people that come here just to stay silent for 4 minutes, I am appreciative of that
because it's an act of defiance, but it's a statement and I'm whatever the whatever you would like to say, I am glad that you are here to say it because at the end of the day, if you weren't here, none of this will work. So, thank you. Uh, and that would be it for me.
Thank you. what they said. Motion to adjurnn. No, I >> Council President, one quick 30 second thing. >> I just want to thank the Edison Democratic Party and the Middle Sex County Democratic Organization for delivering such great candidates and council members. And I just want to
recount the nine members Rich and I and AJ have served with. Councilman Lombardi, Council President Lombardi, Council President Zendellski, Council President Joyce Freeman, Council Member Nish Patel, Council President uh Marggo Harris, Council President John Pinter, Council President
Bob Deal, Mayor Sam Jooshi, and Council President Aro Gomez. That's nine right there. Nine people we've served with. If the public has not seen an opportunity for turnover and change in different opportunity, they have. It has not been the same people. Thank you, Council
President. Thank you. Okay. This is such a surreal moment for me. Um, in some ways the four years seems like it's been a long four years and other ways it seems like it's gone it's gone by the blink of an eye. And I can't
even begin to adequately express how honored and privileged I've been to be representing the township of Edison. This has been really one of the the great privileges of my entire life and I
leave with very mixed feelings. I'm I'm very wistful at this point and yet I know it's the right it's the right decision at the right time for me. I'm very proud of what we have accomplished here and I think council vice president has uh has has detailed many I'm not
going to go through the same things. I'm very proud about what we have been able to accomplish here. And yes, this is hard work. This is um this this is something that we dedicate very a very big part of our lives to doing. And I
and I think from the public point standpoint, I think that sometimes gets lost in translation. But we do work very hard and it's been it's been so worth it. I I can't even begin to tell you. It's been so it's been so humbling to
serve as council vice president. It's been so humbling to serve as council president. And I I need to go through the bullet points of all the departments that uh that I want to thank and uh
first of all just in general to all the employees of town of the township of Edison. We have such a great team. We've got such quality people who work here and who dedicate themselves. And I want to thank just generally I want to thank the the township employees for all that
they have contributed and all that they have done. Um I want to give a special shout out to public safety and I both our fire departments and our our police departments I have such tremendous
admiration for and I see how hard they work. I've gotten to know so many of you and relish the friendships and the relationship relationships that we have formed. The the fact is that fire and
and police have been so they've been so responsive. They've been responsive to concerns we have to concerns that the residents have and of course to the actual act of serving in public safety with all the challenges that there are in this as I mentioned before this 35
mile square mile town. So I um I have such tremendous admiration and truly loving for who you are and what you do and I do pledge that I will still be attending as many of the public safety
ceremonies as I possibly can. It's it's important to me. Um, I want to also thank the engineering department, DPW, and the water and sewer departments because you also have had many many challenges
on your hands and uh it's been they've been managed extremely well and uh it's it's so much appreciated. I have to also give a lot of appreciation to the animal shelter staff and to public health. The animal shelter has improved so
dramatically since we first came on we came on the council. It is running smoothly and adop the adoption rates are going are going terrifically. And I I want to really thank Tina Pasakinsky who manages the shelter for all the great
work that she's put in. I want to thank Sonia and Lena and Ken and Bob Deal and Cat for all that you do that you've also been extremely responsive to to us. I know Sonia, I want to thank you
especially for having made yourself available for those Sunday calls that the three of us have had together and that you have you're busy and you've got your family and it's on a Sunday night but you've been available to us and if not by if not in our calls you've been
available to us just even offline as well. So a special thank you for you for that. I want to thank our attorneys. I want to thank uh I I want to thank uh Mike and I want to thank David, Ron, and Lou who especially all all of whom have
represented us here at these at these meetings this past year. Uh your council is wise and it's uh it's valuable to all of us. Um, my fellow council members, I said when I f my first speech when I
came on here was saying that I really so I really like all of my council, my fellow council members. And then I said there was sort of a pregnant pause so far. And the fact is that here we are four years later and I still really like all of my fellow council members. And
I'm I'm sorry that uh former council member Joyce Ship Freeman left because she was on council at that time and I wanted to extend that to her as well. But without going into the specifics of each and every one of you, each and every one of you have been so valuable
to me. You have you have given a lot to me and have have helped me develop as a better council person and that's true that's true of all of you who have contributed in that. Um, Councilman Patiel, I got to make a special thing.
What you just said before to me is going to stay with me for the rest of my life. I am so touched by what you what you said and u I will never forget it and and and I really appreciate that. Um, and what can I say about uh about John
and uh and and Nish? Um, I have relished our partnership. I've relished the fact that we have we've partnered. We have really become good friends and I agree with you, Councilman Patel, that I want
us to get together on a regular basis. I don't know about every other Sunday. I don't know about doing the nine o'clock call every their Sunday, but but truly to to get together and um and talk and and talk about whatever whatever whether it's personal, whether it's uh whether
it's the job having to do with the town, but um you have been my partners and and that partnership is something that I will all also always have with me. I want to thank of course Mayor Johi who got me involved on council to begin
with. this was not something that I was looking to do. But um but he asked me and I my my feeling is when I'm asked to serve. It was true with the board of ed as well. When I'm asked to serve, I will serve. If the people want me, I will
serve. And I thank Mayor Johi so much because even though I've lived here for almost 30 years, it'll be 30 years in May. Even though I've lived here that long, there's no way I would have gotten the education about living here and about this township and how it works
without having served here. And so I'm also humbled by his ask. I'm humbled by the public having voted for me, having elected me, and um I've appreciated this learning this learning experience that
I've had. Um, but like like Councilman Patel, most of all, I do want to thank all of you, all of the the the Edison, all of my Edison neighbors, particularly the ones who come to these meetings, the ones who watch online. I want to thank
you because you actually are the ones who are most responsible for making us better council members and your advocacy, your participation, activism is so important. And I hope that people do start coming back in person to these
meetings. I know a lot of people were turned off by a lot of the antics that were going on. They're not going on anymore. And I I I hope that you'll give the new council members a chance to uh to show you as well that these meetings
are worth being a part of. Um and I and finally, I will wish the incoming council members. I wish them well and I will I will be sitting in in the uh in the chief seats over there. I will be sitting there and watching some of these council meetings live. I want to
continue my participation. Um I want to say to not just the the council members that are incoming and and the current council and the mayor and what I want to say is above all listen to the public. Make sure that the public is heard and
make sure that you listen. make sure that you respond. That is I've learned as a clinical social worker, the the the biggest skill that I have is listening. And they say that we have two ears and
one mouth for a reason. And so I want I want the incoming council and the current council and the mayor to remember that, to listen with your two ears. And with that, I want to thank you again. Thank you all. This is um as I
said, this is um this has been an experience I will never forget and I appreciate everything and I appreciate all of you. Thank you so much. And with that, um Councilman Coyle, you are you usually are the one to >> motion to adjurnn.
>> Oh, you said that so slowly. All right. All right. And we had a second. >> Second. >> Okay. uh this council and for the last time I say this council is adjourned at 9:21 p.m. Thank you. Happy holidays to everybody.
>> Thank you for your >> There you go. Nice and w >> Thank you. >> Oh my god. Oh my god. >> Hold on. And to make sure something