Good evening. This is the work session meeting of October 20th, 2025. The time is 602. This council is now in session. Please stand and join us for the pledge of allegiance. 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. >> Madame clerk, could you call the role, please? >> Council member Brusher >> here.
>> Council member Coyle >> here. >> Council member Harris >> here. Council member Patel. Council member Patiel >> here. >> Council member Pointer >> present. >> Council member >> here. Madam 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 straw ledger desi talk and news India times on November 18th 2024 and post main lobby mimal complex on the same date. >> Thank you. Uh we go to number four
review of the minutes. Any comments for the combined meeting of October 8th? Okay, seeing none, uh, we have the proposed ordinances starting with, uh, 2261, 2262, and 2263. Any comments on any of
these ordinances? >> Council President. >> Yes. Council vice president. >> 2263. Uh, a question to the administration if I can. >> Um, on the violation schedule, it separates out over 18, under 18. Can an
explanation be provided as to why that separation was put in there? >> Are you referring to the ordinance? >> Yeah, for the electric scooters. >> Electric scooters. So was in there um just to differentiate between under 18 and over 18.
>> Is there any other like that's the only reason? Like >> I can have the chief explain. >> Yeah. I'm just curious if there's a I don't know a benefit to having that separation out because my immediate thing is I'm going I as a parent may
potentially be fined for an action of another. Right. That's how I'm interpreting the ordinance. So if an explanation can be provided, I'd appreciate it. >> Yes. And I I would add actually council vice president and I spoke about this last night and a question I had to to
piggyback on to his has to do with that for the uh under 18 uh that in addition to the fines that there is the confiscation of the bicycles whereas for the over 18 it does not seem to be the confiscation even for a temporary period
of time. So I wanted some clarification on that as well. So, Council President, as you know, we've had uh some situations in Edison Township just most recently where we had a juvenile girl that was injured severely on Talmage Road. We had another one take place uh just a few nights ago on Planefield
Avenue in Jefferson. So, what's happening is they're not bicycles um and they're not motorized uh pedal assisted bicycles. They're actually the scooters that you see, they're usually a class three where they really would be characterized as a motorcycle. But as we
all see on Route 27, Planefield Avenue, throughout the town, they're traveling on the highways at a high rate of speed. The state says that they cannot uh travel faster than 19 miles per hour. Um the manufacturers usually are supposed to limit them to 20 mph. However, um
these scooters are being sold to people, uh the parents, the kids. Um they do 35 miles per hour and some of them are modified to do up to 45 miles per hour. So they're I just want to be clear. They're the electric scooters. The decision was made that um if a juvenile
is on one and he's and they are in violation uh that the parents would be uh ticketed or or uh issued a summon. And then uh Councilman Pointer. So we would have the option to enforce this under title 39 or under the local ordinance also. So we we have that
option as far as the Edison police um enforcing that. And as far as uh it would be called impounding it. So, for example, if there's a juvenile that's on Route 27 traveling and um the officer stops them and uh the vehicle would be impounded. So, their parents would have
to come and get the vehicle out of empoundment and that's where they they would be issued the summons for that violation. But, it does not prohibit these vehicles from being on um roadways outside of the highways. So, if they in fact are in a culde-sac or in a neighborhood, uh they can still operate
there. It's just getting them off the highways. I hope I was clear and um >> yeah, for myself I I don't object to the underlying reasoning for the ordinance. When I had when I was 17, I had a provisional license, right? Got caught
speeding. I got the ticket, not my parents. So, that's kind of where I'm going with on that specific provision of the ordinance. >> So, I think totally understood. I'm I'm sorry, counselor. Go ahead. >> No, I was just going to say I think what you're uh Councilman Pointer, what you're highlighting is a policy decision. Yeah, >> I think the administration is proposing
a policy that holds parents accountable for the actions of of anyone under 18 who's operating an ebike um in violation of either of whether it be title 39 or the local ordinance. But that's ultimately a policy decision that this council has to agree with um that is
being put forward by the administration. >> Yeah. >> Agree. >> Thank you. If if I may add, we are finding that we have children 12 years old, 13, 15, 16, and we do have adults also um that are traveling with these scooters, too. I'm sure you've all seen it throughout the township.
>> Again, not not opposed to the the pretense of what the ordinance is looking to address, just the separation of the two I'm concerned and curious about. >> Understood. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions that I can answer? >> Mr. President, yes. >> Yes, Councilman Schmo. So, is there a
state law that's similar to to this ordinance? You you mentioned >> there is. The state says that the the the uh the motorized um vehicle cannot travel more than 19 miles hour. >> So, I I don't understand why we need an
additional ordinance to enforce the state law >> because there's other towns that we need something to help combat this problem. Like I said, there's there's juveniles and even adults that are being seriously injured and worse. So, we want to do
something that's going to make them safer. Um, and that's that was the whole reasoning for the uh for the ordinance. There's many other towns that are adopting the ordinance also. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Um, yes,
>> Council President. Uh, quick question. What about the and I know this is this is for like bikes and scooters, right? They they have those other type of devices that they they stand on them and
I and I guess you lean forward or something and there's nothing to hold on to or anything. >> Council, I think you uh you're me it's a segue, correct? A segue. >> A segue has a handle, right? This is like um it's like a ball. I don't know what
>> something and and I've seen them. >> You know, you're just kind of standing and lean forward and you just kind >> That's correct. So, to answer your question, this does cover anything that's motorized under its own power. Um, for example, there's the hoverboard out there. There's um the razors.
There's a like a small little it's called a razor with one little handle on it and they're they're moving rather quickly through the roadways. And there's also um and I don't know if you've seen them, but down by Lebagel and on Route 27, there's one that's commonly down there. It's just like a
tire. It's like one tire with the board. Yeah. >> Yes. That's what I'm talking about. That that thing. >> They're rather they're they're very they're very quick. >> So So they'd have to comply with this like whether they wear a light on their head or whatever it is, they just have
to be they have to be safe. >> They would be covered under this this ordinance. Yes. Okay. Okay. >> And you brought you brought up a good point also, like we have um we have a lot of the the juveniles, they're not wearing helmets either. There's no safety equipment or anything like that either.
>> Okay. But to be clear, this is this particular ordinance is about scooters. Correct. This is not about ebikes. It's about scooters. >> That's correct. It's not an e it's not an ebicycle. They have bicycles that um >> they are electric assisted bicycles.
This does not cover that at all. Okay. >> They're they're completely legal to use on the roadway. Uh they'd have to obviously adhere to the laws on the roadway. Uh the sidewalk, they can be on the sidewalk also. This is basically getting these scooters off of the
roadways, but again, they they can go into a development. That's not a problem. But getting them off of the the major Talmage Road, Oak Tree Road, you know, the major roadways. >> Okay. Very very good. Anyone else uh questions on the ordinances?
>> Council President. >> Yes, Council. >> I know everyone here has a copy of um additional items just for consideration. I know I sent it to the administration. Uh just some items I think we should consider including into the ordinance.
Uh Councilman Brer mentioned about lights particularly if they're being used at nighttime. And I'm thinking of like Amboy Avenue, right? The commercial corridor on Amboy Avenue is 25 miles per hour, which this ordinance it's over 25 miles per hour. So that stretch wouldn't
be would be included from here, right? So I'm thinking of those types of circumstances where uh we may want additional safety precautions. Uh lamps on the uh the scooter. um making sure like hey you have to have
both hands on on your actual vehicle so to say to maintain control. Uh you mentioned about sidewalks. I'm not sure if prohibiting that or allowing that is better or worse just given how sidewalks are like the general
conditions of it and um generally like allowing charging to be out in a rightway. Um, I spoke to an employee at the last council meeting that had mentioned that with a lot of the cheaper e-cooters that those batteries tend to catch on fire.
So, allowing those types of charging in the rightway may be a safety concern. So, those are just items that I would like for the council and the administration to consider. Thank you, council president. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Okay, moving on to from the business
business administrator 6A. All right. 7 A through E from the department of finance. Okay. Uh 8 A through D from the department of planning and engineering.
>> Council President. >> Yes. Council >> D. Uh for the extension, how long are we extending it further? Is there a timeline? >> D. >> Yes.
>> On D. She's waiting for Nancy. I think I didn't quite hear Yeah, I know. But I didn't hear his question. >> Oh. Okay. >> Are you looking for the project extension?
>> Yeah. >> For the filing. Um, this is roughly about another uh 36 months, but I'll get the right timeline for you. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Council President. >> Yes. Council, >> just be to the administration. I don't
need an answer this minute, but can I have some detailed email on this on B? I I'm well aware of the extension over the bridge. I'm just curious um this is just a letter of endorsement in support of a project we that was going
on before or is it a new project? >> It's the same project. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else? >> Okay. Nine A through I from the Department of Public Works.
Questions or comments. A 10 from Department of Recreation. A and B. All right. 11 from the Department of Water and Sewer. A Mr. President.
>> Yes. Let me just uh have some of the water department walk me through this $2 million. Council, uh, Council McCoy, do you have a specific question regarding this? >> Um, it bids awarding a contract various
vendors from Water Main System Services. >> How many vendors is it? Is it just just one? >> This is for Fletcher, Kramer, BMW Construction, Waters, and Bugby. So, there's three contractors that we use for emergency calls.
What are the three? >> So Jay Fletcher Creamer is one. BMW Construction is another. And then the third is Waters and Bugby. >> Who? Waters who? >> Waters and Bugby. They're out of Hamilton, New Jersey.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Great. >> Question. >> Yes. >> The um we had that big water man break on the southside over by Ben Franklin. >> Yes. What was the cost um on that repair?
>> I can get you an estimate by tomorrow. >> All right. Yeah, because I you know, it just seems like a a large quite a large number for us just to approve off the cuff for just But if that repair was a $1.5 million repair, then I I guess I
understand. >> This is what we typically allocate each year for emergency services. And we haven't done this yet this year. >> No, this is where we come around. Okay. Yeah. >> Very good. Thank you. Whole new contract.
>> Anyone else? >> Right. 12 from the chief of police. A >> council president. >> Yes. >> Um just because I didn't see it on the the backup, is there a rent a monthly rent that we're paying or Okay, perfect.
Thank you. >> Yes. I actually have a question about um what is this going to be occupied daily while the while the mall is open? No, not entirely. Uh we use the
substation to keep officers on the road. So, for example, if we go to the if we're summoned to the mall for a shoplifting offense, and instead of uh bringing that person all the way into headquarters, processing them, it'll take officers off the road for a couple
hours at least, maybe more. Um, when they can process them at the substation right there, it's it's much quicker. It's much more efficient. >> So, this is for processing more than anything else if there's like a shoplifting. I was thinking that this might have been put in for some of the
trouble that we had had. Uh there was that big thing that happened several months ago at the mall. I I didn't know if this was for patrolling purposes. >> Well, sure it does. It houses the officers there that have to go to the mall. Um it can be used to take police reports there also. There's uh there's
there's a lot of different uh use uses for it. So, it's not just to proc uh process prisoners. We can do that obviously from what I just explained, but uh it's been working out very well for us. Yes. >> Okay. All right. Anyone else? >> Council President, it's been a long-standing agreement and it's about
it's every five years. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Uh 13, Chief of Fire 13A. All right. We move on to oral petitions and remarks. What do we got?
Yes. Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. I'm going to start backwards because the substation at Memo Park. Is this the same idea? I know years ago when uh the school system used to have um a weekend
at the mall where they had an open house, there was a substation there then and the police used it for emergencies. They were always there when there were big items were going on and I found it
made people more comfortable especially if the mall gets busy. So, I'm hoping that it'll be utilized in a similar way as it did years ago. Okay. Um, going up backwards, Comcast,
I got something in the mail from them that they wanted to update my equipment to make it so much faster. So, I just have to get in touch with them and let them know. I've been trying for two weeks and other
than going into a store that I don't know if that's going to be helpful. Um, is I had asked one time a couple of months ago, is there like a subgroup of you that communicate with Comcast? I
know when it was um Optimum, I believe you got the short straw at that point. Who got the uh short straw for Comcast is my next question. Um next item, an update on Inman Avenue.
I've been seeing um people like engineers. They look like they're doing signs and measurements at the intersection or the S at uh Rawway and Inman and Tingley and Inman. Is that a positive sign that we're moving moving
forward on that? And what's the status of Inman and Old Raritin? Um, not it doesn't look like anything is being done. And still I've noticed because I go by there a couple of times a day. Um, there's near misses quite
often because you have to go out so far in order to see to the right if you're on your way to uh, South Planefield. Um, next item. Scooters are specifically electric,
but there are ebikes. Yes, I realize there's bikes that you start off and then you can glide from there on, but there's other ones that are with the uh E batteries that are specifically just electronic.
Do we have any say over them? And shouldn't they all be wearing helmets? And then the top one, my favorite is uh I see it's coming up again this month. Six minutes and I'm not doing too bad,
but I I'm it's the hardest item yet. Really truly feel that we need to move forward on this. It just seems like we have seven children up there and they're not playing in the sandbox. So, I need
you to strictly think about this and move on without playing games. Well, I'll give you this if you give me that. Please do what you should do. I might finish before four minutes, but there may be a
time when I would need more than four minutes. So, please stop acting politically childish, whatever you want to call it. Let's move on and get this done. Thank you. And now you can answer my questions on your time.
>> Uh the first one uh the first well there's the question about Comcast and is there anyone >> council president before the administration would the resident communicate with you Miss Conway communicate with you or the clerk just to give me the list of who she's calling because I I just want to make sure what
number she's calling. Someone should be getting back to her. I'm just surprised. That's I'm shocked because I have about four people this month complained about other issues and they're directly in touch with someone. So just curious what number she's calling. >> Marina, does she still have time left?
>> Oh, okay. All right. >> Later if she can communicate with could I'll follow up and I'll find out. >> All right. >> Thank you, Councilman Cole. Um the is is there anyone on council now who I know you last year Rich you were on the cable
committee but uh do we have one this year? No. Okay. All right. Um so uh that is a apparently that is an empty an empty position right now that there is
no cable person on council at this time. um the progress on Inman and also Inman and Old Raritan Coun Council President I I understood the question with regard to Comcast and the issue was that there was a
communication uh issue with Miss Conway. So I've said this before, you need to email me or Mr. Coyle in our office. We have direct contact with the Comcast representative.
Okay. So, I would ask that you email me directly. We'll get to you to make sure that somebody then communicates to you. That's how we've been dealing with all residents with regard to Comcast issue, all Comcast issues, if you will. And we, uh, talk about just, you know, on a
weekly basis. Um, with regard to Inman, Rawway and Tingley and then Inman Old Ritton, we are reviewing all of those site triangles. Um, now that the leaves are falling, we want to, you know, see where things go. I know with the old Rarin, it grew back and they is an
issue. So, we do need, we have been looking at those site triangles. >> Okay. And the last question was about including ebikes and some kind of specifications for requirements for helmets and uh and all of that. Is there
anything in in the works for working on ebikes? So there there is also there is already a requirement that you're supposed to be wearing helmets. Uh with regard to ebikes, uh during our research and when we consulted with our council, our town attorney, um we're trying to
understand what the state is doing and they're looking at some additional regulations. However, this administration felt that the scooter the e scooter uh ordinance couldn't wait because we our safety personnel have seen it uh such an issue and and it's on
the rise. So, we felt that this needed some more immediacy rather than holding off on what the state may come down on whether it's just ebikes or scooters. >> Uh will you keep us posted on that? Yes, I will. >> Thank you. Okay. U had you had something
to add to that? Yeah, when I was doing some research, I thought I had read that ebikes specifically fell under the regular bicycle jurisdiction, in which case you would be required to >> to wear a helmet, but I might be >> correct. No, you're right. Um, however,
the state is working on additional regulations which we may have to come to this body, but in any event, we felt that this needed to be immediately addressed. My understanding was that helmets were required only for under 14 or something like that. Is that is that incorrect?
>> Is that under 18? >> No, chief said you're correct. >> Oh, that is correct. Okay. Okay. All right. Um, anyone else? Yes, Joyce. I'm glad I still have Optimum. I love them. They have, you know, community
service. They give out grants. They do a lot of great stuff. Optimum I love and I say happy Dvali to each and everyone. And I and speaking of that, I'm also talking about the gallery. That was my
idea down there. My idea was to like say for instance this holiday like today we should have had all different kind of panels and information down there for people because I I was sitting in a restaurant and the guy was saying what is this holiday all about? What is this
all about? But we like to be ignorant. So we don't put the stuff that we needed to put in the gallery at all. And you know, we don't do the proper things we should. We scream diversity. We scream all these things that we say, but we just it's just on deaf ears. Okay.
That's all it is. All right. So I'm also going to say about the six minutes. And what I like to say about the six minutes which is is that we people as council people we can sit up and we can talk back and forth or we can say we can spend 10 to 20 minute. We
spend a whole lot of time but we who pay your salary we're beneath you. So we're not afforded the opportunity of having six minutes. We're not afforded the opportun the opportunity of having a rebuttal. And people like wonder why people more and more people are becoming
independent because more people they don't know there's a blurred line. It's a blurred line. You don't you know you don't know what what side you're on. And I'm and then I see people that support people for border ed people. And I'm I'm hoping that the wrong people don't get
into board ed because we've been doing fine there with six minutes and three minute rebuttals. So if the people that other people are back and if they get there everybody's like nervous now that we may not be able to be able to express
ourself and discuss uh education in the way that is very important and plus we have a you know a lot of projects and stuff going on there at all. So and then I thought when I restarted the human relations committee I don't know what I
was thinking I thought that it would be a proactive thing. I thought that it would mean something. I'm just saying because there's so many different people within this community, but I don't know. People nowadays, they rather be angry
than work together. They seem like they don't want to learn anything. You know, I'm coming from a teaching point of view. Nobody wants to learn about the other person or why this holiday is this way. How did this become? How about books? Everybody think, you know, you're
thinking it's AI. AI is is us putting information in there. It's only good for people want to do resumeumés and stuff like that because AI most of the time is wrong. All right? So, if you got any really good books at home that are history and stuff, you need to keep them
because this whole AI thing is just a way for somebody to twist up information and try and give it to you. All right. And I see in other towns also they're complaining about the amount of trees that are being cut down. Well, you know,
I know this is not a shock to a lot of people, but a lot of those trees that will be cut down, there it is cussing the flooding. The flooding, the flooding, the flooding. Everybody understand, look it up. The those roots down there, they stop us from flooding
out. And there's a lot of people now that since we overbuilt, their basements are flooding that never flooded before. Now, in my little bit of time, I want to squeeze this in for the seniors that the board of ed under Jerry She and Shannon
and uh Romano and all of them have given out a legacy card. We have a legacy card all seniors and you can come to the board of ed office on Pearson and you will see that we have the ability to get
into every program that they have at the school, the plays, the back and forth, all that information. You can cut me off in the middle telling seniors what they can get from the card. Okay, that's what I'm talking about by six minutes. Very disrespectful. Thank you. >> But the seniors, you can get that from
the board of ed. >> Thank you. you can get something because you complain about paying taxes. Now you got it. >> Okay. Thanks. Um, anyone else? >> Thank you. Yes, Anthony. >> Anthony Damron. Uh, wav. Um,
I would like to first uh, you know, something I want I would like to see uh, push I definitely be advocating for this uh, in the in the future. now um is the the the crosswalk uh at Woodbridge Avenue at the Greenway. Um I I really would like to see um the council and the
administration see if they could work with our county partners, but to put get the funding, excuse me, and put a lit up crosswalk there finally. Something I'm talking bells and whistles. you push the button, lights are going crazy, and then a crossing guard because what I would
like to see is to alleviate some of that traffic on on Jackson Avenue, um is to start promoting bicycle traffic to Herbert Hoover. Uh the amount of kids that live back in my side in my neighborhood, uh there's a lot of there's tons of kids. And I think if you
have a crosswalk there lit up with a crossing guard, even one on where Speedway is, um, and you start promoting bicycle traffic, you will cut down on the amount of vehicles that go on Jackson Avenue. Just a matter of just, you know, logic. Uh, and and would it happen overnight? No, it wouldn't happen overnight. It'd be contagious. you have
one kid goes and then once they get comfortable going as a matter of fact I maybe the community policing unit could ride their bicycles on there make it make them more feel more safe and as part of you know promoting that um it's just it's just it's I feel it's a it's a real big missed opportunity there uh
instead of cutting up you know it's it's another option to uh to get rid of that traffic um so I I hope I hope that's something that we could really really consider um it's a big deal um and uh plus it's it's good for the kids uh to get out there and and ride their bicycles. I know Cranford does it.
Cranford, I can tell you right now, if Cranford does it, they're middle school. For as a matter of fact, any kid that lives within like a quarter mile of the of the middle school, they they ride their bikes. The bike they have more bicycles in the bike rack than they do cars in the parking lot. It's crazy. So, um I know it's a different type of
community there, but it still uh nevertheless, uh there's no reason why uh we can't have that, you know, uh in in Clare Barton. Um and and finally, you know, I I want to say uh one thing. you know, I I've I've come to these chambers over the course of the last couple years uh talking about public safety uh and
and concerns that I've had. Um whether people had agreed or disagreed, that's that's fine. Um but one thing that but what what I'd like to bring up though is, you know, I I know how hard the police department has been working. I I I over the course of the last several weeks just talking to people uh chief I
I know the the rate of success that you guys are solving crimes is uh is is pretty remarkable. Um it really is. Uh I I don't know what the rate is. I you know I don't know doesn't matter to me. The fact of the matter is is that you don't hear about these things on social media. You just don't. A lot of the crimes that are being caught you guys
are doing detectives the whole bureau. Um, and uh, it needs to be recognized because I know you guys don't want to talk about it, but I'll talk about it because that's that's that sends a clear message to me for me to the criminal that if you come to Edison, you commit a crime, you're going to get locked up. That's what I want. That was the biggest
concern of mine. Still is, always will be. So, um, that is, uh, that's that's that's really due to to the officers there and, um, the work that they've done. So, uh, you know, I I I again, I'll criticize when I, you know, I don't try not to talk out of both sides of my mouth, so I'll give credit and that that you guys have done a good job from what
I hear. Um, and I'm proud of that. I see more, uh, I see a lot of officers being more visible. I I love it. Um, and, uh, you know, keep up the good work there. So, um, and that's really it for Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Anyone
else? >> Yes, sir. Uh good evening, council president. Um I will be remaining anonymous. Uh I look forward to a day in the near future where I can as a courtesy give you my name. I know you all know my
name, but I would like to have the public speaking time and the rebuttals stored and then I would love to extend that courtesy and actually put my real name on the record. Um, first thing I want to say is, uh, Councilman Brcher and Councilman Coy, you guys are talking the whole time through these speakers
and it's just very rude. Um, I got to call that out. I just think it's it's very short meeting. 6:35 and we're doing all this talk through the public comments. It's just very rude. Um, so I thought about how I was going to frame these comments and I brought a
notebook and I was going to write some talking points down and the ink and the pen's not even really working. So, I'll give it my best shot. But um you know I worry about freedom of speech you know um in this country in general and obviously we had some issues here in Edison. You know as I watch um you know
the current president in the stroke of a pen try to revise the first amendment by criminalizing flag burning which is a total pathetic move. You know I don't support things like that but I support someone's right to be able to do it. And then we watch people cheer along and we
watch the public persuasion which gives the government the ability to start banning these things. And we're talking about banning Antifa, you know, groups that are against the government. And then, you know, one day pretty soon I'll be Antifa because I got a camera and I go to these townships and I ask questions and um these these things are
of of great concern to me. So when Edison had these constitutional issues, you know, and I came here and it was very I was very upset over it. I've had more passion in this room than any other municipality in New Jersey. Um, so you know, in democracy, you you have to, you
know, be liked to a degree for a democracy to work with your ideas and stuff like that. You can't just be a, you know, f the whole world kind of person and expect to get any, you know, any results really. Hope you guys catch what I'm saying. Um, you know, so there
was some things along the way that at the time felt right for me. they felt like the right thing to say, the right thing to do. Um, and over time and I've reflected back on some of these things, I realized that, you know, there's some name calling that I did specifically to
um, Councilman Coyle, Councilman Pointer, Councilman Patel. Um, I wish N Patel was here tonight or whatever cuz I kind of want to apologize for some of those things because um, after time looking back on it, they have a way of
not sitting as well as they did originally after time to reflect on it and stuff like that. You know, you can't call names and expect to, you know, get somebody to, you know, do something for you. and that's in in life in general and certainly when you're appealing to councils with certain things and
everything. Um so I I really I wanted to extend these messages to mostly John Poiner and Nish Patel and uh you know apologize for any of the you know name calling that I may have said along the way whether it was you know a coward or fool or any of these things. Um it's not
helpful. It wasn't helpful and I do apologize for that. Councilman Pointer. Um, I want the public speaking time to be restored and I am a little selfish about it in that way because I need to feel good about that because
freedom of speech, all of these things there, we're at a severe crossroads in time with, you know, where we're going to end up with all this. And that's why I came here and I was so upset and I had so much passion. Um, but I'll be the bigger person and I will apologize for
saying some of the things that um, didn't really help along the way. And I would request Councilman Poiner um the ones who voted to reduce the time I would ask you to do the same thing to
reflect on when you did these things and how they may have felt good at the time and then after you know looking back on it kind of um getting >> sorry >> it's a lot of talk and it's messing my jive up um I would ask you to just
please do the same thing re-reflect on some of those things and whether or not they were the right things to do regardless of how you felt at the time. Um what is the last an impression on whether or not you know that was the right thing to do or what not. Um I'd
like to stop coming to these meetings as much as I love some of these faces and stuff like that. Um, I would like to uh just see the public speaking time restored in the rebuttals and maybe come one last time and put my name on the record and uh, you know, feel good about
it all. So, please consider that, Mr. Poer. Um, I don't think Joe's going to right. I don't think so, but you know, I'd like to you know, I would appreciate it. >> Thank you, sir. Sorry about the interruption before. We were having a problem with the clock and that's what we were trying to figure out where we
were with the time. So, sorry about the interruption for you. Uh, anyone else? Can I get a motion? >> Motion to close the portion. >> Second. >> Seconded. >> Thank you very much. Um, all in favor? >> I.
>> All right. Um, okay. We move to council committees and board commission leazison reports starting with Councilman Pressure. Um, I'm just going to see if I can get
um if Mr. Deal could put together like a summary for the Veterans Park. Um, you know, which items we're doing, which ones are going to go up to bid and that type of thing. If we can just get something for that for not for Wednesday, but if we could have it for the the following meeting, that'd
be ideal. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay, Councilman Coyle. >> Uh, thank you, uh, Council President. just a time of year we try to get together for DPW to go over our winter um preparation. So we'll be scheduling the meeting. Thank you.
>> Okay. >> Very good. Uh Councilman Patiel? >> Not at this time. >> Councilman, >> not at this time. >> All right. Council vice president. >> None at this time. >> All right. And none for me either. Um now we move on to points of light.
Any points of light? wish everyone a very happy and prosperous Diwali. It's a big day for all the Indian-Americans who are celebrating the festival. It's a 3-day festival. So, I would have you know chief uh to speak
about that in terms of what precautions the resident should take. Uh but I will I'll pass on to chief so that you know he can cover at the same time. >> Did you want him to do that right now? >> Yes. >> Okay. Could you make that request? I don't know if he heard that. Councilman
uh Chief, did you hear what uh Councilman Patiel was asking? Okay. >> We have one of the largest Dewali festivals on Saturday. Upwards of 15,000. So, uh all are welcome and we're happy to do this for
fourth year. >> Yes. >> Fourth year. Yeah. So, uh we're excited about it. So, please come out. >> Okay. >> We're happy that Can you hear me? We're happy that everybody's celebrating Diwali this week, but we want to also uh stress the safety concerns. There's a difference between illegal fireworks and
fireworks that are sold at a store. Fountains, sparklers, if you're going to do it, you should be 18 years old. Let the kids look. You should have a 5gallon bucket of water next to you or a garden hose. But a lot of people get a little haywire with the ones that go up in the air with the reports, which are illegal
and we get a lot of dumpster fires and stuff. We want you to celebrate. Last year, I think we had the drought and all, but this year we're good to go. Um, we wanted to be happy, but we wanted to be safe. I spoke with the administration today and I think we put out um a press release and if you check social media,
Edison TV, we have fireworks safety and the guidelines on it because a lot of HOAs are asking what's allowed, what's not allowed. We don't want to go into the parks and stuff. It's in like the culde-sacs and the roads at your home, but you want to use the legal ones. It's usually sparklers, fountains. When you
walk walk into Costco or even Home Depot, Shopright, they sell some, but the people that go out of state and get the big ones that are not legal, that's the ones where you could get hurt and stuff like that. So, we wish everybody a happy Dwali, but uh let's just celebrate it and hopefully safely. >> Thank you, Chief.
>> Thank you, Chief. Thank you. Okay. Any other points in light? >> Council President. >> Yes. >> I just wanted to uh acknowledge the council, the mayor, and this administration today. We had a soft opening at at our Edison Youth Sports Training Center, 29,000 square ft. I
proudly wore my shirt. Took me 9 months to get into 14 pounds I had to lose to get into this shirt. But uh it was quite amazing to listen to the mayor and and what has been accomplished. And among uh some comments that may have been made out there through social media, it took
22 months to build. It cost us $12.5 million. It's a facility that will last a lifetime. I don't think uh there will be many people here to see it uh the next hundred years. It'll be there. So, uh it's going to last for generations, which is wonderful. We'll get a chance
to see it. Our kids were, my grandkids will. Uh it's quite amazing uh what was done there. And it's something we all can be proud of because it's this council that made it happen through our budget. It was bonded for 30 years. Uh I think it's it's just a great
opportunity how it came together. And the field itself is, of course, a football field, a soccer field. Uh it's a multi-purpose uh facility. Uh cheerleading will happen 247, other sports 247. Uh winter. It's it's amazing. And I'm glad we got it done.
And it took a little longer, but it was done right. And thank you all on the council for supporting that. And this was just in the mayor's first term. All of us should be proud of what's going to be there for Rich's grandkids, my grandkids, and uh a few people up here
will be having grandkids as well. Bob's grandkids, and anybody in the audience have grandkids. It's just wonderful to see it. Hope you guys get out there to see it as well. Looking forward for the turf to be laid down. So, what a great accomplishment. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Coyle. Anyone else? Okay. I also want to wish
everybody a happy Dvali. Uh again, the Dvali event is this sat Saturday from 2 to 9:00 p.m. at Papani Park. Early voting starts on Saturday, October 25th as well at Mini Beville Veil. The 2025
trunk or treat is Thursday, October 30th from 4 to 8:00 p.m. at Papani Park. And last but not least, on September 28th, I believe our esteemed our esteemed counselor Dave Manchello became a newlywed. I would like to congratulate
Dave Manchello on and uh with many happy returns with you and Susanna. >> Thank you. Okay. All right. Moving on to discussion items. None for you, Councilman Brusher today. Okay. Uh Councilman Coyle. Um Council President,
I just wanted to uh salute the water company and what the great things they do in that department, hiring Edison residents and training them up. Um, I'm going to be getting a report for them through the administration of all the hiries they've made since the beginning
and their accomplishments because the Edison Sewer Department and Department have truly brought in an opportunity for young adults to train in a career where uh already summer leaving to different locals and unions and uh what a great
opportunity that's happening here. Um, it's it's a wonderful career. you you'll see it's in probably the top 10 of opportunities uh to learn uh plumbing, sewer and the water department. So quite an accomplishment. So I'll be getting records to track how many people from
medicine got a chance to get through this opportunity and you know from ground zero to experienced. So just happy that we have the support here. Thank you. >> Thank you. uh councilman Patio >> I'll be very brief on the uh through
council president to administration the comcast cash rollout plan do we know will they be done by end of this year or we anticipate them to go next year >> I believe it's until next year because I did communicate with them but they're very um uh prop they call their
information proprietary so it is a little bit hard to get certain information out of them however is there specific area which I've dealt a couple of the council folks here now >> just send that over to me otherwise they just give me very general information about you know their inside plan if you
will >> no worries thank you u about the council meeting schedule I will share the uh calendar with clerk so next year we'll make sure that the council meeting doesn't happen on the night of Diwali >> yes absolutely
>> and chief already covered the firecrackers uh thank you that's it >> thank you yes Actually, Cheryl, you and I need to get together on the calendar, correct? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Very good. >> And Council President, the blender of the Jewish holiday as well. >> Mhm. >> Well, I already >> Yeah.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you, Councilman Schmul, anything? I know you're not listed, but anything to add? >> None. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Council vice president? >> Uh, nothing to bring up at this time. Thank you. >> Nothing. Okay. I just had a question about the red roof in um when I was
taking a look at the animal shelter. Um, a couple weeks ago, Tina had mentioned to me that about six of the animals in the Red Roof in that were that are in the shelter came from the Red Roof Inn. And I know there's been all kinds of
problems with uh with drugs and I know there was a an over there was a fatal overdose and um it has it does not look like it's been a particularly um safe place to be and I'm wondering do we have any oversight at all over what goes on
there? Council President, >> Council President, we have had uh numerous law enforcement operations take place there. In fact, uh our SWAT team was out there a few times. Um unfortunately, what's happening is the
county and the state are sending people there and paying their way. Um and that's becoming a problem for for us. However, um we do have oversight. Uh we have a a lot of ongoing operations to keep uh the neighbors in that area safe
of course and um we continue to work with the management there to see uh what we can do to resolve the issues. Um one that will be coming forth at some time in the near future is passing an ordinance. Um so we the state doesn't
have to allow people um to go there that would cause these problems. Um so a lot a lot of our calls to service are you know they're confined to that area. Yes. >> All right. Thank you very much. All right. Uh, with that, can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn.
>> A second. >> Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. This this meeting is adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Thank you everybody. >> I'm not going to come. That's why I was asking. We're not going