Middle Sex or something. [Music] She backs up. Okay. I mean, how's she doing though? All right. Good evening. Tonight is the regular meeting of Wednesday, September 10th,
2025, and the time is 7, just about 7:02 p.m. Could you please stand for the pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Roll call, please. 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 Schmwell here. Madame clerk, adequate notice, please. Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the open publicing act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice sent to the home news tribune star ledger desi talk and news India
times on November 18th, 2024 and posted main lobby missile complex on that same date. Thank you very much. Council president's remarks. I've got a few things that are on a better on a better note, but I need
to start tonight with my sense of devastation and anger about the murder of the conservative columnist uh conservative activist Charlie Kirk today. I don't know how many of you knew about this. Charlie Kirk was 31 years
old, left behind a wife and two kids. He was speaking at an event at a Utah college and not Brigham Young but a different college and 20 minutes into his speech he was shot in the neck and he passed away a little while later.
I am so upset about this. Now, understand that as a liberal to moderate myself, there's probably nothing I agreed with Charlie Kirk Cook about Charlie, I'm sorry, uh Charlie Kirk about, but this man is a human being and
the acceleration of these kinds of assassinations going on in the name of politics, whether it was Charlie Kirk today, whether it was the Minnesota legislators on in back a few months ago.
Uh I consider this to be a form of domestic terrorism and I'm afraid that all that's going to happen from this is that we are going to see more and we're going to see more of this more often. Um
I've had some of my uh liberal friends who have kind of given me the you reap what you sow, look what he said about guns. that that um that he said that well maybe we need to accept a few deaths in order to preserve the second amendment.
I'm not this is not about guns right now. This is about this is about humanity and I condemn what happened to him just like what I I condemn what happened to the Minnesota legislators a few months ago and so on and so on and
so forth. And I want to just read a piece that caught my eye. Um, this is from a a man. This is a a man who Dr. Robert Pap a political science profession uh professor at the
University of Chicago. He said what he said this a few months ago. What I fear is an increasing sense of mobilization between two opposed blocks. one that drives both protesters and government forces to become more militant as each seeks to impose its will on the other.
Many Democratic and Republican leaders have condemned political violence. That is good. But they have almost always done so in separate statements. My research suggests that to deescalate the political environment and reduce the risk of violence, America's political leaders need to cross their political
divides and make joint statements and ideally joint appearances that denounce all political violence. to welcome all peaceful protest and call for respecting the rules, process, and results of free and fair elections in the country. I could not agree more. And I've had
enough of the fingerpointing and the well, they started it. No, they started it. I've had enough of this. And so I I I guess I'm I guess I'm venting a bit here, but I guess I'm also asking everyone who is watching or everyone who
is here to do whatever you can to tone down the rhetoric and to cross the divide, cross the aisles and be able to to speak uh speak truth to power in this in this sense. This is not about guns
today. This is about uh what I would call domestic terrorism. And I send send my sympathies to Charlie Kirk's family and I send my sympathies to this country because I'm I'm concerned about what we've become and who we've become in
this sense. So I thank you for indulging me in that. Um, I also want to point out today is World Suicide Prevention Day and to that effect and I mentioned this at Monday's meeting, the suicide prevention awareness uh presentation is
going to be at the JCC on Wednesday, September 17th at 700 p.m. Um, also speaking of terrorism, uh, 911, the 911 rec event is going to be tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Papani Park. And last, but
certainly not least, on a much happier note, I want to wish our council vice president, who could be anywhere else today, but here on his big birthday. And then going to Sunday, I want to wish uh
our councilman Nish Patel also a happy birthday. They both share the same birthday, just a few days apart, and I think they look darn good for 60, don't you think? Um good. Um and also we also have apparently we also have a birthday
today of the captain over there. He also has a a birthday. So um so happy birthday to one and all. And with that um we go to resolutions of recognition. U Madame clerk could you re read the
resolution? [Applause] Whereas libraries play a a vital role in the educational, cultural, and social development of individuals and communities, offering free access to books, technology programs, and other critical resources. And whereas the
library library card is a powerful tool that provides access to a wealth of knowledge, services, and opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. And whereas National Library Card Signup Month celebrates each September is a time to highlight the value of libraries and to encourage
all members of the community to obtain and use a library card. Whereas the library supports lifelong learning, early literacy, job searching, digital skills, civic engagements, making them essential institutions in building informed and
resilient communities. And whereas the American Library Association and libraries across the nation work tirelessly to promote the importance of library cards and ensure equitable access to resources for all. Now resolved that middle municipal council
of township of Edison does hereby recognize September's National Library Card Signup Month and encourages all residents to sign up for a library card, explore the local libraries, and take advantage of the many valuable resources and service they provide. Thank you very much. Uh let's open it up for any public comments on this
resolution. Okay, seeing none, uh oh yes, Joel, as a library user, I'm glad to see that the libraries are being recognized and encouraged for what they do. Uh, I enjoy
using Edison's libraries for not only books and DVDs, but uh, cultural events, um, film screenings, musical events. I think it's a great resource, and I think, uh, it behooves Edison to continue to support all of its
libraries. Thanks. Thank you, Joel. Anyone else? Yes, Liz. Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. I couldn't go by without saying how wonderful our libraries are. As my children were growing up, we almost
lived in the library. I still have my library card. I don't even know if it's any good. I think it's over 50 years old, so we'll have to see. But as a teacher, I used the libraries to help students. And my favorite, and I'll never let you know any different, has
always been Clara Barton. I'll go out of my way because it was smaller, it was quieter, they were very welcoming, and not that the other two were wonderful, but the atmosphere there just helped my students
do well and I appreciate them even more than the other two, even though I love both of them. All of three of them. Would be nice if we had four, but that would be nice. Thank you. Thank you, Liz. Thank you. Anybody else? Okay. Motion to close public portion.
Motion to close public portion. Okay. Uh second. Second. Thank you very much. Uh can we get a motion to adopt? Motion to adopt. Second. You uh council comments.
Council president. Council vice president. Come bearing my library card. Um the services that the that come with the the signing up for a library card are tremendous. The opportunities
that are presented by it um help people grow, help people learn. Uh they offer a wealth of knowledge um not just in a book sense but also now in the digital
sense. My wife uh loves using the the audiobook option that is available and many people uh may not be aware but if you get a library card for our wonderful libraries here in town you can actually use this amongst other libraries in
Middle Sex County. So you're not just getting what is offered here. you're ex you're entered into a network throughout the state that present a lot of opportunities. Um my kids for instance loved the color our world
program that was done this summer which was a program ran by the library to promote reading uh before the school year. um they learned a lot of new words and the incentives that were provided um
were great great in the sense of making them want to participate. So for that I thank the library for uh what they do and I definitely hope that everyone goes and gets a library card. Thank you. Thank you council vice president. Anyone
else? Council president. Yes. Councilman Patel. Uh when we first came to this country, uh I remember using the library a lot and I remember that was the place where we uh
essentially went and learned English. Uh got pizzas because if you read enough books, you got a couple of coupons and you can get pizza. And all the memories I have of the library has been some some of those memories that I cherish. And
I'm I hope that everyone who doesn't have a library card gets one and makes great memories with the libraries and takes advantage of the all the services that we offer. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Patel. Anyone else? Council President. Yes, Councilman. I am proud that we have public
libraries. I'm proud that members of the council here fought to keep the library in Clare Barton. Although some people can quickly forget the fight that we had and uh making sure that we preserve that location. Um I'm truly proud of what the
libraries have done for many generations and what high schools have become and where people went from high school to universities who put a lot of time into the libraries. I'm quite certain there are stories uh there that I'll never know to tell but uh great work.
Congratulations. Thank you. You councilman co. Anyone else? Council person. Yes. Councilman Patiel. I still remember going to library when my kids were in school. But now I see the library has taken a completely it's at a very different level and kudos to
you know we have in audience president Tony D. Pascal here. we have the library director many more programs were added uh whether it's an ESL it's a related to food educating the audience it has taken a
different level the reason I say it's not just for the books it's not the place for the study but it's also the place for getting together learning social aspects learning many more thing that goes beyond the book and that cannot be taught again kudos to the
library board and kudos to the administration who is doing a wonderful job. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Patio. Anyone else? Okay. Uh for myself, I can say having been having having been the leazison to
the council in 2023 and 2024 that I have seen astonishing growth by the libraries with all the programs they offer. It's it's head spinning how many programs are offered through our libraries. and then
the PS resistance which is the rehabbing being done of the north library and of the main libraries. I'm happy to announce um that it looks like the outside the outside work on the main
library is going to be done pretty soon and I think uh I think Alan you said around January 2nd was uh we're looking to for the opening of the whole library. Is that correct? Yes. Um the North Library is uh I think that we're looking
for I think you said July 4th next year. Yeah. So those are coming along. They're going to be better than ever and they're going to be showca they're going to be showcase libraries with all kinds of additional uh offerings and additional amenities to them. And so it's really
very very exciting. So I'm very happy to be here to present this resolution of recognition. And so with that, can we get a roll call, please? Council member Presser, yes. Council member Coyle, yes. Council member Patel, yes. Council member Patiel, yes. Council member Pointer,
yes. Council member, yes. Council President Harris, yes. All right. And with that, let can I ask my fellow council members to come up with me to present this, please? And ask
uh Allan and any of the library board people. this. Yeah. Ask you to come up as well. one. You get one. That's it. That's it. Only one. Yeah. Okay. Okay. All right. Um, I might add I I
want to speak to Liz about this 50-year-old library card because I think probably in one of my junk drawers I have I might beat you on this one. I might have from the 1960s a library card from Highland Park, Illinois, the Highland Park uh public
library. So, um I I'm I I'm going to have to search that and and and finally get rid of it. I think I think it's time after all this. So, all right. Um, it is my honor, it is my privilege and it is the privilege I believe of the entire council to present
you this resolution of recognition. We appreciate so much what you do, what you have done and and the direction that this library is taking and we thank you. Thank you so much for your dedication and thank all of the board members for your work and dedication. And with that,
I want to turn it over to hear a few words from what? From from both of you. Yeah. Um, so I'll start out by saying that, you know, the library system is not just done by one person. There are
at least 60 employees that make the library what it is. And they are all diligent in what they want, what they're doing. And it's not just a job for them. It's a mission to make the library as good as it can be for all the residents.
And I just want to say we didn't leave Clara Barn out. We actually are doing renovations. um coming up soon on the front part of um Clara Barton where the entrance has been closed for many years. And then we're also bringing in a
planner to talk about um looking at the layout of Clara Barton, redoing that just just to make it the best it can be. So all three libraries we are actually funding to have renovations or just upgrades to the systems and what we're
what we need from them. No. Um, I just want to say thank you to the to the council and council president uh for this recognition. Um, and I would uh echo the sentiment that everyone in Edison um should get their free library
card. um the past four years of this library, it is basically um one of the sleeping giants and we're now taking our proper place in the county and in the state. Um with not only with all the renovations, but with all the exciting
new programs, um both the main library renovation and the north Edison is going to give us more space um in order to do better service uh for the residents of Edison. and we're thinking of Clara Barton as well. Um I hope all of you
have had an opportunity to see the library on wheels. Um we make over 40 stops each month uh around the township. And so um we kind of say we are five components, three physical buildings, um
one bookmobile and one sprinter. So we're all one one family. Visit all of us on a regular basis. And I do want to say this this summer and and as you know Joe Romano is the superintendence representative to the library board. Um
this year we had the highest number of students participate in our summer reading program almost double from last year. Um we've been making um visits to almost all of the schools in town over last year. And I think we're making a
difference um starting with um babies who are three months old all the way through our older adults who are 90 and above um who attend our program. So I think we've got a a robust program, but there's always room for more and um 2026
should have some uh new innovations uh for the Edison Public Library. So once again, thank you all for this uh recognition. Um and we look forward to um uh topping what we did this year next year. Thank you so much. Let's give him a
hand. Thank you everyone. Thank you. Okay. All right. And the the arc where what are we doing? I'm just going to I guess we could read this vote on it.
Okay. Okay. Yeah. So, there's the resolution for the Ark of Middle Sex County. I don't believe we have any of their representatives here. So I believe we will uh just uh have that read. Whereas every day in New Jersey, more
than 30,000 men and women work as direct support professionals providing critical support and services to hundreds and thousands of children and adults with intellectual and development disabilities. Whereas direct support professionals have dedicated their professional lives to supporting,
serving, and empowering individuals with development disabilities, enabling them to live fulfilling lives in the community. And direct support professionals provide a broad range of support, including help with personal care, participating in school work, home, religious, and recreational
activities, leaving important life skills, life skills, and general day-to-day activities to foster full citizenship. Whereas direct support professionals develop strong trusting relationships with individuals with intellect and development disabilities that are personally enriched for both their
individuals and professional. The middle the ark of Middle Sex County values the hard work of its direct support professionals and recognizes the support of the administration governing body of Edison for these invaluable workers who support individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. The week
of September 7th through the 13th has been designated direct support professionals recognition week to honor and recognize the significant contributions that direct support professionals make to our communities. Was every day the Ark Middle Sex county's direct support professionals make a tremendous difference in the
lives of people strengths and our community supporting of our vulnerable citizens for which they deserve our respect and deepest admiration. Now for be resolved that as in township council hereby does proclaim September 7th through the 13th as direct professional
reconnection week in Middle Sex County and the ark middle sex count's direct professionals for the dedication and commitment to the citizens with development disabilities. Thank you very much. Are we going to be presenting this to them at some other time or
um yeah I think I have the uh contact information from them. Okay. So we're not we're not doing comments on on this particular one. I don't think so. Okay, we can still open it, but Okay, let's let's let's wait, I think, uh until we have someone to Are they going to be coming here at some point?
I don't believe they're going to come here. Okay. All right. Do we um just want a motion to Yeah. Yeah. Let's just open the public comments. No, no, no, no. I I'm saying that we we might be able to skip uh skip over on on
that and just do a motion to motion to adopt if you want. Council comments. I don't know if people have special comments. Yeah. Um All right. All right. I'm making a uh making a different decision here. All right. Uh does anyone have any
comment from the public about the uh the ARC Middle Sex County Direct Support Professional Week? Okay. Seeing none, motion to close the public portion. Thank you. Can I get a second? All right. Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt. Second.
Thank you very much. Uh, council comments. All right. Council President. Yes. I'm just proud of the great work that the Ark does. Um, and I've had the opportunity to work with a few members and I'm truly proud of all the great
work they do. Thank you. Yes. Um, I just want I I wrote a few notes down here. Um, they see if I can find it.
Oh, that's not it. Oh, I made made some notes and I don't know where it is. Um, they uh ARC pro they provide a lot of different services for career. They do some counseling. They do some
transportation. There are a lot of services that they provide. And so this is a a very valued and worthwhile project. So, I thank them very much for what they do. Um, can we get a Oh, anyone else? All
right. 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 Pointer, yes. Council member, yes. Council member Harris, yes. Right. On to number six. Approval of the minutes. I think we're going to
have a few um You and Simstein here, right? Yes. So is the um I abstain. I was not here and Councilman Muel was not here. And so um can we get a motion to
approve? Motion to approve. Second. Second. All in favor? I. Thank you. All right. We go on to unfinished businesses. Unfinished business ordinances for further consideration, public hearing, and final adoption. Uh madam clerk, can you read
the ordinance for 2253? Bon earns providing for the acquisition of vehicles, trucks, and equipment for the solid waste collection district in and by the township of Edison, New Jersey, appropriating 1,463,000, therefore authorizing the issuance of
1,463,000 bonds or notes to cover the cost thereof. You very much um opening it up for public comments on this particular ordinance. Yes, Joel. Basoff Beach Lane. So, um I know at
previous meetings members of the public have asked about these bond ordinances and the questions pertain to whether the taxpayers of the entire township uh pay off these bonds or if the bonds are paid
off just by the users of services. And the explanation that I thought I heard was that um being self-liquidating bonds that that these are paid off solely by the users of the services. So in the case of um this bond, it would just be
uh the residents within the garbage district that are paying uh garbage taxes. But I noticed that that section 10 of the bond ordinance says the full faith and credit of the township are hereby pledged to the punctual payment of the principle of and the interest on
the obligations authorized by this bond ordinance. The obligations shall be direct unlimited obligations of the township and the township shall be ob obligated to levy adelarum taxes upon all the taxable property within the township for the payment of the
obligations and the interest thereon without limitation of rate or amount. So that makes it sound like a general obligation bond uh where we're pledging the full faith and credit of the township and that the entire township is
responsible for paying that that bond. Um so I'm just wondering how it works. Do I need a tutorial in municipal finance or is this in fact a general obligation bond? And I'd also note that
um the the other bonds have uh the same verbiage in them as well. Yes, that language is correct. That's in all the ordinances. uh the special improvement district, the water utility
in and of itself, so utility in and of itself doesn't have the creditworthiness to be able to go out into the markets to borrow money in bonds. So the township is a is a guarantor of all debt. Uh we're even a guarantor of debt,
overlapping debt, uh from the county, from the Middle Sex County Utilities Authority. But these obligations, this is an improvement district for the garbage district, for the water utility, for the soy utility, that's all built in
and paid for out of user fees. And it's in their budgets. It's in the title of the ordinance that this is an obligation of the special improvement district where it's a bond ordinance issued by the sewer utility or the water
utility. So ultimately the township since these are municipal corporate entities is overall responsible if there were ever a deficit. But that's why the state requires us to operate and
function these entities on a selfquidating basis. When we adopt the municipal budget every year, it has to be reviewed by the division of local government services and they look to at
the sufficiency and adequacy of revenues versus expenses and debt service. And if they're not satisfied that the entity is going to be selfquidating, they would never allow us to adopt uh
our operating budget for the water utility, soy utility or sanitation district. And council president, just to take it further, so this specific ordinance for the um solid waste district is for a one arm band, actually two arm bandits and
for a rear load um with a plow. So there's further language to support that this is for the solid waste district. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Right. Anyone else on ordinance 2253?
Okay. Um, can I get a motion to close the public portion? Motion to close the public portion. Second. Second. Okay. Um, and can I get a motion to adopt? Motion to adopt. Second. Okay. Madam clerk, roll call.
Comments. Council member Brusher. Yes. Council member. Oh, I'm sorry. I did forget the council comments. Whoop. You can't go back. Paul, you have to go through the All right. Sorry. I think that we're already underway. All right. All right. Okay.
Yes. Council member Patel. Yes. Council member Patiel. Yes. Council member Pointer. Yes. Council member Shuel. Yes. Council President Harris. Yes. I apologize, fellow council members. I apologize. That was my my bad. Um, all right. Madam Clerk, could
you read ordinance number 2254? And I promise to do better on this one. Bonus providing for various improvements to the water utility in and by the township of Edison, New Jersey, appropriating 17,745,000, therefore authorizing the issuance of
17,745,000 bonds or notes to finance the cost of Thank you very much. Um, do we have any public comments on this ordinance? All right, seeing none, can I get a motion? Motion to close the public portion.
I get a second. Second. All right. Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt. Second. Thank you. Council comments. Council President. Yes. Council vice president. On this one. Um when back in 2023 on the
initial set of bonds. Um I spoke with Roger Freda from the water utility at length about what the game plan was on what lines needed to be updated and repaired. um some of the time has taken
because they need to coordinate this along with the the replacement of the lead pipes that is going on. So it has prolonged things a little bit as well as the fact that we did the water meter replacement bond and the smart hydrate
um meters that are going to assist with this overall. uh this township by 85 to 15% margin in 2019 voted to keep these utilities inhouse.
Um these types of authorizations and financial um backings to improve the system are vital to make sure that we we continue to provide the the best service to the residents that this utility serves. I
think that these are vitally important and I will be happy to support these bonds. Thank you, council president. Thank you, council vice president. Those great points there. Anyone else? Any other council comments? No, council president. Yes. Uh I also believe that this is a good investment in into our infrastructure.
uh moving forward I assume with the tariffs we will be going into a very inflationary market and any money we pay now will be considered a much s higher saving in the future at least I believe I am not sure if that will turn out to be true but I think it's a good prudent
act to have our infrastructure up to date and this is a good investment going forward thank you thank you anyone else council president yes I just want to share with with any residents that are misunderstood of our bonds and the improvements we made to this utility. Um,
back in 2019, we were going to bond $840 million in one shot and give a credit card to an outside company in France to basically manage our utility. And I think today we're we we haven't come close to spending near that. And
dayto-day we have an operation director who is involved every day. We have a crew. We have trucks. We have a stoneyard. And we have eval evaluation tools. We have uh detailed scientific tools that this council has passed to
evaluate our storm system uh water system. And it's it's been incredible has what happened from startup from the ground till today. So still, you know what's great is we're in charge. It's transparent. And I just want you to visualize for a
moment if we gave $840 million to Suez in France and what that vision would be like. You wouldn't be able to talk to them. You wouldn't be able to call them. They were going to charge us just to do the billing. If we were to do the billing, they were going to invoice us a
fee for us to control billing. So, when it comes to customer service, day-to-day operations, I'm truly proud of how we're managing this money and how we're spending it, you know, monthtomonth, year to year, and making um critical adjustments in infrastructure in a
priority timeline. Um so, I tip my hat to the council for continuing to support this. I know some days we disagree, but I know at the end my colleagues uh know we're doing the right thing. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Coyle. Anyone else?
All right. Can we proceed to 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. Yes. Council President Harris. Yes.
All right. Madame Clerk, can you read ordinance 2225? I'm sorry. 2255. Bonors provided for various improvements to the sur utility in by the township of Edison appropriating 13,98,375 and authorizing the issuance of $13,98
$98,375 and bonds and notes to finance the cost thereof. Very much. Let me open it up to public comments about this resolution. I mean this ordinance. Sorry. All right. Seeing none, motion to close. Public opposed. Second.
You. All right. Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt. Second. All right. Thank you very much. Uh council comments on resol on ordinance 2255. Council president. Yes. Uh similar to the uh water
ordinance that was just passed. Um the sewer utility was voted in 2019 to remain in house. uh anyone that has been following in regards to the administr administrative consent order in regards to the pump station rehabilitation
projects that we need to partake uh 4 million of this will be allocated to assist in those improvements which are vital to the sewer utilities infrastructure likewise um 7.5 million will be done towards sewer line
improvements which as part of the acco is a requirement from the state for us to make that the sewer lines that we have are in the condition that are necessary for the system to operate uh efficiently. Um likewise 817,000
will be done for new vehicles and equipment which for anyone that has followed any of the emergency repairs that we've needed uh this will assist in that factor. So again, I'm happy to support this. I'm happy to give the utility the resources it needs to be
effective and serve the community well. Thank you, Council President. Thank you very much. Anyone else? I just have a question. Will the Ferrante House be included on this particular ordinance? Not under this ordinance. Okay.
All right. Thank you very much. Um, any other council comments, remarks? All right. Um, then let's go to the roll call. Council member Brusher, yes. Council member Coyle, yes. Council member Patel, yes. Council member Patiel,
yes. Council member Poyer, yes. Council member Shimuel, yes. Council President Harris, yes. All right, Madame Clerk. Moving on to ordinance 2256. Could you read it, please? an ordinance providing for various capital improvements by the
township of Edison appropriating 25,8,500 therefore authorizing the issuance of 23,758075 bonds and notes to finance the part of very much uh any public comment yes
Bassoff Beach Lane Um so this bond includes um for example $9.1 million for road resurfacing and it occurs to me that we do road paving and
resurfacing on an ongoing basis every year. Um these aren't new roads. So my question is how would that be considered a capital improvement as opposed to uh current expense that that
should be part of the operating budget? And there's also um in section 3E uh $382,000 for building repairs. And that also sounds like uh repairs would just be a
current operating expense and $299,000 for sidewalk repairs. And I I just wonder number one, it looks like maybe we're putting regular recurring current operating expenses into a bond issue,
which which then tends to understate our operating needs. And how do we make sure that items that are being put into the bonds that are ostensibly supposed to be capital improvements are not just
routine operating expenses? Okay. Um, Sonia, council president, these are not routine items. These are capital infrastructure. So, anything with a 5-year plus life cycle, if you will, would require us to
or would enable us to bond for it. These are different streets every year. So, and these are different reoccurring items that we purchase um every year. Thank you very much. Thank you. Yeah, my question is it seems that
recurring things would be uh operating as opposed to capital. So that that really goes to the heart of the question since it's uh how is it a a capital improvement. Yeah. Ken
the same road over again every year. That would be a recurring operating expense. but we're repaving different roads throughout the se the entire town. So, we've been appropriating funds to do a complete townwide road resurfacing
program over a certain number of years uh in terms of sidewalks, etc. So, those all have five-year capital lives. And when we uh these bond ordinances are prepared by our bond council uh who has
to issue a tax opinion that all these items merit the capital finance laws and therefore uh that's all part of the stringent requirements to issue tax exempt obligations
and all right thank you. All right, Liz. Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. I guess my question is the same as Mr. Bassoff. Uh when you read this bond, it it's just um a little uh questioning
when it just says capital improvements for various items, but yet items in there are regular occurring items. Now, years ago, there was a list and every so
and I understood from the lady that used to say, I think her name was Moren, maybe I had pushed because my block really needed it and she was able to share the list where somebody had gone around and
raided all the streets and said in the next five years, these are the most needed and the next would the next five years and the next five years and I personally I don't recall that
we needed on a regular basis bonds to pay for the road services. It's and I don't want to simplify it but it would be like in my house each room would be painted.
Well, is that a capital improvement or just regular improvement that would be done? And I just fear that when we give a bond for this kind of money for various improvements, it's a little scary for what's being put in there
versus being put in the regular budget. Uh if it's a regular occurrence, which is as a whole, we are a township and part of our township needs to be upgraded each and every year. It's not as if we waited 10 years and now we're
going to do a whole bunch of them. Okay, now we need a big chunk of money. This should be something that's being done year in and year out. So, I just don't understand. This is something new
in my recollection that this has become a bond item rather than a line item in the budget. And I know you're not going to agree with me, but I'm coming from common sense rather than the professionals.
So your your question in a nutshell is what then? I don't understand why this bond should be listing all the things that come up to $25 million. And some of the items I don't think belong in there. Okay. Right.
Council President, I apologize. I didn't see a I didn't hear a question rather a comment. If I'm mistaken, please let me know and I can certainly answer the question. It was it was put in the form of a statement. I President, can I just address the the road aspect? Of course.
Um if that thought process was to remain true for the previous bonds, then that then the sewer line replacements and the water main replacements would be regular. Right? those same comments were not made in the previous two towards
infrastructure improvements. So I I personally don't find that the road resurfacing line item to be a valid argument. Thank you, Council President. Thank you very much. Uh any other Yes, Sue. Sumalone Barber, Pleasant Avenue. when
when I was in business um I was always instructed and my understanding to managing my own budget my own department's budget was if you do something every year the same thing every year it's opex if you're doing something or
buying something one time it's capex so if the road surfacing is cyclical and some of those other things are cyclical. I I mean I I kind of have to um kind of reiterate
what Elizabeth was questioning. Um how how does that work? I mean why why are we using a different that's standard accounting? So why are we doing something different in how we classify these things? We're not you know better than me.
You're the accountant. Okay. So in in terms of municipal finance, we're not doing anything different. We're what we're doing is different is different streets. They're not reoccurring. So that's why every year the list changes. Otherwise, if we were doing
something, so for example, if you're going to look at our operating budget and um you look at supplies, we buy them every year. Those are reoccurring, therefore in the operating budget. But we don't pave Smith Street every year.
It may be 10 years from now. Isn't that kind of like saying though when I when I'm running my house, um I'm taking a home equity loan out on the different rooms, for example, that
might need to be painted every year as opposed to just being part of maintenance. President, that's completely different. Painting is a maintenance item. Resurfacing a road is significantly different. How is that different?
It's it How is that not maintenance? It's a safety. It's a hazard. It's our folks are on it every day. So again, as I mentioned before, we issue taxexempt debt obligations. We
would never get a tax opinion from a bond council for painting a room. That's just would not happen. But resurfacing a road that under IRS tax code law allows us to bond for this for at least 5
years. It's it's absolutely so that's what makes it a capital life. Yeah, it's absolutely a safety issue. And I think uh Ken has pointed out what the difference is in the analogy that you that you give. painting room is more cosmetic. This is not about cosmetic. This is about safety.
I I understand that, but that's sort of ju I was just making an analogy. Not obviously not painting. Um it still feels like a one-time expense. I mean, not a one-time expense because you keep cycling through roads every
year, right? Council President, um I believe that the administration's done its best job to explain the expenditure, the reason why they're using uh this bond ordinance to pay for that expenditure, um that it is not
recurring, that is different roads. Um I understand that members of the public have a different opinion, believe that it should come from operating expenses. I don't know. I'm not hearing a question anymore that this administration can answer. Yeah, I think what you can I think what you can do uh Sue is um if you if you have
further questions or want to discuss this further, you can take it offline to either uh Ken D Roberts or to Sonia. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Council President. Yes. Can I just take a crack at it? Of course. Uh just imagine you had a multiple
houses. So let's say you had 20 houses and you wanted to put solar panels on them and you do it once a year in each houses. Yes, each year you will take out a loan to put a solar panel on one house and each year you'll do it. It is a regular thing you're doing but each year
you're doing it in a different house and you're building equity into that house and in 20 years time you'll have to recycle restart with the first house because those solar panels have been essentially technologically outdated. So yes, you'll continue that cycle forever,
but each year the equity that you're building isn't a new house. Same way each year that we do a road repaving, we're building equity into that road because we don't have to touch it again for another 10 years. So a single house is not a good example in this because we
have 35 square miles. So it's a much harder problem to just say it's an operational expense. It's not. It is an equity building thing. At least that's the way I look at it. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Anyone else from the public on this ordinance?
Okay. I'm get a motion to close public portion. Motion to close. Second. All right. Thank you. Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt. Second. Thank you. That was John. Okay. Yes. Uh now, council comments.
Uh council president. Yes. I just want to thank uh Kender Roberts and our administrative team and finance for knowingly being aware of all the leverage opportunities we have to bond. And as much as I'm listening to comments from residents, I'm challenged
to discover what exactly they want because if you were to put in road improvements in our operating expenses, our taxes would be through the roof. So I'm thankful that all of us here have gotten a lesson over
the last 10 years, some of us 12 years on the council working with Kender Roberts and his team because um yeah, this has been evaluated and this is a direct way governing is
done. And I I I I welcome the questions, but I'm confused why you would even argue to have a challenge that you want to see it in operating expenses. We're fortunate that we have the bond rating we have and the leverage we have in this town, the tax base we have. I mean, we're not
matching. We have 2400 acres of industry. We have, you know, eight plus billion dollars in assessed revenue. We are fortunate to have all this and to get roads paved. Go through other towns and we do more paving than any town in the county. I mean, I'm thankful. So,
thanks for educating us. Thanks for educating uh the residents and uh thank you, Council President. Okay. Thank you. Uh, Councilman Cole, I just want to say that um I think your points are well taken. Um, I take some
umbrage at what I sense is sort of scolding the public for having the questions that they have. They come here with honest questions. They are wanting to be fiscally responsible. And so, um,
I I just would ask that maybe you can present your arguments to the public without a without an air of kind of scolding them for arguing the points or discussing the points. That's all that was a level two. If I went to 10, I
don't know what you would say. I mean, it just it's it's a a rebuttal to the obvious. They're they're coming here. They're coming here. to speak ill of the council as if we don't know what we're doing. I'm here to correct them in a professional way.
Whoa. Point of point of order indeed. I think we've done a fine job. I will not tolerate you characterizing the public as having criticized the council. They did no such thing. They asked legitimate questions.
We we may disagree with them in point, but they asked legitimate questions. They did not criticize this council. They have legitimate questions about these bond ordinances because they want to be fiscally responsible. So I I'm not going to tolerate that kind of
characterization. Um any any other council comments? Council, this road paving program, you know, it seems to be simple at on the surface, but technically it is not. If you look at various roads that we have, it's a 30
square mile. It's lot many roads that it's next to impossible that we can pave roads in one year in one bond. That's not going to happen and that's impossible to do that practically as well as from the economical sense. There
are many roads they need to be reconstructed. If you look at uh it's just not paving but reconstruction and that's why you will see you know some few years you will have less number of roads compared to the other year that will involves drainage sidewalks
correcting the situation that was not there because you know some of the roads are not paved for 20 years they don't have the drainage system now with the new uh paving program some of those roads are considered for reconstruction of uh those things so this is going to
happen this will continue to be a bond as I said financially it is not viable to be an operating expense because the the life of the road is not 2 year or 3 year or 4 year maintenance I get if there is a pothole yes that's a maintenance but if you are reconstructing the road or re
resurfacing that road after 20 years it's it still becomes a capital expense uh so I'm in fully support of that just want to clarify you know what I understood and I think this council uh we should be empathic IC respectful at the same time
sharing what we understand based on the ordinance based on our experiences and share that with the public. Thank you council president. Thank you and thank you Councilman Patiel. Anyone else? Council President. Yes. Councilman Brer. Um the Ken let me ask you a question and
I'm a little bit off topic but I I I think I know the answer. We in the past because you've been here uh quite some time. In the past, we have bonded
for when our employees retire, right? And so, so typically employees don't use all their vacation time or all their sick time and at the end we have to we have to pay them when they go and retire. Um, we've bonded that in the past, haven't we?
We've funded that over uh a 5-year period of time. and we were allowed under state law to do what's called a special emergency note and funded those over 5 years. Uh we stopped doing that in 2023 uh administration
uh through our budgeting process. We've begun building up and self-funding reserves to cover those expenses. Right? So, I guess where I'm going with it is these are are mechanisms, I guess,
to curb taxes in the town. Um, like the roads, we could put together a plan, right, at the end of the day where the township would put away whatever the dollar amount might be, $500,000, $800,000 a year, and then the township could pave in the future when those
funds came up, much like you did with this um the employees payments. Um, I believe you put a little bit of extra money in every year and then that happened. But I guess where I'm going with it is I I understand that's why I
voted am voting for it, you know, is that what I understand is that for us to fund the employees end of it that we were bonding and then to do the roads um I I don't know that we could do it all in one budget without having a budget that
would be well unpalatable to the uh residents. So I I I do know we did correct that that other problem. Um, and I'm happy that we did it, but to the resident's point, yes, you know, they could be in the budget. Um, but it would
increase our taxes overall. And that was something I guess that the administration and then if the council, if they approve it, you know, they choose to move ahead with it. Um, I I guess it's the best way for me to explain it. Okay. Thank you, Councilman Brusher. Any other council comments?
Council President. Yes. Uh, please indulge me for a second just to go over a couple numbers because a lot of feedback I've received is about the amount of debt. I like to do things in ratios and percentages to just try to
get a general feel of things. Uh, the municipality can, as Ken advised on Monday, is able to do up to three and a half% of the township's equalized um equalized ratio. He advised that with
this we would be at 0.985 to put in comparison to a couple of our neighboring townships. I know not everyone likes to have me compare Perthboy 1.995 New Brunswick 1.456 Piscataway 1.471
Maton 1.386 Woodbridge 1.2 2 Highland Park for reference is 824. The township previously was around 6 mark and a lot of that came about
because during the recession we had to bond out to be able to pay for um tax appeals. Yes, tax appeals. Thank you. So for nearly a decade, if you look at the uh
the budget items, you'll see line items specifically 2011 appeal, 2013 appeal, 2015 appeal in terms of paying paying back the tax appeals. Those amounted to about $2.5 million every year that the
township was paying back on those appeals. And it restricted a lot of investment back in the 2010s. If you look at the current amount that is being paid towards bond repayments, principal, and interest, this year it's
at 9.32. Uh, previously we were at about 12 million. As Ken stated on Monday, the goal is to keep at 12 million or underneath. So, even with these uh bond approvals, we should be under that 12
million mark, which again, that was um how much the township was paying back about 6 years ago. So even from a line item perspective, we are actually paying less back in bond principle and interest than we previously were. I think that the 1% threshold is an appropriate
measure in terms of how much the township uh debt percentage should be. Uh I believe it gives us enough flexibility and opportunity to be able to make these improvements that will improve the quality of life for the residents. Um, so I am happy with where
we are at from the metric standpoint. Specific to the bond itself, we already spoke about the road resurfacing, which we have been doing since I first moved to the township in 2016. Uh, I remember Councilman Gomez going over, hey, you know, we're doing this
program and every year since, there has always been a line item for road resurfacing. Uh this bond also will also include improvements for IT specifically Wi-Fi capabilities in uh town hall. The police firing range which needs to be uh
drastically improved which we have already done engineering services for fire department for a new heavy duty rescue uh furniture for the tooth center and the mini beveville veil expansion which are new projects that have not
happened before. uh expansion of kennels at the animal shelter. Um the instituting of the Edison light transit for one EV bus and four standard shuttles as well as mapping a mapping program so that we can start utilizing
the Edison light transit for the betterment of the community and find my personal favorite which seems a little off is archiving services. I've had so many residents say, "I've tried to find information. I there was a a deed or a a
planning board resolution from 2005 that we can't find right now." The archiving services to be able to make sure that our documents from years past are digitized and easily accessible, I think will have uh be a major benefit to the
township. So, I'm happy to support this. I understand the concerns of residents in regards to where we are in terms of thresholds and amount and it it is um but I believe that these are important improvements for the township to move
forward with. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Council Vice President. And I appreciate the fact that you're putting the you're putting specific items. You're you're kind of giving a face to the numbers that were in here. And so I think that's very helpful. Thank you. Any other council comments? Okay. Can we
go on to roll call, please, for 2256? Council member Brusher, yes. Council member Coyle, yes. Council member Patel, yes. Council member Patio, yes. Council member Pointer, yes. Council members, yes. Council President Harris, yes. Okay. Moving on to 2257. Madame Clerk,
can you read the ordinance? An or an an ordinance amending chapter 16 fire prevention and protection section 16-1 uniform fire safety act local enforcing agency subsection 16-1.5 permit fees fire code status requests of
the municipal township code township to amend the tent permit fee very much uh public comment seeing none motion to close public comment motion to close public comment second second thank you very much motion to adopt
Motion to adopt. Second. Thank you. And uh that was Jen again. Um uh council comments on this on this ordinance. All right. Council present. Yes.
Uh just for background as for people that may not be familiar. Um this would this is the gas station that is along Route One. It can no longer be a gas. No, this No, this is 2257. Yeah.
Oh, I am so sorry. I I I skipped one. I'm Hold your powder, Council Vice President. People look at me silent. I'm I'm so sorry. It's okay. Okay. All right. All right. Um Okay. Any any other council comments? No.
All right. Uh can we go to roll call, please? Council member Brusher. Yes. Council member Coyle. Council member Patel. Yes. Council member Patiel. Yes. Council member Pointer. Yes. Council member. Yes. Council President Harris. Yes. All right. We move on to the last
of the ordinance. No, that's the second to last. Um 2258. Um Madame Clerk, could you read the ordinance? An ordinance authorizing the acquisition of the property identified on the tax maps of the township as blog 692.05
lot 8.03 in the connection with the Thomas Street redevelopment plan. a redevelopment plan agreement between Yash of J5 Realy LLC and upon acquisition transfer the property to the redeveloper in furtherance of the Thomas Place redevelopment plan.
Thank you very much. Uh open to public comments on this ordinance. Yes, Joel. Joel Bassoff, Beach Lane. Can someone clarify if um this acquisition costs the township money or is this just a pass
through? Um also I'd note it variously uh refers to Thomas Street and Thomas Place. So somebody fixed that. Um and of the 66 units uh do any of those satisfy the township's affordable housing
obligation? Uh I believe this is a pass through. Uh correct? Uh so we have that. Um we'll make the correction on the Thomas uh place and of affordable housing. Um is are there any designations for
affordable housing in these 66 units? It is not clear yet on this project. Typically there would be um a set aside for that, but it is not it's not been decided quite yet. And I can just defer to the attorney on the 66 units. We haven't discussed anything with regards
to what would be designated as affordable in those. I'm not. Yes, that's correct. Yeah. Okay. All right. [Music] So, are are we passing up then a potential opportunity to make a dent in
what is now Edison's pretty massive affordable housing obligation? uh once the property is transferred, are we foreclosing an opportunity then to obtain uh affordable housing credits?
Okay. So, your question it as we'd say in the law assumes facts, not an evidence. You started from the from a uh with a statement which was completely not factual. You started saying that we have a massive affordable housing obligation. You know, that's the subject of litigation. So to say we're missing
out, we first told you that it hasn't been decided yet what the that affordable housing obligation will be, but there will be one. And secondly, we we we are currently in litigation to establish the number in the plan. So your question presupposed that we had some massable
affordable housing uh obligation that we don't have. May I for one moment? Um, if you watch I don't know if you watched the meeting from Monday night, but Lou Reon went a very went through a very specific uh outline of what where things stand with that. So, if you didn't watch the meeting, you might want to watch
I I I did and it raises further questions, but but that's um for a later part of the meeting, but but for now, just in terms of uh Thomas Place, since there are 66 units, it's still an open question whether you want to
characterize our affordable housing obligation as enormous, massive, or small. Um that's the the the court frankly said that we have to plan for 727 new units. That's that's completely untrue in the court's
order. No, it is not. That is a lie. I don't want to debate that now. I'm just asking of the 66 units on Thomas Place, are we giving up an opportunity to get some affordable housing credits assuming that we will have some
affordable housing obligation going forward? Council President, can I just offer Sure. I don't want to take up your time, so I'm done. Um, there was a previous application, this is kind of a part of a it's become
a bigger part, but the opposite side was previously approved by the planning board in 2023. As part of that application, which I understand these are technically different, but as part of that application, there was a set aside for affordable housing. Since this would essentially be an extension of it,
my anticipation would be that there would be an inclusion. Obviously, I can't give you a guarantee at this particular point, but I would leave that to the planning board to be able to make that determination at the minimum. Okay. Can um council president?
Yes. Can I ask my council colleague a question? because I I haven't kept track of this one that long. These come back to us. How many times the redevelopment plans and and at what stage are we now with this one? Like
this one I know had a it came back once or twice, it didn't count because we had to change something. But technically, there were two redevelopment plans. Uh this is technically part of the second one which um got grouped
together with the first one because they're in close proximity. This is essentially the last step outside of planning board approval. I'm not going to include that because that's a separate body. Uh but this would be the last step in terms of effectuating the
redeveloper agreement which is part of effectuating the redevelopment plan which went through all the steps of the designation the the plan itself the approvals going back and forth between the planning board. So this should really be the last step unless I'm
mistaken on that. That's where I was going. I was thinking that it went to the planning and then had to come back to us one more time as a final plan with everything. Well, they they had the final authority on the the final approval of the plan.
Um even in the redeveloper agreement, it says that you know the planning board or the municipal land use authority um you know nothing's taken away from their authority on it. Um but in terms of the presets to get to this point that has
already been done. Um the uh it did come back. Uh there was a question if I recall on like noticing to the uh Thomas Place property came back um in 2022 for
the designation aspect. 2023 was the actual redevelopment plan. last year uh was the approval of the plan and the approval of the redeveloper agreement and this would be effectuating
the the redeveloper agreement which is the last part of the process. So so whatever we approved tonight is really what it is then or see I thought it went to the planning then it came back to us the final time for because it was a redevelopment agreement so I
thought we were the last stop shop. I I would have to defer. I don't understand it as that, but maybe I'm mistaken. Council is to legal. Isn't this just a transfer of the deed? Is this the final uh redevelopment?
Um I thought this was just a pass through to get them the plan. I believe that's accurate. Yes. Yeah. And this has nothing to really does it does it authorize the final approval on? I would assume that site plan approval is still going. They still have to do cycling.
So then it does so so at the end of the day it comes back to us again. Back to the planning board. Yeah. Okay. So it doesn't come back to us because I thought this was an area need of redevelopment that we did. It was but then in the redeveloper agreement it there's a lot of language.
Yes. Once the plan once the plan has been adopted um as well as the redevelopment agreement, the only thing left is site plan approval by the planning board. Okay. All right. So, so then, right, so then there is no affordable housing here, right? Because it won't come back
to us. It's whatever it is in the developers agreement right now. Council President, I believe there was like as councilman pointed pointed out there was one at least when I was on the planning board. I remember it was like four units, but don't quote me on it. There or something like eight units.
There were some units counted toward affordable units. I just don't know what that transpired after that whole plan change, but I think it should still be included. I don't think planning board would approve it without it. At least that's my hope. I think we're just going off track from what the ordinance is. And I'm not
discounting the comments of our council or the residents, but this ordinance does not spell out diving that deep into what this discussion is growing to. I just want to vote it or vote it down.
Any uh any other public comments on the ordinance? Yes. Si is that were you raising your hand? Oh, okay. All right. Um can I get a motion to close public? Motion to close the public motion. Second. Thank you. Uh motion to adopt.
Motion to adopt. Second. Second. Thank you. All right. Council comments. Council President. Councilman Coyle. I will be brief in how my tone is when I speak, but um I'm
truly proud that this is finally coming to together. I mean, it's been decades. This location, if anybody knows in the public, it's on Route One. There's an abandoned gas station that's been abandoned for 25 years. I know. I have probably sent it
100 emails to the administration to keep it clean. We've had the uh talked to multiple owners of the property. At one time, the DOT and behind that was a small motel which probably had 200 plus uh reports there
from the police department. So, this is a great improvement for those who live in that area, uh who live behind it, near it, and those homes are selling for close to $700,000 today. um to not have a motel in your backyard. I think they're at a
point they'll accept anything but what was there. So, the fact that we're finally moving to get rid of that abandoned gas station that parks trucks that has graffiti that has overgrown weeds and a motel that was finally knocked down. I I am proud we're moving
forward and someone who's taken action on this property. So, thank you uh for joining us in this vote. Thank you. Other council comments, council president. Yes, council. This were indeed an eyesore property. A lot of gravity and I know councilman uh
coy had a challenges to beautify that neighborhood. Uh except that portion everything looks great but if you are on route one here you go you know you have the isore property. Finally, I think it took a long time, seven, eight years
to, you know, get where we are and I'm happy to support this uh ordinance. Thank you. Thank you. Any other council comments? Council President, Councilman uh Patel. Yes, I'll just echo the statements of my council members and yes, I think this is a blight. It's been 20 years. We need to
do something and I I'm glad this is moving along and I'm happy to support it. Anyone else? Council Vice President, Council President, um I had abstained originally because I
there were questions that I had. Um I I appreciate Mr. Northre's office for answering a lot of those questions. Uh particularly because it's a gas station, making sure that the township doesn't become liable for any remediation aspect of it. Um so I was happy with that.
There are, if I'm just being honest, some concerns in regards to the plan itself, but ultimately that is something that the planning board will have to do its usual process with. So, I will
leave that in their hands and yeah, that's it. Thank you very much. Anyone else? Uh, for myself, I'm in favor, strongly in favor of this ordinance. I think this town needs as much senior housing as it can get and I think this is a good step forward in
that direction. So I will be voting to approve. Um 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. No.
Council memberell. Yes. Council President Harris. Yes. Thank you. All right, last one. Uh, yes. On to 2259. Madame Clerk, ordinance appropriating $520,000
from a developer's contribution pursuant to the redevelopment agreement which funds are in hand by the township for the acquisition of this property and in by the township of Edison. Thank you very much. Uh, public comments on this ordinance.
All right. Seeing none. Can I get a motion to close? Motion to close. Second. Can I get a motion to adopt? Motion to adopt. Second. Thank you, John. Um, and council comments on ordinance 2259.
Council President. Uh, though I may have voted no on 2258, I would not have the township be liable for the uh the actual contribution, the 520. So, I'll be supporting this. Thank you. You anyone else? All right, with that, 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 Pointer, yes. Council member, yes. Council President Harris, yes. Thank you. We are done with the ordinances. Um, we move to public
comment on the resolutions. Anyone from the public about the resolutions? Joel? Bass off Beach Lane. I have a question about resolution 524, $68,000
for bleachers. My question is, where are the bleachers being installed? Is this um uh new bleachers or replacement bleachers? And is this part of a capital bond issue? And if not, why if there are
new bleachers, why would it not be part of a capital bond issue? Okay. Um the question the question about the bleachers 524 is coming out of capital. This is going
over at the sports facility. These are new bleachers. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else on the resolutions? Right. Seeing not, can I get a motion to motion to close the public portion on resolutions?
And can I get a second? Second. Right. Um, anyone want to pull any resolutions 513 through 527? Anything to pull? 527.
Oh, missed it by that much. Okay. Okay. Um, anyone else? Anything to pull? Okay. So, we are making a motion to approve resolutions 513 through 526.
Um, and can I get a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Second. Second. Okay. Thank you. Roll call, please. Council member Brusher. Yes. Council member Quill. Yes. Council member Patel. Yes. Council member Patiel. Yes.
Council member Pointer. Yes. Council member Shell. Yes. Council President Harris. Yes. All right. Councilman Brer, have at it. Um, yes. This is a pipeline that they're looking to put through New Jersey to
benefit New York that New Jersey gets absolutely no benefit from that I've heard of to date. Um, and when we talked about both sides of a political spectrum, right, and and how we have discourse,
I think this is actually a very good thing because South Brunswick, Aberdine, Franklin, Hasllett, Highland, the Highlands, Keyport, Madawan, Princeton, Redbank, and Union Beach. These towns are made up. Some are Republican and
some are Democrat. So, this isn't a partisan issue. Um, and and it's nice to see that we're here and we're working together. Um, some people might not understand or might not know why you might want to oppose this. But I'll tell you this, people have known that New
Jerseyy's been contaminated for years. Um, our rivers have been contaminated. That contaminate that flushes down and um, it gets into our waterways into the fish that we eat. The shellfish that you eat, all comes from here.
over the last I'd say 20 years. I think the positive aspect was that sediment has covered over a lot of these contaminants. It it's why they don't really want to do dredging because you're you end up opening this up and
you expose all of this. So opposing this I think is a good thing. I think it's good to see that it's a bipartisan issue overall with um other towns and I'm glad to see that we put this here on our agenda. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Brasher. Um all
right. Uh can I get a motion to approve resolution 527? Motion to approve. Seconded. Yay. Yay. Okay. Um can we get a roll call, please? Council member Brusher. Yes.
Council member Coyle. Yes. Council member Patel. Yes. Council member Patil. Yes. Council member Pointer. Yes. Council member. Yes. Council President Harris. Yes. Okay. We open up oral petitions and remarks. Joel.
Joel Vassoff Beach Lane. Um trigger warning. I do have questions about affordable housing. Um, so the state assigned Edison a fair share obligation of 727 new units for the next 10 years. And
since developers can build four market rate units for each affordable unit, that means Edison has to find room for an additional 3,635 new units. So, at a previous council meeting, the township attorney said that
he wouldn't allow the state to dictate to Edison how many affordable units we'd be responsible for. Uh, so to challenge the state's assigned number, Edison could have entered into a dispute resolution program back in January. Uh,
158 other municipalities challenged the state's numbers through that dispute resolution program. the overwhelming majority of them successfully proved that the state's calculations were erroneous. Uh but Edison didn't do that. Edison let that
January deadline go by. And when members of the public asked what was going on, the attorney said that Edison was following a different procedure. He claimed that Edison would reduce its affordable housing obligation and get immunity from builders's remedy lawsuits
by going to superior court for a declaratory judgment. So, how did Edison do with the declaratory judgment? Uh, I'm going to quote from paragraph 9A of the court's order. The township must immediately plan for its obligation as
established by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, i.e., its presumptively valid calculation of a prospective need obligation of 727 units. So that means that's a zero
reduction from the number dictated by the state. And also Edison forfeited its immunity against builders remedy lawsuits filed by four developers. And I'll quote from paragraph 9b of the court's order. The limited temporary
immunity period hereby granted explicitly excludes and shall not apply to the builder's remedy actions instituted against the township by Blueberry Village and Oakwood Plaza and by Eminem realy partners and in any builder remedy counter claims that are
or may be brought and filed by any of the Alfi parties. And also the court order allows the New Jersey Builders Association and the Fair Share Housing Center to intervene in the litigation. That's in paragraphs 1 and four of the
court's order. And then to top it off, Edison is ordered to pay for a court-appointed special adjudicator to supervise Edison's compliance with the court order. And Edison also has to pay for any planning experts that the special adjudicator retains. And that
would be on top of any planning experts that Edison has to retain on its own behalf. Uh so my questions are um how would you answer members of the public who say that the application for a declaratory judgment was never intended
to be successful that it's just litigation theater to make it look like Edison is challenging the affordable housing numbers. Uh, what do you say to those who think that the declaratory judgment action was just a ruse to open up Edison to unrestricted
overdevelopment and build his remedy lawsuits and then use the court as a scapegoat? And finally, how is Edison better off than if it had just entered the dispute resolution program back in January? So
those are my questions, counselor. Sure. Okay. Thank you, Council President. Um, Mr. Bassoff and I have had uh numerous conversations in public about the affordable housing strategy.
Thank you. Um, and um I uh I want to be fair to to Mr. Bass off and saying that I I I this is the fairest way I can say it, council president, is that the order um or the
portions of the order that have been read out loud do not speak for the entirety of the order. And I believe that uh this council did receive a pretty extensive uh explanation from uh my partner uh Lou Renown. Um, and I'll
I'll make I'll be clear on a few points though that I think I just that that have to be um made made aware to this council and to the public. Uh, one, uh, the immunity from builder's remedy lawsuits continues under the order that was signed. Um, we have now engaged in a
case um where we are challenging the number uh that was established by DCA. Um and we will have to establish a plan that meets our constitutional mandate for affordable housing. What that plan looks like, what that number is is still
very much before the court. Um all of the uh language with regard to the intervening parties, it's standard in any order. Any party who believes they have a right to be part of a plan can intervene in the lawsuit. That's that's that's common in any affordable housing
action, and that's what we have here. um they are still uh subject uh we are still we still have immunity. Uh could these individuals be part of a plan at the ultimate uh resolution of this case? It's possible, but we don't know that yet. And as far as the special master is
concerned, every single affordable housing case in the state has a special master attached to it. So there's nothing out of the ordinary there. Um so I'll repeat the case is going is ongoing. Um it is we are committed as
this administration as the as the uh as director of law to make sure that the affordable housing number is one that is fair that is that is reasonable um and um can actually uh be accomplished in
Edison. Um and we believe that that DCA number does not do so. So that's the best I can answer. Thank you, Council President. Thank you very much. Thank you. Anyone else from public? Yes, AJ. Good evening, Ben from Edison. Do I have the floor, Council President? Yes, you do.
Thank you. Um, I know I haven't been here. I think I The last time I was here was in March when I made the announcement of the uh Daniel Bolie, Bad Baby, Cash Me Outside Girl, the song of OG Crash Out, making a lot of hits.
Still didn't get paid for that. So yeah, that 11 second uh intro did not got me didn't give me any money from it. So Oh yeah. Um there's one thing I've been it's on my mind. Um tomorrow will be the 24th
anniversary of 911. Um, my thoughts and prayers are still go out to the families who lost those family members on that day. And man, including today,
uh, very scary times in America. Very scary times. The reason why I'm saying this is because one of the Charlie Kirk, if I'm I think I'm pronouncing it, Charlie Kirk, I think
his last name right, sadly passed away due to political stuff. He passed away cuz he said something and somebody literally pulled the trigger and literally pronounced dead literally right on the scene. It just it's sad. I
think I feel like we have to like be very careful what we say in today's world, in today's politics because people are having vengeance everywhere we go. Is not just that shooting incidents, but there was two other shooting incidents in in this country as
well. Uh I think a high school somewhere I think if I'm not mistaken, I think it was in Colorado somewhere. Not just that, but it's just the the madness needs to stop. It's very sad that this guy who
literally was, I guess, a image of the next MAGA um dream team, you know. Um, I do like this guy and it's sad that he was he got taken out for no reason and this is a
definitely assassination and it reminds me of you know I think we have a lot of people in this township not just in this in this state but other majorities of you guys you know you guys are here
to to help us to make you know Edison great Again, it just I'm very afraid of the politicians now all because you say something and you don't like that person what they did. Why would you have to take them out coldbloodedly?
It is a sad thing that I'm seeing in today's world. Um please stay vigant. If you see something, say something. I you know I feel like this this needs to stop this whole terrorist of political motion of you
know from Epstein from Trump from now from this specifically incident that happened a few hours ago is the madness needs to stop. We all need to choose our words wisely. Please choose your words wisely. I don't want to hear another
assassination on any political person. whatsoever. And that's why I'm afraid to speak up because I don't want to be the next target if I speak my mind like Charlie did of those moments before he was assassinated on that day. So if I can have a please of a moment of prayers
of of what has happened recently and that'll be great. Thank you. I remain my time. Thank you. Sumalone Barber, Pleasant Avenue. Another trigger alert. I am here to talk
about affordable housing. Um, I guess this is a question for uh council. I still don't understand how our approach to to wait till the last minute, which is what we did, and do a
declaratory judgment is better than following the um the dispute resolution process that was set forth to start in January. Um we're in litigation. We have I know
you say we're immune, but we have um builder's remedy lawsuits, four of them that we have to litigate money. We have to litigate now the number of affordable housing units. Um I
guess my next question is, you know, is it true that as it stands right now, our number 727 until we litigate it? That's qu that's my first question actually. My first question is how are we better off and
what made us decide to do it that way. My second question is is it true that we still have 727 affordable housing units to hit unless we are able to litigate that number down. Isn't it true that we
have to fight four builders remedy lawsuits? Um, and I have a question about that. What leverage do we have to win them? And I think, you know, I live in Clara Barton and I know everyone's sick of me
talking about Clara Barton, but I will talk about it until forever and as long as I live here. What do you say to residents who have a real fear that developers will be able to use affordable housing as an excuse to turn Amboy Avenue into a high-rise
urban corridor? One of the things about these um builders remedies is they can just like say no to the zoning. And I guess finally I have a comment that I believe
and I I know many people that I talk to believe that this town is run by developers and there's a part of me that doesn't doesn't really want to accuse anybody of this. It seems like we've done this on
purpose. So, I'd like a reaction to that as well. I know you're going to say, "We didn't do it on purpose." Um, and I don't know how arrogant we can be to think we're going to win these
lawsuits. I think that's it. I have a minute. I have one thing about the resolutions in the last meeting and I'm sorry I did not see Lumerown's explanation on the affordable housing. Apologies, but I think in the last meeting um there was a
resolution uh being drafted. There was an agreement to res to to draft a resolution on the Immigrant Trust Act and I'm wondering why that's not on the agenda tonight. Okay. Any other questions?
I relinquished my 18 seconds. That was that was already passed. That was added to the last meeting. Yeah, it was already passed. Yeah. Oh, okay. I thought it was coming back to another meeting. I thought it was introduced. All right. So, to Sue's questions, um,
how are we better off with this litig with this litigation? We're we're better off because we're not accepting, uh, DCA's numbers. Um, and thought it was best to litigate that number. Could you speak a little louder
or into the mic? Sorry. Yeah, just into the mic. I'll answer to your question. Okay. Thank you. I'll try my best to speak more into the microphone. Thank you. Um, Council President, uh, how are we better off? Well, we're better off because we're not accepting DCA's number, which
we believe to be unreasonable, which we believe to ha to, uh, be based on non-developable land, and we sought a court intervention to reduce that number to a number that just makes that makes sense for Edison. So, that is the basis of the litigation.
Thank you. Um, and she asked, "Do we still have right now the 727 obligation?" No, we do not. That's currently that's currently pending before the court. Okay. Um, builder's remedy lawsuits. There are no builder's remedy lawsuits. We have four interveners. Interveners
are individuals who wish to be part of any affordable housing plan that may get adopted or resolved at the at the end of a case. As you know, many cases settle. Uh these four interveners are looking for the opportunity to have uh projects
um as part of our redevelop as a part of our affordable housing plan. Okay. And uh leverage to win. What is our leverage to win? Yeah. What's the what would be the leverage we have to to win loss any of these? I don't know if I understand the question. I mean that's I'm I'm confused
by it. Um we of we filed this action um because we believe that um the num that the DCA number was unreasonable. Um so um absent this action, we'd be stuck with a number that the state put together that doesn't make any sense for
Edison. So we think this is our best opportunity to have a number that a number and a plan together that makes sense for Edison. Okay. Thank you, councelor. Thank you, Sue. Okay, council president. Can I just add sure um something to the affordable housing
aspect? Um back in 2015, the council adopted a fair fair share housing plan because of uh builder's remedy suit back in 2010 2011
because of the second round obligations. Originally, the township was supposed to have like 2600 units as part of what was initially sought after. The agreement came down to,300, which is half of the amount. Now, I
actually think the amount that was originally provided is larger, but I'm going to take the conservative approach here. So there is actually previous actions that have happened within the township where similar items have happened and that the number
needed to be provided was reduced down. Um I also want to address something that was previously mentioned by a previous speaker about I I understand the set aides normally it's 20%. But there are actual developments uh that are 100%
affordable housing units. Prime example here in Edison is Rivendale. It's 170 units. All of them are affordable housing. Additionally, and I know some people are skeptical on this, but eventually you may see stuff in regards
to ADUs, accessory dwelling units that could assist with this, and the township has access to funds to assist individuals to purchase properties and convert the deed over to affordable housing. We've had several of those happen this year. those types of items
would also uh reduce the overall open obligations that may or may not be determined. Uh finally, in regards to like where locations are, if you look back at the settlement from 2015, they
lay out specifically the property locations where those allocations would be met. One example close to us would be the Camelot on Jackson Avenue. that was part of that settlement. Um, so I don't I understand the concern in
regards to fearing that it gives a cart blanch for developers, but it has to be a part of whatever plan. And um, again, I know that's not specific numbers and such. But I do think that the township is in a good position to be able to um
fulfill it, fulfill whatever requirements come, but also not have it be as extravagant as the 727 number that we have. Sorry for the long-windedness. Thank you, Council President. Thanks, Council President. Yes. And I just wanted to add one more thing that the our legal counsel
explained on Monday which was that any expired affordable housing unit so that let's say some housing unit that counted toward for affordable housing unit for 20 years and then once it expires we can reby that and extend that and count toward our affordable units. So we don't
have to necessarily build new units. We can just expand the ones that we expired. So we have tools to tackle this. Thank you. Okay. Yes. Anonymous. Good evening, council president. Good evening, council.
Um, I think you guys know why I'm here tonight. I stated it on Monday. Um, I could easily be home, but um, it's important that the residents are given back the time that they're owed and uh, most importantly also the rebuttals and
um, not just here to share statements and comments and opinions, but I am here tonight to serve as a resource for somebody who has been all over New Jersey in hundreds of different council meetings in hundreds of different towns.
Um, and through the chair to John Porter, Nish, I do want to extend a happy birthday to the both of you. I heard that in the beginning of the meeting. Um, I hope you guys do something nice for yourselves. Um, and I know you're a numbers guy, John, and I can appreciate that. Um, but I do want
to serve as a resource as somebody who has been to more council meetings in this in this room all over the state. everything from a whole Republican council in Lavallet arresting me for filming the meeting, which I now have a federal lawsuit with eight counts of
violations. Um, all the way to, you know, in 2019 when I was advocating for myself for cannabis and I dressed up as Bomb Holio, I went all over the state. I went over to 60 towns in just 2019 alone. Um, I've seen a lot of different
towns and the way that they engage with the public. And when I first came here in April of 2024 and I realized you guys had rebuttals, I said, "Well, that is pretty cool. You were given the apprec you appreciate you appreciating the
engagement with the public." And when I came here dressed as Bong Holio, we all know what happened and I was holding the prop and I was given a performance and we banned me tried to ban me entirely. So I have seen everything that you could possibly imagine take place in council
meetings all across New Jersey and I'm here to compel mostly you Mr. Poer and Mr. Patel because I did see some integrity leadership skills at that meeting where it was packed um about the returning to the six minutes and the rebuttals. Um not really compelling guy
on the right. And the reason why I call you guy on the right is because you don't offer any input to the meetings. You don't have anything to say. When you ask me in the parking lot why I call you guy on the right, that's exactly why I call you guy on the right. You don't even speak for four minutes each meeting. So clearly you don't understand
the significance to the public wanting to provide some input to the process to the political process as members of the public sharing their thoughts their values and I'm certainly not compelling you Mr. Coyle because you remind me of somebody who would push an old lady down in a walker at the state fair to get a
free t-shirt or something. That's what I think of you. So, I'm not compelling you to do anything for the residents, not for me, for the residents, you know, because it kills me that at their expense, they've paid the price
for antics that took place from you guys. And we all know how I feel about that. And I don't want to be rude anymore. I want to work together on this. I know this is your last term, John Nesh. Um, I'd love to go out on like a great note and know that like
some involvement of my engagement with the political process in Edison ended on a good note, you know, and I can appreciate your stats, Mr. Poier, but I'm coming from experience and what I saw here in Edison with the rebuttal process, you don't see that often other towns. And you could use that as the
argument that you shouldn't offer it, but you had it. And I thought that was the coolest thing about the engagement with the public. I thought that was wonderful. And since then, so many things have happened. Camera angles went away. So
much disastrous stuff. And it's all been fixed except for that. So please consider for the residents who take the time out of their day to share their public input. Please consider for them to restore the speaking time and the rebuttals.
Thank you. Okay, Liz. I'm going to go to Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. By now, they probably know your name. Um, just have a couple of questions. I did miss uh I watched the council meeting
Monday night on on TV and I missed some of uh the communication, so I'm going to ask again. Uh someone had brought up about Grove Avenue uh by Calvert where you have your divots that go down. I
recall someone brought the answer that a contractor is in the process of making good on fixing that road. Hopefully that was the proper answer. Uh the second one
is an update on Inman Avenues T to Old Raritin Road. Um it's still in the same status as it has been for the last
couple of years and depending on um where you have to stop it, it's not a fun place to be. Uh, I'm wondering about the regulations. I feel bad for the people that live there, but at the same
time, I don't want to be the one that winds up in the accident that might happen and there's a good chance of it will happen that something be done with that corner. uh whether it's a light or
something, the stop sign is kind of useless because I don't even if I stop, I'm almost out into the road before I can see people coming from my right side. And coming from the other end, as I'm coming up to make the right,
I fear that someone else could wind up uh with a crash and I would be involved. So, uh, I know I've brought it up a number of times, but I figured I'm just going to keep on doing it, uh, until maybe I see something. I know they did
lower some of the bushes, but greenery does grow and it does become full. Uh, I don't know if the bushes should be that close to the paving of the road. So, if anyone could look at that again and
maybe come up with a a plan as to make that corner a little more repres uh presentable for the uh cars. I'd uh fully appreciate it. Um the other item is uh Grove Avenue.
Hopefully I will get the answer to that. Inman Avenue. And the other item that I did watch on Monday night was our council president bringing up about the six minutes and the rebuttal. Well, you said you're going to do it to the end of
the year. I'm going to continue doing it for years to come because I find it insulting that you are requiring me at times to stop talking after four uh four minutes.
Now, if I have a number of things that I'd bring up, I give up my time and I'm a regular visitor to your chambers. I think I deem some respect that if I need more than four minutes, I'm allowed for
more than four minutes. And after I'm finished, if someone comes up with an item that I firmly do not agree with, I am not now given that chance to have a rebuttal. And I know the definition of rebuttal, but I'm not given that right.
And until something is done about it, you're insulting the residents of this town. Thank you, Liz. Thank you. Uh to her question about Inmitten and Old Wearin Road,
we'll have someone go out there and take a look. Okay. Yes, sir. On the groom side. Uh, hi. Um, I apologize. I first time talking at one of these, so I'm a little bit nervous, but um I did just want to
uh bring up the topic of um the immigrant trust act. Um I understand that some of you have been in contact with a volunteer from the dire rapid response network. Uh, and I just wanted to ask for a uh confirmation that there
was uh from the council as a group a written letter uh in support of the immigrant trust act addressed to the state senate president Gutari um assembly speaker Coughlin and Governor Phil Murphy. Um and I suppose I relinquish my time or
allow for answers. Were there any other questions? Um no. Other than I just uh would like to say that I appreciate the commitment to the um uh working with the the volunteer networks in regards to this uh this letter. Thank you. Thank you very much. I believe we did receive that
communication. Um am I right that we did receive the communication this gentleman is uh speaking of? No, we passed the resolution. No, but he's talking about that, right? He's wondering if we sent it out and that's what I don't know if we actually sent it out. It's been done.
Okay. Yeah, I believe I I believe we did the resolution. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Okay. Any other public comments? All right. Motion to close. Motion to close the public portion. Second. Thank you very much. Um before we
adjourn, I just want to remind everybody we have a couple unfortunately a couple of combined meetings coming up. September 25th because it's the week of Rashashana. And so it's Thursday, September 25th at 6 PM. And then Wednesday, October 8th is a combined
meeting because the planning board is going to be using these chambers on the 6. So um I know we don't like the combined meetings, but that's what we've got for the next two meetings. And with that, um can I get a motion to adjurnn? Motion to adjurnn. Second. All right.
All in favor? Okay, we are adjourned at 8:56 p.m. Thank you everybody. Second