Oh yeah. Can I have everybody's attention for one second? Can I have everybody's attention for one second? We know this is a very important meeting, but we just also have to follow some safety rules. If you look around the room, there's two blue painter tapes lying around. We have to keep that open
for emergency egress. We're at our max in here. If we need to go further, we have a TV setup outside. In the event of an emergency, they have the one exit right there that brings you outside and you also have a stairwell right here. But we have to keep that 4ft lap open across the room or else we're going to have to move into the overflow. Uh, and
just to answer the question, so if there is the overflow outside, if you are outside and you want to participate during the public portion, you will still be able to come in to participate. If we could leave this center aisle open for those folks, we just want to make sure that everyone is in here is is safe and secure. So, if we could, if you're
in the blue areas, if we could start to kind of make our way to the overflow section and then we're about to start the meeting. Thank you. >> I know that. >> I know that. How did you end up everybody. But we also want to
someone took it. It should be part of this package. Just get a honey for >> right there. Look, whatever issue >> doesn't happen if you if you show up.
This doesn't happen if you show up. You're live. >> Uh yeah, it's an emergency meeting or special meeting. >> Good evening everyone. Today is July 23rd. This is a special meeting today on the appropriations budget. It is an
emergency appropriations for today. As most you know, we did not finish our meeting uh on Monday and today the part of this uh meeting today is to make sure we finish the appropriations. It is not a meeting to pass the budget. Okay. We all please rise to ple for the pledge of
>> allegiance. 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. >> Council member Brasher
>> here. >> Council member Dimma >> here. >> Council member Kentos >> here. >> Council member Patel >> here. >> Council member Patiel >> here. >> Council member >> here. >> Council President Coyle >> here. Clerk, read adequate notice. Adequate notice of this meeting as
required by the Open Public Meeting Act of 1975 has been provided [clears throat] by a special notice published to the township website on July 21st, 2026 and posted in the main lobby of the municipal complex on that same date. >> Thank you. Uh thank you council members
for joining us here today and for everyone here from the public, thank you for joining us. Uh just good evening everyone. For those who are attending for the first time, welcome. You may follow along the agenda that we provide at the back table. You will have four minutes to speak on public comments and
four minutes on resolutions and oral petition remarks uh of the portion of the agenda. If you are watching from home, uh please visit asenj.gov, click on departments, then council and select the council agenda so you can follow us along from home on TV. If you
have any further comments and you're not here today to make comments, you can email me at joecoy@edisonenj.gov. Just in addition to my comments, I go ahead. >> First want to mention uh for those who want to speak uh doing the public portion, we're going to uh Sergeant
Mitchowski is here, the gentleman right behind you. We're going to form a line behind him. So, anybody who wants to speak, we'll start behind Miss Mitchowski. We do have a small list of people prior to that but please form a line there. Uh as you know this is going
to be a long meeting. If you have the opportunity that one of your uh colleagues will represent what you may want to say you are welcome to do that. I wish everyone can speak here for four minutes but some of you may not want to be here that long. We have all night. Everyone is welcome to speak all night
and each one of you can speak I believe twice for four minutes. So, uh, that'll be up to you whether you choose to allow that courtesy for your friend to or your colleague or your union rep to speak for you. But as a favor to those who are listening or those who are here for the most important reason, which is to uh
vote on the emergency appropriations, please consider a courtesy that we can get to that vote. I expect that we'll have several council members speaking from their position and what they have an interest in, and we have to also allow that. I'm quite certain they'll give a courtesy to each one of you that
you're here and that they'll do the best they can to wrap up their point and and their privilege and suggestions they have to the council. So, with that being said, again, welcome and I just hope we can do our best to get to this vote and uh what's most important. Again, we're voting on emergency appropriations that
will get us through the spending for each one of you that are in this room that have a job in Edison and for all the public safety needs we have in this town. uh including you know DPW, police, fire and and several um departments in
here that are essential needs to this town. So uh we are not again voting for the budget today. We are plann to voting for the budget madam clerk is uh August >> August 3rd. So that day will be a separate day and at that day members of the council can suggest amendments to
that budget which can be cut which could have effects as well but there's no bigger effect today not voting for this emergency spending today. So I hope we're clear and thank you again and I look forward to hearing from a lot of you again. The line is formed behind uh Sergeant Mitchkowski and we'll move from
there. >> Council President. >> Yes. >> Quick question. Um, normally when a member of the public comes up to speak, we have an opportunity to respond. Since we have people downstairs, they don't even know this line exists and they actually are waiting downstairs to
speak. Should we allow everybody to speak first and then comment later or >> we're going to have comment on we're going to have Yes, we're going to have comment on the resolutions like we do at every meeting. Some people may not uh want it to go too long, but I can't
control that. So, everybody who has an interest in speaking, I'll ask uh the sergeant to make an announcement downstairs. I'll ask the clerk to have her deputy acting clerk go downstairs and make an announcement. For those who want to speak that are downstairs, please have them come up. If anybody's here in the audience that has a friend
that's downstairs, please reach out to them to come upstairs to speak. Fair enough. >> Um yeah, but my my question was when somebody comes up and they make their comment and they might, you know, say, "Hey, why did you leave?" Perfect example, right? Do I get to respond or
do you want me just to allow everybody to speak? >> If as a courtesy to >> those who are waiting to speak, if we can wrap our questions up after we close the portion of that, that would be a courtesy, but I cannot today's day. I may not be to control that. And if
council members want to speak and engage with a resident here today, um I'm going to allow that. Although, if they can wrap it up and keep it to a minimum, that would be appreciated. And I think all of you know what I'm talking about. As much as people uh will complain that we only have four minutes and we speak
for 17, I get that point. But I think we may get to that. So um again to the council that's here today, uh the question Richer has is that uh will we engage in your questions throughout the u conversation and public portion before
the resolutions. So yes, he can, but we hope that we'll wait. >> Anything else, Council Brusher? >> That was it. >> We're good. Uh, Sergeant, we're going to have an announcement downstairs >> and would the clerk walk down there just to make sure we have two announcements
that are happening and so people need to form a line and before we close and adjourn the public portion, we'll make one more announcement down there. Is that fair, fair enough? Okay, >> do the public safety thing real quick. Okay. Uh just as a reminder to everyone
before the meeting started uh our fire chief outlined some of the the uh exit uh where the exits are just in case of emergency. We have blue tape down on the ground. We need to make sure that those areas stay clear. And for the center portion here, we're going to ask that if you can, there's an overflow with the
television. You'll be able to see and hear everything. The line is going to start behind the officer. It's going to extend out into the hallway. So anyone who wishes to speak on the public portion, which is about to begin, uh we would ask that you form that line now and going out. and anyone in the middle, if you could stay as close to the side as you can. If not, join that line, that
would be be fantastic. Thank you, >> Miss. >> Okay, at this time, we're going to be at item four on the agenda. If you don't have agenda, again, they're on the back table. Uh we're going to open >> outside >> and they're also outside. We're going to open up the public portion comments on
the resolutions only. There are only the resolutions here and nothing else to comment on. So if I could first on a list uh Margot Harris wanted to speak. >> Marggo Harris, 43 Oak Hills Road, Edison. Uh I want to speak on both 401
and 402 kind of combined. Um and my first my question about them is uh this is through uh council pres. This is through council can't hear me. Uh, let's see what we got going on here. >> Sorry. Can we just check to make sure that that microphone is on and the
blinds up? Okay, >> it's on. >> Okay, >> thank you. >> Um, so was the temporary budget that was that had been previously adopted, did that run through the end of this month? >> When Let me Yes. Would you answer that,
please? Council President, the last temporary emergency appropriation ran through the pay period, just for clarification purposes. So the pay period ends July 22nd. The next pay period runs through
August 5th. So therefore, there would be that overlap. So it is through the end of the pay period for clarification purposes, not the end of the month. >> I see. All right. >> Point of order. Uh just for those who are speaking, I normally answer the questions at the end just to create some
less back and forth. If it's necessary, I'll make that decision, but I try to make sure anyone who's speaking gets their four minutes and they can we'll answer all their questions in the order they asked. Okay. Thank you. Continue. >> I don't I don't have any more questions. I have comments, but I'm not sure if they belong here or if they belong in
the in the public comment. >> Okay, that'll be your continue. >> Well, all right. [clears throat] So, first of all, I I want to give a big hand to all the people who are here tonight on behalf of Edison and especially to our public safety people
who are [applause] are great showing up. You're you are what this is all about. You are what this is all about. Um and so, uh those in the media, you might want to put your bleepers out because I because I'm about to say something that
might cause a bleeper. Um, I want to congratulate members of this council who uh achie but who by their actions achieved a show trifecta the other night. [applause]
>> Go ahead, Joe. >> Go ahead. >> We may be we may be narrowing down a path that we need to do this on the public portion. If you I'm not saying you can't do this in and about uh right after it, but we should navigate some of this conversation to the public portion.
This is just comments on the resolutions and the spending of this. >> Well, it has to do it has to do with the fact that the the resol that these resolutions were needed because of what happened. >> I'll continue. >> Okay. Um so, let me count the ways of
the of the shiit show trifecta. Uh number one, so the meeting didn't start Monday because we even though we had a quorum, the meeting didn't start Monday until 20 minutes late. So but then um we had three council members, council vice
president Kentos, council member Patel, council member Patiel, who don't didn't show up for one of the most important meetings that goes on during the council year. And that is a disgrace. It's an absolute disgrace. If you have issues
with the budget, if you have grievances, good. Heir them. Heir them here. Let everyone hear them. The public would like to hear them. And then you and then the public might want to um might might want to kind of uh ride along and talk
about some of those things, but you didn't show up. and how disrespectful that was because so you you screwed the people who were here who had to wait. Then Councilman Brresser walks out uh right as the beginning of the at the
beginning of the period of the of the regular meeting and no one knew that knew that he walked out and we're all left there for another another 20 another 20 minutes or so. Um you do a disservice to the public. You do a disservice to the township that the
park, the recreation department, the splash park, all of those things were were closed. And you do a disservice to the employees. Shame on you. [applause] [applause] I'm sorry, but we have we just have a a list of the state PBA president is
coming next. I'll have you go right after him. >> Okay. >> What's that? >> I go ahead. Continue. He'll go right after you. No problem. >> Okay. >> Thomas Lucky, Netherwood Circle, Edison.
>> And if you can speak point of order if you I know it's difficult. That mic is should be You're a taller person. You can speak as close as you can. It would be great. >> Okay. Uh I'm all in favor of this temporary uh funding, but how long my question is
how long does it go for? Secondly, what I would like is I'm all in favor of it. I mean, you're holding all these fine uh Edison employees hostage as well as a disservice to us as a as uh uh your
neighbors. What one thing I think you should do is there's line items for the council pay, mayor pay, and everybody and business administrator pay.
I believe you should take that money out of the appropriation so that you feel the pain until the budget is passed. [applause] I think it's unfair that you furlow people while you still get paid. It's
It's wrong. [applause] I vote you should do that or I I recommend that you do that if it is all possible. And then let's what you need to do is you be all the council and [clears throat] the
township mayor and all need to be sequestered. Knock out every line item in the budget so that come Octo come August 3rd you all you get a complete a census to approve the budget and then we move
forward. You're you're you're hurting everybody. You're all local news is here. You would only hope that they would be here for good things, not bad. Do what's right. Pass it. Taking out the
salaries for everybody that's involved in the budget decision. The question yourselves, go through it line by line, and everybody vote yes for a real budget come August
3rd. Thank you, >> Council President. [applause] >> I need to respond. >> You can come up, but we're going to have a comment uh from the uh Councilman. >> Thank you, Council President allowing me to answer that. In fact, I did highlight three line items to be pulled for the
separate vote that includes council, BA, and the mayor. just you know answering the question that you know why did the council member did not show up and council president you know had a good discussion about that he didn't bother to call councilman's because he thought he had the four words and the budget
will be passed last two months regardless what is in social media that is incorrect and I will present the facts I'll present the facts to every one of you what mayor proposed the budget in oneonone meeting I have the copy I will share that to the media when
the time comes in versus what I discuss with councilman council president coyle he didn't have a cultity call and just to answer question that is raised why the meeting didn't happen the failure was on the part of the administration they did not inform any council member
or this body that we will run out the money before end of this month all of us were under the impression that we'll have the money until end of the month and we knew that there will be emergency meeting to pass the appropriation that was absolutely not a problem so This is not just you can't look from one lens.
You need to look at holistic picture. What you see in social media versus what the facts are. Thank you, council president. >> Thank you. Uh state PBA president. >> Good evening. My name is Peter Andre. I'm the president of the New Jersey State PBA. I'm here on behalf of PBA Local 75. Our police officers here that
faithfully and honorably patrol the residences and and streets of neighborhoods of Edison Township. This is no longer an abstract disagreement over budget numbers. 10 Edison police officers have been furled. We are now being told that if the number could go the number could grow substantially if
this budget is not passed. These are not unnecessary positions or expendable employees. They are police officers hired and trained and assigned to protect the residents of Edison. Many of the officers affected are newer officers who left departments and made a commitment to this township. Hopefully,
you guys can make a commitment to them. A police department cannot be turned on and off like a light switch. This is not a discretionary municipal program. Calls for service will continue. Emergencies will continue. Crime will not wait for the council to resolve its differences.
Removing officers from the schedule does not eliminate the public safety need. It leaves fewer officers available to answer calls, conduct investigations, patrol neighborhoods, and backup other officers. It [clears throat] also creates a real possibility that any
claimed savings will be offset by overtime costs needed to maintain the basic levels of police coverage in this township. We understand that the council members may have legitimate disagreements over the permanent budget tonight. However, the immediate question is much narrower. Will you provide the
temporary funding necessary to keep Edison operating and put these officers back to the streets where they work and where they belong? The public [clears throat] should not be placed at risk and employee should not lose their pay because elected officials have been unable to reach an agreement. Every council member has an individual
responsibility to to be present, cast a vote, and explain the vote to the people of this township. The New Jersey State PBA is seeking the council to do three things tonight. Approve the funding that is necessary to return all furled officers to duty. Provide the local rep
representatives with complete information regarding any proposed additional furls, including the number of officers, the duration, the selection process, and the anticipated effects on staffing and overtime. Meet promptly with the local to negotiate the consequences of any actions affecting its members, and the delivery of police
services. No police officer should be used as leverage in a political or budgetary dispute. No family should be left wondering whether a paycheck is coming. And no Edison resident should have to wonder whether enough officers will be available to answer their 911 emergency call. So you
what you must do what you have to do here. You have to pass the budget. Make sure that these officers are employed. They're are working. And that is also for the rest of the township that provide vital and essential services to the residents and taxpayers of this township. Thank you. [applause] >> [applause]
>> Hello and good evening. My name is Michael Coin. I work for the Department of Public Works. >> Point of order. I just have a council member that may want to speak. >> Yes. I just like to comment. >> Um we were fully intending that we believed everything was fully funded till the end of the month.
The police department's new budget this year is $33 U million for salary and wages. [snorts] We've already authorized 19 almost $20 million to date. So we're halfway through the year. Yet we've
approved like 2/3 for salary and wages. So the exact questions that you have are the exact questions that this body has, right? And that's to the administration that we've been asking and we can't get answers. In fact, I was a little
disappointed in your local union. I would have thought that they would have put together an injunction the first that this happened, right, to get to the bottom and find where this funding is because we don't know as a council body. We don't know. The administration has
these numbers. I only have the documents here that show that we authorized 19 million to date. in total for this year is 33 million and I believe they only used a total of 28 million for salary and wages last year. So if you look at these numbers, there has to be money
there. Where is it? We don't know and we're 100% with you and we plan on getting to the bottom of it. That would be a council president. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. Coin, continue. >> Start to clap. >> My name is Michael Coin. I work for the Department of Public Works. Um, I'm very
proud to be an employee and >> can't speak closer to the mic. I'm sorry. >> Yeah. I also represent the union teamsters 469. I am proud to be the union shop in my department sanitation and I'd like to respectfully
say that I don't fully understand the inner workings of the administration and the council, but I appreciate it. I also know that you guys work your asses off to keep everything clean on the inside in these walls and behind the doors and doing your jobs and staying here late
hours. And it it doesn't go unnoticed how it goes. I don't understand. But all I know is the firemen, the policemen, and the public works. We're doing it on the outside. And if these allocations aren't passed, I actually really fear
what that means for the town. Uh going from local news to national news. And you know, I serve half of the people in this room. They're they're trash and fire. You know, it's I'm not going to take too much time. I'm pleading that whatever it is, you guys work it out. Whether it's in a month, whatever you
guys do. I don't know your workings, but it's got to get figured out. And I'm pleading that this gets passed so we can all get back to work and make sure this town doesn't fall to All right. Thank you, [applause] >> Dan. Dan Boslett, >> Dan Bosley, you coming up? We're going
to rotate. I have a few uh speakers and I'll rotate. Who is the line behind you? Sergeant, the next person can get ready to speak after Mr. Bos. >> Thank you everybody. Um, thanks everybody for showing up tonight. It's important that we uh show a sign of
force here. I've been in front of this microphone quite a few times. A lot of you guys know me personally. I've talked to you on the >> Can you speak closer to the mic, please, sir? >> I've talked to you on the inside. I've talked to you on the outside of here. I've helped some of you with your campaigns. You know me. I've been here
numerous times. I've asked for numerous things. I've left here elated and I've left here disappointed depending on how the outcome came. Every time before I was every time before Monday that I was here,
we had council members in their seats. To have three council members not show up for their job on one of the most important meetings of the year. Not only disgraceful, it's disgusting. It's an absolute travesty [clears throat] that our members of this
elected body who are being paid by this town to do your job don't show up. I I'm not sure if anybody in this room that has a job that doesn't show up keeps their job.
I don't know of any. I've had employees when they don't show up, I fired them. I get rid of them. They're useless at that point. to not agree on a budget and sit on your hands and stay home and
not try to get this thing finalized. It's deplorable. Deplorable. I've lost all respect for the three members that were not here. The member that left halfway through, let me take my ball and leave cuz things
aren't going my way. Okay, I guess we're going to be 5-year-olds now. No one else has that luxury in a in a job. No one else [clears throat] to just up and leave. How can we command respect from the the
leaders of the town if you're not leading? I've been a leader. I've been in leadership positions here in my private life. I've never not shown up. At least call and make an excuse
other than I'm afraid to come in and do my job. What are we doing here? The thousands of people that have been affected by your actions. THOUSANDS. NOW, I GET IT. We don't all agree on the budget. That's what we're supposed to
do. You guys are supposed to debate the budget. From what I understand, there has not been a single amendment proposed from that side of the room. Has there been one single amendment proposed for the 90 days that you've had
the budget? Any? Have we had any? I don't think so. [clears throat] What we're asking for, the police department, and if [clears throat] it's okay with the rest of the people here, I'll speak for them. Do your job. Get
the budget passed. get this appropriation passed so that everybody benefits. The citizens, the employees, the kids in town. You've hurt everyone and you don't seem to care. You really don't seem to care. And that's the most
disturbing thing that I've seen. Okay? There is no shame with any of you. And it's disturbing. It's very, very disturbing. I don't have much else to say. I don't have much else time. But do the right thing. Get this appropriation done and
then figure out what you have to do to pass this budget cuz the [clears throat] town is relying on you. You were elected to these positions to do the the job, not to have people furoughed and cut services. [applause]
>> Council President >> [applause] [applause] >> Uh, question answered. >> One minute. Joyce ship. Port of order. Uh, to the BA. We had one question from Mr. Boslett. Were there any written amendments from any council members to
you? >> Council President, no. >> Thank you. Council President. >> Yes. Hope be point of order. Councilman Pressure has >> I'd like I'd I'd like to address it because his department is part of the major problem here. So, and and where I'm going with that is I've requested
the easy pass for this department which amounts over $100,000. I've requested the gallonage, right, that was spent during the Lanki administration and this here now. He's a member of the department. He's heard me ask it at the
last meeting, right? Does he get it? No. Have I received it? No. Until I receive it, I can't make a recommendation because it's not in the budget. It exists, but it is not in this budget. Somebody show me where it is so I can
strike that line out and we're going to get this budget passed. I I'll amend to pass it tonight. >> Well, wait a minute. >> Easy. >> Easy pass. And Gary, >> point of order. Point of order. We can't have that. >> Point of order. point of order. >> We can't have that. We can't have that.
Council pressure, finish. >> It's You don't have to leave. We just >> It's $700,000 in takehome cars in fuel. I'm surprised that the union leadership has not sued the town. And let me tell you why. for
one member to receive a benefit and the other members of the union not to receive a benefit is is in the union that they're all supposed to receive it. But over here, only certain officers get take-home cars in their union. And we
want these take-home cars removed. Now, we wanted to create a law, and that law might say, you know, you they can't leave Edison's property, right? So, if you're an officer and you want to take the car home, you live in Edison, we probably don't have a problem. But we don't want to pay for guys that live in
Tom's River. We don't want to pay for guys that live out in like Oxford, New Jersey. Right? This is crazy for my residents to have to pay for cars. Okay? And that's my big sticking point. It's been and when we talk about
why we didn't go to them because I'm asking for the information so I could remove it from the budget line item and I can't get this. I spoke to the attorney. I told them I'm going to the state because the state will force them to give me these numbers. And it's it's it's a it's a
total breakdown of everything that we've been looking for. And now, because my sergeant here um doesn't understand how, you know, the budgets are done, I want to explain this to the public. [snorts] If I did not walk out the other day and stop the quorum from voting, I would
have voted no because I did not receive the documentation. If I voted no, you'd have to redo the document, the budget. You'd have to reintroduce it. The budget wouldn't be approved for a month and a half. So what I did was it's called punting
it. I punted it so that we can then get this information from the administration, which everybody thinks we should have anyway. And they have an additional two weeks to get it. Be perfectly honest with you, the BA and the police chief could probably get the information I'm asking for before we get
through the speakers. But you're going to notice that I didn't get it. So I made a point at that meeting that I was looking for this documentation. My council president acknowledged it at that meeting. Here I sit today a couple days later. I don't have documentation that's right inside their computer
system. Right. So you tell me where the problem is. It's not with this body. It's with the administration. And I agreed with the first speaker and my councilman Patil that there are certain people here should be struck from these appropriations and should not receive funds. Whether that's the mayor, the
council, the BA, you know, who's ever part of holding up the problem, but everybody in this room should be paid, should be funded, and that would be it. Council President, >> thank you. Um, >> council president, I wanted to make it, you know. >> Okay. Sure.
>> Unless you want her to go and then I >> council again. Thank you. And you can watch all the prior council meeting. It's almost year and a half. I'm asking the details on the miscellaneous funds that we are spending even in today's
appropriations it's not documented your eliminator how much it cost your emails that goes out how much it cost your text messages I'm not talking about Nixel alert that's important how much it cost this office this in fact this town hall is being too political and we don't know
where we are spending the money and that's exactly the fat we wanted to cut out of the budget and I continue to ask that it was a refused. Oh, we moved it in now in uh in inside the town hall. Still, we don't know the printing cost. We don't know the mailing cost. I don't
know. And you expect us to just suck it up without any answers from the administration and the vote on a budget? I am representing 100,000 people of this town, senior citizens, people who don't have a jobs. My moral duty, judicial duty is to get that information and make
sure I do the right not to get bullied by the unions, not to get bullied by the people who are you know putting the signs outside is a disgrace. If you are really want to work with this council, you should come here work with the council. Do we come to the headquarter and say how you do the your business? We
don't. We don't. Right? There are robberies happening in my neighborhood. I asked the question to chief, what happened to the North Edison uh your substation? Did I make the noise of that? I'm representing here 100,000 people, not handful. I applaud all your service and
it's my record. In last 12 years, I have always said we have the finest police department and the fire department in the state of New Jersey. I have always supported this thing and tonight we had a full intent to support you. If we would have showed up, this budget would have failed. All of you would have lost
the job. In fact, we help you to be here rather than you pointing the fingers at us saying you didn't do your job. go and do your homework and see how the budget process works. If we have said no, there would have been a much bigger problem, much bigger problem in the town hall. It
the courtesy is saying, "Hey, let's move this budget. At least we'll be forced to do the temporary appropriation so we can run the business going forward." Again, thank you, Council President. >> Thank you. Uh, Miss Ship, continue. >> Yes. >> Start the clock, please. Four minutes. >> As a retired union member, still a union member
>> and I apologize, Mr. Ship, if you can do your best to bring the mic closer. There's a lot of people in the room >> as a retired union member. All right. I think that um it's better that you look at the budget than we turn in Jersey City cuz I don't want a furlow to be a
layoff. That's what's going to happen with the money. All right. when you play with it. And we have our mayor playing threecard molly, getting on channel 12, channel 4, uh, calling people on the phone, creating complete chaos in the town, making everybody go against each
other instead of everybody coming together to work for something good. And I know about the budget. About the budget, you have to get the information. Oh, I didn't get amended. Well, guess what? You didn't give me the information that I needed. So, how I'm going to amend something when I'm asking you how
it's done? I'm looking over here at they calling the Grove 110 uh thousand spent on a kitty litter box. That h 100,000 could have been spent on the recreation people's salary. So let's let let's let's let's tell let's tell the whole story. It ain't just about you guys up
there. It's the mayor playing big games making everybody play with each other at all you union. Y'all better come in cuz YOU KNOW I WAS NICE TO Y'ALL. Y'ALL BETTER COME IN AND TAKE care of me. Even though I'm doing a horrible job at management of money of this town, okay? Everybody going to be real mad
afterwards when the layoffs come and when Jersey City taxes when everything go up to 20%. No, he's so busy messing around with the board ed and everything. He not taking care of this town. So everybody can get mad at you all they want. But guess what? You need the information so that we don't go
bankrupt. And I know everybody everybody say, "Oh, it's about me. It's about me. It's about me. Yeah, it's about me, too. I'm older. I pay taxes other people. And when you get up and you talk about the union and everything, talk about the other people in the town. Don't just talk about the the the police. Don't
just talk about THE FIRE. TALK ABOUT THE WHOLE TOWN. Let We're Edison. Okay? Don't just be standing up asking for one group or another group, okay? If the mayor wants y'all all fighting with each other and y'all all acting crazy. And let me tell you something. And I know
for a fact when I did my budget back and forth, Moren supplied everything I needed. And I remember this same mayor, this same mayor, 2.5 hours, he grilled he grilled Lanky on the budget. Now all of a sudden, you ask him about the
budget. HE GOT THREE MINUTES. He can't even talk to anybody about it. And that's what I call disrespectful. You're disrespecting the people who's supposed to be taking care OF THIS TOWN. THIS IS NOT A ONE-MAN SHOW for a egoomaniac. And I'm not looking for claps. I'm not looking for applause
because you know why? I come to all these meetings. I It be about 10 of us here. And some of the people that's out there in the hall is the actual people that try to keep everybody on their toes. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] >> Is my mic working? Mr. Tara, please come
up. And also have Edison PBBA president will be uh next. Donar 52 reader wrote uh previous speakers I've heard anger I've heard dismay I've heard dissent heard the word shame
but I'd like to throw another word in because this is what I feel I feel a deep sense of betrayal when I voted for many of you on this day in my own mind I set up certain qualifications You must always act in the best interest
of the citizens of Edison. You must always be honest with the citizens of Edison. And since you are paid to attend these meetings, you must attend them. And if you cannot attend them, you must give a valid reason,
a compelling reason for not attending. And you must communicate that to the board president. These are just basic facts of honor, dignity, and integrity. Having a seat on the city council
requires you oftenimes to make difficult decisions. Decisions you may find to be unpleasant, decisions you would rather not make. But you are paid to make those decisions. If you are unable, if you are unwilling
to make those decisions, you should not be sitting on that deis. [clears throat] [applause] A Monday evening, I and many of these people here attended a meeting similar to this. We sat here, we waited.
Council president told us he was waiting for someone to make a determination on whether they wanted to come or not. Make a determination on whether you want to come or not. >> That's not a question and it's certainly not an answer when
you don't show up. >> I know you lost my trust. Of course, you've lost my vote, but you lost my trust. And I remember an old political saying that some of you may have heard before.
Trust is like virginity. Once you lose, it is lost forever. [applause] Uh, Miss Joffy, you'll be next. Uh, Miss Miss Diana, you'll be next speaker. You'll be the next speaker, Diana. Yes.
Welcome PBA President Edison. >> Good evening, council president, members of the town council. My name is Michael Pipperado, and I have the honor of serving as president of Edison PBA Local number 75. Seated to my right here are eight of the 10 Edison police officers
who have been already furled. They are not here to make a political statement. They are here because they want to come back to work and continue serving the residents of Edison. Throughout this room are dozens more officers and their families. If emergency appropriations are not
approved tonight, another 44 officers are expected to be furled. Those aren't just numbers on a spreadsheet. They are mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters. They are the police officers who have dedicated themselves to protecting this community. Our
officers don't choose when they're needed. [clears throat] They show up every day, every night, every holiday, and every emergency because that's what the people of Edison expect of them. Tonight, we are asking the same of you. Regardless of where each of you may
stand on the broader budget, this evening presents an opportunity to prevent additional furlows, restore essential township operations, and provide stability to the employees and residents who depend on your leadership. This is bigger than politics. It's about
people and their livelihoods. The officers standing here have already fulfilled their oath to the people of Edison. Tonight, I respectfully ask each of you to fulfill yours. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] >> [applause] >> Just uh Miss Jeffoff Diana just one
second. Point of order. Council >> Patil question to administration or the CFO. How much is our resource balance as of today? There is our balance. >> Which account? >> Surplus. >> Oh, surplus. Yes. >> We have approximately $4 million remaining.
>> $4 million. Now, your answer to your question, the surplus is meant to use for emergencies. This was emergency. Mayor could have done a better job not letting people go or another account they could have pulled the money. We have we are transferring the money left and right
which >> it's not a matter of uh having money >> we need council authorization to spend money. >> We can't just arbitrarily decide it because we have money sitting in an account. We need council authorization
>> that authorization could have been very well made the last meeting. If you have disclosed that we have only payroll until 22nd things would have been completely different. That's my question there. Council council
>> let me let me ask the question any council member had was aware >> point of order we just council if just if you don't mind as a courtesy would you allow them to answer the question and ask another question just let's have a back I don't need answer because I know it will be given in a different I'm I'm going through four years my question
to this council >> how many of you were aware that our appropriations were only until 22nd how many of you >> I was told the end of the same council. >> Actually, hold on a second here. This
this Monday's meeting was originally scheduled for Wednesday. >> That's true. >> And we moved it because a council member couldn't be here on Wednesday. We moved it to Monday. At that time, nobody said, "Hey, Wednesday's meeting, by the way, when we come to the municipal building,
nobody's going to be here cuz they're going to be furoughed that morning before the vote." So, somebody's playing games, >> right? There's money there. The administration's not paying you, okay? >> They're [clears throat] furlowing you. >> Just just point of order, if we can each speak through the council president, just so we have a back and forth, please
do not jump over the bow out of respect to the next speaker and those council members that want to speak, please address the council president first before you speak. >> Yeah, council president. You know that that exactly the reason you know I asked the question because lot many people have the understanding that this council
deser this service. In fact, no, it's a lack of information to this council body and I kind of putting the facts together. When our speaker is going to speak, I'm going to put the fact together so that media captures what the true game is here is the fact. Thank you, Council Council Council Patel.
Council President, >> could we allow the BA just to answer the question and can please not interrupt her? Please speak close to the mic. >> Uh, council president, thank you. the council, the entire body for the last five months has had financial documents
that we've put together line by line item. It you've got the surplus balances, you've got the reserve balances. Actually, we did a uh study of all of our reserve accounts. Councilman Schmo was the only one who gave us a very thorough list of questions and
we've provided and we did a bunch of analysis. So all of that was provided to you equally um as we always do >> our finance director I'm sorry my finance director has been wanting to say something. Thank you. >> So I just want to clarify that when we
uh it was indicated that we had exp uh budget capacity to the end of July. The last payroll in July is July 20th. So that's why that's what created the problem when we did not adopt the budget at the regularly scheduled meeting or
address the temporary emergency appropriations that were on the agenda. That's what caused the problem. >> Understood. And I'm not denying that, you know, but I know council motel wants to talk. Did ever one of you brought that to the council attention that if budget is not passed, this situation
will happen? >> Yes sir. We have explicitly told the council that. Which council members? I did not hear. >> All of you. All of you. >> Hold on a minute here. I told council >> just point of order. Just one. >> Council president, you were aware I was out of the country. >> Yes.
>> You were aware I was out of the country >> and we moved the meeting date. >> Council Patel, you want to respond? >> Did you aware? >> If they can have point of order so I can speak. Just please point of order. Hey,
listen. Uh, in all respect, if you continue to speak when a member is speaking, I will ask you once to stop. The second time you'll get a second and the third time you ask to leave. Okay? Such as at a courtesy so we can hear one
another. I understand it's difficult to stop people from crossing the bow and saying something, but we have to understand to have some balance here in order. Councilman uh Patel, please speak. >> Thank you, Council President. So I did not plan this to speak at this portion.
I had something written down later on when we vote about this and u I wasn't feeling well on Monday. So I could not come here and I had a surgery yesterday and I am here today because we know what's upon us and that is very very
important. I acknowledge and understand that my understanding was from last meeting and Sonia correct me if I'm wrong from what I heard and from what I sitting here I heard is we approved appropriations until July 31st
right now I'm not going to detail of what happened afterwards but that is the understanding we left this council chambers from said we are funded until July 31st I if the meeting did not happen on Monday for certain reasons. There has to
be emergency meeting which is today. But I in my mind if I knew that it was this was going to be the situation where the funding is going to run out and there are going to be layoffs I would never never never ever
do anything myself to make to that would create this situation. So if we were made aware that today's meeting if something happens or whatever situation rather than assuming the tomorrow there's going to be layoffs then I'll be the first person even if I'm limping I'm
on the hospital bed I will make sure I come right this is so important it is very important the layoffs is the last thing I want for anyone suffering myself from it myself right now from from some time now. So I take it very seriously. I
this is the last thing I want. I was to tr truly under the impression that we are funded until July 31st. Yes, we have to come here make decisions which which we are here today but I don't understand why the layoffs happened yesterday. So I will wait for more information. Thank you council president.
>> Thank you. Um, just before you speak, just as a privilege on this topic, um, I don't believe it was the intentions of the members of the council who may not have showed up or walked out on Monday to not pass the temporary appropri
appropriations. Temporary appropriations we do all the time. Uh, a senior member of the council was Councilman Patiel. He's passed more than 75 of these temporary appropriations. Never asked a question. It's a normal thing we do. we pass temporary appropriations until we
pass our budget. This is a norm. So, what happened on Monday in defense of the council members, I don't believe that was their goal to not pass that. The goal was to try to cut the budget and whatever choice they made not being here that I'm not a part of
that. I was here and members of the council were here. If those who choose want to penalize us and not pay us, so be it. But we showed up and we were here to vote. and those who could have cut this budget could have come here and asked for amendments, but at the same time as we're speaking today and
listening to us have discussions. Let's just the facts are today we're just going to pass the appropriations. That's all we're doing today. On the third so we can stop speaking, move to a vote, and be done in 15 minutes. I'm not saying your value is not worth it here,
but if we're going to continue to go on, you can. Every member has a chance to speak. But the fact is, let me be clear. We always pass appropriations. It's it's the norm. The fact that the mayor decided to sound the alarm seven days before the end. I think it was a good
idea. Would you like us to tell you when it's too late and the title wave's coming at us? What if the tone of this council didn't come to this meeting? Tell me what we would have done. It's a tough break there. What do you do when your husband is laid off? When does he tell you? The day he's laid off or his
last paycheck? He comes home and says, "Honey, I'm laid off." He tells you that day. So, I think the mayor acted accordingly for the time frame we have and the panic button of what could happen and the unintended consequences of this town. It's a norm. And the fact that it's happened, these members here
today can vote on it. We move forward. And on the third, we can argue about the budget all day. We can argue about easy pass, what information wasn't shared. That could be an all day scramble. But today, we're doing our norm. We're doing what we always do is pass temporary appropriations. So, if the council members could stay out of that lane,
let's just pass this part in the public portion. You can do whatever you want. You want to talk more about things. Let you can gaslight whatever you like. I just hope we can stay in that lane as a courtesy. Thank you. Please speak, Mr. Star. >> Miss Joffy. >> Good evening. Diana Joffy 86 Laurel
Hollow Court. Uh my husband, Councilman, former Councilman uh Misero was not able to be here tonight, so he asked me to deliver this on his behalf. quote, "I have been a participant of local government for many years. I've
had the opportunity to observe local government, deliberate upon and resolve some complex issues. The council I was on taught me to argue amongst ourselves and with the mayor and with the administration. We all knew that when we were elected, our responsibility was to
listen, to think, to speak up, and vote for the residents of Edison. Most often our sometimes heated disagreements were very open. Sometimes they were resolved through normal procedures and we knew we
had to vote ultimately on the facts. As elected officials, you might be able to dishonorably run away from your responsibilities, but you cannot hide. Vote the way you need to based upon the facts. If you are in disagreement with
some part of this budget, I would like to see your amendments. And while there is much debate about [clears throat] this one issue, the one thing Tony Misaro says is not up for debate is that Council President Coyle
is an honorable man. He said, "As a footnote, if you cut $755,000 from this budget, you will save one penny for each taxpayer." And that's what his message was to you.
I have a few seconds. I just want to add what a ripple effect this has had upon some residents. Uh a woman I know in Edison tried to she's selling her house. She was supposed to get a co so she could move out. Other people could move
in. Now there's no inspectors. She's supposed to close today. Not going to happen. Think of the thousands of people in town who are going through the same thing. what this does to families, what this does to the to never mind the real estate, but she's
suffering. People aren't, you know, have houses to live in and this causes just horrible effects on the rest of the town. So, thank you very much for listening. [applause] >> Can I have the next public the next
public resident, please? To our president, Walsh of the Fire Department, please. Next. Yeah, you're going first. I'm sorry. Yeah, we're gonna just uh we're trying to squeeze in two residents before union officials.
>> Can I speak? >> Thank you. My name is Jamie Goldman. >> Welcome. Please continue. >> My name is Jamie Goldman. I'm a resident of Edison. I was born here. Um I have two jobs. I'm an attorney and I'm a realtor and I'm raising my child here
alone. And I would love to stay in Edison. I love living here. It's a great community. Um, it's diverse. Everyone gets along. But I have to tell you, I have doubts about staying here. I It's terrifying to think that 10 officers are
furoughed. It's terrifying to think that 44 more may be furled and maybe I call 911 and no one shows up. That's not where I want to raise my child. And it's very disappointing. I I work every single day to pay my bills and support
my child. And it's very disappointing to hear that three councilmen don't even show up on such an important vote. I got to tell you, people are not going to want to move to Edison anymore because it looks chaotic and it doesn't look like the government knows what
they're doing and they're going to be concerned and maybe move to a different town that has their act together. Um, so I'm I implore you to pass this temporary budget, get your act together, come to these meetings, and do your job because if you because if I don't do my
job, I get fired and then I don't pay my rent. So that's all I have to say. >> Thank [applause] you, Vice President, for taking over why I stepped out. Uh, we haven't just going to uh Mr. Walsh, your honor,
[clears throat] Union Fire Department. >> Jim Walsh, president of the Edison Firefighters Association. Council President, I'm going to keep my comments short so we can get through a line because a lot of people here to talk. >> I will.
>> If you can speak close to the mic, please. You're tall. >> It's not exactly made for tall people. I well um we will uh if we knew you were coming we would have put some chocks under this podium. >> I would have appreciated that time. >> Okay. Next time >> you can pick it up. >> I hope there's not a next time for me to have to come up and talk.
>> You're right. >> Uh as a 54 year resident of this township where I live with my uh wife and two kids. I'm extremely disappointed as a union president of the 113 uniform firefighters of this town. Again, I'm
extremely disappointed. Uh I I'm going to speak and urge all of you to pass this appropriations >> so that our furlow workers can come back to work, [clears throat] the town can continue to operate and the residents
are not placed in any type of more uh danger by the layoffs of I mean the uh furlows of police officers and the uh state of the understaffed department that the fire department that you've left us with. >> They want to do it. There's a lot of talk and you're saying
that as council, which by the way, the budget's your budget now. It ain't the mayors or the administrations, it's yours. You made that abundantly clear here when we were here the last time on May 20th. You also looked us in the eye and said there wouldn't be a problem. This is a
problem. You're saying that the funding happened all the way up until you had appropriations until July 31st. That was the case when you set a meeting for August 3rd. How many people are going to get furoughed over that weekend? I work on that weekend. The police
officers work. In fact, we have public uh DPW workers that work that weekend. Did anybody not think about that? So, you're saying, "Oh, you're funded till the 31st of July." Okay. What were you going to do over the weekend? Ah, you know what? The heck, no one's working.
Yeah. No, people are working. again strongly urge you to please pass this resolution and let's get back to work. Thank you. [applause] [applause] >> Come up from Ask Me Local 3269. >> Lola. >> Oh, Lila. Sorry, I just got shot in the
foot there. >> I've known you for a long time. >> My name is irrelevant this evening. Anyhow, >> and and if you don't, I apologize because you're tall. You have to pull that mic pretty strong to you and speak as deep into as you can like it's karaoke, okay? Because it's everybody
wants to hear you. >> I represent Ask Me local 3269 as president and as we convene here this evening, approximately 94 >> You can pull it out of the out of there too if you want. Just pull it out. >> Approximately 94% of my membership is
furoughed. the lesser pronounced services have been stripped from the residents of this community and the energy and the emotion in this room is quite palpable this evening. Also, I would however first like to express my own gratitude to all of the men and
women in the police department, all of the men and women in the fire department, all of the men and women in public works, and those in the water and sewer utility department. I'm getting there. And then there are those lesser
pronounced departments, as I mentioned, the men and the women of the unsung services, if you will, who deserve no less illumination, the ever helpful and informative clerk's office, Edison TV,
and as we are gathered here tonight, our 911 telecommunication staff is tirelessly addressing emergency calls from the public, though with limited staff. Staffing the administrative and support staff throughout the entire township in
municipal court, police records, police and fire administration within the criminal investigation bureau and the traffic division to the environmental public health staff. vital statistics, the animal shelter, which is
also currently operating with limited staff, the senior citizen center, public health nursing staff, and the recreation department, the tax assessors and collection office, finance and payroll, to the deputy fire marshals,
zoning and engineering staff, CDBG and code enforcement personnel. It's a pretty large network of people coming together every single day to serve this greater community. The residents deserve recognition also
and are deserving of all of the services that this municipality has to offer. But right now, the very symbol of this town is being eclipsed and it is getting darker. So I insist that all parties involved in
the decision-making process affecting the livelihoods of this internal community align themselves, uphold their duties, and dispel the darkness, restore all services to the residents and businesses so that we may actually
serve. We all work for and represent the town to the best of our capabilities and afforded the opportunity will continue to do so. As I stated, I represent ASME Local 3269. I stand here before you on behalf of all of my colleagues, and I will continue to
stand. Only in true solidarity will the principles this town was founded upon truly begin to resonate. The sixth largest municipality in the state of New Jersey, 108,000 residents,
countless community engagement. Look at this emblem. It's everywhere. It's on the walls. It's on the floor. I implore you, all of you, let there be light for all. Thank you. [applause]
[applause] Forgive me for some of our conversations we're having sidebar. We're trying to see how we can get to a vote sooner uh and have this vote come to order before um and then the other comments will come at public comment. Um at this time uh we
had who's in line next uh for the public? >> Chris. Chris, >> sir, you're here. Okay, please. Okay. >> Good evening. My name is Kulbender Damija 10 Series Road. I've been coming to the town meetings for last couple of
months and I have a sense of what goes on here and the we as residents we choose the council and choose the mayor and they do the job to the to the best of their abilities. I trust them all and here I
am. See what I see what I hear the way the thing works here in this town or anywhere other places also that people have a budget. So whatever they want is funded. That's the issue. It should be need basis. What the town
needs should be funded. [clears throat] And the administration or the council will never change this process because when they are in a chair they get tied down to a chair. They are not independent anymore. is people like me across the fence this side who have a
thought process which we can speak out and we can request ask and I would ask I would request that the citizens it's the residents who should decide the number of budget I don't know what the process is going to be through a referendum or
it's through a ballot whatever it is the residents decide 150 million budget we are giving you for the next year and it's given in the November And then the mayor, council, the union presidents, the vendors who have interested parties, they all sit
together and they hash it out. You know who gets what rather than filling up all the buckets and then they're emptying the buckets. There's too much waste. An example of waste which I've been after is the township is they are renting a copier
for a month. They are paying $500. Can you believe $500 to rent a copier? >> Sorry, I don't mind if you can address the council president. Sorry. I'm sorry. I'm not out of respect. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I was not aware. >> No problem. Continue.
>> So thing is wasteful expenses whether it's overtime or I mean the turn of we can we can line up. I am not much aware. If you show me the numbers, there are hundreds of items which are which can be taken out which are there because the budget is there because you have $180
million. You ask for it and there are people it's like a warehouse. You tell the residents, hey, come give us money. So truckloads of money comes in, you give it monthly, quarterly and the budgets people come with their bags, they fill up the thing and pick up
trucks and walk away with the money and some of it is thrown away. So wasteful expense is my problem. The budget can be $200 million. I'm okay with that. But spend it gainfully. Spend it for the welfare of the residents and not for
welfare of a part of somebody. You know I I'm not aware of the things but I see the money being wasted. So please keep a check on that. And how about that? I mean being having being in a government job we are so settled that if I provide
these amenities to people I keep my job. That's a good thing. But to improve every time the township or the government will add layers we already have 10 layers. They'll put a 11th layer, 12th layer. But if you are
efficient thinking differently, you will take out five layers and put two def put two efficient layers. So that there only seven layers doing the same job at less cost. That thinking can only come if the budget is limited. If the residents have
some control on the budget >> just point of order, stop the clock. You have 20 seconds left. If you can and you could please just address the temporary appropriations. I just want to give you the time because you've you went out of your lane. I just want to give you time to address the temporary appropriations.
What's in that spending that you'd like to support or not support? >> Sure. >> Okay. It's a lot of it's employees and operating expenses. If there's something in there, you have your 20 seconds. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Continue. >> See what I would request, what I would state is that all the jobs of all the
employees should be sacred, should be kept intact for the whole year. Next year, there should be a process which every employee knows my job is safe. I'll get my salary. That's the job of mayor and the council and administration. They assure all the employees their job is secure for next
365 days. Thank you. [applause] Be be before we continue, I just want to get a temper of the temp temperature of the audience that is here and the residents that choose to speak. Um, shortly I'm going to ask the council if
we can move to the vote for what's necessary, which is the temporary spending, this emergency spending. As I mentioned before, everyone here is going to still get a chance to speak after it is voted on. If you're coming to the microphone, I just want to make a point
to you. Your issue to speak on this resolution is not public comment on anything and everything. It's just about what you may or may not like about this temporary spending. If you were to choose to say, "I don't like the salary and wages. I don't like the operating expenses of this." It has to be specific
by line on what you do not like about this resolution. If I don't keep us in order, we're going to start moving all over the place. And this part of this portion of this time frame is just to speak on the resolutions, which is the temporary budget operation for the emergency spending that's needed just to
move the town into the next month. That's all we're doing. we're not doing uh the budget. That'll be August 3rd. So, I just want to make people clear. If you're going to come to the microphone, please speak on that clearly. Uh and that would be helpful. I'm also going to ask that that we consider we move to the
vote shortly after this next speaker. As a courtesy, if you choose to and council agrees, we'll adjourn the public speaking and we'll move right to the vote. If someone specifically wants to say something about this resolution, I will make sure you still speak. I will
also ask our deputy Kirk to please go downstairs to the hallway and also into the sec first floor and ask people who want to speak specific on this temporary budget. Okay. So can if we know that we could at least get to the vote and
what's most important, please come up. Hey, please. Nice to see you. Welcome. If If you don't mind, if you can speak closer to the mic, that'll be helpful. >> It's not. It's not. Is it on? >> Okay.
>> It's not on. >> Timer is set. Timer started. You can't. [clears throat] >> Okay. Can you stop the clock? Oh, you do it. Okay. Sorry about that. I can go start it over.
>> Okay. Um, sure. Um, is it working now? Okay. We're going to change microphones. I apology for the AV system here. >> In the budget, we also have, just so you know, for those who care, in the budget, we do want a new AV system. So, please let me know if you're going to be
supporting that. >> Welcome. Please, we're starting the clock. Continue. Thank you. >> 79 C Street, Ed, New Jersey. I lived in the neglected Clarabatin area and which you represent, by the way. And I know as soon as I come to the table, the rule of
the game will change. Sam is the mayor is the one that called for this emergency meeting. Where is he? He should be here listening to us. The taxpayers are the one that back roll or pay salaries. So it's like you have to listen to those people that you
represent. There's no way on earth that this honorable men and women should be here fallen. It's like gross irresponsibility for people to work and not to get the
money they deserve and you ask the police to stop or everybody that is affected. I think they should get their money and Sam should not get any of the salary. By the way, the usual way that the politics is being played, we've started
seeing a lot of adverts that are not reasonable. They mentioned um Agie Patil, Richard Brer, some of Kentos and everybody they pointed to them. Shame on them. Who are the people paying for this
advert? I hope it's not the taxpayers money. Sam should be here and if there's anything that is presented on the table if questions are asked he should be here answering those questions
it's very very important if they notice that the budget is over like blown into inappropriate proportion as it is if anybody has a question there should be somebody answering them the wastage is too much and you guys have to take care
of it. It is very very sad that these honorable people you refuse to pay them or you ask them to to like go without no job. If Sam can go on Facebook, if I if he can call everybody
at home to narrate stories that are not right or not correct, he should be here listening to everybody. And those people that are enabling and babying him, you you you guys need to talk to him. He got to act right. He's
young now. We have a mayor in in in New York that is doing the right thing. He could take a notebook and and learn from him. You guys have to stop the wastage. Summer is all fine and cool and good now. By the time winter come, what
happened to the water main breaks? What happened to the pipe? The question I've been asked now the chairman is standing up going up and down without sitting and listening to it. It's time that do work and everybody here take decision and do
something right. We will be back here the way you treated us in Clarabati. You make a rule you come and cut it into two divide it into four. Stop wasting our time. We are tired. We pay taxes. Things should work out. And if any of these
people ask you questions, answer them. I know for the people that will talk to Sam, he needs to do right by people. He should be here listening and answering question from the residents. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments.
[applause] At this time, I'm asking for residents who want to speak clearly on the resolution to adopt the temporary budget, specifically to talk about what's in the temporary budget. We have to be mindful
of what we talk about during that process. be all public comments will be held at the end, but for those who'd like to see this point passed or voted on or would would give us courtesy. Is there anybody that wants to continue speaking on the temporary budget
specifically? Mr. Bega, >> hey you. So, you can go first. >> Sumalone Barber Pleasant Avenue. Um, I I think my opinion is you should absolutely pass this appropriation bill tonight and I am in favor of the
suggestion to just call a vote >> right now, but I have comments. It's unfortunate that we're here [snorts] and I think it's important to understand that the four councilmen um who could not vote on
the budget who who would have to vote no um the situation would have been much worse if it had gone for a vote on Monday night and four of them voted no. Um we you'd have to start over. So, I am
in the camp where I do not blame the council for this at all. Um, you can't unanimously pass a a budget and a vote when you don't have the information you need to to pass it. And I
support um the councilmen who council men who um stood stood their ground on that. It's it's unfortunate that the administration doesn't answer the questions and give the information and
allow them to look under the hood. That's all I'll say on that. >> It's unfortunate we're here, but we are here. Pass it. Pass it now. Call a vote now. Pass it. >> Thank you. >> But somehow somehow figure out what
happens on August 3rd. You got to get the you these these gentlemen are entitled to it's their obligation to insist on other cuts to that budget and the administration has
to play. That's the obligation. That's what it takes. >> Thank you very much. Mr. uh Benjam [applause] specific on the temporary budget what's in the budget and we could not repeat
the same comments would be appreciated. Thank you. >> Absolutely. As a courtesy absolutely president Joe Coyle Andrew Ben best known as Ben from Edison. Do I have the floor? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Wow. [sighs] Last time we were last time I spoke here
it's a thing I haven't spoke in a while. I been hearing a lot of commotion about this budget. It's been all the We got the media over here. Shout out to the media to the count to all the unions. Let me ask can I ask a question to the chair to the furloss of the officers and
the firefighter? Are they here? Can can you please raise your hand if you're if you were >> They're to your right, sir. Right there, sir. And so Benjamin to the right. They're in the front row. >> They're in the front. >> Yes. I'm sorry that this happened to you guys, but let's make sure we can pass this budget because enough is enough. We
don't need the media. We don't need all this attention. This attention was brought by Mr. Jooshi himself. This this would be avoided if they didn't follow all these officers and these firefighters. We need these people.
Crime is happening every single minute like it's a New York City thing. Sorry, New York, but had to put you involved. But listen, you know, I I love this town. We need [clears throat] We have like almost
197 officers, but comparing to 2025, what was the last time we passed? Was it 2025? Compared to that to this budget, I was told it was a 6% increase. [clears throat] >> M.
>> So, Mr. Wenger, could you be specific to the temporary to what line item in the temporary appropriations that you disagree with or agree with? >> I don't disagree with anything. I I just want this to be passed. I think time is is should be is is wasting and we should just sign this and let's keep going with
Edison. Let's go. Sign this. Thank you. Thank you everyone. I love you all. Edison residents, we got you. We got your back. [applause] If it's if it's possible, as a courtesy, I'm going to ask if we can take a motion to adjourn the public comments for the
for the resolution only. Listen, I'm [applause] not [cheering] >> I think that's a good idea. Mr. Coyle, >> down as a courtesy, if we can get to the vote, the specifics of what I'm asking, I'm not stopping the two of you from speaking, but if I can just Is my mic on
or not? Yes, sir. If I can just ask, we're just trying to get to the vote. We have some council comments. After that, you can talk about the entire budget. You can talk about anything you want on that, but today what's happening right now is we're not being specific on the appropriations and talking about a light
on and we disagree with. We're generalizing the same thing we would do in the public session. Is it possible we can come together and agree to make a motion to adjourn the public portion on the resolutions only to move to a vote? >> Fair enough.
>> Okay. [applause] Motion from the council. >> Second council. Do >> I have a second to adjurnn? >> Second. >> Motion to uh close the public portion. >> Close the public portion >> of the resolutions only. Okay. Second. All in favor say I. >> I.
>> Okay. [laughter] couldn't hear the council. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. Thank you. Um >> just making sure. >> Okay. Um at this at this time, we we do have a some disagreements at this time and I may have to speak to our
counselor on what we can and cannot pull. As council president, I'd like to see this entire temporary appropriations be passed. Some members disagree. Some members may believe that by them not showing up, I shouldn't get paid, but or
others shouldn't get paid. Some members may believe that the administration should got get paid. That would stop them from working. Okay? So, uh, we're going to have to hear out some comments. They have the right to speak. They have the right to say, but I have never heard ever us send our BA home to not do her
job or Kender Roberts home. In fact, Mr. D. Roberts is working here without a contract. So, thank you for being here, Mr. Roberts because we held his contract. [applause] So I I I I just now moving forward when we do the budget, they can cut anything they'd
like on the budget, salary and wages. They have the choice to cut operating expenses. They can cut a lot from the budget, but tonight we're just looking to do our normal temporary budget that we've done for decades. Again, I've done more than 75 with count Councilman Patiel. I've done close to 55 with
Council Member Brer. That's a normal thing we do, temporary appropriations. However, I hope that they will yield and reconsider that point. I cannot control what they choose to do. So, we may have to go for a vote on each single one or we will car bring them together to vote pulling those items on the you know
resolution spending spend list for the temporary budget. So, I hope you understand that's going to be a little bit of time but we will get to that. Okay. So, please uh be patient and thank you >> council person. >> Yes. May I I don't think we need to pull all of them, you know, except one or two, but you know, I would like to pull
council salaries and wages for a separate vote because I'll not be supporting this uh because we collectively failed to get to the agreement for the budget and I don't think it's an appropriate to penalize the rest of the uh employees of Edison
Township. We are the political entity and I think you know we deserve not to have this uh in the appropriation. Thank you, Council President. >> So, so I'm sorry. >> Council, just direct us, please. >> Yeah. Sorry. So, if I may, so there are two resolutions uh on the agenda
tonight. Uh Councilman, if you wish to amend any of the resolutions to strike any of the line items. Uh that would be a motion to amend that resolution, you would then propose your amendment and then the council would have an opportunity to vote on that amendment only. The amendment, just so everyone understands, voting to amend the
resolution is not a vote on the resolution itself. It's just simply altering the resolution as presented and then a second vote would occur as to whether or not the resolution then proceeds. >> Yes. So [snorts] if if you want if there's a specific ordinance or excuse me a specific resolution you'd like to address um you can make that motion.
>> It's just the uh appropriation for council salary and wages uh that's being flagged here for $14,2506 for uh number four TA number four. I would like to strike that to zero. Do we have do we have a motion on the
table to strike the salaries of the council? Do I have a second? I have a second from council vice president Kentos. Um, >> roll call. >> No, let me just now the vote. Can you >> Can you just clarify the vote, counselor? >> Yeah. So, >> you're voting no. You're voting Just go
over the clarif I'm sorry. So, this is this is a uh this is a vote to amend the resolution to reduce the council salaries and wages as proposed from $14,2506 to zero. The vote is the vote of yes reduces it and a vote of no would uh
leave the the dollar amount as is. >> Okay. And can I have council com >> is this for >> for the appropriations for this month or >> this is this resolution is only for the appropriations. So >> So how does it work? If you can explain. >> All right. So so just so everyone
understands um by statute the township is only able to expend funds that have been authorized by the council. So if the council chooses to reduce this line item to zero, the the township is then unable to to make any payments on that particular line item. So as the council
salary, if the council doesn't authorize the township to pay council salaries, the township is not able to then legally make those payments. And that is true for by the way every every line item on the temporary appro appropriations. This is Yeah, that I'll just leave it at
that. I think that clears it up. Just want just want to clarify on that. You know, if the council agrees to pass the budget, this will be released. >> I'm sorry. >> When the council passes the budget, this will be released. This will be restored. >> Yeah. So, so this is a temporary uh
appropriation. So, uh in the absence of a budget, the township is not able to to spend any money on anything from salary, services, or anything absent a temporary appropriation. So, this is a temporary authorization to spend funds out of what we anticipated the budget being. Uh, if
if there is no temporary appropriation passed, then effectively the township doesn't have the authority to spend anything outside of the remaining dollars in the last appropriation. You can choose to amend the appropriation and you can reduce the amount of money. It just reduces the amount of money that the township is able to spend uh until
this runs out or until the budget is passed. Once the budget is passed, that supersedes everything. >> Yeah. >> I hope that answers your question. Okay. Can I Are you finished? Council Council Patil, can I move the council uh comments to my right? Council Brasher, any comments?
>> I'm sorry. There's a motion. There was a motion on the table to to Yeah, >> we made >> a motion on the table. We got a vote. If you want to do council I'm sorry, there was initial motion, but if you'd rather do council, >> we always do council comments. Am I wrong, Councilman Patil? You correct me all the time. >> No, you can make the comments.
>> Okay. Okay. Any council comments? >> Absolutely your discretion. >> I'm confused. I'm baffled when I do it. I'm baffled when I ask. >> Listen, listen. I I believe this this turned into a total debacle, right? Whether whether the administration's wrong, cuz I don't understand where all this money
went. You know, they've received 74%. We're only at 55% for the year. >> Point of order, Mr. Brusher, if you just can stick to sticking to whether we're getting paid or not. >> No, there's a council president, there's a motion on the table. >> Okay. >> Listen. Um >> Yes. Uh listen uh we are having double
standards here. We always take a motion. You have a second and we have council comments. But >> you want to roll call? We can roll call. Not a problem. >> Roll call. >> Council member Brasher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> No. >> Council member Kentos.
>> Yes. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yes. >> Council member, >> no. >> Council President Coyle, >> no. That's four yeses. >> Mhm. That's four yeses. >> So, all right. So, so the the resolution
uh 401-07206 is hereby amended. Uh the line item for council salaries and wages is amended to zero. >> Council President Ter [clears throat] I'm I'm I'm baffled. But it's okay. Uh, can we go to the council com? Wait
up. >> We're going to go to the next. >> Let's go ahead do count. >> Let's just No, no, no, no, no. We're finished with that part. We're going to go to the next line item. He wants some other line items that you want to move. Is that it? >> Are we moving to vote to vote now? Are you finished, Council Patil? >> You finished? Okay. Can I have a motion
to adopt the res consent agenda? >> Council President, I have a motion. >> Okay, please go ahead. [sighs and gasps] I I'd like to a motion to amend R 401 072 026 um mayor salaries and wages drop it to zero
till the budgets pass on >> we can all feel the heat It's just >> typically we do, but they're taking on the floor to amend it. So, I mean, technically, if there's a motion in a
second, >> we just want we won't vote. No problem. Okay. Uh, do I have a second? >> Do I have a second to to remove the mayor's salary from the temporary [clears throat] appropriations budget? >> I'll second that.
Madam clerk, roll call. >> Council member Brasher, >> yes. >> Council member Dimma, >> no. >> Council member Kentos, >> yes. >> Council member Patel, >> no. >> Council member Patiel, >> yes. >> Council member, >> no. >> Council President Coyle, >> no.
[applause] >> Does not. >> So, so the motion does not does not pass and and the the resolution is not amended. So basically the mayor gets paid for the work he's doing right now for the next two days because tonight when we pass this everybody gets paid. So hopefully with what works out and we
have a do we have another amendment? >> Yes, council president. >> Council member pressure. >> Um I need guidance through the attorney. Um in the in here there's lump together. Um so we have the business administrator. That's not just her
salary. No >> that's that's other people's salary, right? We have we have the police salary and wages, right? But the chief is in that salary and wages. And and I'll tell you a part that I struggle with.
[snorts] >> I can't get the information about the easy pass. The BA has explained that it's with the police department. >> Hold on. I I >> need to maintain decorum, please. Since Since I can't get that right, I'd like
to withhold those pays until we can sort that out because that's where the problem is originating. And >> so I'm sorry. You which salaries are would you >> Well, it would be the BA or the chief. I don't They can have a discussion and they can come back and say, you know,
it's held up at my department and I have no problem with that. Then we'll just we hold that pay. >> Okay. But but everybody that's responsible for this whole debacle should be held responsible here. >> So I and I'm sorry for the the question I'm assuming is how how you would go about doing that is that
>> right because I just have lump sum numbers. I don't know what that represents >> as it stands. I'm not sure what the breakdown is as it goes into the the general ledger line items in this. But your motion would be to reduce whichever line item you wished by. At that point it would be a set dollar amount. um you
would reduce that pay down by that. I mean that's how you would amend this. So but I'm not sure what that dollar amount is. >> Could we get it or what do we do? [clears throat] >> I mean we have all our financial people here. >> I don't have that information for you. I
that's that we move past the legal question to the financial question at that point. >> Just just a point of order. Council pressure. I I'd prefer you just make the motion. I don't think you have the support to remove the BA salary from a necessary need to finish the budget. But if you believe you do, please take
action. Let's just roll call. >> Well, I don't know if it's the BA though is my thing. It could be coming from the police department. That's what I'm saying. You You weren't paying attention to me. The BA told me it's coming from the police department. I I don't know where that truth is. >> Yeah. I I I wouldn't >> or or Wait, let [clears throat] me ask
you a question, counselor. >> Sure. Will you could you guarantee me as my counsel here? Will you guarantee me that I will receive these documents that I've been requesting? And I don't mean redacted like I got from uh your firm
that that one time. I mean totally unredacted documents on all the easy pass and the fuel by gallons. >> Can you get that to me? >> The easy pass tolls, I'm sorry. So the easy pass tolls paid this year, correct? And then you're looking for >> easy pass tolls this year. Okay.
>> And I want easy pass tolls paid during Tom Lankey's administration. So I have a comparison, right? Okay. >> Two different administrations. So total gallons are about the same every year that they that they use. When I use Lankey's total gallons and I use their
total gallons, that's going to tell me how many were in the take-home cars. >> Okay. >> Because that's the that's the difference. Otherwise, we have basically the same vehicles. >> Yeah. So is that's a report that I'm So I just want to make sure cuz I I understand where you're going with it. So I just want to verify that's a report that can be produced.
>> You can you can log into your easy pass account and download it. >> No, I'm not looking. >> It's not my easy pass. I need to get it from somebody. [laughter] So >> it's a vendor report. We'll get that. >> Okay. So Okay. Yeah. So >> and I'll pass on that. >> I Well, I understand what you're saying.
I I will I will make sure that I I I will uh meet with the administration tomorrow and I will we'll get those reports over to you. >> I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Okay. So, in the temporary uh budget, do we have any more amendments? >> Hearing none. Could I have a a motion to adopt the consent agenda? >> Motion to adopt the consent agenda.
>> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Any any council comments? >> Madam Clerk, roll call. >> Council member Brasher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Patiel, >> yes.
>> Council member, >> yes. >> Council President Coyle, >> YES. [applause] [applause] >> Thank you. Thank you, council members. Congratulations. Everyone here uh that is standing that has a job and serves to Edison Township in any manner or in
public safety. Congratulations. Everybody will be back to norm tomorrow. And is there any uh to the BA? [clears throat] Is >> what is our position as of tomorrow? >> Council president >> just would you let her just >> council president all of the positions
will be reinstated tomorrow. >> Everyone will report to her tomorrow. [applause] Gonzo return. I >> I have I have a council member on the floor that wants to speak. Council pressure. >> Yeah. Just a quick question. 402
the the sanitation budget. Was that part of this? >> I'm sorry. I did. I can't hear you. >> We did the consent agenda. >> You did them together. >> Y. >> Okay. >> Thanks, Super. >> Just Just so everyone's clear, both resolutions were voted as a part of the consent agenda and both resolutions have passed. >> Quick quick question to the
administration. Will these officers will be paid from the la their last day? Will all the officers who were let go will they be not restored but but back? >> Everyone will get paid. Yes. >> Okay. So, everyone is going to get the backpay. Thank you.
>> Okay. >> Could we um take a quick few minutes to wait for the room to clear? We're not >> You want to adjourn for five minutes? >> Five minutes to reset. Uh >> have a motion to do a fivem minute recess.
>> Motion to go in 5 minutes recess. >> Second. >> Second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> It's now 8:48. We're in a 5minute recess. We're reconvening. It's now 9:03. We are reconvening our meeting. A motion to reconvene. >> Have another half hour. >> Motion to reconvene.
>> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. At this time, I'm going to go to just if courtesy of the council, if I can go to a quick point of light to a close colleague of ours, uh, Councilman South Shimo. He wanted to make some comments
on today's um, day. Well, after this meeting, I think I'm going to hold my comments until uh you hold them to the end. I'm going to hold them again next budget meeting. >> Yes. Another uh 20 minutes of fasting. >> You want to you want to postpone your points of light or do you want to speak now?
>> No, I'm going to postpone. I think u we heard enough for tonight. >> Okay. No problem. >> I'm glad that we >> got everything done. >> Thank you, council president. The councilman is fasting today um in his holiday um which is not just any holiday. It's a personal holiday. Um and
he will explain later. Uh okay. So, moving forward right here. Can we We're opening up please. Um Maria, you have the floor. We're doing public comments. [laughter] >> Hi. Thank you. Maria Orchid Edison.
>> Welcome. >> Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. I'm the chairman of the human relations commission. I am in the Edison Environmental Commission and the Edison Municipal Alliance. It's outrageous to me for the proposed
4.5% raise in municipal taxes. If I'm lucky this year, I may get a 3% raise at my job, putting a lot of financial hardships on the residents of Edison. We still have estimated taxes that are need
are due on August 1st. When is Well, this was before you passed it, so thank you. Thank you for passing the temporary budget. When is the residents needs come first? We need the park program. We need the recreation.
When are the taxpayers paid for the senior citizen services, the [snorts] splash park, the entire rec recreation department is f furoughed. We're working with them currently to do a full harvest
and we need their services so we can coordinate for October. We have programs that we're planning and have put on hold. We're coming up to the national night out August. We need our police, our firemen, and our DPWs.
They are running right now on limited personnel because of the way we structure our budget. Any furlows are very dangerous. Thank you for your time. >> Come up. Welcome. >> Hi, my name is Janice Roberts. Um, I'm
fairly new to Edison. I purchased my home in 2021 and became a part of the Edison community. Uh, >> welcome. >> Thank you. >> Still a new house. And I have to say I've never knew a municipality could go into a partial government shutdown. It's
been a surprising to see. Um first regarding the budget, Councilman Br Councilman Brusher, you mentioned the easy pass issue and not receiving some backup information which to my understanding will now be provided. Besides that, what other items that were
still unresolved that prevented the council um from being p from passing the budget? I'd really like to understand what the remaining concerns were. Do we also have a clear date on when the funds will be available until as this seemed
to be an issue before? And for the administration, if that support and information wasn't available over the past several months while the budget was being discussed, what has changed now? Why would that information be available
now if it wasn't before? I also want to ask about the summer camp. Um, this affected me because my kids are in the recreation summer camp. Um, would we be getting a refund for the
days that you guys closed? >> You you have still about two and a half minutes. So, so I usually try to answer all your questions at the end. Okay. >> But if you have more to talk, you can continue. >> This is the end. >> Okay. Um, first to council members, I don't require them to respond to
questions and be cross-examined. I think your questions are great. I think Councilman Brasher will do a generalize of what he wants to cut from the budget. But at this time, I'm going to go to the end of your questions and then back to Councilman Brasher just as a courtesy. And I hope you understand all members of council can choose just not to answer
some questions just because of the uh their choice and and I respect that. Okay. Um so right here to the BA um we had the summer camp. Will the two or three days that camp was not available for parents and their children, will
they be in reimburse for those days or were we going to extend the camp? >> Uh, Council President, I'd like to take a look at that information first and then respond and we'll provide that information to the parents once it's uh clarified. I don't want to give out anything this evening uh without going
through with our uh recreation director. >> Okay. Um, I I'll get that answer back to you. If you before you leave, we will get your email. I'll ask the acting deputy clerk to have your email and we'll respond back to you and put you in a thread with the uh with the BA. Okay.
>> Um, also the question was on the floor about the information that Mr. Brusher was requesting. It uh may be available or is available uh soon and why wasn't available earlier?
That's for the um easy pass questions. >> Yeah. Or just anything that it seems like was being requested. Why wasn't it provided? And is there ever going to be a discussion in regards to what other issues the council has with the budget
that why it wasn't passed cuz it seems like this is the issue. [clears throat] I'm just going to let your clock run out so you can talk and then you can finish if any just so that we will finish your time and I'll I'll respond [sighs and gasps] [snorts] >> that. Yeah, it's fine. You can stop the time.
>> Okay. I I don't want to steal your time. Okay. Uh generally uh what happened the other night um is not the norm of what happens. We have a chance every member of this council has a chance to amend the budget. Every member of this council has a chance to table the budget to another date. Councilman Brer uh
mentioned that [clears throat] he felt by walking out that it would automatically punt it to the following week. There's some merit to that, but no differently, he could have also requested to move it, get a vote from the the uh the members here and make a motion to table it for 10 days and pick
another public hearing. It's it's a process that's more norm than than leaving the council. Um he also has a chance to make any amendments he chooses whether it's from police department, maintenance department, janitor department, um finance department, etc. So each member can look through the
budget and we can share this budget with you and give you a copy of it. So they're able to pull line items at any sequence or or switch on line items to give one one area a little bit more money than the other or take away completely. >> Okay, >> for that. So he may not be finished with
the amendments he wants at this time. Uh my answer to you is at the time I was prepared. He did not provide me amendments but he did discuss the um easy pass and taking cars homes. So and that's something I am going to get the answers to him.
>> Right. >> Okay. And Okay. Okay. >> Um [snorts] it's it's more than just the easy pass. 100 cars are going home. So you have the fuel and you have the easy pass. Right. Now, not all the people
taking cars home use easy pass. Some of them go up 287, right? And then town 22. So there's a lot of gallonage of gas that's going out to like Hunan County or, you know, out by PA. Um, so it's both of those things combined. Um, I do
know of easy passes that I'm looking for for certain dates so that I know when when they give them to me, I know that I've received all of them. So, there's about six states in there that I know. So, so that's how I know that I'll get the true, you know, whole number. Um,
and the only reason why is because of taxes, right? I I don't care if we're going to raise your taxes $2 or $14, whatever it is. I'm trying to keep the cost down here because our electric bills went up. Um, our schools lost $10
million in funding, right? So, we shouldn't be paying for frivolous things and and take home cars to me is is absolutely uncalled for. But more so than that, we also send out a flyer. It comes to your house. You u probably
receive it. It says, "Hey, look at we're wonderful people. We built some parks for you. We did this for you." Right? To me, that's uh that that's propaganda. That that's more like campaign material and we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on it. So, so where I'm going is
if if we save the $800,000 in take-h home cars and we save the $200,000, you just saved a million dollars. Now, we're not at the 4.5%, we're down to three. And if every council does that every year, or if every council allows the budget to grow every year, right? Where
are you with your taxes? You just moved here, right? >> Yeah. >> So, I moved here about 25 years ago and my taxes were something like about 9 or $10,000. And because of these just little tiny baby increments, my taxes are now like $18,000.
So that's 25 years, right? Um you'll remember the 25 years and you're going to remember the conversation when you see your taxes almost double. But if your governing body does go through it and um they cut those kind of things, you know, there are things in our
temporary appropriations that I've seen that are problematic, right? Like like you've heard me say that we had x amount of dollars that we put in like we funded the town to 74% right but we're only 50% through the
year. What you don't know is that the administration has hired people outside the budget from last year. So it's in this budget. So they've been paying them from January to July.
They were never authorized to be paid, right? So, so that money spent, that's why I think they ended up broke before it was time to be broke. Um, is that they overspent before those items were approved. I think they took it for
granted that this body was just going to step up and just approve anything because this body has done that for years now. Um, so we do have other items, but but those are two in particular. Thank you, Council Pressure.
Uh, thank you. Uh, I hope we help did the best to answer your questions and you may come back. We also, if you'd like to exchange your email, uh, with the deputy clerk acting, she we can correspond with you on the first issue for the child care. So, she'll come around, she'll get your email. Thank
you. Uh, next, any other speakers? Uh, anybody who hasn't spoken before at all before I call it. Yes, please come up. Just as a courtesy of Miss Ship, I just want to get to some people. My name is Brian Kiljansky. I'm a proud member of 1197. Been so for the last 11
years. I stand to you here before you right now speaking though as a homeowner and a taxpayer of this town. 17 East Nwood Road. [clears throat] >> And if you could speak closer to the mic, I appreciate it. >> Absolutely. Can we turn it up a little bit? Is that a thing, too? It's all the way up. Okay. >> Got to get you got to get into that karaoke move. >> See what I could do. Got you covered
with that one. >> Thank you. >> All I'd like to say today is I know many members of you got you council members up here. I've seen your guys work. I've seen what you've done. What I did see today, unfortunately, I would say was one of the more poor performances of a
council meeting. There are certain things that I think when I elected some of you guys up there, that should be known by everybody. The deadline for the appropriations running out. Granted, I heard it went back and forth from the BA to you guys regarding that. That date
should be cemented in your head when that money would run out. us electing you up there and then having the possibility of the money running out, jeopardizing some of the safety that's in this town, jeopardizing the police officers, jeopardizing
the schools, the water park, all of that. You guys should know that date, that number prior to it running out. That's going to be number one. Number two, I'm not in any type of politics whatsoever. I'm just I'm a lowly firefighter. I work as a nurse. I'm
outside of what you guys do. And I know it's very difficult. I know you guys have a lot going on with that. >> Thank you. >> But also when it comes down [clears throat] to the vote now, we're just voting on appropriations this meeting and a lot of things got up brought up with the budget regarding your guys' salaries.
As a point of form, one would know that your guys' salaries would not be uh affected in that in the uh vote here today. That was going to happen in the budget. So, I'm just saying we voted you up there. Please know your jobs. Please
know what you're doing for. I want you guys to know these dates. I want you guys to know the importance that it means for every resident that's here in town. That is the most important part. As I have to do in my job as an elected, I'm not elected official, but as a sworn
person to this town that's here to defend this town, I will continue to do that. I need you guys to do your duty to what you guys swore that oath to, to know these numbers, to know these dates, and for the transparency to be a little bit stronger, the communication to be a little bit stronger so we can definitely
get this budget passed on August 3rd. That is beyond important for the rest of this town. That's all I have to say. Thank you very much. >> [applause] >> Ju just as a um note to your uh discussion
the temporary appropriations happens every you you still have a minute so anyway temporary appropriate appropriations happen all the time like I mentioned I voted on it more than 75 times with council petal close to 55 times with councilman uh pressure it's a norm that we do this that we have
temporary appropriations we spend one 12th of the budget or a little more than one 12th of the budget which is a month of spending What happened on Monday is not the norm. Council Brusher would have normally voted for the temporary appropriations. If everybody was here, it would have been voted for. The act that happened
and then the reenactment of us postponing the budget brought us to August 3rd. Okay. So, that could have been an issue. How we react and how you believe we should react or the mayor should react later on the 31st or on the 21st, it's just a matter of opinion. When do you shock the public that we
could be in trouble? But no matter what, when we do temporary appropriations, it's temporary appropriations. It's one month or so of spending. Right now, we're good to go ahead. >> Seeing that Seeing that was still on the agenda for that day, I believe that should have been voted upon there without with the quorum going below.
>> I don't disagree with you. One second. I don't think it was the intentions of Councilman Brer to leave and not vote for the appropriations. That's just my opinion. I know him long enough. I don't like him that he left. I don't know the purpose of why he left, but you know, I but I'm with you and that's it. But I
think all the members here want to vote on the temporary appropriations. That's what they do. We've been doing it together for forever. In fact, it's the first time he pulled line items from temporary appropriations ever. I just lost $221. I don't know how I'm going to live, but uh Mr. Gil say he's going to
make it up and somehow >> most important part is just communication knowing. >> It's no problem. I get your point. Thank you very much. You may sit down. Council President. >> Yep. Yep. I'm sorry, Mr. Brusher had the floor first. Just want to be fair, >> right? I I I just wanted to explain
there wasn't the intention. Um only because when I looked at those numbers, you know, and I'm looking at like 75% but we're only through 55% of the year. To me, there should be a lot of money left over, right? Um
>> you mean where and what I honestly don't know. Um where it is. we're going to we're going to get to the bottom of we are going to find out why. Um I've contacted like other mayors and everybody said no you're this can't happen. So so there had to be money. Now
I did notice and we're going to go through this at our meeting that the administration has hired people that weren't in the budget. That's an issue because that's a hidden cost to to us. We don't know that they're hired. We don't know they're being paid. And then those salaries come out of that 74%
which now could leave a hole. Um they also listed I think insurance costs. So there were things like that um that they gave us a sheet here you know for what the expenditures were that led to you know being short that they needed extra
money. But even in that document it just says you know this line item this line item this line item. Doesn't tell you what those added expenditures are. Right? So, if you know you're going to a governing body that just deals with finance, wouldn't you tell them what
each of these items are worth or are we just supposed to say, "Okay, cuz you said it costs more." So, it was unfortunate. Um, you know, wish it didn't happen. I I would wish we didn't have to pull salaries to get information. Okay. I This should never
have happened. And um if we find out that they're actually broke and every one of their accounts and all of these furlows were were real. Yes, you know, I'm sorry about that. If we find out that they had money and we didn't have to furlow people, that's going to be another story because then the
administration has to be held accountable for it. So, we're going to get a a recordeping of this. Um I I I wished, you know, like the unions would do that. You know, they could have filed an injunction to get these this this information. I can't get it, right? But the unions have lawyers. You guys, you
know, can do that. Now, my attorney is going to help me get some of this now, right? [sighs and gasps] So, so maybe we'll be pretty good. Um, but yeah, I apologize for bringing everybody out here tonight. That would be a council vice president. Thank you, Councilman. Um, quick question to Sonia or Ten.
Could Could we have at the June 20? Is there something that would have prevented us at the June 24th meeting from doing this doing the the temporary appropriations? I mean, is there a time frame? You have to be so far into a month or something
to be able to do this a 112th or whatever. >> No, we generally do temporary emergency appropriations one 12th at a time. So, like this one will take us through the end of August. Uh but the uh issue from from Monday night was that you know even
had Councilman Brer stayed we couldn't have adopted the temporary emergency appropriations because we didn't have >> the five O's right but if we would have had the meeting on Wednesday what would have happened >> if we had at least five members present
voting affirmative that it would have passed. >> But would have people been laid off Wednesday morning? I mean would we have run out of money Wednesday morning? No, because of the fact that the budget and the temporary emergency appropriations were on the council meeting for the
20th. If we had the meeting scheduled for Wednesday night, we would not have taken action till Thursday if it failed. >> But you took action Wednesday. >> But we took action on Wednesday, >> right? Because it failed Monday. That was the regularly scheduled that was the scheduled council meeting,
>> right? What I'm saying is on this meeting was originally scheduled for the 22nd, >> right? If we if it stayed originally on Wednesday evening, >> yeah, >> and even if the measure failed, we would have probably had to have taken action Thursday morning.
>> But would have people been laid off Wednesday morning? >> No, >> it would have been. >> Then why were they laid off Wednesday morning? >> Sir, that is the new pay period. It relates to the pay period, >> right? I I completely understand that. All I'm saying is if we had the meeting
on Wednesday, >> would people have been laid off Wednesday morning? >> Sir, the anticipation was that this would have been approved had the council been here. >> Okay. So, it wasn't it wasn't approved
on Monday. So, you call an emergency meeting for today, but nobody gets laid off. >> It's a 48 hour notice, sir. >> Okay. So, you gave the 48 hour notice. Why were people laid off though if they weren't going to be laid off Wednesday morning? >> Sir, in terms of
what the mayor wanted to do, okay, was to hold on to as much public safety personnel as possible. >> Okay. >> So, all of the [clears throat] money that we would have had remaining towards the end of the month, it would have been
allocated specifically for just public safety. That was the mayor's choice to ensure that public safety enough public safety personnel was here. It >> it's not that difficult. All I'm saying is if the meeting was the meeting was originally scheduled for Wednesday and
we decided to move it to Monday. Nobody said when we moved it to Monday, nobody said, "Hey, by the way, we can't even have it on Wednesday because if we have it on Wednesday, people are going to start getting laid off on Wednesday morning." Council Vice President, you
picked the 20th two months ago because of the conflict in Dav. So respectfully to Councilman Schmoel, the meeting would have never been able to happen on the Wednesday, which would be the Monday. >> Uh, correct. I agree with you on that. What I'm saying though is nobody said
no, nobody, we were about to schedule this meeting for Wednesday and nobody said at that time, hey, by the way, we can't schedule it for Wednesday because we're going to run out of money. We got to schedule it for two days earlier. >> Councilman, it has been my experience and this council's experience
historically that up until the very last moment that they can pass a temporary emergency appropriation, that's when they choose to do so. >> Then I will accept that answer. If that if that's the past practice that you wait till the last minute, [clears throat] >> that is my understanding that the
governing body's policy is to do so with that in that manner. Now, if the governing body wishes for us to do it in a different manner to have, let's say, a 30-day uh sort of cushion, if you will, then that's up to the council. >> Okay, fair enough. Well, I was that I
was talking about the cushion, but I abandoned that argument. I was talking about the dates. >> Fair enough. Okay. And and perhaps we can certainly look at that together and consider uh uh passing a double appropriation or something that would cover longer lengths so we won't have that issue. Um, okay. Great. So,
can I move to Councilman Pure Patel just wanted to make a few comments? >> Yes. Uh, so thank you council president and I mentioned briefly earlier in the moment um that the opportunity arise to speak. I was not planning on at that time but basically we're here for the
appropriations and I spoke about Monday earlier and our goal is to make sure every single employee of this township if you are here many of you left so if you are listening or watching at home or if you watch this tomorrow or in coming
days our goal my goal personally is never to affect your job. I know how it feels being a victim myself. Never never to affect your job. So to PBA, to fire Jim and your organization, to Michael and your organization and everyone
public safety and every employees, my goal has never never ever been to affect your job and we'll make sure that your job is not impacted. So we pass the appropriation today and I plan on making sure to vote the budget on August 3rd
for you guys so you guys don't get impacted. So from at least from my side, you guys don't have to worry about your jobs. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, we're going to move back to the public here. Any other members of the public would like to speak? First
timers that have not spoke already at all. Just want to make sure look around the room. Give me just one second. Any members who have not spoken before that'd like to speak. I'll go back to people spoken already. Mr. Benjanga, please. >> Thank you. Thank you, Council President.
uh Andrew Ben Sven known as Benz. I just want to say thank you so much for uh approving this this meeting because this this was important. I have nothing else to say. I just want to say thank you for everybody for your support. Thank you everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other members of the
public? Miss Chip, [clears throat] >> I actually come to council meetings. I don't I don't come for [clears throat] the shows and stuff and I'm really really disappointed. very very disappointed that we would have to be on channel 12, have to be on the phone,
have to be all these places creating all this Craig chaos, making the council members fight each other. You know what I mean? I I I'm like I'm I'm ashamed of our mayor that he plays this whole routine since he's been in. We've had the people, the bungalow people from the drugs and all that kind of stuff, flags,
all that. It's just been a total total circus. That's what this has been. It's been a circus constantly. And I've been with I've been way back when they used to stay here all night long and only get like 600 $600. I' that's how long I've been coming to these meetings back and
forth. What disturbs me the most is everybody comes here and they complain about, you know, their salaries and complain about not Well, where are you? Where are you when we spend four million for the Stelton building and we say,
"Ah, let's tear it down." Where are you when we say $5 million and then we it turns out to be a project for $18 million. Where are you? Okay, that's why I I don't I don't have faith in people because they don't count up. Where are you when they place called the Grove, a
big kitty litter place down there, 110,000. Where are you when these kids all of a sudden their programs get cut in the middle of nowhere? You know what I mean? With a mother. I know. I was a te teacher most of the time. I did recreation the rest of the time. So I know how that affects the people when
you do stuff. I go to my credit union lady and she says, "Hey, you know, it's 30 Thursday morning. My mother, older woman, her program got cut." But nobody cares. Nobody actually cares because everybody out here come up here and
talked about, "Oh, we need this. Oh, we can't have this without public safety. We can't have the other thing." And I said like this here. I said, "Now, it can't be just the chief of police about the easy pass cuz I know he don't have 100 supervisors." So, I know that
the BA would have to be the one that supply you with enough information because it would have to be other people at all. But I just I just don't get it that all this money that's being wasted. And somebody asked me, they said, "Well, how could he do that in that park?" I
said all you got to do is slide stuff under umbrella. Slide it under. Okay. And I just give it to the people. This is recreation. Now I'mma do all the other things that I want to do under here. I'mma put it under the guise of recreation. All right? Because most
people is different. Me when I sat there and I sat as president, you know what I did? I sat with the BA two days a week. I sat with the BA so I could understand about the ridiculous amount of money. But you know, and so when we left and
that BA left, she left with a surplus. All right. So now people are telling me, you going to dig into the surplus and you see how this weather is going. You see how this weather is going? You dig into the surplus and then when something happens, what we going to do? Rob Peter
to pay Paul? That's going to be very, very sad. And I and I spoke to some different people, police officers and other perk people. I said, "Okay, we we okay this time, but do you want to be really laid off when this town goes bankrupt?" I just talked about a couple
of the things that we just pissing away money on. You know what I mean? Who is watching the store? That's the BA's job is to keep the mayor in check. Don't not a teenager with a platinum credit card. That's their job. And if you can't do it good, that's why we're going to be
bankrupt soon. Thank you, speaker. Uh, anybody else who'd like to speak in the public portion here? Seeing none, have a motion to close the public portion. >> Motion to close the public portion. >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I.
>> Okay. The public portion is now closed. Have a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. Second. >> Second. All in favor say I. This meeting's adjourned.