do is we're up. We're up. >> We're up. >> We're not up. You can hear. It's not on. >> Hold on. >> Try it again. >> Testing. Okay, great. Well, uh, welcome everyone. Sorry, I had to slam that
gavvel. Uh, voice travelers trying to get a hold of some attention here, but we're going to be start in about 30 seconds. Are we up over there completely? Is he in? Okay. And welcome everybody to the town council meeting. Today is a combined session, May 20th, which should
start at 6 p.m. Some members aren't here. We can start uh we just need a quorum of four people to start a meeting, four people to pass a budget. So, um, >> well, and today, uh, we're introducing the budget, so you'll have a second swing at the plate of coming here, just for those who are here for the first
time. Um, we welcome that. Uh, I'm just going to move to, uh, the pledge of allegiance right now. So, please all stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> Pledge 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. Sorry, >> Madam Clerk. Roll call. >> Council member Brusher >> here. >> Council member Coyle >> here. >> Council member Dimma >> here. >> Council member Kentos >> here. >> Council member Patel >> here. >> Council member Patiel
>> here. >> Council member Schmuel. >> Adequate notice. Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the open public meeting act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice sent to the news tribune star legend desi talk on November 17th 2025 and post the main
lobby municipal complex on that same date. >> Thank you madam clerk. Uh good evening everyone. For those who are attending for the first time welcome. Uh you may follow along the agenda provided in the back table. uh you you will have four minutes to speak on public comments and
on four minutes on resolutions and oral petition remarks at that portion of the agenda. If you're watching from TV at home, please visit our edisonenj.gov, click on departments, then council, then select council agenda. So then you can follow along the meeting. If you have
any further questions, you can email uh joecoily edisonenj.gov. Um just for tonight for those who are here we are introducing the agenda today. Uh some people here for the budget agenda being introduced and um that's great. Uh understand you will
have many swings at the plate and discussion here tonight. It's just an introduction. Uh going through this actual um agenda. We'll have public comments on resolutions. That's not part of the open comment. You'll have to wait a few more minutes for the open public
comment which you will see. If you want to speak on the resolutions, you can talk on any resolution you want. A lot of them are just bill pays. It's real simple. You'll see them on there. If you need this, let us know. They are on the back table. You can follow along. I do thank you all for coming. I welcome public safety and our members from fire
and police. And we have sports and youth leagues here. Important important stuff in Edison uh and our budget. So, thank you for coming. >> We can do the resolution. >> Resolution. Okay. Clerk. uh read resolution.
>> Whereas emergency medical services is valid public service and the members of emergency medical service teams are ready to provide life-saving care to those in need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whereas access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the
survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden injury, illness or injury. Emergency medical services fill health care gaps by providing important out of hospital care including preventative medication
follow-up care and access to tele medicines. The whereas the e emergency medical service system consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators,
administrators, prehosp nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained member of the public and other out of hospital medical care providers. And whereas the members of emergency teams whether the career or volunteer
engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their life-saving skills and whereas HM JFK EMS Edison Division of Firesville of Middle Sex County and Edison
Emergency Medical Service have shown dedication and execution of these services. And where is it appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments the accomplish accomplishments of emergency medical services provided by designating the
emergency medical service week. Now now therefore be resolved with the municipal council do hereby proclaim the week of May 18th through the 24th as emergency medical services week. >> Uh thank you madam clerk. Uh we do have to open this resolution to the public if
anyone make comment. Um this is a resolution as you have heard recognizing this day. Seeing none can have a motion to close the public portion. >> Motion to close. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Have a motion to adopt. >> Motion to adopt.
>> Second. >> Second. >> Any council comments? >> Council president. >> Yes. I just want to say that um tonight we proudly recognize our um EMS for their unwavering dedication, compassion, and service to our community. Their
commitment to helping others in moments of need does not go unnoticed. And we are grateful for the care, professionalism, and sacrifices that they make each and every day. And thank you for everything that you do. Thank you, Councilwoman. Uh, any other members? >> Council person.
>> Yes. >> You know, I consider EMS as a big family of Edison Township and you always serve without keeping any expectations. You are a great asset to this township and the residents of this township and again it's not just a recognition for one
week. You should be recognized all along every single day because you take that time and serve the public. Again, thank you. Thank you for your service to this town >> and the council members. >> Council president. >> Yes. >> I just want to echo my colleagues and
thank uh the MS for all the work that you guys do. First responders always on the scene. And uh if if you look around this room, look at the support that you have uh of all the people that came out to recognize you. Uh so thank you very
much for for everything you do for for our community and uh for Edison Township. >> Thank you, Councilman. Any other council members? >> Council President. >> Yes, sir. >> You know, we sit up here and I guess and we do we make speeches. Um, but the
truth of the matter is until one of us puts a call out, we really don't appreciate what that means. Um, like I can tell you myself, there are services or emergency services that I've used. Um, and when you're at that point in
your life, you do really appreciate it. So to everybody that's out there, you know, to be honest with you, you may feel at times that people don't appreciate you. at some point in their life they are going to and that goes for fire, police, EMS, you know, it's it's
everybody that the public counts on. Okay. So, I just like to say thank you to to all of you. I know we're doing this for the EMS here, but it it's really the entire entire group. Um, that would be it. Thank you. >> Uh, just brief comments. Uh, first I
echo my comments of my council uh Kelly Dimma. She lives uh in this day. Uh her husband's a firefighter. Uh I was an EMT on squad one many years ago. I had a lot more hair. Some people may have remember me then, but uh I tip my hat to the hard
work you do and your your families for your support and the hours you're gone away from home. uh to our to all of our EMS, EMTs, paramedics, and everybody in the public safety, our firefighters, and also our police, our public safety, and uh what you do every day going out there
and our friends and family of all the support we have. Uh I I truly am honored to live in Edison and what makes Edison is great public safety. So, and and I know our colleagues will look at that as we pass this budget, how important it is. So, you couldn't be at a better time
to celebrate this resolution. Thank you. We're uh can we have I'm sorry. Roll call. >> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yes.
>> Council memberuel. >> Yes. >> Council President Coyle. >> Yes. And just before uh we're going to have the chief to say a few words and present the resol resolution. >> Yes. Me and Chief Bryan are here. I want to thank all the first responders for coming out whether you're police, fire,
EMS, dispatch, but uh it's EMS appreciation week and we not only have uh Edison fire who if they're not EMT trained, they're all EMR certified. So I think we have on duty personnel if you can come up. Um Edison volunteer EMS if you can come up. Hatsola Middle Sex
County if you could come up. And uh who am I missing? Hack I got Hack and Sack Marine. There should be four of you. Everybody come up for a picture and receive the resolution. >> Okay. Uh some Council Kelly, uh would you come down as well and join other council members? We'll take one big
photo. >> Yeah, we'll figure it out. My boys. My boys. >> I can crouch a little bit. Good. You're >> good. >> You saying a few words? >> Well, I I was gone, but >> Okay, you're >> This is American Idol. Yes. Okay. All right. The fire chief, I just want to
echo his comments on everybody. Handed me the uh microphone, but I couldn't have said it any better than the council members and uh the fire chief. Want to thank everybody for everything that they do, the selfless uh job that they perform, and the vital job that they all
perform. So, thank you all. Wait for a photo. Just You want to take a photo? Do it now. >> Everybody's excited. >> Hold on. Let me clean my camera. All right. One, two. All right. I took a bunch.
>> Thank you very much. Thank you. Thanks, Kelly. What do >> you say? >> You guys are good. We're good. >> All right. Say something. >> You want to say something? >> Yeah, you can. Sure. >> We're on here. >> We're on. >> All right. Good evening, everybody. My
name is Roco. I am uh the operations manager at JFK EMS. On behalf of Hackinack Meridian Health and JFK Emergency Medical Services, just want to thank you township committee for recognizing our dedicated team. It's an honor to care for your community for the past 13 years and we're sincerely
appreciative of the partnership. Thank you so much and happy EMS week. was here also. >> Looks that way. >> Great. >> Good enough. >> Tell you what, I like hot. >> But it was hot.
>> Like when I can't go the whole day. >> That would be a great time for everybody to leave. >> Winter put a monsoon out there. >> I'm like, I got to take a shower now. I should have been tipped off. Then I would have ate something. If I knew we could have >> what?
Where are we? >> Joe, you should tell you should make the announcement that if anybody wants to bail out because they're done with the EMS thing, they can. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Sure. >> Probably going to be I thought so, too. did it is
>> for sure. >> Uh we're moving back on the agenda. First, I just want to share with you >> right now. We're going through the work session of the agenda. Uh so there won't be any v votes. Uh this is an opportunity for members of the council to question the administration. Some
questions have been answered already. Um, Rich sends some questions. Assaf sends questions out. Uh, JP Thiel sends them out, Kelly. Um, and so you may not hear a lot of questions, but we're going through it. We're not voting right now. Then we'll switch to the actual meeting. So, moving forward to six proposed
ordinance. Um, any questions or comments? 02 802 026. Hearing none, uh, moving to the next ordinance. 02812026
ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriations limit to be established in the cap bank. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, moving forward. We're adding this to the agenda. Uh members of the council should have received this. This is ordinance 02282
20 uh 2026. has authorized the township of Edison to lease the premises located at 922 Amboy Avenue in Edison for the municipal government purposes and authorized execution of a lease agreement associated therewith. Any questions or comments?
>> Council person, just a question uh through council person to Sonia. Is this the year is the same location? >> What is this >> that we are renewing the lease or it's a different location? >> Yes, it's the same location. >> Perfect. Thank you.
Uh, moving forward to seven. Administrative administrative agenda. Any any comments on A, B, C, D, E, or F? Well, Council President. >> Yes. Yes. Um, I guess we have municipal
budget, right? And I assume that's probably why everybody's here. Um, I have a question for everybody when they get up to speak. And it it it involves a timeline, right? So, just timeline. Um,
I received I sat down with the administration I guess a couple weeks ago. We were talking about something between like a three and maybe a seven or an eight. Okay. Um, since then they've produced this budget.
Um, I seen it on the agenda, but I didn't have the actual budget itself. Okay, that I picked up on Tuesday. I sat with the business administrator briefly. Um, I then did not go to the taste of the state with some of my other
colleagues that were there eating, but uh, I looked at the budget because I understood it was important, right? I got back to the business administrator um, I believe it was maybe this morning or late last night and she called me for some clarifications.
So, so this whole thing here is it's a process, right? But what was alarming to me was I was sent a letter that the police union put out and that the sports leagues put out that like we're not
going to fund things. And what I'm mesmerized by is how everybody in this room knew that we weren't going to approve something that I didn't even get to look at yet. I don't even know what's in that budget. So, so I'm going to look
for those answers because I'd like to get to the bottom of that, right? But then to explain a little bit, um, in just briefly looking at the budget, to me, it looked like we were cutting 911,
right? And I didn't get to ask the administration to get to the bottom of what that cut is or why, but if that's two seconds that, you know, it takes an additional two seconds, is that a life that we lose of one of our residents? So, so that's a concern of mine. In
looking through the budget itself, there were a lot of other questions, right? I noticed in our police budget, we had $25,000 for travel, but there was no travel allowance for the last few years. So, honest question would be, do we really need to spend $25,000 on travel?
Now, typically the BA would sit down with us with these questions and and the CFO or Ken and he would say, "Hey, Councilman, we had this in this line item for the last four years. We just switched that." And that could be okay, right? That's not a problem. Then I
looked at like the police budget and the police budget is increasing whatever it is 1.8 million yet they didn't they were fully staffed last year and they had everybody but they didn't even spend that money. So, why would we increase that almost $2 million this year when we
do have a problem? But then that goes on to other departments like I looked at fire, right? And I'd want to sit down and and talk to our chief about fire because when I looked at fire's increase, fire's increase is like $75,000.
Well, that wouldn't even cover the raises that normally happen. So, does that mean we're going to be letting go fire people or we're not going to be hiring them? I don't know. Right. We don't have those answers. Okay. Like I
said, I just got the budget Tuesday and and we just started this process. Um sports funding. Um I didn't see youth here, but I did see youth outside, but they're shorter, so they might be in the back somewhere. Um we've been an advocate for sports funding. Um I I
don't understand where that even came from. But when when I go through this tonight, right, there's two choices here. The choice is that this body introduces this budget. Okay? I think that's wrong. If we introduce it, then
it's expected on us to make cuts. Okay? I am not the administration. I am not your mayor. Okay? I don't know each of the departments. I have not spoken to every department head. And we used to when um the last mayor was here, we would talk to the department heads and they would explain it to every council
person. But but we haven't done that. So without that process, how am I supposed to say what we should cut and not cut? The proper process that I see here is not that the council takes the responsibility of doing these cuts. I'm
proposing that we table this tonight. Okay? and tableabling it enacts the same process except the council and the administration work on this together and we come up with what a budget really is. Like I said, I knew I
do know I have heard right that we had 150 cars that people were taking home outside of Edison. So we were paying for the easy pass and we were paying for the gasoline. Anybody here, you do 150 cars, $150 a week in gas, you add easy pass to
it, we're at almost a million dollars. Did we cut that out of the budget? Cuz I'll be honest with you, I think that should be cut out of the budget, but I don't know where that is in the budget, right? There's no easy pass line item in my budget and there's just one whole lump sum for fuel. But that's what your
council is supposed to do is to go through all these items. I don't believe we have one council person here that thinks it's a good idea to cut sports funding, police or fire. In fact, I don't know
how many fire or policemen we have that have been here for, let's say, 5 years, but the previous mayor and me were not on the same page, right, as people knew us. Um, but he needed a vote to fully
fund police and fire. I agreed to I agreed to a fi it was a 5% increase. I voted for a 5% increase under the condition that we fully staff police and fire and that mayor upheld his end of the bargain and I did mine and I voted
for that budget and we had that swearing in and we promoted everybody that was at the pines out in the parking lot. I think it was during co maybe even um so to think that this body is is going down that direction. I I think everybody here
has been lied to, right? And if that's your union or if that's your sports league or whoever that is, I want to hear from those people. I want to hear them come up here and tell me where they heard that we were going to I think the police one said something like we were
going to reduce staff or something of that type of thing. That's never been said. And and I'm about as honest as it comes. When I got here, we had three captains, right? Three captains we had. Right now, we have seven. A captain cost
us $400,000 a year, right? If if we had the same three captains we always had. Right now, we'd have a million six that you could give to seniors in sports funding. Or we could hire more guys for the road, which I've always been an advocate for. Right. More presence on
the road to me is important. So, I don't hide, you know, what I'm doing or what I'm saying, but to see everybody here tonight when we didn't have the budget, we haven't gotten the answers, um, you know, this tells me that this is some kind of political thing being done. And
to play politics with first responders and with children is wrong. Okay, that's plain wrong. So, I'm going to propose that we table these and we work as a council body with the administration, you know, to come up with a budget that
works for not only just the employees but but the residents of the town. Um, we want our residents, you know, to be secure. So, I I'd like to put that motion up, council president, before, you know, we do this because I I I think we can do this as a body and and really work through this.
>> Um, that would be a council president. Council, just at at this time, uh, I'm going to lean to I'm not agreeing with table the introduction of a budget, uh, for timelines and other purposes. Uh, I am going to listen to her colleagues here who know the important of public safety and moving a budget forward, but
I first want to lead to our BA to answer some things you may have commented on and thank you for your time. Uh, council brusher, >> I just wanted to clarify as far as the timeline, the administration prepared the budget back in March. As you know, council president, we've been talking
since March. Since the end of March, we've met with several council members, including a couple, if not a few finance committee meetings. We met with Mr. Brusher and uh vice council president Kentos on April 22nd. So, we presented then the budget.
Uh perhaps he's referring to the documentation, but we did provide that last week. um I believe he's referring again to the paper copies, but we have been presenting the budget and all of the backup um to all council members. I
also answered council uh Councilman Brusher's questions. Um he may not have time. I just sent it back to you. Um if you have any further questions, I I'm glad to answer. But we've been talking extensively in the last month about this
budget and we feel as an administration that it's a fiscally responsible budget. >> Council President, I just shield your time to any other member just for >> No, it's just just clarity on the statement. >> So I did meet with the BA with council
vice president. I'd like to hear from council vice president if he asked for the documentation and if he received it that day >> because this was a month ago. >> This is not this is not a back and forth >> because it's made like we received it. I did not receive it. He did not receive
it. He requested it and they said he would get it the Friday before the presentation. That's what was stated to him. It wasn't that we've gotten it. So, we haven't gotten it. We talked about a general number. As a council body, the general number is irrelevant. It's about all these departments and all these line
items. That's what our job is. Not a general number. So, you know, without the documentation and having it, we couldn't even go through it until this week. It's not like we've been able
to do this for months. That's not true. >> That would be it. >> Did any of the council members want to make comment? >> We do not have to answer uh questions. >> Is So, are we talking now about the budget? If you want to make comment on we're in the work session now if you want to make comments on the budget >> on the budget
>> um you're welcome to. Yes. >> Yes. So like councilman Brasher said uh yeah there was a meeting BA is correct in that in April and uh myself councilwoman Dimma and council president Cowwell in that meeting and you know because we we can't have four people
meet and then there was a very preliminary overview and this great you know thank you so much for all that information. I collected my binder on Monday, right? So I there was an email last week. I collected my binder on Monday. I have been in board of f member before in finance committee over there.
I have been a board president before and I have spent two three months to look at the board of fed budget when I was in board of fed. Those days it was a zero person days and we because there was a lot of state aid coming but even though every single year I spent two three
months went to each and every line item and look at it. So now since I got my binder I I intend to spend time and look at it because voting on the budget and the financial responsibility fin fiscal
you know um stability is our you know one of our biggest role it's important that we look at everything and then we make decisions right um I I myself am requesting proper time so I saw an email
from USA today that we have um 30 days. Now let me ask you an attorney a question. Is that hard 30 days or it doesn't matter it's from from today the if we adopt if we adopt the budget to uh if we introduce the budget today do we have to
adopt it within 30 days or it's it's customary. >> So typically speaking once you introduce you >> no let's let's say we introduce it today. >> No um let me let me answer. >> Yes. Typically when you introduce you can't vote on it less than 30 days. So >> you can't vote on it but you cannot you
can vote after 30 days. >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. So that that that's very helpful to know. Uh so that gives us some time to address everything that is in the budget. Now my second question is if we change the budget, if we change any item, do we have to reintroduce it?
Okay. So then the 30-day clock starts from that point or um doesn't matter. So let's say we introduce the budget today and we we have to change something. So we reintroduce in the council and then we vote upon vote in
the following council meeting. How does the process work? >> Could you repeat your question? I I didn't follow necessarily your timeline. >> So let's say we introduce the budget today, right? This budget. Let's say we come up with changes in and
we have to reintroduce the budget. >> Right. >> Right. The the 30-day clock starts from the reintroduction. >> It's not a clock. You just can't introduce it less than 30 days. Okay. Adopt it rather. >> Adoption for the adoption. Sorry. Yeah. >> So let's say we reintroduce in somewhere
in June for with a different number. >> So then we have to vote in July >> where whatever it is 30 days apart. You have to have that much apart from when you introduce a budget >> even for the reintroduction. >> Correct. >> Okay. Okay, that makes sense. That
answers my questions, right? So, yeah, we received the binder. All of us, you know, probably intend to take a look at it and we can take it from there. Thank you. >> Thank you. And just just for clarification, I'm not finished with their council members. Um, each council member had a chance to meet with uh two of the members and the administration.
We don't meet with more than four people. You know, to say we don't look at every single department is wrong. We look at every single department. So, if you're here because you may have heard a discussion about your department, you did. And that's true cuz we go through every single department to see where we
can you tighten up our spending. Um, obvious safety is very important. So, uh, we know that the budget in that purpose is needed. Uh but to say we didn't have a discussion about public safety or sports
is wrong because it's our job to look at every part of this budget from recreation to seniors to public safety to fire uh every area of this. So uh moving forward I just want to discuss uh did anybody council members want to have some? Sure. >> Yeah.
>> Council member council president just just for clarification um me and Rich did meet with the administration and I believe they called me on Thursday. I got my binder on Thursday. So that's when I got it. I think it was Thursday. It might have been Friday,
>> but it was earlier than the time they said they were going to give it to me. So I did get it. >> That's it. >> Yeah. Thank you. Any other members of the >> council president? >> Yes. >> Um we did meet with the administration uh throughout April. Um and we only got
this binder um on Thursday. So between Thursday and Sunday and Monday going through this binder and seeing the the line items uh of of where monies are allocated and it takes some time. I think that all of us
uh myself included put out questions to the administration and ask for clarification and I don't think my uh questions will be answered in the next 30 days. I hope they're going to be answered in the next 10 days. But having
said that, I don't think anybody should lose their job. Um, and on on any level, whether or not we vote on this budget or we amend it, I I think there is enough brains in
our um township administration. I think there's a lot of good heads on this deis that could figure out where we could come up with some uh savings on the budgets without anybody losing their jobs. Um, but that takes time and I
think I I agree with uh Councilman Brer that we could possibly push this for another two weeks uh to the next meeting to introduce to give the administration time to answer all our questions and
also not to put us in a position where once we um adopt this budget now we have to actually vote on it within 30 days. Uh, I'd like to get all my questions answered. I'd like to speak with this council. I'd like to speak further with
administration and see where things can be cut or changed. Um, but once again, nobody should lose their jobs. Nobody should lose their jobs on any level.
Thank you, Council President. Right. And ju just clarification uh you know as we introduce this budget uh we we can't pass it earlier than 30 days but we can also post today if introduced which is is a goal as council president we have
time and we can extend that time and postpone the vote. Okay. And if any amendments do happen that can be brought up with a reintroduction of the budget which we have to do another 30 days or at least two weeks. So, there's definitely time for our members to
review each and every part of this budget. And uh I hope that's where we're going to get tonight, but certainly it does not have to be passed in 30 days, but we cannot pass it less than 30 days, 28 days. Okay. >> Council President, one more thing. Yeah,
like uh Councilman Schmool mentioned about the jobs, that's very important, right? You know, uh people should not generally lose their jobs. So that being said, uh you know, right now there is a big chatter about about taxes in the town with the board of fed taxes and
stuff like that. I have been in board of before. I'm the one who voted on 0% tax increase for 4 years. It was a privilege. It was great because Edison got a huge humongous state aid. There was a lot of money coming. The money doesn't grow on trees. So people in
general who are probably not out there most of them I I'm referring to are not out there should understand that there is a cost to everything. When we give facilities when we build park when we do things when we pave roads and for public safety for fire there was a there was a
fire on 287 on Sunday. Everyone knows about it. There is a cost to everything. So the facilities that the residents get there is a cost to everything. So to keep expecting that we pay so much taxes and the taxes should be down, taxes should be down. Yes, we should be due
diligent. We should do our best to be fiscally responsible, but end of the day the taxes come up from from the expenses and the expenses what they are. So that's that's what I was thinking. >> So did you want to chime in one more time? >> Sure. I just wanted to make sure that um
between two question two sets of questions I did receive, Councilman Schmo and Councilman Brusher, which we answered this afternoon. Just want to I know you need some time to look through, but they were fully answered. And Councilman Schmo's point, um our budget that we presented to the council, which
now it is yours to do what you need to do. Um, no services were affected by what the administration presented, including personnel, anything, youth, sports, uh, senior services, nothing was a affected. So, just want to clarify that there were questions related to
that and, um, we we answer them completely. Now, if there are more clarifications, we're glad to answer those. >> Okay. And I want to thank my council colleagues for taking the time to write questions to the administration. I have looked at those questions and each each
member has done a spectacular job in and asking some detailed questions. Uh very impressed. Uh moving forward, um any other question or comments uh on A, B, C, D, E, and F.
Hearing none, we're going to move on to eight. Review review of the minutes combined meeting May 6th, 2026. Any questions or comments? hearing none. Moving to each department. Uh any questions or comments from the business administrator A and B?
Moving to number 10 from the department of finance. A B C D E. Any questions or comments from the Department of Planning and Engineering? A B C D E and F. Any questions or comments from council
members? Hearing none from the Department of Public Works 12 A, B, C, and D. Any questions or comments? Hearing none. Uh, on 13, we are removing E from the agenda. Removing E. So, anybody who has this in their paper,
we're removing E. Uh, to my council colleagues, any question or comments on A, B, C, and D? from the chief. Moving next to the chief of of the police can A and B. Any questions or comments? >> Nothing from fire.
>> Okay. Hearing none. Uh we're going to move right now to our regular meeting where those who are still here can continue to stay. If anybody's here part of the resolution or recognition, you're welcome to leave, but you can certainly stay. I'm sorry we don't have enough chairs. We just lowered the air
condition uh which uh I hope is better for you while you're here. As I mentioned to somebody who may have just walked in this room as we're going through this agenda, this is a voting for us on this agenda. So we'll be going through votes on ordinance that are introduced here. An ordinance that may have been on the agenda before and
resolutions. You have there are two periods to speak for four minutes. We'll have another period for resolutions. You can speak and that's resolutions only. It's not part of the budget. It's not open comment. But if you see a line item of expenditure or something you may want to question, you can speak at that time
for four minutes. And all then moving to the uh open public comment, you can speak at anything you want. Animal shelter, public safety, fire department, uh any anything you want, leaves, bags, any any issue that approaches. So, thank you for your patience and we'll try to
get through this right away. And as we get close to those times to speak, if everybody wants to speak, that's fine. We're prepared to be here as long as it takes to make each person happier, but if anyone wants to speak for a group review that you're more than welcome. We will not extend your time, but if two
people want to share that time and go up as a second to that person in in order that you're welcome as well. It's just four minutes for each person. We'd welcome um as many to speak as needed, but we also appreciate consolidating uh
comments if it's all possible as a courtesy to those who are waiting to speak. Okay. Moving forward for new business on 15 proposed ordinance for public hearing. Um clerk read ordinance. Ordinance of the Township of Edison authorizing execution of a rightaway use
agreement between Pilot Fiber NJ LLC and the Township of Edison to locate, place, and attach, install, operate, and maintain fiber optics facilities within plugable rideways for the purpose of providing telecommunication services. Okay. >> Have a motion to introduce.
>> Motion to introduce. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Oh, he's going to read the thing. >> Okay. So I move this ordinance to be passed at the first reading published according to the law for further consideration and public hearing set down for June 10
meeting. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Any council comments? Hearing none. Roll call. Madam clerk. >> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel. Yes. >> Council member Patiel. Yes.
>> Council member. Yes. Council >> Prosen Coyle. >> Yes. clerk. Read ordinance. >> An ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriations limits and to establish a cap bank. Okay. >> I have a motion to introduce.
>> Um I move this ordinance be passed on first reading published according to the law for further consideration and public hearing setown for June 10. Do >> you have a second? >> Second. Any council comments? >> Hearing none. Roll call.
>> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Batiel. >> Yes. >> Council member. >> Yes. >> Council President Coyle. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. >> Before we go into 16, C, can we go into a close session?
>> Yes, we can. >> Yes, we can. Um Okay. >> We have another resol ordinance to introduce. Did you want to do that before the next ordinance? There is a third ordinance. >> We have a third ordinance. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I thought we we apolog
Let's do that. Yes. >> Make a motion. >> Okay. >> Okay. Uh clerk, read an ordinance. >> An ordinance authorizing the township of Edison to lease the premises located at 922 Amboy Avenue, Edison, for municipal and government purposes and authorizing the execution of a lease agreement
associated therewith. >> Have a motion to introduce >> council person. Yes. >> I move this ordinance be passed on first reading published according to the law for further consideration and public hearing set down for June 10, 2026.
>> Don't take a out for a second. >> Second. >> Any council comments hearing? None. Roll call. >> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Patiel? >> Yes.
>> Council member? Yes, >> Council President Coyle. >> Okay, >> Council President Coyle. >> Yes. >> Um, Councilman, uh, to go into close session, we just have to have a valid, uh, reason from you to go into close session. Would you, uh, just explain
your appropriate brief? >> Uh, I'd like a little more clarification on on on this vote, uh, from council president and from our attorney as well. >> Okay. You you need legal advice on the procedure >> for the vote?
>> Yes. >> Okay. At at this time, I need a motion to go into close session for 8 minutes. Uh we're going to keep this brief. I I hope that all council members can respect the public that is here. In lie of this close session, I think it will
move this meeting forward uh faster. Uh have a motion to go into close session. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Okay, at 6:48 will return in 8 It's
said no, but I'll ask him return. >> Okay. >> Uh, could I have all members of the council please return to the deis, please? Oh no is not 10 to one person so we can start. >> I want to thank you for your patience.
In a in a second, we have a motion to reconvene. Uh there were some necessary questions that will, I believe, keep most of you happy and I think we came to a a fundamental agreement to make sure that uh we can move this budget forward. Um
um this let me just hold on real quick. This meeting is called back to order from at 702 and can have a motion to reconvene. >> Motion to reconvene. >> Have a second. Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay,
we're at 16 is the introduction of the budget. Um, and I to have a motion to introduce the budget. Um, I this is also going to be set down for a public hearing of July 22nd. So,
we can have a motion from a council member to introduce the budget. >> Council president. >> Yes. Motion to introduce. >> You have the paperwork there. Oh, I'm sorry. I move this ordinance be passed. >> Resolution. >> Oh,
>> say I move this resolution be passed. >> I move this resolution be passed on first reading. >> Publish according to the law for further consideration and public hearing set down for July 22nd. At 7 p.m. >> At 7 p.m.
>> Why is that 7 p.m.? Is it a combined meeting? >> No, it's not a combined meeting. >> We have a meeting on Monday and Okay. >> Can I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Um, any council comments? Yes. I mean, council president, the
discussion, I guess we can't talk about what the discussion was in the back. >> Thank you. But the um the premise was that that I was asking to table this until we had time to look at it and then
hopefully in 2 weeks we would have enough information back from the administration where we could determine what if anything needed to be done. Maybe we felt that certain things needed to be increased. Um, like I mentioned,
our 911 operators and our building grounds and our fire department, but the consensus, I guess, that we were talking about was if we introduce it,
we technically don't have to pass this until maybe August, which still gives us time to find out what we're actually doing with the budget. So, I guess whether we table it tonight or or we don't, I'm I'm gathering it's the same
outcome. Um I just prefer that we went back to the administration. We work with the administration collaboratively as opposed to it being the council cuz at the council body now we just need four people and we could add things to the budget or remove things from the budget,
line items, whatever that would be. And I I believe that's the correct procedure once we move forward and we adopt that. That's correct. >> That's correct. >> Right. So that's why I was looking to table it because I was looking for a collaborative type thing, not something where your council is the one making cuts or adding things when we don't
really know what's going on in your departments to be quite honest with you. Um and that's really what the discussion was. >> Yeah. Uh but if I could if I'm correcting you to be clear, the mayor puts forward a budget to the council.
The mayor is our administrator. We do not involve in department personnel administrating. We pretty much control the purse. So it's our budget now. We can move it around any way we choose. It's our budget. We can move line items.
We can change departments. This is our budget. So by introducing it today and giving a longer date for a hearing will give us the same order of what you wanted. The only thing different would be is that we're not giving it back to
the mayor to say give another one look. Uh as a courtesy I think members of the council will ask for his intake when we are making some moves but we don't have to. We can make cuts at any direction we choose and it will and it's our budget.
So, um, that is any other questions? >> That that was it. I just it was just a point of clarity. Um, and and I don't think it matters too much either way. Just one way was collaborative and one way seems like authoritative and I didn't want to go down the authoritative route. That's all.
>> I think most members of the council are collaborative to see what can be done if anything which is always challenging. But, uh, point to the questions from council members uh, who wanted more time. This has given us 63 days. So if there's anybody who wants to lobby or
discuss or have a meeting with someone or or note that they can come back here, you can come back here on July 22nd. Uh just so you know to have uh more discussion. Uh I'm going to move to any other council comments. >> Council president, just quick question. You know, we do have a finance
committee. Uh would you mind putting some timeline if the finance committee can meet administration and look further where changes can be made? We uh have set down a finance meeting, Sony, the other day, is it uh June 1st, I think it
is. >> Uh it's sometime around like May 28th or June 1st. >> Yeah, we I think it's June 1st. We already sat down. Yeah, June 1st, we set down a meeting. Um at that point, I wanted meetings to be faster because but now that we have plenty of time,
>> uh we'll fit in probably a few meetings between then and to 63 days. >> Any other council members? that just just clarifying that you have a meeting in June. Hopefully, you'll be able to get back to the rest of the council in terms of what the outcome of that meeting is. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Absolutely. And in between that time, you can have individual discussions on your own as well and you know that we'll share the finance uh meeting with you. >> Thank you. >> Any other members of the council have any comments on the introduction? >> Yes, council president. Yes. >> So, Sonia, I saw your email about the 30 days. You clarified that too. Uh there
is there is a chance I may just not come up with any questions. It could happen. I don't know what my what I intend to do but I do intend to look at the binder. There's a chance I may have questions, right? So sometimes I may need to meet and talk uh over emails to have a clear
communication. So I'm just giving you a heads up because now we have until July 22nd. So if I do come up with questions, I would prefer to meet with you and Ken and go over that. Okay, >> great. >> Thank you. >> Fantastic. Any of the council members that have any questions on the
introduction? >> Council President, just to clarify, this proposed budget have we're introducing tonight. There are it keeps the town status quo, everything, you know, no layoffs, all that kind of stuff, the rumors that are going around. So,
introducing this keeps the town moving the way it is. >> Yeah, Council Member De, great question. Uh this budget uh has been sought through our finance committee and every individual council member. Um our finance committee definitely had
questions on it. Obviously, you know, it's a 4.4 increase. Uh overall, you know, I think that we understand, you know, this entire budget itself as it is at 4.4 for it gives every job in Edison
to be uh guaranteed in place as it was yesterday. Every person in rank stays in the order and every department uh there are no changes. It also funds the water and sewer department uh recreation. It funds senior programs, recreation
programs. Um now we do have uh one we have questions that will be about recreation and how we handled outside recreation. So that will be questions on people are here tonight on that. But as far as personnel for
those who are here tonight uh there will be no changes if this budget is passed at 4.4 as introduced for personnel. And if we were to make changes uh it's my suggestion that we look at other ways to uh trim this budget. certainly not
public safety or personnel and I hope my colleagues share the same thing and I'm confident that they will. Um, does that answer your question? Any other questions or comments from members of the council? Okay, madame clerk, roll call. >> Council member Brusher,
>> yes. >> Council member Dimma, >> yes. >> Council member Kentos, >> yes. >> Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Patiel, >> yes. To introduce. >> Council member Shimuell, >> yes. >> Council President Coyle, >> yes. Okay,
>> you don't have to clap. >> No, we have but we're we're happy to get introduced. So, now we're uh we have introducing the 2045 2026. Can I have a motion to introduce
>> sanitation budget? >> Sanitation budget. >> Motion. Yes. Yes. It's also the same date. >> Yes, >> same date. Councilman, >> I move this resolution to be passed on first reading, published according to law for further consideration. Public
hearing sat down for July 22nd at 7 p.m. >> Second. >> Any council comments? Hearing none. Madam clerk, roll call. >> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos.
>> Yes. Yes. Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Patiel. >> Yes. >> Council member. >> Yes. >> Council President Coyle. >> Thank you. And for those who may have walked in. >> Yes. For anyone who just walked in, uh we introduced the budget and uh for the
township and the sanitation budget and that was set down for July 22nd. So if anybody's here, you're more than welcome to stay. But to note, if you do decide to leave, you have another round to come back for the full public hearing on July 22nd. Um I'm sorry it's not earlier. We
made that measure together that we some members wanted more time to just look through it. Okay. So moving forward uh we have the approval of the minutes. Okay. For the combined meeting of May 6. Can I have a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. Can
>> I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Now this is a part we're going to have public comments on the resolutions only. If you have an agenda in your hand at 19 there expenditures and contracts here uh that come down to resolution
R28052026 you have any questions or comments you may come to the podium and speak for a few more minutes on the resolutions only. After this is done there will be open public comments. Again you can speak on any topic. I just don't want you to be confused with either of them. There anybody here that would like to
speak on the resolutions only? Yes. In the back. Your hand is up. Whose hand is up to the right next to Mr. Bass off? Is that you, Miss Conway? Sure. Please. For the first time, I can't see you in the crowd. >> Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle.
I have a question on resolution 2550 and resolution 251. Yeah. Thank you. >> Okay. I have a question on resolution 2550 and resolution 251 which is authorizing temporary emergency
appropriations for the 2026 municipal budget. Are we given a dollar figure for that is my first question for both resolutions? And the second thing now I'm asking will we have to come back in June and do it again and again in July
the first month uh meeting in July for more temporary uh appropriations. And now it looks like we're going to be going 7 months into the budget of 2026
and spending when something after August 1st basically if it came up we've spent quite a bit of the money to begin with without even looking forward. So um that's my
question about the appropriations. How much? And will this be a monthly thing until we get a final budget? And one more thing, I still have two minutes. Will we ever see the mayor or somebody from the administration that will
actually show us a budget? And we've got the two TVs uh that can show us the appropriations for each department and where it is from last year to this year. Has it gone up? Is it stable? What did
we add? What did we take away? Uh, it was done a few years ago, but I haven't seen it lately. And I think the public would truly appreciate something like that happening so that we're aware of our our spending.
>> Is it back there? >> It's in the book. >> Okay. Thank Thank you. Um, did you want an answer to your question? >> That would be nice. Yes. >> Okay. I just uh and I do appreciate you coming every time. I think the question
you're asking is the same question last meeting and the meeting before and the meeting before and the meeting before that >> mostly >> and I'm fine with the question. I just want to remind you again I repeat the same thing during the leni administration and prior to this we had
emergency appropriations that happen all the time. You've done them and I'm sure you've done them on the board of ed. So and I and I do appreciate you being here and I'll give you the same answer. All the this is in the back in the book. The exact amount is on here. We can't fund
the town without these emergency appropriations. Um and the and it's in the back. If you don't have it, I'll provide you a copy, but it's in the book in the back. Couldn't get near it. >> Okay. Well, if people move out of the way, you can get to the book. I uh I know a few people that'll move some
people out of the way for you. but it's also online as well and I can provide you how to get there through the clerk if you're having difficulty online finding that. Uh, and as far as the mayor, uh, I'm I'm not a supporter of having the mayor needing the mayor here
to go over the budget. I've seen that same presentation for 10 years on the council. I think AJ and I have seen the same presentation for 10 years. Um, we have the budget available for you online to look at it. At this time, I'm not requesting him to come here and do a slideshow presentation, but I do
appreciate your request. >> Thank you, >> Council President. >> Yes. >> Uh, on the emergency temporary appropriations, it is required. Um, if we don't do it, then we would have to furlow employees. >> So, otherwise, that would be the uh
cause and effect. >> Understood. Thank you. Any other members of the public that like to speak? Mr. Tar. Yeah. >> One point of order just through. Is our officer here any I I there's so many officers, but who's working for us today? If you could spread a message to
have the people speak in the back because I don't want to have to close the doors. I like people staying as long as they can. But if they could keep their conversations in the back, I'd appreciate it. Okay. Mr. Troy, how are you? Welcome. >> Fine, Council President. Thank you.
I I rise in speaking in favor of passing the Edison Township budget. >> If you can speak closer to the mic, I'd appreciate it, sir. >> I'm speaking in favor of passing the Edison Township >> municipal budget as developed. I've
heard assertions from most of the members of the board there that um there aren't going to be any cuts in personnel. And >> just Mr. try. I feel um terribly sorry to say this, but this is not the appropriate time to talk about this is
not we're just doing resolutions only right now. I'll call you back up first in just a moment, but we're just doing the resolutions. >> I thought 05206 was a resolution. >> So, so that it's clear, the budget resolutions are separate and apart from
the other resolutions. The budget resolutions are a special type that have their own public hearing and while you can address those under the public comment section, this particular speaking session is only for
resolutions 247 through 280. >> I know that it sounds confusing and I apologize confusing at all. >> If you would give me about four minutes, I'll have you back up. >> I'll be back. >> I'm sorry. Um that was just an explanation of the budget and resolutions but for the first time it is
confusing. Mr. Bassoff resolutions only please. >> Joel Bassoff Beach Lane Edison. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Uh question about resolution 247. So what exactly do we learn from the dispersements? I know that there are
a lot of categories uh some of which have large sums of money uh like um current uh expenditures and some that at this date are still zero like law enforcement. So I'm just curious to know
what the council and the public um gathers from from this list of dispersements like when I see zero for law enforcement I wonder you know are we being underprotected? Uh and then a question on resolution
250, uh the temporary budgets. How far into the year would that current resolution carry us? >> And might any tax increases result from the the temporary budget? Uh or is it
constrained by the the current tax rate? uh a concern would be I if there are um either emergency expenses or just raises that that people are entitled to or if we have to hire additional personnel. Uh how would we be able to do that with
just a a temporary budget? Is there a danger that because we at this point when we should have a permanent budget under the law we we don't even we only had one introduced today. Is there a danger that there are aspects of of the township that that will go uh
underfunded uh unfulfilled and the public will be unprotected? So those are my questions. >> Well, Mr. Bass, I appreciate I know you're an attorney, but you said is not true. It's a it's a wrong statement. You know that we're protected. You you said we won't be protected, and that's not
true. But I'll just give you some simple math to just give this fair. As you note in this uh dispersement here is all the payouts of what we do which is emergency as the BA has mentioned. If we did not do this we'd have to furlow people immediately because we the council is in
charge of the purse to spend on people. I think you have a great question on where we are and are we spending money maybe too much money too soon and without having the budget passed. Let's just call it what it is. We're at month six in a budget that's about $200
million. We have about another hundred million to spend of emergency money. We're not even near the percentage of the 4.4 increase, which you know is about $800,000 per point. So
we we are about 300,000. We it wouldn't even be possible to to get to $197 million before uh July 22nd if this budget was proposed. I think it's a great question. It's the same question
you ask me every meeting and the same answer I always give you which I think it's important we do pass a budget earlier but as you me as I mentioned in the past this administration has done a great job passing the budget it's been the earliest budget council member Patiel and I have been on this with two with other administrations for eight
years with um Mayor Lanki no one has ever questioned the budget being passed and it was passed in November so I think we're we've made good strides although not perfect and I know you'd like perfect and I'll strive to get there. I can tell you I postponed this
introduction and it was my fault. So that's where we are and thank you. Any other questions or comments on resolutions? Seeing none, have a motion to close the public portion on resolutions only. >> Motion.
>> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> This is we're at a point this back. Thank you. Um before we adopt the the consent agenda for the resolutions, I ask each colleague if they'd like to pull anything for a separate vote, they're
doing that. If they have a conflict, they're doing that. If they'd like to spotlight someone in a resolution for the great work they do, or any other reason, they just feel like doing. So, um to my right, Council Brusher, any motions to be pulled for a separate vote? >> None at this time. >> Council member Dimma,
>> none at this time. Council vice president. >> Um, none at this time. >> Councilman uh Patel, >> none. >> Councilman Patiel, >> none at this time. >> Council member Safu, >> no. >> Okay. Have a motion to adopt the consent
agenda. >> Motion to adopt. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Any council comments? >> Madam Clerk, roll call. >> Council member Brusher. >> Yes. >> Council member Dimma. >> Yes. >> Council member Kentos. >> Yes. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. Council member Patiel. >> Yes.
>> Council member Shimuell. >> Yes. >> Council President Coyle. >> Yes. >> Okay. It's now 7:24. We are going to get to line 20. Um, as I mentioned to you, this is the part of the agenda where you have
a chance to speak uh as long as for four minutes. Uh, each person in this public can speak for four minutes each. That's right. It's probably about 300 people here at 4 minutes. it be a quite interesting evening. Um, and we do welcome that if it's necessary. We've
been here two 2 in the morning and and it's your part in your life or if you feel it's necessary to speak, you can. Although, if you'd like to offer courtesy to those who are waiting and may want to go home to their family and say a few words on behalf of their group, uh, or you want to speak individually for your four minutes and
speak on behalf of a group, you are more than welcome. Uh and if you want to speak together one after another and use up eight minutes to speak about a few areas of a category you feel are important to you that is your choice as you want. Um but again each one of you
are allowed for to speak on any topic you'd like anywhere from A to Z. So without further ado uh uh yes Mr. our first open public comments. >> Welcome again. And I'm sorry uh the mic has to be pulled close. I People call me
every day if it's not if you're not speaking loud enough. >> Can you hear me now? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Thank you. I rise in speaking in favor of passing the Edison municipal budget as developed. I see from the deis that there's seems to be a consensus that >> Can you I'm sorry. Can you repeat
yourself one more time? This is a If you hold it closer, >> Donar. >> They're great words you're saying, but we people have to hear you. Sorry. >> Dantar, 52 Reader Road, Edison, New Jersey. Um, speaking in favor of passage of the bud budget as it's been developed. I've
noticed from the deis that there's considerable belief that there shouldn't be any reductions in uh services in Edison. I certainly agree with that because I believe the quality of life in this community is paramount and transcends any kind of reduction that
might be considered. But I also know that both the PBA and the fire department unions have been notified should this budget go down, there's a potential for loss of members. Those cuts would of course diminish the
quality of life in Edison and make our community less safe. It's not a well-known fact, but we actually have fewer police now than we had 20 years ago and also looking at the proposed
reduction in fire that too would make us unsafe. All of these budgetary considerations will be placed before you and you will have the opportunity to make cuts, but I assert that those are two areas that
should not be cut under any circumstances. The PBA has been made aware that there's a potential for reduction of 11 officers. Now, keep in mind when you reduce staff, you increase the potential for increased
overtime to make up the difference. It's also my understanding that there was a $3 million overtime ticket on the Edison police last year. What needs to happen is sometimes shifts are increased and people were requested
to stay on shift longer than normal, thus increasing the overtime. Our police and fire are critical to the quality of life in Edison. They put their lives on the line >> every day for each and every one of us.
>> All of them. >> I'm saying if any of you up there are considering any reductions in that area, you should think very carefully before you do so. These people are community members.
They work so hard for us. Let's not diminish their worth. Stand behind them. pass the budget as it is written. Show them that you care as much for them as they do for you. Thank you.
Okay. Okay. Um, thank you for the round of applause. I may have to shorten some of those so we get through the night, but I definitely will welcome the longest first one. Uh, thank you for being here tonight. Uh,
gentlemen in fact from EMS. Steven Zutterbound, Oliver Avenue. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Um, I'm here on behalf of Edison EMS, the volunteer first aid squad. And first just want to thank everyone again for the resolution that recognized National EMS week. Uh it's a
great time to be here and uh thought it was an excellent opportunity to uh share our gratitude for everything this town does for us. And we just want to say that we're very proud to work with our partners over at JFK EMS to keep the community safe and work together. Uh we really want to especially thank Mayor
Johi who's continually been very supportive of our mission. We want to thank the entire council who's equally been very supportive and been unanimously an advocate for us and uh volunteers in Edison as long as I've been involved. Without the support of our mayor and the council, quite
frankly, Edison EMS wouldn't be able to support its mission, which is to provide free, no charge, quality EMS services. So, a little bit about us for those who may not know about the volunteer first aid squad. We have our roots back to 1935 when it was the Raron Township
Safety Council. We're comprised of dedicated Edison EMS volunteers who were looking to help others. This then grew into three different organizations which supported all of Edison. North Edison, South Edison, Clarabar, all of it. In 2013, these all combined into one
organization which we know today as Edison EMS. We're all volunteer and as I said, we don't charge for our services. We're licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health. We support all of the high school football games. We support all the township events. And most importantly, again, we work with
Hackinac Meridian Health, JFK, to supplement the 911 services in town. We're very grateful to receive an annual donation from the township as well as donations from many residents. Quite frankly, this is what keeps our doors open. Without that support, we probably
would not exist. We're also very happy to say that Edms right now is thriving. Couple of updates. Last year, we responded to over a thousand ambulance calls and supported dozens of events, including every township event. This year, the goal is to do even more, and we're on pace for that. We currently
have a waiting list for volunteers to join, which is incredible to say in a day and age where volunteers are hard to find. We simply can't keep up. And I wanted to share just a feel-good story to kind of end on here. So, in March, one of our crews responded to a
uh a cardiac arrest in Edison. And uh together with the help of Edison Fire, Edison police, truly a team effort, I was happy to say that they were able to resuscitate this patient and save their life. Not only did they get a pulse back, but they were later discharged from the hospital and able to see their family
again. And I just want to say that this is truly the moments that make it all worth it. Not every call is as serious as this, but even one life saved directly really makes it all worth it. You can't put a price on a person's life. that the CDMS is truly humbled to have the
opportunity each day to help others and make this positive impact. So, I want to thank everybody again for their continued support. Hope to see everybody at the Memorial Day parade this Saturday. We'll be there. And if anybody has questions, please reach out to our team. So, thank you. >> Thank you for your great work. And in
today in today's budget appropriations for EMS, >> thank you. Appreciate it. >> Any anybody else who wants to speak? I just want to go to fire. I had someone from fire that wanted to speak. I wasn't
sure if they were here in the back right there. I can't see your hand, but in the back. I'm just trying to get someone's right in the middle. You can raise your hand again or not. There you go. Oh, you just miss Call me. I'm sorry. You just If you don't mind, let me have the gentleman in the back speak.
He hasn't been here in a long time. I haven't seen him in a while. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Tom Lucky, Netherwood Circle. Okay. Uh >> I went to a couple.
>> If you don't mind, uh for those who are listening from home, if you can get deeper and closer to the mic for us, we'd really appreciate it. >> You can hold You can hold it if you want >> as I break it. >> You can hold it if you want. >> Okay. How's that better? Yes, that is. Thank you. >> Okay. I went to a couple board of ed
meetings and uh when they were talking about their budget and all that sort of stuff, something strange appeared in my my thoughts. Why do we
have to go through the metal detector for council meetings whereas the board of ed meeting is not required? There's police here. There's a there's a police presence here just like there is there's more here than actually at the
board of ed meetings. Just a I'm asking for a reason why we have to go through a metal detector here and not at the board of ed meetings. Next topic I want to talk about is uh
construction slashbuilding sites. There seems to be a a lack of safety fencing and uh silt fences around the construction. You drive around town, you notice that
when you especially when you one actually comes into, you know, is a glaring whoops, something's going to happen is over on New Do Road. They knocked down a house at 11:25 New Dover Road. There's
just an open hole there where the basement was. It's right by John Adams. >> I know when I was a little kid many, many years ago, that would intrigue me and I'd go over
and probably fall in the hole. you know, does the does the cons, you know, code enforcement who handles that? Because that is an accident waiting to happen. And by us not enforcing by the township
not enforcing those laws, does it at the same time go and put us in a in a in a li in a liable position? So, that's another thing. I live on another wood circle. I'm starting to call it the Netherwood 500.
People fly around the streets. I live out of a turn. They come out of the turn and they're actually on the other side of the road, you know, and you know, basically coming into opposing traffics. Additionally, there's no stop signs
where Church Hill um tease into uh Netherwood Circle or even on Church Hill where where streets go and and where Wakefield comes into into Church Hill, there are no stop
signs. People blow through those intersections. I've had to slam on my brakes. Recently, my wife had to do the same. Now, that's when it gets personal. The person my person pulled over said to
my wife, "Oh, my car would have told me why I had to stop." It's an excuse. It's not a reason. Lastly, I brought this up before cricket playing at John Adams this past Saturday. There were there were men
playing early in the morning. I brought up before the township council changed that my car was hit by a cricket ball by from a batter. They're not supposed to be playing there. I hope that that would get in the
law would be enforced. Later on the later on late morning there was a bunch of little kids playing which is what it's supposed to be for. It's supposed to be for the school. was supposed to be children, not a bunch of guys looking to find an open piece of property and then
go and play. So, if you could help me with those topics times up, but if you can stay for one moment, what day was the cricket uh incident? >> Saturday morning. >> Saturday. Okay. And um do you have another address besides one 1125 uh New
Road for a construction issue? >> Drive the streets. Drive down Stevenville. Drive down Planefield Road. >> Thank you. I'll use 11:25 and I think you're Thank you very much. >> Why you call the next speaker, sir? >> Because I I saw it. I saw the I saw the they still have the mailbox up.
>> I'm sorry, but your time is up, sir. I apologize. >> Pardon me. >> Your time is up. I apologize. >> Okay. >> But thank you. I'm going to I'm going to investigate that. Um just to the business administrator, uh if we can have someone from zoning request to look at 1125 Nova Road and while they're in
that area, if the zoning can go through and look at any other sites that are there. Um uh the chief is here. I may just speak in lie of him. If he needs to speak up, he can. Uh any member of the council can request, uh the police department to look in an area that is
having speed issues um or some crime. So we will make a request to have no loot, never would circle looked at in Churchill. Okay. Chief, did you want to respond? >> Sure, Council President. Thank you. Uh we have our staff here for our traffic bureau, so we will address that. As far
as the metal detector goes, I choose to employ that as many other municipalities do also for the safety of everybody that enters this chamber. We have also had in the past investigations where people try to bring weapons in here. So, it is here for everybody's safety.
>> Yeah. And and I agree 100%. Uh it's staying. It's not going anywhere. May get a new one, but it's not going anywhere. Thank you, Chief. Okay. Anybody else from the public? I I just want to finish with public safety. I apologize, but uh the I I wanted to get
our president of the fire department. Thank you. He was waiting before. I know you can't see back there, but uh >> Council Jim Walsh at >> Thank you. Welcome. And if you'd be so kind. Uh the mic isn't big is isn't tall enough for you. You got to if you can
really speak close, uh what you say matters and people need to hear it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council President. I'll keep my uh comments very short. Right now, my members along with members of local 2883 fire officers are at a second alarm house fire on Runan uh Avenue. Uh the
call came in as a heavy smoke. They're saying now that there's a possible entrapment. While you're sitting here thinking about this budget and you talk about supporting this fire department know that every day my members along with fire officers are out there doing their
jobs. They're protecting life and property of the residents. Please keep that in mind when you debate the budget. I appreciate for the time. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for the great work on the fire truck explosion, the 9,000galon truck
explosion on 287. That was a complete disaster. Um, I'm just going to move over to here. Uh, please, if there's anybody else from police or fire or public safety that wants to speak, I do my best to get to you. So, please raise your hand.
>> Patty Savilich, Wood Wilson Drive. I represent this two rows of pickle ball players, mostly seniors, but some a little bit younger. >> Great. Welcome. >> Thank you. Um, they're all a little bit nervous to come up and speak, but that's okay. I think hopefully that the
decision that um we brainstormed in the hallway with the Edison Jets and Dan, the recreation um the head of recreation is agreeable to my group. I passed a note to them to tell them that we will
be able to get into the Pepani uh youth center when the turf is the turf panels are up. And it seems like a significant amount of time that we're going to be able to have, but we do I'm telling my people that we do have to give way when
it's football season. So during football cheerleading season and they must come inside. There's going to be a period of time after February that that facility wouldn't be available. But we will have quite a few months to be able to play pickle ball there. If you guys agree and
Dan agrees and the Jets agree and you agree. >> Okay, >> that's it. >> We appreciate you coming up. Well, I'm glad you were able to solve a problem by yourself. I mean, may perhaps we should have more meetings like this where people get a chance to speak to one another and we'll cut two hours out of
the budget for the director since you saved them about two hours. So, >> I do want to mention one thing on behalf of the Jets because it affects us. They they really need some cheerleading mats so that they can put them down on the uh on the field on the turf off of the turf
on their >> we aware of that and and that that is in the budget >> and that good because that's all of that is dependent on our cheerleaders >> and and just while you're at the microphone not that you need you're welcome to sit down if you understand but um in addition to the six pickle
ball court we have 19 we have 13 outdoor pickle ball courts today and I think as your growing sport is growing growing and I know there's going to be a lot of comments so you may not like what I have to say but we have had you know youth sports have been growing at a different pace as pickle ball pickle ball is just
as equally important but at the same time we have 13 outdoor pickle ball courts today 19 more being built uh thanks to commissioner tomorrow and the county may not be what you want to be outside in August but um you know we are going to find a solution to this just
challenge uh of the scheduling time of youth versus, you know, >> some of us played today and yesterday in 90 degree weather. It was difficult. >> No, no. I I have a question. I don't know how people play tennis. Uh, and everything's an outdoor sport and it's challenging to accommodate everybody who
wants to be inside. So, I hope you can take it into consideration. Uh, you guys definitely have some uh great stuff going on. Thank you. >> Thank you. Did Did anybody else want us Did we Is
there an um in the back right there? The gentleman with the crew cut. I'm sorry, sir. You have your hand up right now. That's Yeah, please come up. I I'll get to Oh, if you got anybody who wants to leave, we are not offended. You can leave your
name and number. We'll keep in touch with you. >> Got some helpers. Uh Allan will enter >> and I'm sorry, sir. First, welcome. Second, if you don't mind, if the girls can help you keep that microphone close to you because uh what you say means a
lot and people can't hear you from home and got >> I get yelled at every time. >> Yeah. Allan will enter 53 Hickory Street. >> Welcome. >> I'm the email guy. So, um firstly, um I want to thank you guys generally. Um I shot emails out to you guys today and
you responded to me right away. Um, so I appreciate that. But, um, I also want to give a shout out to the real people that could potentially be affected by this budget, which is all the players that came out today, the softball, baseball, football players. Thank you guys. We're
really truly a sports youth family. Um, you know, we're a sports family and when we hear sometimes that our house could possibly be in jeopardy, we come together and we show support for one another. So, thank you all for coming out today. No, I'm glad to hear there's no intent to cut funding to youth sports. We appreciate hearing that. But
sometimes intentions and expectations and outcomes can be two different things. And ultimately, the final decision, as you mentioned, rest in your guys' hands. That's why we're here tonight, to show our support and let you know that we will fight tooth and nail for our kids. And we hope you guys will,
too. Now, I'm glad you guys said that you haven't seen this budget, you know, fully and truthfully, and that you're going to review it. And I hope that you know the considerations when you look at this budget to continue to fund youth sports, which you guys have always done in the past. Thank you for all that. You reflect on who's here today and
understand that this is very important and deeply important for our community. Um that with that, I'm glad you physically see us here tonight while reviewing this budget. As you look at every line item and every number, I hope you also think about the people sitting in this room. The kids, the families,
the volunteers, and the community that depends on these programs. We're paying attention because this matters deeply to us. We hope that as you consider this budget, you remember that your sports truly brings to this town community, teamwork, discipline, and opportunities for our children. I had this whole
speech written out, but based off what you guys said earlier and a couple conversations I had and and heard your intent to continue to support you sports in this community, I could pretty much throw like the first half of it out. So, I'm just going to go to the heartfelt portion so you guys can understand how
important this is. And I hope that you do feel the same sentiments that we feel here today. I'm here tonight with my child who's part of some of these programs and who experiences firsthand what these types of decisions can mean in real life. I'm also here as a coach who sees himself as a parent figure to
every player I coach. When you spend years with these kids, you care about their growth, their confidence, and the environment that they're growing up in. Sports and recreation programs are not just activities. They give kids structure, discipline, confidence, and a sense of belonging. They keep children
active, engaged, and focused. And for many families, they're a positive outlook that helps keep kids on the right path out of trouble. Some families rely on township recreation resources and programs to be able to participate in sports at all and changes in funding directly
affect their ability to do so. We're also a volunteer-run program at Midtown. That's who I'm part of. I think I might have said that. Sorry if I sound nervous, guys. I'm not a public speaker by any stretch of the imagination. Uh this is not a private entity. This is town property that volunteers work hard
to maintain for the benefit of the community. We do not just coach. We mow the fields. We rake the leaves. We repair plumbing issues, maintain the sprinkler systems, and handle handle regular upkeep, all as volunteers. This is to keep costs down for enrollment. And so the money we receive can go
directly towards helping operate the league and giving people opportunities to grow, compete, and play. Last year, our program was told to expect approximately $20,000 in support. When you look at that across the total municipal budget, that represents only a fraction of a percent, roughly around
400s of 1%. So it raises a simple question. When the numbers are that small in the context of the overall budget, why is there even uncertainty around sustaining it, which it sounds like there won't be, which I'm very glad and happy to hear, and thank you if this actually comes to fruition. We're not
asking for additional funding. All we're asking for is continued support so we can stay afloat and continue providing opportunities for children's and families who rely on these programs. >> I'm sorry, but your time is up. I apologize. >> All right. Well, thank you for everything that you guys have done in the past.
>> Your your daughters can speak. They have four minutes if they want to say anything that you may have missed. But first, you know, uh, welcome. I just, uh, welcome. What's your name? >> Hi, my name is Savannah Wentto. >> What school you go to? >> Uh, Lynon. Um, I mean, Thomas Jefferson
Middle School. >> And what sport do you play? >> Softball. >> Oh, great. >> Yeah. So, I'm wondering if you guys did make any cuts or you are going to, why would you need to make the cuts? >> Well, we're not going to make cuts to to my knowledge, I don't think there's a
member of this council that's going to cut youth sports. So, I I think we're on board there and I appreciate what you're doing and um but in any in any budget, we have to discuss every department. So, you know, we shake the tree everywhere and uh we
know what matters most. So, um it but it has to be looked at. That's our job. Uh so, but I I would I would believe that you're not going to have a problem. >> Okay. So, but if you want to continue talking, you do have three minutes. >> Um, like my father said, we are your future. So, like don't forget with any
sports or anything like always consider us and the future. >> So, yeah. >> I'm hoping you find me a job. So, I'm making sure. >> Did Thank you. >> Mr. President, >> is there anybody else? >> Mr. President,
>> one question about the the youth uh funding. Did Did we get the checks to the youth funding for 2025? >> No, that that's going to after the budget. We're going to >> What does that have to do with the budget? We approved that budget last year. That's 2025 budget.
>> Go ahead. >> Uh Friday, uh we have to send out the agreements that we just received. So, um that's required. Yeah. All the paperwork. So, that's what we're waiting for. Um, and so that'll be distributed on Friday. The checks will be on hand. We just need all the paperwork back.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> I know you're trying to sound like a hero right now, but we've been on board. You know, it's >> No, no, we've been asking and I know Sonia's been working on coming up with a whole new thing. So, we've been doing this for a while, but I figure as long as they're here and they're talking about funding for next year, >> they probably wanted to hear about
funding for this year. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Good. >> Yeah. They want to hear about you passing the budget at 4.4%. That's what they want to hear. Um anyway, uh anybody else? We PBA, did you want to speak? >> Thank you, Council President. Members,
>> welcome, please. And if you could, the mic is um for anybody next, you got to jack it up as high as you can, please. And speak as loud as you can. What you say does mean a lot and it affects um a lot. So, please. >> Thank you, Council President. My name is Michael Pipperado and I proudly serve as
the president for the Edison PBA local number 75. I grew up here in Edison. My family still resides here and this community will always mean a great deal to me and a place that I call home. Edison continues to be one of the most desirable communities in New Jersey
because people feel safe and secure. They know that when they call 911, help will arrive quickly when they need it most. That confidence is built through years of commitment and investment in public safety. Having heard the mayor's proposed
increase to the budget, I wanted to speak briefly in support of it. I believe the proposal is fiscally responsible and in the best interest of the township and its residents. Furthermore, it is my understanding that although it is an increase, it is below
the average increase seen across the state for other municipalities. Like every municipality, Edison is facing rising operating costs, many of which are outside the township's control. Despite those challenges, the police department has continued to
operate effectively, maintain the level of service residents here have come to expect and deserve. The budget introduced tonight fully funds public safety here in Edison. Any further cuts would be detrimental to the level of service and protection
residents currently receive. Tonight, on behalf of the dedicated public servants here this evening, I respectfully ask for continued support of the people and resources that help keep Edison safe, strong, and thriving. Thank you.
>> Council President, only be a minute. You didn't have to restart. >> You want us to restart? We can restart the clock. >> Since you're a senior member of You're not in the PBA. You're an older member now. So that you know, >> I'm an older member. Yes. >> Yes. But call what you want. But thank you. Welcome.
>> You're interrupting my time. >> Yes. >> Dan Boslett. Uh 5B Center Street. I've been here my entire life. I was born in JFK Hospital. I haven't left. I am a sergeant of police department here.
I'm also the S SOA president and I'm president ammeritas of the Edison Jets which I'm very proud of. The budget that has been proposed >> a point of order just the microphone please bring it closer. What you say means a lot.
>> The budget that has been proposed as it's been explained to me and my colleagues lets everyone live. Nobody gets hurt. The employees here live. the township residents live and they live
comfortably. The amount of this increase because of the past increases have been so low. I think we averaged around 2% the last four years. I live in town. I pay taxes in town. I notice my taxes have not gone up that much. To see a budget that's
been proposed at less than the state average and everything still survives, I'm in for that. I think everybody else would be in for that. Um, trying to save every penny and hurt people's careers,
hurt people's jobs, and reduce the amount of public safety that we have, emergency services, and youth sports, which is a passion of mine, is very important to me. I spent a lot of my adult life volunteering,
and I still do for kids benefits. My kids have not been in jets for 5 years yet. I'm still involved. I want to see all these kids uh succeed. It takes your support for them to succeed. We do not survive without the the money that we get. And we barely survive with the
money that we get, but we're happy to get what we get. Please consider that very very It's very important for those programs to get it. It's very important to keep our public safety at the levels we're
at. We have benefited from new hieries. We're still not where we need to be. I know the police department would like to have more guys. You start laying people off, we're going to be behind the eightball even more. We want more
hieries. We don't want layoffs. So consider this with the amount that that we're talking about. It's not a lot of money. From what I understand, it's average homeowner here is between 11 and $13 a month. I think most people in this room probably spend more sp uh Starbucks
every month than that. I don't care about 11 and $13 a month if we keep our town safe, keep our town funded. Thank you for your time. Council President. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. I'm I'm just I just go back to
where we started um at the beginning was where did this rumor start? >> I mean, Bos, he just, you know, he just said that after going through stuff and hearing all of this, you know, and he heard this. I'm I'm wondering where >> where did Bos hear that rumor from?
>> Sure. Well, I recommend when you're done, we can circle the crowd. >> Oh, he had have a conversation. >> He had 45 seconds left. Okay. >> Okay. Well, I mean, if you don't mind, as a courtesy, I I don't want to question a discussion. I think as most of you know, as I mentioned at the
beginning of this meeting, we had discussions about every single department, and that's something we're responsible to do. Uh you can look at any questions we may have had through public information, by emails. Assaf had a bunch of questions that were great
questions. AJ did, Rich did. So every that's what our job is. So if you heard a rumor through us having conversations with the mayor and administration about a department or all departments, it's true. That's what we have to do. This council also has the opportunity to increase the budget if we feel. Uh I
don't think it's ever been done, but we we know your pain. So I um just want to move forward to the next speaker. Uh, this is for public open comment and I just want to get to make sure I finish my police and fire uh personnel to make sure I got any union representation that
was here that was waiting for a while. They can speak for a group because you do not have to stay once your union speaks for you. You can stay for the whole meeting, but it's not necessary. Sir, please get no one else raised their hand. Okay, please come up. Oh, yeah. Yeah, you raised your hand before this
gentleman in the green shirt. He had his hand up before he been coming. Thank you. I'm Kulbinder Dhija 10 this road. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. I was here last meeting also and >> last meeting >> I have a I just want to mention you know
that we have been all you know saying that we should keep all the employees employed give raise where due what about the service part do we do the residents expect some decent service also from the township or should we be okay with what
we get and I'll give a reason for my saying that I wanted to make a I requested for a permit for my house to renovate a room and I'm not very familiar with the process. So I went
there and they say go hire some licensed people to do it. And I said I don't have the money. What money I have? I have to do it myself. And so I asked them can somebody help me how to fill the permit? And I was told no figure it out. And
they wanted me to they asked the information about the house you know what is there and I asked them that can I have the drawings the house was constructed in 2003 not very old they said we don't have I say what do you do with them they say we throw it away very
nice so you throw away something which somebody may need somebody can digitize those things see old times are gone if you are living in old times please shake up and you know get up and shake up yourself and sit down. You can't be doing what you were doing 50 years back,
30 years back, even 10 years back. >> Yeah. >> And so this is I am at a point I don't know how to proceed now with all drawings. They will not take my application and going I'm giving you numbers now. I asked somebody for renovation. The person said $60,000 for
renovation of a bathroom and a closet and I can do in below 20,000. And I say when you come for inspection you see everything I don't have drawing so I can't give you all details but when you come for inspection anything wrong don't
pass it or help me through the process and I'll tell them I'm going to give you this application come to you you give me your observations and it will go on unless you pass it or somebody can help me spend 10 20 minutes and and I got a
permit and I start working I I don't know how it goes. But I'm going to keep on this unless they give me a permit and I won't go to a licensed person because that is very expensive. >> Okay. >> I could what I could do uh uh two
members here, Councilman Patil and Patel. I think we can make a connection to the council. Uh maybe even right after this meeting. I don't know if they're running out for another meeting, but please stay. Sure. Perhaps it could be a short communication and if there's something we could do to expedite some
assistance of any miscommunication or misunderstanding, I think they're the perfect two to help you with that. >> Thank you. I appreciate I'll meet you. >> No, it's our pleasure and I'm sorry that it is a challenging uh department for the first time to go in there. >> And also I told them I'm prepared to pay if there's a process you know where I
can get paid time for half an hour 20 minutes. No, >> I'm prepared to pay for the money. >> You don't have to pay them anything but you can come in. I'll give them out. >> You can come you can come in and support the council raise next next year if you'd like. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> Okay, great. >> I have some time so I'll quickly go over.
>> No, no, it's great. You you still have 35 seconds left, sir. >> Yeah. So, from the previous meeting, there were two line items which I went home and then >> one was there was a request for asking for a printer. It's line item 242 from last time. They're
asking for a printer for recreation department and $25,000. I thought it's going to be some some something big, some machine for printing. And I went to the office. I asked them. They're asking for a Rico copier. They gave me the number. I put
in my phone. The price was $5,000. And they're asking 25,000. I says, "For what?" They say, "For training and paper." I said trading on a printer on a copier and the cost goes five times. Why should they even buy a printer of
25,000? >> Your your time is up. Um we can discuss that further. Uh our stuff is by contract. But uh if you think there's a a cheaper number out there, we're open to discuss that. But there could be some confusion. The number you see on the
paper and the contractual obligation of the service agreement we have with that printer. I you know, we do the same thing every year. But I'll >> we can definitely respond to you by email on that subject separately. Thank you for coming. >> Any other members of the public? >> Council President
speak >> and those who are uh leaving or staying, I thank you for coming. Um it does mean a lot that you're here today representing your teams or your unions and public safety, fire, uh police or EMS. But I'm not disappointed if you
decide to want to leave. I'm not at all disappointed. But if you do want to speak, you're more than welcome to continue speaking. You each have four minutes. Welcome. >> Hi, Lois. >> 52 Rita Road, Edison, New Jersey. >> And just for the people listening, what you say is important, can you please speak loud and clear to the microphone?
>> Yes, I'll have to talk louder than this. Is this have to use my older voice? >> Uh, Lois, 52 Rita Road, Edison, New Jersey, and vice chair of the cultural arts commission. I'd like to thank the council for approving the reappointment of two of the members of the cultural arts commission, Don Tor and Diana Joffy
and also the new appointment of Tony Reigliano. They'll be they'll be good additions to the commission. But I also want to talk to you about attrition. You said no one in the fire or police department is going to be lose their jobs, but there's also the copy. There's
also a concern about attrition and losing personnel through attrition. Every time there is a reduction in the force through attrition, it puts police and fire lives in danger. So it hope that when you look through the budget, you make sure that they're not
accounting that as way to to balance the budget. Thank you. >> No, thank you. That means a lot. We appreciate your time. Yep. Miss Conway. So I'll get right to you. M I'm sorry. Sorry for in the back there
with your phone. I'm sorry I skipped you. I'll get to you next. >> Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. One thing that we have to remember is that we are a service organization. We provide various
services. Thank you. for our district, our township, whether it be fire, police, administration, EMS, they are all important and they're important to everybody. But when you look at the budget,
you can't eliminate that because that's what the public knows. We need to be able to reach out to you, ask questions, ask for help, and you respond. So therefore, when you're looking, that should not be one of the places to look.
I'm sure there's other things that you can go through line by line and find, well, maybe we can hold off on something like that. Everybody's worried about money coming in. And as a retired person, I don't get a 4% increase, so
that's okay. It's worth it to have the protection to know that I can pick up the phone and get answers from either our police department, our fire department, or any of the above. But we also have to remember our youth and the
organizations for them to come here tonight. Please keep us in mind. We're, as the young lady said, they are our future. We need to give them proper positive things to do and if we're
lacking, shame on us. So please, when you're taking the time and moving forward with this budget, just keep those things in mind. We do our services and we provide for our youth. And the only other thing I'd like to
ask, I had a question about NIXL. Uh the other day uh our development couldn't even get out onto Inman Avenue. It was at like 7:00 in the morning and it was the line going toward Grove was
all the way back to Featherbed Lane and it was it was scary because we didn't know what was going on and we did not get a Nixl and we normally get two the original Nixl and then now there's a second I don't know
whether we call that Nixl or that comes by a different name but they're two separate numbers. So, I was able to call the town and someone did get back to me and let me know it was the gates at the uh train tracks that got stuck down and
was down for quite a while. And my section of town was really awful. My husband normally takes my grandsons to school, which is right over the border in South uh Planefield, and it took him over an hour to get there that morning
because of it. He luckily followed a school bus and they kind of knew the ins and outs of how to get around, but it was kind of scary. So I I don't know what Nixl is, but it does provide a service of let's not go down that block
today because they're doing something. And when something like this happened, it was truly scary the other day. So um if you could explain who is actually Nixl or Nixl's partner. Uh so this way we can keep track of what's going on and
hopefully uh they can do something about those uh guardrails going up and down. It it does happen every once in a while. I wish there was a a different way we could uh utilize going cross tracks. Uh
because that section of from where Shamrock and down and tingly up, you can really get stuck in those uh areas if you need to get out of there.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Sonia, remind me. Um, Nixel was phased out and everybody should have been ported over to the new app, right? Automatically. I mean, I got the alerts that she's talking about. >> So, >> so you're talking about Everbridge? Yes.
Uh, Everbridge is the new new, >> right? But she seems to say that she didn't I I remember getting those alerts in the morning that she's talking about on um but she said she didn't get them >> for Everbridge or Nixon. >> Um, neither. They need to go on and sign
on to Everbridge. But if she signed on to Nixl, it should have transposed over to Everbridge. >> Did Did you get any recently? >> Yes. >> Maybe it was a glitch. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> H All right. Anyone else? Come on up, Joel. Thank you. Joel Bassoff, Beach Lane Edison. >> You're recognized. >> I'd like to get a commitment from the
council and from the administration going forward for transparency and for adherence to statutory deadlines. Uh we just saw tonight the consequences of what happens when deadlines are missed
and when there's a lack of transparency. When a budget deadline is missed and the public doesn't have access to the budget, next thing you know that all sorts of rumors and innuendo go around. And we had a room full of people that
were were needlessly put in fear of their jobs, dedicated public servants that that had to worry if their positions were being cut. We we had a room full of uh sports league families, kids and parents who were concerned that
the funding for the youth activities would be cut. And if it's true that the the budget that's been proposed doesn't cut any of that, then then people were put through a lot of needless angst and and that shouldn't happen. I mean, the
public did its part by by coming forward and coming here, making their opinions known. It's really for the administration and for the council to do its part by by following local finance law and for meeting deadlines. uh in
particular uh I was kind of dismayed that that it's bad enough that when members of the public went to the township website to see what was being proposed for the budget, the only thing that was on the site with the agenda was
the one-page summary sheet of revenues and appropriations. Uh why didn't we have access to the budget? uh you know that there there's a concept of crowdsourcing where you can benefit if if you put a problem out to the public
uh if you open it up to everybody's opinion. Uh you get better input, better information, and it makes it easier for for you to make your decisions. So why wouldn't you want that? Uh, and in terms of transparency, uh, another
demonstration that we just had tonight of an egregious lack of transparency is that the council went into closed session for no legitimate reason. Uh, the only thing we heard is that someone wanted some legal advice. Well, I' I've
got a copy of the Open Public Meetings Act. That's not a justification for going into close session. Uh the whole purpose of a public meeting, including a work session, is that if there are issues that that have to be thrashed out and that affect the public, you do it
openly and transparently. So, uh I hope we won't see any violations of the Open Public Meetings Act again. But can we get a commitment that going forward at the very least that the budget deadlines that are in state law will be adhered
to? uh because we were supposed to have an adopted final budget at the previous meeting and at this point we're nowhere close to that. So there's still a lot of work to be done. So can we get that commitment? I'm sorry that the president of the council isn't here to uh share in
that commitment. But would everyone else commit to working together to to hold the administration's feet to the fire to make sure that the deadlines that are in the law are adhered to so that going forward nobody is made afraid
needlessly? That's my question. Okay. Um I'll go to Sonia. Do you think we could get the 2027 budget on time next year? Uh the budget was discussed with the council president and council
members within the time frame as Mr. Bassoff discussed. Um it is up to the council now to uh it's the council's budget now. So it's up to you and to adopt it now that you've introduced it. >> We get it a little bit earlier next
year. I mean I'd like to satisfy our resident. >> We we've had it early. uh it was just there and for your review and acceptance and obviously tonight was the night that you all decided to introduce it and then um you're looking at a July adoption. So
I that that's something the administration doesn't have control over. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Council vice president just a a quick like little history. Um, anybody that's been here probably as long as me, the
tar probably know, um, there was a period that we had, I think under uh, Reigliano where the council tried to force Reciganiano to put her budget out. And in doing so, there was this
appropriations that we did and they were holding up the appropriations and like the entire town got furled or laid off. So, we didn't have employees working. I mean, I believe police and fire probably still work, but the rest of the town got
laid off for like a week. >> Sure. >> Um, and if it wasn't recigo, it was June Choy then. But there was a time when employees all got laid off in the township. So, so for the township to for the council to force that like it's kind
of an extreme measure um which had a lot more people we had here today back then you know that was the entire township then. So the I mean the administration you know they try and get it to us and then we have to have time to review it um as you
heard tonight and the process I guess takes time. It's probably not what you wanted to hear though, but um that would be a council vice president since you started off. >> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman
Brasher. Um I am I I'll apologize that you did not get as good a review as the budget as some of the members of the public tonight. >> Yes, they they got a they they knew a lot more than than I did, but I'm only a councilman >> right here.
Hey, >> can you hear me? Yes. >> Yes, you're recognized. >> Thank you. Um, I'm begging the council president that I don't use my name right now because I want to discuss something about domestic violence. >> Sure. No problem. No problem. You don't have you don't have to. No one has to.
>> Um, I have worked in the past several years with domestic violence. Uh, and as a result, I've worked with a lot of the police officers in this town. I have to tell you 100% of the time these officers have been magnificent working with the
underbelly of our society and there is more domestic violence in this town and I'm sure in others but in this town than you would care to know. The stories are unbelievable. And these officers go to these homes and they'll tell you it's probably one of the most dangerous
assignments that they have. And if they don't go in pairs, it makes it that much more dangerous for the victim and for the police officer. So, you know, if we lose any police and they
have to go in by themselves, it makes it that much more violent or that much more dangerous. So I I urge you and we we not only need to keep our officers even those through attrition we need to keep but we need to add. So um I just want to
commend them. I you know they're not here but I tell them all the time they're they're just wonderful. Uh on another note I just wanted to ask and I know Elizabeth Conway asked this last time. What's going on in Inman and Grove Shopping Center? What is that store
going to be? Does anybody know? Wait a minute. Um to the administration, have you heard anything yet? >> You know, >> we've not we actually just circulated some a similar question as to what you
know what what's pending. >> I um at this time we don't have an answer. I believe there was an exchange of ownership potentially in the past someone mentioned, but I don't have a current tenant. And that's what you're looking for. >> Yeah. Is there going to be a time that
we know? I mean, it's it's it's just an anchor store and it's important. So, I just thought maybe somebody had a clue. >> I think you know what you'll find is a lot of malls who wait, they hold and wait is they're waiting for a class A tenant to move in there because that changes the value of their property. If Trader Joe's moves in, it's a game
changer for them. So, I would think they're aggressively looking. I mean, I don't think they're looking to just settle uh for a smaller tenant grocery store. They a name brand helps a lot of things. Plus, it just gives value to selling them all with a class A tenant. So, I'm thinking that's their plan.
Maybe they're not. Maybe they're losing on all fronts, but I don't have a contact with them. I'm sorry, but it's a great question. >> Thank you. >> When we hire economic development person, maybe that we can also do that, too. Thank you. Any anybody else that wanted to speak that hadn't had a chance to speak before?
>> Sure. I'm sorry, sir, that you didn't get called on. I went outside. I apologize. >> Not a problem. Thank you. >> And if you could uh your name and address and pull the mic as close you can to yourself so we can hear you.
>> Serg Mener aka better. >> Yep. >> Decent. All right. Um uh address uh Waldman Avenue at Edison, New Jersey. Uh just wanted to quickly highlight a few things. Um, so we actually myself and uh members of my community
actually just found out that the um that the budget was actually going to be presented today uh that would affect our emergency services, our police department, our fire department. Um and so just as something that may have happened outside of Edison, but still I
think important regardless um a few days ago or not even a few days ago probably like two days ago uh there was a shooting that happened uh in San Diego um toward in the like Islamic center in San Diego and the very first people that came on site was actually the police
department that allowed um that community to feel much would feel safe. Then the second uh department were the emergency services and the third was the fire department. Um just as a member of Edison um anything they need to kind of
uh ensure that they can operate on the same level that they have um we're just for. That's all I want to say. >> Hey, thank you and very important. Thank you. Any of the members of the public that did not get a chance to speak would like to speak? Sir, your time your time is up and I apologize. Any amen members
that did not speak that would like to speak? Seeing none, have a motion. Well, first we're going to move forward on the agenda. I apologize. >> Are we are we doing any of the part of the work session on here? >> No, we're not. We didn't have >> session now. >> Yeah. We have a motion to close the
public >> motion to close. >> Yep. Second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Thank you. Okay. We got our points of light. Uh, Saturday, May 23rd is Memorial Day parade at 12:00 noon. Starts at Lynen
All School. Friday, June 5th is the 43rd annual law enforcement torch run at 12:30 at Police Memorial. Any other council members that like to add a point of light? >> Okay. Hearing none for discussion items.
I'm going start with uh Councilwoman Kelly Dema. I actually have my animal shelter report that I know people look forward to hearing. >> Fine. Absolutely. People love it. >> I look forward to it. >> The chicken is still there. >> Talk. >> No, the chicken. >> Oh, the chicken. The
>> chicken. So, adoptions. Uh 15 cats, two dogs. Oh, and somebody adopted the chicken. >> Um reclaimed four cats and 18 dogs. And currently in the shelter are 11 dogs and 31 cats. So, we're looking good.
>> Fantastic. I'll just move down. Council vice president. Any discussion? >> None at the time. >> Council member Patel. >> Uh, yes, council president. So, a few things. Uh, one of the discussion item I
have is uh for you know, council president, you can answer or Sonia can answer is we I I sent an email out. There was a resolution that was stable before a couple of years for shared services for Woodro Wilson Field because they had a gym construction going on at
that time. So I think Sonia forwarded to you. When can we bring that back in the council agenda? >> Repeat the Repeat the question one more time. I'm sorry. >> So it was a resolution for shared services for Woodro Wilson Turfield. So I think Councilman Patilio also remember
that it was stable because I >> I think I'd go to the BA to the BA. Did you have it? Are you aware of this uh are we are you aware of this shared service agreement? >> Uh I believe there was one pending and >> it's up to the council if they want to put it on the agenda.
>> Okay. I wasn't I apologize. I did not speak uh to council member Patiel about it but please uh send it to me. >> Okay. I'll I'll resend to you again. >> Yeah, no problem. >> Okay. And other thing is uh you know with the taxes and all these things going on uh one of the things um you
know whether it's a board of tax like councilman councilman brasher also mentioned last time to a resident whether it's a board of tax or township tax end of the day we are all Edison taxpayers so anything that goes up goes up and you know it it affects any
taxpayer anything any reduction in any area any saving is a saving for taxpayer So that being said uh you know this there is thing this thing Talmage road property that board of is trying to purchase. Okay. Um so if council
if there is a way township of council can you know pass a resolution for having a shared services for a very long-term very long-term debt on that for them to borrow township don't pay for it the board of can pay for it but doing a long-term debt service that may
reduce that may free up the cash flow and reduce some interest rate that they may they may be paying. So something to look on. I will follow with an email. So it's too early to decide right now, but I follow with an email. So something to look on that on that area. Whatever that
together if it saves Addison taxpayers money. Um and yeah, I think that's it I have. >> Thank you. Thank you. Um council member Patio. >> So we are on the discussion items. >> Yes sir. >> Okay. Thank you council president. The first one is bamboo ordinance. You know
I received several complaints. Uh there are litigations as well. I just received one more email. Uh so request to this council and you know all all of you can chime in whoever wants to. >> Council member I just want to interrupt. I have at the same time I think we're
receiving the same emails. I already requested uh Mr. Renown to put that on the agenda to have it pulled to to have that ordinance pulled. I did want to discuss it with members of the council but I did get the same email. I did act on it. So maybe it will be seen at the next meeting.
>> Okay. So we are planning to >> undo the ordinance that was passed. >> We can we can pull it and put and leave it at his original condition or we can amend it. But >> pulling it gives us time. We'll play with it later. Right now it's a >> understood. Okay. Perfect. You know that does, you know, give >> Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you
though. >> Right. But in in between if somebody has a summons or notices we need to make sure that the message goes out and it stays you know it it doesn't continue the litigation or anything right >> uh next one is
survey ordinance I I you know I'm really keen to understand I saw the if someone wants to build a deck or a very small pathway or walkway I think our current application says that within a 10 years the survey has to be latest greatest
when they apply and in fact you know I did visit one of the resident he purchased a property I think 15 years ago there was no improvement that was done but he's forced to spend $1,000 so if there is a way for us to check one or
the other way you can use the Google Earth or physical visit that will help to relieve the need of uh the survey Again this is a question to Sonia and I will send a detailed email on this uh because this is something I don't
think we have any ordinance per se but we did put that in the application and that is causing a problem uh for the resident road paving Baltic Avenue. In fact I brought this several times and again I'm talking about a very small patch that's
right from GR to Oak tree that has been left out for last four or five years. It's probably 100 200 ft. But if you go today you will say that there are dozens of potholes and reporting one or two pothole I get it but reporting the
entire street is a problem. If there is a way for you to pay in this schedule it will be helpful. Oak tree crossing and this is something we were talking about the pedestrian crossing you know this council approved and thank you I said that this is a good
investment. However, Oakri is Oakri road is the county road and is there a way that we can the administration can send some sort of a communication to our commissioners to look at the crossings on Oakree Road especially if
you look at the YMCA the two or three Elmmy road Elm road intersection on Oakri roadn drive on road. These are the crossings before the street signal comes in and
even though speed limit is 35, people are driving literally at 45 to 50 m an hour and there are bus stops around that and the kids are walking to uh YMC and that's kind of a dangerous spot there. So if somebody can look at that
I'll skip you know next couple of things but I'll come back on cricket field and permits. Not sure what's happening. So many people are reaching out about the cricket permits. I think you you know sir you reported that somebody's paying on John Adams. This is possibly because
the permits are not allocated to the uh the teams and they are playing wherever they can find a spot and started doing that. I don't know where it stand is it with the township or it is with the board of but we need to come out with some clear message saying where it stands and how what need to be done
there. Can you please find out on that as well? And the last one is engineering inspection of road works. Again this is Brian. I will send an email with some uh pictures. The roads they were paved I believe two or three years ago
cracks now several places. Uh and again this is something residents reported and probably we might have to go back and revisit and if you have a way to get those fixed or if we have any warranty guarantee from the contractor that needs to be looked in. That's it. Thank you council.
>> Thank you uh council member. >> Not at this time. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. And um I don't have anything on my agenda so I don't have any discuss. I have stuff written here as I've done in the past, but the administration has uh discussed
it with us. And as far as the sewer and water, we had a a separate meeting with them which was really good and we appreciate the updates on what the sewer and water department gave us. Thank you for that hard work. Um I did miss council committees. I do apologize. I'm just going to Oh, I'm sorry. from my
right. First discussion items. Uh, council member pressure. >> I I purposely had you go last just because I, you know, you always go first and I know it's a lot of pressure for you sometimes. >> I would hope you show me the same respect and allow me to vote last at
some time. Sometime well >> in all these years. >> It's it's tradition. Um, it's tradition that you that um, >> one one question. >> I let you comment last all the time. So, go ahead. I'm sorry. Um, and it seems like it's kind of resolved, but but
maybe Sonia could look into um, you know, the pickle ball people that were here and they were talking about the Jets field and all of that. Um, they they make um, so my understanding was we were having like tennis and all this stuff in there,
right? I didn't realize that. Then we had this removable turf top thing on it. Which then goes to to ask is why do we need to pull it up? Can't we pull plugs out of the turf
field, right? Like a a a plug for the pipes for the tennis court. So that you pull the plugs out, right? You put the pipes in. They play tennis on the turf field. Um, you know, the cheerleaders, you put the mats on the turf field. So,
the turf field is the actual your actual flooring, let's say, and everything can be done on it. And then you don't have to remove it. You know, you're talking about just taking some plugs and the manufacturer will probably have a detail. I mean, it's not going to be free, right? But I don't think it's
going to cost us another million. Um, you know, if you could maybe have somebody look into that might help. >> Sure. Thank you. >> That was it. >> Okay. Um, did I miss anybody? Okay. Look at this. Oh my god. Uh, can I ask for a
motion to adjurnn? Councilman Brusher? >> No. >> Yes. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. This meeting is end at 8:32. Thank you. >> I have