All I know. >> I didn't win anything. I saw it. That's a great idea. >> I know. >> That's a great idea. >> I'll vote for that. Good evening and welcome to the Old
Bridge Township May 19th, 2026 Council meeting. Please rise for a pledge of allegiance and please remain standing for a moment of silence. I pledge allegiance to the flag United States of America to the republic for which it
stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> As customary, we stand in the chamber to remember those who are protecting our freedoms both here and abroad, for our first responders, for those who have
made the ultimate sacrifice, and for everyone suffering around the world. A moment of silence, please. Our prayer, Mr. Pasciddi. >> Dear Lord, bless the servants in the Ministry of Public Affairs who serve you in this chamber. Give us quiet minds and
hearts that we may hear your voice. Help us to know when to speak, when to be silent. Give us strength to oppose the wrong and uphold the right. And grant that we have a good conscience and a soul at peace with thee and with one
another. Amen. Roll call. Council present, >> please. >> Councilman Asatuli, >> present. >> Councilman Dealama, >> here. >> Let the record reflect that Councilman Desai is absent. Councilman Merwin, >> present. >> Councilman Pasci, >> here.
>> Let the record reflect that Councilman Rosolei is absent. Councilman Von Stettton >> here. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli >> present. Council President Sohar here. >> This meeting is being held in conformance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Notice has been given to
the official newspapers of the township on January 8th, 2026 and has been posted in public places. Next open public meeting of the township council will be held on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. >> Thank you and everyone welcome to the meeting. Uh we're going to begin this
evening with a um presentation of the open space tax referendum. Good evening, open space, >> all of you. >> Dale. Thank you. Good evening.
>> Hi, good evening. My name is Kathy and I'm the chair of the open space committee. Uh we are here tonight to request that a referendum be placed on the November ballot to establish an open space tax fund for Obridge to help purchase and preserve land throughout
our town. Um, with new state affordability housing mandates placing increasing development pressure on communities across New Jersey, we must do everything we can to preserve the remaining land in Oldbridgeidge. Once open space is lost to development, it's gone forever. You
cannot create more land. New Jersey was once known as the garden state. As many residents are concerned that overdevelopment is rapidly changing the character of our communities. Go ahead. Say stop here. Creating this fund would also allow to
qualify for matching contributions and grants from Middle Sex County and the state of New Jersey. Currently, Obridge residents already pay into Middle Sex County's open space fund through county taxes. Yet, our town receives no benefit, none, because we do not have
our own dedication dedicated um municipal open space fund in place. Thank you. >> Got it. >> Residents throughout town continue to express concerns about the amount of building and development taking place,
including the open space committee. Establishing an open space tax fund would give our community an important tool to to preserve land wherever opportunities
arise and protect the character and quality of life of our town for future generations. The proposed tax would be minimum just 3 cents per 100 of assessed home value.
For a home assessed at $350,000, which is higher than many homes in town, the annual cost would be approximately $105 per year, about 26 per quarter or
roughly 28 cents per day. I just want to mention that the average assessed value of a home in Old Ridge is at 158,100 for an annual cost of 4743 or just 11.85 a quarter. That's only 12 cents a day.
Um we believe preserving open space, protecting our environment, and maintaining the character of Oldbridge is well worth that cost. Tonight, we respectfully ask the council to vote yes to place this referendum on the ballot in November and allow the residents of Obridgeidge the opportunity to decide
this important issue for themselves. Preserving our town is priceless. Thank you so much for your consideration and good night. >> Yeah, thank you all for the time that you spend attending the meetings and working so hard to put together this
presentation. Thank you very much. It's a very important cause. Thank you all. >> Thank you. >> Um I'd like to add something. Um uh years ago we had placed this on the um ballot and it went down
heavily and we had gotten lots of signatures and I don't think people realize that if we don't have our own open space trust fund, we're sending that money to the county. We're not getting it back. Two cents of every dollar of your taxes goes to the county and you're never going to see it back.
So without that, we cannot preserve land because people are complaining about all the building going on and a lot of it is the it's mandated by the state with this affordable housing mandate and we want to try to save if we can as much as we can and if we put this on the ballot I hope you'll consider voting for it
because it's it's very minimal amount of money but it's the only way we're going to be able to have any hope of preserving some of our open space because otherwise there's no free money to do that because it's very very expensive to buy land today. Dr. Greenberg,
>> I on the first open space referendum when it was put on the ballot the first time. We we were around town collecting signatures and we got it on the ballot and it passed and then it was there under Barbon and for some reason it sunset it and they we tried to bring it
back. We went and got enough signatures to get it back on the ballot but they didn't endorse it. And just as the mayor said, just as the committee said, it doesn't make sense that we're spending money to the county for an open space trust fund for the county that they're not buying any land here. They're buying
we're buying land in other towns throughout the county. And we all want to preserve as much land as we can. Um so without I want everyone out here that understands this to really talk to your neighbors and friends how important this is. Listen, we don't like another tax
either, but in the long run, preserving that land will save the taxpayers money. It will have no cost on infrastructure. It will have no cost on EMTs, fire, police, schools, etc. I can go on and on. Road, sewer, water. So, in the long
run, you spend that money, it's like a one-time deal. You buy that land and it's preserved into perpetuity. So, I urge everyone to understand that and please activate your friends and your neighbors to to vote in November and I
hope the council my the team here that um we understand the value of this and we put this on the um November ballot. Thank you. >> Anyone else wish to speak on this topic? >> Yes, Mr. Prescuit. >> Yeah, I'll be supporting this. Um I
think it's a good idea. Uh it's the only way we can get out of what we're in is to preserve open space. Um will there be any type of restrictions on this like uh we're only going to be buying private property or old bridge
property or anything like that or it's just >> you can only buy property people want to sell it to you. So that's the land that we buy the people ones that are offered us to to buy it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Well, I I agree and I think that
part of it too is the fact that it will be a referendum. >> So, it will be the people who will be speaking to us. We are not just arbitrarily putting in something that is going to cost a few cents for each person. We are asking you the public to
support this at well as well. So, whatever the results come from that referendum will be what we go by. So it is not something done just at a at a council level. This is you the people helping us hopefully and helping each other come to you know help do this for
for the whole town and preserve. I'm like she said Anita said there we tried last time we had gotten quite a few signatures but unfortunately people and I get it. you see it's an increase and you're very you're very troubled by it.
But this I think long term will be something well worth doing. But again, it'll be up to the public. So if you are in favor, which I hope you are, you will then tell your friends and neighbors the same thing since you come and you're involved in the sense of you're here, you hear what goes on, you can make your
own decision. But if you know, you decide that this is something you can support, that would be great. And we could do this just as a town. That's that's the goal here. Just for the town to be able to do something good for everyone. Period. No anywhere else.
Anybody else have a comment? Mr. >> Just have one thing real quick. So what they do is they they the the state is saying they're so compassionate that it's affordable housing. They should really say 20% affordable housing. 80% is market value. So it's just fake news.
And that's why we're looking to preserve this town because all they do is put a Google map up and say you're going to build here and they don't care about the infrastructure, the roads, the schools. They're just telling you to do it. This is our town and we got to keep it ours. So, I'm definitely going to back it up 100%.
>> One question to the attorney. >> Maybe there's something wrong with this microphone. People tell me they can't hear me. I never hear have that problem anywhere. Yeah. >> I don't know the
um if if the referendum passes. >> Yeah. >> Who who decides where the the property is um being bought from? committee or the council or >> well you guys can probably speak better but you have an open space advisory committee and typically
typically um when when advisory committees are in place I think part of their function is to look at the township and and to see if areas that might be targeted for open space acquisition. Um and then I think sometimes not frequently sometimes we get the tangent will get contacted and
they ask the tenant if you want to acquire it. Um, and then, um, so other times it's just a matter of if there's pieces of property that as elected officials, you're all out in the community that you think might be, uh, a a good piece to to acquire, you can do it that way.
>> So, there's multiple ways to do it. >> Yeah. >> The um, listen, I in this day and age, you know, I think taxes are we're we're nuts, but this isn't our this not our money. Let them make the decision.
let them make the decision. This, you know, is on them and and and you know, so I I'll be supporting it. You know, I don't know how successful we're going to be, but I support it. Yeah. >> Yeah. It shouldn't matter. This would be across all party lines because this is
just preserving, you know, and if we don't have the money, we can't do it. So, I think everyone should be on board for this. I understand no one wants a tax increase, but it's very minimal. uh between 30 to $70 a year. And if we could save land,
it's it's definitely worth the matching funds from the state and the county because right now Councilwoman So said it we're paying the money in but we're not getting it back. So they're buying land all over. So any little pit pocks that we could preserve will be worth it.
>> Mark, do you want to get a feel for this? >> What's that? Yeah, I mean I think you typically we do and we we did this before. I don't know how many years ago I had the resolution. It's just a matter of um I'm sorry I forgot what the percentage just let me know the tax was
it 3 cents 3 cents per 100. So and then and don't forget the the way the uh the statute is there's six or seven different categories that the open space can be utilized for. Not just acquisition utilize for acquisition maintenance. Um um if you had long-term
if you had debt in connection with um acquisition you can pay the debt service on that as well. Uh there's even uh they provided a blue um blue acres provision a few years back that if you had you know properties underwater utilize that. I think there's six or seven off the top
of my head if I remember. So typically there's a ballot question it says and asking the voters to approve it and the statute has the five or six different purposes for which you can do it and then and assume it it it um the other question is right and I don't remember
if last time if we had a sunset or not provision a lot of times um towns do have sunset provisions just because I mean the idea of a tax I guess they want to make sure it it ends or not end and then then the other thing once assume if it were to pass one of the other steps
you have to do is annually uh once you have the tax coming in, council then has to have a public hearing for the allocation. So you would vote to see how you allocate the uh funding once it's in your trust fund. Um >> yeah. Yeah. For the public and and then
you would just break it up and then and again it depends on your it depends on your um your what's important. Now I mean the town does have open space um already. So you know with respect to well you know acquisition would would be
a primary target but to the extent that you have existing open space you wouldn't be precluded from using that for maintenance uh for those sites as well andor improvements that's the other thing where you can do if you need to make improvements open space you can use the tax for that as well. So, so I would
based upon our ordinance, what I would do is take a vote uh for purposes of uh having my department draft a uh referendum question to be placed on the November ballot and then um I forget the timing, but it's usually some time to
clerk by August, right? Uh right. So, they get on the ballot. So I I madam president I would ask for that motion to authorize the law department to proceed with drafting a uh ballot question regarding open space for consideration by council.
>> Move it moved by >> by council vice president Dr. Greenberg ballet. Oh, wait. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Now it's going to put a little >> If we bought up all the property that's available in Oldbridge, would that
change our numbers in the um fair share? >> Not this round though. >> Not this round. >> It it could one of the things that they consider obviously is right uh deed restricted properties. Right. So, right. So, in future, >> I mean, they wouldn't take it as kind of circumvent.
>> No, I mean I mean I think there's look, there's always competing interests, >> right? And and obviously, you know, it's a legitimate concern. You have your you know, we're in the process of going through a fourth round plan. So, you know, you're looking beyond that and and it's not like it's not something that
the town hasn't um endeavored before. So, they're continuing that. >> So, we had a motion by council vice president. Who seconded? Councilman Astatuli. >> Roll call. Councilman Astatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Mwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasciddi? >> Yes. >> Councilman Vonstettton? >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli? >> Yes. Definitely. >> And Council President Sohar. >> Yes. Please. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. And thank you again committee
for coming and all the support and all the hard work. We appreciate it. And I'm excited. I think this is something we can do if we all work together, all of us. So, thank you again. We appreciate. Okay. Next will be our uh bill list.
Councilman Deama. >> Bill list as of May 19, 2022. Accounts payable May 19th, 2026 28,73,57829. Payroll May 8th 20261,361,18344 and payroll overtime May 8th 2026
33,55153 and that is all. >> Thank you. Anna, can we have a break the overtime please? >> Yes, thank you. There was no major uptakes in our May 8th payroll. The sworn police overtime for that payroll was $21,482.
Deduct grants $3,47242. Uh deduct ETO $6,56616 for a total of $11,964. We currently have three officers on light duty and two officers injured on duty. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Anna. Do I have a motion for
the bill list? >> Second. Moved >> by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Belli. Second by Councilman Von Stettton. Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deal. Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pascitti. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Next will be ordinances for first reading FR1 ordinance of the township of Old Bridge, New Jersey, amending chapter
273 of the township code entitled Lunch Wagons Mobile. Do I have a motion? Moved by council vice president. Second by councilman acetatuli. >> Roll call. Councilman Asetuli. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasciddi. >> No. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> And council president Sohar. >> Yes.
>> Public hearing set for um sorry June 9th, 2026. >> Okay. FR2, ordinance amending the code of the township of Oldbridge, specifically article 8, daycare program 160-30,
fees for before and after school daycare program. Do I have a motion? >> Moved by Councilman Vonstettton. >> Second. >> Second. >> Councilman Deama. >> Roll call. Councilman Asetuli. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Deama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. Yes. >> Councilman Pasciddi. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. >> Yes. >> And council president Sohor. >> Yes. >> Public hearing set for June 9th, 2026.
>> FR3. Ordinance of the township of Oldbridge approving the financial agreement for BH Manzo Boulevard Urban Renewal LLC. Do I have a motion? >> Move it. >> Moved by Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. Second. Second by
Councilman Asatuli. Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasciddi. >> No. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> And Council President Sohar.
>> Yes. >> Public hearing set for June 9th, 2026. >> I'm going to be busy, huh? >> Okay. F FR4. Ordinance of the township of Oldbridge in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey, providing for a special emergency appropriation
pursuant to NJSA.4A 4-53B in the amount of $4 million for preparation of a complete program of re-evaluation of real property. Do I have a motion? >> Motion second. Moved by Councilman
Asatuli, second by Councilman Von Stettton. Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pascitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes.
>> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Public hearing set for June 9th, 2026. >> Okay. Next will be our consent agenda. I'd like a motion and a second and we'll go back for separations. >> Move it. Moved by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Belli. Second by um
Councilman Bonetton. Councilman Estatuli. Any items for separation? >> Well, thank you Kate. >> Councilman Dealama. >> C6. >> C6. Councilman Merwin. >> C4. C5.
>> Okay. Councilman Pasci. >> C3. >> Okay. Coun Councilman von Stettton. >> None. Thank you. Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> No, thank you. >> And Council President Sohar. >> No, thank you. >> Okay. We have a motion and a second for
the consent agenda with the removal of C3, C4, C5, and C6. Ro, we already have one. Closet. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mwick. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasci.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. Yes. And Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Okay. Next will be C3. Mr. Peskitti. >> Yes. Uh I enjoy the GIS um website that
we have. Uh unfortunately it's very clunky and it doesn't always work. Um is there some sort of uh quality control that we set? Can anybody answer that?
on the GIS. >> Have you? >> Yes, I'll have I'll have Nicole Shapiro. Thank you. Speak on that. Thank you. >> Good evening, Nicole. >> Good evening, council. The GIS that's on for tonight's council meeting for
approval is apart from what's online. That's typically not GIS. That's actually just our parcel layer that's created by our surveyors when they're preparing the tax map. We call it our rubber sheet. That's how the lines come
out for each property. The blocks and lots and the data that you see there is just a compilation and pulling source data from our mod 4 tax um system that along with the parcel data is just overlaid on top of an aerial imagery.
truly it's not GIS. It's just an aerial mapping with some sort of information then gathered onto it. Ignatius group is the one that had created that. We were dealing with French and Pillo on the storm water management component or the
um documentation for all our outfalls in town that's associated with our storm water uh permit with D. So we started that process with them. They created a watershed inventory map. They had completed it for us and they g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g ge
geollocated every single one of our outful structures. That's great, but we could certainly expand on that. We had I don't know if you recall a couple of years back we had gotten an NJT grant so that we could get a GPS unit so we could
locate any future outflows in in the future. Apart from this, they had the big monumental task and we're going to maintain that. What they're going to do is they're going to teach us how to use that equipment. We're they're gonna we're going to host then a GIS system
which is going to be completely robust. And what the goal is is to eventually take that as the first start. For example, we now have located all our outflow structures. But what's to say we can't develop a GIS um data system that
includes information for each of the property? For example, you go to New York City Department of Buildings and you click on their website and their GIS information. If you go directly to a property, you could tell every single permit that was applied for, whether it's closed, whether it's opened. It
sort of eliminates the need for having all these OPARS coming in, right? And then it then it takes a a lot of the weight off of our clerk's office and the departments from gathering all that information if we have it in one central location. This is just the start. This
is to help us with our MS4 permitting. And then in all these meetings with French and Pillo, we've had uh Ryan, our IT manager in there along with um Anna involved in it just so we could see what we could use this going forward. How can
we then build on this GIS system that we're now establishing to then create this robust system where now we're trying to eliminate all those over requests. >> All right. Great. Thank you. >> Welcome. It seems like it's really transparent. It's like just like open. It opens
everything up kind of, right? >> The the only way I mean we are transparent, right? But then, you know, everybody is really subject to the 10day period for us to go and dig and every single time we're stopping what we're doing and we're digging for any of the
information on these OPER requests. It's nice to have one system where we could locate everything. Um, and what's nice is a lot of the information, especially from the past, is stored by block and lot on acan. And so when we scan information, we have it available to us
by block and lot. It's a monumental task to have that then created as a database for GIS, but we're looking to start somewhere. Tom Summers, our prior MIS um, director, had started the process with trying to go that route, but but it
only went so far, right? He's not a software developer and he's not, you know, um, somebody that could put that information together, but he did go on our GIS and started inputting addresses to help 911. He started to, um, to to open up that dialogue to start that
process. >> Yeah. >> You're welcome. >> Believe. Oh, >> if there's no other questions, I'll move it. >> I'll move it. >> I'll second. >> I'm sorry. Moved by Councilman Pasitti.
>> Second by um Councilman Merwin. >> Roll call. Councilman Asatulli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasciddi. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vonstaten. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bella. Yes. >> And Council President Soho. >> Yes.
>> Motion carries. >> Okay. Next will be C3. I'm sorry. C4. Mr. Merwin. >> Yes. >> Nicole. >> Nicole. You left too soon. That's what I was trying to tell you. >> This is the uh
>> Come on down, Nicole. >> I was trying to save her a trip. >> This is the Ocean Boulevard phase two. >> Y >> um so we got what if if we're awarded this, we'll get what? We'll have 1.7.
>> I hope so. >> Right. So >> what what is the plans of are we taking the concrete out or are you >> Look at her face. So I I think you know Fred the assistant township and I had conversations with it. We were gungho in the first phase
when I had submitted the application. I said we're taking out this concrete. It's it's it's it's a nightmare. It's going to be a nightmare. It's going to continually be a nightmare. We we did have I think a grant application or something going on on on ocean that we've done before. Um, so I think it
should be taken out because, you know, you're mixing now black top with concrete and you know, we're in the northeast so we freeze and we thaw and you know there's problems there. Then I started to think about the utilities underneath >> and I started to get concerns and Fred
started to get concerns. And then what we did is on this iteration we put in items for removal and items for um removing a small portion and repairing and then putting black top on top of it.
The purpose of that is to include the item. If I don't include the item and I go back and I say, "Okay, I want to um remove the concrete and that item isn't in this phase, it's going to be non-participating." So, what I did was I put the two scenarios in there, but I
only included 40% removal and then the rest just resurfacing so that I have both those types of items in there. And when we get out there, we can decide what we're really going to do. We're probably going to need some cores to see and and we really need to have to locate
where these utilities are. >> Most of them are on a side of course of the concrete, but I think the sewers may be under the concrete. >> The sewer is always in the center line of the roadway. And so when you start ripping it up, you know, I'm guessing on the depth of the concrete, too. Um,
Pinder had done uh plans for this section where he only reconstructed um almost at the intersections um because those were the worst parts and he guessed at that time but when he was reconstru I don't know if he did
reconstruct because I don't have somebody here that was at here at that time to tell me if he truly reconstructed or did he get there and say forget it we're just going to resurface. We're going to mill out an X and put back X. So I I just
>> measure something at the expansion joint so that we don't get that pump. >> Yeah. I mean, unfortunately, you're going to have to have some sort of expansion joints every so often for contraction and expansion. Um,
ideally, I'd like to remove it. I'm going to see. We're going to get out there. We're going to take a look. We're going to see. And then really those shoulders are very soft. So we're going to we're going to build them up a bit. We're going to mill out what's there. We're going to see what's underneath. And we're going to, you know, probably
do a a hefty shoulder on there, too. Um, ideally, I'd like to remove it. I just don't know what's there. And and the plans that, you know, our prior assistant township engineer had prepared is very pictorial. It doesn't show me that that he did cings or he had
information there. you know, >> how long does this usually take to be to get the grant, the second phase? >> Uh, we probably would know by fall, but we just had two interns start and I have somebody full-time starting on June 1st and they're helping me with capital
improvement projects. My goal is to try and start on the phase one with our new hire and just carry that on. So what we do is, you know, we put phase one and two in the same contract plans, but he has to do that first phase and those construction plans will take time.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. We won't know until the fall. >> Listen, just the repairs that they've made since the last council meeting has made a difference. >> Yeah, it it's >> I mean, it's still tough, but it it made a hell of a difference that >> Yeah. Uh DPW has been helping us out, you know, buying us time. I mean, it's
ideal for us to put both phases at the same time to get our bang for our buck and a better unit price on the tonnage. >> It's a tough time to be buying asphalt. >> Yeah, we we are going to get killed. If you noticed, we have uh awarded um some
of our projects, but we haven't started. Um for example, Princeton Road is a local aid project. We have now delayed till the summer to see if the gas prices are getting better because we put in we bid it out right in and and awarded it in December. So, we're holding out
because we only put so much as a guess for fuel price and asphalt adjustment for the index. So, if we do it now, we're going to get hit hard with an extra on that. So, if we wait a little bit to see if the gas prices come down, historically in the summertime, they do go up, but I'm hoping something happens,
something shifts. It can't go. I mean, I don't want to see it any higher than it is now. So, we we're just trying to juggle that. >> You've been focusing on this for a long time. You got what? For the aid from the NJ DOP. When was that?
>> It was last year. Been a year. >> Yeah. So, we did it we did it but last year is for fiscal year 26. This year is for fiscal year 27. But if I do it in the fall, um, contract plans and specs, we bid out. We could, um, then award in
2027 and then have that all squared away. Yeah. Same strategy we had done for Throat Morton Lane phase one and two, Phillips Drive, phase one and two. We just hold back until we're ready with something something a little bit bigger.
>> How how much did Throck Martin cost? That would be that's what I'm saying. You know, if we're only getting 1.7 million, is that going to be enough to take concrete up? >> Oh, I think so. Yeah. >> From Martin cost is just for >> I hope DOT is not watching, but we sort
of pad the estimate so that we know we have enough. >> Yes. Yeah. No, it's enough. >> No, no, no, no, no. I don't think so. >> I'll move it. >> Moved by Councilman Merwin. Second by Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg
Belli. Councilman Acatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deal. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasci. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> And Council President Sohart. Seven. Yes.
Phoenix Advisors LLC for financial advisor. So they're raising at 15. What What do they do? >> So they assist us when we do all of our bonds and notes and stuff like that, but also they are managing our financial agreements. So they send out the
invoices for all that. They prepare all those analysis for us. So, um, the jump shows those additional ones that we had gotten this year. So, >> yep. >> Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Merwin. Second by Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg
Belli. Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pascitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. and Council President Sohar, seven yeses. Motion carries.
>> BC6, Mr. Jupalama. >> Yes. So, I just wanted to separate this. I I've gotten a number of calls from the the folks that have noticed a lot of work going on at Vets Park. So, this is just additional work that's going on, right? This is fencing that'll hopefully
protect some of the new work that's that's happening down there. You know, I just want to make sure that we're highlighting all parts of the town that that we're doing work. We talked about paving down in Ward One. We have uh recreation facilities out in Ward 6. There's a number of different things
happening throughout town. Just to make sure that folks are aware that we are we don't just focus on one or two different areas, right? There's a lot of different areas that are happening. Vets Park has needed work for that a number of years. We we've done work in the past and unfortunately some some bad things have
happened there um to the the facility when we upgraded it. But now that we have put additional money into it, this is further to protect and hopefully enhance that area and make it more usable for all of our residents. >> Anyone else have question?
>> I'll move it. >> Second. >> Motion by Councilman Dama, second by Councilman Merwin. >> Roll call. Councilman Asatuli, >> yes. >> Councilman Dealama, >> yes. >> Councilman Merwin, >> yes. >> Councilman Pascitti, >> yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton, >> yes.
>> Council Vice President, Dr. Greenberg Belli, >> yes. >> And council president Sohar, >> yes. >> Seven yeses. >> Next will be report of our township clerk. >> Uh, the only item I have, uh, council president, is to remind everyone to come and vote on June 2nd.
>> And I was just going to ask you, everything is in order. >> Everything's in order. We're good. Um, polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 PM. If anybody has any questions on where they vote, you can always reach out to the clerk's office and we'll be more than happy to help you direct you
to the correct polling location. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Report of the attorney. >> Nothing for Madam President. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh, administrative report. >> Thank you. Bear with me. It's a bit of a long one today. Um, number one, annual
Memorial Day parade and ceremony. Obitch Township Memorial Day parade will take place on Monday, May 25th at 9:00 a.m. It will start at Memorial Elementary School on Eli Avenue and will proceed down Lawrence Parkway towards the waterfront. It will cross over Route 35 and continue around Shoreland Circle and
will conclude at Memorial Park in front of the Lawrence Harbor Fire Company and Lawrence Harbor First Aid Building. This year's Grand Marshall is Joseph Chaon, Private First Class US Army. For more information, please visit our website at oboj.com/recreation
or call the parks and recreation department at 732-721-5600 extension4999. I do want to add that it does look like we might be getting rain on Monday. Um, if that is the case, we do have some contingency plan to move at least the ceremony indoors. We can't move the
parade indoor. Um, but that will all be announced on our social medias and things like that over the weekend if if changes occur. Also, while I'm at it, I did not add this. We are having a um ceremony, a wreath laying ceremony on Thursday morning here at our Silver Linings
Center. Um so, please stop by. I believe that the ceremony starts at 10:00 a.m. Um so, if you're able to come by, please stop by the senior center on Thursday morning for our wreath laying at our memorial. Um number two, Township Spray Park. Come cool off and make a splash.
The Township Spray Park at Katrol Farm Park will open for the season on Friday, May 22nd, 2026. It will be open daily through Labor Day from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, please visit our website at obridgeidge.com/recreation or call the parks and recreation
department at 732721560 extension4999. I do want to put this out there because this happened to us unfortunately a couple times last season. If you get there at 10:00 and the water does not come on, 99% sure that there was probably a powder outage in the area and
because of safety reasons, it will not turn itself, the system does not turn itself back on. If that happens, call our recreation line. They'll come out right away. 95% of the time, we know there was an outage because it's on the same line as the township. So, we'll try to get there beforehand, but that's
usually what happens. Please don't call the police department. I know that happened a couple times last year. Just call recreation. We'll take care of it. EMS week. In recognition of EMS week, the township would like to extend its sincere appreciation and gratitude to all of EMS all of our EMS professionals
and volunteers for their dedication, compassion, and commitment to serving the Obridge community. We are thankful for the continued service of volunteer EMS members whose selfless efforts alongside paid EMS personnel play a critical role in protecting the health and safety of our resident each and
every day. their professionalism, sacrifice, and willingness to respond during emergencies do not go unnoticed, and we thank them for all their do uh for our township. At this time, I'll be closing my um uh report by providing an update on current and upcoming projects. Uh a few things that have already been
touched on by Councilman Pal, Councilman Merwin. At Veterans Park, seven significant improvements are underway to enhance recreational opportunities for our residents. The projects going on at Vets Park include the renovation of new of our current baseball and softball
fields as well as the renovation of the existing tennis courts, which will now include one tennis court and two pickle ball courts in response to requests from neighborhood residents. Additional upgrades include renovations and fresh paint to the handball wall along with new fencing surrounding the tennis
courts, basketball courts, and handball area. This will keep some of the issues that we were having with people taking ATVs and different things like that and even vehicles onto our uh those courts. Um so putting the fencing will hopefully deter all of that. If it doesn't, that
means somebody went through the fence, so that's a different issue. Uh the township is also hopeful to move forward with paving the entire parking lot later this fall. This project has been a truly a collaborative effort where our department of public works employees assisting by removing old fencing and
trimming back dead tree branches while our parks department has completed restoration and painting work on the handball wall. The department of public works as uh Councilman Morwin mentioned and and Nicole Shapiro mentioned is also continuing roadway rehab efforts on Ocean Boulevard. Milling and paving
operations on the one side of the roadway have been completed with work on the remaining set anticipated to be finished within the next two weeks. As previously mentioned, we have received grant funding for reconstruction of half of Ocean Boulevard and are currently applying for more funding for the other half. As you saw this evening, the
township is pleased to announce that Obridge has been awarded funding to the New Jersey Clean Communities Grant Program once again, part of a statewide initiative supporting litter removal, beautifification, and environmental cleanup efforts throughout New Jersey. The grant funding will assist the township in continuing its community
cleanup initiatives, maintaining public spaces, support litter enforcement and education education efforts, and help keep Obridge clean and environmentally responsible. Opbridgeidge was awarded approximately $146,000 through the program as part of the more than 25
million distributed statewide to all municipalities. This was the third highest award in Middle Sex County. The police department continues to focus on uh public safety enhancements and community engagement initiatives. The department is in the process of expanding and modernizing its vehicle
fleet with the ordering of five new vehicles as you saw on tonight's consent agenda. Also, officers and staff are all actively preparing for this year's National Night Out event to be held in August. The township is also working, as you may have seen when you came to the complex
today, on the installation of our veteran banner um banners throughout the community to honor and recognize those who have served our country. Banners will be displayed at the municipal complex, including along Pearl Harbor where we where we honor those killed in action, as well as Manino Park, Veterans
Park, and Lawrence Harbor Park. As you know, we started the program last year. We had about 25 banners. Um, last year we have almost close to 80 now. Um, and because of that, we decided to expand out. So, uh, we wanted to honor those killing actions right here in the
complex. Um, and then added some other, uh, new banners in the area. And then what we did is if you had a banner last year, we put you in the area where you potentially grew up, lived, things like that. So, uh, I think it's a nice touch. If you're still in those areas, you're able to go to Vets Park and see the vener of your loved ones and things like
that. So, um, all of that will be completed before Memorial Day. Um, the township is proud to recognize our building department employee, James Maer, for being named the 2026 Electrical Inspector of the Year by the Municipal Electrical Inspectors Association and the New Jersey
Department of Community Affairs. This prestigious statewide recognition highlights Mr. Mer's professionalism, technical expertise, and dedication to ensuring public safety through code enforcement and inspections within the township of Old Bridge. The administrations congratulate James on
this well-deserved honor and thank him for his continued service to the residents of Old Bridge. And finally, as I mentioned in our last meeting, the township is proud to partner with the Old Bridge Township Public Schools on the upcoming America 250 community celebration um celebrating America's 250th birthday.
The event will take place on July 18, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 400 p.m. at Kel Farm Park with a rain of July 19, 2026. The celebration will feature patriotic artwork from Obridge Township students, colonial games, an opportunity for attendees to sign their own Declaration
of Independence, as well as food, music, and familyfriendly activities for the community. Thank you for bearing with me through this long report. I think that it's important to highlight a lot of the things that we've had going on. We're almost halfway through the year. There's a lot more going. Every single one of our departments are involved in
everything we do. Our engineering department helps us put out these big projects that we're doing. Finance cuts the checks. Um, so it's really a big team effort, but I wanted to highlight some of these things and I'll continue to highlight more as we do more throughout the summer. Thank you.
And it's okay. Mr. Palm is my my father and Ben would be my older brother. So Eric's fine. Not that old yet. Um and I know it's not on this report and the bridge on Route 516. I know we gave the update last
time. Do you have an update for it now? >> Yes. Uh Nicole Shapiro has been in touch with Anthony from the county to get an update. I believe he is hopeful that they will be concluding the project by Thursday and demolizing on Friday, weather permitting. So far, knock on wood, the weather's been okay, except that it's been hot. Um but they seem to
be on target with that deadline. As you know, they also did work on Catrell Road and coordinated that with us. I know it was a lot of stuff, but we wanted to get all these things done before the kids were off for the summer um and things like that. So, uh, that will be, uh, concluding this week as well. And we'll be sending out a, you know, Facebook
post and and website posts to to alert people that has it's been reopened. So, >> okay. >> And, you know, showing our best space for we appreciate there's so many great things that that everybody's attending. Thank you. Okay. Can we have a motion to accept the
administrator's report? >> Second. >> Moved by Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bella. Second by Councilman Deal. Roll call. Councilman >> Estulli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasci. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton.
>> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. Yes. >> And Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Seven yeses. >> Okay. Next, we will do um public comment on any subject matter for a maximum period of three minutes. >> The public comment portion of our
meeting is to allow the public to bring to the council's attention their concerns and comments. This section is open for any topic or items in the consent on the consent agenda. In accordance with NJSA 104-12A and the Oldbridge rules of council, the council asks the public to limit their
comments to three minutes or less. Only one member of the public shall approach to speak to council at a time. The council will respect the public's time by refraining from any comment until the speaker is finished with their allotted time. Should be further noted that the public comment portion of our meeting is not structured as a question and answer
session. If a member of the public has questions they seek answers to, an appointment can be made with the corresponding department's office during regular business hours. Township clerk will regulate the time during the comment portion of our meeting. As you approach the microphone, please state your name. No addresses.
>> Steve Caliger, Oldrbridge. Um, nice job on the open space stuff. I'm definitely going to support that. I think everybody should. And you said made 90 bucks a year. Even at like two or three hundred bucks a year, that's one of the few that I think that's like you look forward to
paying. Um, so on another note, it's not so much a comment, um, but just to see if you guys would have interest in looking at this or whatever. Um, there's a couple of municipalities that I came across. One was Princeton, I forget the others. They had twin resolutions that their councils
passed. One was condemning and combating Islamophobia and the other one was condemning and combating anti-semitism. So, um, I drafted it. I took it from those other townships. It's, you know, legal for form and all of that. So, I think it'd be nice to see something with nine co-sponsors. Everybody would like
to see that, but, you know, do what you guys want with it. Take it for just take it, copy it. What Good evening. >> Good evening. Good evening, respected members of council, the mayor, township officials. Thank you so very much for
everything that you do. >> Say your name first for me, please. >> My name is Fresh Taib, president of Brbridge. I am truly disheartened that there was no moment of silence tonight for the fallen heroes named Amin Mansour and Nader of yesterday's mass shooting
tragedy in San Diego. For the innocent people whose lives were stolen in acts of domestic terror for the families left shattered by violence. For the communities forced to grieve while also defending their humanity. Yet somehow, when individuals who built careers on
division and inflammatory hate rhetoric pass away, such as Charlie Kirk, entire council meetings are dedicated to honoring them. That contradiction should force all of us to reflect on what and who we choose to value publicly because
rhetoric matters. Words matter. The language that comes out of Washington does not stay in Washington. It reaches our neighborhoods, our schools, our workplaces, and our houses of worship. And what we are hearing from elected
officials in this country is dangerous. Representative Andrew Ogles declared, "Muslims don't belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie." Representative Randy Fine said, "The choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one." while also calling for
the deport deportation of all Muslims from the United States. Senator Tommy Tuberville posted, "The enemy is inside the gates alongside imagery connecting the Sep September 11 attacks to Muslim New Yorkers." This is not abstract political discourse. This is the
normalization of dehumanization. Muslim Americans are being harassed at work, threatened outside mosques, and targeted in schools. Families are living with fear, not because of anything they've done, but because public figures have normalized suspicion and hostility
toward entire communities. And we cannot pretend these incidents exist in isolation. The tragedy in San Diego was not random. It was the direct line between dehumanizing political language and realworld violence. When people are
constantly told that certain groups are dangerous, unamerican, or undeserving of belonging, eventually someone acts on the hatred. This council has a choice today. It can choose to be explicit. Explicit that Oldbridge does not
tolerate hate, intimidation, or religious bigotry. Explicit that Muslim residents belong here fully and equally. explicit that every resident, regardless of race, religion, creed, orientation, or identity, deserves safety and dignity
because empty outrage is not enough. Social media posts are not enough. Generic condolences are easy. But a formal statement of solidarity, one that clearly rejects hate like the other towns around us have done and how Steve has proposed and will give you a copy of
carry weight. It tells residents. >> Sorry, that's okay. Thank you so much. Thank you for your time, >> Madam Chairperson. >> Yes. >> Could we direct the clerk's office? Get those. >> Oh, yeah. Definitely. That's what I said to him to give them to us. Absolutely.
>> Yep. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. My name is Patricia Sylvestri. I'm a resident of Old Bridge. Last meeting, this council passed a resolution in support of Assembly Bill
4750. Tonight, I want to talk about Senate Bill 1807 because I think that it addresses something that A4750 does not. A4750 is a one-time state
appropriation to help absorb rising costs. S807 addresses why the costs keep falling on us in the first place. Right now, under New Jersey law, when a municipality
approves a pilot agreement, the school district gets nothing, not a dollar. The town collects the revenue, the developer, the developer gets the tax break, and the school district. And by extension,
every home owner in Oldbridge picks up the tab. This town has approved development deals that cut our school district out of the revenue. Our school tax levy has gone up nearly 20% in two years. The two facts are not
disconnected. S807 requires municipalities to share pilot revenue with their school districts. It doesn't kill development. It should it just says that if a town makes a deal that affects schools, the schools should
be a part of it. I urge this council to go on record in support of S1807 and I thank you. >> Thank you very much. Anyone else wish to be heard this evening? Hi, Jill Daro Oldbridge and uh I'm also
the chairwoman of the bridge Democratic County Committee. And the reason that I say that is because back at the April meeting um Councilman Von Stanton uh you mentioned me and said that you had hoped that I would support the Assembly Bill 4750.
Um, this is a bill that um I I looked it up and so this is a bill that would appropriate up to $50 million to certain school districts facing significant tax levy increases tied to healthcare costs.
And from the perspective of an Oldbridge taxpayer, I don't object to the intent of the bill at all. I understand the pressure that our schools are under and I recognize that rising health care costs are a real issue,
but I just need a little bit of clarity. The bill states that the money would come from the property tax relief fund. So my question is, what impact does that have elsewhere in the state budget?
and is this a sustainable solution or a one-time fix? So, um I'd be happy to have that conversation with you after. Um until I better understand that, I I can't say I fully I fully support it, but I am absolutely open to learning
more. But and separately as has been mentioned um just before me um I'd like to talk about the Senate Bill 1807 which deals with the pilot agreements. Um this bill requires the municipalities entering certain pilot agreements to
share a portion of the revenue with the school district unless there's another agreement in place to directly support school projects. This is something I raised when I was serving on council because to me it just simply makes sense. It has worked in East Brunswick,
Woodbridge and South Amboy to my that I know off the top of my head. So I know we can make it work here in Oldbridge. The bottom line is taxpayers receive one tax bill. We don't experience municipal taxes and school taxes as separate
problems. We experience them as one household burden. That's why I believe S1807 deserves support and Assembly 4750 and S Senate 1807 are actually two
different bills and both actually can be considered on their own merits. They're two completely different bills. Um, so but if we want to truly if we truly want pilot agreements to benefit the whole community, then our schools and our
taxpayers, I believe, should be part of that conversation. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else who wishes to be heard this evening? >> Good evening. Good evening. My name is Crystal Marcado. Um, I'm back
again to continue the discussion about the before and afterare rates. Normally, I have a speech planned, but I really just wanted to come tonight and speak to you guys from the heart. The one thing I've learned from coming to these meetings is that you all especially council vice president ask of the residents is don't go to Facebook. Come
to you guys who are the stakeholders for creating beneficial change for the residents in town. And I've really tried to prioritize that with this issue. Um I want to first acknowledge that the new rates that were proposed to you tonight in the first reading are absolutely an
improvement from where we were in August from when I first came to you. But that 28% combination 5-day rate is still so high. And I understand that you guys are hesitant to rock the boat with the combination families for the possibility
of enrollment changing. But at the end of the day, this current school year, the 5-day combination families are being charged $5 an hour. Next school year, this proposed rate only brings it up to $5.60 an hour. and the afterare fiveday rate is $8 an hour.
The beforeare 5day rate is $7.50 an hour. The discrepancy is just still really high. And I understand that we don't outsource our program. And I know we have a wonderful program and we will probably never be lower than our neighboring towns, but I feel like that
5-day combination rate is much lower than our neighboring towns. However many years this has been going on, I think the council has just always said yes unknowingly that these rates were kind of arbitrary and now you should have the data that I'm sure your
offices have provided you and I have provided you with and I am just respectfully asking that on June 9th you vote no to these new rates and you ask that they go back and just make some slight improvements so that these rates
are more fair and equitable for all the families involved because the before care and the afterare families over the past however many years have absolutely struggled financially when these combination families have received a
huge discount all this time. Thank you. Hi, uh, Dan Erggo. Um, first of all, I find it funny that we're passing out anti-Islamophobia or anti-semitism. We always seem to leave out Christians who are, uh, the, um, direction of attacks
so many times nowadays. Um, and since we want to talk about political violence, let's talk about political violence. 2025 was the most violent year for Democrats in the United States in history. We've seen shootings at ICE facilities. We saw a father of two and a
young man murdered on a college campus. And we've seen uh conservative political people being attacked non-stop. And this uh Yuggov poll, which came out last year, discusses what Americans think about political violence. It shows that
24% of very liberal people believe that it is always or usually acceptable to be happy when political figures are murdered whereas far-right uh extremists are at 7%. We then see that
sorry. So this is Americans who agree with the statement that political violence is never justified. 25% of very liberal liberal uh political people say that it it is justified whereas far-right
conservative extremists are at 5%. And we see this with growing numbers of younger liberal people of 18 to 29. That number is at 19% think that political violence is sometimes okay. We also see close to home our very own congresswoman
uh Bonnie Watson Coleman who I'm glad is gone in November uh or uh January. Uh she wrote 2 days after the latest assassination attempt on President Trump. It's time to quote eliminate President Trump. We see this time and time again of left-wing radicals going
after conservatives over political means instead of sitting down and debating like Charlie Kirk did. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else who wishes to be heard this evening? >> Okay, seeing no hands, I'll ask for a
motion to close the public. >> Move by council vice president Dr. Greenber, second by council. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Public comment portion is now closed. >> Comments. >> Council comment. Councilman Asatuli.
>> Yes. Um I know this is something that we can all agree on. This Memorial Day, we pause not just to remember, but to stand in awe of the men and women who paid the ultimate price so that we could stand here tonight as free
Americans. They were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers from towns just like ours. They left home knowing they may never return. They stormed the beaches, cleared the
minefields, patrolled hostile skies, and held the line in distant deserts. All so that tyranny would not reach our shores and liberty would remain our birthright. They didn't sacrifice for a perfect
country. They sacrificed for a country worth perfecting. For the idea that every generation would keep the flame of freedom burning brighter. Their courage wrote the greatest chapters of our history. Not
with ink, but with their blood. To the Gold Star families here and across this nation, your loved ones did not die in vain. Because of them, our children will still say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Our flags still fly, and we still have the sacred right to gather, to speak, and disagree without fear. We owe them more than gratitude. We owe them memory.
We owe them action. We owe them the promise that we will never take for granted what they gave everything to protect. So tonight, let us honor them the only way that truly matters. By living as worthy heirs
of their sacrifice. By loving this country. And I love this country. defending its idols and teaching the next generation what heroism looks like. To every fallen hero in the Army, the
Navy, the Air Force, the Marines, the Coast Guard and Space Force, we say thank you and we will never forget. We will never stop being grateful and I promise you, we will carry your torch
forward. God bless our fallen. God bless our military. And God bless the greatest country, the United States of America. I thank you all so much.
>> Councilman Deal, >> this past weekend, there's a lot of stuff going on this weekend. this past weekend and throughout this week. This weekend, big congratulations to all of our band students and our
um choir and choruses on a very successful music in the park. So, this past weekend on Saturday between Allentown as well as Middletown, there was competitions for multiple schools throughout the state.
You know, right after that, those students then spent the day in great adventure for and then after that they were part of a ceremony to get awards. Quite frankly, I think Oldbridge killed it. You know, sitting there seeing
being there and seeing Sulk get awful number of awards. Um, to be totally honest, I think they called their name five or six times during their portion of the award ceremony. Pullbridge High School, you know. Uh then we also had this weekend we had
the um elementary playing at the Somerset Patriots as well. I'm lucky in the fact that my children participate in a lot of these things, so I get to see it. I don't think a lot of our residents see it. So, I think it's important that we start to talk about that.
Look at what our schools, look at what our township provides for our students and provides for our families here and highlight that more. Right? How many people knew that music and even existed? Right? We only had a hand a handful of students that were were participating
with only a handful of parents there. How great would it have been if we had more of our our residents there to support those students? So, I just think it's important that we start to highlight that um and ensure that folks really understand what not only the township does, but what our schools are doing for our students. Right. And
personally, I'd like to actually thank the Sandberg music director, Miss N, for all the work that she's done with my daughter. I know sometimes she could be a little bit of a pain, but making her be out there playing the trumpet, being part of this weekend was was wonderful.
And I just wanted to personally thank her because it does affect my family. Somerset Patriots, all of the elementary schools were there. They were playing uh hand clap right before the game. Also great is the fact that it was military appreciation. So the kids, you know, had
a ball being there a little bit hot. I heard a lot of complaining from the from the little kids while we were there, but it was great to see all of those students out there. Um, also when I was there, I was speaking to another parent. Uh congratulations and call I'm going to steal your your quote. So for uh the
Obridge Thunder on the third straight um state championship this year. So absolutely phenomenal. I'm sure they'll be up in front of us in a couple weeks um getting a proclamation. So congratulations to them. And then this week, big sports week. It's the the
GMC's throughout the throughout the county. So good luck to all of our our student athletes out there. I think it's lacrosse, baseball, and softball, and volleyball, I believe. So, good luck to all of those students. Hopefully, you guys bring it home. And I know the track team in Sulk did
phenomenal as well the other day. Um, and then finally, just for Memorial Day, thank you to everyone who made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank those families for allowing and allowing us to share, you know, your family members memories
on Memorial Day. And as you're going out, as you're celebrating, you know, that this unofficial start of summer, although I think it's going to rain and be 60 degrees, unlike today, but you know, please be careful. You know, just remember, make sure you get home safely,
enjoy your enjoy the time with your your friends and family. Thank you, >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. So, this year we get to celebrate, I think it's the 81st annual Memorial Day parade in Lawrence Arbor. Um
whether it rains or shines, I'm going to be there. And if it's raining, I'll be marching just as I have in the past along with um former Chief Verie of the South Bridge Fire Company marched with
me in the rain. Mayor Henry and uh so we will be there honoring those people died in the rain. It didn't matter. We can honor them in the rain. And uh I just wish everybody a uh though it's a memorial
day. I hope everybody has a you know it's just not a Memorial weekend but please enjoy your picnics and and have a safe one. Thank Oh, and I want to thank uh I want to thank Anna for recognizing EMS week. I want to thank the police
department for recognizing EMS week and I want to thank all of our EMS people in town for the wonderful job that they do year round. Thank you, >> Councilman Pasi. >> Thank you. Um just let everybody know uh
for all registered voters uh you got a sample ballot in the mail. It does show your polling place right on the front of that ballot, sample ballot. Um, yeah. And for Memorial Day, I mean,
freedom is not free. Many died for our freedoms. We don't realize the freedoms that we have that come from God, not from the government. If our freedoms came from the government, if our constitutional rights came from
government, then the government can take them away. I'll remember that. Um, the public is free to use their three minutes to have a moment of silence. I mean, you could just instead of attacking others could have just asked
for moment of silence and took your three minutes and and there you go. You you'd have it. Um, and some folks talked about hate and yeah, there's hate. There's hate for our president of the United States. Even I just mentioned
Donald J. Trump and and you get these really whacked out responses. You know, I wear a Trump hat and people make faces at you. You know, it's just there's a lot of hate. There's a lot of
derangement syndrome going around. So yeah, we need more love, love for one another, respect and honor and uh we should listen to all of opinions so we can make a good a good choice because no
one is perfect. No one has all the answers and um we should talk about our differences so we can come to good conclusions and we can govern properly. Thank you. Councilman Von Stettton.
>> Good evening. Um, thank you to those who spoke tonight and um, thanks Councilman De Palama for stealing my thunder. Um, I have a few other things to highlight though, so that's okay. Um, I I just want to uh, congratulate the uh, Ob High School seniors who received
awards for uh, scholarship night last night. Apologize for not being there because I was at another event. Um, but best of luck to them in their future endeavors. Um going to congratulate the OBSC Thunder travel soccer team. They won their third state cup in a row. Um this year they won it in the highest
division in New Jersey soccer, which is the national division. So as a result of that, they automatically go to the USU soccer national championships in Nashville, Tennessee in July. So best of luck to them for that. Um congratulations to the Jonas Middle
School bands for their numerous awards at the Six Flags competition. Um, I'm going to thank uh band director David Buckle over at Jonas Sulk uh for his commitment to all of our students. Um, I too have children in the program and he's done wonders over there. So, kudos
to him. And then finally, uh, I attended the GMC middle school track championships yesterday and I want to congratulate all the Samberg and Sulk athletes that participated and special congratulations to Sulks Sulk girls track team for winning the team GMC championships. So, a lot of good things
are happening. Uh, so kudos to all them and I echo Councilman De Palama on we we hope that the residents get more involved and see the good things that are happening in this town. Um, I want to wish everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend and just remember why we celebrate it. Thank you,
>> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes, there is always so many things going on in Oldbridge and a lot of good things. You just have to pay attention to good things and ignore the bad things. And so I want to say first of all, congratulations to the Oldbridge
PBA Local 127 for another successful event at Palms Plaza. Um thank you to Allan um the owner of Palms Plaza for always doing a terrific job and helping to make the night special. And then to the sponsor by Right at the Marketplace for sponsoring the event. The fire the
fundraiser assists the PBA to do many charitable events throughout the year. Last night was senior awards night and bridge he at high school which is always a rewarding event witnessing so many deserving seniors receiving scholarships
as they embark on their future. A big shout out to Christopher Rund on his acceptance to the United States Military Academy at West Point. >> Yeah, man. Yeah, man. That was incredible. It's incredible honor. Out of 15,000
applicants, only 1,200 get accepted. I'm wishing all the seniors best wishes in their future endeavors. Much happiness and success. And there will always be challenges along the way, but never give up. Also, I would like to congratulate all the kids that participated in the
healthy healthy kids running series. And a big thank you to Laura Albertie and Roco Albertie for organizing this program. It's a five-week program which is so important to get kids active, healthy, and competitive, challenging them at different distances. It was real
nice to be at the award ceremony again this year. Also, um I like to say that I always say up here that every life is precious and I say that because every life is precious and there's no room for violence. But it seems I can give you
the statistics on what's going on throughout the whole country. Christians, Jews, and Muslims. And it's unacceptable. And the verbiage that is used all the time is incredible. And one thing I would like to say, how wacky it is where someone murdered somebody and
you have people outside the courthouse cheering. So that is what's problem what's going on in our country right now. That is insane. So also when you talk about this school funding, I wish everyone would understand that the
municipality gets 16 cents out of every dollar where the school gets much more. The problem is that the this S2 funding, it is not fair and it's damaged the school system and affects every taxpayer
in this town. And that is the problem where it comes from. It's not having what the assembly put forward was to restore that funding. Why are you choosing certain towns to take money away from and why a town in this town cost so much to educate and yet all
their money in this town our tax dollars are going to other towns. Listen, I want every kid to be educated because with that they have a brighter future and they have it better. But when you're pouring money in certain districts and you're not getting results, would you
keep on giving your kid money if they were bad and not doing things right? Would you reward that? Really? Well, this is what's happening. And it's really not about the assembly or the Senate bill, but you have to understand what the what each one of them are. And one is just simply restoring the money
that you took away for no reason. And I say all the time, you you're talking about gas and gas. Do you know that every gallon of gas that any of us buy, 50 cents goes to the state for taxes? That's outrageous. That's outrageous. So
with that, we're at war. Now, when you talk about moment of silence for people, I want to talk about the moments of silence for over the 40,000 people in Iran that were slaughtered too that no one talks about. I can talk about all these things that go on all the time. So if you don't take everything into
consideration at a whole and you just pick out things, you're never going to have a solution to it. There has to be discussions and there has to be education and understanding how things are done. So I really feel bad for these schools. I've been told like, oh, you don't give any solutions. I've given a
lot of solutions about the school. We all have. The business administrator has worked hand in hand with with the school talking about things, but they got us in such a deep hole year after year after year, but it's nonsustainable in this town. How is it right that the
hardworking people in that their money is getting sent to a another district that is not performing properly and yet more and more money is sending there? I believe every kid should should be have an education and some kids do need more
but there has to be accountability on on on the the rate of attendance in school is even a parameter in some of these schools that their attendance rate is horrible. So you have to look at everything just saying saying things is not going to just answer things you have
to be well informed. So please do it and collect the information. And that's why I say Facebook to me is Facebook. It's easy to post things there. People can post things. Why people take it as gospel? I don't know. There are ways to get the answers and please do the
research for that. But most of all this time of year I hope everyone takes a moment to reflect on those that made the ultimate sacrifice in this country. This is an amazing country and that is why everyone wants to come here and share this dream and everyone has a dream but
you got to make your dreams too and you got to work hard for your dreams. God bless everybody >> council council president so >> yes I just um as far as memorial day goes we all feel the same way. I think it's time to reflect and to be grateful.
My dad was a veteran. My late husband was a veteran. So we all know veterans, brothers, sisters, what have you. And at the end of the day, I think we all are on the same page when it comes to that. We thank them for their service. We hope the best for them, keep them safe, and
we pray for them, and thank them for everything they've done for us. Um, as far as the schools, the 2026 class, oh my goodness, when they came out last night, they were just amazing. beautiful smiles and happy, so anxious to get on,
you know, with life. And you just look and you say, "Oh my goodness, I want the best for each and every one of them. They are so welld deserving. What a great class they are." The awards were amazing. The PTA did a phenomenal job in fundraising. I mean, my goodness, the
amount of money that they helped raise to give these children these um awards, you know, these scholarships was was fantastic. So, my thanks to them, too. That's a lot of work that they do. I know I was in the pit years and years ago. It's a long time, but it it you
never lose that how you feel for for what they do for us. And to the children, my goodness, the sky's the limit. So, let's hope everyone gets their dreams to come true. Um, just one thing, and I know this is, you know, but I was told um that I was um evidently
brought to task for not knowing which official, elected official does what and at what capacity. Um I do my thought on asking last week about having something done federally looked into was just that at this point insurance is runaway but
not just in in you know in New Jersey it's across the country. Everyone is being crushed by it and I really think that Congress as well should take a good hard look at it and see if there's anything we can do on that level. And I do realize that who represents the state
is the senator. I mean, I did, you know, my history classes, too, but at the end of the day, I just felt that it's time that all levels come together and try to see what we can do to get a handle on this because everybody, no matter who you talk to, the insurance costs and how
how high you anticipate, it's just incredible. So, that was my thought on that. But, everybody, Memorial Day, please try to come out. There was an older uh councilman who always said it never rains in Lawrence Harbor. So hopefully he's going to he's up there and it's going to be the truth. So if
you can come out and and and support and have fun, that would be great. Thank you very much everybody. Have a great holiday weekend. >> Okay, we need a motion and a motion to second. >> Hold on. To enter executive session for matters of contract negotiations and
collection collective bargaining agreements for the Obridge Crossing Guards Association. Motion >> Councilman Asatuli, second by Councilman Sten. >> Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Pasitti. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. And council president so we will be returning back into open session. Okay, I need a motion to reenter open session. >> Yep.
>> Moved by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Belli. Second by um Councilman down there. Councilman Pasitti. and remember me from the housing authority. >> Council Councilman Estatuli >> say that to the lawyer. >> Councilman Deal.
>> Councilman Merwin. >> No, I don't remember. >> Councilman Pesky. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vas Vonstettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli and Council President Sohar. >> We are now back in open session. So, we have a uh we need a motion to uh accept
the resolution ratifying the sidebar agreement with Old Bridge Crossing Guards Association. >> Move it. >> Okay. Who did that? Motion by Councilman Pasitti. >> Second. Councilman Von Stettton. Roll call. Councilman Acatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deama.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. Yes. >> Councilman Pasitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg. and Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Seven yeses. Motion carries. >> Motion. >> Motion by Motion by Councilman Merwin.
Can I get a second? >> Councilman Pasitti. >> Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Councilman Pasitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg
Belli. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Seven yeses. journed at 9:10 p.m. >> Time to have a