Good evening and welcome to the Old Bridge Township February 3rd, 2026 Town Council meeting. Please rise for a pledge of allegiance. Please remain standing for a moment of silence and for a prayer. I pledge allegiance to the
flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> As customary, we stand a moment in this 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 this evening there's uh Dr. Greenberg and uh Councilman Asetuli would like to speak. [snorts]
>> Ladies and gentlemen, um this weekend we had a student in a wrestling match that had a severe neck injury. She's currently went through a few surgeries and um just want to say something for her and if we can pray for
her all together. Heavenly God, we come together with humble hearts, lifting up this young girl who has suffered a serious injury. You know her completely, her pain, her
fear, and her strength. We ask you for healing, your healing hand to rest upon her neck, her body, and her spirit. Bring restoration where there is injury, relief where there is pain, and peace where there is worry. guide the doctors,
nurses, and therapists with wisdom and steady hands. Surround her family with comfort, courage, and hope during this difficult time. Let them feel the support of this community, and know they are not walking alone.
We ask for patience in the healing process, faith during uncertain moments, and strength for each new day. May progress come steadily and may her life continue be to be filled with purpose, joy, and light.
We place her in your care, trusting in your mercy and love. Amen. >> Dr. >> Yes. I would appreciate it if everyone could please keep Alyssa, a very special young lady, Alyssa Voss, in your
thoughts and prayers. Uh she's had a medical severe medical condition happen to her this weekend. Um and I hope with our prayers and keeping in our thoughts she will get through this difficult time. And many prayers go out to her mom Allison Vos which many people know who
has done so much for the special needs community in Albridge. Please keep them in your prayers. Thank you. >> And now our prayer. Mr. Piscetti. >> Dear Lord, bless your 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, soul at peace with thee, and with one another. Amen.
>> Please be seated. Thank you. This meeting is being held in conformance with the open public meet public meetings act. Notice has been given to the official newspapers of the township on January 8th, 2026 and it is has been posted in public places. Next open public meeting of the township council will be held on Tuesday,
February 24th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Roll call. Councilman Asatuli, >> present. >> Councilman Dealama, >> here. >> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Merwin, >> Councilman Pasci, >> present. >> Councilman Rosolei,
>> Councilman Von Stettton >> here. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. And council president Sohar, >> yes. >> Good evening. We'll begin with the public hearing. H1 Performance Guarantee
release Oak Tree Plaza EMO 538 Route 34 LLC block 11252.14 lot 21.11 application number 39-18Z. Good evening Mrs. Shapiro and Mr. Claus.
>> Good evening everyone. Good evening, Council President and Council. Thank you for having us back. Um, you may recall that late in 2025, I started um appearing before you on this uh bond release and um the residents that live
behind Oak Tree Plaza, specifically behind the apartment building um had voiced their displeasure with the maintenance of the residential burm that's buffering um basically a commercial use from the residential single family homes on Sheila Court. Um,
we asked, um, that the applicant, Noah Freriedman, who had originally built the residential component, who has since sold it, um, to go out there and do a winter cleanup, and he did agree to do that. Um, we've had several meetings.
Um, more recently one on January 9th, but you may recall it snowed shortly thereafter and then we had more recently the snow topolis whatever that just recently happened. So now we're still snow covered. But [snorts] um seeing as
that on November 12th, 2025, our inspector's erri um did produce a um memo that did say the bonds or the the bonded materials have been um installed
as per plan um and but has since been sold to the new owners who didn't keep the upkeep until uh starting sometime in October. So that delay caused a maintenance issue. Um regardless, the prior owner is obligated to do that
winter cleanup and then we had met with the new property owners to do um a spring refresh on the burm. And so with that said, um we are still recommending release tonight, but subject with a little bit different of a caveat where
we would release the bonds, require the 15% maintenance, keep the $15,000 uh cash portion, which represents 10% of the original performance guarantee. ask the prior owner to then submit an
additional $2,500 in escrow so that we can go back out and uh do those inspections um and do them again during the maintenance period. And then finally, we're going to uh calculate tomorrow morning all the outstanding uh
time that we have spent and present that bill to the developer so that he could pay um any current outstanding um escrow before he does that posting. Um, but I'm here with Peter Clauser, applicant's attorney, and I know that Mark and Peter
had spoken and they had worked out. >> If I could, Madam President, please follow up. Um, >> Nicole had multiple either meetings and or emails with the uh I'll call the former owner, which is the applicant, EOM, 538 Route 34 LLC, and a
representative, new owner. And uh if you going back at one point uh Nicole had provided with a distribution of responsibilities. Uh and then subsequently based upon further inspections, further discussions uh what
what we ultimately ultimately determined was that a lot of the current condition that the the residents were complaining about were actually being caused by the new owner and not the not the not the former owner. Um, and if you remember back in November, one of the conditions
that the applicant had agreed to was to do this, my term was winter winter cleanup. There was one portion of the winter cleanup that was started. Um, Nicole went back out there and inspected it. It wasn't to her liking. Um, she had asked it to go out and do additional work and then that's when the snow has
started. So rather than the standstill position and recognizing that the new owner is fully was fully advised and has acknowledged his responsibility of items to to be to be done in the spring. Uh which again includes um taking off acid
soil, putting up putting u uh uh cutting back the the burm in certain areas, scalifying the soil. Is that that >> scarifying? scarifying the soil and then reeding it and then using mats and that's all laid out and they've acknowledged they being the new owners have acknowledged that. So in order to
move forward and having the the new owner obviously recognizing his responsibility and and and dealing with the new owner, I thought it would be uh important that obviously the former the applicant be held to what he agreed to do back in November, which was to do this winter
cleanup. And then in order to do that, as Nicole had said, the township, there's two parts of this performance bond. There's a paper component, which is how much? I didn't have that amount. >> Um 140 >> $40,000 $474. >> And then there's a cash component of
$15,628. So my the recommendation is is that well that the council would agree given that ERRI had said that and indicated that they performed they did what they had to do as as far as the performance was uh
done the $15,000 and change would be held by the township um that [clears throat] cash component so that the applicant would be required to finish the winter cleanup if he didn't do the winter cleanup within and
I have a certain 30 days, then then he would lose access to those to those monies. Um, and or if he doesn't do it to Nicole's satisfaction, then we would utilize those funds to to finish the plan. Um and then and then uh as Nicole
said, given that the performance bond, the paper bond is being re released, uh we would require that he post the maintenance bond at this time and then again post the $2,500 inspection escrow and then and then pay any outstanding
items uh that u haven't yet to be paid as far as bill against the escrow. Um I think it's I think it's um fair to the applicant. it's fair to um to uh with respect to the township. understand that the property own the people who live
behind the development um they've Nicole's been been engaging them and and now that the new owner has been fully engaged and there's been multiple meetings it's a lot easier to get them to move because now we have the ability to you know if ha if we have to we have
to site them for you know zoning enforcement those types of I think it makes sense um and speaking to Mr. Bowser. I can I'll read off specifically what what the conditions were. It was agreeable to him. Um but then basically
is that the applicant uh would perform the fall winter cleanup. Uh that the township again is in possession of the paper bond and the cash bond which the cash bond totals $15,628. Uh recommendation is that the council
vote to release the paper bond based on's initial memo that the bond work was completed. the tangent will continue to hold the cash component um giving the until the prior owner or the applicant returns whether permitting um and when
the um township engineer would advise the applicant to finish the cleanup work the engineer satisfaction upon completion of the work and engineer signing off uh then prior owner can make application to the engineer for the release of that those funds the additional funds um to the extent
there's any disagreement between us and and the applicant, the applicant can then come from the council and you know sort of as an appeal process. Um [clears throat] and then if uh the prior if the applicant fails to perform within 30 days of being advised to commence the
work or if the work is that's performed is not to the satisfaction of the township engineer, then the applicant forfeits his right to the 15,628 and the township would be permitted to utilize those funds to complete the necessary work. The prior owner would again would post the $2,500 for
inspection uh and then pay any outstanding inspection invoices and and also as a condition for the release of the existing paper bond. The pri the applicant would be required to post a two-year maintenance bond uh which is 15% of the original bonded amount.
>> Yes, correct. >> Which is how much? >> 23 23,41243. >> Those are the Okay. Well, thank you very much. So, we need a motion to first open it to the public. >> Yes. >> Second.
>> Moved by Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. Who seconded? I >> Councilman Rosolei. All in favor? >> Any opposed? We're now open to public comment portion on this item only. >> Okay. Is there anyone in the public who
would like to be heard on this item H1? Seeing no hands, I'll ask for a motion to close the public. >> Moved by council vice president Dr. Greenbark Belli council. Second by councilman as Tuli. All in favor? >> Any opposed?
>> We're now closed to public comment. >> Madam President, before you can you ask Mr. Clauser parents on the record? >> Yes. >> And they can consent to the conditions that we discussed. >> Absolutely. >> Uh good evening everyone. Um, Peter Clauser with the firmh for the record on
behalf of your applicant. Um, Mr. Roselli and I have had a nice conversation back and forth over email. He has written out very nicely for me all of those conditions. I asked for one tweak just that Nicole can sign off on releasing the money as long as she's happy so we don't have to go through
this process again. Uh, there will be a maintenance bond that's in place. Um, Mark, the only thing that I didn't think of until I was listening to you tonight, and I don't want to create any issue, but obvious. [laughter] >> So, I'm good with everything.
>> That's right. >> I'm fine. I'm fine. >> Please act favorably on the request. I'll keep my mouth shut. And lawyers, we just can't help ourselves. >> Everybody wants to make me mad. That's all I have to say. >> But, see, you're all smiling now. >> So, thank you. I appreciate the time. I
appreciate Nicole's efforts. Um, and I appreciate my client's efforts and Mark and so I would ask if you act favorably. You accept the conditions correctly. >> Yes, certainly. >> Anyone on my left have a question or a comment? Anyone on my >> We'll keep an eye on it as well.
>> Thank you. >> You're very welcome. >> Given that, do I have a motion? >> Moved by council vice pre vice president, second by councilman von Stettton. Roll call. Councilman Estatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman De Palama. Yes.
>> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasci. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Thank you very much everyone. Have a good evening.
>> Thank you. Thank you Mark. And thank you. >> Good. >> Have a good evening. We'll do H2 resolution approving a person-toperson liquor license transfer plenary retail consumption liquor
license number 1209-33-032 from Briad Restaurant Group LLC to a Aurora Aurora Restaurant Group. Good evening. >> Good evening. How are you? >> Say your name for the record, please. >> Sure. My name is Von Aurora of Aurora Restaurant Group.
>> You are the new >> Yes, I'm going to be the new um owner of this liquor license and I'm the owner of the LLC that's taking over the liquor license. >> And so, um, council president, I just wanted to state that they have met all the requirements under the, um, ordinance and, uh, statute requiring
statute requirements for persontoperson liquor license transfer. Okay, we have no. All right. Yep. I need a motion to open to the public. Please move it. >> Second. >> Moved by I'm sorry. Who motioned?
>> Councilman um Asetuli. Second by Councilman Pasitti. >> Uh all in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Nope. >> So now we're open to the public for this item only. H2. Is there anyone who would
like to come up and be heard? Seeing no hands, I'll ask for a motion to close the public. >> Move it. Second. >> Okay. All right. Moved to go ahead. >> Moved by Councilman Desai.
Second by Councilman Pasitti. >> Very good. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Any council on my left have any comments? How about on You have a question? Yes. Yes. And do you have any on the
right questions? >> Okay. Seeing no hands, I'll ask for a motion to approve. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Moved by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Bell. Sec. Second by Councilman Pasciddi. Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasci. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosie. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vonstaten. Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. >> Yes. >> And Council President Sohart. >> Yes. >> Nine yeses. Good luck. >> Thank you guys so much.
>> Thank you. You have a good evening. >> Best wishes. >> Bill list. Mr. um Dama, please. Councilman De Palama >> bill list as of February 3rd 2026 accounts payable February 3rd 2026
1,582,73.92 that is all there's no breakdown this time right okay for all the time okay do I have a motion >> move it second >> move by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Belli second by uh councilman
Pasci roll call councilman Asatulli >> yes >> councilman deama >> yes >> councilman Desai >> councilman Merwin >> yes >> councilman Pascitti >> yes >> councilman Rosolei >> yes >> councilman vonettton >> yes >> council vice president Dr. Greenberg Bellai. >> Yes.
>> And council president Sohar, >> yes. >> Nine yeses. >> Appointments. Resolution of the Township of Old Bridge Council making an appointment to the Old Bridge Township Recreation Committee to fill an unexpired term. Term to expire 1231
2026. Do I have a nomination? >> Yes, >> I I do. I'd like to nominate Dan Demino, please. >> Okay. Is there any other >> any other nominations? >> Dan Demino.
>> No. Is there anyone else who wishes to make >> I think he couldn't hear. >> Oh, you couldn't hear. Okay. Okay. You heard him now. Councilman. >> Closing the nominations. >> Okay. >> All right. >> All right. So, uh, roll call for the appointment of Dan Demino for a term to
expire 1231206. Councilman Acatuli, >> yes. >> Councilman De Palama, >> yes. >> Councilman Desai, >> yes. >> Councilman Merwin, >> yes. >> Councilman Pascitti, >> yes. >> Councilman Rosolei, >> yes. >> Councilman Vonstettton, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg
Bell. And Council President Sohar, >> yes. I'm very happy with this appointment. I think this is a good thing. It's merging again the schools with the town in terms of what our recreation is, and I think this is a positive. It it really is going to be good for for both both entities. So,
congratulations. Very nice. Next will be uh public hearing adoption of ordinances for second reading. H1, ordinance adopting the Englishtown Raceway Park redevelopment plan and amending the township zoning map.
Do I have a motion? >> Yes. Moved by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Belli. Second. Second by Councilman Von Stettton. >> Do I have now we'll open to the public? I need a motion to open to the public.
>> Moved by Councilman Rosolei, second by uh Councilman Dealama. All in favor? >> Anyone in the public wish to be heard on this ordinance for second reading? >> Seeing no hands, I'll ask a motion to close public.
>> Second. >> Motion by Councilman Rosolei. Second by Councilman Pasciddi. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Okay, I'll bring it up to the council. Anyone on the left have a question or a comment?
>> Yeah. No, understood. But I just there's other council people that were here. Is there anyone who has No. Okay. All right. So >> the only thing I would note um members is that there was a slight amendment to one of the provisions dealing with the
uh section 7.4 of the plan and it actually pertained to termination and plan amendments and that was something that was initially written it had been previous to be agreed to. So uh there it's it's a minor amendment. So when you
adopt the plan will be as >> So do I have a motion for H1? >> Move it. >> Second. >> Moved by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Second by Councilman Pasciddi. >> Uh so this is a roll call vote for the
uh plan as amended. >> Councilman Acatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. Councilman Desai, >> Councilman Merwin, >> no. >> No. Okay. Councilman Pasci, >> yes. >> Councilman Rosolei,
>> abstain. >> Abstain. Councilman von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohart. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. Next will be H2, ordinance amending chapter 250 of the code of the township of Oldbridge
entitled Bridge Township Land Development Ordinance by >> Right. So, okay. You didn't want me to read it? >> Yeah. No. Okay. I'm sorry. >> No, that's all right. Then you ask for the motion to carry. >> Motion to carry um this ordinance to the
February 24th, 2026 council meeting. >> Second move by council vice president. Second by councilman Pasciddi. >> Roll call. Councilman Acatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Pasitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosi. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. And H3 is the same thing. It's carried to the February 24th, 2026
council meeting. So, can we have a motion? >> Move it. >> Second. >> Moved by Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. Second by Councilman Pasci. Roll call. Councilman Acatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Merwin.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Pascitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosie. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stanton. >> Yes. Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> And council president Sohar. >> Yes. >> FR1, ordinance amending the code of the township of Oldbridge, specifically
article one, recreation fees, section 160-2, hockey league instruction hockey. Do I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Moved by Councilman Asetuli. Second by Councilman Von Staten. Uh, roll call.
Councilman Acatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasciddi. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> And Council President Sohar.
>> Yes. >> Nine yeses. Public hearing set for February 24th, 2026. >> FR2. Ordinance amending the code of the township of Oldbridge. Specifically, article 8, daycare program section 160-32,
fees for full day summer camp. Do I have a motion? >> Move it. >> Second. >> Moved by Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. Second by Councilman Pascitti. Roll call. Councilman Asetuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai.
>> Councilman Merwin. >> Councilman Pasci. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. Councilman von Stettton >> abstain. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell and Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. Public hearing set for
February 24th, 2026. >> Next will be our consent agenda. I'll ask for a motion in a second and then we'll bring it back for separations. Do I have a motion? >> Move it. >> Second. >> Moved by Council Vice President Dr.
Greenberg Belli. Second by Councilman Dealama. >> Um, Councilman Asatuli, any items for separation? >> No, thank you. >> Councilman Deama, >> no thank you. >> Councilman Desai, >> Councilman Merwin, >> Councilman Pasitti,
>> C4, >> C4. Councilman Rosolei, >> no items. Thank you. >> Councilman Vonstettton, >> no items. Thank you. >> Council Vice President, Dr. Greenberg, Bellai, >> C1, please. >> C1. and council president Sohar. >> No, thank you.
>> Roll call on the balance le C1 and C4. >> Move it. >> Yes. Moved by Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. Second by Councilman Asetuli. Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman De Palama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai.
>> Councilman Mwin. >> Councilman Pascitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> KC1. Dr. Greenberg Belly.
>> Yes. Does the health >> Yes. Does the health inspections include the nursing homes >> or is it just restaurants and and things like that? >> I believe it includes the nursing homes as well. I'll clarify. >> Yeah. If you could just get that and schedule for me. Thank you. >> No problem. [snorts]
>> Okay. So, you're going to move it or >> I'll move it. Thank you. Second. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. Second by Councilman Pasciddi. Roll call. Councilman Asatulli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Merwin.
>> Councilman Pasci. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Nine. Yeses. >> C4. Mr. Peskitti. [snorts] >> Yes. On this uh detour plan. Um I I
couldn't go deep enough in the uh agenda to see the actual detour. And the reason why I'm concerned is because um if you recall a few years back uh there was a detour down in
one area and um it caused a problem with the businesses. I don't know if anybody remembers that but that was um it was it was a big problem especially for the businesses. So, um, is there a map or something that
we could see that shows this detour? Oh, hi >> Councilman Piscetti. How are you? >> Good, thank you. >> Good question. In the packet in under peak there are uh documents that the New Jersey Turnpike Authority who operates
the Garden State Parkway had given me. There's actually three offramps or and or on ramps that are um that are subject to the detours. So, you'll notice in that packet there's going to be some
detail sheets with the signage and traffic control notes that are in the beginning things that look like this right in the beginning. And then you're going to see the signage. So, you're going to have to do some scrolling on my attachment. And then you're going to get to three
sheets that look like this. These are the traffic control plans. And so what you don't see on this at 8 and 1/2 by 11, unless you have good eyes, and I don't have good eyes, you could see my highlighting, but I'm going to point to this little tiny piece, and that's the on-ramp. So, for example, phase one
would be the on-ramp onto Garden State Parkway North from from Madawan Road, right? So, for example, that's going to be closed. Then it would force you then to go down to uh take Madawan Road,
continue it to the light at New Jersey Route 35, and then take that up into um Broadway uh Lloyd Road and then enter the Parkway that way. So, it's there there's three different slip ramps or or
ramps off of the Garden State Parkway that they're doing. two of them are at the 120 and then the last one is uh the exit uh ramp that's associated with Lloyd Road. Um so but the detours are within Oldbridge Township. So when I
looked into detail on how you know I thought about Councilman Biscetti what you were talking about too because I know that when they did the Manawan Road bridge there was a lot of disruption to the businesses on Madawan Road on that side. However, it's on each of these ramps. So, three
different ramps, two night operations. It's going to be done at nighttime. Everything should be cleared by the morning and it should take two nights for each of the ramps. The duration of the contract is from May 2026 to May 2027. But that contract is not just an
old bridge. It's the entire length and their drainage improvements. >> Okay. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. >> You're welcome. >> And with that, I'll move it. Moved by Councilman Pasciddi. Second by Councilman Bonstettton. Roll call. Councilman Asetuli. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pas Giddy. >> Councilman Rosi. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohart. >> Yes.
>> Nine yeses. >> Report of the township clerk. I have no report. Council President, >> report of the township attorney. >> Same, Madam President. >> Administrative report. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. >> Public hearing. Tytown Road Park Natural
Soccer Field. The township township of bridge is seeking funding through the state of New Jersey green anchors program for the construction of the Ty Tytown Road Park Natural Soccer Fields located at 526 Tytown Road here in Oldbridge. The public is encouraged to attend a public hearing to learn more
about the proposal and to ask questions or provide comments on the proposed plan on February 24, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please visit oage.com/pros. First quarter tax payments. The township division of tax collection will be open
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm during the first quarter tax collection period. The tax office will also be open on Saturday, February 7th, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Payments can be made in person at the tax office at the dropbox located near the front
doors of the Thomas J. English Administration building, by mail, online through our website, and by signing up for automatic withdrawal. For homeowners who are enrolled in our automatic withdrawal program, your taxes will be withdrawn on or about February 4th, 2026.
For additional information, residents should contact the Obridge Division of Tax Collection at 732-721-56000 extension 2999. Retirement of two township employees. It is with much appreciation that we announce the retirement of two employees from the township. Detective Patrick
Denafhrio and Officer Joseph Miller both retired effective February 1st, 2026 after 29 years of service and 25 years of service with the Obridgeidge Police Department. Their dedication to the township is appreciated and we wish them all the best in their retirement.
[applause] >> And I would just like to add um Councilman Asatulli brought up the the high school wrestler uh Adriana Maria that was injured over the weekend. I spoke with um Dr. Sasso last night and I encourage everybody if you're able to attend the wrestling match tomorrow
evening at the high school at 6 p.m. It will be a fundraiser uh for the family. Um they've also set up a GoFundMe page which you can find online. But if you're able to attend uh the wrestling match tomorrow night at the high school at 6 p.m. Show support for the team um and also for the family. Uh it would be
greatly appreciated. Thank you. >> Thank you. Does anyone have any comments for Anna? Any questions? You'll make a motion to uh accept. Okay. >> Councilman Desai. Motion second. >> Second by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Belli. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Good. >> All right. Next will be our uh public comment portion. Now I see the room is quite full this evening. Um can we have a show of hands? Who's intending on speaking? Okay.
So given given the amount of people that are here, um I think we >> I thought they were coming to now. Council member Rosie said they were here to comment on the tie that they were at the last meeting. He said I should have worn it because it have pink in it. I don't know if that's the case, but um I
usually have uh three minutes uh depending on the number of people speaking. If there's 20 people, three minutes, that's an hour and a half uh time. >> Stop. So, it's up to council to determine whether or not depending on the number
of speakers uh if you want to reduce the time or not. >> So, there is from what I could see a show of hands there is quite a few people that wish to speak tonight and we would like to let everyone speak within a reasonable amount of time. So, I think we will go with the two minutes versus
the three and this way everyone will be able to be heard. And the one thing that I do ask of everyone is please just respect the chamber that we're in and respect each other and that's that's it. Everybody's here. Everybody can speak
and you know say what they'd like to say but please just keep it respectful for everyone. It would be really really appreciated. Okay. So following that, Madam President, just want to remind the residents again um attentive does have an ordinance in place that that basically uh indicates that obviously
the director the police uh chief has sergeant-at-arms and obviously they're here. Uh but uh the the purpose of public comment is just that, right? Um you're the the comments are not to upset the quorum. not to interfere with the
operations of the meetings. The ordinance prohibits and I've said this before multiple times uh no person uh and it states any any person making personal and pertinent or slanderous remarks or shall become boisterous while addressing council shall be barred by
the presiding officer which is the council president from further attendance at the meeting of council unless permission to continue is granted by a majority vote of the council members and any person who violates the order and the quorum of the meeting uh can be guilty of a punishable
offense. Uh, but they also can be asked to be removed. So again, it's public comment. You're in a a council meeting chambers just like, you know, it's no different if you were at the state house or if you're in Congress, you wouldn't be making slanderous remarks. So let's
let's be orderly, make your statement, and then we can can get through everybody. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Um, I think do you think rowbyrow would be the easiest way to go? >> Sure. Let me just read the uh the public comment portion of our meeting is to
allow the public to bring to the council's attention their concerns or comments. This section is open for any topic or items on the consent agenda. In accordance with NJSA 10 col4-12A and the Oldbridge rules of council, the council asked the public public to limit
their comments to two 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 has finished with their allotted time. It should be further noted that the public comment portion of our meeting is not structured
as a question and answer se 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 your meeting. As you approach the microphone, please state your name,
no addresses, and whether you are a resident of Old Bridge or not. >> Okay. So, I think we are going to try to do that rowbyrow. This way, it's orderly and everyone has an opportunity. So, you're going to begin. Good evening. >> Good evening, Council President. Kyler
Denine Oldbridge. Um, I have to start by saying that I know the executive officers of the local Democratic Committee put out a statement telling people not to attend tonight's council meeting. So, if there's fewer people here tonight than you were expecting, that's why. They said that Republicans showing up to the meeting would create
an environment that was quote not fair and not safe. As a member of the committee, I can tell you that they did this without consulting committee membership as a whole, and that a lot of other local Democrats are upset. I didn't want to bring this up here, but I made multiple requests for retraction, which were ignored. As an ardent supporter of the First Amendment, I am
totally ashamed. Everyone should feel free to make themselves seen and heard by their elected officials, especially at a time like this. It's wrong to tell people to stay home and sit out democracy. And it's wrong to say that people peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights are creating an unsafe
environment. It's wrong if a Republican says it. And it's wrong if a member of my own party says it. As far as ICE is concerned, citizens have a right to film federal employees and they shouldn't have to worry about being harmed. And even if you're someone who believes that every immigrant should be deported, something I don't agree with, we need to be growing our labor force to compete
with countries like China. But even if you do believe that, our country still needs to treat anyone it's deporting humanely. And I implore you to stand up for the humane treatment of everyone within the borders of our nation. Now, on an entirely different topic, I'd like to talk about the need for sidewalk
expansion on Maple Street. Tonight is the third time I'm coming to council about this. As you're aware, a branch of Jersey Freeze, a popular ice cream shop, is being added to the corner of Route 18 in Maple. That's on top of the nearby dollar store and restaurant still under
construction. But where the ice cream shop is being added, that parking lot is going to fill up. So, foot traffic on the street is going to increase. And if a pedestrian gets hurt, I don't want it to be because this council failed to act. After three meetings now, what more do I have to do to get this addressed? I
would be happy to come back to a future council meeting and thank you for your attention that you gave to this issue. I would be happy to do that. Um but until then, what more can I do to get the council to take this matter seriously? >> Sorry, sir. That's your time. >> If you want to can you leave your number with >> I will.
>> Um Alex, if you can go over to him, please. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else in the in the first row? First row first. Okay, you're next, sir. this way. >> Okay.
>> Good evening. Hello. My name is John Shu. I was raised in Lawrence Harbor and I've been a rec coach for several seasons in Obridge. I'm not here to talk about the comments uh that uh Township Council Vice President Anita Greenberg Balai for representing constituents for comparing ICE to Nazis. I did not come I
did not come here to argue about labels today because it detracts from the real discussion. What matters is our federal government's conduct that they're overreaching with their powers in ways that are cruel, frightening, and against the United what the United States professes to stand for. Locally, we have seen ICE detain contributing members of our community who are doing everything
the right way, including Roberto Marquez, a chef and restaurant owner in Atlantic Highlands, and Jonathan Cabera, 18-year-old from Avenue, who's taken from his job despite being a legal resident. I personally witnessed an ICE raid at a workplace just a few miles from this location. And I will never forget the desperate cries of a young
girl who did not know if if or when she would see her relatives ever again. Just a couple days ago, ICE detained Junior Pena after cancing his immigration court hearing. He's beloved in the Long Branch community. Some people are concerned about law law enforcement. I say allow the police and the federal
and the FBI to handle criminals that break the law. We do not believe do we not believe in them to handle such matters. I remember in college when my formerly undocumented friend, now a citizen, would not allow me to even drive 5 miles above the 25 hour 25 mile per hour speed limit. And I must acknowledge another formerly
undocumented friend who eventually became a police officer himself. It's important to note that since I is detaininees are not being detained for criminal offenses, they are not provided counsel to navigate system built to make things difficult. While while times rel relatives many times relatives cannot locate where their loved ones are being
held while they serve on a slave labor making a dollar making a dollar a day while paying $5 in order to make a phone call and because their food is moldy and edible they are depend on their families contributions to purchase food from the commissary is it is also important to understand that conditions remain this way because greed corporations are
profiting enormously from the system and as corporations are profiting they donate to both Republicans and Democrats. Many national Democratic leaders seem to opposing ICE but with only one arm tied behind their backs because they actually support the same system Republicans support. >> I'm sorry sir, that's your time. >> Okay.
>> Could you could you just spell your last name for me for the record? >> Sure. It's HSU. >> Okay. Anybody else in the first row? Okay. Mariah Turpin, Old Bridge, New Jersey.
Anita, your previous comments displayed privilege distance from the reality of how the federal government is abusing its power. How confident you are with your historical illiteracy. Authoritarian systems do not declare themselves as iniquitous. Evidently, the Facebook videos that you've been
watching containing the protesters that you've seen have plagued your awareness with preconceived notions. Thus, Miss Greenberg, you failed to recognize one of the most welldocumented trajectories in modern political history. The insistence of just doing my job has
never aged well. For anyone who studied European history behind high school, you should be sounding the alarm right now. Assertions of violent protesters ring hollow in your cushy chair in Oldbridge, New Jersey. Be for real, Anita. As
inconvenient as the reality is for you, it tends to be more informative. My personal interaction with ICE was not conceptual, unlike yours. I experienced a distressing situation where men in all blacked out cars, no badges, out of state place and law no law enforcement
identifiers fabricated a story to unlawfully seize my god-fearing neighbors home. These men approached my vehicle incorrectly conveying that my neighbors were child sex traffickers. Horrified by these implications, I rushed to my stepmother to to supply these men with more information. At this
moment, I became suspicious with their affiliation because I did not see any official agency logos. I asked the men who they were and if they were ICE. Unsure of the veracity of their claims, I called local PD to be to be safe. I began to panic, fearing the strange men
were posing as federal agents. This is not an irrational apprehension given the FBI has stated that there's increased rates of criminals cosplaying law enforcement. When local PD arrived, I was threatened with a felony simply for asking the police to do their job.
Uh, this is bureaucratic tyranny. This is Trump's America. Defending those who behave like Stalinists, like colonialists, like Nazis, that's your time, ma'am. >> It uncritically does not signal pragmatism. It demonstrates the lack of analytical sophistication of finest. And
Owen Henry, the youth will be voting you out. >> [applause] >> So again, that's an example of what we won't. All right. So goes both ways, right? Make your comment, don't make it personal, and and and then move on.
>> Just >> because otherwise, we'll just end the meeting. It's that simple. >> Anybody else in row one? Row two. on the on the left side. >> Whoever right there, ma'am.
>> Hi, >> good evening. Um, my name is Ann Atinger. I'm a resident of Oldbridge. I'm a mother, a wife, a registered nurse. I appreciate different opinions, different views, but I think we can all agree on something. I think we can all agree that Oldbridge has a great police
department. Our police have such a good relationship with the community. Just a stellar reputation in general. So much outreach. They do the cup of coffee with the police. My boys personally love night out. They love sitting in the police cars. They love seeing the SWAT vehicles.
And um almost an entire branch of my family tree police officers and detectives. And I respect good police officers. And Old Brbridge has great police officers. and Old Bridg's violent crime, their property crime rates are low, way below the national average. I'm trying to read it faster because I
thought it was three minutes. That's okay. So, I what I'm trying to say is um all of the facts and figures are just a testament to how great our police is. And because of this, I'm just here to ask the council to continue that good relationship by enforcing policies to
prohibit the use of police staff, police vehicles, technology, jails for federal enforcement of federal immigration laws. If you do not do this, you're effectively you're you're causing financial burdens, but mo most
importantly, you're causing um a risk in public safety. Public safety depends on the community trusting law enforcement. And when residents believe that talking to police could cause immigration detention, could cause deportation, they're not going to report the crimes.
They're not going to be witnesses. They're not going to cooperate with investigations, and that affects everyone. Uh I realize I'm not going to change your mind, but I do think it's important to have it documented that this was discussed before New Jersey is the next Minnesota for the invasion
that's already started. Ma'am, I'm sorry. Could you spell your name for the record? Your last name? >> Do I have to? >> No. [laughter] >> Okay. >> Anybody else in row two? >> Okay.
Good evening. Good evening. I'm tall. Hello, my name is Tiffany Smith. I'm a lifetime resident, an Albert High School graduate. My family has been part of the fabric of this town for three generations. I love this town, but I am
here because I was dejected by the January 27th meeting. When residents asked how Oldbridge would protect families during an ice surge, they were met with what I perceived as mockery and dismissiveness of genuine concerns. Because these meetings are not a
question and answer, residents look to your closing statements for the leadership that bridges the gap between public concern and municipal policy. There is a profound legal difference between our local police and outside
administrative agencies. We thrive when our leadership has the tact to provide informed knowledge instead of theater. Tonight I ask for respect and truth from this dis. Oldbridgeidge is better than the headlines we've been making recently. I
remember March 2018 when this town stood as a national leader in compassion. Under [snorts] Superintendent David Citadeno, we didn't just suggest safety. We fought for a standard of education that saved lives. We led the country
because we, Oldbridge, made the conscious choice to put the Oldbridge family above politics. The road to being a compassionate leader is already paved for us. We don't need a new path. We just need to sweep the leaves off the one we have to get back
onto. Compassionate leadership means protecting every member of this community, regardless of the politics of the day. We may not always be in this room, but Oldridge is a community that pays attention. Whether sitting in these seats or watching the live stream from
our living rooms, we are waiting for the truthful leadership this town deserves. Please be the leaders who choose to be better. Hold the same dignity this township earned. >> When we fought to save our townies,
>> be well, be kind. Believe in old bridge. [applause] Row two again. Anybody >> in order? Yes, please. From left to right. Hi, my name is Gary Suin. I've lived in Oldbridge since I was 5 years old. As a child of immigrants, I was born here,
raised here, and now own a home here. But tonight, I stand here before you for the first time in my life, embarrassed and ashamed to call this town my home. After hearing a council woman dismissed the very real pain and danger ICE enforcement is causing across the country. Recently, a council member sat up here and defended ISIS and rejected the comparison to the Nazis, calling the
language ignorant and despicable. I want to take a moment not to take the Holocaust lightly, but to remind us all why people make that comparison. The Nazis did not begin with death camps. And if we refuse to recognize the warning signs of history, we doom ourselves to repeat it. When a f federal paramilitary force implements indiscriminate enforcement that tears families apart, terrorizes communities
and operates with near total impunity, we are forced to confront confront some uncomfortable truths. More than 70% of the people IEA detains have no criminal conviction and less than 5% violent convictions. A large number of people in detention were stopped solely for immigration violations, which are a civil infraction and non-actual criminal
offense. Many are taken at scheduled immigration meetings and deported while actively seeking asylum, a process that that's legal under US law. Some are even DACA recipients that have been in the US since childhood. The language and rhetoric being used at the high highest levels of our government government are disgusting. They have called American immigrants animals and invaders in an
effort to dehumanize them. When the council has suggest that people can simply return home, this being said about parents, workers, neighbors, people who are all by who are by all accounts Americans safe for a piece of paper. Across the country, ICE is converting industrial warehouses into immigrant detention centers capable of holding tens of thousands of people. In
immigrant interment camps like Camp East Montana alligator Alcatra, there have been reported abuse, medical neglect, and even multiple debts. People are being kept in crowded pens, denied basic oversight, and stuck with in without adequate food, water, medical care, access to her lawyers. This is the reality. Our council woman is afraid to compare to human rights violations from
the Nazis. Renee Good and Alex Freddy were US citizens that were killed during ICE operations in Minnesota, and there was seemingly zero accountability for these actions and zero attempts to seek justice. The administr administration called them domestic terrorists and JD Vance claimed the agents have absolute immunity. This is the vice president announcing that ICE is beyond reproach
that they are above the law. If federal law enforcement has been granted the ability to indiscriminately shoot people in the face, I asked the counciloman, how are we different from an authoritarian regime? Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] Good evening, Nina Jacnitz, Old Bridge.
I'm here tonight following the chaotic week sparked by last week's council. Frankly, I'm weary of the council's debates over semantics of the word Nazi and how it relates to ICE, but I must address it nonetheless, despite the reality that no resident has ever come to these council chambers making these real com comparisons. a member of the
council with uh decided to gaslight our residents from the deas ignoring her her pos their position on nepotism redevelopment of contaminated land dangerous and deadly roads excesses truck traffic warehouses with more than 5 million square feet of untaxed land as
a person who practices Judaism and comes from a family with some ordained clergy I've dedicated much of my life to the principle of never again both in Hebrew and public school we were taught the importance of ensuring that the governments never support the historical actions that lead to chaos, kidnapping,
interment champ camps, mistreatment and abuse of individuals and murder. The commitment is not only to a historical responsibility but also personal and communal moral imperative. Growing up surrounded by stories of resilience and loss about my family that was murdered
and those who survived, I learned the value of lessons of the past as guidance for a collective present time. My family emphasized vigilance against injustice. Gazentite encouraging us to recognize the early signs of oppression and speak out even when it is difficult. These
values extend beyond of course the Jewish community. They represent a call to humanity at at large urging people everywhere to challenge policies or practices that threatened dignity and safety to all. So here we sit and stand in the present day with a council person who conflated issues by saying
disgusting it. It was discussing in the memory of Jews who died in the hands of Nazis to make that comparison. As a member of the Jewish faith, it's bull. As [snorts] a Jew, I will freely assign ICE tactics paid by the federal government as it relates to the past behaviors of Nazis, paid government
workers who march Jews, disabled, gypsies, homosexuals, Armenians, intellectuals to death camps. It is happening again. We are seeing 1933. >> Apologies. That's your time. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Next, sir.
>> Hello, Hardy Pot. Uh, Opbridge, change of subjects. Um, I want to begin by sincerely thanking several of you for taking the time, uh, to speak with us after the council meeting last time. Uh, the willingness to listen and engage directly to understand our concerns is
truly appreciated. Um, I want to briefly address one of the once again the concerns regarding uh the township being sued if action was taken on lot 9. Uh, while litigation is always a possibility, New Jersey courts have consistently upheld municipal uh,
zoning authority when decisions are grounded in public welfare and sound planning. I have a few quick case laws, but I'll skip that for for time constraints. Um these cases show that the thought that thoughtful zoning decisions are not reckless. They are
protected when done properly. Uh this highlights an important zoning inconsistency that uh one of our residents raised last meeting when our uh in which uh our neighborhood contained uh conservation easements that
homeowners couldn't access uh nor alter within uh our own land. Yet lot 9 directly next to our homes remained for heavy industrial warehouse use which made no sense to us. Um uh this creates
an imbalance in land use standards. Either conservation principle should be applied consistently or this council should formally reconsider the zoning designation for lot 9 uh given its proximity to home and and the super fun
site. Thus, tonight I respectfully ask Councilman Mark Rossolei um as my ward representative to formally table a discussion for for the next council meeting to review reasonzoning lot 9, block 6303
to open space conservation or environmental buffer designation or at minimum to initiate a formal zoning preview. >> Sorry sir, that's your time. Thank you very much. >> [clears throat] >> Good evening.
[snorts] >> My name is Greg and I live in hell. With all due respect, we've elected a rapist into presidency whose concepts are led by conservative conservative think tanks lined with deep pockets,
undermining the constitution and giving power to arbitrary authorities. All while running cover for a child trafficking ring. It's been said, "Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men, and
weak men create hard times. The weak bastard masquerading as someone special doesn't give a damn for anyone who doesn't kiss the ring. I applaud your placation towards the toddler. I'm glad you see what every foreign power also sees, his easy
manipulated ego. I pray your soft tone against federal invasion doesn't put New Jersey further into peril. We all know our president's for sale. I suggest we pull our money and get ICE out of New Jersey.
Abolish MAGA. [applause] >> Okay, moving to to my left, row three. My name is Amomar. I've been an Old Bridge resident for most of my life and I'm proud to call this place my home. Last week, this council made some comments around the recent ICE raids occurring across the country. And I,
alongside my fellow peers, I'm here to tell you why your comments are not only wrong, but harmful to the community. ICE is a fascist paramilitary group. They stop and detain people based off of racial profiling. They separate families, storm into people's homes without a proper warrant, drag the
elderly out into the cold, murder innocent civilians in cold blood, and ask for your papers if if you have the slightest accent or a little bit of little bit of melanin in your skin. I asked the council, "How are they not fascists? You claim they're simply just doing their job trying to be safe, but
how is murdering innocent people keeping anyone safe? How is violently attacking protest pro protesters keeping anyone safe? How is using a 5-year-old child as bait to lure his parents out the house keeping anyone safe? Did Renee Good feel safe? Did Alex Peretti feel safe? Did
anyone feel safe after I had detained a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old? Of course, no one did. It's actually the exact opposite effect. Americans overwhelmingly do not feel safe while a fascist paramilitary group parades our streets, snatches our children, and kills our neighbors. It's not illegal to
protest against ICE. It's not illegal to record ICE activity. There's nothing wrong with calling them what they are, Nazis. As [snorts] we continue to see widespread violence throughout our country, more innocent life lost, and more families separated, I ask you that you remember these words. Those who make
peaceful revolution impossible will make ri violent revolution inevitable. Thank you. >> Row three. >> Good evening. My name is Chenise Romans. I'm a resident of bridge for over 40 years. I'm a military mother ex-wife of
a narcotic detective. I have voted both parties depending on who I felt would represent my needs. I strongly dis dislike what ICE is doing. Hardened criminals are being left to run a mock of our cities and states. What we were promised is not what's being done.
Hardworking people, kids are not the criminals or are they rapists or pedophiles. To Miss Greenberg, how dare you equate what happened to Jewish people to what's happening here? Did you ever walk on the runway of Hitler's planes or the train
tracks? Well, I did for two long months. I sat by one of one of Hitler's airport towers and cried, prayed every day because I see similarities to what's happening here, what's happened there to what's happening here. My maternal
grandmother is part Jewish. My son regularly attends synagogue. Just to also educate you in case your family are not career military like mine. Some of my fierce some of the fe our fiercest warriors in our military are black and
brown for your for fighting for our country. Let that sink in for when we next go to war. Let's have law enforcement old bridge take over and not have ICE come in and run our town.
[applause] Hello everyone. Uh my name is Phillip. Um I'm here today because I wanted to voice my opinion and discussions about discussions regarding ICE. Uh through multiple accounts and perspectives online, we've seen ICE harassing and unlawfully detaining citizens and
protesters through excessive force, taking people from their vehicles or homes, all while masked and hiding their identity from the public. Such excessive force has also led to the death of several US citizens. The idea that ICE is just doing their jobs is concerning to me considering all
of that. I think the rhetoric is harmful to our community and it makes me feel unsafe as an Obridgeidge resident. No one should feel unsafe, nor should anyone have their civil rights threatened. We should all feel safe in our homes and communities. And I ask everyone here and online to really
consider that we all share the same feelings. Thank you. [applause] Hello, my name is Stephanie Chan from Oldbridge. You claim you want for no one to be hurt, and yet you co-sign the state sanctioned violence ISIS is committing on a daily basis, not only in
Minnesota, but across the country. You call for law and order, yet you ignore the very unlawful violations of people's constitutional rights unfolding before us. You claim to care about public safety while defending the very institution making it unsafe to exist outside and in our homes. You call your meetings with you start your meetings
with a pledge and a prayer. Is it liberty and justice for all or just for some? Is it love thy neighbor or love thy neighbor if they have the correct papers if they're the correct color? I point out your hypocrisy not for you but for the sake of the people you lead astray with your pedaling of
misinformation and lies. Ice is all over New Jersey as we speak. It's only a matter of time before they come to Old Bridge. ICE is not welcome here. We are well past reforms. We demand that our local police department defend us from them and that they are kept out. I extend this to my fellow community members. When they've kidnapped your
children, brutalized your elderly, murdered your neighbors for protecting you, and slandered their names on live television before their bodies are even cold, all on your dime. What will it have been for? For the billionaires to get richer every second, profiting off the suffering. You work yourself to the bone, yet you can't afford your rent, groceries, education, or child care.
Your health insurance premiums are rising. Your wages stay stagnant, and nothing is better. If you still support ICE, I urge you to consider what is to come. They will they will continue to kill and kidnap people from their homes and communities indiscriminately and with impunity until there is no one left. And then they will
set their sights on you. No amount of denial, complacency, or collaboration will save you. And you will be alone with history and God as your witness. Thank you. Hi, my [clears throat] name is Patricia and I'm an Oldbridgeidge resident. I'm here to echo the thoughts of my friends, family, and fellow community members
about the comments made here last week regarding ICE. As a Polish immigrant and American citizen, it saddens me to witness someone who represents the people of Oldbridge say that ICE is just doing their job. Since when has that job entailed kidnapping and disappearing people? Since when has that job entailed
executing American citizens? Since when has that job entailed instilling fear and pain into the lives of innocent people and innocent children? Nazis and fascists have done the same exact quote unquote job as ICE. And they were known as the Gestapo. There's a reason why ICE is being compared. I also implore you to
research the actions and behaviors of the Gestapo before calling anyone ignorant on making this comparison. I have a lot of love for this community, for the life I have been given here, and for the people I've met. It saddens me to know that representatives from my own community would allow my own life to be put on the line to put the lives of my
family, friends, neighbors, and other community members on the line. All for your own selfishness. You claim to be scared of the quote unquote criminal immigrants, but are not afraid of the federal agents that are executing American citizens in the streets. Those those same agents using their power, force, and authority over anyone they
can get their hands on. That could have been and could be any of us. There's a reason why people are scared of ICE, and it's upsetting that the current administration is allowing this to happen. It's even more upsetting to know that you are willing to comply with their demands for your own gratification. This pandering and fear-mongering needs to end. Where has
your humanity gone? We demand that local law enforcement does not collaborate with ICE and that we keep ICE out of the streets, our businesses, and our homes. Thank you. Okay. Anybody on the right hand side from row three? Sorry.
>> My name is Neil Greenspan. Uh, council president and members all on the council. Good evening. In 2015, President Barack Obama awarded Tom Holman
President Rank Award for doing the exact same job. as a distinguished executive as a top silver service honor. This award recognizes Homeman's performance
as the executive associate director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, ERO. Award 2015 for distinguished service.
Why? Where was everybody then? I didn't see anybody coming to the council meetings at that time and complaining about it. And it's the same person. All right.
They're saying legal citizens are being harassed and being um arrested. If you are legal and you are here legally,
you have no problem. If you are an illegal alien that just walked over our uh border, you broke the law already, our federal law. Our state is not
following federal law. All right? and the theater part that's coming from the Democratic side, not the Republican side. I would like to thank Anita Greenberg for bringing up the fact with how she
felt about them calling ICE not. >> Sorry, sir, that's your time. >> Okay, [applause] row three. Anybody else? Okay. Row four on the left. Starting from left to right. Anybody who would
like to be heard. Can they lower that for her? Yeah. Always for me. Sure. >> I think it's good. Can you hear me? >> All right. Hi everyone. I'm Marowix. Been living in Ober over 50 years. So I want to take a moment to address something that happened at the last
meeting because it matters for our community or credibility in the way we speak to each other as residents of Obridge. First and most importantly, at no time did any speaker, resident, or anyone in the audience refer to ICE as Nazi. Nor did anyone call police officers Nazis. That simply didn't happen. So when an elected official
introduces statements that were never said, it does more than distract from the conversation. It creates fear confusion and unnecessary division. And as we all saw, it pushed Obridge back into the news again for the wrong reasons. Obridge is a diverse and strong community. We are capable of having tough conversations. We disagree on
policies, but we should never allow misinformation to pit neighbor against neighbor, especially coming from the people who are supposed to represent all of us. Now, the resident who spoke at the last meeting asked very direct, legitimate questions about ICE. How's preparing to protect his residents? How are we protecting our police? How are we
protecting our town from outrageous spending, influence, and potential issues that could affect our safety and finances? Those are real concerns and they deserve real answers. But instead of addressing those concerns, instead of explaining what preparations or plans are being considered, an elected official who is not even the mayor chose
to go on a rant about ICE or her own opinions of cooperation and policing. That choice ignored the resident's actual questions and once again shifted the spotlight away from OB onto drama. That is not leadership and is not helping the township move forward, which
is part of why OBDC chose not to feed the fire and boycott today's meeting. Obridgeidge has always taken the safety of his residents seriously. Our police department serves our community with professionalism and nothing changes from our last meeting. We have been labeled as the sixth safest town. What residents
were acting for was clarity, transport um transparency, protection, and a plan, not a distraction. If we truly want to protect OB, its people, our officers, and our tax dollars, then we need to stay grounded in the fact. We need to respond to what was actually asked, and we need our elected officials to stick
to the issues at hand and not create further division. We already have enough to deal with overdevelopment. >> I'm sorry, ma'am, that's your time. Sorry. >> And also just want everybody to look out for the two young ladies who are medical condition. Thank you, Anna, for bringing it up. [applause] Make sure everybody gets a turn.
>> Good evening, Dan Finny. I'm so proud of Councilwoman Greenberg for taking a stand at the last meeting. All of our towns need to do the same. Contrary to the le liberal mob, nothing she said was hateful or wrong. I am
speaking for many others when I say thank you. When I saw the protesters with their vulgar signs, I was disgusted and felt embarrassed for Old Bridge and the many parents driving by with kids in the car, knowing their fuamenting anger does not represent the vast majority.
During my 30-year military career, I was proud of my oath of office to support and defend the Constitution, knowing well it included protecting the rights of people to be foolish and take the freedoms and blessings we have in this country for granted. But this is what
happening now is a whole new level. Supporting and defending our constitution also means preserving our nation, law and order, and secure borders. Vilifying ICE is not that. To be clear, physically impeding, blocking roads, screaming obscenities, and waving
vulgar signs in front of ICE officers trying to do their jobs is not protesting. It is lawlessness. Every single person doing these things should be arrested. And if you are blowing a whistle in their face, someone should shove it where the sun doesn't shine. I
taught all my kids to respect law enforcement and to always immediately comply with law enforcement and they would never have any problems with law enforcement. In fact, I clearly remember on more than one occasion discussing police shootings and telling them if you
are ever foolish enough to resist arrest or fail to comply, you can expect to get shot. So, what in the world are people teaching their kids today? It isn't just anti-IC ice.
The mob is not just attacking men and women of ICE. They are attacking our local law enforcement, the rule of law. They are attacking my family and the fabric of this community. >> So much. >> Anybody else in row four to the right?
Okay, back to the left. Row five. Anybody who would like to be heard from left to right? Good evening. >> Uh good evening members of the township council, mayor and my fellow residents. Uh my name is Madav and I'm a resident of the township. Uh I'm here to raise a
concern about uh the road conditions on Aster Circle which is off Schummeister road. Uh our community has been struggling with the unpaved roads in the in that area. Uh and you know the existing snow condition makes it worse. uh you know we have to drive through that road every day uh drive through the
potholes that are being patched. We've been told those roads would be paved at a point when the entire construction is completed. Uh but no one's been able to give us a clarity in terms of the timelines around those construction. Uh we were told in the first year or so uh all the construction would be done and
the roads would be paved. Uh but the existing condition continues to remain the same. Uh so I request you uh to to help address this situation uh with the contractors, the developers uh and provide some clarity in the situation and the timeline please. Thank you
>> sir. If you could just leave your name and number. >> Okay. Row five. Anybody else on the left? Row five to my right. Good evening, council members. My name is Ahmed. I'm a former resident of
Obridgeidge of 37 years. ICE tactics are unconstitutional and do not make our community safe. They violate the fourth amendment just to start along with various other amendments and laws. Immigrants and citizens themselves fear going out in public. To suggest that
immigrants have a country to go home to is misleading and disingenuous. This country was built on the genocide of the indigenous and on the slavery of Africans. You're in no position to tell who goes where, Councilman Greenberg. If anything, we can ask a few indigenous
that remain in this land who should stay here. I'm sure they wouldn't align with your view and they would want European colonizers to leave. ICE has been targeting Latin communities across the state and our nation. And let's be honest, Latinos are more native to this hemisphere than Europeans are. Just as
you don't want immigrants here, those same immigrants don't want US politics and imperialism in their homelands. So maybe we should leave their lands first. If you want to talk about human trafficking and drugs, then look no further than the elites of this country who mastermind and facilitate every
aspect. Jeffrey Epstein traffked children for decades. Did you speak out about him and who he worked for? Human trafficking leads to organ harvesting with deep ties to Israel. What about blood dimes that make their way through there as well? ICE doing their job, as you say, is not good enough of an excuse
for their actions. Nazi soldiers were also doing their job as well. and people who enforce slavery or Jim Crow in this land were also doing their job. We the people will stand up in the face of injustice, law or no law. We celebrated a man last month for staying against
unjust laws. Yet too often we confine his courage to a holiday or a statue in Washington. That was never the point. His legacy demands action. I am human, not a puppet, and I refuse to be controlled by the system. Yes, ICE
agents get docked because they're breaking the law and have no accountability. They under the protection of a corrupt government li institutions of Renee Good and Alex Freddy. And yet here you are. You want us to be silent. We will not be silent. Thank you.
>> Anybody else in row five on my right? Okay. Row six to my left. from left to right. Anybody who would like to speak row six on the other side. There we go. >> Thank you. >> Hi. Uh my name is Kaylee. I moved to
Oldbridge in 2019. Love it. Um, quick backstory. I was a preschool teacher for 10 years. I taught three to 5-year-olds. Love them. In teaching, it was also very important for me to take care of them. I
uh taught them how to be safe. I taught them how to walk. I taught them how to tie their shoes. My gosh. But I also had to plan for the worst. I had to plan for school shooters. I had to plan for lockdowns. I had to plan for fire
drills. And in all of that, I also had to plan to put my life on the line for those children for a decade. And I would do it all again. You've heard a lot tonight so far about people's fears. And I think it's very
apparent that we are 95% of us very scared of what's going on right now. And sorry, I'm also very terrified of public speaking. Um, you are our teacher. We are your children in this. We are asking you to
protect us. We are asking you for a plan on what to do. We are asking you to take care of us as a community because we look to you for that. And if we can't look to you for that, who can we look
to? Thank you. [applause] Anybody else in row six to the to the right? [clears throat] I hate to belabor the point, but uh good evening Oldbridge Town Council and Old Bridge residents. Uh I'd like to
start little background. >> Your name, sir? >> Tim Dong. Um, yeah, my uh my dad was a retired police officer. Um, I was raised Catholic. I don't particularly care for the Democrats or the Republicans. Um,
my concern is for the health of this town and the welfare of the people in this town. And ICE and CBP are not categorically. They will stop you. They will demand your papers and they will detain you on the suspicion of an immigration
violation. I think it's an insult to the people of this town to invite a federal agency to come and poke and prod at us until they turn something up. Some man or woman or child to help fill their quota.
Some unfortunate soul they can ship to a measles camp out in Texas. Now, I know you care about this town because I mean, you're sitting up there, but I ask that you consider the near 40% of this town that doesn't identify as
white only. Maybe consider their fears and their concerns. They are the people that are most susceptible to misconduct at this time. Uh, if you'd allow it, I'd like to read in honor of Black History Month a poem
from Langston Hughes. >> Yeah. >> Known as a tired I'm so tired of waiting, aren't you? For the world to become good and beautiful and kind. Let us take a knife and cut the world in
two and see what worms are eating at the rind. Thank you. Anybody else in row six? Hello, Natalie Flac, Old Reg. Um, as civil rights activist John Lewis said, "A democracy cannot thrive where
power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few. Ignoring these cries and failing to respond to this mo movement is simply not an option, for peace cannot exist, where justice is not served. I'd like to address the residents of Oldbridge. I'm
sure we can all agree that we want to live in a town where we feel safe. Safe enough to walk. Safe enough to go to work in the morning knowing you'll be home when your kids get out of school. Safe enough to stop at the new Wawa on Route 9 for a quick snack while you fill up your tank.
Safe enough to wait at the park and ride behind Walmart for your bus. safe enough for the over 40% of Old Bridge residents who don't identify as white to be able to walk around their own neighborhood without fear of being racially profiled,
harassed by masked men demanding to see your papers, and subsequently kidnapped off the street and sent to a detention center for months. Bridge, we need to start looking out for each other. Neighbors need to have each other's backs during times of state sanctioned
violence against citizens and non-citizens alike. That being said, my husband and I have prepared some whistle kits and anyone is welcome to have one at the end. Thank you. Anyone else from row six?
Good evening, council members. Robin Lynn Williamson. I would like to remind everyone that 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the United States independence. Despite that, I have no doubt that after speaking to truth, equality, the responsibilities of all
citizens, adhering to the laws governing the United States, top down, bottom up, that after tonight, I will be placed on some sort of list. I have no problem with that. the actions, a lack of oversight, complacency, inability to see through
the rhetoric, ignorance to see the that history is repeating itself. Whether you want to not call it the Nazis, you want to call it the Gestapo, ICE, whatever you want to call it, it's repeating. And constant dehuman dehumanization, including measles camps by reducing
people to labels, with inadequate health care, do not but should appropriately align with our constitutional rights, specifically habius corpus, article 1, section 9, unlawful search and seizure, and the fourth amendment. Disregarding
our rights has erupted in chaotic events due to mass amounts of US taxpayerf funed heavily armed individuals many of whom have never had firearm training as evidenced by the recent murders of Renee Good, Alex Prey, Keith Porter, and the
child trafficking and kidnapping of Liam Kha Ramos. As of now, we still have the First Amendment. As of now, allowing us to speak our minds and protect us citizens the right to protest. Wake up. The time for apathy, gaslighting,
neglect, and following the disgraceful directions of a racist pedophile is over. The regime is in New Jersey and due to the safe and secure communities program grant resulting in in the amount of essentially $473
90 473966 which will be discussed at this evening's town council meeting. It's coming to bridge observing the events across our country those believe in constitutional rights. We will fight fascism. We're getting organized. Be prepared because we are.
>> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Okay, moving on to row seven on my left from left to right. Good evening. Good evening. My name is Roseanne Andrews. I'm speaking uh with my first amendment rights. As a citizen of the
United States and as a resident of Oldbridge, my talk, my opinion. In 1996, Bill Clinton passed the immigration reform act, which specifically gave Congress the right to authorize the federal government to conduct
non-judicial deportations, which of course means no jury. They could just be taken out. During that time, uh, 92 to 93% of the people that Bill Clinton deported did not go through due process.
George H. Bush deported people up to about 10 million, I believe. Um, unfortunately or fortunately, the other gentleman mentioned that Tom Holman received a medal from Barack Obama for deportion. uh Barack Obama was known as
the deorter and chief. Not once were any of these people questioned. Was there anything regarding Nazis, fascists, or anything else? If you think about the federal government, and I'm old enough to remember because I was alive when all of
these things happened. Uh I I was born at right before World War Two, not one but two. Uh the federal government is the reason we have an integrated military. We have integrated school system because of the federal
government's intervention. The federal government rules over the states. If you do not like the law that was passed in 1996, then you write to your legislators and tell them to change it. But do not call ICE fascist, Nazis, or a Gustapo.
They are a law enforcement office. And unfortunately, Mr. Petty, had he been there been local police there when he kicked the tail light in and made a hole in the car, if he had been arrested by the local police because ICE cannot
arrest them, he would be alive today. I'm sorry. Thank you. >> Anyone else from row seven on the left? Okay. Row seven to my right. From left to right, anybody like to be heard.
>> All right. Seeing no more hands, then we will close the public portion. I have a motion. >> Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Acatuli, second by Councilman Rosolei. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Public comment portions now
closed. >> And I just want to thank everybody for comporting themselves appropriately. Appreciate it. >> Thank you everyone. Very respectful night. Thank you very much. Uh next will be council comments. Councilman Asatuli.
>> Yes. Thank you. Thank you everyone who spoke tonight. What a great country we have that we can have freedom of speech for all. Good evening to the council, to our residents, and to everyone listening tonight. Thank you. I'm not speaking
tonight just as your councilman. I'm speaking as a neighbor, as someone who loves this town, and someone who deeply believes in what this country stands for. In 1776, our founders did something very rare in human history.
They rejected kings, rejected tyranny, and placed their faith in ordinary people. Like every single person in this room, they declared that power would not come from force, but from the constant of the governed, from
we the people. That idea still matters. It matters right now. Our constitution and our amendments, >> Excuse me. >> Excuse me. >> What was that? refrain from that. It would be appreciated. We've had a very good night. Let's let's just continue.
>> Our Constitution and our amendments were written to protect freedom, not comfort, not convenience, not agreement, but freedom. The freedom to speak, the freedom to worship, the freedom to assemble, and the freedom to peacefully
protest even when views collide and emotions run high. Peaceful protest is not a weakness of this nation. It is one of our greatest strengths. But with that freedom comes responsibility. Responsibility to remember that disagreement is not hatred.
That opposing views are not enemies. And that violence is never justice for an opinion. We can debate fiercely without tearing each other apart. We can stand strongly without raising our hands in anger. We can be passionate without
becoming destructive. Once violence replaces dialogue, everyone loses, no matter what side of the aisle they believe they're on. Now listen, I know tensions are high.
I know that people feel unheard, frustrated, and even afraid. Those feelings are real, and they deserve to be acknowledged. But fear cannot guide us, ladies and gentlemen.
Rage cannot guide us. Only our values can. And this town has values. Old bridge has always been a community that works itself out. We show up. We talk things through. We may disagree, but don't forget that we share the same
streets. We share the same schools and the same future. We don't stop being neighbors just because we see the world differently. Tonight and in the days ahead, days ahead, I'm asking all of us to lead with our best
selves. To let our words be strong, but our actions be peaceful. To remember that the flag we stand under belongs to all of us. And to show our children, not just tell them, what freedom,
respect, and civic responsibility truly looks like. I have faith in this country. I have faith in this town and I believe that if we stay rooted in respect, we will continue to work things out just as we
always have and we always will. And PS, they wanted to know about statements that were mentioned last week and my opinion to what we're going to do about it. Before I close, I want to say this very clearly. I have full trust and confidence in our chief of police and
every member of our police department. I know we can sleep really well at night knowing that they're here. I know that no matter the circumstances, they are guided by training, by integrity, and a commitment to do what's right. Their priority is and always will be the
safety of our residents. I am grateful for their service, their professionalism, and the difficult decisions they make every day to protect our community. May God bless us all. Thank you,
>> Councilman De Palama. >> Thank you, Kate. Um, just real quick, I know we spoke about two of our residents um that are in some medical need. So, still just want to make sure that we we keep those folks in our prayers, both um
Adriana as well as Alyssa. So, we hope each one of them get well soon. And since our next meeting is not to the latter part of the month, just want to wish everybody a happy start to Ramadan, a happy Ash Wednesday, and also a happy Valentine's Day to all. Just make sure
you take some time to spend with your loved ones. Um because we never know when that time will end, right? And also, happy birthday to my oldest daughter. Thank you, >> Councilman Desai. I want to wish
the best to the two retired police officer. Thank you for your s services of 25 25 plus years and I wish them
a good health and enjoy the rest of your life. Whatever you do, I pray to God to bestow thy blessing on you. Thank you,
>> Councilman Merwin. Yes. Uh I I want to thank everybody for coming out tonight. Yes. I don't care what side of the uh issue you were on. It was it was great. Glad everybody stayed within the in the the callum that
uh was requested and we didn't get in the name calling. Happy Ramadan to everybody that uh celebrates Ramadan. And uh that's it. Thank you, >> Councilman Pasci.
>> Darren, that was some speech. That was really good. Really enjoyed that. Thank you. Um happy Thanksgiving. Yeah, happy uh Valentine's Day. [laughter] I'm thinking of eating already. Um, yeah, [clears throat] I want to thank
everybody for coming too. I I totally, you know, think that everybody has the right to speak and for the most part it's it was it was uh respectful and um you know, I may not agree with uh some of the statements, but um I support your
right to say it. Um totally uh support the constitution. Um, also I want to thank the police officers for being here tonight and for all that you guys do. Yeah, give them a hand. Thank you.
[applause] Guys put their uh lives out, you know, for all of us. Um, that's it. Thank you. Good night, >> Councilman Rosie. >> Thank you. Uh, I just want to thank everyone for coming out tonight, hearing
both sides of the argument. you're entitled to your opinion. Thank uh all the cops in the room keeping us safe. Chief captains. Um also uh council president. Just want to make sure that the my um amendment to the nepotism ordinance is on the next agenda for the
next meeting. And uh happy Valentine's Day. Have a great night. Thank you. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Uh good evening everyone. Um I want to thank the pe everybody who spoke tonight. Um, even though we might fully we don't fully agree on the issues, um,
I'll always respect your right to speak and, uh, just want to address Kyler, we'll be in touch about the issue, uh, you were talking about with the sidewalks. Um, as Anna said about our student athletes having the issue, uh, Adriana having the issue with her neck injury. Um, I won't go into that again.
My prayers are in their with their family. Um, I do want to thank the community for really stepping up because from what I saw on the GoFundMe, uh, I think it was close to $70,000 in 78,000 in two days. That is amazing and that
just shows how great this town is and how we can come together when somebody's in need when one of our uh, residents are in need. Um, one of the other things I want to say that's not really Oldbridge related, but it has come up a few times in our public comments the past few meetings. Um, as you know, uh,
there's a Rucker student, Mortimer Wartman, that's been missing since November. Um, there is a benefit auction on March 2nd at the, uh, Adventure Crossing in Jackson to raise money, uh, for the reward fund. Um, if you would like to donate any items, please email,
um, her name is Selena, Selena Sta6gmail.com. She's actually a former resident of Oldbridge. Uh, real quick, I just want to congratulate the, um, high school bowling team. There's four members that made the, uh, GMC finals. Uh good luck at this tournament. And uh last thing I
want to say is um just for kicks is our soccer program for special needs children. Uh the program is the largest special needs program soccer program in the state of New Jersey. Uh this program's currently need a buddies. Uh buddies are volunteers that are middle school, high school age that work with
the children. Um have that one-on-one time with them. Uh it's a great and rewarding volunteer opportunity for students. Uh, if you're interested, please go to brbridgec.com or just fork kicks kixs.org to register. And that's all I have.
Thank you, >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. >> Congratulations [snorts] to Detective Donna Frio and Officer Miller that for your service and dedication and may you have many blessings um in your retirement. And
since our next council meeting is after Valentine's Day, I want to wish everyone a happy Valentine's Day and may you always have your heart always be filled. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. I also want to congratulate the officers and and you know this is a
career that they take very seriously and I'm very proud to say congratulations to them and thank you this evening chief and and captains and all all the officers here. I think you also hold in very high esteem and you make sure that
we're all everybody's safe and thank you again for all that time you took to be here tonight with us. Uh for the residents, thank you for coming out, all of you. Um I really appreciate you speaking, telling us how you feel. That's what's important. And I'm so
pleased that it was a good experience. It wasn't a monologue. It was a dialogue. And hopefully this will come some good will come from it. And thank you again for respecting this chamber because no matter who sits up here or sits out there, we should have that for
each other, the respect. So thank you all. Happy Valentine's Day. Hopefully you all have a great time. Thank you so much. Any mayor, did you want to add anything? Any comments? You're good. I just want to wish everyone a happy Valentine's Day as well.
>> Okay. And Anna, anything? You good? Okay. All right. Well, then I'll ask for a motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> Motion by Councilman Rzolei. Who seconded? >> Councilman Desai. Roll call. Councilman Acatuli. Yes.
>> Councilman Deama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosie. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vonstettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli.
>> Yes. >> And Council President Sohar. >> Meeting adjourned at 9:15. Next meeting February 24th, 2026.