e e e e e e e e e good evening I'd like to call to order
the Elbridge Township February 25th 2025 council meeting please rise for a Pledge of Allegiance please remain standing for a moment of silence and for our prayer I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
Republic for it stands one nation under God individual with liberty and justice for all as customary in this chamber we stand for a moment to remember those who are protecting our freedoms both here and abroad for our First Responders and
for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for everyone's suffering around the world a moment of silence please Mr pesky our prayer dear Lord bless thy 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 Soul
at peace with thee and with one another amen amen please be seated roll call councilman auli present councilwoman dearo here councilman dama here here councilman
Desai councilman Garcia pres let the record reflect that councilman Murphy is absent councilman pasti present Council vice president Dr Greenberg belly president and council president soar president 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 14 2025 and has been posted in public places next open public meeting of the township Council will be held on Tuesday March 11th 2025 at 7:30 p.m. okay good evening everyone and
Welcome to our meeting uh we'll begin with um introduction of new police officers and promotions very excited about this one mayor and [Applause]
good evening everyone it's truly a proud moment for me to stand before all of you today as chief of police I'm honored to introduce our newly promoted officers as well as our newly hired officers this is a significant milestone for both the
department and the community and I'm thrilled to share it with with all of you before we begin I would like to provide the residents of Oldbridge with an update on the current status of the Oldbridge Police Department as many of you know already know Public Safety is always my top
priority and I am and I am incredibly passionate about ensuring the safety and well-being of our community every day we are working tirelessly to uphold that commitment in addition to maintaining Public Safety keeping our highways and
roadways safe is also crucial to further this Mission we expanded our traffic safety unit and imple implemented an aggressive driving detail our officers have been focused on identifying and addressing aggressive
drivers on our roadways I've personally seen a noticeable a noticeable Improvement especially on Route 9 and I'm confident that these efforts efforts are making a difference community community policing is equally important to us last year we
were proud to re reinstitute our youth police academy and launch a brand new Senior Citizen Police Academy both programs were a huge success and a lot of fun fostering stronger connections within our community this year we plan to bring back both those acmis along
with many other community focused events to continue building those bonds finally I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude to the men and women of oldridge police department they are out there every day working hard to keep us all safe their dedication and
commitment does not go unnoticed and I want to thank let them know how much we all appreciate their efforts thank you all God bless the old BRD Police [Applause] Department i' just like to take a quick moment and and thank mayor Walker um our
business administrator and our Council for all their continued support um and without that you know we couldn't be moving forward and thriving and doing what we're doing so thank you very much so we'll bring our captains down
that you want to read okay James McCauley Jr badge number number 167 throughout his 28y year career with the oldridge townser police department James mccolley Jr has been assigned to seever several areas of law enforcement he previously served the
department as a patrol officer school resource officer and a detective assigned to the identification unit in 2014 James was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and in 2021 to Lieutenant he is currently assigned to the bureau Comm as the bureau commander of for police
Administration it is a privilege tonight to oriz his dedication to the department with the promotion to rank a captain I introduce I introduce you to Captain James McCall conratulations congatulations
[Applause] his twin Michael Boda badge 190 uh in January 2000 Michael Bodo was sworn in with oldd Police Department he began his career as a police officer and
in 2003 was assigned to the detective Bureau Michael was promoted to Sergeant in 2014 and to the rank of lieutenant in August of 2022 at that time he served as Bureau commander of the detective Bureau he is currently he is currently the bureau
Commander for patrol and Records divisions as well as dispatch it is my honor to recognize his commitment to the department and introduce you to Captain Michael B [Applause] G to go
down don't go down right bring up our lieutenants Joseph Guan B number 196 on July 21st 2000 Joseph Guan began his law enforcement career with the Oldbridge Police Department he served as a patrol officer prior to being assigned to the
detective Bureau in 2007 Joseph was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2018 and on Monday February 24th 2025 he took Thea office and was promoted to Lieutenant is currently assigned to the detective Bureau tonight I am proud to
introduce to you the Department's newly promoted Lieutenant Joseph [Applause] Kuan Herbert doctors BGE 221 herb
doctors was sworn in with the police department in December of 2005 he was assigned as a patrol officer until December 2016 when he was reassigned to the police Administration where he's currently assigned in 2018 he was promoted to Sergeant on February 24th
2025 he was sworn in as Lieutenant it is my honor to introduce to you lieutenant Herbert doctors [Applause] Patrick Montagna badge 216 my brother um on January 26 2004 Patrick pagum was sworn in as an officer with the
Oldbridge Police Department he was assigned as a patrol officer in 2013 Patrick was reassigned as a school resource officer and is in the liaison between the Board of Education and the police department in 2017 he was appointed as a detective with the juvenile division and continue continues
to work closely with the Board of Education and oversees the school resource program it is my honor to introduce to you my brother newly promoted Sergeant Patrick [Applause]
Montagna Phil belgio b 2 217 Phil belgio began his law enforcement career when he took the his off his oath of office on January 26 2004 Philip served as a patrol officer within the patrol Bureau until his
reassignment and appointment to the detective Bureau in 2024 his assignment within the detective Bureau included six years within the Narcotics Division with his promotion of Sergeant Phil Philip continues his assignment with the detective Bureau I am proud to introduce
to you tonight Sergeant Philip belgio [Applause] Gregory guy badge 225 on January 26 2006 Gregory took his off the office with the Oldbridge Police Department he began his law enforcement career with the
patrol Bureau and with his recent promotion to Sergeant serves as a supervisor within the patrol Bureau Gregory's promotion to Sergeant was administered on February 24th 2025 is my privilege tonight to introduce to you Sergeant Gregory
[Applause] I'm going to introduce our new officers uh we have three here tonight uh we have currently five that um we hired but two are ready to go probably next week um
bring them up Jag PRI car badge 306 on January 31st 2025 Jag PRI Carr took her o of office within the department prior to coming to Oldbridge Jag was employed as a full-time police officer with the Plainsboro Police Department she
previously served as a Sheriff officer with the Somerset County Sheriff's Department Jag attended Montclair State University and holds a bachelor's degree in in Justice studies she's currently in training with the Department's field training program I'm pleased to Welcome
to the department and introduce Jack pre [Applause] car Brandon Grover badge 307 Brandon was
sworn in on February 18th 2025 prior to joining the oldridge police department Brandon served with a spots with Police Department he holds an associates degree in mechanic mechanical engineering from middx County College col Brandon also served as a special law enforcement officer Class 2 for the
Jamesburg police department and the spot of police department PRI prior to becoming a full-time officer I'm pleased to introduce to you Brandon Grover and welcome him to our [Applause] department thank you very
[Applause] much Michael Sansone badge number 308 Michael Sansone was also sworn in on February 18th 2025 Michael previously served as a full-time police officer with the Jamesburg Police Department he holds an associates degree of in science from
Brookdale Community College prior to his employment with the Jamesburg Police Department Michael served as a special law enforcement officer class two and class one with the Seaside Heights Police Department I am pleased to Welcome to the department introduce to you Michael Sanson
[Applause] good evening uh we were out without a police chief for a few years and in March of last year Chief montaga took over and um we are so committed our Council myself our Administration and chief onag to build our Police
Department we're going to continue to build it make it stronger and our number one priority is to keep alridge safe so that's what we're here to do ab yes and I just want to say congratulations to our new officer our newly uh elevated
officers promotions and um thank you Council for all your support for our Police Department I just want to have a big round of applause for our [Music] [Applause] police and thank you Chief Monaga for
all your hard work thank you [Applause] oh we're good we just congratulations to everyone I think the council all feels the same and everyone knows where our heart is it's here with the Oldbridge PD and we're so happy that we have the new
officers and we're so pleased that the officers were promoted this is a really really good time in Oldbridge and I think Chief Montagna has set a really really good path for us and I'm hoping that this is just the start of many more
promotions and many more you know new police officers we really are dedicated to you guys it's the residents that are very important to us thank you all so much yeah yeah at this point we're going to now go into the body of the meeting so if anyone would like to stay you're
welcome but if anyone decides that they'd like to you know take their leave for the evening go right ahead you're lucky have a good night enjoy have a good one guys thank you very much you know with the new officers
we used to bring them up and they used to introduce them to each council person well we did that last time but I guess tonight to Too Much Tommy didn't you're afraid they're gonna pull you over last well that was but you you you'll
remember it and be a little more daydreaming right yep yeah I think by shop right the old shop right yeah by that Forest right right there right there e e
pretty much now all right all right well we're going to now get back to the body of the meeting once again congratulations to everyone in the police department we're all very Oldbridge proud okay just as an an announcement the public hearing H1 the
performance bond release Wawa trash enclosure 177 Route 34 madaan store number 934 - block 4230 lot 3 application number
32-15 Z carried to March 11th 2025 council meeting without further notice yes we um council president we had uh an issue where uh both our our
engineer and our assistant engineer could not be available for tonight's meeting right so we um asked if we could please carry this to the March 11th meeting uh so that they could be present and Wawa is was in agreement so they
will not be required though to republish any this okay all right so for anyone out there that was interested in that it is being postponed and moved to March 11th okay all right very good okay now we'll go on to the bill list Mr
Garcia okay okay well you knew we had bills right okay I got it I knew we'd find it somewhere all righty then thank you uh Bill list as of February 25
2025 accounts payable February 25 2025 23,4 73,5 2.31 payroll February 14 2025
1,232 6555 payroll overtime February 14 2025 $ 37,8 79 and that completes my report thank you right thank you Mr Garcia Anna can we have a breakdown please of the
overtime yes we did not have any major upticks in our overtime for this payroll the police uh overtime was $2,144 31 the dock grants $7,997 the etto $8,000 $8,000 1110
8,8 that's a hard number apparently 8,119 uh for a total of 5,396 we have two officers on light duty and as you can see today we have a pretty good Force out there so thank you all right thank you very much do I have
a motion move it okay move by Mr second by Dr Greenberg belli roll call councilman auli yes councilwoman dearo yes councilman dama yes councilman Desai yes councilman
Garcia yes councilman pasidi off the deis council vice president Dr Greenberg belli yes and Council Vice pres I'm sorry council president soar yes seven yeses okay next will be budget items
calendar year 2025 budget introduction so this is resolution approv approving introduction of calendar year 2025 budget under uh total General appropriations of 73 m368
537 and to set the public hearing for the budget for April 8th 2025 thank you okay good evening good evening um I will get this started I am pleased to introduce this
year's Township budget a financial plan that reflects both the challenges we faced and our continued commitment to fiscal responsibility and essential services this year like many municipalities we have navigated economic pressures that have tested our ability to maintain a balanced budget while still providing the service our
residents rely on we have seen a significant increase in the cost of items includ in non-discretionary items including health benefits and pension obligations both both are which are essential to supporting our dedicated employees but come at a higher financial
burden furthermore our new recycling contract with the county which was roughly a $4,000 increase over our previous contract though still significantly less than if we were to go private has added additional costs that we must absorb despite these challenges
we have worked diligently to control expenditures where possible explore cost-saving measures and seek alternative uh alternative Revenue sources to lessen the impact on taxpayers our our goal is and continues to be to ensure that we continue
providing quality services while maintaining long-term Financial stability we welcome your input and look forward to working together to make the best best financial decisions for our Township and its future at this time I will pass it over over to Don our CFO
and Director of Finance okay welcome Don thank you Anna uh good evening uh tonight we're asking Council to introduce the budget as you know we say every year it's really an all year process but it began with the Departments back in August uh submitting
their requests to Administration we held meetings in October um and then a second round in January to finalize everything um I'd really like to thank um Vicky who's here tonight and really our entire Finance staff because without
them without the department heads and the managers you know we would not be able to put this together thank you it's important that we take care of our financial planning early so the Departments can operate and you know make decisions in a timely
fashion you know many years ago when I first started we weren't adopting the budget until six seven eight months into the year and you know you can't plan you can't go on temporary for that long so without further Ado the 2025
Municipal budget as total General Appropriations excluding the Municipal Library of 69 m399 194 compared to 68 m885
255 in the 2024 budget as modified that does not include that $7 million emergency appropriation that you know that would skew things greatly uh the proposed tax rate for municipal purposes
for 2025 is estimated to be 1.03 which reflects a 1.67% increase over 2024 so for an average home in Oldbridge assessed at 157,000
$373 there is a proposed Municipal tax increase of $27 it's important to note that we are a service industry and our budget um employee related costs salaries benefits
payroll taxes comprise just under 64% of the budget our 2025 budget does include funding for two new full-time positions a patrol officer in the police department and a labor in public
works um it also takes into account um some of the proposed contract changes um that we're looking to really help recruit and retain qualified police officers you know such as you saw here tonight excuse me um as Anna had
mentioned we have seen significant increases in some of our costs that we really can't control obviously there's always Insurance um including health and liability insurance p costs which are come down from the state PS the employer
contribution increased by 8.34% and pfrs by 18.25% which equates to just over 800,000 um also the recycling contract
uh we contract with uh mcia their 5-year contract is up at the end of March we were just notified what less than two weeks ago what the actual amounts would be and it's about a 39% increase that
goes into effect starting April of 2025 the township Administration will schedule three budget subcommittee workshops in March we're still working on finalizing the dates um they'll be held at 6: PM in room 2011 on the second
floor at these meetings uh the budget is discussed in great detail we go line by line through the budget the meetings uh will be advertised in the home News Tribune posted on the township website and they are open to the
public a formal presentation and public hearing will occur at the April 8th council meeting and by the end of the week the budget documents will be available for review at the library Township clerk's office and finance department and also
on our website um next I do just want to touch on because I did talk about those significant increases as you know we've talked about in the past we are subject to two caps
by the state um one is the tax levy cap which requires each municipality to limit the local government units amount to be raised by taxation by no more than 2% of the prior year Levy with uh specific exceptions they allow for
health benefits pensions lowp Capital Improvements and Debt Service so for 2025 we are under the tax levy cap by $625,000 the appropriation cap uh the state gives sets an automatic increase
every year and it can be up to 2.5% obviously with that cost of everything they set it at 2.5% for 2025 um there is on tonight's agenda cap index ordinance that we do every year this allows the township to increase
their final Appropriations subject to the cap to the statutory permitted 3.5% now when we're talking 39% recycling 18.25 pension but yet we're we
have to stick to this two and this three and a half which is very difficult um the second thing that the ordinance does allow it allow the township to bank the difference between the final budget Appropriations subject to the cap and the Colo when the
difference is not appropriated as part of the final budget uh for 2025 we are under the appropriation cap by the skin of our teeth um $16,733.34 up and you know so this is a problem you know going forward and will be a
Statewide problem uh finally on tonight's agenda we have two Bond ordinances one for General improvements and one for arena uh detail of the projects was provided tonight a presentation on Capital will also be on the April 8th
meeting with public hearing and hopefully adoption of the ordinances uh doing this early it allows um the Departments to go out to bid earlier than other municipalities and get better pricing on our capital projects so tonight we're asking the
township Council to introduce the budget so we could keep the process moving I know tonight's your first time seeing it but as in the past you know you have couple weeks to you know mull it over we have our subcommittee meetings and if you have any questions I know myself and
Anna are available to answer any thank thank you good have this process as Dawn says takes a long time it began in August many many meetings uh to get this budget
and I think it's a pretty good budget uh considering all the obstacles we faced with the many increases that are totally out of our control the health care went up substantially the pensions we have a lot of State mandates like as you know Oprah is a big problem um it forces a
lot of employees to work full-time with the oer requests and um I want to thank all the department heads for all their hard work uh Dawn Vicky and Anna for all their work that they put into this budget because it takes many many hours and now we're handing the budget over to
you and we have like till April 8th we have the subcommittees you can go over at line item by Lem if you have any questions what is in your hands now okay well I'd like to ask ask for a motion to introduce the budget move it
okay moved by Mr dama second by Mr ASI roll call councilman auli yes councilwoman dearo yes councilman dama yes councilman Desai yes councilman Garcia yes councilman Pas gidy yes
Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes council president soar yes eight yeses public hearing is set for April 8th 202 next will be calendar year 2025 budget to be read by title only at public
hearing can we have a motion please move it move by councilman dep second F Council vice president Dr Greenberg bell roll call councilman auli yes councilwoman dearo yes councilman dama
yes councilman Desai yes councilman Garcia yes councilman pasti yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg belli yes and council president soart yes we good next next is resolution approving the governing body's
certification of compliance with the United States equal employment opportunity commissions enforcement guidance on the consideration of arrest and conviction records in employment decisions under title 7 of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 do we have a motion move it okay moved by Mr dama second by Mr auli roll call councilman auli yes councilwoman dearo yes councilman dep yes councilman
Desai councilman Garcia yes councilman pasti yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg belli yes and council president soar yes ordinance establishing the municip budget appropriation limits and a cap Bank
njsa 40a colon 4- 45.4 for calendar year 2025 do I have a motion second okay motion by Mr auli second by Dr Greenberg b roll call
councilman assetou yes councilwoman dearo yes councilman dama yes councilman Desai councilman Garcia yes councilman Pas gidy yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg belli yes council president soar yes public hearing set for March 11
2025 Bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $75,000 for various Arena improvements in and by the township of Oldbridge in the county of middle sex New Jersey and authorizing the issuance of
71,200 in bonds or notes for the township for financing part of this appropriation second move by was it Mr um Desai okay second Mr d y roll call
councilman auli yes councilwoman dearo yes councilman dama councilman Desai councilman Garcia yes councilman Pas gidy yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes council president soar yes public hearing set for April
8th 2025 Bond ordinance provide in an appropriation of $6 m15000 for various improvements in and by the township of Albridge in the county of middlex New Jersey and authorizing the issuance of
5,866 in bonds or notes for the township for financing part of the appropriation do I have a motion move it move by Dr Greenberg belli second by Mr auli roll call councilman acet yes councilwoman
dearo yes councilman D yes councilman Desai councilman Garcia yes councilman pasti yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes council president soar yes public hearing set for April 8th 2025 okay thank you very much thank
you thank you thank you girls ordinance for first reading F fr1 ordinance of the township of Oldbridge county of middlex state of New Jersey amending chapter 5 Article 13 Department
of police of the code of the township of Oldbridge by amending 5-19 d1b extra Duty assignments do I have Ave it move by Dr Greenberg belly second by
Mr auli roll call councilman auli yes councilwoman dearo yes councilman deama yes councilman Desai councilman Garcia yes councilman Pas gidy yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg belly yes council president
soart yes public hearing set for March 11 2025 okay next consent agenda I'd like a motion in a second and then I'll bring it back for separation moved by Dr Greenberg Bell second by Mr auli councilman auli any items for
separation no thank you councilwoman dearo no thank you councilman Pama none thank you councilman Desai councilman Garcia I have none thank you councilman pasky no separations thank you Council vice president Dr Greenberg belli no
separations thank you council president soar no roll call on the whole entire consent agenda councilman auli yes councilwoman dearo yes councilman dep yes councilman
desde councilman Garcia yes councilman Pas gidy yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes council president soar yes eight yeses reported the Township Clerk um I have did we skip oh what did
I skip you didn't you're good you're good um no I have no report okay all right had things pulled off okay I'm like where okay all right a Township attorney a report uh actually
um Madam president uh real quickly um I know it's a difficult issue but uh the consent Toc settlement of the federal government just want to report that uh all the settlement amounts were paid um last week which included the 15 plus
million uh that was initially due uh 30 days after the consent decree was entered and then I proceeded to have the second payment that was uh scheduled we had up to 120 days after the consent decree was entered which was entered beginning of February
um and rather than have interest acrew on that amount um and being able to uh based upon the amount of interest that we earned on the amount on the monies uh we proceeded to uh make the payment so that part the consent the Creed in the amount that the town was respons
required to pay have been paid one thing I would say is on the positive side is that the town was able to earn almost $200,000 in interest on the amounts I had asked the uh the finance department to look into open as a cash management account with the new state of New Jersey
their interest rate was higher than the interest rate being charged to uh by the federal government on the uh super fund account so um we were able to make $200,000 in additional interest and also uh we're going to recover an additional
$177,000 from a uh from an insurance company was in liquidation didn't contribute as of yet so that's almost an additional $400,000 that will recoup which will mean that the amount that the town uh will pay net is about 6.6 million which
was always around the number I thought the town would have to pay anyway so even though the amount borrowed was 7 million we were able to recoup uh 400,000 back to pay against that $7 million thank you very much that's it yep do I have a motion to accept his
report move it moved by Mr dama second by Mr auli all in favor I okay thank you very much administrative report Anna yes full day summer camp registration full day
summer camp registration online registration will begin in March tiny turtles registration will be on March 11th for children entering first and second grade next school year great white sharks registration will be on March 12th for children entering 3rd to fifth grade next school year Middle
School registration will be on March 13th for children entering 6th through 8th grade next school year registration starts at 6 p.m. on each of those days for more information please visit old bridge.com dayare and click on the click click on the link for full day summer
camp we have another uh retirement to announce police officer Lewis reporti after 21 years of dedication to the orridge community has announced that he will be retiring on March 1st his presence will be missed and we wish him all the best during his retirement
[Applause] congratulations and then just an additional item and he happens to be here so he's going to be mad um we would like to congratulate Sergeant James Ford on being recognized as the orridge elk citizen of the Year Sergeant Ford has dedicated his life to serving and
protecting our community through his work with the orbd Department as the president of the PBA local 127a he has demon consistently demonstrated a deep dedication to support supporting local causes and organizations we extend our thanks and appreciation to Sergeant Ford
for his commitment and service to the Y Community and I just would like to add that I've personally had the opportunity to work with Sergeant Ford over the last I think almost eight years now um with the cops for kids holiday party and uh We've grown it into this massive thing
that even during covid we had it it was drive-thru in the rain outside and freezing weather um but we did it and uh it's a really a great event that we just just continue to top every year uh on top of their dedication to that event the you know Sergeant Ford oversees a lot of the donations to the food bank
for Thanksgiving distribution and other items so between the 127a and and PBA 127 we're very fortunate to have these individuals ASAT than [Applause]
BUDK okay I didn't know you would be here tonight I apologize okay well congratulations really that's a wonderful honor okay next will be public comment the public comment portion of
our meeting is to allow the public to bring to the council's attention their concerns or comments the section is open for any topic or item in the consent agenda in accordance with njsa 10 col 4-2a and the Oldbridge rules of council the Council ask 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 respect the Public's Time by refraining from any comment until the speaker has finished uh 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 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 the Township Clerk will regulate the time during the comment portion of of our meeting as you approach the microphone microphone please state your
name okay thank you anyone tonight good evening good evening Sergeant Frank Contra from theber police department on behalf of uh PBA 127 AI Superior officer Association I like to thank mayor Walker the town council ad and Dawn for your support in negotiating our new four-year
contract from the negotiating committee Lieutenant Ron Nido Sergeant Michael krinski Sergeant James Ford and myself we i' like to thank you for making this a smooth Fair successful contract the best reached in decades talk to the old
right all right I talked to the oldtimers and they all said it would take a year two years we did this in six months six meetings yeah six meetings yeah so Anna was spectacular we're proud of her I hope you are
too um the outcome is a true Testament for your support of Oldbridge 127a and our support for you the town Council mayor Walker and the township of residents we we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and stay safe tonight right you thank
you very nice okay now all this what a nice positive night good evening let's keep it positive nice positive night I'm trying to even by the way congratulations and mayor Walker thank you because they
didn't have to go without a contract the last time was it's almost two and a half or three years right so brilliant work thank you um I tried to keep it positive but it's really hard sometimes I do want to say good evening thank you council
members and mayor and of course all the residents of Elbridge my name is Nina I wanted to take this moment to address something that's really concerned me about the leadership in this town by some people at the last council meeting Council vice president Greenberg Bell spoke of kindness how she's a kind
person and judges people by their hearts but unfortunately actions speak louder than words during the last election she encountered an imposing candidate one of the kindest people I know she's a woman who actually does a lot of work in this town adopting out dogs which it which of
course everybody here you know everybody in the council loves that said what happened was she was mocked for her struggling to cover her HOA fees this was after her young son had just endured unen number of surgeries at chip chops
hospital he's only 5 years old imagine the weight of that situation and then being put an image on a p as in ridicule there have been of course multiple occurrences of concerning Behavior by her she's used this position on the day
and off to make remarks about so many including myself and other council members in my personal opinion these actions don't align with the responsibilities expected of a Civic leader and a council member so here it is vice chair if you want to be known for your count your kindness and I know
you do please change your behavior and start today be kind if you want to be respected then be respectful to others leadership isn't about empty words it's about integrity and the way you treat others especially when you think nobody's watching so thank you by the
way there was one other thing I hate to I don't think of my three minutes are up Oldbridge has 68,000 residents and by the way I'm still waiting on what we're going to do with the deal for the electricity but I'll ask you privately 68,000 residents 12,000 of them are over 65 years old 2,000 are veterans 6,000
live in poverty 5600 have disabilities were over the age of 65 4100 this is the Census Bureau under under 65 with disabilities most of these these individuals benefit from at least one of the federal programs like Medicare Medicaid SNAP benefits and it appears
that the most recent Federal proposed tax cuts May primarily benefit one or more council members while the rest including the Nega the ne the mayor all of us pretty much everyone in this room is going to be negatively impacted with those things in mind councilmen and
women do you still support these proposed policies and changes in tax code or do you believe they may disproportionately favor the wealthier individuals at the expense of the broader community and the majority of members in this town thank you have a
lovely day and by the way happy black history month thank you okay is there anyone else in the audience who wishes to be heard this evening okay seeing No Hands then I'll close the public portion and we'll go on
to council comments council president before you go can I just add one just one thing absolutely I wanted to thank uh the PBA 127a for um really working with our Administration it was really a pleasure
you know we it was like uh Sergeant Kera said it was six meetings but they were very very productive meetings um it was a lot of back and forth but I think it really shows the dedication that they had to work with our Administration and vice versa so I just wanted to thank
them as well as uh p uh our regular PBA 127 um really really a great pleasure and it's a great step forward okay very good yes you're right thank you very much Anna it was a very good collaborative effort okay councilman auli yes I just want to
congratulate the officers from tonight on their promotions and the new officers of Oldbridge God bless you and be safe and um all the department heads Dawn all of you I know what challenging especially in this climate I know it's very difficult for you but thank you very much and Anna you know it's hearing
this and from him I know we started the first year right together was a rough ride but it's really exciting to hear what you put together and everybody I'm really excited and I I I mean this Anna it really is a pleasure working with you cuz I know you have just one thing in
mind the best interest of these taxpayers I really appreciate you I want you to know that thank you no thank you councilwoman dearo yes thank you um so yeah I just wanted to uh to congratulate uh Sergeant
Ford on his citizen of the year I bust his chop a lot but uh it is a very well-deserved um you know he's a he's a really great guy in and out of the force and uh couldn't have uh no more well-deserved person to get that award
so congratulations to you um and also uh the uh special needs Ambassador who received an award that night was Aubrey Ibraham and uh what an amazing young woman um she came and she spoke and
through all her challenge is and is doing so well I happened to sit next to her uncle that night and he was telling me all the amazing things that she's able to do she's like super smart at math like she's a math Wiz does and obviously she can't write anything down
but she just is an amazing math Wiz so just uh congratulations to her and and to all the support that she gets through the schools through the township through you know through everything um and uh you know this is a great great night for
our our police force um I I counted I I couldn't get everybody's names but I counted two captains two lieutenants three sergeants five new officers three of whom were here tonight so that's an
amazing thing and then um with you guys uh uh having a really great experience with uh your negotiations I think that's fantastic thank you Anna um for for working with uh our police officers and
uh because really it is true we we that's you guys are one of the most important things in Oldbridge and uh we really appreciate you guys and I'm glad that uh everyone is happy so um and uh with that I will uh I will keep it uh I
will keep it short and sweet thank you councilman dama thank you I'm sure I'll Echo and everyone else will congratulations for all the offices on their promotions our three new officers good luck and welcome to town um congratulations Sergeant Ford apologies for not being able to be there on
Saturday had a few family obligations I had to be at and also thank you to Anna the mayor and the rest of the administration on all the the wonderful work you guys have been doing especially with the police contracts this is like lightning speed as as compared to the
the past so excellent work and finally just uh for all those who celebrate uh Happy Ramadan may this month bring you peace and joy thank you councilman Desai I want to offer my congratulations to all those police officer who were
promoted today at the same time I want to congratulate and welcome to the Old Bridge Police Department those new H three police officer again we just came out looks like from
the cold weather last two day was a great weather and I hope that continues so we can save not only on energy but we can go out and enjoy because last few weeks it looks like I
was not able to go out it was so cold so stay safe and enjoy the upcoming good weather thank you yeah councilman Garcia it's only getting warmer spring
will be here soon before you know it uh congratulations to all the promotions guys welld deserved Sergeant Ford I know you don't like the Limelight but congratulations to you has been a the man of the year for the Elks Club congratulations to you as well and the the the three new officers let's let's
proba stay safe and all the cops stay safe you know because it's it's nice it's it's nice to start new but it's still a crazy world out there so let's hope everybody stays safe DNA who am I missing uh Vicky Vicky left where's Vicky Vicky
left May everybody involved with this budget good job with the Police contract I mean every I had a few cops come up to me and tell me what a great job it was what a great deal it was so quick it was amazing so good jobs everybody involved
in that as well uh I think that's all I have thank you have a good night guys councilman pasky I too would like to congratulate all the police officers offic for board um and and a good job yeah I I've been
on the council for coming up on eight years and um it's never been this smooth and to have you officer come up and say something like that that's pretty remarkable so good job good job to everybody I'm glad
thank you Council vice president Dr Greenberg B first of all I'd like to thank the Elks for always having the charity ball that really raises money for um special needs children in our community um
meeting Aubrey was such an inspiration her family was totally amazing and the challenges that she faces but the things that you accomplish is is is just astounding it's amazing and congratulations to um Jimmy Ford for
all he does in the community and it was very very refreshing tonight to see the police department here not only with the new officers the people that have um their promotions but then the finale was to see how things do you know you can
work together and get things accomplished in a small time short of time it's productive for everybody and it's unfortunately that I do have to end with something that's unfortunate you know statistically nothing goes 100% but
one thing you can say that's 100% NJ will always be negative she always has something wonderful to say that is so inspiring as to us all she's spreading falsehoods constantly she's nasty comments negative and she's always
inciting people so once again I prefer to stay positive but I do have to point it out thank you council president soart yes I just one thing and I'm thinking of this as I'm sitting here and looking in the audience and um you have to look back to
see how far you've come and when I first started on this Council and this hair was not this color um this room was lined allall to- wall with police officers and it wasn't for anything positive it was it was they were very it
was a contentious time there was restraints financially unfortunately there were even layoffs of of police officers and it was a very it was a very scary time and I remember it very very well and to see how far we made that
commitment together to work together to build the police force and to make it to what it is today and the relationships of what they are today it it it really is amazing to me and I think it's due
basically to the officers here to Anna and her openness with them and how they have come together and little by little we really have built a relationship our new chief of police he really has brought everyone together and I I just
am amazed at how much things have changed in such a positive way I am just so happy that this is coming about and I think we can really together all of us can really do very very very great things so really thank you all Anna that
was astounding the amount of time and Jim Frank all of you it was a really it was a fast quick and I think that was the best thing and of course the Elks naturally we congratulate you they always have well-deserved people and you are very well deserving of that honor so
um again thank you all and I really just am so happy that tonight was such a proud night for Oldbridge and such a positive night thank you okay we're gonna we need a a motion in a second for to enter executive session
for contract negotiations for PBA 127 and SOA 127 Mr auli made a motion second by councilman Pas gidy roll call councilman auli yes councilman dearo councilwoman dearo yes councilman
dama yes councilman Desai yes councilman Garcia yes councilman pasti yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes council president soar and we will reconvene uh we have to come back in to to vote on some items so we will be back
after executive session e e e e e e e e e
e e e e e e e e e e
e e e e reenter into a public portion please second okay move by Dr Greenberg Bell second by Mr roll call councilman s Tuli yes
councilwoman dearo yes councilman dama yes councilman Desai yes councilman Garcia yes councilman Pas giddy yes Council vice president Dr greenber B yes council president soar yes yes reenter uh public session at
8557 yep okay we're back resolution ratifying and approving memorandum of agreement between the township of Oldbridge and PBA local 127 d225 d228 do I have a motion second okay
moved by Dr Greenberg belly second by Mr dama roll call councilman ask yes councilwoman dearo yes councilman dep yes councilman Desai councilman Garcia yes councilman
Pas giddy yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes council president soar yes resolution ratifying and improving memorandum of agreement between the township of Oldbridge and PBA locala
127a 2025 through 2028 move it second okay move by Dr Greenberg belli second by Mr hky roll call councilman ass yes councilwoman dearo yes councilman dep yes councilman
Desai councilman Garcia yes councilman Pas giddy yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes council president soor yes okay now we just I need a motion to adjourn move it okay so we got jump at one motion by
councilman dama who seconded councilman PES giddy roll call councilman as Tuli yes councilwoman dearo yes councilman dama yes councilman Desai councilman Garcia yes councilman pasidi hi Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes
council president soar yes yes good night at 9M good job e