e e e e e e e e e good evening and welcome to the March 26 2024 Oldbridge Township council meeting please rise for a pledge of allegiance and 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 which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all please remain standing for a moment of silence we always remember those who are fighting for our freedoms both here and abroad our First Responders those have made the ultimate sacrifice and this evening for the tragedy in Maryland everyone please give us a moment of silence our prayer Mr pesti dear Lord bless thy servants in the ministry of public affairs who serve thee 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 grant that we have a good conscience at peace with e each other and one another amen amen please be seated messed that up messed that UPS roll call council person auli yeah council person dearo here council person dep here council person Desai let the record reflect council person Desai is absent council person Garcia yeah council person Murphy is also absent council person pasky here Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell here and council president so here this meeting is being held in conformance with the open public meetings act notice has been given to the official newspapers of the township on January 6 2024 has been posted in public places next open public meeting of the township Council will be held on Tuesday April 9th 2024 at 7:30 p.m. thank you and welcome everyone to the meeting um this evening we are going to be honoring some athletes and uh mayor Walker are you ready okay welcome uh once again we're honored to honor our Oldbridge Camp Robin speed skating once again they won quite a few Awards this [Applause] year the Oldbridge Robin speed skating team has been competing comp in in the Special Olympics for well over 35 years during that time there have been many athletes from our Township that have been have competed in various speed skating events and have been extremely successful this year is no different as our speed skating team had 15 athletes that competed in the special Olympic Winter Games while there are several different sports that are involved in the special Olympic Winter Games the speed skating competition continues to be one of the most exciting and challenging and our athletes continue to ex at the event each and every year all of these athletes competed in two speed skating events and each of them did extremely well in their individual events we're here to recognize not only the athletes for their outstanding ACC compliments for the coaches and chaperons for all their hard work and dedication that they continue to give each and every year and for the entire team doing a great job of representing Oldbridge [Applause] Township I'd like to call up coach Rich Anoni for all the hard work he does we want to thank him every year thank you so much coach is gonna give out our certificates coaches are first just want to take a moment to thank you mayor and the township for recognizing the athletes uh you've done this every year and it's quite an honor and the athletes really uh really appreciate it our Township uh really leads the path in Special Olympics in the winter games because our Township is the only one really that participates in speed skating because we have the rank and uh so we lead everything uh if it wasn't for us there would be no speed skating event in U in the winter game so thank uh thank you and thanks the township for having our uh our rank um this is uh before I I go to the coaches I just want to thank the parents as well because we wouldn't have a team If the parents didn't provide the athletes and show up every single Saturday uh regardless if it's uh 40 below or not so I want to thank you all for participating our program continues to grow uh this year we had 19 athletes 15 of which uh competed in the Winter game so hopefully this program will continue and uh we'll have a lot more in the years to come uh I want to thank the coaches because certainly without their help and support I couldn't do this on my own um I've been doing this for 22 years and it's uh it's amazing to look at some of these athletes and see how young they were and how far they've grown so I really want to thank all the coaches for their help first one up Dan anazi thank you thank you next one up is uh Jenna Gonzalez uh she's not here Matt rosaly he's not here with us and Mike senmo he's not with us all they're all out training right now to help them always busy you want to take yeah uh I want to thank the chaperon because again without them it would be hard pressed to uh to do the work that we do uh the chaperon attended the Winter Games with us and helped us uh coordinate the activities with the athletes and such so uh their work is is really amazing uh first up Claudia pucho thank you so much [Applause] Claudia thank you thank you so much thank you uh Claudia was instrumental and I should also thank special projects for special children because they're the ones that funded our team getting all of our new uniforms this year and Claud was the one who did all the work uh Richard Grant you want to come up for him that's Richard's wife it's good to see you thank you so much okay thank you Lura [Applause] chaffy congratulations thank you so much for your thank you so much Melle [Applause] thank you I think I know this person Anette anazi thank you thank you okay going through athletes okay we had uh three new athletes this year that were never on skates before and uh when you stop to think about the nature of speed skating sport for these individuals to not be on skates before and achieve the results that they did is really amazing uh first one up is Christina she won the gold and the 500 meter and 300 meter congratul congratulations thank you hey just stand up on the side Stephanie poo gold in the 500 meters and gold in the 300 [Applause] MERS congratulations Tyler Englehart he didn't make it 500 uh gold in the 500 meter and gold in the 700 meter salpino gold in the 500 meter gold in the 300 meter congratulations congratulations see all your hard work paid off yage silver 500 silver [Applause] 300 Dylan Madrid he not with us he had a bronze in the 500 and a bronze in the 300 Paul Pantano gold in the 500 meter and fourth place in the 300 [Applause] save Jimmy Smith silver 500 M gold in the 300 [Applause] met Nicholas Grant gold in the 500 meter silver 300 [Applause] meter okay here we go you're welcome Mark zof gold in the 500 meter gold in the 300 meter [Applause] Mark here mark so there you go Bobby V golden the 25 meter and golden 100 [Applause] [Music] meter Tommy anazi golden the 25 meter golden the 100 [Applause] meter Gina chy gold in the 100 meter gold in the 300 meter congratulations Jun okay over here Shri Chala golden the 100 meter golden the 300 meter and last and certainly not least Chris McMullen golden the 500 meter gold in the 700 [Applause] meter now I saved I saved Chris for last because Chris next month is going to be going to Salt Lake City uh to participate in the training of the world games so Chris will be going to Italy to participate in the world games on the speed skating team I told him his first job was to invite his coach along but that didn't happen there but he's representing our Township in Italy at the win at the world [Applause] games yeah thank you all for coming and hope to see you again next year more Awards e good okay thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of our heart yes thank you all so much for being here and we're very Oldbridge proud and we look forward to all the things that you'll be doing in the future thank you again to the coach and the chaperon it really is a wonderful wonderful organization we'll take a two-minute break here to let everyone leave and then we'll continue with the body of the meeting have a good night thank you okay uh we have one more presentation councilman Garcia yes hi [Music] however you want to do it Kevin it's good yeah you're good guys let's give them another hand that was great yes yes that was great guys I I have a proclamation for the covid victims uh I'll read it hopefully I don't mess up too much uh it's Proclamation whereas the month of March is to be declared annually as covid-19 awareness month by the township of Oldbridge and whereas covid-19 s cv-2 is an illness caused by virus that can transmit from person to person and has spread across the world creating a global pandemic and having catastrophic effects on human life our our community and our economy and whereas in March 2020 communities in every state began to experience increased life of loss well I should say loss of life and families lost parents spouses siblings children friends and Neighbors From the virus and whereas Public Health guidance and policies targeted at prevention such as social distancing wearing masks in public and staying HED helped mitigate the spread of covid-19 prevented illness and lessen the burden on individuals and society and whereas local state tribal and federal government entities and public servants took Swift action to protect the health of the public and provided critical support to businesses communities and the people of the United States in need and whereas in response to the rapid spread of covid-19 and disruptions essential workers stepped up to provide critical services to help protect our communities and save lives sacrificing their own health and SA safety and whereas the symptoms and severity of covid-19 can vary dramatically by individual and a long-term Health implications for survivors is largely unknown as many survivors suffer from postacute issues following affection and whereas each life loss to covid-19 leaves a whole in the hearts of loved ones family members and the surrounding community and now therefore Debbie Walker mayor of the town ship of orbridge Town Council County of middlex state of New Jersey do hereby Proclaim March 24 as covid-19 Awareness Month in remembrance of the victims and survivors of covid their friend and family and in honor of those who continue to suffer from the impacts of this virus in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and caused the Great SE rbridge Township to be affixed on this 26th day of March in the year 2024 mayor W Walker that's [Applause] all maybody this really means so much to me and to my way she's looking down and all the other victims from Oldbridge tomorrow smil apprciate so much thank you so [Applause] much well thank you thank you for being here with us this evening sorry okay have a good evening thank you very much approval of minutes resolution approving council meeting minutes of July 11th August 8th September 12th and October 10th these are Ru 2023 move it second okay move by Dr Greenberg belli second by Mr dama roll call council person auli yes council person dearo yes council person dama yes council person Desai is absent council person Garcia yes council person pasidi yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes and council president soar yes Bill list Mr Garcia yes thank you Bill list as of March 26 2024 accounts payable March 26 2024 13,39 $159 payroll March 15 2024 1, 280,000 8254 payroll overtime March 15 2024 8,186 that's all I have thank you okay thank you very much um can we have a breakdown of the overtime please sure council president thank you there were no major Optics in our regular overtime swor police overtime was $8,888 191 the duck grants $794 44 deduct etto $722 54 for a total of $1,891 193 we had two special events during that time period and we have three officers on light duty light duty currently thank you thank you I need a motion move it second mov by Dr Greenberg belly second by Mr pesky roll call council person auli yes council person dearo yes council person dep yes council person Garcia yes council person pasti yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg B yes council president soar yes seven yeses next will be our consent agenda I'd like to get a motion and a second and then go back for separations move by Dr Greenberg Bell I second by Mr esti council person auli any items for separation no thank you council person daro any items no thank you council person dama no thank you council person Garcia none thank you council person pasti no separations thank you Council vice president Dr Greenberg belly no thank you council president soar no thank you so the two resolutions on the consent agenda uh council person auli yes council person dearo yes council person D yes council person Garcia yes council person pasti yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes and council president soar yes I'd like to just switch this so can we do the report of the Township Clerk please I have no report Township attorney report no report administrative report Anna yes thank you draft 2024 CBG annual action plan orridge Township has has prepared a draft 2024 annual action plan for the Community Development block grant funding program the 2024 draft annual action plan addresses and contains orridge housing non-housing needs objectives proposed projects and other required statements and is available for review and comment between April 1st 2024 through April 30th 2024 residents May submit their comments through mail email telephone or in person Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. comments will be accepted until April 30th 2024 excuse me April 24 the plan is available for public inspection during regular Township hours at the office of the business administrator and online at oldb bridge.com projects on April 18 2024 a public hearing will be held on the 2024 annual action plan at 300 p.m. in the Oldbridge Township Administration Building located at one Oldbridge Plaza Oldbridge New Jersey 08857 on the second floor in Conference Room 217 interested parties May attend the hearing and present their comments on the draft plan 2023 annual Road resurfacing program on March 25th 2024 orridge Township contractor PNA Construction Inc began upgrading the handicap ramp ramps at the UN sections of Eleanor Street Helen Street Johnson Street Truman Street Carol PL Jennifer Lane Shelly Road crapt Tree Road Caitlyn Court Samantha Court Brittain Avenue and Miller Avenue the work is anticipated to take three to four weeks to complete weather permitting to review the project plans and the list of Roads included in this contract please visit o bridge.com projects 2020 2023 annual curb replacement program on Tuesday March 26 orbridge Township contractor Crossroads Paving will be begin drainage improvements and curb rep replacement on arbitus way work on this road is anticipated to take one to two weeks to complete weather permitting to view project plans and the list of Roads included in this contract please visit o.com projects Chief Montagna announces Police Department promotions Chief Thomas Mna is proud to announce the promotion of two officers Sergeant Robert mausi was promoted to rank of lieutenant and police officer Christopher ham was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on March 15 2024 we extend our congratulations to each of them and their [Applause] families mayor Walker's health and wellness 5K race honor Hometown Heroes the mayor's health and wellness Council in collaboration with allaround Oldbridge will be hosting a 5K race and a kids Dash honoring our our Hometown Heroes it will be held on S Saturday April 20th at the municipal complex the race will start at 8:00 a.m. the kids Dash will start at 9:00 a.m. also there will be a health and wellness fair in the Ice Arena parking lot from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. please note that due to this event the lowbridge library will open at 11:00 a.m. that day for more information and to register please visit o bridge.com 5K finally orridge Township municipal offices will be closed on March 29th as a reminder all Township offices will be closed on Friday March 29th in observance of Good Friday on behalf of the orridge township Council mayor Administration and staff we wish our residents a happy Easter thank you thank you very much does anyone have any questions or comments for Anna okay then we'll vote to approve the um administrative report second moved by Dr Greenberg B second by Mr jaama roll call council person ASI yes council person dearo yes council person dama yes council person Garcia yes council person pasidi yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes council president soar yes seven yeses and next will be discussion ordinance Oaks one General development plan good evening ladies start good evening everyone um so as you may recall I was here almost a year ago uh and I had made a presentation regarding the Oaks one General development plan but I I know there are new members and it's been over a year so before uh Mark and I introduce uh the ordinance I just wanted to uh refresh everyone's memory based on what was presented before so Oaks one General development plan is um the area where we recently opened the shop ride and where Target is located too that is the commercial component of the general development plan right behind the shop ride um there was a plan that was approved almost 25 years ago for multif family uh development there was medium density and then there was medium high density residential units that were approved and then between that area and the industrial section of the township were the single family homes so the general development plan had roughly 600,000 Square ft of commercial space and 1300 roughly 1312 residential units of which 256 units were single family um homes that are being built by havan at the next meeting you will have two ordinances to review the first ordinance is related to the single family homes we all know that some of those homes have been occupied um homeowners are anxious to uh build their patios and decks what has happened is when the general development plan was approved it was approved based on the 1983 ordinance the sf5 zone that sfd 5 Zone did not contemplate patios and decks or accessory structures when there is a regulation missing and this is an overlay you always have to rely on the underlying Zone and the zoning standards unfortunately the underlying zone is the edo3 and the sd3 three Zone which is sd3 is the special development which is our indust industrial commercial zone edo3 is the non-residential zone that is along our route 9 and uh Route 18 Corridor these do not allow accessory structures uh which are related to a single family home so then decks and patios are not permitted and so the zoning officer has been denying all the permits I think it's time for us to revisit that section the best idea would be to uh change the zoning to R5 because sf5 was based off the R5 Zone if we allow if we rezone this to r five Zone we will not have issues with the dexs and patios and we will be able to issue permits so that's one ordinance the second one is um uh is more complicated um this was an applic there was an application filed in front of the planning board almost two years ago for an amended General development plan um the medium density and the medium high density development was taken over by Edgewood Properties and they were proposing changes to the approved JDP the changes were mostly related to the bedroom count um there was a one bedroom two-bedroom and three bedroom composition now they wanted to reduce one and two bedrooms and build more of three bedrooms without changing the total number of units so the total number of units would still remain uh 1056 however they wanted to change the bedroom composition the one thing because when I saw that my instant reaction was more bedroom if there are more three bedroom units then which means there are more school kids and more impacts but actually when the original GDP was approved the there were two bedroom units with dens so there was already an additional room the developer is just proposing to change that into another bedroom I live in a similar Community most of these uh dens are converted into bedrooms and people start using them as three bedrooms we I also notice that the concept that was presented Ed was a concept of almost 30 years ago so the planning style the design style had changed what he was proposing was Garden style Apartments he didn't want to change that concept that is what was approved 30 years ago so we had a meeting with a developer and we wanted to work with him change the building type change the style to make it more uh palatable to the other homes or the other projects that old bridges building I have worked with him for over a year now we have come up with a concept which is much more acceptable there is more open space that has been created with the New Concept originally the multif family buildings that were right behind shop right and Target were like I called them barracks and he was very offended when I said that but they looked like Barracks there was no open space between those buildings they were just the regular G style Apartments of the' 70s so now what we have done through this new design is along shoe Meister there will be couple of buildings that will be taller so that will be four story rest all will be three story so that it creates like a Boulevard like effect and that gives us more open space we have created Central open spaces between buildings he has added more recreational El uh amenities uh there was a dog Mark that was added there were basketball courts that were added uh there were pickle ball courts that were added to the clubhouse so we have worked with him to create this design with more recreational element even the style of the buildings has changed immensely they are no longer uh the garden style Apartments there are almost four categories wherein you have quadruplexes which were the affordable units that were approved and had to be built as part of the havan homes uh there are tow houses there are stacked tow houses and then there is the regular multif family building the um the look of it is much more current the material that has been used like we're working with him still to fine-tune the architecturals but that will be more modern and also if I'm not mistaken former mayor Henry had said that the developer is willing to contribute $3,000 per unit for um recreational amities elsewhere in the town so that money can be used to develop other Parks or recreational elements so that's the ordinance that I'm working on um you will see it at uh probably not the next meeting but the following meeting um next meeting being the budget meeting but these are the two ordinances and um the planning board application for Edgewood is is on hold until uh I clean up the ordinance we have an ordinance in place and we can move forward with the planning board a Hing process yeah we can't change what was done 25 years ago and that doesn't fit today this is much more pleasurable to look at and they are given a lot of money for recreation throughout the town so I think we're getting a better look they have also worked with me on adding walking trails and sidewalks within the Comm Unity so that is another plus everybody okay we're good just real quick um so there was there's 1,56 single family units you said no no okay so there is 13312 uh total dwelling units out of which 256 are single family homes that are being built by havan and and then there is 1,56 units that are built by Edgewood Properties okay all right that's where I got that number okay so that's um I was just curious does the developer is was there any kind of study as to like how many new children will be like you know I'm just thinking about schools so you know so as part of the planning board application he will have to submit a community impact study which will include uh you know the impact the population the school um from what I recollect because I had just briefly looked at their original submission and then I was like no this can't you know I don't like the design itself and I call it barck and that's when he pulled out and we started working together from what I remember the the school impact wasn't significant uh especially because there were units that were already that already had that additional Den the multipliers also have changed so generally when we come up with the school impact or the population impact the ENT all the municipalities or all the planners in New Jersey we rely on rudgers multiplier rudgers comes up with these multipliers apparently uh 30 years ago when those multipliers were done they were a bit on the higher sign in 2018 rudgers re-evaluated their multipliers the multipliers are much less so when you compare the school kids that there weren't many school kids that were generated because of the change in the multipliers no problem okay and that that study is to be coming it's it's they haven't done a yet the rutka study is completed the multipliers have been established but when any application gets filed to the planning board they have to submit a community impact study and that is reviewed by me when I review the planning board application so when they go in front of the board I will be looking at the study and reviewing it no problem okay we're all set I just want to reiterate that it is unfortunate that we have to deal with a general development plan from so many years ago that there should be a timeline from the state that it doesn't expired so hooker by crook this is something we have to deal with but I do want to thank you because I do appreciate you to look at it realize what they were proposing is not aesthetically pleasing for the town it would not work anymore times have changed and that you're getting a lot in return for for amenities it's just what we have to live with and you've done the really your due diligence and I appreciate it thank you Mr pesky yes hi hi thank you um on that uh resoning of the S the R5 yes right what what's the what area is that exactly what's the boundary of that resoning that would be only to those 256 homes that are being built by havan so that is the portion and the underlying Zone when I because I was trying to see how I can help the residents it's not fair that they have these million doll homes and can't put patios or decks or do anything with your backyards but the underlying zone is the economic development opportunity Zone and the sd3 zone so what we will have to do I mean I'll have to work closely with Mark because this whole area with Edgewood and havan would have to be rezoned and probably for Edgewood we'll have to create a new Zone I hate doing that because we already have 43 zones Mark and I have always talked about it if anything I want to condense them but in this case I don't think there is any other option than creating a separate zone so yes and they're going to put they're GNA donate $3,000 per unit who who who says doing who's doing that Edgewood Edgewood so that's 256 units times 3,000 more than that over, 5656 times wow will be us that's a lot of money that's great that's awesome well done okay we're okay everyone all right well thank you again this was a very very important conversation that needed to be had thank you okay so are we going to go to move these up for first reading no okay I just want to make sure yeah now we go yep 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 in the consent agenda in accordance with njsa 10 col 4-2a in 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 will respect the Public's Time by refraining from any comment until the speaker has finished with their a lot of time should be further noted that the public comment portion of our meeting is not structured as a question and answer session if a member of the public has questions they seek answers to an appointment can be made with the corresponding Department's office during regular business hours the Township Clerk will regulate the time during the comment portion of our meeting as you approach the microphone please State whether you are a resident of Oldbridge and no names and addresses please is there anyone in the public who wishes to be heard this evening uh good evening good evening I just wanted to talk to you about uh where we live our road in joyan I believe my my mother and my aunt were here the other day expressed their concerns about our road uh we've all been residents of this town for i' born here raised uh my mother my father were both born and raised here uh we love the town um our road is in disrepair and previous years the town is always came and graded it snow plowed it and taken care of it so it's come to our attention now that the town says you're on your own we don't want nothing to do with you which I don't think is fair for us when you guys have taken care of for so long um it's a hazard if anybody has to get back there for any emergency they're not going to want to do it and we are not um we are good to the town if there's a tree in the road we take care of it we do fix our road somewhat but I don't think it's our responsibility to have to do this uh we have street lights I mean uh we have you know in the past since 1969 you guys have done this for us and now you don't I did find something if I could hand to somebody up there I did find something no just hand it to I would done on okay uh I'm not going to read it out loud but I will make sure that Council gets copies of it it says um NJ 4067 23-1 uh which permit M municipalities to repave maintain provide for and removal of snow and ice and other instructions from and provide the lighting of any road streets upon which travel is sufficient in the opinion of the Town Council uh to Warrant such expenditures even though such roads and streets shall not have been taken over by the council or dedicated or accepted as public highways the following places within the township and it lists some roads that in Cheesequake that I guess you do take care of that are private roads but my point is uh you've been taking care of for so long how can you just stop and leave it up to us anyone have any this really speak on it here that's why I'm I'm you know we we're not really supposed to engage that's not you know we you come and you're going to give us this information previously years ago they used to orridge had a town grater which would grade the road which would you know divert the water to the sides of the road obviously that's what you don't want water is what kills all roads makes potholes worse and worse and worse uh since the town doesn't have a grater anymore they do send tobacco but oh I'm sorry it's okay well thank you for your time and I don't know who who I could speak to in the future maybe okay well we'll we'll have to go over this information and then have someone reach out someone will reach out you should I give inicien yeah yeah yeah because we can't now we don't ask for name or any kind of no no well that's it's voluntary no no that's fine but we have to follow the law I was just going to suggest council president Maybe um he could send us um an email this way okay I mean with this yeah but I I don't want to ask his name so strange okay yeah sir yeah you did too right okay yeah no no you're W no no worries we just got to follow the all right is there anyone else good evening yes good evening Council mayor um just a follow up with my brother just going um basically it's Joy Lane it's in uh Ward six I see uh Mr Murphy's not here this evening to uh discuss that but it is Joy Lane down on South Oldbridge if you want to consider that um we basically grew up there we spent our whole lives there and still live there the question that we have and are wondering why for the past 50 almost 60 years that the town has been taking care of it and now all of a sudden they're going to say they're not doing it we hear that oh well it's considered a lane it's not a road well it may be considered a lane because you guys put the sign there Joy Lane going back as far as I can remember you know in the late 60s that I remember it was there it's Joy Lane um there's vantine Lane there that was paved excuse me many years ago there's also soden's Lane they're all within a half a mile of Joy Lane and they're all still taken care of by the township we were just wondering why Joy Lane wasn't doing it as you had mentioned someone will reach out to us and discuss the matter but it's going to be a point pretty soon that it's going to be a safety issue it's gotten bad enough that we have to pay for water hundreds of yards off of Englishtown road to do that there was a house fire two years ago in the back and the fire department does not have fire hydrant or anything there they have to get tanker trucks from Englishtown Road and you know the house was basically demolished because it burnt down there's no water there that's irrelevant to what we're doing but forever not to say you've been treated like a second class citizen but in reality the town does nothing anymore if you're going to take that away from us from grading it it's bad enough snow plowing has got limited they say oh well we're busy yes we understand you have to do you know the major rows you know going to the schools and taking care of that the lane may not be taken care of for you know one or two days after the snowstorms I mean you know over the years you know thank goodness that we're able to have our own plows and do it ourselves but it really shouldn't be our responsibility it's you know part of what we pay taxes for I believe and the taxes are there's uh five homes there there's uh four four of the there's uh five homes will say six Lots so of the six Lots there's four of the lots are owned by our family um plus multiple Acres that are around there and it's been that way you know since the s and we're not asking for much just to take care of the lane it's roughly uh 100 yards to the corner and then further okay thank you for your time I appreciate thank you to be heard this evening good evening good evening thank you good evening I'm not really prepared to speak I flew out of work really quick to come here I just want to re reiterate a couple things mainly the safety of the road the Integrity of the road is awful pulling off Englishtown Road onto our road there's a big gully so as I'm pulling onto the road in the evenings at night after work 50 to 60% of the time cars are beeping at me because I'm going slow to get onto my road and likewise on the opposite way you can check five to six times to make sure cars aren't coming down the road you have a difficult time pulling out the other safeties issues are driving down the road kicking up rocks if anybody chooses to walk which it basically you can't walk on the road there's no form of exercise on that road um just other vehicles our um garbage men it's not safe for them to walk on the road to take our garbage off the edge of our property and put it and somebody could Brink a leg or twist an ankle or what have you so I just wanted to say that this has been taken care of since the 60s we're not asking for anything extra we're just asking for the maintenance we've always had we even for a while had to get our own plow truck because my husband and I are essential workers and we needed to get out for Sandy we work through Sandy for Co we work through Co so we're important to the community and we need to get in and out of our home safely thank you is there anyone else I'm back hello everyone my my name I'm not saying it like last time okay now in this ordinance it says that it's a community because Cheesequake Park and Glenwood it's communities we have five homes on our h on the road okay now if you if any anyone here were to go to that lane or try to drive down you have children and my niece is a nephew can't even bring their friends down because they make fun of them because the road is destroyed and they're not going to damage their cars I mean it's really pitiful that we have to come here and beg you to do something for our road okay you you you come here and you say oh you're going to build this beautiful Community what about the people who have been here before and you know you're doing nothing for us that's not fair it really isn't fair and you know Mr lawyer you are very you know like you know talkative and you could say this and this and that but I have lived in this house in for my life I've lived here the palas were next door to us he's the only person that I really know that has been in this Township I mean I don't really know a lot of people but I mean we've been here like my parents have been here 80 years that's a long time can you guys say that you've been here 80 years and we have never asked for anything we we brought the water in by ourselves we paid for that the township shouldn't pay for it and that's like that's a travesty too because we have no sers we have cesspools okay you know like you think that's right it's damaging the environment I mean really if we get down you know we get down people out here and they're saying the environment because it's toxic it's waste okay that's another you know like and we're drinking the water what we were having well water and it was being polluted so that's why we had the water come in to our house you know but you know like you're you know like you are supposed to decide for your people who live in the township we're not you know like and we're begging you begging you and I think it's ridiculous that we have to come here all the time and beg we're not asking for anything somebody came up with a BL idea oh let's not do Joy Lane because Joy Lane is H we could junk them they're okay they can stay out there we don't have to do that we'll save money well what about all this other stuff that everybody is building and and this is getting done and her her apartments are beautiful there more children more taxes for all the people in our Township you think that's fair I don't thank you thank you is there anyone else who wishes to be heard this evening I could probably pick this up just don't start the timer till I do um well first of all I wanted to wish everybody Happy porm Happy holy Ramadan Kareem and soon to be Easter it's Holy Week for those who don't remember um but that with all of that said I'm still trying to understand why the council is still allowing councilman pcti to say the prayers today councilman pcti your last words in prayer respect all so why did you post on Facebook Democrats are anti-christian and anyone who put their name to the column to that column a racist an a bigot and a murderer the council needs to consider another person or not even have prayers it's fine the community needs somebody better by the way when they're talking about the what was it the near 80 years that they've been paying taxes they paid in more money then what V is speaking about will be paid in in the one year that's what they've paid in in taxes more than $3.5 million in taxes since 1969 in my estimate and and then the other thing is is what I'm concerned about is that it's true I mean I calculated while I was sitting here sorry um what I'm I'm concerned about is last last meeting uh Council councilwoman uh greenber belli mentioned that she wanted to know the answer to why the government Governor is not giving us more money to the town everybody on this Council should know if they don't that part of the reason is and they all know because you've been on the council a l lion chair of you guys have been on the council 8 10 12 years that the township has been required to by the state reassess the entire town and you didn't do it that's first 35 years we've been sitting for a reassessment you can shake your head but like it's not fair to me you said to me don't raise my hand thank you that said that's the first reason we need to be reassessed the second reason is we're losing money right now because besides the two 2500 housing units at councilman dep said we're going to have a windfall with all the warehouses and not having all the school children now we're having 25 200 more houses and 25 200 more kids we're going to have what is it um we're going to have we're we're still not getting money from the warehouses we have you never finished the negotiation right um Mr Ros on pilot money it was now pilot money not reg regular ratables for the four million square feet of warehouse space which would have been money towards our schools our school budget if it had been ratable money you guys didn't do that you went to Pilot money I love the pickle ball courts like my brother-in-law who plays pickle ball but we need we need the money in our schools like everybody is saying we're losing money every single year because you're not reassessing all you have to do is reassess and while I don't want want to pay more taxes last year I paid more than $400 more even though supposedly we're not our taxes aren't being raised we really need to have that done and then the state will come in and balance the numbers that they're they're supposed to give us in school budget thank you very much Happy Easter Ramadan um porum and what and happy holy everybody is there anyone else who wishes to be heard this evening okay seeing no hands I will close the public portion Council comments council person auli yes um just want to say hope everybody has a happy holiday and I know there's a lot of stuff going on in town and in the world nowadays and this this week and these holidays are about family a lot of times we look at a lot of problems right we all do everybody's got silent shs we all can't see right we all do but I took some time to reflect over the last couple of weeks and what's really important is I think we forget to live in Grace with gratitude we have food we open our fridge and I mean that myself I have to look at it and say what am I grateful for when I open my fridge I could just grab food right out of my refrigerator some people don't have that luxury I'm able to turn my water on at the drop of a dime some people have to travel 9 miles to get clean water we don't have any planes flying over our houses because this is America we have freedom we have veterans that died for this country to give us that freedom I'm so thankful to be on here to to live in this great nation in this beautiful Town knowing that as many problems as we have there's always hope in America in this town has always pushed through and I always believe the comeback is always better than a setback and as many things as we all go through when we all come and we Talk Amongst each other I say this weekend when I'm with my family and celebrating the holiday I'm going to speak a lot about gratitude I haven't always been that way my whole life I worked hard for what I what I have and what I've given to my family my wife my two daughters but I really just want to send a message to everybody here and at home that just take some time if you can and really look to be thankful cuz sometimes I miss that and this weekend and this week I'm really going to make sure that I am thankful for what God has given me and I truly mean that to every single person you know God bless you all hope you have a great great holiday whatever you celebrate and um a little Grace I really mean it it goes such a long way so thank you council person Dar Caro yes thank you um first before I go um I don't know I think you guys have sent emails or whatever I don't know I haven't first time I've heard of of your situation was the last meeting so if there's you know if you can put all your concerns down in writing and send that you know that email I don't know if it's gone out to anyone but um this way at least there can be you know it's in writing so I can take a look to J dearo Oldbridge decom that's it's on the website the just an email to the council members so so we can um but anyway um uh spring is upon us our spring holidays are here um we're in the middle of Ramadan and Easter's coming up and uh I know Passover is coming up at the end of April so I want to wish everyone um wonderful spring happy holidays in whatever you celebrate um I wish it would be a little warmer already but can't control that um I'd also want to say congratulations to our amazing Camp Robin athletes um just always so wonderful when they come in and receive their their Awards you know they're just such a such a wonderful uh group of uh students and um covid awareness month you know it's that's a it's a wonderful thing that um that you've done uh mayor Walker and um I wanted to ask I know I think within the past year um there was somebody that came to one of our meetings asking about I believe it was a butterfly garden I don't know if you remember um maybe in control Farms they wanted to see uh I don't remember do you remember that was the gentleman for tonight he wanted a marker and we're putting a marker could tril for Co yes great great that's just awesome awesome um um anyway um also congratulations to Lieutenant mausi and Sergeant Hamill on their promotions wonderful um and um and I believe that is it hopefully we'll uh we'll see you all next meeting thank you council person dama thank you just congratulations again to our camp Robin um Olympians you know it's great things good things that you're doing on not only on the the Special Olympics on the speed skating but on everything you're going to achieve you know programs like that is really what set allbridge apart as well as our residents that utilize them so it's a great thing to see them up here it's a great thing to see them that they're utilizing all the facilities that we have and we have those facilities to to offer up to our community and also congratulations to the newly minted sergeant and Lieutenant um congratulations on are moving up we are looking forward to working more with you as you move on into your leadership positions and happy Easter to everybody enjoy the the weekend with your family if you are celebrating and for all our students and faculty have a wonderful spring break and please have fun and be careful thank you council person Garcia yes thank you I'd like to wish everybody a happy Easter that's all thank you council person PES giddy no comment thank you Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes I think it's wonderful when we do see um the athletes and uh the students from the camp Robin it's wonderful to see them here but also I always think of all the dedication and commitment that all the volunteers the time they put in the patience the dedication and I respect them very much for doing that and appreciate that um I want to wish everyone a Happy Spring I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter and peace be with you thank you council president soar yeah I also Camp Robin is an absolutely wonderful wonderful program and I think that the as Dr Greenberg said the people who volunteer are very special and they are wonderful and without them what would Oldbridge be so that's the good things and the promotion of the officers I'm glad to see that as well and I think that overall you know things spring is here and hopefully things are going to get better and better as we go along and we'll see what's going to be so I'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday season whichever holiday applies and have a very very good evening thank you so we need a a motion to adjourn and enter into executive sessions for matters regarding contract negotiations move it second okay move second by Mr yeah roll call council person auli yes council person dearo yes council person dep yes council person Garcia yes council person pasky yes Council vice president Dr Greenberg Bell yes council president soar yes seven yeses adjourn at 8:35 p.m. yeah 8:35 e e e e for