Good evening and welcome to our meeting. I'm going to order the February 24th, 2024. February, yes, February 24th, 2026 council meeting. Please rise for a pledge of allegiance. Please remain standing for a moment of silence and for
a prayer. to the flag of the United States of America to the republics one indivisibley 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, for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. And this evening, um, I'd like the mayor has someone she'd like to recognize.
Last week, we lost an amazing young lady, Alyssa Voss. I would like to take a moment to reflect on our dear Alyssa Voss, a proud graduate of Obridge High School and a forever member of our family who left us way too early. To know Alyssa was truly to love her. She
had a light about her, genuine, warm, and a little feisty, and completely unforgettable. Whether as a student walk in the halls of Obridge High School or more recently as a dedicated staff member at the Glenn School, she poured her heart into our community. She
inspired her students, supported her colleagues, and left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to cross her path. Alyssa represented the very best of loyalty, heart, and an unwavering love for her hometown. Her family has dedicated decades of service to this
community. And now in this moment of profound loss, they will need the same strength, compassion, and unity that they have always shown others. On behalf of the town of Albridge, we extend our deepest condolences and prayers to her family and friends. May we honor
Alyssa's memory by holding our loved ones a little closer, showing kindness a little more freely, and remembering that in we take care of our own. Alyssa earned her wings. A moment of silence, please. Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you very much, Mayor. What a beautiful young lady she was. Um, our prayer, please, Mr. Pasitti. >> Dear Lord, thank you for your blessings, Lord. And we do pray for our town, Lord. We ask for a blessing for safety for
first responders. And Lord uh we ask Lord that we u glorify you and all that we say and do. We ask this. Amen. >> Okay. Thank you everyone. Please be seated and welcome to the meeting.
>> Roll call. President Councilman Asatuli >> here. Councilman De Palama >> here. >> Councilman Desai >> here. >> Councilman Merwin >> present. >> Councilman Pasci >> here. >> Councilman Rosolei >> here. >> Councilman Vonstaten
>> here. >> Council vice president Dr. Greenberg Bell >> here. >> And council president Sohar >> here. >> This meeting is being held in conformance with the open public meetings act. Notice has been given to the official newspapers of the township on January 8th, 2026 and has been posted in public places. Next open public
meeting of the township council will be held on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. >> Thank you everyone. Welcome to the meeting. Um we're going to start with something u this evening that Mayor Walker asked me to let her read. So
Mayor, Mayor Walker, if you're ready. As you know, our community experienced a historic blizzard with significant snowfall totals and dangerous wind conditions. During the height of our storm, we had extreme weather conditions, but our operations continued. Despite these challenges,
snow removal operations are ongoing and will continue throughout the next couple of days. Our Department of Public Works and Parks and Recreation crews have been working non-stop before, during, and after the storm to keeps roads passable and residents safe. They are operating in difficult and sometimes harass
conditions, and we are incredibly grateful for their dedication and commitment. We understand that many streets still need attention and we ask for your continued patience as our teams work throughout town. Every road will be addressed. This is a historic storm, but our DPW and parks and recreation
employees are rising to the challenge. Thank you for your cooperation, your patience, and your support as we work fully clear our community. I just want to thank they have been out for so many hours non-stop and this has been a historic storm and we don't
intentionally plow your driveways in just so you know. Um and I just want to I really would like to give them a round of applause for all their work and efforts that they have done for the last few days. >> Okay. Right. Thank you mayor. I think
that's welld deserved. Okay. Next, we're going to be doing um presentation Ttown Road Park Natural Soccer Field Project public hearing presentation. Good evening. Good evening.
>> Good evening. >> Good evening. Thank you, council president, council. Um, tonight, um, Matt Mccurio and myself want to talk to you about a grants application we're trying to apply, um, to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for
improvements at Tytown Road Park. Um, specifically this the soccer complex. I know um, some of the faces on council may recall that in 2024, we were both in front of you asking um, for concurrence on a grants application to be submitted
for the park. um for upgrades to the soccer field that would include synthetic turf. That application was not successful with NJD Green Acres, but we still recognize that the park does need upgrades, and so we're coming in front
of you with an application for a natural sided field, upgrades to lighting for the park, upgrades to the irrigation system. Um, so we're putting before you here tonight, um, part of their public engagement, um, requirements is a public
hearing. Not only is it a public hearing, but they do have a lot of emphasis on community engagement. And so Matt was uh, very instrumental in making sure that um, we got out to the public
as much information as we can. So, the requirements are either one of a community survey to be published um for community input or a community meeting to be held in person to review what the pro what the project is and what's
proposed to be improved within the park. We did both. Um we had an online survey. Um Matt had had a presentation that was given to the public on January 22nd at the Civic Center building. Um and what
we did was we we also furthered and and gave the link out for the survey so that we can get more feedback. Um we put all the information on our website, Facebook, Twitter, OBTV and Matt was
successful in receiving 100 plus surveys back completed. We're going to talk about the results of that survey later. community meeting was that in-person meeting that Matt had in the Civic Center building where he gave a similar presentation to the one I'm giving you
tonight um on January 22nd at 7 p.m. He also got letters of support from stakeholders once they heard about the project. Um so that was about 15 or so letters that the the stakeholder groups had given to us. And then um obviously
we alerted them um that there was a public hearing tonight if they wanted to attend. It was very important that this public hearing be 30 days after the close of the of the community engagement to give people time to digest the information and then to have um this
hearing tonight. So public hearing requirements. So outside of the community engagement, we have the public hearing requirements. That's tonight's meeting. So, we had to publish in the newspaper 10 days prior. The notice for tonight's meeting. Um,
the grants application packet um was posted on um our website uh oage.com/projects. Um we needed attendance of the quorum, but all of you are here, so that's great. Um concept plan we're going to present shortly to you along with the
cost estimate and just highlights of the environmental impact assessment. And then we talked about the 30-day uh comment period that the public had. And then at the end of tonight, if if the council looks favorably, we're going to ask you to pass a resolution of support
and to give the mayor um the ability to submit the application. So, the project location is along Tytown Road, just east of Wesley Road. And you could see the aerial imagery above where um we're we're a stone throw away from
Route 9. So the the park or Tytown Road Soccer Field Complex consists of lot 14, lot 15, and a portion of lot 20, which is the lower portion. It's located in block
133. And this is just a copy of the tax map. So you could see just the property boundaries. portion of 20 and a portion of 15, but the majority of the site is on lot 14. This is the conceptual plan. So, you
could see you could see the existing striping in the white um sort of striping in the grass and then the yellow represents just what's proposed. Um right now there's six um non-regulation um soccer fields that are in place and
we intend to sod it and then stripe it for one regulation and six non-regulation. That's a seven total. So that's an increase of one. The smaller soccer fields are good for the younger kids um so that they could practice and have their mini games. You're going to
be a little shocked by my cost estimate here. Um the total is just shy a little bit over $2 million. The grant application cap is at $1.4 million. Um just know that we have the hard and soft
costs in here. Um so it's it's it's all-encompassing. Um just some highlights from our environmental impact statement. Um we are putting an irrigation system here so that we make sure that the uh sided uh lawn area is
established and it creates an immediate playability surface. Um and that even surface is actually better for um for the games themselves because it allows a little bit more safety for the players.
Um and and that's a a higher quality playing surface. And I I don't know if you've been to Tytown Park recently. Our maintenance um or our parks and recreation group do a well job of maintaining it, but there are some bare spots that the sad would help. Um so
like I said, it improves uh safety, but it's also better for erosion control. The more vegetation you have there, um the the less continuous runoff you have on the playing surface. So what's our next step after tonight?
Um certainly we're going to open it up to questions, but we'd like um a resolution to be passed and it's on the consent agenda tonight um for uh submission of a grants application for the Tytown Road Park Natural Soccer Field. Um in the maximum award amount of
$1.4 $4 million. Um Matt and I after this we would draft minutes um so that we could submit that as the requirement um for the Greenacres application um on the March 3rd meeting. We'll come back to everyone with those final minutes for
um a resolution of approval for those minutes. And then the submission is actually this Friday which is the 27th. Um, you know, Matt is here and we, you know, we had worked on the presentation together. He had the presentation on on
the 22nd, so I I took the presentation tonight. Um, he is certainly available here to to give you an idea of how um how well that public engagement went on that community and and how they brought, you know, suggestions and input of their
own to that meeting in addition to what um we're doing tonight. They were very favorable. Um, from what I saw in the input, um, I I also want to highlight too, there's, um, a gravel lot there, um, that's going to be resurfaced. It's
going to be striped. It's going to have ADA compliance spaces. Um, we're also going to take care of storm water management on the property. We're going to take care of upgrading um, the lighting out there to um, the latest and greatest LED to save us some cost and
our lighting. Um, and then we are also upgrading the irrigation system and the sod surface itself that would be striped. Um, but I I have Matt here next to me if anybody has any questions for me or Matt. And Matt, before we start, if we can go over just the feedback that
you had gotten from the community engagement, they had some also some um recommendations I had saw outside of what we were doing tonight that maybe you want to talk about. Um so obviously our community engagement um has been out for a month. Um our stakeholders that
really helped us with their letters of support. Obviously we had our environmental commission. We had the Sha Tree. Uh we had our soccer club. We had our just for kick soccer club which is our which is the largest uh program soccer-wise for special needs children in the state of New Jersey. We got
letters of support from the high school principal, from the AD, from the high school coaches. Um, I mean this is this is our largest soccer complex that we have in town and have for many many many years. Um, we were unsuccessful with
turf two years ago, but the way that we're hearing not many turf um projects are probably going to be funded anytime soon through uh D. So, we were going to go with grass anyway and then we found out that they're not really looking favorably on turf. Um, but just the
amount of people that utilize, if any of you guys go by there on a Saturday or a Sunday or their Halloween, it's jumping with kids. Um, and I think if we're successful with this grant, I just think it's it's going to it's going to be it's going to feel like a brand new complex.
>> I just have one question. Sure. Um, thank you guys for this, by the way. Um, someone who's on the board for the Albert Soccer Club, I appreciate you guys taking initiative to do this. Um, the only question I have is for the lining. That's a one-time deal or or is
parks and w going to be covering the lining as the seasons go on in the future? >> This this was just help us break out a schematic. As you know, these fields, you could reorient them however you want. So if you were hosting a tournament and you needed two large
ones, you could do two two large ones. This was just to elaborate how much usage we could have on the whole platform. >> Okay, I see. Thank you. That's it. >> Matt, how many how many kids participate >> in if you're talking between both soccerers? Carl, you probably
>> all of it. >> 1500 if you're counting everybody from from what the soccer club had said. And they're always growing. Soccer as a sport. It's usually kids first sport. It's usually the first one they can play. They're chasing a ball like a bunch of ants, but that's the first and
is a pretty large soccer town. >> Thank you very much. Um, you know, one thing about Old Bridge is we put a lot of money into parks. We have a lot of parks and if you compare our town to other towns, we have more than others.
And it's great to see um us utilize the taxpayer dollar in this way to better the town to have a facility for so many children. 1500 children. That's a lot of kids, right? So this is good. This is
awesome. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Now I would just like to say thank you for all the effort that was put into it. It is very exciting to see how soccer has grown actually in this country and I look forward to someday when we win a
gold medal. >> All right. End it by saying thank you naturally again. Uh my grandson was a pl pink flamingo this year in that group. So I definitely not flamingo panther pink panther who he'll say grandma what's the
matter with you he was a pink panther so I was there every weekend practically and see a real need there and it does reach a tremendous amount of people we have a great volunteer organization there whole everyone just for kicks you know
it's amazing so this is a definitely a program that we're hoping by doing this we can get this grant money and maybe move everything and make it really fun for everybody. Wait till I'm gonna tell him. We're good. Then we're going to ask for
a resolution. >> Yeah. Oh, I'm sorry. That's right. Public. Absolutely. Anyone in the public want to be heard on this? >> Yes. >> Sure. I'm pretty sure it's the municipal war.
Okay. Did you ever um look into the feasibility of actually drilling a well instead to connect to the municipal water supply? Because why, you know, why would you need the water from the town quality isn't necessary to water grass. You could just get a well and it' be a
one-time cost and I think it would be in the long run, you know, better for the club. >> Can we just get your name for the record? So, >> oh, I'm sorry. My name is Ben Spanelli. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay. Yeah, like I said, if you could
look into that. So, >> we can certainly look into the feasibility. I know that on other projects um that would require um separate project all very apart from this one that required digging a well. NJD is not in um not keen on giving out
permits for um for digging new wells. So, >> yeah. Yeah. No, like I said, I just didn't know if you had ever thought of that. So, >> okay. Very good. >> Well, thank you for coming forward. No, you're it's appreciated. Is there anyone else that wishes to be here?
>> Hey, Matt, did I hear correctly you're going with grass? Real living stuff. >> Woohoo. That's great because a few years ago I came to this board and asked you guys to rethink uh the the turf because there's known uh carcinogens that have been associated with it. And so I want
to thank you for that decision. I think that was a good decision. And then of course the cost of replacing the fields every eight years. I think it's about $2 million a field. So I think that's great savings and I just want to say thank you for you guys rethinking that even if the DP kind of pushed you one way or the
other. That's super great. Thank you. Thank you, Nicole. >> Is there anyone else who wishes to >> Okay, seeing no hands, we'll close public portion and we'll come back for a motion for the resolution. Move it. >> Second.
>> Right. I was going to say >> yes >> and >> yes. Okay, great. Thank you again. Very, very good. >> Yep. >> Let's hope for the best now. We'll hope for the best. Thank you. Approval of
minutes. A resolution approving regular combined me meeting minutes of December 2nd, 2025 and special council meeting minutes of December 30th, 2025. Do I have a motion? >> Move it.
>> Second. >> Roll call. Councilman Asatula. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Giddy. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosi. >> Yes. >> Councilman von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg
Belly. Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Bill list. Mr. Dupalama. >> Bill list as of February 24th, 2026. Accounts payable February 24th, 2026. 28
million78,451.65. Payroll January 30th 20261,326,17384. Payroll overtime January 30th 2026 62,8358 payroll February 13 20261,323,650.95 and payroll overtime February 13 2026 76 8101
and that is all. >> Okay. Thank you. Can we have a breakdown, Anna, of the overtime, please? >> Yes. For the January 30th payroll, the swarm police overtime was $11,440. The duck grants $4,26825
for a total of $7,172.33. And for the February 13th um payroll, our sworn police overtime was $25,87360. Deduct grants $8,352.11. Deduct ETO $2,9
two I'm sorry, $2,9143 for a total of $14,676. We currently have one officer on light duty and one officer injured on duty. Thank you. Thank you very much. Do I have a motion for the bill list? >> Move it.
>> Moved by Councilman Pasi. Second by Councilman Asatuli. Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasci. >> Yes. >> Councilmani. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vonettton.
>> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Nine yeses. Public hearing H1 performance guarantee release Vista at Oldbridge LP-4
Burger Drive Oldbridge block 2000 0 lot 79.13 parentheses 79.11 application number 23-19P. Good evening again.
>> Thank you, Council President. council. We're here tonight for bond release of an application entitled The Vista at Old Bridge. I'm not sure if anybody's familiar. It's the new um three story three actually threetory uh apartment
complex building that's located on Marbor Road between Route 18 and Texas Road. Um the apartment complex or the three buildings also has a clubhouse that's about 4600 square ft. um also has a tot lot, some parking lot, landscaping
features, a storm water management facility, lighting within the parking lot, etc. Um and then it also um as part of the project had some off-site improvements, sanitarian uh sanitarian um potable water connections and also
some slight widening of Marbor Road. Um the complex has been built um according to the approved plans in front of the planning board. Um the site was inspected by our um consultants eri associates and um we're here tonight
because the applicant has asked for bond release. Um we feel that all the bonded site improvements have been uh completed satisfactorily and the performance guarantee that was posted for the project was in the amount of $284
I'm sorry $284,35.75 of which in form of bond 90% $255,9218 and then the cash portion which represents 10% of 28,400 $13357. Um, we just ask if council looks favorably on the bond release that the
applicant pays all outstanding escrow fees um along with a 2-year maintenance guarantee for the off-site improvements in the amount of 127,43625 which represents 15% of the total bonded improvements. Um, I'm here tonight with
the applicant's attorney and he's here to introduce himself. Good evening, mayor, council president, council members. Luke Pontier of the law firm Dave Pittney and as Mr. Shapiro said, I'm here this evening on behalf of the applicant pista at Old Bridge LP and we are hopeful to obtain the release of the
performance bond given the board engineers satisfactory memorandum outlining that all of the off-site improvements have been satisfactorily completed. Uh, and we as the applicant will agree of course to pay any outstanding escrow fees and to post the required maintenance
Madam President, if I could for the especially for the new members, this project is a uh one of our misly sponsored affordable housing projects from the third round. Uh the township in conjunction with the housing authority made it possible. Housing authority contribute a portion the land for the uh
project. Um and it has a veterans preference. Um so um it's one of the I think from from the town's perspective and and when you do affordable housing um especially miss sponsored projects a lot of times they don't get completed
and um we uh had a good working relationship with the developer um and uh it was a pleasure actually to work with uh the developer and council. So I appreciate all your hard work and um I think it's a project that uh the council and the township can be proud.
Thank you very much. I will take a motion to open to the public and then I'll come back to the council. >> Move it. Moved >> by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Bell. Second by Councilman Palma. All in favor? >> Okay. Is there anyone in the public who
wishes to be heard on this item? Okay. I take a motion to close the public. >> Moved by Councilman Pasitti. Second by Councilman Von Stettton. All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. >> No. Okay. Council members, Mr. Dar, you
had a question. >> Okay. Anyone? Mr. Merwin? >> Yeah. Mike, thank you. >> That veterans preference thrown out. Can you tell me how many veterans are in there? >> So, there there is a veterans
preference. that was something that was required uh as part of the approvals process and and with the the financing uh as part of the process. There were not any veterans that fully completed the process. So there are not any veterans in the community currently. Um but that preference survives and and as
you know new residents are are sought the veterans will continue to have that preference. >> Okay. >> Okay. Anyone else on my left? >> Just on that on that council Merwin. you know, we we had worked with the with the developer again for purpose of notice
and it seems that that's a not a unique I won't call problem is trying to get veterans to come. Um and we ensured that they went above and beyond what was required for the advertising purposes because you know that was a a uh one of
the reasons why we wanted so you know it's it's out there and they'll they'll continue to advertise uh so that you know when the applicants come through but you know u so if you know anyone who may qualify who's a veteran uh certainly I think you're marketing them in house right it's not gone through community
grants planning there's information on our website where they can reach out and go through the process >> I I mean, my only concern is I don't know whether we're we're going to the right place. Are we going to veteran organizations or we add in a new >> No, no, they they went to VFW's uh you
know um all the all the veterans organization. I remember having a conversation with Mr. Trust about that and and we made sure that right they reached out to veterans association in addition to non-traditional places. Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else on the left? Anybody
on the right? Seeing no hands and I'll ask for a res motion. >> Second. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> You have a good evening. Next is appointments resolution
appointing a commissioner to the housing authority to fill an unexpired term expiring 5312029. Do I have a nomination? I'd >> like to nominate Anthony Denoya, please. >> Second.
>> Any other nominations? >> No. Hearing none, we'll close nominations. Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Desai. Councilman Merwin. >> Councilman Pasitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Nine yeses. >> Public hearing for adoption ordinances
for second reading. H1. Ordinance amending chapter 250 of the code of the township of Oldbridge entitled Oldbridge land of Oldbridge Township land development ordinance by amending 250-50
entitled accessory buildings and structures. >> Yes, Madam President, if I could. Um the ordinance was originally introduced uh back on January 13, 2026. uh it was it
was continued uh at the request of the planner. Um and if you look at the proposed ordinance, there were some changes suggested by the planning board as they were going through their consistency review. And while while the u the planning board determined that the
ordinance itself was consistent, uh there was a there was concern about um putting sec accessory structures in basically second sidey yard, which could be a front yard because you're a corner property. Uh but they want to put limitations in the height. So if you look at the ordinance, the language that
is italicized and bolded and underlined, that was added. Uh and because um in my opinion uh that this would substantially uh change the uh the initial uh ordinance because there was no restriction in that regard. Um to the
extent that the council use it favorably, the first step would be to adopt the amendments and then we'll continue the public hearing. I'll have to readvertise it. Uh and uh the public hearing will be on the second uh meeting in March because there's not enough time to get the notice for the public hearing
in the paper prior to >> you need seven days. >> Correct. If anybody has any questions on a motion >> motion to adopt the amendments, >> move it.
>> Moved by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Belli. Second by Councilman Vonstettton. >> Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasci. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Public hearing will be set for March 17th, 2026. >> So it'll be renoticed uh as well. The clerk's office.
>> Okay. H2 ordinance amending chapter 250 of the code of the township of Oldbridge entitled Oldbridge Township Land Development Ordinance by amending 250-49 entitled application of yard
regulations. Same thing this one there's no changes >> even though it's amended. Okay, fine. I just want to make sure. All right, so we're going to open it to the public. Do I have a motion? >> Moved by council vice president Dr.
Greenberg Belli. Second by councilman Asatuli. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? We're now open to the public. >> Anyone from the public wish to be heard on H2? Seeing no hands, close public portion. Anyone on the left of the council have a
question? Anyone on the right? Then I'd like a motion. Moved by Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bella. Second by Councilman Asatuli. Roll call. Councilman. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deama. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Mwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasciddi. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohart. >> Yes. >> H3. Ordinance amending the code of the
township of Oldbridge, specifically article 1, recreation fees, section 160-2, hockey league instruction hockey. >> Good evening.
>> Hello, and thank you again for having me back. Um, the first one that is up is uh our hockey league fees. Um, we're looking to raise fees uh for our hockey program by $100. Um, that would
be $100 more for the resident fee and $100 more for the non-resident fee. Um, the cost of obviously everything is going up. We have league fees that have been raised. We have ser fees and ref. So, a signer is obviously somebody who
distributes out the refs. They get paid. You pay the refs. And then obviously we have um our league fees and our coaches as well. Um we have not raised the fee in a couple years and we're not looking to change the um the tryyout fee and
we're not looking to get rid of the discount that we did a couple years ago for the goalies. Um I felt to hit people with a raise in fee of your tryyout fee as well as your league fee. Um for some that wouldn't be too easy to sustain.
Um, if you look at what other rinks charge, there's not that many other rinks that are fully um, let's say, transparent with what their fees are. Um, you could reach out to a club and say, "Hey, I'm interested." All right, tell me how old your child is. Um, but I
know that we are marketably cheaper um, than everybody in our area. And obviously our program, we start building ice in September. Um, they're the first groups on those ice in October. uh their seasons are getting ready to wrap up
now. We have tryyouts scheduled uh in the beginning of March and then all the way up until literally that ring closes. Um if anybody has any other further questions, I'm here to answer them. >> Well, we have to open up to the public and I need a motion.
>> Second move. Moved by Councilman Von Stanton, second by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Belli. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Now open to public comment. >> Is there anyone in the public who wishes
to be heard on this topic? >> No. Seeing no hands, we'll close public portion. I need a motion. >> Second by Councilman De Palama. Second by Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Close to public comment. >> Anyone on my left have a have a question? M the um >> Is there any uh credit given to the first responders in this? >> Um I would have to see
>> I don't think the hockey league >> I don't think the hockey league is part of it. >> In light of of the the new arena that's been put into East Brunswick, I'm sure you're going to take a hit. Um, you think this affect that?
>> I even more or >> I don't think so. Um, the information that I'm getting on what that price point is going to be, um, they have a group called Black Bear. It's a kind of a national group that is going that is that they're not operating in East Brunswick. East Brunswick is operated by
the municipality, but they already have ice base given to this group Black Bear and they are a very very expensive. Um, so I I don't want to jinx it, but I don't think we're going to lose um the families that are used to our price point because that price point is going
to be significantly higher in East Brunsw. >> So we have 11 teams about 140 kids. I think so. After this, does anyone else know questions? Oh, >> moved by Council Vice President Dr.
Second by Councilman Von Stettton. Roll call. Councilman. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasitti. >> Council. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg
Bell. Yes. And council president so >> yes >> nine yeses motion carries. >> Okay. Next will be H4 ordinance amending the code of the township of Oldbridge specifically article 8 daycare program section 160-32
fees for fulltime full day summer camp. >> Thank you guys again. Uh with me this evening is Jillian Dwire. She's the manager of our before care and after care program and is also the manager of our full day summer camp. Um, obviously
we don't ever like to come up here and raise fees. Similar to our ice arena, our before care and afterare and our full day summer program as a fully self- sustained program. Um, we did this whole report for you. Uh, we
just got back from a conference, all three of us. Um there's really nobody who's running a 10 and a half hour program for eight weeks in the summer. Um you could drop off as early as 7:30.
You can pick up as late as 6:00 p.m. Um we offer this this year it'll be 39 days obviously because we are off on July 3rd this year because the 4th is on a weekend. So we will run June 29th to August 21st. Um,
obviously we're seeing our minimum wage requirement increase, trip pricing is increasing, uh, security and transportation costs as well. Um, so you can see what our, uh, weekly cost is, what our daily cost is, and what our hourly cost is.
Even with the $200 um adjustment, parents will be paying approximately 57 to $60 per day uh which would be an increase of approximately $5 to the daily rate from 2000 from 2025. Um once
again, this back page, there's not many either private or public camps like ours um that operate the length of time that we do. And you can see our camp totals back here, our 2024 camp totals, 2025 camp
totals, and our projected 2026 camp totals. Uh down below that, you'll see some of the important stuff that shows similar kind of camps to us. Um so obviously one East Brunswick is right next door. Um East Brunswick is only
operating a 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is only uh length of time is only six weeks. Um, and their hourly cost and their daily costs are more expensive than ours. Um, and then the YMCA right down the road, uh, they are about $386 a
week. Um, so they're marketably higher than us as well. Um, and then obviously the ones the lower you get, you can see how expensive full day summer camp can be. Uh some of the trips that we're looking to go to this year would be Crayola Factory, Funplex, Six Flags,
Climb Zone, Dorny Park, I Play America, Top Golf, Tomahawk Lake, New York Aquarium, and Fireball Matlin. And not like our halfday summer camp. You pay this one fee. All your trips are included. Everything's included. There
is no other associated cost. Half day camp, we charge for you to get into camp. Then you pick and choose what trips you want to go on. This is an allin cost. Um we do work with families for uh payment plans. Um and we still um
have our uh CCS which is um run through the state and the county. Those who can't afford it, they go through them and we have an agreement with them. >> Yeah. And this is a statelicicensed Jill's program before and afterare is licensed by the state and full day
summer camp is licensed by the state as well. So, just for the record, uh, council president, the title on the agenda reads that it's, uh, for section 160-32. That should be section 160-31. >> The ordinance is correct.
>> The ordinance is correct. >> Just the number. >> And if anybody has any questions for myself or Jillian, we're here to answer whatever questions you guys have. >> First, I need a motion. It moved by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Belli. Second by councilman Bonut Von
Stettton. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Hearing none. We're open to the public. >> Anyone in the public wish to be heard? Not so many questions tonight. So Matt, you know, I love the camp because my son went to your camp. So you guys, if just so you know, I was a big proponent and
supporter of your your program. I two questions. One is why the New York Aquarium, not the Camden Aquarium that >> Okay. Oh, no, no, that's cool. I mean, it's just like it's like kitty pool versus like a a really good Olympic
pool. Like the Camden is beautiful and your aquarium is not as up tod date. Um and then the other thing is have you been to Turbach Zoo? I mean instead like that's a really good and they have the part of it is because both of them allow for engagement with the animals and well
I understand they went to Camden Aquarium before. I know I took my I had a yearong pass for a few years because my son loved it so much. Um they they love it the please touch and everything playing with all the the squeezy touchy animals and I think it's a great way to
engage. But um that's really it. I think you guys have a great program. Um, you know, but thank you. Yep. >> Okay. Is there anyone else in the public who wishes to be heard?
Oh, please. Thank you. Good evening. >> I just have one clarification. So, this is apart from the the school this this afterare program is different from the school one, right? So, elementary school
parks and recreation and Julian manages that. >> Okay. >> It happens to be in the schools, right? We're the ones who operate the program. >> Yeah. And just one quick question. So the the the money that goes to the school board and the school education is that money also goes to this program or it's fully self-funded?
>> Oh, it's fully selfunded. That's different from that. >> Okay. >> Okay. Yeah, that's that's what I want to know because I have this public comment of the taxes which we raised. So just want to understand is exactly yeah that thank you so much for the cl Thank you.
>> Welcome. Anyone else in the public >> like to take a motion post public >> motion by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Bell second by councilmani. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Closed public comment
portion. >> Okay. Anyone on my left a question for Matt? >> No. Okay. Anyone? >> Is there a special rate for the uh first responders? And if not, why not? >> Um I'm not sure there's one for full day camp, but there is one for half day camp.
>> Yes, one for half day camp, but not full day because full day is a fully sustaining program. You pay for the program, it pays for itself. The township does not fund the summer the full day summer camp program, but for the half day camp, there is a discount. >> That's it.
>> Okay. Anyone else on the left? No. Anyone on the >> I just want to say I get a lot of compliments from people about the summer program that you run and I really appreciate it. I know that the families, you know, feel very confident in everything that you're doing, the length
of time that you provide. um not only just the trips but also the all the fun activities that you do. So I want to thank you >> your excellent programs. Thank you very much. Did Annie you want to add something? >> Yes. I just wanted to add I wanted to uh thank Jillian Dwire who's here for the
first time at her first council meeting tonight because I've made her come. I thought it was important >> for having me. >> Um she has been working on this for for a few months now. I know it's not summer and maybe if we put this out there into the universe it'll stop snowing. Uh but she has been working on this. These numbers don't just come out of disguise.
It's based on the amount of enrollies that she's anticipating as well as the amount of employees it will take. There are factors we have to take into place if uh if we need nurses at c some of these sites or parah. Um so all of those things are inclusive. Nobody pays extra
for those costs. Um, so I appreciate all of Jill's efforts, the research that she did with the other camps to get that information and we want to make sure that we remain affordable for our residents here in town. So, thank you Jillian. >> It's a lot to be considered, a lot of
different things. I don't think everybody, you know, people don't realize there's that, but there's a lot to be considered like you said. Okay. Thank you very much. Um, do I have a motion? >> It moved by council vice president Dr. Second by Councilman Asatuli. Roll call.
Councilman. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deal. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Epstein. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. >> Yes.
>> Council President Stoart. >> Yes. >> Thank you all very much for coming. >> Thank you very much. Uh, next will be the consent agenda since we did C4. Mr. Sully, do we do we don't
>> I'm saying I'm going to separate it out. Okay. So, >> consent agent minus C. >> Right. Exactly. Okay. So, I need a motion second and I'll bring it back for separation. >> Move it by council vice president Dr. Greenberg
Belli. Second by Councilman Von Staten. Councilman Asatuli. Any items for separation? >> No, thank you. >> Councilman Dama, >> no thank you. >> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Merwin, >> seven. >> C7.
Councilman Pasitti, >> no separations. Thank you. >> Councilman Rosolei, >> no. Thank you. >> Councilman von Stettton. >> None. Thank you. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. >> No, thank you. >> And council president Sohar, >> no. Okay. So, this will be a motion for
the balance of the consent agenda without C4 and C7. >> I have a motion. >> Second move by C vice president Dr. Greenberg Belli. Second by Councilman Deama. Roll call. Councilman Asetuli. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Mwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasci. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vonstettton. >> Yes. Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. >> Yes. >> And Council President Sohart.
>> Yes. Next will be C7. Councilman Merlin. >> Yeah. Just I guess the attorney can explain it. >> I'll do my best. >> All right. So, uh we currently the township currently has a age restricted senior project called referred to as Old
Bridge Rotary Senior. Um actually it goes back a number of years. Um it has 204 units of Levina. Um I think one of the units is going to be is for an on-site superintendent. Uh we've captured half of those units in our
second round affordable housing plan. Uh the uh project was purchased uh by Obridge Preservation LLC. Uh Obridge Preservation LLC is proposing to do a massive upgrade to the site. Um I don't have the numbers in front of me. I know there was a letter of support, but uh I
know it's at least in the tens of millions. I don't know if it got to hundreds of millions, but it's a significant investment. Uh, in order for them to fund uh the uh improvements, they're making application to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency um which offers uh special
financing for affordable age restricted housing. Um they reached out to the township. The township will also be including the remaining 102 units, 93 units in our fourth round plan. That
obviously will give us credit towards our fifth round plan when many of us will no longer be here. Uh but that being said, uh it's again it's another opportunity uh where it will not require the township to make any contribution from its affordable housing trust fund.
The developer we have a actually the um developer who uh we just released the bond they had a similar program when they built it. They used tax credit 9% tax credit financing from New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. Uh that enable them uh to again build it
because the cost of the borrowing is a lot is less expensive. Uh and then with that again they'll be able to do it. One of the um with that program uh there's a uh pilot that also gets executed but it's not a traditional pilot. It's a
little bit different. uh New Jersey housing mortgage finance has their own has their own set of laws for these types of affordable h financing and it's one in which uh it's based upon a percentage of the annual revenue received and I think they had proposed it would be 7% initially in the first
year after they get after the the construction's completed and based upon their projection resulted in about I think 400 and don't quote me it's 400,000 plus uh actually the difference between that and what the town receives
in in regular tax uh real estate taxes is actually pretty minimal. Um but as a requirement for them to apply for this financing, it's necessary that they have uh the uh pilot program as well. And similarly um
the Vista at Oldbridge uh has a similar pilot again uh and that that one's set up the same way under HMFA requirements. Do we get money into the co fund or >> No, because this is 100% affordable. So, they're building, it's not even a
percentage. It's 100% affordable. Uh, so we're able to uh have those additional 93 units. Um, this is one of those programs if you remember, I think some people had asked about um towns were they timing of Tom's River, right? So
depending on the timing, we almost made it, but we didn't quite Yeah, we dismissed, but we have these 93 that we're capturing, right? So again, uh that that goes towards our our our next round. So actually going into next round, uh the town will have 200 plus uh
additional credits towards the fifth round units already being captured. If nobody else has any questions, I'll move it. >> Moved by Councilman Merwin. Second by Councilman Rosi.
>> Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasci. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Monstettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. >> Yes. Council President Sohar,
>> nine yeses. >> All right. Next will be discussion chapter 42 of the township code nepotism as it refers to elected officials and employees. Councilman Rzolei. >> Council president. I'm asked to table
till the 17th of March because the uh chief of police's flight was delayed like many of the thousands because of the storm. He was coming here tonight. I was going to ask questions. So I asked that it's tabled until March 17th. So, you're making a motion to table.
>> Motion to table by Councilman Rosolei. Second by Councilman Merwin. Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> No. >> Councilman De Palama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desai.
>> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasci. >> No. Councilman Rosie, >> yes. >> Councilman von Stanton, >> no. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell, >> no. >> Council President Sohar,
>> no. Motion dies. >> Council President, point of order. Just want to make a comment. Um, when I put this up, it was such a priority to hear from the chief of police because that's what was said by the council vice president. I need to speak to the chief
of police. You even you council president. I already was concerned about the communication between the chief of police and the council. The chief was coming here tonight to uh answer questions. His flight was delayed. I spoke to the chief of police. He asked that it be tabled. And I just for the
record that it was voted down. So I'll put it back on the agenda. You'll be getting my email. The chief of police has a right to be heard. Everybody's a big first responder supporter. I stated my case. >> I'll stay my case. I spoke to the chief. Thank you.
So now are we going to go forward with this? What is the what is the feeling on? Okay. Next ordinance or ordinance amending chapter 30 section 30-8
of the of the code of the township of Oldbridge. Councilman Pascetti. Yeah, we uh discussed this a few months back and um Councilman De Palama
requested that Steve Makus go out and do a survey and um he did that. Came back with uh there was no no issues. >> There's a draft resolution >> that does stop.
So, so actually uh I think it was uh maybe two meetings ago uh where uh the issue came up and we had discussed u you know possibly amending it. I think there was lots of uh questions or concerns. So uh I advised council that I would uh
take a shot of drafting an ordinance. I didn't know about survey. Uh that being said uh I took an initial shot um an opportunity to uh amend it amend section 30.8 8 just for the public's purpose. Uh election 30.8 8 limits um transfers and
issuance of new licenses. And basically the way that the ordinance it goes back a number of years since this ordinance goes back prior to 1973 um to the extent that uh you're an establishment and you and you've been operating and then um you want to
transfer liquor license uh to another establishment within the township that's not located uh on basically route highways 9, 18, 34, and 35 with 100 ft of frontage. um you you have to have two 2,000 ft of separation between the two
establishments. Um the ordinance this is convoluted way of measuring the 2000 ft. Um so um in thinking of this you know I initially thought well obviously there were individuals who purchased liquor license where the 2 foot restriction was
in place um and is there a way to have a two-tiered uh ordinance? Um it got a little complicated. So this is my initial shot. I you know where basically what I did was uh instead of this convoluted way to
measure it I I reduced the based upon conversation I reduced the um separation between the two establishments to a,000 ft versus uh 2,000 ft. And then and then the measurement would be basically from a th00and feet in all directions uh of
the uh property um where the uh license is going and that's the way uh the basically the way the 200 foot list is created for land use applications. So when when someone has to file an application for the planning board uh the municipal land use law advises the
applicant that they have to get a 200 foot list uh our community development department measures it. So they'll go to the property boundaries and measure 200 feet in all directions. So I thought that was a a model that works. We know
how to do it. Uh and and they they'll actually do the measurement. So I utilized the MLU well as a as a basis. I reduced it to a th00and feet in all directions. The other thing where I we had talked about was you know ensuring that it's a transfer of an equivalent
license, right? um where there's there's different uh types of licenses in in the ordinance. Uh there's a u retail distribution, there's a plenary retail consumption, there's a seasonal consumption, limited distribution license. So I added the language and
equivalent so that if it's a uh if it's a retail a plenary retail distribution license um being transferred and there's a an establishment that uh is within a th00and ft but it's doesn't own a
plenary retail distribution license. It owns a different type of license for for instance a seasonal consumption license. This would not apply. That would allow for the transfer. Um, I think having a two-tiered system kind of got pretty complicated because you would have to
basically say, okay, everybody who has, you know, who has an existing license, the old rules apply and then going forward the new rules apply and then you have to sort of track uh when the transfers. Um, not to say it can't be done, but I haven't gotten there yet. My
brain was getting a little slow because I'm not feeling so well. Um, so uh but I think this is a first shot. um where but basically that's and I kept uh there's there's language in there with respect to premises license prior to July 11th
1960 that just goes back to an old law didn't change it other than how you measure it. I can't imagine that those locations still exist but you never know. Um and that's it. I mean it's and then the only other thing is is that I made it um prospective so that it would
be any new licenses. We don't really have the ability to issue new licenses currently or transfers that occur the later of the effective date. And I just picked the number June 30th, 2026 because I tied it to the renewal of
so that's that's what's that's >> so it's a thousand foot radius0000,000. Is there a location that you know if it's plenary retail plenary retail and it's outside 1000 ft transfer occurs? So, so restaurant well restaurant liquor
store doesn't apply. >> Restaurant restaurant it would apply. Liquor store liquor store but if it's separate it's fine but then it's 1,000 foot radius instead of being >> like 2,000 ft. If you pace it out or whatever it all matters, right? So I
think that's a similar as you were saying similar to when you have to do the 200 foot notification. It's point and then >> Okay. >> Right. And then the the question I have is for everyone that has a license now.
They are or not grandfathered into the old rules. >> Well, yeah, it's I I didn't because you know again you have this two-tiered system and I'm just trying to think of a way how do you how do you keep track of that? Right. >> Okay. No, no, no. It's
>> I mean it it could it could anything could be done, right? I I just don't know. It would require the clerk's office to track, you know, basically have to at this point find everybody who has a license >> and say that those people and then and then at some point, you know, there at
what point does it stop because they're going to be transferring it to a new entity and then we have the new rules? >> Yeah. And this wouldn't stop an entity coming in front of us asking for reprieve >> just just like we did with the the uh I
guess the restaurant. So that would be >> that language that language stays. >> Okay. >> And that appeal process. >> I mean I could look I could I could take a shot at trying to do a two-tiered system. I'm just >> I don't know. Don't
>> I just you know just trying to >> think of all different >> just to protect that's the whole thing that was concerned >> based upon the conversation that we having that >> you just want to protect. Yes. >> All right. My my concern is
blast them out of here. My concern is these people own a license. This license and old bridge may be worth $500,000. Our changes may diminish the value of that license.
>> You think it'll have the opposite? >> Yeah. Freeing up the ability to transfer. Right now, there's restrictions. For instance, if I have a uh we'll use restaurant. I have a restaurant that has a liquor license, you know, to do consumption and I have a and then I have
a liquor store, the current ordinance applies where you can't do that transfer if it's within 2,000 ft. >> Right? >> Now, you you would be able to do that transfer because they're not competing licenses. Right? So, and then similarly,
because it's going from 2,000 ft to 1,000 ft, now you're able you have a greater area where you can potentially transfer your your license. >> So, it makes it easier for someone to transfer an existing license. And
>> and again again the purpose and I'm just just based upon experience and and how municipalities typically with respect to it's typically done in in zoning but you know these these length these distance restrictions were typically to to guard against you know the proliferation of of
a particular product right and and probably since this goes back to the 70s you know not having a a liquor store or a bar in every corner and and you see that a lot of times you see with respect to gas stations Usually there's a 2,000 foot distance between gas stations and the courts have found that to be
reasonable. Um you can have them but you can't eliminate competition. >> And and the the other thing that's a MAC is survey. >> Yeah. I don't know anything about that. >> Who authorized the survey? All right. and where is the survey
or just special you know you get special treatment depending upon the party or something that you're no a we were never given this survey that it's already on the record >> this is the first I heard about it he was never
>> there's already a record on the record that there's a survey where is that survey >> it was informed >> how did who gave him the authority to do that survey you're the administr ration. >> I did not know anything about this survey. >> Okay, there you go. >> Time tonight.
>> Thank you. >> This is the first we heard of it. There was no survey done. >> Where is it? Doesn't exist. >> It's on the record that it exists. He just testified to it.
>> What? I'm sorry. May I say something? What does party have to do with this? I'm confused. >> What? >> What does party have to do? I'm I'm confused. >> Well, I surely don't get any special pressure. I >> I don't know what party has to do. >> Oh, yeah. I know. You know what party? >> No, I don't. I'm
>> Well, you do. You're part of it. >> No, I'm confused. >> Stop. >> I'm confused, Dave. >> Well, I know that, but >> I know I'm confused. I'm just asking a question. I'm being nice and kind. I'm being nice and kind, sir. >> Just as a question. >> Just a question. >> What? >> If you don't mind me asking what? Just
ask the question. What is the party? I'm confused. >> I have Listen, I don't get any special treatment around here, but evidently somebody does. He's got a survey. He's got a result of the survey, but nobody else does. >> What's party? I don't know.
>> Okay. Anyway, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> All right. So, just again for the for the record, my record, I I don't know of a survey. A survey wasn't provided. Uh and um you know this is based upon discussions
raised the issue was raised by councilman Piskitti discussion with again so you want if you if you think you're okay with this uh we can get ready for introduction at the next council >> Mark I have a question >> sure subsection E about the surveillance
system only retaining it for seven days we get we max out like 30 oh sorry we max out by 30 cuz I it's obviously the police off just to be on the safe side because sometimes an investigation can lead you there. It's not always seven days, >> right? I don't you know again that goes
back so back in the day. So >> sometimes investigations are fluid, you know. >> I agree. We can we can change that to 30. >> Seven's kind of like little pushing it unless we're uh unless we're CSI on TV where we can work faster. >> Yeah, >> you know.
All right, I'll uh I'll get it ready for >> days with all right. Okay, next is health insurance and OCA benefits. Councilman Dai, >> I have to bring this issue for discussion for couple of reason.
I was a participant and recipient of the healthc care benefit provided by township through the braven and OCA also since January 22
on or around December 15. I received the letter from our business administrator that my health insurance and OCA benefit both will be terminated as of December 31st
25. I understand but I never recall she's citing and I called afterward to our clerk also to have a minute when it was discussed. Our clerk said it was discussed in
executive session. So she could not produce the minute. I understand that part. But there was never a vote taken for this kind of resolution. According to this according to later I have if anybody wants to have it. Can you pass
it? If somebody wants to see the later, she says this was done due to the discussion in February 24 and then subsequently in
October or something like that 24 that that discussion was taken and I recall I was in one meeting and it just discuss us that all benefit
to council people particular health care or OSA OCA will be terminated at the end of their term. I understand that part also but why end of the term? Why not everybody was
terminated on December 31st? See what happened? I don't know who else was terminated but I was terminated that's for sure and some people are still under that
benefit. >> So at the time I recall >> and that's my problem. If one should have it then everybody should have it. If you want to discontinue the whole program I think it should be across the
board. That is my request. So, if I recall correctly, during those meetings in early 24 and then later in the fall of 24, um these were items that brought brought up during executive session. I was not here when council
first was afforded benefits in 2022. Um but at the time it was discussed in executive session at length that the current benefits would end for any current council members at the end of their term, current terms. So whenever your term ended whether you were
reelected or not um your benefits would terminate. So at the time there were three individuals u councilman Desai and two other individuals on the council um that this rule applied to um and that rule was followed for all three of those
me those individuals. there is one person that still receives that benefit but that was in accordance to what was discussed and approved by the council um during those executive uh >> I appreciate Anna what you try to help me out >> but my main question even today and I
had a call to our attorney I have some text messages back and forth between him and me and I was keep asking the one question was the vote taken or rules. Should we have a vote or not for any
resolution or any decision? >> So, can I talk? >> And he said round and round he said it's a part of the budget process. >> That's right. >> Everything is part of the budget process. >> Yeah. Okay. Sorry, Mark.
>> That's okay. Uh so so again this the township has all certainly as long as I've been here has had a policy that afforded uh elected officials with healthcare. There's no ordinance. There's no resolution. It's been a policy and how that policy gets affirmed just as you stated is that the the
payment of the uh benefits are part of the budget process. Budget process gets reviewed gets voted upon. uh subsequent uh when the issue came up relative to continuing that policy, there were discussions executive session and and consistent with those policies, it was agreed by the majority of the council
members that those benefits would end when the individual if to the extent that they ran and their and their term ended and they were reelected, they would no longer get it because of the fact that it's been a policy and and the process by which it was afforded to council members was again through this
process of putting in the budget uh afford um adopting the budget. Uh there was nothing to reverse. There was no there was no resolution to reverse. There was no ordinance to reverse. It was the consent of council council because it's been a stated it's been a not just a stated policy. It's been an
actual policy uh through actions. So that's why there was no necessity to have the vote. Uh and again at that point even uh former councilwoman Jill Daro had participated in those discussions and you were president and had agreed as well. So that's been the
policy. It's consistent uh with uh again I think other agencies may do the same thing but where to the extent that anyone had received benefits uh if they ran again and were reelected their benefits would cease. Uh and because of that there's only one member currently
who still has those benefits based upon the fact that they were afforded to that to them when they first were elected. Uh and this was the first action that actually any C council had taken to cease future healthcare benefits. So so
it doesn't matter that that's how we that's how we got to where we are now. I think the misunderstanding that there's staggered terms there's staggered terms between ward council
members and at large that must be the not the misunderstanding it was when their terms are over and two terms were over and one wasn't. So it's it's about that's what it's about the terms. I think that's what the the misconception
is that they didn't realize when it's the term and the term was over. >> I have a question. How do we have council people up here taking state health benefits and rolled it in violation of chapter 78? Councilman Piskitti was in for two years in violation of chapter 78. Is has there
been any restitution? I don't know who else was involved. I think there was some other people in the article, but he was taken in violation of chapter 78, which I may recall there is no gray area chapter 78. Elected officials can't be in it. So, I just wanted to give a little context here because there is a
dollar value assigned to health insurance. So, now we're creating a pay scale throughout the council because that's exactly what it's doing. So chapter 78 was put in place so that the state employee made significant contributions to the insurance. So give
you example, it goes by a percentage of the premium with the salary of the employee. That could be I'm going to go police cuz that's what I know. There could be a cop getting a $300 raise gets immediately canceled out because of chapter 78. So my question is elected
officials aren't allowed to be in in state health benefit. who authorized the enrollment of Councilman Biskitti and has he paid back because he wasn't supposed to be in it because we have we seem to have different rules for different folks here >> probably >> who's authorizing insurance you got to
be employee for insurance which >> and then then individual I think it's the business business administrator >> I don't care who it was you an elected official under chapter 78 cannot be enrolled in the state health benefit plan it doesn't matter who we can point
the finger anyway. Is Councilman Piskitti going to be made to make restitution? And anybody else involved? If one can't have it, none can have it. And I think you would agree. And when it comes to contract time, there is a dollar value placed on insurance. So now
we're creating an unfair pay scale within the council. And all this grandfathered in, not grandfathered in until I don't see nothing in writing. Nothing was voted on. I understand. I understand what you're saying, but at the end of the day, it's health insurance. It's using taxpayer money.
There should be a vote. There should be an ordinance, and that will resolve everything, >> but I still want an answer on Councilman Piskitti with the chapter 78. >> I have a question. Description. Let me ask you a question. Let me finish. Let me ask you one question.
Were you at that meeting? I think one of the meeting I was there. >> Well, you >> there was two meeting we are talking February 24 and October 24th. >> Okay. Just want to know if you were there. >> So I may be in one meeting. >> So you were there. Okay. Good. Thank
you. And again even this later language it clearly says although this policy was temporarily reconsider in October 24 council reaffirm in February 24 decision
would remain effect. So reaffirm by what? By vote >> Mr. So, so my question why the vote is not taken >> because the fact that it was a stated policy and the policy was not changed
the extent that it afforded the healthcare benefit. The the the change in the policy was ending it for future uh members if they were reelected. That's why and again the process that that the township had adopted relative to healthcare was always through the
budget was through the budgetary process. Um and that's that's where the votes came by on an annual basis. >> Okay. I'm not satisfied with the answer from council because I had checked with
some other business administrator in other town and they says everything should be taken vote. I have no problem terminating my policy.
But why single out me and somebody else? >> So I think if he let it go like this in future this is going to be repeated not this particular issue some other
issue you discuss in general and you just take granted it is approved. >> So Mr. Mr. to the side. >> I think >> when we when we had these these conversations, close session or not, six of the nine of us were up here, right? Obviously, there are three new council
people, six of the nine were up here. The conversations that we had, and I'm not going to go totally into it, was and we all agreed that at the end of the current term for every council person, they would no longer be eligible for said benefits. There are st as as
council vice president has stated there are we have staggered terms and I'll just use me for an example my term ends at the end of next year. Should I have been afforded or I have had it then I would be eligible to have it to the end of next year. But it was also agreed upon that if you do not have it you are
no longer eligible at all. So should I have wanted it two days afterwards we wouldn't be able to have it. It was agreed upon by everybody that was up here on this day. There was nine of us. All nine of us agreed to it. Why it's coming up now, I'm I I understand that
you decided to run again. You you won, but the decision and the agreement was between all of us was exactly what you said at the end of the your current term. It wasn't for everybody. It was at the
individual term. So whomever has those benefits today can continue to have it if they're an at large till the end of next year and should that person decide to run again then it would cease just as if uh ward council would have ceased the end of last year.
>> I understand. Thank you. But see Eric this letter state that state health benefit program. So if I am not qualified or eligible under state health benefit then nobody should be nobody should be qualified.
>> When we had when we when we had the conversation the conversation specifically was around an events that happened around that time with the state health benefit plan. Right? So as a council and as a administration there was a decision made
that how it would be handled going forward. The decision was and the conversation was there were folks that were in it that can continue to have it until the end of their current term. If your term ended at the end of next year, theoretically, you would still
have it and no one would be saying otherwise. So, at the end of your current term, you decided to run, you ran again, you won. Regardless of when that letter came to you, you knew going into the election what the lack of a better term rules of
engagement would be for this. So why this is coming up, I don't understand. Is there you didn't understand what was going on or >> No, I understand. My biggest question, we take the vote for each and every thing what we decide. >> We don't have anything codified. If
you're asking right now, should we have something codified? Yes, let's put it in code. We have a compensation ordinance. We could put it in there that what we are eligible for and what we're not. But at the end of the day, what'll happen is whomever has the benefits today will continue to have them until the end of
their current term. And that's what would be written in the compensation ordinance. Then should a future council decide that they want to then grant benefits, they'll have to overturn that. Is that what you're looking to do? >> I will reserve my rights to continue
this. I'll check with my attorney and see what is right in. >> Your attorney doesn't have anything to do with the ordinances that we put in. >> No, I have to. >> Well, Councilman Desai, with all due respect, you actually were there. And to Eric's point, no, no, you were there and now you're changing it. We're asking you
one question. Why are you changing it now? You were okay with it when we all spoke. >> That's exactly what Eric and I were saying. Why are you changing? We're just asking a question. Why are you changing it today? >> I am talking to >> Well, it's a discussion. You put it as a discussion
>> to continue this from long time. >> Mhm. >> But when I have novenue left, I have to discuss. >> But didn't you make the decision with us? Yes or no? >> I personally think I was singleized. >> What? No. Did you make the decision with us? It's just a question.
>> Everybody knew that my term is expiring. >> Did you make the decision? >> Did you make the decision with us? Yes or no? >> I did not get it. You didn't say he asked if he >> did you make the decision exactly what Eric and I were saying that after your
term is up that's it and whoever still had it will continue during their term. Did you just please answer me? Did you ask for a discussion? We're discussing it. Did you say it was okay? Yes or no? >> I had no choice. What? >> No. No. No. You had a choice. You know,
you had a choice. No one. You had a choice. You made the choice on that day and now you're making a different choice. So I'm asking you a question. >> Why today and it's now February 24th. You waited another two months. Why now and not then when we all agreed upon it?
That's what we're trying to ask you. >> Mr. Actually, that's why I requested minutes to recall my memory. >> Okay. >> But I there is no minutes. >> So do you feel like we everything we explained to you is pretty much what happened? >> There is no minutes of February 24 or
October 24 according to Miss Hatan. >> And you don't remember? Okay. Thank you. >> Councilman decide there were minutes there. There were the executive session minutes where >> Yeah. You told me that executive
committee you don't get minutes. >> No, I provided you with the minutes. >> I have it. I'll pull it out tomorrow and >> I have the minutes there. There are executive session minutes and the matters that we went into executive discussion for are in the minutes.
can provide them to you again if you would like. >> I'll check one more time for the attorney. Where does the um giving of benefits health care benefits to the council is is is it
there is nowhere since so again right that's my point right it's been a policy uh right that's all I'm explaining there isn't there as far as I'm aware I've never seen it there's never been a resolution ordinance but again it's a
policy that that this that the township uh had implemented did many many many years ago and and and even when I don't know if you received healthcare or not you were on the council before you were aware of the process uh Mr. Rosolei was on the council before he was aware of
the process where again where the issue would be as part of the uh the funding of the budget and that's where the discussion would come by and that was all explained as a matter of fact again in in in relative to the affording of those benefits the benefits received by
Mr. desire are not safe health benefits because he doesn't qualify based upon his age. So he aged out, right? So so the restrictions regarding chapter 78 are in applicable. As a matter of fact, also on chapter 78, the issue with that is it's not that elected officials
aren't entitled to it. Question becomes being able to account for working 35 hours a week. That's the issue. And what happened was the state when they when they made the change to the state's health benefits plan, there were supposed to be regulations dealing with how how do you quantify the 35 hours for
for elected officials who received the benefit. Uh and they never came through with those um with those regulations to quantify and you know and there was various I think cases out there relative to how that that was captured. Uh so
because of that that when the that was one of the the part of the discussion that those council members who were on state health benefits uh they would be taken off uh to address the issue of the fact that there wasn't clarity as to how you quantify uh the 35 hours uh that was
required u to receive benefits as an elected official. Uh and so those issues were addressed and similarly the council at the time was again was unanimous that they felt that the benefit should not continue but
also to be fair those had who had received it uh when they first joined uh were allowed to continue it um until they're termed. Does that seem to be the appropriate fair way to to deal with the policy? >> So So you're saying there's a gray area
in chapter 78. Now if you didn't make the cut as an employee you are you were pluded from the health insurance. >> So again I didn't say it was great. >> Okay I just want >> I said the issue the issue had to do with capturing the number of hours for elected officials and and and
understanding is DCA or supposed to issue you know how can you quantify that you know what are the steps that would be taken uh and that wasn't necessarily forthcoming. So again, to to resolve that unknown, uh the council administration felt the best thing to do
was to cease those benefits and and moving forward. That's what >> the the um chapter 78 the um we're going out of the state health benefit. >> Correct. So, >> so, so, right,
>> you're on the council now. >> You could. So, I mean, that's the whole point. It's only, it only applies to state health benefits. Um, you could, if you're not in state health benefits, there's nothing there's no prohibition against a municipality providing health care to its elected officials.
>> It was only the it was only that that was only those who were in state health benefits, right? So, so um and the town was never in state health benefits until 22 23 whenever that was. That's why that's why that's why it became an
issue. Prior to that, they weren't in state health benefits. And again, you know, to the extent that you want to codify it, I'll draft an ordinance that, you know, basically confirms what was discussed back then. It's not a I mean, it's not a bad idea because of the fact that you're no transitioning out of
state health. >> All right. So did we try to circumvent chapter 78 by issuing >> Nope. >> Just to decide and and >> No, they were not others. >> They they were not they they were not uh they did they were not in the state
health benefits. >> I understand that. Was that was that an attempt to circumvent because they weren't allowed in the state health benefit? >> Because they were not they didn't qualify because of their age to my understanding. Right. So they weren't in the state health. So it's not a matter of circumventing.
They just were never in it. >> What do you mean they didn't qualify because of their age? >> Right. At certain at when you're a certain age, go to a different program, you become Medicare eligible and there's a different program for Medicare eligible >> and and we had that. We had that in the
state health benefit pack. >> No, it was not part of state health benefits. It's a separate plan. >> Wasn't >> I was on >> as a as a retired employee. I was >> that's a different if you're on as a retired employee. You talked about the elected officials. >> That's a different
>> and and you're saying that was not addressed in chapter 78. >> You were not again it goes to the matter of not being precluded uh to provide health care. It's only had to do with if you were under the state health benefits plan uh where the the
limitation or so-called restriction came into play. And for those individuals Mr. and other individuals they were not the the insurance that was offered was not part of state again town's transitioning into a different carrier
>> April 1st >> so so arguably if the town wanted to all the elected officials could have healthcare under >> well that's been the policy >> that had been the policy correct >> and nobody did away with that policy >> yes they did >> how there's no vote
>> so again pol. So again, the policy was affirmed and confirmed through the budget process, right? So that was the discussion and that's that's how it was never written was never articulated uh in by ordinance or or or or resolution. So again, the fact is is that that was
the discussion that was what the consent was. So there so if you look at the budget uh those monies were not placed in the budget uh for health care for those individuals after that agreement was in place. >> There's been no budget since then. There's not even a budget. The budget's not written yet >> last year.
>> No, there's not. They were in it last year. >> They were in the health benefit. They were in it. So, it wasn't done in the in the budget >> because his term hadn't ended. His term hadn't ended, >> right? So, it was in there. And we have not written a new budget.
>> But his term his term hadn't ended. So, that's why it was in there. His term had ended and he was reelected >> again. There was no vote. You were in executive session. There was no vote. So there was no official vote but again the discussion and the
>> there was no what >> the discussion and the policy there was no what continued >> there was no official vote >> no there was there was not a vote >> there was no vote exactly >> it doesn't mean you can't end the policy and you can't enact the policy >> how can how can you end policy without a
without a resolution or an ordinance >> the same way that you provided healthcare without a resolution or an ordinance for all those years same way same way >> mark the fact that you we have full-time employees who are paying thousands of dollars and we're going to
say we're going to put council people with we know the hours we put here and the state health benefits observed I think as of June 28 2011 if I didn't make the cut I paid okay the fact that we're going to try to
codify to give council people what people who work every day is insane And I'm and I totally object to it. And it's also creating a pay scale here, which listen, we can go back and forth with this all night. The fact of the matter is we both know, anybody involved
with contract negotiations know there's a dollar of value put on health benefits. I know in the police world it is because it's one of the things that's always thrown in our face. And I'm not even going to there's no way you're going to sell me on that. Someone up here deserves state health benefits when
it adversely affect thousands of employees. And let's face it, this also in essence we could call defunded employ state employees from their personal accounts because people have never financially recovered from it. >> So So nobody's on state health benefits.
>> I understand it. But my point is well we did have some we did have accounts been on violation of chapter 7 for two years. So again I I explained that and and then right and the contribution component continue to apply to council members.
What here? What happened here? If according to this later and according to my talk with Anna and Mark and K if it was discussed in 242 time and most
of the people were favor in favor to discontinue the health teachers at the end of the term then why vote was not taken whatever reason and all of sudden sleeping giant woke up on in December
and this letter come out to me and somebody else also. I don't want to name anyone, but I know that this letter somebody woke up. >> Nobody Nobody woke up. This was me. This was me doing my due diligence to remind
those that were no longer having the benefits. So that's what I was doing. Why we were waiting from October to 24 to December 25? >> So Mr. Desai, when was that letter dated?
>> When is your letter dated though? >> December 15. I gave you the copy. >> No, no, no, no. I I don't need it. But so just so you know that by the time that the election is certified, that's only like two and a half weeks after the the certification of the election. But
according to later and according to discussion this was decided in executive >> and you were there >> and you were there you were cuz I was here >> one I was there one meeting there's two meeting >> the the the meeting that we decided
>> was the first meeting right because we had councilwoman Daro is next to me >> I mean I mean I even think that um that John was here as well and when we when we discussed We all decided though, >> Eric, I agree with you. I was there.
>> Okay. >> But if it was decided finally in October meeting, October 24. >> No, it was it was decided in February. >> Yes. And reaffirm in Febru October. So why we waited from October 24 to
December 25 to notify? >> I don't know about the reaffirming. The decision was made in February. according to this is re >> I'm only I don't I didn't get the letter I'm telling you what my recollection is and being at the majority of all council
meetings since I've been a councilman that decision was made in in that one meeting we had a a pretty lengthy conversation if I'm not mistaken about this >> and we all made a decision as a group >> right and and I'll say this across party
lines right it didn't matter who it was every sing >> talking Mr. Desai, every single person that sat up here decided what was the the path going forward. And the path going forward was that at the end of the
person's current term that it would cease and should you not have it today, you don't have it ever. So for me, for an existence, I've never had it. So if I decided the the next day, hey, I need it because I know, God forbid something happened, I was not
going to be afforded that. That was decision made. Yeah. Everybody, Councilman Desai, one thing, the reason why you got a letter December 15th is to remind you is to remind you what you already know. So what Anna's trying to tell you is she's letting you know that
it's going to end what you already knew for about eight months. That's pretty much what it comes down to. just giving you a reminder to let you know you knew already. I think I don't want to make it too personal but I I want to say that we
should respect the rules and law that everything we decide we should have discussion and the vote final vote to Aframe yes or no anything >> not only this
anything we do most of the thing everything almost Thank you. >> Is there anyone else on? No, we're good. Okay. Report of the township clerk.
>> I have no report. Council president. >> Report of the township attorney. Administrative report. Anna, >> thank you. Number one, Hometown Heroes Banner Program. We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program. The
Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program salute the brave salutes the brave men and women currently serving or who have previously served our country in the US Armed Forces. Applications and more details can be found at oage.com/hometown heroes. Upcoming food bank drive. The
Township Food Bank will have a grand slam food drive in April. Details of this drive will be available soon. Everyone is encouraged to check our township website for monthly updates for the food items the food bank needs for future drives and events. Also for updates, please follow the food food bank's group page on Facebook. For more
information, please visit orbridgeidge.com/foodbank. Oage food bank receives grant for facility improvements. Funding for the township's congressionally directed spending project has been secured as part of the fiscical year 2026 appropriations minibus package signed into law on February 3rd with vital
support from Senator Corey Booker, Senator Andy Kim, and Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman. Through this investment, the T township has been awarded $500,000 in FY2026 community project funding for the Obridge Food Bank building improvements
project, enabling long needed capital upgrades, and expansion of the food bank facility within the municipal complex. The one-time infrastructure investment will fund um I'm sorry will will fund building expansion, installation of a walk-in refrigerator for proper storage
of perishable items, additional shelving for non-p perishable goods, and upgraded flooring throughout the facility, improving food safety, storage capacity, and operational efficiency. These enhancements will strain our ability to serve low-income residents, address the growing demand for food assistance, and
ensure the food bank can continue serving the community with dignity and effectiveness for years to come. For more information or to learn on how to support the Ori food bank, please visit oage food. I'm sorry. Please visit orbridgeidge.comfoodbank. And this concludes my report.
>> Thank you. Does anyone have any comments for Anna questions? I'd ask for a motion to approve. Desai second by Councilman Dama. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Report is accepted.
>> Comment. 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 goal. 12 and the old bridge rules of council.
The council asked the public limit their comments to three minutes or less. Only one member of the public shall approach to speak to council at a time. The council will respect the public's time by refraining from any comment until the speaker is finished with their allotted time. 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. Township clerk will regulate the time during the comment portion of our meeting. As you approach the microphone, please state your name. No addresses.
>> Need a motion to open to the public. >> Okay. Anyone? Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Fresh Taib. Standing here tonight, my heart is full. Last Monday, Old Bridge held its
first ever crescent lighting event. When we first imagined a crescent lighting ceremony in Old Bridge, it was rooted in something very simple, belonging. The crescent is a symbol recognized by many Muslim families as we enter the sacred month of Ramadan. But last week's event
was about something even greater than a symbol. It was about community. It was about visibility. It was about unity. Oldbridge is a beautiful, diverse town. Families from different backgrounds, faiths, and cultures call this place
home. And when our township chose to support and illuminate this crescent, it sent a powerful message that every family here matters that every tradition has value and that inclusion is not just spoken about but demonstrated. To our
senator Owen Henry, our mayor Debbie Walker and township council members who attended and supported President Sohar, Vice President Belelli, and Councilman Von Stanton. Thank you for your support and attendance. Special thank you to Councilman Desai and Merwin for
attending and sharing words of reflection. Your presence proved that we can be united and work as one. Councilman Dealama, thank you for your email. I hope you're feeling better. We thank you for your leadership and for recognizing the importance of
representation. To our superintendent, Dr. Sasso, board of education members Marjorie and Brooke who attended, thank you. And to the school community, thank you for supporting our students with the new lunch program and ensuring they are seen during Ramadan. Thank you, Officer
Vitali, for keeping us safe. They say to leave the best for last. So, here goes. Thank you to the hardest working township business administrator Anna Felts. Thanks to Matt McCurio and Erica for working hard and efficiently to make
this the best program it could possibly be. Your efforts do not go unnoticed in this historical event. To our planning committee team, to every volunteer, sponsor, and resident who encouraged this effort. Your belief in partnership
made this possible. As someone who grew up embracing multiple faith traditions, I have always believed that when we learn about one another, we grow stronger together. Lighting this crescent does not take away from anyone. It adds to the beauty of who we are as a
town. May this light represent compassion, generosity, and reflection. Values that unite us all. We had 80 RSVPs and Anna as my witness that over 400 people attended. This is a true testament that when we come together, we
only grow stronger and better. From my family to yours, thank you for standing together, for supporting this vision, and for making Oldbridge a place where everyone can feel at home. >> Good evening again. >> Good evening.
>> Hi, Gon. Hi, this is Vidit Jan. I live in 29 Gaza Drive. First of all, thanks for everyone coming here. I know the weather is bad outside and I didn't expect this meeting to be here but as you guys are here I I can see that you care about the people of the township right because so I'm I came here for the
same empathy and want you to listen my next comments which I want to make right so I believe in a society called oaks at Glenwood that is behind the new shop right that is there right uh we you lot of people have already heard about our plea for the new warehouse that is
coming up just besides my house and other houses as Well, which is near to a super fun site. As we are speaking, I believe there are some exc uh some excavation or some construction is already started which is a very dangerous thing being a super fund site
already there. It can talk, it can pollute our soil, our air and everything. Right. My first question to the council is why the warehouse has been approved and a residential is put in place both at the same time. Is there
a planning mistake, a zoning mistake where the where that has been lived? It the this council can uh put an investigation what happened in the first place. The warehouse is not there yet. But now as the families of 200 plus homes sits there, right? What whenever
we come to a planning board or a zoning board, it's always been said that the warehouse is already pre-approved before our community comes there. But that should not be a rationale to give to a warehouse near to a chemical or a super fund site where the residents are
sitting. I call old bridge as my home and for my kids as well. Right. So I want to I want this councilman to hear this thought, think about it, see what we can do to make sure if the warehouse is there that is coming. It's not some
short vision of a quick economic development but a longer vision for residents good health and prosperity. So I really really plead this council to think about what what what is lacking here and it is just not about one community there can be such simp
happening everywhere else as well in old bridge where industrial development is happening but a residents are already there or the vice versa it's not good for either of them right my second point which I want to make here apart from the warehouse development is there is a
builder called Bruni who is responsible for the uh overall all development of that area. Uh first of all that builder has done a very bad job of maintaining the roads. We are almost 3 plus years uh
living in that community. The main roads are still not paved. Whenever we come to this uh councilman and this forum they are always been told they keep it for the all the development has to be done and everything but from last 3 years
everything our cars are our families are using that road there is no such excuse that if all the development has to be completed then only they will pave the road what going to happen if then some accident happens sir that's your Fine. >> Good evening, Nina Jocknowitz.
First, I wanted to thank the Oldbridge Department Public Works rallied. They rallied. You guys did a great job. And on a personal note, also the Old Bridge PD helped me out with the down wires on my property. I was 48 hours without electricity freezing our tushies off. But I want to go on to a more important
uh discussion other than thanking both both departments and of course all of the departments in in who helped out. On February 13th, News12 reported that a chaotic scheme was in Lynwood, New Jersey, where elementary school students were seen fleeing a bus stop during an ice raid at their apartment complex.
Then on February 18th, the Politico reported that an associate deputy attorney from the Department of Justice acknowledged the administration's violation of court order orders issued by New Jersey judges in more than 50 times in the past 10 weeks in cases
stemming from the Trump administration mass deportation program. To judge to quote the same article, judge of Minnesota recently assessed that there were more than 94 court orders in January. The judges across the country have seen this rampant and purposeful
violations of their orders. Yesterday, during a Capitol Hill hearing, a former judge, a former ICE attorney who was training new recruits in Georgia said before Congress, they ceased all of the legal instructions regarding the use of
force. That means the cadets are not taught what it means to be objectively reasonable. very standard which the law requires them to meet when deciding whether or not to use deadly force. I know that Councilman Rosolei knows all about this. He was a police officer many years that
there is a there is clear irrefutable pattern of consistent and willful violation of federal not only state judicial orders across the numerous jurisdictions including New Jersey. putting it into context for of the information that is trained specifically
in the area of compliance and becoming increasingly impre im imminent presence of of ICE employee ICE presence in our town. It's irrefutable. It's also irrefutable at this point that the interactions of ICE are becoming are violation of actual rights of actual
citizens here born in this country. I can't stress enough how narrow and how narrow and procedural this question is and how it is not just a political thing because it is not and that all the people of Albridge not do not deserve but are entitled to an answer that is
not that is just as that is just as narrow and procedural. Sorry for the typos. What is what are the plans to be make that are being made by the township to provide residents with safeguards that support both that are support uh
both the physical harm and and legal um abuses that may occur by ICE. I think our our residents do deserve an answer. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else who wishes to be heard?
Ben Spinelli. Um, I just have a uh actually an easy uh problem for you guys to solve. Uh, it's regarding the recycling program that the county implemented the single can once every twice uh once every two week pickup. Um,
prior to COVID, we had a uh the ability to drop off our recyclables down at the township, uh, bottles and cans and cardboard and what have you. Um, after COVID, they got rid of the ability for us to drop off bottles and cans and now
we're kind of stuck with uh this once every two weeks. Now, if we forget to put the can out or they miss us on a pickup, then we're stuck for another two weeks until we can get a pickup. Is there any way that you guys can get us a dumpster back down at the township where
we could dispose of our bottles and cans as opposed to waiting for the county to come pick them up? So, that's that's my my question. Okay. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else who wishes to be heard this evening?
Okay, seeing no hands, then I will ask for a motion to close the public portion. >> Second. >> Move by and second by >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Madam President, I if I could um for me few moments because there's been a couple of residents who've come up to talk about the Oaks. >> Yes. >> And there's a number of reason why um council is not in a position where they can openly discuss it. Number one,
there's an active application. That application had been submitted some time ago. It was deemed complete. Um there's uh there's one member of council who sits on the planning board and then there's the mayor or the mayor's designate who also sits. So to the extent that there's
any discussion relative to that application, all you're do is creating an appeal issue, I can tell you uh would be seen as prejudging an application. Uh and that just would assist the applicant in in the extent that something were to
happen against them to allow them to use that for appeal purposes and overturn that decision. Um secondly, um the warehouse hasn't been approved. Uh that's not the case. Um that actually that site uh was been part of a
redevelopment area uh that was created how long go I'm sorry to call out 2006. So so that was created in 2006. that whole area was a redevelopment area. A and and so so the and the
redevelopment area um basically the plan that was created ultimately is part of that redevelopment basically confirms or or or sort of codified what was allowed to be developed anyway. There was no new zoning uh created as part of that
development. Right? It's the same. It was industrial. It was industrial before the area was determined to be an area development. is industrial after the fact and and one of the things that when an area is created as an area redevelopment after the designation's made you have to get basically DCA looks
at at that designation and to the extent they had they have any issues they're allowed to comment on it and saying hey there's environmental sensitivity or whatnot um that apparently didn't happen in this instance they okay the redevelopment area they allowed it to exist um the other thing that you have
to I know there was some discussions and and Councilman Rosie had reached out to me regarding um again discussing some of these issues of resoning and again I don't want council comment on it because it'd be prejudging but what you have to understand is that there's a there's a
rule in law called the time of application rule and it used to be case law that basically what would happen is that an applicant would file an application and and municipalities would go ahead and change the zoning so that the application couldn't be developed.
uh case law developed and saying you can't do that, right? The an applicant has or should be able to rely upon the zoning that exists at the time they filed their application. The town shouldn't in essence be able to pull the rug from underneath. Subsequently, that was codified. It's part of the municipal
land use law now that says that once an application is filed and deemed complete, uh then the development regulations that were in effect at the time apply to the to the applicant. So even if the town for whatever reason were to try to reszone it, it would not
apply to this app. He can he he because he he filed at the you know he filed with the plan in place and the underlying zoning in place. That's what gets appointed. So so the town doesn't have the ability to change the zoning that would affect this particular application. Uh that's just what the law
is and again look at it if there was a reason for that. So, um, I think you're you're relative to the roads. Now, I I would imagine you have a an homeowner association and typically what happens is there's a transition. The developer uh has so many seats on the HOA
eventually there's a number of seats that that are transferred over to the homeowners and at some point the homeowners become the majority or all the seats. um those types of issues is incumbent upon your HOA to enforce to the extent that there
needs to be top coat. Uh and again there's timing issues. I'm not sure you know the development's fully built out not fully built out yet. So typically top coats aren't put on uh until the it's fully built out. Whatever I'm sorry whatever the additional items that need
to be done. That's not unusual. But that's not to say if and again I if the homeowners have all the seats. That's not to say that you don't have any leverage. I mean, you do have leverage relative to the developer that you have all the seats in the HOA. So, you need
to go to your HOA um you know, your board and you know, apply pressure from that perspective to the sense that it's not um but but again, ultimately your strongest at this point is that you know the application is a hear that the
initial hearing from the planning board is scheduled for March 26. March 26 and then make the points, you know, as a as a community, make the points at the planning board. Create a record as to if there's an issue relative to what the developer is proposing. That's where you
need to create the record to show, you know, well, maybe it needs to be there needs to be a bigger buffer, needs to be a bigger setback, right? That that it's not too late. It's not a fade to come plea, but this this council it wouldn't be would not be prudent for this council to comment on that application while
it's pending because I can assure you that just creates an appealable issue that an applicant will win. So anyway, thank you. I just wanted to put that out there. Very good. Um, now will be council member comments. >> Councilman Asatuli.
>> Thank you. First, I want to say congratulations to the US men's and women's hockey team for winning the gold medal and bringing it back to the USA. Put your hands up for that. We can all agree on that, right? I I would say Oh, I can't wait. I'm excited. So that being said, I do want to address something
tonight and I want to take a moment about something that's been on everybody's mind and that is the last few weeks. The first amendment. The first amendment guarantees freedoms. Many people around the world still dream about
freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, the right to peacefully assemble, and the right to petition our government. These are not privileges reserved for a select few. They are not rights given to only people we agree with. They belong to every
single American. That is what makes the United States truly fantastic. Our Constitution does not protect popular opinions. It protects all opinions. It ensured that every voice matters whether loud or quiet, whether majority or
minority. The strength of our democracy comes from allowing people to speak, to disagree, and to participate only in shaping the future in their communities. Here in Obridge, we are more than just a township on a map.
We are neighbors, families, veterans, workers, students, and community members who call this place home. Obridge is a small but important branch of this great country and the freedoms guaranteed by the first amendment live right here in our meetings, in our
schools, our houses of worship and everyday conversations. Every time a resident comes to this podium to share a concern, every time someone expresses an idea for improving our town, we see democracy in action.
That is not always easy. Sometimes we hear opinions that challenge us. Sometimes we hear opinions, you know, that are challenging to all of us. But protecting the right to speak even when it is difficult is exactly what divine
defines American freedom. And we must never forget why these freedoms why these freedoms are here in the first place. Generations of American veterans fought, sacrificed, and in many cases gave their lives so that we could live
in a country where people are free to speak without fear. If they had if they had not defended this nation, we would not be standing here tonight exercising those rights openly. Their sacrifice reminds us that freedom
is not automatic. It is protected by courage, service, and responsibility. So tonight, let us remember the first amendment applies to all of us equally. It calls on us not only to speak, but also to listen, not only to exercise our
rights, but to respect the rights of others. Because when every voice is heard, when every resident feels they belong, and when we treat one another with dignity, we strengthen Ober. And in doing so, we strengthen America itself.
So, thank you and God bless our community, our veterans, and the United States of America. Thank you, >> Councilman De Palama. >> Thank you, Casey. I know we're it's getting icy out and I'm sure, but I just
wanted to make sure that that I thank DPW as well as the the parks department for the folks that are that have were out during the storm and continue to be out throughout tonight and I'm sure through the next couple days to clear up
some of the enormity of snow. I know listen on my block alone there is piles high. I still had eight inches of snow in front of my house until uh decided to drop another 24 plus inches on top of it all. Um I know there has been a lot of
complaints, a lot of folks have, you know, voiced some displeasure on how the plowing has gone. I think folks need to we we need to understand that the amount of snow that came down, we have not gotten this amount of snow in a decade.
I know that because my wife was showing me pictures I needed to recreate a a picture with my 14-year-old when she was four of us sitting in the snow and she is a heck of a lot bigger and unfortunately so am I. Um but just everyone please bear with the folks that
are out there. We have a combination of not only township folks but also private contractors that we have running around the streets. I went to drive up to work this morning in Jersey City. my block and some of the township roads that I
were on was a lot better shape than the county roads were. So, our contractors have been out. They were out all night. They were out 18 plus hours. I and I believe Casey, if I'm not mistaken, they're back out at 11:00 tonight to be out there. So, please bear with the
folks that are that are out there. I understand that we may have you may have gotten ahead of things and you may have gotten your shoveling done early, but unfortunately when that happens, you know, unfortunately the snow has to go somewhere. And if the snow is pushed
into the street, it's going to be pushed back off to the sidewalk and onto it. Just bear with folks if there are egregious things that are occurring. I I know there are some culde-sacs that may or may not have been hit. Please reach out to uh public works. still be more than happy to come out, take a look, and
rectify any major issues that are happening. Um, and besides that, just a friendly reminder of something I did see on my way to work today. If you have two feet of snow on top of your car, not a good idea to be on the New Jersey Turnpike. Okay, it comes off. Just
driving today, there were snow flying everywhere. That can be ticketed and probably will be ticketed. I did did see the state police out there, local um police can enforce it as well. When you leave, please make sure you you get rid of all the snow, not just the two two
foot by two foot square in front of your window so you could see. You need to see out the entirety of the windshield and the entirety of the back. So, please just make sure you're clearing that out because the the the police department as well as state police and any local uh PD can go and give you guys tickets. But
besides that, please be careful as as things melt and and ice over at night. Just be careful out there. Thank you, >> Councilman Desai. >> One more time, kudos and thank you to the public works department
headed by Casey and all other employee who work real hard under the condition of 14 to 16 in snow. I had a many phone call yesterday from medicine park and I talked to this morning to our business
administration. She quickly found out the answer and I called those people and they were so happy. I did explain there when they were complaining that main goal to clean the main streets
not the side street but I think our people work all night and clean most of the side street also all around. So one more time I really want to applaud the
effort of our public works department to keep us safe because we everybody was home yesterday but everybody has to go today and this amount of snow to move from somebody's driveway is blocking
it's rough but I think it works. Thank you. One more time, >> Councilman Merwin. >> This is going to be the Casey. Uh, thank you tour here. The um, of course,
people don't realize this was a 24-hour storm, right? We had our streets cleared within 24 hours. >> It did not seem it right when you're out there. But our streets I I was on the
ambulance for 36 hours and the things that you know we I saw the roads. So I'm saying come on we got to get these roads clean. Then you realize the time it didn't stop snowing until 2:00 in the afternoon and
and it and and and they did a tremendous job. Of course, everybody, you know, they I cleaned it out and they came by plowing and they put the the plat wash. It's going to happen. 24 in of snow. Where's it going to go? You know, it was
a generational storm. And um you know, I had Cheesequake Village. It's you know, 714 senior citizen homes. They didn't do the sidewalks. Couldn't get into them. three o'clock
this morning, we had a first aid call there. I pull up and there's a police officer digging a 35 foot um path into the house, right? So, my partner went in to take care of the patient. I joined
the police officer and we were clearing it out and I'm saying, "Oh, this is nuts. They got to do it." You know what? Same same thing we got to give the town that it was done in 24 hours. We got to give to them. They got it done. Was
maybe not as quick as we'd like, but again, it was a generational storm. So, I mean, everybody involved, the fire companies were amazing, right? We we had a problem. We call them, they come and they dug us, they
dug us into these places, our patients out. I mean, there's at one time we had three ambulance stuck in the snow. APW come out. There was a little push and we were on our way taking care of patients. Everybody worked together. The fire
companies, both career and volunteers were all out there taking care. The the ambulance service never missed a beat. Didn't miss a call. And it was amazing. So,
you know, the public complaining, think about it. In 24 hours, the township of Old Bridge cleared all the what 500 how many miles of 174 miles of roadway in 24 hours. You
guys got to be commended. That's, you know, that's it. And >> Councilman Pasitti, >> no comment tonight. Thank you, >> Councilman Rosie. Councilman Vonstead. >> Thank you. Good evening. Um, again, I
want to thank public works and parks and reccks because they also do sidewalks and everything. Both departments have done a wonderful job in town. Um, this was a truly historic storm and you know, you guys stepped up and did a wonderful job. So, thank you for that. Um, I also want to thank the police and first
responders for their work during the storm. um they were out there in those conditions and um also the healthcare workers our healthcare workers in town um a lot of them they don't get a snow day so they have to go in no if there's 20 inches of snow on the ground they're
driving in that and I appreciate their you know driving through those treacherous conditions to make sure we have healthcare services make sure that you know the ambulances have a hospital to go to that's open um as I was digging out and walking in my in my neighborhood yesterday Um, I was very happy to see
our residents helping each other. Um, shoveling, plowing, you know, on those, you know, some of the backwash from the plows, which is unavoidable. Um, I I appreciate how our community just comes together and helps each other during these times, you know, during times of
need, and it makes me really proud to be part of this town. Um, so some of the things other things going on that I wanted to bring up. Um, I wanted to thank the engineering department of parks and wreck for the presentation of the Tytown soccer fields and I want to thank the rest of the council for voting
yes to submit that. Um, it's really important. Um, I've been with the soccer club for many years and these are sorely needed and I want to thank also thank for the soccer club and Arty Zini the president as well. Um, without their
dedication this wouldn't be possible. So, thank you for that. Um, we had our parks and wreck advisory meeting. um spoke about a few things. Everything went really well. Um I brought up some adding some more programs, uh music programs specifically. Uh we'll see how
that goes. Um I want to congratulate the Old Bridge High School wrestling team. Uh they won the Central Jersey group five title and uh were the runners up for the overall group five title. Um they were they did a very great job and you know it was a great season for them.
Um the Oldbridge Symphonic Man needs members. So, if you guys are musicians, instrumentalists, uh you can email Symphonic Band@gmail.com and an audition. And I just want to give um appreciation to one of our W six residents. Uh his name is Joseph
Carreri. Uh he started a nonprofit called Give and Play. Uh just so you know, Joe, he's a junior at St. Joseph's High School in Matuchin and he is a W six resident. Uh his goal is to deliver joy and opportunity to children in our region. Uh he's sponsoring his first toy
drive on February 28th from 12 to 3 um over in Southwood at or South not Southwood, South River at 90 Leonardine Avenue. Um I want to congratulate him and the Carrer family on his first toy drive and wish them success in uh growing that give and play organization.
>> And I think that's it. Thank you, >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. I would like to thank the Old Bridge Elks lodge 2229 for all they do for the special needs community in Old Bridge. We enjoyed the
CHA charity ball this last Saturday. It was a wonderful event, but most wonderful was meeting Dimmitri Fero. He was the ambassador of the year and Dimmitri has a great personality. He shines brightly. He's very funny and he should consider being a comedian
actually. So it was wonderful meeting his sister, his twin sister Alexandria also and um both of his parents. Also the um congratulations to Kevin Wall. He's a member of the Oldbridge. He works he's an employee at the Oldbridge um
public works department who was um the citizen of the year and actually I'm so proud of him for his quick response, brave actions. He actually saved lives that day at the animal shelter. So with that said, there's always a lot of good
things happening in Oldbridge and we have to focus on that. People do panic. The main thing is, and I understand when you're a senior or or you have a condition with the um EMS get this in the snow, but it was unbelievable. And a lot of times people don't consider that
trees fall down too. And that that like stalls things getting done. So as you said, there's 174 miles. We're 42 square mile town, but 74 miles of road. That's a lot to cover. And just be prepared for the next snowstorm because more snow is
coming Wednesday. Unfort >> Oh, good. Okay. Good. So, it's not coming is Friday's coming still. >> All right. All right. Spring here we come. So, stay warm, be safe, and
>> yes. So, that's that's a good time. So, I appreciate everyone. Have a good night. Be safe. Byebye. Council President Sohart >> and again of course to echo everyone thank you all so much. I would be remiss if I didn't also mention OEM Mike Pauer
and his unbelievable energy that he brings to that position. Um everyone and then of course there's the others that are in the background and that's Anna. Anna, thank you very much. You really did a terrific job in terms of helping coordinate everything. You were on top
of everything. I don't think you've slept either in quite a while. So, it's a group effort, but I think together, you know, with everybody together, the mayor, all of them, everybody made it a very difficult time. Try to make it as best as possible and and the residents
too. Thank you for all, you know, all the patience that you show and all the appreciation that you show for all these volunteers and for the for the police department, for everyone. We're just very so very happy to be here in Oldbridge and know that they're taking good care of all of us. So, thank you
very much. The soccer thing, I think it's great. Thanks for the presentation. Like I said, hopefully I'm I have a little interest there now. I will be there again, but uh thank you again for all the hard work. >> President, can I just add something? I'm sorry. >> Yes, absolutely. And
>> I just wanted to say that uh the storm started at what 2 p.m. on Sunday. >> Yeah. Um, but our process started at 8 am on Saturday, uh, via several phone call meetings, uh, prepping of trucks on
Friday, um, making sure all of that was ready to go so that we wouldn't waste time. We did not wait until the snow stopped Monday to come out. We started uh Sunday night at 5:00 pm, which really is the reason why, like Councilman Merwin said, we were able to be able to
be back in operation within 24 hours of the snow stopping. Uh because we start at 5:00 at night on Sunday and have been here continuously. Obviously, we do staggered shifts so people can get their their breaks and we want to make sure that our employees are safe. Um but
since then, we've been here uh since 5:00 pm. It is a process that involves ob the public works department, the parks department, the police department even got involved and assisted by having two other officers come in also to assist us um uh with the plow with the
process of clearing their parking lot so that it would make the process faster so our officers could get in and out as needed. Um our fire department as Councilman Morwin said also uh OBS Lawrence Harbor First Aid everybody. I
mean, this was a true team effort. Um, I even have to say this morning I I reached out to to Casey for probably the hundth time over the last three days and asked him, you know, give me an update on the county roads. You know, I want to see what's going on. And he's like, some
concerns on, you know, a few roads and stuff like that. I reached out to John Carroll, uh, the director at, um, the office of government government affairs at the county. him and I had been texting the last two days and uh within two hours of my text, those roads were
taken care of. And I know that for a fact because I took an hour and hour and a half drive this afternoon through all of those roads um to make sure they were taken care of. So, you know, I think communication is key. You know, communicate with us, be patient with us, and it will get done. Um we are aware of
the issue on 516 East. There is a drain clock. The county is aware of it. Um they they've been trying to work on it. Obviously with the snow, it got more difficult. So there is a puddle there. With the uh temperatures dropping tonight, it might be icy. So just be careful with that. Um I like I say, I
spoke with John Carroll again today on that and they they hope to get back a crew out there to take care of that right away. But as you can see, it's it's a collaborative effort from every entity, the county. Um we even got a a call from the state. Mayor got a call from the state uh from the uh office of
the governor um to check in on our town. Uh technically the township is still under a state of emergency for funding purposes should that become available. So we do have still that in place. Um if uh funding becomes available, we do have to let the county know on Monday what our costs have been thus far and uh you
know um we're just going to keep going through it. So thank you. >> Thank you Mary. in in the middle of this Casey's family lost his elector for almost the whole day. Oh, I just want to make a comment
if I can. Uh JCPNL in the past used to have a problem, but they have a new representative now, Jose Ortiz. He is amazing. I I just I told him I was going to thank him. He He is doing such a wonderful job. When residents were having problems and I reached out, he
was right on top of it. And um I think we should have him come here to one of our meetings. He's actually going to meet with a lot of our seniors because there's a lot of unused programs that our seniors don't know that they're eligible for. And there was $10 million last year that went back into the budget because they people didn't apply. They didn't know. So we don't want that to
happen. We have a lot of senior communities here in town. So he's going to come here and we're going to uh inform the seniors of all this money that's available to them. But I just want to really compliment what a wonderful job that he did this last storm. Anna, do do we have an idea of what the
storm cost us or >> not yet? Um, so there's a threshold that the county as a whole has to meet in order to be eligible for for reimbursement and that's about just over $4 million. So right now the county tomorrow I'll have more information as
to uh what dates and times are eligible. Just keep in mind only overtime costs uh would be reimbured and I think some material costs assault and things like that um I think might be eligible also. Um but I don't know yet. We're going to start working on those reports when they once they tell me I can do it from
Sunday to Tuesday. I'm not sure yet. They haven't let us know that information. >> Okay. Motion to adjurnn. >> Motion by Councilman Asatuli. Second by Councilman Von Stettton. Roll call. Councilman Asley. Councilman Deama. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Desai. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasci. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. And Council President Sar. >> Yes.
>> Mark, before you go, I know.