Good evening. Welcome to the Old Bridge Township March 3rd, 2026 Oldbridge Council meeting. Please rise for a pledge of allegiance. Remain standing for a moment of silence and for our prayer. I aliance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for it standy, justice for all. It's customary we stand for a moment in this chamber to remember those who are protecting our freedoms both here and abroad, especially this
evening. And for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and for our first responders, a moment of silence, please. >> Our prayer, Mr. Pasitti. >> Dear Lord, bless the servants in the ministry of public affairs who serve you
in this chamber. Give us quiet minds and hearts that we may hear your voice. Help us to know when to speak, when to be silent. Give us strength to oppose the wrong and uphold the right. And grant that we have a good conscience and a soul that peace with thee and with one another. Amen.
>> Amen. Please be seated. >> Roll call. Council president. >> Councilman Estatuli. >> Yeah. >> Councilman Deama >> here. >> Councilman Desai. Let the record reflect. Councilman Desai is absent. Councilman Merwin >> present. Councilman Pasci >> here.
>> Councilman Rosolei >> here. >> Councilman Vonstettton >> here. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli here. >> 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. Has been posted in
public places. Next open public meeting of the township council will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. >> Okay. Thank you very much everyone. Welcome to the meeting. Um this evening I'd like to start with someone coming up and giving us a little bit of an update
from JCPNL. He is our representative, Mr. Ortiz, and our mayor. >> Good evening. Pleasure to have you here this evening. >> Good evening. Thank you, council. Thank you residents for having me today. Just want to start off first by saying thank
you to the township, to your PD, to your DPW. In the recent storm activities that we've had, you guys have had a great collaboration and partnership with JCPNL. We have successfully collaborated to try to ensure that we can restore
power safely and quickly to residents. Sometimes we were out there in really difficult situations with your PD and DPW who assisted us with getting roads cleared so that our crews can make it out to some of these locations. Sorry
for my voice. Uh but ultimately what this was was a difficult trying time but it also demonstrate great collaboration between municip municipality and utility. So I want to echo my thanks so much to everybody here. Thank you to PD
and DPW to working with me. We were able to really really make a difference out here. Um, and I I hope that shows. Another point I would love to talk to you folks today about is another collaboration with JCPNL and Oldbridge here at the municipal plaza at the civic
center on March 26th from 9:30 to 2:30. We are going to have an outreach event for the utility assistance programs that are offered by JCPNL. We will have staff here on site that will assist your residents in signing up
to the USF, which is the universal service fund. We'll assist with them with signing on, ensuring that they're able to sign on appropriately and make sure that a they can get the services that are needed to help with the with the billing issues that are
going around statewide. So, I want to echo my thanks there as well with for that collaboration. Thank you to Matt Marcario and Kristen Ambaiday from the Silver Linings uh facility. They will be assisting us through this event. I'm going to leave some flyers in the back
in a table so that folks can have those. I will also send to your administration a digital copy. I would love if you would put it up on your web page so that we can get and spread the word out to those folks in need. Thank you very much for this opportunity to speak.
I want to thank Jose for coming tonight. I know this was a really bad storm, but having him there, it was amazing. He kept in contact with us constantly, told us how many homes were out, when an expected return was, and it made it such a nice experience. And even beside the
storm, he's been amazing. As you know, previously we had a lot of trouble with JCPNL with our light street lights being out. Since Jose has come on board, it's been like night and day for us. He's made a wonderful difference and now he's promoting this program. I think he told me like $10 million had to be put back
because people didn't claim it and we don't want that to happen. There are a lot of people out there in need and we want every person that's this is available for them to take advantage of it. So that's why we're going to publicize this, put it out as much as we can, but I wanted to personally thank Jose so much for what he did during this
storm. Um it was a terrible storm, but he made it not as bad. I know unfortunately lights do go out but they tried to get them back on and they were well prepared and I just want to thank him >> and any of any of the council if you could tell your residents about this program. You know we want people to take
advantage of this. >> Yeah. No, thank you so much for coming. We really do appreciate the communication that you've opened up for all of us and I will be sending it out through my HOA connection which reaches several of the you know the homeowners
associations. I mean quite a few maybe 30 and this way we will bring it out there that this is available and and when it's going to be held and this way hopefully we'll get you know a lot of people as many as possible to come. >> Yes. And I will echo based off the
response that we have at our first event we will sign on to do more events in the very recent future. >> There's a need right now more than ever. >> If there's a need we want to make sure it's answered more than ever. We're on board with you. It's appreciated. So we will partner. >> Yep. Okay. Thank you very much. Anybody
have any questions for Mr. Ortiz? >> Well, thank you again for coming. It's a pleasure. Thank you so much. We appreciate. Have a great night. Thank you, sir. All right. Budget items. Resolution approving calendar year 2026
budget introduction in the total appropriation amount of 79,46,817. Good evening. so much. Good evening, council. Tonight we have the introduction of the budget. I just want to thank uh Dawn and Vicki for all
their hard work as well as uh Anna. She put a lot of hours in. This begins this takes a whole year. Like after we pass the budget in April, hopefully we're going to begin next year's budget. That's it takes a whole year and they put a lot of work in it and I want to
thank them for all their hard work. >> Thank you, mayor. Good evening, council. We are here tonight to present the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. This budget was developed under particularly challenging conditions including unprepedented
increases in health um insurance cost, rising utility and fuel expenses, higher pension and liability insurance contribution, recycling dispo disposal cost, and contractual obligations. In addition, the township continues to face increased costs related to materials,
professional services, technology, and regulatory compliance. Together, these pressures significantly impacted our operating environment and required careful deliberate planning to ensure we've remained fiscally responsible while while continuing to deliver
reliable services to our residents. In response, the administration conducted a thorough line by line review of the budget. Working closely with our department directors and our finance team, we identified efficiencies and made strategic reductions where possible, always with the goal of preserving the level of service our
residents expect and deserve. Through collaboration and thoughtful decision-making, we were able to close budget gaps without compromising performance or essential services. This budget reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and trans transparency and stewardship of taxpayer resources
while continuing to meet the needs of our community. We look forward to working with the council throughout the review process and we hope that you will work with us. Thank you. >> All right. Good evening. Uh tonight we are asking council to introduce the
budget. Um as the mayor and Anna had indicated, our budget process for departments began in August. For finance it's usually a year- round event. Um, we held department meetings in October of 2025 and then a second round in January
of 2026. I want to especially thank uh Vicky Carrie. I finally got her up to the table here. >> Oh, that's great. I just noticed she >> um maybe I'll have her doing the presentation next year. Um, but it's
important that we take care of our financial planning early so departments can operate and be able to make decisions in a timely fashion. So for the 2026 municipal budget, the total general appropriations excluding
the municipal library is 75,32,942 compared to $69,971,697 in the 2025 budget as modified. The proposed tax rate for municipal purposes for 2026 is estimated to be 1.055,
which reflects a 2.43% increase over 2025. For the average home in Oldbridge assessed at $158,52, there is a proposed municipal tax increase annually of $39.
It's important to note that employee related costs in the budget, salaries, benefits, social security, pension, comprise over 61% of the budget. The 2025 budget includes funding for one
new full-time position, a police officer, a patrol officer in the police department. As Anna indicated, we've seen significant increases, not just this year, but in recent years, in both
health and liability insurance, uh, pension costs. Uh, we're still the recycling contract, which began in April of 2025. We'll be seeing the full effects of the increase this year. Um and also utility costs are rising,
you know, electric, gas, and also now, um the unknown with fuel costs. I know yesterday or over the weekend, you know, gas was like 275. This morning I saw Wawa at 3:15. So that's always a big
unknown in the budget. Um, the township administration has scheduled budget subcommittee workshops for March 11th, March 18th, and March 24th. They'll be held at 6 PM in room 2011 on the second floor of this building.
At these meetings, the budgets discussed in greater detail. We go line by line through the budget. Uh, the meeting dates and times will be posted on the township website and they are open to the public. Formal presentation and public hearing
will occur at the April 7th council meeting and the budget documents uh towards the end of the week or early next week will be available for review uh both online through our website also in the library finance and clerk's office.
Um just quickly um especially for new council people um the appropriation cap and the tax levy cap um that we have to adhere to. The tax levy cap uh requires each municipality to limit the local government units amount to be raised by
taxation to no more than 2% over the prior year's levy with specific exceptions for health benefits, pensions, LOAP, capital improvements, and debt service. For 2026, we are under the tax levy cap by1,181,314.
The second cap is the appropriation cap. On tonight's agenda is the cap index ordinance, which really um it uh its purpose is for two things. The first is it allows the township to increase their final appropriations subject to the cap
to the statutoily permitted 3.5%. For 2026, the automatic increase to the cap bank that the division allowed was 2%. Uh the second part of the ordinance, it allows the township to bank the difference between the final budget
appropriations subject to cap and the cost of living adjustment when the difference is not appropriated in the final budget. So for 2026, we are under the appropriation cap by only $32,315.75. As you can imagine, trying to keep to a
2% or a three and a half percent cap when every cost of everything is going up is very difficult. And the appropriation cap is definitely a statewide issue now is becoming. And then finally on tonight's agenda is
also a bond ordinance for general improvements. Uh details of the projects were provided to you tonight. A presentation on capital will also be at the April 7th meeting with public hearing and adoption of the ordinance. And this allows us to go out to bid
earlier than other municipalities and hopefully secure better pricing. So tonight we're asking council to introduce the budget so we can keep this process moving. And remember, it's just an introduction, not an adoption. You know, we understand you just got this
tonight. you'll have time to mill it through and subcommittee meetings and then the presentation on April 7th. >> What are the dates of subcommittee? >> Um March 11th, the 18th and the 24th.
I believe calendar invites were sent out or have any questions for Dawn. >> Thank you very much. >> We appreciate all the time that it takes to to come up with, you know, and formulate budget. It's a lot of work and
it takes time and we appreciate all the hard work that goes into it. It's not something taken lightly. It has a lot of, you know, impact on people and I really think it shows a lot of concern for the residents when you do it the way you guys have been, you know, doing this
budget. So, thank you very much for all the care that you've given, you know, to the residents. Thank you. Can we have a motion to approve the resolution? The budget introduction res resolution. >> Moved by Councilman Dealma. Second by
Councilman Bonstettton. >> Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pascitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohart.
>> Yes. Any guesses? Next is resolution approving the governing body certification of compliance with >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Oh, I'm Oh, yeah. Resolution authorizing calendar year 2026 budget. I should know
by now. To be read by title only at public hearing. >> Moved by council vice president Dr. Greenberg Bell. Second by Councilman Asatuli. Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dempala. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Merwin. >> Councilman Pasciddi? >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei? >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton? >> Yes. >> Council vice president Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Yes. Resolution approving the governing body certification of compliance with
the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's enforcement guidance on the consideration of arrest and conviction records in employment decisions under title 7 of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964. >> Move it. >> Moved by Councilman Pasitti. Second, please. Second. >> Second by Councilman Von Stettton. >> Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosie. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Staten. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. S's >> ordinance establishing the municipal
budget appropriation limits and cap bank NJSA 40A colon 4-45.14 for the calendar year 2026 >> move it >> second >> moved by Councilman Pasitti second by
council vice president Dr. Greenberg fellow. Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman De Palama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwood. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pascetti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosi. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes.
>> Council President Sohart. >> Yes. >> Public hearing set for March 17, 2026. bond ordinance approving an appropriation of $4,500,000 for various improvements in and by the
township of Oldbridge in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey, and authorizing the issuance of 4,274,700 bonds on notes of the township for financing part of the appropriation. >> Move it. Moved by Councilman Pascitti.
Second by Councilman Asatuli. >> Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pascitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosie. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohart.
>> Yes. >> Public hearing set for April 7th, 2026. >> Thank you very much, ladies. Very appreciated. Approval of minutes resolution approving the regular combined council meeting
minutes of December 16th, 2025. Mr. >> President, just before you go, yes, >> I should have mentioned last meeting for those members of the council who are not seated, you can vote as long as you've read the minutes. >> Right. >> Make sure that you read the minutes. >> Thank you. Yes. Yes. >> Move it.
>> Right. We'll let you know when what happened. >> Went through it. Moved by Councilman Pasitti. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Dealama. >> Roll call. Councilman Acatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman De Palama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Abstain.
>> Councilman Pasitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosi. >> Abstain. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Abstain. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. Five yeses.
>> Next will be our bill list. Councilman Deal. >> Yes. Bill list as of March 3rd, 2026. Accounts payable March 3rd, 2026. 900,2646. Payroll February 27th, 2026.
1,284,31810. and payroll overtime February 27th 2026 39,347.77. >> Thank you. Can Anna, can you give us a breakdown of the overtime, please? >> Yes. Uh for the February 27th payroll, there was no major upticks. The sworn
police overtime for that payroll was $22,943.86. The duck grants $7,824. deduct ETO $2,449.60 for a total of 12 thou $12,67022 and we currently have one officer on
light duty and one injured on duty. >> Thank you, Anna. Do I have a motion? >> Move it. >> Moved by Councilman Pasitti, second by Councilman Bonstead. Roll call. Councilman Acatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin, yes.
>> Councilman Pascitti, >> yes. >> Councilman Rosie, >> yes. Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Okay. Next will be consent agenda. I'd like a motion and a second and then I'll >> second.
>> Moved by uh Councilman >> Zoie. >> Second by Councilman Pasitti. Roll call. Councilman. I'm sorry. >> Separations. >> Separations. Councilman Asatuli. >> No, thank you. >> Councilman Daro.
>> I'm sorry. Carol. >> Woohoo. Councilman Dealama. >> C2. >> C2. >> Council. Councilman Merwin. >> Uh, C1. >> C1. Councilman Pasitti.
>> C4. >> C4. Councilman Rosolei. >> None. Thank you. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> None. Thank you. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> No. Thank you. >> And Council President Sohar. >> Nope. Nothing left. Nope.
Okay. Well, really there's not much to say at that point. There's one left. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So, we're gonna we have a motion and a second. We're going to go for C3. >> Move it. >> Moved by Council Vice President Dr.
Greenberg Bell. Second by Councilman Von Stettton. >> Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasci. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Vonettton. Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg
Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. Okay. Next will be C1. Miss Councilman Morwin. >> Well, right. Well, it is. So, so yeah. So, so basically what this is is that um uh there I'll call these are my terms
with respect to seg overall. There was a redevelopment plan. There was a singular redevelopment agreement and there was a singular financial agreement. The entity with which the uh the housing the redevelopment agency had the redevelopment agreement and the township
had the financial agreement um was bear with me. It's in a resolution Yeah, I know. Exactly. No kidding. Right. Actually, it's it was in the Well, it was it was it was a segue because you have to have I don't have
the name in front of me. And then and then in in discussing and negotiating with them what the uh what the uh I'll call it parent corporation so to speak is doing is that you'll see that each of the lot
owners are separate and they're identified uh in the resolution and what I advise and what I wanted to do is that each of the lot owners are converted to a UR which is an urban renewal entity which required under longterm
And so that each of the redevelopment agreement, the redevelopment already voted on it is going to be assigned for that particular lot owner in UR because they're going to own that warehouse. There's there's a couple of them that'll own multiple warehouses. There's nine
separate buildings and and then the financial agreement for each is also being is being assigned to those individual lot owner UR types of transfers are contemplated the redevelopment agreement and the
financial and then it sets up it's actually a lot easier for the municipality and actually the the uh the property owner uh because you have for instance you'll have one warehouse that'll have its own financial own redevelopment arrangement. It's easier
to track. Um the parent company, so to speak, doesn't get doesn't get resolved or doesn't get absolved from its obligation unless and until all the individual lots or projects are are are conveyed out. And ultimately, that's
going to be for all nine. And then and then uh right, I think there's five that we have CO for. >> Right. So five that there's five that cos are issued and for those fives for which the cos are issued the township is going to commence receiving the payments
under the financial agreement that is a rich so we'll begin first quarter 2026 seg urban renewal LLC thank you and it's nice and big so I can read it and highlight
That's the that's the parent company. So that's uh a way for us to and then for the uh redeveloper keep in control of all the different projects. It allows us from a maintenance point of view to to uh keep track of each of the individual
buildings as well. And uh and again you know it's kind of unique u because it's the the projects the overall project is larger but um remove >> yep y and we have been getting the the regular taxes correct
question anybody else >> okay >> moved by councilman >> second by councilman Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Deal. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Pasitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council vice president. Dr. Greenberg. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohart. >> Yes. >> C2. Councilman Deal. >> Yes. Um Anna, I just had a a quick
question specifically on I know we're using grant money as well as capital money. Just I just wanted to separate it just to kind of highlight how the grants that we have and what we're using them for. If you could just kind of highlight those for us. >> Yep. So, just a little bit of a a background on the body cameras. We had a
five-year uh uh um contract with the current company that we were using. Their contract was up uh at the end of is up September 1st of this year. So, since last September, I've been working with the police department to go out and find uh a new system um better
technology. I actually have Lieutenant Masachio here and he can show you the difference just also in the body cameras, the size of them and and things like that. Um, >> would like to come up? >> Anna White. >> Um, so part of um
>> Yeah. So, um, we also, one of the things that I appreciated the police department doing is when we were testing out these different companies, they actually gave it to the patrol officers because they're the one that would be wearing it. So, this is really a a team collaboration and making those decisions
um to make sure that it served the the officers uh in the best way. Um, as Councilman De Palama uh indicated, this um uh resolution is is and this uh the body cameras is going to be partially funded by grant money and capital money.
So, we had received in 2024 a uh technology grant through the federal government um for close to $1.2 million, I want to say. And with that money, we had done several projects throughout the town, throughout the police department, upgrades of our antennas for dispatch um
and all those different things. And part of that money was also for the body cameras. So out of the $497,000, $440,000 are is going to be covered. Uh I'm sorry, 4 Yes, $440,000
is covered by the grant. Um and the difference was money from capital that we had left. So keep in mind this is just for the hardware. Um this is going to be the hardware that Lieutenant Mustachio showed you as well as the ones that go in the vehicles. It's also going to be for the routers and the antennas
that are going to be required for all this. So, this takes care of all the hardware. In May, I'll come back to you guys with another resolution uh for the uh yearly cost of the uh software. Um they have provided us $106,000
uh year annual yearly annual cost and we could renew it for up to five years at no increase per year. Um so, we'll see how the first year goes and after five years, we're still happy. they will give us brand new cameras in 5 years also for us to keep whether we stay with them or not. Um so that was part of the contract
we negotiated and this was a big effort by by Chief Montcta um Captain Snee, Captain McCauley, uh Lieutenant Doctors uh first started the process with us at the time and then uh Lieutenant Masachio and Sergeant Krinski also took over recent more recently with this. Um so
this obviously is a big purchase. We wanted to make sure we did the right thing for our police department and um it's important to show how this was funded. So, um I sorry for the long-winded answer. >> Oh, no. That's >> No, thank you. I think 440,000 out of
497. That's great. Thank you. No one has anything. I'll I'll move it. >> Okay. Moved by Councilman Deal. >> Second by Councilman Pasitti. >> Roll call. Councilman Acatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman De Palama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Pasci. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosi. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Next will be C4. Councilman Pasitti.
>> Yes. Um this is for the attorney, I guess. Um the housing authority of Oldbridge uh has approximately $60,000 in their affordable housing fund and they can't expend that money unless it's
in the spending plan. Now, uh, I talked to Kenny about it, uh, last week and, um, he said he was going to talk to you about it. Is that included in here? >> So, this has nothing to do with the spending plan. Um, it has to do with the
fact that we have a um, deadlines dealing with the affordable housing program that have to be met uh, and the housing element fair share plan that we've been dealing with with objectors. So what this one of the requirements
under the program that was implemented under the new law was that certain deadlines had to be met primarily that towns had to have a housing element fair share plan adopted by March 156 is a Sunday
town as we've discussed before had various challenggers town settled with a couple of those challengers. Uh and so the program member which is retired judge made certain recommendations to the portable housing judge
um approving the settlements and also approving um giving the town um temporary I'll call temporary compliance and continued immunity based upon the town continuing to negotiate certain challenges and also to take certain
actions I'm sorry take certain actions primarily they have to adopt the housing element and fair share plan by March 15th and the planning board's going to do that. Then after that, um there's a there there was a the program member and
the judge uh afforded the town additional time to adopt any type of enforcing resolutions and ordinances that are going to come after that because we wouldn't be able to get them done by March 15th, March 16th in light of the challenges and the complexity of
our housing with this resol. And so one of the requirements that the program said was that the town can either adopt the housing element and it's the enforcing resolutions and ordinance or to the extent that there aren't able
there's not enough time for them to comply with that deadline have the council adopt a resolution committing to adopting all the enabling resolutions. >> That's what this does. >> Right. Thank you very much for that explanation and I'll move it. There's no other questions.
Move by Councilman Pasitti. Second by Councilman Deama. Roll call. Councilman Acatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dealama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pascitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell.
>> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. >> Eight yeses. >> Report of the township clerk. >> I have no report. Council President. >> Report of the township attorney. I can tell you what I did last week after I left the meeting, but I'll I won't bore
you with the details. No report, madam. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. Administrative report. >> Yes. Uh thank you. I just have uh one item. Um, >> the township of Old Bridge will hold a
public hearing to discuss and cons considers the township, I'm sorry, consider the township's community development block grant fiscal year 2026 annual action plan. The community development grant allocation for fiscal year 2026 is estim estimated to be
similar to the 2025 allocation, which was $360,622. A public hearing will be held on March 26, 2026 at 3 p.m. at the Obridge Township Administration building located at one Obridgeidge Plaza, Obridge, New Jersey 08857 in the second floor,
conference room 217. This public hearing is being scheduled in the initial stages of the development of the annual plan. The information received from interested persons at the hearing will assist the township administration and township council in the preparation of the the 2026 annual plan for the period of from
July July 1st 2026 through June 30th 2027. The hearing is designed to obtain residents views and to respond to proposals and questions. The hearing will address housing, community and economic development needs, development of proposed activities and review of pro
program performance. And this concludes my report. >> Thank you. Does anyone have any questions for Anna? >> Okay, I'll take a motion to >> Second >> report. >> Moved by Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Belli. Second by Councilman Dealama.
>> Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes. >> Councilman De Palama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mwin. >> Councilman Pasitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosie. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. >> Council President Sohar. >> Yes. Eight yeses.
>> Next will be public comment on any subject matter for a maximum period of three minutes. >> A motion to enter uh open >> it. Moved by Councilman Deal, second by Councilman Pasitti. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Hearing none. 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 104-12A and the Oldbridge rules of council, the
council asked the public to limit their comments to three minutes or less. Only one member of the public shall approach to speak to council at a time. The council respect the public's time by refraining from any comment until the speaker is finished with their allotted time. Should be further noted that the public comment portion of our meeting is
not structured as a question and answer session. If a member of the public has questions, they seek answers to an appointment can be made with the corresponding department's office during regular business hours. Township clerk will regulate the time during the comment portion of our meeting. As you approach the microphone, please state
your name. No addresses. >> Good evening. My name is Ruth. I've lived in Oldbridge nearly 37 years and I spoke to Mr. Ortiz when he walked out. But last Monday I live off in Oakwood Development and our power went out around 2:00 in the afternoon. I had a
five six-month-old baby with me, my grandson, and a four-year-old. And it was getting cold and we looked online, it said 1 hour. My husband laughed and one hour later our power went back on. So it was the first time and all usually JC JCPNL says an hour and it's four
hours. So I thought you'd like to know that. I do have a question. I know you said not to ask questions. Is our fiscal year the same as a calendar year for budget? >> No answer. Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. >> It is the calendar year. Thank you.
>> Good evening. >> Good evening, council members. My name is Hardy Potridge. I want to address the statements made regarding the lot 9 warehouse application and the time of application rule last meeting. Uh we've been told that the lot 9 and the surrounding areas have remained
industrial since 2006 and that the redevelopment designation at the time was reviewed and deemed appropriate. But if that designation was effectively locked in, then how was the large scale residential construction later approved
and in the same corridor? Um many of our properties were reszoned from SD3 industrial to R5 residential in 2024. That proves re uh zoning in the area has changed. So when we are told that it has remained industrial, this is at best an
incomplete explanation. Let's talk about um the uh completeness. uh under NJSA455D10.3 an application is deemed complete only after required submission of agency
reviews are provided yet we have seen substantial revisions on recent as recently as December 12th 2025 new traffic studies revised site plans and now a lot line adjustment if a plan
contain continues to change report continues to revise and site configur urations continue to shift then claiming that this is a fixed protected application under an earlier time of application termination strains
credibility. Um we contacted NJ directly and were told that um there are no pending applications associated with this site. If outside agency review is required then that uh discrepancy deserves a
public explanation. um repeated opera requests have been either delayed or denied. Uh that that does not build trust. Um when explanation uh conflicts with uh
observed facts, the public begins to question whether the rules are being applied consistently or uh selectively. This community is not uninformed. We are reading the state statutes. We are uh contacting state agencies and we are doc
uh documenting timelines. If council believes it cannot discuss this application then it must immediately review the broader redevelopment framework um governing this corridor since so that 2025 realities not 2006
assumptions drive policy. Um because we the uh when when the public sees shifting explanations and denied transparency, confidence erodess and once confidence erodess, rebuilding is much harder. Thank you.
>> Council President, I just wanted to comment. Um this gentleman did submit for the record, this gentleman did submit an open request and we are working diligently to get together the information he requested. We did clarification based on um whose emails
he was requesting copies of and we're still waiting for a final clarification from >> Okay. But you are pursuing it and >> it's been forwarded to the departments to gather the information. >> Okay. >> No, just want to make sure. That's good. Thank you very much. Is there anyone
else in the audience who wishes to be heard this evening? >> Good evening. >> Good evening, Madame Council President Kylie Denine. Um, I want to thank you uh from last meeting. Um, the clerk did reach out to me um about the sidewalk issue and I appreciate that and being uh
put into touch with the township engineer. So, I appreciate that. Um, I did want to come here to speak tonight about the uh I'm sure you saw the the police uh video camera with the the zoning board member, Patricia Tester Verde. Um, I
I I think there gets to a point with any single person um that you have on a board where they become a problem child at times. And the way to deal with that, I don't think, is to continue to empower that person to
make you look bad and to make the town look bad. And there's a way to handle things and there's a way to not handle things. And I do not like the way that she was speaking to that officer. Um, I did not like the assumptions that she was making about people's immigration
status. Um, and I just as I didn't like when she was ripping out pride flags on this municipal property. And uh, you know, I I know that there is also a police report. I believe at least I believe that that there was a police report filed that she spit on a resident
also inside of this um municipal complex and it it's it's just trashy and trashy does not make our town look good and I hope you seriously consider um this we we're
a town of almost 70,000 people there is no shortage of people that you could put in place that will behave in a way that won't bring more controversy uh to this town. I just don't think it's necessary. Um besides that, um with everything
that's going on in the news, um I was I I just wanted to to know um and this is not just in this town, but but all towns. Um what what is the training that our police officers receive in terms of um counterterrorism? because I, you
know, we unfortunately in New Jersey are a hotbed for um you know, we we saw several years ago the incident with the uh the trash cans. Um I I I'm I'm very concerned about any backlash. I mean, we're we're a hot bed, not just in terms
of that kind of targeting, but um you know, any we're as as the most highly densely populated state in a major metropolitan area, whole lot of things. But, um, you know, I just want to make sure that our police officers are going to be adequately prepared or if if they are already, um, to be able to, um,
address anything that may come up in our local community about that. Um, so, and I I assume that's that's probably through some state partnership or county partnership or along those lines. Um, but yes, thank you so much Good. Good evening. Nina Jacnitz. Thank
you for giving me the opportunity to speak. Um, taking on what Kyra just spoke about. Five years ago, I came to the council chambers and I was actually speaking after the meeting to one of the council persons over here. It's actually four. Yeah, four years ago. Sorry. because they were on the council four
years ago and um and a person came up from behind and grabbed me by the shoulders. I told them to stop. Mr. Rossi saw it. Um not this Roli. Roli Rulli. Yeah. M Yeah, you get it. And um
and I didn't even know the person's name. As a matter of fact, I had to get the name from the clerk. Right. But as I was walking out um after she grabbed me and I told her not to touch me ever again and I could go through that exact conversation, but it's not necessary.
She spit on my son three times. So my son is 16 years old at the time and I'm sure everybody on the this day would be completely mortified, although it's been told to you already once before. I went to the police, made a report. Two years later, Pride celebration. She came to
disturb it, to disrupt it, broke our flags, grabbed our flags, threw them in into garbage can, and screamed really derogatory things at the individuals who were at the the celebration and then came in here and had a speech made, which by the way, you had to beep at the
very end because she cursed. Um, yeah, you're smiling because you remember, too. Um, there was a police report made then. There was another police report made by another gentleman who was also spit on in these council chambers. He was sitting in the back row over here
because she spit on him as well. That is would have been picked up by your new cameras because you didn't have cameras back then. Now, I asked you guys four years ago when she assaulted me and then spit on my son to take a hard look at this and question whether or not that
person really needs to be on a a very important committee in this town. You guys said you'd already made a decision at the time. I know you remember. This is a problem. We have a police opra event where she obviously lost her cool
once again, threatening to call ICE, not once but twice on the staffers for the tree company who is a registered licensed tree company in this town. Um there was at least one council person on the phone at the time. It's all in the video. And um and the person's name
could be could be spoken. I could say it, but it's not important. What's most important is that we have really good people in the town. 70,000 people in the town. I'm sure that there's at least a good handful. I don't care what party they're in that could be on the zoning
board and quite honestly understand the laws and the regulations. The same with of course planning every board. Which brings us to another question. Why don't you guys have a checkbox as to what their qualifications are? Is a police officer, no disrespect by the way, to
retired officers. Um, I want to make sure of that. Um, what why is it is a sergeant the the choice for zoning? >> That's your time, Miss Chuck. No, >> thank you. >> Is there anyone else in the public who
wishes to be heard this evening? Seeing no hands, I'll ask for a motion to close public. >> Second, all in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Hearing none, we're now closed to public comment portion.
>> Now we'll go to council comments. Councilman Asatuli, >> I just have one thing. um to our six fallen heroes. May they rest in peace and may God continue to watch over your families
and our troops here and abroad. Thank you, >> Councilman Deal. >> Thank you, Kate. Just wanted to give a congratulations to a few of our high school um family members in town for their awards at the
Bill Denny Ruters letter football um chapter. Uh first coach Matt Danu of the Old High School football team for coach of the year for Middle Sex County. Um athletic director Dan Demino. athletic director Dan Tamino for
educator of the year and importantly our bridge um quarterback Brody Nudrit who got the scholar athlete for also to note for Brody he will be staying home apparently he will be playing football at Mammoth University
so as a former adjunct of of Mammoth. Welcome. And I know that our football team at at Mammoth is getting a not only a great football player, but also a great individual as well. So, congratulations to all of you. Uh, also,
I want to thank all the residents. This past weekend, we had an a closure of Route 516. For those who drove by it all last week, we had a ton of water at the bottom of it. We had a two collapsed pipes that had to be replaced.
um not ideal. Um so thank you everybody for bearing with the detours as well as the the fewday outage. I will say they got it done fairly quickly. So thanks to Middle Sex County, the engineers as well as thank OEM and Anna for the
coordination of it. I know there's a lot that goes into that. Thankfully it was only one day disruption for going to school. I know my oldest daughter was excited. She was late for home room. She wasn't as late as she could be for math, but um thankfully it was only one day.
That roadway is so heavily used, especially coming through um in the morning for high school, all those folks going up. I know that's almost up to sometimes. So, just thank you to all the residents for your patience in that and thankfully it got it got resolved
quickly. Uh and then finally just um just God bless our troops overseas as well as to all those that are overseas in in path of that conflict. No one wants to see any death or anything like that, but you know hopefully everyone going forward is safe. Thank you.
>> Councilman Mwin. >> Yes. I had the privilege today to read to uh kindergarten first grade special ed class at Memorial School.
It was it was an a pleasure. Their attention span was about 3.2 seconds. They they were great little kids and they all gave me a little hug afterwards. So, it was well worth my time there. Um Mark the attorney
We'll get that. Maybe that's what we'll say. Mark the attorney or Mark the council. Um last last week I had asked a question about the veteran preference housing and stuff. Um can you tell us or and I don't mean
right now. Can can you tell us where we're advertising and everything because evidently there's some disconnect. You know, we're not getting the veteran statement. I >> I'll check with um Rich Treslo. He was he was actually here and and their folks because I know like
I said we had had a long conversation with them ensuring that they get as much information out there but I I'll I'll check with them to see where they where they put out >> but just myself and and councilman as no problem >> and um case
>> yeah I think it's under right each front eight the lights are the um when you go into the parking lot down at the beachfront in Lawrence behind Hoffman's there when you get right to the very end along the
boardwalk area there's craters that use it every day thank you that's it >> Councilman Pasitti >> I just want to thank the um finance department for another year, another
budget. Appreciate it. Good job. >> Councilman Rzolei. >> Yes. Thank you. Um Mark, I saw that video. That video is disgusting. Uh no, no, no police officer should have to be talked to like that. I
don't want to repeat the things that were said. Uh once again, we have a board member who's blatant misconduct. she should be removed from the board immediately. That should be unacceptable. You want to have freedom of speech, that's fine, but don't be on the zoning
board. I mean, the things that were said to those police officers, and I just want to, you know, my my uh compliments to them for being so professional, their professionalism was extraordinary. But I don't think any cop should have to endure that. Like I said, I'm not going
to repeat what was said. Whoever you free to watch the video, but I think she should be removed from the zoning board immediately. Let's have some damn respect for our cops. Quite honestly, watching that video really pissed me off. For someone who say claims they were a former cop, you told about breaking the
code. If you really want a street, you want to talk to another street cop like that. So, extend courtesy, extend professionalism, but I think she should be told to resign from the board immediately. And uh God bless our troops. That flag represents everyone. Sacrifices made by
the brave. Thank you, >> Councilman. Councilman von Stanton. >> Uh, I'm going to be pretty short today. Um, again, prayers for our troops overseas. You know, no one wants to see
anybody, you know, perish like that and just pray for their families. And, uh, thank you all to, uh, that you spoke today. Appreciate it. That's it. Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg Bell. >> Yes. I always say there's three sides to
every story. With that main issue is that I pray for world peace and may our service members be protected. >> Council President Sohart. >> Yes. I think this evening our thoughts are with everyone that is affected by
this conflict and we all pray in our how whatever way we pray that this is going to be something that is going to come to resolution and the sooner the better. Um my husband was a veteran so I understand the you know feelings that these
families have. So God be with everyone and everyone have a good evening. Motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg. Belly. Second. Councilman Von Stanton. >> Roll call. Councilman Asatuli. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Deama. >> Yes. >> Councilman Merwin. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pasitti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rosolei. >> Yes. >> Councilman Von Stettton. >> Yes. >> Council Vice President Dr. Greenberg. Bellai. >> Council Vice President. Yes. >> Council President Sohar.
>> Yes. >> Eight yeses. adjourned at 8:29 p.m.