WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=TZHqH5ilKPE NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: TZHqH5ilKPE): - 00:03:20: Safety Fines, Public Concerns, Domestic Violence, Accountability - 00:26:18: Nuisance Policies, Domestic Violence, Hotel Safety Concerns - 00:28:16: Consent Agenda Resolutions and Municipal Clerk's Week - 00:30:43: Bike Rodeo, Jewish Heritage Month, ICE Ordinance Discussion - 00:35:53: EMS Week, Eid Celebration, and Jazz Concert Announcements - 00:39:30: Justice Grant, Ecological Park Cleanup, Solar Program Update - 00:46:17: Justice Assistance Grant Money and Water Project Update - 00:50:08: Cleanup Day, Fireman's Memorial, and Agenda Session - 00:53:14: Public Comment 1 - Pothole, Blind Spot, Equipment - 00:57:18: Public Comment 2 - Traffic Concerns Macedonia Property - 01:18:23: Public Comment 3 - Rental Property Up To Code? - 01:19:38: Public Comment 4 - Apartment Building Not Appropriate - 01:21:06: Public Comment 5 - Bike Helmets and Road Improvements - 01:22:41: Public Comment 6 - Macedonia Housing Project - 01:25:42: Public Comment 7 - Place Too Small For Units - 01:26:55: Highland Avenue Project, Low Income Housing Discussed - 01:28:20: Hazlewood Road Improvements, High Density Housing Issue - 01:31:11: Ethics Board Complaint, Township Resources for Communication Part: 1 1 00:03:20.640 --> 00:23:07.919 Thank you for your patience. Technical difficulties while going live. Do they need help? Unfortunately, some people that have money will rather just pay a fine than actually implement safety. So this way now, you know, we have we are 2 00:23:07.919 --> 00:23:22.720 incentivizing them to actually implement safety protocols. >> Okay. And if the public because now today once this gets passed, it'll become um available to the public. How do they raise their concerns if they have any? Um, do they call the township 3 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:38.720 office or the council people? Uh, what is the way you recommend they reach out with any of their concerns regarding this? >> Yeah, I mean, as they usually can do and and have always done is the mayor's office is always available for comments. Uh, the council email address is always 4 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:55.760 available. Um, if you that's on the township website. So, either or. Um the mayor's office staff is is amazing at being responsive to residents and and giving them information. So um I'd always say just give call the mayor's office. They're a great resource and they can always reach out to me if there's any clarification needed. 5 00:23:55.760 --> 00:24:12.000 >> Right. Then council president and I'm urging the council to do this because since the last council meeting at couple of hotels, we had uh three more domestic uh violence assaults on women over there. It's got to stop. We got to 6 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:27.279 really do something. It has to stop. It can't go on. And we have to uh keep these motel operators um accountable. We We need a safe community and it's not happening right now. And the longer we delay and delay, the more this goes on. 7 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:41.840 And the police department's camped out over there a lot. And it's not fair to the rest of the taxpayers of this town that this is going on. >> Fair to the business owners. >> Right now, you have several the business owners are leaving. We've already had an 8 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:58.960 instance where um um Sonic Burger was going to come in. Now they're holding back building now where they have approvals. Walmart is holding back. They were looking to make that a supertore there at at the U over there in Centennial Plaza. They're they're holding back now. Uh looks like Dunkin 9 00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:13.840 Donuts is now leaving because of the crime over there. >> Well, they're moving. >> It's got to stop. And I said this at the last meeting to the governing body here. you need to pony up and your fiduciary responsibility on this day is is public 10 00:25:13.840 --> 00:25:28.799 safety in this community and every each and every one of you have got to start taking it seriously. That's not what's happening right now. >> Assault is criminal regardless. Um but I think a lot of problem is the bad publicity that is coming out from within 11 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:44.559 the township uh which businesses are getting afraid of. So we have to be a little mindful of the publicity that we're putting out there. The publicity is out there to let people know the ordinance because you folks up there delayed the ordinance that was originally going to happen. And quite 12 00:25:44.559 --> 00:26:01.760 frankly, had that happened, it's a good those two women were were stabbed. They those individuals that did that would not have been there. I'm sorry. That's a BS argument right there. I mean, I've been talking about this with this governing body for I don't know how long now. 13 00:26:01.760 --> 00:26:18.559 >> So, if you don't like this vote, no. >> Are we safe? discussion. >> Can we have an offer for the fir the uh first >> I have a a comment. Um so one of the concerns that I had about this was nuisance policies and I did get clarification. I want to thank Raj for 14 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:35.440 that. I was concerned because I saw that the first level was one dwelling to four or I don't remember exactly what the number was and I was concerned that domestic violence calls would be caught up in this and that people would stop 15 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:52.640 calling because they would be afraid of fines or you know something that would be caught up in this. So Raj clarified to me that this is numbers that are just the the bar was very very high so that 16 00:26:52.640 --> 00:27:09.200 it would be hotel-based. Um because when I did a little bit of just investigating into nuisance policies, it is a concern and we did have a number of domestic violence advocates come to us at the last ordinance. We had housing, we had people that work with vulnerable 17 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:24.240 populations come and speak to us as experts in their field about the ordinance and the ordinance did pass. But I still think that it's important that we continue to listen to the voices of the vulnerable populations who are 18 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:40.559 also at these hotels. And >> I also want to let the record reflect that Councilman Livitz voted no on that and we had two additional women that were stabbed in her face because of that. That was not due to my vote. It's still illegal to mur to stab people. >> You You both 19 00:27:40.559 --> 00:28:00.399 >> It's still illegal to stab people. That is correct. >> Delay. Delay. And people >> I did not delay. >> I've got a question. What are homeless doing in hotels? Excellent. No screen right there. >> Do I have an offer for the first reading? >> Offer Dennis. 20 00:28:00.399 --> 00:28:16.640 >> Do I have a second? >> Councilman or second. Cedar, can you please call the role? >> Council member Carmichael, >> yes. >> Council member Espinosa, >> yes. >> Council member Liboitz, >> yes. >> Council member Rasheed, 21 00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:34.960 >> yes. >> Council member Erin, >> yes. >> Council President Lombardi, >> yes. And the first reading passes. Number nine are the consent agenda resolutions. Efficiency items have been consolidated 22 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:51.039 into a consent agenda to be voted on together and the materials for these items have been distributed to the council in advance of the meeting. Do I have a motion to accept the consent agenda? >> Councilman earn a motion. 23 00:28:51.039 --> 00:29:06.960 >> Do I have a second? >> Michael second. >> Miss Cedar, can you please call the role? >> Council member Carmichael. >> Yes. Council member Espinosa, >> yes. >> Council member Liowitz, >> yes. 24 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:32.799 >> Council member Rasheed, >> yes. >> Council member Erin, >> yes. >> Council President Lombardi, >> yes. and the that passes. >> And number 10 is a proclamation of 25 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:51.600 something that has passed already and uh it's for municipal clerk's week. I'll take care of that. Whereas the office of the municipal clerk continues to serve as a vital foundation of municipal government and 26 00:29:51.600 --> 00:30:08.799 whereas municipal clerks carry out numerous responsibilities essential to the effective operation of local government including maintaining official records, coordinating public meetings, administering elections and processing licenses and permits. And 27 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:26.240 whereas we recognize the knowledge and professionalism demonstrated by municipal clerks in providing dependable and efficient service to elected officials, staff, and the community. And whereas through their commitment to public service, municipal clerks play an 28 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:43.440 important role in supporting the daily functions and operations of the township. Now there be it resolved that I, Brian C. Waller, mayor of Township of Piscatoaway, county of Middle Sex, state of New Jersey, acknowledged that the week of May 3rd through the 9th was 29 00:30:43.440 --> 00:31:01.880 municipal clerk's week and further acknowledge our municipal clerk Melissa Cedar, Deputy Clerk Jennifer Johnson, and senior office assistant Bontes for the essential services they provide to our township. Thank you very much. 30 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:35.919 We wouldn't be able to do it without you. Now have announcements and comments from officials. >> No, Mr. Espinosa. >> Yes. Thank you, Council President. Uh just to remind every everyone that on 31 00:31:35.919 --> 00:31:52.799 May 30th, we have the um Piscataway bike rodeo uh happening at the Little League uh complex. So again, uh the rodeo is really geared for kids uh to go through obstacle course uh courses, bicycle 32 00:31:52.799 --> 00:32:07.840 safety, helmet wearing, ride adjustments. They also have free giveaways, raffles. It's a great event. We also have sponsors from our police department as well, Safe Streets and and many others that are there to show the residents how to take care of um 33 00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:24.799 bicycles themselves. Um right, adjusting the helmets for safety. A lot of people you don't know that they don't they don't strap on the helmet correctly. They just put it on, strap it on, and sometimes it's too loose and that's and that's also dangerous. So again, I I want to ask everyone to come out if 34 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:42.399 especially now that spring is here and everybody wants to get on their bikes and roll around. It's a great it's a great place to learn and uh um somewhere that everyone can actually have a good time. That's all. Councilwoman Libr. 35 00:32:42.399 --> 00:32:59.600 Good evening everyone. First of all, I want to uh thank this council um for putting forth a proclamation in honor of Jewish Heritage Month. Um in light of the severe increase of anti-semitism across the country and across the world, it's important to acknowledge the 36 00:32:59.600 --> 00:33:16.880 contributions of all people and I appreciate that. Um secondly, I have spoken I think since February about um an ICE ordinance. We need to put regulations and protections in place to prevent our warehouses and potential 37 00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:31.919 township sites from being used by ICE for detention centers or other supportive ICE activities. This has really come up across the state of New Jersey and I think we need to be ahead of that. Um I make a motion that the resolution that I shared with this body 38 00:33:31.919 --> 00:33:48.880 in February be passed. >> I second the motion. council. I just I don't have that in front of me and I don't remember looking at it. So, I always like to recommend to the council not to pass anything that c legal council hasn't reviewed or at 39 00:33:48.880 --> 00:34:04.640 least recently reviewed. Um, so do you have a copy? I don't know. I've I >> I'll be happy to share it with you again. >> I just want to let the record reflect. They're worried about that, but they're not worried about the crime that's affecting >> I just passed your ordinance, mayor. I just passed it. Okay. I I 40 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:20.560 >> we are there's a lot of issues that address one time. We're not a one issue town. >> Okay. >> A lot of issues. We're a big town. We're right off 287. It happened up in Sussex County in Andover. We need to be ahead of these things. 41 00:34:20.560 --> 00:34:36.639 >> You know what's happening right now? You had over 140 women that were assaulted over the last two years. Miss Leewoods. >> Okay. What does that have to do with me? >> Stop using people as pawns. Stop using people as pawns. That's just horrible. >> Please, >> please. 42 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:54.480 >> Okay. Mayor, >> mayor. >> Okay. >> Do we need to take a vote on that or do we need to just Okay. >> I think you'll be hardressed to find evidence that I do not support the protection of women. 43 00:34:54.480 --> 00:35:15.320 >> We will we will take a vote to uh table this till the next meeting. Okay. Can I have a motion, please? >> Table. >> Motion. Carmichael. >> Can I have a second, please? 44 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:36.640 Table this till the next meeting. Can I have a second? >> Motion to table. >> Peter, can you please call the role? >> Council member Carmichael. Yes. >> Council member Espinosa. 45 00:35:36.640 --> 00:35:53.119 >> Yes. >> Council member Liboitz. >> Yes. >> Council member Rasheed. >> No. >> Council member Erin. >> Yes. >> Council President Lombardi. 46 00:35:53.119 --> 00:36:11.920 >> Yes. And that will be tabled till next meeting. Councilwoman Rashid. >> Um, I just wanted to say I have my own things that I wanted to speak about, but we came to the council January last 47 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:29.599 year. This public safety issue, all the people that the businesses that came, this problem's been going on for a very, very long time. I don't appreciate that we get singled out because we voted no. Make voting no did not change anything. Our job was to raise concerns and we 48 00:36:29.599 --> 00:36:46.880 raised those concerns that people and experts had and if you didn't want to listen to it that is fine. You passed the resolution and public safety still has not changed so stop blaming us for that. Um, I wanted to talk about EMS 49 00:36:46.880 --> 00:37:02.079 week next week, which, you know, we honor them and their theme this year is improving outcomes together, which I hope we'll all do together. Um, I look forward to a proclamation for that, and I want to thank you in advance if you do 50 00:37:02.079 --> 00:37:20.079 do a proclamation for that. Um, on May 27th, we will be celebrating Eid, the Muslim neighbors. Um, if you're curious about what is Eid, the MCMC is hosting a program for the community on May 18th. Uh, check out their flyer on the 51 00:37:20.079 --> 00:37:35.599 township website and you'll be able to register and go learn more about Eid. Lastly, my son's in the high school. Um, they have this amazing Jazz Under the Star concert next week on May 21st. It's open to the public. Um, you can buy 52 00:37:35.599 --> 00:37:51.280 tickets at the door. Please come and check out. It's a beautiful event. We sit outside, enjoy beautiful music played by amazing kids and uh musicians. So, thank you. >> Councilman Ern, 53 00:37:51.280 --> 00:38:08.560 >> no comment at this time. >> Mayor can't let it go what Councilwoman Masheed said. First of all, at that meeting, they brought their supporters out at the mic and they were saying this was fake news or AI generated. Yes, they 54 00:38:08.560 --> 00:38:23.680 were most certainly. Do we have to go to the videotape? And you sat there, took pictures up there afterwards and were gleefully laughing about it. And it's all factual. And yes, the crime was 55 00:38:23.680 --> 00:38:41.520 going on for a year prior to that. We've been working with with the motel operators to get their act together and then they were not working with us and then we have to do things. That's what happens at this governing body sometimes. And till this day online, your 56 00:38:41.520 --> 00:38:57.280 supporters, the two of you supporters out there are out saying that this is all fake news or AI generated a crime. It's not. AI doesn't create stabbings. AI doesn't create rapes, prostitution, drug dealing. 57 00:38:57.280 --> 00:39:14.400 You think it's a game. One of your major supporters up there just got up there and said this was something out of a Batman movie that we were making this up. Even though the business owners and people and the employees were directly affected by that, came here and told you their stories and saw the video and you 58 00:39:14.400 --> 00:39:30.240 still don't believe it. I'm just stunned at that. and I will keep talking about this issue till we get that straightened out. >> Business administrator. >> Thank you, Council President. Um, I'm 59 00:39:30.240 --> 00:39:45.839 just going to announce my name based on the compliance with the new ADA regulations. This is Paula Kazerelli. First, I just would like to point out um letter L in the agenda, the Edward Burn 60 00:39:45.839 --> 00:40:02.079 Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. That grant is in honor of an officer who was murdered protecting a witness in a drug case. So, I just would like to point that out as it's appropriate that we're recognizing police week and an officer 61 00:40:02.079 --> 00:40:17.920 lost his life protecting a witness. So, I just wanted to bring some meaning to what that letter L meant. Um, I also would like to provide an update regarding the ecological park. Uh, as you might have seen, there's probably 62 00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:35.040 about a hundred uh truckloads of contaminated soil being moved out of that area. We are wrapping that up. Next month, you will see a change order. Uh, some of those soils had to be moved to a different location. So in order to move 63 00:40:35.040 --> 00:40:50.720 soils contaminated with different uh contaminants, you cannot necessarily just bring them to a landfill uh any landfill. You have to get permission to do that. And uh what has happened is during this remediation, we've had to 64 00:40:50.720 --> 00:41:07.599 move truckloads of soil to a totally different landfill very far away that requires a lengthy permitting process in order for that to take place. And not only that, it has increased the cost of the remediation, which I'm asking you to please recognize a change order. Uh 65 00:41:07.599 --> 00:41:23.599 there is no choice. We need to remove these contaminants. People think it's farmland, but farmlands used chemicals. They had repairs there. Uh all sorts of activities occurred. >> They were allowing dumping there >> and and yes, and dumping. Uh so we are 66 00:41:23.599 --> 00:41:40.640 in the process of cleaning up this uh se approximate 75 acre contaminated site. Now the whole thing is not contaminated. It's about 10%. However, that 10% requires uh time and attention permitting and whatnot. However, I'm happy to say we're moving forward and 67 00:41:40.640 --> 00:41:57.119 with that change order, we will continue moving forward and we're going to move into phase two. Phase two will include capping or putting uh asphalt or parking lots. That's part of the remediation where you're allowed to cap some of the areas that the DE D regulations allow us 68 00:41:57.119 --> 00:42:13.920 to do. We're also going to move into the permitting process for retention basins. There's a tremendous need for uh management drainage management. These retention basins uh both of them will be somewhere on the order of $8 to $9 million to install. The permitting 69 00:42:13.920 --> 00:42:29.839 process is anywhere from 6 months to a year. So, and not that I want to bring up challenges, but I just want to explain that this process isn't something that uh you know, when one wants to go build a house, you know, you have plans, it's built, there are 70 00:42:29.839 --> 00:42:46.319 tremendous amount of rules and regulations, and unfortunately, these rules and regulations change while we're in the middle of the process. So, sometimes that will halt our progress. But regardless, this township is continuing to move forward. Um, and I would be remiss to say that before we 71 00:42:46.319 --> 00:43:02.640 started remediation, our DPW folks in 2021 spent a considerable amount of time removing cement, debris, and everything. That saved a tremendous amount of money. They did an excellent job. Um, so that's where we're at right now. I anticipate 72 00:43:02.640 --> 00:43:17.760 uh that we're going to, we just met with the engineers that we're going to be moving into phase two soon. um they're looking into permitting and hopefully maybe we might be able to circumvent some of those rules and regulations so we can continue moving 73 00:43:17.760 --> 00:43:35.040 into phase two. So that is moving along. Um I'm happy to say that I would like to pro provide an update with respect to our solar program. um when when municipal governments and uh other agencies were allowed to receive tax 74 00:43:35.040 --> 00:43:51.599 federal tax incentives, this township is going to be submitting its tax return for just over $5.2 million uh in receipt for our solar project from the federal government. Um we hired you you all authorized a specialized 75 00:43:51.599 --> 00:44:07.920 accounting firm to process this tax return. So, we very strongly expect to be receiving $5.2 million probably somewhere between July and September. Um, I also would like to um 76 00:44:07.920 --> 00:44:22.640 what was the other thing I wanted to talk about? Oh, of course. So, it also was public service week the beginning of May. So, I would like to say thank you to all of my colleagues who work very hard and do a lot with their heart and 77 00:44:22.640 --> 00:44:39.280 sometimes a lot we don't get to see, but I know what they put into it. I I try to make every effort to recognize the efforts and appreciate what our employees do every day. Um, my phone is around the clock, you know, and and so is theirs. And we're here for our 78 00:44:39.280 --> 00:44:56.480 residents. So, I just would like to say thank you with a little special shout out to Maria um Cameer. If you notice in our courtyard there's beautiful flowers and at the side entrance. Maria on her day off went to Home Depot, bought all those flowers and soil and took time to 79 00:44:56.480 --> 00:45:13.200 plant all that. I just want to thank her for that. And um yes, and um the other thing is is I hope everyone joins the Memorial Day parade. Unfortunately, I love marching in the parade. I can't I will be out of town, but I will wish everyone well and I will 80 00:45:13.200 --> 00:45:29.119 be thinking about those who have served our country. Thank you. >> Uh, Council President, I just want to highlight what Mrs. Coselli said about the tax credits. Those came about from the initiative uh Mayor Bolich of Elizabeth and myself approached uh 81 00:45:29.119 --> 00:45:45.599 Senator Brooker and Congressman Plone as well as other mayors from around the country that when they were doing the deficit reduction act that towns and cities should be able to take advantage of these tax credits that um we weren't allowed to in the past. So they were able to put that in the language when it 82 00:45:45.599 --> 00:46:01.920 was signed in at that time by um President Biden. So now we we are $5.2 $2 million ahead of where we were going to be because of those federal tax credits, which means less money that the taxpayers have to pay out here locally. So, 83 00:46:01.920 --> 00:46:17.599 >> thank you. >> Can I ask a question about um the Edward Burn Justice? And thank you for the background on that. Is that um so where I know where is that money going to be used? I know last meeting we talked about maybe getting some frameworks and 84 00:46:17.599 --> 00:46:32.319 networks together to provide support for families. Where is where is that money go that 11,000? >> That specific grant is used by the police department. Um and honestly I I I don't know the 85 00:46:32.319 --> 00:46:47.839 specifics of the parameters of the use. They're going to be sending anou with respect to delineating exactly how that money is to be spent. So what what happens to this? It's a reimburseable grant. So, the township is able to expend the funds and then and then we 86 00:46:47.839 --> 00:47:04.960 ask for it in reimbursement. I don't know off the top of my head though to answer your question. >> There's like four or five different prongs that you can use it for. >> But it it will be spent by the police department. >> Okay, great. Thank you so much. >> Car Michael. 87 00:47:04.960 --> 00:47:21.839 >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh I did have a comment that I wanted to make. I actually wanted to give an update. Uh at our last meeting there was discussion about uh findings of testing from the lower RAD Ridan uh water project and um 88 00:47:21.839 --> 00:47:38.480 that uh I had not done anything about it or I didn't care about it. So I just wanted to clarify that. Um, I did talk to um the group who did the testing and I did ask them to contact the Middle 89 00:47:38.480 --> 00:47:56.160 Sex County Environmental Health Division. Um, that did not happen. So, after the meeting, I called up the Middle Sex County Environmental Health Division, asked if the issue had been brought to them, and they said no. but they would test Riverside Park uh and 90 00:47:56.160 --> 00:48:14.400 they would uh monitor it and then they would get back to us and so that is the process that we are in right now. So I just wanted to clarify that's what I have done. Thank you. Thank you for that update councilwoman. And now I think I am the final comments. 91 00:48:14.400 --> 00:48:29.119 Okay. I would like to personally thank uh Dorene Pasti uh Pastizzy for her coordination in the Piscatoaway cleanup day that we had. Um, it was a very very 92 00:48:29.119 --> 00:48:47.359 well-attended event and I believe that uh many residents got all of our parks clean. And one of the things that um I like to do, why I like to do it is to try to teach the youth and the younger 93 00:48:47.359 --> 00:49:03.680 generation the importance of the environment around them and the importance of keeping it clean. And I have to say one mom came up to me and specifically said that to me. I am here today to teach my children about keeping 94 00:49:03.680 --> 00:49:20.640 their community clean and the environment. So if I made a difference in one family teaching their children this, it was worth it for me. So it was a great day. It was um I want to thank everybody who came and helped me um that 95 00:49:20.640 --> 00:49:38.720 day. Um and uh I'll continue to do that if it has an impact on our young young youth of the Piscataway. Yes. >> Yeah. There was a couple of soccer teams there. Youth soccer teams. There were probably eight or nine per team that attended. So that's 18 kids that love 96 00:49:38.720 --> 00:49:53.680 and they also attended last years and the years before. So they they make it a routine. So that's only going to increase uh when years to come. Uh I've also talked to some of the residents that attended uh to that notion. Absolutely. The kids are having fun 97 00:49:53.680 --> 00:50:08.000 doing it, learning as they're doing. I have a little section for myself teaching them how to pick up the garbage as a test. So they enjoy that. So they make it fun. So it was it was a great day. Great weather by the way. And uh it was probably one of the the most well 98 00:50:08.000 --> 00:50:25.599 attended um years. Uh >> actually I don't know po before co we were in the 500s. >> Yeah. But yes it was a great turnout. >> Um >> also I would like to remind everybody um 99 00:50:25.599 --> 00:50:42.160 that our fireman's memorial is coming up this Thursday. Okay. Out at the monument um on the across the street there at 7 o'clock. So anyone wishing to attend the fireman's memorial, please come out. 100 00:50:46.880 --> 00:51:05.839 next Thursday and we will now move to the agenda session for the June 11th council meeting there on that ordinance second reading amending chapter 3 police regulations section 29 nuisances open to the public 101 00:51:05.839 --> 00:51:23.680 resolution adopting ordinance that will be the second reading of On it also will be a resolution authorizing the renewal of liquor licenses for 2026 2027 license term. Also on that agenda will be a resolution 102 00:51:23.680 --> 00:51:43.440 authorizing reawward of contract for 2026 street tree replacements Sunset Creations Incorporated not to exceed $175,640. Resolution awarding a refund of pic picnic fees. Renee McMillan 103 00:51:43.440 --> 00:52:01.359 and a motion to accept the council meeting minutes for March 12th and April 14th, 2026. I'm sure there will be more to follow. At this point, do we want to >> We're going to test the Zoom. Okay. So, I'm going to un unmute someone who's 104 00:52:01.359 --> 00:53:14.880 going to be uh testing for me. Unfortunately, the Zoom is not still not functioning. So, you can go ahead with the in person. >> Thank you for that update. We will now open to the public for the in-person attendees. Everyone that would like to speak can come up to the mic at 105 00:53:14.880 --> 00:53:47.800 this point. Please be advised, you have three minutes. Please state your name and address. You have three minutes to state what you have to say. Costa 58 Curtis. >> Good evening. All disabled veteran. 106 00:53:49.440 --> 00:54:08.480 Nice to see you people. You look great. Seventh and Curtis, they finished the pothole over there. Something is being done every year. Every year. 107 00:54:08.480 --> 00:54:25.160 At least this time they picked up half the debris they left from last year. Half. I thank you very much for cleaning up 108 00:54:25.280 --> 00:54:44.079 Mansville 7th. Thank you. Now I can see the oncoming traffic coming down seventh cement and Curtis is an issue. It's been going on a long 109 00:54:44.079 --> 00:55:00.640 time. There's also a blind spot over there. But all of a sudden I looked up the corner and I see maybe a half a million dollars in equipment over there. the scatterway equipment and maybe 110 00:55:00.640 --> 00:55:27.920 50 men hours just >> Are you done >> that? >> No. Oh, >> the issue is it's like what happened across the street from my house last year when they came over there and opened up a job, 111 00:55:27.920 --> 00:55:43.760 a storm drain, and just left it there for six months. And when you call up, they say, "Oh, there was no work order for the continuation." 112 00:55:43.760 --> 00:56:03.200 How can that be? You open up, you pick up the storm drain, you leave, you leave it wide open, you put cones around it. You don't come back with six months. Curtis didn't have it. 113 00:56:03.200 --> 00:56:20.160 All those men hours and not one of them looked 25 meters away down the road. I'm curious to see that other pothole been there for years. That corner 114 00:56:20.160 --> 00:56:36.480 between 7th and Washington. It's a diagonal corner. It's a very narrow street. Nobody could turn onto it very easily. It's tough. The corners have to be set 115 00:56:36.480 --> 00:56:56.079 back and paint the curbs so that nobody parks on those two corners. Too dangerous. >> Thank you, sir. Are you almost done? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Before 116 00:56:56.079 --> 00:57:18.000 I begin, I would like to hand over >> uh I just wanted to make a statement to the people that are listening on Zoom. Although you can hear us, we cannot hear you in the room through the Zoom, which is why we did a test with someone that was on Zoom and we could not hear them. 117 00:57:18.000 --> 00:57:34.079 And that is why we are doing the in-person um open to the public portion. So, unfortunately, our Zoom is down. Um, even if you could hear the test yourself, we can't hear you in the room. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. 118 00:57:34.079 --> 00:57:49.280 >> State your name and address. >> Good evening, uh, Mayor Weller and member of the council. My name is Syamed and I live at, uh, 399 Highland Avenue. I'm standing here tonight alongside my neighbors to raise my um profound concern regarding the uh proposed 83 119 00:57:49.280 --> 00:58:04.240 unit development on the M Macedonia property located within the Highland Avenue, Roseville Avenue, Lello Street, and Deborah Drive. Our residential pocket is at uh immediate risk of becoming a permanent gridlock zone. This proposed 83 unit development is 120 00:58:04.240 --> 00:58:21.760 established uh estimated to add 120 to 160 new vehicles to our immediate street. our existing street parking is already completely at capacity. To see the reality of the situation, I only need to we only need to look at what happens every single uh week in the 121 00:58:21.760 --> 00:58:38.960 neighborhood. Uh as I show as the as shown in the handout I passed uh on the photograph, our streets are already overwhelmed on any given Sunday. cars line up bumperto-bumper um along the carb entirely filling the available street parking uh just to 122 00:58:38.960 --> 00:58:55.599 accommodate our active local uh congregation. The existing infrastructure is already um uh you know operating at absolute maximum capacity. Vehicle must park tightly along narrow residential roadway uh leaving zero room for error. the existing con uh 123 00:58:55.599 --> 00:59:11.440 congestion compound drastically during school hours and major educational event within the uh within the tight twob block radius. Our neighborhood is home to two schools MLK and Kakame as as well as four active charges. Uh look at the 124 00:59:11.440 --> 00:59:26.880 second photograph uh taken directly along the school hours. You will see a school bus trapped in a long queue of vehicles unable to navigate smoothly because of the road is completely choked. When the school bus is stuck uh uh is stuck in gridlock right next to 125 00:59:26.880 --> 01:08:14.000 the line of oncoming cars, it creates an incredibly unsafe uh traffic environment. and unfortunately some of those people are even the school buses. As others have stated, a threestory 83 126 01:08:14.000 --> 01:08:34.480 unit building is being considered to invade our neighborhood. A building of that magnitude just does not fit. Can you imagine? Can you imagine the number of cars that 127 01:08:34.480 --> 01:08:52.719 building will produce? Well, if you have 83 units and two cars, that's 166 cars. Where are they going to park? How will the fire trucks get by or even amalamps in an emergency? This will also produce 128 01:08:52.719 --> 01:09:08.480 massive pandemonium for parents and buses daily. This will be a nightmare for our children walking to and from school and the traffic will be out of control to say the least. I attended 129 01:09:08.480 --> 01:18:23.679 Martin Luther King and Kakamat Um the first matter that's just uh that's code enforcement. Um he he must have been applying for a a certificate of continued compliance for his rental property. Um I I do remember seeing some emails about that with Pent Ben. Um in 130 01:18:23.679 --> 01:18:39.679 terms of just making sure it's up to code because we like to make sure that the properties are are in safe condition and proper condition for our for the tenants in town. Um, let let him respond, please. >> The >> the other item, um, I don't know who 131 01:18:39.679 --> 01:18:55.760 Michael Stein is. I just Googled him. Uh, he's a Pashman Stein. That I don't think that has any affiliation. >> Uh, he works with Ben. >> He works with Ben. >> Okay. So, so then it must be in another code enforcement matter with your with your fence. You've got to comply with like everybody else in town, you've got 132 01:18:55.760 --> 01:19:11.440 to comply with with township codes, codes, and ordinances. >> Do you guys I won the case. Why was the again notice sent? >> Thank you sir. >> And again with this all this affordable housing one thing I'll tell you this is what you guys have done is just total 133 01:19:11.440 --> 01:19:38.159 this. We are a suburban town and you know what if people want to convert the suburban town sir live in New York City >> Doretta Gray 318 Riverrest Drive >> welcome >> the Macedonia piece of property is not 134 01:19:38.159 --> 01:19:57.520 very large and a big apartment building is not appropriate. The buildings that are put there should be properly sized so that there's the right amount of parking for the people who are going to live there so that they fit in with the community. I live on 135 01:19:57.520 --> 01:20:13.280 Rivercrest Drive near the corner where Lello where King School is. I see all the traffic that comes and the buses and the kids are walking. I can't imagine putting another 160 cars right nearby. In addition, at the end of my street, 136 01:20:13.280 --> 01:20:31.440 we're having 16 units uh town houses put in. And of course, everybody has more than one car. So, we're talking another 30 cars also right by Kakamax School. So, I really disagree with having a very 137 01:20:31.440 --> 01:20:51.199 large apartment building put in a small piece of land under a an acre as I understand. >> Thank you for your comments. >> Thank you, >> Madam President. May I may I comment on that? 138 01:20:51.199 --> 01:21:06.560 >> We're closing the public portion. Okay. I just uh before uh Councilman >> Hang on, hang on. We're not done. >> Well, come on, Curtis. >> I'm getting old, please. Uh Curtis Grub, 139 01:21:06.560 --> 01:21:23.280 1750 West Third Street. Couple of things, then I'll get serious. Are you going to give the bike helmets? You going to give bike helmets away at the >> They Yep. >> Give them away. New York did. >> Yep. >> Okay. Um I'm here on behalf of um Hazlewood again. I have a few of my 140 01:21:23.280 --> 01:21:38.960 neighbors here. We We need some clarification. Rod, I asked for a favor last month. Favor was never done. >> Really? >> Never. >> All right, I'll follow up on it. I did. I did. >> It's No. >> Yeah. >> No more follow. We're going to put a pen 141 01:21:38.960 --> 01:21:55.679 in this now. Whatever we got to do to stop it, we're going to stop it cuz I talked to Peter in engineering. He tells me one thing. This is getting done. This is getting done. I talk to my neighbors. They tell me what they get and what they're doing. 142 01:21:55.679 --> 01:22:10.080 There's no sidewalks here. This is not getting done. This is supposed to get done. No one. I asked you to do what I as you. And that was over a month, two, three weeks ago. And here we are again. So, whatever I 143 01:22:10.080 --> 01:22:26.080 got to do to stop this with the help of my neighbors, I'm going to do. >> Uh, if I can give a update. H. >> Yeah, I'll just give it's it's regarding the road improvements. I I did follow up um and we actually have a meeting tomorrow anyway. Um so I did follow up 144 01:22:26.080 --> 01:22:41.679 um with with the my coworker who's actually leading a lot of the road projects for me. Um he was meant to do reachouts and and work with the engineering department. I will follow up personally. >> Um this time I I'll make sure it's in my in my task list. Um but we'll but we'll 145 01:22:41.679 --> 01:23:07.520 chat so and we'll make sure everything's taken care of. Oh yeah. So if anybody has any questions um after the meeting, come up and we can chat. So, and and make sure your questions are resolved. Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Jeff Williams, 155 Park Avenue. I just want to also talk about 146 01:23:07.520 --> 01:23:24.719 this Macedonia project. This does not belong in our neighborhoods. As many people have stated before, the parking is atrocious. Now, I live on Park Avenue. I see the parking. Um, these are even from houses that have driveways. 147 01:23:24.719 --> 01:23:41.199 People are already parking in the streets. It's going to create a dangerous situation on a piece of property that should not be allowed to be built in a residential neighborhood. I will reference I work at Ruters. I go 148 01:23:41.199 --> 01:23:57.600 down Mitchell Avenue and and please bear this in mind. I have no problem with the Muslim community, but when they park on Mitchell Avenue, when they're having worship, and like I said, I have no problem with that. I have absolutely no problems. You should 149 01:23:57.600 --> 01:24:13.520 see the danger it creates cuz they park on the street cuz it's not designed for that sort of parking. And you have a hard time seeing. You get to the end of Mitchell, you can't see around the corners, people are throwing doors open on a very narrow street that shouldn't 150 01:24:13.520 --> 01:24:28.800 have parking on it. anyway and people parked there. You're going to have the same situation if you allow this to be built. We also have the same situation if you go by the votech where Edison put up housing and they allowed the parking on 151 01:24:28.800 --> 01:24:43.760 the street. You can barely get down that street with two cars there because it is really not designed for that. So, just like my neighbors, I'm not against affordable housing. I think affordable housing should be available to people. I 152 01:24:43.760 --> 01:25:01.440 think that's a right, but you really need to reconsider building this on a piece of property that is not designed for that. It's too small and it's a residential neighborhood and you should not allow this to go forward. We have spoken. Um, 153 01:25:01.440 --> 01:25:18.000 we know how these things work. I mean, you know, we have council people who come in the neighborhood and they want to walk and they want to get reelected, but you know what? You're not looking out for us. you are not looking out for us and we will vote you out. You know, you're you're good for showing 154 01:25:18.000 --> 01:25:42.000 you're good for showing up at at events and you know, I see a lot of you over at Macedonian Zion Hill and all that, you know, but you need to look out for the residents there also. >> Thank you. >> You good evening. Uh my name is Dr. Abhay 155 01:25:42.000 --> 01:25:57.280 Patki 58 Lincoln Avenue >> resident of uh New Jersey Piscataway for last 26 years. My both kids went to Piscarway High School and we are extremely happy to live in Piscarway community but as everybody else 156 01:25:57.280 --> 01:26:15.360 suggested the place is too small for this proposed 83 unit building right now. Even right now when you want to go to river road or river crest from our Lincoln Avenue or Michelle or park we 157 01:26:15.360 --> 01:26:31.679 have to wait to get in the road for almost like 5 minutes in the morning and imagine adding another 160 or 180 cars in next 1 to two year whenever that building is supposed to be get done. So I urge everybody to reconsider the 158 01:26:31.679 --> 01:26:49.480 approach very very seriously for the sake of our children for ourselves and when we grow old we are going to have the same issue and which is not too far. So I really urge to consider this decision again. Thank you. >> Thank you. 159 01:26:55.280 --> 01:27:10.159 >> Hi this is council >> Hang on. I'm going to close the public portion now. Thank you. >> Thank you, Madame President. Uh this is Councilwoman Carmicha W3, and I want to thank my neighbors uh in the Highland 160 01:27:10.159 --> 01:27:26.159 Park area, Highland Avenue area uh uh where the proposed uh Macedonia project uh uh is being planned to be built. And I just want to tell you that I support you. I I hear your concerns. We've 161 01:27:26.159 --> 01:27:41.440 talked. I understand um the the issue with the the overcrowding, the parking, the schools, the children, the aesthetics, uh concerns of property values, and uh I support you wholeheartedly and I look to the 162 01:27:41.440 --> 01:27:56.880 township to address your concerns uh uh and to uh listen to your input and come back with a plan that makes sense for your neighborhood and for Piscataway. And we all do. We all do 163 01:27:56.880 --> 01:28:20.880 support low-income housing. Thank you. Thank you. I'd like to thank everybody for coming out. Um it's nice to have concern for your neighborhood. Everyone should. That's what makes this town great. Thank you all for coming out and voicing your 164 01:28:20.880 --> 01:28:36.800 opinions. Council President, I got a um the update on on um Hazlewood. Uh we're in the process what he asked about. There's going to be curbing um from West Fourth down just a little bit 165 01:28:36.800 --> 01:28:54.080 past Pearl on the on that side and then it's going to cross over by the park and then continue on the park side up to uh South Second Street. Uh, as a matter of fact, that'll probably be our 2026 local DOT aid project that we're going 166 01:28:54.080 --> 01:29:09.920 to be doing. Um, and a side note on Old Brunswick Road, we're in the process of having a preconstruction meeting that's from the Lucille gas station to the um, 287 bridge that should be under construction starting in June. and the 167 01:29:09.920 --> 01:29:25.040 comments that the residents made out there by where that sighting is. I just want to let the record reflect that this being jammed down are by a judge and our town is being sued by the developer across the street to build more 168 01:29:25.040 --> 01:29:42.239 highdensity housing in here in this town. Matter of fact, they want a total of almost 2500 units to be built throughout the entire town. 25. Every area of this community is going to be affect not just your neighborhood, but all over the town. We've been sued by 169 01:29:42.239 --> 01:29:58.400 highdensity housing advocates and a developer across the street. We had an agreement with the master of the court and then they stepped in, talked to the developer. He files a suit. He's looking for almost what is it, Raj? Almost 2,000 units out there. Some ridiculous number 170 01:29:58.400 --> 01:30:15.520 on uh Ericson property. >> And that is part of the problem. So, I would advise you start writing letters to Edgewood Properties and also the judge that's handling this case. We'll be more than happy to give you notes and write that because it's it's absolutely 171 01:30:15.520 --> 01:30:32.480 ridiculous. And the other thing is they even had our public works shard scheduled for 150 units in the public workshard. Now, I understand workforce development housing, but that's ridiculous by our salt barn. So this this whole law is a 172 01:30:32.480 --> 01:30:48.320 bunch of nonsense that's being jammed down our town. And you even have a sitting council member up on this day. When they were sworn in, the first thing they did, they put a letter to the editor at Tap into saying they want to see more highdensity housing being built in this town. Well, guess what? We're 173 01:30:48.320 --> 01:31:11.040 being forced to build or zone for not the town to build, but to zone for over 2500 units in town. 2500. Thank you. >> On that note, >> I understand. 174 01:31:11.040 --> 01:31:26.320 >> We're going to close this meeting. >> Council President, may I say um something, please? >> Go ahead. >> Um Council President, I would like to say a few words. Uh this week someone decided to file a complaint to the ethics board uh regarding a letter I 175 01:31:26.320 --> 01:31:42.000 sent January 5th, 2026 uh to the residents informing them of an ordinance that some of our council members here uh have passed to help stop parties around the neighborhood in Piscatawa. I just wanted to reiterate that I will continue to inform 176 01:31:42.000 --> 01:31:59.679 Piscataway residents township is there to support their concerns especially when their safety is at risk. Now, I've never met this person who actually made the complaint and I'm wondering why they never came to me first unless they had a separate agenda. Okay. So, just want to 177 01:31:59.679 --> 01:32:14.400 some of our council members here. Uh we take public safety especially with our residents very very serious and we're going to continue doing that and I'm going to continue doing my job and keeping the neighborhood safe. Thank you. >> Thank you. 178 01:32:14.400 --> 01:32:30.719 If I can remark, please. I totally appreciate the ability to communicate with our neighbors on township letterhead with township resources. When I inquired about the policy and procedures to have the same 179 01:32:30.719 --> 01:32:46.560 access that a fellow council member had, I was informed that the mayor has the discretion to determine the resources that different council members are allowed to access. And so I totally appreciate we should all have equal 180 01:32:46.560 --> 01:33:01.440 access to communicate with our members. Mr. Espinosa is a ward-based council member. I am a council member at large. That is the concern. >> I'm sorry, but the letter the ethics letter that went out was was really 181 01:33:01.440 --> 01:33:17.840 based on me sending the letter. >> That that was it. >> Correct. This is the process. We should all have access. >> But but that wasn't the concern. The concern was that I sent the letter. >> That that was that was it. >> Thank you. >> Let's lay the cards on the table here 182 01:33:17.840 --> 01:33:32.320 today, please. >> That that charge that's being leveled against Coun Councilman Espinosa is really to tarnish his look up on Google. It had nothing to do with the merits. >> And that's a standard political practice of opponents that try to tarnish the 183 01:33:32.320 --> 01:33:48.560 individual's Google search. And that's what this is all about. >> Right. Well, during a campaign, >> there are lots of tactics that are used by lots of groups. That is quite obvious. >> Council President, if I just as this is brought up, I just wanted to correct 184 01:33:48.560 --> 01:34:06.480 what I what I've been told or and seen out there is some misinformation. I wanted to provide the procedure that would that would happen if a board of ethics complaint is received um for the council. And essentially if a complaint is received um the board of ethics by by 185 01:34:06.480 --> 01:34:23.360 the township code has 30 days to recognize the complaint. At that point then they would review the complaint and any other submissions that are made and and then they would determine based on the factual nature of the matter whether it's deemed sufficient to even initiate 186 01:34:23.360 --> 01:34:40.560 an investigation or not. We're we're still in the preliminary stages. We've just received a complaint. I understand the board of ethics has not uh um provided notice of receipt yet. Um but there is no ongoing investigation. Um I understand there's I I saw posts 187 01:34:40.560 --> 01:34:57.120 about that that Councilman Espinosa is being investigated. A a filed complaint is not an investigation. So I just want to make that clear to the council. Um the the process will go as as the board of ethics deems it to go. Um, but right now we're in the preliminary stages of a 188 01:34:57.120 --> 01:35:12.080 complaints being filed and that's all we're at. >> It's interesting to know that it was only targeted against the only Hispanic council member on the day. >> Thank you for that. >> It's also interesting to note that we are one of the few towns in the state 189 01:35:12.080 --> 01:35:28.960 that have our appointed ethics board versus passing out that to a less um influential system. Many many townships actually outsource their ethics boards. You're wrong on that >> to less direct okay involved members but 190 01:35:28.960 --> 01:35:45.600 that's a discussion for another day. Thank you. >> We're going to end this meeting this evening. >> We are going to adjourn this meeting. And as we end our meeting, let's remember what Memorial Day truly stands for. The heroes who never made it home. 191 01:35:45.600 --> 01:35:54.679 We honor them. We thank them. And we hold their families in our hearts. Have a good evening everyone. This meeting is adjourned.