[clears throat] Good evening everyone and welcome to the first meeting of the Piscatoaway Town Council. I'm grateful for everyone's hard work and dedication and I'm looking forward to a productive and positive year. I'd like to call this meeting to order.
This meeting is in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required under chapter 231 PL1975 specifying the time, date, location, login or dialin information and to the
extent known the agenda by posting a copy of the notice on the municipal building, the municipal court and the two municipal library bulletin boards. municipal website, providing a copy to the official newspapers of the township, and by filing a copy in the office of
the township clerk in accordance with the certification by the clerk, which will be entered in the minutes. There will be two public comment periods for both remote and in-person attendees separately. Each member of the public shall have only one opportunity to speak
during each public portion as the technology does not allow us to know if there are multiple callers in an individual phone line or logged in user account. We ask that if you wish to speak that you log in or dial in separately so that we could recognize
you as a separate individual. Should you have any further comments or questions, the town council is always available by email and phone, and you can always call the mayor's office during normal operating hours. Would everyone please join us in the
flag salute of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible and justice for all. So since this is the reorg, I do get to start this meeting uh this evening. So
at this point, I will offer nominations to elect a council president. >> Council president, I'd like to make a nomination for uh the 2026 council president. Um I would like to nominate um Michelle Lombardi um as council
president to this board. I've known Michelle now for 17 years. 17 years. She is one of the most generous of spirits of people I know. Um Michelle is a lifelong resident of
Piscatoaway, a graduate of Piscataway High School. Her roots are deep here and she produces a lot of fruit for this town. Getting a little emotional. I admire you very much so, Michelle, because you grew up in a family of
public service. Your father, your husband, your mother, um, your entire family has served this town very well and I believe that you are just well equipped to be our council president for this year and I uh, nominate you for
this role and I hope that somebody else will second that. >> Can I have a second? Second, Dennis Spinosa. >> Thank you, Dennis. Have a roll call vote. Do we have any other nominations?
Seeing none, we'll have a roll call vote. >> Council member Cahill, >> yes. >> Council member Carmichael, >> yes. >> Council member Espinosa, >> yes. >> Council member Liboitz, >> yes.
Council member Rasheed. >> Yes. >> Council member Erin. >> Yes. >> Council President Lombbertie. >> I guess so. [applause] >> Thank you very much for those kind words. Thank you.
At this time now we will open the nominations to elect council vice president. Do we have a offer? Do we have a nomination for a vice president? >> Council president. I would like to nominate um Sharon Carmichael who has truly worked hard for her War II
residents and beyond. I've I've heard stories that you even heard uh you know helped people outside of town that are coming into Piscataway that really shows that your heart not just is look um focused on War 3 but beyond with all our residents in Piscataway. So, I'm hoping
and and I'm I'm I want to see more uh of you doing such great work uh for your residents. So, I nominate you. >> Can I have a second? >> I will second that nomination.
>> Any other nominations? Seeing none, can we have a roll call vote, please? >> Council member Cahill. >> Yes. Council member Carmichael, >> yes. Thank you. >> Council member Espinosa, >> yes. >> Council member Liowitz,
>> yes. >> Council member Rashid, >> yes. >> Council member Erin, >> yes. >> Council President Lombardi, >> yes. >> So, let's get to work.
[applause] Okay, we'll now move to number six. We'll call the reorganization meeting to order. Can we please have another roll call vote, please? Council member Cahill >> here. >> Council member Carmichael >> here.
>> Council member Espinosa >> here. >> Council member Liowitz >> here. >> Council member Rashid, >> yes. >> Council member Erin >> here. Council President Lombardi >> here. We'll now move to number eight, which is the mayor appointments. Miss
Cedar, can you please read the mayor's appointments? Civil to the civil rights advisory commission. Sherri Alexander, Anna Almanzar, Sharon Carmichael, Lginina Adams, Calvin Laughlin, Parth Desai, Henry Kenny, Merlin Mayers,
Janette Boll, Community Outreach Advisory Commission, Christopher Jenkins, Kimberly Lane, Paul Sinkler, Jerry Wilson, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinators, Susan Bartco, Steve Sladkkey, Historic
Preservation Advisory Commission, William Kerwin, and Roxy James. To the planning board, Dawn Corkran, class 2, and Michael Foster, presiding municipal court judge, Spiro Kalmbakus.
Thank you. We'll now move to number nine. Do we have to take a vote on that? No, that's appointments. Number nine is open to the public for the comments regarding the items on the consent agenda items only.
So we will now open to this open to the public for any items for the consent agenda items. For each public comment portion for remote attendees, if you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the Zoom app or if by phone by
pressing star9. When it is your turn to speak, you will receive or hear a request to unmute yourself. Please click the prompt or press six on your phone to unmute yourself. At that time, please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or
administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. So, we're now opening the public portion for the remote attendees. Council President, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.
>> Okay, that's closed. Close the po public portion for remote attendees and we will now open it for the in-person attendees. Anyone wishing to speak on consent agenda items only, please come up at this time. State your name and address and know you have three minutes in which
to speak. 58 Curtis Avenue. >> Welcome. >> Happy New Year's people. >> Happy New Year. >> Happy New Year, Gustaf. >> I'm glad I have an audience. Happy New Year is to you.
>> The planning board of property maintenance. How come I don't hear from them people? >> This is for the consent agenda items. Now, >> anything Do you have anything on the consent agenda? It's item H. >> And I want to do something with the
property maintenance planning board, which is nonexistent. This is the sixth year I've been complaining about ordinance violation pertaining to residents and a township. My complaint is nonexistent.
Please leave that for the public portion. Your next public portion. This is the consent agenda item. >> Sir, this is about the appointments. >> These are >> What is the board of property maintenance going to do for us? >> It's people that were appointed to that
position. >> Nothing. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Seeing none, we'll close the public portion for the consent agenda.
For efficiency, items have been consolidated 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 for the consent agenda? Oh, >> I'm going to read the names just because we're doing all the appointments
tonight. Okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> So, the appointment of Jennifer Johnson as deputy municipal clerk, appointments of Jennifer Johnson and deputy registar as deputy registar and Bundy Sud as alternate deputy registar of vital statistics.
Sharon Carmichael, Stacy Lopez, Shyamala M. I apologize for my pronunciation. Murala Krishnan and Manuela Patoya to the Cultural Arts Advisory Commission. Crystal Anderson, Kevin Mayers, and Steve Slattkkey to the Health Advisory
Commission, Frank Erin, and Joanna Drenan to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee, Evelyn Hartman, Cindy Galley, Paula Kazerelli, and Christopher Irvondo to the library board of trustees.
Animal Control Solutions as certified animal control officer and Shawn Morelli as animal cruelty investigator. Joanna Drenan, Henry Kenny and William Kerwin to the property maintenance board of appeals. Dawn Corkran as municipal
housing liaison for affordable housing program. Gabrielle Cahill to the planning board as a class three member. Raheem Hashmi, Michelle Lombardi, Yousef Nasir, Helen Perillo, and Sharon Carmichael to the public relations
advisory commission. Teresa Douglas, Dennis Espinosa, Aaron Gibbs, Darius Griffin, Rico Hernandez, Pat Morgan, Frank Erin, Aba Anenni, and Capil Shaw to the Recreation Advisory Commission.
Katherine Riss and Jeffrey Tiller to the rent leveling board. Karen O'Donnell, Rosemary Pakudo, Antonio Abano, Joyce Kohl's, and Joan Ventrelia to the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission. Paula
Kazerelli, Veronica Klene, and Linda Hill to the Senior Citizens Housing Board of Trustees. Royio to the zoning board of adjustment. Robert G. Kenny Esquire as supervising prosecutor, Michael Kachi Esquire and
John Kosinski Esquire as township prosecutors, Paula Kazerelli as public agency compliance officer, John Wisnooki Esquire and James Harding Esquire as public defenders. Sparrow Kalbakus as municipal court
judge. Angela Dos Santos as deputy municipal court administrator. Christopher Yodas, Kenneth Schultz, Thomas Prisbolski, Brad Stove, Joseph Quigley, and Christian Young as special police officers,
and Jonathan Miss Rahi as the CDBG Township Certifying Agent Fund Administrator. Can we have a motion to accept the consent agenda? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Can we please have a roll call?
>> Council member Cahill. >> Yes. >> Council member Carmichael. >> Council member Espinosa. >> Yes. >> Council member Liuititz. >> Yes. >> Council member Rasheed. >> Yes. >> Council member Erin. >> Yes. >> Council President Lombardi.
>> Yes. And the consent agenda passes. We'll now move to number 11 with which is the oath of office to all of the appointees. So everyone please come up um grab a Bible and we'll do the oath of office for everyone together.
This is like everybody's group hug here. Anyone [clears throat] else? We're going to try to make this as painless as possible. So, can everybody please raise your right hand and repeat after me? I and state your name. I >> do solemnly swear
>> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith
>> and allegiance to the same >> and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the author authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> that I will faith faithfully
>> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of the office >> of the office >> and state your office name >> just the way we love it in Biscato >> according to the best of my ability
>> according to the best of my ability >> okay congratulations everybody now get to work in 2026 six. [cheering] >> I'm good. How are you? >> Uh if I may, uh we're going to have everybody's oath. If you can go to the
clerk's office, uh we'll get here. I'll I'll hand >> Yeah. Okay, let me call How you doing? >> Happy new year. How are you? >> Happy New Year. >> Happy New Year. Thank you.
>> We will. Yeah. Those don't look like [laughter] >> I know, right? Congratulations everyone. >> We're now going to move into the next portion of our meeting.
Okay. Number 12 is an ordinance first reading amending chapter 21 zoning section 6 general regulations. It's a resolution adopting ordinance. Miss Cedar, can you please read the ordinance? >> Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey, that
an ordinance entitled Ordinance to amend the revised general ordinances of the Township of Piscatawa, County of Middle Sex, State of New Jersey, amending chapter 21, zoning section 6, General Regulations B, and is hereby adopted on the first reading. that it be published in the official newspaper and that a
second reading of public hearing be held at 7 p.m. prevailing time at the Piscatoy Municipal Building, 455 Hose Lane, Piscato, New Jersey, on the 20th day of January, 2026. Be it further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places within the township prior to the
day of the second reading and final passage, and a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the township clerk for any interested member of the public. >> Thank you, Mrs. Cedar. Have any questions from council regarding this? I have an offer.
>> Offer. >> Can I have a second? >> Roll call vote, please. Council member Cahill, >> yes. >> Council member Carmichael, >> yes. >> Council member Espinosa, >> yes. >> Council member Liowitz, >> yes. >> Council member Rasheed,
>> yes. >> Council member Erin, >> yes. >> Council President Lombardi, >> yes. And the first reading passes. 13 is an ordinance first reading amending chapter 7 traffic section 26 turn prohibitions
resolution adopting ordinance. Miss Cedar, can you please read the ordinance? Be it resolved by the township council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled ordinance to amend and supplement the revised general ordinances of the township of Piscataway County of Middle Sex State of New Jersey amending chapter
7 traffic section 26 turn prohibitions. Bean is hereby adopted on the first reading that it be published in the official newspaper and that a second reading of public hearing be held at 7 PM prevailing time at the Piscato Municipal Building, 455 Hose Lane, Piscato, New Jersey on the 20th day of
January, 2026. Be it further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places within the township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage, and a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the township clerk for any interested member
of the public. >> Thank you, Miss Cedar. Do we have any questions? >> All for Councilman Eron. >> Go ahead, Raj. This is just that um the Wawa left turn going into and out of the Wawa. Um the
planning board had already uh put that restriction in there in the in the planning board approval. However, people are still doing it. So, this is so that we can enforce it and ticket people. >> So, we're going to make sure that the Wawa puts up those signs.
>> This is going left into >> Yeah, >> thank you for that clarification. Can we have an offer? I think uh Councilman Ern, we have a second. >> Second. >> Roll call vote, please. >> Council member Cahill,
>> yes. >> Council member Carmichael, >> yes. >> Council member Espinosa, >> yes. >> Council member Liboitz, >> yes. >> Council member Rashid, >> yes. >> Council member Erin, >> yes. >> Council President Lombardi, >> yes. And first reading passes.
14th is an ordinance first reading fully funded 1,235,000 for various sewer utility improvements. It's a resolution adopting ordinance. Miss Cedar, can you read the ordinance, please? Be resolved by the township council of Piscatoway Township, New
Jersey that an ordinance entitled Ordinance appropriating $1,235,000 from the capital improvement fund to provide for various store utility improvements in and by the township of Piscatoaway in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey. Bean is hereby adopted on the first reading that it be published
in the official newspaper and that a second reading in public hearing be held at 7 p.m. prevailing time at the Piscatoway Municipal Building 455 Hose Lane Piscato, New Jersey on the 20th day of January, 2026. Be it further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places
within the township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage, and a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the township clerk for any interested member of the public. Thank you, Miss Cedar. Do I have an offer? >> Offer Cahill.
>> Second, Dennis. >> I'll call vote, please. >> Council member Cahill, >> yes. >> Council member Carmichael, >> yes. >> Council member Espinosa, >> yes. >> Council member Liowitz, >> yes. >> Council member Rasheed, >> yes. >> Council member Erin,
>> yes. >> Council President Lombardi, >> yes. 15 is an ordinance first reading fully funded $3,915,374 and 3 million from capital surplus fund and $915,374
from capital improvement fund various capital improvements resolution adopting ordinance. Miss Cedar, can you please read this ordinance? Be it resolved by the township council of Piscatoway Township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled ordinance appropriating 3,915,374,
3 million of which is from the capital surplus fund and $915,374 of which is from the capital improvement fund to provide for various capital improvements in and by the township of Piscataway in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey. Bean is hereby adopted on the first reading that it be published
in the official newspaper and that a second reading and public hearing be held at 7 p.m. prevailing time at the Piscato Municipal Building 455 Hose Lane Piscato in New Jersey on the 20th day of January 2026. Be it further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places
within the township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage and a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the township clerk for any interested member of the public. Thank you, Miss Cedar. Do we have any questions from council?
Seeing none, could I have an offer? >> Offer Carmichael. >> Second. Liboitz. >> Roll call vote, please. Council member Cahill. >> Yes. >> Council member Carmichael. >> Yes. >> Council member Espinosa. >> Yes. >> Council member Liboitz, >> yes.
>> Council member Rasheed, >> yes. >> Council member Erin, >> yes. >> Council President Lombardi, >> yes. First reading passes. We'll move to number 16, which is the announcements and comments from our officials. So, our council members,
Gabrielle Cahill. >> Thank you, council president. Um, I'm just want to wish everyone a very happy uh two 2026. Um, I'm looking forward to um serving the town again this year in hopes that we really do have a great year as a
community and as a board and working with my colleagues. So, happy new year everyone. >> Sharon Carmichael. >> Thank you, Madame President. Uh first I want to um thank president or former
president Dennis Espinosa for his uh skillful leadership of the uh the council uh for the last year. And congratulations to uh Michelle Lombardi who moves into the presidential role. I know you do a great job. You always do.
And uh thank you all for your vote of confidence for me as vice president. And everyone have a great happy uh prosperous new year. Thank you, >> Dennis Espinosa. >> Thank you, President. Uh,
congratulations to you. Um, you you you always do a hell of a job. So, thank you. And of course, congratulations to you, Vice President, uh, Carmichael. I know you do a great job as well. Uh, it's kind of weird kind of being in third because I always had to be last last time. So, I actually get to speak
to everyone. So, um, again, uh, like everyone says, happy new year. Uh may we have a great and continue making Piscataway great uh uh a place to live. Uh and also just want to remind everybody of course that the free clinic
the first session is going to be in January 31st. So get those uh our pets over there. It's going to be with last names beginning through 8 through K and then the next one's in February. So >> yeah, I might need special dispensation for somebody because I might not be around early enough to take my dog that
day. I I'm pretty sure you can find someone. [laughter] Thank you, President >> Laura Liberwitz. Hello everybody. Happy New Year. Um it's funny to think this is my first full year um on this board and
I really am have learned so much and uh look forward to continuing to serve the residents of the town. looking out on this full house. Uh I'm really grateful to have raised my children here, worked um in our school district, and now
serving so many amazing residents of this town and looking forward to continuing to do so. Happy New Year, Sarah Rashid. First of all, congratulations to the president and the vice president. Um and
congratulations to all of you for a new appointment. Very exciting. Happy new year. I am very optimistic and hopeful for the year. So wishing everyone a happy and a healthy happy new year. >> Frank Erin.
>> Yes. Congratulations Michelle and Sharon. I know you guys will do a great job. And I just want to wish everybody a happy and healthy new year. >> Our mayor is not in the room at the time. our business administrator, Paula Kazerelli.
>> Thank you, President Lombardi. Congratulations. Congratulations, Vice President Carmichael, as well. And thank you to our former council president. A lot of pressure on the president position. Um, I just would like to say we're going
to continue. We're we're working on the budget. As you can see, you just voted on our capital fully cash. Uh this is cash that the township has uh been very fiscally responsible and is able to purchase these items without having to bond. So that is what you just voted on
first hearing. So thank you for that. Uh we will continue the administration will continue with uh getting more grants. The governor just announced a local registration improvement grant which is up to $100,000. We were awarded $92,000 last year and we're going to continue
along uh changing out our lights from zod sodium vapor lights to uh LEDs in our sports facilities. And there's another grant out there. It's the local efficiency achievement program uh grant that is to have uh local government
entities enter into shared services agreements. So, it's about uh kicking off that effort and supplying the funds in order to do that. So, that's what we're going to head toward and we're working on or have worked on the uh 2026 budget. So, that'll be ready to go for
introduction in March and hopefully adoption in April. And a happy new year to everybody. Thank you. >> Thanks so much. Our Raj Gumar >> just a just a happy new year to everybody. No other comments. Thank you.
>> Well, this is the downside of being here. Everybody says everything before they get to me now. >> Exactly. >> But anyway, um thank you so much for your leadership skills, um Dennis, in the last year. Congratulations, Sharon,
to being the vice president. And congratulations to all of our volunteers in town. You are what makes this town uh a wonderful town to live in, our volunteers. Thank you everyone. and I look forward to leading with honesty, integrity, and
doing what is right for the Piscataway people in our town. Thank you. [applause] Do you have anything to say, township clerk? >> You sure? >> Uh, we you can put me on the spot.
>> That's okay. All right. We'll now move on to our agenda session for January 20th meeting, 2026. On the agenda for the next meeting will be an ordinance for the second reading amending chapter 21 zoning section 6
general regulations open to the public resolution adopting ordinance. Do we have any questions or concerns? Ordinance second reading amending chapter 7 traffic section 14 parking prohibited at all times on certain streets open to the public resolution
adopting ordinance. I believe we received all the information and had the first reading on that one. Do we have any questions or concerns? Ordinance second reading fully funded 1,235,000 sewer utility various sewer utility
improvements open to the public resolution. It will be an ad adopting ordinance. An ordinance second reading fully funded 3,915,374 to 3 million from from capital surplus
fund and 915,374,37400 from capital improvement fund various capital improvements. It will be open to the public. It's a resolution adopting ordinance. Do we have any questions or concerns from council? Ordinance first reading amending chapter
7 traffic section 14 parking prohibited at all times on certain streets. It will be a resolution adopting ordinance, questions or concerns. authorizing settlement agreement and general release township of Piscatoaway
and New York SMSA limited partnerships do doing business as Verizon Wireless. It will be a resolution authorizing purchases from various vendors. Questions, concerns? Resolution authorizing calendar year
2026 and 2027. Record approvals. Questions or concerns? Seeing none, I'll move to number 18, which will be open to the public for our remote attendees. for each public comment portion for remote attendees. If
you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the Zoom app or if by phone by pressing star 9. When it is your turn to speak, you will receive or hear a request to unmute yourself. Please click the prompt or press star six. On your phone to unmute yourself. At that time, please state
your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. We're now open to the public for our remote attendees.
>> Council President, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item. >> We're now closed to the remote attendees. We'll now open to the in-person attendees. Anyone wishing to speak, please come to the podium. State your name and address and know that you
have three minutes in which to >> 58 Curtis Avenue. I finally got awarded the Purple Heart. I am now 100%. No taxes going to Piscato. I'm done with that after a lifetime.
And yet property maintenance is not working for us. Not just in my neighborhood alone, there are so many ordinance violations.
Is ugly. Ugly. Anyone who wants to come and visit my house, walk around the lot, take a look at these ordinance violations,
bring it to this council because as far as they're concerned, my complaint is non-existent. It goes way back a lifetime to Mr. offense. This time
I made complaints to death ears. Thank you for your comments. Anyone else? >> Seeing none, I'll move to number 20. >> If I may, I want for >> Hang on. I want to close the public portion. Okay.
>> I uh apologize for not being out here. I was masquerading as the deputy clerk. Uh I hope I did everything correctly and therefore everybody said and no, you didn't sign uh your oath of allegiance. It wasn't a second mortgage. So everybody that signed in there, don't worry about it. It's not a second
mortgage. I want to thank all the volunteers out there. Uh we're very blessed in this community to have about a thousand volunteers. um the the governing body here and myself can't do it all. We rely on a lot of the folks that are out here in the audience. Thank you for all the hard work that you did
in 2025. I look forward to all more work you're going to have to do in 2026 to help our keep our community great. So, thank you and happy new year to everybody. Okay, now we will move to number 20 which is an adjournment. I want to thank you all for being here tonight and I
wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy and peaceful new year. Do I have a motion to adjourn? >> Second. >> All those in favor, please say I. >> I. Have a nice evening and a safe drive home.