He's not watching. them up. They were playing This meeting is called to order in accordance with the open public meetings law. In accordance with chapter 231 of the public laws of 1975, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided. This
meeting of June 15, 2026 was provided to the Courier News and Star ledger and placed on the borrower's website and placed on the Bolton board hall. A copy of this notice is available to the public and a copy of the statement shall be included in the minutes of this meeting. Mayor Brian Gallagher >> here.
>> Council members Theresa Bonner >> here. >> Andrew Ki is excused this evening. Glenn Deny >> here. >> Randy Pittz >> here. >> Gina Stravik >> here. >> Roger Ver >> here. >> All right. We have a number of young scouts here tonight and I'd like to ask them to come forward to lead us in the
pledge of allegiance. Please >> to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you, gentlemen. >> All right. Can I have a motion for approval of the minutes of June 1? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. Roll call. >> Council members. Theresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Glen Deny. >> Yes. >> Randy Pittz. >> Yes. >> Gina Stravik. >> Yes. >> Roger Verm. >> Yes. >> All right. Departmental reports and
notices are as listed. Uh, committee reports. Gina. Uh, I just want to let everybody know that I just came from the Somerville High School Hall of Fame Golf Tournament. I'd like to thank the committee for the work they do on behalf of our student athletes. Um, it was a great day, great weather, and uh, they
they were successful in their fundraising. Um, Board of Health meets tomorrow, I'm I'm sorry, Wednesday um, at uh, 6 PM over at Warren Street. Um, and the Somerville Rescue Squad continues to do their good work in our community. I don't have the number of calls that they uh they made this month
uh for May, but uh uh we we know they were down at street fair. Of course, I think we talked about the bike races. So, they continue to do their good work in our community. So, thank you to all those volunteers. >> Awesome. Thank you, Glenn. >> Thank you, Mayor. The fire department continues with their training schedule.
They did a live burn in May and they also have led ladder drills in June and we'll continue to look at additional ways to continue uh training and practicing different things with the department. Uh I think I gave the numbers last time for their calls. So we'll wait to see how busy June is, but
it's been very busy for them lately. So uh their calls are up overall uh this year compared to last year at this time. The environmental commission met on June the 9th and uh at that meeting they reviewed lots of things including the survey results from the community energy
plan which we think we'll hear more about later this summer. Uh also there was a discussion about uh the when the parking meters are removed that perhaps that's a way to look at places for bike racks for just a one or two bikes to take advantage of those poles in certain
spots if needed. So I'll throw that sort of to DSA and us will look at that as a possibility as well. maybe just some creative reuse. Uh also there was a discussion um about the various tree lists that the uh commission is putting together about which species work best
under power lines, the grass strip between the road and uh the sidewalk as well as downtown. And they're working on formalizing all those lists as well uh in conjunction with the planning board and some things like that. And then also uh began planning uh the community night out which is on August the 4th. So the
environmental commission will be there. Uh, also you could join the environmental commission on July 14th at 7 o'clock right here at the civic center for their next meeting. So that's all I have, mayor. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Thanks, >> Teresa. >> Thank you. Um, if you've been downtown on Main Street in the past few days,
you'll notice some new signage that's out indicating the new pedestrian or the pedestrian safety zone, which is basically the length of Main Street and some new bilingual signage um on the sidewalks about no bikes and scooters
and things like that on the sidewalks and also uh letting people know they should be not looking at their phones when they're crossing the street or walking down the sidewalk. they should be having their heads up so they're not walking into traffic. Um, and that is uh
we're thankful to officer Chudy for um applying for and receiving a grant um in order to pay for that those signs. Um and so that was kind of in conjunction a little bit with the public safety committee, but it's mostly thank to off thank you to officer Chudy for that for
the town. Um the Somerset County Junth celebration is taking place on uh this Thursday the 18th from 5 to 6:30. The music actually starts at 4. So if you have some time and want to go down and
listen to some great music before the ceremony begins. Um and what else? Oh yes. Uh the Somerset or Somerville Family Pride Night is happening next Thursday, uh the 25th from 5:00 to 9:00
p.m. and we'd love to see you all come out. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Uh Randy, >> I have no announcements for this evening. >> Okay. Roger. >> I do not have anything either. >> All right. All right. Uh item number seven is the mayoral appointment of Kristen Gelner to the green team. I will
make that appointment up until 12:3126. Uh, next up is the recognition of Jack Schwitzer for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. So, I will come down for that. There you go. All right. So, first of all, congratulations. Um, that is an
achievement. Uh, you join a um a very select few young men who have achieved this and I think as you know those that achieve it later on in life um really are the titans of business. Um they are political leaders. uh they have a focus
in life and at your young age you've managed to understand that uh goals drive determination create success and that's what you've done and I think it's very important for um our community to
understand who it is that achieves this rank. Um this is not an easy thing for young men to do. Um this is a uh it's a goal that they set for themselves. Um it's a testament to them. It's a testament to their parents and it's a testament to their leaders as well
because their leaders help keep them focused because at the age of 16 17 sometimes that focus waines a little bit. So um but uh but I thank you for doing that. Um so I have a proclamation here uh from actually it's a resolution
on behalf of the council and I'd like to read this to you. So whereas Jack Schwitzer, a lifelong resident of Somerville and graduating senior of Somerville High School, has distinguished himself through exceptional leadership, service, athletics, and academic achievement. And whereas Jack served as a four-year
varsity member and captain of the cross country and track and field teams, a peer leader, and a member of the character education committee, demonstrating a strong commitment to mentorship and school community. And whereas he has ded dedicated more than a decade to scouting, serving in
leadership roles including senior patrol leader and earning the John E. Shaw outstanding scout award in 2025. And whereas in pursuit of the rank of Eagle Scout, Jack chose to combine his passions for running and scouting by completing a meaningful service project at White Oak Park, the home course of
the Somerville High School cross country team. And whereas for his Eagle Scout project, Jack led the installation of mileage and directional markers and a course map stand at White Oak Park, enhancing the park's cross-country course, and honoring the legacy of former coach Bruce Cayfir. And whereas
Jack's dedication to service, leadership, and community improvement reflects great credit upon himself, his family, Somerville High School, and the Burrow of Somerville. And whereas Jack will continue his education at Sacred Heart University, pursuing a degree in
finance at Jack Welch College of Business and Technology. Now therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and Burough Council of the Bureau of Somerville hereby congratulate Jack Schwitzer upon attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, commend him for his outstanding service and leadership, and extend best wishes for continued success
in all future endeavors. Congratulations, [applause] This And again, a thank you to uh to your parents and to your leaders. years uh for for guidance and uh setting these
fine young men on a good path. Um scouting creates good citizens and uh for that to happen it takes good parents and good leadership. So thank you. All right. At this point I will ask for a motion to open the meeting to the public. So moved.
>> Second >> discussion. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner, >> yes. >> Glen Deny, >> yes. >> Randy Pitts, >> yes. >> Gina Stravik, >> yes. >> Roger Fern, >> yes. >> All right. Public portion is now open. >> Hearing none, I'll ask for a motion to close. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> Discussion. Roll call. >> Council members Terresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Glen, >> yes. >> Randy Pitts, >> yes. >> Gina Stravik, >> yes. >> Roger Verm, >> yes. >> You don't have to stay. You're welcome to. So, it's going to be a quick meeting, so you're welcome to stay if
you want. If you feel the need to leave, that's okay, too. So, you're it's okay. Um, ordinances for introduction. Uh, ordinance number 2806 is amending schedule 17 speed limits to include new public roadways located in Somerset Station development and amending speed
limits listed in schedule. Uh, this is an ordinance being introduced. The burrow is in the process of taking over control of the road network that's in this development here. And uh as part of that, we have to establish uh speed
limits by ordinance. Um we do not we're not required by law to open up the meetings to the public uh on introduction. However, as a matter of policy, I do. So I will ask for public comment on 2806.
Hearing none, I'll close public comment on 2806 and ask for actually even before we uh go for an introduction. I did have one question on Robson Street from South Bridge to South Davenport.
Um, currently it's posted as 15 and we're looking to increase it to 20. I'm thinking we should probably keep it at 15. That would be my suggestion >> if everybody's okay with that. Yep. >> Okay. And then I think Roger, you you
had one I think was already correct. >> Yeah, they fixed it. >> Okay. All right. >> I'm sorry. Is station road posted as 15 as well? >> No, Station Road. Oh, it might be. >> For some reason, I believe everything in this development because it's private roadways posted at 15.
>> Yeah, I could see station being a little uh higher. >> Yeah. Um there but the visibility lines within the development itself should keep it at 15. >> All right. Uh motion for introduction. >> Can I ask a question? >> Sure. It
>> is there any way to get Google to update their speed limits for our town speed limits because I think Main Street is still usually I think it comes up incorrect as as higher than than it is. So I didn't know if there was a way for us to
>> move them along. >> Yeah, I could reach out. Okay. >> Yeah, I I think if uh if I'm not mistaken on the maps there's an opportunity for a user of the map to actually make a comment too as well, but I I'll double check that. But the uh I I'll speak with them.
>> Okay. Thank you. And I guess while we're at it, might as well reach back out to Bridgewater and see if they'll entertain from Adamsville uh up to Rehill, changing that speed limit since it originally, for those of you in the audience, when the change was
made, it was only supposed to start at Rehill and go from Rehill towards Gaston. It wasn't supposed to start at Adamsville. When the Department of Transportation put the signs up, they put them all the way down to Adamsville, which is why one side of the road is 25 and the other side is 40. Um because
Somerville is on one side, Bridge of Water is on the other. Um and they they told us in the letter that we received that it would be 25 only from Rehill forward and they changed it on us. So that's why if you're wondering why you have to let really play uh Frogger, I
guess it is going across the street. >> So if we could reach back out to Bridgewater, um I know they're surely to be excited to hear from us. Yeah, they they they were hesitant uh last go around to change it to 25, >> but I think that would help.
>> We'll send them a letter. >> Yep. >> All right. Uh motion for introduction, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Roll call. >> Terresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Glen Deny. >> Yes. >> Randy Pitts. >> Yes. >> Gina Stravik. >> Yes. >> Roger Firm. >> Yes. >> All right. Right. Ordinance for public
hearing and adoption number 2805 is a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $300,000 for acquisition of pay stations and parking equipment for the parking utility for and by the burrow of Somerville and the county of Somerset and authorizing the issuance of $200,000 in bonds or notes
of the burrow for financing part of the appropriation. Uh this is for equipment to convert the meters to pay on foot stations. Correct, Kevin? >> Uh that's correct. >> Okay. Um I'll ask for a motion to open the public hearing. So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. Roll call.
>> Council members. Theresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Glen. >> Yes. >> Randy Fitz. >> Yes. >> Gina Stravik. >> Yes. >> Roger Fern. >> Yes. >> All right. Public hearing on 2805 is now open. >> Hearing none. I will ask for a motion to close public hearings. >> Before we close, I just had a comment.
Um I I know that um the parking stations are >> Can we Can we put that into the when when we have the discussion? >> Oh, we're going to have discussion. >> Yes. Yeah. >> So, Roll. >> We have that and we had a second. Roll call.
>> Council members, Terresa B. >> Theresa Bonner, >> yes. >> Glen Deny, >> yes. >> Randy Pitts, yes. >> Cena Stravik, yes. >> Roger F. >> Yes. >> All right. Motion for adoption. >> So moved. >> Second discussion. >> So the question I have is when we do this, right, we're going to eliminate um
the parking meters and the pay stations are positioned um I don't know what the distance is apart. Um people have to walk. Um, do we need to increase the handicap parking? Because I I know toten my 93 year old
mother around that is an issue. And when if she's alone and she's trying to park somewhere, not that she lives here locally, but the point is is that if you have a disability or limited mobility, it's a lot to walk all the way to a pay station and all the way back to your car if you have to. >> I believe they're exempt from pay
stations. The handicap if you park >> if you have a handicap sticker. Yes. So, so, so the locations, the locations for the pay stations have not actually been defined yet by the consultant. Um, but we we em without the pay stations over
50% of the people pay pay uh by app. We are adding another app. We're adding park mobile. So, Park Mobile is a a more um known more comfortable app that people are familiar with. Um, so, you
know, while several municipalities are going to app-based only, we are still going to have the ability to pay, but I do understand your um your concern about the distance, but but we were going to advertise and hopefully provide a very
good educational program if you have a cell phone, how to put the app on because that is the by far the easiest way to park anywhere, not just Somerville, because once once the once Um, there's two things. Once you put your
either credit card in the machine that we're looking at, it has the ability to allow you to memorize that if you wanted to, but also at Park Mobile, all your information is already memorized on Park Mobile. >> So, once you use it once, it's it's
going to be a a significant reduction in a learning curve. Um, and that'll be our effort, but I we'll look at when we actually find the placements of where we identify the placements, we'll certainly look at that consideration. >> So, are you saying that you don't have to go to the pay station with the mobile
app? >> Correct. >> You will not. >> Okay. >> So, and to Gina's point though, and I guess a question of clarification, and I don't know if you know that, uh, know this. Um, I think it may be wise to look at to see if there are additional uh, ADA parking spaces we can put in. Um,
those are no charge. Uh, if if memory serves me right, if you have a placard, does that also exempt you from paying at the meter? >> I don't know the answer to that. I >> I believe it does, but but I'll I'll check. Uh, the the the the pay stations
will cover estimated between eight and 10 spaces. So, that's the maximum walk walk, right? Either way. Um, >> all right. Well, yeah, it's it's a good comment. Look at it. as we get closer because this is we're doing all the administrative work now.
Um as we get closer I'll presenting to the council because not every meter in this town is going to get changed in the first phase. So So this is only the ones particularly on on like Main Street. We have other meters on other streets as well that will not get changed in this
particular phase. >> I just have a quick question. Is there a meeting set up? Um there is a a a follow-up meeting regarding the meter selection. We did interview um two companies
um but we've made we haven't had a follow-up meeting for a selection but that will be within the next couple weeks. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Uh roll call. >> Council members Theresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Glen Deny. >> Yes. >> Randy Pitts. >> Yes. >> Gina Stravik. >> Yes.
>> Roger Firm. >> Yes. >> All right. consent resolutions. Any to come off for further discussion? All right. Uh 186 authorizing the sale of surplus property being a camera system through municip. Uh 187 is authorizing the Sunday sidewalk sales
between 10:00 a.m. and 6 p.m. in downtown Somerville during August. 188 is approving the annual renewal of amusement and video game licenses for 2627. 189 approving alcoholic beverage licenses to be uh to the division of alcoholic beverages for 2627.
190 is approving annual renewal of recorder and towing licenses for 2627. 191 is authorizing change order number one to diamond construction for 23 safe streets to transit in the amount of 48,315.70. 192 is authorizing the burough clerk administrator to execute a consent for
the assignment of a rights of way agreement from Cable Vision Light Path LLC to Light Path Fiber Infrastructure LLC. 193 is authorizing and memorializing the submission of an application to the Somerset County Historic Preservation Grant Program for historic ceiling restoration at Burrow Hall. Do we have a motion?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council members Terresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Glen Deny. >> Yes. >> Randy Pitts. >> Yes. >> Gina Stravik. >> Yes. >> Roger Verm. >> Yes. All right. Bills and vouchers. Roger. >> I make a motion to pay bills and vouchers in the amount of $741,4546.
>> Second. >> Discussion. Roll call. >> Council members Terresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Glen, yes. >> Randy Pittz, >> yes. >> Gina Stravik, >> yes. >> Roger Firm, >> yes. >> All right, Gina, I ask for a motion for adjournment, please. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. Discussion. All in favor? I
>> opposed. This meeting is adjourned.