This is a regular meeting of the Township Committee. Public notice of this meeting has been given as required by the Open Public Meetings Law. A resolution was adopted on January 1st, 2026, designating this date, this hall, and 7:30 p.m. as the time for this regular meeting of the Township
Committee of the Township of Union in the County of Union. A notice of each and every meeting of the Township Committee was posted in accordance with the after said Open Public Meetings Law in one public place reserved for the posting of ordinances and official notices of the Township of Union, namely
the bulletin board next to the clerk's office. In addition there to a copy of said resolution was forwarded to the Local Source and Star-Ledger. A copy of said resolution is on file with the clerk of the Township. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. This evening the prayer will be led by Committee Woman
Sandra Terrell and the flag salute by our junior mayor, Jayden Chase. Let's all rise. >> As we gather as members of this Township Committee, we pray that we are ever mindful of opportunities to render our service to fellow citizens and to our
community, keeping in mind always the enduring values of life, exerting our efforts on those areas and on those things upon which future generations can build with confidence. Let us continue to strive to make a better community. Amen.
>> I pledge allegiance 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. >> At this time, I would like to please ask
that we silence our cell phones during the meeting. Can I have a motion? >> May I do a roll call? >> Oh, yes, you may. >> Mr. Figueiredo? >> Here. >> Mr. Terrell? >> Here. >> Mr. Bowser? >> Here. >> Mr. Florio? >> Here. >> Mayor Frazier? >> Yes, here.
At this time, please silence your phones during the meeting, and I will entertain a motion to approve the minutes. >> Move for approval of the minutes. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Madam Clerk, let's continue with ordinances. >> I have for consideration on draft and
first reading an ordinance creating a handicap space in front of 2134 Van Buren Place. >> Motion. >> I move the ordinance be taken up for second and final reading. >> Uh, first reading. Sorry. >> First. >> I'm Move draft be taken up for final reading
by title at this time. >> First reading by title at this time. >> Second. >> An ordinance amending the designation of restricted parking spaces for use by persons with special vehicle identification cards in the Township of Union, Union County, New Jersey. This
ordinance creates a handicap space in front of 2134 Van Buren Place. Mr. Figueiredo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Terrell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Frazier? >> Yes. >> Move draft be taken up at the next regularly scheduled meeting for second
and final reading. >> Second. >> Mr. Figueiredo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Terrell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Frazier? >> Yes. >> Amending Chapter 270-3 of the Municipal Code relating to uniform construction code fees.
>> Move the draft be taken up for first reading by title at this time. >> Second. >> An ordinance amending Chapter 270 entitled Construction Codes Uniform in the Township of Union, Union County, New Jersey. This ordinance amends the fee schedule for construction. Mr. Figueiredo? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Terrell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Frazier? >> Yes. >> Move draft be taken up at the next regularly scheduled meeting for second and final reading. >> Second. >> Mr. Figueiredo? >> Yes. >> Ms. Terrell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Frazier? >> Yes. >> Amending chapter 415-9-10 of the municipal code relating to recreational program and permit fees. >> Move the draft be taken up on first reading by title at this time. >> Second. >> An ordinance amending chapter 415
entitled parks and recreation in the Township of Union, Union County, New Jersey. This ordinance amends the fee schedule for individual and organizational permits. Mr. Figueiredo? >> Yes. >> Ms. Terrell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Frazier? >> Yes.
>> Move the draft be taken up at the next regularly scheduled meeting for second and final reading. Second. >> Mr. Figueiredo? >> Yes. >> Ms. Terrell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Frazier? >> Yes. >> Have the following resolutions authorizing the renewal and maintenance
of four in-car cameras for the police department from Axon Enterprise Inc. for a fee not to exceed $39,908.97. State contract 17-00738. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Authorizing the application and execution of a grant with the New Jersey
Department of Transportation for the Liberty Avenue Improvements Phase 2 project. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Awarding a professional service agreement with Neglia Group to conduct a preliminary investigation to determine
if block 802, lot 10.02 Township-owned property on Galloping Hill Road should be designated as an area in need of redevelopment. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Adopting the Union County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
>> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Authorizing payment of all approved vouchers for solid waste collection, haulage, and disposal at the interim rate of $75.09 per ton for household waste and $129.52
per ton for bulky waste for the month of May. >> Move to approve the payments. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Authorizing a 5-year lease agreement with Ricoh USA Inc. for new photocopiers for various departments for a fee not to exceed $3,828.52
per month, state contract number 25-COMG-99562. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Removing the property located at 104 Waldorf Place, block 5707, lot 7.08 from the tax rolls that is now township
owned. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Authorizing a professional service agreement with TPD Inc. for general traffic engineering services for a fee not to exceed $25,000. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye.
>> Authorizing the purchase and installation of an electric charging station at the senior center from Troller Electric LLC for an amount not to exceed $70,000 through the Educational Services Co-Op of New Jersey. >> Move to approve the purchase. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye.
>> Amending resolution 2025-191 increasing the amount of Newman's Heat & Air Conditioning by $3,000 for a total amount not to exceed $42,895.92 for HVAC services for various township buildings. >> Motion to approve the increase. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Aye. >> Authorizing an emergency contract to Craft Power Corp. for the replacement of the radiator at the Pinewood Road sanitary sewer in the amount of $9,181.55. >> Move to approve the contract. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Authorizing an emergency contract to
Denbar Construction Inc. to repair the stairways and walkways at the municipal building at their low quote not to exceed $33,500. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> Aye. >> Authorizing a contract to Danbar Construction for repainting and resurfacing of the stairways and
walkways at the municipal building at their low quote not to exceed $18,700. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> Aye. >> Authorizing an award of contract to Central Jersey Generators LLC for the replacement of the automatic transfer
switch on the town hall emergency generator at their low quote of $28,000. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> Aye. >> Authorizing a contract to DePinho and Sons to build a memorial for the township victims of the September 11, 2001 attack in front of the municipal
building at their low quote not to exceed $53,000. >> Move to approve the contract. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> Aye. >> Authorizing an award of contract to Mission-Critical Partners for the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol Program ASAP for emergency dispatch at no cost
to the township. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> Aye. >> Authorizing a professional service agreement with Colliers Engineering and Design for the preparation and investigation of a possible area in need of redevelopment at 1042-58 Salem Road for a fee not to exceed
$32,000. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> Aye. >> Authorizing an award of contract to Lazio Construction LLC for the striping of crosswalks throughout the township at an amount not to exceed $52,639. >> Motion to approve.
>> Second. >> All in favor. >> Aye. >> Authorizing an award of contract to Horizon Painting LLC to paint the columns, doors, molding, and windows outside the municipal building for an amount not to exceed $15,700. >> Move to approve the contract. >> Second. >> All in favor.
>> Aye. >> Authorizing the renewal of certain liquor licenses in the township for the annual period of July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Authorizing the renewal of plenary retail consumption license number
201933004008 Signatures LLC with special conditions. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Ask you to approve the finances as listed on the agenda. >> Motion to approve the finances as listed. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye.
>> Following communications from Reverend Alfonso Williams Sr., Aion Baptist Church, 1500 Brown Avenue, requesting to host a church block party on Saturday, August 23rd, 2026 between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. >> Move to approve request. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> Aye. >> From Marconi Gappis, health officer, requesting a refund in the amount of $30 to Loretta Washington for a mobile truck vendor temporary permit application. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> From Stella Okonwo, Nigerian Nurses
Association of America, requesting permission to host a walk-a-thon for domestic violence awareness and prevention on October 3rd, 2026 on Russell Street from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for approximately 50 attendees. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Aye. >> Following department reports from fire department, municipal court, and senior center. >> Motion to receive and file the reports. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> That concludes my part of the agenda. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk.
Let's move on to committee reports. Committee Woman Terrell, please begin with the fire department. >> Thank you, Mayor. For this week, during this reporting period, the Union Fire Department responded to 177 calls for service, including fire suppression, emergency
medical assistance, and motor vehicle incidents. Significant incidents on June 15th, Union firefighters responded to Schneider Ave for a vehicle fire in a driveway of a residence. Crews quickly extinguished the fire and successfully
prevented the spread to the home. On June 22nd, firefighters responded to Morris Avenue for reports of smoke coming from a window. Upon arrival, crews located a fire in an apartment and rapidly brought the fire under control, confining damage to the
area of origin. Our safety tips for this week, as resident as residents enjoy outdoor fire pits this summer, please remember to follow Township fire safety regulations. Outdoor fires should be located at least
15 ft from homes, sheds, fences, property lines, and other combustible materials. Fire pits may not be operated on a deck, porch, balcony, under an overhang, or inside a structure.
Always use a spark screen. Keep a hose or fire extinguisher nearby, and never leave a fire unattended. A few simple precautions can help protect your family, your neighbors, and our community. Thank you. That concludes my report.
>> Thank you, Committeewoman. Now, Committeeman Fiorito with the senior and recreation report. >> Yes, thank you, Mayor. From our senior department, a health and wellness clinic will be held on Tuesday, July 7th, from 9:30 to
11:30. This is a nurse that'll be there for health maintenance and any prevention services. This sounds like a fun thing to do, music journey behind the music. It's a sing-along on Wednesday, June 24th, tomorrow,
at 11:00. No experience needed. Just bring your love of great tunes and good company, and make some musical memories together. Uh another interesting workshop that's going to be held at our seniors. It's called the Memoir workshop and it's
going to be 5 weeks every Tuesday starting July 7th and ending August 4th. Um it's be from 10:00 to 11:00. This is a guided writing workshop where it helps participants explore and share their personal stories.
Um you learn how to turn your meaningful memories into a written narrative that preserves your experiences, lessons, and moments that matter in your life. Again, that's 5-week workshop on Tuesdays starting July the 7th at 10:00 till
11:00. There'll be a movie day on July 8th and at 1:30 in the afternoon, Mother of the Bride is a light romantic comedy about a mother whose world is turned upside down when her daughter returns home with unexpected wedding news.
Sounds like fun. Uh and upcoming trips, Wind Creek Casino July 16th. This is in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Uh $40 per ticket. They'll be leaving from Jeanette Avenue. And also to Resorts Casino in Atlantic City
on July 19th. Also $40 per ticket and that also departs from Jeanette Avenue. If you need any further information on any of these programs, you can call our senior center at 908-851-5290. And Mayor, that concludes my report. >> Thank you. Let's move on to Committeeman
Balzer with DPW report. >> Uh thank you, Mayor. The Department of Public Works is continuing its focus on the Township road repair. For the road division, there were 11 road patch applications, 71 pothole repairs prepared and and repaired sinkholes on
Stuyvesant Avenue, dug and backfilled trenches uh to assist fire department with their training, utilized 32. uh 3 tons of asphalt material for various road repairs including Liberty Avenue,
Nicholas Place, Crawford Terrace and South Master Parkway, Fairway Drive, Headley Terrace, Valley Road, Springfield Road across from our Walmart. Uh Shear Avenue and also did the Union High School uh parking lot.
33 333 street cleanings for the sewer division uh flushed 18 sewer lines for maintenance. 2 hours two after hour emergency call outs for sanitary issues, 60 enzyme applications to minimize fats, oils and greases. And
for the shade tree division, there were seven stump removals, three removals, uh 12 trims, 20 uh tree assessments. Uh as always, all concerns regarding the Department of Public Works can be addressed by calling 908-686-1922
or by using the report a concern feature on the township website. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you. And our police report by Deputy Mayor uh Floria. >> Thank you very much, Mayor. Once again, our police were very active. We had
2,757 calls for service. Directed patrols were 1,167 and there were 95 arrests during that period. As part of our traffic enforcement, one of the items to make sure oversized
trucks only go on designated streets, we issued two tickets uh to enforce that. Our red light enforcement, we had 35 tickets issued in the past 2 weeks. And our speed initiative, once again, trying to control speed in our community, we issued 188 tickets in that
2-week period. Just one highlight uh from those 2 weeks, on June 16th, officers conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of Union Avenue for a U-Haul confirmed stolen out of Hillside. The driver was safely detained without incident and placed under arrest.
Searches of both suspects and vehicle yielded negative results and the vehicle was recovered and turned over to Sus Parow Towing. The driver was charged with receiving and stolen a motor vehicle. This is my report for tonight, Mayor. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. And before I read my upcoming events, I
would like to thank everyone who joined us for our Juneteenth celebration, our sixth annual Juneteenth celebration at Bear Temple Park. We celebrated community, culture, freedom, and we are grateful to all of the black-owned businesses that were out there as
vendors, the talented artists, the generous sponsors, and every single community member that came out to celebrate and um have a good time at the park. So, >> [clears throat] >> our first event, Open Road, begins this
Sunday. Uh Rahway Avenue will be closed off. It's a mile long and it will be vehicle-free space for the entire community. Whether you walk, run, bike, dance, or roll, come on out to enjoy
open streets and connect with neighbors and friends. Join us on Rahway Avenue from Morris to Liberty Avenue on Sunday, June 28th and Sunday, September 20th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Also, Wednesday night Wednesday night
summer series will begin tomorrow and we are going to have um a watch party of the FIFA game, Brazil versus Scotland. So, make sure you join us. So, join us on Springfield Avenue for the return of Wednesday night summer
series. This free community event features FIFA watch parties, live music, DJ, giant lawn games, family-friendly activities, and join us for local foods, explore our unique vendor tables, and celebrate summer in the heart of the
center. I hope to see you all there. We are going to have a historical bike tour. Celebrate America's 250th anniversary by joining the Township of Union's historic bike tour and brunch this Independence Day. This exciting
12-mile 12-mile ride visits five local landmarks and concludes with a delicious community breakfast at Connecticut Farm Church. Kicking off that morning festivities is a live historical reenactment will take place prior to the
bike tour. That is around 8:00 a.m. A reenactor portraying Reverend James Caldwell will deliver a powerful reading of the Declaration of Independence alongside members of families who have called Union home for generations. Their
participation honors the deep roots and enduring spirit of our community. Bike tour spaces are are filling up fast, so please visit uniontownship.com today to secure your your tickets and claim your spot. Also, our junior
mayors, I'm going to give them a week's vacation, but this summer they will be joining me in workshops and my um mayors' aids um workshops, one of my passions are right, educating our youth. Our workshops will include public
speaking, social media safety, and time management, and many other workshops. So, um not only is he sitting here having a good time this evening, but he will be educated this summer, right? Okay. Um again, uh pet licensing, please
make sure you license your pets. Um visit uniontownship.com and for Everbridge notifications, please sign up for emergency notifications at uniontownship.com. That concludes my report.
Right now, we are going to open up the public portion. As a friendly reminder, please state your name, your address, and remember you have a 5-minute rule. >> Hello. >> Hello. >> Nice to see you, junior mayor. [clears throat]
Um >> Hi, my name is Wanda Espanya. I live at 268 Lincoln Avenue in Union, and I have questions about the AI data center being built in Kenilworth. I, along with my family, have attended
various meetings at their township over the past several months. And I feel that um I was going to say that while the data center is in technically in Kenilworth, it will affect me and my neighbors more
than most Kenilworth residents, as I live in the Five Points area of Union, less than half a mile from the site. My first question, during last week's Kenilworth meeting on June 17th, the Kenilworth mayor stated that she and
Senator Cryan had toured the data center with Coreweave representatives the day prior, on June 16th, and that the visit, {quote} quelled her concerns regarding impacts to the residents. My questions are, were any Union
Township officials present or invited to this tour? >> Um yes, I was there. Um I was invited, and I did attend. >> Okay. Um can you publicly share what information was presented, what questions were asked, and what
conclusions were reached? >> S- um so, we have invited that isn't a Coreweave site, so um it isn't directly associated with what is going on in Kenilworth, but from what I saw, um it was pretty quiet.
It was a clean area. Um, there isn't much more that I saw um when we were visiting the grounds. I mean, we opened the doors to certain rooms. Um, you know, there was a light humming sound, but once you close the door, you
couldn't hear anything. We have invited Coreweave to come and address our concerns. They were unable to come, but we um are continuing our communication, and we hope to have them here at some point.
>> Is this where you were talking about possibly doing it in the Five Points area? >> Correct. >> Okay. And were the facilities that you visited similar to what Coreweave is planning to build at this site? Cuz I heard they're not exactly the same. >> They're not exactly the same, um but it
is something that might be similar, yes. Again, it's not Coreweave, so they're two different entities. >> Okay. My second question. During the same June 17th meeting, the Kenilworth mayor stated that Coreweave facility will be
engineered with nuclear power. This was the first time Mending residents heard nuclear power associated with this project. In addition to the hyperscale AI center, will there be a nuclear reactor facility on the site? >> I am not sure. I can't answer that
question. >> I'm hoping you guys can find out. >> Yes. >> Will Union Township formally request clarification and make that information available to the residents, which is basically what you just said? And my final question.
If the current approved data center is constructed and later results in documented health, environmental, infrastructure, or quality of life impacts affecting the Union residents, what authority does Union Township have to prevent protect its residents?
Specifically, does Union Township have the ability to seek enforcement actions, injunctive relief, or litigation if it impacts extend beyond Kenilworth's borders? >> I am going to ask Right. >> Okay.
Has the Township evaluated what legal remedies may be available if Union residents are negatively affected or injured by the project, which is what you just said? Um and I'm hoping that the Township can commit to reviewing these options now
rather than waiting until the problems occur because the Kenilworth mayor said she would do studies after it's built, which is ridiculous. This is not a joke. This is affecting many thousands of us. A city of 8,000
residents is making a decision that is affecting thousands of residents in surrounding towns. They are not being transparent. There is a lot of back and forth and finger pointing. It's very concerning. And I just wanted all this on the
record. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. We are listening to your concerns and we are keeping that line of communication open. Thank you. Any other fur- um any further comments from the public? Yes, sir. Come on up. Uh please state your name and
>> Stephen Stephen Yaffe, 158 Conant Street, Hillside. >> Can you get closer to the mic? I can't hear you. I'm sorry. >> Stephen Yaffe, 158 Conant Street, Hillside. Yeah, I came to see you guys 6 months ago regarding the Polluter Pay
Act. And I want to slip something in on that, too, for for you guys. I You guys did a great job. You passed your resolution. And actually in a few days, couple days, the question is whether the legislation will be brought out of committee. And
that's a Craig Coughlin matter. So, I would encourage you either to Mr. Scutari and to Craig Coughlin both, express your your your backing it because he's uh
It's not clear what's going on there and he he needs a little bit of pressure. That would be If you can bring pressure, that would be wonderful because you're familiar with the the idea of the bill. >> barely hear you. I'm sorry.
>> Can you speak up, please? >> Can you hear me? >> Is Is the mic up? >> Oh, okay. The Polluter Pay bill. This is This It's still in committee. The assembly passed the Senate passed it, but it hasn't been posted. That's the whole thing. So, Craig
Coughlin may squash it if he's not pushed in the right direction. So, he needs encouragement. And Mr. Scutari, again, same thing. He could do Mr. Scutaro's he's a
sponsor on the bill, but that's not even clear what that means. Sometimes a sponsor in in some setting may just be on a bill in order to apply pressure one way or another and so on. So, that's
It's This is the the concern. More pressure if you guys make the call, again, just just do something. It's likely to come. And this is a This will be a boom if it passes, not only passes the legislature and and and the governor
is pressured to sign it. Again, there's another unknown right there, but if it all goes through and if if the if it's never knocked down by the Supreme Court, which is the challenge that the oil industry is trying to say,
"Hey, uh don't touch us. This is you know, we're good. We're providing a service. We're we're doing We're we're the ones who are providing the heat for this country, you know." And that's not the same issue. It's It's
again, this is a similar issue to what would how the the Superfund Act or the cigarette uh um liability was created. Both of those are very similar to this one. The point is the oil industry, Exxon in particular,
in the '60s, they had the science, but they suppressed it because they had oil to sell. They wanted to keep selling oil, and that's the issue. And that's the liability issue that's at hand. And that's why
And and there is money that they have that they have at at the ready, and that's the whole question of justice as to whether they should be pressured to uh uh assist in the mitigations, the flooding mitigations, all of the
weather-related, climate-related mitigations. That's the bill. So, um if you um have the energy, um you can talk firmly, and it'll be great. This is the last couple days, um Thursday, Friday. It's got to come
before the um uh the budget is signed. That's the idea. Otherwise, it's going to get pushed back. Again, it'll be a whole 'nother start over, which already has This is already the second second go at this. So,
um um stay strong. Okay. Back to the data center. I was at that meeting also, which very well expressed um by Armin. And I wish I guess nobody Nobody on the dais was there. Is that correct? In the at the Kenilworth
meeting? Yeah, nobody was there. Um I personally was shocked the level of understanding that the mayor showed or non-understanding that the mayor showed. And her enthusiasm for what would be the giveback was some, I
think some emergency equipment, a truck or something, and some paving stones or something. It It It was rather uh totally disjointed from the the the potential seriousness of this
project. They She was talking The things that the mayor read in her statement, and then she didn't know She could not answer if this is going to be a 250 MW capacity or a gigawatt. I've seen both numbers thrown around.
It's not clear. Is Is the Is the NDA >> your time is up. But thank you. I was taking notes. Thank you so much for your remarks. >> Sure. >> Any other comments from the public? Yes, come on up, please. >> Hi, nice to see you again.
My name is Christopher Bisher. I live in at 1471 Brookside Drive in Union. I have an an environmental impact concern, but of not as high level as the data center. Uh behind my house is
about five tracks of housing that run about 50 by 100, you know, the equivalent of let's say, you know, five or six houses. Uh in the fall, an organization called Salazar Construction began constructing um a five five-house
um development in along what I guess is considered Union County Parkway. It's not a road. It's a pathway that they're developing into a road. I did a little research on them, and they're they're boasting on LinkedIn that they're under development of this project. They took down
approximately 10 to 12 trees along that tract of land, which is right behind my house, as well as three or four neighbors to my right and to my left. I believe those how trees have been there probably since my house was built in 1939, approximately 75 years.
And now bulldozers and tractors and hoes and all kinds of equipment are back there leveling that land to prepare to build houses. Um can I'm curious as to what the ordinances are about the continuous operation of
construction vehicles and the like. They used to start around 8:00 or 9:00 and end around 5:00 or 6:00, and now they seem to be under pressure, I guess, to get the the development done. They're out there as early as 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and sometimes 8:00 on weekends.
The only Sunday they haven't been there recently is Father's Day. I guess they gave the guys off, but every weekend now they're out there earlier and earlier. Uh so, it's got to be some kind of um noise pollution and um
annoyance to all the neighbors because the track tractors, as you know, every time they go back and forth, they beep beep beep forward and back and all this. The dust is incredible. They put a dust apron up along the fence, which is about as high as these chairs, and over the last few months, because of the rain and
the weather, it's pretty much almost on the ground. Um I have pictures and videos. I'm not sure how they could be submitted. If you've got an email address or a web platform, I'd be happy to, but I'd like to know what that is. Saturday morning, 7:00 8:00 in the morning, there are
tractors out there. Um it's got to be an annoyance to all the neighbors. There's got to be, you know, noise pollution ordinances and the like. So, I'd just be curious about that. >> Thank you um for your concerns. We do have a noise ordinance. We will enforce it if they are not following that
ordinance, as well as the trees. Um we have a ordinance as well. If they knock down a tree, they have to plant a tree somewhere in town. But, um, we will yes. >> Yeah. I also wanted to mention that our reporter concern feature,
you have the ability to upload videos. You have, you know, certainly I would suggest that these complaints are are brought to our uh construction official. Uh, you could call the police department if there's a noise issue. You call the health department. Any of those entities
are are poised to respond and it doesn't matter on Saturday. I will tell you we have a uh property maintenance folks that do work on Saturdays. So, uh those concerns are valid. The lot clearing is probably the the
the most concerning that I hear. And frankly, there's a town ordinance that requires you to remove uh to I'm I'm sorry, to replace the trees that are removed or provide a landscaping plan if it's a development. Uh, I I'm not sure which, but
>> Well, I I can guarantee you that there 10 or 12 trees that are going to be gone and there's houses that there's no there's there's no way they're going to put up trees. Um >> Well, there's a mechanism for large trees like that, for example. >> Right. >> Where you pay a big fine or a big cost. >> Right. >> So, you no longer are the days you can
come in and clear a lot. That this governing body adopted an ordinance last year that says, you want to remove a big tree cuz you want to build a house? That's great. You've got to replace a tree of that size or pay upwards of $5,000, which is a considerable amount
of money, into a tree fund where a tree such as that could be planted. >> That's great to know. Um, the report a concern, is that on the website I can find that and I can upload a video or document? >> Ab- absolutely. Or or I'll give you my card, you can send it directly to me and I'll I'll address the complaint directly.
>> Yes, please feel free to send us that information via email as well. >> All right, thanks. >> Thank you. Any further comments from the public? >> Ruth Slovic, 1725 Patriot Way. Um you mentioned some workshops over the summer for kids. I wanted to know who
runs them, when they're going to be, and what they are. >> They're from my junior mayors. So, there's a total of six students who were chosen to be junior mayors, and that will be taking place here. >> Oh, so it's just for them. It's not for the public. >> Yeah. >> I wanted to clarify that. Thank you. Um
uh according to resolution number 10, it says removing the property located at 104 West Waldorf Place um from the tax rolls that is now Township owned. Um under what circumstances do
does a Township purchase um land or property? And for what purpose are you going to be holding it, or what are you going to be doing with it? This one specifically, and maybe generally what the what the procedure is for um
buying or taking things off the tax roll. >> Mayor, if I if I can answer this one directly. So, uh 104 Waldorf is part of a deed restricted affordable development known as Newtown Village, which is for uh of
it's affordable for seniors in particular. It was built in the early '90s. Uh if you own it, it is for sale. So, if you own it, you're required to keep it as affordable. And if you sell it, it's got to be maintained as affordable.
Township has the right of uh first refusal, and it purchases in this case it purchased 104 Waldorf back from the owner for uh roughly $100,000. And the Township will uh intend it the
intent our intention is to clean it up, market it, and get it back on the market as an affordable where it will ultimately go back on the tax rolls, but it'll be a senior affordable. There are two units in that Newtown Village development. So, that's typically the
only reason why we would would purchase a property. Um this is sort of an outlier. >> Okay. Cuz I I've seen a few times, not often, but I've seen a few times about purchasing different property for different reasons, and I was just wondering if there's like a broader category or reason beyond that.
Um >> I would I would tell you that any purchase that governmental entity makes is governed by state statute, by the local lands and buildings law. There are procedures that are followed. It is really rare that we purchase property, plain and simple. I'm trying to think back
not that I disagree, I just can't think of >> No, there weren't many. There weren't many, but just yeah, yeah. Um if I if I can if I can go back to last meetings agenda. Um because I know I asked about the um
professional services agreement with the BLM consultants regarding a community development director and staff for the sole responsive proposal not to exceed $224,000. And you explained that it's not going to be like a whole new staff, it's just a re-
re-hiring of of or continuing the contracts, etc. Am I Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Then then why would you need a consultant? I want to know why you would need a consultant. >> Do you recall what number that was? >> Um yes, it was number number two under
the resolutions of the last agenda. >> I'm sorry. That was a community development grant. >> I'm sorry. >> That was a community development grant. >> Wait, community development director and staff, yes. >> Ruth, that's that is the administrative
group that handles the uh the community development block grants that uh that the Township receives. So, it's a very specialized uh area. There aren't big groups that do it. Um in this case, BLM consultants does it. They do it well. They've done
it for the Township for uh for over 20 years. Um and they responded to the RFP accordingly. And um and and majority of the vast majority of those monies are are not kept for administrative purposes. They're deployed to the
community. So, um trying to think of any any other concerns there. >> Well, I I I just it with the response I got last time, it was directly um saying that they were rehiring the same people. >> And and Mayor >> And and why would you consult for that? Yeah.
>> If I could if I could just add to that. So, uh there are only two two towns in Union County that in administer their own community block grant funds. That's Union and the city of Elizabeth. It's funding from the federal government that gets dispersed
down locally to the county or or or the municipality. In this case, Township hires a third party to administer our community development block grant. And most of those funds are used for road
resurfacing and other programs, but obviously they're spent in in the Township. Uh Elizabeth has their own program. The other remaining 19 municipalities in the county actually uh get those funds through the county. So, the county oversees their program. So,
the nice thing is here in the Township of Union, we have uh a lot more uh say, if you will, as to uh how those funds get dispersed. But, that that's what BLM does for us. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Ruth, for your comments. Your
time is up. Do we have any further comments from the public? Come on up. >> Good evening Mayor and the governing body. Thank you so much for a couple minutes. Uh my name is Joe Cryan. I have the privilege of being the Senator for the 20th District, which obviously includes the Township of Union and the
Borough of Kenilworth. I wanted to stop by. God bless Facebook, which I had on the phone, so I did have an opportunity uh to watch the meeting and I did want to follow up on a comment Mayor that you and I had discussed as part of our visit. Um so just to kind of
play the record a little bit straight cuz Lord knows there's been enough conversations about this data center and so much information coming back and forth. I wouldn't try to have all of it, but I do want to share uh a couple meetings that I've had and in particular discuss the power situation that came
up. I hate to be informal, but I don't remember your last name, but it's Jen. Okay. So with apologies, want to follow up and will right after this discussion with the folks that brought up the concerns. Mayor, you and I, at the invitation of the House of Labor, in particular David Fiori as a
as one of the union leaders in the state of New Jersey and a number of other elected officials, attended a a dozen or more, I believe, uh attended a Piscataway data center tour, which was one of about It turns out there's about 10 different data centers
in Piscataway. And the one we toured, I believe, was more than a decade old. All right? And the folks showed us as we continue to learn and try to understand this this issue thoroughly. And we did that about three or four weeks ago, whatever that was. And we took that time to
understand, and as you noted in your comment, that that particular data center uh was uh was quiet when we came out, and that's certainly one of the many, many discussion points to have in terms of noise and the rest. And we learned a lot
about that at Senders that day. I know a number of my colleagues, including Senate colleagues, who toured Senator Smith, for example, was there. There were a number of Assembly folks as well. A couple mayors who took the opportunity to come. So, it was a group tour with the intention of
learning more about what's clearly a particularly concern of issue, particularly here in the Township of Union and the Borough of Kenilworth. We learned there that that particular data center was fueled by green energy credits that came out of the state of Pennsylvania.
Right? They actually were using wind turbine credits to power that particular data center. The proposal, now you you and I, Mayor, were not at the same follow-up one that Mayor Carlovich referred to in her comments last week in Kenilworth. Mayor
Carlovich of Kenilworth and myself toured a more recent built data center in Orangeburg, New York. So, I just wanted to kind of clarify. And what they indicated there was they are purchasing credits from nuclear power plants that are
existing in both New Jersey and mostly in Pennsylvania. So, that's how they'll say they are using clean energy. But, I want to be immensely clear, which is why I took the time to come here. There is no proposal, no anything to build a nuclear power
anything on the Coreweave Nest, Onyx site, old Merck site, whatever way you want to refer to it. There's none of that. Okay? So, I know that there one could have inferred differently just from the text on my phone, I know folks did. So, I just want to be clear
that we are speaking the same language. Now, certainly energy is one part of this consideration for our communities, what we're considering and up against. But, as we know, the current Merck facility is is powered by a co-gen facility. And as we all know, they are
looking for extensive electricity supports, which we can see throughout the Township of Union and the Borough of Kenilworth. So, I just wanted to take a moment, kind of set that clear. We've had so much going on. I thank you for a moment to do that. We'll chat outside of here, but I did want to just kind of be
as super clear. There is no proposal for nuclear power of any sort that I'm aware of, Mayor, you are, and I'm certain that there isn't for any sort of power generation in the Kenilworth Merck Nest Core Weave site. Thank you so very much for your op- for the opportunity to
speak. >> Thank you for your comments. Do we have any further comments from the public? Seeing none,