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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=LSR4HNInl64

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Mhm. >> 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

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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

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office. In addition thereto, 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 given by Committee Woman Sandra Terrell and the flag salute

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by Committee Man Figueiredo. Please 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

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enduring values of life, exerting our efforts in 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

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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. >> Madam Clerk, roll call, please. >> Mr. Figueiredo. >> Here. >> Mr. O'Malley.

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>> Here. >> Mr. Bowser. >> Here. >> Mr. Florio. >> Here. >> Mayor Frazier. >> Here. >> Everyone, please silence your phones at this time and during this meeting. I would like to receive a motion to approve the minutes

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for June 23rd meeting and the special meeting of July 14th. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Thank you. Madam Clerk, we can move on with the ordinances. >> I offer consideration on second and final reading an ordinance creating a handicap space in front of 2134 Van

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Buren Place. >> Move ordinance be taken up for second final reading. >> 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

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front of 2134 Van Buren Place. >> Is there anyone from the public wishing to speak on this ordinance? >> Move ordinance be adopted. >> Second. >> Mr. Figueiredo. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Malley. >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser. >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio. >> Yes. >> Mayor Frazier. >> Yes.

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>> Amending chapter 270-3 of the municipal code relating to uniform construction code fees. >> Move ordinance be taken up for second and final reading. >> Second. >> An ordinance amending chapter 27D entitled construction codes uniform in the Township of Union, Union County, New Jersey. This ordinance amends the fee

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schedule for construction. >> Anyone in the public wishing to speak on this ordinance? Move ordinance be adopted. >> Second. >> Mr. Figueiredo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Terrell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Frazier? >> Yes.

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>> Amending chapter 415 9-10 of the municipal code relating to recreational program and permit fees. >> Move ordinance be taken up for second and final reading. >> Second. >> An ordinance amending chapter 415 entitled parks and recreation in the Township of Union, Union County, New

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Jersey. This ordinance amends the fee schedule for individual and organizational permits. >> Anyone from the public wishing to speak on this ordinance? Move ordinance be adopted. Second. >> Mr. Figueiredo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Terrell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser? >> Yes. >> Florio?

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>> Yes. >> Mayor Frazier? >> Yes. >> Establishing a cap bank for the 2026 calendar year. >> Move the ordinance be taken up for second and final reading. >> Second. >> Calendar year 2026 ordinance to establish a cap bank authorizing that any amount not appropriated as part of

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the final budget shall be retained as an exception to final appropriation in either of the next two succeeding years. >> Anyone from the public wishing to speak on this ordinance? Move the ordinance be adopted. >> Second. >> Mr. Figueiredo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Terrell? >> Yes.

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>> Mr. Bowser? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Frazier? >> Yes. >> Authorizing the public auction of various buildable lots within the Township. >> Move the ordinance be taken up for second and final reading. >> Second. >> Ordinance of the Township Committee of the Township of Union, County of Union,

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State of New Jersey authorizing the public auction of various buildable lots in the Township of Union pursuant to NJSA 40:12-1 et seq. This ordinance authorizes the sale of multiple buildable lots to the highest bidder. >> Anyone from the public wishing to speak

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on this ordinance? >> Move the ordinance be adopted. >> Second. >> Mr. Figueiredo? >> Yes. >> Ms. Terrell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Frazier? >> Yes. >> Have your consideration on drafting first reading an ordinance creating a new chapter in the municipal code

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entitled registration, licensing, and maintenance program for vacant commercial properties. >> Move draft be taken up on first reading by title at this time. >> Second. >> Ordinance of the Township Committee of the Township of Union, County of Union, State of New Jersey creating a new chapter entitled registration,

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licensing, and maintenance program for vacant vacant commercial properties in the Township of Union. This ordinance requires registration of vacant commercial properties. Mr. Figueiredo? >> Yes. >> Ms. Terrell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Frazier? >> Yes.

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>> 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. >> Authorizing the execution of a financial

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agreement with 700 Liberty Avenue Urban Renewal LLC. >> Move the draft be taken up for first reading by title at this time. >> Second. >> An ordinance of the Township of Union, Union County, New Jersey approving an application for tax exemption and payments in lieu of taxes for the

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property located at block 3503, lot 1.01 and authorizing the execution of a financial agreement with 700 Liberty Avenue Urban Renewal LLC. Mr. Figueiredo? >> Yes. >> Ms. Terrell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bowser? >> Yes.

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>> 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.

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>> The following resolutions authorizing the purchase of four police vehicles from Enterprise Corporate through the Sourcewell Co-op contract not to exceed $100,000. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Authorizing the employee dental plan

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with Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey for the period of September 1st, 2026 to August 31st, 2029 at a premium of $87,536 per year. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye.

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>> I abstain. >> Authorizing the renewal of plenary retail consumption license number 201933028006 Macarena Eng for the period of July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye.

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>> Authorizing the purchase of safety service surface for Andrew Street Park from rubber recycler for an amount not to exceed $66,481 paid contract 24 food 118185. >> Move to approve the purchase. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye.

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>> Authorizing the purchase of new playground equipment for Freyberger Park from MRC Recreation through the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey for an amount not to exceed $62,176.79. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye.

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>> 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 June. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor?

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>> Aye. >> Supporting the application of Altitude Cannabis LLC, an established and licensed class 5 cannabis retailer, to operate a satellite retail dispensary in the township. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Authorizing a professional service

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agreement with Spiro Harrison and Nelson LLC as special redevelopment counsel for the township. >> Move to approve the agreement. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Authorizing the mayor and clerk to submit and execute a grant application with the County of Union for the Kids Recreation Trust Fund program.

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>> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Directing the planning board to conduct a preliminary investigation of block 2906, lot 16, Morris Avenue to determine whether the property qualifies as an area in need development. >> Move for approval.

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>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Amending resolution 2026-164, increasing the amount to employee services LLC by $163.73 for a total amount not to exceed $11,442.73 for the employee assistance program.

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>> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Authorizing the renewal of certain liquor licenses in the township for the annual period July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.

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>> Authorizing a one-year contract with Prime Security Service LLC to provide security for the Union Arts Center, main library, and various township events for an amount not to exceed $52,000. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Directing the planning board to investigate block 5709, lot two and

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block 5807, lot 51, unimproved lots on Carnegie Place and Astoria Place to determine whether the properties qualify as areas in need of redevelopment. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Authorizing the execution of a lease

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purchase agreement with Lease Servicing Center Inc. doing business as NCL Government Capital for phase two of the fiber optic connectivity project for the township at a fee not to exceed $4,720,000. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor?

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>> I. >> Designating block 2918, lots 8 through 12, Stuyvesant and Roosevelt Avenue on the tax map as a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Directing the planning board to investigate block 802, lot 10.02,

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Galloping Hill Road to determine whether the properties qualify as areas in need of redevelopment. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Directing the planning board to investigate block 1409, lot 28.01, Vauxhall Road and Salem Road to determine whether the properties qualify

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as areas in need of redevelopment. >> approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Number 26 has been pulled. Ask you to approve the finances as listed on the agenda. >> Move to approve finances. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> The following communications from Terry

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Milanda, tax collector, requesting the Township Committee authorize checks issued to the following representing the redemption of tax sale certificates as listed on the agenda. >> Move to approve. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> From Joseph Venezia, Township Engineer, requesting payment number two to Lancha Construction Corporation in the amount

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of $20,932 for work completed through June 9th, 2026, in connection with the 2025 road improvement program, Green Lane phase two. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> From Yan Yun Chen, 99 Cents Plus, requesting to display merchandise in

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front of the store located at 350 Chestnut Street from July 29th through October 29th, 2026. Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> From Anthony Manguso, construction official, requesting the return of a of

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a demolition bond to Jerome D. Petty in the amount of $10,000 for 2964 Vauxhall Road. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> From Township Clerk, requesting a refund for Nikitha Sanjeev Kunath in the amount of $120 for an unused parking permit.

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>> Move to approve. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> From Ricardo McNeal Golden Rule Lodge number 24, requesting to close off Berkeley Place at Carnegie Place, Oswald Place, and Waldorf Place for the annual Community Day event on Saturday, September 5th, 2026 from 12:00 to 6:00

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p.m. Also requesting the use of the showmobile. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> From Roman Myhal Ukrainian Independence Committee of America, requesting permission to hold a flag raising ceremony in front of the municipal building on Sunday, August 23rd, 2026 at

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12:30 p.m. Also requesting permission to hang 24 Ukrainian flags on Morris and Stuyvesant Avenue and to hang a banner across Stuyvesant Avenue from August 13th through September 3rd, 2026. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> From Bishop C. Campbell Saint Paul

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Calvary Church, 2780 Vauxhall Road, requesting the use of the showmobile on Monday, September 7th, 2026 from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. for a school book bag giveaway. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> From Pastor Jean Jake Gaday, Victor

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Victory Alliance Church, 1264 Victor Avenue, requesting to host a church barbecue on Saturday, August 22nd between the hours of 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. with a rain date of August 29th, 2026. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> From Bennett Epstein Temple B'nai

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Abraham, Route 22 East, requesting to erect a 60 by 60 ft tent for their annual memorial service from September 16th through September 26th, 20 2026 with all fees waived. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> From Kimberly Jean McLean, New Jersey

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Car Lot LLC, 792 Valley Street, requesting to hang a 3 by 12 ft banner for a period of 30 days for their new business. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> From Louis Moreira, resident, requesting to hold a block party on Earhart Street, Saturday, September 5th from 10:00 a.m.

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to 10:00 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday, September 6th, 2026. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> From Sky Speeds Fan Golfi Fan Girl Feats requesting to close the walkway between Morris Avenue and Stowe Street at the Titan building on October 9, 2026 from

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for temporary interactive displays for an event on October 10, 2026 from 9 to 3:00 p.m. >> Move to refer this to administration for further info. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> I have department reports from the clerk's office, fire department, senior

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center, police department, municipal court, and community development. >> Move to receive reports, file and receive reports. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> That concludes my part of the agenda. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. At this moment, we will read our

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committee reports and we will begin with Mr. Rell with the fire department. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh during this reporting period, the Union Fire Department responded to 526 calls for service including fire suppression, emergency medical

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assistance, and motor vehicle incidents. Two significant incidents on July 7 and July 18, Union firefighters responded to numerous storm-related emergencies throughout the township including down trees, live power lines, and blocked

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roadways. Our one significant incident on Henry Street involved high-voltage primary wires burning in the roadway trapping residents in their homes and igniting a vehicle parked against the residence. Firefighters secured the

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scene and protected the nearby homes until utility crews restored the area to a safe condition. On July 16, Union firefighters responded to a formal four-alarm fire at a warehouse on Green Lane.

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At a warehouse on Green Lane, the fire was confined to the rear cold storage area with collapsed steel storage racks filled with packing materials and cardboard blocked access to the seat of the fire and made suppression efforts more difficult. Two firefighters were

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treated for heat exhaustion but remained on duty. Union Fire Department safety tip for this month. With recent thunderstorms affecting our area, residents are reminded to use extreme caution around down power lines.

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Never approach or drive over down power lines. Always assume they are energized. Stay at least 30 ft away and immediately call 911. Also, if you see water on the roadway, please don't assume that it's not deep and try to drive through it.

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Please, please turn around and go the other way. Just stay safe. That concludes my report. Thank you. Committeeman Figueiredo with the senior and recreation report. >> Thank you, Mayor. I begin with our recreation department. Summer may be winding down, but the Union Rec

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Department has more fun activities still to come. Two August highlights are the LEGO robotics and our art camp. The LEGO robotics class is a hands-on STEM program where students learn coding skills and they put them to test building their

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own robot. Kind of neat. This program is open students entering second through sixth grade. And again, by popular request, our art camp with Mrs. Karen returns for a pop-up third session this summer. Session features mixed media art

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projects with back-to-school themes. Online registration for these programs is open now, so don't delay if your child is interested. Also, save the date to kick off Labor Day. I can't believe we're talking about Labor Day already. Uh with the Union Rec's Friday,

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September 4th, at our annual movies under the star event. This movie night will be held at Rabkin Park. There'll be pre-movie entertainment including a DJ, photo booth, face painter, and a balloon artist and that'll begin at 5:30. Uh this time we'll be showing the

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hilarious new movie Hoppers. The movie will begin right after sunset which is about 7:15 p.m. For more information about these programs or other events, please call the Union Recreation Department at 908-686-4200. And from our senior department, a health

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and wellness clinic this Tuesday, August 4th from 9:30 to 11:30 in the morning, there'll be a nurse there providing health maintenance check and prevention service. And a music journey behind the music on Monday, August 24th

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from 11:00 a.m. This is singalong. Join us for a toe-tapping, hand-clapping, heartwarming musical adventure. You'll be dance or just simply enjoy as we explore some summer classic favorites. Come for the music, stay for the fun.

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Just bring your love of great tunes and great food and of course good company. Let's make musical memories together. And the seniors are also having a movie day on Tuesday, August 18th at 1:30 p.m. And the movie is Apple Mortgage Cake.

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It's about an inspiring true story about a single mother who faces the loss of her home. So she turns her passion into baking for a a successful business opportunity. That's again at August 18th at 1:30. And some upcoming trips and

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events at Wind Creek Casino to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, August 20th, $40 per ticket that departs from Jeanette Ave. Going to Monmouth Park, uh August 14th, uh the Rivalry Room, $80 per ticket.

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It's an exciting day at the Rivalry Room at Monmouth Park Racetrack. It includes the admission, racing program, and a lunch. And the Columbus Flea and Farmers Market on August 27th from 9:30 to 3:30,

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the cost for that is $3. Any additional information you need, please call the Senior Center 908-851-5290. And Mayor, that concludes my report. >> Thank you. Committeeman Bowser with the DPW report. >> Thank you, Mayor. First, I just want to say thank you to DPW for their response

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to the July 3rd storm event following the high wind event that occurred on the evening of Friday, July 3rd. DPW responded to numerous incidents involving fallen trees, hanging limbs, and roadway obstructions. DPW personnel were called on Friday evening, July 3rd,

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and continued operations through Sunday, July 5th, to address storm-related hazards, uh restored roadway access, and performed debris removal and cleanup activities. Again, I just want to say a job well done, guys. Thank you. Uh road division, 405 streets were

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cleaned. Uh a hun- 145 potholes potholes were repaired on the following roads: Colonial Avenue, Green Lane, Lehigh, Washington Avenue, uh South Master Parkway, Whitewood Road, Barrel Terrace,

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Crawford Terrace, Summit Road, and Palisade Road, Woodland Road, and Ball- and Ball Avenue at Route 22, Adams Road, and Concord Place, and Alfrey Place. Also, uh five road five road intersections were

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uh patched during this time frame. Uh Caldwell Terrace and Golf Terrace, Caldwell Terrace and Robinson Terrace, Kingston Terrace and Caldwell Road, Mount Vernon Road and Caldwell Road, and Battle Hill Terrace and Caldwell Road.

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Uh four 48.5 tons of asphalt material used on during this time frame. Turn to the sewer division, flushed out and cleaned 15 sanitary lines for blockage. 1 hour after 1 hour emergency call outs

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for sanitary issues. 60 enzyme applications to eliminate grease in various sanitation lines. Uh shade tree division, removed six hazardous trees, removed five stumps and trimmed 18 trees. As always, all concerns or inquiries

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regarding all divisions of of public works can be addressed by calling public works at 908-686-1922. We encourage you to utilize the report a concern feature on the township website. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you so much, Deputy Mayor, with

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the police report. >> Thank you very much, Mayor. For the past month, I have numbers for our police activity and enforcement efforts. For calls for service, there were four 4,991 calls for service. For directed patrols, was 2,165,

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and there were 145 arrests during that 4-week period. For our speed enforcement, for our truck enforcement, we had 30 we issued 37 tickets for oversized trucks uh traveling on roads where they're not supposed to be in Union. We're trying very hard for red light

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enforcement. We all know how many people are going through red lights, so we issued 62 tickets for that. And the speed initiative also in our community, we issued 356 tickets in that 4-week period. So, our police are very active with this. Some of just some of the highlights for

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the past month. Uh on July 5th, the quality of life officers responded to Stuyvesant Avenue for report of a male who who the day prior had entered a home and stole a pair of sneakers. Officers canvassed the area and located the suspect and charged him with

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burglary and theft. On July 23rd, patrol officers observed two individuals enter a self-storage business on Vauxhall Road at an unusual late night hour. Entered a vehicle after that and it was parked in the parking lot and leave the business. Officers

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conducted a motor vehicle stop which resulted in a search of the vehicle after the county police K9 alerted to the presence of CDS. The The search for CDS and CDS distributing materials. The two males were arrested and charged accordingly. On July 23rd, the patrol supervisor

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observed a stolen vehicle driving in the area of Oakland Avenue. The sergeant coordinated with other units and the stolen vehicle was stopped without incident. The driver was placed under arrest and charged. On July 24th, a male entered a vehicle left running in the Wendy's parking lot

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in attempt to steal the vehicle. The suspect was not successful and fled on foot without the vehicle. Quality of Life Unit officers responded and were quickly able to locate the suspect and it was positively identified. The suspect was placed under arrest and charged. That concludes my report for

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tonight. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Before we discuss upcoming events, I want to thank everyone who joined us on our Saturday on this Saturday for our vintage baseball game, another one for our 250th anniversary celebrations.

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Special thanks to 1859 Hoboken Baseball Club and our very own Union Fire Department for putting on a great exhibition under authentic 19th century rules. We appreciate all the residents and families who joined us

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to honor our nation's heritage. So, upcoming events. We've already started with the fitness um at the plaza. And um if you haven't joined us, grab your friends and join us every Saturday morning at Union Art Center Plaza for

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free community fitness classes. The August lineup is available online at uniontownship.com. Girls Night Out. Are you ready, Sandra? I'm so ready. The Dust off your cowboy boots and get ready

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to kick up your heels. Join us for a night of country fun and southern charm at our girls night out event on Friday, August 7th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment, free activities, a beer garden in in the Union Arts Center

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plaza plus registration in front of town hall. There's a small country fun for everyone at our girls night out for full event details, please visit uniontownship.com. Networking and salsa social. We all

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better be ready for that one. Okay. Join us for a fun-filled networking and salsa social on Thursday, August 13th starting at 5:30 p.m. at Death Shark Coffee, 900 Green Lane. Connect with local professionals,

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enjoy lively salsa music and show off your best moves. Again, visit uniontownship.com to RSVP today. The Union Jazz Festival. Enjoy Enjoy world-class jazz vibes at our upcoming Union Jazz Festival on August 21st

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through the 23rd. We are bringing world-class talent, soulful rhythms, and rare musical insights. For full schedule and tickets, visit unionartscenternj.com. Townwide blood drive. Beat the heat and save a life at our upcoming blood drive

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on Wednesday, August 26th. Excuse me, that is from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Union Arts Center. Appointments are strongly recommended. Head over to vitalant.org or call 877-25-vital.

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Blood drive code is 100562696. Remember to license your pets. It is now time to license your dogs and cats for 2026. State law requires proof of vaccination when licensing. Please visit uniontownship.com. And don't forget to sign up for the ever

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everbridge notifications at uniontownship.com to keep um updated and get general notifications. You can also see updates on our posts at Facebook on Facebook at TWP Union NJ. And those

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are the upcoming events. I hope to see everyone there. At this time, we will open up this section for the public. Please remember the 5-minute rule and remember to state your name and address when you come up.

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Anyone wishing to come up to the mic this evening? >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Um I do have some printouts for what I'm going to reference. >> Name and address, please. >> Arrain Berwyn Arrain Williams, Berwyn Street. >> Thank you. >> I do have some printouts. I had emailed the clerk last week, but I do have

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printouts for you. >> Um you can give it to the officer, please. Thank you. >> Good evening, mayor, committee members, and fellow residents. Constitutional rights should never depend on a person's ability to pay. We don't pay a fee to speak freely,

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attend church, vote, or peace- peacefully assemble. The exercise of a constitutional right should not be determined by the size of someone's wallet. With that principle in mind, I'm asking the Township Committee to consider to

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adopt a resolution refunding the $150 municipal portion of the permit to carry fee application for Union Township residents. Last June, Englishtown was the first town to adopt such a resolution for the residents. And now there's over 20 towns in the state of

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New Jersey who have considered adopting the same resolution or modified version. Before the US Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association vs. Bruen, New Jersey required citizens to demonstrate a

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justifiable need before they can obtain a permit to carry. During that time, Union Township processed only 13 permits permit to carry applications. Following the Bruen decision, which recognized that law-abiding citizens have a constitutional right to carry a

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firearm for self-defense, Union Township has processed approximately 580 applications, according to the state's permit to carry dashboard. That nearly 45-fold increase tells us something important. This wasn't new demand, it was the it was a demand that

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had been suppressed by unconstitutional standard. Rather than reducing barriers after Bruen, New Jersey substantially increased the cost of obtaining a permit. The municipal portion of the fee increased from $20 to $150, while the

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total statutory application fee rose to $200 before applicants even pay for fingerprinting, training, and other required cost. Whether viewed as a revenue measure or a policy choice, the result is the same. A constitutional right became significantly more expensive to

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exercise. Union Township has the opportunity to demonstrate that constitutional rights should be equally accessible to every law-abiding resident. By refunding the $150 municipal portion of the fee, the Township can remove a financial barrier while remaining fully

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compliant with the state law. I respectfully ask the committee to consider placing this proposal on a future agenda and adopting a resolution to establish a refund program for the municipal portion of the permit to carry application fee. Even as recent as I

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believe May, there was another town that just recently passed it as well. Um Canela in May of 20 May May 21st, they were the most recent town to pass such a resolution. >> Um okay. I'm sorry. >> Oh, thank you for your time and

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consideration. >> Okay, thank you so much, Mr. Williams. We did receive your email and we uh spoke with our attorney. He is going to look into some further details and we are going to discuss it further. Thank you for >> much. >> Thank you.

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Any further comments from the public? Seeing none. >> Motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Everyone be safe. I hope you have your jet skis in the back to get home safely.