##VIDEO ID:eAZMezpyRmE## e e e e e e e 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 resolution was adopted on January 1st 2025 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 affers 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 theto a copy of said resolution was forwarded to local sorts and Star Ledger a copy of said resolution is on file with the clerk of the township thank you madam clerk good evening this evening the prayer will be led by committee woman Senator Terell and black suop by committee men man F Rio would you please stand 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 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 IED Al to the of the United States of America and to the repic stands one nation under God indivisible with Li and roll call Mr ferito here M Terell here Miss Frasier here Mr Florio yes mayor Bowser here at this time can I have a motion to approve the Amendments so mov second all in favor I I Madam clerk can we move on with to the ordinances and resolutions I have your consideration on draft and first reading and ordinance amending chapter 26659 schedule 17 entitled time limit parking by the township Committee of the township of Union County of union state of New Jersey this ordinance affects Caldwell Avenue move draft be taken up on first reading by title at this time second an ordinance amening chapter the township Committee of Township of Union County of union state of New Jersey this ordinance affects Caldwell Avenue M Mr figorito yes Miss Terell yes Miss Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor Bowser yes the draft be taken up at the next regularly scheduled meeting for second and final reading second Mr figuro yes Miss Terell yes Miss frer yes Mr Florio yes mayor Bowser yes amending ordinance number 4934 designating a PR previously approved handicap parking space on Oregon Street for exclusive use move draft be taken up on first reading by title at this time second an ordinance amending ordinance number 4934 adopted February 14 2016 in Township of Union Union County New Jersey this ordinance this ordinance designates a previously approved parking space for exclusive use Mr figorito yes Miss Terell yes m M Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor Bowser yes move draft be taken up at the next regularly scheduled meeting for second and final reading second Mr figorito yes Miss Terrell yes Miss Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor Bowser yes authorizing a special emergency appropriation this allows payment of contractually required Severance to be paid over the next 5 years move draft be taken up by title at this time second an ordinance authorized ing a special emergency appropriation pursuant to njsa 4A col 4- 53h this allows payment of contractually required Severance to be paid over the next five years Mr figorito yes Miss Terrell yes Miss Frasier yes Mr floral yes mayor Bowser yes move draft be taken up at the next regularly scheduled meeting for second and final reading second Mr figorito yes Miss Terell yes M Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor Bowser yes amending chapter 170 schedule of zoning requirements area yard and bulk requirement will the draft be taken up for first reading by Tyle at this time second and ordinance amending chapter 170 and attachment 3 entitled schedule of zoning requirements area yard and bulk requirements except as otherwise specified in chapter 170 part one of the code of the township of Union Mr figorito yes Miss Terrell yes Miss Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor Bowser yes will the draft be taken up at the next regular scheduled meeting for second and final reading second Mr figorito yes M Terrell yes M Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor Bowser yes amending chapter 170 Land Development part three zoning this ordinance regulates removal and replacement of trees within the township sorry about that the draft be taken up on first reading by title at this time second in favor all in favor I can I have a referral to the planning board please refer this to the planning board second Mr figorito yes Miss Terrell yes Miss Fraser yes Mr Florio yes mayor Bowser mayor I may item four I should have referred that to the planning board because be uh you get another vote on that yes can I have a second second Mr figorito yes M Terrell yes M Fraser yes Mr Florio yes mayor Bowser yes the following resolutions authorizing the 2025 temporary budget motion to approve second all in favor uh Mr figuro yes Miss Terrell yes Miss Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor Bowser yes authorizing anward of contract with intervention strategies International Inc for the employee assistance program for an amount not to exceed $12,000 move to approve the contract second all in favor I authorizing the rental of uniforms for the Department of Public Works from American wear Inc through the hunon County Educational Services Co-op for an amount now to exceed $38,000 for approval second all in favor I I authorizing repair services for motor vehicles from BJ andm Auto for an amount not to exceed $33,000 State contract number 89295 move for approval second all in favor I I authorizing the purchase of auto parts and repair of vehicles from Samuel's Inc trading as bywise for an amount now to exceed $55,000 State contract number 85992 motion to approve second all in favor I authorizing the purchase of tires and tubes from Bridgestone America car of Cleveland auto tire for an amount not to exceed $388,500 State contract number 19 Fleet 0078 motion to approve the purchase second all in favor authorizing the purchase of building supplies from Home Depot for an amount not to exceed $54,000 State contract number 18 Fleet 00234 move to approve the purchase second all in favor I authorizing the purchase of electrical supplies from care electrical supply for an amount not to exceed $111,000 State contract 21 food 01748 move for approval second all in favor I I authorizing the purchase of Janitorial supplies from monei General Paper Company for an amount not to exceed $440,000 through the Omnia Co-op motion to approve second all in favor I authorizing the purchase of sodium chloride rock salt for the Department of Public Works from Morton salt Inc for a fee not to exceed $100,000 State contract number 20 Fleet 01519 motion to approve the purchase second all in favor I I authorizing the purchase of fuel for Township vehicles from National Fuel Oil for Fe now to exceed $125,000 State contract 19 food 0110 motion to approve the purchase second all in favor I authorizing the purchase of diesel fuel for Township vehicles from Rachel's Michelle oil for an amount not to exceed $40,000 State contract number 19 food 01099 for approval second all in favor I I authorizing the purchase of fuel from rigin's Inc for an amount not to exceed 200 $130,000 State contract number 19 Fleet 00969 motion to approve second all in favor authorizing an award of contract to B safe security Inc for the police and fire alarm Wireless monitoring for various Township buildings for an amount not to exceed $8,400 motion to approve the contract second all in favor I authorizing an award of contract to place her Labs ink for the purpose of demographic research data collection for the downtown area for an amount not to exceed $30,000 move to approve the contract second all in favor I I authorizing the submission and execution of a Grant application to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for renovations of the basketball court at Weber Park V for approval second all in favor I I authorizing an agreement with the John H damler Police Academy for reuse of the police firing range for Union County Police trainees motion to approve second all in favor authorizing an agreement between the township and the B of kennworth for the use of the police firearms training facility motion to approve the agreement second all in favor I authorizing an agreement between the township and the burough of Rosel for the use of the police firearms training facility for approval second all in favor I authorizing an agreement with the township and the burough of Rosel park for the use of the police firearms training facility V for approval second all in favor I authorizing the purchase of proprietary software for the fire department incident reports from Alpine software Inc for an amount now to exceed $1,386 motion to approve second all in favor authorizing an emergency contract with Hudson County Motors Inc for the replacement of the pump and Engine 7 for an amount not to exceed 27,372 motion to approve second all in favor I I authorizing a contract with Independence constructor's Inc for the monthly inspections of the underground storage tanks located at DP W police and fire for an amount not to exceed $ 27,36 State contract 42270 move to approve the contract second all in favor I authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding with the New Jersey State Police auto theft task force vote for approval second all in favor I resending resolution number 20 2022 133 which gave Municipal support for Vu Brothers cannabis ink cultivation and Manufacturing cannabis license motion to approve second all in favor I I authorizing the extension of the submission of the financial statement to the state and the introduction and Adoption of the municipal budget move to approve second all in favor I amending resolution 2023 323 to reflect a change of scope to the HVAC upgrades and retrofit project for the municipal building move second all in favor I I ask you to approve the finances as listed on the agenda so move second all in favor all right following Communications from Terry Manda tax collector requesting the township committee authorized checks issued to the following representing the Redemption of tax sales certificates as listed on the agenda motion to approve second all in favor I from Jack beta jro requesting to display merchandise in front of their store located at 1745 mors Avenue from January 15 through March 30th 2025 motion to approve second all in favor I from Yan Yun Chen 99 cents plus requesting to display merchandise in front of their store located at 350 Chestnut Street January 15 through March 14 2025 motion to approve second all in favor I I from dilc Santana Leah construction Corp cson Avenue requesting to hang two additional 25x 3ft banners on the building of the new Barber Avenue apartments for a period of 6 months or until they are rented Move To Deni the request second all in favor from the clerk's office requesting parking rebates for train station parking for 2024 to various residents for a total amount of $820 motion to approve second all in favor I Debbie Ivans TNT Fireworks requesting permission to hold a tent sale in the parking lot at 1701 Mars Avenue from June 14th through July 6 2025 utilizing a 20x 40 foot tent banners and flags also requesting permission for a 10x 20t container for storage and a small generator to operate the lights motion to approve based on gaining all approvals second all in favor I the following Department reports clerk's office Community Development Senior Center municipal court and fire department they be received file second all in favor I that concludes my part of the agenda thank you madam clerk at this time we'll move on to our reports like to start with our Police Commissioner s Terell thank you uh so I'll be sharing police activity uh from uh December through uh January 13th which is a 4-week period uh we had directed patrols we had 1,614 directed patrols and for your information directed patrols are just proactive patrols ra rather than uh being called on we're out in the street so that or I should say our officers are out so that people see them and there are less uh there's less crime based on the fact that the police are visible so we had 1,614 of those uh over the last four weeks we had 21 calls for service and of those we had 60 arrests that's about 1% which is a good number uh we'd like to always see it at zero but 1% is a good number based on um the patrols that were done just a few highlights uh on December 29 2024 quality of life office officers located a stolen vehicle which was entered uh stolen out of Orange New Jersey officers conducted a block and loock maneuver attempting to pin the vehicle in the suspects attempted to use the stolen vehicle to Ram its way out of the block officers were eventually able to stop the vehicle and arrest all all three sub uh suspects without incident they were they were transported to headquarters and charged accordingly uh secondly on January 6 2025 officers were dispatched to the TD Bank on a report of a panic alarm as officers arrived on the scene they were notified that the bank had just been robbed by a male suspect officers were quickly able to get a vehicle description and eventually a suspect was identified Union detectives along with the quality of life units located the suspect vehicle unoccupied in nework after a couple of hours of surveillance they located and arrested the suspect without incident at headquarters the suspect provided detectives with a full confession and he was charged accordingly uh and then uh just a little bit on our stops and tickets for the period of December 13 2024 through January 9th 2025 so we're looking at stops tickets and res uh uh stops and tickets for truck enforcement red light enforcement and the speed initiative uh Al together there was 145 stops there were Al there were 146 tickets issued and that's combined for all three of those things um of those tickets issued uh 28 residents so probably a little bit more than we'd like but 28 residents a little less than 20% of the tickets were issued to Residents again we'd like to see none of our residents get T get tickets but hopefully uh we'll see that over time um that's all I have uh that concludes my report so thank you thank you s at this time we have DPW commission us thank you mayor I'm going to begin by just thanking our public works department for their diligent work in preparing our roads for the past few incidents in Clement weather incidents that we had with their brining and salting operation really allowed our town to function normally so I want to thank them for that and uh winter's not over guys so uh it's uh hopefully they don't have to be out there working that often but they're ready to go if we need them thank you from our road division they continue on repairing potholes and patching sections of Roads throughout the town since our last meeting the road division has performed 27 pothole repairs and they've also swept 100 streets from our sewer division they continue to maintain catch basins pump stations and outfalls daily and they perform repairs when necessary since our last meeting this division has performed 120 catch Basin cleanings 20 enzyme applications to minimize the fats the oils and the grease that accumulate there and two emergency calls and our sha Tre division continues to maintain the trees in our parks in our Township properties and in the township right of ways since our last meeting they've performed seven removals 11 tree trees trimmed and 14 strump stump removals I'm having trouble with my St strs today stump removals all concerns or inquiries regarding all division of Public Works can be addressed you can call public works at 98686 1922 or you can also use the report of concern feature on our Township website mayor that concludes my report thank you Manny at this time i' like to have p g Frasier fire department thank you mayor um this is my fire department commissioner's report Union fire department responded on 80 emergency calls for service this 2eek period with 75 of the calls being for medical services some significant events that took uh place this past two weeks on December 27th of the fire department apparatus responded to Wildwood terrrace for a fully involved garage fire no other structures were damaged December 27th a patreon at McDonald's on Route 22 caused a smoke condition inside the restaurant when a smoke grenade was deployed this is still under investigation on January 10th the fire department apparatus responded to Village Road on a one on a bedroom fire also January 10th fire department appar apparatus responded to one vermella away for a fire in one of their apartments for um Christmas tree disposal remove decorations promptly and dispose of the tree properly according to the local guidelines what are those guidelines on your design bulk day bring the tree out to the curb and the um your tree will be picked up and disposed of do not leave a dry Christmas tree in your home for an extended period of time fireplace safety have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional never burn wrapping paper or other flammable materials in your fireplace use a fire screen to prevent Sparks from escaping space heater safety keep space heaters at least three ft away from flammable items like curtains furniture and bedding turn off space heaters when leaving a room or going to bed um we do not want any tragic accidents happening to you and your family while you are sleeping at night um plug uh space heaters directly into an outlet never used extension cords smoke alarm maintenance test your smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year ensure all bedrooms and common living areas have working smoke um alarms that concludes my report mayor thank you at this time like to have commissioner Joe Florio the senior Senators thank you very much mayor uh my first item is in in a form of a motion I would like to move uh Carla viari to the disabilities and mental health committee that's a motion second all in favor I I also as a motion i' like to appoint Antonio Lobo to our Recreation advisement committee second all in favor I okay from our Recreation Department the union Recreation Department is excited to announce the online registration for the next batch of winter enrichment programs is now open the schedule includes some returning favorites like fashion design and Lego robotics the newest edition is an Esports program featuring the video game Mario Kart eight participant participants will learn how to play the game with a focus on teamwork cooperation and sportsmanship the program will culminate in a tournament on the last day of class to Crown The Season's Champion we expect this program will fill up quickly so don't delay limited spaces are still available for some of the recently begun winter programs like learn Escape Clinic basketball even if your child missed the first class it may be possible to add them to the class for the rest of the season for more information on these Recreation programs feel free to call 98686 4200 we have a collector of recreation programs in our community please take advantage of them take a look again look at our website and get a chance to sign up we really try and provide as much Recreation as possible from our senior citizens our health and wellness is on Tuesday January 21st 9:30 to 11:30 nurse will be providing Health maintenance and check preventive services our art creative craft Workshop Thursday January 16th and February 6 through the 13 11 to 12 working with a wide range of materials enable enable members to experiment with the process of art the book club we're expecting to excited to announce the launch of a new book club at the senior center starting February 10th we will be gathering on Monday from a 1:30 to 2:30 for meet and greet and discuss selective books for the next month our first book will be Tom Lake by an patchet this heartfelt and beautifully written novel explores themes of Love memory and family the life of a mother reflecting on her past it's a wonderful read and we can't wait to explore it with all of you the baby boomer Club coming back now gra come join the Baby Boomers Club a Vibrant Community of individuals who gather every third Wednesday of the month enjoy engaging in guest speakers and participate in a lot of activities it's a fantastic opportunity to socialize and connect with both new and old friends in a welcome and relaxed environment whether you're looking for to expand your Social Circle or just have a good time there's always something exciting happening at our meetings Mark your caling for the next gathering on January 15 2025 from 6:30 to 8:30 we look forward to seeing you there that's that's always a very exciting Club a lot of good people there we have also have a c couple of events for all you feel people who feel lucky win Creek Casino Beth Pennsylvania on January 16th $40 per per per person dep Parts at Janette Avenue for any additional information you're always free to call our senior center at 908 851 529 that's my report for tonight thank you Mr Florio I just like to start by saying uh Happy New Year to everyone out there again looking forward to great year in 2025 I have a number of events I like to cover for the month of January the mar Luther King Day of Service join us for the Martin Luther King Day of Service and celebration on Monday January 20th at 10:00 a.m. at Jefferson School that's 155 Hilton Avenue in box Hall this free event features poetry reading speech excerpts uh live performances food pantry distribution launch cated by Mama's barbecue follow follow at 12 tww Union NJ for updates Black History Month Expo join us on Saturday February the 1st at Jefferson School for our uh 2025 Black History Month Expo this event will feature powerful uh live performances offering from local uh blackowned businesses delicious food items and highlighting the diversity of cultures follow at Twitter TW WP Union new uh NJ for updates special improvement district Valentine's Day print and sip prepare a funfilled afternoon on Saturday February the 8th at 2 pm and 6 PM a paint Noir Art Studio Unleash Your creativity at our Paint and Sip session while enjoying drinks and light bites visit Union township.com to purchase tickets special improvement district of Valentine's Day candle and making class celebrate Valentine's Day with special improvement district candle making class on Saturday February 15th 1:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. grab friends and a partner or come solo and spend the afternoon creating your own unique and beautiful candles by Urban glow visit uniontown.pa of here him Roar a celebration of black men in the Arts on February the 15th at 2: p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Jefferson School auditorium the powerful performance examines the legacy of of iconic uh figures of black history admission is free however tickets are required at Twitter TW WP Union New Jersey on social media for updates on tickets Black History Month Art Gallery close close out the month of Black History Month with our 2025 Art Gallery event featuring The Incredible work of various local black artists ad mission is free and guests are can come and enjoy Refreshments or derves while experiencing a night of creativity culture and community at Twitter TWP Union New Jersey for updates under everbridge communic uh notifications please sign up for fre emergencies and general notifications online ww. township.com these updates are also posted on Facebook at Twitter twpunion New Jersey that concludes my report at this time I'd like to open up the joural for for any any comments keep in mind we have a five minute uh rule give your name and [Music] address don't be stuck in there really good huh good evening Darren Mar 1163 Fran inway probably don't really need the microphone but I'll use it so happy New Year everybody uh Street repairs I keep hearing about these uh Street repairs and I love Street repairs we all do um uh some few meetings back I asked about Street repairs um and then mayor figorito said um after getting a response from them back there that you can't do anything with the roads until you utility companies give you the okay so I need somebody whether after this meeting or something to explain to me how utility companies get to hold us hostage um so many streets the top layer is off so our tires are driving in there so who repairs those tires when people tires and cars get damaged due to wear and tear because it's so long I mean how long are we going to be held hostage by utilities companies so I need somebody to explain that to me please um I also talked recently about motorized uh uh scooters and ebikes um is this Township going to get serious about doing something about people riding against the flow of traffic no helmets uh um you talked I heard you talking about robbery people getting robbed and stuff um that that has happened a few times where cell phones got snatched by people on those bikes there has to be some type of Regulation townships and cities are getting Smarter with making sure they get a permit a license or something we have to do something I almost hit a delivery guy the other night thank God I was going a reasonable Speed come going against the flow traffic all black or no lights no anything I mean it's just we have to do something about it so I need somebody to respond to that CU I talked about that about three meetings ago and I still had gotten a response um we continue to see a lot of construction going on nice but I keep talking about where are the blacks on the sites if you guys are having a problem with Outreach getting qualified blacks that work on construction sites let me know I have a whole be I have a a whole bunch of them that are available and qualified to work we can't keep doing construction without some black people being on on sites doing the construction as well we have qualified people out there so I don't know what kind of Outreach you're doing but um when I lived in Jersey City and when I lived in Newark work with both of those Council to get a First Source agreement and it was great so black and minority people got jobs women Etc with a certain percentage we we have to do it bear Temple Park the basketball court does not have lights everything else around it has lights the tennis courts the baseball fields why don't be Temple Park have lights so the kids could go out there and play at night and on a timer just like the other Parks have and it goes off at a certain time that Park should have lights as well I talked about that a few years ago but again um nobody did anything finally number 30 tonight um and if you can't say it publicly I'd like to somebody to talk to me afterwards why the license was res sended um for the Cannabis uh uh business uh you don't usually see licenses get rescinded so I I need to know why that happened um and what's going on with that again if you can't talk about it publicly I'm here my ears is always open thank you thank you Mr Martin for your comments anyone else wishing to speak hearing none can I have a motion to adjourn motion to adjourn second all in favor I