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, 2025 designating this date, this Holland, 7:30 p.m. as the time for this regular meeting of the township
committee of the township of union and the county of Union. A notice of each and every meeting of the township committee was posted in accordance with the aforet 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 too, a copy of said resolution was forwarded to the local source of the star ledger. The 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 given by committeewoman Patricia Garrett Frasier and Deputy Mayor Joseph Florio
will lead us in the salute. Please stand. >> God of power, might, wisdom, and justice. Through you, authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed. Assist this township committee with your spirit of counsel and fortitude. And guide us to
seek righteousness, justice, mercy, and assist us in leading our township with honesty and integrity. Amen. >> Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Madame clerk, I have a roll call. >> Miss Figero >> here. >> Miss Terrell >> here. >> Miss Frasier >> here. >> Mr. Florio >> here. >> Mayor Bowser >> here. At this time, could I have a
motion to approve the minutes? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Now, let's move on to the ordinances and resolutions. >> I for consideration on second final reading, an ordinance creating a
handicap space in front of 1201 Kirkman Place. >> Move the ordinance be taken up for second and 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 creates a handicap space at 1201 Kirkland Place. >> Is there anyone from the public wishing to speak on this ordinance? >> Move the ordinance be adopted. >> Second. >> Mr. Figero? >> Yes. >> Miss Terrell? >> Yes.
>> Miss Frasier? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Bowser? >> Yes. creating a handicap space in front of 676 Palisade Road and deleting one in front of 2645 Juliet. Please >> move the ordinance be taken up for second and 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 moves a handicap space from 2645 Juliet Place to 676 Palisad Road. Is there
anyone from the public wishing to speak on this ordinance? >> Will the ordinance be adopted? >> Second. >> Mr. Figero? >> Yes. >> Miss Terrell? >> Yes. >> Miss Fraser? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Bowser? >> Yes. >> Authorizing the right of first refusal to purchase a deed restricted affordable
housing unit located at 104 Waldorf Place. Move >> the ordinance be taken up for second and final reading. >> Second. an ordinance authorizing the township of Union to exercise a right of first refusal to purchase the deed restricted affordable housing unit located at 104 Waldorf Place, Foxhole,
New Jersey, lot 7.08, lot block 5705. >> Is there anyone from the public wishing to speak on this ordinance? >> Move the ordinance be adopted. >> Second. >> Miss Figero, >> yes. >> Miss Terrell, >> yes. >> Miss Frasier, >> yes. >> Mr. Florio, >> yes. >> Mayor Bowser,
>> yes. creating chapter 290 in the municipal code entitled entitled electric scooter and electrical bicycle regulations. >> Will the ordinance be taken up for second and final reading? >> Second. >> An ordinance creating chapter 290 entitled electric scooter and electrical
bicycle regulations in the township of Union, Union County, New Jersey. This ordinance creates rules and regulations for certain electric bicycles and scooters. >> Is there anyone from the public wishing to speak on this ordinance? Move the ordinance be adopted. >> Second.
>> Mr. Vigorito. >> Yes. >> Miss Terrell. >> Yes. >> Miss Frasier? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Bowser? >> Yes. >> Authorizing the private sale of township owned property on Maple Avenue, block 4811, lot 41. >> 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, state of New Jersey, authorizing the private sale of block 4811, lot 41 in the township of union pursuant to NJSA 4812-1
at SAC. >> Is there anyone from the public wishing to speak on this ordinance? >> Move the ordinance be adopted. >> Second. >> Mr. Figero? >> Yes. >> Miss Terrell? >> Yes. >> Miss Frasier? >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio? >> Yes. >> Mayor Bowser? >> Yes. I for your consideration on draft
and first reading an ordinance amending chapter 440 of the municipal code pertaining to property maintenance. >> Move the draft be taken up by title at this time. >> Second. >> An ordinance to amend chapter 440 of the code of the township of union pertaining to property maintenance. Mr. Figero.
>> Yes. >> Miss Terrell. >> Yes. >> Miss Frasier. >> Yes. >> Mr. Florio. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bowser. >> Yes. >> Move draft be taken up for second and final reading at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Second, >> Mr. Figero, >> yes. >> Miss Terrell, >> yes. >> Miss Frasier, >> yes.
>> Mr. Florio, >> yes. >> Mayor Bowser, >> yes. >> The following resolutions authorizing the insertion of a special item of revenue into the 2025 municipal budget in the amount of $50,000 under the caption kids recreation trust fund grant.
>> Move the draft be taken up for first reading by title at this time. >> It's a resolution. >> It's a resolution. >> Resolution. >> I'm in resolutions. What am I doing here? >> Second. >> Just move for approval. >> I I'll >> move for approval.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Authorizing a settlement agreement for the Earl Walker versus Township litigation. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Authorizing an award of contract to Wayar Industries Corp. for the HVAC
upgrade project for the municipal building at their low bid not to exceed $647,000. >> Motion to approve. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Authorizing the submission of a grant application to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for $1,825,000
for a property acquisition project. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Directing the planning board to conduct a preliminary investigation of block 2918, lots 3.01, 5, and 8 through 12, Stson, and Roosevelt avenues to
determine whether the properties are a possible non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment. Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Amending resolution 2025283 increasing the amount to Norris Mlacklin, PA by an additional $20,000 to
represent the township in a FEMA arbitration manner for a total amount not to exceed $30,000. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Amending resolution 2024264 increasing the amount to LTS Management Company LLC by an additional $39,271
for the relocation of the Township Library for an amount not to exceed $186,894. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. All in favor? >> I ask you to approve the finances as listed on the agenda. >> Motion to approve the finances. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I. The following communications from Terry Melanda, Tax Collector, requesting the township committee authorized checks issued to the following representing the redemption of tax sale certificates as listed on the agenda. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> And I have department reports from the
clerk's office and community development. >> Move they be received and filed. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. >> That concludes my part of the agenda. >> Uh thank you, madam clerk. At this time, can we move on to the committee reports? Uh, first I'll ask please Commissioner Sander Terrell.
>> Uh, thank you, Mayor. Um, before I um read my reports, I'd like to make a motion to move our reorganization meeting uh to January 1st, 2026 at noon. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> All right. Um, I do have an update uh this week on our 250th year celebration. um an update uh with for some up upcoming events. Uh on January 10th in the DMK theater, there
will be a screening of Union County Revolutionary Road Trip with Darly, a meet and greet with refreshments from Cruis & Marcato Mobile Bar from 7 to 7:30 will be offered and then the telecast highlighting a number of places
right here in Union. The 26-inute episode will be followed by a panel discussion with Darly Newman from Travels with Darly, Reverend Lundy from the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, and Jonathan Merantini,
a professor from Keen University. On Saturday, April 11th, in Union High School's main gym, a ma a major Lego project will be offered to the public from 2 p.m. until 4 pm. Teams of two to four individuals will be able to choose
from 50 structures here in Union and build a replica using Legos. More details uh will follow. The Union Township Historical Society will host five open houses in January and February of 2026, focusing on the 250th
anniversary of our country and our town's long history. Dates and times will be available soon, so stay tuned. Displays of our town's history will be exhibited in the DMK Theater during 2026. The art gallery will display
pictures of Union over the decades. Um, bus tours of Union will be available also in 2026 and and historical houses and landmarks and Union's history will also be presented. So again, stay tuned for those upcoming events. More to come.
Uh, we'll keep reminding you that we will be celebrating 250 years next year. Uh my police report this week um covering the period of October 26 25th through November 7th. Uh there were 1,62
directed patrols. There were 2364 calls for service and there were a total of 76 arrests during that period. in our enforcement division. Uh truck enforcement, there were 36 stops, 22 tickets were issued, and 11 of those
tickets were issued to residents. And the red light enforcement, there were 17 stops, 17 tickets were issued, and two of those tickets were issued to residents. And in our speed initiative, there were 83 stops, 63 tickets were issued, and 14 of those tickets were
issued to residents. So, our residents do get the message. I know I say that often, uh, but it seems like it's, uh, out oftowners that, um, create most of the violations. Um, and I just have one public safety
update. Uh, on the evening of October 31st, our officers were conducting an overnight DUI enforcement detail to help keep our roads safe. During this operation, the officers conducted a motor vehicle stop involving a Volkswagen in the
parking lot of Wawwa. During the stop, the driver and two passengers were uncooperative and displayed behavior that raised concern for potential criminal activity. Further investigation revealed that the driver was wanted by authorities in East
Orange. When officers attempted to take him into custody, he resisted arrest and had to be restrained. The front seat passenger fled the scene on foot. After a lengthy pursuit, officers successfully apprehended him in the Lowe's parking
lot. The rear passenger refused to exit the vehicle and was removed by officers for safety reasons. Upon search, he was found to be in possession of a stolen loaded handgun containing hollowpoint
ammunition. Additionally, officers recovered distribution level quantities of ecstasy marijuana and counterfeit currency from the vehicle. All three individuals were arrested, charged with multiple offenses, and transported to
the county jail. We commend our officers for their professionalism, restraint, and teamwork during this high-risisk encounter. Your actions help remove illegal drugs, stolen fire a stolen firearm, and wanted individuals from our
community, furthering our shared goal of keeping the township of union a safe place for all residents. This concludes my report. >> Thank you, Commissioner Terrell. Next, we have DPW Public Works Commissioner Emanuel Figo. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, from our public
works department, our road division swept 281 streets. They uh filled 39 potholes. They did two overlay applications. They utilized 20.4 tons of asphalt material in this process. And
for October, we had 123 yards of street sweeping that were picked up by our department. Our sewer division flushed out and cleared four house line backups and two street line backups. They cleaned 837 basin tops. And you know
that's important now with all those leaves out there. Cleaned 48 catch basins, repaired two catch basins. They did maintenance flushing of 27 lines. And during this period, there were no afterhour calls. Our shade tree
division, there were nine trims, three stump removals, four cleanups in the waterways, and 14 hazardous tree removals and one dangerous hanging limb removal. Uh, our 2025 tree planting
program is well underway, almost completed. We planted 125 trees throughout the town this past week. We still have a couple of areas to get to, so if you didn't get yours, it will be coming to you. All current and past
residential requests have been filled. We are starting a new list for 2026 for the tree planting program. If you'd like to be on that, uh, call DPW at 9086861922 to request tree. We are hoping to plant
another 125 trees in 26. And over the last years, uh, Union has planted and or given away over 500 trees. So, we're trying to keep our town green as we're out there. So again, thank you all that
have requested trees and please call for next year if you would like one. Um, and that concludes my report. Mayor, >> thank you, Commissioner. Next, we have fire commissioner Patricia Garrett Frasier. >> Thank you, Mayor. So, the fire department responded to 201 calls this
month. October 28th, there was a accident on West Chestnut and Madison Avenue. A ebike was struck. the um the rider was transported um in stable condition to the hospital. November 1st,
a four vehicle accident on Garden State Parkway northbound on exit 139B. Um there was an accident. The ch the patient was transported in stable condition. A box truck that is not permitted on the Parkway caused the
accident and ruptured a diesel tank. November 5th, a multi-vehicle accident on Route 78 eastbound. Um there was serious injuries. Two patients were transported to University Hospital, one in critical condition. The eastbound
lanes remained closed during the operation and investigation, causing significant traffic in the area. November 7th, there was an accident on Voxhall Road and Thelma Drive. an excavator that fell into a trench
resting on a gas line. The gas company and PSEG responded. Heavy toll and pole trucks assisted. Excavator removed without damage to utilities. Road crews backfilled and paved after the incident.
Fire safety tips for November. Please make sure to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. With daylight savings ending, test all smoker and CO alarms. Replace batteries if needed and replace detectors older than 10 years. Ensure
alarms are installed on every level of your home and in every room. Heating safety. Keep space heaters at least 3 f feet away from anything that can burn. Always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed. Have your furnace,
chimney, and vents inspected before heavy use. Thanksgiving and cooking safety. Never leave the kitchen unattended while cooking. Fry turkeys outdoors on level ground. Keep a lid or extinguisher
nearby. Keep children and pets safely away from hot surfaces. Emergency preparedness. Review your home escape plan with your family. Make sure your fire extinguisher um are easy to reach and you know how to use them. Reminder, November is one of the riskier months
for home fire. Small precautions, testing alarms, monitoring heaters, and careful cooking can save lives. So stay safe and stay prepared. That concludes my report. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Next, we have for the senior center and recreation department,
Deputy Mayor Joseph Floyd. >> Thank you very much, Mayor. From the recreation department, our recreation department will be offering popup after school volleyball clinic beginning on November 12th, led by middle school head coach Alicia Rodriguez. This program for
sixth through eighth graders will be geared towards intermediate players who want to keep up their skills between the fall and spring seasons. Volleyball clinics continue to be very popular, so we anticipate this program to filling up. So, if your child is interested,
please don't delay. Save the date for online registration for our winter basketball programs will begin on Wednesday, November 19th. Our instructional basketball clinics for boys and girls will return featuring our long-standing head coaches Mike and
John. Also returning will be our middle and high school boys recreation league, often called the Saturday league. The clinics are a great place for newer players to develop their fundamental skills. While the league is a full fun way to compete against friends, these
basketball programs will begin in mid December and run through March. For more information, please keep an eye out for this flyer for the coming event. I remember one of the better things I had when I was younger, many years ago, is to be involved in these clinics. They're very good for young people who want to
just try and learn something about basketball. You only learn, but also have a great deal of fun. Uh from our senior center on November 18th, we'll conduct our health and wellness from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. That's on November 18th. Uh the
Veterans Day tribute is Wednesday, November 12th. Uh join us for a tribute to the brave men and women who have served our country with honor, courage, and sacrifice. The celebration will be featured live music by the Florian
Shance Jazz combo and light refreshments. Upcoming trips, Thursday, November 20th to Bethlehem, PA, $40 per ticket, departing from Janette Avenue. And the Wilkins Theater at Kain University. The Jersey Nutcracker will
be 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, December 5th, $14 per ticket. I'd also may, if I may, take a moment to congratulate you and committeewoman Patricia Garrett Fraser for their outstanding victory on on election day.
It shows the confidence that the people of Union have in you too. I'm so glad to be work with you again for another year again. Congratulations. >> Thank you, Joe. [Applause] >> Thank you again, Joe.
>> You're welcome. Before Before we discuss our upcoming events, I'd like to ask our residents to support and help our community. Our local food bank pantry is in urgent need of non-p perishable food items, including spaghetti sauce, pasta, peanut
butter, jelly, canned fruit, and soups. Please consider donating these essential items. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need. Donations can be dropped off at the clerk's office inside the township of union's municipal building located
1976 Mars Avenue. For those who have already donated, thank you for your generosity and for helping to nourish our community. The New Jersey American Water Lead Service Line Replacement Program. The New Jersey American Water
uh lead le service line replacement program is currently canvasing the town. This program aims to identify and replace lead services lines to ensure water quality. CDM Smith inspectors will
wear high visible visibility vests with NJ AWID badges. They will request to enter homes to inspect the water service entry points typically taking 15 minutes or less. There is no cost involved. For
questions or to schedule an appointment, property owners can call CDM Smith at 7325947. I'm sorry, 4700. Veterans Day ceremony. Join us tomorrow, Veterans Day, as the chancellor unit honors our heroes. We invite everyone to
our 2025 Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, November the 11th at 11:00 a.m. at the Union Arts Center. A light lunch will follow their ceremony. Join us in honoring the brave men and women who have served our nation. Union Art
Gallery exhibit, Fine Art Explosion. Don't miss the Union Center Fine Art Explosion this Thursday, November the 13th, from 6 PM to to 900 p. p.m. at the Union Art Gallery. The exhibition features contemporary art, international, national, and local
artists in an incredible opportunity to see that they express their lives, dreams, and visions through art. Visit uniontownship.com for more details. Union Got Talent show. Join us for an exciting evening on Saturday, November
the 15th at 7:30 p.m. as we host the UGT Cabaret Night at the MK Blackbox Theater. This special event is your chance to cheer on your favorite acts, enjoy the vibrant and lively atmosphere, and support one of the best talents of
our state has to offer. Don't miss out. Tickets are available now and can be purchased online at uniontownship.com. Turkey Trot 5K. The Township of Union is excited to host the second annual Turkey
Trot, now a certified 5K. Join us on Thanksgiving morning, November 27th at Rorowway Avenue for a fun run walk perfect for the whole family, including your include your your your friends. Uh visit uniontownship.com
to register pet licenses. If you have not yet licensed your pet for the year, please remember you can easily do so by connect contacting our off clerk's office. Applications can either be picked up in person or via uniontownship.com website. Please do not
forget the proof of vaccination is required. If you have any questions, please contact the clerk's office at 9088518501. Everbridge notification, please sign up for emergency and general notifications online at www.un.com.
These updates are also posted on Facebook at TWWPU UnionJ. At this time, I'd like to open it up to the public for any comments. Just remember that there's a fivem minute rule. Seeing none, may I have a motion to
adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? Uh-huh.