Oh, that guy. I just saw him back. Was that Patty? Don't get me in trouble. 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 hall in 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 apheret 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 in 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 given by Committee Woman Sandra Terrell and Committeeman Manny Figuro will lead us in this flag salute. 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. I aliance 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. May I have a roll call? Mr. Figero here. Miss Terrell here. Miss Frasier here. Mr. Florio here. Mayor Bowser here. At this time, can we move on to
the ordinances and resolutions? May I have an approval for the minutes? Can I have a motion to approve the minutes? So moved. Second. All in favor? I. At this time, can I have a Can we move on to the uh ordinances and resolutions?
I for your consideration on second and final reading, an ordinance amending chapter 294 of the municipal code to authorize the acceptance of credit card payments for municipal fees. Move the ordinance be taken up for second and final reading. Second. An ordinance amending chapter 294 fees
of the code of the township of union to authorize the acceptance of payments for municipal fees and taxes via credit card and electronic fund transfer and the application of convenience fees. Is anyone wish 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. After your consideration on draft and first reading, an ordinance amending chapter 133 of the municipal code,
changing the table of organization of the police department. Move draft be taken up on first reading by title at this time. Second, an ordinance amending chapter 131 entitled public safety department article 2 division of police in the
township of union, Union County, New Jersey. This ordinance addresses the composition of the police department. Mr. Figero, yes. Miss Terrell, yes. Miss Frasier, yes. Mr. Florio, yes. Mayor Bowser, yes. Move the draft be taken up at the next
regularly scheduled meeting for second and final reading. Second. Mr. Figero? Yes. Miss Terrell? Yes. Miss Frasier? Yes. Mr. Florio? Yes. Mayor Bowser? Yes. the following resolutions authorizing the reappoint of Theodor Giorgio as chief financial officer.
Motion to approve. Second. All in favor? Authorizing the purchase of a large diameter hose for the fire department from New Jersey Fire Equipment at their low quote not to exceed $18,980. Move to approve the purchase. Second.
All in favor? I. Authorizing a professional service agreement with Collier's Engineering and Design for the 2026 road program survey and preliminary design for an amount not to exceed $256,000. Move for approval. Second. All in favor?
I. Authorizing a professional service agreement with Kier's Engineering and Design for the Styson Avenue streetscape phase 3 survey and preliminary design for an amount not to exceed $24,000. Motion to approve. Second. All in favor? I
I authorizing a professional service agreement with Kier's Engineering and Design for the Fryberger Park area concept plan for an amount not to exceed $20,000. Motion to approve the agreement. Second. All in favor? I. Amending resolution 2025122
increasing the amount to Tesser and Cohen by an additional $45,000 for the outstanding issues with Doco Inc. for a total amount not to exceed $55,000. Move for approval. Second. All in favor? I I authorizing the persontoperson transfer
of plenary retail consumption license number 20933059011 to Mara House LLC trading as JC's Tavern and Table 2032 Mars Avenue. Move for approval. Second. All in favor? I. Authorizing the release of a performance
bond in the amount of $18,293.76 and cash bond in the amount of $2,32.64 64 cents for Bridgeway Rehabilitation Service, Inc. 373 Claremont Terrace. Motion to approve. Second. All in favor? I. Rejecting all bids received for the
Liberty Avenue pump station upgrades as Township will not being will not be moving forward with the project. Motion to approve. Second. All in favor? I ask you to approve the finances as listed on the agenda. So moved. Second. All in favor?
I. Following communication from Nancy Noel Cross, resident, requesting to park approximately 25 cars in the Janette Avenue lot October 4th and 5th, 2025 for a bus trip to Washington DC and April 5th through 12th, 2026 for a bus trip to
Brooklyn, New York. Move to approve. Second. All in favor? I have department reports from the clerk's office and community development. Motion to approve. Second. All in favor? I. That concludes my part of the agenda.
Uh thank you, Madam Clerk. Now with our committee reports. First we have police commissioner Sandra Terrell. Thank you, Mayor. Uh so just a few pieces of information I'm going to share with you today. Um for the Union Police
Department, the reporting period is August 23rd 3rd through September 5th. We had 982 directive patrols. We had 2,399 calls for service. And during that period, there were 80 arrests in our
enforcement division, truck enforcement, red light, and speed. Um, and I really want you to pay close attention to these numbers because I think it's very telling. So, in the truck enforcement, there were 47 stops. There were 46 tickets and six of those were local
residents. In the red light uh enforcement area, there were 53 stops, 57 tickets, and five were residents. In the speed uh in our speed initiative, 115 tickets uh I'm sorry, 115 stops, 99
tickets, and 14 were residents. And really what I'd like for you to pay attention to is that the numbers for residents is much lower. Uh, and so it seems like our residents are getting it, that these are the things that we're paying attention to and that they're
important and the people that are driving through, not so much. So, we really need to really stay on top of this and I'm sure the police department will. But, you know, at least our residents are getting the message. Uh, just a few highlights and then one
announcement. Um, on August 28th, 2025, officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on Salem Road. uh due to an observed traffic violation. During the investigation, officers observed the driver attempting to conceal a suspected
controlled dangerous substance beneath his hand. After given uh verbal commands, After being given verbal commands to remove his hand, the driver complied and the suspected uh substances were recovered. A probable cause search
of the vehicle followed during which officers discovered a loaded handgun inside a bag on the front passenger seat. The driver was taken into custody without incident and charged accordingly. And then two announcements I want to
make and I I believe the mayor is going to mention this also, but I think it's important enough to mention twice. So Thursday is the 24th anniversary of 911. Uh so we have some activities or events planned um in honor of that day. Uh the
township uh of Union will commemorate the anniversary of September 11th with the following events. On Thursday, September 11th at 8:30 a.m. The Union Police Department and the Union Fire Department uh will hold a ceremony in
remembrance of 911. And then on Sunday, September 14th at 9:30 a.m., there will be a freedom bike ride. So, those are all upcoming. Uh 911 is Thursday, so it's it's upon us again. And again, it's
the 24th anniversary. Um and if you can make it, I think it would be a good thing if we can all make uh that event. Um and uh I think that's all I have. So, that concludes my report. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Terrell. Next we have Commissioner
Manny Figerito for DPW. Thank you, Mayor. Uh from our public works department, the road division swept 491 streets. They filled 16 potholes, patched seven road intersections, 24 overlay applications,
and they utilized 27 12 tons of asphalt material from our sewer division. During this time, they flushed out and cleared seven sanitary line blockages. There was one afterhour emergency call out for sanitary issues. There were 44 enzyme
applications. This is to eliminate grease in various sanitary lines. They cleaned 48 catch basins and repaired four catch basins. From our shade tree division, they removed 15 hazardous trees, removed nine stumps, trimmed 14
trees, and assessed 12 other trees. Our grounds division cleaned 59 of our township parks and properties, various litter and debris. There were 137 field cuts and they cleaned six overgrowth locations. And as always, if you have a
concern or an inquiry, we encourage you to call public works 9086861922. But even better, we have on our website a report of concern feature. You can utilize that on our township website. And mayor, that concludes my report. Thank you, Commissioner Figerito. Next,
we have the fire department commissioner, Patricia Guer Frasier. Uh, thank you, Mayor. Before I continue, I would like to make a motion to approve the following licenses um for Bob, Leela's, Freda, and Pi located
at 550 North Avenue and Insta Claw on 1021 Styson Avenue. Second motion. All in favor? I thank you. Okay. From the fire department, this reporting period, the fire
department responded to 193 calls of service for fire suppression, emergency medical calls, and motor vehicle incidences. Our firefighters continue to provide reliable, highquality emergency response across the township while upholding the highest standard of safety
and professionalism. Thank you always for your service. significant responses. On August 30th, Bernett Avenue, a mobile home fire um was um there was a mobile home that was on fire. The firefighters made a fast and
aggressive attack to contain the flames, preventing the fire from spreading to any other neighboring mobile homes. Mutual aid from the Union County, two engines to be exact, and a truck company ensured coverage for the rest of the township during the incident. the county
caused and origin team is investigating that fire. September 5th, an overturned vehicle crash on Styverson Avenue. Ongoing activity across the township. Um like always, there's um vehicle fires and collisions on Garden State Parkway
and Route 78. and the fire department was busy covering those roadways, ensuring safety and motorists and commuters al safety for motorists and commuters alike. September fire safety tips. As the
summer winds down and families settle into the back of school, back to school routine, it's important to remain vigilant about fire safety, especially as we prepare for cooler weather and fire prevention month in October. And here are some safety reminders for
school zone and bus safety. Reduce speed in school zones and near crosswalks. Never pass a school bus with the flashing red lights. It's illegal and dangerous. Keep fire lanes and hydrants near schools clear. Emergency
access is essential during fire and medical emergency. Review the fire drills and emergency procedures with children at home to reinforce what they learn at school. Heating equipment safety. Fall is a time to prepare for
heating systems before peak usage. Have your furnace, boiler, and fireplace professionally inspected and cleaned. Keep all combustibles at least 3 f feet from heat sources. and schedule a chimney cleaning to prevent chimney
fires which often occur in cooler months. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as always um check to make sure that the batteries are um replaced and you should replace them at least once a year. Replace uh smoke alarms
every 10 years and the CO alarms according to manufacturer guidelines. Install alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on all floors. Fire escape planning. Prepared families help firefighters save lives. Practice
your home fire escape plan with two exits per room and a designated meeting spot. Teach children and elderly household members how to respond in an emergency. Make sure your home address is clearly visible from the street to
speed emergency response. A quick story, my aunt who um was taking care of her grandchild, there was a fire on the second floor and the fire alarm was going off. There was smoke and um we laugh about it now, but it was she was
panicking then, but um she was going crazy looking for her granddaughter and her granddaughter was across the street. She heard that fire alarm and ran. but they didn't have a system in place. So, it's important to always have a system in place. Um, fire extinguisher use and awareness. Extinguishers extinguishers
can stop small fires from becoming major disasters. Check your fire extinguisher monthly to ensure they're charged and accessible. Know the pass technique. Pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep. Use only
for small contained fires and only if you have a clear escape route. Looking ahead, October is my birthday month, but it is also fire prevention month and UFD will actively um participate in community events, school visits, and
public education campaigns to promote fire safety and preparedness. The Union Fire Department remains committed to protecting life, property, and the well-being of our residents. and we thank you for your continued cooperation. Thank you. That completes my report. Thank you, Commissioner. Next, we have
Senior Center and Recreation Department Commissioner Joseph Florio. Thank you, Mayor. From our recreation department, the fall Union Recreation Department will be hosting a number of wonderful enrichment programs for kids of all ages. A few highlights include
public speaking where kids can gain confidence and find their voice. Dr. to STEM where participants complete engineering challenges using household items and built by me where students build robots with special Lego pieces.
Union wreck is also excited for new two brand new programs, cheer dance for girls 3 to 8 years old and flag football for girls 7 to 14 years old. These two programs will be a great way for young girls to introduce the cheerleading and football in a comfortable small group
environment. space for cheer dance and girls flag football is limited. Only a few spots remain. Online registration for all these classes is open now. Please use the or or call the recreation department at 90868642000 if you have any questions
from our senior citizens department. On Tuesday, September 23rd, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30, nurses will be providing health maintenance check and prevention services. Always encourage you to take advantage of that. On Tuesday, September
16th at 11, join us for an important in informative, I'm sorry, informative session led by New Jersey Consumer Affairs on how to protect yourself from common scams. Learn how to spot warning signs, safeguard your personal information, and avoid falling victim to
phone, mail, online, and in-person fraud. Empower yourself with the knowledge you need to protect your finances and peace of mind. Stay alert, stay safe, and don't get scammed. Monday, September 15
through October 6th at 11:00 a.m. to 1 pm, there will be computer classes designed to help you build confidence and improve your everyday technology skills. You'll learn navigating on a computer, basics of email and the internet, and simple tips for staying
safe online. Card making class, very important. Anybody go buy a card lately? Birthday card. They're about $6 now. Not a bad idea. Discover the joy of creating one-of-a-kind cards that showcase your personal style and celebrate the special
people in your life. In this workshop, you will learn how to design and craft your own greeting cards using a variety of materials such as paper, stamps, and more. On September 17th at 12:30,
music and memories. Join us for join us as Mike Mulligan takes you on a musical journey through the timeless melodies of yester years where every song tells a story and every note brings back a memory as well as we explore lyrics, meanings, and inspirations that shape
your favorite tunes. On Monday, September 15 from 1:30 to 2:30, join us for our next book club meeting. They'll be discussing Midnight Library by Matt Hey, a moving story about hope, choices, and the beauty of living.
Upcoming events again on Thursday, September 18th will be going to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to Wind Creek, Cassuna. $40 per ticket, departure time and is at Janette Avenue. A Columbus Flea Market and Farmers Market will be
held on October 2nd from 9:30 to 3:30 with a $3 cost. Friday, October 24th, $90 for $90 a Michael Jack Jackson impersonation club or show at Hunan Hills. Ticket prices includes bus
transportation, show table served, entry, dessert, buffet, buffet, cafe, tea, t tax, and gratuitity. Bus departs from the senior citizens center at 10:00 a.m. For any additional information, please contact the senior center at 908851-5290.
That's my report for time. Thank you, Commissioner. Before we discuss the upcoming events, I'd like to congratulate local artist Charles W. Smith on his current exhibit, Eyes Wide Open, at the Union Art Gallery located inside the Union Arts Center.
This exhibit showcased his artwork dedicated to the Twin Towers and the tragic event of September the 11th, along with other pieces ranging from portraits to landscapes. Thank you, Charles, for sharing your work with us. The exhibit will be ongoing until
September the 15th. Hispanic and Latino Heritage uh festival. Join us for the upcoming celebration, the rich tradition of Hispanic and Latino community at our annual his heritage festival on
Saturday, September the 20th at Bear Temple Park. We will be alive with vibrant music, incredible performances, and delicious food. This is a cannot miss event for the whole family to experience. Enjoy over 40 vendors, face painting,
inflatables, and more. Visit uniontownship.com for more details. 911 Fire Department in uh Union Police Department ceremony. The Township of Union invites all residents to the
special remembrance cemeter ceremony this Thursday, September the 11th at 8:30 a.m. at at the front of fire headquarters on One Bond Street Drive. This is a time for our community to to unite to honor the lives lost and
pay tribute to our first responders incredible courage. the freedom bike ride that was talked about earlier. Sandra, we all are welcome to join on 911 freedom bike ride this Sunday, September
the 14th. The 10mi roundtrip to Echol Lake Park memorial site is a scenic, inspiring journey open to all riders with geared bicycles. Come to be a part of this moving tribute. You can still
register and learn more at uniontownship.com. Restaurant week is coming up. Township of Union's Restaurant Week is here. Join us from September 15th to the 21st to discover our local culinary scene. Take
advantage of special fixed prices menus and exclusive discounts available for lunch and dinner. This is an ideal opportunity to support our fantastic restaurants and experience with new flavors. For a complete list of all participating
businesses, visit uniontownship.com. Open Road Union Open Road event is back this fall. Enjoy walking, running, and biking on Sunday, September the 21st and the last two Sundays of October from 9 to 11:00 a.m. on Rawway Avenue. Don't
miss these final opportunities to enjoy our community's open road this year. Visit uniontownship.com for more details. Everbridge notifications, please sign up for emergency and general notifications online at www.
uniontownship.com. These updates are also posted on Facebook at TWWP Union. At this time, I'd like to open it up for comments. Just remember that there's a fivem minute rule and please give your name
and where you live. Good evening. Um, my name is Stephen Yafed. I'm from Hillside, uh, which used to be part of Union, as you probably know. Um, there is a bill, uh, currently in the legislature and I'm asking you to
consider uh to pass a resolution in support of the bill. There are 50 town uh, to date have supported the bill. The bill is uh, called the Climate Super Fund Act. It uh mirrors the original
super fund act um which is you may be familiar with. It has resemblance perhaps more resemblance to the cigarette uh company action which which created the funding to the state
um to compensate for what was determined in the courts as knowing malfeasants on cigarette companies. cigar companies knew that they were creating an addiction situation and they uh hid this. And this is the same sort
of a bill, the Climate Super Fund Act, um where oil companies actually knew in the 1960s that they were creating a dangerous situation with the uh with the with the climate. And so this is why New York
State has already passed the bill. the way it works or would work if New Jersey passed it and then it would have to pass um court battle there will be a court battle to follow but um New York's
uh bill uh Hokll signed it as well so it's it's law still to be tested but it creates um um a liability uh in3 billion dollar every year for the next 25 years
and that is then to be allocated um by township grant um application for um either flooding or any related uh situation. So you can see that would
could potentially create hundreds of thousands of dollars um to mitigate costs for Union Township and similar. So, this is the point of the bill. It's obviously going to be a fight. It hasn't been
brought out of uh out of the uh committee yet. That's up to Craig Coughlin, but um Senator Cryan is a sponsor of the bill. And um well, that's where that's where it stands. Hopefully, it
would be brought out before uh Senator Murphy uh is out of office otherwise then it has to go through and restart the the process but I'd be happy to answer any questions and I have sample um resolutions very
simple to to make a change um add or remove any clause and just put union in place of of the other and that's that's what we I would ask that you give that information to our town clerk okay and something that we can look into should I send an email
yes Yes. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak? Root Slovic, 1221 McGee Avenue. I want to understand because there's only one sentence here that says, let me put my glasses on.
Amending chapter 133 of the municipal code changing the composition of the police department. What does that mean? Can you talk about that? What what are you doing? Why are you reducing the force? Is this a restructure?
And why are you restructuring it? time. We We It's just It's time, you know, that we look at. We've had some retirements. I know my my microphone is on. We've had some retirements. We've had some changes. Uh so, it's just time
to look at the the just to make sure it's structured right and we have the right people in place. Okay. And then I was wondering about um number eight. It says amending the resolution increasing the amount to a certain company. I think is Tesser and
Cohen by an additional $45,000 for the outstanding issues with DOPCO Incorporation for a total of not to exceed $55,000. Who are they? Can you talk about that? What is it? Yes. Thank you, mayor. So, this is actually a law firm that's representing the
township of union in litigation uh that was filed by the contractor who built the library. They're alleging that certain monies are owed and uh the township has uh obviously denied that it owes any money and has certain counter
claims against the contractor for monies it believes it is owed. Uh I can't really be any more specific than that. There is pending litigation and that is the law firm that is representing the township. Okay. Thank you. I understand. Um but by
just seeing this I had no idea what it was for but thank you very much for the clarification. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak? Mayor, I have comments that were submitted to read into the record.
Gary Mosher, 2152 Tyler Street, regarding the comments you endorsed as a response to my statements at the last meeting. Your attorney states that this is a typical neighbor upon neighbor dispute. I have attempted to make it crystal clear that I am here making these statements because I believe your
government is violating my constitutional rights. You now have confirmed you are complicit with the actions of your employees and that the conspiracy goes right to the top. For the record, we fear you and the govern and the corrupt government you have endorsed. But fear won't stop us from fighting that corruption and attempting
to reclaim the trust you have violated. You have now acknowledged that you are defending the preposterously implausible theory that our 2152 property is not the is not the same standard 50 foot width that all other properties on this
portion of Tyler Street are. In spite of providing you with an original construction survey on the original 80-year-old paper stating that the lot is 50 ft wide. You strongly believe there is very good reason to doubt that flawless survey and instead defend an obviously flawed survey with obviously
suspicious omissions. It is perfectly reasonable to question your motivations and that is the only part of the case against you that remains in doubt. Clearly, you have a bias in preference to the 2148 property and the actions of your employees have over and over again
proven a bias against the 2152 property. Why this bias? And why to this preposterous extreme? If the 2152 construction survey is, as all evidence shows, perfectly accurate, then the survey you are backing is easily proven, a deliberate fraud, not just some random
error. The fact that the survey was commissioned to secure a mortgage is now an intriguing fact. If not too impertinent, may I directly ask you, are you willful accompllices in a mortgage fraud scheme? If you force this issue into a court of law, are you confident
your behavior so far will exonerate you from that now reasonable suspicion? For that future record, I have simply asked the administrators of the government of union to do a little proper honest investigating. The survey they are backing is easily proven accurate or
inaccurate by simply measuring from the 21442148 property line where all three 2148 surveys agree on the measurement location to the 21482152 property line. That measurement will
provide the means to reconstruct the missing foundation measurement on the survey you have endorsed and established with surveys is slash are inaccurate. Again, it should be noted as things stand now, it is a fact that at least one and perhaps three of the surveys are
inaccurate. You are clearly implying, if not stating that you are unconcerned that a survey may be fraudulent, and you are compelled by no duty to do any investigation, no matter how trivial the time and expense required. You won't do that honest investigation for me as a
citizen of Union. Nor will you do it for all the citizens of this state who expect property surveys to be honest, credible, and secure. That's it. Mr. Anthony. Yeah. Just just briefly, uh obviously I stand by my prior response to uh the
gentleman and his email um uh public comment. if he feels so strongly about his claim, uh there's nothing that would prevent him from filing a claim, a lawsuit against his neighbor who believes is encroaching on his property.
um to the extent that you know again we looked at it and obviously he we have a difference of opinion as it relates to the encroachment but nothing is preventing him from taking action on his own to remedy what he believes is a an
open and shut case but obviously it's not thank you misselli at this time I have a motion to adjurnn second all in favor