##VIDEO ID:ylHb2enerPo## 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 a resolution was adopted on January 1st 2024 designating this date this Hall and 7:30 p.m. as the time for this regular meeting of the township committee 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 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 the local Source in Star Ledger a copy of said resolution is on file with the clerk of the township thank you madam clerk this evening the prayer will be led by committee woman Patricia G Frasier and the flag salute will be led by James Bowser all please stand let us bow our hearts and Minds 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 their confidence let us continue to strive to Make a Better Community amen amen pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands under God indivisible with liy and justice for all Madam clerk can I have a roll call please Mr Bowser here M Terrell is absent Miss Frasier here Mr Florio here mayor figuro here this evening uh we have a wonderful event I think it's always great to acknowledge Our Youth and what they accomplish uh we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winners of our 250 birthday of the United States essay contest across fourth 8th and 10th grade your thoughtful responses to the essay prompt quote how do you think Union should celebrate our nation's 250th birthday end quote have been truly inspiring thank you for being an integral part of this celebration of our nation's past and the future your contributions helped us reflect on our history honor the diverse contributions of all Americans and envision the future we want to create for the next generation and Beyond so I'm going to call these young ladies and gentlemen up but I'm first going to ask Mr David armino and an Margaret Shannon if you would also join us um the students that are here here today are Jamie Rogan Anisa Rodriguez Kiara M batist Ryan cross Juliana muscavage muscavage I'm sorry Nathan McKenzie is there any name I did not call that's not on the list I have Kiera and batist I have Jamie Rogan what's what's her name I don't have that on my list but okay all right Ezekiel it's coming up Rodriguez Taurus come on Ezekiel come on up all you come on up onto the days don't be shy Mr armeno would you help me giving these out sure I think Jamie yes sure absolutely Jamie this is the order I was given make it a trough going to you do ran and Ezekiel May why you come to the microphone and have a seat in mind thank you the Union Township Education Association where the teachers the secretary security guards counselors nurses everybody custodians main all the people that take care of the children a union we are very proud to present cash Awards to the children and so I'm going to take care of that now however I have to say even though I'm a math teacher I think reading and writing is even more important so they're also getting a little Journal so they can continue to write in fourth grade Ezekiel first place was first place first place congratulations second place pierra and third place in grade four Nathan [Applause] McKenzie in 8th grade first place Jamie Rogan Callie is not here and third place Ryan cross and 10th grade first place and first place overall Juliana mcav second place Elizabeth is not here and third place anesa Rodriguez how about a nice round of applause for these young ladies and [Applause] gentlemen tell me where to interject everybody parents you can come take pictures you come on up absolutely this is a proud moment right when you come up on the stage did you get us oh and you weren't looking at me sorry okay har you want to come up and take a picture come on up no no just take a picture of that oh okay okay yeah we don't yeah you can thank you gu come on all you kids got a smile thank you congratulations let me congrat one more sorry sorry we're still here bang G just don't end the meeting I'm I'm in Pre you want to make a silly one okay family we going to be in the back take a congratulations congratulations congratul smil I like to say two words right so how about another nice round of applause for our young ladies and gentlemen and their parents and family so important Deputy Mayor yeah I I have a comment to make uh I want to again congratulate the students but I want to thank our teachers and our administrators for every single day they're out there making our school system great that it is don't anybody tell you anything different we have a great school system but it's because of the students the teachers and the administrators that's all I had to say there thank you thank you so much and and just for the record we have one of our Union School teachers right on this day is committee woman Patricia G Fraser one of our Educators here in [Applause] town at this time I'd like a motion to approve the minutes of the conference and regular section session of July 30th 2024 so moved second all in favor I I Madame clerk can we move on with the ordinances and resolutions please I for your consideration on second and final reading an ordinance amending chapter 266-5565 d55 entitled schedule 14 parking prohibited at all times by the township Committee of the township of Union County of union state of New Jersey this ordinance effects Hilton Avenue is there anyone from the public who wishes to speak on this ordinance move the ordinance be adopted second Mr Bowser yes M Fier yes Mr floral yes mayor figuro yes adopting the 2024 master plan reexamination and land use Amendment move the ordinance be taken up for second and final reading second an ordinance adopting the township of Union County of Union 2024 master plan reexamination and land use Amendment anyone from the public wishing to speak on this ordinance yes mayor members of the township committee good evening my name is Rob Simon I'm an attorney with Herald law in Warren New Jersey I'm here to speak with regard to the proposed ordinance that was just announced um I represent Watchung developers LLC uh 105 laremont road block 4501 Lots one two and three located in the NC Zone I also have with me a professional planner John teina I'm going to be just briefly addressing the many many procedural defects with regard to uh having a public hearing with regard to this ordinance uh this is improper both procedurally and substantively um it contains blatant violations of the municipal luse law um notice was not provided properly in uh consideration of section 62.1 of the municipal land use law notice uh personal notice needed to be provided to all properties that were impacted this was not based on a general periodic reexamination of the master plan um this is not a proper land use Amendment to the master plan that it was being considered and was based on um there's actually a violation of uh njs 40 col 49-2 in terms of General notices for the adoptions of ordinances there was no clear statement of the purpose of the ordinance there's no mention of the NC Zone there's no mention of the elimination of residential uses and in fact the title of the ordinance says adopting the 2024 master plan reexamination in land use Amendment and as you all know governing bodies don't adopt master plan reexamination and master plan amendments that is done by the planning board um and there's other violations as well that I won't uh get into that are procedural in nature the bottom line is I've just given you a few that of many that warrant uh that this ordinance uh should not be U voted on and considered for adoption for due to procedural defects I'm I'm going to have John uh teina on behalf of the client address some uh substantive defects with regard to the contents of the proposed ordinance thank you good evening evening hi my name is John tyina I'm a licensed planer in the state of New Jersey and I have been since I completed my studies at Ruckers University in 1992 I've uh spent some of my 35 year career as both a municipal and County planner but most of the time I represent applicants before planning and zoning boards uh throughout the state and around the country um seeking development approvals um sometimes uh I do get to guide my clients through rezoning and zone changes but most of the time uh I I appear after uh as a result of ordinances that are adopted by governing bodies like yourselves I have appeared before more than 100 50 different boards throughout the state and I can say that zoning ordinances range from good to very bad for many different reasons I have appeared in Union Township uni County on four or five occasions actually with good results uh each time um the township is to be commended for conducting a thoughtful master plan process in 2021 that resulted in the adoption of your current master plan in March 25th 2021 it did a very nice job describing the challenges that face the community in the 21st century after the large scale influences of the 20th century of the construction of the Garden State Park R Route 78 it correctly identifies Redevelopment and revitalization is the key Focus for the future including accommodating the evolution of retail and services in an internet age reimagining office and Industrial spaces and providing attractive housing for all ages and interests it is a thoughtful and intelligent document that recommented implementing many of the solutions to these challenges through smart growth and sustainability the document describes the neighborhood core as a mix of development types clustered outside the downtown area it provides mixed and multiple uses along with single use sites of all types retail office services and residential it is designed to be walkable but also provide adequate parking recognizing many of us will still drive to and from those areas and we do love our cars it also spans the width and breadth of the township virtually from border to border all the way east to west along Morris Avenue North up vhall Road and stensson Avenue and Springfield Avenue all the way to the Northwest and all the way down to the South uh along Chestnut Street the governing body then wisely implemented its new master plan with a new Land Development ordinance amendments adopted just two years ago completing a thoughtful land use policy for the 21st century so after such a well-reasoned and intelligent land use process what is proposed tonight is surprising and disappointing not withstanding the matter in which the process is being rushed through the unintended consequences will be equally disappointing for the residences residents and businesses of the community in Gross terms you are proposing to delete the neighbors from the neighborhood Corp in describing the challenges facing zoning ordinances in the face of rapidly evolving uses found today the master plan also described a zoning process that is cost prohibitive to Residents and small businesses unfortunately with the broad stroke amendments tonight you are sentencing your residents in the neighborhood Corp and there are many to being hamstrung as a non-conforming use in the district with all of the restrictions that come with being non-conforming not to mention the challenges that come from trying to sell a non-conforming property when your time here is done to give an immediate example just immediately adjacent to my client's property Al on Morris Avenue along just 800 feet of Morris Avenue from Wang Avenue to Wang Avenue you will create 15 non-conforming uses with the stroke of a pen there are only 18 uses along that 800t stretch of Morris Avenue on both sides you are sentencing all of them to nonconformity the Practical impact to the residents and property owners that now need to deal with being non-conforming all it's intended that's the Practical impact the land use impact is the requirement of section 62 of the land use law that zoning ordinances shall be drawn with reasonable consideration to the character of each district I would submit to you a zoning district with that degree of non-conformity does not give reasonable consideration to the district's existing character the final impact you're placing on your residents and your haste is by deleting the lower impact residential uses from the neighborhood core you leave them with the higher impact uses Medical Offices funeral homes restaurants brew pubs on rebuild service stations and repair garages the adjacent neighbors clamoring for this change will be complaining about the next use just as much if not more I'd recommend the township not adopt this hastily composed and ill-advised Amendment thank you thank you anyone else wishing to speak on this ordinance yeah mayor I was just going to say Obviously there they have a right to comment on the ordinance I heard from Council indicating that he believes there's some issues with the ordinance to the extent that there's potential litigation on the horizon here I would suggest that no comments be made this matter was referred to the planning board correct with a recommendation I don't see any reason why you can proceed with with the ordinance this evening thank you Council move the ordinance be adopted second Mr Bowser yes M Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor figorito yes adopting the Liberty Avenue Redevelopment plan move the draft be taken up first reading by title this time second this is second reading second reading yeah 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 New Jersey adopting the Liberty Avenue Redevelopment plan pursuant to the local Redevelopment and Housing law njsa 40a col2 A-1 at SEC is there anyone from the public who wishes to speak on this ordinance move the ordinance be adopted second Mr Bowser yes Miss Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor figur yes have your consideration on drafting first reading an ordinance amending ordinance number 5758 for the utility and temporary construction site work area and mitigation work area easements to the state of New Jersey by the commissioner of transportation to include parcel 2R 43a and increase the cost to $45,000 Mo the draft be taken up for first reading by the title at this time second an ordinance of the township of Union County of union state of New Jersey for a utility and temporary construction area easements to the state of New Jersey by the commissioner of Transportation this ordinance amends ordinance number 5758 to include parcel 2 R 43a and increase the cost to $45,000 Mr Bowser yes Miss Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor figorito yes move the St be taken up our next regular schedule meeting for second final reading second Mr Bowser yes Miss Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor figorito yes amending chapter 26666 of the municipal code parking by permit and residential areas this ordinance affects when Court move draft be taken up for first reading by title at this time may have a second second an ordinance amending chapter 26666 B schedule 25 entitled parking by permit only in residential areas by the township Committee of the township of Union County of union state of New Jersey this ordinance affects Wendy Court Mr Bowser yes Miss Frasier yes Mr Floral yes mayor figit move draft be taken up at the next regularly scheduled meeting for second and final reading second no it's the next one right the next one okay sorry I second a motion Mr Bowser yes M Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor figorito yes amending chapter 170 of the municipal code to address property grading taking up on first reading and referring to the planning board an ordinance of the township of Union County of union state of New Jersey amending chapter 170 of the municipal code to address property grading referring to the planning board may have a second second Mr Bowser yes Miss frer yes Mr Florio yes mayor figorito yes amending chapter 170 article 18 of the municipal code entitled storm water management and control move Jeff be taken up on first reading by title at this time and referred to the planning board an ordinance amending chapter 170 Land Development article 18 entitled storm water storm water management and control Mr Bowser yes Miss Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor figurita yes I think it's the move draft be taken up at the next regularly scheduled meeting for second and final reading and refer to the planning board second Mr Bowser yes Miss Frasier yes Mr floral yes mayor figurita yes providing for the 2024 Road program Elizabeth Town Gas roads will the draft be taken up for first reading by title at this time second capital ordinance providing for improvements and repairs to various roads throughout the township by the township of Union in the county of union state of New Jersey appropriating 78489 4.95 to pay for the cost thereof which amount will be funded by a grant from the Elizabeth Town Gas Company received or expected to be received by the Township from the New Jersey Department of Transportation Mr Bowser yes M Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor Figaro creating a new chapter in the municipal code entitled filming move Jeffrey taken up on first reading by title at this time we're supposed to move eight didn't we second second all right creating a new chapter in the municipal code entitled filming Mr Bowser yes Miss frer yes Mr florel yes mayor figer yes move draft we taking up the next regularly scheduled meeting for second and final reading second Mr Bowser yes M Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor figurita yes the following resolutions authorizing the adoption of the 2023 annual audit motion to approve second all in favor I authorizing the 2023 audit corrective action plan move to approve second all in favor I authorizing the purchase and installation of a shade structure for Jerome Petty Park from MRC Recreation through the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey for an amount not to exceed $ 17,897 43 move to approve the purchase second all favor I authorizing a negotiated contract for the collection of Municipal Court debt with RTR financial services for a period of one year move to approved contract second all in favor hi amending resolution number 2024 219 increasing the amount to Newman's heat and air conditioning by $10,200 for a total amount not to exceed $ 54,9 192 for the 2023 2024 HVAC services for various Township buildings motion to approve second all in favor I amending resolution 20249 increasing the amount to rigin's Inc by an additional $60,000 for the purchase of fuel for Township vehicles for t for a total amount not to exceed $290,000 move to approve second all in favor authorizing an award of contract to Newman's heat and air conditioning for the 2024 2025 HVAC services for various Township buildings at their sole bid not to exceed $3 39,821 Municipal budget budget in the amount of $65,000 under the caption kids Recreation trust fund Grant move to approve second all in favor I authorizing change order number one increasing the amount to Crossroads Paving Corporation by $14 14,31 resulting in a revised total contract amount of 3,177 6738 for the 2024 Road Improvement program Mo for approval second all in favor I I authorizing change order number one increasing the amount to PM construction by $ 32,1 6.70 resulting in a revised total contract amount of 1, 911, 67270 for the 2024 EtG Road resurfacing project move for approval second all in favor I authorizing the purchase of an air compressor for fire headquarters from Air Center Inc for an amount not to exceed $3,141 motion to approve second all in favor authorizing an award of emergency contract to craft power Corporation for the replacement of an emergency generator at fire headquarters in the amount of $775 a86 move to approv contract second all in favor authorizing a contract between the community development project and various entities for fees set forth in the resolution move to approve the contract second all in favor authorizing payment of all approved vouchers for solid waste collection H and Disposal at the interim rate of $759 per ton for household waste and $119 12 per ton for bulky waste for the month of July move to approve second all in favor I authorizing a Professional Services agreement with tnm Associates for a traffic study investigation for selfmaster Parkway and an amount now to exceed $24,200 move to approve second all in favor I ask you to approve the finances as listed on the agenda move to approve second all in favor I the Communications from Terry Miland a tax collector requesting the township committee authorized checks issued to the following representing the Redemption of tax Sal certificates as listed on the agenda for approval second all in favor I I Joseph vesia Township engineer requesting the following payments payment number one to Crossroads Paving Corporation in the amount of 83,1 56 for work completed through July 31st 2024 in connection with the 2024 Road Improvement program payment number two to PM Construction in the amount of $392,450 71 for work completed through August 15 2024 in connection with the 2024 Road resurfacing program EtG payment number four to adg doing business as Crossroads Paving in the amount of $245,713 57 for work completed through August 9th 2024 in connection with the 2023 Road reconstruction ruction program phase three move to approve payments second all in favor I from Lisa McDuff Township of Hillside requesting the use of the showa bill for a breast cancer awareness walk on Sunday I'm sorry Saturday October 5th 2024 at 10: a.m. move to approve second all in favor I I from Bennett Epstein tle benai Abraham Route 22 East requesting to erect a 60 by 60ft tent for an annual memorial service from October 2nd through October 7th 2024 with all fees waved move to approve second all in favor I from Lisa Gian scy Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services requesting to erect a 30X 80 foot tent in the parking lot located at 373 Claremont Terrace on October 2nd and 3rd 2024 for an outdoor event move to approve the request second all in favor I have Department reports from the clerk's office Municipal Court Police Department Community Development and the fire department move to receive and file reports second all in favor I I that concludes my part of the agenda thank you madam clerk go on to our committee reports committee M Bowser uh thank you mayor uh for the police department for the period of July 26 through August 22nd there were 2,22 direct patrols there's 4,660 calls for service here 115 arrests under speed Initiative for the period of July 26 to August 22nd there were 19 92 stops two 203 tickets and 48 were residents red light enforcement for the same period it was 89 stops 95 tickets 10 were residents uh truck enforcement for the week for the same time period was 27 stops 21 tickets and with forward deliveries my highlight for this time frame on July 25th at approximately 10:44 p.m. officers attempted to pull over a Civic for motor vehicle violations in the area of Mars Avenue the Honda refused to pull over accelerated away and eluded officers shortly after officers located the Honda Park unoccupied a short distance away officers searched the area and were able to locate and arrest the driver recovered from inside the Honda was a stolen handgun the suspect was transported to headquarters and charged accordingly that concludes my report thank you committee woman G Fraser I will be reading commissioner Terrell's public works department report the road division continues to work on repairing potholes and patching sections of Roads throughout the township since our last meeting the road division was performed 74 74 pothole repairs 348 Street sweeps um the sewer division the sewer division continues to maintain catch Basin Pump stations and outfalls daily performing repairs when necessary since our last meeting the sewer division has performed 348 catch Basin cleanings 60 enzyme applications to minimize fats oils and grease for emergency calls shade tree division the shade tree division continues to maintain trees in Parks Township properties and in Township ride of ways since our last meeting tree Crews performed 25 removals 68 trees trimmed 10 stump removals Heavy Rain on the 18th and the 19th monitored eight sanitary search charges and 15 flood locations checked all pump stations and monitored flood wall on Franklin Street all sanitary uh search charges and flood locations were secured with barricades and traffic barrels any concerns you may call the division of Public Works at 98686 1922 for the senior Center the nurse will be providing Health maintenance check and Prevention Services September 10th from 9:30 to 11:30 NJ snap which is an assistant program to help um buy groceries um the benefits um they will be accepting applications September 26 from 10: to 12:00 p.m. Splash into fitness move your body and get a great workout um in the senior splash water aerobics class enjoy a stress-free hour registration requirements um at the senior center September 11th December 18th at the Five Points YMCA Branch Zumba Gold designed the design of the class introduces easy to follow Zumba choreography that focuses on balance range of motion and coordination that will be held September 17th through December 3rd from 1:30 to 2:30 and that is uh free of charge arts arts creative crafts Workshop is a five weeks uh program every Thursday starting February 1 through February 29th from 11: to 12: p.m. upcoming trips Wind Creek Casino at Bethlehem PA September 19th the tickets are $35 and they are departing from Janette Avenue PNC Art Center tickets are free transportation from the senior bus departs at 12: pm. Tuesday September 17th afternoon of rock and roll R&B and Soul music if you are interested please call the senior center at 98851 5290 and the recreation department the winning film for our movies Under the Stars poll Was Kung Fu Panda number four the movie will be held on Friday September 6th at rapkin Park pre-movie entertain entainment will begin at 5:30 and the movie will begin promptly at 7:15 pre-movie entertainment will include a photo booth DJ artist snacks ice cream uh will be available for purchase bring your lawn chairs and a blanket and enjoy the laughs so this summer The Union Recreation Department debuted a brand new public speaking program due to the high interest and the success of the first session another session will be held in the fall beginning September 24th a new age group will be added catering towards high schoolers registration for this program will begin August 30th at noon so don't delay and if your child is interested if you have any questions for the recreation department you may call them at 98686 4200 that concludes my report thank you you must be tired after all that committee woman you need a drink of water I'll hand it over to Deputy Mayor Florio thank you very much mayor uh from the union fire department for the month of August like to report that they responded to 465 emergency calls for service with 204 medical calls to date in the month of August before I start the actual report I I I really want to put something in a motion before I forget here I want to move a special ABC hearing for September 9th at 3:30 p.m. here on the signatures bar matter that's a form of a motion we have a second second second all in favor thank you uh here's the reports on July 30th the far Department responded to Route 22 East for twocc car motor vehicle accident with one occupi needing to be extra extricated from the vehicle remember I'm reading you was only some of the things that went on on July 31st fire department apparatus responded to Amberg Street for Resident house fire fire was extinguished with no injuries to First Responders or the occum fire appeared to be started for the plumbing Work August 2nd fire department apparatus responded toor AV for vehicle versus tree two victims were extricated from the vehicle and transported to the University Hospital on August 2nd again and 6 a torrential storm experienced throughout the township brought increased activity of Emergency Response with flash flooding just a comment on that that was a very tough storm uh and I know a lot of people were impacted fortunately not the whole Community but again our police fire and DPW were out there all the time trying to rectify the situation to get everybody back to normal as soon as possible on August 16th the car drove through a supporting column in front door of a home on Stanley terrce fire department units performed a Shoring operation to make sure the structure was safe on August 21st in the early morning hours a vehicle sered a pole on Route 22 West the pole was cracked and needed replacement Closing one Lane for repairs you I have to comment in all my years on the township Committee in the last few years I've never seen so many accidents with people driving to poles knocking down lines driving into houses and a lot of other injuring themselves injuring possible people the residents the street and also of course causing outages for our our our residents I don't know whether it's cell phone usage speeding or what but please people be concerned here slow down and stay off of the cell phone because I've never seen anything like like this about how many cars are actually going at the poles and things another item here from hurricane season is here obviously we've seen some already have a home emergency prepare uh preparedness plan along with adequate supplies and survival kit to facilitate a safe and effective evacuation or in the alternative they need to shelter in place during the course of the major power failure or other significant emergencies we don't have that too often but if it happens it's a problem monitor weather conditions follow Authority instructions keep radio and batteries on hand and should power be lost remain inside away from windows and doors close interior doors blinds and curtains you have cell phones you know a storm is coming make sure you fully charge them very important because the regular lines could go out if you are in an area there's likely to flood designate a location on Higher Ground that you can move to before the flood waters reach you mayor that's my report for tonight thank you Deputy Mayor um I'm going to piggy back on what the deputy mayor said speeding running through red lights very important that you're conscious taking control of that vehicle that is an instrument of possible destruction as we see going into buildings so please be mindful of stop signs red lights uh yellow means slow down and stop so um our police are out there as you heard the police Commissioners report out there working hard we don't want to ticket you and you see most we're starting to get more people from out of town I think they're starting to get the message because I know our residents have gotten the message so uh please be careful out there um along with that I want to congratulate our Union Police Department for being re accredited for the third time now there are only 8% of police departments in the state of New Jersey that are re accredited for the third time so congratulations to the great work that the union Police Department is doing they deserve a round of applause and we had a ceremony earlier prior to this meeting where our director was presented with that um Township of Union is hosting our fourth annual Freedom Bike Ride on Sunday September 8th beginning at 9:30 a.m. this 10mile round trip will begin in front of fire headquarters which is one Bond drive and continue to echol Lake Park Memorial site in Mountainside there will be free helmets cooling towels draw string bags and water stations you can register online at Union township.com and join our Union fire and police departments on Wednesday September 11th at 8:30 a.m. as they hold a ceremony to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the 911 attacks the ceremony will take place in front of fire headquarters at 8:30 a.m. rain or shine to stay updated please follow us on social media with that also save the date for our upcoming Soul house festival a celebration of soulful music and Community spirit this will be on Saturday September 7th from 2 to 10 p.m. for unforgettable performances and there will be vendors there again to stay up to date on the event and performances follow us on social media that information will be there and we are thrilled the township committee is thrilled to announce the return of the Hispanic and Latino Heritage Festival join us on Saturday September 21st from 2: to 10: p.m. it promises to be a day filled with culture music good food and a community celebration which is important attendance is free to all for more information you can visit Union township.com and again follow us on social media also it sounds like it's far ahead but Mark your calendars for the annual car bike and truck show which will be on October 6th come on down to see the incredible Vehicles win some prizes enjoy live music eat some great food and more to register Vehicles please visit Union town.com again check our social media and if you have not yet please sign up for everbridge notifications where you'll get emergency and general notifications you can also see these online at ww. Unown ship.com these updates are also posted on Facebook at tww twpunion NJ and with that oh let's uh thank you uh Deputy Mayor reminded me tomorrow night our rescheduled America's night out will be at Police Department headquarters starting at 5:00 come on out there'll be food there'll be music there'll be Dunka cop there'll be Dunka deputy mayor so come on out and join us uh that's tomorrow night all right everyone thanks and with that I will open the meeting up to the public again a reminder please state your name and there is a five minute limit out good evening everyone my name is Erica Bradshaw I live in at 1689 Walker Avenue and I have a business Bradshaw creative studios located at 1021 ston Avenue of course in our Union Center I am standing up here today um based on a lot of things but one is from the June 25th 2024 commit committee meeting where signatures bar invited me to a proceedings and there was a lot that happened and I didn't speak up and I spoke up on social media but I was alerted that unless I put it on the record and speak up so that everyone knows then it's not official who knew Facebook isn't official I didn't know anyway um let's see I have attended signatures bar in the past I had a wonderful time uh as a queer black non-binary woman in Union Township as a resident and as a small business owner I have been shown and treated with respect and dignity from every person on the township committee uh membership from the township administrators and it was very hard to stand there and hear the lambasting that you all took and I did not stand up so one I would like to apologize to you all because I know you outside of here and I didn't stand up I was flued to say the least and I was trying not to be my born in New York New Jersey self to just uh uh uh go off I wanted to think and have some time and what I've realized is that in this town that I live and work in I have not experienced racism I'm not going to speak for anyone else I have as a small business owner small black queer business owner have uh been supported in every aspect of my Venture with my business whether it stays open or not I do not feel that the people who spoke that evening about signatures and about our Township were saying things that really were accurate or kind about our town and Leadership and for that I apologize that you all had to receive that and that our town had to receive that and I just want to put it on record that if there's any way that I can show that as a small black queer business owner Union Township has been great to me and many other small black businesses who are not able to be here to say these words so thank you for hearing me and for your time thank you thank you very much R appreciate it thank you anyone else wishing to speak the 2 oh David armenio the 250th committee is a collaboration of the township the Board of Education the Historical Society the Presbyterian Church Liberty Hall uh many groups coming together the uh Vox Hall Historical Society coming together to prepare for our 250th anniversary or the semiquincentennial of our country uh and tonight when you handed out those Awards to those students that was the first official event of the uh upcoming celebration and so I thank you for being part of it and for uh Bill Reyes who who's on the committee hiding back there uh and uh all the others who are part of the committee and uh our Township historian is here Tom bicer so if you have any questions about the history of Union Tom is here to answer any of your questions and what I have for you as we go through all the documents at the Historical Society uh I came across two items that for the township committee one is the dedication of the township of Union municipal building on October 19th 1957 so I made copies for each of you that you could look at and the little blurb at the bottom that explains how it was how it came about and on the back uh a notice of a public meeting and you get this all the time where people come and complain about different things in town well this is a a a call for people to come to a town hall meeting to uh better trolley service in town we had a trolley in Union and uh cars and buses uh destroyed that business but uh it's it's on the back for people to come to that meeting in 1918 so I have a copy for each of you thank you thank you thank you we appreciate that to um if I may add to that uh Bernett Middle School is celebrating 100y year anniversary this year thank you so much thank you Mr armia anyone else wishing to speak uh good evening um everyone my name is lvll Santos and this is my husband Michael Santos we live on 11 1175 Liberty Avenue I live directly across from the sewer pump station um I stand before you today not only as a resident of this community but also on behalf of my neighbors who are here with me tonight we have gathered to address a pressing issue that affects us every time it rains um the drainage problem in our town specifically by Joe Collins Park on Liberty Avenue all the way to Doris Avenue uh this is not just about worrying during Hurricane Season anymore it is a constant concern every time it rains it's not about inconvenience it's about being in constant stress no peace of mind and worrying about m old issues and safety of our families I have lived here for over 12 years and some of my neighbors have been here for 25 years we urge you our Union Engineers to put our hard-earned tax taxpayer money to work we urge you to improve the drainage system so that we no longer have to think about moving or the fear that my home will be unsellable due to the plague of the poor drainage system in our area we have suffered long enough we have watched our homes and vehicles get destroyed year after year we urgently need your expertise and support to find a sustainable solution to this ongoing issue um we also signed a petition from our neighbors to address this issue give it to our officer thank you thank you for listening thank you for coming forward with that uh I'm gonna call our engineer to come up Mr hatterer please good evening good evening I spoke with these uh individuals uh outside before the meeting started tonight and I explained to them that uh for the most part the problems that they've been experiencing are more of a regional nature than and a municipal uh I can tell you uh knowing the work the hardwork that the DPW does in terms of uh addressing the ongoing maintenance requirements of catch basins uh and uh street sweeping uh to remove the sediment that could clog the sewer drains that's one part of it but they do a very good job at doing it but this is really a origional problem and it's been a original problem for a number of years uh anyone who's been uh attending any of the uh mayor's Council on raway River flooding would know that the solution to this problem is well known and it requires uh the residents who are most affected by the flooding issue to bring it to the attention of the US Army Core of Engineers we've done our part we've made them known that that uh this is a regional problem that they could uh address uh but we don't really see any movement in that direction and I think it certainly would help if the residents who are most affected by this that live along the raway river or any of its tributaries uh would be extremely helpful in fact I I shared my contact information with the uh uh individuals who were just up here U I will get them the information uh at The Core V who they can address their concerns with and if there's anyone else uh they can you can contact me in the engineering office uh and I'll be more than glad to share my contact information uh with you as well so that's where we're at thank you Mr header as someone who's been to Washington a few times and met with the Army Corp of engineer not only down there but up here where we toured these areas we keep pushing them to come to some sort of a a a conclusion where they can mitigate the amount of flooding that we have and we will keep pressing and I I appreciate your comments and your continued Vision there okay mayor if I may you know both of us have been members of the rway river mayor Association and I could tell you how frustrating this is with the Army Corps of Engineers we thought we had a solution eight nine years ago and all of a sudden it wasn't there anymore uh they keep I understand they're busy they allocate money all over the place but we've been it's not just us it's Milburn it's Maplewood it's a whole bunch of communities and I know uh when I was mayor I sat on many meetings I know mayor figorito was sat on meetings and we push as hard as we can we've actually gotten some of the legislators involved both at a national and and local level and every time you think you got a movement they get another priority to do something else and that's I I feel for you people I've been in this town a long time I know your area uh we recognize that issue with that River and we've tried to do something we will continue to push as hard as we can I promise you that thank you anyone else wishing to speak seeing none a motion to adjourn second all in favor I have a good evening everyone a good Labor Day