[Music] Good afternoon. Welcome to Woodbridge, the best town around. My name is John McCormack. I'm
the mayor of this great town and we're here tonight to recognize some of our students for fantastic work they did which is displayed behind me. So, one of the things about being the mayor is you have to know what you know and you have to know what you don't know. I don't know anything about this
competition until I got here today because you know what I know how to hire good people. And I hired uh Jennifer Stokal here many many uh years ago. She came in to us when she worked for the club already when we bought the club at Woodbridge. Uh she's been a tremendous
employee. She's worked her way up and now we have her running our youth services division and that does among other things runs three youth centers which are for middle school kids. It's one inac in Woodbridge the Acacia Center one in Forge the Highland Growth Center and the
first one we ever opened in Colonia the Evergreen Center. and she does all kinds of things with kids shows and concerts and you name it, she's involved with the youth of the town. So, she started this competition and it's wonderful, but I
admittedly don't know a whole lot about it. Uh because like I said, I let people who do things well do it well, do them well. So, I'm going to introduce Jay. First, I'm going to introduce some of our council people that are here. To my right is Sharon McAuliff. If you live in Woodbridge proper or Seaw Warren, she is
your council person. To her right is Elizabeth Beth de Jesus. She is a council person at large, which means like me, she represents the whole town. And to her right is Dan Harris. He is also a councilman at large. Uh you guys might recognize him from your school careers. Uh he's been on the board of
was on the board of ed for 13 years and he just left there and joined the town council several weeks ago. So he's the rookie. He's a new guy in town. Uh but he's here tonight to help celebrate and he probably recognizes some of you guys too for sure. So let me turn it over to
Jen right now to explain to you uh what this competition was about anti- vaping. I'm just going to say how I think it's great because anything we can do to raise awareness against smoking, against vaping, it's all good and we have to get the kids now to realize how bad it is.
Because if you wait until they try it and you wait until they get into later on in middle school and you wait till they get to high school, it's too late. They're already hooked. So, we have to do what we're doing, which is get the kids now. So, let me ask Jen if you would take over and explain everything that happened here and we'll bring up
the kids and and recognize them. >> Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I really appreciate that. Uh so this contest that we have here tonight uh the winners to our uh public service announcement poster contest for uh don't get baked in campaign um was kind of the last part of
a year-long campaign which I'm going to quickly explain. So the campaign was a collaborative effort between um the Woodbridge Township School District, Youth Services, the Health Department um and also Wells Springs Prevention uh
Center for Prevention. Um it started in October. Um Wellspring actually did a presentation for uh Paris. The presentation was called Vaping 101: What Every Parent and Guardian Needs to Know. Um and that was held at the Acacia Youth
Center. Also in that month of October, uh there was a professional development that was done to all of the teachers in Woodbridge Township. All right. Well Springs came in and they did this presentation for uh the teachers and it taught the teachers signs of youth
bathing. Uh in November and December, we did something absolutely amazing. every single fifth grader in town and every single eighth grader in town received a presentation from Well Springs on the danger of vaping. Now, vaping isn't
actually an epidemic in uh across the nation. Um and since it's fairly new, no one really knows the long-term harmful effects of doing this. Um, so it was really important that our students, the youth of our town, um, understand the
choice that they're making if they do decide to vape. Um, in March, uh, we actually formed an incorruptible US chapter for our high school students. And that's a teen advoc advocacy group
uh, to help reduce tobacco use on teens. >> All right. So, it's teens informing teens about the harmful effects. Uh and then April we closed out our campaign with um our contest. We had over 90 submissions. Um and tonight we're going
to be se uh celebrating the seven posters that won the top seven posters. And the way the posters were chosen um we actually had the youth shoots. We set up um boards with all of the contestants
um posters and then at our youth events during youth month which is during April um the students had ballots and they got to select the ones um that they appreciated the most um and that's what brings you guys here today. So it's the
youth of township that selected your posters for the public service announcement. you guys did such a terrific job um that we were so impressed that we selected you uh to to be the winner of that category.
Um so the winning posters have actually already been replicated um and you see them up front. These exact posters um have already been given out to all of the schools. Uh and mind you, we have three high schools, um five middle
schools, 15 elementary schools. All right? So, all of those schools have received one of the versions. Um in addition to that, we took it a step further. Um and we actually made some merchandise. Who doesn't like merchandise? Um using some of these
images. Um so, you'll see on this canvas tote, we have one of the images. >> Slide to the right. Slide to the right. >> Got it. Oh, I have to stand in front. Uh, we also made folders. Okay, these are folders. Inside the
folder, it says Woodbridge Township Youth Services, promoting a smokefree, vapefree community. Now, these folders, we actually printed 3,000 of them. Um, they're going to be given out at sixth grade orientation. So, every sixth
grader in town is going to receive one of these um folders. Um >> are they doublesided? >> Yeah. Yep. So, one version looks like that and then the other version has these two images on them. Um with this
particular image, we made them into a memo book. Uh, and the last image here, uh, this was actually replicated into a 24 by 36, um, poster and was donated to the school, um, of the recipient that made
it. All right. Uh, the PSA is going to be found on our township website and also on the youth services website as well. So, congratulations to you guys. Um, we're so happy to hear that you're here. Uh, and the mayor, I think, might have something for you.
>> Yes. So, here's the first thing I want to mention. You're gonna have to sign a contract with us when you win this contest because undoubtedly, as good as you are with the paintings and the drawings and the art behind me here, you're going to get discovered someday and be a famous artist. And I all I'm
asking for is 10% of whatever you make the rest of your life. So, it's a small fee to pay for the the group who discovered you. I mean, without this contest, no one would ever know who you are or how good you are in art. So, I think you should share some of your
earnings with us. Isn't that fair? >> So, after you get your uh your your proclamation here and after you talk and say a few things, we want you to line up and sign your name. 10%. It's fair. Good. All right. First up, Samantha
Megaletta, Masonic School, fifth grade. Congratulations. If you turn around. No. Who's turn around that? Hold it up. Turn around. And Yep. >> Well, first of all, Evan will take your picture. Any family member want? Oh, you're the
one right here. Okay. Got it. >> Y. >> Okay. Now, why don't you tell me Samantha about what you drew? Which one's yours? Oh, you got it already. >> This is the public service announcement. Okay. >> And we actually we screenshotted a couple of the pictures from your public service announcement just so that you could have this token and hang it up.
>> Oh, so you didn't do the art. You actually did the public service announcement. Tell me about it. Go ahead. >> Um, so what we did was we wanted to explain um the dangers of vaping through like a funny film. So what we did was um
my friend Estella, she was the um news reporter and then I played all the different actors who had vaped. And so Estella would be telling me and like everybody who was watching it the dangers of vaping. And then the last
guest was um a normal person who had never vaped and we talked about how it was great, how she had never vaped and like all the dangers of it. So >> cool. Come on up, Estella. Now, what I want you guys to do, this is
different. I don't get 10% of your art. I want 10% of your movie career. >> Is that fair? So, why don't you reenact >> channel 35? >> Channel 35. Yeah, we do comedy on channel 35, too. Why don't you reenact one of the scenes? >> Can you do that?
>> I'll hold this. >> How about the scene where you play somebody who never baited before? What did What did you ask her? Um, >> let's reenact it. >> I asked her why she has never baked in her life. >> Why did you What did you say?
>> So, I said that I knew vaping was very dangerous for your health and there were many horrible side effects and that it was it's just really bad to vape and you should never do it. >> All right. What was some of the early ones you did that were funny?
Um, we did one where I was like a grandma who um >> You're like 3 foot two. >> So, >> go ahead. >> Um, okay. >> What did you ask her? What did you ask grandma? >> I don't remember.
>> Did you ask her did she vape when she was a kid? >> No. >> Good. Cuz they didn't make vaping back then. >> What? What did she ask you? >> Um, she was like, "Have you ever tried vaping?" any dangers of it. And I said
that I like I tried it when I was an more of an adult and I had felt depression and >> really. >> So yeah, Stella told me all about it. >> How did you know that that leads to depression? >> You did re >> research?
>> Yeah, bunch of research. >> Wow, that's pretty good. All right. Well, this congratulations. >> Thank you. This one. This one's you. I'm sorry. I got two for you. It's all about you. There you go. Congratulations. Why don't you guys stay to the side? We're going
to do one big group picture. Okay. Okay. Next up, we got Side Cara Canyon, a fifth grader from Lafayette State School. Come on up, sides. How you doing? Oh, nice tie. I like the way you tied it. He was up on my office
before and his tie was loose. I said, "Man, you can't go on TV with a lose time." All right. Why don't you tell me what you did? Did you draw you drew this? >> Yes. So, um, it's supposed to be I drew like two cartoon vapes and from the smoke from that, like a grim reaper is arising from it. And I just drew like a
small quote here. It says vaping is as safe as skydiving without a parachute. >> In other words, it's not safe at all. >> Yeah. And um, this just shows like all the negative effects of >> Go ahead. Tell me what they are. Vaping causes negative respir respiratory and cardiovascular effects such as
irritation of the throat, mouth, lungs, and damage to blood vessels, shortness to breath, etc. >> All right. And where'd you learn all that? >> Uh, research. >> Race. All right. Very cool. Congratulations. >> Thank you.
>> Over there. Slide over there. Kenisha Patel, MLB Street 1, fifth grader. I'll hold this. That's a pretty complicated cartoon. Tell me about it. >> So, I my quote was vaping is temporary. Life is forever. And I was explain I
tried to make it like as not complicated as possible so that kids would understand this. So, I wrote how vaping is like breathing a car exhaust. And like we had to we had to get all this information by watching like two videos. And I also did research and I wrote
about how um how this boy was caught vaping. So coach kicked him off the team. He was also underage for vaping because you can't vape in school and he can't vape at all as a kid. And I also wrote how um if you vape, vaping shortens your attention
span and you can start failing your classes. And I wrote about all the chemicals and how it could cause death. >> What is that word there? Tulene. Tooine. >> That's what does that mean? >> That that's a chance of cancer. And then
there's like there's like chemicals that could destroy your lungs and it's like car exhausting things. >> There's and there's more um chemicals that could make you die. >> That's the biggest thing in the end there. The chemicals that can make you die. >> Yeah. I tried to make that pop out. And
you did all the drawing yourself? >> Yeah. >> Wow. Very good. Congratulations. [Applause] >> Okay. Bye. I'm sorry. >> Sorry. You want a picture? Come on. I
got you stand up for this right over there. Okay. Thank you. >> We don't know about your family. >> That's the family picture. That one's very important. So, >> but unless Evan takes it and post it on
Facebook on the mayor's Facebook page, then it didn't happen. It didn't happen. Asian noman Forge Middle School 7th grade. Okay. Tell me what this is all about. Is that lungs? Are they lumps? >> Yeah. This is
>> here. Closer here. >> So, this is the rip I made the like the puff coming out and like you know the flavors that come with it and people like taking it and thinking, "Oh, this will solve all my problems." But in reality it doesn't.
>> And this is these are darkened because of the damage to the lungs. >> Yeah. >> And you drew that yourself. >> Mhm. >> Very nice. Congratulations. [Applause]
>> All righty. Zida Raja Sakti. Seventh grade Forge Middle School. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Why don't you tell me what's all about with your poster there? >> Oh, so I did this for a grade in middle school and basically what I wanted to do
was make it as colorful as possible, but like when I was trying to vape in black, I did it with dark colors. >> Okay, very good. What do you want to give to message to your fellow classmates about vaping? uh that they
honestly a lot of kids bake because they think it makes them look cool and like in a lot of movies they also do that. So I just wanted to show them that it's not actually that cool and it's like depressing. >> You know what's cool? Being healthy and
being alive. Those are two very cool things and neither one can happen if you favor. >> All right. Congratulations. Stay up here. Stay up here. Oh yeah. All righty. Michaela Fernandez, Forge Middle School.
>> Stay up here. >> Stay up. >> You join join your friends over here. >> Michaela Fernandez. >> Not here. >> I'm Nam Manzor, Kennedy High School senior. Okay. Why don't you tell me what you drew?
>> No. God, I'm only kidding. You're like 12th grade and they're in fifth grade. So, you're a little bit different. I >> graduated. >> You graduated? All right. >> How was it? Hot. Wasn't that hot? >> Really hot. >> Oh my gosh. I was sweating like you wouldn't believe. All crazy. Not crazy. Go ahead. Tell me about it.
>> Um, well, basically the poster I made, it was more like of a graphic. And in the background is the most important part of it. And every single word there is a chemical inside the vape. And I couldn't even fit them all inside. And it's basically showing how many chemicals that you don't even know are
inside and they hurt you. >> So, this is something that you researched, but then you highlighted certain ones. >> Mhm. >> Which why did you highlight certain ones and not others? >> Well, it wasn't really highlighted certain ones. There were just more showing based on >> Okay. Okay. Okay. Very good. The kids
vaping your school. >> Do they sneak it in? Do they >> Yeah, bathrooms, hallways, everywhere really. But it's not that bad. It's getting better. >> Yeah. Okay. Okay. >> I think it's going to be better. >> When you get to college, you're going to see a lot of it, I'm sure. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Where you going to school? >> K University. >> For what? >> I'm going for architecture. >> Oh, wow. Very cool. All right. Very good. >> Sorry. >> Oh, wait, wait, wait. Not done yet. One more time. >> Thank you.
>> All right, Jerine Aso. >> So, her mom is actually here and she's on FaceTime. >> Oh. This is for you. >> Okay. >> Oh, there you go. So, you're a senior in JFK also, huh?
>> I don't think she can hear me. >> Can you hear her? >> She's out of the country, right? >> Yes. >> Yeah. She's right now. >> All right. Bad connection. >> Yep. Anyway, >> but we have this we have your poster here that when you come home um from
being abroad, uh you have this and the mayor has a proclamation for you. >> This is worth coming home for [Applause] >> congratulations. Oh, she
>> Okay, next up we have Allison White, a Moby Street School one teacher. So, Mr. Mayor, it's nice that to make our campaign very successful that again we had the support of the Wilbur Township School District and we had the support of the teachers. Um, they really
advocated for the students to participate in this program. Um, and this is one of our teachers that >> Oh, I know who she is. Believe me, I know who she is. I know her mom very well. Congratulations. >> Thank you very much. >> Come on, tell me about uh
I'll get a little closer. >> I um just helped out the teachers with um getting the information to the students in a in a way that it reaches them positive and it wasn't you know wouldn't have been able to be able to do all that without you guys helping us and
you know making sure that the students are aware of their negative side effects. >> And you also did the uh buddy bench right? >> Yes. Yes. >> Did you get it yet? >> We have it. We were waiting for it to get installed. So we >> is it installed or not yet? I haven't been at school yet. Our route was kind of
>> Oh, you do it in September though. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So the plan was if you collect these capsu caps of, you know, uh snapple bottles or water bottles and if you got how many thousand? >> Just a thousand. >> Just needed 1,000. >> Just needed 1,000 >> and you get a free buddy bench. And explain the buddy bench. I think it's so
cool. >> It is. It's um it's partnered with Sammy's project through Poly and Wood. and you collect um the bottle caps, take pictures of it, you send it to the recycling, and they give us a free buddy
bench. And um Miss Nicole Null also helped us very greatly with it. >> She could probably get 1,000 caps in a week and not just bagels. >> I'm telling you, I think our each classroom probably got a thousand. And it was just really nice for the for it to be a place for kids to go to when
they need a friend. needs somebody to talk to. And >> so somebody a kids that >> to be included >> goes to lunch and and doesn't have somebody and by sitting at the bench you're giving a signal to everybody else, hey, I >> wouldn't mind some company. I I just think that's really cool for kids
>> because you know a lot of kids are like that. They don't socialize necessarily well >> or they're shy and they sit down and somebody talks to them. >> Absolutely. >> Great. And I know whenever they went to Sharon's for a long time, I would have to have my two diet raspberry snapples and take the caps off and put them in
the in the big can or Sharon would get very mad at me. So, all right. Thanks, Alison. You want to take a picture for your mom? >> Sure. >> Okay. Maria Luc Marie Lucille Straano Ford's Lafayette State School teacher.
Patricia Doyakano is a Ford's middle school teacher. Also not here. And I think that's it. So let's get everybody up front here.
[Music] Hello, my name is Estelle and this is from channel 36. Today I'll be interviewing people that vaped and still vaped.
>> Hello and welcome back to channel 36. Today I will be interviewing some people. And the first one I have is this teenage girl. Hello, my name is Estella Belu. And what is yours? >> Uh, Claire Willa and Claire will like to know, do you
date? >> Yes. What's it to you anyway? >> Well, Claire Willa, uh, channel 36 would like to spread some awareness about the dangers of vaping. >> Uh, there are no dangers of vaping. I've
been vaping since last year and I'm perfectly fine. >> So, Claire, how old are you? >> 19. So, anyone under 21 should not be vaping at all because human brains are not fully developed until 25. 21 is an
exception. On top of that, vaping is very dangerous for your health. It can cause more lung problems and many sickness. >> Whatever. I'm never sick. >> See, that is what happens.
>> Okay, I have to go now. >> Welcome back from channel 36. Miss, please stay out of the camera. >> I am Estella Bel and here I'm ready to interview another person. >> Excuse me, what is your name? >> Karen the Karen. And you can miss
yourself. >> Okay. Cameron in the Karen. Do you vape by any chance? Uh, yes. It is so good for you. It is still terrible for your health. It can cause a popcorn lung and
many other sicknesses and diseases. >> Um, did I really ask for your opinion? All I'm trying to do is inform you about vaping and how it can be very dangerous. It is also highly addictive and it can cause brain development problems.
>> Oh, you're making me mad. I'm leaving now. >> Ter and welcome back from channel 36. It's me, Aella, and I'm here again to interview another person. It's a nice old lady. And what is your name again? I
don't want to be too rude. >> What did you say? >> Ma'am, I asked you, what's your name? I need a name from you. >> Oh my goodness. You don't have to yell. >> I'm a Masha. >> It's really nice to meet you, Masha. I
have a quick question for you. Do you vape, Masha, by any chance? >> Of course. Who doesn't? >> People who care for their mental and physical health don't vape. What do you mean?
>> When you start started vaping, did you feel a change or emotions? >> When I did start, I feel a lot more emotional and very anxious. >> Studies that show that vaping can cause the
depressions. >> Oh, really? Doesn't it cause diseases too? >> Yes, you got that correct, Masha. I got the quit. Bye, Mara. >> I got the quit.
>> Hello and welcome back to channel 36. I'm a fellow, the girl I've been doing all the interviews. And um I have my best friend here today. And tell them your name. >> Hi guys, I'm Samantha Magetta. And as
you can see, I've been interviewing all these people and all every single one of them has vaped. And here my friend Samantha Magaletta, she had not tried to vape once in her life. And Samantha Magaletta, why
haven't you tried a vape in once in your life? >> Uh because I know that it's terrible for your health. It can still cause depression, lung disease, cancer. It's terrible. I don't know why people do it. That's very true. Now, as you can see, everyone that
I have interviewed, the teenager, she just seems so tired and have different emotions than she's supposed to have at 19. The Karen, she dyed her hair to make her look younger. Every one of them had a problem. And why
do you think that is? Because they vaped all their life. And here, this beautiful woman, Samantha Magaletta, she has not vaped once. And she looks so beautiful. Samantha Malleta, do you have anything to say? >> I say if you want to live a beautiful
and great life, don't vape and enjoy your life, guys. >> All right, guys. >> Don't ever vape. >> Good evening. Call the council meeting to order. Please rise for a pledge of the flag. I pledge allegiance 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. >> Please remain standing for a moment of silence for all our military personnel serving and uh all the tragedies have happened over the last several weeks.
>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Notice the requirements of the open public meeting law have been satisfied concerning this meeting. The home Mr. June and the Star Leger published it on January 10th, 2025. Copy of the schedule is posted on the municipal bulletin board and it should be so noted in the minutes of this meeting. Councilman Anderson
>> here. Councilman Bower, Councilwoman De Jesus >> here, >> Councilwoman Mia, Councilman Patel >> here, >> Councilman Small here, >> Councilman Harris here, >> Vice President McAuliff here, >> and President Spiller >> here. >> And I get a motion to approve the the
minutes from July 8th, 2025. Motion >> second. >> Any questions or comments? All in favor? I >> opposed. Eyes have it. Beginning with second reading ordinances this evening, we will take letter A, which is a bond ordinance to authorize to authorize
acquisition of properties. Uh these were previously discussed uh located in Seawir in the amount of $1,300,000. Can I get a motion that this bond ordinance be taken up on second and third reading and the public hearing be open? >> Motion. Second.
>> Any questions or comments from council? >> All in favor? I >> I opposed. >> Eyes have public vote. We comment first. >> Yeah. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't hear. >> No, that's okay. >> Uh, Mr. Mitch, just one comment. I'd like to announce that the county of
Middle Middle Sex has indicated that we will receive a grant that will cover the purchase of two of the properties among the five in this ordinance. We will make those purchases with funding from this ordinance and then we'll reimburse the ordinance once the money is received from the county. We will never issue any municipal debt such as notes or bonds and we'll make the purchase available
from cash on hand. I'd also like to uh just make one note before I ask Council Vice President Mcclloff to make a comment that uh right now we are at a 1.164 debt percentage. Um the allowed is 3.5. So as you can see um we're doing very well. Council Vice President
McAlliff. Uh yes, council vice president. I'd like to say that um I want to thank the council for their support with the open space bond ordinance that authorizes administration to move forward with this purchase of the property on Cliff Road in Seymour.
The preservation of the Seymour waterfront is extremely important to me and I am happy that it is on my agenda. I'm excited to add the open space purchase and many other ongoing seawar projects that include the expanded waterfront walkway, an enhanced dog park
and recreation area, and the long awaited pedestrian foot bridge that will bring uh us be able access to Alvin P. Williams um Middle Sex County Park and the further development of the living shoreline along the creek. The Seawward
neighborhood and residents have consistently voiced their opinion in the opposition to any future development in this open space area that we are going to be purchasing and it is going to give us a a
long way to keep Seawan community and the waterfront looking beautiful in Wers Township. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other comments? All in favor? I >> opposed. Eyes on have it. The public hearing is now open on letter A and
letter A only. >> Hello. Uh Ken Gardner, one Scooter Avenue, Woodbridge. Um after the last council meeting, I had asked Councilwoman McAuliff where the two properties or what two properties were being purchased for the $600,000. She
didn't know at the time. Um >> I believe the mayor answered you the last uh meeting. That'll be council vice president, by the way. True. There's two pieces, two parcels of vacant land right smack in the middle of this strip, the
uh marina and the boat launch facility. It's just past if you get out Woodbridge Avenue and make a left at the church and get on the cliff road with the merge. It's on the right. Two vacant pieces of land. There's some telephone poles over the on there now. Many years ago, that land was threatened for development. Um
it was talked about to be 36 apartments. uh it's the worst place in the world for any kind of development. It's a beautiful view of the uh of the waterway and it just was something we were never interested in seeing. We worked with Councilwoman McAuliff to obtain this uh
grant to first to obtain the ability to purchase the properties and then to obtain the grant to pay for them. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Are there any were there any uh building restrictions on those properties with the repairarian rights in the area or >> We're not building on it, sir. I'm
saying were there any restrictions on the properties that we purchased? I mean, if they couldn't be developed, >> I do not know of any. There was very much going to I would doubt that there are any restrictions on or it wouldn't have gone as far as it did many years ago.
>> Okay. Thank you. Are there any other comments on letter A? There are no other comments. Can I get a motion that the public hear be closed? The ordinance be adopted and made for approval as required by law. A motion second. >> Any questions or comments from councel?
All in favor? I oppose. Eyes have it. Letter B is an ordinance chapter 7 amendment for traffic. This is to add handicap parking on Raymond Street west side. Can I get a motion that this ordinance be taken up on second and third reading and the public hearing be open? >> Motion second. >> Any questions or comments from councel?
All in favor? I >> oppose. Eyes have. The public hearing is now open on letter B. Letter B only here. No comment from the public having a motion that the public hearing be closed. The ordinance be adopted and is submitted to the mayor for approval as required by law. >> Motion second.
>> Any questions or comments? All in favor? I >> opposed. Eyes have it. Letter C is an or ordinance authorizing the sale of certain property. This is located at 1233 Rawway Avenue in Avenue by public auction. Can I get a motion that this ordinance be taken up on second and
third meeting and a public hearing be open? >> Motion. Second. >> Any questions or comments from council? All in favor? I I >> opposed. Eyes happen. Public hearing is now open on letter C. Letter C only. >> Hear no comment from the public. Can I
get a motion that the public hear be closed? The ordinance be adopted and submitted to the mayor for approval as required by law. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions or comments from councel? All in favor? I >> opposed. Eyes. Letter D, an ordinance amending the land
use and development ordinance chapter 150-41 entitled open space conservation of public/quasi public zones. Can I get a motion that this ordinance be taken up on second and third reading and the public hearing be open? >> Motion second. >> Any questions or comments from council?
All in favor? I >> opposed. Eyes have it. Public hearing is now open on letter D. Letter D only hear no public a comment from the public. Can I get a motion that the public hearing be closed? The order be adopted and submitted to the mayor for approval as required by law.
>> Motion second. >> Any questions or comments from council? All in favor? I >> opposed. Eyes have. And finally, second reading on letter E, an ordinance resetting ordinance 2025-02 adopted earlier this year. And as a reminder, that's the ordinance that uh
repeals a parking restriction on Cliff Road uh for more vehicles to be able to park. I got a motion that this ordinance be taken up on second and third reading and the public hearing be open. >> Motion second. >> Questions or comments from the public from the council. All in favor? I >> I
>> opposed. Eyes have the public hearing is now open on letter E. Letter E only comment from the public. Can I get a motion that the public hearing be closed? Yours to be adopted and submitted by the mayor for approval as required by law. >> Motion. Second. >> Any questions or comments from councel?
All in favor? I. I opposed. Eyes have it. First reading ordinances listed before you tonight. FG H I Can I get a motion that these orders be passed the first reading published in the homeless tribute on Friday, July 25th, 2025 with notice of
public hearing be held on August 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. >> Motion second. >> Any questions or comments from council? Mr. Mitch. >> Yes, sir. Through the chair, I just want to recognize letter F Stafford Road. I grew up a block away from there. I know this has been a longunning issue and
want to thank the administration and the council for prioritizing fixing that that long running uh sore issue. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. Any other comments from council? >> All in favor? I >> opposed. Eyes have it. Finally, Mr. President, you have resolutions 1
through32. I get a motion to approve 1 through 32 by consent. >> Motion second. >> Any questions or comments? >> Uh yes, Mr. Mitch. I'd like to uh just make a comment and thank my fellow council members for supporting me. I am very happy to report that the NJ DOT
approved a resolution which was passed on May 20th, 2025 designating Amboy Avenue from Main Street to Green Street as a school zone with a 25 m an hour school zone speed limit during school hours, recess, or when children,
teachers, and parents are present or going to and from school. The NJ dot, our engineering division, and the Woodbridge Police Department traffic maintenance will be erecting new signs in the very near future. This is a tremendous win for safety for the raw
street school community. Thank you very much. >> Any other questions or comments from council? >> Mr. Mitch, just uh thank you. One comment on resolution number eight. I'd just like to congratulate our own Megan Kushfoot Kush on her appointment to the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority by her very own the honorable speaker of
the Assembly, Craig Coughlin. Please bring back Magic Bargain. If you can figure something out with that, that'd be great. Uh, but congratulations very questions or comments from council. All in favor? I >> oppose. Eyes out. That's all I Thank you. We will now go to the public
comment portion of the meeting. When approaching the microphone, please state your name, what section of the township state you live in. You'll have a onetime opportunity to speak. All members of the audience shall adhere to the township's decorum ordinance which is posted on the entrance door to council chambers. The public session allows for 5 minutes. This includes remarks by the speaker and
any response by the council president or administration. When there's one minute left, I will alert to the speaker as to emphasize any remaining points question. When the five-minute period is passed, all speakers are to leave the microphone area, return to their chairs. All videotaping must be taken in designated area. There will be no interruptions
from the chair. Please make sure no signs or post no signs or poses in the aisle, walkways or the exit access. The public session portion of the meeting is a comment and or Q&A interaction between the council president the speaker. The council president presides over the
council meeting. Thank you sir. Well again Mr. President Ken Gardner 101 Scot Avenue Woodbridge. Um also after the last meeting I had asked uh council vice president McAuliff um about uh and and during the meeting as well I had
asked about Cutters Dock Road and um the development of traffic there. Um do we have any answer? Are there any of the properties along Cutters Road are they owned by the township or is the township considering purchasing any of these properties? >> Excuse me.
>> Mr. Gardner, I sent you an email the next day responding to you with that information that explained everything to you from the conversation, the questions that you asked me explaining to that we do not own any property on cutters do road and I sent you an email with that information.
>> Okay. I did not see that. I'm sorry. Um, so there's there's no chance there there was a proposed development to happen there um of some type of storage facility. Is that correct? on Cutterstock Road that was brought before the planning board. Is that still in
progress? >> That's it. It's not Township owned whether it went before the planning board or not, but I believe she just answered. >> I understand that it's not Township own. I believe council vice president just answered himself. >> The second the second question was um there was a proposed self storage
facility for Cutters Dock Road. Is that project >> there was a proposed storage area. Is that going to happen or not? We do not know. It's the property owner's uh ability to do whatever they want to do in there as long as it's in the proper zoning. >> Okay. Um have there been any changes
made to the traffic enforcement for the truck traffic on the street? >> I believe that we are working on trying to get that taken care of like um Mr. Simaluca said to you in the last meeting that it is a little difficult with uh the ways apps and things like that. And
I did actually send in a request to add additional signage out on uh Amboy Avenue so that the trucks don't go down there. I met with a few residents on Cutters Road to discuss the concerns that is happening out there with trucks going down the road in the last week or
so and all of those questions have been taken care of from the residents in that area also. >> Okay. Council Vice President, our township engineer has contacted DOT for uh Route 35 and has requested additional signage along the roadway. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you for for responding. I appreciate it. Um can someone just tell me resolution number 31 is the um budget transfers. I don't need to hear them individually. Can I have a uh the total transfers total amount of the
transfers? Anything [Applause] else speed up time, Mr. The total transfers in the current fund are 51,500
and the total transfers in a recreation utility fund under $82,267.18 >> 150,82,000 >> 51,500 >> Oh, I'm sorry. 51 >> 82,267.18. >> Okay, that's all, Mr. President. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir.
>> Are there any other comments from the public this evening? >> Good evening, Paul London. Hopen. Um, I apologize if this is repetitive. I just want to ask one question about the uh the elementary school that's going to go up in Hope. Uh, I understand that uh the
pilot money bypasses the need for voters uh to vote, which I'm sure even if they voted, it's it's a popular concept. So, I'm sure it wouldn't have been a problem. Uh, but since it is pilot money, my question is 71 million, I
don't imagine it's all available in the form of pilot. I'm wondering how it's going to be financed. Uh, is there going to be bonds and debt added into that? And is there going to be a tax uh burden added to the residents of Woodbridge to balance out or round out the financing
of that government school? >> Well, first first, excuse me. First of all, it's 71 million is not just the school. The school is about 40 million. The rest was a whole bunch of other projects on all the schools in town. >> Okay.
>> So, the total was it's even was more than 71. But in the delays that we've had, I'm sure the prices have gone up. Number one, because the tariffs of building materials are clearly being impacted by the tariffs. So, uh, the
board architect is working on refining the plans to see what the school school will cost now and to see if that's going to mean an increase in the referendum, a non-referendum, an increase in the total project cost, or if other things will be cut out to make room. That's up to the
school district. Either way, it is one pilot. It's the Metro Park pilot is paying for the entire project. The Metro Park project will bring in probably over 30 years. I don't have in front of me, but pretty close to $100 million. So, when you take the project cost of the
projects plural, that's probably over 30 years with interest going to cost $100 million uh or less. So, there is no plan on any tax dollars or any um money from the budget other than that pilot being used to pay for the school project and
the other projects. It'll be enough to cover everything. I guess my question if it's relying on a pilot from uh the Metrop Park development and that's over a 30-year period 100 million uh obviously the 40 million plus is going
to be financed over time as well. Is that how >> the Yes, the board financing >> the school board will issue bonds >> right >> at some point. They may do temporary financing. That's up to them. They will issue bonds and just like the two prior bonds they issued that we pay for
already from the n 2017 referendum and the 2020 referendum, they simply give us a schedule when we're uh working on our numbers and say this is what we need to pay the debt service and we send it to them when it comes to. So there's no cost to the school district, there's no
cost to the taxpayers. All the cost is borne by that one project in Metrop Park, which is one of the largest projects we've had in town in recent memory. >> And last question on that, you mentioned tariffs. Is that really why the costs have gone up or was that a throwaway
comment? Because I've been hearing a lot about tariffs have actually kept inflation in check because all the revenue it's generating from abroad. >> Well, the revenues have a different impact than inflation. The tariffs have clearly caused inflation to go up, but that's that's and they tariffs clearly
have brought in money to the budget, but they're not related. >> Okay. >> So, um we've told by the develop by the um architect that the tariffs have impacted building supplies, building materials. I don't know if it's lumber, I don't know if it's metal, I don't know what it is, but we haven't sat down in
detail yet. But in conversations by phone, in talking about the projects, he has indicated that the tariffs have impacted the numbers from two years ago when we first started talking about this. And I'm not getting political. I'm just saying that the costs have gone up
primarily due to tariffs when it comes to building materials >> two years ago. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> Are there any other comments from the public? Uh John Woodbridge on the same subject. Um Mr. President, how much interest we
will pay on $71 million in 30 years? Do you know? >> Mr. Varic the interest rates would be when we go out and issue bonds in probably two years. I would be not sitting here. I'd be on Wall Street making a fortune. >> Well, there you go. So, so, so the thing
is I don't know. You don't know. So, what you're saying knows and no expert on Wall Street knows what the >> what you're saying then you cannot be sure if that thing is going to be financed by a $100 million to the project in me would have to go somewhere. >> So, we just don't know that. We just
don't know that. Like I told you before, bottle of beer m going to be $50 probably a bottle. I'm very confident that the project will pay for the debt service on >> well project will pay for the debt service on the school project and the other smaller projects.
>> It's not going fishing. It's a real stuff but once you set the bond you got to pay him. Uh can I go back on the letter C uh when come in time I'm sorry. Um, last council mania asked the president the address of the block
number which what I see over here. Uh, just let us see today. I wasn't here on time and Roa Avenue lot 31 233 Roa Avenue. Uh, where's the property? Is that any place next to Omar
Avenue? How long do they own this property? How do we get a property? And uh do we have a buyer for that? >> So it's not in near Omar Avenue. The cross streets are the cross streets are Cole Avenue and Homestead Avenue. As far
as how long have they owned it? They don't own it. We're selling it to them. And I believe your third question is what did they plan on doing with it? Um with the the repair shop, I'm presuming it's going to be the same use. >> How long do we own it? >> How long have we own it?
>> 2019ish. 18. about 5 years maybe. >> How do we how do we get it? >> Uh we bought it >> from whom? >> The people that owned it before who we're selling it to. >> What is it? >> The people that owned it that we bought it from and now the people that are resell we are selling it back to.
>> Now who are the people that we bought it from? >> The the people that at auction. >> Is there any place that's going to be near Omar Avenue that you plan to expand the road to the west of uh Omar Avenue?
Is there make sure I'm on the same page as you is there anywhere where we're extending Omar Avenue to an area west of Omar Avenue? >> Yeah. You want to put the road >> avenue would be the same. It's Omar Avenue. >> Yeah. Over Avenue but to the west to the to east but the west to the left of Ro
Avenue. >> It's always been >> I don't know what's northeast, south or west. All I know is we are extending Omar Avenue across Raway Avenue into the industrial area where right now there's septus products that's going to be torn down and that's going to connect to all
the warehouses in the back that pay an awful lot of taxes and right now they come out a very narrow paddic street out to Raway Avenue. Omar is going to extend and shortcut that so they can go straight to all those warehouses and they won't have to use paddic anymore.
>> And they got nothing to do with this ordinance by the way. No. And they will also uh take the traffic off of Raway Avenue. That small portion now will they'll be able to go directly down Omar Avenue. >> Trucks that leave that site are going to be forced to either make a left on Raway Avenue and go out to Randolph and Route
One or go straight go to Blair Road into the Turnpike exit 12. The trucks will not be permitted to make a right and go down Raway Avenue into residential neighborhoods. >> Okay. How about how about the uh the warehouse and behind a Pine Trip nursing home over there?
>> I'm sorry. The warehouse do they have a road over there? >> Do you have one minute, sir? >> The the warehouse on the offway? >> Yeah. Behind a a pine tree nursing home. >> They have they have two They have two separate entrances.
>> What is it? >> They have two separate entrances. >> Is there any of those entrance? I know they are. I used to fly over there a lot. But do you do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do you have a truck route for 18 wheelers to travel the road.
>> The warehouse is closed. It's not open. It's vacant. >> What? >> The warehouse is vacant. There are no trucks. >> I know. But they're going to That's why they build it to rent it, right? They cannot rent it without >> They can do whatever they want, sir. And in the last four years, it's not been rented. It's vacant. So there are no
trunks. >> They can't rent it. They don't have a right roads for it. They they purchased it. >> They don't What? >> What kind of road can you use to go to over there? 18 wheel. >> The road I just described, the Omar Avenue extension will connect to that warehouse.
>> Uh-huh. So that's the west, not east. >> I think it's north. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other comments or questions from the public this evening? >> There are no other comments. Can I get a motion that the public comment portion be closed?
>> Motion. Second. here. >> Questions or comments from council? All in favor? >> I I oppos. I >> Thank you. We'll now move to the council agenda portion of the meeting. Starting myself. Construction is commencing on the number eight. Item number eight on my agenda. Construction is commencing on
the Clover Leaf Shopping Center located on St. George Avenue directly across from IHOP and Plaza 35. Stores should be operating starting in September and October. A new DOT approved light will be installed first at the entrance and exit and you'll be able to make the left turn out of the new complex as well as
Plaza 35. Very exciting for the redevelopment of the Route 1 corridor in Avenue. Uh item number 15, Maple Tree Senior Center. Come on down Mondays and Fridays at 10 a.m. and join the senior walkers group they have. Walk around the safe confines of the closed parking lot and in case of heat or bad weather, move
inside and walk around the hall. Again, that is Mon that are Mondays and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. No registration is required. The rest of my agenda is in order. Um, God bless America. Council vice president. >> Thank you, Council President. My agenda is in order. Um, I just have a couple
announcements to keep coming out to, uh, listen to our music. Parker Press on Wednesdays at 7:30. Uh, Thursdays in Seaworn, we have local band Thursday. Anchors in Seabor. If you go to ankorstiki bar.com, you can get all the
information about the music lineup and all of the other events that we have there. And uh on Saturdays at the Acacia Center, the plays are going to be there this weekend. We have the Wizard of Oz. These are excellent to bring your children to. The uh turnout has been
amazing. So, it's really a good time. If you're not going anywhere, come out and check those out. Thank you, Council President. That's all I have this evening. Thank you very much, Council, Vice President. Uh, council manager. >> Thank you, Council President. I have one announcement tonight. Uh, the Woodbridge
Township uh, Hall of Fame has selected their class for the 2025 class. Um, you may go on to all of your um, uh, Facebook pages uh, to see the the inductees, but I will announce them. Um, and if there's anyone that is watching
this presentation and um, they're connected to any of those that have uh, been selected and they've not been contacted, please see that they get in touch with me. from Colonia High School. Charles Charles Bquel, Joseph Krauss,
Chrissy Krestler, Glenn Morgan, Peter Res, uh, Raspitzy, uh, Mike Zo Zoac, the 1980 baseball, and the 19778 girls bowling team from JFK,
Coach Ed Boel, Tom Drowski, our our very own Greg Fakara, AJ Herald, Scott Jensen, the 83 softball, and the 69 spring track boys relays and from Woodbridge, Harold Ford, Katherine uh
Quattrochi Gonzalez, Carl Gurnie, Rudy Peterson, Marilyn Scarzenski, Ed Tobin, the 61 and the uh 61 track and field team, and the 63 shot put uh relay team. The dinner is
Sunday, October 19th, beginning at 400 p.m. To reserve tickets, they are $60 each. Please make a check out to WTAAA and send to Patrick Mueller at the Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main Street, uh, Woodbridge 07095. I'd like
to congratulate all the inductees and ask that we all come out and support them this year. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Anderson. Councilman Bowers is excused. Councilman Small. >> Thank you, Council President. Number 16 on my agenda, the American Irish Association and co-sponsor with the ALS Group in cooperation with Woodbridge
Township halfway to St. Patrick's Day Woodbridge Community Appreciation Day be held on Sunday, September 28th, celebrating our youth in the community. Food, beer, wine for sale, tricky tray games, and more. Food collection benefiting our local food banks. Uh
please bring the canned item. It is Sunday, September 28th, uh 1 to 5:00 pm at the Acacia Center, 95 Courting Avenue in Woodbridge. Just a reminder, tomorrow is a park dedication for Vincent Martino
at 10:00 a.m. at Cypress Park. That's all I have. God bless all our first responders and God bless America. Thank you, Mr. President. >> Thank you, Councilman Small. Councilwoman Deus. >> Thank you, Council President. Item number five, police community relations. I just want to congratulate all the
students that participated in the police junior in the junior police academy um the last two weeks and announce that national night out will be August 5th, Tuesday, August 5th from 6:00 to 9:00 at Alvin P. Williams Park in Seaw Warren this year. Um the Woodbridge item number
10 free public library of Wbridge. There is plenty of summer left to join the summer reading challenges in our libraries with free summer enrichment and activities for children and families. The teen and adult challenges are based on reviews that are collected and are available on the library
website. The main library will host the program garden state gardens on Tuesday, July 29th at 7 featuring the details of 30 gardens in New Jersey that are open to visit. and save the date. Saturday, August 2nd at 11:00 a.m. They will have a program to learn about the state of
Hawaii to learn to do the hoola at the main library. Um, if you need more information, contact the blue library.org or call 732 634450. That is all that I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Jesus. Councilwoman Han is excused. Councilman
Patel. >> Thank you, Council President. Also, my agendas are in order. I have like two announcements. Okay. I had to put my glasses. Yeah. Uh Middle Sex County will be undertaking a milling and resurfacing
job on Oak Road in Isling between Route 27 and the Garden State Parkway bridge. Uh this project will most probably undertaken during the months of August and September of this year. This much needed improvements
will provide smoother roadways with clear markings. It will enhance the safety of traffic and pedestrians and will uplift the bust bustling Little India business district that serves as a large South
Asian communities. While work is underway, drivers and pedestrians are advised to avoid this area to minimize delays. We deeply appreciate the dealership of Middle Service County Commissioners Director Mr. Ronald G. Rayos, County Commissioner M. Charles
Canny, the Department of Transportation, the Office of Engineering and Public Works, and all county staff for providing funding and managing this overdue project that boost both safety and local commerce. Also, the Woodby
Township will close Oak Road on Sunday, August 10, 2025 from about 2:00 p.m. to 400 p.m. for the annual India Day parade which will be organized by the Indian Business
Association. We request you to avoid this area during these hours to prevent or minimize potential traffic delays and follow the traffic detours as directed by Woodbe Township's police officers. We
ex we extend our sincere thanks to the Indian Business Association as well as to the Woodward Township Police Department, Recreation Department, Mayor's Office and Public Works Department for their hard work and hard work and coordination
in organizing such a vibrant and culturally rich event along the bustling Little India corridor. We thank you all to our residents and we appreciate your patience and cooperation in making this
community celebration a great success. That's all for tonight. Thank >> Thank you, Councilman uh Patel. Councilman Harris. >> Excellent. Thank you very much. Uh number of items from my agenda similar to last meeting just reminding Well, I'll start off with the the 5K. A big
thank you to the record department and the volunteers who supported the pizza run 5K that happened last Wednesday. Over 120 runners on a a SOS so night. So uh congratulations to those runners. Uh another reminder under the youth uh
umbrella. Here's the summer enrichment classes. There's two weeks of summer enrichment courses. Again, a partnership between the Woodbridge Recreation Department and the Woodbridge School District. Uh courses begin on uh Monday, July the 28th and August the 1, excuse me, August the 11th. Go to the uh
recreation website to learn more about those 40 courses that are offered. Uh last I checked last week, there were still openings across many of the courses. Uh they're educational to keep the kids minds uh thinking and and learning throughout the summer months and they are a week-long course. Courses
range between $75 and $150. Jumping to my senior uh agenda items. Senior Olympics are 44 days away. Woodward Township is once again hosting the New Jersey Senior Olympics right here on September 5 through September 7. Must be 50 years old or or older. 21
Sports for Men and Women. Be sure to visit njceniorly.com in order to sign up or visit the community center for a hard copy application. Uh, and all but three of those 21 events are held right here in Woodbridge Town. So, you don't have to
travel very far. And last but not least, also under uh my agenda is the tour to Woodbridge bicycle tour occurring Sunday, September 21. It's a 15 or 30 mile bike ride throughout the township beginning at 8:00 a.m. club at
Woodbridge. Be on the lookout for more information. Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Councilman Harris. Mr. Mitch. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. President. My agenda is in order. Thank you, sir. Uh, mayor, anything. Hey, mayor. >> Uh, thank you, Council President. I just want to thank the public works
department for the great job they did uh on the two storms really over the over both of them, the July 3rd storm and the storm last week. They made 220 special pickups of regular household items and 60 pickups of wood and branches and and
tree limbs and things like that. So, there was an enormous effort. Uh they worked very very hard uh this whole last couple of weeks as did the police department handling traffic and things like that with the floods, the reserves, everybody was out. It was a whole hands-
on deck and as usual the uh staff and the team of Woodbridge Township just excelled and I want to thank everybody for the effort. >> Thank you mayor. Very true. Thank you very much. U Mr. Business Administrator Mr. Sila. >> Thank you council president. I got three items on my agenda tonight for next council meeting. I have tax and sewer
overpayments. I have a tax appeal and I'm 100% disabled veteran exemption. Thank you, council president. >> Thank you, sir. Please, Director Missy. >> Thank you, council president. I have one item on my agenda, an ordinance proposal for parking at Berkeley College Municipal Lock. Thank you, Council
President. >> Thank you, Mr. Director. Planning and Development Director Dark. >> Thank you, Council President. Nothing this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you, director. Director Brun is excused. Legal. >> Thank you, sir. Mr. And a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion second journ. Have a good night.
Thank you.