[Music] Good evening. Call the council meeting to order. Please rise for a pledge of pledge. 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 uh serving. Just to confirm, you'd like to
call standoff tax work. Thank you, Mr. Mitch. Notice the requirements of the open public meeting will have been satisfied concerning this meeting. the home. Mr. Green will star ledger published a notice on January 10th, 2025. Posted on the municipal bulletin board should be so noted in the minutes of
this meeting. Councilman Anderson here, Councilman Bower here, Councilwoman Deji Suss, Councilwoman Mian here, Councilman Patel here, Councilman Small, Vice President McAuliff here, and President Spill here. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes from April 22nd,
2025? Motion. Second. Any questions or comments from councel? All in favor? I I opposed. Eyes have it. Beginning with second reading ordinances this evening, we're going to take letter A by itself, which is an amendment to chapter 7, which is our traffic ordinances. And
this is to add a yield sign at the Avenue Street Extension Westbound prior to Fifth Avenue. 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? Mr. M, I just
like to thank on the ordinance I like u director Nissi. I want to thank uh TEU um Sergeant Horvath for uh I'm sorry um Sergeant Augusta going out there. Um it's the best thing ever going to be able to do for that area. I think it's going to make a huge success. So, thank you very much. Any other comments from
council? All in favor? I I oppose. Eyes have it. The public hearing is now open on letter A. Letter A only. No comment from the public. Can I get a motion that the public comment court should be closed? Dorance 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 it. Letter B is an ordinance adopting the amended Main Street rehabilitation and transit village plan. Could I get a motion that this ordinance
be taken up on second or third reading and the public hearing be open? Motion. Second. Any questions or comments from council? Uh yes, Mr. Mitch, I'd like to abstain from letter B, please. So noted. Any other comments? All in favor? I I opposed. Eyes have it. The public
hearing is now open on letter B. Letter B only. Hello, Ken Gardner Woodbridge. Um, first I'd like to just ask um, Councilwoman Mclliff made the motion for the public hearing but then abstained. I'm sorry. You said Councilwoman McCall
made the motion. That's correct. So, you can make a motion for something and then abstain. Correct. Okay. Um, and then it's also number five on her um on her agenda as well. And I would think that's a conflict having it
in both places. I don't know how she can advocate and abstain and then make a motion to approve. It doesn't seem to make much sense. Um, can someone explain what this amendment does? This is I'm sorry, Mr. M. This
Yes. Uh, this is making amendments to the village plan uh specifically to permit artistic retail and make change to the signage regulations. Okay. Thank you. Are there any other comments under letter B? Hearing no other comments. Got to get a motion that the public hearing
be closed. The ordinance be adopted and submitted to the mayor for approval as required by law. Motion. Second. All in favor. I I opposed. Eyes have. We're going to take letters C and D by consent. Letter C is a repeal of ordinance 202513 which was implementing the CPACE
program. And letter D is is readopting it using a little bit different verbiage. If we get a motion that this ordinance, both ordinance be taken up at second and third reading and the public hearing be open. Motion second. Questions or comments from council? All in favor? I I oppose. Eyes have it. The
public hearing is now open on letters C and D. C and D only here. No comment from the public. Can I get a motion that the public hearing be closed and both ordinance be adopted as submitted to the mayor for approval as required by law? Motion. Second. Any questions or comments? All
in favor? I. I opposed. Eyes have it. We'll take letters E and F by consent. These are first reading ordinances. Can I get a motion that both will be passed on first reading published in the home news on Friday, May the 9th, 2025. A public hearing be held on May the 20th, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Motion. Second. Any
questions or comments from council? Uh yes, Mr. Metro like to abstain from letter F. So noted. Any other comments from councel? All in favor? I I oppose. Eyes have it. And then finally, Mr. President, you have resolutions listed before you as 1
through 23, and I get a motion to approve them by consent. Motion. Second. Any questions or comments from council? Yes, Mr. May. I'd like to abstain from number 23, please. So noted. Any other
comments? Questions? All in favor? I opposed. I have. Thank you, Mr. Mitch. We'll now go to the public public comment portion of tonight's meeting. When approaching the microphone, please state your name, what section of the township or state that you live in. You'll have a onetime opportunity to speak up to 5 minutes.
And uh please do not touch the microphone. The microphone is set. Hi everybody. Marge Petro Woodbridge. Hey March. First of all, I want to thank Mr. Simaluca and Casey Wagner for sitting
down with Arlene Rhodess and I twice to try to find a solution to TNR Township. They're extremely helpful, very nice to us and we did come up with a plan that may have to be tweaked a little. That's okay. On Friday, May 2nd, we had a
mobile vet come into Wbridge Township, private property as we need emphasized, and we TNR 31 cats, and we are very, very happy with that. And the mobile vet will be back on
June 16th. So, if anyone needs help with TNR is a resident of Wii Township, they can call either myself or Arleene Rhodess and set it up. And once we get we're going to do it monthly, but once
we get this under control with TNR and too many kittens because I have like nine at home right now, um we'll be in a better position that we can have the VA makeup maybe come every other month or something like that, but
we're not going to stop doing this. Thank you. Thank you, March. Are there any other comments from the public this evening? Jeff Watkins, Woodbridge. I just wanted to thank um Sharon McAuliffe and the Woodbridge Police Department. Anyone else that was uh assisted in getting us
a crosswalk on Green and Gorm. It's been a huge help for our our neighborhood. We kind of walk over there a lot over um in that part of town. I mean, have a crosswalk with our kids. So, now it's it's been a very welcome addition. I really want to appreciate that was mentioned and and it happened very quickly. So, thank you from everyone
like my my wife, my family, and all all the neighbors. So, thanks. You're welcome. Thanks for coming out. Appreciate it. Any other comments from the public this evening? Any other comments from the public? Okay. Hi y'all. How you doing today? Everyone having a good day? Just please state
your name in the section of the township where Steve Monica Ngi Woodbridge Township is uh I would like to request some of us have some loss of hearing. Can we get some louder microphones? I can hear you. No comments. I can hear you just fine. Thank you. No, I mean I
can't hear y'all. Can Can you get louder microphones or I can speak louder. That would be wonderful. Thank you, sir. Um, on the road on Korea, there have been uh I have a $1,000 littering fine
in front of my house for years and there have been Corona bottles and trash and all of a sudden it's cleaned up. What happened that it wasn't taken care of for so many years and now all of a sudden stuff is starting to get cleaned up. Can anyone answer that question for
me? I I apologize apologize if I inappropriate, but I'm a little um exasperated that for so long the littering has gone on. And what's going on about it? I've been cleaning it up, but no one's paying me. Feel free to give me a
job. Any question? Uh, anybody? Everything goes through the council president. And in terms of your question, I'm glad it got cleaned up. And why wasn't it for so many years, sir? I I can't comment on that. Would did you who who did you what department did you report it to? Oh many. It seems
like people just didn't do so much for so many years. But my only um uh is it just questions or can I give comments? It's comment period also. Yeah. If um I'm have a bit of loss of hearing. If when
anyone speaks at a council meeting if you could really project your voice it would be truly appreciated. Thank you so much. Have a nice day. Thank you. Are there any other comments from the public this evening? Hello again, Mr. President. Ken Gardner Woodbridge. Um, I just wanted to follow
up at the uh at the last meeting. Uh, Councilman Anderson was talking about the pilot programs in the school and in this year's, uh, budget, uh, we have, um, $28 million in pilot payments. Uh, Mr. Anderson pointed out that he's also
the county superintendent of schools. Um, I just wanted to again say that for the regular taxpayer, 60% of our taxes go towards the school district. Yet, uh, these developers put money into a pilot program and from your
campaign literature, I've read and heard that the town is contributing 25% of the pilot programs towards the schools. So, as county superintendent, I'm sure you are um you know, advocating for the schools, but if you look at the
difference in the dollars of 25% versus 60%, we would owe the school district $9,800,000 this year. And since these pilots go on for 30 years, that comes to $294 million that we're shorting the
school district. So, while we're building some fields with these money, uh, uh, which is very nice, the school district could do a lot more with the other money, hopefully including, uh, including giving us a a tax, uh, a tax break. Um, I just want to again
emphasize that I am in favor of a tax break. I think we've got sufficient uh, activity in town and in the budget to provide a tax break to our residents. Um, the mayor last meeting pointed out uh some information that was not accurate. Uh, I have a article here from
the Home News Tribune back from when I was a councilman and it says that John McCormack was the chief financial officer of the town at the time. In addition, I brought with me a copy of Moody's public finance department. Uh, as you know, Moody's is known
internationally for rating municipalities. Um, Chief Financial Officer McCormick's work was so bad back then, the town got downgraded from double A to A1. That was the first time since 1974 that the town was downgraded. Mr.
I'm sorry. What year was this from? This article uh the article was uh from Home News Tribune uh 102295. All right. So, it probably wasn't called the Home News Tribune back then, but Okay. Thank you. I'm sorry. Whatever the predecessor was. trying to find out
whatever we're saying. Right. You said it was 1995, right? Right. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Um, chief financial officer McCormack also gave me the following chart. He gave it to the council actually, not just me. It shows that the
tax rate for municipal purposes in 1990 was 83. It all the last year on the chart is 1994. It shows that the tax rate is the same 83. Several years later, um the first year uh of uh when I was on
the council, u chief financial officer McCormack was in favor of us changing to the fiscal year. Uh they proposed a $55 million budget, a little over $55 million for just 6 months. At that time, the annual budget was about 75 million. Um the
council uh with me voting with them, we voted to cut $7,81,000 $915 out of out of that budget. Now uh because that money was was uh borrowed. We went through a fiscal year process and the law required you to borrow money. You could not raise taxes that
year um with interest that would be about $12 million over the 19 years or so of that bond issue. So, a savings of $12 million. Uh, Councilman Gardner back then in 1992 also voted against expenditures of
1,226,800. In 1993, thank you. In 1993, I voted against 12,739,425. In '94, $13,395,500. in 1995 12,846,900. If you take that all into consideration, that would have saved the taxpayers over a 4-year period
$1,253. Uh the notion that I was raising taxes is just ridiculous. Many of you have known me for a long time and know I'm conservative. Uh another uh newspaper article here, um this is also from the Tribune. Unfortunately, it's a little bit old on the edge. I don't have
the exact date, but it says um uh Ken Gardner, he he said the council should cut expenses. Maybe they didn't date him that far back. Maybe not. The next article uh from
8995 from the Home News Tribune said Woodbridge continues to hold the line on taxes. Thank you, Mr. Gordon. The next article says taxes held steady. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Mitch. The last article from Mr. says that there was a zero tax. I will have you sort it out. I was respectful three times. Thank you, Mr.
Gardner. Have a good night. Council President, if I just would like to comment on his uh comments. So, my comments the last meeting regarding um our pilots is throughout the county. We're we have a a number of districts that are experienc a shortfall. Part of
the reason is some of the municipalities are not sharing uh their portion of pilots because they are building in their communities as we are. Um but we are sharing with our our school districts as you can see that we have uh
school four and five being built right now. Proposal for school 10 uh the the work uh being that was done at school 9 street school and then the countless athletic fields and also auditoriums. anything that had uh uh community impact
uh or a pilot money had impact there. So, it was a good thing, but it's really because of the relationship between the municipal council and the school board. And that was my point there. I don't know. I I'll have to look back and see. It might be an old um campaign uh flyer
that you're referring to that it said that we were giving 25% to our exactly that amount. A lot of this goes based on need of the school districts and uh and the mayor, the administration, and the
council uh come up with that figure um based on as the the pilot money comes in. So, I appreciate your comments about it, but I just wanted to set the record straight as far as why uh my comments were made uh about that and I still stand by those and applaud our our
council and our mayor and our administration for how their use of of uh pilot funds. Thank you, council members. Are there any other comments from the public to seek it? Good evening everybody. John wood council president. Uh but last month I
asked you about the uh what's the population of woodish township and you read over the chart same chart that I had you said 103,000 plus and you keep repeating yourself 103,000 plus. What you didn't see in the top of the chart,
it was census of 2020. That's 5,000 5 years ago. What's the population of Woodish in this present time? Of course, you don't know exact number, but I'm talking about the thousands of people more because all those developments we did it of course because of that we need
everything more police, more fire department, more fire trucks. Talk about the text abments that Mr. the garden product when we started 10 15 years ago we supposed only do that give a bment on
the brown contaminated soil I talked to other mayors other municipal paradies they do not give any kind of bments to the place that's not a called brown fields we giving that to anybody wants to build over here why just to build more
apartments and of course the mayor keep saying that we are best time around. Why? Because we got a metal detection in our school. It's not because we best time around. That's what we got it. Again, when you look at it, we talk
about 35 years from now, it's going to bring $30 million, $80 million, $30 million. Bottle of Mal Light is going to be $50 a bottle at that time. How much we going to make this year, next year, next five years?
Are we be able to keep all the bills to build new schools? All those schools they're not paid for. It's not the money was paid for. We build a paid for. We all money for next 30, 50 years probably. We're growing too fast and we putting the what you call a wagon before
the horse. We find out you build a development and then we got to catch up to build more buildings. We cannot just do this thing. But we look at at the council Anderson the last meeting you keep saying how much we do for schools
because all the developments you mentioned everything from new schools, football fields, baseball fields, all kinds of fields. Not once you said education, we know it's not the building
that makes kids educated. You didn't mention Mr. So let me let me finish. In education we talk about educating the whole child, right? Not just the academic athletic as
well, but this the athletics, the fields and so forth, they have an impact on our community. Okay. However, when I first became a councilman, you came here and you counted how many empty businesses were on Main Street. You counted them. You came and told us that we had nine
empty businesses. And what are we doing about that? All right. Businesses stay because there's foot traffic, right? And and we're now giving them foot traffic. And businesses are now coming in town. There's a pla bowl on Main Street. There's a steakhouse on Main Street.
Why? Because of the development, the positive development. We are one of those towns in Central Jersey that we have a number of of rail lines. We have Woodbridge, Avenel, Metro Park, and it require if people want people want to be
able to go to New York City and work and live in central New Jersey. If we don't do that, if we don't try to keep up with what's going on in Cranford and Matuchen, and you see those towns, Matuchen was cited as being the best
downtown in all of America, right? We want to develop as well. We want to keep up with our towns uh with the towns in central New Jersey and that's why we developed it was smart development. But you did come here and you told us that we had empty businesses in Woodbridge
Township and what are we doing about that? You said that. Yeah, I did. I know. But you still got empty stores and you do have a businesses that rather rather than mention those businesses. We know it. I know it. You know it. My question is this. Why are those business
they're not making jobs? Their small business was supposed to be here 20, 30, 50 years ago. You wasn't here probably but 50 60 years ago town was booming that what happened? They put a movie center is going to help the township. It killed the business in township. Now the
center is going down. Of course local people moving in you 8 9:00 at night over here on main street. Why? Cuz people afraid to walk at night. No, I'm on a 30. I'm on a 35. People speeding. Traffic is speeding. How many casualties
you got recently over here again? Thank you, Mr. Var. Thank you, Mr. Are there any other comments this evening from the public? Yes. Are we allowed to speak more than once? No. So, I'll speak. No, you're done. Thank you. I'm next meeting. I'm
sorry. Next meeting. Yes. Don't be insane. I answered you. Next meeting. Five minutes. Thank you. I hope that was loud enough for you. Banners, sir. hearing no other crime. Hearing no other comments, can I get a motion to close the public comment portion of the meeting? Motion second. You don't know
if this Excuse me. You can leave. I'm sorry. Switch. There's a motion properly second. All in favor? I I opposed. Eyes have it. Thank you. Uh ma'am, yes. Thank you. I'm sorry Mr. Garden's leaving because he said so many things
that were incorrect in that statement. several statements he made, but let me try to take these things one at a time. First of all, you can't compare pilots to basic taxes. Mic's low. Can you hear me?
Am I good? I'll just be loud. You got it. Okay. So, there's an awful lot wrong. You cannot compare Pilots to basic taxation. Pilots are completely different. We collect the
basic taxation is split roughly 60% to the board, a little bit less, little less than 30% to the town, 15% to the county, four or five to the fire district. Generally, there's all different fire districts. So, they're all we have to keep the numbers as an
average. There is no requirement that we share pilot revenue with the school board. None whatsoever. As I said almost every meeting since people have been talking about pilots, the school board gets what they need. They pass their budget in it.
It's called an amount to be raised by taxation. They pass their budget. They send us that on an A4F form. We go out and we bill it and we collect it and we pay them. Even if we don't collect it 100%, we still pay them 100%. Even if
somebody files a tax appeal and gets a refund from us, they still get that 100%. School boards are way ahead of the way property taxes work in the state of New Jersey. We are not required to pay them anything. But we do because as
Councilman Anderson very eloquently said, we believe in the education system in this in this town. We believe in having proper infrastructure which is school buildings and fields and all those kind of things. And because we pay money for the school's infrastructure,
they have millions more that they can put into curriculum and education and guidance and healthcare and textbooks and all those kind of things. The school board is so far ahead of the game. And since 1999, and I've been here was back
here then as the CFO, not once has anybody from the school board in 25 years, not once as a superintendent or a business administrator or a board member or a teacher or anybody else come to a
council meeting to complain about what the town's doing with pilots in the school board. They love it. The only people who don't like it are the ones who realize how good it is but are politically motivated. So, they're against it because we're for it. Pilots
are absolutely terrific. But you cannot compare them. Now, if using Mr. Gardner's logic, $28 million, we should have given the school board more, but we gave them seven. Well, the other 21 million went to the taxpayers. It went
to us. We collected $28 million. If this was basic taxes and we never did a pilot, we would have $28 million less in our budget because we would cast our amount to be raised by taxation and bill
it just like the school board, the county, and the fire districts. We have $28 million more in our budget because of pilots. That means taxes could have gone up by more, but they didn't because we have that money. That means we take
care of roads and sewers and parks and buildings and you name it, we take care of it. 28 million more. Now, Mr. Gardner talked about the municipal tax rate from 1991 to 1994.
last meeting or the meeting before that he talked about the total tax rate when he was attacking Sharon McAuliffe who's his opponent in the election in November and he was attacking her for a 10% increase in the tax rate in the first wart with the Woodbridge fire district.
It did go up 10%. But he used the total tax rate then and he uses the municipal tax rate now because the municipal tax rate for 19 the last three years is up a very minimal amount. We had a zero
increase two years in a row and a moderate increase last year. So he conveniently uses the total tax rate when it's good for him to make the argument against Sharon, but he uses just the municipal tax rate when he was on the council. when he was on the
council four years, the taxes went up 21.6%. In the first ward in the Woodbridge Fire District, that is fact. It's all right here. That is fact. He He's not mentioning that anymore because that doesn't look good for him. The
other thing he said is that you voted for the fiscal budget on June 30th, 1992 that had a $47 million number in it as revenue from the fiscal bonds. You voted for that. You voted for that. You voted
for a $47 million bond. You did June 30th night. You were the You were the ninth and the final vote for that. See, what Mr. Gardner doesn't know, you don't have the floor, Mr. Gardner, what Mr. Gardner has to realize is the entire time. The entire time that he was on the
council, four years, I was working for the town. I started working January 1st, 1992. I wasn't the CFO right away because there was a CFO and many months later I took over that but I still worked on the budgets immediately. Every single time he was sitting up there on
the deis I was sitting here at this table. He can't get away with saying things because I was here. I listened to him. I prepared that budget that he voted for and the fiscal bonds were in that budget and now he'd like to say he had nothing to do with it and he voted
for cuts. Maybe there were some things he voted for, but he voted for a a $47 million bond in that 1992 fiscal year budget. He voted in 1992 for capital. He voted in 1993 for capital. In early '94,
he voted. He stopped voting later in '94 and during '95 because he was running for mayor. So everything he does is political. Everything was good in '92, '93, and part of '94 until he decided to run for mayor where he lost 2 to1. So
don't tell me about his fiscal responsibility because he's not fiscally responsible. Only when it's convenient and only when it's politically expedient and when it's not, suddenly he's not.
So, and as far as the downgrades, I don't know when they were the town was downgraded. They know right away we were downgraded. 1992 when we walked into this town there was a massive financial shortfall. The 1991 budget had $105 tax
decrease if you can imagine. Not find me many towns that decrease taxes. Find me many that decrease taxes. It was a very irresponsible budget. It passed and we paid the price for it in 1992. There were tax appeals that weren't budgeted.
There was insurance that wasn't budgeted. Revenues were grossly under overestimated and we had to deal with that. Hence, it forced us to go to the fiscal year and that's why we did the fiscal year adjustment bonds. We had a six-month stub period. There's no doubt we were downgraded sometime in that
period. When we came in, there were there was an audit report with five material weaknesses. Five material weaknesses and 105 comments. Within four years, we had no material weaknesses and we had only one comment and that comment
was that our dog licenses were not issued in order. And Mr. Mitch is smiling because he was on the council and that's because of Mrs. Nusbomb had dog license number 27 because that was her dog's birthday and she came in the next year and it was number 28 next and
she got all mad. We saved number 27 for Mrs. Nusbomb. So if you had number 112, you got number 112 again. You're not supposed to do that. It's a violation of the law. But that's what we did to help out Mrs. Nusbomb. She probably had a dog
chain. She probably had a sweater. She probably had the numbers posted everywhere with number 27. So we gave her number 27 again. And we broke the law. We broke the law. So Mr. Gardner has to realize I was here
for his entire time on the council. He is not telling the truth tonight. He is not. He voted June 30th, 1992, the final day of that fiscal year. He was the ninth and final vote for that 1992 fiscal year budget, which included $47
million in fiscal year adjustment bonds. He voted for it while he was on the council. His own taxes overall for the whole four categories went up 21.6%. But yet he's attacking Councilwoman
Mcola for a 10% increase over three years. And I said that last meeting. What would you rather have? Would you rather pay taxes and have them go up 21.6% over four or 10 over three? I'll take 10 over three any day. So I'm going
to be here for all these meetings as he brings up these falsehoods. I'm going to be here and like I was from every meeting save for vacations. every meeting from January 1, 1992 through December 31st, 1995 when he was on the
council, I was here. I remember I have the facts. He's not going to get away with lying to the people of Woodbridge Township. Thank you very much, Council President. Thank you, Mayor President. Yes, Council May. I was elected to the board of ed in 2006, which was the same
year Mayor McCormack became mayor. Our tracks at the three high schools were condemned. Our tennis courts were condemned. We were sending our tennis teams to Middle Sex County College to play our matches. Um, we had
to borrow from our vending company who had all the soda and candy machines in the school. We had to borrow $500,000 in an advancement to redo the track at Woodbridge High School. We were broke. and the benefits that our children
receive by redoing these football fields, these tracks, our baseball fields, the bleachers, the stands at Woodbridge High School condemned, rebuilt, and not only does it affect our high school kids, all our rep kids playing on these fields, too. So,
without this money, I'm confident that half this stuff to this day wouldn't have been rebuilt. Thank you. Thank you, Counc. Yes, Mr. President, uh before we go into the agenda, uh I have a reservation I need to read for the
record addressed to me dated May the 1st. Um Bertz and I have moved to Jackson Township in Ocean County to be closer to our children and our grandchildren. Therefore, effective May 1st, 2025, I must step down from my position as council person at large in Woodbridge
Township. It has been a true honor to serve this great township as a council person for almost five years, five terms. During this time, I tried my best to conduct myself as a public servant who was elected to serve the people of our community. I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to his wife
Maritza and our family for their love and support. My current and past council mates for always keeping the spirit of cooperation alive. Addressed to myself being a mentor and friend throughout this journey to the best mayor and administrative team in the state. Your professionalism and dedication are put
on display every day with the work you do. To every department and employee of our town, you are all the backbone and the reasons we are the best town. Finally, to the citizens of our township, thank you for your support throughout my years of service. I know may I may not have always made everyone
happy, but I hope you know I tried my best to be honest and fair. May God continue to bless Woodbridge Township. Stay well and be great for count. Thank you.
[Applause] Thank you, Mr. Mitch. Now, move to do the agenda portion. Um, my agenda is in order. Uh, I just like to say, uh, Council Member Carrick, Greg, Marissa,
congratulations, uh, on your next endeavor. Um, enjoy. Uh, Greg, I remember we knew each other, but we really came, you know, not face to face, but talking to each other, getting to know each other back in 2006 when we both ran uh for Carol's vacant
seat. And you had taught me back then, we're not running against each other. We're running for an open seat on the same party, same line, same. Um, and you had said it's whatever you do, it's nothing personal. And we all at times maybe get a little me um there's a trait
that people should really especially when they come to these meetings. It's nothing personal. It really isn't. And you told me that um I don't like to use the term you are the elder statesman. Um you know you know me if it's not mass or
food network. I watch TV35. I watch all the old council meetings. I shouldn't say old. All the previous council meetings parades. you always were able to uh shed something, you know, shed an idea, a thought. Your past p your past, you know, previous experiences uh and
especially really came to the forefront over the last several years with the the health the mental health crisises, the health um everything going on. Um I can go on. I know um my fellow council mates in the administration have um words for you Maritzy and your family, but um I
really truly heartfelt thank you for everything that you've taught me. You've taught me a lot. Um God bless Council Vice President McCall. Thank you, Council President. Um so I wrote something you
could not just speaking. So, um, your commitment after 17 years of remarkable service, three of which I've been fortunate enough to share with you, it's not easy for me to see you go. Your
commitment, wisdom, and leadership have left a lasting impression not only on this community, but on me personally. You've been a guiding force, and I've learned so much from working with you in my short time on council.
You set an example for all of us through your passion, your integrity, integrity, and unwavering dedication. Your leadership and passion have left a legacy that will continue to shape and inspire all of us on this council. I've learned so much from
working alongside of you, and I'm incredibly grateful for the time that we shared. But it's the personal behi the person behind your accomplishments, your kindness, your humor, your passion, and your spirit that I will truly miss. As
you move on to this next chapter, I wish you all the joy and fulfillment it brings, especially in spending more time with your family, your grandchildren, and doing what you love, like hitting the slopes and dancing to music. Take this time to embrace life to its
fullest. I hope when you pop back into town, you'll swing by not just bagels for your favorite pork row egg and cheese. I'll truly miss you. All the best. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Council Vice President Call of uh Councilman
Barrett. Thank you, Council President. Um tenders in order. Greg Oders, you have demonstrated dedication, hard work, and a positive attitude and making a real difference in the lives of the residents here in Mish Township. Thank you for being such an asset to our team,
a mentor and a true leader. Um, as you embark on this next next chapter in your life, wish you all the best in your retirement. Enjoy, congratulations, and spend time with that family. That's all I have. Council, thank you, Councilman Bower. Councilman Small, thank you, Council President. Jen
is in order. Greg, I recall a a conversation we had. Uh we're at the fort running first aid squad and we're looking at the the maps for first aid squad and we're talking about changes were coming, you know, instead of Port
Reading, handling Port Reading and Abid. It was closest to the call and it was going to be such a good thing for the residents of Port Reading and you took such an interest in it. It was incredible. Well, I thought you were at times more interested in it than I was, but uh you you know, you've always been
a leader. You've always helped everybody. I called you a month ago about housing. You got back to me in 10 minutes with the answer. Um you're always making people feel good and that's that's something genuine that
uh takes a special person. So, I wish you both the best and I'll see you on the vote. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councilman Small. Councilwoman De um God, I've been on council almost 10
years and Kyle and Greg were the first two council people that were there for me. They guided me. They were my mentors. Over the 10 years, you've become a 10 And you know going out with you at
different township events, you greet everyone. My kids whenever they see you. Oh, I saw Mr. Picara or I saw Greg and he said hello to me. No matter where they are. And that's something special because not everyone does that. And you
make every single person that you speak to feel special, feel like they matter. For me personally, you have been there through some of my toughest times and I just thank you for being such a great friend. You and Marissa,
thank you for your prayers. And I'm going to miss you, but um don't be surprised if I call you and not have a question. God bless you and enjoy your family. Um there's a season for everything and you did well in your
season as a council person. You did everything that you should have done and it's going to be hard to follow your steps because you were exceptional. Um, God bless you and bring
you joy. Thank you, Councilwoman De Jesus. Councilwoman Mi, of course, I have to go after you. I wrote it down. There are many hats you wear as a council person that the public doesn't always see. And as we grow in our roles
through the years, we learn to find the things we are most passionate about for our communities, for our community, and they become the ones we dedicate ourselves to. We all have different items on our agenda that inspire us and we champion for always for the betterment of Woodbridge Township.
Councilman Fagarov through the years he has used his well-earned title as Councilman at large to focus on important issues such as wellness, recreation, human rights, working with students in our schools through the Heroes and Cool Kids program. Always
taking care of our senior citizens, our senior citizens population, and most importantly and through my eyes, his biggest passion, being a tireless advocate and a voice for our homeless and most vulnerable population. I can't tell you how many times I received a
call about a family that had nowhere to go and would be homeless by the end of the week or possibly the day. And the first call I made was always to Councilman Faggera. He would simply say, "Let me make a couple calls." Probably to Steve here.
Um, let me make a couple calls. I know how we can help them. Let's see what kind of service we we can get for them. At least let's get them sheltered for today and tomorrow. probably would try to find them more of a permanent resource to help them. He always came through because that's what he does. He
makes a difference and he's been doing that kind of humanitarian work for Woodbridge Township since he has been seated at the deis and I'm sure before. I know myself and the rest of my council have learned a lot from Councilman Fagar through the years and the tools that he has given
each one of us. I know we will we will continue to use during our time as representatives of Warbridge Township. Thank you, Greg, for leading not only the township but this council with energy, kindness, compassion, and empathy for every person that calls Woodbridge Township their home. We wish
you the best in this new chapter of your life. You will certainly be missed. Thank you, Councilwoman M. Council Patel. Yeah. Thank you, Council President. My recognize is also in order. Uh uh dear Councilman Greg, you have been
an outstanding public servant and it has truly been an honor to serve alongside with you for the past nine years. I have had the privilege of sitting next to you during our council meetings and I have witnessed firsthand the depth of
knowledge, dedication and care you bring to our township and its residents. You are deeply respected not only by the fellow council members but also by the community at large. Your service as a council president was just
classic marked by fairness, insight, and calm, thoughtful approach to leadership. You are exceptionally gifted in your interaction with the township residents and visitors from the other towns who
attended our council meetings. Your welcoming nature, respectful communication, and generosity have made a lasting impact on everyone you have encountered. Personally, I'm really grateful to you for the support you have
gave me when I was first elected as a council person in 2016. Your guidance helped me find stability and your example continue to inspire me all the time. Great. You have
also been a champion of health and wellness throughout Woodbridge. You promote healthy living, not just in words, but through action, walking at least 10,000 steps a day for over a decade. Your commitment to physical
health is matched by a strong spiritual foundation and your faith in God is something I have always found very motivational for myself. As you prepare the to retire move to a senior community, we we all will miss
you deeply. Greg, we thank you for your many years of devoted services. Your legacy will continue to inspire all of us who have had privilege of working with you. On behalf of all of us, we wish you and your family a life filled
with good health, happiness, peace in the next chapter. Please do not forget to visit us. May God bless you, Greg, and thank you for everything you did for us. Uh, also I have one more announcement. Can I go with that? Yes.
Uh, on April 22nd, about 2 weeks ago, a tragic terrorist attack in the state of Kashmir, India, claimed the lives of about 26 in tourist. Most of them were Indian nationals. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their
families during this difficult time and the in and in the wake of this tragedy. Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated and the armed conflicts actually it
already have started about 2 hours ago between two those rivals at the time when word is already witnessing the devastating impact of multiple wars. We all hope for peace everywhere on this planet. Again I pray
for the victims and stand behind them in support of their loved ones. Also this w weekend the mother day is coming and I would like to take a moment to wish all those wonderful mothers happy mother's day in advance.
Your love, strength and care are truly appreciated every day. That's all for tonight. Thank you. Thank you council Patel. Uh closing up uh agend portion. Councilman Anderson. Thank you, Council President. Truly honored to be able to
say that the one title that you've given me, Greg, is that I uh I have the pleasure of serving with you the longest of any council person. Truly honored to have a few minutes to speak about someone who has
meant a great deal to me, my family, and this community. Councilman Greg Faker. After 18 years, I got that number from Mr. Mitch earlier today. After 18 years of service, Woodbridge Township, Greg is retiring from his role as
council. That's nearly two decades of dedication, of showing up, listening, advocating, and making a difference in the lives of so many. Greg's legacy will be felt not just by the policies and improvements he helped
champion, but in the people people's lives that he touched, mine included. Greg wasn't just a councilman to my son Kyle. He was a mentor. When Kyle was in high
school, he aspired to become an athletic director like Greg. So Greg would meet with him, not just meet, he would encourage him and he would guide him and he believed in him. KJ has never forgotten
those lessons over breakfast. That kind of mentorship is rare and it's something our family has never taken for granted. And to me, Greg has been a friend, a steady presence during some of
life's most challenging chapters. He offered not just support, but genuine care. And in this world, it often moves too fast. Greg always took the time to ask how you
were and really listen to the answer. Greg, our lineage to Kennedy Mustang and Trent Trenton State football will always keep us connected, but I will miss the fun times we had calling the high school
games together, especially our beloved Mustangs. Greg, your commitment to public service has made Woodbridge Township stronger, but your commitment to friendship and mentorship, that's what makes you
unforgettable. On behalf of my family and everyone here whose life you have touched, thank you. Thank you for leading with integrity, for serving with heart, and for standing by your community, not just as a
councilman, but as a friend. Enjoy your well-earned retirement. You've more than earned it. Thank you, Councilman Anderson. Mr. Mitch, thank you, Mr. President. My agenda is all in order as well. Uh to Councilman Anderson, uh
Anderson, I'm sorry, for Carara. It's been a pleasure to work with you and for you for these past 18 years. You established yourself early on as wanting to help people. Whether it was the countless text messages, phone calls, or
emails about a matter that you came upon while they're driving around town or or walking doing your exercises or residents reaching out to you, you always reached out to myself and the administration and you affected so many people without them even probably realizing it. So for that we're we're
very grateful for your service. You're known to be empathetic to many people and their causes. A gentleman highly regarded a reputable well respected admire admired by all. You have been generous with your time, your wisdom, your resources. You know, we could have
a conversation one day about a township matter or issue, something maybe on the agenda, but you to Councilman Anderson's point, you never forget anybody up here to ask about a family member, a spouse, uh a brother, a sister, a child, where
what colleges are you looking at this year, whatever it may be. Uh always from the heart, always. Nowhere else. Uh your interaction, your generosity to the ladies, my office, I know, will be missed. uh as will you uh many conversations we'll still have I'm sure
between now and whenever that might be but um I wish you and Marissa the best and again from the ladies in my office too uh you're a true gentleman and we'll you know we thank you for your service thank you Mr. mayor. Um, thank you, Council President.
I'm um I'm still not good with this, Greg. Um, I don't know what's what's going to happen here. Way back in 2006 when I started contemplating running for mayor, I knew that when I won, if I won, I was going to have at least one opening
in the council at large because I knew that Carolyn Erlick, who was my chief of staff when I was state treasurer for four years, I knew she was going to go off the council and become the chief of staff at the town. So, I figured the other three were good, Jimmy and Pat and Brenda. Uh, but I knew I had to replace
Carol and the council. and and the first person I thought of was Craig Ficar. Um, and a lot of people were contemplating running for mayor back then and a lot of people thought they were going to get Craig Far and run their ticket. They were wrong cuz I had Greg Fara lined up.
And the reason I did is because our fathers were very close friends in the Knights of Columbus. In fact, I was friendly with his father. I was in plays with his father and hung out with his dad even though I'm much closer in age to Greg. uh his father was a terrific guy and and we got along great and I
knew I had Greg uh to be on the ticket and that gave instant credibility to our effort because of the kind of person Greg is. Greg I don't know anybody who doesn't like Greg Ficara. I don't know anybody who doesn't respect Greg Ficara.
And if you can go through life saying that you were welll liked and more importantly you were well respected by anybody that you came in contact with then you've lived a heck of a life and that's that's what uh Greg
Fara has done. I'm going to miss the calls on Saturday mornings. Hey Matt, what time you going to this? Oh, pick me up. I'll ride with you. Meet me in town hall. I'll ride with you. We spent 18 years together. He's the first person on
the council, like I said. Uh, and and that's 18 years that I've been mayor all but the first month or two. Greg has been by my side. And I'm going to miss that. I'm going to really miss that. He
went to all the events. Other people are talking about his career in, you know, social services and health and all that. I know Carol's going to speak. and Novito is going to speak and others. Um, you did a heck of a job on the town council
and I'm really really going to miss working with you. Best of luck, pal. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, Mr. Shima. Thank you, Council President. I got a bit of work first and then then I'm going to address uh Councilman Power. I have a
tax and sewer overpayments. I'm a 100% disabled vet and I have a tax appeal and I have a parking refund. Thank you, Council President. With that, I just want to relay a a a story about Council Prepar that happened several years ago. Um there was a movement in this country
to re-examine what we did uh as far as our police interactions with individuals with mental health distress issues. Um, Councilman Picara took this to heart and he came to Mayor McCormack with a a rather bold idea that was totally out of
the box. He wanted to take a look at how many calls we take for individuals with with mental health distress and and interact with them on a different level. Uh, and Mayor McCormack tasked myself um
uh deputy director now director of police uh Joe Niski and Dr. Bonnie Nolman and and Greg's vision was to follow up with those individuals with uh with that had those mental distress calls where police were just a little
too much but they needed followup. So with Councilman Ficara's help and his vision, we developed a plan uh with Bonnie Nolan who engaged a group called Stomas, which was an interactive group with individuals with special or mental
uh disorders that needed that followup. And with that police department, Bonnie Nolan's crew and Greg's vision, we came up with a program where we followed up with everyone that had a mental stress issue with the police department or interaction.
This was such a bold and and moving and effective program that the state adopted it. The state adopted it and now has a mental health personnel riding with police officers throughout several towns within Middle Sex County and other
counties throughout the state that the state adopted it as the arrive program. So, so Greg is not only a visionary and a trailblazer, but he's helped the people not only of this township, but of this state. I'm proud to call him a friend, and he is going to be so
remiss. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Samuka. Uh, Chief of Staff Eric. Thank you. as the mayor said, um you took my seat on the council and I so greatly
thank you for keeping so many of the things on the agenda alive. This year's youth month was better than anybody ever could have imagined it could have been. The health and wellness of fitness senior month has always been your
passion. I want to thank you for your work behind the scenes with Mayor McCormick and George Brew making sure that the community playground is a safe playground and remains the crown jewels
of all of our playgrounds. But what I have enjoyed the most is working with you. You wear so many hats that most people don't even know that you're wearing.
um your work on the um housing authority is it's just unbelievable. All the people who live within the housing authority know that they can go to you and you will care and you will help them.
Probably in my mind the most important thing that you did for this town was bring us to Steve Jobin and the her boy YMCA. We never knew that those services
could be a part of our services and the partnership has been unreal. the um we have now found homes for victims of domestic violence who they're beautiful homes and with that partnership it's a
very very successful program. Um, we're looking at possibly buying more locations for more housing and more projects to do together because there is no end to what you and Steve Joben have
brought to Woodbridge Township in that that we learn, we grow, and it's just beautiful. And I I want to conclude by saying that you are the ideal council person. There's never any personal
agenda. There's never been any agenda except to serve the people and to do your job. That's something that you share with your other council people. It's rare and there's a model that all council people also should try to
follow. Love you and your Thanks. the uh director. Thank you, council president. My agenda is on in order. Thank you, director. Director D. Thank you, council president. Just standard bi-weekly refund resolutions. Thank you.
Thank you, Director Brook. Thank you, council president. One item is grant application. It's a contract with uh New Jersey Department of Transportation and it's for Long Fellow Driveway improvements. Thank you. That's all I have. Thank you, Director Brew. Legal
and M. Council President, there's nothing this evening, but I do want to say on behalf of the legal department, thanks for nothing, Greg. Um, I know I speak for Jim Nolan when I say that you weren't a lawyer's dream. You never created any kind of
crazy law. You never created any kind of crazy problem. In fact, you were the antithesis of that. You were the guy who solved the problems. You were the guy who was the voice of reason so many times. you were the the council member um who when things were tumultuous were
the guy that the council looked to to smooth over those rough patches. And so all that you heard from everybody here tonight is true. And I I think everyone captured it because everyone here knows you more than in any other place. I have
a great privilege of being around lots of other councils and and mayors and governing bodies and things like that over the course of my life. This group is a family. It spends time with each other. It genuinely likes each other. The council over this last 18
years have been people who enjoy each other, respect each other, admire each other, but among them, you were the you were always the guy who was the leader, always the the guy that everybody could count on to be there for the events, to
answer the problems, to handle the challenges. Uh and and because of that, it's why you felt the love that you felt from this group. Personally, you've been a constant in my life for 18 years. Not that doesn't mean that we did spent
every day together, but you're always there. We always kept ch check of everybody as as everyone has said. You asked about my kids and my grandkids, and that constantness is going to end tonight.
Um, and that's why I think you've sensed the real true emotion of the of the members of this council. Because of all of that, Woodbridge is a better place. You've made that happen. The town is is truly richer and better because of your
efforts. And so now it will be just a little less good. Whoever follows you will have a a real challenge to to to have and to try to try to meet. But on behalf of all of us who have had the privilege of knowing you and working
with you and admiring you and the great fortune to call you our friend. Thanks. It's been a great ride. Thank you. Look for a motion to motion. Before I second, I got to ask council president which golden girl would Greg
be. Uh it's that's a that's a combination of all four, but he's got he's got rows written all over. Thank you, Councilwoman. Uh meeting adjourned. Have a good night. [Applause]