Hello and welcome to Woodbridge, the best town around. My name is John McCormack. I'm the mayor of this great town and we're here today for a special proclamation uh presented to the safe soil movement uh conscious planet safe soil 2026. To my right is Shashed Gupta
uh an oak tree road and green street businessman. He's one of the largest importers of fabric uh from India in the United States and Chaitra is with him. She's a member of his organization. And I'm also joined by council president Sharon McAuliff and fifth ward councilman Demi mean to my left is uh
Tom Flynn who works in our sustainable division uh doing a whole lot of great things. So I'm going to basically turn this over to you because you know this way better than I do and I would not do it justice to explain what the safe soil movement was and why you asked us to do
a resolution in support of it. I got to tell you, I not being an environmental expert, I turned it right over to Tom. So, the reason you're here is because he said it's okay. So, let me turn it over to you and tell us a little about the movement and and why you asked for this and how all it works. Go ahead.
>> Sure. >> Um, so firstly, thank you, mayor, for for doing this. Um, so was a movement um that was started by Sguru. Um, and it it basically stemmed out of the fact that we have this massive problem that a lot of people don't know about but
experience on a daily basis. It's basically our we are getting weaker. Our health is getting weaker because our soil is getting weaker. Um, and a lot of people think the these are problems that we don't face in the United States, but 52% of US top soil has already been
degraded. Um and increasing organic content in the soil itself uh can fix a lot of our problems. Uh firstly when it comes to nutrition back in 1920s or our our our grandfathers or great-grandfathers
the amount of nutrient they used to get from one oranges. We need to eat eight eight times as many oranges today to get the same level of nutrients. I'm 35. like we I I've started taking supplements and the reason we're being forced to do that is because our soil is not as rich as it used to be. So the
kind of macronutrients that we get from our soil, we're not getting that anymore. Um not only that, if it it help it really if we increase organic content in the soil, it really helps us solve a lot of other problems as well. Um in terms
of carbon emission, soil that has more organic content can sequester more carbon. Um, it's actually significantly more effective than than EV cars. Uh, it can help stop droughts because soil that's rich in organic content, can hold
water longer, our water tables will be higher. It can prevent us from more forest fires because again, if if there is higher water content in the soil, you'll have less trees that are like matsticks that can turn into flames like that. Um, I know like it's usually not been a problem in Jersey, but we had
that problem last year where we had forest fires here. Um, I know California is dealing with it. So, it's it's something that we really need to be aware about. And and part of the reasons why I really joined the movement was there was a line that really hurt me where we're essentially eating the soil
that we're eat we're eating the food that's meant for our kids because the soil is getting depleted to a level where we have maybe 60 cycles of um agricultural rounds left uh before we we run into major um food shortage issues.
Uh so if we don't tackle this issue now and if the young kids are the ones that are not talking about this uh they're the ones that are really going to suffer it. Um so yeah, >> how do we tackle it? >> Uh how do we tackle it? So we've um we've made a lot of policy recommendations. Actually EU about a
month ago just signed into law some of the policy recommendations that the safe soil movement made. Uh we're talking about it's it this is not a fight against fertilizer companies. Um, this is really more about bringing organic content back to the soil again. So, back
in the day, farms used to have trees on them. We didn't uh basically just plow the land and leave it empty the entire time. Uh, because all the microorganisms that are in the soil tend to die with with the excess heat. Um, so the recommendations that we're making is we
want farmers to be able to have uh more trees and there are different solutions for different climates. Uh but here it would be it would be having more trees on the soil and the farmer needs a little bit of handholding while that happens because of course their their income in the short term is going to go
down. Uh but over the long period their income will go higher and we've seen examples of this happen already. Um and there are case studies for this on consciousplanet.org if people want to read about it. uh how farmers incomes have 300x that have implemented having more animals back on the farms, having
more trees back on the farms so they can introduce more organic content in the farms. >> Interesting. Tom, you want to add anything? When I give this to you to flip it over, what is your reaction? >> Yeah, I think everything's been said there may there. It's just a fantastic movement. Um soil health is the
cornerstone of all sustainability initiatives and I I I applaud the work that you're done. the second I saw him there mayor, I thought it was a great great thing to jump on and thank you guys so much for bringing to our attention. Appreciate it. >> All right, great. How about we take some pictures if you don't mind?
>> Move this out of your way. Y everybody get a little closer in the middle here. >> Thanks. No sweat. Oh, sure. Two of us. Yeah. >> Hello and welcome to Woodbridge, the best town around. My name is John McCormack. I'm the mayor of this great
town and we're here today to for our annual event to recognize National Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month and to have our flag raising outside of the autism flag. I've got the uh members of the council here to my right. First up, we have Vera Patel covering fourth
ward of Isel and Melo Park Terrace. Next up, council president, first ward, councilman Sharon Mcoliff covering Woodbridge proper at Seaworn. Then Debbie mean covering the fifth ward Colonia. Kyle Anderson's councilman at large. Can I go ahead and clap Jack
Councilman Howie Bower covering Fort Son and Caseby and Dan Harris Councilman at large. To my left are our uh members of our community affairs from the police department, the sergeant in charge of that division. Brian Bella, recently promoted sergeant, and to his left is Nate Santon. He's been working in that
uh department or that division for a while. Keep going. We also want to invite some of our special guests up. We got Vinnie, we got Brendan, we got Tina, we got Robert, we got Kenny, and we have Zack Attack right in front. Come on up, GUYS.
It's over here. No, you got to go right here. Right here. >> You got it, man. Just turn Zach right around. Yeah. Perfect. So, not related to this, but we are putting up a handicapped accessible playground at school 14 in Fords. The school was
knocked down. It was closed many years ago by the board of ed. Uh, and we are turning it into a handicap accessible playground. Oh, see, he knows that. Exactly. Zach lives right next to it. This is Lena, his mom, and she's a fierce
advocate for uh kids with special needs. And we have promised that the when we have the grand opening, probably not this year, probably early next year. Uh it's a very big undertaking. Uh we promised Zach is going to have the first ride and there's going to be handicapped
accessible swings where you can just bring the swing the chair right onto the swing. He's the first one to use that playground. So, let's hear for Zach. And I'm going to read quickly read the proclamation. uh the Woodbridge Township Parents Organization Program for the
Advancement of Children's Education, which is both POAC and PACE, along with teachers, professional staff, parents, and students from Matthew Jagel School 28 and throughout Woodbridge Township in concert with national state and local organizations and associations dedicated to public awareness of autism. Provide
training courses, support groups, disability awareness events, and social events as part of our school and community- based outreach to raise awareness to of the needs of families parenting. autistic children and whereas Woodbridge POA and Pace organizations celebrate autism awareness month with
the annual celebrate differences campaign designed to build a better awareness of the signed symptoms and realities of autism and with the annual autism acceptance month flag raising which symbolizes a commitment to educate and inform the community about the impacts of autism and the efforts of the
families of patients experiencing autism there. Therefore, I John McCormack, mayor of Township for Woodbridge, in concert with the council to hereby recognize the month of April in the year 2026 to be autism acceptance and awareness month throughout Woodbridge
Township. How about that? We're going to go out and we're going to raise the flag, but first I want to turn it over to our police officers. They've Kennedy, you want to hold this for me? >> Yes, certainly. >> All right. We're going to uh turn it over to Officer Sergeant Vela and
Officer San Antonio. And they've got the police cars outside dressed up for Autism Awareness Month. They're passing out uh patches. So, this is a cool event and the police department as usual is helping our community in so many different ways. Guys, take it over.
>> So, like the mayor said, thank you, mayor. Um I'm Sergeant Brian Vela. Uh I work in the community affairs division at Woodbridge Police Department. So, I just want to give a big thanks to the mayor, the town council, and director Niski, uh, who who affords us the
opportunity to to work with, um, the autism members of our community to bring acceptance, awareness, um, most importantly to to learn, and so we could teach others um, you know, how to come together, work together, and be there for each other. Uh, I just want you guys
to know that we are here as a sense of security for you guys to help you guys whenever you need, but we can also learn from you guys, too. Um, and as you'll see, a token of our appreciation, we had a local company wrap one of our patrol cars. Uh, it's our autism acceptance and
awareness vehicle, and we drive that around the township of Woodbridge during the whole month um for you guys. So, um, you know, thank you to you guys. Um, and we're here for you. So, APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. You want to add I
figured. All right. So, just one thing I want to add before we go outside. So, there is a play at the Aanel Performing Arts Center on May 30th at 3 I think is a it's a Saturday uh at 3 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. It's called Not the Right Mom. It's
about one month mother's misadventures in autism. It's a full spectrum comedy. Now, when I first saw this, I wasn't quite sure how to read it, but let me read the the what it says about it. A heartfelt solo comedy by Megan Dolan.
One woman does the whole show about raising a son on the autism spectrum. With humor and honesty, she shares the chaos and joy that proves she's exactly the right mom. This show celebrates resilience, kindness, and the power of showing up. It speaks to anyone who's
faced the challenges of parenthood, offering humor, reflection, and connection through shared experiences. This is about somebody who's a a mom of an autistic son. And it's respectful. It's it's a comedy, but in a way that is very respectful. She's not going out and
making fun of autistic people. That's not I got to admit my first reaction when I saw that was a little bit toward that. I thought I'm thinking, why are we doing a show like this at our theater? But when you read it and you look at it, it's a very respectful look at the
autism autistic population. So, I want to say that it sounds like fun and uh and I'm going to just pass this out to the parents. It's going to go to Pace. It's going to go to POA. It's already gone to uh Buddy Ball. It's already gone to the Woodbridge Stars program. So, we're going to publicize this and
hopefully people come out to the theater. It's a beautiful theater. >> All right. Anybody else want to say anything? >> I'm not very >> Come on up. Somehow I knew you were going to raise your hand. >> Brendan works for us, right? How long you've been working for us. >> Um,
>> couple years, right? >> Yeah, I've been working since 20 22. Almost 5 years. >> A lot of years. All right. >> And I um I have Asberers and my favorite characters are Thomas the Tank Engine and Mickey Mouse because they comfort me
during tough times and they make me happy. And sometimes when it comes to asber burgers like me, sometimes some people like to take advantage of me and it's just something I just kind of accepted and got used to. But I just
want to say because it's autism awareness month and being that I have asberers, I am proud to be me and because Thomas is my favorite. Little little engines can do big things. I'm really upset. I thought I was your
favorite character. >> Oh, yeah. You're You're Fred Flintstone on Tamas. >> I'm Fred Flintstone now. >> All right. All right. I'll take that. >> I'm big. I'm wasting. >> You could be the other top hat. >> All right. I like it. All right. Kenny,
you want to say something? Well, hi everyone. I'm so excited to be here every year for all of you. We can do this together anytime we want. Together, we can do whatever we like things together. Oh, YEAH.
All right. Dan Harris wants to say a few words. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh thanks for all for for being here. Uh I'm the liaison or I guess sort of the unofficial liaison to the school board having spent most of my public service career there. Uh on behalf of the board, super board and the
board president, they have community meetings going on this evening. So they they're they're double booked and they they have to do their jobs first. But but I did want to give a shout out to the school district and all the great things that they do for for students and children with autism. We have the RISE program that provides uh educational
programming and workforce development training for uh students with uh learning disabilities, students with autism, age 18 through 21. And then the mayor want to give a shout out uh for what you do for the school district and partnership over at the Cypress Center
on West Avenue. We have a mayor's max mayor max cafe where we have students on an annual basis who through that rise program have that workforce training and they they learn skills uh you know in in in the kitchen and uh customer service and things of that nature and uh I was
talking to the board and I've been doing this for 12 years. Every year we have more and more families uh with children with autism move into Woodbridge Township and it it's not by coincidence. It's because of uh the caring nature of our community, people like the mayor and
our council, as well as um you know uh the the great services and programs that we provide at the school district uh to to help those students. Some school districts are losing special ed education population. We're growing and it's because of the great things that the school district and our faculty and
staff do each and every year. So want to give a shout out to the school district. Thank you. >> Everything's been so cool. All right, let's go out and raise a flag. What do you think? >> Let's do it, man. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance.
I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Uh please join me in a moment of silence
as we recognize the families who lost their homes in the recent fire. While we are grateful that no lives were lost, we acknowledge the hardship and disruption that they now face. Let us also take a moment to commend our first responders for their swift, courageous, and professional efforts in protecting the
lives of our community. Notice requirements of the open public meeting law have been satisfied concerning this meeting. The home district and the Star Ledger published a notice on November 13, 2025 and November 14, 2025, respectfully. A copy was posted on the municipal bulletin board.
It should be so noted in the minutes of this meeting. Councilman Anderson here. Councilman Bower, Councilman Harris, Coun Councilwoman Mian here, >> Councilman Patel here, >> Councilman Small here, >> Councilman Spiller >> here, Vice President Deji Seuss,
>> and President McCau >> here. >> And I get a motion to approve the minutes from April 7, 2026. >> Motion. >> Second. >> I'm sorry. Was that Mr. Small? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> All in favor? I >> oppose.
eyes have it. Beginning with second reading ordinances this evening, we'll start with letter A, which is a bond ordinance authorizing the making of various public improvements in the acquisition of new additional replacement equipment and machinery and vehicles in amount of 7,360,000.
They 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 >> oppose. Eyes have it. The public hearing is now open on letter A. Letter A only
hearing. No comment from the public. Can I 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. >> Any questions or comments from councel? >> All in favor? I. >> Opposed? >> Eyes have it. We're going to take
letters B, C, D, and E. All by consent. These are amendments to chapter 7, which is our traffic ordinances. Uh in summary, the current parking restrictions over near the trestle train trestle on Green Street uh has parking restrictions from Monday through Friday
on both sides. They're going to change to Sunday through Saturday. That's what all four are for. So with that said, can I get a motion that these four ordinances 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 it. The public hearing is now open on letters BCD and E. BCD and E only. >> Hear enough comment from the public. I get a motion that the public hearing be closed. The ordinance will be adopted and submitted to the mayor for approval
as required by law. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions or comments? All in favor? I >> oppose. Eyes have it. We're also going to take F, G, H, and J by consent. These are very various ordinance with regards
to uh different properties. I'm going to take them all at once because they're all related. The first one is with acquiring property uh in the colonia section of town, preserving it for recreational space. The second is uh Mary Fee Lane in Hope again with regards
to the public rights to same uh public space. The third is in the hope section block 3.02 lot 1.03 with regards to conveyance to the board of education. The uh letter I is also uh with regards to conveying lots to the Woodbridge
Township Board of Education and J which is the last one is to designate block and lot uh 3.04 lot 1.01 1.03 in the hope section of the township uh creating again uh and preserving recreational space. With that said, can I get a
motion to take FGH and J up on second and third readings and the public hearing be opened? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions or comments from councel? >> Mr. much. I I must abstain on on this item. >> So noted. Any other comments? All in favor? I >> opposed.
>> The public hearing is now open on FG H I N J. Hear no comment from the public. Can I get a motion that the public hearing be closed? The ordinances be uh submitted to the mayor for approval as required by law. >> Motion.
>> Motion. Did I >> second? >> Thank you. Any questions? Any all in favor? I >> opposed. Eyes have. >> And finally, letter K, which is an ordinance amending chapter 150. This is a rewrite of our storm water control ordinances in full. Uh, can I get a
motion that this ordinance be taken up on second and third reading? Can the public hearing be open? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions or comments from councel? All in favor? I. >> I. Opposed? Eyes have it. The public hearing is now open on letter K. Letter K only.
Hear. No comment from the public. Can I 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. >> Any questions or comments from councel? All in favor? I >> opposed. >> Eyes have it. First reading ordinances.
We will take letters L, M, and N by consent. Can I get a motion that these ordinance be passed on first reading published on the township website on April 22nd, 2026 with notice of public hearing to be held on May 5th, 2026 at 6 pm. Motion >> second.
>> Any questions or comments from councel? All in favor? I >> opposed. >> Eyes have it. And finally, Madam President, resolutions listed 1 through 14 are before you. Could I get a motion to approve 1 through 14 by consent? >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Any questions or comments from councel? >> Uh, Mr. Mitch. >> So noted. Any other questions or comments from council? All in favor? I >> I opposed. >> That's all I have. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mitch. >> We'll now go into the public session of the meeting. When approaching the microphone, please state your name and what section of the town you live in, and we will have a one-time opportunity to speak. All members of the audience shall adhere to the township's accorum
ordinance, which is posted at the entrance to the council chambers. The public session allows for five minutes. This includes remarks by the speaker and any response by the council president or administration. When there is one minute left, I will alert the speaker to emphasize any remaining questions or
points they may have. When the 5-minute period has passed, all speakers are to leave the microphone and return to their chairs. All videotaping must be taken in the designated area. There will be no interruptions from your chair. Please make sure there are no signs or posters in the aisles, walkways, or exit access.
The public session portion of the meeting is a common and or question answer interaction between the council president and the speakers. The council president presides over the meeting. Thank you. >> Are there any comments from the public this evening?
>> No comments from the public. Did I get a motion? >> Motion. Yeah, >> good afternoon everybody. John Vari. I'm >> I'm here uh but but two years ago
I suggested that we go have awful lot of homeless people in Woodish Township and I said why don't we have any kind of a location for the uh to put those people in case emergency at that time I believe uh council me said well in the
blue knights we take toabo to YMCA then about two weeks ago I believe I didn't I heard about it and I look into it it was a wage page that said that uh Woodbridge is willing to purchase piece of property I believe
in Oakland section of Woodbridge for large amount of money which I was in favor of it but then I find out the same property supposed to use for the domestic violence I don't believe that you could put
people that belong to domestic violence situation I know people that had his problem that We just know what happened two three weeks in Virginia. There's a lot of problem over there. I don't think we should be involved in such a thing as domestic violence because I believe in
Brunswick the county it does have a location for domestic violence. I do recommend and I agree that we should have something for the homeless people for the people in case emergency but we should not do anything with
violence. We have a security. We have to have a law department. It's a lot of problem and we know what could happen. So please do not go into that kind of a situation step with domestic violence and decide
do not put people at with the people with the homeless people. It's a two two different kind of problems. So please don't do it. But I do believe it should be something for the homeless people in case emergency. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Are there any other comments from the public this evening? >> Oh, I'll wait. >> Good evening, Mayor and members of the Woodbridge Council Council. Uh my name is David and I'm here representing the Team Rudd Foundation. Thank you for giving me a moment of your time tonight. I'm here to share something that I
believe is deeply important uh not just for our community but also for the message we send out about who we are as a township. The Team Road Foundation is really proud to be co-hosting an event with the No Hate campaign uh alongside our incredible community partner Joyy's Dance House on
June 28th from 12 to 2. Uh since 2008, the No Hate campaign has traveled across the country and around the world spreading messages of love, acceptance, and equality. What began as a response to the fight for marriage equality has grown into something so much bigger. It's a global movement that stands for
the dignity and inclusion of all people, regardless of who they are and who they love. And now, for the very first time ever, this international campaign is coming to New Jersey right here in our community for the first time. I truly believe this speaks volumes about Woodidge Township. It shows that we are a place where people care, where people
show up, where we have an opportunity to lead with compassion. And the truth is, these days there isn't enough love and support going around. So events like this do matter. They remind us that people are seen, that they're valued, and that they belong. So I'm here tonight to respectfully ask for your help in spreading the word. Whether
that's through township communications or community outreach or simply just amplifying the message. The more people who know, the more powerful this event becomes. I also want to take a moment to thank this council and community partners for incredible support you've shown in the past. Um, this year our Hearts and Hands
toy drive was able to collect over 3,750 toys. So, thank you guys so much. Um, that's that kind of impact doesn't happen alone and that's all because of community. So, we are especially grateful to Joyy's Dance House for not only hosting the upcoming event, but also for their participation in the 2025
toy drive, as well as to Debbie Mihan and uh the Woodbridge Senior Billiard Center for their uh Senior Billiards Club, sorry, for their continued generosity and support. Woodbridge has always been a community that shows up for one another. This is just another opportunity to do that. So to lead with a kindness, to stand for inclusion, to
remind people that love has a place here. So thank you again for your time and for everything you all are doing for the township. >> Thank you, David. If you have a flyer or anything, we would be able you could send it to us and we can get it out to you. >> Yeah, we'll do that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other comments this evening?
>> Hi, good evening. My name is Can you hear me? My name is Lisa Kersgard. I am actually a former resident of Woodbridge Township, but I had spent many years here attending Woodbridge High School, Fords Middle. Uh I have family who still lives over on Lewis and I am here to
support the TNR program. Um, I used to work at U-Haul for six years and it became a very powerful movement where we and I also I believe Pat worked with Arlene Rhodess and I feel that there uh should be a
implemented you know community effort to help with this problem. Um, the animals did not ask to be out there, but I did do my numbers and there are over 36,000 homes in Woodbridge Township. And with a
small in, you know, increment, I figured $1 a month per household would bring over $400,000 to the program in addition to even helping the animal center that all these rescues need. Um, it would
help with downsizing in the population because over time the colonies will be healthier and the spay and neuter program will eliminate the excessive amount of babies in these rescues, these foster, you know, foster facilities. And
I would just hope that you take that into consideration. That is why I'm here today. >> Thank you. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other comments from the public? March Petro. Hi everybody. >> Hello Marge.
>> To the mic, please. >> Thank you. a few things I want to go over. Okay, we need that. Let's face it, we're getting more and more friendly cats when we trad
But a team on a program, why can't we just join together and just break the bullet? We have the band coming every month. We're having it on the 27. We're already filled.
Why can't we just do together? per cat which includes your spay neuter rail supply. It comes to a private residence home. I mean, we're doing everything we possibly
can to cut down and stop being always. So, we really need to work together. Thank you. >> I'm sure this is state law because I got
three quotes about this. >> So I'm assuming it pertains to this township also where it says community caps are not illegal. They cannot be removed simply because someone
I got three calls from township res but removing the cats like where you put them it's very very difficult to relocate a colony of cats so I wanted to know I'm sure this changes the wards too so if someone complains that the sper
can't what's the procedure What does do they go? What do they do? >> That's that's the health department that takes care of that. We can find out I can the health department is that's under their jurisdiction to give you
that information. So what I can do is we can find this information out and let you know what they do. >> Yeah. I wanted to know like say if you take a cat, >> you trap the cat >> and you fix them. Do they go back to where they came from? >> See, that's the question.
>> Yes, usually that's what they do, right? Depending on if we if we TNR, we bring them in. Like a lot of the ones when you see our TNR numbers, >> same point you just said, if they're adoptable kittens, we keep them in and they they look to adopt them out. Otherwise, we give the trap to the homeowner, trap, TNR, and then they'll release it again.
>> Okay. By the way, our rescue society, we're hitting the 500 mark on and up until now. So, I just truly hope that you work with us. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Thank you, Marge. >> Are there any other comments from the
public? >> Good evening, Pauline Rhodess Fords. Um to offset what Mar just said, the TNR numbers that were performed by the shelter for the last 15 months are 68. She did 500 and the shelter did 68.
Um I'm here on a different reason. I feel there's some type of retaliation going on with what we're doing as far as TNR and cats. I have three people that I fully tnard their cats in their backyard
and all three of them are now being fined from the township saying that the cats are nuisance. They weren't nuisance when they weren't fixed, but now that I got involved with the people, they're nuisance and they have been taken to
court and charged $1,000 each. So if if there's some type of retaliation, I need to know this. And I see Mr. Nolan's here. >> There is no retaliation. I can assure you >> about that. >> I don't know about that because >> typically in these cases when that
happens, it's because neighbors are complaining, >> right? And but they didn't complain prior to them being fixed, which is a little >> I don't know that to be true and I'm not sure you do, but but you'd be surprised. >> Well, they weren't ticketed prior to that. >> That may be so and that's probably a coincidence, but we don't Nobody's going
out because >> all three of the people >> Nobody We don't know who you're TNRing. Well, they give them the Well, they give them the medicals because I always >> Who gives it to who? >> They give to the ACOS to show that they have been fixed. >> Okay. >> They have to have um medicals to show
that they're fixed and fully vetted and r and have ra. So, they see my neighbor on the medical. >> Nobody's going out because they're going out. It's usually because a neighbor's complaint. If I could read
this, I'm not going to use names, but this was on a person who works for the municipality's Facebook page and and they're both volunteers or board members on the Woodbridge Animal Group. And they
wrote, "This is me talking here. I am sick of the TNR dingbats around these ways. They know who they are. I'm hoping this screenshot makes it to everyone. They damn well know the shelter has strict safety guidelines and animal limits to keep disease from
spreading to people and other animals, but in the interest of self-importance, they fail to mention it. And then they they speak about um the woman taking kittens and they say, "Honey, that ain't TnR. It's cherrypicking. Come at me. Let's roll."
>> Yeah. >> Okay. And what's what's your question? >> My question is how >> The mayor didn't write that. The township didn't write that. Somebody on Facebook wrote that. >> Well, an employee of the township. >> Okay. Well, you want to tell us the name? We'll look into it. >> Oh, I I sent it to everyone. They know. They know who wrote it.
>> They weren't authorized by the township to >> Well, yeah, but I work for the state of New Jersey, as you know. >> We're not allowed to put stuff like that on Facebook or even on our own personal pages. We are not allowed to do things like that. >> You didn't tell them to put it there. We
didn't put it there. Somebody >> All right. >> Put it there. We certainly look into it. Thank you. >> Same GF. I didn't I didn't receive that. I don't think the mayor did. >> I did not. >> So, if you want to send that over to Jimmy's point, we'll look into anything. >> I sent it to the mayor. >> The mayor probably got 20,000 emails.
So, if you want to get >> or just provide it to him or provide >> I'm sorry. >> If you just provide it to us, we'll make sure. >> Okay. >> I don't want it to get lost in a million years. >> Well, I sent it to Howie. I sent it to Kyle. >> Yes. >> And I think I sent it to Cory already.
Are there any other comments or questions from the public this evening? >> Facebook. >> Hi, my name is Gil Mercy. I'm from Islam. I don't have a lot to say, but just from hearing this and over and over
again. It's just common sense. If 500 cats were TNR, can you imagine if those cats were allowed to be untr how many they would have been produced by now? And by doing TNR, not only are you
eliminating this influx of all unwanted kittens, but the ones that are being TNR, they're being taken care of. They're being vaccinated. They're not going to be disease there. It just makes sense that if you tR 500 cats
times how many five or six they're going to have in a litter, how many are you eliminating from here a year from now? You know, and then five or six from that litter are going to produce how many more kids. So if you nip it in the bud, you're cutting down on the amount of
strays and you're cutting back the amount of disease that's running around. You know, I just I don't understand how anybody could have a problem with the TNR program. >> That's it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments from the
public? >> There are no other comments. Can I get a motion that the public comment port should be closed? >> Mr. Uh, mayor, do you have a comment? >> Can I just close a second? Okay, I got a second. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? I >> I oppose.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you, mayor. >> Now I have a comment. >> Thank you. >> So, I want to just touch base on what Mr. Varic said because as usual, most of it is incorrect if not almost all of it. We are not building that shelter in that is was being built privately.
The company who was building it was intending it to be an apartment building with 28 units um for general rent. The Raron Bay YMCA is purchasing the building. Not only did we not build it, we're not buying it.
So, I know he'll be here in a couple of weeks saying the same thing over and over again. We didn't build it. We did we're not buying it. We're contributing toward the purchase with money from the affordable housing trust fund about 3.7 million of the seven or eight million dollars we have in that funds. So our contribution is not even from property
taxes, not from tax dollars from residents or businesses. This is not a homeless shelter. Never was planned to be. It's not. There was a very irresponsible story written after uh our state of the township speech where we said we we bragged about
this. I think it's wonderful what's happening here. They're putting permanent supportive housing is what it's called. It's not a homeless shelter. People can't just show up and say, "I need a room. Everybody in that facility will have a lease and they'll be permanent residents until they move
out and then someone else will come in who qualifies." It is not a homeless shelter. The story came out. What I said in the state of the township speech was it's for people in need and for emergency homeless, which means a fire,
which we just had and we just saw 16 families, 15 families, one one unit was vacant. 15 families in in seconds lost their home, lost where they lived. All they had is the clothes on their back. That's the kind of There's been floods in Jacob's Landing. There's been other
things. I said emergency homeless was what we said in the speech. The story was written and published before anybody called us for comment. I don't know where you learned that in journalism school. You generally call for comment and get the facts straight before you
write a story. So that was a very very irresponsible story. This is for h what they call housing vulnerable families, people with chronic illnesses, emergency displacements, which like I said is not intended to be for domestic violence
victims. Uh there's other places that handle that, but it's not intended to be. That doesn't mean that they can't be placed there. That's they qualify as emergency homeless, but it's not built for that. Um so I just want to make it clear, we're not we don't own it. We
didn't build it. We're simply contributing toward the purchase. And and we get credit for our affordable housing requirement from the state of New Jersey by the fact that we're going to have these units in town. We're not going to get all units because uh it's
being paid for by the countyy's contributing. The state department of community affairs. It looks like the city of Perth Amboy, even though it's it's not it's in Woodbridge, but it's right across the street from Perth Amboy. So, it looks like they're contributing a million dollars. The Y is contributing the money. The Y is going
to run it. The Y is going to make sure that everybody has the programs and the services they need in that facility. So, it's a wonderful thing for Woodbridge. I wish we could do more of them because people in need need a place to stay, need a place to
live. They have nowhere, you know, they come out of Ron Bay Medical Center and have nowhere to go. Those people might get housing here. There's going to be medical on on staff. There's going to be social services on staff. It's a wonderful facility run by the Raron Bay
YMCA and Steve Jobin who runs that who is an amazing individual that cares about people more than anybody I've ever met in this line of business. So it's not a homeless shelter. I don't want to hear in two weeks that it is or four weeks or every two week when people come
to meetings and repeat the same thing over and over again. This is a wonderful facility for Woodbridge Township. When we had the opportunity, we jumped on it. If someone came in with another one, we would jump on it because we need places like this for people in need and it is
once again not a homeless shelter. Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Director Niski, I believe you have a comment. >> Thank you, Council President. I'm aware of recent videos and reports showing teenagers riding bicycles recklessly, including a specific
incident on Woodward Center Drive where individuals were observed traveling into oncoming traffic. This type of behavior is extremely dangerous and poses a risk to both cyclists and motorists. Cyclists in New Jersey are required to follow the same rules of the road as motor
vehicles, and this conduct is a violation of traffic laws. Our police department has long been productive in education, starting in elementary school and continuing through high school, and we will continue to address this issue through both enforcement and education.
Officers will be actively monitoring these behaviors and violations will be addressed accordingly. This type of reckless behavior will not be tolerated. Riding into oncoming traffic places lives at risk and officers will be directed to take the appropriate
enforcement actions including issuing summones and parental notification to address and deter this. Thank you, Council President. >> Council President, if I could add, all five middle schools have agreed to have an assembly between now and the end of the school year as soon as possible actually because it's weather's getting
nice. uh our police department will go to all five middle schools and explain to them what is proper when it comes to bikes. And also with the rules changing on ebikes, we want to make sure the kids know exactly what they're allowed to do. We have kids coming to school with bikes
that are eague bikes that are illegal. >> So we have to make sure people know and we have to hit the kids that are the most um utilization of the bikes and the ones that are doing what they shouldn't be doing. It is mostly middle school age. So, we're going to hit them all
with with an educational seminar sponsored by our police department. >> Thank you. Thank you both. Okay, we're going to go into uh our agendas at this point. Switch my glasses. Okay, my agenda is in order at this time. I just have a few uh
announcements to make. Uh the uh number two, the Chamber of Commerce. The uh Chamber of Commerce golf outing. It's that time again. Their 62nd chamber golf outing is coming up for on June 8th and the co at the Colonia Country Club and the early bird registration is open.
Also, uh coming up on May 16th, the chamber's second uh annual street fair will be held on Main Street from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you're interested in being a vendor, contact the chamber for details. Also on May 16th, uh hop on the New
Jersey Arts and Music Express and enjoy a day of live music, arts, and community fun. It all starts at 11:00 a.m. with a brass band at the Woodbridge train station. This will be an enjoyable day for everyone, so please come out and get yourself involved in the arts. And uh I
just want to say that last Saturday was Earth Day. We had an amazing event held at the Acacia Center and I want to thank everyone who participated in making this event very successful. Finally, uh tomorrow is administrative professionals day and I'd like to just thank everybody
for the wonderful job that they do and uh thank you for all of your efforts. That's all I have today. Thank you. Liz is not here. >> Corey um >> it's okay. >> Thank you, Dr. President. Item number eight, Clover Greenevelment. I'd just
like to congratulate all the team members and owners at Norman's Hallmark store on their grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony they had on April the 9th. Located in the Clover Leaf Shopping Center, it brings a new retail environment that is the first in Woodbridge. It has all the feel of the old OLE not old school hallmark store
with today's atmosphere. So, good luck to them. Uh item, Mr. Mitch, um if you can please add item number number 17 to my agenda and name it Peterson Commons, please. Uh Peterson Commons. Peterson Commons is a new affordable senior and veteran housing community 55 and plus
with a preference for veterans coming soon to Avenue. This thoughtfully designed 60-unit development continues this successful partnership between Penrose and Wridge Township. Named in honor of Carl Peterson, a local resident and World War I medal of honor recipient and resident. The community reflects a
deep commitment to serving seniors and veterans while celebrating the area's history. Um, occupancy occupancy is expected in spring of 2027 and I will update it as it gets closer and they are accepting rental applications. Um, if
everyone remembers, uh, we had Penrose here last year to do a presentation because, uh, we needed to vote on it. Um, and I said it then, this is for our veterans. Um, Councilman Harris had asked a question. You know, a lot of times affordable housing unfortunately gets a negative connotation. Um, which
is a shame because, you know, people need assistance. Um, these are for our veterans, our seniors, but more specifically our veterans. They served our country. They need help and uh, you know, it's wonderful that we're there working with Penrose to help that out. So, thank you. Um, the rest of my agenda
is in order. Um, God bless America. Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Councilman Anderson. >> Thank you, Council President. Um, want to make a couple of announcements. Um May 29th, the recreck department will be
hosting a uh baseball trip. Uh if you want to see the Mets continue their losing streak to Marlins, um the bus leaves at 400 p.m. on May 29th. The tickets are $95. Um uh we'll be leaving
at 400 p.m. sharp and you can purchase the tickets on Community Pass. Um the Middle Sex College has their open house on April 26th uh from 10 to 100 p.m. I would also like to thank um Middle Sex
College 100 Black Women and Dr. Passion Mas Hassan uh for inviting me to be a part of a uh very um uh important um civic discussion uh with the mayor of Highland Park uh Union mayor and former mayor of East Orange. it was uh
advancing civic engagement and community. So, thank you very much. You guys are doing that as well. Um coming here and and always enlightening us with information. Um tooling around the township is uh this weekend on Saturday. Um if you are interested in volunteering, the houses have been
selected already, but if you're interested in volunteering, um you guys have a nice group there. You could pick a yard and help out. um 732-634-4500 extension 6445. Um and that's always helping uh some of
those that um can't get out and do some yard work or that may be building a wheelchair ramp for one of their loved ones. We like to congratulate the Independent Club of Colonia. I see one of their members here, uh Mr. Morgan. Uh they held their postponed Black History
Month event this past weekend and that was at the uh Acacia Center. Uh they honored um officer of the year, Thomas Hendricks. I would like to thank the police department for also working very closely to bring up the um uh the widow
uh Sarah Williams of Alvin P. Williams and her daughter um Alvina. uh they were there to see the first award uh presented and congratulations on naming that award. And um I think that is it.
And I would also like to congratulate Woodbridge Township for working with our Woodbridge schools and our recreck department for hosting their first it was open uh job fair for our high school students and Woodbridge Township had many of our departments out there uh
meeting with students and uh discussing to uh with them about resume writing and uh preparing for their next phase of uh their life and getting into the job force. So congratulations. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Councilman Bower. >> Thank you, Council President. My agenda
is in order and I have no announcements tonight. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Councilman Small. >> Thank you, Madam President. My agenda is in order. Just God bless America. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Mi. >> Thank you, Council President. My agenda is also in order. I'd just like to thank
everybody that came out this past Saturday to help support the family of Wbridge Police Officer Andrew Katowsk's 2-year-old daughter, Adeline, who is battling a rare form of pediatric cancer. I'd like to thank the Colonia VFW members who spent two days preparing
our food and cooked the spaghetti and the sauce. The Colonia Fire Firehouse for hosting us. Grant Centurion who donated most of our food and Strickland Steakhouse for donating the meat. Also, thank you to Diorsy's Bakery and Labomba. Is that the name? Labombadair
uh bakery. Thank you uh Councilman Small who stepped out for coordinating that. Dunkin Donuts for supplying all the desserts. And everyone that donated a basket, made a monetary donation or simply showed up to have a plate of spaghetti to support our police officer.
Everything you did mattered. And lastly, special special thank you to the group that worked hard to pull this together in three weeks. Wbridge Police Officer Mike Harris and Doug Cion. Colonia VFW members Owen O'Donnell and Ed Wagner. Colonia Fireman Peter Theolog
uh Joanne Policowski, Teresa McGovern. Your hard work for someone most of you have never met do not go unnoticed. We hate to have to put these dinners together, but when we do, it's humbling to see the support of the community come out and support people and even if they don't know who they are. So thank you once again for everyone that was part of
that day and please keep Adeline in your prayers as she begins her chemo this week and that's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you Councilman Patel. >> Yeah also thank you council president my also in order but I have few announcement. Uh the development at Metrop Park
station continues to move quickly. About two weeks ago, the traffic signal on Middle Sex Turnpike just before the Boot Avenue intersection was removed and the new signal is now active to serve the two newly completed building at the
station. The new building that will house Hackinac Meridian Health appears to complete and teams are currently in the moving phase. Based on act based upon the activity, the headquarters transition is expected to wrap up within
the next few weeks. An official opening date for the onsite urgent care and other services has not been announced yet. Also wouldbe township's bianual free tree giveaway is coming up. You may
have received a laterard in the mail and if you have reserved a free tree and leave in his lenol Bangalop park terrace the pickup date is scheduled for Saturday May 2nd between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. from the
Indiana Avenue Elementary School 18 located at 256 Indiana Avenue. And that's all. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Harris. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Just a couple items for my agenda. Item number one, just want to thank Director Niski and the mayor for partnering with the school
district on bike uh safety for our youth. Uh very important. Uh also under item number one under the school district, we have a partnership between the municipal government and the school district concerning summer enrichment classes. uh fourth or fifth year going
now uh where uh school district teachers teach uh a number of uh subscriptionbased courses over the summer at Woodbridge Middle School. It's happening again this summer over the course of two weeks, August the 3rd through August the 7th and again August 17th through the 21st. Classes range
between $75 and $150. uh 39 classes comprising uh on subjects such as science labs, movie making, robotics, writing, painting, acting, and so on and so forth. Just go on the Township uh recreational website or
email uh youth services at twwp.wridge.nj. us or call the recreation department at 732-596448. It's a nice little pamphlet where you as parents can read up uh on all the great classes that are offered and sign your
sons or daughters up, keep them sharp over the summer months. And then finally, just a a thank you. Debbie had a great event the other day. Uh really nice job. I also want to thank those who volunteered at the uh semiannual colonial cleanup, the spring Colonia Cleanup that was held on April the 4th.
We had about 90 volunteers. We collected about 30 bags of uh trash and debris. Uh, thank you to all the volunteer groups and to the town for supporting our efforts. Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Mr. Mitch. >> Uh, thank you, Madam President. My agenda is
>> Mayor. >> Thank you, Council President. I just want to recognize and thank the Woodbridge Police Department and the Woodbridge Fire Department, which doesn't report to us, but they're independent, but still everybody works together. Uh, the fire in uh Plaza Drive
apartments last Friday. Um the police department as usual because they're on the road all the time in the car ready to go uh responded to that call. Thank God that woman smelled the smoke in the fire and called right away. Um and then
helped, I'm told, helped get people out of their apartments. The the c the cops got there first and immediately began banging on doors, knocking on doors, kicking in doors, whatever they had to do. and they got everybody out of that building in a matter of minutes,
probably just in time because that was a very quick spreading fire uh that destroyed uh most of the units. In any event, none of them are inhabitable right now, whether it was from smoke or fire or water. Um just an amazing
effort. And then the Woodbridge Fire Department came and knocked that fire down. I'm told in record time, not a fire expert. I don't know much about it, but I know they did a great job. I was there after it was all over. Not over, but the fire was out. And I watched these people interact. I watched the
fire guys, the chiefs, and it's just amazing the way they all work together. And you got uh Bobby Minkler is the chief, and he's telling people what to do now. And they they cared right away for the victims. They were all sent to the the um leasing office. The Red Cross
was amazing. They provided them with a list of every possible person they could need to contact from driver's licenses and registration to passports to any other documents and it just a phenomenal effort. the owners, Atlantic Realy, uh
we have an ordinance that says if you uh if somebody loses their apartment through no fault of their own and you're the landlord, you're responsible for finding them another unit in your complex first if there are any in any other complex you own in the town if there are any and then in any other
complex you own outside of town. Halpern fortunately owned I don't know dozen or 15 apartment complexes in Woodbridge back from the 60s7s and 80s and they immediately got everybody a place to stay. So between the the person who
called it in the Woodbridge police the Woodbridge fire um the um uh Atlantic Realy and the Red Cross. It was an amazing effort and it's absolutely miraculous that nobody died in that fire. I
can't tell you what it would have been like. 50 people in total in those 15 units, including a one-month old baby. >> There was a one-month old baby uh that was with a mom and dad um that got out barely. So, thank you to Woodbridge PD,
Woodbridge Fire Department, everybody for what they did. Uh it was made us proud to see that these people were part of our township in emergency services. It was just marvelous. Thank you. >> Thank you. And I understand that all the pets were taken out also. No pets were injured.
>> Oh, yeah. There were >> You wouldn't believe how many pets were taken out. >> You wouldn't believe some of the exotic pets that were taken out. >> So, every animal was taken out. >> Some of those things I didn't think were pets. >> So, I'm not I'm not the health
department. I'm not saying anything about what people had as pets, but they were all saved. >> Everything was safe, too. Thank you. >> I'm not saying anymore. I'm going to leave it at that. >> Thank you. Uh, Deputy Business Administrator Wagner. >> Thank you, Madam President. Next meeting, we'll have tax and sewer overpayments as well as a parking permit
refund. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Director Nitski. >> Thank you, Council President. I have one item on my agenda, an ordinance proposal for a stop sign on Vine Street. That's it. >> Thank you,
Director Dick. >> Thank you, Council President. Nothing this evening. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Director Brew. >> Thank you, Council President. Uh my agenda is in order. >> Thank you. Legal >> nothing this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> A motion to adjurnn.
>> Motion second. >> Thank you.