Good evening. Call the council meeting in order. Please stand for a place of flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Please stand for a moment of silence for all our military personnel. Also, I apologize if I'm wrong. Today's August 12th. I believe today is the anniversary of Alba Williams uh passing away in the line of duty. So, please uh remember
that and his family. Thank you. Notice requirements of the open public meeting law have been satisfied concerning this meeting. The district start published a notice on January 10th, 2025. It was posted on the municipal bulletin board which should be still noted in the minutes of this
meeting. Councilman Anderson, Councilman Bower here, >> Councilwoman De Jesus, Councilwoman Mian here, >> Councilman Patel here, >> Councilman Small, >> Councilman Harris >> here, >> Vice President McCulla >> here, >> and President Spiller >> here.
I get a motion to approve the minutes from July 22nd, 2025. >> Motion second. >> Any questions or comments from council? All in favor? I >> oppose. Eyes have it. Beginning with second reading ordinances this evening, we're going to take letter A first,
which is a bond ordinance to authorize the undertaking of the Stafford Road sanitary sewer improvement project in the amount of $8,500,000. Can I get a motion that this ordinance be taken up on second reading and the public hearing be open? >> Motion second.
>> Any questions or comments from council? All in favor? I opposed. Eyes have it. The public hearing is now open on letter A, letter A only. Good evening. Pardon, Tom Maris, Sports, New Jersey. Evening.
>> I'm sorry. Waiting for the lawyer to get needed. >> Not getting that 30 seconds back. >> I know. Anyway, um can you explain why that is? Is there new apartments or new homes going in
there? What is the need for the repair on that? How old is it? And who did the estimate on the uh the appraisal for what it's going to cost? >> So, this is the area of Stafford Road in Colonia. Um it encompasses New Dover Route 27 Magnolia. Uh this is for their
sanitary sewer. Um mayor, if you want to touch on anything. It's got nothing to do with development, nothing to do with apartments. It's just a bunch of uh old neighborhoods where the sewer pipes are potentially underdesigned and now there's a s significant amount of
flooding going on in the area and we had this pretty massive project to study it and see what needed to be done. Uh the work was done by Collier's Engineering. They prepared all the estimates and now we're to the point where we're ready to go out and bid the project and hence we have to pass two readings of an ordinance. Okay. So, it is going out for
bid and thank you. I appreciate the fact that town takes care of this stuff. So, this is not kind of a a mousetrap type thing. Um, we know we the town's an aging town and we got a lot of things that need to be be repaired and you're on top of it. >> It's a very challenging project because
where the pipes clog up is under Route 27 and under the train tracks. Yes. To go across into Merl Park and that's very complicated because it's a highway and a train. >> Thank you. >> And the parkway. Yeah. Thank you. >> Are there any other comments under letter A?
Hear no other comments. Can I get a motion that the public hearing be closed? The ordinance be adopted and submitted to mayor for approval as required by law. >> Motion second. >> Questions or comments from councel? All in favor? I >> opposed. I we'll take letters B and C by consent. Both are amendments to chapter
7, the traffic ordinance of the town of Woodbridge. The first is to add handicapped parking at a location on Gil Lane and the second is to delete handicapped parking on a loca a location in Beverly Hills Terrace. Would I get a motion that these two ordinance be taken up on second is third reading of the public hearing be open?
>> Motion second. >> Any questions or comments from council? All in favor? I >> I >> opposed. Eyes have the public hearing is now open on letters B and C. B and C 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. Finally, letter D, second reading ordinance, an ordinance amending chapter 2, the administration of the revised ordinance in town of Woodbridge with regards to
discovery fees. Can I get a motion that this ordinance be taken up on second and third reading and the public hearing be open? >> Motion second. >> Any questions or comments from council? All in favor? I >> opposed. Eyes have the public hearing is now open on letter D. Letter D only
for materials requested. >> Uh John Wooditch at the later date the discovery fee. What kind of fee are you talking about? This is discovery fee for the prosecutor's office in regards to the courts. When when people request uh this type of
information, investigation, attorneys, whatever, this is what the the fees will be. >> So non-payment or something like that. >> I'm sorry. >> Non-payment of the fees or what? >> It's not non-payment. It's payment. If somebody, for example, if an attorney wants this type of information, this information, that's the fee that they
have to pay for discovery. >> Thank you. Good. >> Any other comments or questions? Hear >> no comments or questions? 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 EFG and I first reading ordinances by consent. Uh before I do so, Mr. President, I believe you wanted to yield to Sergeant Angelo.
>> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mitch. I'd like to ask Sergeant Angelo just to uh speak uh shortly on item number F, please. The ordinance regarding traffic regulations. >> Good evening everyone. I'm Sergeant Angelo. I'm one of the supervisors with our traffic enforcement unit here in town. I'm here to speak about Grove's
ordinance regarding limiting certain types of bicycles, electric bicycles, and other forms of non-self-propelled types of transportation, also known as microobility devices that are being operated on public sidewalks and other areas of our township that are causing a safety hazard. The sharp
influx of ebikes, particularly downtown, near schools and in other areas, has brought a new type of device to our streets, but also safety concerns. faster speeds, crowded pathways, and a mix of inexperienced riders have made it clear that regulations and rider awareness need to catch up. Multiple
municipalities such as New Brunswick, Hoboken, Peranboy, and several other areas have ordinances already in place to better serve these issues. due to multiple complaints regarding individuals such as walking on the sidewalk, having to jump out of the way of a bicycle or an ebike, which some of these can reach speeds in excess of 28
mph. This on top of crash is now occurring on the roadway with legal as well as illegal type of ebikes. Us as a township had to do something to better control these issues before it gets out of hand. This ordinance being proposed is not strictly just for enforcement or education. It's for the safety and
public as well as those operating these devices. Most recently, as July 17th, 2025, a young boy was killed while riding one of these ebikes in the state. Bicycles, ebikes, and other types of microobility still must follow the laws of the road as described by state
statute. This ordinance will prohibit any bicycle, tricycle, scooter, class one, class 2, or class 3 bike, motorized bicycles, mopeds, hoverboard, segways, low-speed electric bicycles, low-speed electric scooters on any public sidewalk
or township owned parking lot. However, this will not apply to those operating any of those devices besides class 3 motorized bicycles and mopeds that are under the age of 17. If a roadway is closed with a township or county permit or any private or public property is
being used for an event sponsored by the township, these micromobility devices will be prohibited. When we combine clear rules with consistent consequences and give riders the knowledge they need to make safer choices. By holding these riders accountable, ensuring everyone understands the rules, we can make the
road safer for all. Thank you. >> With that said, thank you, Mr. President. Again, letters E, F, G, H, and I. Can I get a motion that these ordinances be passed on first reading and publishing or home is reviewed on August 18th, 2025 a public hearing be held on August 26, 2025 at 6 p.m.
>> Motion second. >> Are there any comments or questions from council? >> I have a comment. I would just like to thank the administration and the police department for taking action on this. I get a lot of complaints and concerns about from drivers and you know, these are young
kids on the bike. We don't want to see anybody get hurt. So, thank you for taking care of our residents. >> Yeah, I just want echo uh Councilwoman Men's words. Uh I want to thank Sergeant Angelo, Director Niski, um spot on. We were all We've all been hearing um the discussions over the last several years
as this has just been, you know, blown up, for lack of a better term. Um so, thank you for being so proactive and uh bringing it to the council meeting and educating ourselves as well as the public. So, thank you, >> Council President. I just want to correct you. It's not Sergeant Niski. >> What did I say?
>> It's police director Nyski. You said Sergeant Angelo and Sergeant Niski. >> I bring him back. He >> If you bring him back, at least make him a captain. >> Sorry, sir. There I saw a sergeant back there, too. Everything I see sergeants everywhere. >> Any other comments or questions from
council? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Eyes have it. Finally, Mr. President, you have 36 resolutions before you get a motion to approve 1 through 36. Motion second. >> Any questions or comments from council? >> Mr. Mitch, I just like to um thank the
mayor administration acknowledge uh resolution number three for firstly resolution number three um recognizing all the work the WRE township ambulance and rescue squad has provided to the township uh since 1997 and also thank uh the mayor administration on resolution
number 25 um for going ahead and starting the appraisal services and the professional services needed um for their building. Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments or questions? All in favor? I >> I >> opposed. I say I. >> Thank you.
We now go to the public comment portion of the meeting. When approaching the microphone, please state your name and what section of the township or state you live in. You'll have a one time opportunity to speak. All members of the audience shall adhere to the township or ordinance which is posted on the entrance door to council chambers. Public session allows for 5 minutes.
This includes remarks by the speaker and any response by the council president or administration. When there's one minute left, I will alert to the speaker as to emphasize any remaining points or questions. When the 5minute period is passed, all speakers are to leave the microphone area and return to their chairs. All videotaping must be taken in
the designated area and there will be no interruptions from your chair. The public session portion of the meeting is a comment andor Q&A interaction between the council president and the speaker. The council president presides over the council meeting. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. Yes. >> I'm sorry, mayor. >> Council President, if I could go before
the public session, just want to say thank you to the council for your support. Uh Women's Township Ambulance and Rescue Squads have been around 70 years. They uh did an exemplary job for the township. They just uh hit some tough times recently. Uh last year they gave up the coverage in the Fords uh
area and this year they're giving up the coverage in the Woodbridge area. Uh we thank them for their service. I want to assure the people of Woodbridge Township that they are completely safe as they always have been. We were not surprised by this. We were not surprised a couple years ago when Fords uh when they gave
up Fords. As a result, our first aid director in conjunction with our emergency management coordinators and our police leadership uh put us in a good position. We hired two supervisors. We hired eight uh emergency management technicians. And we bought two
ambulances and we've been covering the Ford's uh second ward area for a while now. We're able to cover what Woodbridge used to cover with that while we hire more ambulance uh operators and more EMTs I should say and we are purchasing
two additional ambulances for our use and a third we're purchasing for Colonia which lost the rig in an in an accident. So we are able to do this. We have the right people. We have the right policies and procedures. We have the right
leadership. Uh and and I want to assure the people of Woodbridge Township that at no point were we ever worried that we would not be able to provide first aid services uh to the people here. Our people know what they're doing. Our police department, our first aid squads, Colonia Evan El Colonia and uh Port
Reading know what they're doing. And the other two areas, Woodbridge and Forge are now covered by the township. So it's a consolidated effort and a coordinated effort and a cooperative effort and we'll be fine. So, thank you. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh the count myself and the council want to thank you for that update as well as your robocall
last week. Uh we've all heard from uh numerous residents. Um they were really happy to hear that we we've been moving forward to this for some time. Um of course with social media when you know people post uh misinformation on purpose, it it will scare the residents,
but they were very happy to hear. Um there's been no interruption and it's furthest from the truth. So, thank you. Uh the public portion is now open. Good evening, Mayor Council. My name is Christy Hansen. Um I reside in Ward 1, District 11. I am um going to be the
Republican council at large candidate and I'm also here as a concerned parent and I wanted to address Mr. Harris specifically. Um, as a former member of the board of education, you know firsthand how important it is to plan for enrollment growth. Now that you're
on council, what are you planning to do differently than you did when you were on the board of education to address the strain that the highdensity apartments have now put on our school system? Classroom sizes have gone up significantly and they will continue to go up. And I am a parent um as well as a
former substitute teacher in this district. And I know that the Ro Street School can only hold a certain number of students. And although we were told that the people living in the highdensity apartments were not going to have children, they were not going to shop in
supermarkets. We all know this not to be correct. They do have children. They are taking up our schools. And we also have an influx of traffic. I'm sure crime will follow and um I would just like to understand what will happen when we need
funding for more schools and that will impact our taxes and and everything else. >> So first uh everything gets uh goes through the council president as I mentioned earlier. Um if you want to ask questions you can ask through me. Uh second of all this is the township
council meeting not the school district board of ed meeting. If you have questions regarding our schools, I would suggest you go to the board of ed meeting and ask them there. As far as anything for Councilman Harris, um if he wants to address anything, that's certainly up to him. Otherwise, well, I mean, it was the council that
passed the pilot programs and that helped to make all these highdensity apartments happen. So, I would feel that that somehow falls on on you as well because it's impacting our town, not just the students. So, it's not just a board of ed problem. What? I'd just like
to know where I'm sorry. >> No, go ahead. >> I would just like to know where you're getting your information that you're saying raw street is overcrowded on a brand new school. It's overcrowded. Where did you get that information? >> Because I have information and I know factually that the classroom sizes have increased at Raw Street School and so
has the enrollment. >> Okay. Have you brought that to the board of ed meeting? >> It has been addressed at the board of ed meeting, but the reason why it has to be addressed at the board of ed meeting is because it started here. >> Okay. Well, I'm asking a question. Councilman Harris, anything? >> Yeah. Uh thank you uh Mr. President and
uh Miss Hansen, nice meeting you. Uh uh we've spoken over the years uh differentations uh per my schoolboard role. Uh couple things. Uh school 11 when it was reconstructed, it was constructed with additional classrooms in mind to to handle any additional
load. As you recall from that building, it was 100 years old at its time and it was far below capacity. Was built to handle increased capacity which it has. and through this council uh supporting the board of education that pilot revenue has been supporting the growth
of our school buildings and modernization of our buildings school 4 and5 which as you know is on uh Avanel Street uh Mr. Spiller is familiar with that that uh that has increased classroom space modern modernized amenities believe it's 10 new classrooms
new cafeteria new gymnasium and as the mayor has addressed u previous meetings along with Mr. hour. We're building an additional elementary school with pilot revenue through no increase uh direct increase on property taxes to to fund
that. Again, that's pilot revenue, a new school 10, the hope launch section of the township. So this school district and the town are working hand in hand to to mitigate any increase in in student population but also provide uh brand new
amenities uh and facilities to our students uh if and when township population does grow. uh in my time on the school board really my 12 and a half years we we increased only about 200 students over the course of 13 years and
again that's spread across 13 13 grade levels kindergarten through um through 12th grade uh and then we also through a lease uh school district is a lesser from the township uh the St. Silia
school building. So as a town has marginally increased uh over time, we have the facilities have kept up. So I wanted to just just clarify those things. I'm not sure to what extent you you're familiar with the future plans as well as some of the the past growth. Uh
and actually I should mention in adding on school 29, the St. Cilius building, we were able to go from half day kindergarten to full day kindergarten. So, uh, we we grew our facilities, we also grew our programming as well. So, I wanted to just point out those things.
And being a council member, I I plan to continue to be a liaison to the board and be a voice up here to to my fellow council members. Uh, with the exception of Mr. Small, uh, >> none of the council members previously served on the council. So, Mr. Small and
I, I think, are bringing that schoolboard experience to the council there. I >> Thank you, Councilman Harris. >> Helpful. >> No, very helpful. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. No rebuttal. All right. Thank you. >> Are there any other comments from the public this evening? >> Good job.
>> Hello, Mr. President. Ken Gardner, 101 Scot Avenue, Woodbridge. Um, a couple of requests. Um, there's some property located on the in in the Seaworn section on the corner of Vernon and Grant. Um, I
guess through you, Mr. President, the administration. >> Maybe Mr. Similuca might remember. There's a property there. I I don't know if it's Greenacres property on the corner there. >> I'm sorry, Mr. You said Vernon and where? >> On Vernon and Grant.
>> The township. I believe the township >> maintains. What's the overgrown or >> if somebody could get back to me just um you know just on maintaining the property. There's also another piece of property that is on on the same street. It's located next to 77 Vernon
um and it's up against the turnpike. I don't know whether that's township property or turnpike property, but that uh that needs to be maintained a little better. So if uh we could look into it, if you could just get back to me, let me know if I got it right. It's Vernon and Grant
>> and next to next to or >> next to 77 Vernon between 77 Vernon and the Turnpike >> and and they're both property >> property maintenance issues. >> Yes. >> We we'll have them take care of this week. >> Okay. Thank you. Um next um I would ask
uh through the chair to the police department um if they consider doing a traffic study andor some type of radar activity on West Avenue. residents have been complaining about speeding um particularly between Deborah pre uh place and and probably all the way over
to Woodbridge Avenue. Um so not to interrupt you, I'm sorry. I believe that traffic study was done when that speed limit was uh adjusted just a few years ago. >> Okay. Well, maybe maybe we just need to get some some radar out there. >> Uh the road is quite busy during normal
business hours that might prevent speeding. So, one of the residents had suggested maybe in the night hours on the weekend if we get some radar or traffic control out there to try to keep the traffic down a little bit, uh, they would appreciate it. >> Council President, we put a lot of attention to West Avenue, especially
since, like you said, lowering the speed limit. We had those complaints and we addressed those complaints. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> So, the speeding is still going on. Um, are you saying, mayor, that that's all you're going to do or can we send somebody out? >> No, I'm saying that we addressed this. We lowered the speed limit. That's a
very significant step that we took to plate the residents there that were complaining about the speeding. We are always enforcing speeding all over the town, >> but we've done a very very good job on West Avenue in particular. >> Great. Thanks. If you could just send somebody out there, I'd appreciate it. Thanks for noting it.
>> Aren't we adding a new traffic light in that area? We tried for a traffic light at West and Deborah, but because Deborah goes into a tunnel essentially, that's
one car at a time and not two, it cannot be a traffic light. And I don't know the why. Maybe Mike Gellen, our engineer, will know why, what the DOT rules are, but we tried to put a traffic light there. Oh, actually, I know why a lot. Why? Because the train tracks are only a
certain amount of feet off the ground. And if you we had more of an intersection with the traffic light, that would have to be raised. And if you can imagine what it would take to raise train tracks, you've got to start probably halfway to Woodbridge Avenue
with an elevation and you got to go the other way, probably all the way down to Cyprus with the incline that you'd have to have to lift that high enough. and we got a quote from the DOT of $4 million and it just was not worth that's just
for that piece of it, let alone the traffic light. So, they might have paid for a lot of the traffic light and the county might have chipped in like they're doing on Deborah Place. >> We only have five minutes, >> but but no, you you asked the question, we're answering it >> and and you and you did. So, so that's the answer is that we're not doing what
we're doing on Deborah Place because of the limitations of the train tracks on West Avenue not being wide enough. Thank you, mate. Um, and last on Old Road, uh, near >> Near Thank you. near the corner of uh, Stanley Avenue, that's just a a short dead end that goes into the back of the
school. Uh, someone's been racing their motorcycle at like 2 a.m. in the morning Thursday, Friday, Saturday. They asked maybe if we could get some police patrol over there. >> Has any of those persons contacted Wbridge PD when it's actually happening? >> I've asked them to do that as well. And >> council president, we have that
complaint. a resident of Se Warren that works for the town let us know about that yesterday and the police department is aware of it. It's two o'clock, three o'clock, 7 o'clock, several days. It's some kind of relationship issue. Uh they're doing it to be a nuisance on purpose and we are investigating it. So,
we already had that complaint. Thank you. >> Thank you. And then resolution number 31, Penal Road and Cutters Dock Road. I hope this is nothing uh to encourage the warehouse development over there. Again, I would say as I've said in the past, I'm opposed to it and I hope the administration will be as well. >> Thank you, sir. Someone explain that
resolution. >> Thank you, sir. Your five minutes is up. >> Okay. Can someone explain the resolution? >> Thank you, sir. Your five minutes is up. That's the third time. You know what happens? >> I understand my time's up, but your time is up time in the world. You don't want to answer the question, >> come back next meeting or send an email or you can see us anytime over two weeks. But your five minutes is up.
Thank you. >> Are there any other comments or questions from the public? Evening. >> Evening. Paul London Hoplain. I just wanted to make mention I just got back into town, but before I left, we had a nice uh grand opening of the Jack
Chidarelli campaign headquarters on Amboy Avenue. Happy to report we had about 150 200 people there. Um, why I think that's important is that we need to have some uh some counterveiling balance to to the Democrat machinery
locally here in Woodbridge. The problem I have, it's it's not that there's probably still paytoplay that goes on, uh, political patronage, jobs given to to nephews and and folks like that. My problem is that you guys actually legitimize a Democrat party that's gone
off the rails. This is the party of open borders. a quarter million fentinel deaths that came with the open borders, 20 million illegal aliens. Uh I've seen in the past this same council has been, I'd say, downright disrespectful to our
one local citizen who's been with us since 1963 in his hair salon. A gentleman who came across the border legally, made an American success out of himself. And all the Democrat party wants to do is defend not only illegal aliens, but the worst of the worst,
defending folks who are here or who are doing criminal activities. Now, they want to put Mikey Cheryl in office to follow another gentleman who was the greatest Marxist we've ever had in office. Governor uh Murphy, comrade Murphy. Mikey Cheryl's already been
scandalized with $7 million in stock trade uh uh uh winnings that she did during the COVID lockdown on inside information got slapped with an ethics charge. Mikey Cheryl is also uh the person who uh who's going to carry the
water for that that radicalized Democrat party who wants to keep us a sanctuary state. So again, I praise the fact that we have a campaign headquarters as a bull work against the the creeping communism. Yes, even on a local level. And I thank God that Jack Jack
Chidurelli is in a good position to become our next governor of New Jersey. Thank you. One more thing. I have a question about the builder's remedy that's been controversial. We have a problem with all the overdevelopment. I understand there's a policy called builder remedy where in theory it would
bring in more affordable housing. Instead, it's brought in massive amounts of market rate housing. We see it all the way up and down the transit line. I want to know, are we beholden to that or is there something we can do to just say no to a a well-intended presumably
policy that has unintended consequences? That's all. Thank you. >> That's simple. >> Builder's remedy that would apply here, right? >> That may, >> Council President. I'm not exactly sure what that means. We have no longer any affordable housing responsibility. We
met whatever quotas there were. Everything we've been building has a 15% set aside for affordables. It's worked out incredibly well. And for the next several years, we have no more requirement to build additional affordable housing. >> And there the the the builder's remedy is one that lets a builder come in and
say they're going to build low and moderate income housing and uh and then results in development. The mayor's correct. the the most recent legislation in that area. Uh that's an outgrowth of Mount Laurel, but the most regional legislation would prevent this this the
township from being responsible under that because you have already satisfied all of your low moderate incomes. >> Sorry to disappoint you. >> Are there any other any other comments or questions? Uh again, John Wooditch again. Um I want
to go back to the uh first aid. Uh if the Bish township takes it over, are we going to put people on a payroll and who's going to be in charge of it and who's going to be actually get paid for it? I mean I know mayor
that over the years you give each first aid extra amount of dollars but as I can see Woodbitch especially Woodbitch first a state is all over if you got a football players footballs and concerts and everything else do they get paid by doing those things
if they don't why don't we pay them so maybe they won't go bankrupt so to speaking but again if you run it if you don't draw the revenue to pay for all this thing are the taxpayers going to be responsible to make the the difference of course right >> Mr. Var over here and I'm sorry you
asked >> yeah I'm sorry Mr. President I'm sorry Mr. President >> you touched on a couple different things >> second question I would have a I want to >> I'm sorry what what's the first question >> first question was would would be when you take over the first state >> Mhm. If you're short on money to run it
because it's comp competitive because a lot of companies, a lot of hospitals, everything else going to pitch into to take people to hospitals back and forth. My question would be if you don't enough soal business to maintain expenses, who's going to pay the different
will be taxpayers, right? >> Well, first of all, council president, you say if we take over first aid, we already took over first aid. We've been doing it for over a year. We took over the Ford squad. Not the Ford squad. The Ford squad folded years ago. St. John's first aid squad. Woodbridge took over
that years ago and they dropped it and we took over. So, we've been in the business. So, there's no if. We're in the first aid business. As I said, we we bought two rigs, we hired two supervisors, and we hired eight EMTs all to work under our first aid coordinator,
which we've had for years. I think it's the fourth person we've had since we started that position many years ago. It was first held by uh Director Niski when he was the deputy director. So, we're in the business. There's no question about there's no if. We're expanding, but
we're in the business. And yes, there's always the chance that we don't collect enough from the billings that we make for people who take the first aid ambulances. They get build. We collect the money. We don't balance bill for the
most part. We always paid paid the first aid squad's stipen and we no longer have to pay for the Ford stipen and we no longer have to pay for the woodbridge stipen. So right there we save $300,000. But there's no doubt on in anybody's
mind that the first aid operation will wind up costing our taxpayers some money. No doubt about it. And we have no problem with that because our job is number one public safety. That means police, fire, and first aid number one priority. And we're not going to let the
tax argument get in the way of the public safety argument. There's money in the budget now, last year's budget for operating the Ford area. No question about it. There'll be more money in this next budget in a several months to do
the Woodbridge operation. No doubt about it. We're happy with that. Anybody who thinks we shouldn't use tax dollars for first aid squads doesn't belong in this town. >> I I didn't say that, but again, people that I know, including myself, if take the first date, charge you $450, $700
some dollars >> and your insurance company pays it. >> I mean, >> we bill and insurance companies pay, not the people. >> Well, not the people. But again, when you call the first day, it cost >> That's important. Not the people. That's very important. Not the people.
Well, listen. The question what I'm saying, a lot of people afraid of call the first aid because they know they're charged. Can you >> people are afraid to call first aid because they might have to pay for it? Are you serious? >> Talk to some more people. Talk to some more people. >> I think that's crazy.
>> Well, >> people don't call an ambulance because they're afraid of the charge. >> Exactly. Uh I want a officer over there on a bicycle, electric bicycles. I live on Avenue and 35 over here. There's got to be some kind of a on and
those selective bicycles at night when you walk around the corners. You don't hear them coming. Only thing you can hear when the kids start to talk. You got three, four, five kids at a time. Anything from about 10 years to 13 years. They drive at night. They ride
bic at night and there's no any lights on them. There's no any kind of a signals on them or anything except when they talk, you know they're coming. So, it's very dangerous. It could be anything put on those bicycles or signals or lights or even what do you call it if the car sees them but you
don't see them and they got back and forth and 35 over there. I think it's a very great idea to put in force but again you got to know they're coming. You got to see they're coming. There's none of this happening. >> Thank you sir. >> No more time right. >> Thank you sir. >> I'm sorry.
>> Any other comments or questions this evening? Good evening again. Tom Maris, Sports, New Jersey. >> Evening. >> Um, let me just say something from a line out of uh John Wick. Yeah, I'm thinking I'm back. Well, we got through a couple
medical problems, but I'm good to go and I hope to be here quite often and also running for the school board as some of you well know. And again, it's it's a community. It, you know, there's a lot of good people sitting in this day and over here with the organization, I'm
sorry, the uh the government of our town. And we may differ from time to time, but I think we all have in our hearts and our minds best interest of this town. We just have a way of voicing different opinions and I appreciate that. That's what our free free society
is all about. And with that, I'd like to compliment the Sergeant for being here tonight and presenting that. I'd love to see that proposal in writing because I think the public would like to know what it is. And I thought I heard something about an age uh restriction or
differential. And you know, if it's bad to be on the road, doesn't matter what age you are driving it, it shouldn't be there. if it isn't licensed or it isn't properly identified so anybody driving be they a pedestrian or in a vehicle can
see that individual. So I think that's very important but again kudos for the the sergeant for coming out and doing that. I'm going to revert to some I don't want to get too much into the uh Woodbridge ambulance situation that has been a mess for years. They almost went back broke
years ago because of the uh things that they got in the derivatives. I think they invested in that and it was a disaster. Look, the township's going to take it over. That means they're not a taxing entity. Township is going to pay for it unlike
the fire departments obviously who are an independent taxing agency who gets a lot of money out of uh the uh general fund. But again, these are all essential services that this town needs. How we pay for it one way or the other as long
as we have it, I think, is the key. But we should know whose pockets it's coming from, Peter or Paul. Uh, that said, there was something back in, let me rephrase this or go back to my notes. I'm sorry. It was June
24th. Uh, it was council resolution number 16. Uh, Mr. Mitch may remember um and I'll just read it to you. It was number three resolution recognizing the commitment and s I'm sorry wrong page.
It was number 16 resolution authorizing the expenditures up to $6 million in support of housing initiatives to create deed restricted affordable units in the housing. I'd like an explanation on that as to what that really does mean. But
more than that, I went back and challenged where that was coming from. >> Mr. Morris, I'm sorry. What? What meeting? Which date? >> I'm sorry. This is July um >> June 24th. >> Give me one second. >> July I'm sorry, June 24th meeting. So,
it was a while ago, but I didn't have a chance to address it at then, as we often don't have a chance to address a lot of things in this five minute debacle that we have to go through. Anyway, I did go back and ask uh through an Oprah request and I got an answer back.
Pardon me, I still have some allergies. Um what that incompetence, what are we actually doing with that? What's the explanation of it? And uh the answers that I got, excuse me if I'm trying to rush through this, um Mr. Mitch was good
enough to come back to me and he did say he spoke to somebody in authority. here in I don't need to name names that the uh it was confirmed with and I'm kind of paraphrasing some of this that there are
no supporting documents to resolution number 16 and therefore this is why no records were transmitted to you cuz I submitted an oper. So my question is, how does this board go about proving something even in concept of $6 million
when there is no supporting documentation? Is this just another rubber stamp as this thing this council does? In all fairness, Mr. Mitch also said it was something that they're considering. But even considering it, why would you consider spending allowing
up to $6 million with no supporting documentation whatsoever? There were no estimates. It was just a number thrown out there that you people approve and I find that unacceptable and I hope the town doesn't as well because your job is to protect us and I know a lot of people
up there I respect all of you but when I see stuff like this I will call it out and that's the end of it. Thank you sir. Time's up. >> If you care to answer it fine. If you don't let the public figure it out. >> Are there any other comments or
questions from the public? Hear no other comments. Can I get a motion that the public comment portion be closed? >> Motion second. >> Question of council. All in favor? I >> opposed. Eyes have to the agenda. >> Before we move to the agenda portion, I just want to answer the one gentleman's
question regarding uh Penville Road. That is uh we're adding permitted uses which includes clean vehicle refueling station, vehicle m and vehicle maintenance. Um everyone was here when I read the um the council decorum in the beginning. Uh, everybody gets 5 minutes. Uh, we're not trying to be rude. We're
not trying to cut anybody off. If we give one person 5 and a half minutes, then we give another person 6 minutes, then we give another person 7 minutes, and so on and so forth. Everybody knows it's 5 minutes. We're all here. We all answer emails. We answer Facebook messengers. We answer phone calls. We
answer email. Whatever it is, anybody can talk to any one of us, the mayor, the administration, at any given time, at any given point of the day. I understand some people need to wait for the council meeting so they can get themselves on a microphone. I completely understand that. I completely respect
it. As we all said, we're all here to do a job. We all have our opinion. Whether it's a difference of opinion or not, we all respect it. I respect it. My fellow council meets respect it. With that said, the five minutes is the five minutes. That's the way it's been for at least eight, seven, eight years. And
that's the way it's going to be. I'll be more than happy to speak to anybody at g any given point to give them their answer, answer their question, have feedback. You might respect it, you might agree with it, you're not. That's fine. We're here to give you the answer. When the 5 minutes is up and the gavl
bangs, the 5 minutes is up. Thank you. Moving on to the agenda portion of the council meeting. Start with myself. Item number two, Avenel Arts Village. I'm very excited to announce that Caroline's Tavern is on schedule to open to the public this Monday, the 18th. An exciting new menu and theme. Caroline's Tavern is located right next door to
Apac the Avenue Performing Arts Center, making it the perfect spot for pre-show pre-show drinks, post show bites, or a night out. Their exceptional menu features elevated new American Tavern food and creative cocktails. Come out for a lively happy hour, a cozy dinner, or hosting a private celebration.
Caroline's offers a warm, stylish space that feels both inviting and unique. Discover your new favorite neighborhood hangout at Caroline's Tavern. So, please keep your eye out next week and they are they are already taking reservations. Item number 15, Maple Tree Senior Center. We're still walking on Mondays and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. Come on down
and join the senior walkers group that they have. Walk around the safe confines of closed parking lot and in case of heat or bad weather, uh we can move inside and walk around their large hall. Again, that is Monday and Fridays at 10 10 a.m. No registration is required. Show up your sneakers. The rest of my
agenda is in order. Just a few announcements. I'd like to thank the mayor and administration uh for reaching out to New Jersey Department of Transportation on my request. Uh they came out over the weekend uh enhanced and redid all the crosswalks along Route One and Aanell Street. It's much more identifiable. Um so thank you very much.
Uh I announced earlier um I wasn't sure about the date. Uh Alvin Williams, God rest his soul uh passed away in the line of doovy on September 6th and speaking with that um September 18th was our other officer that passed away, Joe Lewis. Um thank you Director Niski. Um,
I'd also like to congratulate our very own Megan Kush, Megan Kushba, on uh attaining her certification for certified public manager. That's a very that takes almost a year uh to get. So, uh, Kush, congratulations. Very happy
for you. Uh, the rest of my agenda is in order. God bless America. Council Vice President McAuliffe. >> Thank you, Council President. Um, my agenda is in order. I just have a couple things to go over tonight. Uh we have a bunch of concerts still going on in town. Uh Parker Press every Wednesday at
7:30 we have uh this week coming up sweet the Sweet Lizzy project and next uh week we have Sunny Sweet taking the stage. Then on Thursday we have our local day on Thursday in Seaworn. We have uh Vinyl Madness this week and then
9 South and then we also have the tiki bar. Come out to the tiki bar. It's been very nice. The weather's been great. You can go on to our website to get all of the information of who's playing, what fruit trucks are going to be there, and what other activities are going to be happening.
>> Um, then also the children's concerts are still happening at Acacia Center 10:00 in the morning. This Saturday is a reptile show, which I'm sure it's going to be very exciting for the kids. There'll be hands-on experience there, so they can go out and try that out. So, that'd be fun for them. Also, I would uh
like to say that we're going to be having a cleanup effort. Uh we're going to start in Seaworn at the waterfront. This is a great opportunity for any students who are looking to get community service hours. Please reach out to me, provide your information. You can get all my information on the uh uh
the Woodbridge website. Reach out to me and if you're interested in helping keep the community clean, we're going to start in C Warren with the waterfront area. Also, the St. James Street Fair will be coming up in September which is always a great thing. So mark your calendars for that. Couple things I'd
like to just say. Um we had National Night Out last week and it was uh moved to the Alban P. Williams Park. It was an amazing event. We had over 564 cars come. There were over 1,500 participants. It was excellent. There
were uh free food given out, lots of uh things for the kids and activities. a lot of people giving out information about many things that go on t on town. First aid, police, fire, everything. It was a really, really great event. So, if you didn't make it this year, please try to get out there next year.
>> Also, uh I just want to thank the um Woodbridge the Woodbridge Police Department. They did a traffic unit study. Our residents um had some concerns about many things out in the downtown area. They conducted a pedestrian awareness detail last week
where we uh uh summoned 114 different violations that were out there in the downtown area which was on Main Street, Rowway Avenue, Pearl Street, Upper Main Street near Matajen Avenue. Keep doing a great job and bringing awareness and improving our safety for all of our
residents. Also, I want to uh give a shout out to Strickland Steakhouse and his whole entire team. They did an amazing backpack donation to the families in need in Woodbridge. Uh they gave out uh they purchased over 350 backpacks giving
out with supplies in them to many students in need. So that was a really great thing that happened in downtown Woodbridge. Also um Aboard and West Prospect we sent out letters to let you know that there will be repaving going on over the next few weeks. So just be
aware that there will be no parking signs posted. So, make sure that you can uh take care of that with your vehicles. And um I just also wanted to thank DPW because we had some cleanup done in Seawir. There was some graffiti going on out there. They took care of that
immediately on some stop signs and some uh stuff over there by the train by Moby Dicks over there by the train. And uh the people on Felton Street are extremely happy because the overgrowth is now cleaned up. And I had several people call me and thank me, but it
wasn't me who did it. it was DPW. So, thank you very much for that. Um, and also in Elizabeth's absence, I'm going to just announce at um the Baron Arts Center on August 20th, there's an Amelia Airheart event there. So, if you're interested in that, go out and check
that out. And for seniors, uh we'll be starting our movie nights again starting September 18th. So, uh check that out. That's a great uh thing to go out if you're a senior to get a free movie. Thank you, Council President, and have a good evening. Thank you. Spenc.
>> Thank you, Council President. My agenda is in order. I have a few announcements. Uh the Christ Assembly of God affords uh their annual backpack drive, free backpack and school supply giveaway be on Saturday, August 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. And they're located at 111
Hamilton Avenue in Fords. Uh, our backpack giveaway was started by my two council mates, Councilman Dan Harris and Councilwoman Elizabeth de Jesus will be on Friday, August 22nd. That'll be at the Hopeland Fire Company, which is
located at 127 Loretta Street from 400 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. So, come out, receive your free school supplies. There'll be refreshments and a DJ. And the following day, Saturday, August 23rd, in Caseby section of Wbridge Township, it'll be at the Clinton Avenue Park. Be a free
backpack giveaway, school supplies. Same thing, refreshments and DJ from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. So, this will be up on our social media pages. So, come out, receive your uh school supplies. Um, for those, you know, going back to school this year. My wife's not too happy. School is starting soon, but she'll have
to go back to work. But that's all I have. Thank you, council president. >> Thank you, Council B. Good information. Thank you, Councilwoman. >> Thank you, Council President. My job is in order. I just have two announcements. On Sunday, September 21st from uh 1 to 6, the Colonia VFW will be having a
spaghetti dinner fundraiser. The VFW has done over 25 dinners to help families in need. Now, it's time to help them. This this fundraiser will assist the VFW to make muchneeded repairs to their building. Please come out and support this group that does and continues to do
so much for our community. The cost is $15 per person and under free under five is free. Also, save the date. The annual Colonia breast cancer walk and charity October Fest this year will be on Saturday, October 11th. The breast
cancer walk will start out at St. John's parking lot and we will proceed to the Springwood Swim Club where we will be holding an OC October fest with live music, food, a beer and wine garden and activities for the children. This year, all proceeds for both events will be
split between two Colonia residents battling illnesses. One young mom, Ariel Curtis, and a college student named Nadia Moss. We also will be donating a portion of our proceeds to the children of Sharon Newman, who lost her battle to
cancer just the other week. Please come out for an afternoon of fun while we support these Colonia families. And that's all I have. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Be safe. >> Thank you, Council. Thanks, >> Councilman Patel. Yeah, thank you council. Also, my agenda are in uh further but I have like a couple of
announcements. Uh uh goodbye township will close Oak Road on Sunday, August 24th from about 2:00 p.m. to 300 p.m. for the annual Pakistani parade organized by the
Pakistani community in the central New Jersey area. We ask drivers to avoid this area during that time to help reduce the traffic delays and please follow the detour signs and directions from the Buddhist township police officers.
Also last Sunday IBA organized a great India parade on road in Islin on behalf of the executive committee of the Indian business association. I sincerely thank our mayor uh would be towns mayor
mayor's office staff members uh chief of staff Karen Oridge my fellow council colleagues and would be town police public works and recre recreation departments for their hard work and and
dedication in making this vibrant culturally rich event possible along the busy Oak business district. We also thank our residents for their patience and cooperation in helping make this common celebration a great success. Uh
that's all right. Thank you. >> Councilman tell Councilman Harris. >> Thank you Mr. President. Uh just have uh number of items from my agenda. We'll start off with a request from Pat Tetta uh president of the New Jersey Senior Olympics resident here. We are now 23
days away from the New Jersey Senior Olympics which has been hosted in Woodbridge for the past 18 years. uh that's occurring on September the 5th through Sunday uh September 7. You must be age 50 and above to participate. There's 21 sports for both men and
women. All but three of those events are hosted here in Woodbridge Township. If you go to page 38 of the Woodbridge News, the newsletter you all should have received in your your mailbox in the past couple weeks. There's information in there about a discount that all will present to residents uh who are of age
50 and above uh to pay. It's a $10 fee to participate in the senior Olympics as opposed to the statewide fee of $40 per person. Uh if you don't have that uh Whoopsne magazine, you could also visit njceniorly.com to learn more information to sign up. Uh
be sure to sign up. It's a great day of uh excuse me, great weekend of fun for seniors. number of us, we've all been there and uh seniors really have a great time and many township residents participate. Uh going from seniors to the youth uh the last week of August,
August 26th and August 28th, township youth centers are having open houses. Uh we have three youth centers here in Werstown that are free and open to students during the school year. Uh it's particularly aimed at middle school students between the grades of grade six
uh 7 and 8. Uh from 3 to 6 pm students can enjoy a uh an adult uh supervised structured safe environment to play you know games, meet fellow uh middle school students and uh you know perhaps uh work on their homework. Uh you could also
learn more about these uh open houses and the specific dates and the times uh on the mayor's Facebook page. the youth services website or uh the youth services Instagram page. Now, kicking over to my uh my wellness uh agenda
inherited uh from Councilman Ficara. We have uh two two great events coming up in the next 6 weeks. Specifically, the annual Crossroads 5K race. It's been going on for about 30 years. Uh this year's race is scheduled for Sunday, August the 31st. That's Labor Day
weekend. uh that's hosted annually at the Alvin Williams Park in Seawara. Registration begins at 8:00 am and the race starts at 9:00 am. You can sign up uh in advance uh or or day of. It's $25
per person and the money benefits the Marissa Tukaro Foundation, a really great foundation that provides scholarships to high school student athletes in Milit County. And then last but not least, we have the 18th annual tour to Woodbridge bicycle tour, uh,
which is scheduled for Sunday, September the 21st. You can do the bike tour and then you can go to the spaghetti fundraiser in Colonia. Uh, the bike tour is a 15 or 30 mile bike ride that goes all throughout the township. Uh, the bike ride begins at 8:00 a.m. Uh, you
can register online at racester.com or you can sign up day of. There's also sponsorship opportunities available. Uh you can email bike tourp.wridge.n us to learn more and the proceeds from that event benefit the girl scouts.
That's all. Mr. President, thank you very much. >> Thank you, Council Council Harris. Good stuff. And again, thank you for your comments during the public portion uh educating the public on their questions regarding Ro Street. Uh Mr. Mitch. >> Uh thank you, Mr. President. My agenda is >> Thank you, sir. Uh administration. Mr.
I have a tax and sewer overpayments and I have an erroneous tax sale certificate for next meeting. Thank you, council president. Director. >> Thank you, council president. I have a handicap parking space edition on Powder
Horn Fort and I have a handicap parking space believe on Church Street Woodbridge. And that's all I have on my agenda. Thank you. >> Thank you. Planning intell. >> Thank you, Council President. Nothing this evening. Back to sir. >> Thank you, council president. I have a
few items for action tonight. First one is a proposal from CME Associates and that's for digital tax map maintenance mod 4. Second is a proposal from Rutgers cooperative extension and that is for our 2025 partnership agreement.
And the third one on my agenda is change order number two for the 2024 milling and reservicing program. and and council president just one other item. Um few meetings ago, public works was thanked for the work we do during all
the storms and and uh everybody on the DS recognizes our efforts, but without the support of the administration, the council, the equipment we buy, and the training and the confidence you have in our employees, we couldn't accomplish that.
So, I just want to thank the support we get from uh administration and council. Uh our equipment is not cheap. It's very specialized and uh we usually get all the equipment we need. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Director
Motion to motion. >> Thank you. Have a great meeting.