Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on June 17 2025
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Jun 17 2025 · Council
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Speaker 0Recording in progress. This meeting has been provided as required under chapter 2 31 PL 1975, specifying the time, date, location, login or dial in information and to the extent known the agenda by posting a copy of the notice on the municipal Building municipal court and the two municipal library bulletin boards municipal website, providing a copy of the official newspapers of, of the township. And by filing a copy in the office of the township clerk, in accordance with the certification by clerk, which will be entered in the minutes. There will be a public common periods for both remote and in-person attendees separately. Each member of the public shall only have one opportunity to speak during the each public portion. As the technology does not allow us to know if there are multiple callers on an individual line, phone line, or logged in user account. We ask that you, if you wish to speak, that you log in or dial in separately so that way we can recognize you as a separate individual should you have any further comments or questions. The Township Council is always available by email and phone, and you can always call the mayor's office during normal operating hours.
Speaker 0The senior May I have a roll call, please?
Speaker 1Council Member Cahill. Council Member Carmichael Present. Council Member Liebowitz.
Speaker 2Here.
Speaker 1Council Member Lombardi. Here. Council Member Rashid. Here. Council Member Ern. Here. Council President Espinosa here
Speaker 0Please saluting the flag open to the public comments regarding item number eight. I'm sorry. Are any comments from administration and council regarding adjournment of any matters of this agenda?
Speaker 1None.
Speaker 0I see none. Thank you.
Speaker 2Wait, I have a question.
Speaker 0I'm sorry. Council member Leitz.
Speaker 2Hello. I wanted to take item I off the consent agenda.
Speaker 5Absolutely not. Council president. That's the ammunition for the fire department or the police department.
Speaker 2I just had a question about it since this is my first time on the counsel, so I was just curious, is this a one time, is this kind of standard? I know we're actively recruiting new police, which is great, so I'm just looking for a little history and just, that's all. I don't the history's
Speaker 5The, the history's pretty simple. Every year we purchase ammunition because in order to detain their accreditation they have to go to the firing range, the fire by to get certified by the state.
Speaker 2Perfect. Thank you for the background on that. I appreciate it.
Speaker 6Yeah, and mayor also ammunition expires also, so they have to replace the ammunition.
Speaker 2Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else appreciate that.
Speaker 0Yes. We're, are we leaving this on? Yes, yes. Okay.
Speaker 2I wasn't asking to take it off. I was taking it out of consent to discuss it. That's all. I just wanted some background and thank you for the background.
Speaker 5In the future, if the council president can call the administrator maybe should get the answers upfront and or read the packets that, that are in your things.
Speaker 2I understand. But the, you know, there are other people in the town that might be interested as well. But thank you for that.
Speaker 0Okay, thank you.
Speaker 0Open to the public comments regarding item number eight, consent agenda items opening to the remote attendees. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand or either on the Zoom app or by phone by pressing star nine. When it's your turn to speak, you'll receive or hear or hear a request. To unmute yourself, please click on the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at the, at that time please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Ms. Cedar, do we have anybody in queue?
Speaker 1Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.
Speaker 0Thank you. Closing to the remote attendees, opening up to the in-person attendees, if you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat at the completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration will then respond if necessary.
Speaker 7David Aikens arose Valley Lane. Good evening counsel. Good evening. Good evening. Under item, under the CAS consent agenda, item eight for Foxtrot. The extension is always good to have, but is it an extension because you anticipate there's gonna be an increase and the property taxes?
Speaker 5David? Unfortunately, because of the Board of Education, yes, there's gonna be a massive increase and the extension right now is just in case. 'cause we're waiting for county to do the final numbers so the bills can go out. But I want people to in this town to brace for they impact. I know I told Councilman Espinoza, his taxes are gonna be going through the roof. Frank ERNs is going through the roof. Sharon, yours is going through the roof. Gabrielle's is going through Haven announced. It's shameful what they did at the Board of Education.
Speaker 8Shameful. They're gonna have that, David.
Speaker 7Well, what I'm gonna ask too, does
Speaker 8Everybody on this stage should be outraged by that?
Speaker 7What can the township or the residents do? Because it sounds like you don't have much.
Speaker 5David. What they need to do is start showing up at the board of ed meetings. Bottom line is they're sitting on over $36 million worth of capital improvement funds. They, they have more than enough money to cover teacher salaries, other expenses and everything and to make sure that the kids get their education that they should get. And what they're doing is, I believe, I think they're hoarding money right now and they're not being upfront with the residents on why they're hoarding the money.
Speaker 7What can be done other than what you just mentioned so
Speaker 8Strong express your displeasure,
Speaker 5Tell you when the tax bills go out, there's gonna be a lot of people with pitchforks going around this town and they're gonna be coming to this council meeting 'cause they're gonna be very upset.
Speaker 7Okay. I wanna
Speaker 8Make sure that we don't get the blame for what they did.
Speaker 7Is there anything more that the township can do to
Speaker 8The answer is no, David, they're duly elected representatives right there.
Speaker 7So in other words, the, you know, the
Speaker 8Problem is there's nobody telling 'em no that they shouldn't be doing it. That's the problem. Stop.
Speaker 7So what, what you're saying directly is the township Yeah.
Speaker 8Get ready to have to pay a big bill. David,
Speaker 7But where does it stop?
Speaker 8That's a good question.
Speaker 7I mean, is the township and the residents being held hostage
Speaker 8Basic? Well, in this case, I believe they are.
Speaker 7That was my question. So,
Speaker 8Well, you got me started, David.
Speaker 7Well, I just want,
Speaker 5Thank you David.
Speaker 7I just wanted to know what, 'cause that's what it sounds like. Better wrap
Speaker 8Up here. Here's,
Speaker 5Here's, here's part of the problem, David, is that, listen, I'm not gonna fault any government agency, whether it the county, the school district like that for going by. But you have rising costs for homeowners, electrical bills going this summer. You have people with their car insurance going up with their insurance for their homes and like that going up. The last thing they need to do is other government entities just getting totally outta control. I mean, I, I just, I saw the numbers. They could have easily half that increase by far, easily
Speaker 8And still accomplish right there. They have more revenue they have in the history to talent right now. More revenue. And they're
Speaker 9Not, not gonna dispute that because it's factually correct. All right. That's, that's all I had.
Speaker 0I see no one in, in-person attendee. May I have a motion please? Sorry about that. Here we go. On the second amending chapter two administration, section 18, division of police open to the public, open to the public resolution adapting ordinance
Speaker 1Be resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled Ordinance to amend and supplement the revised general ordinances of the township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey. Amending chapter two administration, section 18 Division of Police was introduced on the fifth day of June, 2025 and had passed the first reading. It was published on the sixth day of June, 2025. Now therefore be it resolved that the officer ordinance having had a second reading on June 17th, 2025 be adopted, passed, and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper. Be it further resolved that this ordinance shall be a sign number 2025 dash 16
Speaker 0Ms. Cedar, may I have a motion,
Speaker 0I'm sorry, opening further portion for the remote attendees. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the Zoom app or by phone by pressing star nine. When it's your turn to speak, you'll receive or hear a request to unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at the time. At that time, please state your name and address and know that you will have three minutes in which you to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary after you completed any comments or questions? Cedar, do we have anybody in queue?
Speaker 1Council president. There are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.
Speaker 0Thank you Ms. Cedar. Opening up, closing to the remote attendees, opening to the in-person attendees, if you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium. State your name and address or, and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat at the completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration would then respond if necessary. Please state your name and address, please.
Speaker 1058 Curtis. My issue is property maintenance.
Speaker 0Is this regarding the division of police
Speaker 10Across the street from your beautiful cathedral at Lakeview Avenue?
Speaker 0Sorry, sir. Are you, are you, are you mentioning item number seven?
Speaker 10No, we're at the bottom. We didn't get to yet.
Speaker 11This is a second reading for ordinance number seven.
Speaker 10I'm sorry. That's
Speaker 1Okay.
Speaker 11There'll be another public portion.
Speaker 9No worries.
Speaker 0I see no one else at the podium. May I have a motion please?
Speaker 11Motion Councilwoman Lombardi
Speaker 12Second. And Councilman Uhrin.
Speaker 0Thank you. Roll call please.
Speaker 1Council Member Carmichael. Yes. Council member Liebowitz. Yes. Council member Lombardi. Yes. Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Rin. Yes. Council President Espinosa?
Speaker 0Yes. Item number eight, consent agenda Resolution for efficiency Items have been consolidated into a consent agenda to be voted on together and the materials for these items have been distributed to the council in advance of the meeting. Do I have a motion for the consent agenda?
Speaker 11Motion Councilwoman Lombardi.
Speaker 0Can I have a second please?
Speaker 12Second. Councilman Owen.
Speaker 0Thank you.
Speaker 1Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Liebowitz. Yes. Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Rasheed? Yes. Council member Rin. Yes. Council President Espinosa?
Speaker 0Yes. Item number nine. Announcements and comments from officials. Council member Sharon Carmichael.
Speaker 9I would just like to,
Speaker 13I would just like to just thank everyone who came out yesterday to the Juneteenth flag raising and who acknowledged the celebration and the mayor was there. He spoke and council president was there as well. And as well as, as well as a lot of other people. So I just thank you for your support and I'm just proud to be in a town that allows different cultures and religions and races to celebrate their particular holidays and respect them and show up. Thank you.
Speaker 0Thank you. Councilman Carmichael, council member Laura Woods.
Speaker 2Hello everybody. I just had a few comments. First of all, I wanted to officially welcome, congratulate, and say thank you to Paula on her official appointment. She's already proven herself to be very responsive and professional and I know she's going to serve our township well. Secondly, I was very proud to be a part of our township, a Memorial Day parade. It was fantastic to really just see so many people from the town out celebrating and honoring our, those we've lost to serving our country. And the American Legion did a great job. Another point I wanted to make is that I was out of the country on a trip to India and I know we have many residents in our town from India. And I was truly able to appreciate and learn so much about the culture. And it was a wonderful trip and I'm very proud of our residents.
Speaker 2The street fair, thank you to the committee that worked so hard. We can't arrange the weather, but it was really well organized and there were a lot of great booths. I was very happy that we once again were able to host a free speech event on the No Kings Rally on Saturday afternoon. Piscataway residents, as well as residents from throughout the region came to our town to speak out against the anti-democratic policies that are being put forth out of Washington. And I was very proud to be there. I know many of our council members were there and many of our PDO committee members were there and good for us and good for them. I certainly echo Ms. Carmichael's remarks about Juneteenth and honoring pride in the month of June. We are a wonderfully diverse town. We certainly are very proud of that and we rep our represent ourselves well there. So thank you.
Speaker 0Thank you. Council member. Council member Michelle Lombardi.
Speaker 11Well, she probably said most of what I was gonna say, but I would love to thank the Public Relations Advisory Commission along with all of the emergency services personnel that was out there on Saturday at our Street Fair. Again, you cannot help the weather, but I will tell you it was very well organized and people were showing up, but they, we couldn't do anything with the weather. So thank you to Legina and her crew over at the public relations and everybody else who helped to make that day possible. Thank you.
Speaker 0Thank you. Comm Member Lombardi. Council member Rashid. Hello everyone. I'm
Speaker 14Gonna to keep it very short and simple. Welcome Paul. I'm so excited to have you on the team. I am excited for Summer Summer's about to start. Schools are closing. So looking forward to that. Everyone. Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable summer. There's a lot of stuff to talk about the mayor brought up, but we will discuss those things later. A lot of yikes, if there are property taxes going up, but we will be discussing that more. Thank you.
Speaker 0Thank you. Councilman Rasheed. Councilman rn?
Speaker 12Yes. I just wanna say we had our T-Ball trophy presentation yesterday. We handed out over 170 trophies.
Speaker 5Great job, Frank.
Speaker 0Thank Councilman Council member Ern. Mayor Wahler.
Speaker 5Thank you Council president. I wanna congratulate both Lieutenant Smith and Lieutenant Caps to being promoted to captain, to running the department. Help Keith Stiff run the the police department. Well deserved promotions. Also, we have the 4th of July celebration coming up. OEMs working very closely with all the responsible parties to put that on. We also, I want to thank Gina and her team with the other volunteers at the publications, all the work that they did. And last but not least, I wanna congratulate the tomorrow's graduation for the Piscataway High grad. So I wanna congratulate them there. We'll have that out on the sign boards. I know, I know. Normally around 11 o'clock in the morning, they do their, their balloon fest out on Green Acres where they throw water balloons all over the place. So hopefully they'll keep up with the tradition and Public works will street sweep that afterwards. And then I believe this is gonna be the first time in 33 years. I'm gonna miss the graduation. 'cause there was a, we had a extended relative that passed away in our family, so that we have to tend to something. So, but I want to congratulate the, the grads there.
Speaker 0Thank you Mayor. Business Administrator. Paula ca ca.
Speaker 15Thank you. Tha you got it. Council president. Thank you so much. First I'd like to thank our council members, Lebowitz and Rashid for your kind words. And I would also like to extend a big thank you to Mayor Wahler for believing in me and trusting in me to hold this position and then advancing his belief in me to all of you. And for all of you voting me in as the next Business Administrator for Piscataway. This position means a lot to me. I truly believe that I, our 63 res, 63,000 residents don't have a seat at the table, but I do. And I will make a commitment to always be there for the residents of Piscataway and to carry out and execute the vision that the mayor and the council has for our township. And I'm looking forward to working with all of you, making Piscataway even better. So thank you so much for that. And I just wanna say that I just received confirmation from the disaster mitigation department at the DCA that the township will be receiving $1 million. Thank you to Mayor Wahler in working with our legislative leaders to getting a million dollars through the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund. And this money is being used to offset the cost of our new 9 1 1 dispatch center. So a big thank you. And there's more grant monies in the line yet to come. So that's excellent news for us.
Speaker 11We welcome you and look forward to working with you.
Speaker 0Welcome report.
Speaker 2Great news.
Speaker 0Thank you Attorney Gomer.
Speaker 6Just wanted to welcome Paula even though we've been working well together already. So I'm looking forward to continue working with you and getting stuff done.
Speaker 15Thank you. Thank you very much.
Speaker 0Thank you.
Speaker 0I just wanna say that this past weekend for the street Fair, a lot residents came out despite the weather, as we said before, it just shows that everyone's, you know, despite the weather, they came out, they were interested in, in, in attending community affairs. So that's, that's great. It was great to see our neighbors there, our, our community and our residents there. I would also like to congratulate the students of class of 2025. I'm the proud father of a a, a graduate of High, of Piscataway High School. So very eager to attend that tomorrow. So, you know, again, I've always, I'm always an advocate of safe driving out there. So please be careful. There's gonna be a lot of traffic around Rutgers where, where the grad, the graduation's going to be. And so just be, please be careful. I also wanna give a personal shout out to my soccer team from the Piscataway Soccer Club. My team and my assistant coach Giovanni, we have won the championship for Suburban League CSO first place. So I want give a personal shout out to them. So thank you very much, team. You did an awesome job this season. Grateful for being there. It was my last game, so we'll see what happens next year. So thank you very much.
Speaker 2Congratulations to your family, your son and your team.
Speaker 0Thank you. Okay, now I'm sorry. Agenda session for July 1st, 2025. Ordinance second reading, amending chapter seven, traffic. Section 26. Chapter 31, streets and sidewalk. Section one point 12, open to the public resolution adopting ordinance. Ordinance. Second reading, adopt adoption of redevelopment plan for blocked. 57 0 1 lots. 11 and 12, 1700 South Washington Avenue. Open to the public resolution adopting ordinance
Speaker 5Just for by way of knowledge, council president and everybody that's, that's the age restricted housing.
Speaker 0Sorry, what was that? My
Speaker 9Restricted housing
Speaker 0Ordinance. First reading, amending various chapters of the revised general ordinance of the township of Piscataway resolution and adopt and ordinance. Any questions on that one?
Speaker 6Counsel, this is, we're still working on it with the DPW. This is mainly stormwater regulation changes that are being asked by the DEP for us to implement.
Speaker 9Yeah, every,
Speaker 5So every town in the state has to do this. So
Speaker 0Thank you resolution appointing Paula Castelli as township representative and commissioner of Central Jersey joint insurance fund resolution designation of agent of township for filing applications with state DEP for flood hazard area permit authorizations. Any questions on that one? Resolution designation of agent of township for filing applications with freehold soil conservation district resolution designation of agent of township for filing applications for with state DEP for extension of sanitary sewers. Any questions on that one? Resolution appointment of Paula Castelli to library board of trustees resolution. Appointment of Paula Castelli as public agency compliance officer.
Speaker 9Yeah, I need that
Speaker 0Resolution. Appointment of Paula, Paula Castelli to senior citizens housing board of trustees resolution designation of signatures of signing checks. Next resolution authorizing installation of operation of temporary traffic signal of at the driveway of 1690 South Washington Avenue.
Speaker 5So this one is, the county is going to build a tr fully signalize intersection out there by where the ecological park is going. So they're gonna, they wanna install a temporary light out there, but they're gonna build a full-blown light out there,
Speaker 9Which will work fine with us because now you'll have full access.
Speaker 0That a temporary going to perm?
Speaker 6Yeah, potentially. The, the developer there was meant to run their traffic through Knox Drive, but it's private. I think the county is condemning that, that driveway to make a public road. So they're working on those details, but meanwhile there's gonna be a temporary intersection there.
Speaker 0Any further questions on that? Uhrin Next motion. Accept council meeting minutes, May 6th, 2025.
Speaker 0Okay, we'll now open this to the, to the public for remote attendees. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by phone by pressing star nine. When it's your turn to speak, you'll receive or hear a request To unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time, please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Ms. Er do we have anybody in queue?
Speaker 1Council president. There are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.
Speaker 0Thank you Ms. Er. Closing to the remote attendees, opening to the in-person attendees, if you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and know that you had three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration would then respond if necessary. Please state your name and address please.
Speaker 10Gusta 58 Curtis Pisca in New Jersey. My issue is property maintenance and negligence. Each one of you, district leaders do not know what's going on in your district. None. Any issues with blind spots and intersections? Dead trees, potholes, so on. You don't know anything about it. Junkyard homes and so on, across the street from your cathedral, your beautiful cathedral on Lakeview Avenue is a full sale sign on that piece of property. Jump on it, mayor. Now is your chance. Maybe you can get a good deal out. Strip it, make it virgin. Plant a few trees. I would love to see that. It is an ugly saw that's been like that for years. So on on, on Curtis and Mansfield, there's a tree that's leaning on a power line pole. Big cavity there. It's ready to fall. You don't see it.
Speaker 10Negligence is also work ethics. Any kinda work ethic that whatever is going on in your district, any kind of construction, you must oversee it. All of these make sure the job is done right. They steep a lot of steps. I don't have to go very far. Right in the front of this building, going into the courthouse, there's concrete two lines that are decomposing. It's a trip edge. There's a tree right there that's being tied up with a steel strap that's been like that for years. The cherry trees along the street are a mess. The parking lot is a mess. You don't see it.
Speaker 0Thank you. Can, can I respond? I, I I I'll respond. I I can, I can say right now for the residents that I, I personally, and I'm pretty sure that the rest of the council members always remind our residents to tell us to call the office if they see anything that, that is broken, that needs fixing from roads to trees, to, to everything in the pavement. We ask the residents to call in the office to let us know we are not around 24 7. And we would like to hear from you. But if there's a complaint and there's no official notice to us or official call in, then we're not gonna know what the issue is and we cannot attend to it. So please call the office, let us know and we'll go and investigate what the issue is. Anyone else have any comments? I, I just,
Speaker 599% of what that gentleman just said is incorrect and it doesn't exist the promise.
Speaker 0I agree, mayor. I just don't want to want to interrupt him. But I agree 100%. Again, I encourage the residents to call into the office to let us know we're not there 24 7. There may be trees that it may be. I have residents tell me that there are trees covering stop signs. I had the DPW go out and they immediately took care of that. So, you know, your, your response or your inquiry will be welcomed when you call the office and let us know at these situations. Thank you. Hey Curtis. Good evening.
Speaker 16Yes. Curtis Grubbs. 1750 West third Mayor Michael Donuts with the family, sir. Oh,
Speaker 5Here, saw you there. We just tonight council just awarded appraisal services for professional services for roadway improvements on Hazelwood. Do the acquisition of the temporary construction easements out there. So we're getting there.
Speaker 6So Curtis, once we get that appraisal back, which they usually turn it around in a few, few weeks, then, then you'll be getting letters from my office. So all the residents will gain letters from my office regarding acquisition of those easements.
Speaker 16Thank you.
Speaker 5The commitment. Got your question. Your
Speaker 16Neighbors.
Speaker 5I got you. And you're gonna move it along. So if you want to get the road, I reconstruct it next year. You got, we need a little help out. I will do
Speaker 16My part. Just wanted to find out a couple of things. Who and when sprays for the mosquitoes over there?
Speaker 5County Mosquito Control Commission. When it stops raining, hopefully within the next couple of weeks. Don't they'll be out spraying. And we always put notices out on our township Facebook when we get noticed by them.
Speaker 16Okay. A couple of my neighbors on Hazelwood told me that this, their sanitary is running slow. I know a couple years ago I called. Mines is, eh, so we need to know if that's done.
Speaker 5Not the storm drain
Speaker 16Sanitary.
Speaker 5Alright. We can have, we can have the sewer division go out and take a look at that. Are you saying out on, on the west third?
Speaker 16Yeah, the one, well they usually clean the one on West third and Hazelwood. Right one.
Speaker 5We'll have take a look at it this week.
Speaker 16Okay. And we need to do, I know we're gonna get to the road, but we need to fix Hazelwood so we can stop slowing the speeding down some kind of radar or something. 'cause I know once this road gets done, we're gonna really have a problem. So with that, Mr. Frank, please tell your wife, my friend. Thank you. Okay. Thank you.
Speaker 0Thank you Mr. Grubbs. I just want to highlight that this is the way you actually come to the council meeting and tell us exactly what's going on around the neighborhood. And as the mayor responded, he would have somebody check this situation out. And this is what we do if, you know, I just wanna reflect that. Thank you Mr. Grus. I see no one else at the podium. Huh? Motion to adjourn. Motion Councilwoman Lombardi.
Speaker 2Second. Laura Lebo.
Speaker 0Thank you. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Adjourn. Thank you. Have a good evening everyone.