Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on May 11 2021


Note: Transcripts are generated by rev.ai and may not be fully accurate. Please listen to the recording (below) if you feel any text is inaccurate.

Speaker 0     00:00:00    Well meeting Florida. Let me see. Agenda May, 1120 7:30 PM. Equity notice provided under chapter 2:31 PM, 1925, Bishop the time date, location, or bad inflammation, and to the actual tender gender by posting a copy of the focus and the musical building, she will accord and to  website, providing a copy to the official newspaper of the township. And by putting a copy in the office here, the township Clark in accordance with the clarification by the Clark, which will be in 30 minutes, the township continued to use the telephone meeting format in an effort to mitigate the chance of exposure to COVID-19 as a part of the township ongoing airport, to slow the rate of transmission in or whatever. I mean, I would take man-centered in order to make sure that that meeting can be made and that all the parties are hurting, organized session. All members of the public will be muted during the meeting.  
Speaker 0     00:01:15    If a member of the public wish to speak during any public comment portion, please press star nine. In order to raise your hand to speak, we will unmute member of the public individually. If they have with their hands, they rent, it is a you're done to speak. You will hear a notification that you have been uneducated. It is that time that you of begin to ask any question you may have. You will have three minutes and I'll beat you that again. And the council or admission will this businesses, should it, should you have any comments or question that thousand rounds is always available by email and phone, and you can always call the mayor's office during the normal operating hours. Each member of the public cell only have one opportunity to speak during each public question. As the technology does not allow us to know if there are multiple color on the individual line, we ask that if you wish to speak that you dial in on a separate line so that we can recognize you as a separate ingredient. If you may also submit written comments to this township up to 48 hours to meeting you by the township in the public comment portion of the meeting, say comments shall be limited to 10 minutes. Updating thank you and airlines for your patience. As we continue to move the township forward. This health emergency, Ms. . Please come on board here.  
Speaker 0     00:02:56    Councilman Cahill here.  
Speaker 1     00:02:59    Councilman con Councilman Lombardi here. Councilman iron council, president shop Mayor brown Waller  
Speaker 2     00:03:16    Present  
Speaker 1     00:03:17    Business administrator, Timothy Dacey township, attorney Raj bureau boomer, Deputy township clerk, Monaco, Orlando, and I'm here. Melissa theater, tantric clerk. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, public one nation under God, indivisible with Liberty and justice.  
Speaker 0     00:03:57    Okay. Item number PI comment from Edward says counsel regarding for any matter on this agent,  
Speaker 1     00:04:05    No additions council president.  
Speaker 0     00:04:08    Thank you. Item number six, open to the public comments regarding item number one, the consent agenda item. If you wish to speak at this time, please press star nine to raise your hand. Then it is your turn to speak. You will hear an announcement that you have been unmuted at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which you to meet the requirements the council or Michelle will respond. If necessary after you have completed any comment or question  
Speaker 1     00:05:01    Council president, I have one individual with their hand raised currently for the consent agenda items. I'm asking them to unmute themselves now the last four digits 9 6 9 0. Can you unmute yourself? Thank you. State your name and address please. Hello.  
Speaker 3     00:05:29    Hello. Can you hear me? Hello?  
Speaker 1     00:05:30    Yes. Is this last four digits 9 6 9 0.  
Speaker 3     00:05:34    Yes. I predict Patel 29 drive bedroom.  
Speaker 1     00:05:40    Okay, go ahead. Let's look at now.  
Speaker 3     00:05:42    Yeah, just a question on the Corona aid on H I, I guess, is that like a state grant or what is the project involving that? I, these are my reading. That's that's related to some environment, right? Or is this in medicine?  
Speaker 4     00:06:08    Uh, this is Tim a book that is accepting the money from the federal government for our 2020, uh, what was allocated as the federal government for coronavirus for 2020. So we just got it. Uh, we just got it from the government that we have to pass this Knight to accepted to put it into our budget. Okay.  
Speaker 3     00:06:32    Okay. Well, I mean, um, so here is my comment. My general perception is the job of the federal government is to protect workers and to secure people. Um, and I think just squandering money with this blocker and here and there, uh, where folks are already paying with their insurance dollars at a county or local level or wherever. I think those money, the federal government is in down in this county. Um, he went, if it's clean. Uh, my, my perception is it's just, just return it. I mean, now it is, this money is becoming joke. Thank you.  
Speaker 4     00:07:11    Just a point up with 2020, this was a reimbursement we've already extended this, and this is getting it back for us to put it back into our budget. So this was not block grant money. This one's for reimbursed expenses that were approved by the county, the state in front of the government  
Speaker 1     00:07:34    Council president. There are no other individuals with their hands raised at this time.  
Speaker 5     00:07:40    Council president, could I just comment briefly on the comment made by the speaker,  
Speaker 5     00:07:49    But just want to say the federal block grant program, which I assume he was referring to is an extremely important program. There has been a huge lobbyists for that, uh, on various levels, including in Washington and, uh, it's universally accepted by both Republicans and Democrats, that it is best to, um, return some tax dollars to local governments so that they can determine, um, the best way to serve the people with their own tax money. Um, it's, it's valuable money that we and other communities get back. Uh, I'm assuming the speaker miss understands, uh, the nature of funds and to suggest that we should be turned or not accept our own tax dollars back into the community. I don't, I don't. I think if he understood that he probably would make, consider that. Um, so maybe I just wanted to point out it's a valuable program as the there. Uh,  
Speaker 2     00:08:55    No, it was quite well,  
Speaker 0     00:09:02    Thank you Mister, to close the public portion, item number seven, ordinance secondary, and my name chapter one, fixed sex and 14 and 17.8 open to the public. There's a lesson adopting audience. ,  
Speaker 1     00:09:23    They're 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 CounterPath Piscataway county of Middlesex did in New Jersey. And then in chapter seven, traffic section 14, parking are pivoted at all times on certain streets and section 17.8 schedule of residential permit parking areas was introduced on the 20th day of April, 2021. And it's passed the first reading and was published on the 24th day of April, 2021. Now therefore be it resolved that the opposite ordinance having had a second reading on May 11th, 2021, we adopted past and after passage to be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval and the official newspaper be further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2021 dash one one.  
Speaker 0     00:10:19    Any question, If you wish to speak at this time, please press star nine to raise your hand. When it is your turn to speak, you will hear an announcement that you will have been unmuted at that time. Please state your name and address. You know, that you have three minutes in which you make the comment, the counselor and Mr. Respond if necessary after you have completed any comment or question  
Speaker 1     00:11:24    Council, president, and no individuals have raised their hands to speak during the public portion.  
Speaker 0     00:11:39    Okay. I'm closing the public portion. Do I offer  
Speaker 2     00:11:45    Offer counsel  
Speaker 0     00:11:47    Offered to counsel on timber? Lord. Thank you. We should have this local. Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:11:58    Councilman Cahill. Yeah. Councilman con yes. Councilman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Aaron. Yes. Council president Shaw.  
Speaker 0     00:12:17    Okay. Item number eight. Ordinance secondary equipment is meant and spatial is assessment of sidewalk up on property located on block 5, 5, 0 1 lot 12.02. Open to the public resolution, edit audience.   
Speaker 1     00:12:36    Bears out by the township council, Piscataway township, New Jersey, then an ordinance entitled ordinance to provide for the acquisition of rights of way, easements and land in fee, simple as needed for the improvement of Centennial avenue and the construction of a local improvement sidewalk on block 5, 5 0 1 lot. One, 2.02 of the, uh, township of a Skyway tax map, commonly known as 1 3 0 3 Centennial avenue, Piscataway as permitted under N J S a 40 call 65 dash one exec was introduced on the 20th day of April, 2021. And I passed the first reading and was published on the 24th day of April, 2021. Now therefore be it resolved that the other set of ordinance cutting had a second reading on May 11th, 2021. He adopted passage after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passengers in the official newspaper. The further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2021 dash one two.  
Speaker 0     00:13:38    Thank you. This time. If you have any questions, star nine and eight, please  
Speaker 1     00:14:19    That's the president. No member of the public has raised their hands to speak with regard to this, uh, second reading ordinance.  
Speaker 0     00:14:27    Thank you,  
Speaker 2     00:14:31    Councilwoman Cagle.  
Speaker 0     00:14:33    Thank you, Mr. Second counseling con. Thank you.  please.  
Speaker 1     00:14:44    Councilman Dillard. Yes. Councilman Cato.  
Speaker 2     00:14:49    Yeah.  
Speaker 1     00:14:50    Councilman con Comfortable in Lombardy Councilman urban Council. President shock. Yeah.  
Speaker 0     00:15:03    Yes. Thank you. Item number 10. Ordinance proceeding prohibiting the operation of any glass of cannabis, the nurse with the township resolution adopting ordinance. Then instead of reservation, please,  
Speaker 1     00:15:24    Council president. You skipped number nine.  
Speaker 0     00:15:28    Yeah. Okay. Number nine ordinance. Plus it goes in a block 11 to two, not four or 5 95 Highlander. When you read, you listen to adopting ordinance, it's either going to have  
Speaker 1     00:15:41    There's all by the touch of council, Piscataway township, New Jersey, about an ordinance and titled ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain property identified as block 1, 1 3 0 2 lot 4, 5 95 Highland avenue and the township of Piscataway county of Middlesex state, New Jersey for public purpose pursuant to any J F a 20 colon three dash one, etc. B and is hereby adopted on the first reading, that'd be published in the official newspaper. And then a second writing a public hearing be held at 7:30 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway in a small building, 4 55 hose line Piscataway New Jersey, as well as by telephonic conference. On the 10th day of June, 2021, the other was off at a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places within the township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage and a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the township clerk for any interested member of the public.  
Speaker 0     00:16:33    Thank you. At this time, you can have any question, press star nine and is your name,  
Speaker 1     00:16:44    So this is the first reading ordinance concept, right? And so you just need a motion.  
Speaker 0     00:16:48    Okay. Well, I'm almost done with my motion second to one, the Lombardi second. Thank you,  
Speaker 1     00:17:11    Councilman Bullard.  
Speaker 0     00:17:12    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:17:14    That's a woman Cato. Yes. Councilman con  
Speaker 0     00:17:19    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:17:21    Council, woman Lombardi.  
Speaker 0     00:17:23    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:17:25    Councilman Earnin.  
Speaker 0     00:17:26    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:17:28    Council president shot. Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:17:32    Thank you. Item number 10 ordinance plus dating prohibiting the operation of any class of cannabis has business with the township resolution adopting Gordian.  
Speaker 1     00:17:43    Yeah, it was all by the township council to steadily township, New Jersey that an ordinance, a titled an ordinance prohibiting the operation of any class of cannabis business within the counter with the skyways geographical boundaries and the many chapter 21 zoning section three definitions and section 13 prohibited uses and adding chapter three, police regulations, section 28, cannabis to the revised general ordinances of the township of the Skyway D and is hereby adopted on the first reading, that'd be published in the official newspaper. And then a second reading of public hearing be held at 7:30 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway municipal building 4 55. Hosely in Piscataway, New Jersey, as well as by telephonic conference on the 10th day of June, 2021, the brothers I've got a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places within the township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage and a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the township clerk for any interested member of the public.  
Speaker 0     00:18:40    Thank you, her most Councilman or a mixed motion. Thank you. Second, Second, counseling and con thank you. I had a little quote, please. Uh, yes.  
Speaker 1     00:19:22    Councilman Cato. Councilman con.  
Speaker 0     00:19:28    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:19:29    Councilwoman Lombardi. Councilman.  
Speaker 0     00:19:36    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:19:38    Council presidential. Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:19:40    Thank you. Up at them. Number 11 consent they get that is listen for efficiency. Item have been contributed in this concept that you want that to be what they don't want together. The material for this item has been distributed to the council in advance of the meeting at this time. Are there any item that the council would like to remove from the consent agenda to be discussed or whatever on separately? Thank you. Okay. Do I offer  
Speaker 2     00:20:25    Offer?  
Speaker 0     00:20:31    Thank you. Global police  
Speaker 1     00:20:38    Sounds nimble art. Yes. Councilman Cahill. Councilman con yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman RN. Yes. Sounds so presidential.  
Speaker 5     00:20:55    Yes.  
Speaker 2     00:20:57    Yeah.  
Speaker 0     00:21:18    Okay. Item number 12. Is it, as soon as I can see a point there, appointment of counsel at large members may see that, can I have no munitions?  
Speaker 1     00:21:29    Yes. I received from the Piscataway democratic organization, the name of three individuals that were recommended for the Piscataway township council at large vacancy seat. And those individuals are Linwood Rouse, Dennis Espenosa and Rajendra Kumar.  
Speaker 0     00:21:50    Thank you, Mr. To any another nomination piece.  
Speaker 5     00:21:55    I I'd like to make a nomination council president  counseling con.  
Speaker 0     00:22:01    Yes, go ahead.  
Speaker 5     00:22:04    I like to, uh, nominate Linwood, uh, Rouse to, uh, fill the vacancy, uh, for a couple of reasons. One, um, we had a screening and he was the high vote getter I've known, uh, for every Rouse for over 20 years. And, um, he's been actively involved in the community. He's a bright and thoughtful individual who I believe would add something unique to the town council. Uh, I may be the only one old enough to remember when, uh, Reverend Sondra served and he added a certain component, uh, to the municipal government that I felt I felt as a young council person was very helpful. And I, and I think we have a Rouse can, can do that as well. Uh, I do want to say the other candidates, there were a number of qualified, interesting candidates that enthusiastically ran for the position, and that was good and healthy for democracy. Um, but I, I would like to offer up the suggestion that we fill those Chanel's shoes use. Terrific. But that we filled the seat at least, uh, with, uh, Linwood Rouse, um, who I think would be an excellent choice. Thank you.  
Speaker 6     00:23:27    The council president, this is, uh, Councilwoman Gabrielle K hill. Um, I just like two seconds, the nomination that counseling con put forward, uh, Reverend Linwood routes to fill, um, the vacant seat, um, left by, uh, Councilman Chanel, Nicole now a commissioner. Um, I got to know Reverend routes a little bit, um, through the pandemic actually, I've known him for years. Um, you know, got to know him of course, through, um, community efforts. But this last year, um, I would have to say was the time in which, um, I think some of us got to know each of us a little bit better. Um, and more specifically, um, uh, during the period of time in which this country and this, um, township, um, participated in raising awareness of, um, you know, the unfair treatment, the racist treatment of the, uh, people of color in this country and maybe more specifically the African-American community, um, Reverend routes along with many other, uh, pastors in this town really formed an Alliance and started to create a bond with events that happened at various churches to raise awareness.  
Speaker 6     00:24:59    And for people who, you know, may not otherwise understand or not been able to walk in the shoes of the other to really help lift up this community to help those of us who are on the outside to understand, um, and to really come together. And, um, just as a note, I do believe that Reverend routes and the other pastors who've been longtime residents of this township, um, have really made this town into what it is in which I believe is an extremely diverse town where all residents are welcome, no matter the walk of life, their faith, the color of their skin. And, uh, I do appreciate the other folks who did screen. Um, I know Mr. Espinosa, uh, well, um, certainly quality and I know Mr. Kumar also, um, I would just add that Reverend Ralph has been a long time to scatter away. Residents has been a fabric of this community, and I believe that in every, um, fabric of who he is, that he would only have the best intention for anything that he would potentially do on this council for our township. And so I wholeheartedly second Councilman con nomination  
Speaker 0     00:26:23    And Felix credit any under the nomination, none. So I'm closing the nomination now. You're not having emotion,  
Speaker 6     00:26:43    Councilwoman Lombardi  
Speaker 0     00:26:46    Second Councilman. Okay. Uh, okay. Um, just a more simple Mr. House and I w most employees,  
Speaker 6     00:27:04    I believe council president that counseling con made the nomination. And I did the second.  
Speaker 1     00:27:11    Yes. That's  
Speaker 0     00:27:12    I think we just need a roll call though.  
Speaker 1     00:27:16    Yeah. I'm going to read the resolution first and then I'll do the roll call. So you get resolved by the council of councils. It's got a township New Jersey that, whereas a vacancy exists on a township council as a result of the resignation of Chanel McCollum, who was sworn in as commissioner on the Middlesex county board of commissioners on April 21st, 2021. And the Piscataway democratic committee has presented to the township clerk, the names of the three nominees for the selection of successor to fill the vacancy pursuant to N J S a 48, colon 16 dash 11, and the nominees are Lynwood Rouse, Dennis Espinosa and magenta Kumar. And whereas the Piscataway township council has conducted a vote on the nominee to be appointed, to fill the vacancy. And now therefore be it resolved by the township council of the township of Piscataway that I hereby appoints Linwood rests as the successor to fill the vacancy and Linwood Rouse is to be sworn in immediately as a member of the township council pursuant to N J S a 48, colon 16 dash 11, to serve until the election and qualification of a successor.  
Speaker 0     00:28:19    Thank you, Mr. Sir, can I have a little cliquey,  
Speaker 1     00:28:22    Councilmember Lord?  
Speaker 0     00:28:23    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:28:25    Councilman Cahill.  
Speaker 6     00:28:27    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:28:28    Councilman con yes. Councilman Lombardi.  
Speaker 6     00:28:34    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:28:35    Councilman Arran. Yes. Council president shock.  
Speaker 0     00:28:40    Yes. Thank you. Item number 13. And I'll spend him comment from off issue men. Ah, nothing at this time. Thank you very much. Thank you.  please.  
Speaker 6     00:29:05    Um, just to, uh, I'm not sure if I've had to put a belated mother's day to, um, all of the mothers in our town and nose on this Ford. Um, we, we all our mothers at one time or another, um, I really look forward to, um, hopefully having a few more things in town, open up as we can, as we may, and as the governor sets those things, but I'm really looking forward to it. And I want to congratulate Reverend Ralph. I really look forward to working with him on this board. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:29:41    Thank you. I have, uh, I have nothing. Thank you, council. Thank you, Marty.  
Speaker 7     00:29:54    Yeah, so I would like to welcome Reverend Linwood well to the council. And again, I look forward to walking with him also, and I concur with the words of my colleagues on all of the accolades for, uh, Linwood Ralph, and he, I definitely do believe he will bring a very distinct and good piece to the council board. Thank you very much.  
Speaker 0     00:30:19    Thank you. I'm council president.  
Speaker 8     00:30:33    Thank you, council president. I know we're not meeting until, uh, first week of June. Uh, however, I want to remind the residents that, um, you know, we also honor, uh, those, uh, fireman, uh, personnel who passed away in the month of may, uh, as well as, uh, Memorial day, those folks that had served our country, uh, protection of our freedoms in the month of may. I also want to wish the EPIs gotta be high school seniors who are going to be out there prom, uh, this month, uh, that they're there safely. And, uh, as a side note, in a very sad note, um, wanting to give our condolences out to, um, uh, Ralph McNeil, the McNeil family of, uh, homeless Marshall fire company, Ralph had, uh, been a long time, uh, volunteer for 30 plus years at the firehouse. Um, I knew him very well. And so as Councilman Khan and several of the other council members and, uh, my condolences go out to the homeless Marshall family and to the McDonald family on the loss of Ralph, uh, he will be truly missed, um, very, very good card player, uh, and, and he would give his shirt off his back, uh, and help any resident out for any matter.  
Speaker 8     00:31:47    So, uh, my condolences out there again,  
Speaker 0     00:31:50    Thank you.  
Speaker 9     00:31:53    You are mute or unmute yourself by pressing star Have been added to the waiting room until the hosted Mitzi You can mute or unmute yourself by pressing star six.  
Speaker 0     00:33:00    I will be for 2021 when the moderation lingo at 1126, opening may be 7 21. Oh, question. Okay. Electronic reading software, like G I O technology, not to exist. $35,000 Christian. Thanks.  license. Any Christian? Okay. Is it a  maintenance bond block? 6 1 0 2, not 20 United digital or any questions or comments. Thanks. So I, the moment about 15 open to the public, If you wish to this, if you wish to speak at this time, please press star nine to raise your hand  at that time, please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which you make your comments  after you have completed any comment or question  
Speaker 1     00:35:12    Council president, I'm going to ask the first individual to unmute themselves to speak during the public portion. The last four did. So 9 6, 9 0. If you could please unmute yourself and state your name and address.  
Speaker 3     00:35:25    Yeah, yeah. Get 2,900 the drill. Um, this is just a comment on the email that I sent out, uh, regarding water level in  a week and a half back. I was just walking to the park and also to take the order, right. So I'm going to just rephrase in the email that I wrote, and I'm just going to it verbatim in terms of what I do. And again, this is, this is again, no, nor Hudson Hudson's at the end of the mirror, but I just had to point out certain things that I feel should be challenged. Uh, Mr. Mayor and council fields, and believes that we are a party of Nordea within, please find low projects as mine and long-term public, which projects that we piece construction lobby, and we thought environment in this time, or what, along with some, um, the project that, uh, at least for what a longer period of time, um, which are kind of coming in as whether we call it infrastructure, the grants coming in for federal in dollars or infrastructure, stimulators, stimulations, or anything.  
Speaker 3     00:36:27    The project that I wish for is installing boulders on both sides of the river that would help during flooding also with the box running due to water. Uh, we have built an 18 fantastic job in building Vikings in Piscataway that today my kids are enjoying it today with the vision that you started 15 years back. So thank you so much for, for looking after for this town. Uh, the time has come to, uh, move attention along the credit side of it is that he would have water. And if we can find a way to build assemblies for fish or any other aquatic Marine life stuff, and focus on Vatican river, that goes all the way up to Atlantic ocean, starting from Piscataway, um, and let other towns get inspired by. It would be very helpful. Uh, the 37 counties in the state, uh, want to use money and human capital, um, from based on what I read in newspapers, uh, build wind farms.  
Speaker 3     00:37:20    And, and that's a very good thing because it's bringing energy diversity to this state. Um, and that's a, that's a fantastic achievement, uh, just collectively from a human capital standpoint. And what I would say is, as a central county,  similar to baking for land for fish and Marine life in radicals. We were all under an old flooding seasonal issues for Marine life. This should be injected a strategic plan for next 10 years for building and builders and lobby association of this town, um, versus clouding over, uh, of, uh,  and everything with what I call is affordable, housing slumps, or, uh, injecting things were just dancing over habitat area, uh, and also destroying open lands. Um, I 18 last week during last session, I think we have had a very fantastic point about Arbor day foundation. I've read a few things about it and they tend to their guiding principles in comes up.  
Speaker 3     00:38:14    Three management is fantastic. And I think every member or whoever is in charge in our council should view the funding  programs supporting that would be helpful. And last but not least, I'm willing to donate a thousand dollars to any of this cause where I don't understand when you have your political machinery, I'm a very simple guy, but to a certain extent, I see that I certainly believe that certain open men should be preserving shore should be over water. Um, and other infrastructure, uh, that we don't end up like California. We have that our water drafting, Javier township has do stream monitoring theater and there, uh, with population density is going up in the air. Um, so any, any, or what stayed into that area and also ensuring the quality of living with 55,000 or 60,000 family members that we have in this town. I think all of us have done fantastic job in, especially the council has done a great job. Thank you so much.  
Speaker 0     00:39:14    Thank you about the  
Speaker 1     00:39:19    Council president. I'm asking the next individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves. The last four digits are 8, 961, please. And meet yourself.  
Speaker 10    00:39:35    Hi, my name is Jessica crowded. Can you hear me?  
Speaker 0     00:39:39    Yes. Go ahead. Just take your name and address please.  
Speaker 10    00:39:43    Yes, Jessica Crownsville, 1247 Brookside road. Um, I wanted to mention something about the street sweepers that we have here and Piscataway. Um, we just had had earth day a couple of weeks ago, and, um, my husband and I walked up and down our street for sidewalks and we picked up a one and a half contractor bags full of garbage off the side of the road and the sidewalks. And I'm wondering why knowing that Piscataway two street sweeper and that they're in use and being maintained that those aren't put to use in the area that I live. And I know that they aren't confused because I work eight hours a day in the middle of the day. And I look out the window onto the street, uh, for the last 12 months. And I have not seen one street super pass by a single time. And the only time I have ever seen it in the five years that I've lived here was the time before there was a revitalization of the park, the corner of Hanes and Brookside road.  
Speaker 10    00:40:59    Uh, and one of the council members was coming for the opening of that event. I saw the street sweeper pass by a single time. I think that our environment is very important here in Piscataway as Mr. Patel was saying, and that any, uh, rescue that is on the side of the street, what it does when it rains is it runs into the storm drain and then runs into the Brook and then it runs into the road to the river and then it runs into OSHA. So I think that I, I would encourage the council to, um, let's say deploying the resource of the streets rebirth in a more equitable manner, because I have heard from others in the townships that the Streetsweeper passes by another areas on a regular basis. And I think it's very important that we make sure that our entire town is clean because that bottle that runs off with Brookside road ended up in the Raritan, the sand as it would, if it was on river road. So I would question if any of the council members want to speak to, if there was a schedule for the street sweeper or a how it is determined where the street sweepers are going to drive, and if there's any environmental plans to make sure that any, uh, litter or, or garbage that comes off of the garbage trucks that ends up in the street, doesn't end up in our waterways.  
Speaker 4     00:42:34    Um, yes, it was president's 10. So the streets sleepers really only operate in between the spring, the summer and the fall because they carry water in them. And the water would freeze if they're out during winter time. So we get about eight months of a year of operation with them. We focus on, we try to do each of the residential streets at least once or twice a year. And of course, a lot of the truck traffic and the industrial areas, um, get it a little bit more because they have people throw in stuff, windows and things like that. So we do try to any trip every once or twice a year. And we started an Arbor a few weeks ago, so we will eventually be getting through the entire township  
Speaker 1     00:43:27    Council president on now asking the next person who has their hand raised to unmute themselves. The last four digits are 0 9, 6 2. Please unmute yourself and state your name and address You are unmuted. Go ahead please. Yes, we can hear you now, please.  
Speaker 0     00:45:11    This is the kind of attorney, um, you know, talking to the counseling administration that the big issue is that the state is requiring us to either opt in or out, um, prior to August 21st. And the problem with that is that the state is actually not going to schools until August 22nd. Um, there is a ton of work in blind as to how they'll be deregulated and walking goals is going to be in place, um, you know, decided to, to doubt because they have, if they don't step now, they won't be able to opt out in the future. Um, and you know, once the rules are in place and sorted out, we'll consider it in the future, of course. Um, but you know, working blindly without the state regulations there, um, you know, the administrator patient council did that best to make sure that those rules were in place for, they made an educator.  
Speaker 0     00:48:00    Mr. Robin, Mr. Director, first of all, voting to legalize is not, is not the same as sales, distribution, warehouse, housing, et cetera, um, and growing, um, there are a significant again, issues with any of the above. Yes, there is of tax revenue, but the comes comes along, um, very serious other issues, um, wins with those, with those types of industries, um, being the fact that they're also still federally prohibited. So, um, we want to say, you know, counseling patient wanting to see them before they, you know, going ahead with it. Um, they would not be able to opt out after the rules were issued. So this is the best situation for that. Uh, that's not, they're not, I guess that's legalization, no marijuana is just for the town, uh, marijuana that can still be delivered in town because she went to the state mall. Um, and you can use it as, you know, as it please. Um, you know, this is just in regard to the growth for housing sale of the marijuana within the township when it's  
Speaker 2     00:50:16    Yeah. Um,  
Speaker 0     00:50:41    Yes, Mr. Racks, of course it is because it's still federally prohibited. So there, there is still an issue with, with the industries being, uh, being targeted by the federal government. So where it's, where it's a federally. Well, I'm sure you're not, I'm, I'm sure you, um, you understand, you have to understand that, you know, you're not an expert on it at this moment. I'm not either, but the fact that these threes are going to be larger scale than the individual carrying. These are going to be the wholesalers and growers that are going to have substantial amounts of cannabis. There's also issues with them being able to have bank accounts because they are not legally allowed that bank accounts for cannabis businesses. Therefore they're going to be holding extra cash. And this concerns, the crime security, there's various issues that this isn't just a simple, Hey, we should let it because the taxes, the tax office will give us extra money in town. This is the township council and the minister has to look at everything. And with that, with, uh, with, uh, a big hole in regards to rules and regulations that have not been placed by the state, you know, we're being asked to make decision.  
Speaker 0     00:53:28    The council was precautious precautions and was cautious about this. We decided we will wait to see what the rules say before we make a determination right now, this is the options that they have to take because they put them in that situation.  
Speaker 6     00:54:19    Counsel, counsel,  
Speaker 6     00:54:46    Mr. Rock, and I, and I can appreciate your question and your concern about the tax revenue, new piece of it. Um, I would comment on a couple of things is, um, pain in record to oppose explanation or attorney gates' cue as to the time we've op did to vote on this again, because we do not know the rules that the federal government is going to put forward. We have to decide prior to that time, we can go back and revisit it. We can change once we know opting out. And so, you know, so, uh, we don't just want to do find educated.  
Speaker 6     00:56:20    I think it's really important for the residents of this town. The council members have thoroughly vetted, any thing that we voted on, that we stand the rain vacations of it and how it will affect our residence. I will say to you, yes, a high percentage of the town did vote to legalize did as our attorney in the town is quite a different thing than voting for legal realization. So let's set that aside. We don't know what that's going to be all about that. I have spoken Therese quite frequently as a person. And I will tell you that a lot of families in this town are not keen on an idea of dispensary in town in which their children grow up. Now that's not to say that things would not change from that to be that revenue perspective. So quite frankly, I honestly don't really tell what pre-bill is doing. And I'm pretty sure you're not a hundred percent certain that this happens because for sure you wouldn't know that in every single town, but let's step back to size. No, the neighbors did it poorly through the pen. They did not have there in place to keep running, keep services running. We had furloughs, we did not, and I would venture to, but in some cases, towns might be making a hate C decision in order to recoup revenue that was lost during the pandemic. They did not pair for help who liked to talk a lot. I think you've gotten a thorough, excellent patient as to why we're not opting. Thank you.  
Speaker 5     01:00:28    Count  
Speaker 5     01:00:39    Down. The president counseled me. I'd like to just make a couple of quick points and I, and I am, well, I am a lawyer. Uh, I have some knowledge of it, but I wouldn't claim to be an expert. I'll say, cause I have no problem saying I voted. I voted for it. Um, but any town in any, in any local government official who at this point without understanding the parameters, without understanding the regulations, um, votes can opt in is, is foolhardy. Uh, and they're doing sales, their own peril. We have an obligation, I believe to have a full understanding of what the legal ramifications are, what the regulations are. Can we, for example, control the size? Can we control the location once, once we opt in, can we say we want this type of a facility, but not that type of facility, all unknown questions.  
Speaker 5     01:02:01    Terrific. To say that we're for this, I'm for it in general. I understand, I understand the legal issues. I think it's the way the future in most states, but I think you can make a political issue out of it. There'll be people that are going to write it online or on status, say that, and, and that's fine and dandy. You can do that. And that's, you can do that. But government officials, I believe any government official who votes blindly at this point in time, not knowing what the rules are permanently into a program. When you could opt in later, you can opt and you have to receive the rules. If they're not doing, they're not doing a service to their community. And so, um, while I'm for this, I'm not for it until there's rules. When there's rules, we can make an assessment and decide what the best thing is for the township. Thank you. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     01:02:51    Okay.  
Speaker 1     01:02:56    Not the president. I'm asking the last individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves. Last four digits are 9, 8, 7, 9. Please unmute yourself  
Speaker 0     01:03:10    979. Please state your name and address.  
Speaker 1     01:03:19    Please hit star six to unmute yourself 9, 8, 7, 9. Go ahead.  
Speaker 11    01:03:33    Thank you. It said Madison, I lived at 1 76 Blackford avenue. I now have two resolutions, uh, for the console to consider. The second one I added this about a week ago is, uh, relative to the divest New Jersey process. Uh, and I have a correction for that. Uh, uh, it didn't when I gave a draft of that, uh, resolution. It, uh, I, I mistakenly, uh, included, uh, the parameters for Middlesex county, which does have a shoreline and I would remove one line one, uh, whereas out of that, but in any case, if the console has not taken a position on either of those resolutions, uh, I would like to suggest that I meet with the mayor and, uh, and Tim, and, uh, see, uh, what additional information is, uh, would be helpful for decision  
Speaker 6     01:04:43    Council precedent. If I may, it is Councilwoman Cahill. Um, I do want to let, uh, Mr. Madison know that the mayor and I started to have some discussion surrounded. Um, I did see what you say about the resolution on the shoreline piece, but we did start to have discussions. Um, no, I don't have an answer as to if we're going to vote on one of these resolutions or not, but I, I do want to let me know that we are going to start to discuss, um, what our place in this process. And part of that too, just comes, uh, you know, born out of the fact of your hard work, number one, but number two is also because the township itself is, um, going, you know, we're, we'll be in invested in renewables and, um, you know, I'm not sure as compared to some other neighboring towns, but I do know, uh, that we just recently last year passed a little bit more of an aggressive plan than what we originally had in terms of renewables. So, um, I'm sure the mayor would love to talk to you again, and I certainly would love to be part of that conversation.  
Speaker 11    01:05:57    So exactly what would I do in order to, uh, have that counter session?  
Speaker 4     01:06:03    Yeah. So Sid wants you to give me a call. I did speak to the mayor and some of the council members about the divestiture one, and just interested in that. So you get a chance to give me a call. We'll talk about it.  
Speaker 11    01:06:15    Okay. And what about the other one?  
Speaker 4     01:06:17    The other one that council members are talking as a counselor and kale said,  
Speaker 11    01:06:22    Okay. And can I, can I talk with them  
Speaker 4     01:06:27    With the council people? Yes. Sure. Yeah, sure.  
Speaker 11    01:06:31    And how do I arrange that? I mean, I'm going to call you about the vest. What do I do about the, uh, uh,  
Speaker 4     01:06:37    You could send me your contact information, I'll put it in their boxes. So when their agendas and stuff, glad they can call, you can email them to,  
Speaker 11    01:06:48    Okay. So they would contact me and, and we talked about, uh, divest and I CA and I call you and we'll set up, excuse me. And I will send the information about, uh, uh, empower and the council members will call me if they want to discuss the empire resolution and under the vest I call you and we'll talk. Yep. Okay. I'm all set if you are. Okay. Thank you. And thank you, Mr. Sood  
Speaker 6     01:07:24    Council president. There are no other individuals with their hands raised,  
Speaker 11    01:07:28    So I will do close votes on a public Boston. Yes.  
Speaker 8     01:07:43    Uh, I'd like to, would be remiss in not congratulating, um, past arouse, um, his, uh, nomination vote tonight to the, um, uh, to be on the council. Um, this doesn't happen for the general public. This doesn't happen too often where the council, uh, has to choose a replacement. Normally it's done by the voters, uh, during a normal election cycle. Uh, but you know, when the council takes a look at somebody's, um, that hasn't been voted on by, by the voters, um, they'd like to make sure, uh, that that individual is a competent individual trustworthy individual and someone who has their head above water, so to speak. And, um, Reverend Robin Rouse, uh, obviously meets all those qualifications as well as the I Mr. Espinosa and Mr. Kumar. Um, but I wouldn't have to say that, you know, there's going to be some people out there aren't going to like what I'm going to say, and I'm sure they're going to laugh about it on Facebook.  
Speaker 8     01:08:49    Um, but you know, the bottom line is, is that, you know, there was some, three other candidates out there, um, who actively did a PR campaign to, um, wanting to have the council, uh, the democratic committee and the council and name them as the replacement. Um, I think the voters have already spoken in regards to those three individuals. Um, 11 months ago, there was a democratic primary here. They lost two and a half the one in the democratic primary in the general election. They tried to run a writing campaign, you know, that they lost like four to one in that November election. And then just recently amongst the democratic committee, uh, they lost, uh, nine or 10 to one within the committee. So there's a clear pattern there that, uh, the voters, when it comes to those three individuals, uh, there's a progressive club that wanted to, um, be considered on the council that the voters already really had spoken about, spoken about there themselves.  
Speaker 8     01:09:52    Um, there's also some issues that, you know, since they put their names out in the public and you know, when you're involved in public life, you know, public you're fair game, you know, any, anybody can say anything about you, but, you know, the general public needs to know that, you know, you have, you have a track record when you go out in the public venue. And, uh, their track record was over the 2017, 2019, um, cycle. When they were recruiting candidates to run for the county committee, they had, uh, three, four candidates or actually five candidates that did not even live at the scat away. Uh, four of them actually lived in new Brunswick and they were, um, uh, they were baiting to be caught by the county clerk and the, uh, clerk for not living in the town, uh, one candidate that, um, allegedly he said that they scan away.  
Speaker 8     01:10:57    Uh, but in reality, the Progressive's brought a court action to try to get that individual on the ballot, uh, which these people were these into three individuals who were involved with and bank basically through the court process. It was discovered, um, that the individual there did not even live in town actually in fact, looked up in Syracuse, New York. And more importantly, is they, the individual tried the same stunt, uh, up in Essex county where they, uh, filed to run out of the place of business, even though they lived in New York. So I don't know whether the three candidates knew that I got to believe they did since they report the recruitment.  
Speaker 8     01:11:43    That was the leadership. And then there was another issue with one of her candidates out there there's quite frankly, did a disservice to them. And, you know, back in 2000 and 17th of May, uh, when Councilman Earnin was sponsoring a, um, uh, the community watch group for small quadrant of the Arbor area that, uh, that you showed up as a candidate. And basically, which I don't understand because he lived about four miles away from the neighborhood and came in there. And evidently after when the, um, uh, the, uh, the, the event was over with, I wouldn't say an event, it was a neighborhood watch meeting. Um, basically there was a confidential sign and she, uh, that the homeowners, uh, the folks, the neighbors signed, so the police can work with them. And, uh, this individual who put their name up just recently, uh, basically took the confidential sign in sheet.  
Speaker 8     01:12:41    And when the police found out about it, um, he basically denied it. And, uh, when he was told that some of the residents saw him do that along with the COMPAS that he had were with them, another person that was involved in her, uh, their club, um, basically he didn't want to give the sign in sheet back. He wanted to give a copy of it back to the police department. And then basically the police department told him if he didn't have it back by three o'clock, he was going to get charged. So, um, these, and then we all know that he loves showing his shield and campaign literature. He was using, you know, professional courtesy, so he wouldn't get in trouble. And, uh, you know, that's the type of individuals that you were dealing with that they're not being above board. So when this governing body goes to put somebody on the township council, when the voters haven't, um, had a chance to decide about that individual sitting on the governing body, they, they make damn sure that that individual that's going to be put on the council until the voters have a chance to weigh in on that individual, that that person is above board.  
Speaker 8     01:13:50    So I'd like to thank the council members for doing your due diligence, as well as the democratic committee, um, for taking a look at all the candidates that screened. And, uh, I like to think that we have a class operation and everybody might not necessarily agree with us all the time, but that's democracy, but I want to congratulate Reverend Rouse again, and, um, look forward to working with him for the next several months. Thank you, council president.  
Speaker 0     01:14:19    Thank you, Mr. Lewis, item number 16. Can I have a motion motion second back then. Thank you. Thank you, night. Goodbye.