Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on September 14 2021
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Speaker 0 00:00:00 You are muted. You can mute or unmute yourself by pressing star six, Speaker 1 00:00:07 Vice president Michelle Lombardi. And I'll be hosting the meeting this evening. I'm going to call this meeting to order adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required on our chapter 2, 3, 1 P L 1975, specifying the time date, location, or dial in information. And to the extent now on the agenda by posting a copy of the notice on the municipal building, the municipal court and the two municipal library, bulletin boards, municipal website, providing a copy to the official newspapers of the township. And by filing a copy in the office of the township clerk in accordance with certification by the clerk, which will be entered in the minutes, the township continues to use the telephone meeting format in an effort to mitigate the chance of exposure to COVID-19 as a part of the townships ongoing efforts to slow the rate of transmission and avoid overwhelming our treatment centers in order to make sure clear record of the meeting can be, and that all parties are heard in an organized fashion. Speaker 1 00:01:09 All members of the public will be muted during the meeting. If a member of the public wishes to speak during any public comment portion, please press star nine. In order to raise your hand to speak, we will unmute members of the public individually. If they have their hand raised, when it's your turn to speak, you will hear a notification that you have been un-muted. It is at that time that you should begin to ask any questions you may have. You will have three minutes to speak at the conclusion of which you will be muted again, and the council or administration will respond as necessary. Should you have any further comments or questions? The town council is always available by email and phone, and you can always call the mayor's office during normal operating hours. Each member of the public shall have only one opportunity to speak during each public portion. Speaker 1 00:02:04 As this technology does not allow us to know if there are multiple callers on an 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 individual, individuals may also submit written comments to the township clerk up to 48 hours prior to the meeting to be read by the township clerk. During the public comment portion of the meeting said, comments shall be limited to three minutes of reading. Thank you in advance for your patience. As we continue to move the township forward during this health emergency Speaker 3 00:02:59 And Jim Bullard, Councilwoman Cahill here, Councilman con Councilman Rouse, Councilman Aaron, Uh, Councilman Shaw, Vice president Lombardi, Mayor Brian Wallace, present Business administrator, Tim Dacey Speaker 2 00:03:51 Here, Speaker 3 00:03:53 Deputy township clerk, Monica Orlando here, and I'm here. Melissa CDOT, the announcer clerk. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with Liberty and justice for all Speaker 1 00:04:30 Meeting this evening with a moment of silence for all those who passed from the tropical storm Ida, uh, last week. And also we'd like to offer our thoughts and prayers to those who are still dealing with the devastation and aftermath. Maybe we please have a moment of silence, Which are comments from administration and council. Do we have any comments regarding any German of any matters on this agenda from any of the council members or the administration? Speaker 2 00:05:15 No comments, council, president, Speaker 1 00:05:26 Uh, number six, which is open to the public. We will open this to the public for comments regarding the item. Number 13, the consent agenda items. Please remember these comments are going to be held only to the consent agenda items. Okay? So for the public portion, 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 have been un-muted at that time. 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. Again, please remember these are comments that are only from the consent agenda Speaker 3 00:06:25 Council president. I'm asking the first individual to unmute themselves Speaker 1 00:06:34 Address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comment Nine and state your name and address Speaker 4 00:07:08 David akin, Ambrose valley lane. Good evening, Item number 13 F E echo. What type of, uh, what kind of appointments are going to be done at the library? Because there was quite a bit of improvements done, not too long ago. Speaker 3 00:07:37 Um, Mr. Akins, can you just go through all of the items that you wish to inquire about on the consent agenda and then, um, they'll, you know, someone may respond. Speaker 4 00:07:49 I go number, I quit India. Let me see. That's it for right now Speaker 1 00:08:09 To the business administrator, Mr. JC, please. Speaker 5 00:08:11 Yep. For a Davis. We're the library. So what we're doing is the employee bathroom, which was untouched since the last, uh, at the last renovation. So that's the only change that's going to happen in the library. They're going to fully renovate the employee bathroom. Speaker 4 00:08:30 David, this is just for note, um, that is the original bathroom when the library was first dedicated in the sixties. So you, well, you acknowledged there was renovations done sometime before in the general bathroom. Now you're speaking of employees bathroom, is that correct? Speaker 2 00:08:54 Yes, David that's correct. Speaker 6 00:09:02 And for David for item, I, uh, that's just, uh, we have two tenants and the Sterling village building. Um, this is just a normal process that we go through and returning security deposits Speaker 3 00:09:26 Council vice-president there are no other individuals with their hands raised at this time. Speaker 1 00:09:33 Well, and so that will be the end of number six public portion. I'll be closing that portion. We'll move to number seven. Now that's an ordinance. Second reading amending chapter, um, seven traffic section seven dash 29. Mid-block crosswalk open to the public. It's a resolution adopting ordinance. Ms. Cedar, can you please read the ordinance? Speaker 3 00:09:59 It resolved by the township council, Fisk getaway township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled ordinance to amend and supplement the revised general ordinances of the township of the Skyway county of Middlesex state in New Jersey amending chapter seven, traffic section 29 made a block crosswalks was introduced on the 10th day of August, 2021. And it passed the first reading. It was published on the 13th day of August, 2021. Now therefore be it resolved that the after set ordinance having had a second reading on September 14th, 2021 be adopted passed, and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval, any official newspaper before the resolve that this ordinance shall be signed. Number 2021 dash 1, 2, 1 Speaker 1 00:10:46 Openness to the public for each public comment portion. 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 have been un-muted 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. So if you'd like to speak now regarding this ordinance, please press star nine Speaker 3 00:11:43 Council vice-president. There's no one with their hands raised with regard to this public portion. Speaker 1 00:11:52 Now we will now have, uh, an offer anyone wishing to offer on this ordinance Speaker 7 00:12:00 That's council president that says council and in Cahill, I will offer counseling counseling, Speaker 3 00:12:17 Uh, Councilman Bullard. I'm going to try you again, cause I see you're on the call. If you could unmute yourself so we can get your vote, I'm showing you're un-muted on our end. You have to unmute your device so we can hear you. Okay. Council, woman Cahill Sound from in con Speaker 7 00:12:48 Yes. Speaker 3 00:12:50 Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Aaron. Speaker 7 00:12:55 Yes. Speaker 3 00:12:57 Councilman Shaw council vice president Lombardi. Speaker 7 00:13:03 Yeah. Speaker 1 00:13:08 Um, ordinance second reading consenting to the sale of the project from 800 Centennial urban renewal, LLC to T a Centennial LLC and authorizing the execution of a consent to assignment, assignment, and assumption of financial agreement among 800 Centennial, urban renewal, LLC, D a Centennial urban renewal LLC, and the township of the Skyway open to the public resolution adopting ordinance. So this will be open to the public. And again, if you wish to speak at this time, Mrs. Theater, can you please leave the ordinance? Speaker 3 00:13:52 Yeah. It resolved at a township council, Piscataway township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled an ordinance to consenting to the sale of the project from 800 Centennial urban renewal LLC, to TA Centennial urban renewal, LLC, and authorizing execution of a consent to assignment and assignment and assumption of the financial agreement among the township of Piscataway 800 Centennial urban renewal, LLC, NTA, Centennial urban renewal LLC was introduced on the 10th day of August, 2021. And I passed the first reading was published on the 13th day of August, 2021. Now therefore be it resolved that the, the ordinance having had a second rating on September 14th, 2021 be adopted fast and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper. The brothers that this ordinance shall be sign number 2021 dash two, two Speaker 1 00:14:48 Public portion. 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 have been un-muted 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. So we will now open this to the public for ordinance number eight. Anyone wishing to comment, please press star nine. Now Speaker 3 00:15:27 Council vice-president. I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves. Speaker 1 00:15:34 I dressed and know that you have three minutes in which to state your comments, Speaker 4 00:15:41 David Akins and both valley lane, item eight. Is there any, because I don't know exactly where 800 is to make a long story short. Are there any considerations of putting up a warehouse, David, this is mayor wall, or this is just to reassign the proceeds, uh, the financial agreement. Evidently the person who owns the property is selling the property. There's already an existing building up there. Speaker 3 00:16:30 Council vice president. There are no other individuals with their hands raised with regard to this agenda item, Speaker 1 00:16:39 The public portion on number eight and uh, Speaker 7 00:16:50 Yes. Off of Shaw. Second Councilman con Speaker 3 00:17:06 Councilman Councilman con. Speaker 7 00:17:13 Yes. Speaker 3 00:17:15 Councilman Ralph. Yes. Councilman Aaron. Yes. Councilman Shaw. Yes. Council vice president Lombardi. Speaker 7 00:17:27 Yeah, Speaker 1 00:17:31 No, no arguments. Second reading acquisition of the rights of way, easements and land, and be simple for the improvement of justice street, F L road second avenue and Centennial avenue. This will be open to the public and it's a resolution adopting ordinance. At this point being it's a second reading. We will open this to the public. If you wish to speak at this time, please press star nine to raise your hand. When it is your turn, please speak. And you will hear an announcement that you have been un-muted at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council and administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions, please, Mrs. Theater. If you may read the ordinance Speaker 3 00:18:18by the township council to skydive township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled ordinance for the acquisition of rights of way, easements and land in fee simple for the improvement of justice street, F L road second avenue and Centennial avenue in Piscataway township county of Middlesex state, New Jersey was introduced on the 10th day of August, 2021. And I passed the first reading. It was published on the 13th day of August, 2021. Now therefore be it resolved at the opposite ordinance. Having had a second meeting on September 14th, 2021 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 assigned number 2021 dash two three. Speaker 1 00:19:05 If anyone likes to make a comment regarding this ordinance, please press star nine. Now Speaker 3 00:19:38 Council vice-president. There are no individuals with their hands raised with regard to this agenda item Speaker 1 00:19:46 Is now closed. Speaker 2 00:19:58 I'd like to make an offer. Sure. Councilman Arnold. Second Speaker 3 00:20:16 Councilman Cahill. Yes. Compliment com yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Aaron. Yes. Councilman Shaw. Speaker 2 00:20:29 Yes. Speaker 3 00:20:31 Council vice president Lombardi Speaker 1 00:20:35 Passes. Number 11 is an ordinance. Second reading authorizing execution of a financial agreement between the township of the Skyway and duke Realty circle drive urban renewal, LLC. It will be open to the public, a resolution adopting ordinance. Number 10, we skipped one. Sorry about that. An ordinance. Second reading authorizing the execution of a roadway easement in connection with property located at 2 0 1 Centennial avenue, block 67 0 2 lot 3.02. It will be open to the public. It's an adopted dropping ordinance and Mrs. Theater, may you please read the ordinance, Speaker 3 00:21:32 Be it resolved by the township council to Skagway township, New Jersey, that inordinate entitled ordinance authorizing execution of roadway, easement in connection with property located at 2 0 1 Centennial avenue and identified as book 6 7 0 2, not 3.02 in the towns of ups, Galloway county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey for public purpose pursuant to N J S a 20 colon three dash one at SAC was introduced on the 10th day of August, 2021. And I passed the first reading and was published on the 13th day of August, 2021. Now therefore be it resolved that the offers that ordinance having a second reading on September 14th, 2021 be adopted passed, and after passage be published together with a notice of the data passenger approval and the official newspaper. The further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned. Number 2021 dash two, four, Speaker 1 00:22:25 Openness to the public. 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 have been un-muted 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. If you wish to comment on this ordinance, please press star. Now nine at this time, Speaker 3 00:22:57 Council vice president, I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves. Speaker 8 00:23:07 I, uh, Brian rag, 1247 Brookside road. This isn't really about the ordinance just bought Ms. Lombardi would like to know, uh, her microphone is completely unintelligible for their first three or four seconds after she starts talking. Like it's, it's just mumbling in the background. It's the Charlie brown teacher noise. Speaker 1 00:23:27 Not quite sure why it's doing that. Speaker 8 00:23:30 Yeah. I mean, it's fine if after like two or three seconds in, you're fine, but the first two or three seconds are just, we can't hear anything that was Speaker 1 00:23:40 At this point. I, yeah, I apologize. I can't do anything technology it at this point. Yeah, Speaker 3 00:23:46 We did make her aware. Um, you just, there's nothing we can do with Mike right at this moment. Speaker 1 00:23:54 I would like to thank Brian for the Charlie brown reference though. machine to make a comment regarding this ordinance. Speaker 3 00:24:14 There are no individual other individuals with their hands raised with regard to this agenda item Speaker 1 00:24:23 Is now closed and may I haven't lost her all foot shop. Second Rouse Speaker 3 00:24:40 Council, nimble arts Council, woman. Kay hill Councilman con. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Arran. Yes. Councilman Shaw. Yes. Comfortable vice president Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:25:07 Yeah. Passive number 11, authorizing execution of a financial agreement between the township of the Skyway and duke Realty circle drive urban renewal, LLC. Open to the public. It's a resolution adopting ordinance to theater. Can you please read the ordinance? Speaker 3 00:25:38 It was all by the township council to Skagway township, New Jersey, that an ordinance and titled ordinance of the township of Piscataway county of Middlesex, New Jersey authorizing the execution of I financial agreement by in between the township and duke Realty circle drive urban renewal, LLC, pursuant to the long-term tax exemption law and J S a 48. Colon 20 dash one at sec was introduced on the 10th day of August, 2021 and had passed the first reading. And it was published on the 13th day of August, 2021. Now therefore be it resolved at the opera, that ordinance, having a second reading on September 14th, 2021, the adopted passed and after passage to be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval and official newspaper before the resolved that this ordinance shall be send number 2021 dash two five. Speaker 1 00:26:30 So now open the public portion. 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 have been un-muted at 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. If anyone wishes to comment regarding this ordinance at this time, please press star nine. Now Speaker 3 00:27:08 Council vice-president, I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves Speaker 1 00:27:15 to know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. Speaker 9 00:27:22 Can you hear me, Anthony, while 2250 Plainfield avenue north. And this is regarding a G J agenda item 15. Am I correct? Speaker 1 00:27:41 Ordinance number 11. It's a second reading. It's a financial agreement between the town of the and Speaker 9 00:27:49 Okay. You haven't gotten to number 15 yet. Speaker 7 00:27:54 Okay, Speaker 9 00:27:56 Then, uh, I'm sorry for wasting your time. I'll wait. Thank you. I got kicked out of the call for a second. Speaker 7 00:28:04 Sorry. Speaker 1 00:28:09 Nothing to comment on number 11 At this time. Speaker 7 00:28:27 We'll Speaker 1 00:28:27 Pause the public portion at this time. Speaker 7 00:28:34 Okay. Speaker 1 00:28:40 Okay. Speaker 3 00:28:44 I'll make an offer Speaker 1 00:28:51 Around second. Yeah. Speaker 3 00:29:01 Yes. Councilwoman Kao. Yes. Counseling con yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Aaron. Yes. Councilman Shaw. Yes. Council vice president Lombardi Speaker 1 00:29:23 Passing An ordinance is under first rating ordinance amending a redevelopment plan for 800 Centennial avenue as Canadian block 67, 0 lot 2.02 resolution adopting ordinance made the ordinance Speaker 3 00:29:50 They're resolved and the council council of the Skyway township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending a redevelopment plan for 800 Centennial avenue designated as block 6, 7 0 3 lot 2.02 on the tax map above the township of Piscataway being a terabyte 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 Piscataway New Jersey, as well as by telephonic conference. On the 12th day of October, 2021, we have further resolved that 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 1 00:30:47 Offer counsel. And in Cahill. Speaker 3 00:30:51 Second, second, Councilman con Speaker 7 00:30:58 Yeah. Speaker 3 00:30:59 Councilman Boulevard. Yes. Councilman Cahill. Yeah. Councilman con yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Herman. Yes. Councilman Shaw council vice president Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:31:27 We'll now move to number 13, which is the consent agenda at resolutions or efficiency items have been consolidated into a consent agenda to be voted on together. The materials for these items have been distributed to the council in advance of the meeting at this time. Are there any items that the council would like removed from the consent agenda to be discussed or voted on separately? We'll have an offer for the consent agenda resolution Speaker 10 00:32:09 Offer Speaker 1 00:32:15 Ralph. Speaker 3 00:32:21 Sure. I just want to confirm, um, Councilman Bullard that you made the motion on that, correct? Speaker 10 00:32:33 Uh, yes, they did put it. Speaker 3 00:32:36 Okay. And so, um, I'm you on the roll call vote now? Councilman Boulevard. Yes. Councilman Kao. Yes. Councilman Councilman wax. Yes. Councilman yes. Councilman Shaw. Yes. Council vice president Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:33:08 Thank you. We'll now move to number 14, which are announcements and comments from officials, Councilman Jim Belara. Do you have any comments, Speaker 11 00:33:22 Nothing to say at this time. Thank you. Speaker 11 00:33:30 Um, yes, I would just like to make a comment. Um, and, um, thank you, council woman Lombardi for having that moment of silence for those who lost their lives during this terrible storm. Um, I would just like to say that I was, um, um, really, um, pleased to see, um, that the mayor had campaigned to the governor while the governor was visiting the apartments on river road, uh, to get fun, uh, to these residents quickly or at least, you know, to municipalities, to help residents, um, uh, with that, uh, with the housing. And then also with, uh, you know, looking into the rideshares. I know a bunch of us who are out there and we were just sort of listening in on the conversation that was going on and following the governor as he spoke to residents, um, in the complex. But I can tell you that we were, um, really super pleased, um, that things were put in motion that residents of the township, uh, made arrangements, uh, to negotiate with the hotels in town to get residents into those hotels, um, on that Saturday. Speaker 11 00:34:44 So, um, we've been out to the hotels, talking to the residents and, um, you know, speaking to them, uh, giving them, uh, all the guidance that they need in terms of, uh, direction on where to go. I know that team has been at the library, so I just really wanted to say, I'm glad to hear it. I'm hearing from residents on a daily basis. Um, you know, still following up with questions, um, and we're answering them and directing them to the right place to get, um, the right information. Um, the last thing we want is for folks to be, um, spun around in different directions. And so it seems like, um, through it all, this is a terrible time and there are folks that if we were in their shoes, we couldn't think of it that, you know, they may not even have the money to go put a deposit down on apartment now while there's this being renovated. Speaker 11 00:35:39 So there is so much that we all can be thankful for, but so much too, that we need to, um, really look at our brothers and sisters in town, um, who don't have the financial wherewithal, um, to, um, you know, find housing potentially. So I know that the mayor and the administration is, um, advocating on behalf of these residents that I know, um, that they will continue to do it. And we as council people will continue to support that. And I just really wanted to highlight that because I felt like it was, um, the best of us coming out there. A licensed promise was there. Um, the blessing bag came out there with the personal products. And I know a lot of that had to do with our own, uh, gene wealth coordinating all that. So just many thanks to the mayor, to the administration, to Jean wills, to all those who were intimately involved with helping these folks. Um, and I would just advise to all the council members, um, to keep in touch with these residents, let's, let's help them through the hardest times that they may say, Oh, and the red cross is out there too. So thanks to the red cross too as well. Speaker 12 00:37:09 I do have a few comments, uh, council vice-president. Thank you. Um, I, I, I was unfortunately a way, uh, during the height of the storm and I, and I, um, uh, but I, but I saw and heard from a great distance, 15 miles, uh, the way our first responders responded. And, uh, I wanna give a shout out to them that not that they need it, the firefighters, the police officers or DPW people, uh, some of the calls they responded to all hours of the night. I had a couple phone conversations with a few of them and they worked, uh, probably over 40 straight hours without getting any rest. And, uh, and they really deserve, uh, our real appreciation. Um, you know, some somebody, you know, they're all a lot of them, of course, the DPW guys are paid, but the firefighters are all volunteer. Uh, so I want to really thank my brother firefighters for the work they did most, some folks know some folks don't know. Speaker 12 00:38:22 Um, you know, there's a few other people, we know there's a million people that could be banked. I just want to point out because I think we showed, uh, some of the people who selflessly gave of themselves, you know, and one gene Wolfe was mentioned Mintigo and gene, uh, really worked his ass off. I apologize my language, but that's the best description of it, uh, to make sure that people were taken care of, uh, who didn't have needs to take care of themselves. And he frankly often goes on scene and he should, uh, get, get some credit and another person you should really get some credit is Paul Snider. Uh, Paul is our OEM director and Paul worked, I goodness. He probably worked 45, 50 straight hours. And what most people probably don't realize you saw them out there working was Paul's own home was destroyed. He got a tremendous amount of water in his house. Speaker 12 00:39:15 He, he had a lot of flood damage. He lives across on the stream over there, uh, bypassing town, uh, fire company, but yet he was out serving the public and working hard for the public. And, uh, he, he really deserves our admiration. And, you know, he, he is a guy who's dedicated 50, 60, I don't goodness over probably sit buying American correctly, probably over 60 years of his license town. Um, and, and, uh, you know, we really worked tirelessly for the towns are in this crisis. Uh, so, uh, my, my thoughts and prayers go out to those you, uh, suffered during the storm. We lost a couple of lives in town. A lot of people lost their homes. Um, but I, I want to thank our public workers who we did just a tremendous job. Thank you, council vice president Speaker 1 00:40:15 Linwood. Ralph, do you have any comments? Speaker 13 00:40:20 Uh, yes. Uh, just again, to reiterate what most of all has been said, um, just, just truly amazed, uh, the response of, of all that went on during the time of this flooding crisis, which nobody was expecting, uh, such two minutes amount of water. And again, as it's been said, the police department to firemen, uh, special services and the responders and our mayor council, everybody was on top of this. I do believe that the scattered way, uh, residents, those who were, we know that was damaged and lost and others, I really believe they're, they're really, uh, and a gratitude spirit, uh, this evening that they know that the mayor and the township is behind them a hundred percent, um, just, just truly amazing to be a part of it all. Uh, that's all I have to say, Speaker 1 00:41:22 Shaw comments. Speaker 12 00:41:24 Okay. I want to just thanks to the, all our emergency management to you, Nick fall. Yeah. Back to back last month, we had a problem with water. Now this time, this, uh, idea 10 this room. So I would say your dam and the residents of the apartment, they really appreciate. They said, this is the first town for all the council people and mayor is yours. It does all three days on a weekend and, uh, working with them and promoted them. And I want to another thanks to the board of education management. They work with mayor and June to provide the school bus to the boat, hotels, to pick up the kids. And, uh, so they don't miss the school. So I want to say thank you to the board of education management also, and, uh, our fire department EMS, everybody just great job. Thank you, Speaker 11 00:42:34 Councilman Frank, Aaron. Speaker 14 00:42:37 Yeah, I suppose. Yeah. I just want to echo the same word as of all our council members about the storm. I think everybody did a great job. The first responders, everybody, um, everything was worked out well and most of the residents have had a place to go. So, yes, I think we all did a great job on this. Speaker 11 00:43:11 Bye, bye. Precedent. Lombardi, could I it's Councilwoman kale. I wanted to also say that, um, one thing that our, our council men, friends and Collie counseling con, um, he himself has, um, you know, suffered from, uh, the, this devastating storm. Um, but, um, but through it all, um, I know that, um, he keeps persevering, um, to help our residents. And I just wanted to point that out that albeit he was away, he came home and he felt the devastation to a great extent. Um, and yet, um, is, is always ready, willing, and able to, um, take care of our residents, uh, before himself. So I just, I just wanted to point that out. Not many people know that I'm not sure he wanted me to say that, but I felt it was important. Speaker 10 00:44:08 I just wanted to say one thing, if I may, Can you, can you hear me? Speaker 11 00:44:16 Do we have any yes, Speaker 10 00:44:18 Yes. Um, our friend and, uh, Gabriel, I, I, she went, I mean, way out, as far as leadership is concerned and she was all all over the place and Gabrielle, you have my vote. Speaker 1 00:44:36 Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Councilman Belarus, mayor brown and Walmart. Speaker 4 00:44:43 Thank you. Thank you. I'm Councilman Lombardi. Um, as all the council members had just reiterated, thanking everybody that participated in helping out our fellow residents and, you know, some of the sacrifices, even the first responders had to make personally to help their fellow residents out there. Um, you know, there's lessons to be learned, but I it's obvious that a lot of the training exercises that, uh, um, uh, all multi-facets of, uh, OEM over the years and it really came into play, um, over the last couple of weeks, um, you know, the community center played a pivotal role in helping out a lot of residents on that night, uh, to give them a safe Haven to go to where there would be shelter and, uh, uh, uh, caught maybe not a warm, warm bed, but, you know, one would a blanket and pillow and things like that and food, we made sure that food was supplied and everything like that. Speaker 4 00:45:38 So, you know, you gotta remember for general public, you know, there was a lot of these young kids that were taken out at two o'clock in the morning by a boat, um, you know, to sirens and everything. So it can be very a traumatizing experience for somebody when they see a rushing water coming up, um, up to the doorsteps and they have to be evacuated by boat. So it's not that it happens every day, but you know, when it does happen, uh, I'm glad the fact that we did have a lot of mutual laid, uh, throughout the state. Uh, we basically, there was a flotilla of about almost 12 to 14, um, uh, Swiftwater rescue boats out there from all our areas of the state to come in, in conjunction with the state police OEM, working with our local OEM and the county OEM. So, uh, it was a real team effort. Speaker 4 00:46:28 And, uh, especially as Steve Khan talked about, the public works, stepping up, uh, you know, it was almost seamless, but one of the glitches we did have during the storm as quickly as we were putting up barricades, uh, between the PD and the DPW, uh, motorists were actually either going around the barricades or taking them down and thus more cars went further in when, you know, they wouldn't have had, they listened to the barricades, or if they were up, when they were up, it would have been less than the, um, situation out there and some of the key intersections. So, uh, let's just put it this way was an all hands on deck event for every facet of the, of the local government and county, government, and state government for that matter. So, um, now, now, now the hard part begins the rebuilding, uh, we're expecting, uh, hopefully we'll know, within the next, uh, couple of days from the management company from a couple of the apartment complexes on, uh, how many units, uh, that are going to be permanently out of con out of, um, out of condition for a couple of months. Speaker 4 00:47:28 Um, there, they don't believe it's going to be as bad as they originally thought. Um, so we'll have to see our building departments work very closely with the, um, uh, the management companies and in somebody's apartment complex as there. So, and the other problem is, is, um, many of the council members know that, you know, with the logistics supply chain jammed up with a lot of parts, even if you wanted to buy something for your own house, that's the same thing what's happening in an emergency with all the, uh, catastrophic weather events that have transpired throughout the country over the last six months. So, uh, we're working through it as a Councilman Kay hill and all the other council members said that, you know, we're trying to work with the families and take, make a situation, a bad situation, hopefully better. And, um, for them, um, but you know, take them one day at a time. That's all I have to say. Council, president Speaker 1 00:48:19 More administrator Tim Dacey. Speaker 5 00:48:23 Oh, yes. Just to let residents know that if anybody needs to meet with the FEMA staff, the female will be at the Piscataway senior center, which is a 700 lane of his avenue. This Thursday, September 16th, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Speaker 1 00:48:42 Thank you. And township attorney Rajkumar Speaker 5 00:48:48 Comments, thank you. Speaker 1 00:48:51 Or everybody pretty much summed up everything that I would have said. I just want to publicly thank everyone in the community that came together to help people during their times of need. Um, that's when it's time to come together and pull together and help your family and help your friends and all of those around you, that need help. So I'm very proud of how everybody came together and got things done. And I'd also like to publicly thank the Piscataway Elks club for hosting the 20th anniversary, September 11th, ceremonies on Saturday. So I thank them for doing that. And that's, um, all I have to say, so we will now move on to the next portion of our meeting, which is the agenda session for the October 12th, 2021 meeting. So, um, the first thing on that agenda will be the ordinance. Second reading ordinance amending a redevelopment plan for 800 Centennial avenue, designated a block 67 0 3 lot, 2.0 to open to the public resolution adopting ordinance. Do any of the council members have any questions or concerns regarding Speaker 4 00:50:13 Council president? This is a marijuana. This is a change it's just going to be to allow the, uh, the individual businesses to have individual signs out there on the facade of the house, not the house on the building. That's what the change is for. Speaker 1 00:50:31 Uh, the next thing on that will be a resolution accepting the 2021 town council meeting minutes for may 11, June 10th, June 29th and July 13th. I doubt that anyone has any questions or comments regarding that matter. So at this point, we will now open the meeting to the public. Um, if you wish to speak at this time, press star nine to raise your hand when it is your turn to speak, you will hear an announcement that you have been un-muted at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes to speak, to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary. If you have any completed, any comments or questions at this time, we are now open to the public. Please press star nine at this time. And please state your name and address and be advised. You have three minutes in which to speak Speaker 3 00:51:29 Council vice president. I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves. Speaker 8 00:51:40 Hello, uh, Brian rack 1247 Brookside road. My only question is why are the meeting minutes from may only being approved now, is there really a four month lead time on getting meeting minutes? Excepted? That seems like quite a long time to me. Speaker 6 00:52:02 I miss direct. This is Raj Gomez at times attorney. Um, it's due to just, they'd been a little backed up in the clerk's office, um, with a bunch of different items like the petitions and, and a few things. So they're just a little behind on producing the minutes, you know, for the council's review, um, that should get caught up, um, soon. So we should be back to current relatively. Speaker 8 00:52:28 Okay. Thanks Speaker 3 00:52:36 Council vice-president and asking the next individual to unmute themselves. Speaker 15 00:52:47 Hello. Can you hear me? Speaker 15 00:52:52 Uh, this is said Madison. I live at 1 76 Blackford avenue. The subject, uh, I, I have tonight is a resolution asking governor Murphy to immediately stop all fossil fuel infrastructure building projects in New Jersey. I've ha had this subject, uh, before, uh, on Monday I sent an email to, uh, everyone. Uh, I'm not sure if everybody got a chance to read that yet, I'm going to summarize it rather than repeat it. Basically climate change impacts are going to get worse and worse at an accelerating rate from now until 2050 or later, if we don't act better than we're doing now. And right now in the state of New Jersey, we're allowing more fossil fuel infrastructure to be built while we're supposed to be reducing that, uh, the emissions from that by 50% by 2030. So we're doing, we're not doing what we need to do, and that's why I have a resident. I, I continually asked this resolution to be passed by the console. If people have had a chance to read that, I would like to know how they, uh, how they feel. If, if people have not had a chance to read it, then I would ask that by the next meeting, uh, I get some feedback on it. Uh, so, uh, can somebody give me the status please? Speaker 1 00:54:30 The opportunity to read that? So I would like the opportunity to, um, wait until the next meeting, but, um, I applaud you for all of your climate control things, because as we see with the last storm, these are coming more and more frequent, and I think there's no denying that climate change is no joke. So thank you for all of your, um, comments and all of your, um, passion. Thank you, Speaker 3 00:55:05 Council. Vice-president I'm asking the next individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves Speaker 1 00:55:14 And state your name and address. Speaker 16 00:55:21 Hi. Yes. Um, , I'm calling on behalf of river rescue one-on-one Shirley Parkway. I'd just like to echo the rest of the council and thank all those that went out and gave and served throughout the storm. All of our volunteers, uh, not to forget the volunteers from EMS that went out, who went and served throughout the storm. And, uh, we, the volunteers at the away who served for more than 60 years, uh, in EMS capacity, look forward to the day that our radio services restored and I were allowed to work with the town and the townships vendors to continue to provide EMS in situations such as this storm. Thank you so much, Speaker 3 00:56:13 Council vice president. I'm asking the next individual to unmute them. Speaker 17 00:56:23 Hello. Can you hear me Speaker 17 00:56:26 Wonderful. So this is Matthew Noblock of 1 3, 2 eighth street in Piscataway. Um, my comment, I guess, is kind of compound, um, perhaps in December of last year, I asked the council what they were going to do, or if they had any plans to do anything about the supersaturated deer carrying capacity in Piscataway, um, Middlesex county has done a survey and noted this several times. Uh, at that time, I believe Councilman con expressed an interest in, in doing something about it. Um, I believe, uh, Ms. Dana Corbin, uh, reached out to DEP and, and had several meetings, but to the best of my knowledge, nothing has happened since that time. And I truly appreciate what the council has expressed with regard to their concerns about climate change in regard to significant storms. But I want to impress upon them that these things are, are very much related when you have too much deer or any, um, herbaceous species, uh, over consuming the native flora. Speaker 17 00:57:31 What happens is that they're replaced with invasives and the soil itself erodes and washes downstream. So you have a reduced resiliency of the wetlands in any particular watershed resulting in more significant flooding, um, for any, any storm impact. Um, and that's certainly compounded by increased developments within that same watershed, which we're seeing in Piscataway, um, you know, over the course of time. So, um, I just wanted to one ask, you know, what's going on, if anything, with plan, if it has one, um, to manage the deer, um, and then to, uh, you know, like I said, impress upon them, um, the relatedness of these issues. Um, so I'll leave that to, I don't know if a Councilman Khan is best prepared or if anyone else is, I guess that's up to the council. Speaker 7 00:58:32 Thank you. Want to comment regarding this? Speaker 12 00:58:37 Well, vice vice-president is his council Councilman con uh, I appreciate the, um, I appreciate the caller's comments. Like he was a little fuzzy, I didn't quite catch everything he said, but I've long been concerned about, um, uh, the deer population in town and, um, the health issues that they raised and, uh, uh, long felt that we needed to deal with the issue. Um, what happened, uh, subsequent to a couple of the communications that the caller mentioned is that Councilwoman column was kind of the point person on that. And, uh, we had had several conversations and, and, uh, we had gotten some information about what other's towns were doing, and of course she's now become a freeholder. I were commissioner and, uh, I had spoke, I spoke to her on the issue actually, uh, not too long ago. And, uh, it's an issue that the county was actually looking at, which perhaps is a better way to look at the issue. Speaker 12 00:59:39 And I don't mean to push the issue off to the county because I think the town, uh, should take some steps to mitigate some of the Deere issues, but it is somewhat of a regional problem. So, uh, I agree with the caller that it's an issue that, um, we probably need to accelerate our, our interest in and, and take some, some affirmative steps, but I will say it's a controversial issue, uh, controversial, um, amongst the public controversial within my own house and controversial among members of the town council about how to deal with the issue, but it is a serious issue. And, uh, I appreciate him calling and bringing it back to the forefront. And, uh, I'm gonna, I will follow up on it this week, uh, with, um, with Dana and I want to give, uh, uh, Chanel McCollum, commissioner McCollum, a call, uh, to follow up on it also. So thank you. Speaker 18 01:00:39 Yeah, Speaker 3 01:00:39 Council vice president, I'm asking the next individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves Speaker 18 01:00:48 And address. Hi, this is Jessica Kratovil at 1247 Brookside road. Can you hear me well? Great. So, um, I just wanted to comment on my concern as others have post, uh, post about the devastating effects of climate change and what we can do here in Piscataway to help mitigate that. And the damage that's caused by storms strengthened by the terrible climate change. And I did get a letter here from energy Harbor on August 26th, 2021 about the cancellation of the Piscataway community energy aggregation contract, uh, exploration. And I'm really concerned that with six weeks notice we're canceling the clean energy aggregation program, which I'm not, uh, um, opposed to saying that I actually signed up to get a hundred percent clean energy and a very minimal additional cost because I'm really concerned about the impacts that fossil fuel pollution is having on our environment. And I know that this was a initiative petition, um, uh, arrangement that got this measure going here. Speaker 18 01:02:14 And I, I don't know why it's being stopped now in light that we've had a terrible devastating flood event. And I was curious, my question is, is the council pursuing other options to enact a similar program? Or are they just canceling this? Because they, I saw somewhere online that it, it was about the high cost, but is it a devastating flood or other terrible climate change worth a couple of extra dollars like that? That's the gist of my question is, um, why are we investing in clean energy and Piscataway and what are we going to do about it going forward? Because this program says it cancels in October. So, uh, I would really appreciate your input on this. And that concludes my remarks. Speaker 5 01:03:12 Uh, Tim I'll I'll answer. So Jessica we're not canceling the program. The, uh, program was originally was put out to bid with, uh, energy Harbor received the bid for the first 18 months or so. And their contract with expires on October 1st. We attempted this summertime to work with other towns to group together to get a bigger aggregation. Um, but we were unsuccessful because of the volatility in the energy markets. And that's due to the storms in Louisiana, the storms, the MCOs storms that we had on the east coast. So the energy markets right now are, uh, in a, in a terrible flux and the way the BPU operates, the way, the way we'll lose energy aggregation is that BP will not approve our specs to go out to bid. If in your initial trial, you found out that the prices were going to be above the PSE and G tariff rate, which is where we were. Speaker 5 01:04:15 So we started doing trials with, uh, different energy companies, uh, for pricing back in July, August and into early September. And at every time we tried, the prices came in at above with the BPU would approve where they were above the PSE and G tariff price. So the BPU would not allow us to go out to bid again on it, because it would've meant that everybody's prices would have got up above with PSE and G is at a law, does not allow that. So we're ending the contract with, uh, energy Harbor, and we're going to attempt to rebid, uh, as soon as the market conditions change. And unfortunately with the hurricanes and the volatility, another bad storm hitting Louisiana, uh, the last hurricane that hit Louisiana, the fuel transmission lines were down for about a week to get the fuel up to the Northeast, which was disruptive. Speaker 5 01:05:13 So we are working with that energy. We are monitoring the favorable enough to go out to bid that we can see, we can get a price below the PSEG tariff. We will rebid it. Uh, we're not sure when that's going to be, but we're monitoring essentially on a daily basis. I would think it probably would not be at least through the continuation of the hurricane season, which goes into early November. So more than likely it might be ends of December or January in February before the prices stabilize my first to go out to bid, but we are not ending the program. We're just ending our contract, which was an 18 month contract. So we have attempted to do it would be a 50% and we were unable to do it, unfortunately, due to the energy prices. And we'll keep you posted through, uh, our newsletters and, uh, on our website, Speaker 4 01:06:11 Uh, council count vice council president. I just want to add in that the miserable government does have a a hundred percent renewable towards, uh, our electric bills for the, um, street lighting. Uh, that's how you handle energy aggregation, not the way this petitioner referendum was sold to the township residents. And, you know, more than two thirds of the people have opted out because you know what, in a lot of cases, you know, a lot of these seniors, you know, they're, you know, they, they can't afford the bills that have come up. And so, yes, you know, pricing does matter to a lot of people on fixed incomes in the community. And so people got to remember that people still need to live. Uh, and you know, you have people during the pandemic who may have lost a job or who were lives turned upside down, and yes, every bill does count. And especially when it comes to energy costs and the way it was structured was not helpful for bidding purposes. And I, I, I tend to think, I think some of these people knew that this was going to happen, but, you know, obviously they're going to deny it, but that's a whole nother issue. Thank you. Speaker 12 01:07:13 Okay. Counsel vice-president can I just follow up comment quickly on what the marriage said that, thank you. If I may, I mean, I opted into the program, I've been in the program. I remained in it until I got a letter from clean Harbor that they were no longer that interested in it, but, uh, piggyback of what the mayor said, what's disappointing is that we were working on a program that considered the cost because our position was that we were trying to get as many people down into the incident, this clean energy program as possible, because we saw that it would be successful with 75, 80, 90% of participation rate. Our hands were tied by perhaps well-meaning, uh, but poorly thought out to some degree public initiative that required, um, certain, uh, specific, um, percentages of energy efficiency that didn't pay attention to the cost. And as the mayor said, you know, we as council members, we've got to think about everybody is down. There's an awful lot of people unlike, uh, the caller who are not willing to pay more money, they can't afford to pay more money for clean energy. So, uh, I'm really disappointed because it was one of the initiatives that I was working on, uh, that the public initiative really tied our hands in such a way that the program at least for now has failed. I'm hopeful that in the future, maybe it can be rescued. Um, and that's where things stand. Thank you. Speaker 7 01:09:01 Uh, anyone else wishing that council vice president, and I'm asking the next individual to unmute themselves. Speaker 19 01:09:20 Hi, Sonia Pyra. Piras two 12 health place. Can you hear me? Speaker 19 01:09:27 Hi. Hi. How are you? I have a concern that has been all over social media circulating for the last week or so. Um, and I'm hearing a lot of rumblings and I'd like to just understand what is the truth behind what is happening with our volunteer EMS services in Piscataway, um, from what I'm reading and understanding, um, the township has made a decision to exclude all the volunteer service providers from EMS response plan in Piscataway. And we have now, um, gone into a contract with Hackensack. So I'd just like to understand how that decision was made. Um, and, and why as residents, we, weren't given more information on how this would impact our, our wellbeing and our safety and response times for, for everyone in this town Speaker 7 01:10:24 To answer that question, Speaker 4 01:10:27 It's going to be a heck a lot better. Um, it was no secret during the pandemic, uh, in town that, um, a lot of the volunteers who happened to be Rutgers students were not around, um, since January 1st of this year, we've had about 300 Ms calls between the two squads that are less Arbor rescue. Unfortunately, a folded shop, uh, on their into town had to step in and do something. Um, you know, the bottom line is, is that, you know, we put the contract out to bid for 24 7, 365, uh, with three full-time rigs throughout station throughout the town. Um, you know, the bottom line is, is that, um, you know, there was three bitters, uh, JFK, which was a little better than Robert Wood Johnson, uh, who previously handled the EMS services for Piscataway township was, uh, the next better. And then after that and river road rescue, um, which is a paid service now, um, which they put in their bid spec, they're, they're no longer volunteer, um, out there bid on it. Speaker 4 01:11:26 And, uh, they were about three and a half million dollars more than, uh, the low, the low bidder at this point over a five-year period. But with that being said, um, we expect in the police department does expect a better response time on there just because of the geographic location. Um, and they're going to have the township residents are going to have a better service. Um, you know, as far as the other squad north Staunton, uh, they're going to stay involved. I do know that the chief has been playing phone tag. Chief Moser has been playing phone tag with one of the commissioners out there. Uh, however, you know, we did request, um, recently, I guess we had a couple of large events in town, uh, were requested the, um, volunteer, volunteer squad to be there, but they couldn't muster crews, um, to be there, whether it was at the soccer tournament or the high school football games, but, uh, moving forward, I do know chief Moser's going to be reaching back out to them. That's pretty much it. Council president, Speaker 1 01:12:28 Excellent counsel vice-president there are no other individuals with their hands raised. Thank you everybody for your comments and for your input. I'd like to close the public portion of this meeting. Um, everyone, thank you for calling in. Thank you for your input in the meeting this evening. And number 17 will be a German I'd like to make a motion, please, an offer for a German. Please offer council, woman Khan. K Cahill. Speaker 12 01:13:02 I just want to say counsel. So I just want to say, I'm not sure if it's a Freudian slip or not, but council, woman, kale consistently goes herself. Count the woman. God, thank goodness. My wife didn't hear that. Councilman Conwell. Second council woman. Kay Hills motion. Speaker 1 01:13:23 This meeting is adjourned. All those in favor, please say, aye. Aye. Goodbye.