Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on July 10 2018
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Jul 10 2018 · Council
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Speaker 0At the end, you can make comments.
Speaker 1Oh, okay.
Speaker 2Fine. That's I,
Speaker 1I'll, thank you. Okay.
Speaker 0For efficiency items have been consolidated into the consent agenda to be voted on together, and it appears that 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 to remove from the consent agenda to be discussed or voted on separately? See? None. Do I have a motion?
Speaker 1Motion? Second,
Speaker 0Please take a
Speaker 3Mr. Bullard. Yes. Mrs. Lombardi? Yes. Mr. Haw?
Speaker 1Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Irv? Yes.
Speaker 0Item number eight, second reading to adopt redevelopment plant for 30 and 50 Seay Avenue Block 55 0 1 blocks. 10 0 1 and 10 13. This is open to the public resolution adopting the ordinance. Steve, would you please be the ordinance
Speaker 3Be resolved by the Township Council of Scatter Township, New Jersey That Northern's entitled an ordinance to adopt a redevelopment plan for 30 and 50 Celia Avenue designated as clock 5 5 0 1 lots. 10.01 and 10.13 on the tax map of the town of Piscataway was introduced on the 14th day of June, 2018, and I passed the first reading. Now therefore be resolved that the opposite ordinance, having had a second rating on July 10th, 2018, be adopted, passed, and after passage be published together with the notice of the date of passage or approval in the official speaker. Be further resolved that this ordinance shall be signed. Number 18 dash one three.
Speaker 0This is also open to the public comments from the public. If not, do I have a motion?
Speaker 1Motion?
Speaker 0Second.
Speaker 1Second,
Speaker 0Please.
Speaker 3Mr. Buller? Yes. Mrs. Ardi? Yes. Mr. Shaw? Yes. Mr.
Speaker 0Rn? Yes. Item passes Item number nine on the first reading Title 39 at 800 Centennial Avenue Resolution adopting ordinance. Could you please read the ordinance
Speaker 3Be resolved by the of counsel? The, that An ordinance. Ordinance to amend and supplemental advise General ordinances of attached.
Speaker 2Can you slow down a little? It's hard to hear. Can you slow down a little bit,
Speaker 1Please?
Speaker 3It's just the title of the, it's just being read by title. What, what it says on the agenda. So this is just the verbiage about it being in the state of New Jersey. Okay. So it's what you just read basically, but there's more verbiage added for the statement. Amending Chapter seven, traffic, section 40 control for the movement of the parking of traffic on public and private property to assert Title three,
Speaker 4The
Speaker 3Official newspaper. And that a second rating of public hearing. Further, the result shall be posted
Speaker 4In
Speaker 3Two 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 1Thank
Speaker 0You. We have a motion.
Speaker 3Motion.
Speaker 1Second. Mr. Bullard? Yes.
Speaker 3Mrs. Lombardi? Yes. Mr. Shaw? Yes. Mr. Rum?
Speaker 0Yes. Before you,
Speaker 1This is Gabrielle. Hi Gabrielle. Hi Gabrielle. This is, hi, we have you on a meeting. Yep. Okay, Ms. Cedar, can you report that Ms. Kale is here present by teleconference? Yes.
Speaker 0Item number 10, second reading bond ordinance, various capital improvements, $7,515,000 7 million 139 250 open to the public resolution adopted ordinance
Speaker 3Be resolved by the Township counsel, Township, New Jersey, then ordinance in federal bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the Township of Piscataway and the county of Middlesex, New Jersey, appropriating $7,515,000. Therefore, in authorizing the issuance of $7,139,250 bond or notes of the Township to finance part of the cost thereof was introduced on the 14th day of June, 2018 and had passed the first reading. It was published on the 20th day of June, 2018. Now therefore be resolved that the after said ordinance having had a second reading on July 10th, 2018, the adopted passage and after passage be published together with the notice of the date of passage or approval in the official newspaper. Be further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 1814.
Speaker 0This is also open to the code for not to have a motion.
Speaker 5Could you just clarify what the bond ordinance is paying for? Like what the, what the set, what
Speaker 1The, that's it. Do, right. What
Speaker 5Are the, the various capital improvements?
Speaker 6Staci 2 33 Ellis Parkway. Skyway, could you just identify, I think for the public what the bond improvement, what the bond are paying for various capital improvements? Could be like a whole bunch of things.
Speaker 7Okay. It's where the missal complex improvements, including Canada.
Speaker 6I'm sorry. It's really hard to hear you guys. It's hard even just sitting here and there are people watching all over town. So
Speaker 7If you, Leslie Street, brotherhood, street Haywood, Windwood Walk, water Street, and then three other, three other short street and three other streets.
Speaker 6I'm sorry, I missed the part about what it
Speaker 3Was doing for the streets.
Speaker 7They're full blown reconstruction.
Speaker 6And how do those streets get chosen over other streets or are, is there a list of streets?
Speaker 7They're, they've been on their engineering design for the last several years. They're in a queue. And now that some of 'em have their DEP permits, they're, they're ready to go.
Speaker 6Thanks.
Speaker 7I have a motion.
Speaker 3Motion.
Speaker 7I second. Second. Sue you please take your oath. Mr. Bolt? Yes.
Speaker 3Mrs. Cahill? Yes. Mr. Lombardi? Yes. Mr. Shaw?
Speaker 7Yes. Mr. Irman? Yes. Item number 11, announcements and comments from officials. Jim, not at this time. Thank you.
Speaker 3Yes. I would like to offer a congratulations to two Piscataway residents, one being Nicholas and the other one being Louis folks. They both participated in the Special Olympics United States in Seattle, Washington. And they took home the gold in the four, the four 100 relay. And I have to say that Nicholas Uch is a dear friend of ours, so I'm super, super proud of them and I wanna acknowledge them. Thank you
Speaker 7Ms. Cedar. For the record, just Ms. Kale is up to me by telling your No thanks, no comment. Thank you. I don't have no problem. Item number 12, open to the public. Anybody wishes to speak nor you have free minutes in which to speak.
Speaker 6Hi, I'm Ken Stelton, one 13 Fountain Avenue. I've been here before with two major concerns. One is, what is the progress of the town in working towards resolutions and ordinances or at least instructions that make us a more fair and welcoming city. I know you've discussed this, the county has passed a policy. We were all, well not all of us, but a lot of us were in a rally in New Brunswick. And so we wanna know what's the progress that you were indicating you would work towards. And that involves training of police force and other town officials to make sure that people are not discriminated against or badly treated or live vulnerable to ice rates, which are increasing around the state of New Jersey targeted by the Trump administration. And the same thing I'm curious about is just how, what the timeline or planning process is for the Copper Farm Eco Park. Because it's something i, I really support. I was happy to be at the informative meeting we had earlier and I just, what I really need to have is a better timeline to know okay, when is this going forward in my lifetime I hope. And also where the input points for the public
Speaker 8I can answer the fair, welcoming in regards to the, the police procedures to make sure that we are in line with protecting our, our residents. I've been working with the chief of police. He sent me a working document last week and with a written policy due to the holidays. I'm, and we're a little short staffed. I've gotten through the document, but hopefully we'll have a written policy issued shortly.
Speaker 6And that will be public for Yes. Once it's for everyone to review and, and look
Speaker 8At it. Yeah. Once it's issued.
Speaker 6Yes. And so this summer,
Speaker 8Yes it should be.
Speaker 3Okay. And I'll answer the second question at this time. We have voted previously in a prior meeting to demolish all the buildings. So you will see that happening shortly. I don't know that we can give you a definitive, definitive timeline. After that is done, we have some remediation of the property that has to be done, which will entail part of the dirt to be dug up So many inches down, removed from the site, taken out to Pennsylvania. Yes. And remediated because unfortunately they were allowing landscapers to dump their a remnants on the property. And in order for us to feel safe to allow the public on it, we wanna make sure that there's no contamination park. So after that is done, we will be moving forward, but we will be having other meetings and entertaining ideas. I actually spoke with another client of mine in detail of some of her ideas. I don't know if you know if it was West Meyer, one of our teachers in town. So we do have a lot of interest and we're gonna accept all of that interest and put it together and work forward.
Speaker 6So what is the process for the public to give additional input?
Speaker 3We'll probably get together at another time to You mean hold
Speaker 6The public meeting? Yeah. Do you have an idea?
Speaker 3It's not, not during the summertime. Probably closer after September. Okay. Alright.
Speaker 6Thank you very much. You look forward to participating.
Speaker 7Red white. What, what is title 39 as number ordinance number nine. Thank you. Council president. Title 39 allows police department to have enforcement actions on private property or public ways For what reason? To issue parking summonses. Violation of handicapped ordinance because it's quite frequent. And private property shopping centers a lot of times ask grant title 39 enforcement actions. 'cause technically the police department cannot issue summons design on private property.
Speaker 8Okay. Yeah. So to be on for idling issues, et cetera, it allows the police department to actually issue tickets on private property.
Speaker 7Oh good. So that when the trunks start parking at 800 Sunshine Avenue, I can call the police and they will come and give them a ticket for letting them. He's legends ile? Yes. Great. This is a little off the wall. Has nothing to do with the agenda, but I, I'm curious about something, you know, I've been very happy that the getaway has taken and chipped a lot of trees that have fell over in the last strong windstorm. And I noticed there's piles over at the old ber farm of of chips. Are those chips sold to people who mix it with dirt or are they available to residents? No, the that contract is is that the, the low pitter has to remove all that site. We don't want to have that problem with any of the residents 'cause we can't guarantee that there is no environmental issues. Okay. Thanks.
Speaker 6Sorry, IM, I like summer to be Summer. I'm Staci s so 2 33 Ellis Parkway. A couple of follow up questions. Goomer, I'm glad to hear that, that the police director is communicating with you. Is the council involved in those conversations or is that strictly a staff level conversation
Speaker 8Right now? 'cause we're in the work product phase, it's at the staff level to be have a working document. It'll be released to the council for the conduct.
Speaker 6And in addition to the, the, the police directive, there were other items that both Ellen Witt when she, when she was here a few months ago, talked about in terms of the, the, I think it's seven point platform that the A CLU has for protecting immigrants and other residents in our community or any of the other police director was one of them. But there were, there were a whole long list of them first. And the one that I think Councilman Bullard should interested was the municipal ID program, which has already been adopted in other neighboring towns like New Brunswick and Highland Park. So is that something that the council has gonna move forward with? You specifically talked about that?
Speaker 7I don't believe. I don't think so. I
Speaker 6Didn't think so. So, so you are gonna, so 'cause Councilwoman Lombardi had said that she thought there were some really good ideas there when we were here last year in September and made some really strong comments that we appreciated that, you know, about the council's commitment to doing everything. I think the words you used were everything in our power and up to the, up to the limit of the law that you were going to, going to do everything you could to protect our, our residents And, and so we look forward to that happening and not just being limited to the police director, which is very important. And I'm sorry that council Cahill's not here 'cause I know she had some similar concerns and voice them at the last meeting. Are you gonna do anything else?
Speaker 1That's why
Speaker 6We're allowing maj and our attorneys to look into what we feel. Frank. He's been looking into it since September last year. People are being hauled up and separated. You guys passed a great resolution. The Mayor signed a, a great resolution last at your last council meeting. Not this time condemning. Can I condemning the border policy or did you change your mind? No, you guys put out a great statement. You had a great, you had a great comment about what was happening at the border and how inhumane it is that people are separating children from their families. I assume that you still believe that, Mr. Mayer? Or did you change your mind? No,
Speaker 7I did not change my
Speaker 6Mind. Okay. I you just jumped in to correct me when I had thought we were, I think most decent human beings can agree that it's a horrible thing that, that the Trump administration is doing and that they should, that we should do everything we can to stop them. One of those things is to make sure we don't participate in spending scattering tax dollars, helping the Trump administration Administrates ICE program. And so that's one thing you can do and one thing you can help protect I do to protect immigrants is to make sure there's a municipal ID program. It's good for seniors, it's also good for folks who don't have other forms of id. So in addition to the police directive, which would be great, we would like to see you do what you said you were going to do last September. It's not just when Ms. Whit was here earlier in the year, there were lots of people who came last year and asked you to leave and you said you were going to and we are still waiting. It's been almost a year. So if you don't remember those comments, Councilman, I'm happy to, to bring 'em back up on the video tape.
Speaker 6I had another question, but I I can't see how much time
Speaker 1You three minutes or
Speaker 6About. Okay, well thank you very much. Question.
Speaker 1Any other comments? No, sure.
Speaker 7David Akins and Valley Lane. Good evening Counsel.
Speaker 1Good evening. Your
Speaker 7On item number F approval of cash management plan. Is that plan available upon request? If I want that plan, I request it. Can I get a copy of it?
Speaker 1Yes, you can get it from our CO.
Speaker 7Okay. Item don't remember h the carpet that's being replaced in the library, do you anticipate anytime soon of it one being replaced at the other library? I mean, since you said it's being placed at the right, if someone had to look at it, make a determination, did they also do the same thing for the other library?
Speaker 9They, they recently replaced some of the depart in the Kinneally library. This comes from the library where these requests,
Speaker 7It comes, I'm sorry, comes
Speaker 9From where? It comes from the library board to request to do this motion from the library itself. It doesn't come from us over here.
Speaker 7So the library is paying for that
Speaker 9Out out of their budget? Yes. Okay.
Speaker 7Item J, the canopy that anticipated, do you know when they're gonna start that for the police canopy?
Speaker 9Hopefully. We're actually working on getting their bonds in place today and so they pre-construction conference. So they'll probably take place by the end of the month with the construction beginning probably mid, mid August.
Speaker 7Okay. When you say bonds, are you talking about bonds that money's allocated for the Township or their bonds?
Speaker 9When, when you bid a public project, the contractors require put in a performance spot. So they have to give us a bond, submit that they're going to complete the work. And if they don't complete the work, then we go after to the bonding company to get somebody else
Speaker 7Complete work.
Speaker 9So they're putting their performance bond.
Speaker 7Okay. You're talking about bonding from,
Speaker 9We'll, we'll do a precon meeting.
Speaker 7Okay. Item number now the acceptance of the calendar year ended December 31st, 2006 17. Is that report also available if I requested it?
Speaker 9It'll be available tomorrow. Who will be available tomorrow?
Speaker 7I I didn't have, I have,
Speaker 9So after the council approves it tonight, it'll be available tomorrow. Okay. We'll also put it on my website
Speaker 7On item m Mike. Is this some type of, this is a simulator, which I've never seen before. What exactly is the purpose of that?
Speaker 7If I may Counsel president does this. A good question. The police department, it's actually a video simulator now most police departments are moving towards that direction. Instead of x amount of times a year, they have to do a live fire simulate action. Live fire test. But this is actually a video test. It's actually pretty interesting. But as effective, watching a video until it's actually going to range. No, it's, it's, it is actually a live action simulation big screen. It's almost like you're, it's right there. It's like, so sort of like a hollow brandand Hey back for better word. It's the police department paying for that?
Speaker 1Yes. The police
Speaker 7Department. It's coming outta their budget. Yes, correct. Yes. On end for November, I know that in reference to the sewer study, where, where is the study being done? I know the sewer's all over this. This section will be over the new market section. We had finished up remediation and the sewer lines, everything from Washington Avenue over to Brunswick Avenue. Now this is the X phase going from Washington Avenue over to steal road down to the Lakey Avenue. Item Q Is that in conjunction with I in? No, this is a construction project that is ongoing right now. This is a very tricky job. Believe it or not. The San silver line is 14 feet deep and anybody that knows anything over in that section of arbor, it has tendency to have a lot of sand and clay over there. So it makes it very challenging for installing or repairing any lines over in that neighborhood. David, I have to cut you off for three minutes or I pull away. Overdue.
Speaker 1Okay.
Speaker 7I'm catching the next round. I have a couple more, but if you want to end this on the agenda meeting next. Next portion, next meeting. Okay.
Speaker 1Okay,
Speaker 7Thank you.
Speaker 1Any other comments or questions from
Speaker 6Evening Awa Harris from two court? Just question as to, is there a timeline for when PSG or we'll be doing the digging? I just noticed in front of my house. They just started the markings I believe yesterday. So any timeframe of when the digging will begin?
Speaker 7I if I may, I didn't get to your street address. Okay. I know PSEG is doing some workout for about 165 streets in town. Replacing the gas meetings. I think over your section, I know we're gonna be doing some million paving over there. That might be us. I, I'll have to check. Just give your name up here and we'll check for you.
Speaker 6Okay? Okay. Thank you.
Speaker 1Any
Speaker 0Other comments?
Speaker 1Hi. Good evening.
Speaker 6Tillman 2 2 9 Ellis Park by New Jersey. I just wanted to know for the savings that we were supposed to be getting on the warehouse pool and all that, do you know when that will take place or when we'll be able to see that in our tax bills? And approximately how much are the business savings
Speaker 7If I may count the precedent? The tax bills probably won't be going down until the end of middle of August because we waited for the state to have the final aid numbers for the school district. And we're not the only town. It's like every town until they come up with the jurisdiction dollars up there. But I think most people are gonna be pleasantly surprised.
Speaker 6Do you know about, about how much
Speaker 1We're
Speaker 7Not gonna, we're not gonna know until the, the aid numbers finally come out that the school district.
Speaker 6Okay, so about August.
Speaker 1I, August. Thank, thank you.
Speaker 0If not, do I have a motion?
Speaker 1Motion?
Speaker 0Second. Second. All in favor?
Speaker 1Aye.
Speaker 0Meeting AUR I up the agenda meeting for July 24th. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required of chapter 2 31 1 9 75 specifying the time, date, location, and to the extent known the the agenda by closing a copy of the notice on the municipal building municipal court to Municipal Library Board, 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 the certification by the clerk, which will be entered into the minutes. Would you please take the role?
Speaker 1Mr. Bullard? Here.
Speaker 6Mrs. Cahill. Mr. Ka. Mr. Lombardi Here. Mr. Shaw?
Speaker 1Mrs. mcCal, Mr. Republic for which to one nation under God Justice
Speaker 0On first Reading
Speaker 039 million. 37 re resolution questions on that Item number six, resolution authorizing purchase of 2018 Al supplied through Somerset County Court. Contract CC oh oh five four dash 16 Atlantic Salt Incorporated not to exceed $200,000. Item number seven, authorizing the bid. 2018 2019 Sidewalk repair program Bidding Open July 12th, 2018. Okay, number eight, resolution authorizing 2017 record approvals. Any comments? Questions? Item number nine, resolution authorizing Return of escrow, John and COR Pedro Block nine 15 Lot 21, 500 Waterford Avenue. Any comments or questions? Item number 10, north Goomer internal performance early and cash bonds. South Washington Park, LLC and line Industrial Properties LP Block 57 0 1 Lot 1 0 4 16 60 Washington Avenue. Any comments or questions? Item number 11, resolution authorize your municipal lien for abatement on public nuisance, various blocks and lots. Any questions? Item number 12. Resolution authorize a refund, overpayment of taxes due to tax court judgment. Ten two seventy three Tower Realtor Group, various blocks and lots.
Speaker 0Question item number 13, authorize a refund overpayment of tax at two two. Tax court Judge Kathleen Joe Frank Block 83 0 8 block 27 0 4. 1266 Delton Road, comments or commissions. Item number 14, authorizing professional engineering services 11th Street Road, 11 Street Road improvements. Memo Engineering Associates not to exceed $170,000. Item number 15, resolution authorizing professional engineering service Winnie's Avenue roadway improvements Nigerian Associates not to exceed $55,150. Any comments or questions? Item number 16, authorizing refund of overpayment taxes due to homestead Rebate. Now a hundred percent exempt block 1603 lot 34 15 Carlton Avenue. Any comments or questions? Item number 17, resolution authorizing affordable assistance program Grant, 1000 Burgundy Place given the 1212 questions. Item number 18, resolution authorizing affordable assistance program grant, 1000 Burgundy placed Unit 1312. Questions. Item number 19, authorizing affordable assistance program grant, 1000. Burgundy Police Unit 1213. Item number 20, resolution authorizing affordable assistance program Grant, 1000 Burg Place, unit 1207. Number 21, resolution authorizing acceptance of qualifications, rates and appointment of professional planners Master plan examination. Any comments or questions? 22. Accept the reports of clerk's Count June, 2018 for questions. Item number 23, accept the report of division of revenue 2018. Item number 24, receive enter into the minutes disturbance for the month of June, 2018.
Speaker 0Item number five, proclamation a hundred 50th anniversary of the Bement and protective order of the hour. Elks, any comments or questions? Item number 26, announcements and comments from officials? Jim?
Speaker 1Not at this time. Thank you.
Speaker 3Yeah, I'd like to also thank this evening. All the entities in town that made it possible for our 4th of July matter works to go off without a hitch. That includes the police department, the fire departments, the rescue squads, the and the all the other volunteers that helped to make that event possible. I don't think people realize what a big undertaking that type of event is to run for a town with that many people entering into our town and exiting our town on that evening. And I have to say it was very well done and I thank all of them on behalf of the council.
Speaker 8Okay, now we are concert park. We start now every Thursday at new market base on Columbus Park.
Speaker 1Thanks. Okay,
Speaker 0I have no item number 27 to the wants to speak
Speaker 6Stelton. I'm person who likes timelines and just, I'd like to know the goals and I'd like to know when we can expect them and see how things are progressing. But one thing that I'm very interested in is the master plan. And first of all, can we access free of charge the existing ma master plan and how do we do that
Speaker 1Request? You submit an, you
Speaker 8Can go ahead and submit what, just go ahead and submit an open request to the council clerk and then, and they'll provide you copy
Speaker 1That's not not free.
Speaker 6It's not free. Is it free?
Speaker 8Yeah. No, if you get it by email, it's free.
Speaker 6Sure, I
Speaker 1Can
Speaker 6Do that. And I'm very happy to do that. And then what is the reexamination process that you're citing in the resolution 21? It's,
Speaker 7It's required all 565 tenants in the state periodically between a five or six year period have to have a reexamination of the master plan.
Speaker 6So it's a state requirement? Yeah, state. And that will be included in my email request to see what that, what comes out of that reexamination or will that be something that in the future that's published by the counsel?
Speaker 1Well, the three
Speaker 8Examination hasn't started yet, so there wouldn't be any responsive documents to that at the moment. But yeah, if you make, once it's complete, if you make another request, they can easily provide that
Speaker 1To you.
Speaker 6Very good. Thank you. I look forward to seeing it. Thanks. Lash Hendrick 4 26 Pleasant Avenue. Going back to number five, the ordinance for the community center. What would be the tax implic patients? How much was he paying or that center?
Speaker 9He anticipated that the cost for the building of the centers that we paid for out of the impact fees for the developers that are
Speaker 1Where we're.
Speaker 6So there's funding in there already or so we don't have to pay out of the taxes or something? Not, not yet. Thank
Speaker 1You.
Speaker 76 0 7 Alice Parkway. In answer to your question, quite some number of months ago, Bob Smith was out campaigning. He came to my house asking for my vote and I mentioned about that community center and the pools. He told me that there was $4 million that the city had sort of put a, a fund together for it at that time. He said we couldn't, they needed two or 3 million more, but he didn't know when that would be available. Apparently somehow that money got found. And just a, a question on your comment on the helping our police force, which I appreciate deeply in their target practice. Does that include lay taser reams? We do have our, we do issue Taser
Speaker 1Matter
Speaker 7First state are, are all police trained to use taser for bullet? Yes. It's under the, under the attorney general's guidelines that there's certain rules and procedures that need to be found. When to you, sir. Thank you. And also the last question. Is anything happening on trying to move the entrance to, to the coming warehouse at 800 Centennial Avenue to Centennial Avenue from North Plainfield Avenue? There's not, to
Speaker 1My knowledge. Thank you.
Speaker 6Staci Berger 2 33 Ellis Parkway. I'm sorry that Councilman Cahn and Councilman Cahill aren't here, but perhaps Councilman Shaw or maybe the Mayor can clarify the waiver that's being proposed on the zoning at the zoning board meeting on Thursday. Unfortunately, I can't be there. So I I know the Mayor usually votes on those. Which member of the council serves on the zoning as the liaison for the zoning board. If,
Speaker 8If I may this day sits on not zoning
Speaker 6Board. So Well usually there's a lay liaison, there's a liaison to the planning board zoning. So then, but then you would probably have a position or not a position, a formal position, but an opinion on whether those that waiver for the six home, what would normally be six homes to now be come eight homes. There's a hundred. The, the zoning in that neighborhood where that Macedonian church has applied for on Roosevelt had they've applied to have a waiver from, to go from would normally be six homes to be eight homes. And since many, many members of the council, including Councilman, Cahn have a very strong position on changing density for density, the density of housing and the Mayor makes some remarks much earlier in here about me personally and high density housing. I'm curious to know what the council's position is on high density housing and changes to our zoning rules
Speaker 8As this is actively up on the zoning board's agenda, I would request council not to make comment. We don't, the Township council cannot show any undue influence or, or comment on zoning board
Speaker 6Matters. So you can have, they can have an opinion on whether, whether housing should be lower or higher density generally, but they can't have an opinion on whether something should be approved.
Speaker 8It's a zoning board issue. If you, you can bring it up and talk to the zoning board.
Speaker 6Well, I wanna know where my elected officials, one of whom actually targeted me personally with mailing about high density housing issues. I'd like to know where they stand on this particular proposal, considering it's in ward three. Councilman, Cahn represents Ward three, Councilman Shaw and Councilman Cahill and Councilman hort here or at large. If this is, if this is something, this is pisca way's answer to, to issues around high density housing, which was an issue in a campaign, I'd like to know where the, where the council members and the Mayor actually stand on that issue. Since you are proposing and allow to a reduction in the, the, the zoning rules, what would normally be a hundred by a hundred logs now being proposed to be 75 to a hundred. So is that something that the council and the rest of the town is going to continue to propose or is that something that's on the deck for the rest of the town?
Speaker 8Yes. This is not a Township council.
Speaker 6I'm not really acknow I'm not really asking. I appreciate that you are in a tough position. No, I'd like to know what my counsel is.
Speaker 8You're you're asking my, you're asking the counsel to comment on a specific issue that general what
Speaker 6Generally what they think. Maybe not this particular one. Generally speaking, what do you think of taking,
Speaker 8Well you, Corey referenced that item and specifically ask on that item. So going back to say I want a general comment,
Speaker 6I want, I would like to know generally where people stand on that. They, they've made it an issue. The Mayor made it an issue. Councilman Cahn made it an issue. So where do you stand on those
Speaker 8Issues? I would, I would ask the council to make comment at this time.
Speaker 6So just to be clear, don't applications, you don't have a position discuss and when we say that you didn't do anything, if this becomes an issue, you'd also didn't do anything to either prevent it or mediate it, mitigate it, rather,
Speaker 8I've asked the counsel not to comment. So whether they want to or not, you know, they will hopefully listen to my advice.
Speaker 6I'm sure that they will usually give them very, very good advice. But that's, that's and that's your job. But it's also their job to be responsible for the policy issues and policy decisions that they made in our community. And they, they raised this as an issue and made personal
Speaker 8And I'm sure they, they will talk about this issue in general at other times. But you've referenced a specific application and the council cannot comment on a specific application in front of the zoning board.
Speaker 6Okay, so process question. The zoning board approves approves it. Assuming if they approve that application, then what happens? Does it have to come to the council for further review or is it just automatically
Speaker 8No, it's a zoning board matter.
Speaker 6The council, I'm just asking 'cause not everybody's,
Speaker 8The council doesn't have review of zoning. Board matters
Speaker 6Manager's, attorney witness. Pardon?
Speaker 8The council doesn't have review of zoning board matters,
Speaker 6But the council approves the people who serve on the zoning board after the Mayor appoints the ruling. So council, yes. Okay. So in theory there's some relationship between the people who are serving on that board and the people who are sitting in this room.
Speaker 8Yeah. But beyond appointment that council doesn't have any authority over those zoning. We can discuss this at a later time.
Speaker 6I actually don't wanna, I mean I appreciate that. I'm not trying to discuss it as a private or matter or as a later time. This is a po this is a policy question for our community. You all raise that as an issue in a campaign and you need to be responsible for how you handle it. So I'm curious to know in general what the county, the, for example, assemblyman Branick out of Union County is having a rally against high density housing. Will those of you on the council be attended? Yes. No. Maybe don't know about it. Yes, you're going, you're shaking your head. I'm just not sure if that means you're,
Speaker 1But your three minutes are about it,
Speaker 6But they're not up yet. So I I'm assuming you either are don't have a position, don't know yet. Oh, it would be good to know if you can make up your mind some at seven minutes.
Speaker 10What is happening with the property on Walnut Street that going to the church
Speaker 9Right now we're, we're going through the process of doing what we have to do legally, as I told you a couple times, it's gonna take a while because can't can't the through process that the s are handling,
Speaker 10I know told him last time how long I'll up for the next, the cutting of the grass on that property on Second Street. That also falls into that the house on Second Street that I asked the grass. This
Speaker 8Is the density bank owned property. Have I'd been working on that? Curtis, hopefully I'll have an answer for you in a week or two. We've been going, we be trying to communicate with the bank. So
Speaker 7Amazing.
Speaker 8I think there's another issue with something about a sinkhole on that property too that we were asking the bank to inspect. So yeah, so we're working on that.
Speaker 10Okay. I need to talk to you in reference to Hazelwood Park. I guess are, are we gonna put any of the retreat back that was, you know, man, there's two that I know of that need to be replaced. There was, there was talk of the manholes. There's two manholes. One needs to be lowered, one needs to be breathed. Since we're not gonna receded, are we gonna fix the manholes?
Speaker 7Look into it? Hmm. I'll look into it if I may. Counsel per, if anything it's not gonna be done in the month of August. Neither plaintiffs or s be done in September. Excuse me, Curtis. It would be done in either September or October if it was to happen.
Speaker 10Hold. We are not too far gone to receive. Thank you.
Speaker 7Motion. Motion. Second. Second favor. Aye. Aye.