Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on February 15 2022
Note: Transcripts are generated by rev.ai and may not be fully accurate. Please listen to the recording (below) if you feel any text is inaccurate.
Speaker 0 00:00:01 Good evening everyone. This is the town council meeting for the township of Piscataway. That'd be wary 15th, 2022. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required under chapter 2 31 field, 1975, specifying the time date, location login, or dial in information and to the extent and on the agenda by copying the notice on the municipal building, you know, full court and the tube municipal library, bulletin boards, municipal website, providing a copy to the official newspapers of the township. And by following a copy in the office of the township clerk, in accordance with the certification by the clerk, which will be entered in the minutes, the township continues to use a remote meeting format in an effort to mitigate the chance of exposure to COVID-19 as part of the townships ongoing effort to slow the rate of transmission and avoid overwhelming our treatment centers in order to make sure a clear record of the meeting can be made at, and that the parties are heard in an organized fashion. Speaker 0 00:01:11 All members of the public will be used during the meeting. If a member of the public wishes to speak during any public comment portion is raise your hand. This can be done either through the zoom app or by pressing star nine on your phone. When it is your turn to speak, you will receive a prompt or request to unmute. Please click on the prompts and press star six on your phone to unmute yourself upon being un-muted. You should begin to ask any and all 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. Did 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 only have one opportunity to speak during each public portion. Speaker 0 00:02:10 As the technology does not allow us to know if there are multiple callers on an individual phone line or logged in user accounts, we ask that if you wish to speak that you log in or dial in on a separately so that we can recognize you as a separate individual, individuals may also submit written comments to this 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 the theater, can you please call the roll? Councilman Bullard, Speaker 2 00:02:59 Councilwoman Cahill, Councilman Cahn, Councilman Rouse, Councilman Shah, Councilman Uhrin Council, President Lombardi here, Mayor Brian Waller Speaker 1 00:03:19 Council President, Speaker 2 00:03:22 And to the administrator Timothy Dacey township attorney Roger Goomer, deputy township clerk, Kelly Mitch here, and I'm handling Speaker 0 00:03:37 Whatever. When please join me in the flag Speaker 1 00:03:55 Under God, indivisible with Liberty and justice for all. Speaker 0 00:04:02 Well, now new move to number five, which are comments from the administration and council regarding a German of any matters on the agenda. Do we have any Speaker 1 00:04:12 Council President Speaker 0 00:04:15 Any from council? Speaker 0 00:04:19 Thank you. We'll now move to number six, which will be open to the public. These are just as a reminder comments that are regarding only the consent agenda items at this time. Okay? Reminder that this is the open to the public portion for the consent agenda. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the zoom app or by phone by pressing star nine, when it is your turn to speak, you will receive or hear a request to unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. So if there was anyone wishing to be speaking during this open poll public portion now is the time Speaker 2 00:05:35 Council President, no individuals have raised their hands for this agenda. Speaker 0 00:05:39 Thank you, Mr. Theater, we will now close the public portion. Speaker 0 00:05:46 Number seven is a proclamation of a 100th birthday to Franklin Lee Gibson. I have to say that's quite an accomplishment. He has a great man, and I'm going to read the proclamation at this time. Whereas Franklin Levi Gibson will celebrate his 100th birthday on February 22nd, 2022 with family and friends. Whereas Leroy has been happily married to his wife, Lillian for over 70 years. And whereas he is blessed with a son, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and whereas station in new Guinea and the Philippines Leroy served in the United States army from 1943 to 46, earning the rank of Sergeant. And whereas Levi works professionally as a respiratory therapist practicing in several of local hospitals. And whereas as a member of the New Jersey Philharmonic sleep club, Leroy performed throughout the region, including at the Washington cathedral and on the steps of the white house for president Kennedy. And whereas a resident of the scat away for 51 years, leeway has been a valuable asset. Speaker 0 00:07:05 Having served on the river road, volunteer rescue squad, the cert team and the reading buddies educational program. And whereas he continues to volunteer his time as a current and long-time member of the Piscataway health as permission, the cultural arts commission, the domestic violence assistant team and the Piscataway African-American seniors club, where he served as president for 10 years. And now therefore, therefore Brian G. Waller mayor of the township of the county of Middlesex state of New Jersey, along with the town council wish and abundance of happiness and good health to Franklin Leroy Gibson. As we celebrate his 100th birthday and beyond what a blessing number eight will be another proclamation. And that will be regarding black history month. Speaker 0 00:08:11 Whereas throughout our nation's history, African-Americans have made significant cultural, historical and economic contributions in the fields of arts, entertainment, law, politics, science, and sports, just to name a few. And whereas since 1976, every us president has officially designated the month of February as black history month to recognize these important contribution. And whereas in spite of progress, racial prejudice still exists in America and there is continued needs to battle racism, racism, and advance equality. And whereas during this month, we should take time to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the African-American community in our township, state, and country and celebrate the influence it has on the cultural fabric of our society. And whereas the township of Piscataway is proud to honor the history and contributions of African-Americans in our community. And now therefore Brian C. Waller mayor of this township of Piscataway Council county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey, along with the town council declared the month of February black history month and encourage all residents to celebrate our diverse heritage and culture and work together to guarantee equal opportunity for all. We'll. Now move forward with a number nine, which is an ordinance second reading amending chapter seven traffic section 20 stop intersection. This will be open to the public. It's a resolution adopting ordinance Speaker 0 00:10:04 Theater. Will you please leave your name? Speaker 2 00:10:06 They resolved by the township council, Piscataway Township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled ordinance to amend and supplements the revised general ordinances of the township of Piscataway county of Middlesex city, New Jersey amending chapter seven, traffic section 20 stop intersections was introduced on the 25th day of January, 2022. And it passed the first reading and was published on the 29th day of January, 2022. Now therefore be it resolved, but the opposite ordinance, having had a second reading on February 15th, 2020 to the adopted passed and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval in the official needs to be further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2022 dash zero one. Speaker 0 00:10:50 Thank you Mrs. Steeda this, this is a second reading. We will now open this to the public. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on zoom app or by phone by pressing star nine. When it is your turn to speak, you will receive or hear a request to unmute yourself. Please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary after you completed any comments or questions. If you'd like to speak during this public portion, please raise your hand. Now, Speaker 2 00:11:44 Council President, there are no individuals with their hands raised for this agenda item. Thank you Speaker 0 00:11:48 With the sooner we will close the public portion. May I have an Orford to accept this ordinance, please? Thank you. May I have a second? Thank you, Ms. Theater, can you please call the roll Speaker 2 00:12:05 Councilman Bullard? Yes. Councilwoman Cahill. Yes. Councilman Cahn. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shah. Councilman Uhrin Council. President Lombardi. Speaker 0 00:12:22 Yes. And the ordinance passes. Number 10 is also a second reading on an ordinance acquisition of rights of way is-ness and land in fee simple for the improvement of Centennial avenue. This will be open to the public. It's a resolution and it's an adopting ordinance. The theater can please read the ordinance. Speaker 2 00:12:44 They're resolved by the town council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled ordinance for the acquisition of rights of way, easement and Landon fee simple for the improvement of Centennial avenue in Piscataway Township county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey was introduced on the 25th day of January, 2022. And I passed the first reading and was published on the 29th day of January, 2022. Now therefore be it resolved that the opposite of ordinance having had a second reading on February 15th, 2022, the adopted passed and after passage, he published together with the notice of the date of passage of Google in the official newspaper. It further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2022 dash. Speaker 0 00:13:28 Thank you Mrs. Theater. We will now open this to the public. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on zoom app or by pressing star nine. When it's your turn to speak, you will receive or hear I request you unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you'll 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 speak on this public portion regarding this ordinance now is the time to raise your hand Speaker 2 00:14:13 Council President. There are no individuals with their hands raised for this agenda. Speaker 0 00:14:17 We will now close the public portion. May I have an offer please? Thank you. Can I have a second? Thank you, Mrs theater. Did you call the Speaker 2 00:14:32 Role? Councilman Bullard, Councilwoman Cahill, Councilman Cahn. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shah. Yes. Councilman Uhrin Council. President Lombardi. Speaker 0 00:14:48 Yeah. And the ordinance passes 11 is an ordinance first reading to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank. It's a resolution adopting ordinances to Cedar. Can you please read the ordinance Speaker 2 00:15:08 It resolved, but it's not just council for Skyway township. New Jersey had an ordinance and titled calendar year 2022 ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a tab thing, N J S a 48, colon four dash 45.14 B and a terabyte adopted on the first reading that'd be published in the official newspaper. And then a second reading of public hearing would be held at 7:30 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway municipal building 4 55 hose lane, Piscataway New Jersey, as well as by remote meeting format. On the second day of March, 2020, to be 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 0 00:15:58 Thank you Mrs. Theater. I'd just like to mention also that this is pretty standard and Don traditionally at this time of the year, each year may have we have an offer? May I have a second? Councilwoman? Okay. Thank you. The theater. Speaker 2 00:16:18 Can you call the Councilman Bullard? Yes. Councilwoman Cahill. Yeah. Councilman con yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shah. Yes. I'm from an urban Council. President Lombardi. Speaker 0 00:16:37 Yes. And the ordinance passes. Number 12 is an ordinance first reading vacating, all the right title, interest and paper street known as Trent place. It's a resolution adopting ordinance. This is theater. Can you please review on Speaker 2 00:16:57 It resolved by the township council, Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance and titles and ordinance be hitting all the right title and interest of the tantric scattered in the entirety of a paper street known as Trent place, being a terabyte adopted on the first reading, that'll 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 hose lane, Piscataway New Jersey, as well as by remote meeting format. On the second day of March, 2020, to be 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, then a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the tantrum or for any interested member of the public. Speaker 0 00:17:41 Thank you, Mrs. Theater. May I have an offer? Thank you. May I have a second? Thank you. This is theater. Can you call the roll Speaker 2 00:17:57 Councilman Bullard? Yes. Councilwoman Cahill. Yes. Councilman Cahn. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shah. Yes. Councilman Uhrin. Yes. Council President Lombardi. Speaker 0 00:18:15 Yeah. And the ordinance passes first meeting number 13 is an ordinance. First reading also authorizing acquisition of certain property identified as blocks 8 0 0 2 lot. 1.0 2 2 51 Mettler's lane. It's a resolution adopting ordinance. Mrs. Theater. Can you please read the ordinance? Speaker 2 00:18:37 It resolved by the township council, Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain property identified as block 800 zero to about 1.0 to 2 51 members lane in the touch of a Piscataway county of Middlesex in New Jersey for public purpose pursuant to N J S a 20 colon three dash one, FX B and is hereby adopted on the first reading. That'd be published in the official newspaper. And then a second reading and public hearing be held at 7:30 PM. Prevailing time at the Piscataway municipal building 4 55 hose land Piscataway, New Jersey, as well as by remote meeting format. On the second day of March, 2022, it 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 0 00:19:33 Thank you, Mr. Kita, may I have an offer please? Thank you very much. May I have a second? Thank you to theater. Can you please call Speaker 2 00:19:48 Councilman Bullard? Yes. Councilwoman Cahill. Yes. Councilman yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shah. Yes. Councilman Uhrin. Yes. Council President Lombardi. Speaker 0 00:20:06 Yeah. And ordinance passes. First reading we'll now move to number 14, which are the consent agenda. Resolutions for efficiency items have been consolidated into a consent agenda to be voted on together. The materials for the, 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 remove from the consent agenda to be duct discussed or voted on separately? The non might have an offer to accept the consent agenda items, Speaker 1 00:20:47 Offer Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 0 00:20:49 Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Theater, Speaker 2 00:20:54 Please take them all. Councilman Bullard. Yes. Councilwoman Cahill. Yes. Councilman. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shah. Yes. Councilman Uhrin Council. President Lombardi. Speaker 0 00:21:14 Yeah. And the consent agenda items, test number 15. We'll now move to announcements and comments from officials. Councilman Bullard. Speaker 4 00:21:27 Yes. I just want to say that I'm always pleased to be part of the team and so forth based on all of the, all the trouble that has been going on in this country and so forth and so on, but I'm happy that most of the team in good shape, they seem to be in good shape and I'm pleased for that. All right. So stay well, everyone. Speaker 0 00:21:54 Thank you, Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 1 00:21:58 Yeah. If I may Council President, just a couple of things. I wanted to point out that we were able to get some help from Senator Smith with some of the tractor trailers that are not abiding by the laws on river road with maybe some additional signage and with the asking Piscataway police to work with them and keeping them abreast of the situation. So I am appreciative of that. I've had a lot of residents, neighbors come to me and complain. They were happy when we were able to get the trucks off river road. But you know, at some point when they see, you know, violations, it becomes a concern. So I'm really super pleased that that's going on. And also just to touch on, I, you know, some folks who might be listening here and I know there's been talk amongst some residents about what is been going on with all T swell. You know, the, the mayor myself and the administration has been continually talking to the board of public utilities. We've been monitoring cases that have been brought to court and settlements made with all peace in other states. And just to make residents aware that it may not be out in the news all the time, but behind the scenes, we are working to try to get all peace to right. The wrongs. And I'm sure more to come and hopefully soon in this year. Thank you. Speaker 0 00:23:40 Thank you. Councilwoman Cahill, Councilman con. Speaker 3 00:23:45 Yes. I, I wanted to follow up a little bit on what Councilwoman Cahill said, and I I've spoken with our, our police chief and, and been monitoring the truck issue on river road while the, the truck traffic is down dramatically. I'm glad to report as she did that. Additional signage in is, is going to be out there, which hopefully is going to discourage trucks from using the road. We've also, we've also had a couple conversations about some innovative approaches that we can use as a deterrent to try to some of the truck traffic. So hopefully I have more to report on that in the next meeting, but there are some other things that we're working on. I did want to come in quickly on, on COVID in some of the towns efforts. First of all, you know, the really the mayor, the mayor was instrumental in at the beginning of this, getting a testing site and then an inoculation site in Piscataway for our residents. Speaker 3 00:24:55 And as the numbers come down paces, as the percentage of individuals vaccinated goes up number, I'm proud to report the town's done our part. We've been having these regular vaccinations, pre vaccinations at the community center, and that's been pretty successful. People have come out for this and we're going to continue to do that. And so, you know, if every town in the country did their little piece, like we've done, we would be able to move things forward. So if there are still folks out there that have not been vaccinated, you can come, you can come out. We do these regularly at the community center. Well, we've done several of them. We'll we'll be doing others and get back stated it's, you know, our, our small piece of solving a giant problem. So I just wanted to report on that 200 public. Thank you. Speaker 0 00:25:50 Thank you, Councilman Cahn, Councilman Rouse. Speaker 3 00:25:54 No, not at this time. No comments. Speaker 0 00:25:58 Thank you, Councilman Shah. Speaker 3 00:26:03 No thanks. Speaker 0 00:26:06 Thank you, Councilman Uhrin. Speaker 3 00:26:14 Thank you, Council President. I just want to thank you for reading the proclamation for a league-wide gifts and Leroy embodies. What Piscataway is all about. If there's any individual in that town that has given up Waverley to the township resonance it's Leroy Gibson, and I want to congratulate him on his birthday and basically he doesn't look a day over 65 if you asked me Speaker 5 00:26:42 So hoping to another hunter, thank you, Council President. Speaker 0 00:26:47 Thank you. BA Timothy Dacy. Speaker 5 00:26:50 Just want to remind the residents that the PFC is in the process of notifying anybody who has not paid their bill, which there's a substantial number of residents in Piscataway that they're going to be start turning off the electricity on March 16th. So you've got about a month to get in there. There are available programs for the BPU and through the state Jean isn't sending them out in the, the weekly news updates that are going at. It's also available on our website on PSE and G website and on the website of the board of public utilities, the actually the income levels are quite high. So a lot of people will be able to qualify for the money. They've got millions of dollars available to give out, but only about 40% of it has been requested them at 60% has been touched yet. So all these totally stuff come to an agreement with the BPU so that they can start turning off power on March 16th. Speaker 5 00:27:48 So I encourage everyone to please look at these programs. If you have any questions you can call layer's office or call PSE and G. And if you call PSE and G, now they will want to radically put you on a 24 month, no address billing program. So you just have to call and ask for it. Well, the number that Sunday bill asked for it and they'll stretch out how much your back payments are over the next few years without you paying any interest. But please act before before March 16th, because they will be knocking on doors to tell you that they're turning off the power, but you don't want to start panicking then. So please plan ahead. That's all. Thank you. Speaker 0 00:28:28 Thank you so much for that update township attorney Raj. Goomer no comments. Thank you. Thank you. And I also would definitely like to wish Franklin Levi Gibson his 100th birthday. I believe that they are working on some type of drive by parade for them. He is amazing. He's in amazingly great shape and he is out there and involved in the community to date. So again, I wish him much health and happiness in his 100 year birthday. I also want to remind everybody that our local fire commissioners elections are this Saturday at your prospective firehouses. And I believe the time is from two to nine. Don't quote me on the exact time. But I do know that your local fire commissioners elections are this Saturday, the 19th. Speaker 0 00:29:32 So we will now move to number 16, which is our agenda session for the March 2nd, 2022 meeting. We will be having an ordinance second reading to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish the fat bank. And that will be open to the public and a resolution adopting ordinance through any of the council members have any questions or concerns. The next ordinance will be second rate reading. They can all right, title and interest of the paper straight known as Trent place, open to the public. It's a resolution adopting ordinance. So any of the council members have any questions. Speaker 0 00:30:17 The next one will be another second. Reading authorizing acquisition of certain property identified as block eight to lot, 1.0 to 2 51 Mettler's lane. It will be open to the public, a resolution adopting ordinance, any questions, and lastly will be a resolution authorizing adoption of the Middlesex county hazardous mitigation plan. Do we have any questions? The non, we will now move to number 17, which is the final open to the public portion of this meeting. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on film app or by phone by pressing star nine. When it is your turn to speak, you will receive or hear a request on mute yourself. Please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time, please state your name and address and know that you'll have three minutes in which to make your promise. The council or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Now is the time to raise your hand. If you'd like to speak during the public portion of this meeting Council President, there are no individuals with their hands who's with regard to this agenda, I will now close the public portion. Thank you, Mrs. Theater. I'll move to number 18, which is a German of this meeting I haven't offered. So during the meeting, I have a second. All those in favor, please say, aye, you everyone have a good evening. Speaker 6 00:32:27 Bye.