Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on April 12 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 00:00:05 Recording in progress. Speaker 2 00:00:14 Welcome everyone. This is the town council meeting for Piscataway for April 12th, 2022. I'd like to call this meeting to order adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required under chapter 2:31 PM, 1975, testifying the time date login or dial in information and to the extent known the agenda by posting a copy of the notice on the municipal building municipal court and the two, a 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 clerks 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 a part of the Township 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 and that all parties are heard in an organized fashion. Speaker 2 00:01:22 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 raise your hand. This can be done through zoom app by pressing star nine on your phone. When it is your turn to speak, you will receive the prompt where a request to unmute. Please click on the prompt or press star six on the phone to unmute yourself upon being unmuted. You should speak as to any and all questions you may have. You will have three minutes in which 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 out and phone, and you could always call the mayor's office during normal operating hours. Each member of the public shop only have one opportunity to speak each public portion as the technology does not us allow us to know if there are multiple callers on an individual phone line or logged in user account. Speaker 2 00:02:28 We ask if you wish to speak that you log in or dial in separately 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. And at this time I will call the role Mr. Dacey. Can you please call the Speaker 3 00:03:02 Role? Councilman Cahn, Bullard, Councilwoman Cahill Speaker 4 00:03:07 Here. Speaker 3 00:03:08 Councilman Cahn here. Councilman Rouse here. Councilman Chaill. Yes, Councilman Uhrin here. Council, president Lombardi here. Mayor Brian Wahler present In place of the Administrator. Chief of staff, Dana Corman here. Township attorney Raj Goomer Goomer here and I'm here Melissa, the Township clerk. Speaker 2 00:03:40 Thank you. What everyone please join me in the flag. Salute Speaker 6 00:03:48 Pledge to the flag. Invisible with Liberty and justice. Speaker 2 00:04:08 We'll move to number five, which are comments from the administration and council regarding adjournment of any matters on the agenda. Do we have any adjournments on this agenda of any of the council people Speaker 5 00:04:21 Council, president? No. Add on Speaker 2 00:04:25 Anyone else, Speaker 4 00:04:27 Council, president, I don't have anything to add. This is Councilwoman Cahill, but when you are talking, there's a very loud buzzy noise in the audio. At least on my side. I don't know if anyone else is hearing it. That's all I'd like to add. Speaker 2 00:04:44 Thank you. Anyone else Being nine will move to number. Number six is open to the public and it is for comments regarding the consent agenda items only please be advised these. This is the public poor for the consent agenda items. Only If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on zoom app or 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. And please do remember Speaker 3 00:05:42 State all of Speaker 2 00:05:43 Your questions first, and then we will answer the questions at that time. Anyone wishing to speak during the public portion for the consent agenda items only at this time. Now Speaker 3 00:06:00 I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute Speaker 8 00:06:14 David Akins. Good evening council. Good evening. Speaker 2 00:06:17 Good evening, David Speaker 8 00:06:19 And both valley lane item number N for November B for Papa F for Sierra E for zebra, C for tango HH hotel hotel w whiskey number 14. Speaker 9 00:06:49 Dave's an old army radio operator for those of the public that don't know. Speaker 8 00:06:56 No, I just do that. So it's clear what I'm saying. In case some people have a hard time. That's all Speaker 5 00:07:06 Council president. Do you want me to take care of that? Speaker 2 00:07:09 Yes, you can because we had a difficulty hearing him in here. So if you can take care of that, we weren't Speaker 5 00:07:14 In the number N is a change order for the new market lake improvements. I can Speaker 8 00:07:20 Hear you, Speaker 5 00:07:23 David. Can you hear I Speaker 8 00:07:27 Go ahead? Speaker 5 00:07:27 Okay. Item number N is new market lake area improvements, phase four, basically it was for extra items along the process. The, that we went to buy some overhead canopies down along the waterfront, as well as some receptacle baskets that we were using. Some grant money for item number P has to do with third avenue. These are the parcel maps dated for easements out there. We're currently, we're getting ready to go out to bid on new, on third avenue over in the possum town area, item S I believe that's the annual landscape maintenance Township properties that we do. It's a two year contract that we put out to bid. And then the item T is the historical trust fund grant for, for the Metler house. It's a matching fund. We received a grant of $138,000 from the state historical fund, and we have to match it with $92,000 of our own funds. And I believe you also said, I believe HH. I believe that the division of revenue for the reports of February and March, I think you S Well, that's the normal division. What we, what we do. I, I mean, that's the normal, I mean, you can get a copy of that if you, if we can get you a copy of that too, that that's no big deal. Speaker 8 00:08:50 Did you hear my Z for zebra? Speaker 5 00:08:52 No, I didn't see Z. I'm looking for Z. Hold on one second. Just bear with me, David. Oh, that's the hot for that? That is for our annual paving for it's $542,000 for the first year and 555 to, for the second year. That's the hot asphalt mix that we're gonna be using for paving this year for the Speaker 2 00:09:20 Thank you Mayor Speaker 3 00:09:22 Council president, there are no other individuals with their hands raised at Speaker 2 00:09:26 This time. Thank you. I'm now closing the public portion. We'll now move to number seven, which is an ordinance first reading second amendment to the ground. Lease at community. It's a resolution adopting ordinance, Mrs. Cedar, can you please read the ordinance, Speaker 3 00:09:47 Be it resolved by the Township council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled an ordinance authorizing a second amendment to the communications site ground lease with new singular wireless Speaker 2 00:09:57 PCs, Speaker 3 00:09:58 LLC being is hereby adopted on the first reading that it be publish the official newspaper and that a second reading in 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 third day of may, 2022, 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, a 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 2 00:10:31 Thank you, Mrs. Cedar, May I have a motion Speaker 10 00:10:37 Motion? Speaker 2 00:10:39 May I have a second please? Second, Mrs. Can you please call the role Speaker 4 00:10:45 Councilwoman Speaker 3 00:10:46 Cahill? Speaker 4 00:10:48 Yes. Speaker 3 00:10:54 Councilman Cahn. Speaker 5 00:10:56 Yes. Speaker 3 00:10:57 Councilman Cahn Rouse. Speaker 4 00:10:59 Yes. Speaker 3 00:10:59 Councilman Uhrin Shaw. Speaker 10 00:11:01 Yes. Speaker 3 00:11:03 Councilman I. Speaker 4 00:11:04 Yes. Speaker 3 00:11:06 Council president Lombardi. Speaker 2 00:11:08 Yes. And the ordinance passing Number eight is an ordinance. First reading also amending chapter 12, parks and recreation areas. Section eight, this getaway recreation utility. It's a resolution adopting ordinance. Mr. Dacey. Can you please read the ordinance Speaker 5 00:11:28 Counsel president before the clerk reads the ordinance of both items number? This is Mayor Wahler both items eight and nine are running in tandem. This is what the state DCA is requiring town, not only just our town, but other towns to do regards to for budgeting purposes by way. Speaker 2 00:11:48 Thank you for that clarification. Speaker 3 00:11:54 I'm gonna, Peter, can you please ordinance be resolved by the Township council, Piscataway Township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled ordinance to amend and supplement the revised general ordinances of the Township of Piscataway county of Middlesex state, New Jersey amending chapter 12, parks and recreation areas. Section eight, Piscataway recreation, I'm sorry. Piscataway Township recreation, utility B, and is here by adopted on the first reading that it be published in the official newspaper. And that a second reading in 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 third day of may, 2022, be 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 2 00:12:47 Thank you, Mrs. May I have an offer? Speaker 9 00:12:52 Councilman Uhrin Cahn. Aithal that? Speaker 4 00:12:55 Councilwoman Cahill will second. Speaker 2 00:12:59 Thank you. Mr. Dacey. Can you please call the role Speaker 3 00:13:01 Councilwoman Cahill? Speaker 4 00:13:03 Yes. Speaker 3 00:13:04 Councilman Uhrin Cahn. Speaker 9 00:13:06 Yes. Speaker 1 00:13:08 Councilman Speaker 3 00:13:10 Uhrin Rouse. Speaker 11 00:13:11 Yes. Speaker 3 00:13:13 Councilman Shah. Speaker 12 00:13:14 Yes. Speaker 3 00:13:15 Councilman Uhrin Council present Lombardi. Speaker 2 00:13:21 Yes. And the ordinance passes first reading number nines, an ordinance first reading amending chapter two administration section 13, department of finance, and it's a resolution adopting ordinance. Mr. Dacey. Can you please read this ordinance? Speaker 3 00:13:37 Be it resolved by the Township council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled ordinance to amend and supplement the revised general ordinances of the Township Piscataway county of Middlesex state, New Jersey amending chapter two administration section 13, department of finance B and is hereby adopted on the first reading that it be published in the official newspaper. And that a second reading in 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 third day of may, 2022, you further resolve 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 rating and final passage and a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the Township clerk for any interest member of the public. Speaker 2 00:14:23 Thank you. Mr. Dacey. May I have an offer Speaker 12 00:14:26 Councilman or an offer? Speaker 2 00:14:28 Thank you, Speaker 11 00:14:29 Councilman Uhrin Rouse second. Speaker 2 00:14:31 Thank you very much, Mrs. Cedar, can you please call the role? Speaker 3 00:14:34 Councilman Cahn Cahill? Speaker 4 00:14:37 Yes. Speaker 3 00:14:38 Councilman Cahn. Cahn. Speaker 9 00:14:41 Yes. Speaker 3 00:14:42 Councilman Rouse. Speaker 11 00:14:44 Yes. Speaker 3 00:14:45 Councilman Cahn Shah. Speaker 12 00:14:47 Yes. Speaker 3 00:14:48 Councilman Uhrin. Speaker 13 00:14:50 Yes. Speaker 3 00:14:51 Council president Lombardi. Speaker 2 00:14:54 Yes. And the ordinance passes. First reading number 10 are the consent agenda items for efficiency. These items have been consolidated into a consent agenda to be devoted on together. The materials for these items have been distributed to the council in 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? Seeing none. Can I have a motion to accept the consent agenda items, a motion please. Speaker 4 00:15:28 Motion. Oh second. Councilwoman Cahill then. Speaker 2 00:15:32 Thank you. Mr. Dacey. Can you do a roll call vote please? Speaker 3 00:15:37 Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 4 00:15:39 Yes. Speaker 3 00:15:40 Councilman Cahn. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Uhrin Shah. Yes. Councilman Uhrin. Speaker 13 00:15:50 Yes. Speaker 3 00:15:52 Council president Lombardi. Speaker 2 00:15:55 And the consent agenda passes Speaker 2 00:15:59 11 is now the public hearing for the calendar year 22, 20 22 municipal budget. We will open this now to the public for the public hearing. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on zoom app or if by phone, by pressing star or 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 for questions. So we will now open the public portion for the public hearing on the calendar year 2022 municipal budget. And please remember state your questions and then we will answer any questions. We are now open to the public Speaker 3 00:16:59 Council president. I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themself with regard to this I agenda item. Speaker 13 00:17:13 Yeah. Hi. Can you hear me? Speaker 3 00:17:15 Yes. Speaker 2 00:17:15 Yes we can. Speaker 13 00:17:17 Okay. Hi, I'm from 29 red bed road. That's in Pisca New Jersey. I just have two or three questions with respect to this line, item 11. So the first question is, I dunno, lately is the Township budget appropriated first, and then the taxes are collected or the taxes are collected first. And then after that, the, the amount is appropriate. It, how does the financing work? Because it's, it's, it's kind of confusing for me lately because I see like runaway with, with the budget numbers that is not keeping up with income. So that's, that's the first thing. And how do you finance some of this deficit over short term, medium term and long term, and then rest of the questions have, but I'll come back to later. If you can answer some of those questions, please. Speaker 2 00:18:08 Okay. You're done asking your questions. Critique. You're done. Speaker 13 00:18:12 Yes. For now. 40 11. Yes. Speaker 2 00:18:14 Okay. Thank you, Speaker 5 00:18:16 Council. President, do you want it's Mayor wall? Do you want me to handle that? Speaker 2 00:18:19 Please do Mayor Speaker 5 00:18:21 Basically budgeting 1 0 1. Every town has to come up at a budget and then adopts it. And then whatever the amount you have to raise through taxation, it's figured out that way. And normally it gets put together by when the county goes to when they strike the budget for the county in July. And that's when you get your, your bill, your tax rates in our, in our case, our, our budget is gonna be four points less this year. Speaker 2 00:18:49 Thank you, Mayor Speaker 3 00:18:56 Council, president. There are no other individuals with their hands raised. Speaker 2 00:19:00 We are now closing the public portion. Number 12 is a resolution calendar year 2022. It's a budget amendment. Mr. Dacey. Can you please read that amendment, please Speaker 3 00:19:17 Be it resolved by the Township council of Piscataway Township of New Jersey that whereas the local municipal budget for the year 2022 was approved on the second day of March, 2022. And whereas the public hearing unsaid budget has been held as advertised. And whereas it is desired to amend said approved budget. Now, therefore be it resolved by the Township council of the Township of Piscataway and the county of Middlesex state of New Jersey, that the following amendments to the approved budget of 2022 be made general appropriations operations within caps, public safety office of emergency management, other expenses from $13,000 to $11,000 aid to volunteer fire companies, other expenses from $400,000 to $202,000 emergency medical services, EMS other expenses from $0 to $200,000. Total operations item eight, a within caps $45,801,310, two $45,801,310. Total operations general appropriations for municipal purposes within caps from $52,293,674, two 52 million, $293,674. Total general appropriations, $78,355,080 and 62 cents. From that amount to that same amount, $78,355,080 and 62 cents. Speaker 2 00:21:09 You Mr. Dacey. May I have a motion to accept that amendment? Speaker 9 00:21:15 I'll make that motion. Councilman Cahn. Speaker 2 00:21:18 May I have a second, Speaker 11 00:21:22 Second a motion Councilman Uhrin Rouse. Speaker 2 00:21:25 Thank you, miss Cedar. Can you please call the roll Speaker 3 00:21:29 Councilwoman? Yes. Councilman Cahn, Cahn. Speaker 9 00:21:37 Sorry. I quickly muted myself. Yes. Speaker 3 00:21:40 Councilman Cahn. Rouse. Speaker 11 00:21:42 Yes. Speaker 3 00:21:43 Councilman Cahn Shah. Yes. Councilman Uhrin. Speaker 13 00:21:47 Yes. Speaker 3 00:21:48 Council president Lombardi. Speaker 2 00:21:51 Yes. And the amendment passes now number the team due to the amendment. We must open this now for another public hearing because we just made that amendment just so everyone understands why we're open, opening it to the public again, for the public hearing, based on that amendment we just spoke about. So it's the calendar year, 2022 and it's the budget amendment. And I will now open this to the public Speaker 5 00:22:19 Council president. If I may, before you open it to the public, just a quick explanation. This is a new state law put into effect that where every town in the state in New Jersey has to have a line item in for fire and EMS into their budget. So that's what it is. Every town has us do this. That's what this amendment is. Speaker 2 00:22:38 Thank you very much for that clarification. So if you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on zoom app or if by phone, by present star nine, when it is your turn to speak, you will receive or hear a req, a request to unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press on the phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you will 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 now we are now open to the public regarding the amendment we just made to the budget Speaker 3 00:23:19 Council president. I'm asking the first individual with our hand raised to unmute themself. Speaker 13 00:23:33 Yeah. Hi, this is from 20 road. Again, with respect to this, I just have a general question. Why is this in municipal budget? I, that we needed those services, but does this mean that folks who are paying from that insurance in those Medicare or whatever policies or, or the plans that they have, is that coming in from that line item, or this is an additional line item to the S Speaker 2 00:24:03 Mayor would like, would you like to fill that question? Speaker 5 00:24:05 The answer is no, that's a separate, this is just a new law that every town and every town's in the state of New Jersey has to have just a line item just to incorporate it in their budget. Speaker 2 00:24:18 Thank you for that clarification council Speaker 4 00:24:19 Council president, if I could too, is just to be clear, is that and correct me if I'm wrong, Ms. Mayor, that taxes for, you know, the firehouses is collected, they have their own vote for their own budget. It is now just a requirement of the Township Township to include that line item. Is that an accurate statement? Speaker 5 00:24:42 Yes, it is. And this is another way of the state. Can't figure it out that there's approximately 180 towns across the state of New Jersey who already have fire districts that collect, collect revenue for, for that reason. And they, they had a bill that was passed for all 565 towns, but you have 180 towns, including Piscataway where it wasn't needed. They were have get, receive tax dollars for the equipment and everything. Speaker 2 00:25:12 Thank you very much. Speaker 4 00:25:14 So Jeff, and just not to belabor it, but so that Mr. Patel understands is that The, that the firehouses run elections and have their budgets there. So as a registered voter, if he is registered, he can vote at those as well. Speaker 2 00:25:33 Thank you, Ms. Cahill Speaker 3 00:25:42 Council, president I'm last, I'm asking the next individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves. Go ahead, Speaker 8 00:25:53 David Akins and both valley lane on these contracts that's being award. It was a time and it, Speaker 2 00:26:02 Mr. Akin, Mr. Akins were now on the public hearing for the, the budget amendment. Is that what the question is pertaining to? Speaker 8 00:26:13 Okay. How do I get a copy of that amendment Budget? Do want you referring to right now? Speaker 2 00:26:22 How do I, we have it. We have it online. Mr. Akins. Speaker 8 00:26:26 Okay. Speaker 2 00:26:27 It's on the website. Okay. Okay. Does that an, does that answer your question Speaker 8 00:26:33 For that one? At the additional question? I'll wait till it is open to the public. Speaker 2 00:26:37 Thank you. Thank you very much. Speaker 3 00:26:48 Council president. There are no other individuals with their hands raised. Speaker 2 00:26:51 The public portion is now closed. Okay. Number 14 is a resolution. It's the adoption of the calendar year 2022 municipal budget. May I have a motion to accept the municipal budget? Speaker 14 00:27:15 Second motion. Speaker 15 00:27:17 Second. Chaill Speaker 2 00:27:20 Thank you. Very Mr. Dacey. Can you please call the role Speaker 3 00:27:25 Councilwoman Cahill? Yes. Councilman Uhrin Cahn. Yes. Councilman Uhrin Rouse. Yes. Councilman Cahn. Shaw. Yes. Councilman Uhrin. Yes. Council president Lombardi. Speaker 2 00:27:44 Yes. And Jim Bullard is not able to be with us this evening, but I believe he left a message with us that he would have also been voting yes. On the municipal budget. So please note that for us, Number 15 is a proclamation for distracted driving crackdown Mayor. I believe you said you were gonna read that proclamation. Speaker 5 00:28:13 Thank you, council president, obviously April is distract driving crackdown month from April 1st to April 30th, 2022. Whereas distracted driving is dangerous epidemic on New Jersey road, race contributing to thousands of motor vehicle crashes and deaths each year. And whereas talking on a mobile phone, even in hand screen mode, texting programming, your dashboard information system or GPS device can divert your attention away from driving and result in a physical and cognitive distraction. Whereas all drivers and bicycles and pedestrians deserve to live in communities that promote safe driving behaviors and healthy lifestyles. And whereas state New Jersey will participate in the nationwide distract driving 2022 crackdown from April 1st to April 30th, 2022, and an effort to raise awareness and decrease driver dis distraction throughout decreased driver distractions throughout combination of enforcement and education. Whereas the national slogan for the campaign you drive, you text you pay. And whereas the reduction in distrac driving in New Jersey will save lives on our roadways. Now, therefore, Brian, Wahler the Mayor Township in the county mill in the state of New Jersey declare support for distracted driving 2022 crack both locally and nationally from April 1st to April 30th, 2022 pledge to increase awareness to the dangers of thank you. Speaker 2 00:29:36 Thank you, Mayor. And number 16, 16 is also a proclamation for Arab American heritage month. Mayor, can you read that? Speaker 5 00:29:48 Sure. Thank you. Thank you, council president. And whereas the Arab Americans have been making valuable cultural and economic contributions in the fields of medicine, business, education, technology, and government, just to name a few and where as residents of Arab descent have shared their rich culture and traditions with neighbors and friends and whereas strong family values and work ethic, dedication to education and diversity and faith and creed enrich our community. Whereas in spite of progress, misconception still exists in America and there continu to battle the bias and harmful stereotyping. Whereas during this month, we should take the time to recognize, celebrate the contributions and heritage Arab Americans. And now therefore I, Brian Wahler Mayor of scattery Township in county of middle six and state of Jersey, along with the Township council declared a month of April to be Arab American heritage month and encourage all residents to celebrate our diversity and heritage and cultural and work together to guarantee equality for all. And if I may council president, I would like to acknowledge the, the Middlesex county Muslim center here in Piscataway on hose lane who held a IFAR dinner last night, where all the council members participated along with sheriff milli, Scott and county come. And Charlie Kinneally as well as our state Senator Bob Smith were there. You know, so we, we had an enjoyable evening breaking bread with many residents and, and the folks over at the, over at the mosque. Thank you, council president. Speaker 2 00:31:20 Thank you Mayor for doing all those reading. We'll now move to number 17, which are announcements and comments from officials. This is Cahill. Do you have any comments? Speaker 4 00:31:34 I I'll just reiterate what the Mayor said about the event at the mosque yesterday. It was absolutely a lovely experience. We've been there be four. This was a little bit of a newer experience being in the basement with all the tables open, but very inviting to the residents of the town. And it was just a wonderful experience. And to understand that our Muslim neighbors invited their neighbors to come and learn more specifically this time about Ramadan, but more broadly speaking just about their faith as well. So it was a, it was a wonderful experience and I will echo the sentiment of the Mayor. Speaker 2 00:32:25 Thank you, Mr. On, Speaker 9 00:32:28 Thank you. Have a couple comments on two different items, league baseball, opening, you know, the Mayor, despite the weather, despite the rain every year, the Mayor seems to manage to order it, not to rain on opening day of little league. I don't know how he does it, but, but on a more serious note, I wanna thank and I, and really a shout out to Councilman Cahn earn who's been very involved in little league for a long time, as well as Councilman Uhrin Jim Bullard. Who's been involved and have been a huge supporter of our little league in town. Another great opening day. You know, Frank, I've been around little league for a long time. I've seen how much endless time and hours you put in. And I, I, most of the public don't doesn't know that. And I, and I think you just need or deserve some recognition for pulling off, you know, another great start of this season. Speaker 9 00:33:35 And the last couple years, I know have been tough because of COVID and different challenges. And I think just most folks in the public don't know how much work goes on behind the scenes. And I, I thought you should be acknowledged for that Frank and I know as a parent, I've seen it and appreciate it, Steve, the, the other brief comments is this is, I think it's like the, my 21st shouldn't have a budget and my ti and in my last on the town council. So I thought I should make a comment or two, you know, we started out as a fiscal year, then a calendar year, and we've had lots of budget challenges over the years with the different economies we've faced. You know, we had a deep and, and other issues. And I, in, in my time on the, on the town council, I've never seen a better budget. Speaker 9 00:34:29 I've never seen a tighter budget. I've never seen more thought in work, go into the budget. And that, and that is again, the public doesn't see those things, but we have some great staff in town that, you know, work really hard to put these things together. The Mayor works really hard on it, tirelessly on it. Councilwoman Lombardi council, president I council, president Lombardi, you know, was on top of every little issue, you know, so is other members of the council. You know, we have meetings and look at those items. And a, a lot of work goes into putting together a, a, a, a budget. And it's a long and complicated process. It's a deliberative process. It's a pro it's a process that requires team work and, you know, deliberation and, and really the members of the public should understand it's running a big business and the business has never been in better hands. Speaker 9 00:35:38 And so while it's my last budget, I'm proud to say that it may be the, the tightest best budget we've ever put together for the public. We're lowering the tax rate. Again, this time four points we're, we're once again, being able to provide better earth services, more services for, for less money. And so I know that I said a lot, but it's the last time I'm gonna get a chance to thank the people that put the budget together, the various council people and the staff and the mayor's office. And I see Dana there, who's filling in tonight. Dana's, you know, is involved in putting the budget as well as Tim. Who's not here, actually all the members of the council, Councilman Chaill, everybody, Councilman Cahn, Rouse have all been involved in having input as to how it's put together. So really congratulations to everybody. I'm proud of the work everybody did together as a team. And I'm, I'm glad we were able to put together a great budget for the, for the residents and the town once again. So again, I, I apologize for taking more than my 30 seconds or a minute Councilwoman in Lombardi, but next year, when the budget is passed, you won't have me to ya about it. So I wanted to get in, I wanted to thank the people and let re residents know how much work goes on, how much roll up your sleeves and work goes on by folks behind the scenes. Thank you. Speaker 2 00:37:02 That's absolutely no problem. Thank you for that, Steve. And we will miss you not being involved in that budget, Lynn wood Rouse, any comments? Speaker 11 00:37:17 No, not at this time. Councilman Speaker 2 00:37:20 Uhrin Shaw. Speaker 15 00:37:22 I agree with Councilman Cahn that our creation program is a best program in, I just say maybe county or New Jersey, because there is no choice the kids to participate all these programs. So lot of towns don't know, even a lot of people don't know in our PI that all the program we are doing is free. And I will tell you that Frank and Jim, they're doing great job and is not easy to put budget together. The Cahn can't say is really hard because we are also residents of this caraway. So whatever we do effect to us also. So we are looking for the public issues and all concerns. So that's it. Thank you. Speaker 2 00:38:14 Thank you, Councilman. Uhrin. Speaker 12 00:38:17 Yeah. So I just wanna thank Steve for his comments about the, the little league opening day. Steven never rains on opening day. It might snow, but never rain, but I just wanna say it's a group effort, a lot of people with one common goal to have the, have a I thank the D P w the council, the police department, everybody worked for the same goal. It was a great day and we have over kids having a good that's what counts. Speaker 2 00:38:49 Thanks, Frank Mayor. Speaker 5 00:38:53 Thank you, president. I would like to acknowledge in regards to little league, I wouldn't like to acknowledge the work that Kathy I does also with challengers league. I know her name really doesn't get mentioned much, but I wanted give a shout out to Kathy for all the hard work that she does. I would like to mention this is holy week for both the Jewish faith and the Christian faith, as well as for the Muslim faith. It's very rare that confluence of all the religious folks all happen within a eight, nine day span here. So as a pastor, arousement no, it, this is a very holy, so we just wanna wish everybody with their spiritual thoughts and everything like that. In regards to what Councilman Cahn Cahn said about the budget, I would like to acknowledge finance director, Daniel Lampkin, and van in the office. There who've done a lot of work, as well as all the other professional staff within the municipal government and our order. Speaker 5 00:39:54 So there is a, a very, we good budget here. And it's frugal. The tax rate is Steve said is going down. That doesn't happen too often in municipal government. I suspect not speaking for the board of education. No, but I suspect that they will be dropping their rate. Also, I do believe that this will provide a lot of service, continue high support services for our community, as well as reconstructing, and also fixing a lot of our infrastructure within our town. I believe this budget has well over 30 streets that we're reconstructing this year. And that doesn't include the ones that are coming out of the engineering department, like third avenue, Ethel road, justice street, which we awarded tonight. They balance avenue and some of the other streets that are coming down the pike. We're very fortunate in this budget that through a lot of shred business decisions that we were able to obtain either small businesses or large corporations come in town where our commercial rateable BA base has increased again this year, which means that the local property S are paying less than they would've right now, it's almost at 40% of the entire freight right now, not too many towns in central New Jersey can actually say that. Speaker 5 00:41:09 But with that being said, you know, we will continue to provide a lot of great services, both through recreational seat in the senior center, as well as our community center throughout the year, as well as defined public safety that we have in, in our community. So with that, I'll turn it right back over to you, council president. Thank you. Speaker 2 00:41:29 Thank you, Mayor filling in for our Business Administrator, Dana Corman, any comments? Speaker 16 00:41:38 Yes. I just wanted to mention a few upcoming community events that we have on the calendar. May 3rd, we are hosting a vaccine clinic at the senior center. It's geared toward those 50 and older that qualify for a second booster, but it's open into anybody and all shots are available for all qualified ages, May 14th. We're having a big event on the green acres to commemorate Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in major league baseball. June 11th will be our street fair and a new low on Stockton street behind the community center and July 16th, we are going to be having the bike rodeo. We had it last year and it was really popular event, very successful. So we're gonna host it again in the parking lot of the community center. Speaker 2 00:42:32 Thank you for those community updates. That was great Township attorney Raj. Speaker 17 00:42:40 Yeah. Just wanted also say happy. Basak told the sick residents also. It's a, it's actually all four religions. Yes, holy weeks. So just wanted to, to, you know, Ram and to the Christian Jewish face, you know, happy holidays and, and presence. Speaker 2 00:42:59 Thank you very much. When you're the last to speak. There's not much left to say, but I will just continue a few quick. Thank yous again. I wanna thank Frank for the little league opener and all the work he puts into that I'd like to thank Daniel and the finance office for this incredible budget. I really don't think people do truly understand the work that's involved in this budget. I'd also like to thank the Muslim center of Middlesex county for the very informative and enjoyable evening. We shared with them last night and I'd like to offer with Cahill and myself. She forgot to mention. She'd like to wish everybody a very beautiful Passover, happy Easter and all of the other spiritual faith observing at this time. And one last thing that we did forget Saturday, the April 23rd, we have a shredding event up at the little league field. For those of you that need that service. It is quite an incredible service. Bring your bag up there and everything can be shredded for you. So I think we just about covered it all at this point. And we're gonna move forward to number 18, which is the agenda session for the May 3rd, 2022 meeting. We have an order in second reading, second amendment to ground lease at communications site. It will be open to the public and it's a resolution adopting ordinance. Do we have any questions or concerns Speaker 2 00:44:33 Seeing none? The other ordinance that will be second reading, amending chapter 12, parks and recreation area. Section eight, Piscataway recreation utility will be open to the public. The resolution adopting ordinance. We had the first reading on that this evening. Does anyone have any further quite regarding that? The next ordinance under second reading amending chapter two administration section checks in 13 department of finance open to the public resolution, adapting ordinance, any questions or concerns, the next ordinance will be first reading and it will be a revision of the why MCA membership. Do we have any resolution? It'll be a resolution adopting ordinance. Do we have any questions regarding that matter? We will have a resolution on authorizing the refund of an overpayment of fire prevention fees, Any questions or concerns on any of these matters from counsel? Speaker 2 00:45:48 Seeing none, we will open to the public for the final time of the evening. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on zoom app or if 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 six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time, please state your name and address and know that you will 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, please be advised to ask all of your questions and then we will answer them at that time. And at this time we are open to the public Speaker 3 00:46:35 Council president. I'm asking the first individual with our hand raised to unmute themselves, Speaker 2 00:46:43 Please state your name and address and be advised. You have three minutes Speaker 13 00:46:48 Predict Patel. Just, there are three items, few items that I would like to cover. And I, I don't first is with respect to red cross. And I don't know where it sits in the line item, how to go look through that. But there was a thing where the red cross is now allowed to park in some muni building. So then the question becomes is why arewho are already getting tax abatements from the government allowed to do business with the government? Because their job is to make sure that they find a private entity to run these kind of things that actually promotes growth and employment. This is like, oh, I'm giving you tax, but you're giving it back to me. That's not how it should work. If that's the case, then they should be stripped off their . The second thing is I I've heard many times in past about Y MCA a, which is that Piscataway, Y M C a where it's not Township funding and whatnot. Speaker 13 00:47:42 And I I've seen, I've heard even in council meetings, that that was the case. I looked at the last three years or four years, but I, I, there was a line item of 30 or 40,000, which was paid up to the Y M C a I dunno, what, what the arrangement was or what the structure was. I would like to also understand what this revision of Y M C a membership fees mean to the public. And then just general question that had with recreation and amending that I still didn't get the clarification and details. So I would like to understand that. And the final question that I have is one of the things that I've observed over the last year is most of the council are in agreement with pretty much everything. They don't disagree on it, which is okay, which is a good thing in many cases. Speaker 13 00:48:31 But what I would like to suggest is for the council meeting, if they can come to the even 15 days before the ward that they represent, if they have a meeting with the ward residents about the changes that are bringing whether good, bad, or indifferent, whether something is hung up or down, that would be helpful because I don't think any council members today are, maybe they're doing it, but I'm not aware of it where they're taking time to speak to the word that they represent, either via email or through so many communication that this are the changes coming in your street or your neighborhood in the sessions that we have pretty much cover the entire survey, but I'd rather have a thread by the ward. So at least the residents of the ward are, are informed in terms of what's going on with, with, with the area that they are in and any concerns that they have. Thank you. Speaker 2 00:49:21 Thank you. Patite okay. Hold on one second, Mayor. Sure. The red cross parking issue, I'm gonna have our Township attorney address. Speaker 17 00:49:32 Thank you, council president. Yeah. So the red cross, we already had an agreement with them for the past year. They were actually just wanted to allocate a parking spot in our parking lot. We allowed them to, there's no business being transferred. You know, I think the council, you know, agrees with me and that we love to help nonprofit on organizations and charities as much as the, the Township can. And, you know, part of this agreement is just to make sure that we have, we have appropriate insurance in place for the red cross indemnify us and protect us if they are using one of our apartment spots. Speaker 2 00:50:08 Okay. Mayor, you wanna address the Y sorry, Speaker 5 00:50:10 I just wanna jump and highlight what Raj says that, that it's done specifically for pre-positioning of assets of the red cross. Now, for instance, red cross was out there at the Pepsi at the PepsiCo fire scene. You know, that that is an advantageous for the Township residents that when it's an all hands on deck event, such as hurricane, hurricane drop storm, Ida, et cetera, you already want to have those assets already available as far as the why issue of the, the resolution or the ordinances to allow to charge for more, for people who use the why, who are from out town. That's what that's about. And as far as the comment, Mr. Patel saying about the council members, Speaker 18 00:50:54 The other, the Speaker 2 00:50:56 Other one was for the recreation amendment, I think, Speaker 18 00:50:59 Yeah. Question Speaker 5 00:51:00 That's what it is that's has to do with the why it's a charge folks that are out town, a higher fee number. And the third thing he said about the, the council members, the, the council members are very much informed of what's going on around their wards or at large, they meet a people daily throughout this town, whether it's email, phone calls, or even going to the grocery store. I just think Mr. Patel is misinformed on how government operates in things. So I, I, I don't even wanna go down that road because I, I, I know all the work that a lot of the council, all the council members do as well as all the other officials in town. So we'll just leave it at that. Speaker 2 00:51:46 Thank you. Speaker 9 00:51:47 If I can just follow up on quickly council president to Mr. Patel's question, you know, all of us, one of the reasons we have award system, you know, we have some at large council people and some ward council people is to allow council people to not only have a global look at the entire town, but to function know, to dig down deep as to what's going on in their neighborhoods. Everybody talks to people in their neighborhoods, almost daily, probably daily, multiple times daily. Our people email us phone, you know, call us on the phone. There's very little that we are not aware of. That goes on, you know, within the ward. And we don't, and, and we don't hear about on a regular basis as for the majority of the time the council people agreeing on issues. It's because first of all, I don't think any of us believe that town Township government is well run by shouting at E other or fighting with each other or going out on social media and attacking each other. Speaker 9 00:52:57 You know, we work together on issues because everybody on the council has brought to the council, various different backgrounds and skills. And, and, and by working in a collaborative way, we think we get more done for the town. We don't have anybody on the town council. That's a, does their own thing. That's a, you know, a, a wild duck. You know, we have folks that wanna work together for the best interest in, in the community. So by the time issues get brought to the agenda, there are generally issues that we've talked about, and there's some consensus on, we think that's a better way to run the, a town. It's a better way to serve the residents of the town by working together in the best interests of everybody. We have over 50,000 residents in the town and not, you know, I have a particular issue and I don't care what the rest of the folks on the council think I'm gonna pound on the table and fight with everybody. Speaker 9 00:54:02 We don't think that's the best way to get things done in the resident and interest. So that's probably the reason why you see us in agreement on most, most occasions. That doesn't mean there's not discussion and debate on various issues. So I just wanted to respond to what he said, Mr. Patel. And I appreciate Mr. Patel's comments. He comes to the meetings and he asked lots of questions and that's, that's terrific. You know, I'm all for that. And I look forward to the day where we can all talk together directly. So that's the answer to, I think the question of why there's agreement, that's the, our philosophy of government. Thank you. Speaker 2 00:54:43 Thank you, Councilman Uhrin Cahn. And, and yes, we don't all of the time, but we work everything out to move forward in a, a little bit nicer position in, in front of everybody. So there there's many discussions and many times that maybe we may not agree, but we work through our situation so that we can move forward and make progress for the town. So do we have any other comments regarding those items? Do we have anyone else waiting? Yes. I'm asking the next individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves. Please state your name, go ahead, state your name and address and be advised. You have three minutes in which to speak Speaker 8 00:55:40 David. A, are we on, in the open to the public portion? Speaker 2 00:55:48 Yes, we are. David, go ahead. Speaker 8 00:55:50 Okay. On the ward of the some's contracts, there was a time maybe there still is. You could attend bidding prior at the Township I used to attend, you would have contractors come in, they lay their bids down. You guys would open the bids and award 'em based on the bids that you received is that practice still ongoing. Speaker 2 00:56:21 Do you have any further questions, David state? All of your questions, Speaker 8 00:56:25 That's it. That's it. Speaker 2 00:56:27 Okay. David, our bids are all being done on zoom that is still being done today. Thank you for that question. Council president, there are no other individuals with their hands raised. The public portion is now closed. Thank you everyone for a very good meeting this evening. I'd like to now have a motion to adjourn. Speaker 15 00:57:01 Chaill Speaker 2 00:57:02 Second. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye, aye. Have a good evening. And thank you everyone. For all of your questions, concerns, and a great meeting. Goodnight, everyone. Good.