Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on May 3 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 1 00:00:03 Good evening everyone. This is the May 3rd, 2022 Township council meeting. 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, specifying the time date, location login or 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 municipal library, bulletin boards, municipal website, providing a copy to the official newspapers of the Township. And by filing a copy in the office of the Township clerk in accordance with a 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 township's 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 1 00:01:10 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 by either through the zoom app or by pressing star nine on your phone. When it is your turn to speak, you will read, receive a prompt or request to unmute. Please click on the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute upon being unmuted. 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 counsel or administration will spawn as necessary. Should you have any further comments or questions? The town council is always available by email and phone, and you can always call the mayor's office during normal operating hours. Each member of the public shall only have one opportunity to speak during each public portion. Speaker 1 00:02:08 As the technology does not allow us to know if there are multiple callers on an individual phone line or logged in user account, we ask that you wish 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 town 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, Ms. Cedar, could you please call the role? Speaker 2 00:02:52 Councilman Bullard Need Councilman Cahn. Bullard. Can you unmute yourself please? Speaker 3 00:03:11 Councilman Speaker 2 00:03:12 Uhrin Bullard. Speaker 3 00:03:13 Yeah. Here. Speaker 2 00:03:16 Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 3 00:03:18 Councilman Speaker 2 00:03:19 Uhrin Cahn Speaker 3 00:03:21 Here. Councilman Speaker 2 00:03:23 Uhrin Rouse. Speaker 3 00:03:25 Yeah. Speaker 2 00:03:27 Councilman Cahn. Chaill Speaker 3 00:03:29 Yeah. Speaker 2 00:03:31 Councilman Uhrin Speaker 3 00:03:31 Mayor Speaker 2 00:03:33 Council. President Lombardi here. Mayor Brian Wahler Speaker 3 00:03:38 President Speaker 2 00:03:40 Business Administrator. Tim Dacey Speaker 3 00:03:42 Here. Speaker 2 00:03:44 Township attorney Raj Goomer Speaker 3 00:03:47 Here. Speaker 2 00:03:48 Deputy Township clerk, Kelly Mitch here. And I'm here Melissa Cedar, the Township clerk. Speaker 1 00:03:55 Thank you, miss. Could everyone please join me in the flags Speaker 4 00:04:03 Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic stands one nation under God, invisible Speaker 5 00:04:11 States of America, the invisible Liberty and justice for all Speaker 2 00:04:25 Number Speaker 1 00:04:25 Five, our comments from administration and council. Do we have any comments regarding the adjournment of any matters on the agenda from the council members Seeing none will move to number six. Number six is open to the public for comments regarding the consent agenda items. Only again, this is the public portion for any comments regarding the consent agenda items. Only Speaker 1 00:04:57 If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the 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 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 in administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. And please remember please state all of your questions and then we will follow up with answers. So if anyone would like to speak at this time for any of the matters, We are now open to the public Regarding consent agenda item Speaker 2 00:05:48 Council president. I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves Speaker 6 00:05:57 David Akins and bro Ali Lang. Good evening counsel. Speaker 1 00:06:03 Good evening, David Speaker 6 00:06:06 Item 11, B 11 P On that a little bit. Speaker 1 00:06:19 Can you repeat that? Speaker 6 00:06:22 11 E for echo Irate on that a little bit 11 M For Mike, This, for the Cahn entire Township, or is this certain location? 11 N for November. Wanna know? M R O. Is that a acronym or an eight? Last one? 11 w whiskey. What's the difference in Speaker 3 00:07:00 That Speaker 6 00:07:02 Item? Oh, Speaker 1 00:07:08 Are you done David? Speaker 6 00:07:10 I am. Speaker 1 00:07:11 Okay. So that's 11 E as in Eddie, M as in Michael, N as in Nancy and w as in whiskey, correct? Speaker 6 00:07:20 Yes. It's w make can reference to item. Oh, They sound similar. So I'd like you a difference between this. Speaker 1 00:07:32 Oh, w N I know. Okay. Mr. Dacey, you wanna follow up with those for him please? Speaker 7 00:07:38 Sure. So 11 E is a shared services agreement with middle six borough. Their court Administrator is going out on maternity 18 weeks, maternity leave beginning in July. So they're asking us to have our court Administrator fill in for her, and they will reimburse her salary up to 10 hours a week. Our Administrator did speak with the grader in Middlesex, and they've come up with an arrangement that should be able to do it. So we're just authorizing that 11 N is the by just catch basin, casting, inlets, and manhole covers. We normally just keep a supply of them and we need a, a replacement or for a broken part on it. We just go into our garage. So we've running low replacements. We're just ordering more catch face and cash things. Inlets and manhole covers 11 N is for Supply to pick up supplies and cleaning supplies, industrial supplies from Grainger up to $40,000. And w is for parts for trucks. And there's w oh, looks similar, but they're different vendors. One is Noria and one is Campbell, and they both have different vehicles that they sell park. We're buying parts for both for both vendors. Speaker 7 00:09:22 That's it. Thank you. Speaker 1 00:09:24 Thank you for that clarification, Mr. Dacey Speaker 2 00:09:28 Council president, there are no other individuals with their hands raised at this time. Speaker 1 00:09:32 We have now closed the public portion. We'll move to number seven, which is an ordinance under second reading. Second amendment to ground lease at communication site. This will be open to the public. It's an adopting ordinance. Mr. Dacey. Can you please read the ordinance, Speaker 2 00:09:52 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 eight ground lease with new singular wireless PCs LLC was introduced on the 12th day of April, 2022 and had passed the first reading and was published on the 15th day of April, 2022. Now therefore be it resolved that the AF ordinance having had a second reading on May 3rd, 2022, be adopted past and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passage approval in the official newspaper. Be it further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2022 dash six. Speaker 1 00:10:31 Thank you, miss Cedar. We'll now open this to the public, cause this is a second reading for each comment portion. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on, on zoom app or by pressing star nine, when it is your turn to speak, you will receive a here, 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 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 we now will be open to the public for number seven, which is an ordinance under second reading Speaker 2 00:11:25 Council president. There are no individuals with their hands raised for this agenda item. Speaker 1 00:11:31 We will now close the public portion. May I have an offer, please? Speaker 8 00:11:37 I'll offer that Councilman Cahn. Speaker 1 00:11:40 Thank I have a second. Can you please call the roll? Speaker 2 00:11:46 Councilman Uhrin Bullard. Speaker 3 00:11:51 Yeah. Speaker 2 00:11:53 Councilman Cahn. Cahn. Speaker 3 00:11:55 Yes. Speaker 2 00:11:55 Councilman Uhrin Rouse. Speaker 3 00:11:57 Yes. Speaker 2 00:11:58 Councilman Cahn. Shaw. Speaker 9 00:12:00 Yes. Speaker 3 00:12:01 Councilman Speaker 2 00:12:02 Uhrin Uhrin Speaker 3 00:12:03 Yes. Speaker 2 00:12:05 Council president Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:12:07 Yes. When the audience pass well now of two number eight, which is also a second reading amending chapter 12, parks and recreation area, section eight, Piscataway recreation, utility. This will be open to the public Mrs. Cedar, can you please read the ordinance Speaker 2 00:12:29 Be resolved by the Township council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled ordinance to amend and supplement the revised general ordinances, a of the Township of Piscataway county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey amending chapter 12, parks and recreation areas. Section eight, Piscataway Township recreation utility was introduced on the 12th day of April, 2022 and had passed the first reading and was published on the 15th day of April, 2022. Now therefore be it resolved that the effort ordinance having had a second reading on eight third, 2022, the adopted pass and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passage approval in the official newspaper. Be further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2022 dash seven. Speaker 1 00:13:11 Thank you. Mr. Dacey. We'll now open this to the public for number eight, which is an ordinance second re reading. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the zoom app or if by pressing the phone 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 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, we're now open to the public for number eight, the ordinance second reading Speaker 2 00:13:58 Council president. I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves Speaker 6 00:14:15 In both valley lane for number eight, there cost involved with these parks. And if so, what is the cost? Speaker 9 00:14:28 I can take this on council present. Speaker 1 00:14:29 Thank you, David. Our touch up attorney will answer that for you. Speaker 9 00:14:33 Yeah, David, this, this ordinance isn't isn't for any fees associated with it. It's actually just to clarify the recreation utilities and independent utility, and they are authorized to set up their own fees. However, we had discussions with the state and they would like some verification by the council in regard to same. So we just modified the ordinance and the code to reflect that the council will do a advice and consent resolution for any fee changes in the future for the recreation utility. Speaker 1 00:15:05 Thank you, Raj. Anyone else? Speaker 2 00:15:14 Council, president, there are no other individuals with their hand raised at this time. Speaker 1 00:15:17 The public portion is now closed. We'll now move to number nine, which is an ordinance. Second reading amending chapter two. Sorry about that, guys. Also, can I have an offer? Thank you. And the second was from Councilman Uhrin. Could you please call the roll Speaker 2 00:15:41 Councilman Bullard, Speaker 3 00:15:50 Councilman Speaker 2 00:15:55 Uhrin Bullard. You have to unmute yourself, please. Councilman Bullard, please press star six to unmute yourself so I can get your vote. Councilman Cahn. Speaker 3 00:16:36 Yes. Speaker 2 00:16:38 Councilman Uhrin Rouse. Speaker 3 00:16:41 Yes. Speaker 2 00:16:42 Councilman Cahn. Shaw. Speaker 9 00:16:43 Yes. Speaker 2 00:16:45 Councilman Uhrin. Speaker 3 00:16:46 Yes. Speaker 2 00:16:48 Council president Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:16:51 Yes. And the ordinance passed. We'll now move to number nine, which is an ordinance. Second reading amending chapter two administration, section 13, department of finance. This will be open to the public and adopting ordinance. Miss Cedar, can you please read the ordinance, be Speaker 2 00:17:09 It resolved by the Township council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled ordinance to amend and supplement revised general ordinances of the Township of Piscataway county of Middlesex state of New Jersey amending chapter two administration section 13, department of finance was introduced on the 12th day of April, 2022 and had passed the first reading. It was published on the 15th day of April, 2022. Now therefore be resolved that the officer had ordinance having had a second reading on May 3rd thousand 22, be adopted past and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passage approval in the official newspaper. Be further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 20 22 8. Speaker 1 00:17:48 Thank thank you. Mr. Dacey. We'll now open to the public for number nine. The second reading on this ordinance. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the zoom app or if by phone, by pressing star nine, when it is your turn to speak, you'll receive or hear a request to unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press R 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, we are now open to the public for number nine, Speaker 2 00:18:42 Council president. There are no individuals with their hand raised with regard to this agenda item. Speaker 1 00:18:47 Thank you. The public portion is now closed. May I have an for this or Speaker 8 00:18:53 Oh, for that? Councilman Cahn. Speaker 1 00:18:56 Thank you. May I have Speaker 3 00:18:57 A second council? Speaker 1 00:19:00 Miss, can you please call the roll? Speaker 2 00:19:02 Councilman Cahn Bullard Speaker 3 00:19:07 Councilman Speaker 2 00:19:08 Cahn. Cahn. Speaker 3 00:19:10 Yes. Speaker 2 00:19:10 Councilman Cahn Rouse. Speaker 3 00:19:12 Yes. Councilman Speaker 2 00:19:14 Uhrin Chaill Speaker 3 00:19:15 Yes. Speaker 2 00:19:17 Councilman Uhrin. Speaker 3 00:19:18 Yes. Speaker 2 00:19:20 Council president Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:19:22 Yes. And the ordinance passes. Number 10 is an ordinance first reading the revision of the Y M C a membership fees, a resolution adopting ordinance. Miss Cedar, can you please read the ordinance, Speaker 2 00:19:35 Be it resolved by the Township council getaway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled an ordinance authorizing the revision of the Township of Piscataway Y MCA membership fees be 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 hoing Piscataway New Jersey, as well as by remote meeting format on the ninth day of June, 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 rating and final passage and a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the Township clerk for any interested member of the public. Speaker 1 00:20:17 Thank you. May Cedar Speaker 9 00:20:18 Council president. This is Raj. Just wanted to give the council some backup on this. There actually are no changes on the Y M C a membership fees. This is actually a, a codification ordinance required, requested by the state. This is for those non-resident fees that were actually increased back in January. So there are no current changes at this time. Speaker 1 00:20:39 Thank you for that clarification. Does anyone have any further questions from the council? Speaker 3 00:20:45 Nope. Speaker 1 00:20:46 Seeing none may have an offer Speaker 10 00:20:49 Offer Speaker 1 00:20:51 A second. Second. Speaker 3 00:20:55 I think, Speaker 8 00:20:55 I think now speed. So that, Speaker 1 00:20:58 Thank you. Can you please call the roll? Speaker 3 00:21:02 Councilman Speaker 2 00:21:02 Cahn Bullard Speaker 3 00:21:07 Councilman Speaker 2 00:21:08 Cahn. Cahn. Speaker 8 00:21:10 Yes. Speaker 2 00:21:11 Councilman Rouse. Speaker 12 00:21:13 Yes. Speaker 2 00:21:13 Councilman Cahn. Shaw. Speaker 10 00:21:15 Yes. Speaker 2 00:21:16 Councilman Uhrin. Speaker 11 00:21:18 Yes. Speaker 2 00:21:19 Council president Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:21:22 Yes. And the ordinance passes. First reading number 11 are the consent agenda. Resolutions for efficiency of items have been consolidated into a consent agenda to be voted on together. The materials for these items have been distributed to the council in advance of the meeting at this time. Are there any items that the council would like removed from the consent agenda to be discussed or voted on separately? Seeing none. May I have an offer to accept the consent agendas? Speaker 8 00:22:00 I for that Councilman Cahn Cahn. Speaker 1 00:22:02 Thank you. May I have a second? Speaker 12 00:22:04 I'll second Reverend Rouse. Speaker 1 00:22:07 Thank you, Reverend Rouse. Miss, can you please call the role? Speaker 2 00:22:12 Councilman Bullard, Councilman Cahn. Speaker 8 00:22:20 Yes. Speaker 2 00:22:22 Councilman Uhrin Rouse. Speaker 12 00:22:24 Yes. Speaker 2 00:22:25 Councilman Shaw. Speaker 10 00:22:26 Yes. Speaker 3 00:22:27 Councilman Speaker 2 00:22:28 Uhrin Uhrin Speaker 11 00:22:30 Yes. Speaker 2 00:22:32 Council president Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:22:35 Yes. And the consent agenda passes. Number 12 is proclamation municipal. Clerk's appreciate week, May 1st through the seventh, 2022. And I believe the Mayor is gonna read that for us. Speaker 13 00:22:50 Thank you, council present. And I'd like to read this at as local government has grown in responsibility and the importance throughout the nation's history. So has the role of the municipal. And whereas in New Jersey, the clerk occupies one and the most important and exacting positions in municipal government. And whereas the office of municipal clerk has many statutory duties, which include acting as the secretary to the governing body, chief administrative officer of all elections, custodian of records and issuance of various licenses and permits. And whereas the municipal clerk serves as the information center on functions of local government and community. Whereas municipal clerks have pledged to ever mindful of their neutrality and impartially rendering, equal service to all. And whereas throughout the persistent health emergency the clerk's office, turn to technology and continues to serve it needs the public. Now, therefore I must be resolved that I, Brian Wahler the Mayor Township Piscataway county mill Smith state of New Jersey recognizes the week of May 1st through May 7th, 2022 as miss Bullard clerk's week and further recognize our own miss clerk MSED and deputy clerk, Kelly Mitch, for the vital services, they perform in their dedication to the residents of Piscataway. Speaker 13 00:24:02 And I, I wanna add out in the notes council president, I may with the additional burdens that are being placed on the clerk's office over the last six to seven years, not just here in BCA, but statewide. It has become a very hard position to fill. So when there's a retirement and a clerk's position in town, there's not that many people going in to study to be municipal clerks. So there's gonna be a, a brain drain. So to speak in that position throughout the state of New Jersey in the coming years, because it's not an easy position to be in with all the technology and also the workload and the new state statutes that are being by the state every year. So I want thank Melissa and Kelly again for all their hard dedication work that they do for Township residents and to the rest of their colleagues and with them. Thank you, council president. Speaker 1 00:25:01 Thank you. I also thank you on behalf of the council. Thank you guys. We'll now move to number 13, announcements and comments from officials, Speaker 3 00:25:14 Councilman Speaker 1 00:25:15 Uhrin Ballard, Speaker 3 00:25:20 Councilman Speaker 1 00:25:22 Cahn, Cahn. Speaker 8 00:25:24 I, I wanna echo the, the fine words the Mayor said about Melissa and Kelly. Many members of the public probably know they do a great job because they see them. You know, when you come into town hall and you need something, they're the folks that, that you see. But a lot of the folks don't know what goes on behind the scenes and how much information they're able to gather and provide to us. You know, they, everything that you see on the agendas gotta be organized is, and they, and they do it really well. You know, get it. I could spend an hour just, you know, pat them on the back for all the work they do, but they're the really the unsung heroes of municipal government and they make it work. And I, I greatly appreciate all the I've been on the council a long time. I've worked with Melissa A. Long time. Kelly, not as long. And I, I appreciate all the work they've done. And I just wanna take the moment to thank you. Speaker 1 00:26:25 Thank you, Councilman Cahn, Reverend Rouse. Speaker 12 00:26:32 No comment, Speaker 1 00:26:34 Councilman. Speaker 10 00:26:37 I have one comment in the morning today. There is a senior center, the vaccination and I was there and a lot of people appreciate because it's right on the next door of senior center and everybody happy that we have in the house vaccination service. That's it. Thank you. Speaker 1 00:26:59 Thank you, Councilman Councilman. Uhrin Speaker 11 00:27:02 Yes. I just wanna make one comment. May, May 14th. We're doing Jackie Robinson day up at green acres and little league. We're gonna have baseball games up there. Alumni high school game up there. There's gonna be food trucks. Ceremony begins at 11 o'clock. I think it's gonna be a really good tribute to Jackie Robinson and line of baseball. And it's gonna be great day. Hope everybody comes. Speaker 1 00:27:29 Thank you, Councilman Uhrin Mayor. Speaker 13 00:27:35 Thank thank you, council president. And I wanna echo what Councilman Uhrin Chaill said when I was at the senior center, I did receive my second booster today. I think those, the visiting nurse association managed to pull out the biggest needle to give to me, cause my, my arms actually is a little poor, so, but anyway, I wanna thank the Disney nurses association. They've run the, the last two vaccination clinics here in beca one at the community center and one now at the senior center and they had nothing but high praise for the staff over there and also at the community center when they were that they, they wish all the places that they do vaccinations were as organized as Piscataway is. Thank you, council president. Speaker 10 00:28:21 I want to add one to one thing, cause the doctor was there and CC, if anybody want for the home service, you can contact them. I have number and they can go their house and they can give a vaccination there. Speaker 1 00:28:37 Thank you. Thank you, Kail. So if anybody needs to have the vaccine done in their home, they should contact you for the phone number, correct? Speaker 10 00:28:46 No, I can give the clerk office and they can just provide them. Yes. Speaker 1 00:28:50 Thank you. Very good. Very good information. Thanks Speaker 13 00:28:54 Council president. If I may add very quickly, I would be Remi. I wanna thank the council for approving the cen agenda tonight because on that a agenda was the reconstruction of Winterberry circle and also Ethel road, which many folks in the north Dalton region travel, we will be putting now multi bike lanes path there next to where the board of education property is connect up into Edison Township. And that's in conjunction with the contract that was warded to reconstruct justice street over in that section of the town. And as a side note, we are also in the process to finally do the milling and paving over in the Irishtown section of Danella Brewster and Middlesex, hopefully starting next month, as well as locus and a couple other streets over in that area. So the engineering department of public works are playing catch because we had some of the contractors that do the block work for the reconstruction of these streets. It was very challenging because of COVID and having not enough employees to do the work. So we're playing catch this year with a lot of the milling and paving throughout the town. And I know as Councilman IR seeing Adam street and also Leslie finished out over in his board along with Anne. So things are starting to come together and after speak of residents out there, they really appreciate the improvements that are taking place within their local neighborhoods. So thank you, council, president Speaker 8 00:30:29 Council, president. I, I have Speaker 14 00:30:30 A everybody's going Speaker 8 00:30:32 Back. Well, I really have a question. It's kinda a it's it's a politician's question. It's a comment wrapped into a wrapped around a question, but you know, since the beginning of the pandemic, I think Piscataway has really taken a leadership role. The Mayor worked tremendously hard to get a testing center in the deep dark days of COVID when there were no vaccines and, and, and, and folks were kind of grasping around in the dark to find a way out of it. We've really always been in the front and these vaccination centers that we've run these, these programs we've run have been terrific. We've done a bunch of 'em at the community center at the senior center. I don't know what the total, the American Legion, two of them. And we've really been we've we've done a great job around town. It's one of the things most proud of in the last two years, right? My question is Mayor, are there more, if there's folks out there that have still, still trying to get a booster, still trying to get a COVID shot? You know, they're not that internet savvy, like some of the, some, you know, not everybody is, are we gonna be having more of these? And can you, can you maybe simplify a little more to the public? Are we gonna have some more vaccination days at either the senior center or the community center coming up? Speaker 13 00:31:52 Absolutely. Council president. We were working on an office. I know Mr. Dacey Dana in the office are working with the visiting nurse association to maybe have another round at that. So. Speaker 8 00:32:05 Excellent. Thank thank you. And folks could probably, if they have, they don't know or have a question they're not internet savvy. They can call town hall, Tim and, and get some information. Speaker 7 00:32:15 Yes. Speaker 8 00:32:16 Thank you. We're Speaker 7 00:32:17 Working. We're working with the visiting nurse. The organization is anticipating in their conversations with the state and with the CDC that the, in the fall there's gonna be a combined booster for the original coronavirus, as well as the variants that we've seen. So I think they're trying to encourage everybody to get boosted now. And then in the fall, do a big press on, on getting boosted with the new vaccine that comes. So that's what we're really working with on. Speaker 8 00:32:50 Thanks. Speaker 1 00:32:51 Thank you everyone. Now, any comments from our Business Administrator, Tim Dacey, Speaker 7 00:32:59 No Speaker 1 00:33:01 Township attorney, Raj Kumar, Speaker 9 00:33:03 No comments. Thank you. Speaker 1 00:33:05 And I'll follow up just a couple items for your calendar between now and our next meeting. We do have the Fireman's Memorial service on May 26th. That's a Thursday evening out at the monument Fireman's monument. We do have the street coming up. That's on June 11th. That's a Saturday may is also mental health month. The state of people's mental health is really tough right now, and it definitely needs to be acknowledged. And lastly, none of you guys made any mention of this happy mother's day to all the mothers out there. If it wasn't for them, we all wouldn't be here. And they have one of the hardest jobs of anyone. So happy mother's day to all of the moms out there and all you guys didn't even make mention of your moms. So a on that note, we'll now move to the agenda session for June 9th, 2022. Speaker 1 00:34:20 We'll have an ordinance. Second reading revision of the Y M C a membership fees. And that we just went over that with some clarification from our Township attorney. Any questions are concerns further seeing none will have a resolution authorizing a return of escrow fees, DG facility solutions, LLC, block 1 3 0 1 lot 2.03 2200 new Brunswick avenue questions or concerns. We'll have a resolution authorizing the return of a cash bond. A E Fe developers LLC, block 63 0 5 lot seven six YOF avenue questions or concerns seeing none resolution 20 22, 20 23 liquor license renewals questions. And lastly on the list will be a resolution authorizing a municipal lean for the abatement of public nuisance block 31 0 1 lot 16 it's at 600 William street. Anybody have any questions or concerns on those? Speaker 8 00:35:30 I, the general question is this is the June meeting gonna be a live meeting or on, on zoom council president. Speaker 1 00:35:40 I think we'll have to have discussion. I haven't heard any change, but I, it could possibly happen, but I guess the attorney and our, and our Business Administrator will discuss that. And we will all find out what's happening with that. Speaker 7 00:35:55 So we've got plexiglass for the days that we have on order, which we're hoping to get in soon. And we also have purchased cameras for the broadcasting, which will be installed permanently, and we're waiting for those to be shipped so they can get installed. So I think we'll, we'll have a decision within the next couple weeks. A lot of it's gonna, I'm giving the cameras a Speaker 1 00:36:24 Plexiglass. Thank you for that clarification. Anybody have any further questions? We will now go to the open public portion for any comments at this time, number 15, we are gonna go open to the public. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on zoom app or if by iPhone, by pressing star nine, when it is your turn to speak, you'll 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, we are now going to be open to the public and please state all of your questions. And then we will answer after. Thank you. We're now open to the public Speaker 2 00:37:19 Council president. I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themself. Speaker 15 00:37:29 Hello, Evan. Shagos two 80 river road here in Piscataway. I guess my first question was partially answered every executive order in the state of New Jersey in regards to COVID has since either expired or rescinded the health care health emergency has also expired and been declared to be over. And I would just like some clarification as to when we, the S will be able to access the municipal buildings without appointment and to have meetings in person yet. Again, I did attend a council meeting without plexiglass in the borough of Denon last night. It'll be nice to have the same here in Piscataway, my next Councilwoman Lombardi last night or yesterday afternoon, we had yet another EMS advisory council. It, the third one that we've had since its inception and whatever it as though of the, the advisory, have it to any councils. Speaker 15 00:38:34 We'd like to know what the status is on that and why they're just not making it to the advi, the council meeting. The last thing, and I know it's touchy subject is the chief of police has been now sued for a fourth time. We have information that, you know, the Mayor had gone to the police to after officer ode had settled a case for nearly 2 million in regards to misconduct and stated that this will not be tolerated again, the PBA has gone ahead and reached out is my understanding. And from what those of us in the community have been led to believe is that the answer from the Township was that that Mr. Dacey advised the PBA that essentially the officers who had filed the SLS as plaintiffs are to stay away from the officer who is the chief of police, who is the defendant. Speaker 15 00:39:31 We don't think this really protects our officers. And we'd really like to know if you have any comment on four lawsuits than three months against the chief of police and what's being done to protect our officers that we care so much about in their workplace. They deserve to feel safe, the same as anyone else being that you want. All of our questions upfront. I will yield my time. I have nothing further to add other than happy mother's day as a Councilman Lombardi stated. And thank you to all the mothers out there that put up with all of us children. Speaker 1 00:40:05 Thank you for those comments. Since some of those things are litigation, I'm gonna pass these on to our Township attorney. Speaker 9 00:40:13 Yeah, sure. In regard to the last one regarding to, to chief Mosier, chief Mo had to 33 year record of outstanding service to the Township, of course we take all allegations. Seriously. They're being investigated by the prosecutor. I think actually those investigation, those internal invest investigations are winding up. I don't wanna, I don't wanna confirm either way yet, but I think they are being closed out. And, and, you know, the, I, I think the resolution to those is that they're being closed out without any, any actual, further investigation. So there is no issue with, with chief Mosier. He's not a danger to the public or his staff. He's a, he's a, an exemplary officer and has been a, a know an exemplary police officer for, for, you know, 33 years Speaker 8 00:41:06 Council. If I, if I can, if I can comment, I recognize this litigation and I am a lawyer, but lawyers that always say don't comment. And, and I, I, he that advice, but I, I, I wanna make a comment or two because I've, I've known chief Moser for over 30 years. And I say, no, him, I know him. I'm friends with him. He's been to my home. I've been to his home. I know his children. I know him. Well, I served as a volunteer firefighter with Tom Moser. I'm not at the police department. I don't know what goes on every day. I can only say that ha I'm a lawyer that does employment litigation. I've done it for 30 years. Folks make all sorts of allegations. Lawyers on behalf of individuals make all sorts of allegations and we'll see how they're sorted out at the end of the day. Speaker 8 00:42:03 But there's been those in for their own political motivations have made suggestions that the Township government takes some type of a knee jerk reaction. Every time an employee makes a complaint. I don't know statistically what the numbers are, but I'm willing to bet you in the 500 and some municipalities we have around the state of New Jersey, probably every chief of police has been sued by a police officer, making some allegations. I can say having done litigation involving police officers for a number of years. There's a lot of it. A lot of it is real. And a lot of it is not real. So our responsibility as a municipal government is to allow the process to work itself through, but on a, on a personal level, I, I know Tom Osher well, and I am very comfortable with him in that role. And I'm very comfortable with who he is as a person. Speaker 8 00:43:11 And I'm not saying that as a lawyer, I'm not even really it as a member of the town council. I'm saying it as somebody who knows the individual for a long time. So let's see how it plays itself out. You know, again, I caution members of the public. There are folks that have their own agenda and, and their agenda let's wait and see how things let's see how wait and see what the facts we really are before. We all make some decisions. So I know Raj would prob probably prefer we not comment. And that's probably good advice, but I I've seen some of the nonsense online. And some of the comments from folks that have their own motivation, who they don't care, who they attack or what they say, if it benefits them. And I, and I, this is, is a man. I know, and I wanted to make those comments. So I'll say, I'll say no more, but that's my personal view. Speaker 1 00:44:04 Thank you. And I believe we already answered the as to moving forward with opening up our municipal building and the council meetings, we believe, I believe we answered that in the last go around. And as for the EMS council, I believe there was one item that is supposed to come to the council. So I will look into that with Mr. DTI to see when we will be moving that forward. So I hope you answered all of your questions. We'll now go to the next person, Speaker 7 00:44:36 Evan. Sometimes Evan, sometimes he's his, he sees his purpose on the committee as advocating for himself and for river road and not really contributing to EMS services throughout the town out. So I can assure you that there's been nothing taking place that the council needs to act on. You've given all the minutes you've been to. I think two of the three meetings, the purpose of the council is to make recommendations. Most of those recommendations can be carried out just by the service providers that we have, that the idea of building this council wasn't to create another branch of government that would then get the municipal council involved in running response times and responses for ambulances throughout the Township. So I think that there may be a misunderstanding of the role. I can tell you briefly that we did go over yesterday, the fourth quarter of 21 and the first quarter of 22, the first fourth quarter of 21, there were 1,160 dispatches of ambulances in the Township. Speaker 7 00:45:48 And we only had to use mutual eight, nine times out 1,160 calls. And in the first quarter of this year, which is January, February, March, there were 1,164 calls for ambulances. All of 'em got answered. We only needed in this quarter eight mutual calls. So the three ambulances that are here providing 25 service for the most part, handling 99% of the calls, if not more, they were a little bit busier in January due to the spike in COVID. There were actually 10 jobs during January that went over above the three, but that's come back down to this storm. So the we've had three meetings of the EMS committee, and I think that what we're supposedly discussing there and working with each other is working well. Evan has a different point of view, and he expresses that at the, at the meetings. Speaker 1 00:46:50 Thank you, Mr. Dacey for that clarification. And I agree, they are working very well and the service is also working very well. Thank you so much. Anyone else? Speaker 2 00:46:59 Council president, I'm asking the next individual with their hand raised to unmute themselves, Speaker 6 00:47:22 Tammy. Speaker 2 00:47:23 Yes. Speaker 6 00:47:26 This is for Tim. Tim. You responded to this question at 11 D on the consent agenda. What I didn't hear is how many patrol cars are we referring to? And what type of upfit are you reference to? That's it? Speaker 7 00:47:51 Oh, 11. I didn't, I didn't Speaker 1 00:47:54 Wait. Are all your, is that all your questions, Mr. Akins? Yes, Speaker 6 00:47:57 That's. That's it. Speaker 1 00:47:58 Thank you so much. Go ahead, Mr. Dacey Speaker 7 00:48:02 It's for seven cars and the, and what they do is the lights and they, they put the cage in the back to the, the separated from the police officers, the lights, the sirens, all that. That's what that's what are for, for seven. Speaker 1 00:48:24 Thank you very much. Speaker 2 00:48:26 Council president. I'm asking the next individual with our hand raised to unmute themself. Speaker 16 00:48:41 Hi, this is Jessica Kratovil. Can you hear me? Speaker 1 00:48:44 Yes. Go ahead. Jessica state your name and address. Speaker 16 00:48:48 Yeah, that's Jessica Kratovil 1247 Brookside road. And I was just calling in to express my concern as a citizen about the four lawsuits made by three members of the police department against chief Moser. I know this was brought up by a previous member of the public, but it's something that's very concerning to me, especially the nature of the allegations regarding discrimination on the basis of gen and someone's national origin, as well as officers being passed over for promotion for whatever reason. And I'm just very concerned about how this present the rest of the county and New Jersey about the quality of the Township that we have here in Piscataway. I think Piscataway is a great place to live. And I would like to see a lot of positive press about Piscataway and not lawsuit after lawsuit, after lawsuit. And I can appreciate that whichever member of the council that was thinks that he's a great guy and knows him for a long time, but with members of the council running for reelection with the slogan, fiscally responsible delivery of quality services, I find that the cost of these lawsuits defending a police chief, who has been accused of very serious allegations may not be in the best interest of the Township. Speaker 16 00:50:33 And I consider it the, the duty of the Township government to consider very strongly. If this person should remain in the position, if it's going to detrimentally AF impact the reputation of the Piscataway Township and our fiscal responsibility, defending someone in numerous lawsuits is very expensive. And I don't see a good reason as a resident to bear that cost on the taxpayer dime. If there is someone who could do the job and not be accused by three officers of in four lawsuits. And I'm just, I, I understand that you're probably not gonna comment on it, but I would encourage you very strongly to make decisions to the benefit of the Township residents and not to our good friends on the police force, chief motor or, or whoever it is that, that you are all friends with, that you think is a great idea that this guy stays in power. I, I just, that's gonna conclude my comments. And I hope that you'll appreciate that this comes from an earnest position and I'm not acting on my political personal agenda. I don't have a agenda. Speaker 1 00:51:58 Your three minutes are up. And I believe that we did address some of this at a prior person that was open to the public, but we will elaborate with our Township attorney on that on, Speaker 9 00:52:10 Yeah, I'll just request a council again, not to make any comments. This is pending litigation and investigations. I, I will say though, that, you know, the Township does take all allegations seriously at the same time, you know, the Township shouldn't act, you know, irrationally that, you know, everybody is just because it's an allegation. Doesn't mean it's true. We go through the process as is required. We, you know, we refer it to the mill Smith county prosecutor's office. They do a thorough investigation. They come back with a determination and that's when, you know, the Township will, will consider actions if, if there needs to be any, but just because allegations are there does not mean that, that, you know, there is just cause we go through the process, we do thorough investigations and then, and then the Township, you know, will make a determination from that. Speaker 1 00:52:59 Thank you, Raj Kumar, our Township attorney for that explanation Speaker 2 00:53:03 Council president, there are no other individuals with their hands raised at this time. Speaker 1 00:53:08 The public portion is now closed. We'll now move to number six, which is in adjournment. May I have an offer please? Speaker 13 00:53:15 Council pre council president, can I jump in for a second? The last caller basically said positive press. I I'm very proud of what this town has done. Especially during the pandemic. We were one of only a handful of towns in the state of New Jersey to not have furloughs or layoffs, as a matter of fact were stronger stably. And also financially since then, and you know what that says a lot. I mean, and a lot of national magazines and organizations have recognized the hard work that this council has done as well as other people within admissible government. So for those two individuals that got on and were taken shots and let's just face it, they're, they're partisan agents of the opposing campaign running for council, you know, so let's lay the cards on a table and it's okay to question representatives as a government, but let's just lay the cards on the fact that they are acting as agents of the current. So the real question I have is them is that, you know how it, that they have never asked some of the people that they're basically supporting, why they, somebody that they ran was indicted by a middle six county grand jury. You have, you don't hear anything about that or why? One of the candidates that are running on their slate was kicked off Twitter for imitating the Piscataway Twitter account. So I think they need to look themselves in the mirror on that one. And with that, everybody a happy mother's say, Speaker 1 00:54:55 Can I have a motion to adjourn the meeting, please? Speaker 13 00:54:58 Motion. Speaker 1 00:54:59 May I have a second, Speaker 13 00:55:02 Second Speaker 1 00:55:05 Favor? Say I please. Aye. Hi everyone. Have a good evening. Thank you. Thank you.