Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on February 28 2023
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 00:00:12 Good evening. I'd like to call council meeting to order. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required under chapter 2 31, 19 75, specifying time, date, location, 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 two municipal library bulletin boards municipal web website, providing a copy to the official newspapers of a Township and by filing a copy in the office of a Township clerk in accordance with the certification by the clerk, which will be entered into the minutes. Township continues to use a remote meeting format in the effort to migrate the chance of exposure to Covid 19 as part of the township's ongoing effort to slow the rate of transmission in order to make sure a clear record record of the meeting can be made and that all parties are heard in an organized fashion, all members of the public will be muted during the meeting. Speaker 1 00:01:08 If a member of the public wishes to speak during any public common portion, please raise your hand. This can be done either through the Zoom app or by pressing star nine on your phone. When it is your turn to speak, you'll receive a prompt to 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 have free minutes to speak and at the conclusion of which you'll be muted again and the council or administration will respond as necessary so you have any further comments or questions. The Township is always available by phone and email, and you can always call the mayor's office during normal operating hours. Each member of the public shall have only one opportunity to speak during each public portion. As a technology does not allow us to know if there are multiple callers on an individual line or login user account. We ask that you, we ask that if you wish to speak that you log in or dial in separately so that we can recognize you on a separate in. 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 clip during the public comic portion of the meeting set shall be limited to three minutes of reading. Thank you in advance for your patience as we continue to move the Township forward during this health emergency. Speaker 1 00:02:34 Mr. Dacey, would you please take the roll? Speaker 0 00:02:36 Councilwoman Cahill. Here. Councilwoman Carmichael, can you unmute yourself? Councilwoman Carmichael Here. Thank you. Councilman Espinoza. Speaker 2 00:02:59 Here. Speaker 0 00:03:02 Councilwoman Lombardi. Here. Councilman Rouse. Councilman Rouse. Speaker 3 00:03:14 Yes. Speaker 0 00:03:16 Council President Uhrin. Speaker 1 00:03:18 Here. Speaker 0 00:03:19 Mayor. Brian Wahler. Speaker 2 00:03:21 President Speaker 4 00:03:23 Melissa. You forgot me. Speaker 0 00:03:25 Sorry. Cap Councilman Shaw. Speaker 4 00:03:29 Yeah. Speaker 0 00:03:32 Business. Administrator. Timothy Dacy. Speaker 2 00:03:34 Here. Speaker 0 00:03:36 Township Attorney Goomer Goomer. Here. Deputy Township Clerk Kelly. Mitch here. And I'm here. Melissa Cedar, the Township clerk. Speaker 1 00:03:46 Please stand for the flag. Salute Speaker 5 00:03:52 Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One Nation under God, indivisible, the liberty and justice. False. Speaker 1 00:04:13 Any comments from administration or council regarding adjourn of any matters on this agenda? Speaker 0 00:04:19 None at this time. Speaker 2 00:04:21 None. Speaker 1 00:04:25 Okay. We'll move to number six. Open to the public comments regarding item number nine, consensual agenda items. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by by phone by pressing star nine. When is your turn to speak? You'll receive or hear or 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 note 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, Speaker 0 00:05:14 Counsel President, I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themself. Speaker 6 00:05:35 David Akins and Brook Valley Lane. Speaker 0 00:05:40 Hi Mr. Akins. Speaker 1 00:05:41 Good evening. David Item. Speaker 6 00:05:43 Hi. Good. A I mean good evening Goomer. Item number E for echo. What's happening there? Speaker 1 00:05:54 David, is that all you have Speaker 6 00:06:00 Right now? Yes. I didn't get a chance to really review this too much before I had to come online, so I'll either do it now or I'll wait till when it's open to the public. Speaker 1 00:06:13 Okay, Speaker 7 00:06:17 David. Good evening. So Echo is for the purchase of tires for the Department of Public Works and it's for six $50,000 to a New Jersey State contract vendor Custom dang out of Linden. And that's for normal, just normal replacement for tires on our lead p w vehicles Speaker 0 00:06:48 Council president, there are no other individuals with their hand raised for this agenda item. Speaker 1 00:06:53 Okay, I'm gonna close the public portion. Item number seven, ordinance on the first reading providing for the construction of local improvement sidewalks on Ethel Road West is a resolution adopting ordinance. Mr. You please read the ordinance Speaker 0 00:07:07 Be resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled Ordinance to provide for the construction of local improvement sidewalks on the Ethel Road West frontage block 9 0 0 1 lot 55 block 9 1 0 1 lots, 45.0 1 50 53 0.02 and 54 4 0.02 block 9 2 0 1 lot 44.06 and block 9 3 0 1 lot 54.0 5, 55 0.04, and 55.05 on the town of of Piscataway tax map as permitted under njs. A 40 65 1 B is hereby adopted on the first reading that it be published in the official newspaper and that a second reading and public hearing be held at 7:30 AM prevailing time at the Piscataway Municipal Building, 4 55 Ho Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey, as well as by remote meeting format on the 18th day of April, 2023. We have further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places within the Township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage. And a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the Township Clerk for any interested member of the public. Speaker 1 00:08:24 Thank you Mr. Seater. Do I have a motion? Speaker 0 00:08:26 Motion Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:08:29 Have a second. Speaker 5 00:08:30 Second. Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 1 00:08:33 Sue, did you please take the role? Speaker 0 00:08:35 Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 5 00:08:37 Yes. Speaker 0 00:08:38 Councilwoman Carmichael. Speaker 5 00:08:40 Yes. Speaker 0 00:08:41 Councilman Esposa. Speaker 1 00:08:43 Yes. Speaker 0 00:08:45 Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shaw? Speaker 7 00:08:53 Yes. Speaker 0 00:08:54 Counsel Earn? Speaker 1 00:08:56 Yes. Item passes on the first reading item number eight, ordinance on the first reading to exceed the municipal budget appropriations and to establish a cap bank. This is a resolution adopting ordinance Mr. Dacey. Please read the ordinance Speaker 0 00:09:11 Be resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey. Then an ordinance entitled calendar year 2023 Ordinance to exceed the municipal budget Appropriation limits and establish a cap Bank njs. A 48 4 45 0.14 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 18th day of April, 2023. 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 this second reading and final passage. And a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the Township Clerk for any interested member of the public. Speaker 1 00:10:00 Thank you. Mr.. Dacey. Do I have a motion? Speaker 4 00:10:03 Motion? Speaker 8 00:10:05 Second Speaker 1 00:10:08 Ms. Did you please take the roll? Speaker 0 00:10:10 Councilwoman Lombard Cahill. Speaker 5 00:10:13 Yes. Speaker 0 00:10:14 Councilwoman Carmichael. Speaker 5 00:10:16 Yes. Speaker 0 00:10:17 Councilman Esposa. Speaker 3 00:10:19 Yes. Speaker 0 00:10:21 Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 5 00:10:23 Yes. Speaker 0 00:10:24 Councilman Rouse. Speaker 8 00:10:25 Yes. Speaker 0 00:10:26 Councilman Shaw? Speaker 4 00:10:28 Yes. Speaker 0 00:10:28 Council President Uhrin? Speaker 1 00:10:30 Yes. Item passes on the first meeting. Item number nine, contention. Agenda for efficiency. Items have been consolidating to consent. Agenda to be voting on together. The tears of these items have been distributed to the council in advance of the meeting at this time. Are there any items that the council will likely removed from the consent agenda to be discussed or voted on separately? Speaker 5 00:10:56 None. Council, president. Speaker 1 00:10:58 I see none. Do I have a motion? Speaker 5 00:11:02 Motion. Motion? I'll second. Okay, I'll make that motion. And then Councilwoman Lombardi will second. Speaker 1 00:11:14 Okay. Thank you. Student please take the roll. Speaker 0 00:11:19 Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 5 00:11:21 Yes. Speaker 0 00:11:21 Councilwoman Carmichael. Speaker 5 00:11:23 Yes. Speaker 0 00:11:24 Councilman Espinoza. Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 5 00:11:28 Yes. Speaker 0 00:11:29 Councilman Rouse. Speaker 8 00:11:31 Yes. Speaker 0 00:11:32 Councilman Shaw? Speaker 4 00:11:34 Yes. Speaker 0 00:11:35 Council President Uhrin? Speaker 1 00:11:37 Yes. Item passes. Item number 10, announcements and comments from officials. Councilman, Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 5 00:11:49 Thank you. Council President. I'd just like to remind folks that there are some activities going on around town. If you have not signed up for the Township Electronic newsletter, I highly suggest that you go to the Township website and sign up to receive it. It's got a boatload of information on it about all the activities that are gonna be happening going on in town. And as we come into the spring and summer months, I fully expect that the town to be fairly ramped up with a lot of activities as it feels like we're not completely done with c o but certainly having moved quite a bit away from it. Speaker 1 00:12:37 Thank you Ms. Cael, Councilman Carmichael. Speaker 9 00:12:42 Just everyone be safe out there, especially with the temperature dropping. There may be Dr. There may be black ice, so be careful. Speaker 1 00:12:52 Councilman. Speaker 10 00:12:57 Thank you President. Just wanted to echo what Sharon has said. Just be careful out there. Temperatures are a little bit, you know, up and down lately, so just please stay warm and, and just be safe out there. I, I did, I did slip on ice today, so I I made it out safely, but, but just be safe. Thank you. Speaker 1 00:13:22 Councilwoman Lombardi? Speaker 11 00:13:24 Yes, I'd like to acknowledge that it is Black History Month, so I'd like to acknowledge that. I'd also like to acknowledge the loss of Jim Bullard, who was an exemplary af American Councilman on our town in our town. He was a selfless public servant with a heart of gold. And my deepest Kim is Chaill Lois and the family. Also, I'd like to acknowledge Shammy Royston, who is a music teacher on Kakac who won this year's Grammy award for the best intra instrumental jazz album. And the song's name was Uplifted Heart. So I'd like to acknowledge her and her love of music and it's, we're proud to have her here in Piscataway. And I'd also like to wish a happy 100 birthday to Mrs. Thelma Brookins, a long-term Piscataway resident. All beautiful African-American residents of our community. Thank you. Speaker 1 00:14:31 Thank you. Councilwoman Councilman? Speaker 8 00:14:37 No, not at this time. All seems has been said. Speaker 1 00:14:41 Councilman Shaw. Speaker 4 00:14:44 No thanks. Speaker 1 00:14:48 Okay. And I just have one thing to say. Effective March 7th, we're gonna be opening up our in-person meeting and zoom our council meetings. Mayor Wahler. Speaker 2 00:15:00 Thank you. Council President. I just want to give our condolences out to former Councilman Jim Rubin's family who Jim had passed away about two weeks ago. I know none of the council members currently on, on the town council served with him, but he was a longtime resident of Piscataway, grew up in Piscataway. He will be being buried sometime in June up here and will let everybody know when that happens. I did speak with his, his daughters and his sister in regards to that and they were very appreciative about our posts that we put on our admissible Facebook about his passing. So that's pretty much it. And then I actually served with Mayor. Oh, that's, I I apologize Councilwoman, believe it or not. Yeah. Am Speaker 1 00:15:55 Mayor Wahler. Business Administrator. Timothy Dacy. Speaker 2 00:15:58 Nothing tonight. Thank you. Speaker 1 00:16:01 Attorney Romar. No comments. Thank you. Move into the agenda SEC session for March 7th, 2023. Resolution authorizing cancellation of sewer and adjustment of records for block 58 0 1 lot 9.14. Any comments or questions? Resolution authorizing award of contract for 2022 to master T 14 D trailer fully incorporated not to exceed $17,892. Any comments or questions? Resolution authorizing award of contract under T T I P S National Purchasing Cooperative 2023 Capital Project Siding, replacement of Salt Barn at 5 0 5 Sydney Road, JDS in industrial Roofing contractors not to exceed $246,100. Any comments or questions? Resolution authorizing the award of contract under the Huntington County Educational Services Commission Cooperative window replacement. Installing visit, phase two, second floor and third floor Northeastern Interiors Incorporated not to exceed $380,960. Any comments or questions? Speaker 5 00:17:20 Council present? I'd just like to say I, I'm always happy to see when we're doing the work over there at Sterling Village. I'm so happy that the township's making an investment in the improvements over there. That's all. Thank you. Speaker 1 00:17:36 And the last one. And the last one. Resolution authorizing rejection of bids 2023. Exterior building renovation and site improvements to Maple Avenue D P W Building. Okay, item number 12, open to the public. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by phone by pressing star nine. When is your turn to speak? You'll receive or hear or request to unmute yourself. Please click to prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name, your 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. Speaker 0 00:18:25 Council president, I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themself. Speaker 6 00:18:34 David Akins and both Valley Lane on the corner of Stelton Road and Washington Avenue. It's vacant land. It used to be an auto detailing shop. The intentions of putting up another building or what's happening there, Speaker 2 00:18:53 If I may Council present, David, that's gonna be a convenience store. Speaker 6 00:18:58 Okay. I have another question. Speaker 1 00:19:04 Go ahead David. Speaker 6 00:19:05 I received the letter, it was with some other things, making reference to raising taxes. Some, some areas you can raise taxes, some areas or exempt from that. Can you clarify that for me? I, I received it in the last tax bill. I'm pretty sure. Speaker 1 00:19:34 David, is that all the other questions you have or you have anything else? Speaker 6 00:19:37 No, that's it for now. That's, that's it. Speaker 1 00:19:40 Okay. Speaker 12 00:19:41 I'll take this. Council president, this is Goomer Goomer, the time for attorney. The only thing I think of that they're exempt from taxes. It might be Rutgers owned or state owned properties that would be exempt from taxes or, or Board of Education or some other public agency. Speaker 2 00:19:55 And, and if I may counsel, I'll add in if they're a hundred percent dis disabled veteran, right. Speaker 5 00:20:02 Council p Perhaps if, if David received something in the mail and he is unsure of it, he, he's probably welcome to come down to the, to the tax officer, someone from the tax office to look at it, I would imagine. Speaker 7 00:20:19 Yeah. David can either call tax officer come down and visit it or if he wants he can give me a call and I'll, I'll look into it from him. Speaker 0 00:20:32 Council president, there are no other individuals with their hand raised. Speaker 1 00:20:36 I'm gonna close a public motion. Do I have a motion for adjournment? Speaker 5 00:20:41 No. Moved. Second. Second. Speaker 1 00:20:45 All in favor? Aye. Meeting adjourn. Have a good evening. Speaker 0 00:20:50 Have a great night. Good night everyone. Good night everyone. Next week. Goodnight. You.