Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on December 19 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 0 00:00:03 Recording in Speaker 1 00:00:04 Progress, time, date, location, login or dial 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 website providing a copy to the official newspapers of the Township and by filing a copy in the office of the Township clerk and the accordance with the certification by the clerk, which should be entered into the minutes Speaker 1 00:00:26 In order to ensure a clear record of the meeting can be made and that all parties are heard in an organized fashion. All members of the public that are participating remotely will be muted during the meeting. The Township will provide for public comment periods for both remote and in-person. Attendees separately. If a member of the public wishes to speak during any public common portion for remote attendees, please raise your hand. This can be done either on Zoom app or by pressing star nine on your phone. When it's your turn to speak, you'll receive a prompt to request unmute. Please click on the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute and begin making your comments. All members of the public will have three minutes to speak and should ask any and all questions they may have during that period. At the conclusion of your three minutes remote attendees will be muted again in person. Speaker 1 00:01:12 Attendees will also receive three minutes to ask any and all questions and may then take a seat at that which time the council administration will respond as necessary. Should you have any further comments or questions, the Township 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. As the technology does not allow us to know If there are multiple callers on individual line or login user account, we ask that. We ask that if 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. Mr. Cedar, would you please take the role? Speaker 0 00:01:57 Councilwoman Cahill. Here. Councilwoman Carmichael. Here. Councilman Espinosa. Here. Councilwoman Lombardi. Here. Councilman Rouse. Here. Councilman Shaw. Here. Council President Ern. Here Speaker 1 00:02:20 Please stand for the flag. Salute. Speaker 0 00:02:27 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Speaker 2 00:02:30 United States of America and to the Republic for which one Nation undergo indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Speaker 1 00:02:49 Item number five, comments from administration and council regard adjournment of any matters on the agenda? Speaker 0 00:02:56 None at this time. Speaker 1 00:02:58 Okay. Item number six, open to the public consent comments regarding item number 11 consent agenda for remote attendees. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by pressing or by phone by pressing star nine. When it is your turn to speak, you receive or hear or request to unmute yourself. Please click on 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 administration will respond if necessary. After you have completed any comments or questions, this is remote attendees First Speaker 0 00:03:40 Council president. There are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item, Speaker 1 00:03:46 I'm gonna close the remote portion for in-person. Attendees, if you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address. Know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council administration will respond, will then respond if necessary. This for consent. Agenda item number 11. I see none. I'm gonna close the public portion. Item number seven, ordinance on a second reading amended Chapter 21, zoning open to the public resolution adopting ordinance Mr. Cedar, you please read the ordinance Speaker 0 00:04:23 Be resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled Ordinance Supplementing Chapter 21, zoning of the revised General Ordinances of the Township of Piscataway County of Middlesex State of New Jersey was introduced on the ninth day of November, 2023 and had passed the first reading and was published on the 16th day of November, 2023. Now therefore be it resolved that the opposite ordinance having had a second reading on December 19th, 2023, the adopted passed and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper. Be further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2023 dash three three. Speaker 1 00:05:01 This is open to the public for remote attendees. If you wish to speak at this time, please either raise your hand either on Zoom app or we're pressing star nine when it's your turn to speak to receiver or hear 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. Know you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council administration will respond if necessary. After you have completed any comments or questions, it's for ordinance on number seven. Speaker 0 00:05:31 Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item Speaker 1 00:05:35 I'm gonna close remote portion for in-person. Attendees, if you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and know that you have three minutes and wish to make your comments. You may then you may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council administration will respond if necessary. I see none. I'm gonna close the public portion in person. Do have a motion? Speaker 0 00:06:00 Motion Speaker 1 00:06:01 I a second. Second seat. Did you please state the role? Speaker 0 00:06:06 Councilwoman Cahill? Yes. Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilman Espinosa. Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Speaker 3 00:06:16 Yes. Speaker 0 00:06:18 Councilman Shaw? Speaker 1 00:06:19 Yes. Speaker 0 00:06:21 Council President rn? Speaker 1 00:06:23 Yes. Item passes on a second reading item number eight, ordinance on a second reading, amending and supplementing various chapters of the municipal code and this is also open to the public. It's a resolution adopting ordinance seated. You please read the ordinance Speaker 0 00:06:37 Be 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 of Piscataway, county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey. Amending chapter two administration Section 64 and 80.12 Chapter seven, traffic sections 8, 14, 17 and 25. Chapter 15, short term rentals, section 2, 3, 8 and nine, chapter 16, housing and rent control sections 2, 4, 6 and 12. Chapter 19, fire Prevention and protection sections 10, 14 and 15. Chapter 20, land subdivision Section five, chapter 21, zoning Section six and chapter 24. Site plan review. Section five was introduced on the fifth day of December, 2023 and had passed the first reading and was published on the seventh day of December, 2023. Now therefore be it resolved that the offer said ordinance having had a second reading on December 19th, 2023 the adopted past and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper. Be further resolved that this ordinance shall be a sign number 2023 dash 34. Speaker 1 00:07:46 This is open to the public for remote attendees. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by pressing by phone by pressing star nine. When it's your turn to speak, you receive or hear or 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 administration will respond if necessary. After you have completed any comments or questions. Speaker 0 00:08:17 Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item, Speaker 1 00:08:22 I'm gonna close the remote portion for in-person. Attendees, if you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and note that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may, may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council administration will then respond if necessary. See none. I'm gonna close the in-person portion. Do I have a motion? Speaker 0 00:08:44 Motion? Speaker 1 00:08:45 Do I have a second? Second Dennis seat. Did you please state the role? Speaker 0 00:08:49 Councilwoman Cahill? Yes. Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilman Espinosa. Yes. Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Speaker 3 00:09:00 Yes. Speaker 0 00:09:01 Councilman Shaw? Speaker 4 00:09:03 Yes. Speaker 0 00:09:04 Council President Ern? Speaker 1 00:09:06 Yes. Item passes on a second meeting. Item number nine, orders on a second meeting amending and supplementing Chapter seven, traffic section 40, control of the movement and parking of traffic on public and private property to assert Title 39 jurisdiction on 1 35 Flemington Street. This is open to the public resolution adopting an ordinance. Miss Cedar, please read the ordinance Speaker 0 00:09:27 Being resolved by the Township Council of Pi scouting Township of New Jersey that an ordinance entitled Ordinance to amend and supplement the revised general ordinances of the Township of Piscataway County of Middlesex, state of New Jersey amending Chapter seven traffic, section 40, control for the movement and the parking of traffic on public and private property to assert Title 39. Jurisdiction on 1 3 5 Fleming Street was introduced on the fifth day of December, 2023 and had passed the first reading. It was published on the 10th day of December, 2023. Now therefore be resolved that the Risid ordinance having had a second reading on December 19th, 2023 be adopted past and after passage be published together with the notice of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper, be it further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2023 dash 35. Speaker 1 00:10:13 Okay, this is open to the public for remote attendees. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by or by phone by pressing star nine. When it is your turn to speak, you'll receive or hear or 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 administration will respond if necessary. If you have completed any comments or questions. Speaker 0 00:10:43 Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item. Speaker 1 00:10:48 I'm gonna close the remote portion for in-person. Attendees, if you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium. State your name and address and I'll let you have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council administration will then respond if necessary. See none. I'm gonna close the in in-person portion. Do I have a motion? Speaker 0 00:11:10 Motion? Speaker 1 00:11:11 Do I have a second? Speaker 4 00:11:13 Second. Speaker 1 00:11:16 Mr. Seat, did you please state the role? Speaker 0 00:11:18 Councilwoman Cahill? Yes. Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilman Espinosa. Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Speaker 3 00:11:28 Yes. Speaker 0 00:11:29 Councilman Shaw? Speaker 4 00:11:30 Yes. Speaker 0 00:11:31 Council President Rin? Speaker 1 00:11:33 Yes. Item passes on a second reading item number 10, ordinance on a second reading Anti municipal consent for the operation of cable television system in the Township of SCA. CSC TK RLLC, cable Vision of Ton Valley and this is also open to the public. It's a resolution adopting ordinance proceeded. Please read the ordinance Speaker 0 00:11:52 Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled An ordinance granting municipal consent for the operation of a cable television system within the Township of Piscataway, New Jersey to CSCT. K-R-L-L-C. Doing business as Cable Vision of Rare and Valley was introduced on the fifth day of December, 2023 and had passed the first reading and was published on the 10th day of December, 2023. Now therefore be it resolved that the officer ordinance having had a second reading on December 19th, 2023 be adopted, passed, and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passage or approval in the official newspaper. Be further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2023 dash 36. Speaker 1 00:12:34 This is open to the public for remote attendees. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by phone by pressing star nine. When it's your turn to speak, you receive or hear or 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 administration will respond if necessary. After you have completed any, any comments or questions. Speaker 0 00:13:04 Council President, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda. Item Speaker 1 00:13:10 Pose a remote question for in-person. Attendees, if you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium. State your name and address and know we have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council administration will then respond if necessary. I see none. I'm gonna close the in-person portion. Do I have a motion? Motion? Have a second. Speaker 5 00:13:34 Second Speaker 1 00:13:35 Seat. Did you please state the role? Speaker 0 00:13:37 Councilwoman Cahill? Yes. Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilman Espinosa. Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Speaker 3 00:13:47 Yes. Speaker 0 00:13:48 Councilman Shaw? Speaker 4 00:13:49 Yes. Speaker 0 00:13:51 Council President rn? Speaker 1 00:13:53 Yes. Item passes on the second reading. Item number 11, Concentra Agenda for efficiency. Items have been consolidated into Concentra agenda to be voted on together. The materials of 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 Concentra agenda to be discussed or voted on separately? I see none of 'em. Do I have a motion? Speaker 0 00:14:17 Motion? Speaker 1 00:14:17 Do I have a second? Second. Seated you please state the role. Speaker 0 00:14:22 Councilwoman Cahill. Yes. Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilman Espinosa. Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Speaker 3 00:14:33 Yes. Speaker 0 00:14:34 Councilman Shaw? Speaker 4 00:14:36 Yes. Speaker 0 00:14:38 Council President Urn? Speaker 1 00:14:40 Yes. Item passes. Item number 12, announcements and comments from officials Council. Speaker 5 00:14:47 Yes. I'd just like to wish those who are celebrating a, a happy Kwanza and we are also coming up on the Christmas holiday, so I'd like to wish our residents who are celebrating Christmas, a very merry Christmas and a very happy New Year to all of the residents of Piscataway. Speaker 1 00:15:09 Thank you. Councilman Carmichael, Dr. Carr Speaker 6 00:15:12 With Councilwoman, Gabrielle Cahill. Speaker 1 00:15:17 Thank you Councilman Councilman. Ms. Spinoza from our Speaker 7 00:15:21 Family to yours. Happy holiday San and please be safe out there. Thank you Speaker 1 00:15:26 Councilman. Lombardi. Speaker 0 00:15:28 I would like to publicly thank the people that were all out the other evening for all of our water rescues in town. So I'd like to clearly thank all of our emergency services, our fire departments, our rescue squads, our DPW and our police department for putting in all of the time during all of those water emergencies While we were sleeping. I don't think people know half of what was going on the middle. I don't think so. In the middle of the evening, Speaker 5 00:15:57 Councilman Lombardi. I have family in California who actually reached out to me saying our town was on the news in California and she was asking, asking how we were doing so it was pretty bad. Speaker 0 00:16:10 So thank you to all them. On behalf of all of us and everybody, Merry Christmas and happy Kwanza. Speaker 1 00:16:19 Thank you. Councilman Rouse, Speaker 8 00:16:23 Yes. Just like to wish everyone, citizens, all officials and everyone Happy holidays and a blessed holidays and safe holidays. God bless. Speaker 1 00:16:37 Thank you Councilman Shaw. Speaker 4 00:16:41 Merry Christmas to everybody and happy New Year and I won't say same thing for first responder for helping out the Pisca residents for this strong and they always good about that for helping out the com our residents. So thanks to all the people. Thank Speaker 1 00:17:09 Businessman, very Tim Dacey. Speaker 9 00:17:11 Just a reminder that the Township offices will be closing at 12 o'clock this Friday and next Friday and we'll be closed on Christmas day and New Year's Day and the reorganization is on January 2nd. Speaker 1 00:17:23 Thank you. Mayor Wahler. Speaker 10 00:17:27 Thank you Council president. I just wanna reiterate what Councilwoman Lombardi said about our first responders and our professional staff at the Missal between fire EMS and OEM out there the last 48 hours out there and we're still cleaning up from some of the remnants from the storm on Monday overnight, so thanks again. And I also wanna thank council president Frank Garn for chairing the council this year. It's no, it's not always easy being in that center chair. Thank you Frank, for all your service this year and as many of the other council members had said about the Holly season, I just wanna remind residents just be safe while tr traversing the roads for the balance of the holiday season. I hope see everybody next year. Thank you. Speaker 1 00:18:17 Thank you Mayor attorney. No comments. Thank you and I just wanna wish everybody a happy holiday and be safe out there. Okay, item number 13, agenda session for January 2nd, 2024 reorganization ordinance on the first reading amended and supplement to chapter 21 resolution adopting ordinance and then we have the Mayor appointments followed by the annual regular appointments and then we have a resolution authorized a return of escrow fees, four 16 Victory Boulevard 20 Sealy Avenue 12 Water Street and Brotherhood Street resolution authorizing return of engineering and inspection fees. That's on five 50 Williams Street and Blackford Avenue, three 30 South Randolphville Road and three Lakeview Avenue resolution authorized return of street order opening bond block 1 0 4 0 2 52 0 5 Weatherspoon Street resolution authorized return of cash bond block 41 0 2 1 0 1 Circle Drive resolution authorizing multi-party traffic signals agreement, new Brunswick Avenue and Brewster Boulevard resolution authorizing transfer of liquor license 1217 from MVB Wine and Liquor to Stelton Liquor LLC, BuyRight Resolution authorized and return of Safety and Stable guarantee Block 51 0 1 South Washington Avenue. Speaker 1 00:19:53 And then we have the appointments of council committees, public safety, public work finance, and personnel. Item number 14, remote is open to the public for remote attendees. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by phone by pressing star nine. When it's your turn to speak, you receive or hear or because, so 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 comm comments. The councilor administration will respond if necessary. After you have completed any comments or questions, Speaker 0 00:20:28 Counsel president, I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themself. Speaker 11 00:20:38 Hi, my name is Rahi Hashmi, I live at Foren Court. Am I good to start? Speaker 0 00:20:52 Go ahead. Speaker 11 00:20:53 Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, Mayor Wahler, esteemed members of the Piscataway Township Council and fellow residents. Thank you for the opportunity to address you today. My name is Rahm Hashmi and I'm a senior at Piscataway High School. I am before you today, not just as a student, but as a concerned member of this diverse and compassionate community. Today I bring forth a plea for humanity and compassion, a call for action that transcends borders and politics. I urge the Piscataway Township Council to pass a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. This situation in the region has reached a critical point with over 19,000 Palestinians losing their lives. The numbers speak volumes and the toll on innocent lives cannot be ignored. President Biden has described the bombings as is indiscriminate, echoing the sentiments of towns across America that have already taken a stand for peace. Speaker 11 00:21:46 Piscataway is a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, a place where diversity is celebrated. Many of our residents are directly affected by the conflict in Gaza, with families torn apart and lives lost in such trying times. It is our moral duty to extend a hand of support to speak out against the violence that has caused so much suffering. This resolution is the least we can do to demonstrate our commitment to peace and humanity. The international community has already spoken on this matter. 153 countries in the United Nations have called for a humanitarian cease fire and passed a resolution. If the global community can unite for the sake of humanity, surely Piscataway can follow suit. Let us set an example by putting aside political differences and embracing our shared humanity. As a representative to the Piscataway Board of Education, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of global events on our local community. Speaker 11 00:22:41 Muslim and Jewish students alike are fearful for their safety and messages of discomfort due to one's identity are far too common. It is within our power to create change to foster an environment where all residents feel safe, valued and respected. This resolution is not about taking sides in a complex geopolitical struggle. It's about reaffirming our commitment to humanity. It's about acknowledging the pain and loss that so many of our residents are experiencing. It's about standing in solidarity with those who seek peace and justice. Let us not underestimate the power of our voices, our actions and the influence we hold as a community. By passing this resolution, we send a strong message that Piscataway stands for peace, justice, and the wellbeing of all its residents. Together let us be the change we wish to see in the world. Thank you so much and happy holidays. Speaker 0 00:23:31 Thank you. Thank you Raheem asking the next individual with their hand raised to unmute themself. Speaker 12 00:23:55 David Akens, San Valley Lane. Good evening counsel. Speaker 9 00:24:02 Good evening. Speaker 12 00:24:04 Item. This is the item 11, E for bravo, E for Charlie, B for delta. Are these vehicles adding to the toll road that the Township has or are they replacing vehicles that the Township had? Speaker 9 00:24:36 David, is that all you have? Speaker 12 00:24:39 Oh, you want some more? Okay. Item F for Foxtrot. How? Since the tax assessor assistant have we the Township ever used this person before? Charles e Heck and item number M for Mike, where budget available for anyone who wants to copy last these items? Seven. P for papa, U for Quebec, R for Romeo, S for Sierra. Those are all France. I said now what's the amount of those different items? That's it. Speaker 9 00:25:40 Thank you, David. So the vehicles are all replacements. We've got the some older vehicles that when the new ones come in, we will sell at auction. Unfortunate deliveries, right now it's taking upwards of about a year to get in dump trucks and things like that. So we're bidding it, we awarded it early and hopefully we'll get it by the end of this year and then whatever we replace will be bid out for auction next year for resolution. F? Yes, Charles Heck works with this on an annual basis for the most part, helping with some of the appraisals that's going on to make sure that we keep current with our appraisals. For M for the temporary budget, you can get a copy of that from the clerk's office. She'll be glad to give it to you For p. P is for, it's for the federal Congress, save America's Treasures and it's historic preservation fund money for the Metler Bode house. This was awarded through Congressman PO's office and that one is for $500,000. Q is for Ecological Park. This was put into budget by Senator Smith and this goes through DEP and that's a $500,000 grant and that's gonna be used for the ecological park. Our is for Piscataway, promote Safe Street Grant. That's from the state of New Jersey. That's for $69,941. And Sierra is the 2023 drive sober, drive sober or get pulled over end of the year holiday crackdown. It's for drunk driving and it's currently going on, so recommend to your friends that they drink at home and that's for $10,500. Speaker 1 00:27:56 Thank you. Speaker 0 00:28:02 Council President, there are no other individuals with their hand raised. For this agenda item, Speaker 1 00:28:08 I'm gonna close your more potion for in-person. Attendees, if you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and know you have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or question. The council administration will then respond if necessary. Speaker 0 00:28:22 Sir, before you start, you have to hold the button down and you have to continuously hold it while you speak. Okay? Okay, thank you. Speaker 14 00:28:29 Good evening everyone. Zaed resident Piscataway 11 8 3 1 Jose Lane West. I'm here today to urge the council to pa introduce and pass resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza. We are calling for a ceasefire because hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk and if we don't achieve that ceasefire, we need humanitarian aid to be delivered promptly. The federal government holds immense diplomatic and appropriations powers to save Palestinians and Israeli lives. International organizations like the Amnesty International United Nations World Health Organization, US Agency for International Development, US A ID, the International Rescue Committee, and many other organizations have called for ceasefire in order to prevent a further loss of life of civilians and to be in accordance with the international humanitarian law. And 66% of American borders support a ceasefire according to an Octo October 20th, 2023, data for Progress poll. And they want to see the US leverage its diplomatic relationships to prevent further violence and civilian death. Speaker 14 00:29:41 We are urging the council to call upon our Cahn US congressional delegations to join us in one urging the Biden administration to immediately call for ceasefire to urgently end the current violence and calling upon the Biden administration to promptly send and facilitate an entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. We are also calling requesting the council to condemn all forms of racism, bigotry, and discrimination and support. Its its residents. Once this resolution passed, we are a, we are asking the council to quickly forward copies of the resolution to the President of the United States and our congressional delegations. Speaker 14 00:30:24 I also prepared a, a quick draft resolution that I would like to pass on to you if you don't mind. Unfortunately, I only made like five copies, so if I would like to give you that, if you please look at it and consider passing that resolution. There's a crisis going on in Gaza and holy land right now. Lastly, I wanted to also invite everyone. We are inviting a, an author, an activist who will be coming to our town and Mikko pled Israeli American author and activist. He will be coming to Piscataway on January 6th and he will be talking about crisis in the holy land mo moving forward. So I would like to invite everyone, I'll reserve a seat for you on that event. I will be emailing you the flyer. Please consider coming to that event on Saturday, five to 8:00 PM January 6th. I would like to see you all there so we can discuss this situation in the holy Land. It affects us all. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay. Speaker 15 00:31:45 My name is a council members. My name is Rahan Ahmed. I'm resident of Pisca for last like 2000, since 2005 for last 18 years. I live in two th 2 0 1 Hillside Avenue. I'm here to echo what Brother Khaled and Raheem mentioned that there's a crisis going on. There's a genocide going on with our tax dollars for all of us, and I urge the council to call for ceasefire and send that resolution to the Cahn, to the lawmakers in New Jersey so that they can, you know, hopefully call for ceasefire as well. Thank you so much. Speaker 14 00:32:30 Thank you. Thank you. Thank Speaker 15 00:32:31 You. Anyone Speaker 1 00:32:38 Else who to speak? If not, I'm gonna close the in-person portion. Go ahead. Speaker 16 00:32:55 Good evening everyone. My name is Sayad Hashmi, resident of four Evergreen Code Piscataway. I'm part of this Township since 2008, so it's been 15 years since moved in this country. Thank you for giving me opportunity to talk here. So I stand before you today as a concerned member of our community, urging you to consider and pass a resolution for a humanitarian crosses in Philistine. And the situation in the region is there where we know that more than a 19,000 people has been killed and the numbers are moving more and more every day. And this is not just a distant issue, it's hits close to home for many of our fellow Piscataway resident who have family members suffering and being killed in Gaza. At the same time, Pescara being a diverse and compassionate community cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of our fellow human beings. Speaker 16 00:33:52 It is our duty to act in the face of such injustice, to be a voice for those who cannot be heard. And the numbers really speak with the, the volumes you have and the tall of the innocent lives, and those cannot be ignored. The international community, as you heard earlier, that 153 countries, they recognize that the urgency of the situation and pass a resolution for a humanitarian cease fire. If the world can come together for the human life or political defenses, then surely Piscataway can do the same. This resolution is not about taking sides in a complex struggle. It is about reaffirming our commitment to humanity. And it is about acknowledging the pain and loss of so many residents who are experiencing, let's put aside political differences and remember our shared humanity. Let us be a beacon of hope and compassion in world that so often seem divided. Passing this resolution is the least we can do and it is the right thing to do. I implore you as team members of the council to pass this resolution for our humanitarian ceasefire in Palestine. Let us be a community that stands for peace, justice, and the sanctity of the human life. Thank you very much. Good evening. Speaker 1 00:35:12 Thank you. Anyone else wish to speak? Speaker 0 00:35:23 Well first I'd like to comment, Speaker 1 00:35:25 I have to close the public portion. Yeah, go ahead. I wanna close the public portion. Speaker 0 00:35:37 I'm gonna comment. Okay. First let me start off by saying thank you for all of you coming out this evening. And for the student from the high school that spoke earlier, let me always say that the Piscataway Council is for all the residents of Piscataway. We advocate for everyone here. We traditionally do not get involved in foreign policy, but we do not condone what's happening here. We clearly hope that it's resolved as soon as possible and we don't condone the holding of hostages or the killing of innocent people. So we don't condone any of that. And we will clearly take a look at your resolution. But as I said, we're usually, we're here for all the residents of Piscataway and, and I believe you, you know that. Speaker 1 00:36:28 Thank you Michelle. And Speaker 9 00:36:30 The, the Mayor would like to set up a meeting with some representatives when he is sending the flyer includes some contact information and, and we'll work on setting it up for you. Thank you for coming out. Speaker 0 00:36:43 Coming out. Speaker 1 00:36:45 Yes. Thank you for coming out. Okay. Do I have a motion to adjourn? Motion. Motion? Do I have a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. Meeting adjourned. Aye. Thank you. Speaker 0 00:37:01 Thank you.