Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on July 23 2024


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     00:00:04    I'd like to call this meeting of the Township Piscataway Council to order. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required under chapter 2 31 PL 1975, specifying the time, date, location, login or dialing information into 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 certification by the clerk, which will be entered in the minutes. There will be public comment periods for both remote and in-person. Attendees separately, each member of the public shall have only one opportunity to speak during each public portion. 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 if you wish to speak, that you log in or dial in separately so that we can recognize you as a separate individual. 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. Ms. Seater, would you please take the roll call  
Speaker 1     00:01:20    Councilman Uhrin Carmichael. Here. Councilman Uhrin Espinosa. Councilwoman Lombardi. Here. Councilman Cahn Rouse. Councilman Uhrin Shaw. Here. Councilman. Uhrin Rin. Here. Council President Caho here,  
Speaker 0     00:01:37    Would you please join me in a slew to our flag  
Speaker 2     00:01:42    Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible with Liberty. Liberty and justice for all.  
Speaker 0     00:02:03    All right, this brings us to number five, which will be comments from administration and counsel regarding adjournment of any matters on this agenda, administration or counsel. Any concerns? Seeing none, we'll move on to number six. This is open to the public, but this is regarding com Comments regarding item number 13, which is further down on the agenda and these are the consent agenda items. Anyone remote, we're gonna open up to the remote attendees first, 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 administration will respond if necessary. After you've completed any comments or questions.  
Speaker 1     00:03:05    Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.  
Speaker 0     00:03:09    Thank you Ms. Cedar. I'll close the remote attendee portion and we'll open it up to the public who are here in person. Again regarding item number 13, the consent agenda items. 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 in which to make your comments. You may take your seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration will then respond if necessary.  
Speaker 3     00:03:41    Aye. Patel 29, red Bed Road. I'd just like to just get details on what are the criteria for solicitor licenses, solicitor lawyers or this is something else.  
Speaker 4     00:03:58    This is for people that go either door to door or are selling, you know, at a location in the public.  
Speaker 3     00:04:06    The other question that I had is the municipal lien for various block and laws and public nuisance. What was that for? 13 B.  
Speaker 0     00:04:19    13 B. Oh, I'm so sorry. That's the lien of abatement of public nuisance on the various blocks and lots.  
Speaker 4     00:04:25    Yeah, so this is where, you know, property owners aren't taking care of their properties. There may be issues with pest or rodents, et cetera. The township of course notices them and provides proper time for them to do something about it, but if they don't then the township has to go in and take care of it so it doesn't affect the neighbors. And then the township then puts a lien for the costs associated with with it on the property so that hopefully they'll redeem those costs back.  
Speaker 3     00:04:52    We do that for the home inside. Also, some of the homes that are like they have this kind of stuff  
Speaker 0     00:04:58    If, if they're like or  
Speaker 4     00:05:00    Yeah, we, we try not to enter properties. We, we don't enter properties unless we have to because  
Speaker 3     00:05:06    I mean I've seen in past where like a home right behind me was just like absolutely horrendous and regardless of what the assessments were carried out, I didn't see any action.  
Speaker 0     00:05:15    Right. Thank you Mr. Patel. Is there anyone else in the public wishing to comment regarding number 13?  
Speaker 5     00:05:32    David Akins and Post Valley Lane. Good evening counsel.  
Speaker 6     00:06:09    Is this for the DOT grant? Alright, this is just an application to submit for the DOT. This is section of Old New Brunswick Road from the bridge to the the old Luke Oil gas station. That's section of the roadway, that's all. We don't know how much money we're gonna get, we're just filing the application. We're applying for one  
Speaker 0     00:06:36    Aikens, the press the, when you speak, just hold that button down on the mic so we can hear you. Yep,  
Speaker 6     00:06:43    That's this is I believe for the parcel maps. Normandy Drive. Yeah, the maps. What  
Speaker 5     00:06:55    Was that amount before?  
Speaker 6     00:07:00    What contract? It was for $300,000.  
Speaker 5     00:07:07    Okay. That's all I have.  
Speaker 0     00:07:13    Thank you. Anyone else in the public wishing a comment about item number 13? Okay, scene none. I'm gonna close the public portion. That'll bring us to, sorry folks, let's get here. Number seven, this'll be an ordinance on second reading. It is amending chapter seven, section 25. This is vehicles over designated weight excluded from certain streets. It will be open to the public and it is a resolution adopting ordinance Msed. Would you please read the resolution be  
Speaker 1     00:07:48    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 seven traffic section 25 vehicles over designated weight excluded from certain streets was introduced on the 25th day of June, 2024 and had passed the first reading and was published on the 30th day of June, 2024. Now therefore be it resolved that the offer said ordinance having had a second reading on July 23rd, 2024 be adopted past and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper, be it further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned. Number 2024 dash one six.  
Speaker 0     00:08:28    Thank you Ms. Cedar. And now I'm gonna open it to the public. First we'll do for the remote attendees, 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 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.  
Speaker 1     00:09:02    Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.  
Speaker 0     00:09:06    Thank you Ms. Heater. So I'll close the remote attendee portion. I'll open it up to the public for any comment on this item. 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 in which to make your comments. You may take your a seat after completion of your comments or questions in the council or administration will then respond if necessary. Seeing none, I'm gonna close the public portion for this item, so I'll open it up to the council for an offer.  
Speaker 1     00:09:39    Offer Councilwoman Lombardi.  
Speaker 0     00:09:41    Do I have a second? A Carmichael. Thank you Ms. Peter, would you please take the roll call vote  
Speaker 1     00:09:45    Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Cahn Rouse. Yes. Councilman Uhrin Shaw? Yes. Councilman. Uhrin Rin? Yes. Council resident Cahill?  
Speaker 0     00:09:58    Yes. And the item passes on second reading. That'll bring us to number eight, which is also an ordinance on second reading. This is authorizing Title 39 Enforcement 20 New England Avenue. It will be open to the public and it is a resolution adopting ordinance Msed. Would you please read the resolution  
Speaker 1     00:10:16    Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled Ordinance to amend and supplement the revised general ordinances of the township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey. Amending Chapter seven traffic, section 40, control for the movement and parking of traffic on public and private property to assert Title 39. Jurisdiction on 20 New England Avenue was introduced on the 25th day of June, 2024 and had passed the first reading. It was published on the 30th day of June, 2024. Now therefore be it resolved that the offer said ordinance having had a second reading on July 23rd, 2024 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 signed. Number 2024 dash one seven.  
Speaker 0     00:11:00    Thank you Ms. Cedar and we'll open this up to the remote attendees. 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 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 counsel or administration will respond if necessary. After you have completed any comments or questions.  
Speaker 1     00:11:33    Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.  
Speaker 0     00:11:37    Thank you Ms. Cedar. We'll open it up to the public for comments of this item if you wish. Who are here in person 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 in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration will then respond if necessary. See none. I'm gonna close the in-person, public portion of this item and I'll open it up to the council. Do I have an offer?  
Speaker 1     00:12:09    Offer, offer, Scott.  
Speaker 0     00:12:10    Okay, we'll go with first with Carmichael. Second with Shaw. Thank you very much. Counsel. Ms. Cedar, would you please take the roll call  
Speaker 1     00:12:18    Vote Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Cahn Rouse. Yes. Councilman Cahn Shaw? Yes. Councilman. Uhrin. Rin? Yes. Council President Cahill?  
Speaker 0     00:12:31    Yes. And the ordinance passes on second reading. That'll bring us to number nine, which is also an ordinance on second reading. This is authorizing the execution of financial agreement with RG Norm Normandy Urban Renewal LLC block 37 0 2 lot 1.02, which is 10 Normandy Drive. It'll be open to the public and it is a resolution adopting ordinance. Miss Cito, would you please read the resolution  
Speaker 1     00:12:57    Be resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey That an ordinance entitled Ordinance of the Township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex, New Jersey, authorizing execution of financial agreement with RRG Normandy Urban Renewal LLC. Pursuant to the long-term tax exemption law N JSA 40 A1 EC was introduced on the 25th day of June, 2024 and had passed the first reading. It was published on the 30th day of June, 2024. Now therefore be it resolved that the officer said Ordinance having had a second reading on July 23rd, 2024 be 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 assigned number 2024 dash 18.  
Speaker 0     00:13:43    Thank you Ms. Cedar. And so now we'll open this up to the public for the first. 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 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've completed any comments or questions.  
Speaker 1     00:14:19    Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.  
Speaker 0     00:14:23    Thank you Ms. Cedar. We'll open it up to the public here in person. 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 in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration will then respond if necessary. Scene none. I'm gonna close the public portion on this item. I'll open it up to the council. Do I have an offer for this item  
Speaker 3     00:14:52    Offer?  
Speaker 0     00:14:53    Do I have a second?  
Speaker 3     00:14:55    Second,  
Speaker 0     00:14:56    Ed, would you please take the roll call vote.  
Speaker 1     00:14:58    Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi? Yes. Councilman Cahn Rouse?  
Speaker 3     00:15:04    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:15:05    Councilman Cahn Shaw?  
Speaker 3     00:15:07    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:15:07    Councilman. Cahn. Rin? Yes. Council President Cahill?  
Speaker 0     00:15:11    Yes. And the ordinance passes on second reading. That'll bring us to number 10, which is another ordinance on second reading. This is authorizing addendum to redevelopment plan block 1701 lot 2.03. That is 4,100 New Brunswick Avenue. It is open to the public and it is a resolution adopting ordinance. Ms. Sita, would you please read the resolution  
Speaker 1     00:15:32    Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled Authorizing Addendum to Redevelopment Plan for Block 1 7 0 1 Block 2.0 3 4100 New New Brunswick Avenue as shown on the tax map of the township of Piscataway, was introduced on the 25th day of June, 2024 and had passed the first reading and was published on the 30th day of June, 2024. Now therefore be it resolved that the after Forset ordinance having had a second reading on July 23rd, 2024 be adopted past and after passage be published together with the notice of the date of past approval in the official newspaper. Be further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2024 dash 19.  
Speaker 0     00:16:13    Thank you Ms. Cedar. And so now we will open it up to the public for the remote attendees. 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 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 counsel or administration will respond if necessary. After you have completed any comments or questions.  
Speaker 1     00:16:47    Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.  
Speaker 0     00:16:51    Thank you Ms. Cedar. We'll open it up to the attendees here in person. 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 in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration will then respond if necessary.  
Speaker 3     00:17:15    Yeah. Hi 20 Patel. What is it that this addend and what is this redevelopment about?  
Speaker 6     00:17:28    It's basically just the site at 41. It's a current site that has a building on it. They're just asking for the zoning to revert back to what the original zoning was, which was light manufacturing.  
Speaker 0     00:17:38    Light manufacturing. Right. So it's an existing building. The zoning is going to change to go back to its original intent, which was light manufacturing. If you  
Speaker 3     00:17:48    Didn't building made as manufacturing. Building light though Lightman. Okay. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:17:52    You're quite welcome. If there's anyone else in the public who wishes to speak about this, you may do so at this time. Seeing none, I'm gonna close the public portion. I'll open it up to the council. Do I have an offer?  
Speaker 1     00:18:10    Offer?  
Speaker 0     00:18:11    Councilwoman. Lombardi. Okay, so we'll do Shaw and Lombardi. Okay. Ms. Cedar, would you please take a roll call? Vote  
Speaker 1     00:18:20    Councilwoman Carmichael. Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Cahn Rouse. Yes. Councilman Cahn Shaw? Yes. Councilman. Cahn. Ern? Yes. Council President Cahill?  
Speaker 0     00:18:30    Yes. And the item passes on second reading. That'll bring us to number 11. This is an ordinance on first reading. This is acquisitions of right of way and easements for New Durham Road Improvements project. It is a relu, a resolution adopting ordinance. Miss, would you please read the resolution be  
Speaker 1     00:18:48    Resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey That an ordinance entitled an Ordinance for the Acquisition of Rights of Way Easements and Land and Fee Simple for the improvements of new dorm Road Block 8 5 0 2 lot 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, and 17. And also including portions of the new dorm Road Right of way as shown on the tax map of the township of Piscataway Bean is hereby adopted on the first reading that it be published in the official newspaper. And that a second reading, public hearing be held at 7:30 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway Municipal Building 4 55 Hose Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey on the 13th day of August, 2024. Be it further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places within the township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage. And a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the Township clerk for any interested member of the public.  
Speaker 0     00:19:42    Thank you. Ms. Cedar. Do I have an offer? Offer? Councilwoman? Lombardi? Do I have a second? Second. Second. Oh wait, wait a second. Over here Linwood. So, okay, Ms. Cedar, could you please take the roll call  
Speaker 1     00:19:55    Vote. Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Cahn Rouse. Yes. Councilman Uhrin Shaw? Yes. Councilman. Uhrin. Rin? Yes. Council President Cahill?  
Speaker 0     00:20:08    Yes. And the item passes on first reading. That'll bring us to number 12, which is also an ordinance on first reading. This is authorization of special assessments for sidewalks on Sutton's Lane and it is a resolution adopting ordinance. Ms. Cedar, would you please read the resolution?  
Speaker 1     00:20:25    Be it 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 Sutton Lane. Sutton's Lane Frontage of block 9 1 0 1 Lot 45.01 and block 9 3 0 1 Lots, 47.0 3, 51 0.0 1, 52 0.0 2, 52 0.03, and 1 0 7 0.03 on the township of Piscataway tax map as permitted under NJ SA 40 65 dash one bean is hereby adopted on the first reading that it be published in the official newspaper. And then as 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 on the 10th day of September, 2024. Be further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places within the township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage. And a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the Township clerk for any interested member of the public.  
Speaker 0     00:21:30    Thank you. Ms. Cedar, do I have an offer?  
Speaker 8     00:21:35    Offer Carmichael?  
Speaker 0     00:21:37    Do I have a second? Second  
Speaker 8     00:21:38    V  
Speaker 0     00:21:39    Ms. Cedar, would you please take the roll call  
Speaker 1     00:21:41    Vote. Councilman Uhrin Carmichael? Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman. Cahn Rouse.  
Speaker 8     00:21:47    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:21:48    Councilman Cahn Shaw? Yes. Councilman. Cahn. Rin? Yes. Council President Cahill?  
Speaker 0     00:21:54    Yes. And the ordinance passes on first reading that'll bring us to number 13, which are the consent agenda. Items for efficiency 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. Counsel, are there any items that you'd like to have removed from the consent agenda item and to be discussed or voted on separately seen. See none then I'll open it up to the floor. Do I have an offer  
Speaker 8     00:22:26    For Councilwoman?  
Speaker 0     00:22:27    Lombardi? Do I have a second? Second  
Speaker 8     00:22:30    Ro  
Speaker 0     00:22:30    Ms. Hitter, would you please take the roll call vote.  
Speaker 1     00:22:32    Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi? Yes. Councilman Uhrin Rouse. Yes. Councilman Uhrin Shaw? Yes. Councilman. Uhrin Uhrin. Yes. Council President Cahill?  
Speaker 0     00:22:45    Yes. And the consent agenda items passed. That'll bring us to number 14. This is announcements and comments from officials. Councilwoman Carmichael.  
Speaker 8     00:22:57    Yes, I have a comment. I would just like to commend actually our president, Joe Biden for the unselfish Bold. Another brag. No, I'm, I'm saying that I am because I, I think he did a good thing for the country and I was, I was sad about it. But after he did it and the next day and I saw Kamala Harris going around and the love and the support that she got from this, from the the country people around the country. I'm looking forward to her being at the top of the ticket and I'm feeling much better now. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:23:41    Thank you. Councilwoman Councilwoman. Lombardi.  
Speaker 9     00:23:44    Yes. A couple of items. Our Summertime concert series is now underway and being very well attended on Thursday evenings. So this Thursday over at the Gazebo we have Carnaby Street, which is music of the British Invasion. So come down and have a lovely evening free of charge on us. It's very well attended and a lot of fun. And we have our national night out coming up on, let's see what, wait, when we have that, it's Tuesday, August 6th. It's out there by the YMCA. It's a fun evening to get to know your local police officers and your local community people. So come on out to that. And I'm pleased to announce that we are gonna launch this year a township wide garage sale in October. So please go online to look at the information and join in if you'd like to get rid of some of your junk laying around the house. So the township wide garage sale will be October 5th and sixth. And the details are online. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:25:01    Thank you. Councilwoman Lombardi Councilman Cahn Rouse. No comments at this time. You. Councilman Uhrin. Rouse Councilman. Cahn Shah  
Speaker 10    00:25:12    On the 15th August. We are doing Independence Day flag hosting at YMC 10 o'clock in the morning. So I invite everybody to come in the morning. 10 o'clock. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:25:26    Thank you. Councilman. Uhrin. Councilman. Uhrin. Uhrin.  
Speaker 11    00:25:28    Yeah. One other thing that's happening is we have a bike rodeo, which was moved to July 30th and it'll be at the little league field. That's five o'clock.  
Speaker 0     00:25:37    Okay, that's a Tuesday or a Wednesday. That's Tuesday. Thank you. Councilman. Uhrin, rn, Mr. Mayor, Ms. Gobin, nothing Councilor, no  
Speaker 11    00:25:53    Comments. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:25:55    Okay. And I just reiterate there's a lot going on in town and suggests that folks participate take advantage of all the town has to offer for residents, whether they be young, middle aged like me or old, older I should say. Okay. So with that we're gonna move on to the next item. This is item number 15, which is the agenda session for the August 13th, 2024 meeting. Right now there is an ordinance on second reading that is the acquisitions of rights of way and easements for New Durham Road. It's in the improvements project and it'll be open to the public at that time. It'll be a resolution adopting ordinance. Any comments or questions from counsel regarding that item? No. Okay. Seeing none, that's the only thing on there. So we'll move to number 16. This is gonna be open to the public for the remote attendees. So for our remote attendees, 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 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 counsel or administration will respond if necessary. After you've completed any comments or questions.  
Speaker 1     00:27:30    Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.  
Speaker 0     00:27:35    Thank you Ms. Cedar. So now I'm gonna open it up to the public who are here in person. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the Zoom a oh apologize, 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 in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration will then respond if necessary.  
Speaker 12    00:28:02    Khaled Z 8 3 1 hose lane Piscataway. As you guys know what I'm talking about already, you can, I guess you can tell what I'm going to say. I'm here to talk about one topic only and this is the only topic that I'll be talking to you about until my people, the Palestinian people are liberated. I'll continue to show up as much as I can to remind you that there is genocide going on in Gaza. I'm really happy that genocide Joe stepped down 'cause he doesn't deserve to be president of the United States. He has blood on his hands. He participated in these war crimes in Gaza. He gave Israel everything they wanted to commit these war crimes. He gave them 2000 pound bombs. He gave them all these weapons just to continue to massacre the Palestinian people. Since I was here last time a few weeks ago, hundreds more Palestinians got, were murdered, killed children, women, everybody.  
Speaker 12    00:28:53    Israel is not Le Le leaving every anybody alone. They bombing everything that moves in Gaza. They destroyed more buildings, more hospitals, more schools. They bomb shelters, tents. And I'm not going to stop talking about this. I will talk about it everywhere I go 'cause it's my duty to speak on behalf of my people. And I wanted to remind you, I again, you guys passed a cease fire resolution, which is a good thing. But I was hoping that you guys mentioned the hostages, the Palestinian hostages. Israel kidnapped over 10,000 more Palestinians since October seven, just nine months ago. And everybody's talking about Israeli hostages, but nobody talks about those thousands of Palestinians. Many of them are underage children and Israeli presence. This continues to go on and on and on. War criminal who was indicted by the International criminal court is coming to United States. He's actually in United States.  
Speaker 12    00:29:53    He's going to be speaking tomorrow in Washington dc. Hundreds of thousands of people will be there to protest his against him, against Netanel. He should be arrested and Biden should also be arrested. In my opinion, I wish somebody took him to court after he steps down from the White House 'cause he participated in these war crimes. And I wanted to ask you, please consider revising this war, this cease fire resolution and talk about the Palestinian hostages. Israel in 2014 invaded Gaza. They bombed Gaza 10 years ago and they killed 2200 Palestinians. No one thought, no one condemned that act as far as I can tell when it comes to townships, anything like that. So you guys in that resolution mentioned, see the October 7th, you condemn that you ask for release of Israeli hostages again, I would like to ask you to please revise the resolution and call for release of hostages on both sides.  
Speaker 12    00:30:50    In my opinion, actually the Palestinians are the ones who are hostages. Israelis are prisoners. So call for that call for release of hostages on both sides and condemn Israel's attacks on civilian infrastructure in Gaza. That's all I have to say about that. I hope you consider that because one day, sooner or later, everybody's talking about independence 4th of July, you know that August 15, independence Day, whatever that I missed what that independence was about. But we, one day, we as the Palestinian people will celebrate with our liberation from Israel because we under 75 years of, of, of military brutal military occupation since 1948, everything we are controlled by everything. Thank you  
Speaker 0     00:31:33    Sir. So  
Speaker 12    00:31:33    We'll, we'll liberate Palestine and we'll celebrate that  
Speaker 0     00:31:36    Liberation. Thank you very much for your comments. We do appreciate you coming up and speaking because you're so pa passionate. The municipality supports, you know, the local population no matter who it is. And we, you know, we feel strongly and supportive but are the resolution that we came together with and agreed upon. I do believe says all hostages. It does not specifically say Israeli hostages. And so I think we stand by that resolution. If there's anyone else in the public who wish to come and speak, please come to the podium. State your name and address and note that you have three minutes in which to make your comments.  
Speaker 13    00:32:25    58. I like the newsletter. Those numbers are nice, but you don't tell us it is how much taxes we're gonna pay this coming year. Coming over George Washington Bridge. There's a swell in the asphalt. An attempt was made to fix it, but it's worse making a ride on all New Brunswick. There's three potholes. One right on all great Lakeview and Stelton right in the middle of the intersection. A big pothole turning onto Stelton. I liked the repaid but you neglected to do the curb in some walkways. Desperately needed puddles going down to all New Brunswick in that block. There's still three potholes there.  
Speaker 13    00:33:29    Coming down to the where George Washington and Stelton meet that again, that ear sign. Please turn it into a light with that extra traffic road. Rage getting worse. There's been a few traffic accidents there. People want to go into the gas station or on Washington Road rage. Property maintenance is not working for Piscataway residents. Moreover, there may concern is how to embezzle the public with some bogus summons bogus and that people may get prosecuted and fine or not, not prosecutor our justice of the peace and every one of you. And empower that morbid savior. It's happening. Fix the potholes. Seventh and Clinton, for God's sake, the mar pit is dangerous. My complaint is nonexistent.  
Speaker 0     00:35:05    Thank you sir. Is there anyone else in the public wishing to speak at this time? Please state your name and address and note that you have three minutes in which to make your comments.  
Speaker 3     00:35:13    I pik petal Bedro. First of all, I would like to really thank you for the work that was done on Sutton's Lane. It was due and I would like to make sure that over the course of can, can you hear me okay? So I'd just like to thank you for the work that was done on Sutton's Lane. It was much due, but thank you so much. From complaint to execution in a month. That's fantastic. I just say continue on that momentum going forward all the way to road two so that where the entire street along the way with Rutgers with students coming in becomes better. So this is, this is the good side of it. Now let me just tell you the bad side of it, Mr. Mayor. And again, I don't know whether it's slides or distortions or whatever it is in newsletters and in websites we hear that the taxes are coming down.  
Speaker 3     00:36:01    I look at the budgets down 7% and all this kind of stuff. When we get our tax bill, it's jumping up by a thousand. And look, I don't mind paying a thousand or 2000 more, but if it's not aligned with the wages or the incomes that we are generating, somebody has to, in that newsletter, figure out how we are gonna finance these things. And I think that's a real problem because in order to solve this, whatever welfare or in inequities or inequalities, we are actually making it worse. And whatever process that is being used today to build affordable housing and all this kind of stuff, to me in the long run, it's the benefit actually the cost is going to increase against the benefits. So that I think the cost will outweigh the benefits with whatever being proposed all over the place. And the general trend, from what I'm just going to, and again you can call it as a fact or a fiction, I'm just going to read a few things.  
Speaker 3     00:36:54    Most buildings on hose lane are empty. You can call it fact. And you can just say it, weather, fact or fiction. Most buildings on Ethel Road, which is a, which is I guess commercial or whatever, they're getting empty or becoming empty. We lost two big grocery stores in our town Kids, I think they were having a hard time finding summer jobs. And I can tell as a father, because he applied at five, 10 places, I'm sure some would get it. And it's not like my son is like out there. I mean he, he has some honors degree and obviously ShopRite got an injury, but it took him a while. He had to sit around for two weeks. That's a valuable time for somebody graduating from a school and going into college to pay for summer education. It shouldn't be that way. There is a vandalized type building on Washington Avenue, which used to be the Paychex building.  
Speaker 3     00:37:38    If you look at the glass of those building, that's horrendous. That's just a disgrace for this town. The glasses are broken. Then you have all this Wawas and everything pop opening up. The question should be for planning and zoning board, how come there are six gas stations in a point 25 mile radius? And what, what are they doing when they're approving all these permits? Nobody's doing land survey, nobody's doing any, any kind of due diligence. It just passed through rubber stamps. We lost close to and, and again, this is my numbers, we lost close to 70 to 80% edible landscape over the last 25 years while the food price is skyrocketing. So you gotta figure out some way, somehow to balance this. I'm not saying indu buildings and, and industries are not important, which should be a balanced growth. Mr.  
Speaker 0     00:38:20    Patel, Mr. Patel, I'm so sorry. Your three minutes have expired.  
Speaker 3     00:38:25    Oh, as I said, I'll, I'll come back. But there are a few things that I send it in an email, which I'm reverting with all these assessments. I, I highly encourage to look at that and read. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:38:33    Thank you Mr. Patel. Is there anyone else in the public wishing to comment 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.  
Speaker 14    00:38:50    Abbott Awad, 3 0 6 Grandview Avenue. Excuse my voice. Allergies. I'm glad. Thank you for all being here tonight. I appreciate it. Councilman, Uhrin, Cahill. The thing that Ka had brought up before, and you mentioned about all hostages, it was actually written in the ordinance here it says all hostages held by Hamas. That's all it says. It's actually right, but it's actually, they're prisoners, they're not hostages and it's, there's actually over 10,000 Palestinian hostages currently being held who are children underage, all different things, all different ages, all different men, women, children. It's disgusting. But the reason I'm here also is because like how brought up the simple wording that we discussed originally when the resolution was passed. And we appreciate you passing this resolution. We really do don't think it's going unnoticed. It is it, it is not. I mean, but the one thing I ask is that we asked for a simple changing of wording and the council seemed very approved, very fine with it at the meeting.  
Speaker 14    00:40:08    And then the following meeting, it wasn't even when it was brought up for a moment, it was basically no like no, we're not touching this, we're not talking about it. Nothing. Now I'm just wondering what happened in between that timeline. Did something somebody come to you guys and threaten you, God forbid or, or discuss something else that we don't know about? We're just asking because nothing of it just seemed very weird that all of a sudden it just, everybody's mind quickly changed to No, no, no, no, no. And we don't wanna discuss it anymore. So that's my question to you tonight.  
Speaker 0     00:40:50    Thank you very much that the council was not threatened to tell you much. You know, I don't think that there was something that was said. I think it's, you are commenting that there hostages and that those, the former gentleman talked, those people being pushed. Do you understand? It's like two sides. We've letters from another side telling us that by saying cease fire that afford Hamas to stay in power. Does that sound reasonable?  
Speaker 14    00:41:41    I mean, I could tell you Hamas is obviously not in power as you could see, it's technically just a genocide happening. I don't know if you're familiar with the region or how it goes, but it was basically either you, this is the government you're allowed to have or you have no government. That's it. That was your vote. Vote for these people or no government. That was their options for the people.  
Speaker 9     00:42:08    That's why it's traditionally not our job to be that deep involved in foreign policy.  
Speaker 0     00:42:14    We're a town council, we stand with you  
Speaker 9     00:42:16    Local.  
Speaker 0     00:42:20    And so we have to represent everyone in this town. If you can understand a a, a position of ours where or resolution is not going to change anything, it makes a statement. The, this township, this mayor, the, the Senator Smith have been a friend to the mosque, to the members of that center. We are not the elected officials who are going to change right now what's happening. Our vote will and who we support and that's why this country has the really, the responsibility of its citizens to vote to see who they want to have run the country. But we here cannot legislate that. And I'll be honest with you, you know, language that is, that sounds not reasonable isn't going to get us anywhere on either side. And I'm not pointing fingers here, there anyway, what, what we have to do is we have to support our residents in town do right by the residents in town. And this council very much does so and the mosque very much has enjoyed a lovely relationship with not only the township leaders, but this town in general. We are never in the news. It's very important, right? We are a town of people who are highly educated and who respect one another. And if I cannot equally represent and speak on something that I probably as a council, as a body may, may or may not should have or should not have, I should say commented on, on international affairs. I mean we've never commented on it.  
Speaker 9     00:44:22    Our job is to know our local community, not to get involved in international politics.  
Speaker 14    00:44:31    I understand. And a lot of your constituents are and  
Speaker 0     00:44:34    And honestly we yeah, absolutely. And we  
Speaker 14    00:44:36    Appre again, we appreciate it.  
Speaker 0     00:44:38    I don't, I mean now and speak to your piece, that is your right. But as a body, you, you have to understand where we can effectuate change and where we cannot, we do stand with you. That's why we did the resolution. There are many towns that did not many towns, many, many towns. And we enjoy a very good relationship with every house of worship here in town where people are not throwing things. I mean there was one incident obviously at the mosque, but that didn't have to do with anyone here locally. And there's a reason behind, behind that is because we're not putting up signs here about those sorts of issues. But we do stand with you as a body for sure.  
Speaker 6     00:45:22    I thank you. Know that  
Speaker 0     00:45:25    We appreciate you coming up.  
Speaker 14    00:45:27    Thank you for your time. Have  
Speaker 0     00:45:28    A good evening. Thank you very much. If there's anyone else in the public who wish to comment may do so at this time. Seeing none, I'm gonna close the public portion.  
Speaker 6     00:45:42    Council president, I, I just wanna jump in. Mr. Patel got up there and complained about saying about the tax rate. The tax rate. We have the second lowest tax rate in Middlesex County. You know I have to take my word, you take this, the star ledger. The problem with Mr. Tell is he's still during had not let the assessors in. He's probably paying more than he should be at the assessment. But the law is, sir, I am speaking, you are not. And this is his attitude, how he's always rude to the township employees. But with that being said, unless he's subsidizing basically everybody else, because he's probably paying way more, all he has to do is pick up the phone, make an appointment. He knows that he has several rental properties also to make the appointment, to have the assessor come in for about a two minute walkthrough to verify, to make sure what's there on the list. That's all they have to do. He refuses to do that, which is his own right. But the assessor under state law, correct me if I'm wrong, counselor has to assess it at highest and best use. That is the law of the land. And this is something that he doesn't wanna do. So he continus to get up here and complain when the fact is that everybody else is complying with the law and he doesn't want to do that. That's basically it.  
Speaker 0     00:47:03    Thank you Mr. Mayor, do I have an offer for adjournment  
Speaker 14    00:47:08    Offer?  
Speaker 0     00:47:09    Do I have a second? All those in favor say aye. We are adjourned. Thank you everyone.