Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on March 4 2025
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 00:00:02 Recording in progress. Speaker 2 00:00:09 Good evening. We're now called to order the Township of Piscataway council meeting of March 4th, 2025. Speaker 2 00:00:18 Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required under chapter 2 31 PL 1975, specifying the 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 the two municipal library bulletin boards, municipal library websites, providing a copy to the official newspapers of the township. And by filing a copy in the office of Township clerk in accordance with a CER certification by the clerk, which will be entered in the minutes. There will be, there will be public comment periods for both remote and in-person attendees separately. Each member of the public shall only have one opportunity to, to speak during each public portion. As a 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 way we can recognize you as a separate individual. Should you have any further comments or questions. That township council is always available by email and phone, and you can always call the mayor's office during normal operating hours. Speaker 2 00:01:32 Ms. Mitch, can I have a roll call please? Speaker 0 00:01:34 Council member Cahill. Council Member Carmichael Here. Council Member Liebowitz. Here. Council Member Lombardi. Here. Council Member Rashid Here. Council member RIN here. And Council President Espinoza here. Speaker 2 00:01:52 Please join us in saluting flag Speaker 1 00:01:55 I Speaker 3 00:02:00 Of the United States of America and to the Republic for which, and one nation under God is invisible with Liberty Justice for all. Speaker 2 00:02:20 Good evening council members. Are there any comments from the administration and council regarding adjourn, adjournment of any matters of on this agenda? Speaker 4 00:02:29 No add-ons. Council present? None. Speaker 2 00:02:32 Thank you. Open to the public comments regarding item number 13, consent agenda items, ordinance second reading, I'm sorry, or comments regarding items 13. Number 13, consent agenda items. It's actually one more time. Comments regarding item number 15, consent agenda items. I see none. We're gonna open to the remote portion. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the Zoom app or by phone by pressing star nine. When it's 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 administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Ms. Mitch, do we have anybody in queue? Speaker 0 00:03:53 Council president, there is nobody raised for this agenda item with their hands raised. Speaker 2 00:03:58 Thank you. Closing to the Roman remote attendees, opening to the in-person attendees, if you wish to speak. If you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and know that you had 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 would then respond if necessary. I see no one closing to the public. Close to the public mayor's proclamation. Speaker 4 00:04:45 Yeah. Thank you. Council President, if you don't mind where this is gonna be. Item, item number five for a proclamation honoring June sadlowski. If you don't public doesn't mind, let me read the proclamation, then we're gonna have June come up to receive it. Whereas founded in 1978, preservation New Jersey promotes the economic vitality and sustainability and heritage of New Jersey's diverse communities throughout, through advocacy and education. And whereas each year, PNJ reviews organizations in individuals who have made memorable and significant impacts on preservation and stewardship of our state historical sites and buildings. And whereas over 50 years of experience in preservation and museum management, Piscataway Township is privileged to have June Sadlowski as the executive director of the Mettler Bodine House Museum. And whereas we are proud of that, her accomplishments were recognized at the 2024 New Jersey Historical Preservation Award celebration. And whereas under her stewardship, the Mettler House Museum has acquired the Ross Hall Wall, which is named an American treasure by the National Park Service for its significance to the fourth, first fourth, the July celebration. Now, therefore, I, Brian Wahler, mayor of Township Piscataway in the county, in the state of New Jersey, along with the township governing body, recognizes the powerful example of June Slosky has set for others to follow in safeguarding advocacy of historic preservation in New Jersey. Well, congratulations. June. Come on up. June. Speaker 6 00:06:28 I was just disappointed Speaker 7 00:06:29 June didn't want to come in the snowstorm and Right. Joan, you didn't want, you didn't want driving the snow. Speaker 6 00:06:37 No. Around. Speaker 7 00:06:48 I, I just want to, this is a a very great Speaker 6 00:06:50 Night here, not only for June, but all the folks that volunteered at the museum last month had come last month and you hear warning the contract museum expansion. Well, we're expecting, Speaker 1 00:07:09 We're gonna Speaker 7 00:07:10 Throw a bonus in here. We're gonna give you the plastic that this came probably sometime. What Speaker 1 00:07:20 Do you think? Probably April. Speaker 7 00:07:22 Probably April is when they're gonna Speaker 6 00:07:23 Blocks. Speaker 1 00:07:25 So I Speaker 6 00:07:26 Already practiced the builder Speaker 7 00:07:28 That you're Speaker 6 00:07:29 Very meticulous and very boisterous Speaker 7 00:07:35 And you're very tough as nails when it Speaker 1 00:07:37 Comes to the Speaker 7 00:07:38 Museum. So they, they already know they got their flack jackets on. While Speaker 1 00:07:41 They're gonna do, Speaker 6 00:07:44 I'd really like to thank you in the council. This is lovely. But I'm thanking you on behalf of the people who are in the audience and those who didn't make it tonight that are there all the time taking care of your beautiful museum Speaker 7 00:08:02 Personally. Speaker 1 00:08:04 You Speaker 7 00:08:07 I have to be there cleaning it up Speaker 1 00:08:08 Every night. Speaker 6 00:08:10 Well, we're, we're really lucky to have you, all of you in the town behind the museum. It's gonna be fabulous. Yes, Speaker 7 00:08:18 You'll, and hopefully it'll beton Speaker 6 00:08:20 Time for celebration of our countrys too. Two 50. Yes. Hopefully. And hopefully interstate would be funded also. Speaker 1 00:08:31 That Speaker 7 00:08:31 Sounds like a match. Speaker 1 00:08:36 We all know Speaker 6 00:08:38 Out the, Speaker 7 00:08:39 I'm sure you'll find some council. Is he I'm gonna, I'm gonna walk this nice moving back to the Speaker 1 00:08:47 Chair. Speaker 8 00:08:59 Council president, I'd like to say a few words Speaker 2 00:09:01 Please. You're in Speaker 1 00:09:02 Charge of her Speaker 9 00:09:05 And we don't have to stay for the whole Speaker 1 00:09:07 Meeting. Yeah, you don't have, I know you wanted this date night. So award addition. You ready? Speaker 8 00:09:21 June. June. Speaker 1 00:09:24 Want Speaker 8 00:09:24 June? Council Speaker 8 00:09:27 One, one second. I wanna say a little something on behalf of Councilwoman Cahill who's not able to be here tonight. Okay? Yes. So she says, I have been honored to be a member trustee of the Mettler Bodine house and to work with June for various museum functions. June is a treasure she has given of herself to preserve the Township museum. Piscataway is the recipient of her work and we are forever grateful for what she has given to our town and its residents. The Metler Bodine house is the lasting legacy of her work. And she Thanks you. Speaker 1 00:10:05 Thank you. Speaker 8 00:10:09 And we all, we all did say ditto to that. Speaker 9 00:10:14 I just want to invite all of you, and many of you I've never seen before. I'd like to invite you to the museum. We're open on Sunday from 12 to four this coming Sunday. And we are open every Thursday from 10 to four. You can come and visit and, or you can call us and we will come in to tour, give you a tour especially. But I think you'll be very, very surprised. We have some incredible, incredible artifacts, including the Ross Hole wall and one of our artifacts, the stats needle work, is going to be listed in the American Historical Societies booklet that they're writing as one of the 76 most important artifacts in the nation. So I think Speaker 8 00:11:08 That's impressive. Speaker 9 00:11:09 You should be Speaker 6 00:11:10 Extremely, extremely Speaker 1 00:11:12 Proud you're not getting an addition for that. Speaker 2 00:11:15 Thank you so much for the invite. Speaker 1 00:11:17 Something on this. Speaker 9 00:11:20 Come when you get time. Speaker 2 00:11:23 Thank you. We will. Thank you. Have a good night. Speaker 6 00:11:32 Maxine trouble. Thanks Maxine. How was the, how was the Oh, it was wonderful. Great. Great. Speaker 2 00:11:44 Alright. Thank you so much. Continuing on Ordinance, ordinance second reading Patent Avenue Road Improvement Acquisitions. This is open to the public resolution adopting ordinance, Speaker 1 00:11:57 My Curse Speaker 0 00:12:00 Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled Ordinance for the Acquisition of Rights of Way easements and Land and Fees Simple for the improvement of Patent Ave. Phase two in the township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex State of New Jersey, was introduced on the 11th day of February, 2025 and had passed the first reading and was published on the 16th day of February, 2025. Now therefore be it resolved that the a force said ordinance, having had a second reading on March 4th, 2025, the 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 2025 dash oh three. Speaker 2 00:12:42 Thank you Ms. Mitch. Opening up to the public, to the remote attendees portion. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on Zoom app or if by phone, by pressing star nine. When it's 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 had three minutes in which to make your comments. The console or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Ms. Mitch, do we have anybody in queue? Speaker 0 00:13:16 There is nobody with their hand raised for this agenda item. Council president. Speaker 2 00:13:20 Okay, Ms. Mitch, closing the remote, remote portion opening up to the in-person attendees, if you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and, and know that you had 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 would then respond if necessary. I see no one in person. Attendees stepping up. Closing to the public portion, the public portion. We have a motion. Speaker 0 00:13:55 Motion. Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:13:59 Second Carmichael. Speaker 2 00:14:02 Thank you. Roco, please. Speaker 0 00:14:03 Council Member Carmichael. Speaker 1 00:14:06 Yes. Speaker 0 00:14:06 Council member Lebowitz. Yes. Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Ern? Yes. And Council President Espinoza? Speaker 2 00:14:16 Yes. Agenda on the agenda Item number nine, ordinance second reading, amending and supplementing Chapter seven, traffic Section 15. This is open to the public resolution adopting ordinance Ms. Mitch Bless you, Speaker 0 00:14:34 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 15, parking prohibited during certain hours on certain streets. Was introduced on the 11th day of February, 2025 and had passed the first reading and was published on the 16th day of February, 2025. Now therefore be it resolved that the a Forset ordinance having had a second reading on March 4th, 2025 be adopted, passed, and after passage be published together with the notice of the date of passage or approval in the official newspaper via further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2025 dash oh four. Speaker 2 00:15:17 Thank you Ms. Mitch, opening up to the public if you wish, the remote attendees first. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the Zoom app or by by phone by pressing star nine. When it's 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 after you have completed any comments or questions. Ms. Mitch, do we have anybody on queue? Speaker 0 00:15:51 Counsel president. There is nobody with their hand raised for this agenda item. Speaker 2 00:15:55 Thank you. Closing to the remote attendees, opening to the 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 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. I see no one closing to the in-person attendees. May I have a motion? Speaker 11 00:16:24 Motion Carmic. Speaker 2 00:16:27 Second. Councilman Uhrin. Thank you. Roll call please. Speaker 0 00:16:32 Council Member Carmichael. Yes. Council member Lebowitz. Yes. Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member rn? Yes. Council President Espinoza? Speaker 2 00:16:44 Yes. Item number 10, ordinance First reading, adopting redevelopment plan for River Crest Covana Covana Club River Crest Drive Block 7 3 0 5 lots. 19 0 1. 20 and 21. Resolution Adopting, adopting ordinance Ms. Mitch, Speaker 0 00:17:07 Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled an ordinance adopting a redevelopment Plan for Block 73 0 5 lots, 19.01. 20 and 21 as shown on the tax map of the township of Piscataway, commonly known as River Crest Cabana Club. River Crest Drive, be and 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 7:00 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway Municipal Building 4 55 Hose Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey on the 15th day of April, 2025. Be it further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places within the township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage. And a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the Township clerk for any interested member of the public. Speaker 2 00:17:53 Thank you, Ms. Mitch, may I have a motion? Speaker 8 00:17:56 I have a question. Sure. I think they opened up for business last year. There was Speaker 4 00:18:04 This summer will be the last year. That's what Speaker 8 00:18:06 Okay. Because I thought that they were gonna continue the Speaker 4 00:18:09 Company or whatever that buying the properties, fronting them the money to staple one more season. Okay. And then that's it after the end of I think August. That's it. Speaker 8 00:18:20 Do we have any interest in that property? Anybody? Yeah. This Speaker 4 00:18:22 Is gonna be age restricted housing. Speaker 8 00:18:25 Would it be wonderful? Speaker 2 00:18:29 Thank you. Any further questions? Mayor Motion please. Motion Lebowitz. Speaker 8 00:18:39 Second Lombardi. Speaker 2 00:18:42 Thank you Ms. Mitch. Speaker 0 00:18:43 Council member Carmichael. Speaker 8 00:18:45 Yes. Speaker 0 00:18:46 Council member Lebowitz. Yes. Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Rin? Yes. And Council President Espinoza? Speaker 2 00:18:56 Yes. Thank you. First reading pass Item number 11, ordinance first reading sales of certain lands owned by the township block 21 0 1 lot 10.035 Old Brunswick Road resolution adapting ordinance Ms. Mitch, Speaker 0 00:19:12 Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled an Ordinance of the Township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey, authorizing the sale of certain lands owned by the township of Piscataway pursuant to Njs A 40 a 12 dash 13 B one 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 7:00 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway Municipal Building 4 55 Hose Lane Piscataway, New Jersey on the 15th day of April, 2025. 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 4 00:19:59 Council. If I may, this is the Coron property at Alden Brunswick Road and Stelton that the town had acquired as, as per the engineering design plans for the upgraded Signalize intersection. Basically, this ordinance is turning, is gonna turn the land over to the county engineering department so they can install a stormwater management system out there as part of the reconstruction of the intersection. Speaker 2 00:20:25 Thank you, mayor. Mayor. Motion please. Speaker 8 00:20:29 Motion Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 2 00:20:32 Second. Councilman Uhrin. Thank you. Roll call Ms. Mitch. Speaker 0 00:20:36 Council member Carmichael. Yes. Council member Lebowitz. Yes. Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member rn? Yes. Council President Espinoza? Speaker 2 00:20:47 Yes. First reading passes. Item number 12, ordinance first reading to exceed the municipal budget appropriations and establish a cap bank resolution. Adopt an ordinance, Ms. Mitch, Speaker 0 00:21:01 Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled calendar year 2025, an ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank B and 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 7:00 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway Municipal Building 4 55 H Lane Piscataway, New Jersey on the 15th day of April, 2025. 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 4 00:21:41 If I may, council president, this is an ordinance that is a housekeeping item. So when the town governing body goes to introduce the, the budget, you introduce this at the same time because if you ever need to go exceed your cap, you have a bank. Obviously we're gonna be well under what the bank is this year, so this is for the bank money, so we're not exceeding our cap bank in the short. Speaker 2 00:22:07 Thank you. Mayor, may I have motion? Speaker 0 00:22:11 Motion Councilwoman Lombardi Speaker 12 00:22:13 Liebowitz. Second Speaker 2 00:22:16 Ms. Mitch, can I have a roll call please? Speaker 0 00:22:18 Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Liebowitz. Yes. Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Ern? Yes. Council President Espinoza? Speaker 2 00:22:29 Yes. First reading passes. Item number 13. First reading, amending and supplementing Chapter two administration, section 18, resolution adopted ordinance Ms. Mitch Speaker 0 00:22:41 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 18, division of police BN 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 7:00 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway Municipal Building 4 55 Hose Lane Piscataway, New Jersey on the 15th day of April, 2025. Be it further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places within the township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage. And a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the township clerk for any interested member of the public. Speaker 2 00:23:24 Thank you. Ms. Mitch. Motion please. Motion. Motion. Councilman Uhrin. Speaker 13 00:23:33 Second. Councilman Rashi. Speaker 12 00:23:35 Thank Speaker 2 00:23:36 You. Roll call please. Speaker 0 00:23:38 Council Member Carmichael. Yes. Council member Liebowitz. Speaker 12 00:23:42 Can I ask a question? Oh, sorry. The, excuse me. The Speaker 6 00:23:45 Change is from one to two. Speaker 12 00:23:49 Is that why the It's in the parenthesis. Yes. So it was one and now it's Speaker 14 00:23:54 Two. Yes, exactly. Speaker 12 00:23:55 And is that the only change? Speaker 14 00:23:57 Yes. That's the only change. Speaker 12 00:23:58 Yes. Speaker 0 00:24:01 Counsel Member Lombardi? Yes. Council member? Yes. Council member Rin? Yes. Council President Espinoza? Speaker 2 00:24:09 Yes. First reading pass ordinance. First reading, amending and supplementing Chapter 21, zoning Section eight A resolution, adapt and ordinance Ms. Mitch, Speaker 0 00:24:25 Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled Ordinance to amend and supplement their advise General ordinances of the township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey. Amending chapter 21 zoning Section eight A, flood damage prevention B and is hereby adopted on the first reading that it be published in the official newspaper. And that a second reading and publish hearing be held at 7:00 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway Municipal Building 4 55 Hose Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey on the 15th day of April, 2025. 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 14 00:25:10 So just wanted to give the council a bit of background on this. The ordinance is only setting the fees for the permit application. So it's for a floodplain development plan permit that is required by the state DEP in order for the municipality and so, and Raj and also FEMA and FEMA in order to make sure the development isn't actually being built in constant flood flooding zones. So there has to be that review that the supervisor engineering does, but in order to offset the cost of the that review, we were setting fees for the permits which were allowed under state statute. Speaker 2 00:25:47 Thank you. Any further questions? Thank you. Motion please. Speaker 8 00:25:54 Motion Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 2 00:25:58 Second. Councilman Uhrin. Thank you Ms. Michigan. I have a roll call. Speaker 0 00:26:02 Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Liebowitz? Yes. Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Rin? Yes. And Council President Espinoza? Speaker 2 00:26:14 Yes. First reading passes. Thank you. Item number 15, consent agenda Resolution 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. At this time, are there any items that the council would like removed from the consent agenda to be discussed or voted on separately? Speaker 8 00:26:41 None. Thank you. Speaker 2 00:26:45 Thank you. And a motion please. Speaker 8 00:26:53 Motion Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 10 00:26:57 Second Leitz. Speaker 2 00:26:59 Thank you. Roll call please. Speaker 0 00:27:01 Council Member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Lebowitz. Yes. Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Ern? Yes. Council President Espinoza? Speaker 10 00:27:12 Yes. Speaker 2 00:27:14 Sent the agenda. Agenda passes. Item number 16, resolution introduction of CY 2025. Municipal budget. Speaker 0 00:27:30 All right, so this is the municipal budget of the township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex for the fiscal year 2025. Speaker 0 00:27:38 Be it resolved that the following statements of revenues and appropriations shall constitute the municipal budget for the year 2025. Be it further resolved that the budget be published in the Courier news in the issue of March 14th, 2025. Notice is hereby given that the budget and tax resolution was approved by the council members of the township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex on March 4th, 2025. A hearing on the budget and tax resolution will be held at 4 55 hose lane on April 15th, 2025 at 7:30 PM at which time and place Objections to said budget and tax resolution for the year 2025 may be presented by taxpayers or other interested persons. Summary of current fund section of approved budget, general appropriations appropriations within caps $56,997,082. Appropriations excluded from caps municipal purposes, $26,106,541. Total general appropriations excluded from CAPS $26,106,541 reserve for uncollected taxes, $1,577,173 and 92 cents Total general appropriations $84,680,796 and 92 cents. Less anticipated revenues other than current property tax. $30,701,685 and 47 cents. Local tax for municipal, excuse me, municipal purposes including reserve for uncollected taxes, $50,129,105 and 13 cents minimum library tax, $3,850,000, $3,850,006 and 32 cents. Speaker 2 00:29:43 Thank you, Ms. Mitch. Mayor. Motion please. Speaker 12 00:29:53 Motion Leitz. Speaker 2 00:29:56 You have a second please. Speaker 0 00:29:58 Second Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 2 00:30:00 Thank you. Roll call Ms. Mitch. Speaker 0 00:30:02 Council Member Carmichael. Speaker 11 00:30:04 Yes. Speaker 0 00:30:05 Council member Lebowitz. Yes. Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Ern? Yes. Council President Espinoza? Yes. Speaker 2 00:30:17 Thank you. Announcement and comments from our officials, council member Sharon Carmichael? Speaker 11 00:30:29 Yes, I would. I would just like to acknowledge that the Piscataway African American Seniors Corps on Friday held our last Black History month celebration. It was a luncheon that was attended by a lot of people, especially seniors. But I wanna thank the mayor. I commend the mayor because he, he came in, took time and spoke to the seniors about what things were going on happening and, and with our leadership of the country and for all of our representatives that are fighting for them and encouraging them to let their voices be heard and respond to emails and other inquiries that would help, help them get the support that they need. So I just, they were interested and they were asking how to get in touch with their representatives. How could they let their voices be heard? So I thought that was that was great. Thank you, mayor. Speaker 2 00:31:26 Thank you. Council members Carmichael, council member Laura Leros. Speaker 12 00:31:31 Good evening, everybody. First of all, I just want to thank Daniel in our budget office. He really did a wonderful job going line by line, was so patient, clear and articulate on how the budget works and all of its components and I, I really appreciate that. I also want to just remind this body that last month we spent some time in discussion about immigrants rights and undocumented community members. And I really would encourage us to continue that discussion. New Jersey right now, just signed two large, oh, Daniel, I just complimented you. Did you hear me? I wanted to thank you so much for your work and your, your specificity and your real attention to detail and patience yesterday. Thank you so much for that. But I do wanna encourage this body to continue to look at protecting the undocumented among us. New Jersey just signed two giant millions dollar contracts on detention centers for undocumented in this state. And I think it's a shame and I just wanna encourage us to continue to support those in our community. Speaker 2 00:32:52 Thank you. Council Member Leitz. Council member Michelle Lombardi. Speaker 8 00:32:57 Yes, I'd just like to say happy St. Patrick's Day to all the Irish out there. We do have a, a pancake breakfast over at the Knights of Columbus on, let's see, what day is that? That's on, that's on Sunday, March 16th from eight to 1130 over at St. Francis Cabrini cafeteria. Their pancake breakfast are always very well attended and a very good breakfast. So happy St. Patrick's Day to do all of the Irish out there. Speaker 2 00:33:33 Thank you. Council member Lombardi. Council member Tara Rashid. Speaker 13 00:33:39 I wanted to wish all my fellow neighbors and friends. Ramadan Mubarak. We started fasting on Saturday and that will be an interesting month. The MCMC is hosting their annual interfaith of star, which is gonna be next Saturday on March 15th. I heard that they still have a few open seats, so if you're interested, please look for and register for it for sure. I also want to wish all our Hindu friends happy holy, which is next week on Friday. Speaker 2 00:34:10 Thank you. Council member Rashid. It's Member Franker. Speaker 16 00:34:13 Yes. And don't forget the spaghetti dinner this Saturday night for Boy Scouts at St. Francis Cabrini. Speaker 2 00:34:21 Thank you. Council member Ern Mayor. Thank you Mayor. Business Administrator Timothy Daisy. Speaker 4 00:34:31 This is Kelly's last official meeting. She got a promotion, she's moving outta state. Shame on you. Congratulations and good luck in your future endeavors. Kelly. Speaker 8 00:34:44 Thank you. Dito Speaker 2 00:34:52 Business Administrator. Timothy Daisy, nothing Speaker 3 00:34:53 Bad. Speaker 2 00:34:59 Assistant Business Administrator. Paul, Speaker 17 00:35:03 Let me just step thank you. Thank you, council president. I just want to bring to your attention, I'm not sure if it was prior to my arrival here, however, the township was awarded $1 million through this state and local fiscal recovery fund for our 9 1 1 dispatch center. I was on the phone with the state today going through the process to start to get our reimbursement for that grant. So that's exciting. I also would like to say that, and the project is about 75% complete. So that's good news. The other good news is that through the project, we also erected three cellular towers. So apparently some of these cellular carriers are vying to get on there and that will be a reoccurring revenue for the township. So keep noted, if any cellular carriers are listening, bid will go be going out in the near future for that as soon as we settle in and make sure everything is working. I also wanna say our website was updated, so there's a tremendous amount of information out there for people to join in. Our seniors are very active. We, we, we've got a lot going on at the community center, the y so be assured to look in and hook into our township social media. There's so much going on out there and connect with your fellow residents, neighbors, friends. And that's all I have to say. Thank you. Speaker 2 00:36:30 Thank you. Township pate, Raj Gamar. Speaker 14 00:36:34 Yeah, I just wanted to say, you know, wish Kelly Good. You know, good wishes. We've worked very closely over the past three years and thank you for putting up with me. I keep saying that to, to you guys, but it's true. So really appreciate all the work and, and thank you and, and good luck. And also just wanted to add, there's a sick holiday on March, March 14th. Also Hola Majola. So wanted to to make that recognition also. Speaker 2 00:37:03 Thank you. And I just wanna echo what assistant Business Administrator Paula had just mentioned about the Piscataway website. It's, it's revamped, it's new, it's got a good feeling. It's got that fresh car smell. So I wanna especially thank our, our economic development officer, Jen Johnson, who was spearheading this project. She has been taking comments and feedback from our senior citizens and us as well. And she's, she's done a great job. It started, as you know, we came together, we said, okay, so what's one of the, one of the things that residents are having trouble with? And it's one of the things that we fixed was the website. So kudos to her, kudos to everybody who was involved. And I'm excited for this. So all the information is there. All you need to do is go to the site, click on the links, click on the nice calendars on the front page that everybody can actually see, and now see all the scheduling of the events of the township. So that's very great to have. So thank you very much. Speaker 8 00:38:13 I like that analogy. New car smell Speaker 2 00:38:16 It is. Okay, I'm going to item number eight against 15th, 2025. Ordinance second reading, adopting redevelopment plan for River Crest Cabana Club River cre, river Crest Drive block 73 0 5 lot 19 0 1, 20 and 21. Open to the public resolution. Adopting or adopting. Ordinance. Ordinance. Second reading. Second reading sale of certain lands owned by the township. Block 21 1 lot 10.035 Old, old New Brunswick Road open to the public resolution, adopting ordinance. Any any comments there? Great ordinance second reading to exceed the municipal budget appropriations and establish a cap bank open to the public resolution, adopting or ordinance. Ordinance. Second reading, amending and supplementing. Chapter two, administration. Section 18, open to public resolution. Adopting ordinance. Ordinance Second reading, amending and supplementing. Chapter 21, administration Section eight A open to the public resolution, adopting ordinance resolution authorizing contract appraises for Patent Avenue road improvement acquisitions. Any questions there? No resolution. Approving, approving amendment to re redevelopment agreement 10. Normally drive. Speaker 2 00:39:48 Okay, at this point I'm going to be opening up to the public for 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's 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 this 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. Ms. Mitch, do we have anybody in queue? Speaker 0 00:40:22 Yes. Council president. I'm asking the first individual to Go ahead. Go ahead, Ms. Crowd. Speaker 18 00:40:28 Hi, yes, this is Jessica Kratovil, 1247 Brookside Road. Can you hear me? Speaker 0 00:40:34 Yes. Speaker 18 00:40:35 Excellent. So I just wanted to inquire about the reassessment Notice. It's been a hot topic among friends and neighbors. And I did some data analysis with the county public tax records website. And it seems like the residential property value of the land and improvements since last year has gone up by $965 million in Piscataway commercial property. And improvements going up by only $3 million and industrial going up by $251 million. And then I looked at a couple of residence is nearby my own. So the 1350 Stelton Road is a residential property. And since 2022, which is the the earliest available information on the county website since 2022, this property has increased its tax assessment value by 46%. But four doors down the CVS at 1252 Stelton Road has only increased by 5% of its value. And its land value has been static since 2022, only having very small improvements in its, I'm sorry, increases in its improvement value. Speaker 18 00:42:10 And then a neighbor's house since 2022, has gone up by 27% in value. The land increasing by $80,000 and the improvements kind of going up and down. And I was interested with the administration and the council have to say about this because other towns in Middlesex County don't assess every year or every three years or even every 10 years. And it's causing us to be more impacted at a greater level. And I would be interested to hear your justification for a residential property increasing by 46% and then a property down the street, commercial in nature, having such a small increase of only 5%. So I look forward to hearing from you and I appreciate everyone's time this evening. Speaker 2 00:43:07 Thank you so much. Speaker 19 00:43:11 Yeah, so Jessica, this is Tim. So actually we instituted this about seven years ago, and the idea is that you capture the value of the property as the prices go up and if there's a decline as the prices go down. So what it does is over time, it makes sure that everybody get is getting tax at the fair and proper amount. A situation like covid happened in 2020, and by April of 2020 before we had to put our values in, we dropped the value of commercial properties, hotels, and strip walls because we knew that they, they were gonna be closed. It would be in tax appeals. So the result is that you get, we have far less tax appeals. We have to allocate this year only allocate less than a million dollars for uncollected taxes, where a few years ago were allocating $4 million in a budget for uncollected taxes. Speaker 19 00:44:08 They figured I, I can't, I don't know about the figures you talked about for the commercial or for industrial, but I do know that the average house in Piscataway over the past three years has gone up over 39%. So over four years, everybody will get reevaluated and that keeps everybody within a proper range. There's another town in Middlesex County that just send out their notices. They haven't had a reevaluation in almost 30 years. And there you really get sticker shock people, the difference between getting your, what your property is worth versus your taxes. There's no correlation because the council has consistently, over the past few years, dropped the tax rate. So as the value goes up, they lower the tax rate and that keeps the taxes relatively, relatively flat. And this year, this year, we're looking at dropping the tax rate probably depending when we're done with the budget between four, four and 5%. So that's how it, it, it works and it keeps, everybody makes sure everybody's tax at the FairBot. If you live in a town, say like Woodbridge, Woodbridge hasn't been reevaluated many, many, many years there, the people that had the old valuations have a very, very low valuation on their property. So the taxes really aren't fairly being applied to everybody across the board where Piscataway, there they are. Speaker 14 00:45:31 Tim, I'd just like to add to that also, the state policies and regulations are, are guiding townships. And that's why we started implementing it is that the, the township assessment should be within 90% of the fair market value. This wasn't something that the township did on their own. This is something that the state had required other townships to haven't done it. They're not in compliance with the state. And at any time the state will or should crack down on those townships. And then as, as Tim said, you know, there's gonna be some sticker shock as as they reassess. Speaker 12 00:46:05 I wanna thank you for just calling in. I know it is a concern of many people. I've seen it on social media, I've certainly heard from my own friends and neighbors. And so thank you very much for calling in and sharing your concern. Speaker 2 00:46:22 Ms. Mitch, do we have anybody else on remote attendees? Speaker 0 00:46:27 There's nobody else with their hand raised. Council president, can I, can Speaker 12 00:46:31 I make a, just make an additional comment. Okay. I just, perhaps this is something that we can have a little info session now that we're our website capabilities Something piece or just type. Excellent. Thank you so much. Speaker 2 00:46:52 Yeah. I believe we have some walkthrough sessions that's going to be being worked with PCTV. Is that, is that we're Speaker 3 00:47:00 Half our show. Speaker 2 00:47:04 Great. Thank you. Speaker 12 00:47:06 Half an hour show in one week. Thank you. Speaker 2 00:47:11 Closing for the remote attendees, opening for the 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 in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion or your comments or questions and the council or administrations will then respond if necessary. Good evening. Please state your name and address. Speaker 20 00:47:35 Sure. I'm Sarah Radford. I live at 13 Dunbar Ave. So first I wanna just compliment the council because I heard a lot of council member as opposed to councilwoman and Councilman and I've spoken up at this meeting before about how I think it's really important for us to use non-gendered terminology when, when we can. And so I think that's really great, especially in light of, you know, the craziness that's going on in the world around us. So I think that's fantastic. But what I wanna talk about tonight is similar to what Jessica was talking about, I wanna talk about the property assessment and I just wanna focus on the property assessment and not the tax rate and not the actual dollars. We pay the property assessment. And the reason why I wanna make that clear is because I think right now, like we can all agree like fair property assessment helps us all. Speaker 20 00:48:22 It's, it's broadly important for paying our fair share. I'm happy to pay my fair share. I think the challenge that I'm dealing with is that the transparency just isn't there. The transparency of where these numbers are coming from. Right? Once a year I get the little postcard and there is a couple of black and white numbers on there. It tells me my land value tells me the improvement value tells me the total tells me what it was last year. And there's no context, there's no explanation. These come out of thin air. And so I think that's really what I wanna focus on is this issue of transparency behind these numbers. And so, I mean, I believe that there's data there, there must be, right? I'm, I'm a scientist, I believe in the data. I can't, you know, I work at Rutgers Cancer Institute, I can't go to the, to the FDA with an investigational new drug that has no data backing it up. And I feel like that's what's happening to us. You're coming to us with data like numbers that have no information behind them. So the question I wanna ask is, can the data, whatever it's comparable, home sales algorithms, whatever it may be, can the information that backs up these numbers be made public and shared with us as the taxpayers Speaker 4 00:49:36 Council president? They are public, everything's public and they're not made up. Can you tell me where Speaker 20 00:49:42 To find it? Thin? Maybe put it on the flashy new website that Speaker 4 00:49:44 I know, but that's some of the disinformation that some of the folks that you Well, Speaker 20 00:49:48 I can't find it. I mean, I'm, I feel like I'm a smart person. Speaker 4 00:49:50 Everybody could put a request into the assessing office. It's public record. There's over 15,000 Speaker 7 00:49:58 Right here. It's all public record. Speaker 20 00:50:01 Okay. I I'm, I'm just saying like, I as a smart person who lives in this town don't know how to find that. So maybe that would be part of this information campaign you're going on is to tell us how to find that information. Like it feels like it's a little bit secretive. There Speaker 8 00:50:15 Is definitely a formula. Okay. And as we just said, there's going to be a half hour show. Okay. Clearly telling you how the formula is done. Speaker 20 00:50:24 Oh, that'd be fantastic. That'd be great. Thank you. You Speaker 19 00:50:28 Can, you can also call tune in. Yeah. You can also call the tax assessor anytime you want and she'll explain it to you. The card. We, we, we have to follow the law. That's what the law, so Speaker 20 00:50:37 The card. Yeah. No, I'm, I'm not arguing that we shouldn't follow the law. I just feel like I get a number and I don't know where it came from. So it'd be fa it would be fantastic. I would love it how long this is true, what you're telling me. And I will try to find it out and I will come back if I'm unable to find it out. Thank you very much. Speaker 2 00:50:51 Thank you. And, and just one more thing and, and believe me I get the same little card. Yeah. And it's got numbers definitely what everyone says here it is. It's true. You know, with that flashing new website, you can go under your drill down to your tax assessor, which is not difficult to, you know, it's not drilling down too much anymore. But you get at the information about the tax assessor, I'm, you know, a lot of people have come to me. Our residents have come to me as well and asked where are these numbers coming from? And what I told 'em is just call, call the tax assessor. Call the office. Because a lot of people just, you know, don't call, they don't, you know, they exactly Speaker 20 00:51:27 Didn't know I should call. Yeah, Speaker 2 00:51:28 Well exactly. Like, like anything, like we, we all have to do our homework. Like I need, it's an Speaker 19 00:51:33 Education. Speaker 2 00:51:34 Yeah. We have to, I need to understand, I'm into data, I'm in it. I need to know data. I can't just get a solution without any data. I'm, I'm just like, you know, just the way your thought process goes. So I have to call, I have to educate myself. I have to go and, and see where these numbers are coming from so that way I can go ahead and, and say, oh, okay. But then I'll question that. Like, everybody has questions after what you, what you receive. I wouldn't stop there, but at least you have some type of foundation and knowledge to go on and, you know, ask the rest of the questions that you may have. Yeah. But definitely call the assessor. Speaker 20 00:52:07 Yeah, I will. I, I'm nothing, if not somebody who does my homework, I will try. I'll see if I can get the information. And like I said, if I can't, I'll come back and I'll ask again. Thank you very much. Please do. Thank Speaker 2 00:52:15 You. Speaker 19 00:52:16 Thank you for one minute. In a nutshell, every, every, so what we do is the town is broken up into four fire district four fire districts. So we do one fire district per year and then we take a year off and then you start all over again. So that means the year house is gonna get it reassessed every five years, every house in the town. And we don't do it. We hire, we hire assessors, they're professional assessors, they're licensed assessors, and they go out and they look at your house, preferably you let 'em into your house so they can see if you did any renovations, anything. If you have three fireplaces or whatever. And they come up with the value of the house, they come back and they meet with the assessing team, my assessor. And we have two professionals that, that help us go through. Speaker 19 00:53:05 And they look to pick at any anomalies, anything that went up way above everybody else, or anybody that fell way below anybody else. Or if your house went from 300,000 to 800,000. So then they soften the anomalies and take out certain, certain anomalies and make sure that the numbers are accurate. And that's the number that you get on the card. And we mail you the card that if you don't believe your number is accurate, you can file a tax appeal. Now the easiest way to look at your, if your number's accurate, is look at similar houses. And with Zillow it's very easy. So if you put your, if you put your house in on Zillow, it's probably within 90% of the number that you have. So you could look at your neighbors, you could look all through your neighbors, see what they have. And, and that's how we come up with that. And that's why you're given an option for a tax appeal if you want to do that. Speaker 9 00:53:58 I, I would argue that they're not as similar as you might be staying right there. So I, I'm gonna take a look. I'll, I'll do my Speaker 2 00:54:05 Homework. Thank you very much. Thank much for your time and, and mayor it, a lot of, a lot of residents may have the miscon concession of, of that there, some residents are getting assessed every year, which is not the case every five years, I think I understood. Speaker 19 00:54:21 Every five years. Okay, so we'll do fire district one, fire district two, fire district three. Fire district four. Then you take the year off and then start over again. Speaker 2 00:54:30 Thank you. Speaker 12 00:54:31 You still get a postcard every year. Yeah. So I, right. So I can see where people would feel, you know, you're still gonna get a postcard every year, but you're not gonna get assessed every year. Yeah, it's, but I could see where that would be part of the misunderstanding. Speaker 4 00:54:43 Every town in the state of New Jersey does the exact same thing. Speaker 19 00:54:47 So I, I live in me touch, so my assessment on my house is less than I paid for it in 1999 when I get my card. So for me to look at that card, it's a ridiculous number. 'cause I know my house is worth more than that because I paid more than that 20, 26 years ago. So at least in Piscataway, if you look at that number, your house is worth nearly that number. It might be a little bit above, might be a little bit below, but as, as the market increased 39% in four years, we need to keep occurring. Speaker 4 00:55:22 And as the va, in fact, council president for, we only had 80 residential appeals last year and all them were sustained with the exception of two that had a fire, two had fires, apartment's pretty much right on the money right there. Speaker 2 00:55:45 Thank you. I see no one else at the podium. Closing to the in, in-person attendees, motion to adjourn. Motion. Second. All in favor? Aye. Speaker 12 00:56:10 Aye. Aye. Aye. Speaker 2 00:56:11 Thank you. Meeting adjourn. Good evening everyone.