Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on April 15 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 00:00:08 Recording in progress. Speaker 1 00:00:09 We're now called to order the Township of Piscataway Council meeting of April 15th, 2025. Speaker 1 00:00:17 Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required under chapter 2 31 PO 1975, specifying the na, the time, date, location, login or dial information, and to the extent known the agenda by posting a copy of the notice on the municipal Building Municipal court and 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 the, with a certification by the clerk, which will be entered in the minutes. There will be a public common periods for both remote and in-person attendees separately. Each member of the public shall only have one opportunity to speak during each public portion. As 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 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. The Township Council is always available by email and phone, and you can always call the mayor's office during normal operating hours. Speaker 1 00:01:33 Ms. Seat roll call please. Speaker 0 00:01:35 Council Member Cahill Here. Council Member Carmichael Here. Council Member Liebowitz. Here. Council Member Lombardi. Here. Council Member Rashid. Council member Rin Here. Council President Espinosa Speaker 1 00:01:55 Here. Please join me in saluting the flag. Speaker 2 00:02:00 Hi, pleasure. Speaker 3 00:02:01 Susan. Flag Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which which it stands One Nation with Liberty and Justice. Justice Speaker 2 00:02:12 For all. Speaker 1 00:02:20 Thank you. Any comments from the administration and council regarding adjournment of any matters on this agenda? Speaker 0 00:02:26 None. Thank you. No additions. Speaker 1 00:02:29 You open to the public comments regarding item number 15, consent agenda. Agenda items? Speaker 2 00:02:43 Nope. You have to read this open. You're opening to the, I just lost. That's okay. This one? Speaker 4 00:02:58 No, you were no Speaker 1 00:03:02 Opening to the public for each. This is 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'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 or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Proceeded, do we have anyone in remote Speaker 0 00:03:36 Council president? There are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item. Speaker 1 00:03:41 Thank you. Closing the remote portion 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, you have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat at the completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration will then respond if necessary. I see none close to the attendees. Cedar, can I have a roll call? Nevermind. Next agenda item. It's an ordinance second reading, adopting redevelopment plan for the River Crest Kavana Club River Crest Drive block 7 3 0 5 lots. 19.01 20 and 21. It's open to the public resolution adopting ordinance Miss Cedar Speaker 0 00:04:37 Be resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled an ordinance adopting a redevelopment plan for block 7 3 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 was introduced on the fourth day of March, 2025 and had passed the first reading and was published on the ninth day of March, 2025. Now therefore be it resolved that the offer said ordinance having had a second reading on April 15th, 2025 be adopted past and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of Paster approval in the official newspaper, be it further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2025 dash five. Speaker 1 00:05:21 Thank you, Ms. Heater. May I have a motion? Speaker 5 00:05:26 Motion carmic, Speaker 1 00:05:27 Sorry. Open to the public opening to the public for the remote attendees. 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 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. Seated, do we have any remote attendees? Speaker 0 00:05:59 Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item. Speaker 1 00:06:03 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 and which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council administration would then respond if necessary. I see no in-person attendees come to the podium. Closing to the, in closing, to the in-person attendees, may I have a motion please? Speaker 0 00:06:32 Motion Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:06:37 May Have a second. Michael. Thank you. Roll call please. Speaker 0 00:06:41 Council member Cahill. Yes. Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Liebowitz. Speaker 6 00:06:50 Yes. Speaker 0 00:06:53 Council member Ern? Speaker 6 00:06:58 Yes. Speaker 0 00:06:59 Council President Espinosa? Yes. Speaker 6 00:07:06 I'm sorry. Speaker 0 00:07:07 That's okay. Council Member Lombardi? Yes. Speaker 1 00:07:16 Thank you. Ordinance second reading sale of certain lands owned by the township block 21 0 1 lot 10 0 3 5 Old Brun New Brunswick Road open to the public resolution adopting ordinance Ms. Cedar Speaker 0 00:07:32 Be 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 was introduced on the fourth day of March, 2025 and had passed the first reading and was published on the ninth day of March, 2025. Now therefore be it resolved that the efforts said ordinance having had a second reading on April 15th, 2025 be adopted past and after Passage be published together with a notice of the date of past approval in the official newspaper. Be further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned. Number 2025 dash zero six. Speaker 1 00:08:14 Thank you Ms. Heater, 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 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 on the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time, please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Ms. Cedar, do we have any in remote attendees? Speaker 0 00:08:47 Council president, there are no remote attendees with our hand raised regarding this agenda item. Speaker 1 00:08:52 Thank you Ms. Cedar. 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 at the completion or your comments or questions and the council or administration will then respond if necessary. I see no one at the podium closing to the in-person attendees, may I have a motion please? Speaker 7 00:09:18 Council President, I just wanted to make clear in case anyone wanted to know, this is land right? That we're, there's gonna be some road improvement. Is that correct? Tim Dacy. Just so we, number eight, the, the sale of the old New Brunswick Road. It's at the intersection of Stelton. Speaker 8 00:09:35 We're turning the property over to the County Engineering department because there's gonna be a stormwater detention system as part of the upgrade of the signalize intersection there. Speaker 7 00:09:45 Yeah, I just wanted to say that loud. I will make an offer for this. Speaker 1 00:09:50 And a second please. Speaker 7 00:09:54 Second Carmichael. Speaker 1 00:09:56 Thank you. Roll call Speaker 0 00:09:59 Council member Caho. Speaker 7 00:10:00 Yes. Speaker 0 00:10:01 Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Liebowitz? Speaker 7 00:10:05 Yes. Speaker 0 00:10:07 Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Rin? Yes. Council President Espinosa? Yes. Speaker 1 00:10:18 Item number nine, ordinance second reading to exceed the municipal budget appropriations and establish a cap bank open to the public resolution adopting ordinance Ms. Cedar Speaker 0 00:10:28 Barrett, 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. NJSA 48 4 dash 45 4 was introduced on the fourth day of March, 2025 and had passed the first reading and was published on the ninth day of March, 2025. Now therefore be it resolved that the offer said ordinance having had a second rating on April 15th, 2025 be adopted past and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of past approval in the official newspaper, be it further resolved that this ordinance shall be signed. Number 2025 dash zero seven. Speaker 1 00:11:08 Thank you Ms. Peter. We'll open for the remote attendees. 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 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. Ms. Do we have anyone with their hands raised? Speaker 0 00:11:40 Council president. There are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item. Thank Speaker 1 00:11:45 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 at the podium, in-person. Attendees is closed. Thank you. At motion. Speaker 7 00:12:10 Motion. Councilman Cahn Owen. Speaker 9 00:12:12 Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:12:14 Thank you. Roll call please. Speaker 0 00:12:16 Council member Cahill. Yes. Council member Carmichael. Yes. Council member Liebowitz. Speaker 7 00:12:22 Yes. Speaker 0 00:12:23 Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Irin. Yes. Council President Espinosa? Yes. Speaker 1 00:12:33 Item number 10, ordinance second reading, amending and supplementing Chapter two, administration, section 18 To open to the public resolution adopting, adopting ordinance Ms. Cedar, Speaker 0 00:12:44 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 two administration, section 18 Division of Police was introduced on the fourth day of March, 2025 and had passed the first reading and was published on the ninth day of March, 2025. Now therefore be it resolved that the officer ordinance having had a second reading on April 15th, 2025 be adopted past and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of past your approval in the official newspaper, be it further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned. Number 2025 dash eight. Speaker 1 00:13:24 Thank you Ms. Cedar, opening to the public for remote attendees. 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 had 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. Cedar, do we have any remote attendees with their hands raised? Speaker 0 00:13:57 Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item. Speaker 1 00:14:02 Thank you. 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 know that you had three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat at the completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration would then respond if necessary. See no one at the podium. Closing for the in-person attendees. Motion please. Speaker 7 00:14:25 Motion Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 9 00:14:30 Second Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:14:32 Thank you. Roll call Speaker 0 00:14:34 Council member Cahill. Yes. Council member Carmichael. Yes. Council member Lebowitz. Speaker 7 00:14:40 Yes. Speaker 0 00:14:41 Council member Lombardi. Yes. Council member Rin. Yes. Council President Espinosa? Yes. Speaker 1 00:14:52 Thank you. Item number 11, ordinance first reading amending chapter seven, traffic section 25 vehicles over designated weight limit excluded from certain streets resolution adopting ordinance Ms. Heater Speaker 0 00:15:04 Be resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled Ordinance Toez 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. Bean is hereby adopted on the first reading that it be published in the official newspaper, and that a second reading of public hearing be held at 7:00 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway Municipal Building 4 55 hose Piscataway, New Jersey on the sixth day of May, 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 1 00:15:50 Thank you, Ms. Heater. May I have a motion? Speaker 10 00:15:55 Motion? Councilman Uhrin. Speaker 7 00:16:00 Second Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 1 00:16:03 Thank you. Roll call please. Speaker 0 00:16:05 Council member Cahill. Yes. Council member Carmichael. Yes. Council member Lebowitz. Speaker 11 00:16:11 Yes. Speaker 0 00:16:12 Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Iran? Yes. Council President Espinosa? Yes. Speaker 1 00:16:20 First reading passes. Item number 12, ordinance first reading, acquisition of certain property regarding Hazelwood Place and Hanover Street Road, improvements, resolution adopting ordinance Ms. Cedar Speaker 0 00:16:32 Be 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 Fee Simple for the improvements of Hazelwood Place and Hanover Street in Piscataway Township, county of Middlesex State of New Jersey being is hereby adopted on the first reading that it be published in the official newspaper and that a second reading of a public hearing be held at 7:00 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway Municipal Building 4 55 Hose Lane Piscataway, New Jersey on the sixth day of May, 2025. 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 1 00:17:16 Thank you, Ms. Heater. May I have a motion please? Councilwoman Speaker 0 00:17:18 Lombardi Motion. Speaker 1 00:17:21 Second Carmichael. Thank you. Roll call please. Speaker 0 00:17:25 Council member Cahill. Yes. Council member Carmichael. Yes. Council member Liebowitz. Speaker 11 00:17:30 Yes. Speaker 0 00:17:31 Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Rin. Yes. Council President Espinosa? Speaker 1 00:17:37 Yes. Item number 13, ordinance per reading, amending salary and wage schedule resolution adopting, adopting ordinance Ms. Cedar, Speaker 0 00:17:47 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 the salary and wage schedule Bean 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 sixth day of May, 2025. Be further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the township clerk for any interested member of the public. Speaker 1 00:18:21 Thank you Ms. Cedar. May I have a motion please? Speaker 7 00:18:25 Motion Councilwoman Cahill. Second Liebowitz. Speaker 1 00:18:31 Thank you. Roll call please. Council Speaker 0 00:18:33 Member Cahill. Speaker 7 00:18:35 Yes. Speaker 0 00:18:35 Council member Carmichael. Speaker 7 00:18:36 Yes. Speaker 0 00:18:37 Council member Liebowitz. Speaker 7 00:18:39 Yes. Speaker 0 00:18:40 Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Ern? Yes. Council President Espinosa? Speaker 1 00:18:46 Yes. Ordinance first reading bond ordinance, various capital improvements, 7,005,000 slash 6,333,750 resolution adopting ordinance Ms. Cedar, if I Speaker 8 00:19:02 May, council president before this is to put the money in place for the cleanup logical park and we're expected to be reimbursed with, with, with, with some grant money and things like that. And then once the work is completed, we're expected to be reimbursed with additional mon monies from the spill fund legislation. Speaker 7 00:19:22 Oh, that's, oh, mic's not on. I'm so excited. I know. Michelle, you wanna probably say something but I'm, I'm like, I'm chomping at the bit because I can't wait for someday to have a dog park over there, so, but it is good news that we're gonna get some money back for that and help and I'm sure we'll continue to push for those monies. Right. It's good news that it's getting started. Right, right. It was difficult. Difficult. Speaker 1 00:19:51 Thank you. I have a motion, please. Speaker 7 00:19:54 I'll make the offer, oh, sorry. Skipped there. Speaker 1 00:19:58 It's okay. Speaker 0 00:20:02 Be resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled Bond Ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the township of Piscataway in the county of Middlesex, New Jersey, appropriating $7,005,000, therefore, and authorizing the issuance of $6,333,750 bonds or notes of the township to finance. Part of the cost thereof being 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 sixth day of May, 2025. Be of further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places within the township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage. And a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the Township clerk for any interested member of the public. Speaker 1 00:20:52 Thank you Ms. Peter, may I have a motion? Please Speaker 0 00:20:55 Offer Speaker 2 00:20:56 Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 9 00:20:58 Second Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 1 00:21:00 Thank you. Roll call Speaker 0 00:21:02 Council member Cahill. Yes. Council member Carmichael. Yes. Council member Liebowitz. Yes. Council member Lombardi. A big yes. Council member Ern. Yes. Council President Espinosa? Yes. Speaker 1 00:21:19 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. Are there any items that the council would like removed from the consent agenda to be discussed or voted on separately? I see none. Thank you. My motion please. Speaker 9 00:21:49 Motion Councilwoman Lombardi. Speaker 10 00:21:51 Second. Councilman Uhrin. Speaker 1 00:21:53 Thank you. Roll call Speaker 0 00:21:54 Council member Cahill. Yes. Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Liebowitz. Yes. Council member Lombardi? Yes. Council member Rin? Yes. Council President Espinosa? Yes. Speaker 1 00:22:14 Going down to public hearing calendar year 2025, municipal budget open to the public Speaker 1 00:22:25 For remote attendees. 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 or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Ms. Cedar, do we have any remote attendees? Speaker 0 00:22:55 Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item. Speaker 1 00:22:59 Thank you Ms. Cedar. Closing it to the remote attendees, opening in the in-person 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 at the completion of your com, your comments or questions and the council or administration will then respond if necessary. I see no one at the podium Closing to the in-person attendees, may I have a motion please? Speaker 10 00:23:29 Motion Councilman Uhrin Speaker 2 00:23:33 You just the public hearing Speaker 1 00:23:35 Closing the public hearing resolution appointment of OEM Coordinator Nick, Nick Lombardi. Speaker 0 00:23:47 Be it resolved, sorry. Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey, whereas the mayor of the Township of Piscataway has recommended the appointment of Nick Lombardi as emergency management coordinator for a term of three years commencing January 1st, 2025 and expiring December 31st, 2027. Subject to the advice and consent of the Township Council of the Township of Piscataway. Now therefore be resolved by the Township Council of the Township of Piscataway, that the Township Council does hereby extend its advice and consent to the appointment of Nickel Lombardi as emergency management coordinator for term of three years commencing January 1st, 2025 and expiring December 31st, 2027. Speaker 1 00:24:26 Thank you, Ms. Cedar. May I have a motion please? Speaker 7 00:24:31 Motion Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 1 00:24:34 Second Carmichael. Thank you. Roll call Speaker 0 00:24:38 Council member Cahill. Yes. Council member Carmichael. Yes. Council member Liebowitz. Yes. Council member Lombardi Abstain. Council member Erwin? Yes. Council President Espinosa? Speaker 1 00:24:56 Yes. And congratulations. All right, mayor, we have a proclamation for AOR there, sir. Council Speaker 8 00:25:07 President if I may. Whereas trees are vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities, and whereas Neighbor neighborhood trees provide clean air and help prevent soil erosion, support diverse wildlife and enhanced beauty of our landscapes, and where trees help mitigate the effects of climate change and by absorbing carbon dioxide and reducing energy costs for our homes and business by providing shade. Whereas Arb Day serves as a reminder the importance of trees in their preservation as sustainable management for present and future generations. And whereas the township is known for its numerous beautiful trees which enhance the desirability of Piscataway as a community for which we live, work, and play. And Piscataway is recognized as a tree city USA by Arbor Day Foundation for 38 years now. Therefore, I, Brian Wahler, the mayor of Piscataway Township in the county mill sick the state and new New Jersey Dubai, recognized April 25th, 2025 as Arbor Day. As an side note, we're in the process now of replanting a lot of dead street trees throughout the, the community. And one of the biggest problems that we're having is with the, the Esor beetle is really killing a lot of our trees in our municipal parks. It's just devastating. Which beetle is that? It's the Ashmore beetle. Speaker 8 00:26:25 So, but with that being said, I mean, public works has been busy taking down these dead trees because they're becoming liabilities. You know, we're concerned that some of these trees would come down and, or limbs might hit some folks that are using the parks. But it's really disheartening to see all these very mature 70 foot trees that are, are completely dead. And, and it's no fault of us or anything, it's just the insects are just doing a number on the trees. So there, Speaker 7 00:26:56 There's nothing, Speaker 8 00:26:57 No, there's really nothing. You can Speaker 7 00:27:00 What was the, the, the parasite that we all used to put the tar around the tree for was that, Speaker 8 00:27:06 That was a gypsy moth. Speaker 7 00:27:07 That was a gypsy moth, but nothing, nothing, no. To prevent this? No. Okay. Speaker 8 00:27:12 There are other things fortuitous, you know, like the, a lot of the oaks are dying and lantern flies, tn flies. I mean, you name it. I mean, it's just, we, we spent well over $600,000 last year alone, taking down dead trees in the parks and we could easily spend a couple million dollars taking down the dead trees. So Speaker 12 00:27:34 We're Speaker 7 00:27:36 Right. Speaker 1 00:27:40 Thank you, mayor. Mayor, we also have a proclamation for sexual assault awareness. Month one second Speaker 7 00:27:50 Here, Speaker 8 00:27:55 Paul. Whereas sexual assault awareness month and the observance of Denim day highlight the critical importance of addressing and preventing sexual violence, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse. And whereas sexual assault is perva a pervasive crime that affects individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, leaving lasting physical, emotional, and psychological impact. Whereas sexual violence is an issue of the pe, public health, human rights, and social justice requiring collective effort to prevent and respond to devastating consequences. And whereas we must work together to educate our community about what can be done to prevent sexual assault and how to help survivors, whereas those in need of support, the Middlesex County Family Justice Center and Middlesex County Center of Empowerment are resources dedicated for providing compassionate assistance to survivors of sexual assault. And now, therefore, I Brian Wallace, mayor Township Pisca in the county in Middlesex Dubai, recognize month of April as sexual assault awareness month and encourage all res to observe denim day on April 30th, a worldwide campaign to raise awareness and, and highlight the misconceptions surrounding sexual violence. And I wanna thank the volunteers of our domestic violence team here locally in conjunction with the police department who do a, a superb job in helping people 24 7 when they need it. Thank you, council. Speaker 1 00:29:25 Thank you, mayor. Okay. Announcements and comments from the officials, Councilwoman Gabrielle Cahill. Speaker 7 00:29:35 Yeah. First I'd like to acknowledge that for those who are celebrating Passover and Easter, this amongst the holiest times of the year for folks celebrating an, an again, you know, Passover has already begun. Easter is about to be upon us, and I'd like to wish all of those a happy Passover and a very blessed Easter. I would, I'm not gonna take away her thunder, but I do wanna say we have a congratulations for one of our council members who's calling in tonight. I, I don't wanna take it away from her if she wants to say it, but she, she became a grandmother. It's the first time, second time or whatever, but a big congratulations to Laura Lebowitz. Nice. And that is it for, for me. Thank you. Sorry. Take 20 minutes. Yeah. Thank you very much. Speaker 1 00:30:31 Thanks to Councilwoman Gabrielle Kale councilwoman Sharon Carmichael. Speaker 5 00:30:37 I just say congratulations to Laura as well and also wish everyone a happy Easter and Passover visit. And I just also want to acknowledge the Amy Bauman yesterday she did a, she had someone there from the New Jersey State Seniors Department who went over that PAC form for anchor senior stay and property tax relief. And I thought it was a great idea. I was there and I, I know memory many seniors were there and I spoke to Amy about possibly doing it again because it's not due till October. 'cause other people would be interested and she is going to be doing that. So look for the announcements Speaker 8 00:31:23 We've already reached out at and Danielson and Simon and Eagan are gonna have their staff come over and, and go over the paperwork again. Speaker 5 00:31:32 Thank you. Speaker 1 00:31:34 Thank you. Councilwoman Carmichael Councilwoman. Laura Liebowitz. Speaker 13 00:31:40 Hello. Is this okay or is it too loud? Speaker 1 00:31:44 It's Speaker 13 00:31:44 Good. Is my volume okay? Okay. Hello everybody. Thank you so much for understanding. Yes. As Councilwoman Cahill indicated, I am currently visiting my second granddaughter. We now have a pair of gems. We have a pearl and an opal. Opal arrived on April 7th. So we are here visiting her and I appreciate that. I also wanna echo sentiments of best wishes for those celebrating Passover and preparing for the Easter holiday. These are certainly significant holidays for many people, recognizing themes of freedom and escape from persecution and salvation. And these are all certainly themes that we can really appreciate these days. I wanna give a special thank you to the members of the council and the members of our township who showed up last week at the hands-off rally. There were really, it was very heartening to see so many people from our town and surrounding areas out there really speaking the truth about what is going on in this country. And really appreciate that. I also appreciate many of the discussions that we've been having surrounding the undocumented among us and their need for protection. Many of us are away at this time and we're not directly addressing it in this meeting, but I know we've had discussions, Frank, caring and sensitive discussions and I appreciate that as well. Thank you so much everyone for your time and everyone that is celebrating these holidays this week. Please, I hope they're meaningful and important for all. Speaker 1 00:33:35 Thank you. Councilwoman Leitz. Councilwoman, Michelle Lombardi. Speaker 9 00:33:40 Well, first thing I would like to do is publicly thank Ms. Jennifer Johnson down there who has moved from the mayor's office down into the clerk's office. But she was a integral part in the coordination of our Piscataway cleanup day. So although it rained and hailed the morning of our cleanup day, we had well over 200 people registered. And I, I think most people came out, which was really quite surprising to tell you the truth, maybe four, four sets of people maybe didn't come out out of the whole 200. So thank you to Jennifer for making that happen again. And thank you to all the residents that did come out on that ugly day to help clean up the Piscataway parks. So also I'd like to say happy Easter and happy Passover and congratulations grandma. Speaker 1 00:34:46 Thank you Councilwoman. Michelle Lombardi, con councilwoman. Sarah Rashid is not here. Councilman Frank rn. Speaker 10 00:34:54 I just wanna wish everybody a happy Passover and a happy Easter. Speaker 1 00:34:59 Thank you. Councilman RN Mayor. Speaker 8 00:35:04 The same thing with hap Happy Passover and Easter had an opportunity as well as Councilwoman Lombardi attending the return of the 44th Regiment soldiers in our Army National Guard on Saturday. I had an opportunity to also present the citation ribbons along with the governor and Senator Booker. It was a very emotional ceremony, knowing that it was the largest deployment of the Army National Guard in over 20 years, where you had 1500 soldiers that were away for almost a year, some of them. And they were stationed in Syria and Iraq. And it was good seeing that the families were happy to see that their loved ones were home and nobody was injured and or was seriously hurt and that, so it was the good news. So, so with that, thank you council president. Speaker 1 00:36:00 Thank you Mayor. Speaker 9 00:36:03 I just wanted to make one more comment. I will also wanna say congratulations to Frank, the little league parade this year. Another ugly day. But I've never seen that many kids out at a little league parade in a long time. So that was a very, very successful day for the, the, the little ones of Piscataway to play t-ball and baseball and and enjoy themselves. That was a a really nice day. Great job. Thank Speaker 10 00:36:30 You. We're up to 350 kids Speaker 9 00:36:33 Job. Speaker 1 00:36:33 That's awesome. The Speaker 7 00:36:34 Field was full and that's how you could tell right when the teams line up on the field, there was no space, which was great. Congratulations. And it's good for, for our town and for the families, right? So Speaker 14 00:36:46 Sure. We made two fields. Speaker 1 00:36:51 Thank you. Business Administrator, Timothy Dacy. Speaker 14 00:36:57 Nothing tonight. Speaker 1 00:36:59 Thank you. Assistant Bus Business Administrator. Paula Ko. KO Larry, sorry. Speaker 15 00:37:05 Okay, I just wanted to announce, although it was on social media, I just at this meeting would like to say the township received $92,000 grant for the local recreation improvement grant. This is in an effort of the township continuing its green sustainability efforts. And this is going to replace the four of the sports field lighting at Riverside Park with LED lighting, which will provide better control and better efficiency of use. Also, the township submitted its final request for the million dollars under the state and local fiscal recovery funds for the 9 1 1 dispatch center. So I check the status and it says final approval. So they're looking at it now. So we probably will get that as well. And I just wanna wish everyone all the best this holiday season. Thank you. Speaker 1 00:38:01 Thank you. Township attorney Raj Gomar. Yeah, Speaker 16 00:38:06 Just wanted to wish everybody a happy Passover in Easter, but also for a community Happy Masaki and then a lot of the, a lot of Indian communities also had a happy New Year yesterday. Speaker 14 00:38:17 Oh, Speaker 7 00:38:18 Thank you Raj. Speaker 1 00:38:21 Thank you Raj. Just a reminder, just kind of piggybacking off of the great job that Jen did for the community clean on the Piscataway cleanup day. Just a reminder to everyone that tomorrow is the last day I believe, to put the garbage in front of the park so that way DPW can go ahead and pick up the garbage. So please, please do that. Since that way we can have nice clean parks. Second getaway soccer club is, will be having their tryouts on May 2nd for new players and the week of May 12th for current and potential new players. So please register on the website at Piscataway soccer.org. And also just happy Easter to everyone. Have a safe Easter. Thank you. Speaker 0 00:39:13 Can I just say one thing? I just wanted to welcome Jennifer Johnson to the Clerk's office, looking so forward to working with you and I'm glad to have you a part of the team. Speaker 17 00:39:24 Yay. Speaker 9 00:39:27 Love it Jen. Speaker 1 00:39:31 Okay, agenda session for May 6th, 2025. Ordinance second reading, amending chapter seven, traffic section 25 vehicles over a designated weight limit, excluded from certain streets open to the public resolution, adopting ordinance, ordinance. Second reading acquisitions of certain property regarding Hazelwood Place and Hanover Street Road. Improvements open to the public resolution adopting ordinance. Ordinance. Second reading, amending salary and wage schedule open to public resolution adopting or ordinance. Ordinance. Second reading bond ordinance, various capital improvements, 7,005,006 slash six thousand three hundred thirty three thousand seven hundred fifty. That will be open to the public resolution adopting ordinance. Ordinance. Second reading, amending and supplementing. Chapter 21, zoning Section eight A open to the public resolution adopting ordinance, ordinance first reading, authorizing deed of restriction for e ecological park resolution, adopting ordinance. And then we will have a proclamation, municipal clerks week May 4th through 10th, 2025 just in time. Item number 22, we're gonna open this to the public. Speaker 9 00:40:55 Can I make one quick statement? Sure. One, one other comment that I was made aware that we really should acknowledge is the mayor and Frank with the municipal alliance went to many of the schools this week and did a substance abuse and substance awareness class. So Frank, you might wanna mention a little bit about what you did over at the schools this week. Speaker 10 00:41:23 Well, it's C Community Outreach Task Force, not Municipal Alliance anymore. We went to three middle schools, then the high school for two days and we had vaping marijuana and social media awareness and we touched about 3,700 kids. Speaker 0 00:41:42 Kudos to that. Yeah, that's Speaker 1 00:41:43 Amazing. That's great. Speaker 1 00:41:47 Thank you. I'm gonna open it to the, for remote attendees. 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 and which to make your comments that council or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Ms. Do we have anyone in the remote attendees section? Speaker 0 00:42:26 Council president. There are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item. Speaker 1 00:42:30 Thank you Ms. Cedar. We're 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 had three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion or, or your comments or questions and the council or administration would then respond if necessary. Hi. Hi. Speaker 18 00:42:53 My name is Sarah Radford. I live at 13 Dunbar Avenue and I wanna talk about the property assessments again. So first I just wanna say thank you to Tim Dacey, Paula Kelli, and Lisa Stevens for meeting with me, taking the time. They really did take the time to explain a lot of things, but I still have some questions. So the biggest takeaway I think I had from that meeting is that one of the most important pieces of information about your property that is needed in order to determine which are gonna be your comparable homes to compare to is the style of building. In other words, do you live in a bio level? Do you live in a Cape Cod? And what I would just like to ask is if that information could be incorporated into the large spreadsheet that is available. 'cause that's one column, there's a lot of columns in that spreadsheet, and that column is nowhere in there. Speaker 18 00:43:46 So it makes it very difficult for individual people like me then to, to, I can go in and I can click individually into each property record and then I can enter that information manually into the spreadsheet. And I did that for all the home sales for last year so that I could try to make this comparison. But it really shouldn't be that difficult for an individual person to get that information. So that's my request would be if, if that information is so important for making those comparisons, would be for that information to then be made available to the public in that spreadsheet in a format that's readily accessible and easy for us to, to, to use. So that's my statement and I have a lot more questions. I'm gonna call Lisa Stevens and hopefully she'll explain them to me. Speaker 1 00:44:31 Thank you. Thank Speaker 2 00:44:32 You. Speaker 1 00:44:43 Thank you. Anyone else? Okay, closing to the, in closing to the attendee in-person. Attendees. All right. Motion to adjourn. Motion. Do I have a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Meeting adjourned. Speaker 0 00:45:09 Have a good night.