Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on May 6 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     00:00:17    Recording In progress,  
Speaker 1     00:00:27    I see various roads. I don't see Hazelwood. You see Hazelwood. I saw Hazelwood somewhere. I,  
Speaker 2     00:01:24    We are now called to order the Township of Piscataway Council meeting agenda of May 6th, 2025.  
Speaker 2     00:01:34    Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required under chapter 2 31 PL 1975, specifying the time, date, location, login and dial or dial in information and to the extent known the agenda by posting a copy of the notice on the municipal building municipal court, and two municipal library bulletin boards municipal 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 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 if you wish to speak, that you log in or dial in separately so we can recognize you as a separate individual. Should you have any further comments or questions. The township console is always available by email and phone, and you can always call the mayor's office during normal operating hours.  
Speaker 2     00:02:46    Ms. Cedar, can I have a roll call please?  
Speaker 0     00:02:49    Council Member Caho Here. Council Member Carmichael. Here. Council Member Leitz.  
Speaker 3     00:02:59    Here.  
Speaker 0     00:03:00    Council Member Lombardi. Council member Lombardi, can you unmute yourself please?  
Speaker 4     00:03:17    Here.  
Speaker 3     00:03:19    Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:03:21    Council Member Rashid. Here. Council member Rin Here.  
Speaker 3     00:03:27    Council  
Speaker 0     00:03:27    President Esposa  
Speaker 3     00:03:29    Here.  
Speaker 2     00:03:29    Please join me in saluting the flag  
Speaker 1     00:03:37    Of America, Republic Nation.  
Speaker 2     00:03:55    Okay. Do we have any comments from the administration and council regarding adjournment of any matters on this agenda?  
Speaker 3     00:04:03    I do.  
Speaker 2     00:04:05    Go ahead. Councilwoman Leitz,  
Speaker 3     00:04:07    I have two things. One is I would like to take something off the consent agenda. It's 15 CI have a question and then I also have a statement. Do you want me to ask my question? Okay. So is that how we, do we wait till we get to that part or We'll do it now  
Speaker 1     00:04:36    On the consent?  
Speaker 3     00:04:37    On the consent agenda first? Yes.  
Speaker 5     00:04:39    Landscaping bid.  
Speaker 3     00:04:40    Yes. It's just a, it's not, my question is we're gonna do, so am I asking the question now? Sorry. So we're doing all this work, which sounds beautiful and lovely, the follow up care, is that then taken care of by our people or is that also a contracted work? They're planting, they're removing stuff. They're sounds like beautiful trees. I love it. And then once they're done, does the care, 'cause a lot of times I see, not necessarily in our town, but sometimes I see in communities and parks, they plant trees and then three months later the summer comes. Nobody's followed up, they're dead, they're dried up, they look bad.  
Speaker 5     00:05:29    So this, if you have the backup on it, this is for the installation of, of trees, various trees around town. Once we plant them, we, we talk to the person whose property we're putting 'em by. We ask them to please hear you.  
Speaker 1     00:05:41    Yeah, we can't hear you. Maintenance.  
Speaker 5     00:05:49    So once we plant the trees, we ask the person whose property they're adjacent, that the police participate in watering. If they can, they ultimately will, depending on the location. If they're in a park, we're responsible for them and if they're in the right of way, they're in the right of way. So anybody who gets a tree, we do ask them to please help take care of it. But then eventually they become ours.  
Speaker 3     00:06:16    Because I saw one of it was the park and one of it is an island. So I know sometimes when you drive through communities it's like nobody wants to take responsibility for the island. So, you know, I guess the answer is  
Speaker 5     00:06:31    Most of our parks and islands are under a contract for just cutting the grass and trimming throughout the, throughout the season. So that'll be taken care of by another contract.  
Speaker 3     00:06:42    Great. Thank you.  
Speaker 2     00:06:46    Was one to  
Speaker 3     00:06:48    Yes, that was the only one.  
Speaker 1     00:06:51    Do you  
Speaker 2     00:06:52    Wanna remove it?  
Speaker 1     00:06:55    No,  
Speaker 3     00:06:55    I'm good.  
Speaker 2     00:06:56    Thank you. Okay, item six. Open to the public comments regarding item number 15, consent agenda items.  
Speaker 1     00:07:14    Open  
Speaker 2     00:07:14    Up to the remote attendees. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the Zoom app or if by phone, by pressing star nine. When it'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 requests. Ms. Seated, do we have anybody in queue?  
Speaker 0     00:07:45    Council president, I'm unmuting. The first individual with our hand raised.  
Speaker 6     00:07:53    Hi Brian Wrack, 1247 Brookside Road for item L. How did that happen? I went to the park and it looks like a bunch of trees were taken down and a big gravel path was put in. But if I go on the DEP website, I can clearly see there's wetlands that are partially covering the park and definitely adjacent to it. If I had tried to do something like that, I'd have to go through zoning and they would've caught it. So what was the failure that led to this happening without the proper DEP permits? That was it. Thanks.  
Speaker 7     00:08:27    Yeah, we're not sure. DPW did some work out there to, to resolve some issues. I think it just, it got outside the scope, so we're working on re remediating it.  
Speaker 2     00:08:42    Ms. Er, do we have anyone else?  
Speaker 0     00:08:44    There are no other individuals with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.  
Speaker 2     00:08:48    Thank you. Closing to the public, opening to the open, I'm sorry. Close to 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 would then respond if necessary. I see no one at the podium closing for in, in-person attendees resolution adopt CY 2025 Municipal budget. Melissa,  
Speaker 0     00:09:37    Be it resolved by the township council members of the township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex, that the budget here and before set forth is hereby adopted and shall constitute an appropriation for the purposes stated of the sums therein set forth as appropriations and authorization of the amount of $51,501,677 and 18 cents for municipal purposes and $3,850,006 and 32 cents minimum library tax summary of revenues, general revenues surplus, anticipated $12 million. Miscellaneous revenues anticipated $17,951,685 and 47 cents. Receipts from delinquent taxes, $750,000 Amount to be raised by taxation for municipal purposes. $51,501,677 and 18 cents Amount to be raised by taxation, minimum library tax,  
Speaker 1     00:10:52    $3,850,006  
Speaker 0     00:10:55    And 32 cents. Total revenues $86,053,368 and 97 cents. Summary of appropriations within caps operations including contingent $50,353,042, deferred charges and statutory expenditures. Municipal $6,644,040 Excluded from CAPS operations. Total operations excluded from caps $7,847,641. Capital improvements, $7,200,000. Municipal debt service, $9,758,900. Deferred charges municipal $2,662,003 and 25 cents reserve for uncollected taxes. $1,587,742 and 72 cents. Total appropriations $86,053,368 and 97 cents.  
Speaker 2     00:12:19    Thank you Ms. Cedar May Motion please.  
Speaker 4     00:12:25    Motion Councilwoman Lombardi.  
Speaker 8     00:12:28    Second Councilwoman Cahill.  
Speaker 2     00:12:33    We have Laura first. I made the motion.  
Speaker 0     00:12:36    Okay.  
Speaker 2     00:12:40    Thank you Ms. Cedar, can I have a roll call please?  
Speaker 0     00:12:44    Council member Cahill?  
Speaker 8     00:12:46    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:12:47    Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Lebowitz? Yes. Council member Lombardi?  
Speaker 4     00:12:56    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:12:57    Council member Rasheed? Yes. Council member Rin? Yes. Council President Espinosa? Yes.  
Speaker 2     00:13:08    Item number eight, ordinance Second reading bond ordinance, various capital improvements of 7,005,000 through 6,333,750 open to the public resolution adopting ordinance Melissa,  
Speaker 0     00:13:28    Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey. Then 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 costs thereof was introduced on the 15th day of April, 2025 and it passed the first reading and was published on the 20th day of April, 2025. Now therefore be it resolved that the offer said ordinance having had a second reading on May 6th, 2025 be adopted, passed, and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passage or approval in the official newspaper, be it further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned. Number 2025 dash nine.  
Speaker 2     00:14:17    Thank you Ms. Cedar. Opening up to 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 will receive or hear a request to unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at the, 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 would respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Ms. Cedar do we have anybody? Anybody in queue?  
Speaker 0     00:14:49    Council president. There are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.  
Speaker 2     00:14:53    Thank you Ms. Cedar. I'll close for the in, for the remote attendees. Opening up for the in-person attendees if you wish to speak at, 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 or administration would then respond if necessary. A Don, please state your name and address please. Hi,  
Speaker 5     00:15:18    Bill Irwin, 2 33 Ellis Parkway. Piscataway, this is the one I wanted to ask on before. Could you describe what the bonding is for? Like what improvements in general terms? So there we have $1,420,000 for improvements to Sydney Road, south Randolphville Road and Washington Avenue. $2,005,000 for the community development parking lot and site improvements including all work and materials necessary. Therefore an incidental there too. And $3,580,000 for the e ecological park remediation. Gotcha. So is there a capital reserve that the municipality usually dips into for capital improvements or do we typically bond for them Both. In this case we're bonding for it. Thank you.  
Speaker 2     00:16:16    Thank you. Closing to the in person attendees, may I have a motion please? Councilman? Or a motion?  
Speaker 0     00:16:28    Second.  
Speaker 4     00:16:29    Second. Councilwoman Lombardi.  
Speaker 2     00:16:33    Thank you. Roll call please.  
Speaker 0     00:16:36    Council member Caho? Yes. Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Liebowitz? Yes. Council member Lombardi?  
Speaker 4     00:16:47    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:16:48    Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Rin? Yes. Council President Espinosa? Yes.  
Speaker 2     00:16:58    Thank you Ms. Cedar. Item number nine, ordinance second reading. Amended chapter seven, traffic section 25 vehicles over designated weight limit excluded from certain streets open to the public resolution adopting ordinance. Peter,  
Speaker 0     00:17:13    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 seven traffic section 25 vehicles over designated wait. Excluded from certain streets was introduced on the 15th day of April, 2025 and had passed the first reading. It was published on the 23rd day of April, 2025. Neither therefore be it resolved that the offer said ordinance having had a second reading on May 6th, 2025 be adopted past and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper. Be it further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned. Number 2025 dash one zero.  
Speaker 2     00:17:59    Thank you Ms. Cedar. Open to 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 will receive or hear a request. To unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time, please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Dec seated. Do we have anybody in queue?  
Speaker 0     00:18:33    Council president. There are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.  
Speaker 2     00:18:37    Thank you. Closing 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 of your comments or questions and the council or administration will then respond if necessary.  
Speaker 9     00:18:57    Please  
Speaker 2     00:18:57    State your name and  
Speaker 9     00:18:58    Address. My name is Nancy Salgado Cowan. I live at 1 2 4 Stanton Avenue, Piscataway, New Jersey. In reference to this ordinance, it it, not sure the language or the verbiage seemed very vague. A certain weight limit, a certain streets. Are there any specifics to that?  
Speaker 7     00:19:23    Yeah, this is, so this ordinance is removing North Randolphville Road from the exclusion. It was initially exempting it from trucks earlier, but the state came back and asked us to remove it. They felt that they, that needed to, trucks needed to, to pass on that road and required us to remove it so that that's what we're doing.  
Speaker 9     00:19:43    And is there a specific weight limit?  
Speaker 7     00:19:47    It's removing the weight limit.  
Speaker 9     00:19:48    Oh, it's taking it away. So any trucks can ride now through that road unfortunately. Or are there any, are there any roads that trucks of any size cannot go on?  
Speaker 7     00:19:59    Yeah, if you go on the township ordinances, there's a long list of roads that actually exclude trucks. It's, you can easily access it, I think the soundtrack website and go to the code. Okay. It's actually that chapter seven you, you can see there. I think it's, yes. Section 25 and you'll see, you'll see a whole table.  
Speaker 9     00:20:16    Okay. Are any of them removed for reasons being like children and schooling or any of that or no.  
Speaker 7     00:20:25    Removed for  
Speaker 9     00:20:26    Removed for the larger trucks, is that something in that original ordinance or No,  
Speaker 7     00:20:31    No. The only item being removed from that list is North  
Speaker 9     00:20:34    Ramblewood is North Rand. Gotcha.  
Speaker 7     00:20:36    And that's only because we don't like to remove anything. Usually if we get it on the list, it's just because the state this time has asked us or required us to remove it. So unfortunately we have to.  
Speaker 0     00:20:47    Okay, thank you.  
Speaker 10    00:20:51    Stacey Berger, 2 33 Ellis Parkway. I wanted to actually follow up on that question. The state asked you to, or the state required it and what precipitated that and why did you make a decision to do something if it wasn't required? Are there, is there any data or any research about the impact that alleviate rather lifting that limit is gonna have on the residents of that area? There's a lot of people who live on North Randall.  
Speaker 7     00:21:18    Yeah, this was put on, this was put on probably two or three years ago. And the state then did their own studies, I guess, and, and sent us letters saying that, that, you know, based on their studies or, or or analysis of traffic flow that they, you know, that we had to and were being required to remove it from our list of exemptions.  
Speaker 1     00:21:41    So  
Speaker 10    00:21:41    They required you to do that based on what? Like when does this, why does the state care if there are trucks on roads that are not state roads?  
Speaker 7     00:21:50    The state, the state has the authority to, to oversee our, our restrictions on, on trucks on certain, so they could lift  
Speaker 10    00:21:58    All the restrictions on all the, on all the streets that we have  
Speaker 7     00:22:02    Potentially. But, but this is the first time they've ever done it.  
Speaker 5     00:22:06    If you remember Stacy, with the issue with River Road, it took many, many years. Yes.  
Speaker 10    00:22:11    It took me running for council for that to happen. If I recall correctly, 2018 you blamed the county for like four years prior and then nothing happened and then all of a sudden people started running for office and all of a sudden things started to happen. So yeah, team, I remember I'm wondering though, like what's, what's the impetus for this particular removal? Like the state just didn't have anything else to do. If,  
Speaker 7     00:22:33    If you wanna Oprah, the, the letter from the state, how, go ahead and you can see what they really provide us more detail than this, you know, based on their analysis that this needs to be removed and you need to have trucks on it.  
Speaker 10    00:22:45    So there's no analysis but but you did it anyway. Okay. I'll send an open request.  
Speaker 7     00:22:49    We comply with state requirements.  
Speaker 2     00:22:57    Thank you. Closing to in-person attendees, may I have a motion please?  
Speaker 0     00:23:05    Motion Carmichael.  
Speaker 2     00:23:08    I have a second.  
Speaker 11    00:23:11    Second. Councilman Cahn Owen  
Speaker 2     00:23:13    Roll call please.  
Speaker 0     00:23:17    Council member Cahill? Yes. Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Liebowitz? Yes. Council member Lombardi?  
Speaker 4     00:23:28    Yes. I will be leaving the meeting after this vote.  
Speaker 0     00:23:32    Thank you. Council member Rashid Sustain. Council member Iran? Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:23:45    Council  
Speaker 0     00:23:45    President Espinosa? Yes.  
Speaker 2     00:23:50    Ordinance second. Reading. Amending salary and wage schedule. I'm sorry, number 10, ordinance second reading, acquisition of certain property regarding Hazelwood Place and Hanover Street Road. Improvements open to the public resolution adopting ordinance Ms. Cedar  
Speaker 0     00:24:04    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 improvement of Hazelwood Place and Hanover Street in Piscataway Township, county of Middlesex State of New Jersey, was introduced on the 15th day of April, 2025 and had passed the first reading. It was published on the 23rd day of April, 2025. Now therefore be it resolved that the offer said ordinance having had a second reading on May 6th, 2025 be adopted past and after Passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper. Be it further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2025 dash one.  
Speaker 2     00:24:45    Thank you Ms. Theater opening to 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 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, make your comments the council or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Ms. Seater, do we have anybody in queue?  
Speaker 0     00:25:17    Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.  
Speaker 2     00:25:21    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 after completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration would then respond if necessary. Good evening, Curtis.  
Speaker 12    00:25:44    Hello. Good evening. Curtis. Grew up 1750 West third. Which one are you trying to, which property?  
Speaker 2     00:26:00    Sorry, what was your question?  
Speaker 12    00:26:01    The question is, on acquisition of certain properties regarding Hazelwood Place, which properties are you trying?  
Speaker 2     00:26:12    Which properties?  
Speaker 1     00:26:14    There's  
Speaker 5     00:26:15    Two pages of them that we're gonna have to give. There were construction easements or permanent said  
Speaker 12    00:26:22    We have an idea what? I mean we're coming from fourth Street all the way to second, right?  
Speaker 7     00:26:29    Yeah, I think it's the entire length. We have a bunch of parcels. So it's, it's based on the road improvement plan. It's, if we need to do, most, most of 'em are probably just gonna be temporary easements, construction easements. 'cause we're probably gonna step on those properties in order to do the curbing and sidewalk, et cetera. But yeah, it's usually pretty much every property and on the entire length we have to usually take an easement off.  
Speaker 1     00:26:58    Okay. Thank you.  
Speaker 2     00:27:01    Thank you. Close to the in-person attendees. I have a motion please.  
Speaker 1     00:27:11    Motion Councilman  
Speaker 8     00:27:12    Cahn. Motion Councilman Cahn. A second. Councilman Cahill, then  
Speaker 2     00:27:20    Roll call please.  
Speaker 0     00:27:23    Council member Caho?  
Speaker 8     00:27:25    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:27:26    Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Liebowitz? Yes. Council member Rashid?  
Speaker 1     00:27:33    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:27:34    Council member Rin? Yes. Council President Espinosa? Yes.  
Speaker 2     00:27:41    Item number 11, ordinance second reading, amending salary and wage schedule open to the public resolution adopting ordinance Ms. Cedar  
Speaker 0     00:27:49    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 in New Jersey, amending the salary and wage schedule was introduced on the 15th day of April, 2025 and had passed the first reading and was published on the 23rd day of April, 2025. Now therefore be it resolved that the offer said ordinance having had a second reading, excuse me, on May 6th, 2025 be adopted, passed, and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper. Be further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned. Number 2025 dash 12.  
Speaker 2     00:28:30    Thank you Ms. Cedar opening 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 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 or administration will respond. Respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Ms. Seater, do we have anybody in queue?  
Speaker 0     00:29:02    Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.  
Speaker 2     00:29:07    Thank you Ms. Seater. 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 will make, 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 for the in-person attendees. Closing for the in-person attendees, may I have a motion please?  
Speaker 1     00:29:34    Motion.  
Speaker 8     00:29:36    Second Cahill.  
Speaker 2     00:29:39    Have a borough call please.  
Speaker 1     00:29:41    Council  
Speaker 0     00:29:41    Member Cahill.  
Speaker 8     00:29:43    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:29:44    Council member Carmichael.  
Speaker 1     00:29:46    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:29:46    Council member Liebowitz.  
Speaker 1     00:29:48    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:29:49    Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Rin. Yes. Council President Espinosa? Yes.  
Speaker 2     00:29:58    Item number 12, ordinance second reading, amending and supplementing Chapter 21, zoning Section eight A Open to the public resolution adopting ordinance Ms. Cedar,  
Speaker 0     00:30:10    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 21 zoning. Section eight. A flood damage prevention was introduced on the fourth day of March, 2025 and had passed the first rating. It 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 May 6th, 2025, the 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 13.  
Speaker 2     00:30:50    Thank you Ms. Cedar,  
Speaker 2     00:30:52    Opening to the public opening up 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 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 would respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. Msir, do we have anybody in queue?  
Speaker 0     00:31:25    Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.  
Speaker 2     00:31:30    Thank you. Closing for the remote at 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 of your comments or questions and the council or administration would then respondent necessary. I see no one at the podium. The in-person attendees is now closed. May I have a motion please?  
Speaker 1     00:32:00    Carmichael. Motion Carmichael. Second  
Speaker 2     00:32:06    Roll call please.  
Speaker 0     00:32:08    Council member Cahill.  
Speaker 8     00:32:10    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:32:11    Council member Carmichael. Yes. Council member Liebowitz.  
Speaker 1     00:32:15    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:32:16    Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Rin. Yes. Council President Espinosa?  
Speaker 2     00:32:22    Yes. Item number 13, ordinance First reading, authorizing deed of restriction for ecological park resolution adopting ordinance Ms. Cedar,  
Speaker 0     00:32:33    Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey. Then an ordinance entitled An Ordinance of the Township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey, authorizing a declaration of deed restriction for a conservation easement on the ecological park pursuant to NJ SA 58 10 dash 23.1 B is hereby adopted on the first reading that'd be published in the official newspaper. And that a second reading and public hearing be held at 7:30 PM Prevailing time at the Piscataway Municipal Building 4 55 Ley in Piscataway, New Jersey on the fifth day of June, 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 2     00:33:23    Thank you Ms. Heater. May I have a motion please? Motion Councilman Uhrin.  
Speaker 13    00:33:28    Second Carmichael  
Speaker 2     00:33:30    Roll call  
Speaker 0     00:33:33    Council member Cahill.  
Speaker 8     00:33:35    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:33:36    Council member Carmichael.  
Speaker 13    00:33:38    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:33:39    Council member Lebowitz,  
Speaker 3     00:33:41    Looking forward to a beautiful environmental park with community input. Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:33:48    Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Rin. Yes. Council President Espinosa?  
Speaker 2     00:33:54    Yes. Item number 14, ordinance first reading amending chapter seven, traffic Section 14, parking prohibited, prohibited at all times. Fitz Randolph Road, entire length resolution adopting ordinance Ms. Cedar  
Speaker 0     00:34:13    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 seven traffic. Section 14, parking prohibited at all times on certain streets 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 7:30 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway Municipal Building 4 55 Hose Lane Piscataway, New Jersey on the fifth day of June, 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     00:34:59    Thank you. Ms. Peter, may I have a motion please?  
Speaker 8     00:35:02    Motion Councilwoman Cahill.  
Speaker 13    00:35:07    Second Carmichael.  
Speaker 2     00:35:09    Thank you. Roll call please.  
Speaker 0     00:35:12    Council member Cahill.  
Speaker 8     00:35:15    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:35:15    Council member Carmichael. Yes. Council member Lebowitz.  
Speaker 3     00:35:19    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:35:20    Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Rin. Yes. Council President Espinosa?  
Speaker 2     00:35:27    Yes. Item number 15, consent Agenda of resolution for efficiency. Items have been consolidated into a consent agenda to be voted on together. And the materials for these items have been distributed to the council in advance of the meeting. Do you have a motion?  
Speaker 3     00:35:47    Lee Woods motion. Motion.  
Speaker 8     00:35:49    Second.  
Speaker 2     00:35:52    Thank you. Rocco.  
Speaker 0     00:35:54    Council member Cahill?  
Speaker 8     00:35:56    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:35:57    Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Liebowitz.  
Speaker 3     00:36:01    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:36:02    Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Rin. Yes. Council President Espinosa?  
Speaker 2     00:36:10    Yes.  
Speaker 2     00:36:18    So today we have a couple of proclamations to read out loud. I I would like to read the first one before I read it. I wanna say thank you to our municipal clerks and our deputy clerk. Welcome aboard to Ms. Jen Johnson and Melissa Cedar. Thank you so much for what you do. The proclamation reads, whereas the office of the Municipal Clerk Clerk is at, is a time honored and essential part of local government. And whereas municipal clerks perform a wide range of important duties, including the preparation of meeting agendas, maintenance of public records, oversight of elections, influence, issuance of licenses and provision of vital services to the public that promote transparency, accountability, and good governance. And whereas the we recognize and appreciate the dedication and professionalism of the municipal clerks in our community who serve as valuable public servants ensuring the smooth and effective operation of local government.  
Speaker 2     00:37:17    And whereas municipal clerks continually strive to enhance and the administration of their duties through the ongoing education and professional development. And whereas by serving the integrity impartially and impartially and in professionalism, our municipal clerks play a significant role in the success of our community and the strength of our democracy. And now therefore be it resolved that that Mayor Brian Wahler, mayor of Township, Piscataway County of Middlesex, state of New Jersey, along with the Township Council, recognized the week of May 4th through May 10th, 2025 as municipal clerk's week and further acknowledge our municipal clerk, Melissa Cedar and Deputy Clerk Jennifer Johnson and senior office assistant Bunty sued for the Integral Services they perform. Thank you so much. Thank you for what you do. Councilwoman Leitz, would you like to proceed?  
Speaker 3     00:38:27    Thank you. So I appreciate the opportunity and honor to read this proclamation. I will tell you as a little bit of history, because I'm a teacher and I like to tell people things that this, this is a, a spoiler alert. This is a, a proclamation regarding Jewish heritage. Jewish American Heritage Month, the Jewish calendar and the Roman calendars slightly vary. The last two weeks we celebrated or honored or recognized Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Remembrance Day. Yom has Zika, which is Israel's Memorial Day, and then Ymha Ma, which is the Israel's Independence Day. Israel's 77 years old this year. So just a little bit of backstory and I I also just wanna thank you for this opportunity. Whereas established after resolutions passed unanimously in both houses of Congress, president George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month as an annual recognition of the American Jewish community, which has contributed substantially to the fabric of American history, culture, and society.  
Speaker 3     00:39:43    And whereas the rich heritage of the Jewish American community in the township of Piscataway includes two Yeshivas and a historical marker on Davidson Road commemorating the Jewish Agricultural Society, which in the 1930s enabled Jewish families to poultry farm while maintaining jobs in New York and became a model for similar new deal programs. And whereas American Jews have served in the United States military with great bravery and patriotism in its wars, including approximately 550,000 Jewish men and women in World War ii. And whereas present day efforts to remedy the recognition of Jewish American military service continues with Operation Benjamin, for which American Jews buried with non-Jewish markers in American military cemeteries throughout the world are having Star of David markers installed at their burial sites. And whereas 18 American Jews have been awarded the Medal of honor, our country's highest honor, including Colonel Jack Jacobs, who lived in Middlesex County and graduated from Rutgers University for his valor in the Vietnam War.  
Speaker 3     00:40:54    And whereas our country's commitment to religious freedom and acceptance of ethnic heritage obligates us to root out prejudice and combat antisemitism. And whereas synagogues and Jewish cultural institutions in the United States have amplified security measures due to the increased threat of anti-Semitic violence. And whereas Jewish students on American college campuses have been targeted for marginalization and hostility for their ethnic heritage. And whereas online harassment of American Jews has intensified with ferocity. And whereas during this month, we should take time to remember the lessons of the Holocaust and recognize the contributions of American Jews have made to civil rights and social justice movements. Now therefore, I Brian c Wahler, mayor of the township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey, along with the Township Council, declare the month of May to be Jewish American Heritage Month and encourage all residents to celebrate our diverse heritage and culture and work together to guarantee peace and equality for all. May 6th, 2025.  
Speaker 2     00:42:13    Thank you Councilwoman Leitz announcement, some comments from our officials, Councilwoman Gabrielle Cahill.  
Speaker 8     00:42:23    Yeah, first I'd like to apologize for my background noise. I am away on business unexpected, and so I do appreciate the folks bearing with me. I just want to, I guess we're not gonna meet again in May. I don't believe so. Just hoping that the residents of Piscataway, you know, enjoy this time of year folks who have, you know, children graduating from college and and high school. And then we'll be celebrating Memorial Day here in town and, you know, a lot of moments for our town to come together. And I also want to thank the staff Daniel very much, and really all of the administrative folks who helped to put together a budget help to educate us council people on the items. And also just really grateful to this council for the coming together. And I, I would be remiss if I didn't say, and sorry for being so long-winded, just, you know, just how emotional I am not Jewish, but I grew up in a family where my father was probably the only non-Jew in a union. We, we, we flew the star of David very proudly at my house alongside the, the flag of the United States and the Italian flag being of Italian heritage. And I just thought that that was an absolutely wonderful, well-written resolution. And I wanna thank council member Liebowitz for reading that. And that is really all I have to say, which was quite a bit. Thank you everyone.  
Speaker 2     00:44:10    Thank you. Councilwoman Cahill. Councilwoman Carmichael.  
Speaker 13    00:44:15    Well, I'd also like to congratulate the, the clerks, the township clerks for all that they do. And just to echo that, we really do appreciate everything, all that they do and all the support and congratulations for the Jewish American Heritage Month proclamation. It was a beautiful pro proclamation. Also want to wish all the mothers here in town and in the county. Happy Mother's Day coming up this Sunday, May 12th, and then on May 15th, all those who will be turning 90 will be celebrated at the senior center on the 15th. So happy 90th birthday to everyone who's seeing that milestone. Thank you.  
Speaker 2     00:45:02    Thank you. Councilwoman Carmichael. Councilwoman Lebo,  
Speaker 3     00:45:07    Thank you for those kind words. May is certainly a busy month and it's been a pleasure already attending so many spring events throughout our community. Spring is also the season for taxes and budgets. Unfortunately, our current federal government has made it increasingly difficult to maintain the services we're so proud of and that provide the best for our town. With attacks from Washington, it was very disheartening to see the attacks on our unpaid volunteer Board of education members on the Piscataway Township social media page. Our engagement as a council does not need to be adversarial. We can guide and advise and be fiscally prudent without targeting our board of education. Unfortunately, our tax funded social education, our tax funded social media accounts have been used to call out the school board in a negative name calling and dismissive manner. This is a bad look for our account.  
Speaker 3     00:46:03    There are ways to navigate difficult budget discussions. Using township resources in this manner is not the way. Providing opportunities for clear communication between entities such as the liaison the Board of Ed is now establishing is a great first step as a council. It is our job to balance our fiscal responsibility while providing and supporting services to our residents. Across the spectrum of needs from new young residents to longstanding seniors, it is more important apparent than ever that rising costs and decreasing aid revenue is putting pressure on all government budgets, be they municipal, library, county fire district, or school board here in Piscataway, as in the rest of New Jersey. Most local spending is financed by property taxes as the burden of property taxes falls upon our residents. Now more than ever, we must be transparent about the source of our revenue and ensure that all of our services are properly funded.  
Speaker 3     00:47:06    Our revenue comes from a variety of sources. One of these is our pilot relationships. There is nothing stopping us from accessing this revenue source and sharing it with our schools as we do with the other components of our budget across New Jersey towns, including Parsippany Eve, Shum, Plainfield and Homedale are in dialogue to include pilot revenue as a way to support their school budgets. There's also a bill recently out of committee in the New Jersey Senate that seeks to require municipalities to share certain payments received in pilots with school districts. It's long past time that we are clear and straightforward that revenues derived from payment in lieu of tax or pilot programs are treated in the same manner as all other property taxes when it comes to funding local priorities because there's no good reason to do otherwise. I suggest that we in Piscataway lead the way in this resource strategy and therefore I'm introducing the following motion, be it resolved, that it is the desire of the Township Council of Piscataway to ensure that all revenues derived from payment in lieu of tax or pilot agreements are apportioned amongst the township county fire districts and school district in the same proportion as regularly collected property taxes.  
Speaker 3     00:48:26    And the Township Council of Piscataway desires this to be reflected in the preparation of the 25 26 budget and all future budgets.  
Speaker 1     00:48:41    Second, the motion  
Speaker 2     00:48:51    Up for discussion.  
Speaker 3     00:48:56    My feeling is that in this time, we need to be creative. If we look on social media, we look across the newspaper, we look across all the towns in New Jersey, they're all struggling. They're cutting jobs, they're cutting programs, they are forced with huge deficits, much more than our current board of education due to their fiscal prudence over the last few years. And so I feel that this is an opportunity for us to be a leader and there is some support out there across the state.  
Speaker 2     00:49:32    Thank you Councilwoman Leitz. I also agree that we can go ahead and, and, and speak through some processes to get together and, and talk this out on, on the table, but for now, I, I need to see a plan, you know, just kind of written out, have some agreements, have some disagreements, but at least have something so that we can agree on. So I motion to table this for now for further discussion.  
Speaker 1     00:50:00    Motion?  
Speaker 3     00:50:01    Yeah,  
Speaker 1     00:50:03    What you doing? He does know he does. You're looking for motion to postpone,  
Speaker 3     00:50:12    But can I, before we postpone it, I just wanna make another comment so I'm happy to have a discussion about it. Of course, it's important, it's vital. It's a huge change and a huge shift. One of the ways to start that discussion is to look at the current budget and find the apportions that are being used now. And I did ask that question this week, we weren't able to get in information on it, but I'd love to know it's a starting point. What are the portions for our existing pieces and how can that distribution be utilized in the Board of Ed to support our fantastic school district and its employees. And of course further the improvement of the, you know, people move to this town for our schools. We've all said it, and the schools develop our residents and the residents like to come back and we need to support them.  
Speaker 2     00:51:09    Thank you. Councilwoman Leitz. Motion to postpone Roll call please.  
Speaker 0     00:51:31    Council member Cahill. It appears she left the meeting. Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Lebowitz?  
Speaker 3     00:51:48    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:51:50    Council member Rashid,  
Speaker 14    00:51:52    Is there a timeline for the postponement?  
Speaker 7     00:52:00    I mean, it's, it's what the council can set. I mean, you as the council can put it on the agenda for future meeting. I think, I think you guys should have just my opinion is have discussions before you figure out when to when to push it forward again.  
Speaker 0     00:52:17    Council member Rin.  
Speaker 2     00:52:19    Yes.  
Speaker 3     00:52:21    Question for Raj. These discussions, can they be during a working meeting, establish a working meeting time for these discussions so we can all be in the same place at the same time?  
Speaker 7     00:52:39    I mean, you'd have to set up, it's basically, it would be a, it has to be a scheduled special meeting open to the public. So if you're all in the same place or you can do it, you can do it in groups of three to have those discussions in a smaller format. But however the council decides they want to do it, they can go ahead and do it.  
Speaker 3     00:52:57    Okay, thank you for that information.  
Speaker 0     00:53:00    Council President Espinosa?  
Speaker 2     00:53:02    Yes. Okay. Councilwoman. Michelle Lombardi had disconnected. Councilwoman Rashid.  
Speaker 14    00:53:14    I also wanted to kind of touch on what Laura was talking about. I'm in the unique position where I've served on the school board and now I have the privilege to work, sit here on the town council. I can tell you firsthand, the dedication, the administration, the teachers and the board members have towards Piscataway schools and the families. They work really hard. The board members are all volunteers. I can't tell you how hard those teachers work. And right now, with all the unprecedented attacks and cuts that the schools are facing, the last thing we need is finger pointing and name calling. It is a time to lean in for all local leaders. We lean in, we build our strengths, and we work and have constructive discussions. It's not the time to finger point and making, you know, big claims. So it's really a privilege to be here. But we are here and we are open for open discussion. Thank you.  
Speaker 2     00:54:20    Thank you. Councilwoman Rasheed, Councilman Cahn, rn, no comment at this time. Council Mayor Wahler.  
Speaker 15    00:54:33    Aye. Thank council president. I'll be more than happy to sit down with people, but this still is the largest tax increase in the history of town. I don't have a problem with sitting down with people. Thanks.  
Speaker 2     00:54:45    Thank you Mayor. Business Administrator, Business Administrator, Timothy Dacy. Nothing tonight. Thank you. Assistant Business Administrator. Paula. Kelli. Kelli. Sorry, Kelli. Keep I I'm getting it right next time. You're good.  
Speaker 16    00:54:58    You're good. Thank you. Council president, I just wanted to bring you to your attention. The ordinance item number 13, specifically deed restricting ecological park. So that means nothing can be developed on that property and that is required so that the township could get up to 75% of remediation costs and 100% of site investigation, Remedi investigation and property assessment. So that's a hundred percent of that. And then 75% of the costs. So it's essential that obviously the DEP and we're not gonna get money to remediate the property unless we deed restrict it. So that's very important. So I'm glad that that is passed on the agenda here. The other item I just wanna say is that we're very close to turning over our solar. So the project is supposed to bring back a return of investment of somewhere around 67% savings in our electrical costs. So, fantastic.  
Speaker 16    00:55:59    I wasn't here for the beginning of that and I know my colleague sitting next to me was instrumental in that, the mayor and the council continuing with sustainability. So I'm very happy. So please keep an eye out for social media. We're going to have a picture of us turning over and converting to solar. And also, again, please be noted on our social media. There's a lot going on in this town. We have Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day parade, and lots of great events for all to enjoy. So make sure you're signed up for our rave alerts. Not so much for events, but for traffic closures. Make sure you are on our Facebook, Instagram, and on the website where all these things are posted. And thank you very much.  
Speaker 2     00:56:49    Thank you very much. Tanha attorney Raj Gomar. No comments. Thank you.  
Speaker 2     00:56:56    Thank you. So this Saturday, May 31st is going to be our bike rodeo at the Little League Complex at 10:00 AM kids and parents are encouraged to go there and learn bike safety, safe riding, and there will be a small bike obstacle course to test what, what they've learned. So it's a very nice event for all the kids, all ages, so that way they can go ahead and learn how to adjust the helmet, learn how to actually do some minor checks on your bikes like your, your heirs, your air and your tire, your chains and whatnot. So it's really nice event, it's free and hopefully we, we have good weather during that day. I, I would like to also say that I I I, I really agree with sitting down and discussing things in a proper manner. Social media can be cruel. There, there is finger pointing everywhere and I just hope that all parties involved follow the same suit without finger pointing or any comments. So this way we can have a nice peaceful resolution in what we go through. So, but it has to take two in order for us to get this resolved. It can just be one way. So I just hope that, you know, even in social media that we just calm down and then we just move along and try to get through these issues. Thank you.  
Speaker 2     00:58:38    Okay, agenda session for June 5th, 2025. Proclamation Piscataway High School students against Destructive Decisions ordinance. Second reading, authorizing deed of restrictions for e Ecological Park, open to the public resolution adopting ordinance, ordinance Second reading, amending chapter seven, traffic Section 14, parking prohibited at all times. Hits Randall Road, entire length open to the public resolution, adopting ordinance resolution, calling for the restoration of energy taxes to miss municipalities resolution authorizing renewal of membership, central Jersey Joint Insurance Fund.  
Speaker 2     00:59:27    Do we have any comments or questions from the, from the items over in June? No. Okay, thank you. We're opening to the p opening 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 will receive or hear a request to unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The console or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments. S ed, do we have anybody in queue?  
Speaker 0     01:00:10    Council president, I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themself.  
Speaker 15    01:00:21    Go ahead. Good evening, this is Jessica Kratovil, 1247 Brookside Road. Can you hear me?  
Speaker 0     01:00:27    Yes.  
Speaker 15    01:00:30    Good evening. I wanted to first of all, thank council member Lebowitz for making that motion at the end. I think it's really important that we collaborate the township council and the administration and our school board. I think it's, it's very important and I really appreciate that. And then I wanted to get back to, I was having a technical difficulty and was unable to make a comment or question on the Charlie Day Park, $70,000 for the engineering services to discover how to fix the DPW getting carried away. And I just, if I could get some more details because it, it's not under, I'm not able to understand how the DPW could get carried away. Take down what I imagine was two dozen large trees or more and dump in an area 14,000 square feet. What I imagine was at least three or four truckloads of large gravel at the taxpayer's expense. And now at the expense of having to figure out how to remediate this on the wetlands because of the, the requirements of the State Department of Environmental Protection. If I could just get some more details about how the, the initial work was authorized and what steps, like a, a postmortem on how it was missed, that this wasn't acceptable, I would really appreciate that.  
Speaker 7     01:02:10    Okay, counsel, I just ask you to not make any comments. This individual is in addict active litigation with the township. So I just wanna refrain from comments, but I I I can answer that. This, this contract is, is to make, to go through the permitting process with the DEP. I'm not aware of the, the DEP noticed doesn't talk about any trees cut down, so I'm not aware of that allegation at all. It's just, it's just in regard to the, to gravel being put in certain areas, not the entire area. A smaller portion of the area, which we're, you know, we're working on making sure we get a permit and a waiver for that section.  
Speaker 15    01:02:51    Okay. It's, I I  
Speaker 16    01:02:53    Complain.  
Speaker 15    01:02:54    Square feet of gravel,  
Speaker 16    01:03:00    The DP requires a wetland delineation and that's why we are, we had to procure the service of a professional  
Speaker 15    01:03:08    Isn't, wouldn't that typically be done before the work in case it was not permitted.  
Speaker 16    01:03:19    It is part of the permitting process and yes, to do  
Speaker 15    01:03:23    The work  
Speaker 16    01:03:23    Before you get the permit, the township is currently going through that permitting process. Now a lot of the work can be  
Speaker 15    01:03:29    Done by, I'm just  
Speaker 16    01:03:30    Confused if I will, but permit by rule. However, at this point we're going through the permitting process and what land delineation.  
Speaker 15    01:03:41    Okay, that was all. Have a good evening.  
Speaker 2     01:03:47    Thank you Ms. Seated. Do we have anybody else in queue?  
Speaker 0     01:03:53    Council president unmuting the next individual with their hand raised.  
Speaker 17    01:04:03    Hello, my name's Charlie Kratovil. I live in New Brunswick. I'm the editor of New Brunswick today. I wanted to start with a question. Can you tell me who is in charge of the Piscataway Police Department?  
Speaker 1     01:04:18    Hi, come over here.  
Speaker 7     01:04:21    Yeah, yeah. Then the person in charge is the Director of Public Stafe Safety. Keith Stiff.  
Speaker 17    01:04:28    Okay.  
Speaker 7     01:04:29    Before you keep asking questions, we request that you make all your questions and then we'll answer them after that.  
Speaker 17    01:04:37    Alright. Well, I spoke to this counsel in December about a $750,000 settlement that was made to resolve a disturbing lawsuit against the former police chief. And unfortunately, it's not the only disturbing lawsuit regarding the former chief. I asked the question that night, you know, what's being done to correct the problems that led to these complaints. And I never really got an answer. That question was not addressed when I brought it up. And of course now everyone listening probably knows that we have Piscataway police officer arrested and facing criminal charges. So I'll just read a little bit from the county prosecutor's press release quote on August, or I'm sorry, on April 30th, 2025, an investigation commenced into allegations of a male following young females, including a child around a store in South Plainfield with a clearly visible erection. Some of the conduct was captured on video surveillance. The investigation revealed that the male engaged in the same behavior in another store in the borough, and the male was identified as Wesley k Lewinski 37, a Piscataway Township police officer who resides in Hamilton.  
Speaker 17    01:06:01    And this officer is now facing charges of third degree endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct, fourth degree criminal sexual conduct and harassment. So, you know, this comes on, you know, the heels of other controversies in the department. We've had PPD employees found guilty of crimes like assault, tampering with records, criminal computer activity. And I was just looking at some records today that revealed that somebody in the department separated from employment while an Internal Affairs investigation was pending against them. But that officer was not named. And, you know, I reached out to the deputy chief to ask some simple questions, received no response, followed up. Again, no response. So here I am and, and perhaps maybe I should have addressed the question to the director of public safety, but it's a simple question. I hope someone can answer it tonight. I believe this officer that was recently arrested, I'm,  
Speaker 2     01:07:03    I'm sorry, your, your time is about to be up. You have five seconds.  
Speaker 17    01:07:07    Thanks. Is they, are they suspended with pay or without pay? And what are you the counsel doing to clean up the Piscataway Police Department?  
Speaker 2     01:07:14    Okay, thank you.  
Speaker 7     01:07:17    So I can answer that question one, we don't comment on current investigations or issues in the police department. The, there has been an action taken. I, I won't give more details to the public at this time, but I will say that our new director of public safety has been in the, been in the office for about three months and is doing an excellent job and getting good reviews from all the officers that are there. And, you know, we're looking to, to do some promotions within the police department and very shortly, and you know, that police department overall is a great department except for a few bumps. So  
Speaker 2     01:07:56    Thank you Ms. Cedar. Anybody else in the queue?  
Speaker 0     01:07:59    Council president, there are no other individuals with their hand raised.  
Speaker 2     01:08:03    Thank you. Closing for the remote attendees, for 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 of your comments or questions and the council or administration would then respond if necessary.  
Speaker 1     01:08:22    Good  
Speaker 19    01:08:23    Evening. Good evening Counsel. Can you hear me?  
Speaker 2     01:08:25    We can. Good evening.  
Speaker 19    01:08:27    My name is David Akins Ambrose Valley Lane. I have about 12 questions short, but about 12. I can read 'em off to you initially now or give them to you after I finish each question. Which would you prefer?  
Speaker 2     01:08:48    Please ask 'em all.  
Speaker 19    01:08:53    Item number seven, item number eight 11 under the CAS consent agenda number, well item number C for Charlie, F for foxtrot, G for golf, I for India, K for kilo under item 19. That's the June 5th agenda. And item 21. That's it. Now going back to item number seven, is there a budget for a handout to the residents if I go to the office and ask for one of the budget?  
Speaker 7     01:09:51    Yeah, the budget's been on the website for quite a bit of time now, so you can access it on the web. If you want a hard copy, you can definitely go to the clerk's office and they can provide you a  
Speaker 19    01:10:00    Copy. Okay. That's item seven, item eight, the improvements. Can I get a copy of that also? That's item eight, a list of the improvements.  
Speaker 5     01:10:18    So I, I went through them with, with Bill Erwin before, but if you want I can go through them with you again or you could get a copy from the clerk's office.  
Speaker 19    01:10:25    No, I prefer the copy, so I'll get that at the office too. Under the consent agenda under C for Charlie, the for land to service work that's being done is TBA to be announced? Do you have any idea what that amount is or will be? This is under the consent agenda, item C for Charlie.  
Speaker 16    01:11:06    I, I I think it's doing business as yes. Yes.  
Speaker 19    01:11:11    Doing business as right. Okay. But what's the amount approximately of that cost?  
Speaker 5     01:11:18    $43,775. And that's for planting trees.  
Speaker 19    01:11:26    Okay. Under item F  
Speaker 2     01:11:28    I'm sorry Mr. Aikens, I, if you can just, just say all your questions, ask all your questions, and that way you know we can answer them post your time.  
Speaker 19    01:11:37    Well, I, I did I did, I did that.  
Speaker 5     01:11:42    Yeah, he just, he just gave out letters, so I'm not sure what he's looking for in each, so,  
Speaker 19    01:11:48    Well, the  
Speaker 5     01:11:49    G which is the million, million paving  
Speaker 19    01:11:55    I gave the letters.  
Speaker 5     01:11:56    Right. So what is your question on item G?  
Speaker 19    01:11:59    On item G  
Speaker 5     01:12:01    Or F?  
Speaker 19    01:12:01    F? Can you, can you elaborate a little bit for item G?  
Speaker 7     01:12:10    Tim, do you wanna just talk about, on those four items on the consent agenda,  
Speaker 19    01:12:15    Is there a list? Is there a list for milling? Can I pick that up at the office of the streets that's being milled.  
Speaker 5     01:12:26    So this is to enter into a contract with the county of Middlesex to do milling and paving. Yes. As a co-op. Yes. I'm not sure all the streets have been identified yet, but,  
Speaker 19    01:12:38    Okay. So that's pending.  
Speaker 5     01:12:39    It's pending, correct.  
Speaker 19    01:12:44    On item, I just elaborate a little bit. That's on the affordable housing.  
Speaker 5     01:12:50    You asked about GG is for a new system for checking out the books. It's using a radio frequency identification, self check in checkout equipment for $68,775.  
Speaker 19    01:13:08    Yeah,  
Speaker 5     01:13:09    I is to hire affordable housing consultant preparation of our housing element and fair share plan.  
Speaker 19    01:13:15    Okay. But for  
Speaker 5     01:13:16    20, $25,000.  
Speaker 19    01:13:19    Going back to G would you elaborate on that a little?  
Speaker 5     01:13:30    It is a radio frequency identification. Self checkout equipment. So you're gonna, you're gonna put something in the book and you're gonna go up to the checkout and check it out yourself at the library.  
Speaker 19    01:13:42    Oh, you're,  
Speaker 5     01:13:43    So it's a new sy new checkout system for the library. The current system has reached the end of its life  
Speaker 19    01:13:49    That's referring to the library.  
Speaker 2     01:13:52    Mr. Mr. Ekins, I apologize the time is up, but you can, you can come after the meeting and we can address some of your questions as well.  
Speaker 19    01:14:01    Well, I mentioned the list before I started, how many items there were and we are just going through the items that you said was Okay. So I don't know why I have to split 'em up. I told you in advance the approximately items I'm going to discuss.  
Speaker 7     01:14:22    All right. Do we wanna just run through them? Tim,  
Speaker 5     01:14:25    I'm up. What was the question on Kay, what is the question on that?  
Speaker 7     01:14:30    So case we're pointing in a new director of finance, chief financial officer starting July 1st.  
Speaker 19    01:14:36    Yeah. Is ju is Dan outta that position or are we talking about  
Speaker 7     01:14:40    He's, he's retiring so he's actually gonna enjoy life and so, okay. You know, we had to find a replacement, unfortunately.  
Speaker 19    01:14:48    Okay. Item 21. Oh, item 21. I had asked some time ago about what the township is doing as far as having a place to meet for the planning and zoning board and the mayor made a comment. You are looking into it. So what's the update on that? Incidentally, that was November the 24th, 2024.  
Speaker 5     01:15:24    So if you look down the road down here, the community services building, we award a contract several months ago to renovate that. So that's currently under renovation. So when that's done, we'll have a meeting room for planning board and zoning board. Oh,  
Speaker 19    01:15:39    So you have any idea, as far as I understand what you're saying, as far as duration, how long more is it going take?  
Speaker 5     01:15:46    Hopefully within about a year or so, they're working as fast. They're really moving down there. 'cause the building's built, they just have to outfit the inside of it.  
Speaker 19    01:15:55    What's the address? Actually  
Speaker 5     01:15:57    It's right by, it's right next to the little league field.  
Speaker 19    01:15:59    Oh, that building.  
Speaker 5     01:16:01    It's sat vacant for many, many years. Right, right, right. So they're working in there every day. So eventually we'll be moving some departments into there to give us more space because the DPW building, the people are literally sitting on top of each other. So,  
Speaker 19    01:16:16    Okay. That's all I have. That  
Speaker 5     01:16:17    Is moving at a good pace.  
Speaker 19    01:16:19    Alright, I'll check back with you periodically.  
Speaker 2     01:16:25    Thank you Mr. Kinston. I do apologize.  
Speaker 19    01:16:27    Thank you.  
Speaker 2     01:16:32    Please state your name and address please.  
Speaker 20    01:16:34    Good evening. Loreta Rivers 2 49 Pinelli Drive. Piscataway. Good evening Counsel. I'm just call talking just like a statement about the officer and the incident. And I stand before you today. Deeply disturbed and heartbroken by the news that a police officer has been arrested for allegations of sexual misconduct. This is not just a legal issue, it is a moral failure. An officer who took a oath to protect and serve has instead betrayed the very trust that the community places in the police force. Sexual misconduct is in any form, is inexcusable, and we must make it clear this behavior will not be tolerated. What makes this situation even more concerning is the complete lack of response from our leadership. As of now, we have not heard from the chief of police nor the mayor in a time like this. Silence is not an option. Our community need is hurting, and we need to hear from those who are responsible from overseeing the actions of the positions of power. We need to know what steps are being taken to address this issue, prevent future misconduct, and ensure the safety and trust of the public. The absence of the public statement from the chief of police and the Mayor leaves a void that only deepens the sense of fear and uncertainty in our community. Our town deserves transparency, accountability, and decisive action. The victims of the misconduct and all of us deserve to know what's being done, not only to hold this officer accountable, but also to restore the trust that has been shattered. Thank you.  
Speaker 2     01:18:25    Thank you.  
Speaker 5     01:18:27    So Ms. Rivers, the town, the township abolished the position of police chief about a year and a half or two years ago. We currently have a director, Keith, the director, and the mayor put out a statement shortly after the person was arrested. It's an ongoing investigation. The person was suspended and it's being prosecuted by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's office. And we can't go into detail about the investigation. The prosecutor has it.  
Speaker 21    01:18:54    Where is the, where is that at? Where is the  
Speaker 5     01:18:57    It was in, it was in the newspaper.  
Speaker 21    01:19:00    It not on social media. Not  
Speaker 5     01:19:01    On, not I think, I think it was, yeah, it was. We actually was, it was covered in the Home News Tribune printed edition issued on online. It was an nj nj.com. So we  
Speaker 21    01:19:14    In Piscataway Town, I mean  
Speaker 7     01:19:16    This only occurred literally, I think Thursday night. I know. So, you know, it's, you managed to get stuff out pretty quickly, you know, and the officer was, the officer was suspended that night. This did not happen in Piscataway. So it isn't our authority. We weren't the charging entity. So at this point, as an employee, he was suspended. We can't go into details on the investigation, et cetera, because that's not, that's not us. That's the Milino County Prosecutor's office and, and the municipality that, that is the charging entity. So, you know, the, the, to the media, the mayor and the director of public safety have made comments, whether it's been posted on the township website, you know, I don't know, but it, it has been out there. So,  
Speaker 20    01:20:02    Oh, but that's what my question is.  
Speaker 7     01:20:04    And the, and the township makes sure that they take action immediately to, to the point that they can,  
Speaker 20    01:20:09    But the township talks about everything else on our township page. Yeah. Why wouldn't they talk about our police officer on our township? Yeah.  
Speaker 7     01:20:15    And this, listen, this is when these things happen. There's also our obligation to, to not affect the prosecutor's office investigation and charging. So we have to be very careful about what we say to the public while they're going through their investigation. They, we don't want to upset our counterparts at the county. And so we're very careful about what we say. We make sure we take immediate action, which we did. And, and from there we will probably provide more, you know, more information as it goes on. But listen, we're only two or three business days into this.  
Speaker 20    01:20:53    Yes, I understand, but I don't like my news through the chatter Piscataway chatter. Like that's just like, you know, tabloid Facebook talk. But if you do put it through the official channels just to say that we are handling the matter, then I say, okay, they're handling the matter. It's coming through their official chatters channels. But when you see it through Facebook and then everybody responding, you, you just don't know what is true and what is not true. So that's why I'm asking why wasn't it posted on our official channel here in Piscataway? That's all I'm asking.  
Speaker 7     01:21:29    Alright. Thank you  
Speaker 10    01:21:31    Ms. Rivers. I thought I said next. Okay.  
Speaker 3     01:21:40    Before you come to the podium, I just wanna thank Ms. Rivers for coming forward and I really just wanna thank everybody here in attendance tonight. It's so important to have engaged residents in this democracy. I appreciate that. I do feel, you know, in alignment with earlier discussions about open discussions, whether it's in working meetings or in small subgroups of this council, that a discussion of community policing and engagement is also something we can really look into. Over the past several years, cases that have been settled already have had a lot of public, I know they've been out in the public and they've been quite disturbing. So I think to continue the growth and development of our wonderful town with our new police director of safety, who I saw interviewed on tv, but we haven't met him yet. I also think this is an another opportunity for us to have meaningful discussion.  
Speaker 5     01:22:44    You are welcome to call him at any time and schedule a meeting with him, him, like all of the other township employees are very happy to meet with council people.  
Speaker 3     01:22:52    Great. Thank you.  
Speaker 10    01:22:55    Stacey Berger, 2 33 Ellis Parkway here in Piscataway. I think that that would be a great idea. Council member Liebowitz for there to be small groups of the council to have regular meetings. The school board does that. Lots of other community councils do that. I spent eight hours at the Summit Council meeting two weeks ago, and they had all kinds of committee reports and everybody on the council chaired a committee and they each gave a report and they actually, I meant to bring it for you, but they give like an explanation on the back of the agenda about what each item on the agenda does or doesn't do. Like what the difference between an ordinance and a resolution is. So the people who are coming to a council meeting might be educated about what the process is. If it's their first or 31st time, maybe they'll learn something new.  
Speaker 10    01:23:40    So there's a lot of best practices out there, including providing a way for residents to engage with the council and their elected officials. And that was something I asked about, I wanna say four or five years ago. And I asked for the list of committees that each of the council members are assigned to and when they meet and what the agendas are. I, and I think I filed an Oprah request. I probably did, I'm sorry, Melissa. But there were, you know, there were, there was nothing, nothing came back. There were no agendas, there were no minute meetings. There was nothing noticed. So it's not clear, I think, at least to the people in the audience where the decisions in this council that are being recommended to the council are made. For example, who decides what goes up on your social media As somebody who read the mayor's letter on Good Friday when the council and the, the township was closed and the school board was closed, and he made all kinds of demands, which followed up on his claim that he made in another meeting with myself.  
Speaker 10    01:24:39    Present Ms. Cahill, present Mr. Espinoza and Mr. Rn, that he was gonna use every tool at his disposal to make sure that the school board owned that tax increase. That it did not come back on the council or specifically on the mayor himself. It is of concern that the township is using public taxpayer dollars for a particular political agenda that is not okay. And so if there's not, if there is not clear guidelines about who decides and how those decisions get made about what is posted on social media and what is not, because it sounds like the statement that was made about the police situation was not posted on social media, but was shared with reporters in print media, which is really great for 1995, but we are in 2025 and people get their media in a lot of different ways. So it would be super if you could post either everything or nothing, or at least have some standards for how you operate that channel of information. I, I would like to know if somebody could tell me what portion of the school, of the pilot deals that the township has negotiated goes to our schools. Somebody in this room should know that answer. I believe Mr. Daisy would know it, but I might be wrong.  
Speaker 5     01:25:52    Yeah, the land tax.  
Speaker 10    01:25:54    So, so other than the land tax, zero goes  
Speaker 5     01:25:57    Five per state law, 5% goes to the county, the rest is used by the municipality for municipal purposes in support of schools,  
Speaker 10    01:26:07    In, in support of  
Speaker 2     01:26:08    The school. Thank you, Ms. Berger.  
Speaker 10    01:26:10    I'm sorry. Do you let other people go longer? So now you need to let me go. It's  
Speaker 2     01:26:13    Three, three minutes.  
Speaker 10    01:26:14    Yeah. Well, you didn't enforce three minutes for other people, so why are you gonna  
Speaker 2     01:26:17    Enforce three minutes for me? Three minutes on everyone. Excuse me. I tried to enforce three minutes on, everyone  
Speaker 10    01:26:21    Just had, there was literally just conversation that like, 1, 2, 3, 4, like 15 people witnessed where you were like, yeah, we're gonna keep going. So I'm just trying to get an answer to my  
Speaker 2     01:26:29    Question. I 2, 4, 3 minutes.  
Speaker 10    01:26:31    So I can't get an answer to my question. But you're gonna let other people, that's a, do you,  
Speaker 2     01:26:34    Do you have one question? I  
Speaker 10    01:26:35    I would like to continue my conversation with Mr. Daisy publicly about whether or not the land value,  
Speaker 2     01:26:42    I'm sorry. So what is your, your  
Speaker 10    01:26:44    Question? I'm trying to understand how the township structures the, the pilot deals,  
Speaker 7     01:26:48    Ms. Per, he answered the question. So, okay. Well maybe  
Speaker 10    01:26:50    For you, Raj, but  
Speaker 7     01:26:52    Not for me. And you're, and you're, and your three, three minutes are up. Okay. So thank you.  
Speaker 5     01:27:05    Hello. Bill Irwin, 2 33 Ellis Parkway, Piscataway, New Jersey. Generally speaking, the land portion of the assessment is negotiated in the pilot agreement such that it's lower than what the market value would be. So the schools get shorted on that land value assessment. Additionally, the pilot monies are separate from the land value assessment. The land value would be there anyway with regular property taxes, although it would be higher. The pilot payments themselves, those monies go, it said 95% to the municipal budget, that was about $5.1 million last year. Regular property taxes are shared with these schools, usually in the proportion of roughly 51%. So you're talking about $2.6 million that did not go to the schools. But that's not what I came up here to say. I was a little busy in April, so I might have missed something. Can somebody tell me when the meeting was, where the budget was presented to the public? Like a detailed presentation with, you know, sources of revenues, appropriations opportunity for public comment, that sort of thing? I don't wanna miss it again next year.  
Speaker 7     01:28:17    Yeah, there was a budget hearing last month that was on, on the council agenda, and it was open to the public to where they can make comments. The budget was actually posted on the website prior to that when it was introduced. So it's been on the town. Oh, I see it on the website. It's been on the, it's been on the website for, was there like a it's been on present ion, so yeah, no, I see. There's plenty of opportunity, the township citizens to review and make comments or questions to the administration at any time. So, so that was,  
Speaker 5     01:28:47    So the budget, that hearing is typically a month before this hearing, just so I know for the future.  
Speaker 7     01:28:53    Is that what we're the budget hearing? Yeah, it, it depends. This, this year it, it was, it was last month at a separate  
Speaker 5     01:29:00    Meeting. Gotcha. Was that a council meeting? Okay. And then real quick, it is, it was on a council meeting of April 15th. The state was overwhelmed with getting budgets processed and they asked us not to adopt it that night until they approved it and has subsequently has been approved. So we approved it tonight. There was a public hearing on April 15th on the budget. Good, good to know. So real quick, Laura, it, it's a little disturbing that you can get a simple answer to your question about what proportion revenues were shared in. I mean, you're a sitting council person, like I understand what I gotta jump through over hoops, but you're on the council,  
Speaker 3     01:29:44    You have to speak a little louder, please.  
Speaker 5     01:29:46    Sorry, Mike's a little low. I did notice on the 2024 debt statement, there was approximately $165 million on the county municipal line item of net debt. And there was a $10 million line item in the 2024 budget for debt service. Not complaining about it, just pointing it out. I recognize that we need to do debt to do necessary capital improvements, but I also noted that the school board debt on that same document was zero. Lastly, I agree with the council president that productive discussions are a two-way street. And I believe in the sincerity of the council members that want to have those productive discussions. But there has been a voice that occasionally sits at that day, I said has been rather provocative recently in social media. So if we want to sit down, you know, and have cooler heads prevail and have a productive discussion, we can do that. But if others wanna do that on social media, we can do that too.  
Speaker 2     01:30:49    Thank you. And I apologize what, when you say we, who's we?  
Speaker 1     01:30:58    Everybody? Public. Public.  
Speaker 5     01:31:00    Public. Okay.  
Speaker 1     01:31:00    Council people.  
Speaker 2     01:31:02    Thank you.  
Speaker 9     01:31:08    Good evening.  
Speaker 2     01:31:09    Name and address please.  
Speaker 9     01:31:10    Nancy Salgado Cowen. I live at 1 2 4 Stanton Avenue in Piscataway. I just had a question, I guess also pursuant to the budget, I don't know how that process works here in the municipal council since I've just recently been thrusted into the interest of this committee of the council. So what does that process look like for a regular resident to understand what are the mechanisms like? Since there's no presentation that I was aware of or that the public was aware of, there was the hearing. I, I do get that. But is there any time within your process here at the council, the town municipality, that there is a presentation to the public of where money's come from, where they don't, how it's going to be lined up, or a perspective budget? I know that it's on the website, that's beautiful. But was there ever any explanation to the public, any kind of, you know, time that we could have a dialogue about that budget process?  
Speaker 9     01:32:27    Or if you could explain to me how that budget process works? I, as a resident only am aware of how the school board does it, because I've been involved in that process, both as a resident and as a current school board member, where, you know, that process is pretty transparent. We, you know, give a presentation, we discuss it, we give time for, you know, folks to come out. And so wonderfully this year our mayor encouraged so many people to come to our budget hearing and it was fabulous to have so much involvement. So I wanna know when or how that process works here, please. Thank you.  
Speaker 2     01:33:06    Thank you.  
Speaker 5     01:33:07    So we begin the process every summer, usually around August, and we distribute the budget sheets to all the directors. The directors get to have their input to put into what they anticipate coming up for operational needs and capital needs. I work on it with the finance director and with our CFO and we go through it and we take a look at it and mold it. We start waiting to see where the numbers are on property taxes, on state aid, things like that. We'll put it together and before the end of the year, usually we have a preliminary budget, which is introduced generally pretty early once the state allows it, which is generally after the governor's we're not allowed to introduce prior to the governor's budget message, who would generally introduce it after that. Once it's introduced, it's posted online and the public can call. If you have any questions, we'd be glad to meet with me, meet with the CFO, meet with our budget director if they have anybody's any questions on it. And then we normally sit down with the council, a couple people have time to make sure they understand where we're going with it, if they have any questions, if they have any questions or concerns to their constituents, we'll answer them then. And then we have a budget hearing, which is open to the public. And, and then once the budget's hearing done, we adopt the budget and they adopt. The budget is posted online and that's our budget's done.  
Speaker 9     01:34:31    Oh, thank you. And just to follow up, you said it's discussed with the council members three at a time or in small groups, and is that portion where constituents would then just have to advise our particular council member about any concern?  
Speaker 2     01:34:50    I I'm sorry, is that your last question? We, your three minutes are up. I apologize.  
Speaker 9     01:34:53    Yeah, that's probably my last question for sure.  
Speaker 5     01:34:56    Yeah, sure. If you had any questions, you should reach out to your councilperson or councilperson at large. You can call my office, you can call the mayor's office. You can talk to Dana. However, however we take input. We'll, we'll be glad to take public input and you can say, I got a concern about this. I have a concern about that, and we'll try to work it in.  
Speaker 1     01:35:14    Okay. Thank you so much.  
Speaker 5     01:35:25    Costa Safety Meals. 58 Curtis. He is all veteran. Three steps from the Medal of Honor, served 28 months in Vietnam. 13, a grunt in the Bush Marine aircraft, wing gunna military police, freedom Hill. And then you hear two years later, all those beautiful people were slaughtered. Post-traumatic syndrome sets in. I came to Piscataway, made a complaint with property maintenance concerning ordinance violations, my neighbors and the township, nothing. I suffered a great deal. All of a sudden, here comes a summons in the mail. I was prosecuted and fined $300. I am a criminal. I brung my complaint to this console. Nothing as far as this console is I am crazy and dangerous. Crazy and dangerous. I stand, I'm facing six months to a year in jail for cutting off the mass name of the reelect me sign.  
Speaker 1     01:37:17    Oh  
Speaker 5     01:37:17    Wow. My complaint is nonexistent.  
Speaker 1     01:37:25    Thank you. That's my neighbor.  
Speaker 5     01:37:34    Oh  
Speaker 1     01:37:35    God.  
Speaker 5     01:37:37    Good  
Speaker 12    01:37:37    Evening, Curtis. Good evening. Curtis Scrub. 1750 West third. First of all, Councilman Louis. Thank you.  
Speaker 5     01:37:46    We can't really hear you.  
Speaker 12    01:37:47    Thank you for your comments today. Thank you. I wanna address the, I guess the issue of the street getting done. Finally, Hazelwood, I wanna relax the call. We just called it about the de problem, DEP problem that she's running and whatever. We are gonna run into that same problem with across the street from the park. So I think we need to get ahead of this one. Also, before you even start this, that part needs to be redone. Maybe I need to call Jim or guy at the public works department. The court is done. The whole part needs to be elevated. We discussed this, I discussed it with Frank. I even discussed it with our mayor. This park needs to be elevated. The park sits in a gully. Like the mayor used to tell me it used to be a dump. It's not a dump no more. So need to take consideration that this park needs to be elevated and that needs to be done for this road gets done. Thank you.  
Speaker 2     01:38:52    Thank you. I see no one else to the on the at the podium. Closing to the in-person attendees. Motion to adjourn.  
Speaker 3     01:39:09    Motion. Motion.  
Speaker 2     01:39:12    I have a second.  
Speaker 3     01:39:15    Okay. Hill second.  
Speaker 2     01:39:17    Thank you. All in favor?  
Speaker 3     01:39:19    Aye. Aye.  
Speaker 2     01:39:21    Aye. Any opposed? Meeting adjourned. Thank you.  
Speaker 3     01:39:25    Thank you. Have a good night.