Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on February 23 2021

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     00:00:00    31 PL 1975 specific the time date, location, or dial information. And to the extent, known to agenda by posting a copy of the notice on the municipal building municipal code and the  library bulletin board, can you ship shipper website providing a copy to the official newspaper of the township and by filing a copy in the office of the township cloud in accordance with the certification by the clock, which will be entered in the minute, the township continued to use a telephone meeting format in an effort to mitigate the chance of exposure to COVID-19 as a part of the township ongoing effort to slow the rate of transmission and avoid or wellbeing our pigments centered in order to make sure it's clear record to the meeting can be made. And that all parties are heard in an organized person. All member of the public will be muted during the meeting.  
Speaker 0     00:00:59    If you're a member of the public wish to speak during any public comment, persons, please press star nine. In order to raise your hand to stay, we will unmute the member of the public individually. If they have their hand raised, when it is your turn to speak, you will hear a notification that you have been un-muted. It is that time that you begin to ask any question you may have. You will have that three minutes to speak at the conclusion of the week. You will be routed again, and the council or administration will respond as necessary. Should you have any further comments or questions? The township council is always available by email and phone, and you can always call the mayor office during the normal operating hours. Each member of the public cell only have one opportunity to speak during each public person as the technology.  
Speaker 0     00:01:53    There's not allowed us to know if there are multiple color on any do your line. We ask that if you wish to speak at your dial in on separate lines so that we can recognize you as a separate individual, you can do. Jill may also submit written comments to the township plan up to the 48 hours to get the meeting to be read by the township club. During the public comment portion of the meeting, save comments, you'll be limited to three minutes of the reading. Thank you in advance for your person. And we continue to move the township forward during this health emergency. Let's see the roll call. Please Hear  
Speaker 1     00:02:42    Councilman Cato here. Councilman con here. Councilwoman Lombardi, Councilwoman McColum Councilman Aaron council, president shot, Mayor Brian Waller, Business administrator, Timothy Dacey Township attorney Rajveer boomer. And I'm here Melissa theater of the township clerk.  
Speaker 0     00:03:24    Thank you. Oh, we got .  
Speaker 1     00:03:29    I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.  one nation under God, indivisible with Liberty.  
Speaker 0     00:03:44    Thank you. Okay. Number five, comment from atmospheres and counsel regarding for adjournment of any matter on this agenda, The blank, none. Okay. Number six, open to the problem. Okay. If you wish to speak at this time, please press star nine to raise your hand. When it is your turn to speak, you will hear an announcement that you have been unmuted at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which you to make your comments, the council or administers will respond. If necessary after you have completed any comment or question  
Speaker 1     00:04:51    Council, president Shaw, I do have comments that were emailed to me 48 hours prior to the meeting. I would like to read this. This is from an bastion of one 13 fountain avenue and it's with regard to an agenda item she refers to in her email is nine J that's been changed to item nine. I resolution authorizing return of escrow fees, M and M Realty partners, LLC blocked by 7 0 1 lot 2 16 90 south Washington avenue. And here are her comments does the return of escrow fees to M and M Realty mean that the application to rezone this farmland property for away for a warehouse development, which has been before the zoning board has one withdrawn question mark. Two tabled question mark. Three approved question mark. Please let residents know what the status of this proposal is now, including any information regarding the N J D P review of the application for fresh water wetlands waiver is the council aware that there is community opposition to citing two warehouses on the 1690 south Washington property because of negative environmental impacts on neighboring properties, which include the Randall Ville elementary school, the lake Nelson residential community, and the long promised ecological park at the former helper farm across the street.  
Speaker 1     00:06:22    That's the end of the comment. Thank you, Mr. Dacey, where you going to reply to that?  
Speaker 3     00:06:58    The only thing to clarify on what we're on tonight is all the SKUs is the, that the escrow that we're releasing tonight is for a project that was proposed in 2016. It was a mixed use project that is not moving ahead. So we're returning whatever funds are left in their escrow account. And it has nothing to do with their current application. And since the application is a front of a board, there's really no reason for be discussed at this meeting.  
Speaker 1     00:08:07    Okay. Okay. Please state your name and address that evening. It's Stacy Berger at 2 33 Ellis Parkway on the consent agenda. I was wondering if you could elaborate on item. Oh, it is a resolution authorizing a settlement agreement with Lauren to help her and Alphonse.  
Speaker 0     00:08:56    Thanks. And this is Roger  attorney. I can respond on that one. That's a, a side settlement with specifically just Mr. Albert in regard to a long dispute in regard to his relocation costs and also township reimbursement for relocating some of his equipment that he didn't move himself. So there is no reason I would close the call a public person. Okay, go for number seven. Ordinance amending chapter seven, traffic, six X and 14 parking prohibited is a recent adopting Gordian.   
Speaker 1     00:09:56    It resolved by the township council, just scattered bunch of New Jersey, then an ordinance entitled ordinance to amend and supplement their advice. General ordinances of the township of the getaway county of Middlesex state in New Jersey amending chapter seven, traffic section 14, parking prohibited at all times on certain streets in the township at the Skyway B and is hereby adopted on the first reason that'd be published in the official newspaper. And then a second reading and public hearing be held at 7:30 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway municipal building 4 55 hose lane, Piscataway New Jersey, as well as by telephonic conference on the 23rd day of March, 2021. It further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places within the township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage and a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the township clerk for any interested member of the public.  
Speaker 0     00:10:51    Thank you. Do I often  
Speaker 1     00:10:56    Offer counsel?  
Speaker 0     00:10:59    Thank you. Second second. Thank you, Jim. Okay. See, it's a roll call please.  
Speaker 1     00:11:11    Sure. That was a second by council member, Lord. So I'm taking the vocal vote. Councilman Bullard. Councilwoman Cahill. Yeah. Con Councilwoman LaMorte Councilman Aaron. Yes. Council president shot.  
Speaker 0     00:11:36    Yes. Okay. Thank you. Number eight or even first stating to exit the municipal budget appropriation limits and SWC gab bank is a recent adopting ordinance.  please.  
Speaker 1     00:11:58    It resolved by the township council of Piscataway township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled calendar year at 2021 ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank N J S a 48, colon four dash 45.14, being a terabyte adopted on the first reading that'd be published in the official newspaper. And then a second reading in public hearing be held at 7:30 PM prevailing time at the Piscataway municipal building 4 55 hose lane to Statway New Jersey, as well as by telephonic conference on the 23rd day of March, 2021, be it further resolved that a copy of this Boardman shall be posted in at least two public places within the township prior to the day of the second reading and final passage and a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the township clerk for any interested member of the public.  
Speaker 0     00:12:51    Thank you. Misleading. Okay. Number nine, considering that there is okay. Sorry. I do have offer  
Speaker 1     00:13:02    Already.  
Speaker 0     00:13:03    Thank you. Second second, Councilman. Valard roll call please.  
Speaker 1     00:13:14    Yes. Councilwoman Cahill. Yeah. Councilman con sounds a woman. Lombardi. Councilman RN. Yes. Council president shock.  
Speaker 0     00:13:33    Yes. Okay. Move to the number nine sentence agenda. Okay. Whatever efficiency item have been consolidated into consent agenda to be worded altogether, the material for this item have been distributed to the counselor in advance of the meeting and this time, are there any item that the council would like to remove from the consent agent that to be discussed or what it on separately? Look like? No, no comments from Fisher. Please. Can I offer please offer ultimate con con second.  thank you please.  
Speaker 1     00:14:29    Yes. Councilwoman Cahill. Yeah. Councilman con counsel, woman Lombardi complement. RN council. President shot.  
Speaker 0     00:14:46    Yes. Okay. That to item number 10 and now spent and comment from official constantly because Jim bowler, any comments?  
Speaker 4     00:14:59    Yeah, just a quick count. A comment here. As some of, you know, Ms. Chanel's birthday is this weekend this week. And I would like to wish her happy birthday. And I wanted to tell her that, you know, when she gets to the, her age over 30, she's going to be in a third portion of her lifestyle. So happy birthday.  
Speaker 0     00:15:26    Thank you. Is Gabrielle.  
Speaker 5     00:15:33    Thank you, council, president Shaw. I would like to also wish it, our council members, Chanel McCollum, a very happy birthday and hoping that she is celebrating with her family this evening. I would like to remind folks about when we have weather events, parking do not park on the streets are our wonderful DPW has been hard at work needs for folks to pay attention to that when there is a snow event to keep your cars off the streets so that they can plow. I can certainly say that they have done a fabulous job. We, we certainly know here in the administration and council, how much work that they have put into it. And I would like to, again, thank them for all of their efforts during these weather events and remind folks. I believe we've communicated out on social media. Multiple times, little league is right around the corner. So let's get excited about some warmer weather, getting our kids out and playing. And I'm going to thank you, Councilman Shaw for the time.  
Speaker 0     00:16:52    I just, the only comment I have is I wanna echo my colleagues tenements of happy birthday to Chanel. I think she is 30 Jim. I think she's 30 today. Okay. Thank you, sir. Councilman   
Speaker 1     00:17:13     to Chanel. And I'd also like to acknowledge a citizen Ashley, over him who has been assisting with some of our senior citizens with getting their COVID vaccinations scheduled and helping them with some of their computer problems, trying to get them appointments. So I'd like to acknowledge her. Someone brought that to our attention. At this time, she has helped 83 people and she's looking to hopefully hit the number of 100. So I would like to commend her or helping our seniors out with trying to get their COVID vaccine appointment. So she's a hometown hero in my book because there are many people that need help trying to get their appointments. So thank you to Ashley Overeem.  
Speaker 0     00:18:07    Thank you. Thank you, Michelle.  Frank on. Oh, you want me to come? And I was happy birthday Chanel. I have a nice day. Thank you everybody Chanel. And I'll just support the echo with my colleagues. And one more thing on the snow time. When you move your car from your driveway, please clean the car before you start the driveway go sometime on top of the car, there is a snow is danger when you die, it fly to somebody's windshield and he's accident happened. So make sure you claim your power and do not park on the street. And the PWL great job this week. I have a lot of phone calls and they really appreciate for their job. Thank you, mayor plan Waldo.  
Speaker 6     00:19:04    Very briefly. Council president just have pertaining to the inoculations. They just want to, when we get, when the county gets more sufficient amount of doses, obviously the Erickson site will be opened up as an inoculation site. So when they get more sufficient, we'll let everybody know. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:19:37    Yes, this is attempt nothing tonight. Thank you. Thank you.  other than a happy birthday. No, thank you. Okay. I tell number 11 agents for March 9th, 2021.   beat up of secondary. When you implement phase one and two , February, 2021. Any comment or question and none  new market lake park, area improvement phase, or we're opening February 25th, 2021. Any question or comments counsel, the woman additional  
Speaker 5     00:20:47    Improvements we're doing over there. I know we've talked about this before, but for this specific item, just so we can have it out there for folks to know.  
Speaker 6     00:20:56    So thank thank you, council woman. This is the, if you're coming down and road and you come to the new market pond at the T intersection, there will be a handicap stepped down ramp for 'em to go down towards the pond. And then we're also going to be retrofitting the parking lot that's to the right there. So there'll be all handicap accessible and I believe a small little gazebo there to, to beautification project.  
Speaker 0     00:21:27    Thank you ma'am and is it a  20 21, 20 22 landscape maintenance of township property bid opening February 25th, 2021. Any comment or question? None altering return of engineering and inspection fee prop 8 5 0 4 lot 48.02 1327 desk, 1341 Stilton road. Any comment or question? Look, man, accepting and adopting the central Jersey municipal joint insurance plan. 2020 ones, safety incentive program. Any question or comments?  
Speaker 6     00:22:18    Probably. She's not calling up about the Jeff.  
Speaker 0     00:22:26    Okay. There was some altering what I'll be 20 21, 20 22 property maintenance service of Gordon was spent custom care service in probation, not regarded. And then 4,400. Any comment or question Like none do I offer? Okay. Okay. Now item number 12, open to the public. If you wish to speak at this time, please press star nine. To raise your hand. When it's your turn to speak, you will hear an announcement that you have been unmuted at that time. Please state your name, address, and know that you have three minutes in which you make your comments. The council or administration will respond. If necessary after you have completed any comment or question 9, 8, 7, 9, please state your name and address please.  
Speaker 7     00:23:52    Hello. I'm Sid Madison. I live at 1 76 Blackford avenue in Piscataway. My subject is one that I covered in probably November of 2019. And it was kind of tabled. It's about sending a resolution to the governor about enacting a moratorium on fossil fuel infrastructure. After that issue was raised at that meeting and 2008 19, I talked with the mayor and the business manager at that time. My recall, and this is more than a year ago. The problem that they had was there was a project on the Rutgers campus that might be a problem that does not seem to be a problem to me at this point because the, the proposal is it has to do with infrastructure, not particular projects that are using existing infrastructure. In any case, I plan to send a about a one page explanation of why this should happen to the clerk and ask the council members to read it before the next meeting. And I will make myself available by phone to answer any questions. Is that an reasonable approach?  
Speaker 0     00:25:38    Yes. Thank you.  
Speaker 7     00:25:41    Okay. I'll send the one page right up to the clerk and B attentive to any calls that I get and I'll see you at the next meeting. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:25:54    Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:26:09    Okay. For number 2, 9, 7 Europe, please state your name and address please. Bill Irwin, 2 33, Ellis Parkway, scheduling and Jersey. Good evening. Members of the council. I hope you're all doing well and happy birthday to Councilwoman McCullum, as I'm sure you're aware of the approximately 24 acre parcel of land at 1690 south Washington avenue has been the subject of some discussion recently, as there is currently a request pending at the zoning board to change the zoning classification of the property from its current zoning of rural residential. One to is owning that with some additional variances would allow a large warehouse to be constructed on the property. Now, to my knowledge, the zoning board is not obligated to grant this request and where the zoning board to deny the request, the land would remain zoned for rural residential. So I've given the matter some foot, and I believe there's a win-win solution here that I hope the council will consider.  
Speaker 0     00:27:06    I know that the council has expressed many times your desire to preserve open space and this getaway and this property is one of the largest parcels of open space remaining. I also understand that in certain instances, you will sound that it would be cost prohibitive for the township to acquire property due to high market valuations. Now, I think there's certain unique attributes of the property at 1690 south Washington, that presents us with an opportunity to accomplish the goal of open space preservation at very low relative cost. Now for tax purposes, the property is currently assessed as class three B farmland with an assessed value of $3,400 in annual taxes of 81 63. Now the last time it was assessed as vacant land was in 2015, when it was assessed at $867,800 implying a market value of $892,000. So assuming a 4% year over year increase in value compounding annually for the last five years, that would put the current implied value of the land at roughly $1.1 million, almost $45,000 a week.  
Speaker 0     00:28:10    That's a massive discount to the value of certain sales made recently for the purposes of industrial development. And that discount provides an opportunity to preserve open space. Now, the economic reason for the discount is sound and it remains persistent provided. There is no change in zoning. My understanding is that the prospective developer themselves testified before the zoning board, that their original plan to develop the property for residential use was not economically viable because of the characteristics of the site and that without a change in zoning to allow for warehouses to be constructed, they would not be able to move forward on any fault. So that would imply that if the zoning board does not change the zoning, there will not be development on that property, neither residential nor commercial, because it would not be economically viable. And that lack of development would continue regardless of who owned the property, which in and of itself would represent the fact of the preservation.  
Speaker 0     00:29:02    And we'll be space now in such a situation, it would be entirely reasonable for the way in to carry a market valuation in line with its previously assessed value as vacant land, at which point the township could at its discretion, a seed to purchase the land for the purpose of permanent preservation holding space and do so in a very cost efficient manner. So it's for that reason that I hope the council will encourage the zoning board to not change the zoning of 60, 90 south Washington avenue opportunities like this to accomplish stated public policy goals had massive savings to taxpayers do not come along very often. And I hope you avail yourselves of this opportunity to the benefit of a soul. Thank you very much. All right. Thank you, bill. This is a document township attorney just wanted to point out the valuation of the property unless we can actually get the property owner to sell it to us.  
Speaker 0     00:29:59    Doesn't apply an eminent domain. We have to provide highest and best use for the property. So it's basically we'd have to pay the value of a hypothetical development on top of the property. So any fair market value calculated from its current assessment wouldn't really apply and it would be a substantially substantially higher price. If the township went ahead and had to do eminent domain, this is counseling conduct. I don't know if you know the answer to the question, but do you know? I mean, this, I know the property was originally owned by somebody who then passed away and went to the state. Do you know what it was sold to the developer for, you know, the, they paid for it. I don't have that information off hand. Sorry. It comes from top considerably more than a million or $2 million that were mentioned by the last speaker. I assume that my correct. Yes. I'm pretty sure it was. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Now, if you wish to speak at this time, please press star nine. To raise your hand. When it's your turn to speak, you will hear an announcement that you have been underpaid at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which you make your comments, the counselor, and Mr. Will respond if necessary after you have completed any comment or question.  
Speaker 0     00:32:02    Okay. There's no reason I want to close the public person. Now I will do it. Number 13. And then men do I have often second All in favor, say aye. Aye, none. Thank you. Have a good day, everyone. Goodbye.