Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on May 14 2026
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 1 00:03:20 Thank you for your patience, technical difficulties while going live. Speaker 0 00:03:32 Do they need help? Speaker 2 00:22:59 Unfortunately, some people that have money will rather just pay a fine than actually implement safety. So this way now, you know, we have, we are incentivizing them to actually implement safety protocols. Speaker 3 00:23:11 Okay. And if the public, because now today, once this gets passed, it'll become available to the public. How do they raise their concerns if they have any? Do they call the township office or the council people? What is the way you recommend they reach out with any of their concerns regarding this? Speaker 2 00:23:29 Yeah, I mean, as they usually can do, and, and I've always done is mayor's office is always available for comments. The council email address is always available if you, that's on the township website. So either or the mayor's office staff is, is amazing at being responsive to residents and, and giving them information. So I'd always say just give, call the mayor's office. They're a great resource and they can always reach out to me if there's any clarification needed. Speaker 4 00:23:55 Alright, thank you, council president. And, and I'm urging the council to do this because since the last council meeting at Kabul of hotel, we had three more domestic violence assaults on women over there. It's gotta stop. We gotta really do something. It has to stop. It can't go on. And we have to keep these motel operators accountable. We, we need a safe community. And it's not happening right now. And the longer we delay and delay, the more this goes on. And the police department's camped out over there a lot. And it's not fair to the rest of the taxpayers of this town that this is going on. Speaker 1 00:24:35 Fair to the business owners Speaker 4 00:24:37 Right now, you have several, the business owners are leaving. We've already had an instance where Sonic Burger was gonna come in. Now they're holding back building now where they have approvals. Walmart is holding back. They were looking to make that a superstore there at, at the, over there in the Centennial Plaza. They're, they're holding back now. Looks like Dunking Donuts is now leaving because of the crime over there. Well, they're moving. They're moving. It's gotta stop. And I said this at the last meeting to the governing body here, you need to pony up. And your fiduciary responsibility on this day is, is public safety in this community? And every each, and every one of, you've gotta start taking it seriously. That's not what's happening right now. Speaker 3 00:25:20 Assault is criminal regardless. But I think a lot of problem is the bad publicity that is coming out from within the township, which businesses are getting afraid of. So we have to be a little mindful of the publicity that we are putting out there. Well, Speaker 4 00:25:36 The publicity is out there to let people know the ordinance, because you folks up there delayed the ordinance that was originally gonna happen and quite frankly had that. But it's a good, those two women were, were stabbed. They, those individuals that did that would not have been there. I'm sorry, that's a BS argument right there. I mean, I've been talking about this with this governing body for I don't know how long now. Speaker 5 00:26:01 So if you don't like this sort vote Speaker 1 00:26:03 Know, are we, we gotta Speaker 5 00:26:04 Get this town safe. Any Speaker 1 00:26:06 Discussion? Can we have an offer for the fir The first Speaker 6 00:26:08 We have a, a comment. So the concerns that I had about this was nuisance policies. And I did get clarification and I want to thank Raj for that. I was concerned because I saw that the first level was one dwelling to four or I don't remember exactly what the number was. And I was concerned that domestic violence calls would be caught up in this and that people would stop calling because they would be afraid of fines or, you know, something that would be caught up in this. So Raj clarified to me that this is numbers that are just the, the bar was very, very high so that it would be hotel based. Because when I did a little bit of just investigating into nuisance policies, it is a concern. And we did have a number of domestic violence advocates come to us at the last ordinance. We had housing, we had people that work with vulnerable populations come and speak to us as experts in their field about the ordinance. And the ordinance did pass. But I still think that it's important that we continue to listen to the voices of the vulnerable populations who are also at these hotels. Speaker 4 00:27:26 And I also wanna let the record reflect that Councilman Leitz voted no on that and we had two additional women that were stabbed in their face because of that. Speaker 6 00:27:34 That was not due to my vote. It's still illegal to mer to stab people. Speaker 4 00:27:39 You, you, you both, you. And Speaker 6 00:27:40 It's still illegal to stab people. That is correct. Speaker 4 00:27:42 Delayed delayed delay and Speaker 6 00:27:44 People I did not delay. I Speaker 0 00:27:46 Have better question. What are homeless do in hotels? Speaker 4 00:27:49 Mr. Patel, Speaker 1 00:27:51 We're gonna please wait your turn. Speaker 4 00:27:53 No mail right there. Speaker 1 00:27:54 Do I have an offer for the first reading? Speaker 7 00:27:58 I heard Dennis, Speaker 1 00:28:00 Do I have a second Speaker 7 00:28:01 Councilman or, and second Speaker 1 00:28:03 Cedar, can you please call the roll Speaker 6 00:28:05 Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Espinosa. Yes. Council member Leitz? Yes. Council member Rashid? Yes. Council member Rin? Yes. Council President Lombardi? Speaker 1 00:28:21 Yes. And the first reading passes number nine are the consent agenda resolutions. 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 I have a motion to accept the consent agenda? Speaker 7 00:28:48 Councilman earn motion? Speaker 1 00:28:50 Do I have a second? Speaker 6 00:28:54 Michael? Second Speaker 1 00:28:56 Ms. Cedar, can you please call the roll Speaker 6 00:28:58 Council member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Espinosa. Yes. Council member Liebowitz? Yes. Council member Rasheed? Yes. Council member Rin? Yes. Council President Lombardi? Speaker 1 00:29:15 Yes. And the, the passes. And number 10 is a proclamation of something that has passed already and it's for Municipal Clerks Week. Speaker 1 00:29:42 I will take care of that. Whereas the office of the municipal clerk continues to serve as a vital foundation of municipal government. And whereas municipal clerks carry out numerous responsibilities essential to the effective operation of local government, including maintaining official records, coordinating public meetings, administering elections and processing licenses and permits. And whereas we recognize the knowledge and professionalism demonstrated by municipal Kirks in providing dependable and efficient service to elected officials, staff, and the community. And whereas through their commitment to public service, municipal clerks play an important role in supporting the daily functions and operations of the township. Now there be it resolved that I, Brian c Wahler, mayor of township of Piscataway County of Middlesex, state of New Jersey, acknowledged that the week of May 3rd through the ninth was Municipal Clerk's week. And further acknowledge our municipal clerk, Melissa Cedar, deputy Clerk, Jennifer Johnson and senior office assistant Bunty, sued for the essential services they provide to our township. Thank you very much. We wouldn't be able to do it without you. Now have announcements and comments from officials? No. Mr. Espinoza? Speaker 8 00:31:31 Yes. Thank you, council president. Just to remind everyone that on May 30th we have the Piscataway Bike Rodeo happening at the Little League Complex. So again, the rodeo is really geared for kids to go through obstacle courses, courses, bicycle safety helmet, wearing right adjustments. They also have free giveaways, raffles. It's a great event. We also have sponsors from our police department as well. Safe Streets and, and many others that are there to show the residents how to take care of bicycles themselves. Right? Adjusting the helmets for safety. A lot of people you don't know that they don't, they don't strap on the helmet correctly. They just put it on, strap it on, and sometimes it's too loose. And that's, and that's also dangerous. So again, I I wanna ask everyone to come out if, especially now that Spring is here and everybody wants to get on their bikes and roll around. It's a great, it's a great place to learn. And somewhere that everyone can actually have a good time. That's all. Speaker 1 00:32:39 Councilwoman Libert. Speaker 6 00:32:42 Good evening, everyone. First of all, I want to thank this council for putting forth the proclamation in honor of Jewish Heritage Month. In light of the severe increase of antisemitism across the country and across the world, it's important to acknowledge the contributions of all people, and I appreciate that. Secondly, I have spoken, I think since February about an ICE ordinance. We need to put regulations and protections in place to prevent our warehouses and potential township sites from being used by ICE for detention centers or other supportive ice activities. This has really come up across the state of New Jersey, and I think we need to be ahead of that. I make a motion that the resolution that I shared with this body in February be passed. Speaker 1 00:33:34 I second the motion Speaker 2 00:33:37 Counsel. I just, I don't have that in front of me and I don't remember looking at it. So I always like to recommend to the counsel not to pass anything that cou legal counsel hasn't reviewed or at least recently reviewed. So, do you have a copy? I don't, I've, I'd, I'd Speaker 6 00:33:54 Okay. I'll be be happy to share it with you Speaker 4 00:33:55 Again. I I just wanna let the record reflect they're worried about that, but they're not worried about the crime that's affecting me. I Speaker 6 00:34:01 Just passed your ordinance, mayor. I just passed it. Okay. Speaker 1 00:34:03 I I I we are, Speaker 6 00:34:05 There's a lot of issues Speaker 1 00:34:06 That can, when it comes Speaker 4 00:34:06 Address up one Speaker 6 00:34:07 Time, we're not a one issue town okay's a lot of issues. We're a big town. We're right off 2 87. It happened up in Sussex County in Andover. We need to be ahead of these things. You Speaker 4 00:34:20 Know what's happening right now? You had over 140 women that were assaulted over the last two years. Ms. Leitz. Speaker 6 00:34:26 Okay. What does that have to do with me? Speaker 1 00:34:28 Stop using Speaker 9 00:34:28 People as bombs. Stop using people as bonds. Thank you. You're just horrible. Speaker 1 00:34:33 Please Patel, please. The last time. Okay, mayor. Mayor. Okay. Do we need to take a vote on that or do we need to just Speaker 6 00:34:47 Okay. I think you'll be hard pressed to find evidence that I do not support the protection of women. Speaker 1 00:34:54 We will, we'll take a vote to table this till the next meeting. Okay. Can I have a motion please? Speaker 0 00:35:03 I, Speaker 1 00:35:06 Table to Speaker 0 00:35:07 Table? Yes. Motion. Speaker 1 00:35:09 Motion Carmichael. Can I have a second? Please Table this till the next meeting. Can I have a second motion to table? Peter, can you please call the roll Speaker 6 00:35:28 Council Speaker 1 00:35:29 Member Carmichael? Yes. Council member Espinosa? Yes. Speaker 6 00:35:38 Council member Lebowitz? Yes. Council member Rashid? Speaker 3 00:35:44 No. Speaker 6 00:35:47 Council member Rin? Speaker 7 00:35:49 Yes. Speaker 6 00:35:51 Council President Lombardi? Yes. Speaker 1 00:35:53 And that will be tabled till next meeting. Councilwoman Rashid? Speaker 3 00:36:04 I just wanted to say, I have my own things that I wanted to speak about, but we came to the council January last year, this public safety issue. All the people that, the businesses that came, this problem's been going on for a very, very long time. I don't appreciate that we get singled out because we voted no make voting no, did not change anything. Our job was to raise concerns and we raised those concerns that people and experts had. And if you didn't wanna listen to it, that is fine. You passed the resolution and public safety still has not changed. So stop blaming us for that. I wanted to talk about EMS week next week, which, you know, we honor them and their theme this year is Improving outcomes together, which I hope we'll all do together. I look forward to a proclamation for that. Speaker 3 00:36:59 And I wanna thank you in advance. If you do do a proclamation for that on May 27th, we will be celebrating it. The Muslim neighbors. If you are curious about what is eid, the MCMC is hosting a program for the community on May 18th. Check out their flyer on the township website and you'll be able to register and go learn more about Eid. Lastly, my son's in the high school, they have this amazing jazz under the Star concert. Next week on May 21st, it's open to the public. You can buy tickets at the door. Please come and check out. It's a beautiful event. We sit outside, enjoy beautiful music played by amazing kids and musicians. So thank you Speaker 1 00:37:49 Councilman rn. Speaker 7 00:37:51 No comment at this time. Speaker 1 00:37:53 Mayor Speaker 4 00:37:55 Can't let it go. What Councilman Rasheed said, first of all, at that meeting, they brought their supporters out at the mic and they were saying this was fake news or AI generated. Yes, they were. Most certainly do we have to go to the videotape? And you sat there, took pictures up there afterwards and were gleefully laughing about it. And it's all factual. And yes, the crime was going on for a year prior to that. We've been working with, with the motel operators to get their act together and then they were not working with us. And then we have to do things. That's what happens at this governing body sometimes. And till to this day online, your supporters, the two of your supporters out there are out saying that this is all fake news or AI generated crime. It's not. AI doesn't create stabbings. AI doesn't create rapes, prostitution, drug dealing. You think it's a game. One of your major supporters up there just got up there and said, this was something out of a Batman movie. That we were making this up even though the business owners and people and the employees were directly affected by that came here and told you their stories and saw the video and you still don't believe it. I, I'm just stunned at that Speaker 4 00:39:18 And I will keep talking about this issue till we get that straightened out. Speaker 1 00:39:24 Business Administrator. Speaker 11 00:39:26 Thank you Council president. I'm just gonna announce my name based on the compliance with the new A DA regulations. This is Paula Elli. First, I just would like to point out letter L in the agenda, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. That grant is in honor of an officer who was murdered protecting a witness in a drug case. So I just would like to point that out as it's appropriate that we're recognizing police week and an officer lost his life, protecting a witness. So I just wanted to bring some meaning to what that letter meant. I also would like to provide an update regarding the ecological park. As you might have seen, there's probably about a hundred truckloads of contaminated soil being moved out of that area. We are wrapping that up. Next month you will see a change order. Some of those soils had to be moved to a different location. Speaker 11 00:40:33 So in order to move soils contaminated with different contaminants, you cannot necessarily just bring them to a landfill. Any landfill. You have to get permission to do that. And what has happened is, during this remediation, we've had to move truckloads of soil to a totally different landfill very far away. That requires a lengthy permitting process in order for that to take place. And not only that, it has increased the cost of the remediation, which I'm asking you to please recognize a change order. There is no choice. We need to remove these contaminants. People think it's farmland, but farmlands used chemicals, they had repairs there, all sorts of activities occurred. They were allowing Speaker 1 00:41:19 Dumping there Speaker 11 00:41:20 And, and yes, and dumping. So we are in the process of cleaning up this set approximate 75 acre contaminated site. Now the whole thing is not contaminated, it's about 10%. However, that 10% requires time and attention permitting and whatnot. However, I'm happy to say we're moving forward. And with that change order we'll continue moving forward and we're gonna move into phase two. Phase two will include capping or putting asphalt or parking lots. That's part of the remediation where you're allowed to cap some of the areas that the DDEP regulations allow us to do. We're also gonna move into the permitting process for retention basins. There's a tremendous need for management, drainage management. These retention basins, both of them will be somewhere on the order of eight to $9 million to install. The permitting process is anywhere from six months to a year. So, and not that I wanna bring up challenges, but I just want to explain that this process isn't something that, you know, when one wants to go build a house, you know, you, you have plans that it's built. Speaker 11 00:42:29 There are a tremendous amount of rules and regulations. And unfortunately these rules and regulations change while we're in the middle of the process. So sometimes that will halt our progress. But regardless, this township is continuing to move forward. And I would be remiss to say that before we started remediation, our DPW folks in 2021 spent a considerable amount of time removing cement debris and everything that saved a tremendous amount of money. They did an excellent job. So that's where we're at right now. I anticipate that we're going to, we just met with the engineers that we're gonna be moving into phase two soon. They're looking into permitting and hopefully maybe we might be able to circumvent some of those rules and regulations so we can continue moving into phase two. So that is moving along. I'm happy to say that I would like to pro provide an update with respect to our solar program. Speaker 11 00:43:27 When, when municipal governments and other agencies were allowed to receive tax federal tax incentives, this township is going to be submitting its tax return for just over $5.2 million in receipt for our solar project from the federal government. We hired a, you, you all authorized a specialized accounting firm to process this tax return. So we very strongly expect to receiving $5.2 million probably somewhere between July and September. I also would like to, what was the other thing I wanted to talk about? Oh, of course. So it also was public service week, the beginning of May. So I would like to say thank you to all of my colleagues who work very hard and do a lot with their heart. And sometimes a lot we don't get to see, but I know what they put into it. I, I try to make every effort to recognize the efforts and appreciate what our employees do every day. Speaker 11 00:44:34 My phone is around the clock, you know, and, and so is theirs and we're here for our residents. So I just would like to say thank you with a little special shout out to Maria Camera. If you notice in our courtyard there's beautiful flowers. And at the side entrance, Maria on her day off, went to Home Depot, bought all those flowers and soil and took time to plan all that. I just wanna thank her for that. And yes, and the other thing is, is I hope everyone joins the Memorial Day parade. Unfortunately, I love marching in the parade. I can't, I will be outta town. But I will wish everyone well and I will be thinking about those who have served our country. Thank you. Speaker 4 00:45:17 Council president. I just wanna highlight what Mr. Elli said about the tax credits those came about from the initiative. Mayor Boic of Elizabeth and myself approached Senator Brooker and Congressman PLN as well as other mayors around the country that when they were doing the deficit reduction Act, that Townsend City should be able to take advantage of these tax credits that we weren't allowed to in the past. So they were able to put that in the language when it was signed in at that time by President Biden. So now we are, we are $5.2 million ahead of where we were gonna be because of those federal tax credits, which means less money that the taxpayers have to pay out here locally. So Speaker 12 00:46:00 Thank you. Speaker 6 00:46:01 Thank you. May I ask a question about the Edward by Justice and thank you for the background on that. Is that so where I know where is that money going to be used? I know last meeting we talked about maybe getting some frameworks and networks together to provide support for families. Where is, where is that money go? That 11,000? Speaker 11 00:46:25 That specific grant is used by the police department and honestly, I I I don't know the specifics of the parameters of the use. They're going to be sending an MOU with respect to delineating exactly how that money is to be spent. So what, what happens to this? It's a reimbursable grant. So the township is able to expend the funds and then, and then we ask for it in reimbursement. Thank you. I don't know off the top of my head though to answer your question, but it's, it's okay. Speaker 4 00:46:53 Well there's like four or five different prongs that you can use it for Speaker 11 00:46:56 But it, it will be spent by the police department. Speaker 6 00:46:58 Okay, great. Thank you so much Carmichael. Speaker 13 00:47:04 Thank you Madam President. I did have a comment that I wanted to make. I actually wanted to give an update at our last meeting. There was discussion about findings of testing from the lower RR in a water project and that I had not done anything about it or I didn't care about it. So I just wanted to clarify that. I did talk to the group who did the testing and I did ask them to contact the Middlesex County Environmental Health Division. That did not happen. So after the meeting, I called up the Middlesex County Environmental Health Division, asked if the issue had been brought to them and they said no, but they would test Riverside Park and they would monitor it and then they would get back to us. And so that is the process that we are in right now. So I just wanted to clarify. That's what I have done. Thank you. Speaker 1 00:48:06 Thank you for that update councilwoman. And now I think I am the final comments. Speaker 1 00:48:14 Okay. I would like to personally thank Doreen PO POI for her coordination in the Piscataway cleanup day that we had. It was a very, very well attended event and I believe that many residents got all of our parks clean. And one of the things that I like to do, why I like to do it, is to try to teach the youth and the younger generation the importance of the environment around them and the importance of keeping it clean. And I have to say, one mom came up to me and specifically said that to me, I am here today to teach my children about keeping their community clean and the environment. So if I made a difference in one family teaching their children this, it was worth it for me. So it was a great day. It was, I wanna thank everybody who came and helped me that day and I'll continue to do that if it has an impact on our young, young youth of the Piscataway. Yes. Speaker 8 00:49:30 Yeah, there was a couple of soccer teams there, youth soccer teams. There were probably eight or nine per team that attended. So that's 18 kids that love and they also attended last year's and the years before. So they, they make it a a routine. So that's only going to increase when years to come. I've also talked to some of the residents that attended to that notion. Absolutely. The kids are having fun doing it, learning as they're doing. I have a little section for myself teaching 'em how to pick up the garbage as a test. So they enjoy that so they make it fun. So it was, it was a great day, great weather by the way. And it was probably one of the, the most well attended years. So actually, Speaker 1 00:50:11 I don't know PO before COVID we were in the five hundreds. Yep. Speaker 8 00:50:18 But yes, it was a great turnout. Yeah. Speaker 14 00:50:20 As we step Speaker 1 00:50:22 Also, I would like to remind everybody that our fireman's memorial is coming up this Thursday. Okay. Out at the monument on the, across the street there at seven o'clock. So anyone wishing to attend the Fireman's memorial please come out next Thursday and we will now move to number the agenda session for the June 11th council meeting there on that ordinance. Second reading, amending chapter three, police regulations Section 29 nuisances open to the public resolution adopting ordinance. That will be the second reading of that on it also will be a resolution authorizing the renewal of liquor licenses for 20 26 20 27. License term. Also on that agenda will be a resolution authorizing re award of contract for 2026 street tree replacements. Sunset Creations Incorporated not to exceed $175,640 resolution. Awarding a refund of picnic picnic fees. Renee McMillan. And a motion to accept the council meeting minutes for March 12th and April 14th, 2026. I'm sure there will be more to follow at this point. Do we wanna, Speaker 6 00:51:57 We're gonna test the zoom. Okay. I'm gonna un unmute someone who's gonna be testing for me. Unfortunately the zoom is not still not functioning so you can go ahead with the in-person. Speaker 1 00:53:04 Thank you for that update. We will now open to the public for the in-person attendees. Everyone that would like to speak can come up to the mic at this point please be advised you have three minutes. Please state your name and address. You have three minutes to state what you have to say. Speaker 15 00:53:40 58. Curtis. Good evening. All disabled veteran. Nice to see you people. You look great. Stelton Curtis. They finished the pothole over there. Something is being done every year. Every year. At least this time they picked up half the debris they left from last year half. I thank you very much for cleaning up Mansfield and seventh. Thank you. Now I can see the oncoming traffic coming down seventh. Seventh and Curtis is an issue. It's been going on a long time. There's also a blind spot over there. But all of a sudden I looked up the corner and I see maybe a half a million dollars in equipment over there, but scatter away equipment and maybe 50 man hours. Just, Speaker 0 00:55:08 Are Speaker 15 00:55:08 You done that? No. Speaker 0 00:55:09 Oh. Speaker 15 00:55:16 The issue is, it's like what happened across the street from my house last year when they came over there and opened up a job, a storm drain and just left it there for six months. And when you called up they say, oh, there was no work order for the continuation. How can I be? You open up, you pick up the storm drain, you leave, you leave it wide open and you put cones around it. You don't come back for six months. Ton it all those man hours and not one of them looked 25 meters away down the road. I'm encourag to see that other pothole been there for years. That corner between seventh and Washington, it's a diagonal corner. It's a very narrow street. Nobody could turn onto it very easily. It's tough. The corners have to be set back and paint the curbs so that nobody parks on those two corners. Too dangerous. Speaker 1 00:56:45 Thank you, sir. Are you almost done? Speaker 15 00:56:48 Thank you. Speaker 1 00:56:48 Thank you. Speaker 0 00:56:55 Before Speaker 16 00:56:56 I begin, I would Speaker 0 00:56:56 Like to handle it. Thank you. Speaker 6 00:57:03 I just wanted to make a statement to the people that are listening on Zoom. Although you can hear us, we cannot hear you in the room through the zoom, which is why we did a test with someone that was on Zoom and we could not hear them. And that is why we are doing the in-person open to the public portion. So unfortunately our zoom is down. Even if you could hear the test yourself, we can't hear you in the room. Thank you. Speaker 1 00:57:32 Good evening. Good evening. State your name and address. Good Speaker 16 00:57:35 Evening, Mayor Wahler and member of the council. My name is Aya Dammed and I live at 3 9 9 Highland Avenue. I'm standing here tonight alongside my neighbors to raise my profound concern regarding the proposed 83 unit development on the Miss Macedonia property. Located within the Highland Avenue, Roosevelt Avenue, Ludlow Street and Debris Drive. Our residential pocket is at immediate risk of becoming a permanent grid log zone. This proposed 83 unit development is established estimated to add 120 to 160 new vehicles to our immediate street. Our existing street parking is already completely at capacity. To see the reality of this situation, I only need to, we only need to look at what happens every single week in the neighborhood. As I show, as the, as shown in the handout I passed on the photograph, our streets are already overwhelmed on any given Sunday cars line up, bumper to bumper along the car, entirely filling the available street parking just to accommodate our active local congregation. Speaker 16 00:58:42 The existing infrastructure is already, you know, operating at absolute maximum capacity. Vehicle must park tightly along narrow residential roadway, leaving zero room for error. The existing con congestion compound drastically during school hours. And major educational event within the, within the tight two block radius. Our neighborhood is home to two schools, MLK and AKA as as well as four active charges. Look at the second photograph taken directly along the school hours. You'll see a school bus trapped in a long queue of vehicles, unable to navigate smoothly because of the road is completely choked when the school bus is stuck, is stuck in gridlock right next to the line of oncoming cars. It creates an incredibly unsafe traffic environment. Speaker 17 01:08:04 And unfortunately some of those people are, even the school buses, as others have stated, a three story 83 unit building is being considered to invade our neighborhood. A building of that magnitude just does not fit. Can you imagine, can you imagine the number of cars that building will produce? Well if you have 83 units and two cars, that's 166 cars, where are they going to park? How will the fire trucks get by or even ambulances in an emergency. This will also produce massive pandemonium for parents and buses daily. This will be a nightmare for our children walking to and from school. And the traffic will be out of control to say the least. I attended Martin Luther King and Kama Speaker 2 01:18:09 The first matter. That's just, that's code enforcement. He, he must have been applying for a, a certificate of continued compliance for his rental property. I I do remember seeing some emails about that with pet and Ben in terms of just making sure it's up to code because we like to make sure that the properties are, are in safe condition and proper condition for our guys, for the tenants in town, please property, Speaker 1 01:18:33 Please let, let him respond please. Speaker 2 01:18:35 The, the other item, I don't know who Michael Stein is. I just Googled him. He's a Paman Stein that I don't think that has any affiliation. He Speaker 1 01:18:45 Works with Ben works with. Speaker 2 01:18:46 He works with Ben? Yes. Okay, so, so then it must be in another code enforcement matter with your, with your fence. You've gotta comply with like everybody else in town you've gotta comply with with township Codes. Codes and ordinances. You Speaker 9 01:18:58 Guys, the fence is over drain as well. I won the case. Why was the, again, notice sent. Speaker 1 01:19:04 Thank you sir. Speaker 9 01:19:05 And again, with this, all this affordable housing, one thing I'll tell you, this is what you guys have done is just total this. We are a suburban town and you know what, if people want to convert the suburban town, Speaker 1 01:19:15 Thank you sir. Speaker 9 01:19:16 In New York City, Speaker 18 01:19:29 Doretta Gray, three 18 River Crest Drive, welcome. The Macedonia piece of property is not very large and a big apartment building is not appropriate. The buildings that are put there should be properly sized so that there's the right amount of parking for the people who are going to live there so that they fit in with the community. I live on River Crest Drive near the corner where Ludlow, where King School is. I see all the traffic that comes in the buses and the kids are walking. I can't imagine putting another 160 cars right nearby. In addition, at the end of my street, we're having 16 units townhouses put in and of course everybody has more than one car. So we're talking another 30 cars also right by Akamak School. So I really disagree with having a very large apartment building put in a small piece of land under a, an acre. As I understand. Speaker 1 01:20:39 Thank you for your comments. Speaker 0 01:20:41 Thank you Speaker 13 01:20:47 Madam President. May I, may I comment on that? Speaker 1 01:20:51 We're closing the public portion. Okay. Speaker 4 01:20:54 I just before Councilman Speaker 1 01:20:57 Hang on. Hang on. We're not done. Well come on Curtis. Speaker 19 01:21:02 I'm getting old please. Curtis Grubb. 1750 West third Street. Couple things and I'll get serious. Are you gonna give the bike helmets? You gonna give bike helmets away at the book? They yeah, we give them away. New York did. Yep. Okay. I'm here on behalf of Hazelwood again. I have a few of my neighbors here. We we need some clarification, right? I asked for a favor last month favor was never done. Speaker 2 01:21:32 Really? Speaker 19 01:21:33 Never. Speaker 2 01:21:33 All right. I'll follow up on it. I did, I did. Speaker 19 01:21:35 It's no, no more follow up. We're gonna put a pen in this now. Whatever we gotta do to stop it, we're gonna stop it. 'cause I talked to Peter in engineering. He tells me one thing. This is getting done, this is getting done. I talk to my neighbors, they tell me what they get and what they're doing. There's no sidewalks here. This is not getting done. This is supposed to get done. No one. I asked you to do what I asked you and that was over a month, two, three weeks ago. And here we are again. So whatever I gotta do to stop this with the help of my neighbors, I'm going to do, Speaker 4 01:22:16 If I can give a update, Hazel. Speaker 2 01:22:18 Yeah, I was gonna, it's, it's regarding the road permits. I I did follow up and we actually have a meeting tomorrow anyway, so I did follow up with, with my coworker who's actually leading a lot of the road projects for me. He was meant to do reach outs and, and work with the engineering department. I will follow up personally this time. I, I'll make sure it's in my, in my task list, but we'll, but we'll chat. So, and we'll make sure everything's taken care of here. Oh yeah. So if anybody has any questions after the meeting come up and we can chat. So, and, and make sure your questions are a result. Thank you. Speaker 19 01:23:02 Hi, my name is Jeff Williams, 1 5 5 Park Speaker 20 01:23:04 Avenue. I just wanna also talk about this Macedonia project. This does not belong in our neighborhoods. As many people have stated before, the parking is atrocious Now I live on Park Avenue, I see the parking. These isn't even from houses that have driveways. People are already parking in the streets. It's going to create a dangerous situation on a piece of property that should not be allowed to be built in a residential neighborhood. I will reference, I go work at Rutgers, I go down Mitchell Avenue and, and please bear this in mind. I have no problem with the Muslim community. But when they park on Mitchell Avenue, when they're having worship, and like I said, I have no problem with that. I have absolutely no problems. You should see the danger it creates 'cause they park on the street. 'cause it's not designed for that sort of parking. Speaker 20 01:24:04 And you have a hard time seeing you get to the end of Mitchell. You can't see around the corners. People are throwing doors open on a very narrow street that shouldn't have parking on it anyway. And people park there. You're gonna have the same situation or if you allow this to be built, we also have the same situation. If you go by the vo-tech where Edison put up housing and they allowed the parking on the street, you can barely get down that street with two cars there because it is really not designed for that. So just like my neighbors, I'm not against affordable housing. I think affordable housing should be available to people. I think that's a right. But you really need to reconsider building this on a piece of property that is not designed for that. It's too small and it's a residential neighborhood and you should not allow this to go forward. Speaker 20 01:24:57 We have spoken, we know how these things work. I mean, you know, we have council people who come in the neighborhood and they wanna walk and they want to get reelected. But you know what? You're not looking out for us. You are not looking out for us. And we will vote you out. You know, you're, you're good for showing, you're good for showing up at at events and you know, I see a lot of you over at Macedonia and Zion Hill and all that, you know, but you need to look out for the residents there also. Thank you. Speaker 21 01:25:39 Good evening. My name is Dr. Rabbi Paki, 58 Lincoln Avenue. Welcome resident of New Jersey Piscataway. For last 26 years, my both kids went to Piscataway High School and we are extremely happy to live in Piscataway community. But as everybody else suggested, the place is too small for this proposed 83 unit building right now. Even right now, when you want to go to River Road or River Crest from our Lincoln Avenue or Mitchell or Park, we have to wait to get in the road for almost like five minutes in the morning. And imagine adding another 160 or 180 cars in next one to two year, whenever that building is supposed to be get done. So I urge everybody to reconsider the approach very, very seriously for the sake of our children, for ourselves. And when we grow old, we are going to have the same issue and which is not too far. So I really urge to consider this decision again. Thank you. Speaker 1 01:26:46 Thank you. Speaker 13 01:26:55 Hi, this is council. Speaker 1 01:26:56 I'm gonna hang on, I'm gonna close the public portion now. Thank you. Speaker 13 01:27:02 Thank you Madam President. This is Councilwoman Carmic, ward three. And I want to thank my neighbors in the Highland Park area. Highland Avenue area, where the proposed Macedonia project is being planned to be built. And I just want to tell you that I support you. I, I hear your concerns. We've talked, I understand the, the issue with the, the overcrowding, the parking, the schools, the children, the aesthetics, concerns of property values. And I support you wholeheartedly. And I look to the township to address your concerns and to listen to your input and come back with a plan that makes sense for your neighborhood and for Piscataway. And we all do, we all do support low income housing. Thank you. Speaker 1 01:28:00 Thank you. I'd like to thank everybody for coming out. It's nice to have concern for your neighborhood. Everyone should. That's what makes this town great. Thank you all for coming out and voicing your opinions. Speaker 4 01:28:21 Council president, I got a, the update on Hazelwood we're in the process, but he asked about, there's gonna be curbing from West fourth down, just a little bit past Pearl on the, on that side. And then it's gonna cross over by the park and then continue on the park side up to South Second Street. As a matter of fact, that'll probably be our 2026 local DOT aid project that we're gonna be doing. And a side note on Old New Brunswick Road, we're in the process of having a pre-construction meeting that's from a LU oil gas station to the 2 87 bridge that should be under construction starting in June. And the comments that the residents made out there by where that sighting is. I just wanna let the record reflect that this being jammed down our by a judge and our town is being sued by the developer across the street to build more high density housing in here in this town. Matter of fact, they want a total of almost 2,500 units to be built throughout the entire town. 25, every area. This community is gonna be effect of not just your neighborhood, but all over the town. We've been sued by high density housing advocates and the developer across the street. We had an agreement with the master of the court and then they stepped in, talked to the developer, he files a suit. He's looking for almost, what is it, Goomer, almost 2000 units out there. Some ridiculous number on Erickson property. Speaker 4 01:30:02 And that is part of the problem. So I would advise you start writing letters to Edgewood properties and also the judge that's handling this case, we'll be more than happy to give you notes to write that 'cause it's absolutely ridiculous. And the other thing is, they even had our public work shard scheduled for 150 units in the public work shard. Now I understand workforce development housing, but that's ridiculous by our salt farm. So this, this whole law is a bunch of nonsense that's being jammed down our town. And you even have a sitting council member up on the sta when they were sworn in. The first thing they did, they put a letter to the editor, a tap into saying they wanna see more high density housing being built in this town. Well guess what? We're being forced to build or zone four, not the town to build, but to zone for over 2,500 units in town, 2,500. Speaker 5 01:30:57 Because that was never happy before normal. Speaker 1 01:31:02 Thank you. Speaker 14 01:31:05 Anything Speaker 1 01:31:06 On that note? I understand we're gonna close this meeting. Speaker 8 01:31:12 Council president, may I say something? Please go ahead. Council president. I would like to say a few words. This week someone decided to file a complaint to the ethics board re regarding a letter I sent January 5th, 2026 to the residents informing them of an ordinance that some of our council members here have passed to help stop pop-up parties around the neighborhood in Piscataway. I just wanted to reiterate that I will continue to inform Piscataway residents Power Township is there to support their concerns, especially when their safety is at risk. Now, I've never met this person who actually made the complaint and I'm wondering why they never came to me first unless they had a separate agenda. Okay, so just wanna, some of our council members here, we take public safety, especially with our residents. Very, very serious. And we're gonna continue doing that and I'm going to continue doing my job and keeping the neighborhood safe. Thank you. Speaker 6 01:32:12 Thank you. If I can remark please. I totally appreciate the ability to communicate with our neighbors on township letterhead with township resources. When I inquired about the policy and procedures to have the same access that a fellow council member had, I was informed that the mayor has the discretion to determine the resources that different council members are allowed to access. And so I totally appreciate we should all have equal access to communicate with our members. Mr. Espinoza is a ward based council member. I am a council member at large. That is the concern. Speaker 8 01:32:56 I'm sorry, but the letter, the ethics letter that went out was, was really based on me sending the letter that that was it Exactly. Speaker 6 01:33:05 Correct. This is the process we should all have access and Speaker 8 01:33:09 But that wasn't the concern. The concern was that I sent the letter That, that that was, that was it. Speaker 4 01:33:15 Thank you. Let let's lay the cards on the table here today please. That, that charge that's being leveled against coun Councilman Espinoza is really to tarnish his lookup on Google. It had nothing to do with the merits. And that's his standard political practice of opponents to try to tarnish the individual school search. And that's what this is all about. Speaker 6 01:33:35 Right? Well, during a campaign, there are lots of tactics that are used by lots of groups that is quite obvious. Speaker 2 01:33:44 Council president, if I, as this is brought up, I just wanted to correct what I've, what I've been told or, and seen out there is some misinformation. I wanted to provide the procedure that would, that would happen if a Board of Ethics complaint is received for the council. And essentially if a complaint is received, the Board of Ethics, by, by the town of code has 30 days to recognize the complaint. At that point, then they would review the complaint and any other submissions that are made. And, and then they would determine, based on the factual nature of the matter, whether it's deemed sufficient to even initiate an investigation or not. Where we're still in the preliminary stages, we've just received a complaint. I understand the Board of ethics has not provided notice of receipt yet, but there is no ongoing investigation. I understand there's, I I saw posts about that, that Councilman Espinosa is being investigated. A a file complaint is not an investigation. So I just wanna make that clear to the council. The, the process will go as, as the board of ethics deems it to go. But right now we're in the preliminary stages of a complaint's being filed and that's all we're at. Speaker 4 01:34:59 It's interesting to note that it was only targeted against the only Hispanic council member on the day. Right. Speaker 14 01:35:05 Thank you for that. Speaker 6 01:35:07 It's also interesting to note that we are one of the few towns in the state that have our appointed ethics board versus passing out that to a less influential system. Many, many townships actually outsource their ethics boards. Speaker 4 01:35:24 You're wrong on that Speaker 6 01:35:25 To less direct. Okay. The involved members. But this's a discussion for another day. Thank you. Speaker 1 01:35:31 We're gonna end this meeting this evening. We are gonna adjourn this meeting and as we end our meeting, let's remember what Memorial Day truly stands for. The heroes who never made it home, we honor them, we thank them, and we hold their families in our hearts. Have a good evening everyone. This meeting is adjourned.