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>> in compliance with the open public meeting act of the state of new jersey on january 12,

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2025, adequate notice of this meeting was provided as required by law.

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additionally, this meeting is being digitally recorded and live streamed on the somerset county website.

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for public access, please email your questions to county board meeting at somerset county and j.gov. Director?

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>> please rise for the pledge of allegiance and remain standing for reflections.

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>>

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>> may we continue to be the leaders of somerset county,

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committed to excellence and innovation in public service, promoting the well being of all residents and communities by providing effective,

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efficient, and responsive leadership. Thank you. Welcome everyone

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to the october 28 work session of somerset county board of commissioners. This agenda and the items on and for discussion will be considered at our next meeting,

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which is scheduled for november 12. No action will be taken at this meeting,

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and unless the measure and its adoption are needed in a manner necessary to continue county business. Roll call, please?

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>> commissioner graner. >> here. >> commissioner drake. >> here. >> commissioner soe. >> here.

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>> deputy director mrano. >> here. >> director robinson. >> here. >> I have brief remarks to see we have several guests with us on this evening,

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so we will move right along. Thank you to paul kreseller and staff who planned

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setup and got the vendors together for our second annual veterans resource job at wellness fair.

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I was there with my granddaughter. We had a great time meeting the different vendors, speaking with veterans.

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thank you to vfw post 2290 in manville,

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for being our host location this year. They were very appreciative to have that opportunity,

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and will welcome us back again. I had the pleasure of putting my granddaughter to work and handing out

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challenge coins as a special token of appreciation from one veteran to another.

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we also attended our dinner in somerset that used to be catalin.

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they are a global provider for drug development and research and discovery services.

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it is one of the latest companies that are invested in somerset county.

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they purchased, again, from catalin back in last year or early part of this year.

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through those efforts, they were able to retain all 200 employees at that location.

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they are going to expand the facility with new labs and packaging capabilities,

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and they are a company that is based in belgium, and they chose to make somerset county their home.

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we also with the business partnership with somerset county tourism,

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they have been involved in fun engagement as we prepare for the fifa world cup of 2026,

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partnering with companies and other community partners.

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also, in preparation for the 250th, they have been filming throughout the county to showcase our historical sites.

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that has been completed. They have also sent increased usage and traffic on our kiosk.

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so as that kiosk and availability of tourism and information for

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somerset county goes as far as virginia up the east coast through the tri state area.

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so we appreciate all that they're doing and making sure that

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somerset county is getting the visibility it needs as we prepare for our nation's 250th,

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but also showcasing that somer state county is a great place to live,

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work, play, and visit. I don't think we have, see,

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our next meeting is november 12. So happy veterans day to all the veterans,

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and we'll see you. Deputy director. >> that's great. Thank you, director.

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good evening and welcome. Very busy past couple of weeks.

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administrator more and I participated in a team's call with

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senator andy kim and other elected officials to discuss the gateway rail project.

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specifically the rvl line, which boasts about 15,000 commuters daily.

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we were on the call with congresswoman pow, congressman menendez, administrator mar, four mayors,

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one from each of the counties, including rariton boroughs, mayor nick kara, to discuss what's going on, it's very confusing.

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throughout this conversation, the senator just kept saying, we need clarity.

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the president talked about terminating the gateway project,

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which would eliminate thousands of jobs, delay commuting times.

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for us on the rvl, me as a former commuter, that change of train in newark bogs down your whole life.

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it is a real damper on your family life. It takes you from your children.

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when the president of the united states said he was terminating the project,

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the senator is just trying to get us all to understand that he's trying

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to reach out to washington to figure out what some more clarity as to what's going on.

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in the meantime, the mayor's alliance is working hard on this. The county is involved with the mayor's alliance to keep fighting

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for the gateway project for all of us for that commutation ease.

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it is definitely a pet project of mine as a former commuter.

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so thank you to senator kim for keeping that on the docket.

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I also attended another pharmaceutical expansion here in somerset county.

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lupin expanded their footprint here in somerset county.

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they have a facility in somerset, franklin township right now,

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and they have expanded their office space in bridgewater, which is really awesome.

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they make generic drugs for predominantly respiratory illnesses.

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so we love having them there. The governor was there with us. So phil murphy was there for the ribbon cutting of the new office building.

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it was very lovely, and we're excited to have them grow and build their company here in somerset county.

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I also was invited to the bernards township, 250th planning committee meeting,

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and I got to tell you bernards is doing a phenomenal job of collaborating and coordinating with their businesses,

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their library, their community, their town, the county. So they are really getting prepped for the 250th anniversary.

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they've got december 10 through 15th of 2026,

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all getting ready now in the books for all kinds of activities. So pre christmas 2026,

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spend time in bernards township. I'm going to steal some of commissioner graner's thunder.

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we were at the art show reception together for the open air open space art show.

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so this is the second and a three part series. Last year was farm to frame,

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where we showcased our local artist to show our preserve farmland.

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this time, it was local artists showcasing preserved open space.

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I hope for those that are visiting the building tonight, you do take a little time on your way out and really admire some of this artwork.

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it's very, very lovely. Next year is use on history. It'll showcase our historic preservation locations.

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so that was really, really great. 30 artists, 12 parks. Also with commissioner graner,

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we had the fun time of the launch of the montgomery township inclusive playground.

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part of the funds for that playground came from recreation grants through

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the open space program. It was phenomenal.

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I have never been at a ribbon cutting. Where I saw such eager faces to get in there.

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the mayor would not let any children play until we had the official ribbon cutting.

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am I wrong, liz? They were like, cheering. I thought I was on a disney movie like.

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so it gave my heart some joy to know that our funding is going into the right places,

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and our children in the county are really loving what we're doing.

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also with commissioner graner. We went to the sommer strong 5k and 10k race at duke island park this past saturday.

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that was to support the philippine nurses association and their philanthropic works that they do with that fund raising.

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and also with commissioner graner. We went to the duali celebration at the blagi temple in bridgewater.

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they had a lot of wonderful dancers, all ages and speeches.

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it was a lovely time. I thank the temple and their chair people for the gracious invitation to welcome us.

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as the director said, veterans day is coming up. We do have a ceremony in our plaza right outside on veterans day at 11:00 am.

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so it's easy, 11:11 at 11. Everyone is welcome to come.

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last but not least, our public works had their shred event, 01,111 cars, and our household hazardous waste had 767 cars.

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that concludes my report. >> thank you, deputy director morono,

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and I appreciate your advocacy, too, as I serve on the njtpa board or

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the north jersey transportation and planning authority to make sure that we continue to advocate for gateway and the hunter bridge flyover,

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which will alleviate a lot of that bottlenecking that occurs within our transportation system.

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we had a freight initiatives committee meeting on the njtpa.

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what's nice, we have presentations. This meeting, we had a presentation on technology in free.

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our speaker was matt soul, the founder and ceo of parallel systems,

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a company developing autonomous battery electric rail vehicles.

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parallel technology enables railroads to expand market share

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by improving service quality, flexibility, and reach.

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the system works alongside of traditional transits, complements existing operations, and integrates with rail,

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physical, and digital infrastructure. Matt has more than 20 years of experience developing

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advanced technologies within established industries and aerospace.

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he had lead roles in development teams and certifications of

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the world's first autonomous autonomous flight termination system,

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hazard analysis, and risk mitigation for an spacecraft and air force certification of reasonable rockets.

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we had a wealth of information, which we were able to use to make further decisions on that board,

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and that's $3 billion of federal funding that we appropriate for infrastructure and planning throughout the northern part of new jersey.

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later on this evening, I am proud to say that I will be attending right after this, of course,

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a dinner for the adult day center, and they will be honoring laura de prato,

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and anyone who has met laura knows that she is a breath of fresh air and can light up a room.

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this year's recipient of the steve caliper community leadership award.

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anyone who also met steve understands that his energy was he had that personality that was bigger than life.

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I couldn't think of a better person to be receiving this. She's a trailblazer and ceo journalist and horticultural therapy practitioner

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whose work has transformed lives across all ages and abilities from cancer patients and

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caregivers to senior citizens and memory care and individuals in recovery.

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laura's nature based programs brings healing, hope, and connection to our community.

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her impact reaches far beyond programming. Laura has championed horticultural therapy through advocacy,

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education, and public service, including launching adc's own horticultural therapy initiatives in

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2012 and authorizing legislation that established the new jersey horticultural therapy week in 2015.

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so I just want to express deep gratitude and appreciation

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for all the work that she's done throughout our community. For veterans day around the corner,

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while we're in person here, I thank all our veterans for their service to give us a life that we have today. Thank you.

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>> thank you, commissioner. Last week,

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I attended a workshop hosted by department of human services,

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the department of health, and the richard hall halth and wellness center. It certainly was an incredible meeting discussion

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as the program embarks on a new program with a goal of harm reduction.

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this program includes a fully equipped mobile van and substance use counselors

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who are looking to bring support directly to those who need it. We use data from the county to identify hot spots or activity centers,

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and nine municipalities were identified as places really to focus our energies.

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we want to thank all those who came out to this workshop, including representatives from many of the municipalities, police,

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business administrators, and several mayors came out really to discuss this important topic.

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we look at harm reduction. It's important to understand what it is.

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harm reduction is rooted in respect, compassion, and the belief that every person deserves dignity, safety,

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and the opportunity to make positive changes at their own pace and in their own time.

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it's about meeting people where they are, not where we wish they were,

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and working together to reduce the negative consequences of drug use, stigma, and isolation.

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in our county, we've seen 399 overdoses from january 1 through september 30 of this year.

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a number that touches every part of our community, from families to schools to emergency responders,

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27 of that 399 overdoses resulted in a fatality.

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>> seventy percent of those fatalities were attributed to the use of fentanyl.

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we can look at 27 people who basically died from the use of drugs.

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but behind each number is a person, someone's child, a friend, a neighbor.

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harm reduction invites us to respond not just with the policy, but with humanity.

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a few months ago, our research for recovery outreach workers connected with someone who had overdosed multiple times.

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through harm reduction, access to narcan, safe use education, and a trusted connection.

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that person is now in treatment and rebuilding their lives. Stories like this show that harm reduction isn't about enabling drug use.

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it's about keeping people alive long enough to have a chance to heal and to recover.

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really, that's my message for today, but it's end of my report. Thank you. >> thank you, commissioner drake.

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it looks like the supplemental nutrition assistance program, otherwise known as snap benefits for november 2025 will not be available on november 1st.

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this delay directly impacts 11,480 active snap

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recipients in the county and places an enormous strain on our existing food access infrastructure,

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which includes two primary food banks, eight food pantries across locations throughout the county,

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and 30 total food access sites plus six senior wellness centers.

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the somerset county food coalition convened an emergency meeting yesterday to address this.

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as in past crises, the county through coordinated efforts with our oem and

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somerset county community organizations active in disaster or sc-coad,

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is mobilizing community support and urges residents, businesses, and community groups to support this effort by volunteering or donating.

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a list of local food banks can be found on the county website.

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furthermore, we call on our schools to take the crucial step of ensuring that all eligible students are enrolled in

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free or reduced price meal programs to ease the financial burden on families.

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by coming together, we can ensure that no one in somerset county goes hungry during this period of uncertainty.

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the county sent a letter to the mayors and business administrators in all 21 municipalities,

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making sure they understand the implications and resources, and another letter to the somerset county business partnership

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asking for private sector assistance with donations or food drives. Medicare open enrollment runs until december 7th.

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if you have a prescription plan part d or a medicare advantage plan, now is the time to review your coverage.

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the state health insurance assistance program or ship offers free confidential and unbiased guidance

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from experts to help with these critical decisions. You could call them at 908-704-6319 or email at

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ship@somersetcountynj.gov to schedule an appointment before slots fill up.

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the somerset county department of human services, along with the prosecutor's office and educational.

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partners hosted author and speaker matthew boci for over 500 students on october 8th and 9th.

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boci known for his memoir sway, shared his powerful decade long journey of overcoming

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the trauma of losing his father on 9/11 addiction, depression, and ptsd.

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his mission is to reduce the stigma of addiction and mental health and inspire others to seek support.

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workforce development, this healthcare sector is facing a critical need for workers.

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tomorrow, the greater riden workforce development board is teaming up with the state department of labor to host

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a discussion about certified home healthcare careers from 1:00-2:25.

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residents who are eligible for temporary assistance for needy families, general assistance or snap are invited to free computer skills classes provided by

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the digital equity training program in partnership with the workforce development board of northwest new jersey.

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collaboration with zufall health, there will be a fast track to interview workshop on november 19th in morristown.

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you could see a list of high demand positions with competitive salaries and opportunities for advancement.

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for more information, visit online at thegerwdb.org.

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over at rvcc, the county college is one of

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four new jersey colleges invited to nashville for a two-day event concerning short-term workforce credentials.

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the rvcc foundation had a record fund raising year so far,

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raising over $2 million. Most of the funds are for student scholarships as critical need as

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both federal and state agencies begin to cut student financial aid programs.

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because of changes at the us department of education, many of our fafsa applications have been rejected.

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there are now no officers to help resolve the situation. As a result, rvcc faces a federal shortfall of well over $1 million,

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but as dr. Mcdonough, the president of the college reports, the college will continue to serve students,

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including those who are most vulnerable. Healthier somerset discussed the funding challenges that

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many community-based organizations are experiencing for instance,

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snap ed lost funding and is no longer able to support the farmers protos program.

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rwjh somerset is coordinating the remaining distribution for the fall.

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the coalition also acknowledged the pending changes to snap and wic coming this saturday.

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the food insecurity and healthy eating committee, along with the county are working on plans to address

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potentially increased gables usage of food banks. Now, finally, on public health and safety.

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since our last meeting, the oem has responded to 29 calls for response coordination and

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support within the county and provided support through mutual aid to surrounding counties three times.

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in addition, they provided support and coordination to one large planned event within the county.

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the training academy held 67 classes for fire ems, oem,

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and/or law enforcement since october 14 to include the emr or

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emergency medical responder class run for votex on site for the location for student credit.

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thank you, madam director. >> thank you. We will now move on to citations for our state senior art show winners.

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>> oh, thanks. >> can I have our senior artists come on up, please?

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I'm so happy to see you guys again. We've got four.

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I've got vamalia, and

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waltron and milt, and leo cardia.

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milt. Are our other two artists here, bolin?

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there you go. Come on up. Aaron column.

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I thought they were coming. She didn't make it. I'll just hang on to that on the side.

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well, these three artists were participated in our somerset county art shows.

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if you ever have time, and you want to see some great art,

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this county building in that gallery, as you enter through the parking garage always has phenomenal artworks.

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you don't have to go into new york city to see great art. You can come right here to somerset county when the buildings open and admire.

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our current display, as I was just talking about, was about our open space preservation,

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but prior to that was our senior art show.

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are you vamalia. Oh,

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did we get that one? We didn't know you were coming. So hang on.

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we'll get it. Do you can come on up, though. No, sir. Come on up. We're going to get your paperwork.

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we weren't aware you were coming, so come on up. But these senior artists do great work.

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come on. I swear I'm okay.

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these four are being recognized tonight because they went to

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the state competition and each won an award at the state level.

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I'd love you to give them a wonderful somerset county round of applause.

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[applause] I'm so proud. Do any of you want to say a couple of quick words?

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would you like to say a couple of quick words?

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>> it was a pleasure. >> are we unanimous it was a pleasure?

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I know this isn't you, but let's just fake that it's yours.

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we're going to shift down for a photo. Oh, we got yours. It's coming. We don't even have to fake it.

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thank you so much. Come on down, so we're centered with that seal.

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[applause]

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>> we have a few communications, one from new jersey american water company.

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notice of filing for approval of reconciliation and proposed surcharge for special program charge recovery period.

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county clerk notice of fees collected for somerset county for

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september 2025 in the amount of $4,947,058.14.

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at this time, we will ask that our senior engineer,

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matt looper come up to do a presentation.

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>> thank you, director. Good evening. As you can see, from the powerpoint,

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I'm going to be giving a presentation about the washington valley park trail access and hawk watch entrance driveway.

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this is an ongoing project that's being undertaken by somerset county in the washington valley park,

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which is in our somerset county park commission owned properties.

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I'll give you an overview of the park, the purpose and needs of this project, and then a comprehensive overview of the design process.

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behind me is adam slutsky assistant county engineer, and peter bond from tnm associates,

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who was the design engineer for this project.

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washington valley park, bridgewater township, 719 acres.

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it's lies on the first watchung ridge in bridgewater township. The park contains the former brown brook elizabethtown reservoir.

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that has become the focal point of the park along with a network of trails. The second largest park in somerset county,

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after the sourland mountain preserve, which is 6,000 acres. The next one being colonial park in franklin township at 685 acres.

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park is located in the first and second watchung mountains at the geographic center of somerset county.

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it consists of forest, open freshwater, wetlands, marshes,

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impressive rock outcroppings, numerous historic features, and a 21-acre reservoir.

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with more than seven miles of trails, they're great for hiking and some of the best mountain biking in the state of new jersey.

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in addition, the parks hawk watch area is one of the east coast premier locations to watch

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thousands of rafters migrate south every autumn. The body of water for the reservoir has a multitude of fishing opportunities.

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the park. You see two circles on this map.

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as I said before, it's over 700 acres. It has just two access points.

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to the west is that newman's lane, a well utilized entrance to the park at the western end,

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and to the east and the red circle on the right side of the diagram is an access point off voster avenue.

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this access point to the east is limited. It has limitations and has been targeted by somerset county since

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the 1997 master plan for this park for improvements and reiterated in

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2005 with our capital facilities plan as a target for improvement due to its limitations.

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this is our 1997 master plan for the washington valley park.

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you can see a few things called out here. This 28-year-old master plan shows the existing access on miller lane,

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pointed out on the top right. It also identifies potential future access drive

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through what is referred to as a future acquisition opportunity.

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it's that gray box on the right side of the diagram. This is 13 acres that the county acquired in 2014.

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the use of that property would be a future entrance to the park.

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in addition to that, you see what is known as the patullo property. It's two properties shown on here.

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most people are familiar with the one that we acquired in 2023,

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the 1.4 acre property known as patullo property. Previous to that is the 9.85 acre property,

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which was acquired in 2014.

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this is the 2005, somerset county park commission capital facility study.

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I've highlighted a few things on this document. It's a long document,

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but this particular page talks about the observations of washington valley park,

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and it talks about recommendations. Clearly states that we are looking to improve

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the parking and access drives to this property. Other observations on the top of the page,

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improve parking and walkway to the hawk watch. The hawk watch area has high visitation during peak times,

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and that mountain biking is a popular at the site. This is a lay of the land on the east side of the property.

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this diagram shows a few things. It shows going from left to right,

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the hawk watch area. It's the circle on the left side of the diagram.

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the associated parking lot, which is just to the east of it. You have the 1.4 acre property known as the patullo parcel,

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which was acquired in 2023. That parking lot is access to the hawk watch,

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the yellow and orange trails, the buttermilk falls, and the east branch reservoir.

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patullo property acquired in 2023. Although it's less than two acres,

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this property holds an incredible historic significance to the county and completed a major portion of washington valley park.

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lastly, to the right, you see miller lane. This red line is the access to this parking lot.

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vosseller road is to the east, the municipal roadway, and miller lane,

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which is a semi-private public driveway with seven residences to the north and

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the washington valley park to the south, shown in green. This is the access point to the entire east side of washington valley park.

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it's a narrow road, and I'll show you the next slide what it looks like.

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this is miller lane. It has private residences on the right side and north of the property, and for years,

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it's been a complaint of these private residences and officials from the county,

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about speeding vehicle accidents and the amount of traffic used in the park, utilizing this roadway, this narrow roadway, which is unsuitable.

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it has got improper site distance at its entrance at vosseller.

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it has all the complaints we just mentioned. We've known this for many years. We started to look at mitigation for this property.

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we added speed bumps in 2013 to miller lane to slow traffic down.

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we installed a new gate in 2018 to restrict traffic after hours due to the nuisances that occurred.

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all these were attempted mitigation measures to try to deal with the issues of miller lane.

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two cars maybe, but anything larger than a car, it's quite difficult.

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they have to pull over to the side.

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it's definitely very now as you can see in this picture.

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in 2023, because of these issues that we just mentioned, the county initiated a project to construct a new driveway entrance

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to the east side of washington valley park to replace this miller lane entrance driveway,

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and to deliver the commitments that were made by the 1997 washington valley park master plan and the 2005 capital facilities plan.

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the mission of it was to improve the access for the existing hawk watch, and the trails and all the amenities of this park.

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what we've shown here, it's a very similar diagram as the one, two slides ago.

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but what we're showing here is a schematic of the new driveway, not to scale or anything,

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but this is showing where the proposed driveway would be, going through that 13 acre acquisition that was done in 2000,

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which was proposed in 1998 for houses,

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11 homes were proposed there in 1998, and the county bought it in 2000. This new access driveway is going into the property and will connect with

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the existing miller lane access point well to the south of these private residences.

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what we've shown here is the existing red miller lane on the top of it that will remain in existence,

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obviously, for those property owners. Our plan is the dead end or code sac,

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the end of that property. The end of that road, and what was shown in blue is the existing driveway that we plan to remove.

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remove all the asphalt back to its natural state, plant some trees,

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maybe, but that's all tbd and not part of this project, but we're willing to do that, and we're going to do that.

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obviously, the purpose of this is to improve the access.

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this new driveway would alleviate all the congestion that happens on miller lane,

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alleviate all those nuisance complaints that we get from miller lane residences,

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and obviously the rest of the surrounding area.

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just to give you perspective, this is going back to the map of washington valley park.

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it's 719 acres, and that little green line to the east is this project.

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it encompasses a total of 2.14 acres. That's the limit of disturbance for this project,

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which is less than one third of 1% of the park size.

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what I'll go through now is a little overview of the design process.

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I'll go in chronological order just to make it easier. I'm going to go through a lot of documentation that we went through to get to this point.

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we started this design back in 2023. It was bid in 2025,

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and it is currently under construction due to be done in about eight weeks.

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the first item that we did was executed a contract with

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tina associates to design contract to start this process that happened in late 2023.

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it included field survey, environmental due diligence, culture resource survey,

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storm water management design, geotechnical, permit preparation, civil design,

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construction plan preparation, and bidding.

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our next item, which was done three months later, was a due diligence report done by tina associates. We did this.

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we conducted a wetlands delineation in late 2023, a site visit in march of 2024,

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in order to determine the presence or absence of wetlands and state open waters within the project area.

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based upon our site visit, the wetlands were not found in the project area. Finding of their assessment and mapping research found the project area to contain

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uplands and to be outside of a regulated floodplain.

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additionally, just last week on october 23, the njdep bureau of coastal land use

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compliance and enforcement conducted a site visit of our property, and the dep provided a verbal commitment that the project is not in regulated area,

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and therefore would not have triggered the requirement for a wetlands permit. The project is not located in a floodplain,

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and no freshwater lettins are impacted, and therefore, no land use permits from the dep or any federal agency were required.

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in addition, in this due diligence report, through site inspection, design research,

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the county's consultant determined that the site does not contain any known occurrences of endangered species.

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our next item, which was done in january of this year was a state historic preservation office chipo approval.

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as many of you know, this is a historically significant site. The project footprint extends into the bridgewater encampment historic property,

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which is listed not only in the new jersey register, but the national register of historic places.

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we knew this going into the project. It also falls within

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the archaeological site which contains a national register listed archaeological site.

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we did a phase 1a, a phase 2a, 2b, phase 1a, 1b,

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and a phase two archaeological survey was conducted for this project.

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this necessitated a submission of the application for project authorization under the new jersey register of historic places act,

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and this letter is the authorization for construction under the new jersey historic places act that was obtained by

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the ngatep historic preservation office on january second of this year.

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our next item, which was done just two weeks later was a coordination letter to the from the county to bridgewater.

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knowing that we've gotten through our due diligence, our shipo approvals,

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we're still working on storm water management, the county coordinated with the township of bridgewater.

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we sent a letter from our county administrator to the mayor of bridgewater. The letter stated this.

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the somerset county's plan to construct a new 1,500 foot long 20 foot wide pervious pavement entrance road to washington valley park this summer.

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access to the park from miller lane will be restricted once the new road is constructed.

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this new entrance road will separate traffic from the miller lane traffic, thereby alleviating speeding and traffic concerns along miller lane.

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the new entrance road will begin off foster lane, approximately 200 feet to the south of miller lane.

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the new entrance road will be increased site distance compared to miller lane, and therefore be safer.

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proposed access road alignment will follow an existing easement containing a water line to

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minimize tree clearing and allow maintenance access for the water company to the water line.

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an electric operator gate will provide an entrance to foster road, and no lighting or curbing is proposed.

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next, about a month later, I came before this board and received authorization to bid this project.

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it's a standard resolution that we do for all construction projects. The resolution states that it's authorizing plans and received a bid for this project.

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I just pause here on the whole on all of the documents. I just want to go through the actual design of the project a little bit here.

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this is showing our efforts to incorporate green infrastructure and post pavement design.

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what you see in this diagram is our cross section of our road. It's a 20 foot wide roadway.

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it's the narrowest roadway we can do with two way traffic. It shows the 10 foot wide lanes and the two foot grass shoulders.

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it shows the porous asphalt surface course, which is 2 inches thick,

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and two foot grass shoulders. It's our typical roadway section for this project.

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next. It's our five plan sheets. I'll go through these pretty quickly from west to east.

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this area in gray is the new road, it connects up at the western end of the project where miller lane is,

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you see that hashed area that is where miller lane comes from the top of the diagram to the south.

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this is where the new driveway meets the existing miller lane. This is a contract plan for the project.

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it represents the work that is necessary to accomplish the construction of this new driveway.

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everything you've seen in the next five slides shown in gray is the new driveway,

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01,500 feet long, 20 feet wide. It also shows a smooth design vertical profile with proper design grading.

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it is the area necessary to construct this driveway. It is limited to the greatest extent possible,

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in the most cost efficient and cost effective way. But everything within this limited disturbance

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defines the clearing site for this project. Everything necessary, but limited where

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possible is to be removed in order to construct this driveway.

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sheet two, simply shows the high point of the road.

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you can see the 20 foot wide roadway. As you can see, this gray area is the new driveway.

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as you can see, all trees and vegetation will need to be removed to construct this road.

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the driveway, along its 1,500 foot length and 20 foot width, could not be designed or constructed without

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all material being removed by the contractor, including all trees, brushes, sticks, rocks,

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and earth to ensure the proper grading of the driveway is achieved.

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it's our middle slide. It's three. This shows the straight section,

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and you can clearly see it starts coming down to the east towards vosseller avenue.

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next slide, please. Our next slide, our shoot four.

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this is showing a trail crossing with a proper crosswalk from north to south so people can safely cross over this new driveway.

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then our last slide shows where this new driveways up with vos avenue.

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it shows improved sight distance, improved sight distance versus miller lane.

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00:41:38,295 --> 00:41:40,460
it also doesn't show on this diagram, but it will have an automatic gate at the entrance to restrict traffic after dark.

405
00:41:47,610 --> 00:41:47,610
the next thing we did in our chronology here on february 18, 2025.

406
00:41:54,520 --> 00:41:56,730
we had a virtual meeting with bridgewater township. The township reached out to us about two weeks earlier than this on february 7,

407
00:42:00,935 --> 00:42:04,040
asked us for a meeting to talk about the project, to look at the plans for the project.

408
00:42:06,455 --> 00:42:10,235
adam and I. Had a virtual meeting with municipal officials, their engineer, the director of municipal services.

409
00:42:13,040 --> 00:42:14,795
we showed them the plans. We showed the previous slides that we just talked about.

410
00:42:17,480 --> 00:42:19,715
we presented the scope of work of the project. We answered their questions,

411
00:42:21,635 --> 00:42:21,635
and there were no concerns raised at the meeting that we looked at after the meeting.

412
00:42:28,210 --> 00:42:28,210
next thing up is our storm water report on march 20, 2025.

413
00:42:33,675 --> 00:42:35,890
as I stated earlier, during our due diligence, no dep land use permits were required for this project,

414
00:42:39,025 --> 00:42:39,025
but the somerset county consultant tea of associates prepared a storm water report,

415
00:42:43,030 --> 00:42:45,750
which is dated march 20, 2025. The project site has been designed to meet

416
00:42:48,005 --> 00:42:51,755
the flow reduction requirements in the current and future rainfall scenarios. No storm water runoff increases occur at

417
00:42:54,470 --> 00:42:54,470
any design points for the current and future 210 and 100 year storm events,

418
00:42:59,315 --> 00:42:59,315
the proposed current flows have been reduced for the 210 and 100 year storm frequencies.

419
00:43:05,675 --> 00:43:09,350
this is done through the design of our project. Talked about the poorest pavement. It's going to have proper drainage under the road.

420
00:43:12,050 --> 00:43:12,050
this has allowed us to be able to reduce the amount of runoff from this project. Next up.

421
00:43:18,710 --> 00:43:21,860
a few months ago, in august 12, 2025, we achieved our somerset union soil conservation district permit approval.

422
00:43:27,335 --> 00:43:29,300
if anybody doesn't know, it's an official authorization for land disturbing activities that allows a project to

423
00:43:33,140 --> 00:43:37,010
proceed with a detailed erosion and sediment control plan that has been reviewed, certified and approved by the relative soil conservation district.

424
00:43:41,600 --> 00:43:41,600
the permit ensures the proposed measures are in place to minimize soil erosion and

425
00:43:45,830 --> 00:43:45,830
prevent sediment from polluting waterways during and after construction.

426
00:43:56,200 --> 00:43:59,660
this is addressed to, it's addressed to me, I see. But it's addressed to the county.

427
00:44:00,935 --> 00:44:03,020
it's signed by the chairperson of the district, and copied on the bottom is the bridgewater township construction official.

428
00:44:07,550 --> 00:44:10,640
[overlapping]. Thank you. Planning board and tina associates. Thank you.

429
00:44:13,880 --> 00:44:13,880
sorry. Commissioner. It's even smaller on my page.

430
00:44:20,230 --> 00:44:24,095
next up, in september 9, 2025, dep issued us a storm water construction general permit,

431
00:44:26,750 --> 00:44:28,430
which is called the 5g3. The dep currently regulates storm water runoff for

432
00:44:31,010 --> 00:44:34,250
certain construction activities under its construction activities, storm water general permit.

433
00:44:35,750 --> 00:44:38,990
this general permit controls storm water discharges to surface water for construction activities that disturb one acre or more of land.

434
00:44:43,085 --> 00:44:46,880
as I stated earlier, it was over two acres, so we were required to achieve this permit, and we got the permit on september 9.

435
00:44:48,965 --> 00:44:51,620
next up. This point, the project's been awarded.

436
00:44:53,120 --> 00:44:56,900
we have our pre construction meeting on september 24, attended by our county office,

437
00:44:59,210 --> 00:44:59,210
our inspection team, attended by the park commission,

438
00:45:03,470 --> 00:45:04,970
our contractor, of course, and bridgewater township officials.

439
00:45:09,250 --> 00:45:11,600
we're about to go to construction. We think we're going to start a in early october.

440
00:45:14,630 --> 00:45:17,420
we sent a letter to the miller lane residences. We want to make sure that they're aware of

441
00:45:19,040 --> 00:45:22,490
this project since it's so close to home to them. This letter was also forwarded to bridgewater township.

442
00:45:26,210 --> 00:45:29,840
just give you a brief I gave a brief description of the project, much of what was written in the letter to the town earlier.

443
00:45:33,035 --> 00:45:33,035
we also state that the work is expected to take around four months.

444
00:45:38,345 --> 00:45:40,850
during this time, the construction vehicles will be utilizing miller lane to access the project,

445
00:45:42,950 --> 00:45:44,660
wanted to make sure they're aware of this. So we appreciated their patience as we complete

446
00:45:47,120 --> 00:45:47,120
the new access road to washington valley park.

447
00:45:51,880 --> 00:45:51,880
next up, we have what we're referring to as a green acres determination letter.

448
00:45:59,150 --> 00:46:02,720
the proposed access drive directly from vossler to washington valley road was reviewed with the nj dep green acres program rules.

449
00:46:06,605 --> 00:46:09,230
under definition, this is defined as a development as any improvement to the land or water area of a park land that is

450
00:46:13,190 --> 00:46:15,560
designed to expand or enhance its utilization for outdoor recreation in conservation purposes and shall include construction,

451
00:46:19,700 --> 00:46:22,505
renovation, or repair of any such improvement. This term may include any of the following,

452
00:46:24,965 --> 00:46:28,730
which lists several things, including parking and roadways. Construction of the new access driveway meets

453
00:46:30,770 --> 00:46:30,770
this definition and can be considered a permitted development.

454
00:46:35,060 --> 00:46:35,060
additionally, public access to and use of a funded park land.

455
00:46:40,220 --> 00:46:42,620
under the dep rules, any local government unit or non profit shall ensure that funded park land is open,

456
00:46:46,025 --> 00:46:48,620
that reasonable public access as determined by the department is afforded to all new jersey residents.

457
00:46:51,545 --> 00:46:55,040
as we discussed, the new proposed driveway will allow direct access from vosseller to the park from a residential collector road in boss,

458
00:46:59,165 --> 00:47:02,690
which is along with a park sign and a park entrance. Currently, the park is accessed via miller lane,

459
00:47:05,885 --> 00:47:08,915
which is a narrow dead ended residential roadway. Our next point here is about disposal or diversion of funded park land,

460
00:47:13,820 --> 00:47:17,420
and unfunded park land. The dp acres program rules indicate that a local government shall not divert to use other than

461
00:47:20,390 --> 00:47:22,580
recreational or conservation purposes unless the local government unit obtains prior approval.

462
00:47:25,700 --> 00:47:29,000
the construction of this new access driveway to improve public access to the park does not constitute a disposal or just diversion of parkland,

463
00:47:33,500 --> 00:47:35,900
as stated above, it is our opinion and the opinion of tm associates, and we agree with it.

464
00:47:38,210 --> 00:47:41,930
it is our opinion that the construction of the new access driveway for the park meets the development requirements as set forth by the dep program rules.

465
00:47:45,920 --> 00:47:45,920
in addition, we've reached out to dep and the green acres unit.

466
00:47:50,690 --> 00:47:53,480
we're going to coordinate with them on this project and ensure that they agree with that statement.

467
00:47:57,460 --> 00:47:57,460
in conclusion, to construct this project,

468
00:48:02,120 --> 00:48:02,120
took many steps, planning all the way back in 1997 to 2005.

469
00:48:06,830 --> 00:48:10,445
we looked at mitigation for miller lane. We looked at concepts, we communicated, we coordinated.

470
00:48:12,665 --> 00:48:15,680
we started design. We did construction. We did all the things in that,

471
00:48:17,375 --> 00:48:19,625
did our due diligence, our permitting. We looked at wetlands, storm water, hydrology,

472
00:48:22,265 --> 00:48:26,105
utilities, and here we are tonight. We have about eight weeks to go with this project, weather dependent,

473
00:48:29,750 --> 00:48:32,780
and somerset county took all reasonable and necessary steps to deliver this project in the most cost effective,

474
00:48:35,435 --> 00:48:35,435
cost efficient way to deliver a great enhancement to one of our most valuable assets,

475
00:48:39,770 --> 00:48:42,170
washington valley park. Thank you. Thank you. Very thorough and comprehensive update

476
00:48:47,855 --> 00:48:47,855
of what's the timeline from 28 years ago to date.

477
00:48:52,820 --> 00:48:55,940
thank you for that. I'm going to take a point of privilege. I suspect that most of our guests tonight are here on this topic.

478
00:49:01,295 --> 00:49:01,295
at this time, I'm going to open the floor for a motion for public on this topic only.

479
00:49:11,045 --> 00:49:13,500
motion open to public. Second. All in favor? [background]

480
00:49:15,700 --> 00:49:18,970
the rules of engagement. 5 minutes, no yielding of time, no coming up a second time,

481
00:49:20,890 --> 00:49:20,890
and our clerk will inform you when you into a close mayor.

482
00:49:29,470 --> 00:49:29,470
>> please state your name and address when you come to the mic for the record.

483
00:49:35,070 --> 00:49:37,470
>> I will do that. I'm not used to being on this side of that day. Matthew mench, 1303 roger avenue,

484
00:49:40,230 --> 00:49:41,625
and the mayor of bridgewater. In order to be respectful of everyone's time and use my five minutes wisely,

485
00:49:46,710 --> 00:49:50,670
I'll get right into addressing some of our concerns. First of all, I appreciate the presentation that was made tonight.

486
00:49:54,510 --> 00:49:58,500
one of the things that's unique about this project and causing some of the concern amongst our residents is that if this project were being done by a private developer,

487
00:50:02,815 --> 00:50:04,520
as a baseline issue, they'd have to come in front of and use board, zoning, or planning.

488
00:50:07,040 --> 00:50:10,180
all the issues that have been talked about by mr. Loper would have been presented in front of

489
00:50:11,580 --> 00:50:13,845
our planning board or zoning board, as appropriate. There would have been an opportunity for questions in public,

490
00:50:16,380 --> 00:50:19,275
from residents, from board members, from interested parties, to fully understand the project,

491
00:50:22,605 --> 00:50:26,355
as well as to ask questions or impose conditions, things like that. The county is not required to come in front of a township land use board.

492
00:50:32,790 --> 00:50:35,880
school boards come for courtesy reviews. There's nothing that prohibits it.

493
00:50:37,680 --> 00:50:41,040
it's a courtesy review, not required, but could be done. But the issue that was missing in a lot of that is speaking for myself,

494
00:50:47,730 --> 00:50:50,550
anybody here who wants to speak can speak for their own personal opinions, is that when you look at the diagram that was shown,

495
00:50:52,770 --> 00:50:52,770
the nice map with the little line drawn and consistent with the letter we received in

496
00:50:58,680 --> 00:50:58,680
january was I personally don't have an objection to a access road.

497
00:51:06,255 --> 00:51:09,045
in concept, not a problem. But what's missing is any discussion anywhere

498
00:51:12,315 --> 00:51:16,275
of the scope of the tree removal that's there, the plants say 34 trees.

499
00:51:18,180 --> 00:51:20,595
I've heard resins talk about, will they only meant big trees? No, it's broken down by size of tree.

500
00:51:23,145 --> 00:51:26,310
when you look at that nice little map and say, this makes sense, I guess.

501
00:51:29,325 --> 00:51:29,325
it doesn't reflect the conditions on the property.

502
00:51:33,795 --> 00:51:36,060
when you go out there, and I'm sure at this point, probably most of you have gone by it,

503
00:51:37,980 --> 00:51:41,145
if you weren't there before, you've seen it, it's jarring. For residents who have no idea about meetings that take place.

504
00:51:46,140 --> 00:51:46,140
I imagine your meetings aren't typically like this.

505
00:51:50,210 --> 00:51:53,370
that's true, even for our township meetings, you don't have widespread public engagement.

506
00:51:55,970 --> 00:51:58,010
land use sports typically get more. When you look out and our township raised concerns in august,

507
00:52:03,975 --> 00:52:03,975
we asked three questions of our engineer reached out to one of your engineers to say,

508
00:52:08,865 --> 00:52:12,225
we were concerned about the tree removal. Then when we thought it was 34 trees, we were concerned about the site distance.

509
00:52:16,490 --> 00:52:20,490
the response back was, we're not replanting trees, and we're not concerned about the site distance.

510
00:52:22,905 --> 00:52:24,825
that was when it was 34 trees. When we go out there and we see clear-cutting of two acres of property

511
00:52:29,685 --> 00:52:29,685
that if that was shown in anything that our officials have seen,

512
00:52:35,640 --> 00:52:39,615
it was not apparent that what is occurring on that site is what is represented in those diagrams.

513
00:52:44,775 --> 00:52:48,090
the concern that we have, and I'm here on behalf of, is not to debate whether the road is or

514
00:52:50,670 --> 00:52:54,030
isn't a good idea from the purpose of access to the park. It's the concern first and foremost of,

515
00:52:58,200 --> 00:53:00,660
with the removal of these trees, that site, as you all know it's at the top of the mountain.

516
00:53:03,090 --> 00:53:05,220
we spent a million dollars repairing vossler avenue about 800 yards or less from that entrance there.

517
00:53:09,945 --> 00:53:12,480
I understand for the first time here that there may be a stormwater report is first of that what has occurred there.

518
00:53:18,840 --> 00:53:20,550
now putting macadam on there, asphalt, whatever the material that's being used is not creating

519
00:53:22,995 --> 00:53:26,865
a river conditions that are going to take place. As we all know with ida, chimney rock road destroyed,

520
00:53:30,435 --> 00:53:33,735
vossler destroyed, right in the middle there. As of right now, our residents want to make sure that we understand

521
00:53:37,035 --> 00:53:37,035
what mitigation is or is it needed to be able to ensure that,

522
00:53:42,240 --> 00:53:43,950
with the new conditions on that site, our residents are not at risk because of increased flooding.

523
00:53:46,590 --> 00:53:50,205
[noise] if any other entity other than the county, any developer was to come forward,

524
00:53:51,570 --> 00:53:54,975
a resident wants to remove three or four trees from their yard, they got to get permits,

525
00:53:56,580 --> 00:53:58,455
they got to get studies. If it got to help a developer that comes in front of

526
00:54:00,900 --> 00:54:04,110
our land use boards and wants to remove that level of trees, assuming it got approved,

527
00:54:05,850 --> 00:54:05,850
there'd be requirements for replacement of trees or payment into the tree fund.

528
00:54:10,725 --> 00:54:10,725
I understand that the courts will debate whether or not you have to do that.

529
00:54:15,825 --> 00:54:18,840
but whether you legally have to or not. Thank you. Whether you have to do that or not, you should,

530
00:54:21,330 --> 00:54:25,185
because removal of 300 trees for over two acres, like every other developer in bridgewater,

531
00:54:28,315 --> 00:54:28,315
has to replace trees either on site or into our tree fund so that we as a community,

532
00:54:33,440 --> 00:54:36,005
don't lose the benefit of that natural resource. The county should commit to replacing those trees,

533
00:54:38,510 --> 00:54:38,510
coming up with a plan on site or off-site to replace what has been destroyed,

534
00:54:43,365 --> 00:54:46,110
and ensure that our residents can be confident that the runoff from that site is not going to impact our community in that area.

535
00:54:49,800 --> 00:54:53,715
last but not least, we want to understand what the future scope of the project is. Nothing has been mentioned about apparently a new building going on.

536
00:54:56,310 --> 00:54:57,645
there's a contract on there today. Nothing in the plans that were talked about just now.

537
00:55:00,570 --> 00:55:03,570
nothing that I've seen discusses what, I understand to be a center.

538
00:55:04,980 --> 00:55:07,860
we want to know what is next. Is this it? Or is there another round of tree cutting,

539
00:55:10,110 --> 00:55:12,600
and we're going to be back here saying what's going on? I appreciate your time and your attention to this matter. Thank you very much.

540
00:55:16,200 --> 00:55:16,200
>> commissioner, if I may. Just to address some of those.

541
00:55:20,280 --> 00:55:20,280
mayor. Traditionally, when we did improvements to somerset county patriots ball park,

542
00:55:25,845 --> 00:55:29,520
when we did improvements to richard hall, which are going now. We did a courtesy review.

543
00:55:32,235 --> 00:55:34,155
I did appear in front of your planning board. When we do structures or buildings,

544
00:55:36,255 --> 00:55:38,460
that's traditionally when we go to it. A road system or driveway, not really.

545
00:55:42,315 --> 00:55:45,540
it's just a simple thing. But with regards to any time there was a structure that was going to be built in your town, or hillsboro,

546
00:55:48,060 --> 00:55:48,060
or any other town, we do engage the planning board and your planning board officials.

547
00:55:52,965 --> 00:55:52,965
your zoning board officer has been working with us on the issues with richard hall,

548
00:55:57,930 --> 00:56:00,345
as we continue to do some improvements there. We do do that, just want to make sure that we don't just guard you all the time.

549
00:56:05,085 --> 00:56:05,970
>> understand. >> fair enough. The plans and for the trees.

550
00:56:10,410 --> 00:56:13,470
there is another line item in that bid spec. It's called site clearing.

551
00:56:15,135 --> 00:56:16,725
in that when you read it, it says, all trees and everything will be removed.

552
00:56:19,845 --> 00:56:22,905
there are separate items for the 34 trees. There are two separate distinctions in there.

553
00:56:25,365 --> 00:56:29,325
I'm just calling that out in case you never saw the bid specs. They're in there. They're posted online.

554
00:56:30,570 --> 00:56:32,385
you can go look at the bid tabulation. Four different contractors bid on that.

555
00:56:35,400 --> 00:56:37,335
they each had a different price for it. One was as high as $120,000 for site clearing.

556
00:56:40,470 --> 00:56:44,010
one was 13, one was 40, one was 60. The reduction in flooding.

557
00:56:46,005 --> 00:56:49,485
the current stormwater regs of the state in new jersey say, anytime you do any improvement, it used to be,

558
00:56:52,110 --> 00:56:55,005
it just had to not make it any worse, it had to stay the same. Now, as you know, we have to reduce it, and we did.

559
00:56:58,575 --> 00:57:01,740
it is contrary to common belief that that road will actually handle water better than the forest.

560
00:57:05,835 --> 00:57:09,120
but science, and the stormwater report says it will. Reason for that, dirt water sheets down.

561
00:57:12,975 --> 00:57:14,805
this is more porous. When it rains, it goes through the pavement,

562
00:57:17,895 --> 00:57:19,815
that's porous, means it goes through it. There's stone underneath it, there's drainage,

563
00:57:22,440 --> 00:57:23,895
it slows the runoff, it slows it down, we've improved.

564
00:57:27,330 --> 00:57:29,250
I know it sounds crazy. Trees should absorb water better than roads,

565
00:57:32,115 --> 00:57:35,280
and nor do I advocate paving everything for this purpose. But it does do that job,

566
00:57:37,590 --> 00:57:39,990
we will provide you with that stormwater report. The only thing I got to fight with you on, because I got to do one of them,

567
00:57:42,960 --> 00:57:46,065
because otherwise I won't feel good at night about myself, is your own tree ordinance exempts you.

568
00:57:50,265 --> 00:57:52,665
>> but we would've cut down 300 trees. >> I know, but you made it sound like

569
00:57:54,765 --> 00:57:57,120
we're the only people exempt from your tree ordinance. It says the town is also exempt when they want to cut trees in

570
00:57:59,880 --> 00:58:03,435
their own public parks. Just being fair. >> I hear you. I appreciate the comments and on your time tonight.

571
00:58:09,405 --> 00:58:13,380
I think that's the issue, and I won't modify the time. I understand the rules is just that some of them may not be issues,

572
00:58:18,990 --> 00:58:22,110
but had the county come in front of the plan for a curis review or had there been some other forum besides,

573
00:58:26,040 --> 00:58:29,430
this is the first time, some of the issues may have been addressed. Some of them we're still concerned about.

574
00:58:31,350 --> 00:58:33,390
we'll have issues moving forward, but thank you very much for your time.

575
00:58:36,680 --> 00:58:39,510
>> government works. I think we've done our due diligence,

576
00:58:43,310 --> 00:58:43,310
and thank you in making sure the steps along the way that we were

577
00:58:48,560 --> 00:58:48,560
engaging those stakeholders that needed to be engaged.

578
00:58:55,220 --> 00:58:55,220
we do not govern through facebook.

579
00:59:00,380 --> 00:59:04,250
a lot of social media. Anyone else wishing to speak?

580
00:59:06,720 --> 00:59:06,720
please come forward.

581
00:59:12,500 --> 00:59:15,270
when government works, government works, any issues in the past,

582
00:59:18,435 --> 00:59:18,435
I have reached out to elected officials in

583
00:59:23,015 --> 00:59:23,015
specific towns or municipalities to work through those issues.

584
00:59:27,985 --> 00:59:29,175
I'm not on facebook. I don't think any of us on facebook working through good governance and policies.

585
00:59:34,020 --> 00:59:36,165
again, when government works, government works, please state your name and address for the record five minutes.

586
00:59:40,320 --> 00:59:41,295
>> good evening. >> I don't know if you can care. My name is elizabeth aluci.

587
00:59:44,910 --> 00:59:47,040
I live at 1776, washington valley road in martinsville.

588
00:59:49,890 --> 00:59:52,880
I came tonight because you alluded to the fact that there was a lot of information out there,

589
00:59:56,390 --> 00:59:56,390
primarily on social media about the destruction of the park and all,

590
01:00:03,255 --> 01:00:06,210
and I wanted to know what was going on. First of all, thank you because I really didn't have an idea this was happening.

591
01:00:10,530 --> 01:00:12,270
thank you for the presentation, because I think that really clarified a lot of the information for me.

592
01:00:17,340 --> 01:00:17,340
it seems like they performed their due diligence,

593
01:00:21,810 --> 01:00:25,050
that the township was notified. It certainly seems like it was done,

594
01:00:27,285 --> 01:00:28,680
you know, the dep was involved. There were environmental concerns that were addressed.

595
01:00:31,470 --> 01:00:34,230
I feel much more comfortable about it, and I guess I'm hoping that this conversation is over because it's ugly out there.

596
01:00:43,065 --> 01:00:46,470
there's been so much, as I said, misinformation and back and forth, and it's hard to know where the truth lies.

597
01:00:49,740 --> 01:00:53,280
I think I've heard the truth this evening. I hope that's really the end of this conversation.

598
01:00:55,890 --> 01:00:55,890
I thank you very much for your time.

599
01:01:00,260 --> 01:01:02,985
>> good evening. My name is glenn grossman, 13 sylvan drive and bridgewater.

600
01:01:05,490 --> 01:01:09,060
basically, I have two questions. That's why I'm here. I use the park maybe 12 times a year,

601
01:01:11,790 --> 01:01:14,475
both the washington valley side and the chimney rock side. On the chimney rock park side,

602
01:01:16,170 --> 01:01:18,315
which I guess you're calling the east side of the park, there's currently three parking lots.

603
01:01:20,295 --> 01:01:24,240
there's not just the one that we're talking about here. There's also the one on gilbride, and then there's the very big one that

604
01:01:26,700 --> 01:01:30,435
most people end up using by the ball fields off of chimney rock. I almost always just park at the chimney rock ball fields,

605
01:01:33,660 --> 01:01:36,780
because that's real parks that I know of who uses it regularly. My question is, why was this necessary?

606
01:01:39,900 --> 01:01:43,200
I'm seeing that it's already been done already, practically. I want to better understand that.

607
01:01:44,760 --> 01:01:44,760
why didn't people just expand the existing parking lots if they weren't sufficient,

608
01:01:49,530 --> 01:01:51,570
other than the one that was up there, and maybe make that handicapped parking lot or something?

609
01:01:54,600 --> 01:01:57,135
I get that it's very close to the lookout. Some people like to go just for that,

610
01:01:58,680 --> 01:02:00,675
but most people who use it don't go just for that. Second question I have, just real briefly.

611
01:02:03,255 --> 01:02:05,895
my tax dollars as a bridgewater resident, are paying both for the county and for the township,

612
01:02:08,700 --> 01:02:12,195
and they're combating each other with my tax dollars. I don't like this lack of communication.

613
01:02:14,100 --> 01:02:14,100
I want to better understand how that's going to be addressed. Thank you.

614
01:02:21,500 --> 01:02:21,500
>> hi, everyone. It's unique to be here tonight. I've been here before.

615
01:02:29,220 --> 01:02:32,250
my name is stacy friedlander. I live in bridgewater. So when I first heard and saw. Did you get that?

616
01:02:36,060 --> 01:02:38,940
>> I need your address. >> oh, 10 overlook drive. >> 10 overlook? >> yes. When I first saw and heard what was going on,

617
01:02:42,525 --> 01:02:43,755
I was super concerned. The hawk lookout is a favorite spot for me.

618
01:02:46,950 --> 01:02:50,400
we hike, we fish, we do a lot of things in the park. But a lot of the outrage didn't sit well with me.

619
01:02:53,595 --> 01:02:56,040
as a former environmental policy analyst, I decided to dig in.

620
01:02:57,615 --> 01:03:00,210
I did get an opa request. With my opa request,

621
01:03:01,860 --> 01:03:03,705
I also had a principal engineer, a civil engineer, two ecologists,

622
01:03:06,180 --> 01:03:08,550
a wetlands delineation expert, all review the plans that were given to me,

623
01:03:12,180 --> 01:03:12,180
and we all noted they are in accordance with the njdep.

624
01:03:16,365 --> 01:03:16,365
I noticed that we're talking about a new access road,

625
01:03:20,475 --> 01:03:23,400
which will be connecting vossler avenue to miller lane. It sounds like the goal is pretty simple.

626
01:03:25,395 --> 01:03:29,235
make it safer, easier for people to reach the trails and park lookout. The old road was narrow, private,

627
01:03:31,350 --> 01:03:32,820
and not safe for public use, especially many of us who have driven on that, you know that.

628
01:03:35,490 --> 01:03:35,490
the new design uses the poorest pavement so rainwater can soak in naturally.

629
01:03:40,215 --> 01:03:40,215
it includes subsurface drainage features designed by professional engineers.

630
01:03:45,210 --> 01:03:48,180
it includes erosion controls and meets all of the applicable njdep environmental standards.

631
01:03:52,035 --> 01:03:52,035
trees were removed, but only within the defined construction zone.

632
01:03:57,000 --> 01:04:00,000
it's unfortunate, but it sounds like it needed to happen. Through my request, I confirmed that the engineers,

633
01:04:03,150 --> 01:04:03,150
the environmental specialists, and the njdep reviewed and approved the project.

634
01:04:07,485 --> 01:04:11,370
a professional land surveyor confirmed prior to the project, stating that there are no wetlands on the site.

635
01:04:15,060 --> 01:04:17,940
the soils are well-drained and non-hydric. The supposed wetlands showing up on the map came from an aerial infrared scan,

636
01:04:22,725 --> 01:04:24,825
not actual field data. Yet the town was pushing

637
01:04:27,450 --> 01:04:27,450
a false narrative that the county was illegally destroying wetlands.

638
01:04:32,250 --> 01:04:34,125
why are we all confused? Even though locally, we have had access to these documents since january,

639
01:04:39,465 --> 01:04:42,270
there still seems to be a discrepancy in an argument about devastating environmental damage.

640
01:04:45,165 --> 01:04:48,870
but it sounds like that's not true. Stopping construction now, as the town might want us to do,

641
01:04:50,940 --> 01:04:52,755
would actually hurt the site, leaving it exposed to erosion and safety issues.

642
01:04:56,415 --> 01:04:58,785
for me, this isn't just about a road. It's about trust, facts, and responsible leadership.

643
01:05:01,770 --> 01:05:01,770
when misinformation spreads, we lose faith in our local government.

644
01:05:05,940 --> 01:05:05,940
I hope that both the county and our township can move forward with transparency,

645
01:05:10,530 --> 01:05:13,860
cooperation, and respect, not just for the environment, but for truth. Thank you.

646
01:05:20,560 --> 01:05:23,465
>> my name's pam mccarthy. I live at 830 vossler avenue.

647
01:05:26,225 --> 01:05:26,225
I can see the construction from my window of my house.

648
01:05:30,545 --> 01:05:30,545
whatever I've lived in my house for 35 years.

649
01:05:34,610 --> 01:05:38,525
whatever you guys need to know about the park, you can ask me. I know every tree.

650
01:05:40,580 --> 01:05:41,930
I know every rock. Well, I'm exaggerating a little bit. I'm getting a little.

651
01:05:47,210 --> 01:05:47,210
all I really need to know is whose idea was this?

652
01:05:52,025 --> 01:05:52,025
like, why are we building this road?

653
01:05:58,345 --> 01:06:00,730
it's when I saw the road, I was like, what the heck is going on?

654
01:06:04,940 --> 01:06:08,315
what is this? If they really, I've been on miller road probably 1,000 times.

655
01:06:12,530 --> 01:06:15,920
she's saying it's dangerous. It's not dangerous. They put speed humps.

656
01:06:18,940 --> 01:06:18,940
if you needed to make the road better,

657
01:06:23,080 --> 01:06:23,080
make miller road better for six houses.

658
01:06:27,680 --> 01:06:29,720
there's six houses on miller road. It's making zero sense to me. This whole thing.

659
01:06:36,320 --> 01:06:39,410
it's like, you know, you see something happening,

660
01:06:40,790 --> 01:06:40,790
you're just like, what is going on? What is this?

661
01:06:46,025 --> 01:06:48,140
it's like I couldn't believe my eyes. I know the patullo house.

662
01:06:52,820 --> 01:06:55,955
I know that house. I've been in the blah blah blah. Now, what are they going to do back there?

663
01:06:58,085 --> 01:07:00,545
are they going to build a museum back there? What's happening? Let's say,

664
01:07:03,665 --> 01:07:07,610
we build a museum. Who's gonna go to the museum? Who's gonna police the museum?

665
01:07:10,565 --> 01:07:12,425
are they gonna put a gate? The kids go through the gate that's there already.

666
01:07:14,990 --> 01:07:17,270
you park your car, you get out of your car. You take your hand, you open the gate, you go in the gate.

667
01:07:20,000 --> 01:07:20,000
whoop ti do? My 87-year-old uncle told me how to open the freaking gate.

668
01:07:25,730 --> 01:07:28,670
they're going to put a new gate. They're gonna do the same stupid thing with this gate.

669
01:07:31,940 --> 01:07:35,540
like, it's like stupid I'm sorry. It's not making sense to me.

670
01:07:39,725 --> 01:07:39,725
the kids are going to now use new miller lane or whatever they're going to call it.

671
01:07:45,965 --> 01:07:48,080
is this going to be a fricking speedway? They're going to be zooming down there.

672
01:07:50,480 --> 01:07:53,855
have fun, guys. That's all I have to say. Whose idea is it?

673
01:07:55,340 --> 01:07:59,210
what are they doing with it? That's all. Fine.

674
01:08:04,760 --> 01:08:04,760
>> cytroen, 34-year-old resident at 654 stengel road.

675
01:08:09,200 --> 01:08:09,200
[background] c-y-t-r-o-e-n.

676
01:08:14,050 --> 01:08:14,050
I want to thank you for hosting the presentation,

677
01:08:19,940 --> 01:08:19,940
which added a lot of information that previously wasn't publicly easily available.

678
01:08:26,495 --> 01:08:29,285
I want to thank you for bumping up our comments too, to the top of the meeting that's always appreciated.

679
01:08:32,390 --> 01:08:35,930
I had a couple of questions, but overall, after listening to the presentation and understanding the issue a little bit better,

680
01:08:40,670 --> 01:08:40,670
I have hiked that park the whole time that we've lived there and know it very well.

681
01:08:47,645 --> 01:08:47,645
my neighborhood is adjacent to that area.

682
01:08:52,210 --> 01:08:52,210
it seems to me that though it's written in a master plan from 28 years ago,

683
01:08:59,270 --> 01:08:59,270
that things change and maybe in retrospect,

684
01:09:03,665 --> 01:09:03,665
should have looked at a little bit more in terms of the optics.

685
01:09:07,775 --> 01:09:07,775
what you've done in the beautiful description of the park is ruin a chunk of it.

686
01:09:14,930 --> 01:09:18,680
for the very purpose of people being able to go to the hawks nest, it now really raises the issue of are they still

687
01:09:23,330 --> 01:09:25,700
going to really come and be that same attraction that they were before the woods were disturbed there.

688
01:09:28,520 --> 01:09:30,890
the optics of something that you're doing, even though you followed and crossed all the t's and dotted

689
01:09:33,350 --> 01:09:36,110
all the I's, may in retrospect, it should have probably occurred to somebody when the scope of work was really looked at,

690
01:09:41,165 --> 01:09:43,490
not just from an engineering technical standpoint, from an optic standpoint,

691
01:09:45,275 --> 01:09:47,510
that there wasn't an alternative thought of. For example, not shutting down and demolishing miller lane,

692
01:09:51,590 --> 01:09:55,130
but maybe pivoting a portion of the front entrance away from the private residences and then expanded as necessary.

693
01:09:59,165 --> 01:10:00,425
that was never considered. The new location now is very close to a 90-degree turn on vossler avenue,

694
01:10:05,840 --> 01:10:05,840
which again, cuts down the visibility.

695
01:10:10,040 --> 01:10:13,250
people are accessing it, driving north from 22. There's a sharp left turn.

696
01:10:14,660 --> 01:10:14,660
shortly after that, there's the new turn into the driveway, as it's called.

697
01:10:19,745 --> 01:10:19,745
that limits the visibility of people coming the other way to see that happening.

698
01:10:24,590 --> 01:10:24,590
if there are two or three or four cars backed up to get into the park,

699
01:10:28,715 --> 01:10:28,715
that may cause a road issue that's now not an issue.

700
01:10:34,135 --> 01:10:35,935
but my questions are this. I didn't hear any information on the traffic volume.

701
01:10:39,325 --> 01:10:39,325
pedestrian bike and vehicular in terms of whether this expansion really warrants that.

702
01:10:49,085 --> 01:10:52,625
generally, roads are expanded to accommodate excess traffic. I've never experienced that in all the time that I've hiking,

703
01:10:55,490 --> 01:10:55,490
they're seeing that anybody had a problem parking or getting in or getting out.

704
01:11:00,845 --> 01:11:00,845
it's not clear also whether the parking light size is being increased.

705
01:11:06,140 --> 01:11:09,635
also, again, this goes back to what's the need? Is the need really there to double the width?

706
01:11:14,270 --> 01:11:16,430
if you're not going to increase the parking lot, then what's that going to accomplish? Was the need there?

707
01:11:20,060 --> 01:11:20,060
I think there are lessons to be learned here in insight by the township,

708
01:11:24,680 --> 01:11:24,680
by the county in doing and activating a plan from 28 years ago.

709
01:11:29,780 --> 01:11:29,780
thank you. [applause]

710
01:11:37,700 --> 01:11:40,790
>> nick kuzo, 83 village drive in basking ridge? Good evening, commissioners, and thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight.

711
01:11:44,630 --> 01:11:46,160
I live in bernards township, where I serve on both the planning board and the environmental commission.

712
01:11:49,175 --> 01:11:51,620
I'm here this evening as a concerned resident to talk about what has happened at washington valley park,

713
01:11:53,900 --> 01:11:57,635
and what it says about how we manage our county's open space. In recent weeks, and as discussed this evening,

714
01:12:00,365 --> 01:12:04,010
we learned hundreds of trees, 300, possibly as many as 500, were cut down at washington valley park,

715
01:12:05,990 --> 01:12:05,990
and this land is designated by the county itself as preserved open space.

716
01:12:10,820 --> 01:12:12,200
according to public records, the contractor that was hired by the county was only authorized to remove 34 trees.

717
01:12:16,940 --> 01:12:19,925
yet the scale of the destruction far exceeded that limit. The result is a scarred landscape, piles of debris,

718
01:12:22,745 --> 01:12:26,720
and a degraded area that once helped to prevent flooding downstream. What's most troubling isn't the damage to the environment,

719
01:12:29,390 --> 01:12:30,860
it's the silence that followed. To this day, there has been no clear public explanation of how this happened,

720
01:12:34,745 --> 01:12:34,745
who was responsible for overseeing the work or what steps are being taken to fix it.

721
01:12:39,050 --> 01:12:42,260
as you've seen here tonight, residents are asking, why? What was the need? That lack of transparency is unacceptable.

722
01:12:46,610 --> 01:12:48,350
when we're talking about public land, taxpayer dollars and the natural resources

723
01:12:50,840 --> 01:12:53,660
that make somerset county such a special place to live. At its core, this is about stewardship.

724
01:12:55,520 --> 01:12:58,880
it's about whether our county government is managing responsibilities carefully or whether vital oversight is being lost somewhere along the way.

725
01:13:03,230 --> 01:13:05,840
residents deserve answers, and they deserve to have confidence that something like this will never happen again.

726
01:13:08,735 --> 01:13:12,260
I'm asking the board tonight to take these three specific actions. First, to launch a full and independent investigation into how

727
01:13:15,680 --> 01:13:15,680
this project was managed and why the tree removal went so far beyond what was approved.

728
01:13:20,405 --> 01:13:24,050
second to hold a public hearing so residents can see the contracts, the change orders, and the communications related to this project.

729
01:13:27,290 --> 01:13:31,160
third, to develop and share a comprehensive replanting plan to restore the damaged area and protect against future erosion and flooding.

730
01:13:35,225 --> 01:13:39,020
these are common-sense steps to rebuild public trust and demonstrate that environmental preservation in somerset county is more than just a slogan.

731
01:13:43,010 --> 01:13:43,010
we all want to believe that our open spaces are being protected, not destroyed.

732
01:13:47,225 --> 01:13:51,170
accountability and transparency are the first steps towards making that true again. Thank you. [applause]

733
01:13:57,560 --> 01:14:00,665
>> hi, good evening. I don't know can I move up a little bit? My voice is kind of like, here guys.

734
01:14:04,400 --> 01:14:07,520
there you go. Hi, good evening, commissioners. Michelle morga. I live on 43 dior street in north plainfield, new jersey.

735
01:14:15,400 --> 01:14:15,400
my name is michelle morga and I live in north plainfield.

736
01:14:19,850 --> 01:14:22,625
I serve on the local board of education, and the statements that I'm going to make today do not represent the board.

737
01:14:27,845 --> 01:14:30,860
like so many families across somerset county, I care deeply about the kind of environment we leave for our children.

738
01:14:35,540 --> 01:14:38,855
what happened at washington valley park has left many of us very confused and just frustrated,

739
01:14:42,290 --> 01:14:42,290
and hundreds of trees were cut down on preserved county land.

740
01:14:46,475 --> 01:14:46,475
reports say that the contractor was only supposed to authorize to remove 34,

741
01:14:51,830 --> 01:14:51,830
but somehow the numbers became as many as 500.

742
01:14:57,320 --> 01:14:57,320
I think residents deserve to understand how this exactly happened.

743
01:15:02,345 --> 01:15:05,360
those trees just weren't you know, scenery, but they protected our air,

744
01:15:07,040 --> 01:15:10,265
our soil, and our homes from being flooded. When we destroy the natural protection that we have,

745
01:15:14,240 --> 01:15:16,670
the impact doesn't stay just in that one park, but it flows downstream into communities like mine.

746
01:15:21,850 --> 01:15:24,020
in north plainfield this year, we did see the devastating floods this summer that happened in july 25,

747
01:15:28,775 --> 01:15:28,775
and families lost cars, basements, safety.

748
01:15:34,970 --> 01:15:37,970
they were in really bad shape this summer. Yet when something like this happens,

749
01:15:40,280 --> 01:15:42,980
when hundreds of trees are cut down that were meant to be absorbed through water and prevent runoff,

750
01:15:46,265 --> 01:15:48,890
we're told that it's just climate change. I think enough is enough.

751
01:15:51,320 --> 01:15:54,410
you can't blame climate change when you're actively destroying the very things that help us fight through climate change.

752
01:15:58,355 --> 01:16:01,880
we need accountability and no more excuses. We need a leadership that takes environmental management very seriously,

753
01:16:06,410 --> 01:16:06,410
not just when there's a ribbon cutting or a ceremony,

754
01:16:10,910 --> 01:16:14,585
but in everyday when decisions are being made. I have to say, it's even more frustrating for the people in north plainfield,

755
01:16:19,505 --> 01:16:19,505
because we no longer have any representation on the county board right now,

756
01:16:25,115 --> 01:16:25,115
and that makes transparency and accountability all more important.

757
01:16:30,035 --> 01:16:33,095
tonight, I just joined for a call of action. Residents deserve a full independent investigation into how this project went so wrong,

758
01:16:38,315 --> 01:16:40,970
and a replanning plan, like nick said, to restore what was lost and prevent future flooding.

759
01:16:44,510 --> 01:16:46,670
our kids are watching, and they are learning what it means to care for the place that we call home.

760
01:16:50,795 --> 01:16:50,795
if we don't model that responsibility, then who will?

761
01:16:55,835 --> 01:16:58,670
I just want to thank everybody for their time, and I hope this board takes these concerns to

762
01:17:00,830 --> 01:17:04,055
heart and acts quickly to make things right, not just for washington valley,

763
01:17:05,870 --> 01:17:08,090
but for every community like mine, that depends on you.

764
01:17:10,355 --> 01:17:10,355
thank you. [applause]

765
01:17:18,050 --> 01:17:20,180
>> hello. I'll move back a little bit. Jeff lamborn, 32 lisa terrace in somerville.

766
01:17:24,245 --> 01:17:28,025
the great comment by the former commenter had just jumped up by. I think there's a lot of opportunities for the public that's

767
01:17:31,310 --> 01:17:34,595
here engaged currently to participate in these processes, not just on the county level,

768
01:17:35,720 --> 01:17:38,045
but on their local township level. I echo a lot of what their concerns are,

769
01:17:40,970 --> 01:17:40,970
as far as understanding and accountability into the large amount of trees that are cut.

770
01:17:46,010 --> 01:17:46,010
I support the concerns stated by mayor mench. I apologize.

771
01:17:50,480 --> 01:17:52,700
I haven't mentioned said the name out loud before, so trying to get it right and residents here.

772
01:17:54,860 --> 01:17:54,860
but I do know that the county is taking steps to take this road and what it's meaning,

773
01:18:02,930 --> 01:18:04,175
what it's doing seriously. I do have faith that going forward,

774
01:18:07,265 --> 01:18:09,650
you will listen, you will understand what people are trying to accomplish here. Continue on that.

775
01:18:12,680 --> 01:18:16,070
but I do encourage the mayor here as well that made his comments and the bridgewater council to do the same.

776
01:18:19,445 --> 01:18:23,240
will you also halt what you have put in your petition, your ongoing destruction of the local environment,

777
01:18:25,565 --> 01:18:27,695
your transparency, or lack thereof, when analyzing stormwater effects in your development?

778
01:18:30,305 --> 01:18:30,305
will you provide assurances that these won't occur as much as they are?

779
01:18:34,415 --> 01:18:34,415
because what I've seen over the years is hypocritical to what you're calling here.

780
01:18:38,810 --> 01:18:38,810
you dissolved your environmental commission in 2019 when you came on as mayor.

781
01:18:43,100 --> 01:18:45,350
the township body that is tasked with watching over items that you calling for in particular.

782
01:18:48,260 --> 01:18:51,980
you're in violation of a township ordinance, I believe, as such. You have no shade tree commission.

783
01:18:53,735 --> 01:18:56,930
you haven't registered or submitted an entry for sustainable jersey, which is a municipal best practices and an active area.

784
01:19:02,510 --> 01:19:05,810
you actively increase your flooding downstream in communities like mine, as a result of what's occurring.

785
01:19:07,940 --> 01:19:10,730
why are you sealing your manholes? Where are your green infrastructure requirements on new development?

786
01:19:14,435 --> 01:19:17,015
are all these new developments that you're doing adhering to the states inland flood protection act?

787
01:19:19,595 --> 01:19:21,245
that's the ngdp rule. As county council, demarco has stated,

788
01:19:24,395 --> 01:19:28,130
your own tree removal and replacement ordinance calls for you to be able to do these same things removing trees without review, why?

789
01:19:32,345 --> 01:19:35,360
I believe that may be in violation of the state as well. Flooding is a serious problem to much of us in the area.

790
01:19:38,540 --> 01:19:38,540
council members, alan cardua and philipe pedroso for bridgewater township,

791
01:19:42,635 --> 01:19:42,635
serve on currently inactive flood county control commission,

792
01:19:47,015 --> 01:19:49,670
not county excuse me, flood control commission. In an active county regional partnership that hasn't been active since 2022.

793
01:19:55,055 --> 01:19:58,040
those people are in prime positions to advance a regional lower raton stormwater management plan,

794
01:20:02,060 --> 01:20:05,255
and similar to how our nearby stonybrook watershed has created one through advice through the watershed institute.

795
01:20:08,900 --> 01:20:10,970
the county hosted a conference about a regional stormwater watershed plan in february of 2023.

796
01:20:15,680 --> 01:20:19,625
what changes or recommendations have been published since? As a member and former chair of the somerville environmental commission, I invite you,

797
01:20:25,100 --> 01:20:27,440
mayor mench and anybody from the bridgewater township and residents has a public meeting to come join us as

798
01:20:30,050 --> 01:20:32,765
a collaborative discussion because these things take place best in person on what we've learned on these topics tonight.

799
01:20:35,885 --> 01:20:35,885
I call on you as elective officials and your neighbor to serve

800
01:20:40,100 --> 01:20:43,040
your community and neighbors in good faith and engage in a regional stormwater partnership with your neighbors,

801
01:20:46,250 --> 01:20:48,650
bolster your upcoming master plan review, and better your environmental considerations within.

802
01:20:51,785 --> 01:20:55,310
join us here in somerville in two weeks, two tuesdays from now, tuesday, november 11 at 7:00 p.m.

803
01:20:58,145 --> 01:21:00,755
in the somerville civic center for our monthly meeting. We're happy to put you on our agenda.

804
01:21:03,680 --> 01:21:06,485
I recommend you watch last week's planning board in somerville, october 22, you can see an example

805
01:21:09,080 --> 01:21:12,395
of what it is for municipal leaders to take better care of their environment. Take the pr campaign that you're on right now

806
01:21:14,990 --> 01:21:18,815
and turn it into one that stands for personal responsibility, not public relations. Thank you. [applause]

807
01:21:26,967 --> 01:21:30,490
>> manish patel 41 shaffer road bridgewater. I don't have anything as eloquent or

808
01:21:32,965 --> 01:21:35,830
technical as some of the previous speakers, and honestly, I'd have to agree with just about all of them in terms of what I'm witnessing here.

809
01:21:41,080 --> 01:21:43,385
I appreciate the commission, the commissioner is providing the detail they have today and recently about the project.

810
01:21:49,405 --> 01:21:49,405
I think we could use a more detail because I'm not familiar with the area,

811
01:21:55,195 --> 01:21:58,450
even though I'm a resident of bridgewater. I'm learning a lot about it now. It would be good to assure the residents, once again,

812
01:22:02,170 --> 01:22:04,360
maybe with something more concise than the whole 40 page document and

813
01:22:07,555 --> 01:22:07,555
the trail from january that I think is available to everybody,

814
01:22:11,770 --> 01:22:14,845
including our own township publicly, but just something for the residents.

815
01:22:17,185 --> 01:22:17,185
I do like the simple question the one resident nearby asked about,

816
01:22:22,030 --> 01:22:24,775
why the project, what's the end goal, and some assurances about their concerns,

817
01:22:27,490 --> 01:22:29,335
which I know you have done already. Otherwise, you wouldn't be this far along in the project.

818
01:22:32,095 --> 01:22:32,095
again, I appreciate the information that you've provided publicly,

819
01:22:36,120 --> 01:22:36,120
maybe something more concise might help some of the residents locally especially.

820
01:22:42,050 --> 01:22:44,910
certainly, as you said, we don't necessarily want to battle this thing out on social media.

821
01:22:47,325 --> 01:22:50,190
the other thing, as a resident and a taxpayer, too, like obviously,

822
01:22:51,990 --> 01:22:54,060
the local township and the state, the other place I'd really appreciate not having this thing fought in is

823
01:22:58,150 --> 01:22:58,150
court because we have a lot of attorneys everywhere within government.

824
01:23:03,940 --> 01:23:07,690
the world series is going on right now. That's our favorite pastime. Guess what, our second favorite pastime seems to be?

825
01:23:09,745 --> 01:23:09,745
suing each other and costing taxpayers a lot of money.

826
01:23:13,825 --> 01:23:13,825
I have a feeling just based on what your counsel presented earlier,

827
01:23:19,900 --> 01:23:23,680
just a little bit of information there. That type of discussion, some of what the gentleman before me spoke about,

828
01:23:27,430 --> 01:23:29,230
that's called a discussion. It seems like, rather than have the discussion we'd rather have this.

829
01:23:35,245 --> 01:23:38,870
again, I appreciate your guys' time and letting us speak, but it would be really great to avoid the courts,

830
01:23:41,640 --> 01:23:45,405
using the courts in this process because you've done the work. This thing's been out there since, I think,

831
01:23:47,190 --> 01:23:50,410
january in various stages. If we're talking about concerns,

832
01:23:52,330 --> 01:23:55,600
about the environment, first of all, welcome to folks that I never thought I'd say, were tree huggers and environmentalist.

833
01:23:57,785 --> 01:23:59,520
join the club. Thank you. [applause] proud to wear that badge for my entire life,

834
01:24:05,355 --> 01:24:05,355
I think, but I think there's some merit.

835
01:24:10,035 --> 01:24:10,035
I've been explained to some of the great things that could come out of this project.

836
01:24:15,345 --> 01:24:15,345
also, I understand some of the concerns because of what we

837
01:24:19,600 --> 01:24:19,600
experienced during that really awful hurricane a few years ago, where we lost lives.

838
01:24:23,965 --> 01:24:25,735
certainly don't want to see that again, certainly don't want to see vandalism and trespassing and things like that,

839
01:24:29,860 --> 01:24:29,860
especially if this is going to be a nice historic point in our town.

840
01:24:35,440 --> 01:24:38,350
I'd be proud to claim something like that. Maybe the beginning of a guided tour through the entire county,

841
01:24:42,475 --> 01:24:45,370
about something very important in our history. Again, thank you again for sharing the information.

842
01:24:47,995 --> 01:24:50,485
appreciate it, and hopefully, this can be mediated outside of a prolonged legal battle that will only cost more than

843
01:24:58,480 --> 01:24:58,480
the original project as it seems to work out normally, but thanks [applause].

844
01:25:06,370 --> 01:25:09,145
>>good evening. My name is carly joya. I live in bridgewater at 14-02 paley court.

845
01:25:13,465 --> 01:25:16,360
I have a combination of some prepared comments, but I will preface it by saying some of it

846
01:25:19,510 --> 01:25:22,720
reflects comments I would have made in my own council meeting and bridgewater, but it was canceled last week because there was no business to

847
01:25:26,020 --> 01:25:29,410
discuss before the election so just bear with me. I'd also like to make one clarification.

848
01:25:32,005 --> 01:25:35,095
bridgewater does have a shade tree board. We are required to have seven members on it.

849
01:25:37,855 --> 01:25:39,895
we currently have three, including one college student from the board of ed also serving on the board of ed.

850
01:25:44,365 --> 01:25:47,320
I have seen no record of any meetings of any sort or any minutes. I don't know what they're meeting or what they're doing.

851
01:25:49,600 --> 01:25:52,855
I would love to join that board someday. Now, I'll get to my comments here.

852
01:25:55,795 --> 01:25:58,570
I just wanted to commend our commissioners for putting transparency and truth on the record tonight.

853
01:26:01,930 --> 01:26:05,410
I can also add that as a working court reporter, that records and preserves the record almost every single day.

854
01:26:09,790 --> 01:26:09,790
the record is something that I take very seriously.

855
01:26:14,305 --> 01:26:14,305
to be here tonight and to actually see and hear the truth come out with

856
01:26:18,400 --> 01:26:21,400
supportive evidence from our engineers about what our commission has done behind the scenes,

857
01:26:24,760 --> 01:26:24,760
four months, actually 28 years, not more than months,

858
01:26:28,795 --> 01:26:32,575
to prepare for the washington valley road expansion project and your vision for that area.

859
01:26:34,885 --> 01:26:36,835
as we all are learning tonight, I'm extremely grateful to see that the record is finally being set straight.

860
01:26:41,275 --> 01:26:41,275
now, if we can get social media and the press to clear things up too,

861
01:26:45,550 --> 01:26:48,280
we'd be in great shape, but seriously know, the press is our friend especially in this day and age.

862
01:26:51,685 --> 01:26:51,685
I just wanted to commend them too for an article that I saw last week in tap into,

863
01:26:56,770 --> 01:26:56,770
which featured our own commissioner marano, and governor murphy,

864
01:27:00,790 --> 01:27:04,540
who had the opportunity to support and welcome the expansion of somerset based loop and pharmaceuticals corporate offices,

865
01:27:08,680 --> 01:27:08,680
bringing 30 new jobs into bridgewater and hopefully many more down the road.

866
01:27:13,270 --> 01:27:15,100
why does that matter? Because it's developments like this that tell the world that bridgewater,

867
01:27:18,460 --> 01:27:18,460
new jersey is still the place to be in the pharmaceutical industry.

868
01:27:22,540 --> 01:27:22,540
it's also extremely important for bridgewater taxpayers after the significant loss of

869
01:27:28,240 --> 01:27:31,180
santa fe's relocation to morristown and the more recent purchase of the old ethicon site by ade pyle,

870
01:27:35,875 --> 01:27:35,875
a three quarter billion dollar northeastern trucking and logistics company.

871
01:27:41,215 --> 01:27:43,810
you tell me they don't want to make that into their tenth warehouse on route 22 in bridgewater.

872
01:27:47,785 --> 01:27:47,785
now while our town also litigates the future use of the acorn site,

873
01:27:52,930 --> 01:27:52,930
I'll be as a defendant and not a plaintiff in this case.

874
01:27:57,220 --> 01:27:57,220
it's reassuring to at least know that our democratic county commissioners are

875
01:28:01,360 --> 01:28:01,360
actively pursuing business expansion in bridgewater,

876
01:28:05,755 --> 01:28:07,990
especially in the pharma space. Please keep fighting the good fight for us,

877
01:28:10,585 --> 01:28:11,830
and thank you for your time [applause].

878
01:28:22,240 --> 01:28:24,280
>> hi. My name is kathy giordano. I live at 1063 east brook road in martinsville.

879
01:28:27,760 --> 01:28:30,670
I'm living off of vossler avenue, 20 year resident, a taxpayer.

880
01:28:33,850 --> 01:28:36,985
thank you for seeing us tonight. As you can tell, I'd like to just ask by show of hands how many people

881
01:28:40,450 --> 01:28:40,450
are here and in respect to this subject that we're doing tonight.

882
01:28:44,800 --> 01:28:44,800
all taxpayers, raise your hand. Very good. Thank you.

883
01:28:51,090 --> 01:28:54,625
anybody live in martinsville, folks up here? Anyone? No. Anyone drive up and down vossler every day? I do.

884
01:28:58,945 --> 01:28:59,620
>> I do. >> you do. Anyone drive up and down vossler every day like me? Thank you.

885
01:29:06,060 --> 01:29:06,060
yes. I do not come in front of county boards.

886
01:29:14,065 --> 01:29:15,805
I don't do these type of thing, but my heart broke when I saw vossler avenue

887
01:29:19,330 --> 01:29:19,330
being ripped apart and I couldn't stop and not speak today.

888
01:29:23,605 --> 01:29:26,560
the problem is there's many problems. First of all, like any of these wonderful people explained,

889
01:29:29,890 --> 01:29:29,890
lack of communication, water concern.

890
01:29:34,180 --> 01:29:36,145
we have definitely water concern. Raptor trust just put an article in there that this is where

891
01:29:39,910 --> 01:29:39,910
all their eagles go and all the safe the raptors go when they release them.

892
01:29:44,950 --> 01:29:44,950
we have mechanisms right now to protect our environment.

893
01:29:49,000 --> 01:29:52,075
we're not doing that, and that's very disconcerting to me. The one thing that really affects me most,

894
01:29:54,430 --> 01:29:58,360
I go up and down that road every day. I wish you all would if you really want to make a difference and understand what's going on.

895
01:30:00,715 --> 01:30:00,715
there's a curve sign where that wonderful presentation was that you put out there.

896
01:30:05,020 --> 01:30:07,450
if you go by miller lane, right beyond that, it says, slow curve.

897
01:30:09,965 --> 01:30:09,965
on that slow curve is where your road is being built.

898
01:30:14,040 --> 01:30:17,025
I drive up every day, up and down, landscapers,

899
01:30:19,320 --> 01:30:22,185
large trucks, dump trucks, everything. Yes. Can you hear me?

900
01:30:27,950 --> 01:30:30,540
I drive up and down every day. That is a dangerous road.

901
01:30:32,460 --> 01:30:35,130
there's also, while I'm sitting in line here thinking when chimney rock gets closed for whatever reason,

902
01:30:38,940 --> 01:30:41,190
they patch all that coming down, and I know this for a fact, down to vossler.

903
01:30:44,520 --> 01:30:48,450
that little patch that shows so beautifully on the screen there, that little area where we're building this road,

904
01:30:51,000 --> 01:30:54,030
and here's miller, there's a slow curve sign. Someone is going to die.

905
01:30:56,675 --> 01:31:00,400
there's no way that you can get out of that road safely. You cannot see to the left or right.

906
01:31:02,440 --> 01:31:05,485
miller, even to merriam, you cannot see. I know for a fact,

907
01:31:07,195 --> 01:31:09,160
and that just breaks my heart, if we have to come back here and address losing

908
01:31:12,030 --> 01:31:15,555
someone because of our inability to have the foresight, that this is a dangerous road,

909
01:31:17,475 --> 01:31:19,560
and that should not be built there. I hope you take that into consideration

910
01:31:22,305 --> 01:31:24,970
because I don't want to come back here again and say, please stop. Thank you very much.

911
01:31:33,420 --> 01:31:36,505
>> I'm short, so I'm just going to hold it. My name is kathy franco and I live at 766 wee mack road. I'm sorry.

912
01:31:43,360 --> 01:31:46,960
wee mack, and that's in martinsville. It's right off hillcrest,

913
01:31:49,030 --> 01:31:50,800
which is right off ostler. I'm a stone's throw from the park.

914
01:31:53,875 --> 01:31:53,875
I have traveled up and down miller lane too many times to count.

915
01:32:00,445 --> 01:32:02,440
at least half the time, I'm playing chicken with somebody who's trying to

916
01:32:05,260 --> 01:32:08,980
travel in the opposite direction. I have had to pull off. My daughter has run that road.

917
01:32:11,305 --> 01:32:12,730
she's run the trails. My husband mountain bikes through the park.

918
01:32:16,410 --> 01:32:16,410
when I first heard about the access road,

919
01:32:20,575 --> 01:32:23,440
it was a neighbor who said, kathy, what's going on? Because she knows I pay attention to everything that's going on.

920
01:32:28,900 --> 01:32:28,900
I reached out to somebody who I knew at the county,

921
01:32:32,980 --> 01:32:36,760
and they said, oh, there's an access road going in. I said, okay. I answered her back, but then I though, let me find out some more.

922
01:32:39,475 --> 01:32:39,475
now, I go to just about all of my town council meetings,

923
01:32:43,810 --> 01:32:46,255
most of my planning board and zoning board. I actually do listen to all of

924
01:32:48,520 --> 01:32:52,465
your county commissioner meetings on my way home from work in the car. Then at six when I get home,

925
01:32:54,040 --> 01:32:55,330
I listen to the second half, where it's more of the open public.

926
01:32:58,290 --> 01:32:58,290
I thought, I think I heard something about an access road during a meeting.

927
01:33:04,060 --> 01:33:07,855
I went back through all the agendas. I didn't find just one,

928
01:33:09,655 --> 01:33:09,655
but I found four times since january that this project,

929
01:33:13,690 --> 01:33:15,520
something was on the agenda, whether it was the bid for something or a contract being handed out or something.

930
01:33:20,065 --> 01:33:22,555
I thought, it's not a secret, and then it was hitting social media,

931
01:33:25,075 --> 01:33:26,830
and it was a crisis. I thought, that seems odd that the township wouldn't know.

932
01:33:31,330 --> 01:33:31,330
then somebody sent me the january letter because I am active on facebook.

933
01:33:38,980 --> 01:33:38,980
I was seeing a lot of concern being expressed,

934
01:33:43,105 --> 01:33:46,540
but I wanted to find out what was really going on before just jumping on the bandwagon and saying,

935
01:33:50,500 --> 01:33:53,215
oh, my god, what did they do? Through somebody else's opra,

936
01:33:55,435 --> 01:33:57,160
I got a set of the drawings. I saw the bid description that went out,

937
01:34:02,095 --> 01:34:04,630
and I saw where indeed, there were 34 trees that were over 8 inches in diameter.

938
01:34:10,090 --> 01:34:10,090
my husband and my daughter recognized that there were other trees,

939
01:34:14,350 --> 01:34:17,515
but it wasn't a heavily forested area, it was an access area.

940
01:34:19,315 --> 01:34:22,630
it was a right away for something else that there were tire treads that had gone through that section in the past.

941
01:34:27,175 --> 01:34:27,175
maybe it's twice as wide as otherwise was as a path,

942
01:34:33,430 --> 01:34:33,430
but I really appreciate the presentation here tonight,

943
01:34:39,055 --> 01:34:42,700
because it presented to everybody and hopefully clarified some of the misinformation that had been presented.

944
01:34:47,185 --> 01:34:49,105
I was disappointed however, that even after that presentation,

945
01:34:51,280 --> 01:34:51,280
my mayor got up and still we respoke some misinformation,

946
01:34:56,875 --> 01:35:00,060
even though you had clarified it. I am most upset with my township government because if they had an issue,

947
01:35:07,270 --> 01:35:07,270
they had since january to ask questions.

948
01:35:11,710 --> 01:35:11,710
they had a virtual meeting with your engineers.

949
01:35:16,825 --> 01:35:19,285
if there were questions or concerns, that's what we pay our township officials for to bring them up in a timely manner.

950
01:35:25,180 --> 01:35:27,280
I thank you for this. I personally I'm not really upset about it.

951
01:35:31,630 --> 01:35:31,630
I think it is a wonderful area, the park.

952
01:35:36,820 --> 01:35:36,820
I think talks point is an amazing place.

953
01:35:40,960 --> 01:35:44,710
I want not, only bridgewater township, not only county residents,

954
01:35:46,555 --> 01:35:46,555
but the public at large to be able to go there and enjoy it.

955
01:35:51,910 --> 01:35:54,670
that's what green acres is all about. We have two parks in bridgewater right now that are not accessible to the public.

956
01:36:01,660 --> 01:36:01,660
one is the boucher, whatever it is off,

957
01:36:06,840 --> 01:36:09,685
I can't even remember the name of the road, foothill road, because there is no place to access it and park,

958
01:36:15,310 --> 01:36:18,775
and the other is camp cromwell. Thank you very much [applause]. Did I break it?

959
01:36:29,040 --> 01:36:29,040
>> just leave it. It's okay.

960
01:36:45,730 --> 01:36:45,730
>> got it. My name is frank newbauer.

961
01:36:54,020 --> 01:36:54,020
I live at 46 shady lane in bridgewater.

962
01:36:58,175 --> 01:36:58,175
it basically at the foot of osler [overlapping].

963
01:37:04,640 --> 01:37:08,495
by the way, I'm frank newbauer, live at 46 shady lane. It's basically at the bottom of osler,

964
01:37:11,060 --> 01:37:11,060
where osler and 22 come together.

965
01:37:15,155 --> 01:37:15,155
I've been a very frequent user of the park.

966
01:37:19,175 --> 01:37:22,250
me and my wife love it. It's like our therapy. We're on every trail, orange, white, red.

967
01:37:28,610 --> 01:37:28,610
it's just been a wonderful place.

968
01:37:33,680 --> 01:37:33,680
still? You know what?

969
01:37:41,375 --> 01:37:45,280
I'll take it off. It'll be better. Me and my wife are frequent users of the park,

970
01:37:48,650 --> 01:37:51,560
and being such a frequent user, we were actually quite surprised to see this big construction going on.

971
01:37:56,990 --> 01:38:00,920
I had walked back on that green trail back there, and I was wow, now I can't go there anymore.

972
01:38:02,645 --> 01:38:02,645
but I don't know all the details of everything.

973
01:38:07,250 --> 01:38:10,475
it was very informative learning what's been going on. But I was actually a bit disappointed hearing what has transpired for this 28 years,

974
01:38:20,840 --> 01:38:24,035
mr. Luber, the engineer, was talking about how this project is,

975
01:38:27,515 --> 01:38:31,220
this land is our most valuable asset. It's the park. But I think mr. Luber

976
01:38:35,045 --> 01:38:35,045
missed something that was even more important than the park,

977
01:38:40,085 --> 01:38:40,085
and that is the well being and the safety of residents.

978
01:38:45,275 --> 01:38:48,770
although he's done this amazing plan of, we're going to put this road in,

979
01:38:51,695 --> 01:38:54,830
which maybe you need it. I've never gone on anybody's lawns.

980
01:38:58,625 --> 01:39:01,115
there's only six houses. It's once in a while. But okay, we got this road,

981
01:39:03,545 --> 01:39:03,545
but a little bit further away by the chimney rock between white and red,

982
01:39:11,195 --> 01:39:14,405
us residents, park users have to face a daunting challenge of walking on this most dreadful,

983
01:39:18,950 --> 01:39:21,440
curvy, dangerous, narrow road. I said, what? You've been at this for 28 years.

984
01:39:25,715 --> 01:39:25,715
you've never addressed this danger choke point on chimney rock road?

985
01:39:32,885 --> 01:39:34,940
why the dam is there? You're already 85% there.

986
01:39:37,205 --> 01:39:37,205
a stinking 20 foot little bridge would connect and save the people the risk of being hit.

987
01:39:45,155 --> 01:39:48,845
we talked about somebody who's mentioned about somebody dying. Well, somebody's going to die on chimney rock road,

988
01:39:51,440 --> 01:39:54,275
trying to go between white and red, or jump across the road and connect to the orange and go up the hill.

989
01:39:58,565 --> 01:40:01,325
now, I would like to say, this is something they should be looking at.

990
01:40:03,920 --> 01:40:03,920
the project might be an awesome, great personal achievement,

991
01:40:07,970 --> 01:40:07,970
but is it serving all the residents or the users of the park?

992
01:40:13,250 --> 01:40:13,250
if we can't even navigate some of the park without taking our life into our own hands.

993
01:40:20,900 --> 01:40:23,345
my wife and me walk on that path. Sometimes she says, "I don't want to go that way."

994
01:40:25,790 --> 01:40:25,790
we're not looping the reservoir because I just don't want to go on that road.

995
01:40:30,710 --> 01:40:30,710
I'm disappointed to hear after 28 years,

996
01:40:34,940 --> 01:40:38,915
they've not addressed that. That's a shame. That's 500 feet. You could have done a better job.

997
01:40:41,345 --> 01:40:41,345
I hope what comes out of this is not only fixing and doing whatever you're doing here,

998
01:40:47,225 --> 01:40:49,520
but finally fix that spot. Then we'll have a safer park.

999
01:40:51,920 --> 01:40:55,550
that's really all I've got. I just wanted to bring that point up. No one's talking about that one.

1000
01:40:57,305 --> 01:40:57,305
that's the real danger spot of the whole complex.

1001
01:41:01,565 --> 01:41:03,980
otherwise, I mean, we've got a super place. No matter how many times I hike this place,

1002
01:41:06,080 --> 01:41:09,905
I bump into people, they say, "we've been all over." washington valley tops them all.

1003
01:41:11,960 --> 01:41:13,790
it's really good. That's all I've got. Thank you again.

1004
01:41:26,950 --> 01:41:30,455
>> good evening. I'm michael kirsch. I live at 25 danbury lane in bridgewater.

1005
01:41:32,480 --> 01:41:34,415
I'm also a councilman in bridgewater. I also have eight years experience on our zoning board,

1006
01:41:37,130 --> 01:41:39,995
six years experience on our planning board. Before asking a couple of quick questions,

1007
01:41:44,015 --> 01:41:44,015
there's definitely a few comments that have been made that need to be clarified,

1008
01:41:48,290 --> 01:41:50,975
not from the dais, but from the audience. Anybody who implies that bridgewater's government,

1009
01:41:53,855 --> 01:41:56,915
its elected officials, its employees, its planning board, it zoning board,

1010
01:41:58,460 --> 01:41:58,460
or anybody else are not good stewards of our land and our assets,

1011
01:42:04,010 --> 01:42:06,065
is creating a false narrative. It's just as simple as that.

1012
01:42:08,360 --> 01:42:11,855
I have a perception that we're not alone. Other towns do the same thing.

1013
01:42:13,430 --> 01:42:13,430
we all take our commitment to the land very, very seriously.

1014
01:42:18,260 --> 01:42:20,855
>> your comments about this issue. >> I will get to this issue, yes.

1015
01:42:22,910 --> 01:42:22,910
I will say that there was a comment made previously about the world series.

1016
01:42:27,440 --> 01:42:29,900
in my mind, there are a couple of examples where maybe some things we were batting out of order.

1017
01:42:32,465 --> 01:42:32,465
during this meeting, we've heard there's more plans.

1018
01:42:38,930 --> 01:42:41,735
they're going to build something over here. Maybe that part of the road is going to be expanded further.

1019
01:42:44,720 --> 01:42:48,635
maybe there'll be more parking. Where is that presentation? Where is the vision for what this full park is going to look like?

1020
01:42:52,520 --> 01:42:55,595
it feels like we're batting out of order. Let's build the road,

1021
01:42:57,410 --> 01:43:01,070
build it, and then they will come. The question that I have, I think the question many of us have is,

1022
01:43:02,840 --> 01:43:05,660
what is this thing ultimately going to look like? Why was that not provided at step 1?

1023
01:43:09,935 --> 01:43:13,160
instead of building a road to, we're just not quite sure what's going to be there at the end.

1024
01:43:16,295 --> 01:43:19,730
that's certainly one question. I know this is not the time for answers, but I'm hoping that through further dialogue,

1025
01:43:21,725 --> 01:43:23,540
we can understand that. The second thing, toward the end of the presentation,

1026
01:43:27,065 --> 01:43:29,360
there was a memo written, I believe, as t&m. Is that the engineering firm on october 24th,

1027
01:43:32,540 --> 01:43:35,420
stating, you're good on green acres. If that designation from an engineer,

1028
01:43:37,910 --> 01:43:40,850
not from the state came on october 24th, why were the saws out on october 13th?

1029
01:43:44,180 --> 01:43:47,345
it feels like, again, a little bit of batting out of order. The letter is in hand october 24th, and that's great.

1030
01:43:50,390 --> 01:43:53,165
the trees were gone on october 13th. Final area I want to ask about is the site distance and the safety issue.

1031
01:43:58,625 --> 01:44:01,820
it's my understanding that bridgewater township raised the concern about the exact spot and whether it was at a safe part of the curve.

1032
01:44:07,505 --> 01:44:10,505
what I've heard is the county said, "no, we got it. We're good." that was the end of the story.

1033
01:44:13,880 --> 01:44:15,470
I believe there needs to be a a deeper consideration

1034
01:44:19,145 --> 01:44:19,145
of what can be done to make access to this site as safe as possible.

1035
01:44:23,240 --> 01:44:23,720
thank you [applause].

1036
01:44:38,270 --> 01:44:41,420
>> great. >> before you continue, I see the end of the line, the lady in the burgundy jacket.

1037
01:44:42,755 --> 01:44:42,755
are there any others wishing to speak beyond her?

1038
01:44:47,240 --> 01:44:51,200
please come forward and stand in line or sit near, so we can get because we do want to hear from you.

1039
01:44:54,950 --> 01:44:56,900
we just want to want to gauge where we are. We did have a couple of guests that left that we're here for another reason,

1040
01:45:01,535 --> 01:45:01,535
but we want to be respectful of your time as well. So thank you.

1041
01:45:06,410 --> 01:45:09,245
>> great. Tim checko, 120 top of the world way, green brook.

1042
01:45:12,755 --> 01:45:16,640
first, I wanted to really thank everybody up here, including your wonderful presentation.

1043
01:45:18,470 --> 01:45:19,835
it was very informative. I have some appreciation for all the paperwork that you needed to actually complete.

1044
01:45:25,175 --> 01:45:26,840
I thought that was very thorough, and it was great to hear how you had planned out the strategy.

1045
01:45:30,620 --> 01:45:30,620
a couple of things that I actually did notice here.

1046
01:45:36,815 --> 01:45:39,890
shanel, you indicated we don't manage by facebook, but while there were seven different reports,

1047
01:45:42,890 --> 01:45:46,220
none of those reports were really something that I think most of the people in this room would have probably read in their average daily course.

1048
01:45:50,280 --> 01:45:54,010
I liked the letter that you sent to the people on miller lane. I think if there was some kind of communication that was

1049
01:45:58,390 --> 01:45:58,390
available to the wider amount of people in this room to bring greater awareness,

1050
01:46:05,395 --> 01:46:05,395
that might have helped alleviate some of what we're going through right now.

1051
01:46:10,410 --> 01:46:12,605
the second piece is, it seems like there were two line items.

1052
01:46:15,050 --> 01:46:16,820
one was for 34 trees, and then there was a second just general notice that we were clearing 1,500 feet of road,

1053
01:46:24,350 --> 01:46:27,440
20 square feet, or 20 feet wide. By my count, that's 30,000 square feet of pavement.

1054
01:46:32,570 --> 01:46:36,350
there would be an expectation. I appreciate, in fact, that there'd be no way you could realistically do this

1055
01:46:39,845 --> 01:46:39,845
without a few hundred trees being disrupted.

1056
01:46:44,780 --> 01:46:48,560
that said, I don't know that the fact that there was an access road really pointed out that,

1057
01:46:51,620 --> 01:46:55,520
which is, of course, what you've heard everyone here gravitate to, that it was just so many trees.

1058
01:46:57,755 --> 01:47:00,950
sometimes we get lost in all the I's, and t's and maybe a cliff note version that you could give to the public that

1059
01:47:06,410 --> 01:47:08,675
would highlight what they've all visually observed and have concern about might have again,

1060
01:47:12,080 --> 01:47:15,575
alleviated a couple concern here. The last point that I will actually say,

1061
01:47:18,020 --> 01:47:20,315
because you could probably tell by my dress. I'm the latest person in here in this room to use

1062
01:47:22,970 --> 01:47:26,510
the park because I physically used it about two hours ago. I love the facilities there.

1063
01:47:29,840 --> 01:47:29,840
but I will say you can get two cars by barely.

1064
01:47:34,730 --> 01:47:38,090
I definitely would continue to echo what you've heard that that road was not designed for a lot of traffic, never was.

1065
01:47:43,055 --> 01:47:45,410
I think, for me, I understand what you're trying to accomplish here. Thank you very much.

1066
01:47:57,940 --> 01:48:00,800
>> hello. I'm nancy foss, 1008 helene place, raritan.

1067
01:48:03,545 --> 01:48:03,545
as someone who's bicycled on these roads for decades,

1068
01:48:07,985 --> 01:48:10,280
I can personally attest to the fact that there are far too many drivers who just

1069
01:48:12,860 --> 01:48:15,920
don't give a darn about anybody that's not sitting in the car with them. I completely sympathize with the people on miller lane

1070
01:48:19,130 --> 01:48:22,940
wanting to re-establish the safety on the road in front of their homes. I have a little bit different angle that I'd like to take.

1071
01:48:27,530 --> 01:48:27,530
I'm more concerned with the roadway itself that's going in the driveway.

1072
01:48:32,210 --> 01:48:32,210
I don't know anything about road engineering beyond how to maybe spell it.

1073
01:48:36,530 --> 01:48:38,405
permeable pavement. I'm assuming that means the water somehow trickles through and seeps into the ground.

1074
01:48:43,325 --> 01:48:46,190
that's great when it's water. But we have a lot of freeze thaw here,

1075
01:48:48,485 --> 01:48:51,500
all winter long, freeze thaw, freeze thaw. How stable is that roadway? I don't know.

1076
01:48:56,045 --> 01:48:57,380
I don't know anything about it. Is it something that freeze thaw is going to break up in two or three years,

1077
01:49:00,920 --> 01:49:04,430
and we're going to be repaving? Does it have a 20 year life expectancy, and then we take it up and repave it?

1078
01:49:06,635 --> 01:49:06,635
or are we going to wind up having to take it out and put an impermeable surface in?

1079
01:49:11,645 --> 01:49:14,585
and then we have the problem with runoff. Just if we could take a further look out at what

1080
01:49:17,690 --> 01:49:21,635
this permeable pavement will actually mean. Thank you [applause].

1081
01:49:30,020 --> 01:49:33,095
>> hello, good evening. My name is philip pedroso. I have the honor of serving on the bridgewater township council.

1082
01:49:36,440 --> 01:49:39,515
been a councilman for almost 14 years. Yeah, 5 yohn drive, bridgewater, new jersey.

1083
01:49:43,970 --> 01:49:47,270
I have a very brief point to make. Good evening, commissioners.

1084
01:49:49,850 --> 01:49:53,330
commissioner director, you stated tonight over and over again on government works, government works.

1085
01:49:58,220 --> 01:50:02,030
I listened to that statement, and you said it over and over again, and that is such a factual statement.

1086
01:50:04,520 --> 01:50:04,520
the problem is, is that in this particular case, government didn't work.

1087
01:50:09,440 --> 01:50:11,885
if it did work, it worked poorly. I'm going to talk about two separate points.

1088
01:50:14,675 --> 01:50:18,335
number 1, the fact that we all are here tonight, two weeks after 300-500 trees in bridgewater,

1089
01:50:25,040 --> 01:50:28,010
which is devastated, just cut down. The fact that we're here two weeks later,

1090
01:50:30,020 --> 01:50:33,890
talking about this in a packed room, being presented a presentation for the first time goes to show us how in this particular case,

1091
01:50:38,345 --> 01:50:41,975
government did not work or it worked poorly. The problem here is that there's been

1092
01:50:44,690 --> 01:50:48,440
no transparency in this whatsoever. I'm on a town council. I just found out about this two weeks ago on tuesday,

1093
01:50:50,750 --> 01:50:53,135
a friend of mine text me and says, "look, what's going on?" I didn't know. The public didn't know.

1094
01:50:56,480 --> 01:50:58,610
no one in the public knew about this. There's been no transparency.

1095
01:51:00,515 --> 01:51:00,515
there's been zero effort by you guys to try to get the public involved in this case.

1096
01:51:05,420 --> 01:51:08,480
now, you can say, a lot of finger pointing and letters and this and that. At the end of the day,

1097
01:51:09,845 --> 01:51:12,845
this is your project. This is your land. You ran this project.

1098
01:51:14,345 --> 01:51:16,790
you bid off for this project. You're doing this. This is your project.

1099
01:51:18,740 --> 01:51:20,345
it is your obligation. It's your obligation, as government officials to be transparent and make sure that

1100
01:51:24,920 --> 01:51:24,920
the community is well aware of what you're about to do.

1101
01:51:30,830 --> 01:51:33,635
in this case, you failed the people, and government did not work right.

1102
01:51:35,360 --> 01:51:39,005
the second point I want to make is that two weeks ago, the chairman of our zoning board, jeff foose,

1103
01:51:42,440 --> 01:51:42,440
came before you on tuesday and spoke about what was happening in bridgewater township.

1104
01:51:49,240 --> 01:51:49,240
I was frankly shocked that the next day it was business as usual. You heard about this.

1105
01:51:56,180 --> 01:51:58,625
you were informed about what was going on, whether someone had a misconception of it or not.

1106
01:52:03,020 --> 01:52:06,365
maybe, but you did nothing about it. You didn't stop the project.

1107
01:52:07,790 --> 01:52:10,940
you could have stopped it temporarily and reassessed, re-thought about it, taken some action, but you ignored it.

1108
01:52:15,515 --> 01:52:18,815
you didn't care about it. Again, government did not work. It worked poorly. You failed the people.

1109
01:52:21,470 --> 01:52:21,470
that's all I have to say. Thank you [applause].

1110
01:52:28,313 --> 01:52:30,030
>> my name is joan geiger, 154 hillside avenue, bridgewater, new jersey.

1111
01:52:33,420 --> 01:52:33,420
I want to thank the commissioners for holding this meeting.

1112
01:52:37,845 --> 01:52:37,845
residents of bridgewater were invited by bridgewater mayor mench to be here tonight to

1113
01:52:44,445 --> 01:52:44,445
stand with him for transparency, accountability and answers.

1114
01:52:51,855 --> 01:52:54,555
based on the media attention, our mayor garnered on cbs,

1115
01:52:58,035 --> 01:53:01,110
local stations, and social media, it is no secret.

1116
01:53:03,105 --> 01:53:03,105
the intent here was to garner more support for his claims which I will leave to

1117
01:53:09,975 --> 01:53:09,975
each listener to determine the truth or lack thereof for themselves.

1118
01:53:17,025 --> 01:53:17,025
yet, despite knowing what you were facing here tonight,

1119
01:53:22,785 --> 01:53:25,320
you held this meeting. Mr. Mench in his media blitz on october 14th,

1120
01:53:32,400 --> 01:53:32,400
two days before the regularly scheduled bridgewater town council meeting

1121
01:53:39,840 --> 01:53:39,840
and two weeks before the election canceled that meeting.

1122
01:53:46,095 --> 01:53:46,095
numerous questions were immediately posted on social media by myself and many others.

1123
01:53:53,100 --> 01:53:53,100
when or even if did the commissioners advise bridgewater of this plan?

1124
01:53:59,655 --> 01:53:59,655
what action did the commissioners and our town officials take?

1125
01:54:04,485 --> 01:54:07,365
how many trees were cut down? What size were they?

1126
01:54:09,300 --> 01:54:09,300
were there 300 that later became

1127
01:54:14,040 --> 01:54:14,040
500 trees cut down without anybody noticing? I don't know.

1128
01:54:19,485 --> 01:54:22,380
I've had trees cut down in my yard and I'll tell you, it takes a half a day to cut down one tree,

1129
01:54:24,660 --> 01:54:28,140
and the noise is overwhelming. Everybody in the neighborhood knows it's happening and there were many, many more questions.

1130
01:54:33,015 --> 01:54:36,015
these were legitimate questions. As a mediator and an attorney,

1131
01:54:38,850 --> 01:54:38,850
I am trained to ask questions and look at both sides of an issue.

1132
01:54:44,385 --> 01:54:47,625
as a candidate for bridgewater town council, whose signature issue has always been flooding,

1133
01:54:52,095 --> 01:54:52,095
I was deeply concerned.

1134
01:54:57,110 --> 01:54:57,110
now that we have heard this presentation,

1135
01:55:06,830 --> 01:55:06,830
the question is, if those comments by the mayor were true,

1136
01:55:13,335 --> 01:55:13,335
then this commission had a lot of explaining to do.

1137
01:55:17,610 --> 01:55:17,610
but how did our local bridgewater officials respond?

1138
01:55:22,575 --> 01:55:22,575
they canceled the bridgewater town council meeting that was to be held

1139
01:55:29,595 --> 01:55:29,595
two days after the mayor's media blitz for lack of business.

1140
01:55:38,130 --> 01:55:41,610
so commissioners, I thank you for holding this meeting and being here to provide transparency,

1141
01:55:46,395 --> 01:55:46,395
accountability, and answers that mr. Mench is allegedly seeking?

1142
01:55:54,480 --> 01:55:54,480
I leave our concerned citizens with this thought.

1143
01:55:58,695 --> 01:56:00,915
to sort out the truth, consider which governing body here,

1144
01:56:05,085 --> 01:56:08,550
or county commissioners or their political opponents who came here tonight and

1145
01:56:11,460 --> 01:56:15,135
didn't mention that they are your political opponents. Allowed the public to appear,

1146
01:56:17,655 --> 01:56:17,655
allowed the public to ask questions and allow the public to be heard.

1147
01:56:22,500 --> 01:56:22,500
therein, I submit, lies your transparency, accountability,

1148
01:56:28,725 --> 01:56:30,600
and answers. Thank you [applause].

1149
01:56:39,480 --> 01:56:42,975
>> hi. My name is radwana isla, 32 timberline drive. I've lived in somerset county for over 10 years and

1150
01:56:46,590 --> 01:56:46,590
currently I'm a resident in bridgewater near washington valley road.

1151
01:56:51,570 --> 01:56:54,450
I'm not going to repeat a lot of the concerns I do share with a lot of the speakers already.

1152
01:56:56,970 --> 01:56:56,970
my biggest elevator speech today is on risk management.

1153
01:57:02,190 --> 01:57:04,995
risk is not an issue yet. What I've seen, thanks to the somerset county commissioner is,

1154
01:57:09,810 --> 01:57:11,550
they've done their due diligence. They've had a communication plan.

1155
01:57:13,815 --> 01:57:15,150
we saw it in january. We saw a virtual meeting at the request of bridgewater.

1156
01:57:19,755 --> 01:57:19,755
they were never denied any of this information that is available to all of us.

1157
01:57:25,425 --> 01:57:25,425
living in bridgewater, I expect the same from our municipal government

1158
01:57:30,270 --> 01:57:30,270
that we're also paying taxes to to have that same level of risk management.

1159
01:57:35,010 --> 01:57:37,860
how do we mitigate this before the work starts? Where's our due diligence?

1160
01:57:39,465 --> 01:57:41,670
if someone gives me an id or due diligence, I don't just put it on my desk and wait

1161
01:57:44,460 --> 01:57:44,460
nine months until cbs is knocking on my door or inviting them.

1162
01:57:48,675 --> 01:57:50,625
what I do is I look at it, and I demand answers immediately,

1163
01:57:53,310 --> 01:57:55,740
not on facebook, not on social media, but in a face to face conversation.

1164
01:57:59,070 --> 01:58:02,115
if you don't have a communication in place, that's the time. How do you not just communicate with each other?

1165
01:58:04,500 --> 01:58:06,150
you're in a collaboration, not just with the somerset county.

1166
01:58:08,640 --> 01:58:12,270
we have collaborations with utility companies. I've seen the same thing happen speaking to residents where a utility company came in,

1167
01:58:17,835 --> 01:58:20,760
did not coordinate with the municipal government. Now, guess what,

1168
01:58:22,155 --> 01:58:24,780
residents who've been living in bridgewater for decades have runoff because the trees are all gone.

1169
01:58:28,095 --> 01:58:30,480
they're dealing with it for the last three years. What is happening to these residents?

1170
01:58:32,490 --> 01:58:35,265
this we can avoid. This is a risk. It's not an issue. These are actual issues.

1171
01:58:37,665 --> 01:58:39,225
they had flooding in october 2nd, and nothing is happening to these residents.

1172
01:58:42,770 --> 01:58:42,770
there's no sbs coming in and covering their stories.

1173
01:58:47,460 --> 01:58:50,250
I was at at their doors recently. I speak to at least 100 different residents a day,

1174
01:58:53,520 --> 01:58:55,485
either on the floor or in person. Only a few know about the phase but post, because guess what?

1175
01:58:58,290 --> 01:58:59,940
that's not where you go for governance. You go to that canceled township meeting that we were supposed to have

1176
01:59:03,990 --> 01:59:03,990
on thursday and it was canceled due to not any business.

1177
01:59:08,220 --> 01:59:12,180
this is business and not just this, like I said, there's runoff water happening. Joan has talked about the floodwater management.

1178
01:59:14,970 --> 01:59:14,970
we need to apply it across the board and I really appreciate everyone coming out

1179
01:59:19,680 --> 01:59:19,680
because this is the communication plan we needed from day one from bridgewater township.

1180
01:59:24,570 --> 01:59:28,545
I do this on a day basis as a risk management, not just a risk management,

1181
01:59:30,225 --> 01:59:32,505
but it's called regulatory strategist. I do it before things go into a human body.

1182
01:59:37,440 --> 01:59:40,755
I feel like before things affect our residents, we should take that same approach that a lot of companies take.

1183
01:59:44,415 --> 01:59:46,980
again, I thank for the right things that have happened, the communication plan, the due diligence,

1184
01:59:48,900 --> 01:59:48,900
but it needs to happen in all collaborations and in

1185
01:59:53,205 --> 01:59:53,205
every single government from the somerset county level down to the local level.

1186
01:59:58,575 --> 02:00:01,065
otherwise, we will suffer going forward. Unfortunately, we can't do anything about those residents that are suffering right now,

1187
02:00:05,670 --> 02:00:05,670
but I hope that it's avoided for future work with other utility companies.

1188
02:00:11,190 --> 02:00:12,540
I won't name the street even, but I'm sure the municipal township is aware of it,

1189
02:00:15,990 --> 02:00:15,990
and it's really sad what's happening within our township already, which is, again,

1190
02:00:20,055 --> 02:00:21,495
an issue and not a risk, but I'm glad we talked about all the risk and hopefully they'll be managed.

1191
02:00:24,420 --> 02:00:24,420
thank you [applause].

1192
02:00:33,210 --> 02:00:34,785
>> my name is mary gallagher. I live on 12 highland avenue in bridgewater.

1193
02:00:37,755 --> 02:00:40,455
I am a native born and raised here. I have seen a lot of changes.

1194
02:00:43,110 --> 02:00:43,110
but my concern right now is actually clarification of storm drainage versus wetland.

1195
02:00:50,985 --> 02:00:50,985
because what I'm seeing is the exchange of that connotation or label for everything.

1196
02:00:58,335 --> 02:01:00,690
I get confused. What are they talking about? Stormwater, to me that drainage is manmade.

1197
02:01:03,930 --> 02:01:06,750
it's technical, it's manipulative. Wetlands are natural.

1198
02:01:08,190 --> 02:01:11,790
they're formed by nature. They absorb the groundwater. Stormwater drainage doesn't.

1199
02:01:14,250 --> 02:01:17,280
my concern is now with this whole area, they did what they call due diligence for their wetland assessment.

1200
02:01:23,805 --> 02:01:26,505
I don't think that was run by dep. It was done by what their environmentalist said or did.

1201
02:01:30,465 --> 02:01:32,250
how experienced were they? How what weather did they have?

1202
02:01:34,650 --> 02:01:38,160
we are in a drought. Everything is low now. If you get the drought reports,

1203
02:01:40,380 --> 02:01:43,500
that means if the dep is putting it out, they're telling us that the groundwater is already low.

1204
02:01:46,335 --> 02:01:49,890
what I'm concerned about now is if there is wetlands there that they didn't get right because nobody oversaw them,

1205
02:01:53,850 --> 02:01:53,850
then we could be in trouble with the well water for the people on vossler avenue.

1206
02:01:58,635 --> 02:02:02,385
this is an older neighborhood so is green ole where I live. And I've gone through the same thing.

1207
02:02:04,140 --> 02:02:06,660
there was a case there with wetlands, and I found that the developer had changed

1208
02:02:08,970 --> 02:02:08,970
the dep label for the wetland to stormwater drainage.

1209
02:02:14,250 --> 02:02:16,590
that I got corrected. I did take it to the people involved.

1210
02:02:20,265 --> 02:02:20,265
what needs to be done is a better due diligence to assess the ground.

1211
02:02:26,145 --> 02:02:26,145
again, weather may have been when they did the assessment,

1212
02:02:31,030 --> 02:02:32,675
if it was a drought time, very dry, everything's low, everything's dry.

1213
02:02:35,870 --> 02:02:39,710
I do a lot of hiking, and I've been out in the woods up in harriman and everything. It's as dry as can be.

1214
02:02:41,150 --> 02:02:42,695
it's all fire hazard. We have to be very careful about our water supply.

1215
02:02:47,205 --> 02:02:49,620
again, we're on well water. I know people on vossler avenue who are well and I don't know who's on well water here,

1216
02:02:54,525 --> 02:02:57,180
but I think it's something that should have been considered. I don't see anything about groundwater or water except erosion and flooding.

1217
02:03:03,360 --> 02:03:03,360
but nobody's talking about the drinking water or water that we need.

1218
02:03:08,370 --> 02:03:11,205
anyway, that's all I have to say. Keep it short [applause].

1219
02:03:15,570 --> 02:03:18,555
>> good evening, claudia levin bateman, 94 katherine lane bridgewater.

1220
02:03:20,985 --> 02:03:20,985
I've been a proud resident of somerset county since

1221
02:03:25,215 --> 02:03:25,215
1959 and a resident of bridgewater since 1962,

1222
02:03:31,710 --> 02:03:34,515
and part of my sense of humor. But when I look at this project,

1223
02:03:37,050 --> 02:03:39,615
despite my love for the great outdoors, I see the bound brook reservoir.

1224
02:03:42,810 --> 02:03:42,810
I just look at the second watchung mountain and the east facing side.

1225
02:03:49,410 --> 02:03:49,410
homes, hiking, roads, trees,

1226
02:03:53,730 --> 02:03:57,435
groundwater, storms, I'll leave that to the experts. My concern is the flooding downstream.

1227
02:04:01,515 --> 02:04:01,515
I was present for hurricane floyd in 1999.

1228
02:04:06,615 --> 02:04:08,565
I saw it firsthand. I was on high ground in bound brook,

1229
02:04:12,300 --> 02:04:12,300
but I heard the stories from my friends that left their homes in the middle of the night,

1230
02:04:19,560 --> 02:04:21,675
getting their elderly mother, their young kids running for the door, grabbing their shoes,

1231
02:04:25,995 --> 02:04:29,745
going out the door, water going up to their feet, and before they got to that church,

1232
02:04:31,725 --> 02:04:34,440
a couple blocks up, up to their waist. I went out on bicycle the day after and about second street,

1233
02:04:41,505 --> 02:04:43,710
just looking straight over to the second story of the buildings on the main street of bound brook.

1234
02:04:48,890 --> 02:04:51,705
clearly, it stayed with me. The only thing out there was a big black rubber raft boat with the nypd on it.

1235
02:05:00,350 --> 02:05:00,350
as a juxtaposition, my girlfriend was getting married that day,

1236
02:05:05,400 --> 02:05:05,400
so we had all the wedding activities at her house on the north side of bound brook.

1237
02:05:11,175 --> 02:05:11,175
but we had a steady stream of young girls coming up to the door.

1238
02:05:16,215 --> 02:05:18,510
my mom asked for shoes. Do you have any extra shoes?

1239
02:05:20,520 --> 02:05:23,190
do you have any extra clothing? God bless my girlfriend.

1240
02:05:24,660 --> 02:05:28,170
she only wore black heels, but she tossed him out the front door. I remember going to the bound brook high school and seeing the many, many families there.

1241
02:05:34,575 --> 02:05:37,320
I remember seeing all the supplies brought there. God bless our town,

1242
02:05:38,805 --> 02:05:40,785
there were plenty of supplies. But we know about the project since.

1243
02:05:44,040 --> 02:05:46,110
we know about the levees, they've helped. They haven't always been closed in time,

1244
02:05:48,420 --> 02:05:51,930
so that's a process. We've seen bound brook go underwater. We've seen manville go underwater time and time again,

1245
02:05:56,130 --> 02:05:59,370
we've seen the flooding. We see how route 22, especially on the westbound side becomes a lake.

1246
02:06:03,975 --> 02:06:07,515
it's easy to anticipate the highway dips there. We had a woman drown there.

1247
02:06:10,050 --> 02:06:10,050
I'm going to leave it up to the army corps of engineers,

1248
02:06:14,850 --> 02:06:17,730
the dep, the epa, maybe the universities. Maybe we can get best practices.

1249
02:06:19,995 --> 02:06:22,080
I don't know where the water goes, but I know it goes to bound brook,

1250
02:06:24,075 --> 02:06:25,935
I know it goes to manville. Thank you [applause].

1251
02:06:32,850 --> 02:06:36,540
>> my name is jim lewelln, 477 garriton road, bridgewater, new jersey, I'm going to thank the engineers for a good presentation.

1252
02:06:42,660 --> 02:06:42,660
you had all the proper documentation as far as dep approvals and whatnot.

1253
02:06:52,080 --> 02:06:52,080
I know this because I'm an environmental consultant as well.

1254
02:06:56,265 --> 02:06:56,265
in listening to your presentation, a couple of things.

1255
02:07:01,470 --> 02:07:04,920
first thing, miller lane, was that ever an option?

1256
02:07:06,630 --> 02:07:09,045
expanding widening? Sorry. Was it ever an option?

1257
02:07:14,060 --> 02:07:14,060
the comment is, was miller lane widening ever an option,

1258
02:07:19,860 --> 02:07:19,860
which would reduce the number of trees?

1259
02:07:24,860 --> 02:07:24,860
another thing. Is it a raptor migration pathway?

1260
02:07:32,750 --> 02:07:32,750
that means something to dep?

1261
02:07:37,890 --> 02:07:40,665
they presented a report, and it was a good presentation.

1262
02:07:43,785 --> 02:07:47,565
the question I have is, how accurate was the report? If in the report, it says 34 trees are going to be taken.

1263
02:07:52,650 --> 02:07:55,560
I know what you said, mr. Dimarco about, well, there's a broad brush over here that says, we're going to clear cut.

1264
02:07:59,955 --> 02:07:59,955
but if they had put in that they were removing 350-500 trees,

1265
02:08:05,910 --> 02:08:05,910
would that have raised their flag with dep?

1266
02:08:10,640 --> 02:08:10,640
would there have been some type of mitigation?

1267
02:08:15,135 --> 02:08:15,135
I know from experience that if you go to the ngdp mitigation group,

1268
02:08:20,985 --> 02:08:20,985
the rule of thumb when you disturb land especially a forest,

1269
02:08:27,885 --> 02:08:27,885
is 426 trees, they call them stems per acre.

1270
02:08:34,545 --> 02:08:34,545
if you've taken out two acres, that's 850 stems,

1271
02:08:41,055 --> 02:08:41,055
that dep would force you to replace somewhere,

1272
02:08:46,200 --> 02:08:46,200
maybe not in the same spot, but somewhere.

1273
02:08:50,630 --> 02:08:53,640
the last thing I'll say is that, do you have a mitigation plan?

1274
02:08:56,715 --> 02:08:56,715
you're saying right now, the stormwater report on paper looks great.

1275
02:09:02,370 --> 02:09:06,110
passes, we got it. What if it starts flooding,

1276
02:09:09,105 --> 02:09:11,880
do you have a mitigation plan if it doesn't work the way the report says it's supposed to work?

1277
02:09:17,325 --> 02:09:19,350
that's all I have. Thank you [applause].

1278
02:09:29,760 --> 02:09:29,760
>> jack aluci 17 76 washington valley road, martinsville.

1279
02:09:36,190 --> 02:09:39,725
I listened to councilman pedroza, say that the government's not working for us.

1280
02:09:42,680 --> 02:09:42,680
in a way, I agree with them. His government.

1281
02:09:47,870 --> 02:09:50,610
what I listen to tonight, there was letters sent.

1282
02:09:52,005 --> 02:09:53,685
there was drawings sent out. There was virtual meetings with people in the township of bridgewater,

1283
02:09:58,335 --> 02:10:00,300
engineers, or whatever heck it is. Not one councilman, not one mayor knew anything that was going on.

1284
02:10:04,740 --> 02:10:04,740
answer me that question.

1285
02:10:15,380 --> 02:10:19,035
>> hi, good evening. My name is suzanne mader. I live at 120 fucillo street in manville.

1286
02:10:24,350 --> 02:10:28,035
a few women ago, spoke a lot about the flooding after floyd and ida.

1287
02:10:32,355 --> 02:10:35,745
when ida hit manville, I took eight people into my home to live for about a week,

1288
02:10:40,380 --> 02:10:42,810
including three dogs and two children, into my 1400 square foot manville home.

1289
02:10:46,790 --> 02:10:46,790
I went for a run a couple of days after the floodwaters receded,

1290
02:10:51,630 --> 02:10:54,660
and I couldn't keep going because I was sobbing, because I watched my neighbors and my friends empty their homes onto the streets,

1291
02:11:03,000 --> 02:11:04,935
and it was awful. It was one of the worst things I think I have ever seen in my entire life.

1292
02:11:12,350 --> 02:11:12,350
I can look from my house up north and see where we're talking about.

1293
02:11:22,995 --> 02:11:25,360
I can see that ridge. I don't know if you know this, but a mature tree can suck up

1294
02:11:30,620 --> 02:11:30,620
between 1,000 and 1,500 gallons of water every single year.

1295
02:11:37,195 --> 02:11:40,560
I look at those plans as they were up on the screen, and I see 34 trees being cut down,

1296
02:11:42,990 --> 02:11:46,425
and I drove by, I went and I took a look for myself. That is a work of fiction.

1297
02:11:48,555 --> 02:11:51,690
if you go up and you say there were 34 trees that were supposed to come down and 34 trees came down,

1298
02:11:55,170 --> 02:11:58,770
you are believing a work of fiction. For me, when I get outside and I cast my eyes up to that ridge,

1299
02:12:05,085 --> 02:12:07,875
all of that water comes to me. All of that water comes to my friends and my neighbors.

1300
02:12:12,960 --> 02:12:14,835
all I want to ask you is, where are you going to put somerset county's new 500 trees?

1301
02:12:20,055 --> 02:12:22,500
because according to what we just heard, there's no plan to replant any of those trees.

1302
02:12:26,340 --> 02:12:28,440
where are you going to put them? How many generations is it going to take for all of that runoff to finally be mitigated?

1303
02:12:34,920 --> 02:12:38,160
because the people on shady lane, the people down on vossler,

1304
02:12:40,260 --> 02:12:40,260
and the people in manville were the ones that get that water.

1305
02:12:44,745 --> 02:12:46,410
give us our trees back. [applause]

1306
02:12:53,640 --> 02:12:55,590
>> good evening. My name is mike pappas. I live at 35 mohawk trail in branchburg.

1307
02:12:58,935 --> 02:13:01,590
I'm also the bridgewater township administrator, as you know, but I'm also a former member of this board.

1308
02:13:04,740 --> 02:13:07,650
served on this board for almost 13 years. I'm very familiar with the county's open space program.

1309
02:13:11,610 --> 02:13:14,085
I've been a very strong supporter of it. Certainly this park that you made a very fine presentation about is a dual.

1310
02:13:19,605 --> 02:13:19,605
but I guess I want to make comments about a couple of things.

1311
02:13:24,285 --> 02:13:24,285
I can't emphasize how upset many people are about just the number of trees.

1312
02:13:30,075 --> 02:13:33,795
there's been a lot of comments about january letter, comments about a virtual meeting,

1313
02:13:36,030 --> 02:13:38,370
comments about a september meeting. But at no time did any member of our staff that had

1314
02:13:43,920 --> 02:13:47,220
participated in any of these meetings were told that there would be more than 34, 37 trees.

1315
02:13:50,715 --> 02:13:52,755
that never occurred. I think that's a legitimate criticism of the lack of communication.

1316
02:13:59,085 --> 02:13:59,085
the other thing that is important as the mayor spoke about the trees

1317
02:14:04,635 --> 02:14:04,635
and the requirements that the township has for enforcement of our tree ordinance.

1318
02:14:10,455 --> 02:14:13,965
the county seems to be selective as to which ordinances you follow. You submitted an application for a road opening permit,

1319
02:14:17,805 --> 02:14:17,805
but you didn't submit an application for the tree permit,

1320
02:14:21,840 --> 02:14:25,380
regulations governing the tree ordinance. There's some inconsistency there.

1321
02:14:27,900 --> 02:14:27,900
when this occurred, I was actually out of state with my wife on a trip.

1322
02:14:32,745 --> 02:14:32,745
when we literally the plane landed and I turned my cell phone on,

1323
02:14:37,890 --> 02:14:39,885
it started going ding, the number of texts and calls that I got.

1324
02:14:42,675 --> 02:14:44,460
as soon as I heard what occurred, I asked our township engineer to go to the site

1325
02:14:46,950 --> 02:14:46,950
and to speak to someone in the county engineer's office.

1326
02:14:51,030 --> 02:14:54,855
the second conversation that day between our township engineer and someone from the county engineer's office was,

1327
02:14:58,410 --> 02:14:58,410
would you be consider replacing some of these trees?

1328
02:15:02,805 --> 02:15:02,805
uncertainty in the response.

1329
02:15:07,250 --> 02:15:07,250
concern about answers, concern about communication,

1330
02:15:12,270 --> 02:15:13,980
I think is very legitimate, and we certainly hope that what's been conveyed here tonight

1331
02:15:17,370 --> 02:15:17,370
will give you some pause to think about moving forward with this project,

1332
02:15:21,750 --> 02:15:23,790
as has been stated earlier, and that you would provide meaningful answers to some of

1333
02:15:26,850 --> 02:15:29,925
these concerns that the township and many residents have raised. Thank you very much. [applause]

1334
02:15:39,720 --> 02:15:43,035
>> another short one is here. Good evening, everyone. My name is pat walsh,

1335
02:15:44,400 --> 02:15:46,830
77 rock road east in green brook, new jersey, and I also served on this board.

1336
02:15:50,865 --> 02:15:53,130
when I sat here, we cherished open space.

1337
02:15:55,350 --> 02:15:57,975
we did everything we could to preserve it, and to get more of it.

1338
02:15:59,820 --> 02:16:03,345
in every bit of promo for somerset county, the open space and the ability to recreate,

1339
02:16:06,120 --> 02:16:06,120
that was a new word back then, is touted.

1340
02:16:10,230 --> 02:16:13,110
I'm going to ask you, guys, I'm not going to go on, but I ask a question and I know you're not going to be able to answer me.

1341
02:16:17,385 --> 02:16:17,385
but it seems to me that this whole project,

1342
02:16:21,420 --> 02:16:24,060
just a 27-year plan. I'm going to hope that somebody on this board or in this building,

1343
02:16:29,520 --> 02:16:32,940
looked at the 27-year plan and just didn't take it out and say, let's just go do this because things change, and situations change.

1344
02:16:39,975 --> 02:16:42,555
after listening tonight to everyone, it just got taken out of a draw and went on,

1345
02:16:47,010 --> 02:16:49,380
looked at thrown it on the side, and then your department went ahead and just did it.

1346
02:16:53,115 --> 02:16:56,955
the question is, did any of you, or all of you, know about clear cutting two acres of trees in this project?

1347
02:17:05,870 --> 02:17:05,870
nobody is going to answer.

1348
02:17:10,310 --> 02:17:13,560
but I'm going to say if you didn't, shame on you, as a project of this size.

1349
02:17:17,235 --> 02:17:17,235
if you really valued open space and open preservation, you would have.

1350
02:17:22,185 --> 02:17:23,865
I'm going to ask you, please, don't ever let this happen to somerset county again.

1351
02:17:26,835 --> 02:17:30,600
but how can we be assured if not one person can say they knew that they were going to clear cut 300 trees,

1352
02:17:34,410 --> 02:17:36,960
and you approved this project. That's the governance that we have now.

1353
02:17:39,030 --> 02:17:39,030
[applause]

1354
02:17:44,160 --> 02:17:46,125
>> are there any e mails or phone calls? At this time, we're going to close the public portion on

1355
02:17:49,110 --> 02:17:49,110
this topic and this topic only is the motion took close.

1356
02:17:59,990 --> 02:18:02,835
>> hi, good evening. Andrew baco, 543 barry wood lane, bridgewater, new jersey.

1357
02:18:06,140 --> 02:18:09,300
we've heard a lot of res. [noise] I'll just hold it.

1358
02:18:12,915 --> 02:18:12,915
we've heard a lot of comments from residents that have expressed concerns and

1359
02:18:20,055 --> 02:18:20,055
have been understandably worried that their local government isn't working for them.

1360
02:18:29,265 --> 02:18:29,265
now, we know that bridgewater knew that this was happening.

1361
02:18:35,970 --> 02:18:35,970
we know that they understood it was happening.

1362
02:18:41,820 --> 02:18:41,820
what I am confused with is that we've

1363
02:18:47,730 --> 02:18:47,730
heard a lot of the members of bridgewater's government say, I didn't know.

1364
02:18:54,270 --> 02:18:56,700
ford council members say, I didn't know. For the mayor say, I didn't know.

1365
02:18:58,935 --> 02:19:02,400
we've heard the township administrator say, I didn't know. Somebody knew, mean someone was contacted in bridgewater's municipal building.

1366
02:19:10,495 --> 02:19:10,495
I would just think that a responsible local government,

1367
02:19:16,890 --> 02:19:16,890
when notified that there was work of this sort would be undertaken,

1368
02:19:24,765 --> 02:19:24,765
would go out and at least take a look at the area.

1369
02:19:29,330 --> 02:19:29,330
everyone, everywhere, older than 12,

1370
02:19:33,570 --> 02:19:37,050
has a high definition camera in their pocket. I find it highly suspect that nobody thought to go take any pictures of that,

1371
02:19:46,140 --> 02:19:49,410
that we've determined supposedly, how many trees were cut down based on the height of a woods chip pile.

1372
02:19:55,275 --> 02:19:55,275
that seems pretty silly.

1373
02:19:59,360 --> 02:19:59,360
but to just close up here.

1374
02:20:05,660 --> 02:20:05,660
I thank the county commissioners for hearing the feedback from residents.

1375
02:20:13,350 --> 02:20:16,755
it's very important that you have that feedback, and you hear from the residents of the county of their concerns.

1376
02:20:20,670 --> 02:20:24,510
I only wish that my local government would do the same, that they didn't cancel the regularly scheduled council meeting.

1377
02:20:32,480 --> 02:20:32,480
one that specifically business was moved to because of no business,

1378
02:20:39,260 --> 02:20:41,945
but that's another discussion. Thank you very much for listening.

1379
02:20:43,520 --> 02:20:43,520
have a good evening. [applause]

1380
02:20:48,950 --> 02:20:52,355
>> is there a motion to close this public session? >> seconded.

1381
02:20:53,315 --> 02:20:57,005
>> all in favor? Aye. Ayes have it. County council? >> yeah, just to clear up some things because I think the big question was why.

1382
02:21:01,860 --> 02:21:01,860
the why really was there's a hawk watch up there. In 2023-

1383
02:21:07,140 --> 02:21:08,670
>> [overlapping] if you would please stay, you stay for the questions, given a response.

1384
02:21:13,610 --> 02:21:13,610
>> in 2023, the county acquired the hapatullo property,

1385
02:21:19,725 --> 02:21:22,110
which is of historic significance. That's got lost here.

1386
02:21:24,255 --> 02:21:27,825
why is it of historic significance really is there's raging debate in the historic community on where washington slept.

1387
02:21:33,210 --> 02:21:35,715
but there's no debate on where he stood. That's a spot where he actually stood going on 250 years ago,

1388
02:21:40,890 --> 02:21:42,945
as he overlooked the middlebrook encampment, which was a very important aspect or time in the war.

1389
02:21:46,590 --> 02:21:50,355
it's a site to be celebrated and cherished. It's a combination of finding that balance.

1390
02:21:53,820 --> 02:21:53,820
you want to encourage people to go to sites such as this, to see nature,

1391
02:21:58,110 --> 02:21:59,400
experience the hawks, understand history, but you have to get them there and allow them to do it.

1392
02:22:04,365 --> 02:22:06,870
not everyone walks out their front door. Some people need to drive to sites.

1393
02:22:08,880 --> 02:22:10,860
that's the why. Miller lane is a private road.

1394
02:22:13,995 --> 02:22:16,320
it is not a public municipal street. Why didn't that requires seven people who,

1395
02:22:20,595 --> 02:22:22,935
if that was your house, you would say, no, I'm not letting you put that big road in front of my house.

1396
02:22:25,845 --> 02:22:28,485
that option was not a viable option. Wetlands. Wetlands do not exist there.

1397
02:22:32,160 --> 02:22:34,275
why do we know it? When did we do it? We did walk the site two different times with experts.

1398
02:22:37,485 --> 02:22:39,810
that's required to do it at two different times, because there's a seasonal nature to wetlands.

1399
02:22:42,510 --> 02:22:45,735
you do it two different times. The dep also came out. They don't just walk the site.

1400
02:22:47,160 --> 02:22:51,030
they also do borings. They test the type of soil because based upon the soil content and the impaction and what's in the soil,

1401
02:22:54,525 --> 02:22:57,735
you can determine whether or not that is a potential wetland. Storm water. Anyone who lives in somerset county knows the dangers of it.

1402
02:23:03,690 --> 02:23:06,255
we know it, we experience it, we deal it. We feel it in every which way.

1403
02:23:08,280 --> 02:23:10,590
we take that seriously. There's not a person that works in this building or works in engineering or planning,

1404
02:23:15,150 --> 02:23:18,360
that we don't understand it. We show up after it, we respond during it.

1405
02:23:19,875 --> 02:23:22,665
we provide a lot of money and time to it. We have done studies,

1406
02:23:24,675 --> 02:23:24,675
and paul drake has hosted meetings on resiliency plans.

1407
02:23:28,740 --> 02:23:30,345
we care about it. The bound brook flood control system is something we're proud of.

1408
02:23:35,760 --> 02:23:39,435
it's something that we understand its need. When we do projects,

1409
02:23:41,970 --> 02:23:45,135
whether we have to do a storm water report or not, we do them anyway.

1410
02:23:46,575 --> 02:23:49,875
in this one, it's safe to say, and science says that on the big storms,

1411
02:23:53,220 --> 02:23:55,020
the ones that cause flooding. The small storms trees absorb the water.

1412
02:23:57,690 --> 02:23:57,690
it's the 50, 100 year storm when way too much water comes out,

1413
02:24:01,980 --> 02:24:03,510
that the tree doesn't have time, and it sheets down hills and it sheets down mountains,

1414
02:24:06,300 --> 02:24:09,975
and it goes to our lower level towns. We know that happens. This road is designed to slow that down and to reduce it by 25 and 50%.

1415
02:24:17,145 --> 02:24:20,985
storm water was a factor. That's all I really have to say on this. The plan was not pulled out of a drawer.

1416
02:24:22,875 --> 02:24:26,295
it's not 28-years-old.the concept was 28-years-old. The discussion was 28-years-old.

1417
02:24:28,125 --> 02:24:28,125
the plan is about two-years-old.

1418
02:24:36,470 --> 02:24:36,470
>> this is it. I think we take a bio break.

1419
02:24:44,150 --> 02:24:47,565
the only question I have, county council, is because somebody asked the question why we didn't say anything.

1420
02:24:51,570 --> 02:24:54,420
there was litigation. >> go ahead.

1421
02:24:55,860 --> 02:24:59,630
>> no, you explain. >> there are forms for government to act,

1422
02:25:02,445 --> 02:25:05,040
and there are forms for people to comment. This is a form for government to act.

1423
02:25:07,800 --> 02:25:11,115
everyone has gotten a term. Everyone has been respectful. Everyone knows who they are.

1424
02:25:12,540 --> 02:25:15,315
we make say your name, we make you share your address. The weekend warrior behind the keyboard we don't engage with.

1425
02:25:19,050 --> 02:25:21,510
we'll answer questions that are legitimate. We answer opa request.

1426
02:25:23,280 --> 02:25:27,060
we'll provide documentation. Anyone who filed an opa request, those opa requests were put to the top of the pile, if the clerk and I.

1427
02:25:30,645 --> 02:25:34,200
we get, I think we're up to 10,000 opa requests so far this year. If you imagine that is three a day,

1428
02:25:35,790 --> 02:25:38,250
including saturdays and sundays and holidays. This one, we responded as quickly as possible because we knew about it.

1429
02:25:41,925 --> 02:25:41,925
to engage in the back and forth on the internet or in social media

1430
02:25:46,350 --> 02:25:46,350
is a disservice to the level that this topic really required.

1431
02:25:51,270 --> 02:25:54,180
at our next meeting, which was this meeting, we presented a presentation.

1432
02:25:56,145 --> 02:25:59,850
if anyone would have came, showed up and said, can I get a copy of that stuff, it would have been readily given to them.

1433
02:26:03,080 --> 02:26:03,080
>> for the record, we will take a five-minute break time now at 7:26.

1434
02:26:08,295 --> 02:26:10,470
we will resume the meeting at 7:31. [noise] at this time,

1435
02:26:17,310 --> 02:26:20,010
we will continue with our meeting. We have another presentation of state senior art show winner.

1436
02:26:24,000 --> 02:26:25,140
please come forward. [applause]

1437
02:26:40,950 --> 02:26:43,905
>> you know art requires patience. I think you really have shown your patience levels,

1438
02:26:48,915 --> 02:26:48,915
waiting through all the public comment and the beautiful artwork you

1439
02:26:53,100 --> 02:26:53,100
did for the senior art show here in somerset county,

1440
02:26:57,255 --> 02:27:00,165
and for making it to the state level. May I ask everyone in the audience to give a great round of applause to vamala,

1441
02:27:04,980 --> 02:27:08,295
aaron, and sharon for the state award. You want to come forward, and we'll get a picture?

1442
02:27:10,620 --> 02:27:10,620
>> this is-

1443
02:27:42,450 --> 02:27:42,450
>> we will move right on for our regular program, resolution 25-2100.

1444
02:27:54,630 --> 02:27:58,300
>> it's authorizing somerset county to apply for and accept 37,500 for the leap county coordinated fellowship grant for county year 2026,

1445
02:28:04,300 --> 02:28:08,260
for a part time shared somerset county coordinator from july 1st, 2025 to june 30th, 2026.

1446
02:28:15,770 --> 02:28:19,275
>> resolution 25-2101, authorizing execution of a traffic control signal agreement

1447
02:28:22,140 --> 02:28:25,625
between the county of somerset and the township of branchburg. Resolution 25-2102, approving plans and

1448
02:28:29,500 --> 02:28:29,500
authorizing receipt of bids for excavation and disposal of buried waste,

1449
02:28:33,610 --> 02:28:36,775
battery debris area, former belmed army depot, mountain view road, hillsboro.

1450
02:28:41,100 --> 02:28:44,365
resolution 2521 oh three, approving the property parcel map and designating

1451
02:28:46,720 --> 02:28:50,140
road areas to be acquired for highway and bridge purposes and authorizing the early appraisal of lands and title searches for

1452
02:28:52,420 --> 02:28:56,290
the 2025 road reservicing and ada compliance program, various roughs, various locations, contract 24014.

1453
02:29:06,000 --> 02:29:06,000
>> resolution 25-2104,

1454
02:29:10,105 --> 02:29:12,700
authorizing submission and acceptance of funds for the soreset county tanf transportation contract

1455
02:29:15,760 --> 02:29:19,540
with the new jersey department of human services division of family development for the period of january 1st through june 30th,

1456
02:29:21,925 --> 02:29:21,925
2025, total not to exceed $21,136, no match required.

1457
02:29:28,270 --> 02:29:32,095
25-2105, authorizing the modification of resolution 25-1170 to increase acceptance of funds from

1458
02:29:37,900 --> 02:29:40,990
the new jersey department of human services division of family development for the social services for the homeless contract

1459
02:29:44,440 --> 02:29:47,020
to add an additional $15,000 of code blue funds for the period january 1st through december 31st,

1460
02:29:51,095 --> 02:29:51,095
2025, new total not to exceed $447,712.

1461
02:29:56,610 --> 02:29:56,610
25-2101 oh, authorizing richard hall,

1462
02:30:01,510 --> 02:30:04,780
community health and wellness center to apply to the state of new jersey, department of health division of mental health and addiction services for

1463
02:30:08,290 --> 02:30:11,740
a consolidated funding application to provide services to the county's homeless population via the path program and services to

1464
02:30:15,810 --> 02:30:18,090
somerset county residents engaged in the involuntary outpatient commitment program for the period of january 1st,

1465
02:30:22,470 --> 02:30:25,770
2026 through december 31st, 2026, and to accept funding if awarded,

1466
02:30:27,605 --> 02:30:27,605
total not to exceed $482,307.

1467
02:30:33,930 --> 02:30:33,930
>> 25-2107, award of contract to granicus for website grades,

1468
02:30:39,760 --> 02:30:41,410
continued maintenance and support, a second year of a three year contract with two one year options to extend,

1469
02:30:45,385 --> 02:30:45,385
total not to exceed $29,737.

1470
02:30:53,880 --> 02:30:57,565
>> resolution 25-2108, authorizing change order one for

1471
02:30:59,110 --> 02:31:02,080
chiller replacement at 40 north bridge street, somerville. It's an increase of $83,039 from the as-bid contract amount of $1,211,619 for

1472
02:31:10,300 --> 02:31:10,300
a new total contract amount of $1,294,658 total not to exceed $83,009.

1473
02:31:20,545 --> 02:31:20,545
resolution 25-2109, awarded professional service contract to french and

1474
02:31:26,020 --> 02:31:26,020
paro associates for environmental investigation at 5:40 east main street,

1475
02:31:31,345 --> 02:31:34,360
block 2 lots 5 and 5.01 borough of bounbrook, and block 357 lots 1 and 2 borough of middlesex,

1476
02:31:38,995 --> 02:31:38,995
total not to exceed $165,925. Yes.

1477
02:31:49,500 --> 02:31:49,500
>> resolution 25-2110, award of contract cy-com-005-25 to the arc of somerset,

1478
02:31:59,800 --> 02:32:03,040
bound brook borough, casa of shaw, community hope home sharing,

1479
02:32:04,825 --> 02:32:04,825
jewish community center, manville borough, midland adult services,

1480
02:32:08,865 --> 02:32:11,205
north plainfield borough, safe and sound, somerville borough, visions and pathways,

1481
02:32:13,800 --> 02:32:15,840
and youth consultation services for program year 2025 community development block grant activities

1482
02:32:22,045 --> 02:32:22,045
total not to exceed $822,190.

1483
02:32:26,725 --> 02:32:26,725
resolution 25-2111, award of contract cc-0154-25r3 to horizon pediatric consultants,

1484
02:32:36,550 --> 02:32:36,550
llc doing business as rocking horse rehab basking ridge, new jersey,

1485
02:32:41,155 --> 02:32:43,060
for equine therapy services, one year contract with optional one year extension,

1486
02:32:45,955 --> 02:32:45,955
total not to exceed $3,750.

1487
02:32:51,590 --> 02:32:51,590
>> good evening. Resolution 25-2112,

1488
02:32:56,310 --> 02:32:56,310
authorizing a purchase from mes I acquisition out of sandy hook, connecticut,

1489
02:33:00,930 --> 02:33:04,605
utilizing new jersey state contract for swat team ballistic vs, total not to exceed $49,371.84. Thank you.

1490
02:33:15,740 --> 02:33:19,650
>> resolution 252113, award of contract cc-0112-24 to continental hardware inc for lumber and supplies,

1491
02:33:25,900 --> 02:33:28,210
cooperative pricing, second year of a two year contract, not to exceed 6,500.

1492
02:33:33,180 --> 02:33:33,180
resolution 25-2114, award of contract cc-9099-25 to

1493
02:33:42,265 --> 02:33:45,160
premise ford from parames new jersey for the purchase of two four wheel drive

1494
02:33:47,725 --> 02:33:47,725
refrigerated heated food truck vehicles from somerset county division of transportation,

1495
02:33:51,940 --> 02:33:53,380
first year of a two year contract, not to exceed $173,182.

1496
02:33:58,330 --> 02:34:01,375
>> resolution 25-2115. This is an approval to pay a confirming order to shi international for

1497
02:34:06,040 --> 02:34:08,470
our live streaming and captioning services for the monthly somerset county commissioners meeting

1498
02:34:10,765 --> 02:34:13,045
for the coverage term of september 30th, 2025 to september 29th,

1499
02:34:15,400 --> 02:34:15,400
2026, a total not to exceed $22,102.

1500
02:34:23,670 --> 02:34:26,980
>> resolution 25-2116, approval to pay confirming order to wex health for

1501
02:34:30,370 --> 02:34:30,370
august 2025 fsa and community benefit administration fees,

1502
02:34:34,990 --> 02:34:34,990
total not to exceed $362.45.

1503
02:34:42,090 --> 02:34:42,090
>> 25-2117, amending and cancellation certification of funds for

1504
02:34:47,650 --> 02:34:47,650
previously awarded contract from 2024 for galls llc,

1505
02:34:52,495 --> 02:34:52,495
total decrease not to exceed $14,359.59.

1506
02:34:57,760 --> 02:34:57,760
25-2118, approval to pay confirming order to fowler equipment company for $964.93.

1507
02:35:12,210 --> 02:35:12,210
>> hello. Resolution 25-2119 is the insertion of

1508
02:35:17,020 --> 02:35:18,535
a special item of revenue for the new jersey division of mental health and addiction services,

1509
02:35:21,205 --> 02:35:21,205
gambling disorder clinician services program grant in the amount of $123,961.

1510
02:35:28,765 --> 02:35:31,660
25-2120 is amending and canceling certification of funds for previously awarded contracts to jm sorgi,

1511
02:35:36,850 --> 02:35:36,850
somerville, new jersey, total reduction not to exceed $23,844.75.

1512
02:35:44,845 --> 02:35:48,610
205-2121, authorizing certification of funds for previously awarded contracts to pkf o'connor davies,

1513
02:35:51,580 --> 02:35:51,580
cranford, new jersey, total not to exceed $2,215.70.

1514
02:35:57,780 --> 02:35:57,780
2122 is transfer of appropriations in

1515
02:36:02,020 --> 02:36:04,840
the 2025 county operating budget and 2123 is a payment of claims and ratification of the same.

1516
02:36:14,810 --> 02:36:18,585
>> resolution 205-2124, approval to pay conforming order for karen hock of hillsboro,

1517
02:36:21,630 --> 02:36:25,620
new jersey, for the hillsboro senior center july 2025, starry summer night program,

1518
02:36:27,255 --> 02:36:30,000
total not to exceed $75. 25-2125, amending and canceling

1519
02:36:33,730 --> 02:36:33,730
certification of funds for previously awarded contract with middlesex county treasurer,

1520
02:36:38,605 --> 02:36:38,605
north brunswick, new jersey for juvenile detention housing for q1 of 2025.

1521
02:36:43,705 --> 02:36:43,705
total not to exceed a reduction of $4,558.66.

1522
02:36:48,640 --> 02:36:52,360
25-2126, approval to pay confirming order to visions and pathways, bridgewater, new jersey,

1523
02:36:55,480 --> 02:36:55,480
for non profit services for the period of april through september 2025,

1524
02:37:00,130 --> 02:37:00,130
total not to exceed $32,500 25-2127,

1525
02:37:06,390 --> 02:37:08,400
authorizing certification of funds for previously awarded contract for qualifax systems inc,

1526
02:37:12,795 --> 02:37:12,795
contract cc-0121-20 for richard hall community health and wellness center,

1527
02:37:18,590 --> 02:37:18,590
qualifax electronic health record system fifth year of a seven year contract,

1528
02:37:23,500 --> 02:37:26,480
total not to exceed $1,500. 25-2128, approval to pay a confirming order to

1529
02:37:30,430 --> 02:37:30,430
the national council for mental well being of atlanta georgia for renewal of membership,

1530
02:37:35,110 --> 02:37:35,110
total not to exceed $5,341, 25-2129,

1531
02:37:40,765 --> 02:37:42,850
approval to pay confirming order for katherine jane's mandatory basic benefits registration training course

1532
02:37:46,660 --> 02:37:50,515
to the national association of county veteran service officers, total not to exceed $400.

1533
02:37:53,425 --> 02:37:57,090
she did pass the course. Then the last 25-2130,

1534
02:38:00,430 --> 02:38:02,320
authorizing certification of funds for previously awarded contract to continental hardware inc,

1535
02:38:05,650 --> 02:38:05,650
contract cc-0112-24 for lumber and supplies for the wheelchair ramp program,

1536
02:38:11,980 --> 02:38:11,980
total not to exceed $1,560.

1537
02:38:18,150 --> 02:38:18,150
in the wheelchair ramp program,

1538
02:38:23,260 --> 02:38:25,930
it depends on the number of volunteers who are needed. This is a program that is provided through our handyman volunteer program.

1539
02:38:30,385 --> 02:38:30,385
we just recently increased the number of handyman volunteers by over 50%.

1540
02:38:35,350 --> 02:38:35,350
this one, in particular was a pretty significant one that was very, very long.

1541
02:38:40,705 --> 02:38:42,970
I think there were probably about at least 10 people on site, and they built it in one day.

1542
02:38:48,720 --> 02:38:52,105
>> resolution 205-20-1301 approval, pay confirming order of york telecom,

1543
02:38:54,025 --> 02:38:54,025
new jersey for forensic software told not to exceed $14,074.36. Thank you.

1544
02:39:08,010 --> 02:39:11,620
>> 2132, authorize the certification of funds for previously awarded contract to agni enterprises,

1545
02:39:15,100 --> 02:39:17,380
llc for head to heel, safety supplies, not to exceed 5,600.

1546
02:39:20,815 --> 02:39:23,470
2133, approval to pay confirming order to bay shod recycling corporation from atlantic islands,

1547
02:39:26,680 --> 02:39:26,680
not to exceed $66,639.13.

1548
02:39:32,700 --> 02:39:32,700
2134 approval to pay confirming order to david m. Bittrich inc,

1549
02:39:39,385 --> 02:39:42,235
for auto supplies and middlesex, for emergency. It's the emergency purchase for diesel exhaust fluid,

1550
02:39:46,075 --> 02:39:46,075
not to exceed $7,673.60.

1551
02:39:50,130 --> 02:39:50,130
2135 approval to pay confirming order to maza recycling services from tint and falls,

1552
02:39:57,340 --> 02:39:57,340
for rigid plastic, not to exceed $133.50.

1553
02:40:01,825 --> 02:40:05,050
2136 approval to pay confirming order to recycling equipment corp for emergency repair of main conveyor belt,

1554
02:40:09,010 --> 02:40:09,010
not to exceed $1,274.58.

1555
02:40:16,140 --> 02:40:16,140
2137 authorizing certification of

1556
02:40:20,530 --> 02:40:23,815
funds to previously awarded contract to atlantic tactical. This is for uniform and equipment,

1557
02:40:25,390 --> 02:40:28,525
not to exceed $1,706. 2138, authorizing certification of funds for

1558
02:40:32,260 --> 02:40:32,260
previously awarded contract to trius from farming deals for snowplow parts,

1559
02:40:37,405 --> 02:40:39,535
not to exceed 2,500. 2139, approval to pay confirming order to various vendors and parts and repairs,

1560
02:40:45,070 --> 02:40:49,015
total not to exceed $13,055.60. >> thank you. Is there a motion to approve the above resolution

1561
02:40:53,185 --> 02:40:53,185
25-2100 through 25-2139 to the consent agenda for november 12th.

1562
02:40:59,320 --> 02:41:02,500
>> so moved. >> second. >> roll call, please. >> commissioner graner?

1563
02:41:03,535 --> 02:41:06,355
>> yes. >> commissioner drake. >> yes. Commissioner sue. >> yes. >> deputy director morono?

1564
02:41:07,607 --> 02:41:08,800
>> yes. >> director robinson? >> yes.

1565
02:41:12,180 --> 02:41:12,180
>> these are items that will be added for adoption later on tonight.

1566
02:41:16,390 --> 02:41:16,390
this is 2099f authorizing an agreement between

1567
02:41:21,040 --> 02:41:23,440
the soereset county department of human services and the food bank network of somerset county for

1568
02:41:25,855 --> 02:41:28,765
implementation of the community navigator program, 2099g is authorizing an agreement between

1569
02:41:31,570 --> 02:41:33,460
somerset county department of human services and the franklin food bank for the community navigator program.

1570
02:41:37,060 --> 02:41:40,450
2099h is authorizing a shared service agreement between somerset county and the somerset county park

1571
02:41:42,130 --> 02:41:44,605
commission for information technology services, 2099i is authorizing a shared service agreement

1572
02:41:48,550 --> 02:41:49,660
between somerset county and somerset county park commission for public relations services,

1573
02:41:52,810 --> 02:41:52,810
2099j is authorizing a professional service agreement

1574
02:41:57,100 --> 02:42:00,565
between somerset county and the somerset county park commission for fingerprint, photography, and background check services.

1575
02:42:04,615 --> 02:42:04,615
>> resolution 25-2099k from the greater raton workforce development board.

1576
02:42:10,360 --> 02:42:13,810
this is amending r25-1962, which was adopted on october 14th,

1577
02:42:15,790 --> 02:42:15,790
2025 to increase the program year 2025 award to

1578
02:42:20,920 --> 02:42:22,540
career training services of the somerset county department of human services for that period of july 1st,

1579
02:42:26,920 --> 02:42:30,550
2025 to june 30th, 2026, by the amount of 112,500 for

1580
02:42:34,120 --> 02:42:38,095
targeted training initiative at raritan valley community college, total not to exceed $955,390.

1581
02:42:48,690 --> 02:42:52,435
>> resolution 25-2099l, authorizing the purchase of real property known as block 132,

1582
02:42:56,170 --> 02:42:56,170
lots 10 and 11 in the township of bridgewater owned by somerset land equities,

1583
02:43:00,595 --> 02:43:00,595
llc, total not to exceed $12,500.

1584
02:43:11,130 --> 02:43:11,130
>> 25-2099m is rejecting bids for

1585
02:43:15,415 --> 02:43:15,415
jcc-0023-25 as the low bid substantially exceeds the appropriated budget amount.

1586
02:43:30,190 --> 02:43:30,190
>> resolution 25-2099n award of a contract to feral technologies out of lake mary,

1587
02:43:36,740 --> 02:43:39,125
florida for ferro software and licensing. Total not to exceed $12,695.

1588
02:43:43,370 --> 02:43:43,370
resolution 25-2099o, authorizing payment to

1589
02:43:47,810 --> 02:43:47,810
the county prosecutors association of new jersey out of elizabeth, new jersey,

1590
02:43:52,055 --> 02:43:54,650
for the cpanj annual college for assistant prosecutors and prosecutors office management association members

1591
02:43:58,820 --> 02:43:58,820
total not to exceed $20,125. Thank you.

1592
02:44:05,020 --> 02:44:05,020
>> thank you.

1593
02:44:14,770 --> 02:44:16,766
is there a typographer? >> [inaudible] >> thank you. Is there a motion

1594
02:44:25,540 --> 02:44:25,540
to add resolutions 25-2099f-25-2099o to our regular meeting?

1595
02:44:37,010 --> 02:44:40,325
>> so move. >> second. >> roll call, please? >> commissioner greener?

1596
02:44:41,225 --> 02:44:44,045
>> yes. >> commissioner drake. >> yes. Commissioner sue? >> yes. >> deputy director marano?

1597
02:44:45,395 --> 02:44:46,520
>> yes. >> director robinson. >> yes. This is the public portion of the regular public portion of this meeting.

1598
02:44:51,770 --> 02:44:55,220
anyone from the public wishing to speak, five minutes, no yielding, a time, no coming up a second time.

1599
02:44:57,140 --> 02:45:00,905
is there a motion? >> so moved. >> second. >> all in favor?

1600
02:45:02,090 --> 02:45:04,670
>> aye. >> ayes have it. Please come up, state your name and address for the record.

1601
02:45:10,720 --> 02:45:10,720
>> ed carway, 533 new brunswick road, somerset, new jersey.

1602
02:45:15,635 --> 02:45:18,080
you probably remember me from last time because I did not have a very high opinion of you.

1603
02:45:20,735 --> 02:45:23,810
I am sad to say that that has decreased in my mind since I've had dealings with your engineering department.

1604
02:45:27,065 --> 02:45:28,865
I have a few emails. The only bright spot I have found in somerset county is teresa bonner.

1605
02:45:33,305 --> 02:45:33,305
she is responsive and she tries.

1606
02:45:37,330 --> 02:45:39,710
I sent her an email. I said, ms. Robinson suggested I contact you for

1607
02:45:42,290 --> 02:45:42,290
information regarding the new brunswick road bridge replacement project.

1608
02:45:46,370 --> 02:45:48,920
I now see that we have gone beyond the original time estimate and there has been no revised completion date.

1609
02:45:52,910 --> 02:45:52,910
this leads me to wonder about the competency of your engineering department.

1610
02:45:57,470 --> 02:46:01,070
a 16 inch water main is difficult to misplace. How did this happen and when will the job be completed?

1611
02:46:04,475 --> 02:46:08,180
she sent information to mr. Loper, and mr. Loper replied to me on september 27th.

1612
02:46:12,800 --> 02:46:16,670
your email was forwarded to me for a response. Please see our project website for the most up to date information.

1613
02:46:21,425 --> 02:46:21,425
the information in your public website is basically known as useless.

1614
02:46:27,380 --> 02:46:27,380
it provides no details, no real information.

1615
02:46:32,560 --> 02:46:36,050
I wrote back to mr. Loper. I'm aware of that.

1616
02:46:38,240 --> 02:46:41,030
why wasn't this project started in june? If it had been, even with the delay,

1617
02:46:43,280 --> 02:46:46,385
it would have been completed before schools opened. Timing was very bad as this job affects a lot of local school bus routes.

1618
02:46:51,485 --> 02:46:54,590
explain the need to replace the water line. What effect will this have on the township water supply?

1619
02:46:58,175 --> 02:47:00,830
same question for the gas line. Why was the depth important?

1620
02:47:03,320 --> 02:47:05,450
if depth was a consideration, why wasn't gpr ground penetrating radar used to determine

1621
02:47:09,830 --> 02:47:09,830
the depth before the work began instead of getting a surprise after?

1622
02:47:14,915 --> 02:47:17,780
what specifically needs to be replaced? What work will not be completed until after the water gas line work is completed?

1623
02:47:22,850 --> 02:47:25,100
the more details the better. Although not a civil engineer,

1624
02:47:27,275 --> 02:47:30,680
I am a degreed chemical engineer with over 40 years of experience in the cpi, chemical process industry?

1625
02:47:35,560 --> 02:47:35,560
there was a response from ms. Bonner,

1626
02:47:42,335 --> 02:47:42,335
saying that she had sent my email to mr. Loper and I got a response from mr. Loper.

1627
02:47:50,330 --> 02:47:50,330
mr. Carway, construction projects

1628
02:47:55,475 --> 02:47:55,475
often face unanticipated events and we work hard to minimize their impact.

1629
02:48:01,040 --> 02:48:03,770
we thoroughly gather all available information to make informed decisions from the outset.

1630
02:48:06,350 --> 02:48:09,455
despite our best planning new information, like the recent issues with utilities,

1631
02:48:11,870 --> 02:48:11,870
often necessitates shifts in construction schedules and activities.

1632
02:48:16,430 --> 02:48:16,430
while we prefer to accomplish major road work during the summer when traffic is lightest,

1633
02:48:21,995 --> 02:48:23,945
this isn't always possible. For example, this bridge work could not begin until

1634
02:48:26,720 --> 02:48:26,720
august 1st due to nj dep permit requirements.

1635
02:48:31,685 --> 02:48:31,685
this is a complex federally funded bridge project with many moving parts.

1636
02:48:37,470 --> 02:48:37,470
the county is committed to completing the work as efficiently as possible.

1637
02:48:42,700 --> 02:48:45,415
in addition, we'll continue to coordinate with all necessary agencies including franklin township.

1638
02:48:49,875 --> 02:48:53,075
in the interim, I wrote to miss bonner, below is the response I sent to mr. Loper

1639
02:48:56,870 --> 02:48:56,870
and my original email to him along with his initial response.

1640
02:49:01,475 --> 02:49:01,475
in it I requested details about the timing and delay of the project.

1641
02:49:05,900 --> 02:49:08,450
he provided some information on the delay, but no details on the problems.

1642
02:49:10,700 --> 02:49:13,670
this is not what I expected or wanted. He did not address any of the technical questions that I asked.

1643
02:49:17,495 --> 02:49:20,405
I didn't want platitudes. I wanted facts. I didn't get them. I find this unacceptable.

1644
02:49:23,825 --> 02:49:26,870
my degree is in chemical engineering, not civil, but I have taken civil engineering classes and I would

1645
02:49:30,110 --> 02:49:33,755
have understood a much more technical answer than what he provided. Basically, he failed to answer any of my questions.

1646
02:49:37,175 --> 02:49:40,010
I feel he did not want to be bothered and this was a public be damned attitude and answer.

1647
02:49:46,990 --> 02:49:50,015
ms. Bonner replied, I'm sorry to hear that. I have forwarded the entire e mail chain to director robinson so that she is aware.

1648
02:49:55,925 --> 02:49:55,925
I will continue to request a response on your behalf.

1649
02:50:00,130 --> 02:50:02,555
on october 22nd, I sent back to ms. Bonner.

1650
02:50:04,760 --> 02:50:07,340
thank you for your continuing assistance. I am sorry to report that I have yet to receive

1651
02:50:09,995 --> 02:50:09,995
any further information from mr. Loper or anyone else at the county.

1652
02:50:14,585 --> 02:50:18,425
am I correct that the next public meeting will be on 10/28? If so, I will have a few things to say,

1653
02:50:21,515 --> 02:50:24,320
which I believe I have just said. I only have one question for you.

1654
02:50:26,465 --> 02:50:29,180
when are you going to to fix the damn bridge? None of you can tell me because none of you know, correct?

1655
02:50:34,445 --> 02:50:34,445
>> the latest update is now mid november.

1656
02:50:39,110 --> 02:50:41,300
I question the same thing. I feel your pain.

1657
02:50:44,560 --> 02:50:47,090
>> one little kicker in, do any of you remember magnolia road?

1658
02:50:49,805 --> 02:50:51,140
>> I do. >> three months, took over six, another county project.

1659
02:50:58,265 --> 02:51:01,955
I've been in engineering for a long time. We have a problem with a project.

1660
02:51:04,250 --> 02:51:08,060
we do a root cause analysis. I don't know if you're familiar with those things. Generally speaking, when a project goes flui in the middle,

1661
02:51:13,445 --> 02:51:17,105
there's one recurring cause, poor planning at the beginning.

1662
02:51:20,950 --> 02:51:20,950
what I can tell you that if mr. Loper was working for me,

1663
02:51:25,565 --> 02:51:27,365
he would not be working. If I took responses like his to my board,

1664
02:51:30,785 --> 02:51:34,205
they'd laugh at him and then they'd fire him. Thank you very much. >> thank you, mr. Carway.

1665
02:51:41,800 --> 02:51:41,800
>> kendra dipaola, d-I-p-a-o-l-a,

1666
02:51:47,105 --> 02:51:49,430
nine york drive, princeton, new jersey. Good evening.

1667
02:51:52,775 --> 02:51:54,605
my name is kendra dipaola. I am a resident of montgomery township.

1668
02:51:57,320 --> 02:51:57,320
I respectfully ask that you pass a resolution supporting the immigrant trust act.

1669
02:52:03,950 --> 02:52:07,340
my comments focus only on some of the likely economic impacts if the ita does not become law.

1670
02:52:13,190 --> 02:52:13,190
due to ice raids our county and state lose workers,

1671
02:52:18,200 --> 02:52:21,545
their work contributions, tax receipts, and their participation in our economy.

1672
02:52:24,620 --> 02:52:24,620
there are other less obvious employment losses happening too.

1673
02:52:31,070 --> 02:52:31,070
ice is a threat to anyone who is brown or black,

1674
02:52:35,705 --> 02:52:35,705
has a foreign accent or works in some low income jobs.

1675
02:52:40,365 --> 02:52:42,910
I teach immigrants and help them find jobs and have neighbors and friends who are immigrants.

1676
02:52:46,695 --> 02:52:46,695
here's some of the ways people I know or know of have responded or

1677
02:52:52,130 --> 02:52:52,130
are responding to the threat of being detained, arrested, or disappeared.

1678
02:52:58,115 --> 02:52:58,115
these immigrants range from low income workers to professionals.

1679
02:53:02,675 --> 02:53:06,575
some immigrants have moved back to their home countries. Some have applied for foreign passports and are poised to flee.

1680
02:53:12,065 --> 02:53:12,065
some have returned to the country they came through in coming to the us.

1681
02:53:17,765 --> 02:53:17,765
employers have become more compliant in collecting i9 documentation,

1682
02:53:24,680 --> 02:53:24,680
eliminating some job applicants from consideration.

1683
02:53:29,225 --> 02:53:31,460
some workers who lost their temporary protected status

1684
02:53:34,750 --> 02:53:34,750
automatically lost their employment authorization documents and are suddenly out of work.

1685
02:53:41,670 --> 02:53:41,670
some in fear and facing higher prices have moved in with family or friends,

1686
02:53:48,430 --> 02:53:48,430
making it harder to get to work, jeopardizing their employment.

1687
02:53:54,970 --> 02:53:54,970
if the ita is not passed into law and our police forces join ice,

1688
02:54:02,000 --> 02:54:02,000
creating what could potentially become the largest militarized force on the planet.

1689
02:54:07,580 --> 02:54:07,580
fear could cause these employment losses to quickly escalate.

1690
02:54:12,350 --> 02:54:12,350
further reducing employment, work contributions,

1691
02:54:16,370 --> 02:54:19,620
tax receipts, and our quality of life. Since these immigrants bring us the stuff we seem to need,

1692
02:54:23,605 --> 02:54:23,605
mow lawns, provide us top quality healthcare and education and more.

1693
02:54:30,090 --> 02:54:30,090
our police joining ice would also entail additional spending for training and

1694
02:54:36,680 --> 02:54:36,680
the risk and cost of lawsuits for getting mixed up in ice's racial profiling,

1695
02:54:43,670 --> 02:54:46,295
illegal tactics, and chaos. It would also cost the trust police have built with the community.

1696
02:54:51,125 --> 02:54:51,125
this is not the way I want my tax dollars spent nor the community impact that I want.

1697
02:54:59,270 --> 02:54:59,270
please pass a resolution supporting the ita to avoid

1698
02:55:03,740 --> 02:55:03,740
these considerable consequences and costs and to protect all residents of new jersey.

1699
02:55:10,055 --> 02:55:10,055
thank you [applause].

1700
02:55:17,570 --> 02:55:19,595
>> hi. My name is debbie farber. I live at 87 highland avenue and bridgewater.

1701
02:55:23,195 --> 02:55:23,195
I'm here tonight to ask you to support the immigrant trust act.

1702
02:55:29,390 --> 02:55:29,390
the immigrant trust act directs law enforcement resources to be used for

1703
02:55:35,660 --> 02:55:35,660
actual safety threats rather than after undocumented people who are not a threat.

1704
02:55:41,960 --> 02:55:45,875
immigrants make many contributions to our communities. They are our friends, neighbors,

1705
02:55:48,545 --> 02:55:51,440
business owners, and members of our community. They make economic contributions and should be

1706
02:55:54,380 --> 02:55:57,905
valued and cherished instead of being villainized. Just like any other citizen in the us,

1707
02:56:01,115 --> 02:56:01,115
immigrants and undocumented people are entitled to amendment five of the constitution,

1708
02:56:06,755 --> 02:56:10,115
which states no person should be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

1709
02:56:13,790 --> 02:56:16,925
instead, they are being treated worse than criminals. Families are being torn apart.

1710
02:56:19,175 --> 02:56:21,545
we need to protect our immigrant and undocumented citizens by limiting law enforcement cooperation with ice.

1711
02:56:26,585 --> 02:56:26,585
please consider supporting the immigrant trust act. Thank you.

1712
02:56:38,200 --> 02:56:40,640
>> good evening, commissioners. I'm sherry russ, 19 reimer street, somerville,

1713
02:56:44,330 --> 02:56:44,330
and I'm here to ask somerset county to join union county,

1714
02:56:48,575 --> 02:56:48,575
hudson county, and essex county in standing with our immigrant communities and families.

1715
02:56:54,815 --> 02:56:54,815
please issue and pass a resolution in support of the immigrant trust act.

1716
02:57:00,410 --> 02:57:00,410
the immigrant trust act is awaiting state assembly approval, and next,

1717
02:57:05,060 --> 02:57:05,060
it will go to the state senate and hopefully be enshrined into new jersey state law.

1718
02:57:10,775 --> 02:57:10,775
the ita directs our local resources to fund

1719
02:57:14,915 --> 02:57:14,915
local initiatives rather than federal immigration law enforcement.

1720
02:57:19,625 --> 02:57:22,610
this is important to us because we already have effective state police, the sheriff's office,

1721
02:57:26,675 --> 02:57:30,380
and local police departments that fight crime in somerset county, and that crime fighting includes crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.

1722
02:57:35,090 --> 02:57:38,930
there's zero benefit to somerset county residents if we divert our law enforcement efforts in support of ice.

1723
02:57:42,950 --> 02:57:42,950
in fact, ice is not even close to meeting its stated goal of deporting violent criminals,

1724
02:57:49,520 --> 02:57:49,520
gang members, murderers, child sex traffickers and rapists.

1725
02:57:53,660 --> 02:57:53,660
seventy percent of those detained by ice to date have no criminal record whatsoever,

1726
02:57:59,930 --> 02:57:59,930
and 84% in custody have been determined to pose no risk.

1727
02:58:06,845 --> 02:58:06,845
supporting ice with our law enforcement resources will only

1728
02:58:10,880 --> 02:58:10,880
make somerset county less safe, less trusted.

1729
02:58:15,365 --> 02:58:15,365
ice agents often have unmarked vehicles wear masks and don't carry id,

1730
02:58:20,825 --> 02:58:20,825
which opens our residents up to the risk of imposters posing as ice,

1731
02:58:26,675 --> 02:58:26,675
committing crimes against them as has happened over two dozen times in the us,

1732
02:58:31,475 --> 02:58:35,000
and other scams abound, including one that recently caused the ratington township police to issue a warning to all residents.

1733
02:58:39,545 --> 02:58:39,545
ice policies sell fear and mistrust between law enforcement and

1734
02:58:44,120 --> 02:58:44,120
the community in contrast to the way our local law enforcement currently operates.

1735
02:58:49,385 --> 02:58:52,955
many spanish speaking folks live in somerset county, and they can be racially profiled by ice and detained without due process.

1736
02:58:57,650 --> 02:59:01,040
how would you feel if this situation impacted you, if it was your family, your kids?

1737
02:59:02,660 --> 02:59:04,550
what would you do to protect yourself? Do you feel good about other members of our community living with this fear every day?

1738
02:59:11,090 --> 02:59:11,090
show these at risk people that they're safe here in somerset county and let

1739
02:59:15,410 --> 02:59:18,260
our law enforcement agencies operate independently of ice without diverting our tax dollars to harm our community.

1740
02:59:22,010 --> 02:59:22,010
please support the ita [applause].

1741
02:59:30,020 --> 02:59:30,020
>> dawn cohen, 85 millers grove road in bel mead.

1742
02:59:34,520 --> 02:59:34,520
I too am here this evening to ask this board of commissioners to join

1743
02:59:40,865 --> 02:59:40,865
about 20 other towns and counties around the state to

1744
02:59:44,900 --> 02:59:44,900
urge the state legislature to pass the immigrant trust act.

1745
02:59:49,985 --> 02:59:52,325
my husband is an immigrant. My children are children of an immigrant.

1746
02:59:55,460 --> 02:59:55,460
many of my friends and neighbors are immigrants and children of immigrants.

1747
03:00:00,200 --> 03:00:02,930
this issue is very personal to me. Reading the news these days,

1748
03:00:04,745 --> 03:00:06,860
I'm very fearful for their safety. It's very clear from news reports that

1749
03:00:09,290 --> 03:00:09,290
legal immigration status is no guarantee of immunity from ice's dragnets.

1750
03:00:15,530 --> 03:00:19,160
furthermore, all community members benefit from the whole community's access to services that they

1751
03:00:21,980 --> 03:00:25,430
pay taxes for regardless of immigration status. We are all safer when our sick neighbors can access health care without fear of ice.

1752
03:00:31,385 --> 03:00:31,385
we are all safer when our neighbors can report crimes without fears of ice.

1753
03:00:36,380 --> 03:00:38,150
we are all safer when our law enforcement resources are free to focus on their core public safety duties,

1754
03:00:43,535 --> 03:00:46,760
rather than being allocated to support ice detentions of individuals who pose no threat to our communities.

1755
03:00:50,645 --> 03:00:50,645
let's be clear, the immigrant trust act can't stop the raids,

1756
03:00:54,995 --> 03:00:54,995
but it can put a very significant speed bump against their damage.

1757
03:00:59,090 --> 03:00:59,090
I want that speed bump to protect our communities from ice's horrifying activities.

1758
03:01:05,360 --> 03:01:05,360
I urge you to add our county's voice to the calls for action on the immigrant trust act.

1759
03:01:11,345 --> 03:01:11,345
new jersey cannot afford to wait [applause].

1760
03:01:19,675 --> 03:01:21,640
>> I know it's been a long night, so I'll try to keep this relatively brief.

1761
03:01:24,130 --> 03:01:27,475
I'm viriyah hodges from highbridge, out in hunterdon county, eight wharton way.

1762
03:01:29,590 --> 03:01:32,140
do I need to ride down anywhere? Correct. Greetings commissioners.

1763
03:01:36,475 --> 03:01:40,405
I may be from hunterdon county, not somerset county, but as an alumni of rzc,

1764
03:01:42,430 --> 03:01:45,600
somerset holds a very special place to me. Both as a twin neighbor of hunterdon,

1765
03:01:48,115 --> 03:01:48,115
and from my many friends and connections I made from people who are in somerset.

1766
03:01:53,365 --> 03:01:56,785
now, there is the threat looming over both of our counties. The threat I'm referring to is ice,

1767
03:02:01,120 --> 03:02:01,120
the modern gestapo that is terrorizing communities around the country,

1768
03:02:05,755 --> 03:02:07,795
including right here in new jersey. Hunterdon in somerset have not been spared.

1769
03:02:10,015 --> 03:02:12,715
there have been raids in flemington, raids in bridge water, and this rogue agency.

1770
03:02:15,850 --> 03:02:18,550
when the citizens of hunterdon county decided to speak up to our county government about it,

1771
03:02:21,430 --> 03:02:23,785
they politely told us to go take a hike. I'm asking you to be different.

1772
03:02:26,640 --> 03:02:29,440
when there were problems in these, we could come to the somerset board,

1773
03:02:31,825 --> 03:02:31,825
and you guys had more reasonable reactions and were more willing to listen to us.

1774
03:02:37,810 --> 03:02:37,810
as your neighbor, I'm like to implore you to do what hunterdon did not.

1775
03:02:42,985 --> 03:02:42,985
please side with the oppressed rather than the oppressor.

1776
03:02:47,185 --> 03:02:49,810
support the immigrant trust act. Do not give an inch to ice and this administration's matched goons.

1777
03:02:54,970 --> 03:02:58,450
it may seem like a small thing. To be honest, in the grand scheme of things, it is.

1778
03:03:02,470 --> 03:03:06,280
but in times like these, when our democracy is being trampled, when fascism is rearing its head,

1779
03:03:08,920 --> 03:03:10,855
we have to choose what we're going to do. Are we going to sit back and watch?

1780
03:03:13,945 --> 03:03:17,425
are we going to help tyranny along? Or will we resist? Will we be those who stood up against it? Thank you.

1781
03:03:20,410 --> 03:03:22,120
please support the immigrant trust act. You all have a good evening. [applause]

1782
03:03:28,810 --> 03:03:31,900
>> matthew mench, 1303 roger avenue. Despite my temptations, I'm going to stay on the topic

1783
03:03:34,510 --> 03:03:37,030
I was originally here to talk about, as opposed to responding to some of the other comments that we just heard.

1784
03:03:41,860 --> 03:03:44,635
I'm here to talk about two items on your agenda. The first one is there was a resolution

1785
03:03:47,425 --> 03:03:50,680
that was passed tonight to award prescal services contract, mills shawning for the architecture of the washington valley park interpretive center.

1786
03:03:57,175 --> 03:03:57,175
I understand that there's been a recent early concept plan of what that will look like.

1787
03:04:03,610 --> 03:04:07,120
I'd asked all of you, as well as staff you direct, to please make sure that we stay in contact on this project,

1788
03:04:11,500 --> 03:04:13,720
so that way as it moves forward. Even in the design phase on it,

1789
03:04:16,225 --> 03:04:19,660
you solicited input from bridgewater or either way, we'll give it to you one way or the other anyway.

1790
03:04:21,490 --> 03:04:24,370
but I think that in order to avoid, at least make sure that everyone's on the same page with what is being proposed,

1791
03:04:28,240 --> 03:04:32,050
the earlier the input we can get, not just on, hey, here's our final plan, but hey, bridgewater.

1792
03:04:33,640 --> 03:04:35,320
this is what we're thinking. Is there a problems, questions, comments?

1793
03:04:38,965 --> 03:04:41,560
maybe that way, we're not back here next year, when the site that center starts getting built,

1794
03:04:44,005 --> 03:04:46,690
and we have questions on it. The other thing, I couldn't help but note,

1795
03:04:48,925 --> 03:04:52,480
but I did appreciate the resolution that was added tonight to add services for the park commission for public relations.

1796
03:04:57,160 --> 03:04:58,345
I think that's a great idea, a well-deserved timing on that.

1797
03:05:01,315 --> 03:05:05,005
I thank you all for your time this evening and have a nice night. >> thank you.

1798
03:05:07,140 --> 03:05:09,580
>> hi. David reyes, 797 belmill blenburg road.

1799
03:05:13,075 --> 03:05:13,075
I just want to know why the trump administration has taken

1800
03:05:18,190 --> 03:05:18,190
away food stamp benefits for people that deserve food stamps.

1801
03:05:25,315 --> 03:05:25,315
I deal with a lot of those people in my work.

1802
03:05:31,410 --> 03:05:35,365
people should not go without food stamps, especially the homeless people starving out there.

1803
03:05:38,755 --> 03:05:41,080
he's taken away food stamps, and all of our benefits are getting taken away.

1804
03:05:44,470 --> 03:05:47,600
what's next? Medicaid medicare? I'm just tired.

1805
03:05:50,090 --> 03:05:50,090
he is the worst president around.

1806
03:05:55,910 --> 03:05:59,670
I just want everybody to vote with their conscience on november 4th and state your conscience.

1807
03:06:03,460 --> 03:06:03,460
thank you. [applause]

1808
03:06:10,390 --> 03:06:10,390
>> john flores, 389 william street, here in somerville.

1809
03:06:14,575 --> 03:06:18,520
I'm usually singing karaoke in front of a mike, but it's been a long night, so I won't trouble you.

1810
03:06:21,220 --> 03:06:23,590
>> go a head. [laughter]. >> don't tempt me. Decent,

1811
03:06:28,360 --> 03:06:28,360
hardworking people are being pulled off the streets by unmasked,

1812
03:06:32,620 --> 03:06:36,145
unidentified federal agents, here in new jersey, here in somerset county.

1813
03:06:38,140 --> 03:06:38,140
there is very little transparency about who they are targeting,

1814
03:06:42,685 --> 03:06:42,685
and many of the people apprehended by ice appear to be falling into a legal black hole.

1815
03:06:48,940 --> 03:06:48,940
nearly all of the people apprehended are like me, people of color.

1816
03:06:55,030 --> 03:06:58,450
there are reports that some are like me, even us citizens. I'm afraid.

1817
03:07:01,975 --> 03:07:01,975
I'm afraid for my nieces and nephews and my great nieces and great nephews.

1818
03:07:07,780 --> 03:07:11,755
I'm afraid for my family. I'm afraid for my friends. I'm afraid that someone that I know,

1819
03:07:14,575 --> 03:07:16,120
someone that I love, is going to be taken and that they won't receive due process.

1820
03:07:20,605 --> 03:07:20,605
I've been eating new jersey pizza and bagels for 50 plus years.

1821
03:07:25,555 --> 03:07:25,555
my friends on the west coast make fun of my new jersey accent.

1822
03:07:29,905 --> 03:07:33,325
coffee. I'm afraid. Nobody here can guarantee me that I won't be taken and cast into that legal black hole.

1823
03:07:41,230 --> 03:07:41,230
that's the truth. I never thought that I'd have to ask

1824
03:07:45,445 --> 03:07:48,010
local government to protect me from the actions of the federal government. But here we are.

1825
03:07:52,375 --> 03:07:52,375
I'm asking you to protect me and my family and friends from

1826
03:07:56,800 --> 03:07:59,050
the massed anonymous agents of the federal government who are acting without accountability.

1827
03:08:02,440 --> 03:08:04,765
support the immigrant trust act. Join the other municipalities and counties that have already done so,

1828
03:08:09,670 --> 03:08:09,670
and let the communities of color of somerset county know that you have their back.

1829
03:08:15,685 --> 03:08:17,830
support the immigrant trust act. Thank you. [applause]

1830
03:08:26,260 --> 03:08:29,590
>> hello. Good evening. It's a long evening. My name is cynthia snacropi pilbozian,

1831
03:08:32,800 --> 03:08:32,800
548 millstone river road, belmeade.

1832
03:08:36,970 --> 03:08:36,970
I'm here to talk about the causeway.

1833
03:08:41,155 --> 03:08:41,155
otherwise, known to me as the floodway.

1834
03:08:45,570 --> 03:08:45,570
tonight, we talked a lot about flooding, trees.

1835
03:08:50,860 --> 03:08:50,860
oh, I think, overdevelopment.

1836
03:08:56,970 --> 03:08:59,965
in light of expediency, I'd like to read to you the op ed that montgomery news was so gracious to publish.

1837
03:09:05,560 --> 03:09:08,950
with a little help from the editor, here goes. The following are my conclusions and suggestions

1838
03:09:11,980 --> 03:09:14,680
for somerset county officials to consider as they move forward following the submar public hearing

1839
03:09:17,485 --> 03:09:21,325
of the griggstown causeway concept development. Their least expensive option to install three traffic lights does

1840
03:09:26,890 --> 03:09:26,890
not address the traffic congestion due to increased housing developments in our area.

1841
03:09:32,635 --> 03:09:35,245
it does not address flooding, which is happening more often,

1842
03:09:37,210 --> 03:09:37,210
and it does little to assure the safety of dnr state park enthusiasts who canoe,

1843
03:09:42,940 --> 03:09:45,715
kayak, run, walk, bike, and fish along the causeway intersection.

1844
03:09:48,835 --> 03:09:48,835
solution. A new two-lane bridge,

1845
03:09:53,260 --> 03:09:55,270
similar to blackwell's mills, should be built north of the existing bridge from

1846
03:09:58,510 --> 03:09:58,510
millstone river road in montgomery to mosha road in franklin township.

1847
03:10:02,950 --> 03:10:02,950
by doing so, the problem of bridge closure due to flooding would be resolved,

1848
03:10:08,350 --> 03:10:08,350
as traffic congestion on route 206 and other roads due to commuter diversion.

1849
03:10:13,360 --> 03:10:16,660
what happens is when the bridge is closed, there are choke points that develop in other roads in the region. Not good.

1850
03:10:23,905 --> 03:10:23,905
by looking at a concept that would provide a two-lane bridge,

1851
03:10:29,740 --> 03:10:29,740
in an area of land that is already being used for municipal land use,

1852
03:10:37,045 --> 03:10:40,255
the franklin township sewer authority, perhaps the dep may be more amenable to considering issuing permits for the land use.

1853
03:10:48,695 --> 03:10:48,695
the bridge would then intersect with millstone river road

1854
03:10:52,780 --> 03:10:56,290
and would be less intrusive for the residents in that area. By putting a stoplight down at the bridge,

1855
03:10:58,900 --> 03:10:58,900
you think that you're creating a safety mechanism,

1856
03:11:03,265 --> 03:11:03,265
but you're really increasing commuter frustration,

1857
03:11:08,860 --> 03:11:08,860
which is the safety risk.

1858
03:11:13,230 --> 03:11:13,230
let me continue. I hear about cost.

1859
03:11:18,520 --> 03:11:21,925
an easy pass toll could be installed midway section of the new mosha road bridge to help pay for its construction.

1860
03:11:25,315 --> 03:11:28,150
developers in the region must be held responsible for the added traffic congestion caused by the new residential buildings and new businesses,

1861
03:11:32,650 --> 03:11:32,650
malls that are being built on route 206 corridor in hillsborough and montgomery,

1862
03:11:39,355 --> 03:11:41,545
on harrison street and princeton, somerville, along route 1,

1863
03:11:43,720 --> 03:11:45,960
and the list goes on. It's almost dead central new jersey,

1864
03:11:48,910 --> 03:11:48,910
and it is a main artery for commuters and travelers.

1865
03:11:54,670 --> 03:11:56,295
a lot of people travel. Commuters from these new developments pass through montgomery,

1866
03:11:59,565 --> 03:11:59,565
franklin township, and regularly get to work, shop, and more.

1867
03:12:03,735 --> 03:12:06,890
also, donations to the dnr, preservation fund specific to the project to

1868
03:12:10,150 --> 03:12:13,105
preserve the historic relevance of the existing bridge, make the current causeway one-way from west to east.

1869
03:12:17,425 --> 03:12:20,695
it provides an alternate route for commuters. They can use the two-way bridge.

1870
03:12:22,450 --> 03:12:25,255
they can also use the one-way from west to east. It also allows for tourists and hiking enthusiasts.

1871
03:12:30,670 --> 03:12:32,170
I used to run on the tow path. I used to run from the bottom of my driveway across the street.

1872
03:12:35,320 --> 03:12:38,005
I don't do that anymore.it is not safe. People will use me for target practice.

1873
03:12:40,735 --> 03:12:42,565
within the past week, I've had to near misses from frustrated drivers.

1874
03:12:46,240 --> 03:12:47,860
I crossed the bridge. I was well more than halfway over the bridge,

1875
03:12:51,055 --> 03:12:51,055
and I was confronted with an angry driver that nearly hit on me.

1876
03:12:55,510 --> 03:12:59,290
I was forced to back out onto river road. That man was not going anywhere,

1877
03:13:02,320 --> 03:13:04,330
and so I conceded. Thank you for taking my call today.

1878
03:13:08,250 --> 03:13:11,830
the traffic signals are addressing the two times of the day that congestion is really bad.

1879
03:13:15,655 --> 03:13:18,535
congestion is becoming worse on weekends. I weed in my backyard.

1880
03:13:20,515 --> 03:13:24,460
I hear the horn honking, I hear people yelling and screaming. It's less intrusive to the neighborhood if you would consider this two-lane bridge.

1881
03:13:29,710 --> 03:13:32,905
it would also give emts better response times in being able to transfer people to their hospitals of choice.

1882
03:13:38,860 --> 03:13:41,680
if someone wanted to go to robert wood in new brunswick, they'd have to go all the way down to route 206,

1883
03:13:44,305 --> 03:13:48,115
all the way around, or come up in teran, and go all the way around. There are many reasons why the two-lane bridge would

1884
03:13:51,550 --> 03:13:51,550
be a better fit for the needs that you're addressing.

1885
03:13:58,800 --> 03:13:58,800
yes.

1886
03:14:03,950 --> 03:14:06,850
I mentioned easy pass. Easy pass is being used on many small roads and byways.

1887
03:14:11,020 --> 03:14:11,020
when I travel, I frequently have to pay a little $25 toll, $0.85 toll.

1888
03:14:18,055 --> 03:14:20,440
that may be a consideration. The canal and ida had bridge tenders and toll booths to assure the safe flow of barges.

1889
03:14:26,260 --> 03:14:30,205
to cover the costs of those employees that collected the tolls, it seems that we're facing the same considerations as we

1890
03:14:32,860 --> 03:14:35,695
move forward in our modern-day traffic safety needs. I implore the county officials to reconsider the possible options to enhance

1891
03:14:39,940 --> 03:14:39,940
traffic flow and to alleviate congestion at choke points caused by flooding,

1892
03:14:44,950 --> 03:14:46,600
and complete the project in a meaningful and lasting manner that will last more generations to come.

1893
03:14:51,850 --> 03:14:53,665
if you can get this project done, this would be an awesome legacy to leave.

1894
03:14:56,920 --> 03:14:58,990
thank you so much for listening. I agree, government works when government works,

1895
03:15:03,145 --> 03:15:06,535
as long as you work within the constraints of rule. I appreciate that. Thank you for listening.

1896
03:15:13,350 --> 03:15:13,350
>> hi. My name is katarina rose, k-a-t-a-r-I-n-a.

1897
03:15:18,355 --> 03:15:21,265
I live at three gateway boulevard in hillsborough. I'm also here to request that you guys support the immigrant trust act,

1898
03:15:28,705 --> 03:15:28,705
and also to do whatever we can to help our neighbors.

1899
03:15:33,985 --> 03:15:36,685
it is so big, and the immigrant trust act should just be the beginning. Thank you.

1900
03:15:42,700 --> 03:15:45,430
also, this is not necessarily to the commission, but to everybody who's listening at home and here to please vote,

1901
03:15:49,225 --> 03:15:51,880
to have everyone you know vote, and please vote with your conscience.

1902
03:15:53,680 --> 03:15:53,680
thank you. [applause]

1903
03:16:00,280 --> 03:16:01,990
>> any phone calls, emails? >> I do have one phone call, believe it or not.

1904
03:16:04,540 --> 03:16:04,540
sir. Hello. Yes. You need to state your name and address for the record, sir.

1905
03:16:11,905 --> 03:16:15,370
>> sure. My name is carlos mendoza. I live at 23 mercury street, somerset, new jersey.

1906
03:16:19,195 --> 03:16:19,195
I'm calling tonight because I'm concerned that you, the commissioners,

1907
03:16:23,950 --> 03:16:27,370
are unaware about critical internal issues since the administrator has personally instructed employees not to talk with you directly.

1908
03:16:31,990 --> 03:16:31,990
dafing and morale have plummeted since 2020 due to ineffective.

1909
03:16:38,250 --> 03:16:38,250
>> sir, I just stopped for a second.

1910
03:16:46,980 --> 03:16:46,980
personnel matters are not subject really appropriate for public discussion.

1911
03:16:53,320 --> 03:16:56,320
if you want to talk in general, that's fine. But talking about a specific employee, I'm not going to allow.

1912
03:17:02,400 --> 03:17:03,970
>> did you hang up? >> yeah.

1913
03:17:06,970 --> 03:17:08,875
just for the record, employees have rights, regardless of who they are,

1914
03:17:11,770 --> 03:17:13,645
whatever level they're at. Personnel matters are not for open discussion without proper notice.

1915
03:17:18,265 --> 03:17:20,005
there's a case that governs that. General conversation about a department or a function of government,

1916
03:17:26,725 --> 03:17:26,725
perfectly permitted. No other comments.

1917
03:17:33,270 --> 03:17:35,560
>> seeing none, hearing none, is there a motion to close the public?

1918
03:17:38,050 --> 03:17:41,215
>> second. >> all in favor? >> aye. >> ayes have it.