This meeting's called to order in
accordance with the open public meetings
law in accordance with chapter 231 of
the public laws of 1975.
Adequate notice of this meeting has been
provided. This meeting of August 3rd,
2026 was provided to the Courier News
and Star-Ledger and placed on the
bureau's website. Also placed on the
bulletin board of Borough Hall. A copy
of this notice is available to the
public and a copy of the statement shall
be included in the minutes of this
meeting.
Mayor Brian Gallagher.
>> Here.
>> Council members, Teresa Bonner is
excused this evening. Andrew Conti.
>> Here.
>> Glenn Dene.
>> Here.
>> Randy Pitts.
>> Here.
>> Gina Strabic.
>> Here.
>> Roger Vern.
>> Here.
>> Please stand for the salute to the flag.
» I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
» Okay, we have no uh departmental reports
or notices.
Uh however, we do have a These are
always good nights. We have resolution
number 260803-233
approving the hiring of Eric A. Melendez
as police officer effective August 4th,
2026.
Do we have a motion?
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> Discussion. Roll call, please.
>> Council members, Andrew Cotti.
>> Yes.
>> Glenn Denney.
>> Yes.
>> Randy Pitts.
>> Yes.
>> Gina Slavik.
>> Yes.
>> Roger Berm.
>> Yes.
>> All right.
Uh, Mr. Melendez,
come up come on down.
Oh, you know what? You know what? If
mom's here, we're going to hold If she's
not here, we're going to hold off a few
minutes. Absolutely.
Mom's got to be here.
All right. So, we're going to defer
that. That's All right. Not a problem.
at all.
Yeah.
>> [laughter]
» No, for now.
Mom holds the gavel. That's
All right. Let's go into committee
reports then, Andrew.
>> Uh, historic advisory committee hasn't
met yet this month, but we look forward
to discussing
few items at the end of the month and
specifically uh, potential for our
artifacts and museum items to be more on
display at
in the town and also continue mapping
out the historic places [clears throat]
in town and putting them on our map that
we actually have up. So, if anybody's
interested in looking at historic sites
in town, you can check out the historic
advisory commission's website. We have a map, a Google Map that'll take
you everywhere you want to go.
>> Great. Thank you. Gina.
>> Uh, September 27th, the Board of Health
will be at the farmers market doing some
Board of Health stuff. So, um, that was
a great partnership and a great
opportunity for the Board of Health to
work with the community. Uh, the rescue
squad continues their good work. I do
not have a full report, um, but know
that they are there for you.
>> All right. Uh, Glenn.
>> All right. Thank you. Uh, the fire
department responded to 74 service calls
in the month of July, so they've
continued their busy streak for this
year.
And then the Environmental Commission
met on July 14th.
Uh, two new pet waste stations were
installed along the Greenway, and that
was with a partnership with the New
Jersey Water Supply Authority and their
water ambassadors program, and a little
bit of help from our DPW, so we thank
them.
On September 9th, a member of our green
team, David Voron, will host a talk on
how to fight high energy bills.
And then finally, uh,
volunteering days are coming really
soon. There's a number of them, so you
can check out some details on our social
media or website. For but we will be
continuing our work on the Peters Brook
habitat restoration project. Uh, the
dates right now are August 22nd,
September 16th, September 27th, and
October 1st. So, hopefully you can come
out during one of those days uh, to help
us out with that. There will be more
details and sign-ups available. Um,
the Environmental Commission will see
you at National Night Out tomorrow uh,
with some energy saving tips and more at
the tent, so come on out and see them
and all the other great community groups
that'll be there. And then uh, also you
can come out on next Tuesday on uh, the
11th of August for the uh, monthly
Environmental Commission meeting at 7:00
right here.
>> Okay, great.
>> Busy, busy.
>> Excellent. Thank you.
>> Thanks.
>> Ready.
>> He stole my thunder.
>> [laughter]
>> There's plenty to say. There's plenty of
groups.
>> Tomorrow is National Night Out day.
Come out and meet
our entire force,
fire department, rescue squad.
Um, this year's event features live
performances by Elite Dance Center,
School of Rock, Black Belt World, plus a
dunk tank.
Maybe the mayor.
>> That could be. [laughter] It may be on
the agenda.
» Provided by Somerville Recreation. Free
hot dogs, drinks, and snacks will be
provided by the community partners.
Meet your neighbors, connect with our
local police officers,
our
beautiful and great police officers. We
even have the chief here tonight. Want
to give him a shout out.
He's my guy.
>> [laughter]
>> We hope to see you there tomorrow.
That's all I have.
>> All right, great. Thank you. Roger. Uh
from recreation, the Somerville YMCA
will be offering free classes to
Somerville residents at Michael Lep Pool
Park, which is the one on Park Avenue,
on August 10th, 12th, and 14th. The
program is designed to help young
children become more comfortable and
confident in and around the water while
learning essential water safety skills
in a fun and supportive environment.
There are two sessions for young
children. Um they will be run at uh
11:00 to 11:30, which is going to be
safety around the water. It's a
parent-and-me class for preschool-aged
children ages 3 to 5. And then from
11:30 to 12:00 on those days, it'll be
safety around the water, uh children
only, uh ages 5 years old, I guess and
up. So, space is limited. Uh please
register now on the Community Pass uh
website under summer programs. And
that's what I have.
>> Okay.
All right, we're going to jump and do
ordinances for public hearing and
adoption. Ordinance number number 2807
is a bond ordinance providing an
appropriation of $850,000 for the design
and resurfacing of South Middle Street
and Washington Place foreign by the
Borough of Somerville in the County of
Somerset.
>> owners? Like, what prompted this?
>> Uh what hap- What prompted this is it's
the time is So, as you know, there is a
cannabis, well, maybe you don't know,
there's a cannabis location further um
west on Route 22, or actually 202 206,
we're we're making it so the cannabis
facility that's located on 22 could
compete hour-wise with that. So, it
matches their time.
Only it actually matches their time only
Friday Saturday. They may be be
appearing in the future to match their
time on Sunday, but at this point this
is a this is just
basically Monday Monday through Saturday
the change.
>> So, they requested it.
>> Uh yes, it it it came about. As you
know, we do get
transfer tax from that, so the revenue
if they open early obviously the
anticipation is the revenue would be
um better during those morning hours.
» Okay. Roll call.
Council members, Andrew Conti.
>> Yes.
>> Glenn Zaney.
>> Yes.
>> Randy Pitts.
>> Yes.
>> Gina Stravic.
>> Yes.
>> Roger Vern.
>> Yes.
>> All right.
Is mom here?
Is she?
>> Yes.
>> All right.
>> [laughter]
>> All right, let's let's go back to item
number six, which is the oath of office
for police officer Eric A. Melendez.
Eric, if you come forward.
That's your cue, mom.
» You put your left hand on the Bible.
And you're going to raise your right
hand and repeat after me.
I state your name.
>> I, Eric Melendez,
>> do solemnly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution of
the United States.
>> that I will support the Constitution of
the United States.
>> and the state of New Jersey.
>> that I will bear true faith and
allegiance to the same.
>> that I will bear true faith and
allegiance to the same.
>> and to the governments established in
the United States and in this state.
>> And to the governments established in
the United States and in this state.
>> Under the authority of the people.
>> That I will faithfully
>> impartially
>> and justly perform
>> all the duties of police officer
>> for the Borough of Somerville
>> according to the best of my ability.
>> So help me God.
>> Congratulations.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> [applause]
» Chief.
>> All right, so
Officer Melendez is already You can You
can step back over here, okay.
He's already a police officer. So we had
an opening and we've had an opening for
a while due to retirement of someone, so
we're filling a spot.
And we had a uh process where people
apply and we interviewed several trained
police officers.
He came out number one on our process
and after a thorough background he um
ready to go. But having police
experience is a giant benefit to us here
in town.
Um and he's got a good support group.
He'll be hooked with a training officer
for a while, about 3 months I guess, 2 3
months.
So he can learn how we do things our way
here and uh
that's it, he's ready to go. And
we were told that he has a very uh
tight, close family and that's obvious
by the amount of people that are here.
Uh do want to thank you guys, thank the
council for doing this and working with
us. We always have a good working
relationship and we have to keep that
going too. But, thank you guys.
>> Chief, thank you.
>> Thank you, Chief.
>> So, just a just a couple of comments. Um
I always love these days. Um I think
it's wonderful.
Um it's a another officer joining the
ranks of our community. And when you
look around you and you see this
uh these lines of blue, um these are the
folks that the men and women who keep
our community what it is. We live in a
very special community. We have very
engaged citizens. Um and uh and and it's
wonderful. So, remember this day cuz
it's a good day, it's a happy day.
They're not all good and happy, uh but
think back to you know, this day when
you're having that tough day. And uh
make sure you wave
to the citizens
and go after the bad guys with a
vengeance.
All right? So, thank you and
congratulations. Thank you.
Uh Chief, I know you've got a couple of
other things you uh you'd like to do.
>> Yeah, we have some awards we'd like to
give out to some of the folks here and
we'll start with I got Lieutenant
DePalma is going to come up. Do you have
the
awards?
Um what I'd like to do first is uh the
Chief's Achievement Award and I'm going
to actually Usually you you guys have
known me a long time. I don't read
anything in general. We just talk.
But, Lieutenant DePalma put some nice
fancy stuff together. So, I'm going to
try to stay on
course here.
Anyway,
uh Officer Spadaia, could you come down,
please?
So, Officer Spadaia and Detective
Fullmore, Detective Fullmore is not here
tonight.
But, uh we want to give him the Chief's
Award
what Lieutenant DePalma came up with was
being awarded for an outstanding act of
achievement. Moving into the new
building
would not be possible without the
dedication, professionalism, and
unwavering commitment of officers today
and Detective Fullmer, which you guys
know this is true. Big lift.
On behalf of the entire department,
thank you for your countless hours, your
commitment to excellence excellence, and
your steadfast dedication to the
organization. Your work has left a
permanent mark on the department and
every person who walks through the doors
of the building.
Yeah, you could tell that I didn't write
this.
>> [laughter]
>> Really nice.
Congratulations.
Um it's my honor to award this to you.
So, the lieutenant's going to give this
to you. Thank you. And good job.
>> [applause]
» ON TOP OF WHAT WAS WRITTEN,
THE AMOUNT OF WORK, EFFORT, and
problem-solving that went into getting
us in there was
difficult and amazing. And I'll let it
go with that.
>> Can Can I just say you didn't mention
the headaches with this guy?
>> Yes.
>> [laughter]
>> He's my headache.
>> Trying to keep him out of it.
All right. Then, if we could have
Officer Kelleher and Officer Shahak come
up.
So, these two are getting the Medal of
Valor.
And what I'm going to do is I am going
to read this because it really does lay
it out pretty nicely as to what
happened. So, um
August 15th of last year,
at about
3:45 in the afternoon,
Manville PD was searching for a male
suspected of being in possession of a
firearm.
Possibly fleeing by the train.
Surrounding agencies were advised to
check the train station, which we have a
train station, and these guys went and
did that.
Officer Kelleher responded along with
members from the prosecutor's office.
Upon checking the platform, the actor
was actually located. And if any of this
is off, you can correct me, but blame
him.
Um the actor became immediately agitated
and argumentative with the officers on
scene. The actor then tried to walk away
and began reaching into his waistband
towards what the officers believed to be
was a firearm. And and every police
officer here knows and you guys probably
do, too. I mean, the thing that gets you
hurt is your hands. You got to watch
your hands. So, when he's
sticking his hand somewhere,
makes you nervous.
The actor started shout- a physical
confrontation ensued. Officer Shahad
arrived on scene as well.
The actor started shouting, "Kill me.
Shoot me. I'm not going back." Also,
during the length of time trying to take
control of his hands, he was refusing to
remove his left hand from holding the
handle of the firearm.
The actor was then handcuffed and
secured as more officers arrived on
scene and the weapon was secured.
Officer Callaher hurt her hand.
Um
As I'm reading this, I think I'm not
supposed to talk about injuries, but you
broke your finger.
Um and the actor actually spit on
Officer Shahad
in the face and mouth. Officers Callaher
and and Officer Shahad, Somerset Police
Department would like to recognize both
of you for your acts of extraordinary
heroism
that were displayed during your actions
on that day.
While responding to a subject with a
firearm, your immediate actions
displayed that day are an example of how
you're willing to place the welfare of
others above yourselves.
This exemplifies the essence of the
Valor Award. Congratulations on the
award.
>> [applause]
» And I was up there, too. I watched what
was going on. They had him on the ground
by the time I got there. And the guy was
very, very violent and
it was not a good situation. They were
also honored by the 200 Club of Somerset
County for their actions. So,
congratulations.
» [applause]
» Okay, uh Officer Black, come on up here,
please.
And this is a good one. This is a real
good one, too.
He's also getting the Medal of Valor.
So, again, I'm going to read it cuz I
think he did a good job.
September 6th of 2025
at
2:17 in the morning, so you know there's
a little different environment going on,
right?
While investigating an unrelated
incident, a report from dispatch came in
that a male was on a street in town
uh with a gun threatening people.
Upon arrival, Officer Black confronted
the subject who was in the area and gave
him the clear verbal commands not to
move. He assumed it was the person that
he was sent there to deal with that had
a gun.
At that point, the actor then started
running and ran away from Officer Black who started running after him
and caught him.
Officer Black immediately, without any
hesitation, chased the subject for
approximately 30 yd and was able to stop
him and place him under arrest.
The actor was in possession of a loaded
magazine and ammo in his pocket. In
addition, a firearm was also found near
where the actor was arrested indicating
that he had the gun on him and when he
tackled him it came out of his pocket or
whatever. Is that pretty much accurate?
Okay.
Um
the Saugus Police Department like to
recognize you for your act of
extraordinary heroism that was displayed
during this altercation. Uh the
professionalism, confidence, and quick
action that was displayed that night
while responding gave to someone who had
a gun even though the result was imminent
personal hazard to yourself was a
selfless act of bravery.
Due to these actions, you will be
receiving a Medal of Valor.
Congratulations.
>> [applause]
» May have 2:15 in the morning you get a
report of a guy he's out there at the
Pine by himself. He takes off, goes
after him, gets him, got guns.
>> Yeah.
I thank you guys for allowing this
tonight and participating with us. Thank
you very much.
>> Chief, thank you. Um,
thank you. Thank all of your officers,
those that are here and those that that
are that are not here.
Um,
you know, I just find it fascinating.
So, more and more
our police officers are called on to to
do different things. Uh, everything from
what you heard about tonight to um,
marriage counselors, psychologists,
psychiatrists, um, you name it, across
the board. Uh, and it's not an easy job.
It's it's a passion that our officers
have and and we have a difference. I
think we have an extremely well-trained
force
um, led by an administrative team that
is uh, second to none. I I'll put our
officers up against any officers in the
county. I think they're top-notch.
Um, they're always out there. Um,
they're always waving, at least they're
waving at me.
Uh, that or they're telling me get out
of the way. I don't know.
>> [laughter]
>> Um, but I want to thank every one of you
for what you do every single day because
it's it's not just the the um,
these items that you heard about today.
It's the everyday. And uh, um,
it's it's not easy. It's a challenge.
It's a challenging job. You do it well.
You keep our community safe.
Thank you. God bless all of you. Thank
you.
>> [applause]
» All right, you can go.
And family, you can go, too.
» All right, we'll continue on. Um, before
we get to to the meeting
open to the public for public comment
cuz I know there will be public comment
on the library issue.
Um, I just kind of want to cycle back a
little bit and and talk a little bit
about that because it's become a strong issue
for our entire community.
And and I think everybody's goal is
exactly the same. Um, it's that we want
to have a premier, a good, fantastic
library in our community.
And I also believe that the long-term
goal of
trying to build something bigger and
better
is also good.
And I think I share the same sentiment
of council
that that we'd like to see that.
The challenge is we have this goal
that's out here.
And we have now, which is over here.
And
obviously recently
the Somerset County County Library
Commission has taken steps to
um
close the Somerville branch.
Um
citing a number of issues,
one of which was mold issues.
Uh, health concerns of their employees.
We take that very seriously. Um, once
that was made
I ordered the testing of the area
immediately.
And I'm going to back up a second
because there was mold testing and
remediation done
about a year ago. And that was in the
downstairs level,
the basement level of the uh
the library.
Remediated, brought back to
standard.
Fast forward to this year.
Um
we received a letter and it said we were
closing citing those concerns.
Again, so testing was ordered
immediately.
When
the initial testing came back for the
upstairs,
that testing showed no elevated mold.
The area was okay.
I had ordered immediate testing of the
downstairs again just to ensure
that that the remediation we did last
year
held.
And that has come back now.
And that also shows no elevation of
mold.
So, that presents a challenge.
It doesn't negate, you know, the the
idea that somebody may feel ill.
So, we've taken an extra step and I've
ordered that we bring in an
environmental engineer {slash}
industrial hygienist
to do further testing
to ensure that the air
and the quality in the library both
upstairs and downstairs
is satisfactory.
Once that's done and they come back to
us with those results,
one of two things will happen. Either
the results show that there are no
issues
or they will show that there are issues.
They will be mitigated. And we will also
implement best practices that they show
we should.
Um
I think that's going over and above what
the cited reasons were for
closing the library.
And
I think it's a good practice for us.
And I would even take it a step further
and say that we would conduct further
testing as the years go on or as the
year goes on just to ensure. Let's
monitor, monitor testing.
Um
the challenge we have is that
while the mold issue seemed to be the
impetus for this,
other issues now have come up in that
the space isn't suitable.
The space is not big enough. Uh and
these are some reasons that we've been
given for
uh for the uh county to close the
library.
Um
I don't believe that's right.
Um
this
is a small branch library.
It doesn't mean that we can't grow.
But what it does mean
is that between the time that we grow
into something else and now
we have to maintain that service
to our constituents.
In 2010, I brought
our library to the county because our
library was not in good financial shape.
And the library embraced us, the county
system embraced us. They wanted us to be
a part of it.
And 15 years later, um I'm I'm
questioning some of that.
So, it it is a challenge.
I think there's an opportunity for
partnership there to achieve this.
But you can't
eliminate what we have in order to
achieve this. You know, I almost look at
it as if
we're kind of the first pin
in this process. You know, what what is next? I don't know the answer to
that. But what is next?
So,
you know, it's it's a very challenging
situation. And and I've been in meetings
and and I said part of my job is to try
not to get
try to not get people into their
corners.
Sometimes it's very difficult to do
because people feel that they're right.
And I think tonight we went into
corners.
Um
and I believe and I think the council
believes, rightfully so, at this time
that we did go into our corners.
Um our goals are the same.
They are the same.
I haven't met one person that says, I
don't want a library.
I haven't met one person who says, I
don't want a nicer library.
I firmly believe, I raised five kids in
this town.
That was my wife's salvation.
Three in the triple stroller, one on her
back, and one walking.
That was her salvation.
Now my granddaughter
loves to go on Saturdays to pick up my
paperwork
and hop over to the library and do
something cool.
So, you know, it's it's This is not a
pleasant situation and I know there's
people who have a lot of different
feelings out there.
Uh there's a lot of different emotions
out there.
My goal
our goal as a council is to ensure that
we have those services.
There's been talk about renting space
somewhere downtown, renting space
somewhere in the borough to achieve
those services.
If we have a space
that's clean
certified
it's okay.
Is it old building?
Yeah.
It is an old building.
But it's Somerville's building.
And it still serves its purpose well.
And if we can show that it's certified
clean and we can we can
keep that level
I don't see why we can't reoccupy from
this time
forward
to the new beginning of whatever that
library is.
One of the challenges in creating
something is you have to define what you
want.
Now, we all have opinions on what we
want, but what is the public want?
What is the public need?
We don't have that.
We know it's technology.
Kids library.
You know, we had floated the idea of
well, why don't we make
the the counties, the regions
most special children's library in our
space
and allow the other libraries,
Hillsborough and Bridgewater
to absorb the adult. I don't know
whether that's right or wrong,
but it's a concept.
And I think that's where you have to
start with these concepts. And I know
the commission has talked about going
out and doing these types of of surveys.
Um
but I think it's premature
to begin that process without knowing
what are our asks?
What are we doing? Where are we going?
So So, the bureau has committed
that that space
is going to be occupied.
We'll know in a week or two
what the results of of all of that are.
Um and we'll either have a timeline for
remediation
or we'll have an all clear and let's get
back to work.
Um
I've asked the commission if they are
willing to work towards
a um
a goal of reoccupying that space.
And it was a qualified yes if it
expanded.
Well, we're not expanding right now cuz
we don't know what we're expanding into.
The goal is to reoccupy that space.
>> Yeah.
>> But
ex- excuse me.
>> Yeah, yeah.
» Excuse me.
Ex-
excuse me.
You are out of order. You are
out of order.
You will have your 5 minutes during
public session.
That's probably only the fourth time
I've ever gabbled in my life. I don't
gabble people. So, let's have a little
more uh decorum
here.
So, at this point, um
you know, sometimes you do have to go
into your corners.
And uh what I will do is ask the council
for a motion
to authorize the attorney to begin
drawing up
uh papers
uh
to
ensure that the library commission
uh follows the terms of our agreement
that's been established.
» Regrettably, I make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Discussion.
Roll call.
>> Council members, Andrew Cauty.
>> Yes.
>> Glen Dunay.
>> Yes.
>> Randy Pitts.
>> Yes.
>> Gina Stravic.
>> Yes.
>> Roger Vroom.
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
All right.
Uh at this point, I will ask for a
motion to open the meeting to the
public.
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> Discussion.
Roll call.
>> Council members, Andrew Cauty.
>> Yes.
>> Glen Dunay.
>> Yes.
>> Randy Pitts.
>> Yes.
>> Gina Stravic.
>> Yes.
>> Roger Vroom.
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
Public session is now open. Please state
your name and address for the record and
please address your comments to me.
» Peter Bromberg. My address is 121 Agnes
uh Place in Bound Brook. I am the
director of the Somerset County Library
System. I am not a politician. I'm a
librarian. It is my life's work. It has
been a privilege to to
bring library services to the people of
different communities across this state
and across this country. I was invited
here tonight. I say invited in quotes
because I was asked to what might I be
willing to come tonight.
>> could you just
Yeah, could you just stay in the shot?
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I would also ask if you would just put
the microphone back, please.
>> Uh I'm going to hold the microphone.
>> No, I'm going to ask you to put the
microphone
>> I'm going to hold the microphone.
>> Peter, please just put the microphone
back.
>> W- Why?
>> Because it's piece of borough property.
Please put the microphone back.
>> Well, I'm not going to throw it at
anybody.
>> That I know you're not. I know you're
not. Please just
>> This is just This is just like
control. Like, oh, no. You're telling me
what to do. No. No. No. I'm going to
hold the microphone.
>> Peter, you're invited tonight. You were
brought into We were brought into this
room.
>> We were brought into this room with no
agenda. Uh I was asked to hold this this
night available. Uh came in. Never got a
confirmation. I had to confirm and say,
"Well, I was asked to hold this night
available. Is this Are we coming?" So,
we show up. I was asked, "Are you here
to talk Tell us that you're going to
move back into the library?" I said, "Am
I here to tell you? I don't even You
invited us here. You tell us what you
want to talk about." Well, the question
is, "Are you going to move back into
that library after we remediate?"
I said, "Well, I didn't say expand. I
said, if and when that space is made
suitable for library services, including
for our staff, because our staff have no
work space there. There's no private
space. They don't have a private
bathroom anymore to use. They were told
they can't flush solids. They have to
put waste waste paper in a waste basket
instead of flushing it. There's no It's
not suitable. We've been there for a
year. And so And last summer when we
closed and we re- the lower level and we
brought everything upstairs,
we got the all clear, right? That
everything was going to be fine. Well,
since that time,
staff have continued to have health
issues. I have I have reports here from
eight different staff members about
their health issues. That was This is
going back through all last summer. I'm
sorry. Yes. yes, I apologize. Yes, yes,
absolutely. Um Um, from through through
the through the winter, through the
fall, headaches, hives, persistent sore
throat, severe nasal drip, neurological
pain and symptoms, pressure headaches,
tracking closely with office occupancy
and sinus congestion.
I can go on and on and and I eczema,
headaches. This is eight different
people experiencing these symptoms on
and off depending a little bit on the
weather, but persistent and consistent.
And when they go when they leave the
building for 2 days, they get better.
When they come back, they feel worse.
Now, there has been so a lot of
misinformation, but when we made the
difficult decision First, we were
looking at this and saying we probably
need to to find a new a new location by
the end of the year or by the end of the
summer.
I communicated this with the bureau.
This was communicated immediately. When staff were having some some spikes
of issues, probably due to water and
humidity and weather, um, and we sat
down and said, "Looking at this, like
looking at all this in totality and
what's happening what's happening with our our staff health, um, can do we
have a high level of confidence that
there's a significant issue and can we
send them back in in in good in good
faith?" And me and my leadership team
said, "No. Our level of confidence is
high. It would be unethical, immoral,
and also take on liabilities for the
organization to send staff back in
there." As soon as that conversation was
had, I reached out to the bureau and I
communicated this. "Okay, fine." I was
told that commission was read in on this
or the council was read in on it. And
that there while the the timeline for a
July 31st closure was quick, no
questions, we'll talk about it at the
lab meeting. The lab meeting where you
sat here and said, "We're going to work
together and we're going to and I have I
didn't get returns from phone calls. I
didn't get return from from emails. I
said next day, I said, "Let's put out a
joint statement to assure everyone that
we're working together." No response to
that. And everything you said here
today, if we had had this conversation
that you're up here at the dais in that
room, I wanted to I want your the people
here to know that you have not been
showing [clears throat] up in good faith
to work. That's what I want to do. I
want to work in good faith, and if
you're willing to do that, all of you on
this dais, well, let's do that. We owe
it to them. We're on their dime. We are
public servants. This is my life trying
to get library services to people, and I
am so I will repeat deeply, deeply
disappointed in the way you you you you
treated us the the the the what you the
disconnect between what you say publicly
and what you say privately, the
disconnect between saying, "Oh, we all
want to work together and come up with a
plan." and not returning phone calls,
not engaging. I mean, it is it is
shocking to me, and I'm not naive, but
it's certainly disappointing. It is so
disappointing. I am here our our
commission chair is here. We are ready
to work hand in glove to come up with
solutions. Do we need a temporary
solution between now and when we have
built some grand building 3, 5, 7 years?
I don't know when it'll be. Yeah, we
need a temporary solution, but a
temporary solution that is not making
people sick, not making people sick day
after day. That's all we're asking for,
and we will pay the bill. We will find a
place, and we will pay the bill, and in
the meantime, we will continue to do
programming with through through partner
locations, which we've been doing all
year. We'll continue to do story times
and book clubs and outreach.
And and your and residents of Somerville
will continue to check out materials at
other locations.
You Over the last 180 days, more people
are checking out materials in
Bridgewater by by two to one than
they're checking out here.
So, you're already you you because
you're part of a large county
multi-branch system, residents have
options to go to other locations for
robust collections of programming and
services and spaces to study. That's the
benefit of being in the system. Now, if
you all decide that you want to pull out
of the system cuz it might take us a
couple months to find a temporary
location, that's your decision, and you
can hold your people behind me can
decide whether you want to hold these
people accountable or not.
>> You're just about out of time.
>> Okay, but I what I'm asking for is
honesty, what I'm asking for is
consistency and congruency between what
you say to them publicly and how you
behave when you leave the dais.
And let's work on their behalf. Let's
work together on their behalf. It is our
responsibility to do that.
>> You're about done.
>> I am done.
>> Thank you.
for your time.
>> Thank you for your comments, sir.
>> I apologize earlier for my for my
passionate comment.
>> Thank you.
>> Yeah.
» Any other public comment?
» I want to grab the microphone.
» Thank you.
>> You're welcome.
Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I am
Jonathan Lee
from the Borough of Rocky Hill, 10 Toth
Lane, Rocky Hill.
I am also a councilman in the Borough of
Rocky Hill and chair of the library
committee.
Um it seems very suspicious
that you have a mold problem in your
library.
We've gone through a tremendously
difficult problem regarding our library
and has nothing to do with mold. It
[clears throat] has to do with the fact
that um
the Somerset County Library System
decided to no longer support our
library. Um we were the first branch of
the Somerset County Library System.
Um we had an we had an unique situation
because
um
we were the um beneficiaries of an
endowment provided by a lawyer from Philadelphia to honor his
wife. His name was Harold Jacobs.
And his wife's name was Mary. They are
both um
buried in
Rocky Hill Cemetery.
Because it was a public-private
uh agreement, um
Somerset County Library System became
uncomfortable with it over the years.
Um eventually, um Montgomery created a
new um town hall and they established a
branch of the Somerset County Library
System in their town. Previously, the
citizens of Montgomery had shared our
library
for uh approximately 50 years.
There was a short-term agreement where
we continued to run our library uh with
their support.
Um and then uh there was um
a period when we were supposed to
determine what the future of the library
is.
Um they uh were not too conducive to
doing that. Um they said that they were
running out of money and they told us
they were going to close down.
Um so, instead of closing down, I
believe it was um
in um May of 2024,
they closed down the previous August
because they said they had a mold issue.
Now,
tests were run
and I will tell you now that the mold
inside the building was lower than that
which was outside in the ambient air,
which is the control.
Um
so, this seems somewhat
like a modus operandi to me.
Um I would
tend to
um
fight for your library.
We spent 3 years uh
eventually
the foundation that ran the endowment
that was given for our library
decided they no longer wanted to
run a library.
And um
we went into a lawsuit with them. It
took us 3 years and hundreds of
thousands of dollars,
but we won that lawsuit.
There is now a new
Board of Trustees being constituted and
the town is now getting control of the
building so that we don't have an issue
again.
Um we will probably I don't know what
the future brings as far as what kind of
library it will be, whether we join the
Summers County Library System. They
apparently are not interested in joining
us or us joining them, even though we
were the first branch.
Um
but um
we will have a library.
We have a significant endowment.
Um I could get into details about some
of their underhanded dealings during
that
um
lawsuit where they became an amicus
curiae
and basically presented facts
that
didn't hold water as far as I'm
concerned, trying to prove that we could
not financially run a library.
We proved otherwise. We won the lawsuit.
Um
suspiciously
they were um third in line to receive
the assets if
the endowment failed, if the borough
couldn't
run the library. So,
my question is
who are we dealing with here?
Um so I figured I would come tonight. I
just read an article today
>> About 30 seconds.
>> today about this and I thought it would
be
good for you folks to hear some of the
background that we've been dealing with.
>> We appreciate your comments. Thank you,
sir.
>> Thank you.
Any other public comments, sir?
>> Is this just on library or
>> No, anything.
>> Okay, good.
My name is Daniel Pontonio. I live on
101 Eastern Ave, Somerville.
Um
first thing about the library, I'm
curious, is there a county library,
Somerset County Library?
>> Yeah, it's not a Q&A, but yes, there is.
It's a whole system. There's a number of
different libraries.
>> know that. Just curious.
>> It's a comment period.
>> Okay. So,
the reason I'm here today is we were in
the process of buying a home on 69
Fairmont Ave, which is right down the
street from you.
When we went through this process, what
we found out through the inspections is
that this particular house had a chimney
that had about $30,000 worth of damage.
So, my whole thinking was, coming from
where I came from, Voorhees, New Jersey,
in South Jersey, down there, when you go
through inspections, the township is
required to do a CO, and they do not let
you in that house if you're missing
sidewalk, if you're missing if you have
a crack in your fireplace, any kind of
damage you have in that fireplace, they
will not let you move in because it's a
hazard.
What I found out when I called the
township here, cuz it was an argument
with this guy,
that the township doesn't care about a
CO, that you don't need a CO to move
into an older house, and all they care
about is carbon monoxide and smoke
detectors.
Now, with that said, this town, if you
take out the new town homes and the
condos, homes are about
roughly about 80 years old in this town.
You did a great job at refurbishing this
town. Like, I'm not from here. I love
this downtown,
right? And I live down the street, and I
watched the house, and I watched the
firemen, and I watched the the police
run into a house where a girl died.
And that hit home.
I'm urging you to change your laws. You
need to have a CO. You need to inspect
fireplaces. The guy that owns that
house, what did he do to fix it? He
tried to sue me for my 80 grand down
deposit. What he did to fix it is he
brought in a guy to paint the chimney
and he's back selling it again. And God
forbid if somebody buys that house, I do
plan on giving my level two inspection
to whoever buys that house because
there's multiple hazards, there's
multiple conditions, there's cracks in
it. You burn a fire in there, there's no
vents, carbon monoxide will leak
throughout the house and God forbid if
there's kids in that house, those kids
will die. Or they will get ill.
So, my urgent to you, change the laws in
the town. I don't care if you have to
whoever buys the house, they have to pay
$150 fee. You're already paying $650 for
a home inspection.
Pay a fee.
Pay it to the township to come in there.
You need a CO to get into this house.
You need a CO, you need to have full
inspection, fireplace, and you can't
have sidewalks missing like this guy was
going to sell me.
Not until I backed out that he finally
go in there and replace the sidewalks. I
just I'm a firm believer that, you know,
safety is first. And this town, I I've
only been here 5 or 6 years. My future
in-laws have lived here their Well, they
lived here their whole lives until they
moved to Branchburg. Branch- Branchburg.
I love this town.
And that's why we're looking to move
back into this town. So, I just urge you
to really take a look at the laws.
>> Thank you. If If you stay for the
meeting, I just ask you to get your name
and telephone number to Mr. Sluka.
>> Sure.
>> And we'll make a connection.
>> Sure. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Any other public comment?
» Thank you, Mayor, and thank you,
Council, and thank you, Somerset County Library System.
You've got a problem here.
I was a property manager for a while and
I know once you have mold in any
building, it always seems to stay.
And I understand that problem on both
sides of it. And I understand the
mitigation you can do, but people say,
"Oh, it has mold. Maybe I'm sick."
So, it's a hard problem you're going to
have to solve that. I'm not saying you
can't. I'm just saying it's a hard
problem. And it's a hard problem for you
because you have that behind you. You
weren't here when that was going on, but
unfortunately you have it now.
But, I'm here for a different reason.
Jim Somerville was our town historian
for many, many years. We have a Jim
Somerville room.
It's full of history. Full of history of
this town, this area.
I haven't heard it mentioned at all. I'm
really concerned about that. And you
know why. I'm a historian type. You
know, my wife and I ran four symposiums
about the Rev War.
We're really concerned about that and I
hope in your thinking of what you're
going to do, where you're going to live,
we don't lose that room and we don't
lose that material because it gets
abandoned for a while.
And that's what I wanted to say. Thank
you.
>> Agreed. Thank you.
Any other public comment?
Sir.
» Justin Kaiser, North Clark Avenue. Uh
I'm here tonight on behalf of SBI.
I'm currently a board member. I just
want to take a moment to thank uh you,
Mayor Gallagher, the council uh for
passing
uh the new ball fields going in the
Carol Pedro Ballpark. Um I grew up
playing on ball fields. I feel it shaped
me as a man.
Um building a lot of long friendships,
teamwork, uh discipline.
Um
it's just a wonderful thing. You guys
are making an investment in not only a
ball field, but in the kids,
uh the parents, the town. So, I just
want to say thank you very much. It's
really appreciated and it wasn't a small
undertaking.
>> Thank you.
for coming out and saying
that. Thank you.
Any other public comment?
» Good evening. Roberta Carpenito, 66
Fairview Avenue. And I'm also the
chairman of the Somerset County Library
Commission.
I would just like to say, Mayor, I
respect what you're saying.
I think an issue that we're encountering
is we are not seeking to close the
library.
We wish to provide 21st century library
service to our patrons and it in a
healthy, safe environment. Right now,
the mold is an issue and we do
appreciate what you're doing to
remediate it. But I stopped down in the
library on Friday.
And it's not just mold. As Peter
indicated, the sewers are a problem. The
emergency exit door in the children's
room, there's a big sign on it
downstairs in the basement. There's a
sign on it that says alarm, door locked.
The door's ajar.
Can't close it. It's a jar.
That's a safety issue.
There have been in You've had reports
over the years through the hack that
there are other
issues with regard to water. The windows
are moldy. If you look at the windows,
they're moldy.
You have chunks
of of insulation where pipes are. Chunks
ripped out of that insulation.
There are There are issues there that
make it untenable for us to continue to
provide service.
Upstairs, we've had concerns from
parents. They don't like that we have
glass walls in the children's room.
That's a concern for them.
They're concerned about the emergency
exit. I took a look at that. It's
totally rusted. And yes, Mayor, they did
repair the bottom step by putting 2 by
4s on it. That's not a safety situation.
So, we do want to work with you, but
that wasn't the question that was asked
of Peter and I when we were in the
executive session.
We cannot address a hypothetical. If
something occurs, which we don't know
what it might be, will we do this?
If the question is, can we work
together? Yes, absolutely.
I started my political career working to
save the Somerville Public Library.
And I I spent most a good part of my
time doing that. And Mayor, we worked
together to join the county association
or the county commission.
Why would we want to change that?
But we do need to work together. And I'm
hoping perhaps the governing body
and the commission, we can all take a
deep breath
and say, let's start again. Maybe have
another discussion.
But one where the question is, how can
we work together? Not, will you do this?
Oh, no, if your answer isn't yes, please
leave the room. Thank you.
>> Any other public comment? Yeah.
» Hi, my name is Kate Ambrose. I live at
204 East Cliff Street.
And I just wanted to say the library has
been and will always be extremely
important to my family and I. We use the
library a lot. Um
we my daughter loves to go pick out
books. We my husband just gave a
book reading there a couple weeks ago
and it was a great
And um so that's where I'm coming from.
I
the librarians and other staff members
at the library are also many of them are
also our community members and we care
about each other deeply in this town.
And I really care that they are getting
sick. As someone who suffers from
migraines, I really have heard what
Peter had was saying before about their
symptoms.
And the mold testing was a good start.
I'm really happy to hear that Did you
say it was an industrial hygienist?
>> Yes.
>> is doing the testing. That's exactly who
needs to be doing the testing. I'm not
an expert, but I have talked to one
about this very issue. And um there are
many apparently many other things in the
air that could be making people sick,
not just mold. There's other particles,
fibers that could be in the air that
makes somebody sick.
Um people who are susceptible, people
who have asthma, people who have
allergies, people who suffer from
migraines, um people who are on chemo,
all all different people that are
susceptible could be affected by these
other things that aren't necessarily
toxic mold.
So I'm really glad and the public will
um
be anxious to hear those results.
Um
it's not okay that this relationship has
soured.
And I'm sure it's not okay with any of
the people in this room.
This
relationship needs to mend for the good
of the community.
We need to get back to communication
and problem-solving.
I think that it's true um
that that space
although the staff members have done a
tremendous job working with what they
were given.
Um that space was not working as just
somebody visiting the library and I'm
sure many parents would agree. Um it's
not the same since they needed to move
out of of the children's section
downstairs.
So I'm asking everybody just to take a
minute and get themselves together and
that get back to what's important, which
is problem solving for this community.
Um
and get back to a working relationship.
We expect it and we demand it. Thank
you.
>> Thank you for your comments.
Any other public comment?
» Okay. My name is Edward O'Dowd. Uh I
work at a facility on Main Street called
Freedom Trail,
which is um collaborative services of uh
New Jersey.
A company that's been in existence since
the '80s. We serve uh
some of Somerville's most vulnerable.
And Lorraine, my partner, and I have
been at it for the last 4 months. We
wanted to just generate some awareness
about what we're doing and who we are
cuz we feel like nobody really knows us.
Um
that was all.
>> Great. Uh what I would suggest is get
your contact information to Mr. Sluka
>> Mhm.
>> and uh um
website, any literature you might have,
and uh
you know, I I'd be interested in finding
out more about you.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Any other public comment?
» [clears throat]
» Good evening. Uh Brian Healey, 70
Veterans Memorial Drive, right here in
Somerville. That's h e a l e y, and
Brian, just like the mayor.
>> [laughter]
>> Spelled the right way.
>> That's right.
And I come to you tonight for something
very, very simple. I live on the one of
the apartment buildings on Veterans
Memorial, and I want to know I I've been
living there about 8 years now, and
Veterans Memorial Drive east and west
has been
basically a test on your suspension for
since I've lived there.
And I know it's not a state or a county
road, so I know when is public works or
the borough going to resurface that
road. I know PSE&G has ripped it up
50,000 times doing utility work here and
there, but it's just it's been a mess
since I've lived there, and it's I know
all the roads have been done, and I was
wondering if it was possible cuz it's a
very busy road, it's a very major road.
People travel on it all the time.
I was curious as to when it will be uh
done, or when public works will will put
that on their agenda.
>> Thank you. Thank you for your comments.
That's all right. I will in a in a
moment. Any other public comment?
» Good evening.
As many of you know, my name is Mallory
Craig Karen. I'm a mom, and I live at 41
Ross Street.
I am here about our library,
but also about something more
fundamental.
Namely,
our town deserves to be a partner in
decisions made about Somerville's
library,
rather than an afterthought, informed by
the county only after decisions have
already been made.
So, this is about process. This is not
about anything more.
Tonight, I'm asking our council to
confirm whether the required processes
were followed, and whether it will be
the case going forward.
Somerville's library has served local
residents not only as a place for
reading,
but also as an information hub,
right, with computer access and trained
librarians,
a study center for students,
a designated cooling center where our
elderly residents cool off in sweltering
weather like today,
and a center where our families and
community groups can gather.
Yet, our library branch was permanently
closed,
at least for this time, by the county
library system last Friday
with very little notice given to the
public.
Looking into this decision,
I'm presented with more questions than
answers,
namely about the process,
and questions that include the
following.
First, section two of Somerville's
contract with the county library system
requires borough approval before any
closure of our branch.
I checked with our borough clerk, who
confirmed that formal approval was never
sought nor given.
So, I'm asking the council and our mayor
tonight, just factually to be aware,
did the borough council authorize the
county to close our library? And if so,
can you tell us when you authorized it
and what led to your decision?
Separately, public records suggest that
Somerset County's library commission,
which is the board that governs the
county library system,
never formally authorized Somerville's
library closure.
The library commission doesn't meet in
July or August, so I can't go ask them
directly,
but I'm wondering if the council knows
whether the library commission had
approved our library's closure before
their summer break.
Note, however, that even if the
commission had separately approved of
the closure,
this should not circumvent the county's
obligations to Somerville under section
two of our agreement with the county.
Third,
one reason given for the closure, again,
just one,
was the suspected presence of mold.
To his credit, when that issue was first
presented and reported to him, Mayor
Gallagher quickly ordered testing to
determine whether mold was a health
threat to the library's employees and
others.
As we've discussed, preliminary samples
from the occupied floors of the building
found that mold levels there were not
elevated.
And the county library director, who we
heard from tonight,
indicated that the decision to close the
Somerville library was not actually
caused by the test results and would not
sway the decision to close the result
the library.
It is true
that the age of the facility and the
reductions in the usable space within it
were less than ideal.
But, the question arises,
why the sudden closure of the entire
facility,
including its usable spaces,
before an improved replacement plan had
been developed and shared in partnership with our bureau?
Put plainly, our library's closure
appears to have been a decision
in which Somerville's legal right to
input was bypassed.
And I understand that that input is a
right that we have as part of the
process.
When the closure was recently announced,
we drafted a petition confirming
community support for making
Somerville's library a priority.
This modest effort to build awareness
has already resulted in hundreds of
local signatures, which I provided to
all of you tonight, and I can also
provide digital copies.
We warmly recognize the very important
work that you do as our elected leaders
to ensure that we have a library that
serves our community's needs.
And the response to our petition
confirms
that the library should indeed be one of
your priorities for Somerville.
I have personally written to to county
library director expressing the concern
that our library branch was closed
without a viable plan being shared to
replace it. And perhaps I'm I'm really
looking forward to answers tonight. Um,
you know, without that process being
followed.
Those of us who love Somerville and
believe that our
truly great town deserves a vibrant
library
now count on you as our leaders
to ensure that local library services be
restored fully and quickly in some
central Somerville location
as promised by the county library
system.
And fundamentally I ask that you ensure
and continue to ensure that Somerville's
rights under agreement will be honored.
Thank you so much.
>> Thank you.
Any other public comment?
Hearing none, I'll ask for a motion to
close.
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> Discussion. Roll call.
>> Council members, Anne
Andrew Conty.
>> Yes.
>> Linda Lee.
>> Yes.
>> Randy Pitts.
>> Yes.
>> Gina Stravic.
>> Yes.
>> Roger Fleming.
>> Yes.
>> All right, public session is now closed.
Um, the the easy one first, Veterans
Memorial Drive, the paving.
Where is he? There he is.
Um, I believe we're coming to a close
very soon on a grant that we had
received which would pave Veterans
>> The uh bids on that project are due
August 12th. Um,
once the bids are received, it's not as
simple as as our normal process cuz it's uh federally funded. They uh two
things have to happen is it goes to the
state DOT who then communicates with the
federal government to ensure that the
bids were satisfactory and and meet
their their requirements. In addition to
that is uh the federal government does
require a full-time construction
inspector on the job. That RFP is is
waiting for approval to be issued. So,
um listen, I I know we also use that road for, you know, one of the
state's largest Turkey Trots, right? So,
that that's the goal to try to get it,
but right now, unfortunately, because of
the level
that has to go through, but the bids are
coming back on August 12th, which is a
couple weeks.
>> we can say probably late fall, early
spring. Is that a reasonable time frame?
>> Yeah, I said that before. Um
>> [laughter]
>> Unfortunately, you know, for us. Oh,
yeah. Uh that's our certainly our goal
is to push that envelope.
>> Yeah. Okay.
Um
as far as all the questions relating to
the library, and there's some good
questions. And look, I I appreciate
everybody's passion on this, and and we
share that.
I I said at the outset of this,
everybody's goal is exactly the same.
And it's unfortunate that we've been
pushed to our corners for a whole lot of
reasons.
And and I don't like being pushed to
corners.
Um
I sat on our library commission here, or
committee.
Um I've sat on the county li- well, I
was the liaison as a freeholder, I was
the liaison to the county library
system.
I know how it works.
I've been around it a long time.
25 years.
I know the process.
Um we have rights under our agreement.
Um I'll agree with Roberta. We do need
to talk. We do need to to come to an
agreement.
And part of that is first, ensuring that building, our building, is clean
and safe.
That's my primary concern right now.
Once that's done,
and I said this at our our meeting last
Thursday,
I said, when we can show that that
building is clean and ready to go and
ready to occupy,
that's when we can have that discussion.
And I'm pointing at Kevin and pointing
at Peter cuz Peter was sitting there
last week. Um but that's when we can
have that discussion.
Um
we have to do our diligence to ensure
that that's safe.
At the same time, we also have to as a
municipality preserve our rights under
our agreement, and that's what our
attorney will do.
Um
it's going to be a little bit of a
process. Um
I would agree if if they can outsource
some at this point while we go through
that,
great.
And I had intimated to that last week
that we would help in that process. We
can.
But when that building is clean,
well, I'm even when it's
when we have the results back, and
again, the the mold was brought up again
that there's mold.
There's not There is no mold.
There's no more mold inside than there
is outside. That's what the testing is
showing.
And and we keep coming back to this mold
issue, and the mold issue was the
impetus for this entire discussion.
And we now have proof that that's not
the case.
So I think we have to kind of work
through some of those issues as to what
the reasons are.
Um and I would agree with you as well,
Mallory. I think you you you took this
on and I give you kudos for that. It's a you took this on and and you've
brought it to um
you know, the forefront of of a
discussion, and and I think that's good.
Um
I was around for Rocky Hill. I was a
freeholder when Rocky Hill was going
through. And I actually helped the
discussions in keeping Rocky Hill open
at that time. I sat with their mayor.
So I'm very familiar with all this
that's going on.
Um but my goal is
to keep our library in town.
And this building will be
certified.
And it'll be ready to be reoccupied
in the short term.
Then we can work on the long term
because we all want the same thing out
of that long term. We all do.
It makes sense.
So.
Um all right.
Resolutions. Uh we have consent
resolutions any to be pulled off for
further discussion.
All right, hearing none. 234 is
authorizing the sale of surplus
equipment to the Flagtown Fire
Department in the amount of $750.
235 is approving chapter 159 from the
Governor's Council on Alcoholism and
Drug Abuse for 26 Municipal Alliance
Grant Program.
236 amending approving the release of
the performance bond for Santana LLC as
noted. 237 is authorizing the donation
of surplus municipal equipment to the
Hillsborough Township Department of
Public Works. 238 is amending resolution
as noted to authorize and direct the
Planning Board of the Borough of
Somerville to include block 67 lot one
which is two Park Avenue as shown on the
official tax map of the Borough in its
examination of whether certain property
should be determined to be an area in
need of redevelopment specifically a
non-condemnation redevelopment area
pursuant to the local redevelopment
housing law as noted and considered for
inclusion in the East Central Business
District Redevelopment Area.
239 is approving the hiring of Kyle De
Monte as full-time laborer effective
August 24th at a rate of $22.50 per
hour.
240 is approving a 6-month door-to-door
solicitor license for Power Home
Remodeling for those noted. 241 is
authorizing the award of a contract to
Millennium Communication Group for
access control cameras, panic buttons,
message boards, and software licenses
for the Emergency Services Facility,
Police Department through the interlocal
purchasing system. Authorizing the 242
is authorizing the award of a contract
and execution of a master service
agreement with language line services
for on-demand telephone and video
interpretation services.
243 is approving chapter 159 from the
national opioid settlement trust. 244 is
issuing a refund of uncollectible taxes
address known as 444 Catherine Street.
245 is approving chapter 159 for state
of New Jersey 26 recycling tonnage
grant. Do we have a motion?
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> Roll call.
>> Council members Andrew Conti.
>> Yes.
>> Glenn Zaney.
>> Yes.
>> Randy Pitts.
>> Yes.
>> Gina Strabic.
>> Yes.
>> Roger Vernam.
>> Yes.
>> All right, bills and vouchers Roger.
>> I make a motion to pay bills and
vouchers in the amount of 1 million
512,098
dollars and 80 cents.
>> Second.
>> Discussion.
Roll call.
>> Council members Andrew Conti.
>> Yes.
>> Glenn Zaney.
>> Yes.
>> Randy Pitts.
>> Yes.
>> Gina Strabic.
>> Yes.
>> Roger Vernam.
>> Yes.
>> All right, Mr. DeNike I will ask for a
motion for adjournment.
>> I would like to make a motion to
adjourn.
>> Second.
>> Discussion. All in favor?
>> I.
>> Opposed? This meeting is adjourned.