[0:51] This meeting's called to order in
[0:52] accordance with the open public meetings
[0:54] law in accordance with chapter 231 of
[0:56] the public laws of 1975.
[0:58] Adequate notice of this meeting has been
[1:00] provided. This meeting of August 3rd,
[1:02] 2026 was provided to the Courier News
[1:05] and Star-Ledger and placed on the
[1:07] bureau's website. Also placed on the
[1:10] bulletin board of Borough Hall. A copy
[1:12] of this notice is available to the
[1:13] public and a copy of the statement shall
[1:15] be included in the minutes of this
[1:16] meeting.
[1:18] Mayor Brian Gallagher.
[1:19] >> Here.
[1:20] >> Council members, Teresa Bonner is
[1:22] excused this evening. Andrew Conti.
[1:24] >> Here.
[1:24] >> Glenn Dene.
[1:25] >> Here.
[1:26] >> Randy Pitts.
[1:26] >> Here.
[1:27] >> Gina Strabic.
[1:28] >> Here.
[1:28] >> Roger Vern.
[1:29] >> Here.
[1:30] >> Please stand for the salute to the flag.
[1:34] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[1:36] United States of America and to the
[1:39] republic for which it stands, one nation
[1:42] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[1:45] justice for all.
[1:53] » Okay, we have no uh departmental reports
[1:55] or notices.
[1:56] Uh however, we do have a These are
[1:59] always good nights. We have resolution
[2:01] number 260803-233
[2:05] approving the hiring of Eric A. Melendez
[2:07] as police officer effective August 4th,
[2:10] 2026.
[2:12] Do we have a motion?
[2:13] >> So moved.
[2:14] >> Second.
[2:14] >> Discussion. Roll call, please.
[2:16] >> Council members, Andrew Cotti.
[2:18] >> Yes.
[2:18] >> Glenn Denney.
[2:19] >> Yes.
[2:20] >> Randy Pitts.
[2:21] >> Yes.
[2:21] >> Gina Slavik.
[2:22] >> Yes.
[2:22] >> Roger Berm.
[2:23] >> Yes.
[2:24] >> All right.
[2:25] Uh, Mr. Melendez,
[2:27] come up come on down.
[2:43] Oh, you know what? You know what? If
[2:45] mom's here, we're going to hold If she's
[2:47] not here, we're going to hold off a few
[2:48] minutes. Absolutely.
[2:50] Mom's got to be here.
[2:52] All right. So, we're going to defer
[2:53] that. That's All right. Not a problem.
[2:55] at all.
[2:57] Yeah.
[2:58] >> [laughter]
[3:01] » No, for now.
[3:04] Mom holds the gavel. That's
[3:08] All right. Let's go into committee
[3:09] reports then, Andrew.
[3:11] >> Uh, historic advisory committee hasn't
[3:12] met yet this month, but we look forward
[3:14] to discussing
[3:16] few items at the end of the month and
[3:18] specifically uh, potential for our
[3:21] artifacts and museum items to be more on
[3:25] display at
[3:27] in the town and also continue mapping
[3:28] out the historic places [clears throat]
[3:30] in town and putting them on our map that
[3:32] we actually have up. So, if anybody's
[3:33] interested in looking at historic sites
[3:35] in town, you can check out the historic
[3:37] advisory commission's website. We have a map, a Google Map that'll take
[3:41] you everywhere you want to go.
[3:42] >> Great. Thank you. Gina.
[3:44] >> Uh, September 27th, the Board of Health
[3:46] will be at the farmers market doing some
[3:49] Board of Health stuff. So, um, that was
[3:51] a great partnership and a great
[3:52] opportunity for the Board of Health to
[3:54] work with the community. Uh, the rescue
[3:55] squad continues their good work. I do
[3:57] not have a full report, um, but know
[3:59] that they are there for you.
[4:01] >> All right. Uh, Glenn.
[4:02] >> All right. Thank you. Uh, the fire
[4:04] department responded to 74 service calls
[4:07] in the month of July, so they've
[4:08] continued their busy streak for this
[4:10] year.
[4:10] And then the Environmental Commission
[4:12] met on July 14th.
[4:14] Uh, two new pet waste stations were
[4:17] installed along the Greenway, and that
[4:19] was with a partnership with the New
[4:20] Jersey Water Supply Authority and their
[4:21] water ambassadors program, and a little
[4:23] bit of help from our DPW, so we thank
[4:25] them.
[4:26] On September 9th, a member of our green
[4:28] team, David Voron, will host a talk on
[4:30] how to fight high energy bills.
[4:33] And then finally, uh,
[4:35] volunteering days are coming really
[4:37] soon. There's a number of them, so you
[4:39] can check out some details on our social
[4:41] media or website. For but we will be
[4:43] continuing our work on the Peters Brook
[4:45] habitat restoration project. Uh, the
[4:48] dates right now are August 22nd,
[4:50] September 16th, September 27th, and
[4:53] October 1st. So, hopefully you can come
[4:55] out during one of those days uh, to help
[4:57] us out with that. There will be more
[4:58] details and sign-ups available. Um,
[5:01] the Environmental Commission will see
[5:02] you at National Night Out tomorrow uh,
[5:05] with some energy saving tips and more at
[5:06] the tent, so come on out and see them
[5:08] and all the other great community groups
[5:09] that'll be there. And then uh, also you
[5:11] can come out on next Tuesday on uh, the
[5:14] 11th of August for the uh, monthly
[5:18] Environmental Commission meeting at 7:00
[5:19] right here.
[5:20] >> Okay, great.
[5:21] >> Busy, busy.
[5:22] >> Excellent. Thank you.
[5:23] >> Thanks.
[5:23] >> Ready.
[5:24] >> He stole my thunder.
[5:26] >> [laughter]
[5:26] >> There's plenty to say. There's plenty of
[5:28] groups.
[5:31] >> Tomorrow is National Night Out day.
[5:33] Come out and meet
[5:35] our entire force,
[5:37] fire department, rescue squad.
[5:39] Um, this year's event features live
[5:41] performances by Elite Dance Center,
[5:43] School of Rock, Black Belt World, plus a
[5:46] dunk tank.
[5:48] Maybe the mayor.
[5:50] >> That could be. [laughter] It may be on
[5:51] the agenda.
[5:55] » Provided by Somerville Recreation. Free
[5:57] hot dogs, drinks, and snacks will be
[5:59] provided by the community partners.
[6:01] Meet your neighbors, connect with our
[6:03] local police officers,
[6:05] our
[6:06] beautiful and great police officers. We
[6:08] even have the chief here tonight. Want
[6:10] to give him a shout out.
[6:11] He's my guy.
[6:12] >> [laughter]
[6:14] >> We hope to see you there tomorrow.
[6:16] That's all I have.
[6:17] >> All right, great. Thank you. Roger. Uh
[6:19] from recreation, the Somerville YMCA
[6:22] will be offering free classes to
[6:23] Somerville residents at Michael Lep Pool
[6:26] Park, which is the one on Park Avenue,
[6:28] on August 10th, 12th, and 14th. The
[6:31] program is designed to help young
[6:33] children become more comfortable and
[6:35] confident in and around the water while
[6:37] learning essential water safety skills
[6:39] in a fun and supportive environment.
[6:42] There are two sessions for young
[6:43] children. Um they will be run at uh
[6:46] 11:00 to 11:30, which is going to be
[6:48] safety around the water. It's a
[6:49] parent-and-me class for preschool-aged
[6:52] children ages 3 to 5. And then from
[6:55] 11:30 to 12:00 on those days, it'll be
[6:57] safety around the water, uh children
[6:59] only, uh ages 5 years old, I guess and
[7:02] up. So, space is limited. Uh please
[7:04] register now on the Community Pass uh
[7:06] website under summer programs. And
[7:08] that's what I have.
[7:09] >> Okay.
[7:10] All right, we're going to jump and do
[7:11] ordinances for public hearing and
[7:13] adoption. Ordinance number number 2807
[7:17] is a bond ordinance providing an
[7:18] appropriation of $850,000 for the design
[7:22] and resurfacing of South Middle Street
[7:24] and Washington Place foreign by the
[7:25] Borough of Somerville in the County of
[7:27] Somerset.
[7:28] >> owners? Like, what prompted this?
[7:31] >> Uh what hap- What prompted this is it's
[7:34] the time is So, as you know, there is a
[7:37] cannabis, well, maybe you don't know,
[7:38] there's a cannabis location further um
[7:41] west on Route 22, or actually 202 206,
[7:46] we're we're making it so the cannabis
[7:49] facility that's located on 22 could
[7:52] compete hour-wise with that. So, it
[7:54] matches their time.
[7:56] Only it actually matches their time only
[7:59] Friday Saturday. They may be be
[8:01] appearing in the future to match their
[8:03] time on Sunday, but at this point this
[8:04] is a this is just
[8:07] basically Monday Monday through Saturday
[8:09] the change.
[8:11] >> So, they requested it.
[8:12] >> Uh yes, it it it came about. As you
[8:15] know, we do get
[8:17] transfer tax from that, so the revenue
[8:19] if they open early obviously the
[8:21] anticipation is the revenue would be
[8:24] um better during those morning hours.
[8:31] » Okay. Roll call.
[8:32] Council members, Andrew Conti.
[8:34] >> Yes.
[8:35] >> Glenn Zaney.
[8:35] >> Yes.
[8:36] >> Randy Pitts.
[8:37] >> Yes.
[8:37] >> Gina Stravic.
[8:38] >> Yes.
[8:38] >> Roger Vern.
[8:38] >> Yes.
[8:39] >> All right.
[8:41] Is mom here?
[8:42] Is she?
[8:43] >> Yes.
[8:44] >> All right.
[8:45] >> [laughter]
[8:47] >> All right, let's let's go back to item
[8:50] number six, which is the oath of office
[8:53] for police officer Eric A. Melendez.
[8:56] Eric, if you come forward.
[9:04] That's your cue, mom.
[9:12] » You put your left hand on the Bible.
[9:14] And you're going to raise your right
[9:15] hand and repeat after me.
[9:18] I state your name.
[9:19] >> I, Eric Melendez,
[9:21] >> do solemnly swear
[9:23] >> that I will support the Constitution of
[9:25] the United States.
[9:26] >> that I will support the Constitution of
[9:27] the United States.
[9:28] >> and the state of New Jersey.
[9:30] >> that I will bear true faith and
[9:32] allegiance to the same.
[9:33] >> that I will bear true faith and
[9:35] allegiance to the same.
[9:36] >> and to the governments established in
[9:37] the United States and in this state.
[9:39] >> And to the governments established in
[9:40] the United States and in this state.
[9:42] >> Under the authority of the people.
[9:45] >> That I will faithfully
[9:47] >> impartially
[9:49] >> and justly perform
[9:51] >> all the duties of police officer
[9:54] >> for the Borough of Somerville
[9:57] >> according to the best of my ability.
[10:01] >> So help me God.
[10:02] >> Congratulations.
[10:03] >> Thank you, sir.
[10:04] >> [applause]
[10:40] » Chief.
[10:40] >> All right, so
[10:42] Officer Melendez is already You can You
[10:44] can step back over here, okay.
[10:46] He's already a police officer. So we had
[10:49] an opening and we've had an opening for
[10:51] a while due to retirement of someone, so
[10:53] we're filling a spot.
[10:54] And we had a uh process where people
[10:58] apply and we interviewed several trained
[11:01] police officers.
[11:03] He came out number one on our process
[11:05] and after a thorough background he um
[11:09] ready to go. But having police
[11:11] experience is a giant benefit to us here
[11:14] in town.
[11:15] Um and he's got a good support group.
[11:17] He'll be hooked with a training officer
[11:19] for a while, about 3 months I guess, 2 3
[11:21] months.
[11:21] So he can learn how we do things our way
[11:23] here and uh
[11:25] that's it, he's ready to go. And
[11:27] we were told that he has a very uh
[11:29] tight, close family and that's obvious
[11:31] by the amount of people that are here.
[11:33] Uh do want to thank you guys, thank the
[11:35] council for doing this and working with
[11:37] us. We always have a good working
[11:38] relationship and we have to keep that
[11:40] going too. But, thank you guys.
[11:42] >> Chief, thank you.
[11:42] >> Thank you, Chief.
[11:44] >> So, just a just a couple of comments. Um
[11:46] I always love these days. Um I think
[11:48] it's wonderful.
[11:50] Um it's a another officer joining the
[11:52] ranks of our community. And when you
[11:54] look around you and you see this
[11:57] uh these lines of blue, um these are the
[12:00] folks that the men and women who keep
[12:02] our community what it is. We live in a
[12:04] very special community. We have very
[12:06] engaged citizens. Um and uh and and it's
[12:10] wonderful. So, remember this day cuz
[12:13] it's a good day, it's a happy day.
[12:15] They're not all good and happy, uh but
[12:17] think back to you know, this day when
[12:19] you're having that tough day. And uh
[12:22] make sure you wave
[12:25] to the citizens
[12:27] and go after the bad guys with a
[12:28] vengeance.
[12:29] All right? So, thank you and
[12:31] congratulations. Thank you.
[12:33] Uh Chief, I know you've got a couple of
[12:34] other things you uh you'd like to do.
[12:36] >> Yeah, we have some awards we'd like to
[12:37] give out to some of the folks here and
[12:39] we'll start with I got Lieutenant
[12:41] DePalma is going to come up. Do you have
[12:42] the
[12:44] awards?
[12:45] Um what I'd like to do first is uh the
[12:47] Chief's Achievement Award and I'm going
[12:49] to actually Usually you you guys have
[12:51] known me a long time. I don't read
[12:52] anything in general. We just talk.
[12:54] But, Lieutenant DePalma put some nice
[12:56] fancy stuff together. So, I'm going to
[12:58] try to stay on
[13:00] course here.
[13:01] Anyway,
[13:02] uh Officer Spadaia, could you come down,
[13:04] please?
[13:06] So, Officer Spadaia and Detective
[13:09] Fullmore, Detective Fullmore is not here
[13:11] tonight.
[13:12] But, uh we want to give him the Chief's
[13:14] Award
[13:16] what Lieutenant DePalma came up with was
[13:18] being awarded for an outstanding act of
[13:20] achievement. Moving into the new
[13:22] building
[13:23] would not be possible without the
[13:24] dedication, professionalism, and
[13:26] unwavering commitment of officers today
[13:29] and Detective Fullmer, which you guys
[13:31] know this is true. Big lift.
[13:33] On behalf of the entire department,
[13:34] thank you for your countless hours, your
[13:36] commitment to excellence excellence, and
[13:38] your steadfast dedication to the
[13:39] organization. Your work has left a
[13:41] permanent mark on the department and
[13:43] every person who walks through the doors
[13:44] of the building.
[13:45] Yeah, you could tell that I didn't write
[13:46] this.
[13:47] >> [laughter]
[13:49] >> Really nice.
[13:50] Congratulations.
[13:51] Um it's my honor to award this to you.
[13:53] So, the lieutenant's going to give this
[13:54] to you. Thank you. And good job.
[13:57] >> [applause]
[14:04] » ON TOP OF WHAT WAS WRITTEN,
[14:07] THE AMOUNT OF WORK, EFFORT, and
[14:10] problem-solving that went into getting
[14:12] us in there was
[14:14] difficult and amazing. And I'll let it
[14:16] go with that.
[14:16] >> Can Can I just say you didn't mention
[14:17] the headaches with this guy?
[14:18] >> Yes.
[14:19] >> [laughter]
[14:20] >> He's my headache.
[14:22] >> Trying to keep him out of it.
[14:25] All right. Then, if we could have
[14:26] Officer Kelleher and Officer Shahak come
[14:29] up.
[14:33] So, these two are getting the Medal of
[14:35] Valor.
[14:36] And what I'm going to do is I am going
[14:38] to read this because it really does lay
[14:40] it out pretty nicely as to what
[14:42] happened. So, um
[14:45] August 15th of last year,
[14:48] at about
[14:49] 3:45 in the afternoon,
[14:52] Manville PD was searching for a male
[14:54] suspected of being in possession of a
[14:56] firearm.
[14:58] Possibly fleeing by the train.
[15:00] Surrounding agencies were advised to
[15:01] check the train station, which we have a
[15:03] train station, and these guys went and
[15:04] did that.
[15:06] Officer Kelleher responded along with
[15:08] members from the prosecutor's office.
[15:10] Upon checking the platform, the actor
[15:11] was actually located. And if any of this
[15:13] is off, you can correct me, but blame
[15:15] him.
[15:16] Um the actor became immediately agitated
[15:19] and argumentative with the officers on
[15:20] scene. The actor then tried to walk away
[15:22] and began reaching into his waistband
[15:25] towards what the officers believed to be
[15:27] was a firearm. And and every police
[15:29] officer here knows and you guys probably
[15:30] do, too. I mean, the thing that gets you
[15:32] hurt is your hands. You got to watch
[15:33] your hands. So, when he's
[15:35] sticking his hand somewhere,
[15:37] makes you nervous.
[15:39] The actor started shout- a physical
[15:41] confrontation ensued. Officer Shahad
[15:43] arrived on scene as well.
[15:46] The actor started shouting, "Kill me.
[15:47] Shoot me. I'm not going back." Also,
[15:49] during the length of time trying to take
[15:50] control of his hands, he was refusing to
[15:52] remove his left hand from holding the
[15:54] handle of the firearm.
[15:57] The actor was then handcuffed and
[15:58] secured as more officers arrived on
[15:59] scene and the weapon was secured.
[16:01] Officer Callaher hurt her hand.
[16:03] Um
[16:06] As I'm reading this, I think I'm not
[16:07] supposed to talk about injuries, but you
[16:09] broke your finger.
[16:10] Um and the actor actually spit on
[16:12] Officer Shahad
[16:14] in the face and mouth. Officers Callaher
[16:16] and and Officer Shahad, Somerset Police
[16:18] Department would like to recognize both
[16:19] of you for your acts of extraordinary
[16:21] heroism
[16:22] that were displayed during your actions
[16:24] on that day.
[16:26] While responding to a subject with a
[16:27] firearm, your immediate actions
[16:29] displayed that day are an example of how
[16:30] you're willing to place the welfare of
[16:32] others above yourselves.
[16:34] This exemplifies the essence of the
[16:35] Valor Award. Congratulations on the
[16:37] award.
[16:39] >> [applause]
[16:47] » And I was up there, too. I watched what
[16:49] was going on. They had him on the ground
[16:51] by the time I got there. And the guy was
[16:54] very, very violent and
[16:56] it was not a good situation. They were
[16:58] also honored by the 200 Club of Somerset
[17:01] County for their actions. So,
[17:03] congratulations.
[17:07] » [applause]
[17:12] » Okay, uh Officer Black, come on up here,
[17:15] please.
[17:18] And this is a good one. This is a real
[17:20] good one, too.
[17:21] He's also getting the Medal of Valor.
[17:25] So, again, I'm going to read it cuz I
[17:27] think he did a good job.
[17:30] September 6th of 2025
[17:33] at
[17:35] 2:17 in the morning, so you know there's
[17:37] a little different environment going on,
[17:38] right?
[17:40] While investigating an unrelated
[17:41] incident, a report from dispatch came in
[17:43] that a male was on a street in town
[17:46] uh with a gun threatening people.
[17:49] Upon arrival, Officer Black confronted
[17:51] the subject who was in the area and gave
[17:53] him the clear verbal commands not to
[17:55] move. He assumed it was the person that
[17:57] he was sent there to deal with that had
[17:59] a gun.
[18:01] At that point, the actor then started
[18:02] running and ran away from Officer Black who started running after him
[18:07] and caught him.
[18:08] Officer Black immediately, without any
[18:10] hesitation, chased the subject for
[18:11] approximately 30 yd and was able to stop
[18:13] him and place him under arrest.
[18:16] The actor was in possession of a loaded
[18:17] magazine and ammo in his pocket. In
[18:19] addition, a firearm was also found near
[18:21] where the actor was arrested indicating
[18:23] that he had the gun on him and when he
[18:24] tackled him it came out of his pocket or
[18:27] whatever. Is that pretty much accurate?
[18:29] Okay.
[18:30] Um
[18:32] the Saugus Police Department like to
[18:33] recognize you for your act of
[18:34] extraordinary heroism that was displayed
[18:36] during this altercation. Uh the
[18:38] professionalism, confidence, and quick
[18:40] action that was displayed that night
[18:41] while responding gave to someone who had
[18:43] a gun even though the result was imminent
[18:46] personal hazard to yourself was a
[18:48] selfless act of bravery.
[18:50] Due to these actions, you will be
[18:52] receiving a Medal of Valor.
[18:53] Congratulations.
[18:55] >> [applause]
[19:04] » May have 2:15 in the morning you get a
[19:05] report of a guy he's out there at the
[19:07] Pine by himself. He takes off, goes
[19:09] after him, gets him, got guns.
[19:10] >> Yeah.
[19:13] I thank you guys for allowing this
[19:14] tonight and participating with us. Thank
[19:17] you very much.
[19:18] >> Chief, thank you. Um,
[19:20] thank you. Thank all of your officers,
[19:22] those that are here and those that that
[19:23] are that are not here.
[19:26] Um,
[19:27] you know, I just find it fascinating.
[19:28] So, more and more
[19:30] our police officers are called on to to
[19:32] do different things. Uh, everything from
[19:35] what you heard about tonight to um,
[19:39] marriage counselors, psychologists,
[19:41] psychiatrists, um, you name it, across
[19:44] the board. Uh, and it's not an easy job.
[19:47] It's it's a passion that our officers
[19:50] have and and we have a difference. I
[19:52] think we have an extremely well-trained
[19:55] force
[19:56] um, led by an administrative team that
[19:59] is uh, second to none. I I'll put our
[20:02] officers up against any officers in the
[20:03] county. I think they're top-notch.
[20:06] Um, they're always out there. Um,
[20:08] they're always waving, at least they're
[20:09] waving at me.
[20:10] Uh, that or they're telling me get out
[20:12] of the way. I don't know.
[20:13] >> [laughter]
[20:13] >> Um, but I want to thank every one of you
[20:16] for what you do every single day because
[20:18] it's it's not just the the um,
[20:20] these items that you heard about today.
[20:22] It's the everyday. And uh, um,
[20:26] it's it's not easy. It's a challenge.
[20:28] It's a challenging job. You do it well.
[20:30] You keep our community safe.
[20:33] Thank you. God bless all of you. Thank
[20:35] you.
[20:35] >> [applause]
[20:39] » All right, you can go.
[20:43] And family, you can go, too.
[21:11] » All right, we'll continue on. Um, before
[21:13] we get to to the meeting
[21:15] open to the public for public comment
[21:17] cuz I know there will be public comment
[21:19] on the library issue.
[21:21] Um, I just kind of want to cycle back a
[21:23] little bit and and talk a little bit
[21:26] about that because it's become a strong issue
[21:30] for our entire community.
[21:33] And and I think everybody's goal is
[21:35] exactly the same. Um, it's that we want
[21:38] to have a premier, a good, fantastic
[21:42] library in our community.
[21:45] And I also believe that the long-term
[21:49] goal of
[21:51] trying to build something bigger and
[21:54] better
[21:55] is also good.
[21:56] And I think I share the same sentiment
[21:59] of council
[22:00] that that we'd like to see that.
[22:03] The challenge is we have this goal
[22:05] that's out here.
[22:07] And we have now, which is over here.
[22:11] And
[22:12] obviously recently
[22:14] the Somerset County County Library
[22:16] Commission has taken steps to
[22:18] um
[22:20] close the Somerville branch.
[22:23] Um
[22:24] citing a number of issues,
[22:26] one of which was mold issues.
[22:30] Uh, health concerns of their employees.
[22:33] We take that very seriously. Um, once
[22:36] that was made
[22:38] I ordered the testing of the area
[22:40] immediately.
[22:41] And I'm going to back up a second
[22:43] because there was mold testing and
[22:45] remediation done
[22:47] about a year ago. And that was in the
[22:49] downstairs level,
[22:50] the basement level of the uh
[22:53] the library.
[22:55] Remediated, brought back to
[22:58] standard.
[23:00] Fast forward to this year.
[23:02] Um
[23:02] we received a letter and it said we were
[23:05] closing citing those concerns.
[23:08] Again, so testing was ordered
[23:10] immediately.
[23:12] When
[23:13] the initial testing came back for the
[23:15] upstairs,
[23:16] that testing showed no elevated mold.
[23:20] The area was okay.
[23:22] I had ordered immediate testing of the
[23:25] downstairs again just to ensure
[23:28] that that the remediation we did last
[23:30] year
[23:31] held.
[23:33] And that has come back now.
[23:35] And that also shows no elevation of
[23:37] mold.
[23:39] So, that presents a challenge.
[23:42] It doesn't negate, you know, the the
[23:44] idea that somebody may feel ill.
[23:47] So, we've taken an extra step and I've
[23:51] ordered that we bring in an
[23:53] environmental engineer {slash}
[23:55] industrial hygienist
[23:57] to do further testing
[23:59] to ensure that the air
[24:01] and the quality in the library both
[24:04] upstairs and downstairs
[24:07] is satisfactory.
[24:09] Once that's done and they come back to
[24:11] us with those results,
[24:14] one of two things will happen. Either
[24:16] the results show that there are no
[24:17] issues
[24:19] or they will show that there are issues.
[24:22] They will be mitigated. And we will also
[24:24] implement best practices that they show
[24:26] we should.
[24:28] Um
[24:32] I think that's going over and above what
[24:35] the cited reasons were for
[24:37] closing the library.
[24:40] And
[24:42] I think it's a good practice for us.
[24:44] And I would even take it a step further
[24:46] and say that we would conduct further
[24:47] testing as the years go on or as the
[24:50] year goes on just to ensure. Let's
[24:52] monitor, monitor testing.
[24:55] Um
[24:59] the challenge we have is that
[25:03] while the mold issue seemed to be the
[25:06] impetus for this,
[25:07] other issues now have come up in that
[25:10] the space isn't suitable.
[25:12] The space is not big enough. Uh and
[25:15] these are some reasons that we've been
[25:16] given for
[25:18] uh for the uh county to close the
[25:21] library.
[25:23] Um
[25:25] I don't believe that's right.
[25:27] Um
[25:29] this
[25:31] is a small branch library.
[25:35] It doesn't mean that we can't grow.
[25:37] But what it does mean
[25:39] is that between the time that we grow
[25:43] into something else and now
[25:46] we have to maintain that service
[25:50] to our constituents.
[25:53] In 2010, I brought
[25:55] our library to the county because our
[25:58] library was not in good financial shape.
[26:02] And the library embraced us, the county
[26:05] system embraced us. They wanted us to be
[26:07] a part of it.
[26:09] And 15 years later, um I'm I'm
[26:12] questioning some of that.
[26:14] So, it it is a challenge.
[26:19] I think there's an opportunity for
[26:21] partnership there to achieve this.
[26:24] But you can't
[26:27] eliminate what we have in order to
[26:30] achieve this. You know, I almost look at
[26:33] it as if
[26:34] we're kind of the first pin
[26:37] in this process. You know, what what is next? I don't know the answer to
[26:42] that. But what is next?
[26:44] So,
[26:46] you know, it's it's a very challenging
[26:48] situation. And and I've been in meetings
[26:50] and and I said part of my job is to try
[26:52] not to get
[26:53] try to not get people into their
[26:55] corners.
[26:56] Sometimes it's very difficult to do
[26:58] because people feel that they're right.
[27:02] And I think tonight we went into
[27:04] corners.
[27:06] Um
[27:07] and I believe and I think the council
[27:09] believes, rightfully so, at this time
[27:12] that we did go into our corners.
[27:14] Um our goals are the same.
[27:18] They are the same.
[27:20] I haven't met one person that says, I
[27:22] don't want a library.
[27:24] I haven't met one person who says, I
[27:26] don't want a nicer library.
[27:30] I firmly believe, I raised five kids in
[27:33] this town.
[27:35] That was my wife's salvation.
[27:38] Three in the triple stroller, one on her
[27:39] back, and one walking.
[27:42] That was her salvation.
[27:46] Now my granddaughter
[27:48] loves to go on Saturdays to pick up my
[27:50] paperwork
[27:51] and hop over to the library and do
[27:53] something cool.
[27:55] So, you know, it's it's This is not a
[27:58] pleasant situation and I know there's
[28:00] people who have a lot of different
[28:01] feelings out there.
[28:03] Uh there's a lot of different emotions
[28:04] out there.
[28:06] My goal
[28:08] our goal as a council is to ensure that
[28:10] we have those services.
[28:12] There's been talk about renting space
[28:15] somewhere downtown, renting space
[28:17] somewhere in the borough to achieve
[28:19] those services.
[28:20] If we have a space
[28:22] that's clean
[28:24] certified
[28:26] it's okay.
[28:28] Is it old building?
[28:30] Yeah.
[28:31] It is an old building.
[28:33] But it's Somerville's building.
[28:36] And it still serves its purpose well.
[28:40] And if we can show that it's certified
[28:41] clean and we can we can
[28:44] keep that level
[28:46] I don't see why we can't reoccupy from
[28:49] this time
[28:51] forward
[28:53] to the new beginning of whatever that
[28:55] library is.
[28:58] One of the challenges in creating
[29:00] something is you have to define what you
[29:03] want.
[29:05] Now, we all have opinions on what we
[29:07] want, but what is the public want?
[29:09] What is the public need?
[29:12] We don't have that.
[29:14] We know it's technology.
[29:16] Kids library.
[29:17] You know, we had floated the idea of
[29:19] well, why don't we make
[29:21] the the counties, the regions
[29:23] most special children's library in our
[29:26] space
[29:28] and allow the other libraries,
[29:31] Hillsborough and Bridgewater
[29:33] to absorb the adult. I don't know
[29:35] whether that's right or wrong,
[29:37] but it's a concept.
[29:38] And I think that's where you have to
[29:39] start with these concepts. And I know
[29:41] the commission has talked about going
[29:43] out and doing these types of of surveys.
[29:46] Um
[29:49] but I think it's premature
[29:51] to begin that process without knowing
[29:55] what are our asks?
[29:57] What are we doing? Where are we going?
[30:00] So So, the bureau has committed
[30:03] that that space
[30:05] is going to be occupied.
[30:08] We'll know in a week or two
[30:10] what the results of of all of that are.
[30:13] Um and we'll either have a timeline for
[30:17] remediation
[30:19] or we'll have an all clear and let's get
[30:22] back to work.
[30:25] Um
[30:26] I've asked the commission if they are
[30:28] willing to work towards
[30:31] a um
[30:33] a goal of reoccupying that space.
[30:37] And it was a qualified yes if it
[30:40] expanded.
[30:42] Well, we're not expanding right now cuz
[30:44] we don't know what we're expanding into.
[30:45] The goal is to reoccupy that space.
[30:48] >> Yeah.
[30:49] >> But
[30:49] ex- excuse me.
[30:50] >> Yeah, yeah.
[30:52] » Excuse me.
[30:55] Ex-
[30:55] excuse me.
[30:57] You are out of order. You are
[31:00] out of order.
[31:01] You will have your 5 minutes during
[31:02] public session.
[31:05] That's probably only the fourth time
[31:06] I've ever gabbled in my life. I don't
[31:08] gabble people. So, let's have a little
[31:10] more uh decorum
[31:12] here.
[31:15] So, at this point, um
[31:18] you know, sometimes you do have to go
[31:19] into your corners.
[31:21] And uh what I will do is ask the council
[31:24] for a motion
[31:26] to authorize the attorney to begin
[31:28] drawing up
[31:29] uh papers
[31:31] uh
[31:32] to
[31:33] ensure that the library commission
[31:36] uh follows the terms of our agreement
[31:39] that's been established.
[31:42] » Regrettably, I make that motion.
[31:45] >> Second.
[31:47] >> Discussion.
[31:49] Roll call.
[31:50] >> Council members, Andrew Cauty.
[31:51] >> Yes.
[31:52] >> Glen Dunay.
[31:52] >> Yes.
[31:53] >> Randy Pitts.
[31:54] >> Yes.
[31:54] >> Gina Stravic.
[31:55] >> Yes.
[31:55] >> Roger Vroom.
[31:56] >> Yes.
[31:57] >> Okay.
[31:58] All right.
[31:59] Uh at this point, I will ask for a
[32:01] motion to open the meeting to the
[32:03] public.
[32:03] >> So moved.
[32:04] >> Second.
[32:04] >> Discussion.
[32:06] Roll call.
[32:06] >> Council members, Andrew Cauty.
[32:08] >> Yes.
[32:08] >> Glen Dunay.
[32:09] >> Yes.
[32:09] >> Randy Pitts.
[32:10] >> Yes.
[32:10] >> Gina Stravic.
[32:11] >> Yes.
[32:11] >> Roger Vroom.
[32:12] >> Yes.
[32:13] >> Okay.
[32:14] Public session is now open. Please state
[32:16] your name and address for the record and
[32:17] please address your comments to me.
[32:24] » Peter Bromberg. My address is 121 Agnes
[32:27] uh Place in Bound Brook. I am the
[32:28] director of the Somerset County Library
[32:30] System. I am not a politician. I'm a
[32:33] librarian. It is my life's work. It has
[32:34] been a privilege to to
[32:36] bring library services to the people of
[32:38] different communities across this state
[32:40] and across this country. I was invited
[32:42] here tonight. I say invited in quotes
[32:45] because I was asked to what might I be
[32:47] willing to come tonight.
[32:48] >> could you just
[32:50] Yeah, could you just stay in the shot?
[32:52] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I would also ask if you would just put
[32:55] the microphone back, please.
[32:56] >> Uh I'm going to hold the microphone.
[32:58] >> No, I'm going to ask you to put the
[32:58] microphone
[32:59] >> I'm going to hold the microphone.
[33:00] >> Peter, please just put the microphone
[33:03] back.
[33:03] >> W- Why?
[33:04] >> Because it's piece of borough property.
[33:06] Please put the microphone back.
[33:07] >> Well, I'm not going to throw it at
[33:08] anybody.
[33:08] >> That I know you're not. I know you're
[33:10] not. Please just
[33:11] >> This is just This is just like
[33:12] control. Like, oh, no. You're telling me
[33:14] what to do. No. No. No. I'm going to
[33:16] hold the microphone.
[33:17] >> Peter, you're invited tonight. You were
[33:18] brought into We were brought into this
[33:20] room.
[33:21] >> We were brought into this room with no
[33:23] agenda. Uh I was asked to hold this this
[33:25] night available. Uh came in. Never got a
[33:28] confirmation. I had to confirm and say,
[33:30] "Well, I was asked to hold this night
[33:31] available. Is this Are we coming?" So,
[33:34] we show up. I was asked, "Are you here
[33:36] to talk Tell us that you're going to
[33:37] move back into the library?" I said, "Am
[33:39] I here to tell you? I don't even You
[33:40] invited us here. You tell us what you
[33:42] want to talk about." Well, the question
[33:44] is, "Are you going to move back into
[33:45] that library after we remediate?"
[33:48] I said, "Well, I didn't say expand. I
[33:50] said, if and when that space is made
[33:53] suitable for library services, including
[33:55] for our staff, because our staff have no
[33:57] work space there. There's no private
[33:59] space. They don't have a private
[34:01] bathroom anymore to use. They were told
[34:02] they can't flush solids. They have to
[34:04] put waste waste paper in a waste basket
[34:06] instead of flushing it. There's no It's
[34:08] not suitable. We've been there for a
[34:10] year. And so And last summer when we
[34:12] closed and we re- the lower level and we
[34:15] brought everything upstairs,
[34:17] we got the all clear, right? That
[34:19] everything was going to be fine. Well,
[34:20] since that time,
[34:22] staff have continued to have health
[34:24] issues. I have I have reports here from
[34:26] eight different staff members about
[34:27] their health issues. That was This is
[34:29] going back through all last summer. I'm
[34:31] sorry. Yes. yes, I apologize. Yes, yes,
[34:33] absolutely. Um Um, from through through
[34:35] the through the winter, through the
[34:37] fall, headaches, hives, persistent sore
[34:39] throat, severe nasal drip, neurological
[34:41] pain and symptoms, pressure headaches,
[34:42] tracking closely with office occupancy
[34:44] and sinus congestion.
[34:46] I can go on and on and and I eczema,
[34:48] headaches. This is eight different
[34:50] people experiencing these symptoms on
[34:53] and off depending a little bit on the
[34:54] weather, but persistent and consistent.
[34:56] And when they go when they leave the
[34:58] building for 2 days, they get better.
[34:59] When they come back, they feel worse.
[35:01] Now, there has been so a lot of
[35:02] misinformation, but when we made the
[35:04] difficult decision First, we were
[35:06] looking at this and saying we probably
[35:07] need to to find a new a new location by
[35:10] the end of the year or by the end of the
[35:11] summer.
[35:12] I communicated this with the bureau.
[35:14] This was communicated immediately. When staff were having some some spikes
[35:19] of issues, probably due to water and
[35:21] humidity and weather, um, and we sat
[35:24] down and said, "Looking at this, like
[35:26] looking at all this in totality and
[35:27] what's happening what's happening with our our staff health, um, can do we
[35:32] have a high level of confidence that
[35:34] there's a significant issue and can we
[35:36] send them back in in in good in good
[35:38] faith?" And me and my leadership team
[35:40] said, "No. Our level of confidence is
[35:42] high. It would be unethical, immoral,
[35:44] and also take on liabilities for the
[35:46] organization to send staff back in
[35:48] there." As soon as that conversation was
[35:50] had, I reached out to the bureau and I
[35:52] communicated this. "Okay, fine." I was
[35:55] told that commission was read in on this
[35:57] or the council was read in on it. And
[35:59] that there while the the timeline for a
[36:01] July 31st closure was quick, no
[36:04] questions, we'll talk about it at the
[36:05] lab meeting. The lab meeting where you
[36:07] sat here and said, "We're going to work
[36:08] together and we're going to and I have I
[36:10] didn't get returns from phone calls. I
[36:12] didn't get return from from emails. I
[36:14] said next day, I said, "Let's put out a
[36:16] joint statement to assure everyone that
[36:17] we're working together." No response to
[36:19] that. And everything you said here
[36:21] today, if we had had this conversation
[36:23] that you're up here at the dais in that
[36:25] room, I wanted to I want your the people
[36:28] here to know that you have not been
[36:30] showing [clears throat] up in good faith
[36:31] to work. That's what I want to do. I
[36:32] want to work in good faith, and if
[36:34] you're willing to do that, all of you on
[36:35] this dais, well, let's do that. We owe
[36:38] it to them. We're on their dime. We are
[36:39] public servants. This is my life trying
[36:42] to get library services to people, and I
[36:43] am so I will repeat deeply, deeply
[36:45] disappointed in the way you you you you
[36:48] treated us the the the the what you the
[36:51] disconnect between what you say publicly
[36:52] and what you say privately, the
[36:54] disconnect between saying, "Oh, we all
[36:55] want to work together and come up with a
[36:57] plan." and not returning phone calls,
[36:59] not engaging. I mean, it is it is
[37:01] shocking to me, and I'm not naive, but
[37:03] it's certainly disappointing. It is so
[37:05] disappointing. I am here our our
[37:07] commission chair is here. We are ready
[37:09] to work hand in glove to come up with
[37:11] solutions. Do we need a temporary
[37:13] solution between now and when we have
[37:14] built some grand building 3, 5, 7 years?
[37:16] I don't know when it'll be. Yeah, we
[37:18] need a temporary solution, but a
[37:19] temporary solution that is not making
[37:21] people sick, not making people sick day
[37:25] after day. That's all we're asking for,
[37:27] and we will pay the bill. We will find a
[37:29] place, and we will pay the bill, and in
[37:31] the meantime, we will continue to do
[37:32] programming with through through partner
[37:35] locations, which we've been doing all
[37:36] year. We'll continue to do story times
[37:38] and book clubs and outreach.
[37:41] And and your and residents of Somerville
[37:43] will continue to check out materials at
[37:45] other locations.
[37:47] You Over the last 180 days, more people
[37:49] are checking out materials in
[37:50] Bridgewater by by two to one than
[37:53] they're checking out here.
[37:55] So, you're already you you because
[37:56] you're part of a large county
[37:57] multi-branch system, residents have
[37:59] options to go to other locations for
[38:01] robust collections of programming and
[38:03] services and spaces to study. That's the
[38:05] benefit of being in the system. Now, if
[38:07] you all decide that you want to pull out
[38:09] of the system cuz it might take us a
[38:11] couple months to find a temporary
[38:12] location, that's your decision, and you
[38:14] can hold your people behind me can
[38:16] decide whether you want to hold these
[38:17] people accountable or not.
[38:19] >> You're just about out of time.
[38:20] >> Okay, but I what I'm asking for is
[38:22] honesty, what I'm asking for is
[38:24] consistency and congruency between what
[38:26] you say to them publicly and how you
[38:28] behave when you leave the dais.
[38:31] And let's work on their behalf. Let's
[38:32] work together on their behalf. It is our
[38:35] responsibility to do that.
[38:37] >> You're about done.
[38:38] >> I am done.
[38:39] >> Thank you.
[38:39] for your time.
[38:40] >> Thank you for your comments, sir.
[38:41] >> I apologize earlier for my for my
[38:43] passionate comment.
[38:46] >> Thank you.
[38:46] >> Yeah.
[38:51] » Any other public comment?
[39:01] » I want to grab the microphone.
[39:05] » Thank you.
[39:06] >> You're welcome.
[39:09] Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I am
[39:11] Jonathan Lee
[39:12] from the Borough of Rocky Hill, 10 Toth
[39:15] Lane, Rocky Hill.
[39:18] I am also a councilman in the Borough of
[39:20] Rocky Hill and chair of the library
[39:22] committee.
[39:25] Um it seems very suspicious
[39:29] that you have a mold problem in your
[39:31] library.
[39:33] We've gone through a tremendously
[39:36] difficult problem regarding our library
[39:38] and has nothing to do with mold. It
[39:40] [clears throat] has to do with the fact
[39:42] that um
[39:44] the Somerset County Library System
[39:46] decided to no longer support our
[39:48] library. Um we were the first branch of
[39:52] the Somerset County Library System.
[39:55] Um we had an we had an unique situation
[39:58] because
[39:59] um
[40:00] we were the um beneficiaries of an
[40:04] endowment provided by a lawyer from Philadelphia to honor his
[40:09] wife. His name was Harold Jacobs.
[40:13] And his wife's name was Mary. They are
[40:15] both um
[40:18] buried in
[40:19] Rocky Hill Cemetery.
[40:24] Because it was a public-private
[40:28] uh agreement, um
[40:30] Somerset County Library System became
[40:32] uncomfortable with it over the years.
[40:35] Um eventually, um Montgomery created a
[40:39] new um town hall and they established a
[40:43] branch of the Somerset County Library
[40:44] System in their town. Previously, the
[40:48] citizens of Montgomery had shared our
[40:50] library
[40:51] for uh approximately 50 years.
[40:56] There was a short-term agreement where
[40:58] we continued to run our library uh with
[41:01] their support.
[41:03] Um and then uh there was um
[41:06] a period when we were supposed to
[41:08] determine what the future of the library
[41:10] is.
[41:11] Um they uh were not too conducive to
[41:16] doing that. Um they said that they were
[41:18] running out of money and they told us
[41:20] they were going to close down.
[41:22] Um so, instead of closing down, I
[41:25] believe it was um
[41:28] in um May of 2024,
[41:31] they closed down the previous August
[41:34] because they said they had a mold issue.
[41:39] Now,
[41:40] tests were run
[41:42] and I will tell you now that the mold
[41:45] inside the building was lower than that
[41:48] which was outside in the ambient air,
[41:50] which is the control.
[41:52] Um
[41:54] so, this seems somewhat
[41:56] like a modus operandi to me.
[42:00] Um I would
[42:02] tend to
[42:03] um
[42:04] fight for your library.
[42:06] We spent 3 years uh
[42:09] eventually
[42:11] the foundation that ran the endowment
[42:14] that was given for our library
[42:16] decided they no longer wanted to
[42:18] run a library.
[42:20] And um
[42:22] we went into a lawsuit with them. It
[42:24] took us 3 years and hundreds of
[42:27] thousands of dollars,
[42:29] but we won that lawsuit.
[42:32] There is now a new
[42:34] Board of Trustees being constituted and
[42:38] the town is now getting control of the
[42:41] building so that we don't have an issue
[42:43] again.
[42:45] Um we will probably I don't know what
[42:47] the future brings as far as what kind of
[42:50] library it will be, whether we join the
[42:52] Summers County Library System. They
[42:54] apparently are not interested in joining
[42:56] us or us joining them, even though we
[42:58] were the first branch.
[43:01] Um
[43:02] but um
[43:05] we will have a library.
[43:07] We have a significant endowment.
[43:09] Um I could get into details about some
[43:12] of their underhanded dealings during
[43:14] that
[43:15] um
[43:16] lawsuit where they became an amicus
[43:18] curiae
[43:20] and basically presented facts
[43:23] that
[43:24] didn't hold water as far as I'm
[43:26] concerned, trying to prove that we could
[43:28] not financially run a library.
[43:30] We proved otherwise. We won the lawsuit.
[43:33] Um
[43:34] suspiciously
[43:37] they were um third in line to receive
[43:39] the assets if
[43:42] the endowment failed, if the borough
[43:45] couldn't
[43:46] run the library. So,
[43:49] my question is
[43:51] who are we dealing with here?
[43:54] Um so I figured I would come tonight. I
[43:56] just read an article today
[43:57] >> About 30 seconds.
[43:58] >> today about this and I thought it would
[44:01] be
[44:02] good for you folks to hear some of the
[44:04] background that we've been dealing with.
[44:06] >> We appreciate your comments. Thank you,
[44:08] sir.
[44:08] >> Thank you.
[44:10] Any other public comments, sir?
[44:11] >> Is this just on library or
[44:13] >> No, anything.
[44:14] >> Okay, good.
[44:17] My name is Daniel Pontonio. I live on
[44:19] 101 Eastern Ave, Somerville.
[44:22] Um
[44:22] first thing about the library, I'm
[44:23] curious, is there a county library,
[44:25] Somerset County Library?
[44:26] >> Yeah, it's not a Q&A, but yes, there is.
[44:29] It's a whole system. There's a number of
[44:30] different libraries.
[44:31] >> know that. Just curious.
[44:32] >> It's a comment period.
[44:32] >> Okay. So,
[44:34] the reason I'm here today is we were in
[44:37] the process of buying a home on 69
[44:39] Fairmont Ave, which is right down the
[44:41] street from you.
[44:42] When we went through this process, what
[44:44] we found out through the inspections is
[44:46] that this particular house had a chimney
[44:49] that had about $30,000 worth of damage.
[44:52] So, my whole thinking was, coming from
[44:55] where I came from, Voorhees, New Jersey,
[44:57] in South Jersey, down there, when you go
[45:00] through inspections, the township is
[45:01] required to do a CO, and they do not let
[45:04] you in that house if you're missing
[45:05] sidewalk, if you're missing if you have
[45:07] a crack in your fireplace, any kind of
[45:10] damage you have in that fireplace, they
[45:11] will not let you move in because it's a
[45:13] hazard.
[45:14] What I found out when I called the
[45:16] township here, cuz it was an argument
[45:18] with this guy,
[45:19] that the township doesn't care about a
[45:21] CO, that you don't need a CO to move
[45:23] into an older house, and all they care
[45:25] about is carbon monoxide and smoke
[45:27] detectors.
[45:29] Now, with that said, this town, if you
[45:31] take out the new town homes and the
[45:33] condos, homes are about
[45:36] roughly about 80 years old in this town.
[45:39] You did a great job at refurbishing this
[45:41] town. Like, I'm not from here. I love
[45:43] this downtown,
[45:45] right? And I live down the street, and I
[45:47] watched the house, and I watched the
[45:50] firemen, and I watched the the police
[45:53] run into a house where a girl died.
[45:56] And that hit home.
[45:59] I'm urging you to change your laws. You
[46:02] need to have a CO. You need to inspect
[46:05] fireplaces. The guy that owns that
[46:07] house, what did he do to fix it? He
[46:09] tried to sue me for my 80 grand down
[46:11] deposit. What he did to fix it is he
[46:14] brought in a guy to paint the chimney
[46:16] and he's back selling it again. And God
[46:18] forbid if somebody buys that house, I do
[46:20] plan on giving my level two inspection
[46:22] to whoever buys that house because
[46:24] there's multiple hazards, there's
[46:26] multiple conditions, there's cracks in
[46:28] it. You burn a fire in there, there's no
[46:30] vents, carbon monoxide will leak
[46:33] throughout the house and God forbid if
[46:35] there's kids in that house, those kids
[46:36] will die. Or they will get ill.
[46:39] So, my urgent to you, change the laws in
[46:42] the town. I don't care if you have to
[46:44] whoever buys the house, they have to pay
[46:45] $150 fee. You're already paying $650 for
[46:48] a home inspection.
[46:50] Pay a fee.
[46:51] Pay it to the township to come in there.
[46:54] You need a CO to get into this house.
[46:56] You need a CO, you need to have full
[46:58] inspection, fireplace, and you can't
[47:01] have sidewalks missing like this guy was
[47:02] going to sell me.
[47:04] Not until I backed out that he finally
[47:05] go in there and replace the sidewalks. I
[47:08] just I'm a firm believer that, you know,
[47:09] safety is first. And this town, I I've
[47:12] only been here 5 or 6 years. My future
[47:15] in-laws have lived here their Well, they
[47:17] lived here their whole lives until they
[47:18] moved to Branchburg. Branch- Branchburg.
[47:20] I love this town.
[47:22] And that's why we're looking to move
[47:23] back into this town. So, I just urge you
[47:25] to really take a look at the laws.
[47:28] >> Thank you. If If you stay for the
[47:30] meeting, I just ask you to get your name
[47:31] and telephone number to Mr. Sluka.
[47:33] >> Sure.
[47:33] >> And we'll make a connection.
[47:35] >> Sure. Thank you.
[47:35] >> Thank you.
[47:38] Any other public comment?
[47:46] » Thank you, Mayor, and thank you,
[47:47] Council, and thank you, Somerset County Library System.
[47:51] You've got a problem here.
[47:53] I was a property manager for a while and
[47:55] I know once you have mold in any
[47:57] building, it always seems to stay.
[48:01] And I understand that problem on both
[48:02] sides of it. And I understand the
[48:04] mitigation you can do, but people say,
[48:06] "Oh, it has mold. Maybe I'm sick."
[48:09] So, it's a hard problem you're going to
[48:10] have to solve that. I'm not saying you
[48:11] can't. I'm just saying it's a hard
[48:13] problem. And it's a hard problem for you
[48:15] because you have that behind you. You
[48:17] weren't here when that was going on, but
[48:20] unfortunately you have it now.
[48:22] But, I'm here for a different reason.
[48:24] Jim Somerville was our town historian
[48:26] for many, many years. We have a Jim
[48:28] Somerville room.
[48:29] It's full of history. Full of history of
[48:32] this town, this area.
[48:34] I haven't heard it mentioned at all. I'm
[48:36] really concerned about that. And you
[48:38] know why. I'm a historian type. You
[48:40] know, my wife and I ran four symposiums
[48:43] about the Rev War.
[48:45] We're really concerned about that and I
[48:46] hope in your thinking of what you're
[48:48] going to do, where you're going to live,
[48:51] we don't lose that room and we don't
[48:53] lose that material because it gets
[48:55] abandoned for a while.
[48:57] And that's what I wanted to say. Thank
[48:59] you.
[48:59] >> Agreed. Thank you.
[49:02] Any other public comment?
[49:05] Sir.
[49:12] » Justin Kaiser, North Clark Avenue. Uh
[49:15] I'm here tonight on behalf of SBI.
[49:18] I'm currently a board member. I just
[49:19] want to take a moment to thank uh you,
[49:21] Mayor Gallagher, the council uh for
[49:24] passing
[49:25] uh the new ball fields going in the
[49:27] Carol Pedro Ballpark. Um I grew up
[49:29] playing on ball fields. I feel it shaped
[49:31] me as a man.
[49:32] Um building a lot of long friendships,
[49:35] teamwork, uh discipline.
[49:37] Um
[49:39] it's just a wonderful thing. You guys
[49:40] are making an investment in not only a
[49:42] ball field, but in the kids,
[49:45] uh the parents, the town. So, I just
[49:47] want to say thank you very much. It's
[49:50] really appreciated and it wasn't a small
[49:52] undertaking.
[49:53] >> Thank you.
[49:53] for coming out and saying
[49:54] that. Thank you.
[49:56] Any other public comment?
[50:04] » Good evening. Roberta Carpenito, 66
[50:07] Fairview Avenue. And I'm also the
[50:08] chairman of the Somerset County Library
[50:10] Commission.
[50:12] I would just like to say, Mayor, I
[50:13] respect what you're saying.
[50:15] I think an issue that we're encountering
[50:18] is we are not seeking to close the
[50:21] library.
[50:23] We wish to provide 21st century library
[50:26] service to our patrons and it in a
[50:30] healthy, safe environment. Right now,
[50:33] the mold is an issue and we do
[50:35] appreciate what you're doing to
[50:37] remediate it. But I stopped down in the
[50:40] library on Friday.
[50:43] And it's not just mold. As Peter
[50:46] indicated, the sewers are a problem. The
[50:49] emergency exit door in the children's
[50:52] room, there's a big sign on it
[50:54] downstairs in the basement. There's a
[50:56] sign on it that says alarm, door locked.
[50:59] The door's ajar.
[51:01] Can't close it. It's a jar.
[51:03] That's a safety issue.
[51:05] There have been in You've had reports
[51:07] over the years through the hack that
[51:09] there are other
[51:11] issues with regard to water. The windows
[51:14] are moldy. If you look at the windows,
[51:16] they're moldy.
[51:18] You have chunks
[51:20] of of insulation where pipes are. Chunks
[51:24] ripped out of that insulation.
[51:26] There are There are issues there that
[51:29] make it untenable for us to continue to
[51:32] provide service.
[51:35] Upstairs, we've had concerns from
[51:37] parents. They don't like that we have
[51:40] glass walls in the children's room.
[51:42] That's a concern for them.
[51:44] They're concerned about the emergency
[51:47] exit. I took a look at that. It's
[51:49] totally rusted. And yes, Mayor, they did
[51:52] repair the bottom step by putting 2 by
[51:55] 4s on it. That's not a safety situation.
[52:00] So, we do want to work with you, but
[52:03] that wasn't the question that was asked
[52:06] of Peter and I when we were in the
[52:08] executive session.
[52:10] We cannot address a hypothetical. If
[52:13] something occurs, which we don't know
[52:16] what it might be, will we do this?
[52:19] If the question is, can we work
[52:21] together? Yes, absolutely.
[52:24] I started my political career working to
[52:27] save the Somerville Public Library.
[52:30] And I I spent most a good part of my
[52:33] time doing that. And Mayor, we worked
[52:35] together to join the county association
[52:38] or the county commission.
[52:39] Why would we want to change that?
[52:42] But we do need to work together. And I'm
[52:44] hoping perhaps the governing body
[52:48] and the commission, we can all take a
[52:50] deep breath
[52:51] and say, let's start again. Maybe have
[52:54] another discussion.
[52:56] But one where the question is, how can
[52:59] we work together? Not, will you do this?
[53:02] Oh, no, if your answer isn't yes, please
[53:04] leave the room. Thank you.
[53:08] >> Any other public comment? Yeah.
[53:16] » Hi, my name is Kate Ambrose. I live at
[53:18] 204 East Cliff Street.
[53:22] And I just wanted to say the library has
[53:25] been and will always be extremely
[53:28] important to my family and I. We use the
[53:29] library a lot. Um
[53:31] we my daughter loves to go pick out
[53:35] books. We my husband just gave a
[53:38] book reading there a couple weeks ago
[53:40] and it was a great
[53:42] And um so that's where I'm coming from.
[53:46] I
[53:48] the librarians and other staff members
[53:51] at the library are also many of them are
[53:55] also our community members and we care
[53:57] about each other deeply in this town.
[54:00] And I really care that they are getting
[54:03] sick. As someone who suffers from
[54:04] migraines, I really have heard what
[54:07] Peter had was saying before about their
[54:10] symptoms.
[54:12] And the mold testing was a good start.
[54:14] I'm really happy to hear that Did you
[54:16] say it was an industrial hygienist?
[54:18] >> Yes.
[54:19] >> is doing the testing. That's exactly who
[54:21] needs to be doing the testing. I'm not
[54:23] an expert, but I have talked to one
[54:26] about this very issue. And um there are
[54:29] many apparently many other things in the
[54:32] air that could be making people sick,
[54:35] not just mold. There's other particles,
[54:38] fibers that could be in the air that
[54:40] makes somebody sick.
[54:42] Um people who are susceptible, people
[54:45] who have asthma, people who have
[54:48] allergies, people who suffer from
[54:49] migraines, um people who are on chemo,
[54:53] all all different people that are
[54:55] susceptible could be affected by these
[54:57] other things that aren't necessarily
[55:00] toxic mold.
[55:02] So I'm really glad and the public will
[55:05] um
[55:06] be anxious to hear those results.
[55:09] Um
[55:11] it's not okay that this relationship has
[55:15] soured.
[55:17] And I'm sure it's not okay with any of
[55:19] the people in this room.
[55:22] This
[55:23] relationship needs to mend for the good
[55:26] of the community.
[55:28] We need to get back to communication
[55:31] and problem-solving.
[55:35] I think that it's true um
[55:39] that that space
[55:41] although the staff members have done a
[55:43] tremendous job working with what they
[55:47] were given.
[55:48] Um that space was not working as just
[55:52] somebody visiting the library and I'm
[55:54] sure many parents would agree. Um it's
[55:58] not the same since they needed to move
[56:00] out of of the children's section
[56:02] downstairs.
[56:04] So I'm asking everybody just to take a
[56:08] minute and get themselves together and
[56:11] that get back to what's important, which
[56:14] is problem solving for this community.
[56:17] Um
[56:19] and get back to a working relationship.
[56:21] We expect it and we demand it. Thank
[56:24] you.
[56:24] >> Thank you for your comments.
[56:26] Any other public comment?
[56:35] » Okay. My name is Edward O'Dowd. Uh I
[56:37] work at a facility on Main Street called
[56:40] Freedom Trail,
[56:42] which is um collaborative services of uh
[56:45] New Jersey.
[56:46] A company that's been in existence since
[56:48] the '80s. We serve uh
[56:50] some of Somerville's most vulnerable.
[56:53] And Lorraine, my partner, and I have
[56:55] been at it for the last 4 months. We
[56:57] wanted to just generate some awareness
[56:59] about what we're doing and who we are
[57:01] cuz we feel like nobody really knows us.
[57:03] Um
[57:05] that was all.
[57:06] >> Great. Uh what I would suggest is get
[57:08] your contact information to Mr. Sluka
[57:10] >> Mhm.
[57:11] >> and uh um
[57:12] website, any literature you might have,
[57:15] and uh
[57:16] you know, I I'd be interested in finding
[57:17] out more about you.
[57:18] >> Okay. Thank you.
[57:19] >> Thank you.
[57:22] Any other public comment?
[57:25] » [clears throat]
[57:31] » Good evening. Uh Brian Healey, 70
[57:33] Veterans Memorial Drive, right here in
[57:35] Somerville. That's h e a l e y, and
[57:38] Brian, just like the mayor.
[57:40] >> [laughter]
[57:41] >> Spelled the right way.
[57:42] >> That's right.
[57:43] And I come to you tonight for something
[57:44] very, very simple. I live on the one of
[57:46] the apartment buildings on Veterans
[57:47] Memorial, and I want to know I I've been
[57:49] living there about 8 years now, and
[57:52] Veterans Memorial Drive east and west
[57:53] has been
[57:54] basically a test on your suspension for
[57:56] since I've lived there.
[57:58] And I know it's not a state or a county
[58:00] road, so I know when is public works or
[58:02] the borough going to resurface that
[58:04] road. I know PSE&G has ripped it up
[58:06] 50,000 times doing utility work here and
[58:09] there, but it's just it's been a mess
[58:11] since I've lived there, and it's I know
[58:13] all the roads have been done, and I was
[58:15] wondering if it was possible cuz it's a
[58:16] very busy road, it's a very major road.
[58:18] People travel on it all the time.
[58:20] I was curious as to when it will be uh
[58:23] done, or when public works will will put
[58:25] that on their agenda.
[58:27] >> Thank you. Thank you for your comments.
[58:29] That's all right. I will in a in a
[58:31] moment. Any other public comment?
[58:38] » Good evening.
[58:40] As many of you know, my name is Mallory
[58:42] Craig Karen. I'm a mom, and I live at 41
[58:45] Ross Street.
[58:46] I am here about our library,
[58:49] but also about something more
[58:51] fundamental.
[58:52] Namely,
[58:54] our town deserves to be a partner in
[58:56] decisions made about Somerville's
[58:58] library,
[58:59] rather than an afterthought, informed by
[59:01] the county only after decisions have
[59:03] already been made.
[59:05] So, this is about process. This is not
[59:07] about anything more.
[59:09] Tonight, I'm asking our council to
[59:11] confirm whether the required processes
[59:13] were followed, and whether it will be
[59:15] the case going forward.
[59:18] Somerville's library has served local
[59:20] residents not only as a place for
[59:22] reading,
[59:24] but also as an information hub,
[59:26] right, with computer access and trained
[59:29] librarians,
[59:30] a study center for students,
[59:33] a designated cooling center where our
[59:35] elderly residents cool off in sweltering
[59:37] weather like today,
[59:39] and a center where our families and
[59:41] community groups can gather.
[59:44] Yet, our library branch was permanently
[59:47] closed,
[59:49] at least for this time, by the county
[59:50] library system last Friday
[59:52] with very little notice given to the
[59:54] public.
[59:56] Looking into this decision,
[59:58] I'm presented with more questions than
[1:00:00] answers,
[1:00:01] namely about the process,
[1:00:03] and questions that include the
[1:00:04] following.
[1:00:06] First, section two of Somerville's
[1:00:08] contract with the county library system
[1:00:11] requires borough approval before any
[1:00:13] closure of our branch.
[1:00:15] I checked with our borough clerk, who
[1:00:17] confirmed that formal approval was never
[1:00:20] sought nor given.
[1:00:22] So, I'm asking the council and our mayor
[1:00:24] tonight, just factually to be aware,
[1:00:27] did the borough council authorize the
[1:00:29] county to close our library? And if so,
[1:00:32] can you tell us when you authorized it
[1:00:34] and what led to your decision?
[1:00:36] Separately, public records suggest that
[1:00:39] Somerset County's library commission,
[1:00:42] which is the board that governs the
[1:00:43] county library system,
[1:00:45] never formally authorized Somerville's
[1:00:47] library closure.
[1:00:49] The library commission doesn't meet in
[1:00:51] July or August, so I can't go ask them
[1:00:53] directly,
[1:00:55] but I'm wondering if the council knows
[1:00:57] whether the library commission had
[1:00:59] approved our library's closure before
[1:01:01] their summer break.
[1:01:03] Note, however, that even if the
[1:01:05] commission had separately approved of
[1:01:07] the closure,
[1:01:08] this should not circumvent the county's
[1:01:10] obligations to Somerville under section
[1:01:13] two of our agreement with the county.
[1:01:16] Third,
[1:01:17] one reason given for the closure, again,
[1:01:19] just one,
[1:01:21] was the suspected presence of mold.
[1:01:23] To his credit, when that issue was first
[1:01:25] presented and reported to him, Mayor
[1:01:28] Gallagher quickly ordered testing to
[1:01:31] determine whether mold was a health
[1:01:32] threat to the library's employees and
[1:01:34] others.
[1:01:35] As we've discussed, preliminary samples
[1:01:38] from the occupied floors of the building
[1:01:40] found that mold levels there were not
[1:01:42] elevated.
[1:01:43] And the county library director, who we
[1:01:45] heard from tonight,
[1:01:46] indicated that the decision to close the
[1:01:48] Somerville library was not actually
[1:01:50] caused by the test results and would not
[1:01:53] sway the decision to close the result
[1:01:54] the library.
[1:01:56] It is true
[1:01:58] that the age of the facility and the
[1:01:59] reductions in the usable space within it
[1:02:02] were less than ideal.
[1:02:04] But, the question arises,
[1:02:06] why the sudden closure of the entire
[1:02:08] facility,
[1:02:09] including its usable spaces,
[1:02:11] before an improved replacement plan had
[1:02:14] been developed and shared in partnership with our bureau?
[1:02:21] Put plainly, our library's closure
[1:02:23] appears to have been a decision
[1:02:25] in which Somerville's legal right to
[1:02:27] input was bypassed.
[1:02:29] And I understand that that input is a
[1:02:32] right that we have as part of the
[1:02:34] process.
[1:02:36] When the closure was recently announced,
[1:02:38] we drafted a petition confirming
[1:02:39] community support for making
[1:02:41] Somerville's library a priority.
[1:02:44] This modest effort to build awareness
[1:02:46] has already resulted in hundreds of
[1:02:48] local signatures, which I provided to
[1:02:50] all of you tonight, and I can also
[1:02:51] provide digital copies.
[1:02:54] We warmly recognize the very important
[1:02:58] work that you do as our elected leaders
[1:03:01] to ensure that we have a library that
[1:03:03] serves our community's needs.
[1:03:05] And the response to our petition
[1:03:07] confirms
[1:03:08] that the library should indeed be one of
[1:03:11] your priorities for Somerville.
[1:03:13] I have personally written to to county
[1:03:15] library director expressing the concern
[1:03:18] that our library branch was closed
[1:03:20] without a viable plan being shared to
[1:03:22] replace it. And perhaps I'm I'm really
[1:03:25] looking forward to answers tonight. Um,
[1:03:27] you know, without that process being
[1:03:29] followed.
[1:03:31] Those of us who love Somerville and
[1:03:33] believe that our
[1:03:35] truly great town deserves a vibrant
[1:03:37] library
[1:03:39] now count on you as our leaders
[1:03:41] to ensure that local library services be
[1:03:45] restored fully and quickly in some
[1:03:47] central Somerville location
[1:03:50] as promised by the county library
[1:03:51] system.
[1:03:53] And fundamentally I ask that you ensure
[1:03:55] and continue to ensure that Somerville's
[1:03:58] rights under agreement will be honored.
[1:04:00] Thank you so much.
[1:04:02] >> Thank you.
[1:04:05] Any other public comment?
[1:04:08] Hearing none, I'll ask for a motion to
[1:04:09] close.
[1:04:10] >> So moved.
[1:04:11] >> Second.
[1:04:12] >> Discussion. Roll call.
[1:04:14] >> Council members, Anne
[1:04:15] Andrew Conty.
[1:04:16] >> Yes.
[1:04:17] >> Linda Lee.
[1:04:17] >> Yes.
[1:04:18] >> Randy Pitts.
[1:04:18] >> Yes.
[1:04:19] >> Gina Stravic.
[1:04:19] >> Yes.
[1:04:20] >> Roger Fleming.
[1:04:21] >> Yes.
[1:04:21] >> All right, public session is now closed.
[1:04:23] Um, the the easy one first, Veterans
[1:04:25] Memorial Drive, the paving.
[1:04:27] Where is he? There he is.
[1:04:29] Um, I believe we're coming to a close
[1:04:31] very soon on a grant that we had
[1:04:33] received which would pave Veterans
[1:04:36] >> The uh bids on that project are due
[1:04:38] August 12th. Um,
[1:04:40] once the bids are received, it's not as
[1:04:42] simple as as our normal process cuz it's uh federally funded. They uh two
[1:04:48] things have to happen is it goes to the
[1:04:51] state DOT who then communicates with the
[1:04:54] federal government to ensure that the
[1:04:56] bids were satisfactory and and meet
[1:04:58] their their requirements. In addition to
[1:05:00] that is uh the federal government does
[1:05:03] require a full-time construction
[1:05:06] inspector on the job. That RFP is is
[1:05:09] waiting for approval to be issued. So,
[1:05:12] um listen, I I know we also use that road for, you know, one of the
[1:05:18] state's largest Turkey Trots, right? So,
[1:05:20] that that's the goal to try to get it,
[1:05:22] but right now, unfortunately, because of
[1:05:24] the level
[1:05:26] that has to go through, but the bids are
[1:05:27] coming back on August 12th, which is a
[1:05:29] couple weeks.
[1:05:30] >> we can say probably late fall, early
[1:05:32] spring. Is that a reasonable time frame?
[1:05:35] >> Yeah, I said that before. Um
[1:05:37] >> [laughter]
[1:05:39] >> Unfortunately, you know, for us. Oh,
[1:05:41] yeah. Uh that's our certainly our goal
[1:05:44] is to push that envelope.
[1:05:45] >> Yeah. Okay.
[1:05:47] Um
[1:05:47] as far as all the questions relating to
[1:05:50] the library, and there's some good
[1:05:51] questions. And look, I I appreciate
[1:05:54] everybody's passion on this, and and we
[1:05:57] share that.
[1:05:58] I I said at the outset of this,
[1:06:00] everybody's goal is exactly the same.
[1:06:03] And it's unfortunate that we've been
[1:06:05] pushed to our corners for a whole lot of
[1:06:06] reasons.
[1:06:08] And and I don't like being pushed to
[1:06:09] corners.
[1:06:10] Um
[1:06:14] I sat on our library commission here, or
[1:06:17] committee.
[1:06:18] Um I've sat on the county li- well, I
[1:06:21] was the liaison as a freeholder, I was
[1:06:24] the liaison to the county library
[1:06:25] system.
[1:06:26] I know how it works.
[1:06:28] I've been around it a long time.
[1:06:31] 25 years.
[1:06:33] I know the process.
[1:06:35] Um we have rights under our agreement.
[1:06:39] Um I'll agree with Roberta. We do need
[1:06:42] to talk. We do need to to come to an
[1:06:45] agreement.
[1:06:46] And part of that is first, ensuring that building, our building, is clean
[1:06:53] and safe.
[1:06:54] That's my primary concern right now.
[1:06:56] Once that's done,
[1:06:57] and I said this at our our meeting last
[1:07:00] Thursday,
[1:07:01] I said, when we can show that that
[1:07:02] building is clean and ready to go and
[1:07:04] ready to occupy,
[1:07:06] that's when we can have that discussion.
[1:07:08] And I'm pointing at Kevin and pointing
[1:07:10] at Peter cuz Peter was sitting there
[1:07:11] last week. Um but that's when we can
[1:07:13] have that discussion.
[1:07:15] Um
[1:07:16] we have to do our diligence to ensure
[1:07:19] that that's safe.
[1:07:20] At the same time, we also have to as a
[1:07:22] municipality preserve our rights under
[1:07:25] our agreement, and that's what our
[1:07:26] attorney will do.
[1:07:27] Um
[1:07:30] it's going to be a little bit of a
[1:07:31] process. Um
[1:07:34] I would agree if if they can outsource
[1:07:36] some at this point while we go through
[1:07:39] that,
[1:07:40] great.
[1:07:41] And I had intimated to that last week
[1:07:44] that we would help in that process. We
[1:07:46] can.
[1:07:47] But when that building is clean,
[1:07:50] well, I'm even when it's
[1:07:52] when we have the results back, and
[1:07:54] again, the the mold was brought up again
[1:07:56] that there's mold.
[1:07:58] There's not There is no mold.
[1:08:00] There's no more mold inside than there
[1:08:01] is outside. That's what the testing is
[1:08:03] showing.
[1:08:04] And and we keep coming back to this mold
[1:08:07] issue, and the mold issue was the
[1:08:08] impetus for this entire discussion.
[1:08:11] And we now have proof that that's not
[1:08:13] the case.
[1:08:15] So I think we have to kind of work
[1:08:18] through some of those issues as to what
[1:08:20] the reasons are.
[1:08:21] Um and I would agree with you as well,
[1:08:24] Mallory. I think you you you took this
[1:08:25] on and I give you kudos for that. It's a you took this on and and you've
[1:08:30] brought it to um
[1:08:32] you know, the forefront of of a
[1:08:34] discussion, and and I think that's good.
[1:08:36] Um
[1:08:39] I was around for Rocky Hill. I was a
[1:08:41] freeholder when Rocky Hill was going
[1:08:42] through. And I actually helped the
[1:08:45] discussions in keeping Rocky Hill open
[1:08:47] at that time. I sat with their mayor.
[1:08:50] So I'm very familiar with all this
[1:08:53] that's going on.
[1:08:55] Um but my goal is
[1:08:58] to keep our library in town.
[1:09:01] And this building will be
[1:09:04] certified.
[1:09:06] And it'll be ready to be reoccupied
[1:09:10] in the short term.
[1:09:11] Then we can work on the long term
[1:09:13] because we all want the same thing out
[1:09:15] of that long term. We all do.
[1:09:19] It makes sense.
[1:09:20] So.
[1:09:22] Um all right.
[1:09:25] Resolutions. Uh we have consent
[1:09:26] resolutions any to be pulled off for
[1:09:28] further discussion.
[1:09:31] All right, hearing none. 234 is
[1:09:33] authorizing the sale of surplus
[1:09:34] equipment to the Flagtown Fire
[1:09:36] Department in the amount of $750.
[1:09:38] 235 is approving chapter 159 from the
[1:09:41] Governor's Council on Alcoholism and
[1:09:42] Drug Abuse for 26 Municipal Alliance
[1:09:44] Grant Program.
[1:09:46] 236 amending approving the release of
[1:09:48] the performance bond for Santana LLC as
[1:09:50] noted. 237 is authorizing the donation
[1:09:53] of surplus municipal equipment to the
[1:09:55] Hillsborough Township Department of
[1:09:56] Public Works. 238 is amending resolution
[1:09:59] as noted to authorize and direct the
[1:10:01] Planning Board of the Borough of
[1:10:02] Somerville to include block 67 lot one
[1:10:05] which is two Park Avenue as shown on the
[1:10:07] official tax map of the Borough in its
[1:10:09] examination of whether certain property
[1:10:11] should be determined to be an area in
[1:10:13] need of redevelopment specifically a
[1:10:15] non-condemnation redevelopment area
[1:10:18] pursuant to the local redevelopment
[1:10:19] housing law as noted and considered for
[1:10:22] inclusion in the East Central Business
[1:10:23] District Redevelopment Area.
[1:10:25] 239 is approving the hiring of Kyle De
[1:10:27] Monte as full-time laborer effective
[1:10:30] August 24th at a rate of $22.50 per
[1:10:32] hour.
[1:10:33] 240 is approving a 6-month door-to-door
[1:10:35] solicitor license for Power Home
[1:10:36] Remodeling for those noted. 241 is
[1:10:39] authorizing the award of a contract to
[1:10:41] Millennium Communication Group for
[1:10:43] access control cameras, panic buttons,
[1:10:45] message boards, and software licenses
[1:10:46] for the Emergency Services Facility,
[1:10:49] Police Department through the interlocal
[1:10:50] purchasing system. Authorizing the 242
[1:10:54] is authorizing the award of a contract
[1:10:56] and execution of a master service
[1:10:57] agreement with language line services
[1:10:59] for on-demand telephone and video
[1:11:01] interpretation services.
[1:11:03] 243 is approving chapter 159 from the
[1:11:05] national opioid settlement trust. 244 is
[1:11:08] issuing a refund of uncollectible taxes
[1:11:11] address known as 444 Catherine Street.
[1:11:14] 245 is approving chapter 159 for state
[1:11:16] of New Jersey 26 recycling tonnage
[1:11:18] grant. Do we have a motion?
[1:11:19] >> So moved.
[1:11:21] >> Second.
[1:11:22] >> Roll call.
[1:11:22] >> Council members Andrew Conti.
[1:11:24] >> Yes.
[1:11:24] >> Glenn Zaney.
[1:11:25] >> Yes.
[1:11:25] >> Randy Pitts.
[1:11:26] >> Yes.
[1:11:26] >> Gina Strabic.
[1:11:27] >> Yes.
[1:11:27] >> Roger Vernam.
[1:11:28] >> Yes.
[1:11:28] >> All right, bills and vouchers Roger.
[1:11:29] >> I make a motion to pay bills and
[1:11:31] vouchers in the amount of 1 million
[1:11:32] 512,098
[1:11:34] dollars and 80 cents.
[1:11:36] >> Second.
[1:11:37] >> Discussion.
[1:11:39] Roll call.
[1:11:39] >> Council members Andrew Conti.
[1:11:41] >> Yes.
[1:11:41] >> Glenn Zaney.
[1:11:42] >> Yes.
[1:11:42] >> Randy Pitts.
[1:11:43] >> Yes.
[1:11:44] >> Gina Strabic.
[1:11:44] >> Yes.
[1:11:45] >> Roger Vernam.
[1:11:45] >> Yes.
[1:11:46] >> All right, Mr. DeNike I will ask for a
[1:11:47] motion for adjournment.
[1:11:48] >> I would like to make a motion to
[1:11:49] adjourn.
[1:11:50] >> Second.
[1:11:51] >> Discussion. All in favor?
[1:11:53] >> I.
[1:11:54] >> Opposed? This meeting is adjourned.