Borough Council - Regular Meeting

I'm good. Good. This meeting is 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 January 20th, 2026 was published in the Courier News Install ledger and placed on the bureau's website and bulletin board at Burough 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 Terresa Bonner here. Andrew Ki here. Glenn Zeny here. Randy Pitts here. Gina Stravik here. Roger Verm 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. Motion for approval of the minutes of December 15, December 29, 2025. So moved. Second. Discussion. Roll call. Council members. Theresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Kiy. Yes. Glenn Zen. Yes. Randy Pittz. Yes. Excluding uh December 15th. Abstain. Great. Thank you. Gina Stravik. Yes. Roger Verm. Yes. All right. Motion for approval of the minutes of January 1, 2026. So moved. Second. Discussion. Roll call. Council members Terresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Kiy. Yes. Glen. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Gina Stravik. Yes. Roger Verm. Yes.

Okay. Departmental reports and notices. We have two which are both very important. Um polling district number eight. Uh we are awaiting county approval to move that to uh to the civic center, the Somerville Civic Center, which is this location here. Uh once we have that approval, we'll start to make notifications just so uh or public uh notifications so we can make sure that people understand the uh the new location. And that's moving from Lincoln Hose. Correct. that that'll move from Lincoln Hose to this location. Yes.

Okay. Uh and then second, which I think we should actually have um a presentate I know it's not much of a presentation, but a presentation on it. Effective April 1, 2026, garbage bags of solid waste are no longer allowed to be placed on the curb for pickup without being placed in an appropriate garbage receptacle. And this is in advance of the new contract coming online, um which has not been awarded yet. Correct. Uh correct. It's just out to bid now. Yeah. So uh with that uh only the articulated arm uh garbage haulers will be uh will be bidding on that. Correct. That is correct.

And that's the requirement for uh the the articulated arm that it be in a proper garbage receptacle. I think when we started talking about this last year, we said we'd actually bring in a garbage can so people could actually look at it and understand what they need to get because the round cans don't work. the and allow them some time. Mayor, I actually did ask DPW to bring cans here. It might be in the back or in the front. So, this is on me. I forgot this was [laughter] actually on. So, there are cans here. So, you didn't bring the garbage can here. Yes. Just don't put anything in it.

All right. Uh but more to follow on that. We we'll make sure that we get notifications out. Um we we need to do social media hits on that. uh in addition maybe in our uh monthly billing if we have the ability to do that. No, we don't do and the only negative there is well we could do that. I mean we may be able to do something like that. The problem with the billing um in this world the the the homeowner I should say doesn't really get the bill anymore.

It's either a servicing company or it may be a landlord that's not handling the gar the particular garbage. But I I think effective communication on that even even notices into the schools so that the kids can bring it home. Um let's let's create a whole promotion around it because it's a change from forever. It's been one way forever and now it's being changed. So we need to make sure that we get out in front of that. So will there be any uh like leeway period like they put a sticker on and say you can't do this anymore or something at the door? So Councilman actually I spoke to the existing holder. He says the the population is very good already at this. Okay. Um the the struggle I believe we're going to have is in some of the commercial areas.

Um that's where we're going to have to spend a lot of time because right now a lot of folks in the commercial areas put out bags that day or that morning or the night before. Um the residential areas predominantly are very good, but we'll certainly uh um you know I know obviously we'll have to have some sort of grace period. Um we may have to do something where the first month maybe we supplement the pickup. Um but we'll see where we get. Good. Thank you. All right. Um committee reports. Let's start. Andrew

uh [snorts] historic advisory committee meets uh this week for our uh holiday party and our first meeting of the year. Um we're going to be excitedly talking about the 250th celebration. Excellent. Um so more to update to come but uh a lot more activities to come as well. Good. Excellent. Gina,

uh the rescue squad had their annual dinner dance and and year celebration uh this past Saturday. Um they had a nice gathering, nice attendance. Um the um squad responded to 1529 calls from 2025. Um board of health meets tomorrow if anyone's interested at 6 pm on Warren Street. Um, and they'll be kicking off the year with addressing any health issues we have in town. Great. That's what I have. All right. Thank you, Glenn.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, the fire department very busy in 2025. They had 666 incidents, including 16 building fires. Uh, we'd like to thank all the different responding members, and they also accomplished an awful lot, including moving into the new emergency services facility. They implemented specialized training in swiftwater, high angle rope rescue and vehicle rescue. Um they received more than $60,000 worth in grants and uh including all that great upgrade to apparatus uh like ladder 57. So the fire department looks forward to uh a lot more growth and support in the coming year. Great. And then the environmental commission actually met here last Tuesday. Uh they discussed the upcoming community energy plan and trying to set some priorities to help us meet those goals. Um there were updates from the green team including ideas for implementing a ferry trail and community garden improvements. And uh there's a lot of talk about the planning for 2026 projects uh including our annual Earth Day project too. So look forward to all of that. And they also will uh hopefully be presenting their 2025 accomplishments in one of our upcoming meetings. So, we'll get a good feel for all those different volunteer hours and trees and everything else that's been planted. So, please come to the next meeting on February 10th, Tuesday, 7 p.m. right here.

Awesome. Thank you, Teresa.

Thank you. Um, so the library board of trustees will be meeting this Thursday, the 22nd at 6:30 p.m. here at the Civic Center for the first time. Normally, we've been meeting at the public library, but uh as we grow and we want to be able to have room for the community to come and give their feedback if they want. So, if you're interested in attending the library board of trustees meeting, please join us here at 6:30 on Thursday. Um there's several fun new programs at the library coming up. Um tomorrow night is Zen night with Blue Marble Studio, learning about Zen and how to make your own. uh chai demonstration and tasting this Saturday at 2 pm. Learn how to make chai and uh your own your own at home and taste it while you're there. Uh speed friending on January 26 instead of speed dating um for people who want to grow their friends group um in the evening. Uh and then on the 27th is cozy cups and chapters. come in and get a free cup of hot cocoa or coffee and check out a book. Uh the public safety committee met last Thursday at 6 PM. Uh we discussed things like um emergency sheltering for unhoused residents and freezing temps. Still looking for solutions for that. Um further discussions on pedestrian safety and developing an ebike ordinance to address safety issues on Main Street and sidewalks. The next meeting will be February 19th at 6 PM at the Civic Center. And the Downtown Somerville Alliance will be starting their Candlelight Concert Series um this Saturday, the 24th at United Reform Church. There's going to be a series of concerts, uh Tribute to Coldplay, Queen, Vivaldi's Four Seasons, and Best of Han Zimmer throughout the next couple months. Um you can check out everything going on with the DSA that's going to be

happening downtown. um at what is it? Downtown Somerville.org. And uh the DSA meets on the second Monday of each uh month at 6 PM at 50 Division Street in Sweet 50 if you'd like to join. Great. All right. Thank you, Randy. I have nothing at this time. Okay. All right. Roger. Ditto.

All right. All right. Um just to dovetail on uh Gina's comment regarding the squad. Uh they are celebrating 98 years in existence this year. Two more years to 100. And I think they it's the oldest inland rescue squad in the [snorts] state or in the country. State in the state. Um and uh they're uh they're going strong. They had a great crowd. uh lots of young folks uh in their ranks and it was great to see. So awesome. Good stuff. Um all right, at this point I will ask for a motion to open the meeting to the public. So moved. Yes.

Discussion. Roll call. Council member Theresa Bonner. Yes. Randy Pittz, yes. Glendon, yes. Gina Stravik, yes. Andrew Kiy, yes. And Roger Ver, yes. All right. Public portion is now open. Please state your name and address for the record and please address your comments to me.

My name is uh Alexander Lee. [clears throat] I've lived at 6 South Richards Avenue for over 30 years. I've watched traffic on our street go from busy when Baker and Taylor was open to nothing when it was closed to the situation now, which is, to say, terrible. We are the main access point for Kirby Village. We are approximately three lanes wide. My husband called the police a few weeks ago about the traffic speeds uh and also wrote a letter to the captain of police. Um, an electronic bellboard was placed on the northbound side near where our street intersects Main Street. The Kirby Village office was notified at that time about the speeding down our street. The solution lasted approximately two weeks. It has since regressed despite many of us yelling at the speeding vehicles going past our homes. There are at least two children under the age of five on our street. It is imperative that something be done before someone is injured. What would the next steps be to address this situation prior to a tragedy occurring and when can the next steps be implemented? Thank you.

Thank you. Any other public comment?

Good evening. Uh my name is Brian Martin. I also live on South Richard's Avenue at seven. Um, my son is less than two years old. We spend a lot of time walking up and down the street. Um, and yes, the traffic volume has increased, which is not the issue. It's the speed in which people are leaving and coming back. And, you know, we have parking in both directions on our street. So, you know, eventually my son's going to be kicking the ball out into the middle and uh yeah, just wanted to make this known now. So, thank you.

Thank you. Any other public comments? Hearing none, I'll ask for a motion to close. So, move. Second. Discussion. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Ki, yes. Glen Deny, yes. Randy Pitts, yes. Gina Stravik, yes. Roger F. Yes.

So, two things. Um, one, I'm going to ask the public safety committee to take this up. Um, it's a, uh, it's a problem. Uh, I recognize it. Um, I understand it. Uh, and it's a problem we face all over. Uh, and it's not relegated to just Somerville. That doesn't help you. So, but what will help you is I'm going to ask Randy, who's the police commissioner, to have a conversation with the, uh, the chief tomorrow. Um, nothing deters speeders like tickets. Um, and uh uh posting an officer out and and calling to action. That word spreads fast in any neighborhood. Um, so we will take some action. Uh, and that's the short-term solution. The longer term solution, I'm going to ask the public safety committee to take a look at that. And, you know, looking at your block, I know your block very well. Um, and uh, we got to look at that block and see what can be done. you know, the the the understanding when that development came in is traffic would be filtered amongst the streets, which I think it is to some degree. Uh but I think you're right, it's not the traffic per se. It's the speed of the traffic. So, we have to figure out how we slow that down. I I can't give you what that that longer term answer is right now, but the shorter term answer is a few tickets will slow them down. So, so Randy, you'll uh we'll take that to to the chief. Thank you. All right. Um, ordinance for introduction, uh, ordinance number, uh, 2780. Um, amending the redevelopment plan for the East Central Business District redevelopment area pursuant to NJSA 4A. As noted, um, this is an ordinance that uh, kind of locks in. We've had uh, at both at the planning board and at this council table um, the proposed development down at the east end of Main

Street. uh in working with the developer back and forth uh we we actually got them to lower the building by one floor which also decreased the density of that building as well. And in the redevelopment uh plan we we need to address that and codify it into the plan so that it becomes a permanent uh fixture in that within that plan at this time. Uh is that a good assessment of it Colin? Is that Yes, sir.

Okay. Um, so I will ask for a uh actually even before I do that, I'll I'll open it up for public comment on 2780, which we don't have to do, but I do anyway. Hearing none, I'll close public comment on 2780 and I'll ask for a mo a motion for introduction, please. So moved. Second discussion. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner, yes. Andrew Ki, yes. Glenda, yes. Randy Pittz, yes. Gina Stravik, yes. Roger Verm, yes.

Okay. Okay. Consent resolutions 046 through 057. Are there any to be pulled off for further discussion? All right. 046 is cancelling uncollectible taxes and issuing a refund to property owners at 115 Fair View Avenue. 47 approving door-to-door solici solicitor license for 6 months to Brian Martin. Is that you?

All right. Excellent. Uh BKM Builds located at 7 South Richard Street. 48 is authorizing payment for the $500 application fee for a grant from the hazardous discharge site remediation fund to the NJA for the remediation of certain sections of the Somerville landfill. 49 is approving the Central Jersey Corvette Club to utilize parking spaces in front of the historic courthouse on June 5th and August 7th from 5 to 9:00 p.m. for cruise night display. 50 is appointing deputy emergency management coordinators Kevin Sluca, Brian O'Neal, Jeremy Susser, and Mark Pellegrino. 51 is approving downtown Somerville International Street Fair on Sunday, June 7 from 12 to 6 PM. 52 is authorizing change order number two in the amount of $5,800 to the contract with RJM landscape and design for grass cutting and lawn maintenance. 53 is approving closeout and final payment to Perno Gordano Construction for Carol Pager playground improvements in the amount of $10,61756. 54 is approving life chain for Sunday, October 4 on Somerset Street and Mountain Avenue from 2 to 3:30 p.m. 55 is renewing a shared services agreement buying between the Burrow of Rariton and the Burrow of Somerville property maintenance enforcement officer services and authorizing the mayor and clerk to execute set agreement. 56 approving Sarah Perez's director of human resources, payroll, and finance clerk retroactive to January 1, 2026. 57 is approving a written settlement agreement with fair share housing center in connection with the burrow's fourth round housing element and fair share plan. Uh

roll call. Do we do a motion? No. No. Do we have a motion? Second. Roll call. Thank you. You got it. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Kiy. Yes. Glenda. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Gina Stravik. Yes. Roger Ver. Yes. All right. Bills and vouchers. Roger. I make a motion to pay bills and vouchers in the amount of 2,63,822.15.

Second discussion. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Ki. Yes. Leniny. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Gina Stravik. Yes. Roger Verm. Yes. All right. Mr. Ki, I will entertain a motion for adjournment. Uh, I make a motion for a German. Ajournment. Second. [laughter] Uh, all in favor? I opposed this meeting is adjourned.