Borough Council - Regular Meeting

This meeting is called the order in accordance with the open public meetings, Laura, in accordance with chapter two 31 of the public laws of 1975 adequate notices meeting has been provided. This meeting of July 20th, 2026 was provided to the Curry news and star ledger placed on the borough's website and placed on the bulletin board of our 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 council members, Teresa Bonner here. Andrew Conte?

Here.

Glenn Denis is excused this evening. Randy Pitts? Here. Gina Stravik is excused this evening. Roger Verm?

Here. Please stand for this salute to the flag. Okay, we do not have any reports or notices. Let's go right into committee reports. Andrew.

Historic Advisory Committee met last week. We discussed some of the historic properties in town. And the 250th, we're happy to talk about all the celebrations that occurred and are going to continue to roll on for the rest of the year as we celebrate. But nothing too much of note to discuss as far as changes or recommendations. They're very eager to hear about the master plan.

Great. Awesome. All right. Thank you. Teresa.

Thank you. The Public Safety Committee is not meeting this summer. They'll be back in September. The Library Board of Trustees meeting is this Thursday right here at the Civic Center. It's open to the public at 6 o'clock, 6.30, pardon me.

That's it. Thank you. Randy.

Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to update everyone on the new change starting today in the e-bike laws. The minimum age, well, let me start here. E-bikes are now classified as motorized bicycles. Age minimum is 15 years old. Helmets are required for all riders. You must have a valid driver's license or special e-bike license. That is now required. You must also have a registration for e-bikes. And insurance is required for motorized bikes, not required for load speed electric bikes. For more information, please see our website at SomervilleNewJersey.org slash e-bikes.

That's all I have. Great. Thank you. Roger. The registrations deadlines are coming up for on July 31st for rec soccer leagues for players entering grades one through eight. And the turkey trot early bird pricing will also end on the 31st. And that's all I have.

All right, awesome. I'm just going to give a quick shout-out thank you to – let me back up a second. We've had a lot of storms over the past few weeks, month or so. And while we were lucky that we did not get seriously hit by these storms, we still have a lot of preparation that goes into them. And, excuse me, I just want to thank OEM, Jason Karaska, PD, FD, Squad, CERT, DPW, and also Roger, because it seems that every time I go away, there is an impending storm and Roger gets to step in. So thank you. But, you know, it There is still a lot of work that goes into preparing for these storms. And I just want people to understand that, that, you know, while we didn't get hit, there is still a lot of movement behind the scenes. Burrow Hall, Kevin, and the team, everybody pulls together, and we make it happen just in case. So we try to make sure that we're prepared in the event that something does occur. At this point, I will ask for a motion to open the meeting to the public. So moved. Second. Discussion. Roll call.

Council members, Teresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Conte. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Roger Verne.

Yes. All right. Meeting is open to the public. Please state your name and address for the record, and please address your comments to me. Thank you, Mr. O'Neill. Any other public comment? Here we go. Last for a motion to close. So moved. Second discussion.

Roll call council members. Teresa Bonner.

Yes. Andrew Conti. Yes. Randy pits. Yes. Roger.

Yes. Okay.

Ordinances for public hearing and adoption. We have number 2806, which is amending Schedule 17, which are speed limits to include new public roadways located in Somerset Station development and amending speed limits listed in schedule. So this is amending various speed limits in and around the borough as well as setting the speed limits for the roadways that are contained in this development here. Uh, do we have a motion for a public hearing? So moved. Second discussion.

Roll call council members. Teresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Conti. Yes. Randy pits. Yes. Roger firm.

Yes. All right. Public hearing is now open hearing. None. I'll ask for a motion to close the public hearing. So moved. Second discussion.

Roll call council members. Teresa Bonner.

Yes.

Andrew Conti. Yes. Randy pits. Yes. Roger firm. Yes.

Okay. Uh, last for a motion for adoption, please. So moved. Second discussion.

Roll call council members. Teresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Conti. Yes. Randy pits. Yes. Roger firm.

Yes. All right. Um, 28 0 7. We are actually going to table. We do not have enough votes, uh, in order to pass this one through. So we will push this until our next meeting when we have a, uh, a fuller governing body here. So I will actually ask for a motion, uh, to table until our next meeting motion to table second discussion. Roll call.

Council members, Teresa Bonner. Yes. Andrew Conte. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Roger Verm.

Yes. Okay, so that will be on our next agenda.

Including the public hearing as well.

That's correct. Next up, we have consent resolutions. We will pull 225 to vote on that individually. Are there any others that need to be pulled off for further discussion? Okay, 217 is approval to submit a grant app and execute a grant contract with NJDOT. the transit village grant program for veterans memorial drive the enhanced pedestrian crossings and evie charging stations to eighteen rescinding resolution as noted awarding a contract to access new jersey for janitorial services at the somerville yet yes f pursuant to state uh... cooperative pricing system as noted uh... to nineteen is authorizing payment to apollonia air break and equipment for evaluation of preliminary repair work performed on a borough owned dump truck in the amount of $5,754 and 38 cents to 20 is authorizing an amendment to Delta dental contract and authorizing page Elster to execute the contract amendment and any related documents to 21 is extending the grace period on municipal charges for property taxes and special improvement district taxes to 22 is authorizing change order. Number one, removing police headquarters, uh, the old police headquarters, uh, on south bridge street in the amount of $22,180 and 7 cents. to association for choices in community supports and employment access new jersey for janitorial services uh... as noted seven thousand two hundred eleven in the amount of $7,211.30 for a new contract in the amount of $55,593.33. 223 is approving project closeout and release of retainage to top-line construction for Altamont Place roadway improvements in the amount of $4,490.89. 224 is awarding a contract to Downs Tree Service for Carroll-Pager Park ball fields improvements in the amount of $805,444. $445.00. 226 is accepting the resignation of Jeremy Susser effective July 18, 2026, end of business on July 17, 2026. 227 is accepting the resignation of Jason Mundey effective immediately. 228 is approving refund to various residents for recreation program fees. 229 is approving Chapter 159 from the National Opioid Settlement Trust. 230 is appointing Unity Bank as the primary financial institution for the borough. Two 31 isn't the intent to award a contract to park mobile by arrive for a mobile parking payment system through Omnia partners and approve national purchasing cooperative to provide a mobile parking payment system. Do we have a motion? So moved second roll call council members, Teresa Bonner.

Yes. Andrew Conti. Yes. Randy pits. Yes. Roger from yes.

All right. Two 25 is authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for professional engineering design survey. inspection and contract administration services to Greenman Peterson for South middle street and Washington place improvements. Do we have a motion? So moved. Second discussion.

Roll call council members, Teresa Bonner.

I have to recuse myself.

Andrew Conti. Yes. Randy pits. Yes. Roger firm.

Yes. All right, Roger bills and vouchers. I make a motion to pay bills and vouchers in the amount of 1,850,970 $4 and 77 cents. Second.

Discussion roll call council members Teresa Bonner.

Yes, Andrew Conti. Yes, Randy Pitts.

Yes, Roger from yes All right, mr. Pitts since you are the birthday boy today. I will ask for a motion for adjournment I'd like to make a motion to hang around Drinks I Make a motion to adjourn second discussion all in favor aye opposed this meeting is adjourned ten minutes