Edison Township Council Meeting - September 25, 2025
Edison Township Council Meeting - September 25, 2025
The Edison Township Council held a combined meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 6:03 PM. The meeting included the introduction of Ordinance 2260 updating police extra duty fees, approval of resolutions, public comments, committee reports, and a lengthy discussion on public speaking time limits. The meeting adjourned at 6:52 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of the previous meeting were approved unanimously.
- Resolutions 528 through 544 were approved en bloc by roll call vote (all councilmembers present voted aye).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Elizabeth Conway (20 Netherward Circle): Thanked the council for paving Grove Avenue. Asked for updates on Inman Avenue / Old Raritan Road intersection (Council President Harris responded that the county is reviewing it). Questioned whether the new police fee ordinance would affect police contracts (answered that it does not, and the township receives an administrative percentage). Asked about regulations for e-bikes and scooters (Council Vice President Pointer noted Woodbridge passed a local ordinance and suggested looking into it; Councilman Coyle added that pedal-assist bikes complicate enforcement). Urged the council to restore the six-minute public speaking time and three-minute rebuttal, calling the current four-minute limit and lack of rebuttal a restriction of free speech.
- Gloria Dateman (Midland Road): Supported Elizabeth Conway's comments on public speaking time. Requested the council address frequent water main breaks (council noted the township's quick response and emergency contracts). Asked about the senior center on Woodbridge Avenue — council clarified it is not closed, only the kitchen underwent emergency grease trap repair. Cited that Edison's debt rose from $116 million in January 2025 to $180 million after three bond ordinances; Council President Harris corrected that the debt was $151 million at end of 2023 and increased by about $28 million, with authorized but unbonded debt totaling approximately $204 million.
- A student (unnamed): Asked when the police extra duty fee ordinance was last updated (answered: 2018).
Discussion Items
- Ordinance 2260 – Police Extra Duty Employment Fees: Introduced on first reading. The ordinance updates the fee schedule from $50/hour to $80/hour for private police extra duty details. Councilman Patel asked if nonprofits would be charged; the administration responded that fees apply generally but nonprofits can request a waiver from the council. Councilman Coyle supported the increase as a necessary adjustment. The ordinance was passed on first reading with a public hearing set for October 8, 2025 (roll call: 7-0).
- Public Speaking Time (Councilman Bresher): Councilman Bresher advocated for returning to the previous six-minute limit plus a three-minute rebuttal, stating that the current four-minute limit without rebuttal disenfranchises residents. He noted that the school board uses six minutes successfully and predicted the next council would restore it. Council President Harris suggested a compromise—perhaps five minutes with rebuttal—and asked for a clear definition of rebuttal. Council Vice President Pointer objected to a "take it or leave it" ultimatum, preferring a collaborative discussion. Councilman Bresher agreed to discuss wording with the attorney and will place the item on the next meeting's agenda.
- Councilman Patel: Requested updated crosswalk markings on Oak Tree Road and Plainfield Road (county roads) and progress on the Shelton Community Center and Tot Center (under demolition, permitting underway).
- Councilman Bresher: Followed up on the 250th birthday celebration for Edison (committee formed, working on a calendar with reenactments and TV videos). Inquired about 110 Clive (no development application yet; mosquito commission to clean up the pond). Asked about Ferrante House (environmental studies ongoing; no active work).
- Councilman Coyle: Praised the Edison Green Fair (September 13) for youth engagement on environmental issues. Announced the Fall Family Spectacular on Amboy Avenue on Saturday, September 27.
- Councilman Schmuel: Echoed the call for more applicants to the Resident Advisory Committee.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 2260 introduced and passed on first reading (7-0). Public hearing scheduled for October 8, 2025.
- Resolutions 528-544 approved unanimously.
- Public speaking time will be reconsidered at the next meeting; Councilman Bresher will place a proposal on the agenda.
- E-bike/scooter regulations will be researched, possibly using Woodbridge's ordinance as a model.
- Water main breaks continue to be addressed promptly; emergency contracts are in place.
- Senior center kitchen repair completed; facility remains open.
- Debt figures clarified by Council President Harris as $151 million at end of 2023, with authorized but unbonded debt up to $204 million.
- Brower Street paving completed; residents thanked.
- Resident Advisory Committee still seeking applicants.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. It's Thursday, September 25th. This is the combined council meeting. The time is 6.03 p.m. Could you please stand and join us in the plan a Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge. And to the Republic for which it stands. Yes, let's have public. Madam Clerk, could you please uh call the roll, please? Councilmember Pressure. Councilmember Coyle? Here. Councilmember Harris? Here. Councilmember Patel. Councilmember Batil. Here. Councilmember Pointer. Councilmember Schmuel. Here. Thank you. Could you read adequate notice, Matt? Adequate notice of this meeting is required by the public Open Public Meeting Act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice sent to the Home News Tribune, Star Ledger, Tessi Talk on November 18th, 2024, and post-semain lobby missile complex on that same date. Okay, thank you very much. Council President remarks. We have an election drop box, of course, right out front, and one at uh Mini B veal. Um also what was the other thing? I'm trying to remember. No, I can't remember the other thing. Um the other important item is that I I, on behalf of council, would like to wish uh as uh Councilman Schmuel a very happy birthday. Thank you very much. All right. And also to all of our Jewish friends and neighbors out there, a shina tova and happy new year to you. All right, with that, um we go to review of the minutes. Any comments? All right, seeing none. Uh we have the proposed ordinance, the ordinance 2260, amending chapter two, administration article three, departments, section two-three one, police extra duty employment to update fee schedule regarding police extra duty employment. Um questions or comments about that. Council present. Yes. I have only one question on this. Is this applicable to it's a good to see that you know we are re revising the rate after a long, long time. Uh, because this does put some strain on our uh police force. Just a question on this ordinance. Uh does this apply to a nonprofit organization? Um sorry. So this is an ordinance that uh applies when you have private duty for your police officers that are generally not on their regular schedule. When for instance uh a developer needs to have a roadway uh have uh traffic control. This puts the cost and the burden on that private individual for the costs that would be incurred if you had um someone who was on your regularly scheduled police force handling the matter. There's the procedural aspects of the ordinance uh remain the same.
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