OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Edison Township Council Combined Meeting – November 12, 2025

Township Council — Wednesday, November 12, 2025
BodyEdison, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateWednesday, November 12, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 56:29

Transcript — Verbatim
0:17

Good evening, everyone.

0:19

This is the combined council meeting of Wednesday, November 12th, 2025.

0:26

The time is 6.06, we're gonna call it.

0:30

And uh let's uh all stand for the pledge, please.

0:37

I pledge to the flags of America for which it stands.

0:45

Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice.

0:49

Thank you.

0:51

Madam Clerk, could you read the call?

0:54

Councilmember Brusher.

0:55

Councilmember Coyle, Councilmember Harris.

0:58

Yes.

0:58

Councilmember Patel?

1:00

Here.

1:00

Councilmember Petal.

1:01

Here.

1:02

Councilmember Pointer.

1:03

Present.

1:03

Councilmember Schmuel.

1:04

Here.

1:06

Madam Clerk, could you read adequate notice?

1:08

Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the Open Public Meeting Act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice sent to the Home News Tribune, Stalled Gerard Desig on November 18th, 2024, and post main lobby municipal complex on that same date.

1:22

Thank you.

1:23

Council President's remarks.

1:26

One event coming up.

1:29

The foul, that's FOWL shooting competition Saturday, November 15th at 10 a.m.

1:35

at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

1:37

Edison Elks National Free Throw Hoop Shoot Contest will be held during this event for boys and girls age 8 to 13.

1:45

All participants age 8 to 13 will be eligible for the hoop shoot contest.

1:50

For more information, contact Tina Bartgo, 732-983-2699, or Tina Barkgo B-A-R-K.

2:00

So it's Tina B A R K T O at Gmail.com.

2:05

There are three categories.

2:07

Number one is three through grades three three through five, two, grades six to eight, three, grades nine to twelve.

2:14

There will be an individual prize winner in each category.

2:17

Please bring a non-perishable item of food for the day of the event.

2:21

Pre-registration required by tomorrow.

2:26

So will this be posted on is this going to be posted somehow?

2:30

Or it's on the website.

2:31

Okay, thank you.

2:32

Um next, I wanted to congratulate the winners of last Tuesday's election.

2:38

That would be uh that would be Mayor Joshi.

2:41

Uh that will be Councilman elect Rob Kentos, Councilman O'Leck uh uh Bureau Patel and Councilwoman elect uh Kelly Dima.

2:52

And I also want to thank the other count the other mayor and council candidates.

2:59

So that would be Lieutenant David Tingle, that would be Gloria Ditman, Elizabeth Conway, and Samixha Sharmas.

3:06

I want to thank them for stepping up and running.

3:09

It's not easy to do this.

3:10

It's not easy to run for election.

3:13

There's a lot involved.

3:14

It's not just it's not fundraising, it's exhaustive in terms of going door to door.

3:19

And uh and uh the rigors of a campaign are pretty tough.

3:24

And so I salute anybody who steps up to do it.

3:27

So I want to congratulate them for a race well run and for stepping up to do that.

3:33

Uh lastly, I want to say, since I'm not going to be at the next meeting on November 24th, I think we said I think yeah, November 24th.

3:40

It's like another combined meeting on that Monday.

3:42

I'm not gonna be here.

3:44

I want to maybe preemptively wish everybody a very happy Thanksgiving.

3:48

Thank you.

3:49

Um we now go to a resolution of recognition.

3:53

Madam Clerk.

3:57

Whereas the township is fortunate to be served by dedicated municipal departments and personnel who consistently demonstrate professionalism, courage, and compassion in their service to the community.

4:07

And whereas on November 9th, the Edison Animal Shelter, Edison Fire Department, Edison Police Department, and the Edison Office of Emerging Management responded swiftly and crobally to an emergency involving animals in distress.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████24%
Animal Welfare███████████████15%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Technology and Innovation█████████████13%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Traffic Management████4%
Historic Preservation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Edison Township Council Combined Meeting – November 12, 2025

The Edison Township Council held a combined meeting on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 6:06 PM. The meeting included a resolution of recognition for a multi-department animal rescue, final adoption of an ordinance regulating electric scooters, introduction of two new ordinances, approval of resolutions (including a death benefit for police and a smart hydrant contract), and public comments on surveillance cameras and other community matters. The meeting adjourned at 7:02 PM.

Resolution of Recognition – Animal Rescue

  • The Council adopted a resolution commending the Edison Animal Shelter, Police Department, Fire Department, and Office of Emergency Management for their coordinated rescue on November 9, 2025, of over 60 chickens, 14 dogs, 34 rabbits, three parakeets, and nine pigeons from a hoarding situation. Council members praised the teamwork and noted the animal shelter's transformation into a no-kill facility. The resolution was adopted unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Walt Stocial (2118 Oak Tree Road) expressed support for the electric scooter ordinance, stating that sidewalks are for pedestrians and that scooters need regulation, including helmet and lighting requirements.
  • Matthew Smith (no town stated) spoke about Flock Safety cameras, citing privacy concerns and requesting public release of the contract and camera locations. He urged the council to sever the contract. Council members responded that surveillance is a federal issue but acknowledged privacy concerns; Council Vice President asked the administration to research best practices for AI and advanced technology.
  • Anthony D.A.M. (no town stated) congratulated election winner Shannon Pang, suggested future swearing-in ceremonies be held at Edison Tower, inquired about planning board vacancies, and raised a complaint about the condition of the 7-Eleven on Vineyard Road.

Discussion Items

  • Electric Scooter Ordinance (Final Adoption – Ordinance 2263): After public comment, the Council discussed the ordinance. Council Vice President thanked the administration for adding language on lights and reflectors. Councilman Brusher supported the ordinance but urged mindfulness of its impact on children and those without vehicles, noting that sidewalks are not banned. The ordinance was adopted unanimously.
  • Introduction of Ordinances 2264 and 2265: Ordinance 2264 amends filming and videotaping regulations to comply with the Film Ready New Jersey program. Ordinance 2265 authorizes acceptance of a dedication of right-of-way for Links Drive in a new development. Both were introduced on first reading with public hearings set for November 24, 2025.
  • Resolutions 619 and 631 – Separate Votes: Resolution 619 (smart hydrants) – Councilman Patel expressed preference for including all hydrants connected to Edison Water Utility; the administration responded that they are updating agreements. Resolution 631 (death benefit for police) – Councilman Brusher supported the change, noting that it extends benefits to families of officers who die in the line of duty, and that fire already has such a benefit. Both resolutions were approved unanimously.
  • Council Committee Reports: Council President Harris reported for the Cultural Arts Commission (no quorum) and the Animal Shelter. For October 2025, the shelter had 6 dog adoptions, 35 cat adoptions, 1 bird adoption, 5 cats and 1 dog redeemed. Current shelter population: 43 cats, 31 dogs (with strays brought in that day), and 20 bunnies (some transferred to rescues).
  • Discussion Items from Council Vice President: He asked about updates on the adopt-a-spot ordinance (application form), Brower Avenue paving follow-up, environmental impact study, sports complex completion (expected December after kitchen fittings), Smart City Advisory Committee, and zoning updates from BFJ (target end of January).
  • Councilman Patel requested that the administration address lighting and pothole issues on Kilmer Road, asking residents to submit a service ticket.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance 2263 (electric scooters) was adopted unanimously after a public hearing and council discussion.
  • Ordinances 2264 and 2265 were introduced on first reading; public hearings will be held on November 24, 2025.
  • Resolution 619 (smart hydrant contract) and Resolution 631 (police death benefit) were approved separately by unanimous roll call.
  • The Council voted to approve resolutions 585–618 and 620–630 as a block.
  • The Council directed the administration to research best management practices for surveillance technology (Flock Safety) and to update the adopt-a-spot application form.
  • The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. This is the combined council meeting of Wednesday, November 12th, 2025. The time is 6.06, we're gonna call it. And uh let's uh all stand for the pledge, please. I pledge to the flags of America for which it stands. Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice. Thank you. Madam Clerk, could you read the call? Councilmember Brusher. Councilmember Coyle, Councilmember Harris. Yes. Councilmember Patel? Here. Councilmember Petal. Here. Councilmember Pointer. Present. Councilmember Schmuel. Here. Madam Clerk, could you read adequate notice? Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the Open Public Meeting Act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice sent to the Home News Tribune, Stalled Gerard Desig on November 18th, 2024, and post main lobby municipal complex on that same date. Thank you. Council President's remarks. One event coming up. The foul, that's FOWL shooting competition Saturday, November 15th at 10 a.m. at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Edison Elks National Free Throw Hoop Shoot Contest will be held during this event for boys and girls age 8 to 13. All participants age 8 to 13 will be eligible for the hoop shoot contest. For more information, contact Tina Bartgo, 732-983-2699, or Tina Barkgo B-A-R-K. So it's Tina B A R K T O at Gmail.com. There are three categories. Number one is three through grades three three through five, two, grades six to eight, three, grades nine to twelve. There will be an individual prize winner in each category. Please bring a non-perishable item of food for the day of the event. Pre-registration required by tomorrow. So will this be posted on is this going to be posted somehow? Or it's on the website. Okay, thank you. Um next, I wanted to congratulate the winners of last Tuesday's election. That would be uh that would be Mayor Joshi. Uh that will be Councilman elect Rob Kentos, Councilman O'Leck uh uh Bureau Patel and Councilwoman elect uh Kelly Dima. And I also want to thank the other count the other mayor and council candidates. So that would be Lieutenant David Tingle, that would be Gloria Ditman, Elizabeth Conway, and Samixha Sharmas. I want to thank them for stepping up and running. It's not easy to do this. It's not easy to run for election. There's a lot involved. It's not just it's not fundraising, it's exhaustive in terms of going door to door. And uh and uh the rigors of a campaign are pretty tough. And so I salute anybody who steps up to do it.

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