OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Edison Township Council Work Session - March 9, 2026: Youth Cheer Team Recognitions and Routine Approvals

Township Council — Monday, March 9, 2026
BodyEdison, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateMonday, March 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 35:17

Transcript — Verbatim
0:18

Good evening, everyone.

0:19

Uh I'm your Council President Joe Coyle.

0:21

This is the work session of March 9th, 2026, which begins at 6 p.m.

0:26

I thank you all for joining us.

0:27

If you can all please rise for the Pledge Allegiance.

0:36

And to the Republic for which it stands.

0:39

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:53

Adam Clerk, roll call.

0:54

Councilmember Brusher.

0:56

Councilmember Coyle.

0:58

Here.

0:58

Councilmember Dima.

0:59

Here.

1:00

Councilmember Kentos?

1:01

Here.

1:01

Councilmember Patel.

1:02

Here.

1:03

Councilmember Bertille.

1:04

Councilmember Schmuel.

1:07

Madam Clerk, adequate notice.

1:09

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, the Starledger Desi Talk, and News India Times on November 17th, 2025, and Postman Lobby Miss MO complex on that same date.

1:26

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

1:28

Now that stuff sounded quite boring, right?

1:32

But uh I just want to share with you this is our member of the council here.

1:36

Each one has a voting right to pass different finance rules and policy for you to have recreation and different things.

1:44

So we need four people here to have that vote.

1:46

No different than your resolution.

1:47

We need four people to vote on it as well.

1:49

So what she just stated, and again, not looking to bore you, is public notice.

1:53

We have to notify everybody around the town and the county and the state that we're having this meeting.

1:58

So everybody knows you here.

2:00

How about that?

2:01

Huh?

2:01

Okay.

2:02

So moving forward, I just want to also share for those who are here for your first time, you get four minutes to speak.

2:07

We have a different time in the schedule.

2:09

You can speak, uh, which is on the resolutions and on the resolutions only.

2:13

And then you can speak also for four minutes, four minutes on open public comment.

2:17

So if you were to stay, which I don't believe everybody's gonna stay, you can talk about anything you want for that four minutes at the end.

2:24

And for those who are listening today who have any other questions who are looking for the agenda, the agenda is posted posted on the Edison Township website under council, under agenda.

2:33

And if you have any further questions, you can email me or any council member at J Coyle, EdisonNJ.org.

2:40

I'm sorry, EdisonNJ.gov now.

2:43

Thank you.

2:44

Okay, thank you.

2:46

Moving uh forward, court breed resolution.

2:50

Whereas the athletes of 2025-2026, Edison Jets Pee Wee cheer team demonstrated exceptional dedication, teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship throughout the 2025-26 season.

3:04

Whereas all the athletes of the Pee Wee cheer team and their coaches achieved an outstanding season.

3:10

And whereas earning the Central Jersey champions, Gordon State Champions, Eastern Regional Champions, Pop Warner National Champions, the YCADA Global Silver Medalists, and also securing first place honors at multiple local competitions, including Edison High School Wilverge and Impact Cheer.

3:32

Now therefore it be resolved the municipal council of the township of Edison.

3:36

We proudly recognize and congratulate the members of the 2025-26 Edison Jets P Wee Cheer team for their remarkable accomplishments, outstanding reputation of their community, and their contributions to make an Edison Jets history.

3:58

Thank you.

3:59

Now we're gonna open up to the public.

4:00

This is the part where if anybody wants to speak on this matter who may be a part of this or is here new to the meeting, you can speak come up now.

4:08

You have four minutes to speak.

4:09

So any member of the public that'd like to speak.

4:14

Please come up with the everyone here.

4:26

And for this, would you mind I'm sorry, China?

4:28

Would you state your name and address?

4:29

Yes, I'm sorry.

4:30

My name is Tyja Caldwell.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Youth Programs█████████████████████████████████████████████68%
Procedural███████████████23%
Engineering And Infrastructure███5%
Public Safety███4%
Summary of Proceedings

Edison Township Council Work Session - March 9, 2026

The Edison Township Council held a work session on March 9, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM and adjourning at 6:35 PM. Council President Joe Coyle presided. The meeting focused on recognizing the achievements of the Edison Jets cheerleading teams and conducting routine business, including review of minutes, proposed ordinances, and departmental reports. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Approved from the combined meeting of February 25, 2026 (no objections).
  • Proposed Ordinance: Authorizing the vacation of certain portions of Thomas Place (NJSA 40:67-1) – no comments.
  • Business Administrator Report (Items A&B): No comments.
  • Finance Department Report (Items A-E): No comments.
  • Planning & Engineering Report (Items A-J): Councilmember Kentos asked for elaboration on Item B (traffic signal improvement contract). The administration explained it is a DOT grant for Truman and Kilmer Road lights (new infrastructure). Total bid award to AGM Contractors Inc. for $484,435 – all grant funded and came under budget.
  • Public Works Report (Items A&B): Councilmember Kentos asked if Item B (aftermarket parts for older vehicles) was routine – confirmed yes.
  • Recreation Department Report: No comments.
  • Township Clerk Report: No comments.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Resolution 1 (Pee Wee Cheer Team): Tyja Caldwell (parent) spoke in support, commending the team's perseverance through obstacles and thanking coaches, staff, and families. No other members of the public spoke.
  • Resolution 2 (Junior Varsity Cheer Team): Jen West (chair coordinator and parent) spoke in support, highlighting the team's resilience and growth over many years. No other public comment.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 1 – Recognition of 2025-2026 Edison Jets Pee Wee Cheer Team: The team achieved Central Jersey, Gordon State, Eastern Regional, and Pop Warner National Championships, plus YCADA Global Silver Medalists and first-place honors at multiple local competitions. Councilmembers and coaches praised the team's dedication, teamwork, and sacrifice. The team's coach (Dana LePenta) noted an undefeated season against a background of practice deficits and limited resources. Team members spoke about the family-like atmosphere.
  • Resolution 2 – Recognition of 2025-2026 Edison Jets Junior Varsity Cheer Team: The JV team completed an undefeated season, earning back-to-back Pop Warner National Championships (2024-25), YCADA Global Champions, and highest overall score in level 13 divisions. Councilmembers and parents highlighted the team's persistence and character. Team members expressed pride in their growth as a family.
  • Committee Reports: No reports were given; Council President thanked the Department of Public Works for excellent snow removal performance, noting planning began in May of the prior year.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 1 (Pee Wee Cheer Team): Adopted unanimously. Roll call vote: Councilmembers Dima (yes), Kentos (yes), Patel (yes), Schmuel (yes), Coyle (yes). Councilmember Bartel was present but did not vote initially; later Councilmember Patel voted again. (All votes counted as yes.)
  • Resolution 2 (JV Cheer Team): Adopted unanimously. Roll call vote: Councilmembers Dima (yes), Kantos (yes), Patel (yes), Petil (yes), Schmuel (yes), Coyle (yes). (Note: Cataloging discrepancies in names – likely Patel and Petil refer to same person.)
  • Other Items: All consent calendar items and departmental reports were approved without objection. Meeting adjourned at 6:35 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Uh I'm your Council President Joe Coyle. This is the work session of March 9th, 2026, which begins at 6 p.m. I thank you all for joining us. If you can all please rise for the Pledge Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Adam Clerk, roll call. Councilmember Brusher. Councilmember Coyle. Here. Councilmember Dima. Here. Councilmember Kentos? Here. Councilmember Patel. Here. Councilmember Bertille. Councilmember Schmuel. Madam Clerk, 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, the Starledger Desi Talk, and News India Times on November 17th, 2025, and Postman Lobby Miss MO complex on that same date. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Now that stuff sounded quite boring, right? But uh I just want to share with you this is our member of the council here. Each one has a voting right to pass different finance rules and policy for you to have recreation and different things. So we need four people here to have that vote. No different than your resolution. We need four people to vote on it as well. So what she just stated, and again, not looking to bore you, is public notice. We have to notify everybody around the town and the county and the state that we're having this meeting. So everybody knows you here. How about that? Huh? Okay. So moving forward, I just want to also share for those who are here for your first time, you get four minutes to speak. We have a different time in the schedule. You can speak, uh, which is on the resolutions and on the resolutions only. And then you can speak also for four minutes, four minutes on open public comment. So if you were to stay, which I don't believe everybody's gonna stay, you can talk about anything you want for that four minutes at the end. And for those who are listening today who have any other questions who are looking for the agenda, the agenda is posted posted on the Edison Township website under council, under agenda. And if you have any further questions, you can email me or any council member at J Coyle, EdisonNJ.org. I'm sorry, EdisonNJ.gov now. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Moving uh forward, court breed resolution. Whereas the athletes of 2025-2026, Edison Jets Pee Wee cheer team demonstrated exceptional dedication, teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship throughout the 2025-26 season. Whereas all the athletes of the Pee Wee cheer team and their coaches achieved an outstanding season. And whereas earning the Central Jersey champions, Gordon State Champions, Eastern Regional Champions, Pop Warner National Champions, the YCADA Global Silver Medalists, and also securing first place honors at multiple local competitions, including Edison High School Wilverge and Impact Cheer. Now therefore it be resolved the municipal council of the township of Edison. We proudly recognize and congratulate the members of the 2025-26 Edison Jets P Wee Cheer team for their remarkable accomplishments, outstanding reputation of their community, and their contributions to make an Edison Jets history.

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