Edison Township Council Work Session – March 23, 2026

The Edison Township Council convened its work session on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the municipal complex. Council President Joe Coyle presided. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call confirmed the presence of Councilmembers Brescher, Coyle, Dima, Kentos, Patel, Petil, and Schmuel. The Clerk stated that adequate notice of the meeting had been provided under the Open Public Meeting Act, with notice sent and posted on November 17, 2025. Council President Coyle reminded attendees that the work session would be followed by a public meeting and that speakers have four minutes for public comment.

Consent Calendar

• The council reviewed the minutes from the March 9 and March 11, 2026 meetings; no comments were offered.
• Unfinished business: an ordinance authorizing the vacation of a portion of Thomas Place under N.J.S.A. 40:67-1 was listed for further consideration, public hearing, and final adoption later in the agenda; no council questions were raised on the ordinance itself during the work session.
• Several department resolutions were reviewed without substantive comment, including Recreation item A, Police item A, and Township Clerk items A and B.

Department Resolutions Reviewed

• Business Administration item A: Council President Coyle asked about the duration; the response was a five-year renewal, compared with the previous 30-year term.
• Finance items A through J were reviewed. Resolution J, rejecting all bids received for banking services, was noted for moving forward.
• Department of Public Works items A through D: A question about the backhoe loader under item B was answered as being for snow plowing. Item D authorized the contract/purchase order for supply and installation of an American 250 playground (referenced as 470,000-0805) at the skate park behind the municipal building.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Janice Casmar, of 33 Albert Avenue, Edison, expressed strong opposition to proposed apartment buildings on Thomas Place, saying the project is "too big for that small area" and questioning where parking would go. She said existing parking spillover from Redfield Village already affects Elmwood Avenue and John Street, and described the proposal as "not feasible."
• Council members clarified that the current agenda item was only a street vacation for Thomas Place, not site plan approval. They stated that a redevelopment plan exists for the area, but the property still must go before the Planning Board, where the public can comment on parking and density. Council members offered to provide Casmar with information about the Planning Board meeting, and noted she could also speak at Wednesday's council meeting.

The public comment portion was closed by voice vote.

Committee Reports

• Councilmember Dima reported on the animal shelter for February 2026: 33 cat adoptions, 10 dog adoptions, one reclaimed cat, three reclaimed dogs; current shelter population was 18 dogs (including one on a seven-day hold), 50 cats (including four mothers nursing kittens), and holding placements of six dogs, four cats, and one cockatoo after the resident passed away.
• Council Vice President Kentos said the open space committee met in March and thanked the administration for addressing squatting on open space. He noted his committee reports are available at robertkentos.com/committees. He plans to recommend applicants for the historic preservation commission and veterans committee, and noted environmental commission members need reappointment.
• Council President Coyle reported that the DPW committee will reach out to directors about maintenance calendars for roads, parks, street cleaning, and repairs, and will schedule a meeting next month.

Points of Light & Announcements

• Council President Coyle was invited to speak at TEDx at JP Stevens by robotics student Mir Patel, and attended the Edison Recreation volleyball championship between Spike Six and Falcon Avengers.
• Councilmembers recognized the Edison High School wrestling team, with close to half a dozen wrestlers qualifying for states; a resolution honoring them is expected.
• Upcoming events: Easter Extravaganza on Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the sports building, and Easter Sunday on April 5.

Discussion Items

• Councilmember Kentos asked about 2025 youth sports funding; the Business Administrator said it was not on the current agenda due to timing but would be placed on the next agenda.
• Councilmember Patel raised pothole concerns, asking whether the township can proactively patrol and fill potholes rather than relying on AI software and resident reports. The Business Administrator said the township assesses roads daily and takes action when notified. Patel also asked about Kilmore/Kilmer Court, and was told it is a township right-of-way and is proposed for an upcoming paving project, with signal work expected to be completed in spring/early summer.
• Stelton community updates: the Business Administrator said engineers are meeting weekly on design work, but a final recommendation is not ready; funding is limited and the next few weeks may bring more definition. Councilmembers asked for a timeline and schedule, including grant milestones; the administrator said grant funds require programming before the building is erected and would provide a grant timeline. Discussion also addressed the need to preserve the building's facade/shell because of the property's Rossi designation.
• Councilmember Schmuel asked about Comcast road patches coming apart. The Business Administrator said an inspector would revisit the patches and, if they are in poor condition, Comcast would be sent back to address them; Comcast posts a bond.
• Councilmember Brescher raised concerns about deteriorated utility patches, especially on Mount Pleasant, arguing Comcast should be held accountable for additional road damage caused by their neglected patching. The Business Administrator said he was meeting with Comcast to go over their patching plan after winter shutdown and would raise the accountability issue.
• Council President Coyle urged inclusion of an economic development person in the budget, saying he would not vote for the budget unless it is included after two years of waiting; he suggested a part-time, shared-capacity, or consulting role.
• Council President Coyle also requested a prepared discussion on sewer and water system maintenance, infrastructure needs, court-mandated fixes, and budget requests, with the water and sewer directors present, possibly at the April 6, 2026 work session.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken on agenda items during the work session; ordinances and resolutions will be acted upon in the public session that follows.
• The public comment portion was closed by a voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned by voice vote.
• The Business Administrator committed to placing 2025 youth sports funding on the next agenda, providing a Stelton grant/timeline schedule, reviewing Comcast patches, and discussing sewer/water maintenance planning with council.
• Council directed follow-up on a potential construction manager/advisory role to guide township projects and on economic development staffing in the upcoming budget.