Edison Municipal Council Combined Meeting - April 22, 2026

This meeting of the Edison Municipal Council began at 6:00 PM with the pledge of allegiance and a roll call of members present. The council reviewed the administrative agenda, which included items from multiple departments, and held an extended discussion on water and sewer department contracts related to the Administrative Consent Order (ACO). Public comments covered a range of topics including budget delays, affordable housing, and school district cooperation. All resolutions on the agenda were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lois Torre (Vice Chair, Cultural Arts Commission) questioned why several commission members whose terms had expired were not included in reappointment resolutions. Council President Coyle said he would follow up.
• Joel Vasoff (Beach Lane, Edison) questioned the no-bid contract for Taurus Advisory Group, the high cost of sewer engineering (Resolutions 221 and 222), and the lateness of the township budget. He asked whether the council was concerned about missing the statutory deadline.
• Elizabeth Conway (Netherwood Circle) requested clarity on whether resolution amounts were exact or not-to-exceed, noting that several resolutions lacked dollar figures (e.g., R199, R203). She also noted there was no phase two listed.
• Harish Tatinani (McKinley Street) asked for revenue/cost data on the ABC before-after care program and sports field rentals, an update on sidewalks near schools, and improvement of road patch inspections. He urged the council to work more closely with the Board of Education and suggested a long-term bond for Talmadge land.
• Ben (resident) praised the council and briefly commented on new car dealerships.
• Joe Romano (Avenue C) recalled the 2008 cut of $6.5 million from the school budget and $12.5 million by Governor Christie, and urged fiscal responsibility.
• Gulbindur Thamija (new attendee) suggested that the township could save money by self-insuring employee healthcare, and criticized property taxes as regressive.
• Elizabeth Conway (returning) announced a Unity in the Air Kite Festival on May 2nd, reported a dangerous intersection at Inman Avenue and Old Raritan Road, and noted that the township received its budget in August under the prior administration.
• Joyce Shipp (Edison) criticized the mayor’s aggressive stance toward the Board of Education, argued that bonds over $50,000 should require a referendum, and stated that subscription busing never paid for itself.
• Joel Vasoff (returning) asked how Edison benefited from litigating against state affordable housing numbers and questioned the selection of Taurus. He also stated that the late budget put council members at risk of personal fines.
• Sue (resident) called the public feud between the mayor and the Board of Education “embarrassing,” noting that the board presented a preliminary budget on time while the township had not. She urged cooperation.

Discussion Items

• Water and Sewer ACO Contracts (Resolutions 221 and 222): Councilman Brescher expressed strong frustration over hiring Lero Engineering for $583,641 (phase one design) and $788,832 (phases three through five inspection), arguing the township’s own sewer department could perform the work at lower cost. Councilwoman Kentos defended the department, stating that the ACO and Infrastructure Bank require outside engineering. Councilman Patel requested a complete breakdown of all planned phases and costs. The administration agreed to provide a timeline and host a separate meeting to review accomplishments.
• Budget Timing: Multiple public commenters and council members addressed the failure to introduce a budget by the April deadline. Business Administrator Sonia stated that the budget would be introduced at the May 6th meeting, emphasizing the complexity of a near-$200 million budget. Council President Coyle noted that under the prior administration budgets were often delivered in August, so the current delay was an improvement.
• Affordable Housing: Council President Coyle expressed strong support for affordable housing, stating he would “roll out the full 750 units” if community support were present. He noted ongoing discussions with council members about studio and micro housing.
• Taurus Advisory Group Contract: The Business Administrator explained that Taurus is a professional energy broker; the contract is no-bid because it is a professional service, the township pays nothing, and compensation comes from vendors via bidding. Councilman Dima asked for historical cost comparison data.

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions on the agenda, including R199 (Taurus advisory), R201 (reappointments), R202 (computer vendor), R203 (auctioneer services), R204 (enhancement infrastructure grant), R221 (Lero phase one design), R222 (Lero phases three through five inspection), and R223 (budget transfer) were approved unanimously by roll call vote.
• The administration will provide a comprehensive cost and timeline breakdown for the water and sewer ACO projects and schedule a separate meeting with council members.
• The township budget is expected to be introduced at the next combined council meeting on May 6, 2026.