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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Edison Township Council Combined Meeting - June 10, 2026

Township Council — Wednesday, June 10, 2026

BodyEdison, New Jersey

SessionTownship Council

DateWednesday, June 10, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:48:14

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:27

Good evening everyone.

0:28

Uh this is the combined meeting of June 10th.

0:31

Um 6 p.m.

0:33

meeting.

0:34

I just want to call a meeting to order.

0:36

Can we all please rise for the Pledge Allegiance?

0:40

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:44

To the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all the clerk roll call.

0:59

Councilmember Brusher.

1:00

Here.

1:01

Councilmember Coyle?

1:02

Here.

1:02

Councilmember Dima?

1:03

Here.

1:03

Councilmember Kentos?

1:04

Here.

1:05

Councilmember Patel?

1:06

Yeah.

1:06

Councilmember Batil.

1:08

Councilmember Schmuel.

1:09

Yeah.

1:13

Adequate notice.

1:14

Adequate notice if this meeting is as required by the Open Public Meeting Act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice sent to the Home News Tribune, Star Ledger and Disney Talk on November 17th, 2025, and post the main lobby municipal complex on that same date.

1:38

Good evening, everyone.

1:39

For those who are attending for the first time, welcome.

1:40

You may follow along on the agenda provided at the back table.

1:44

You have four minutes to speak on public comments and resolutions and oral petition remarks at the um portion of the meeting agenda.

1:54

If you're watching from home, please visit Edison NJ.gov, click on departments, then click council, then select council agenda so you can follow along with the meeting.

2:04

If you have any further questions or comments, you may email me at JCoyle at EdisonNJ.gov.

2:12

Also, if you're looking for any backup of spending, um, it's also right in the back on the table.

2:19

If you have any questions, please let me know in your comments, and the clerk will provide you a copy of that spending item.

2:25

Thank you.

2:28

Okay, moving along to unfinished business ordinance for further considerations, public hearing, and final adoption.

2:35

Um at this time, we're gonna move this to the June 24th meeting.

2:40

Uh this ordinance is 2280 2026.

2:44

Any questions or comments from council members?

2:50

Moving forward ordinance zero two to eight one twenty twenty-six.

2:56

Any questions or comments ordinance twenty two eighty-two twenty twenty-six.

3:07

Any questions or comments?

3:14

Council members adding to the agenda proposed ordinance two two eight three, an ordinance of the township council of the township of edicing accepting an easement on the portion of block 124 lot 20.04 along with Route 27 in the vicinity of 2193 2195 Lincoln Highway in Route 27 for maintenance purposes.

3:38

Any questions on adding that to the agenda?

3:44

Uh we'll vote on it.

3:45

We have to vote on it later adding it.

3:46

Yeah.

3:47

Okay.

3:47

No, we don't, right?

3:48

Right?

3:49

Not here.

3:50

No.

3:51

No problem.

3:52

Uh council members on six review of the council minutes.

3:55

Any questions or comments?

4:00

Hearing none for each department.

4:02

Any questions or comments?

4:04

Um from the business administrator.

4:06

Line seven A.

4:13

Moving to eight from the Department of Finance.

4:16

Letter A, B, C, D, E, and F.

4:20

Any questions or comments from council members.

4:26

Hearing none, moving to the Department of Planning and Engineering.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety████████████████████████████28%

Procedural████████████████████20%

Zoning And Land Use████████████████████20%

Pending Litigation█████████9%

Public Engagement████4%

Transportation Safety████4%

Engineering And Infrastructure███3%

Fiscal Sustainability███3%

Parks and Recreation███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Edison Township Council Combined Meeting - June 10, 2026

The Edison Township Council held a combined meeting on June 10, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., presided over by Council President Coyle. The meeting addressed unfinished business, public hearings, adoption of ordinances, departmental reports, public comments, and council discussions. Key topics included a budget cap ordinance, leasing of municipal property, acceptance of an easement, a controversial resolution to accept a free MRAP armored vehicle for the police department, enforcement of the bamboo ordinance, and multiple community concerns.

Consent Calendar

Routine approvals from departments (Finance, Planning & Engineering, Recreation, Fire, Police, Clerk) were approved, with two items pulled for separate consideration: Resolution 289 (engineering services) and Resolution 299 (MRAP vehicle).

Public Comments & Testimony

Joy Ship questioned the need for a budget cap ordinance before the budget is known and later raised concerns about disbursements covering tolls, gas, and vehicles for high-salaried employees.
Don Tarr urged approval of the MRAP vehicle, arguing minimal maintenance costs justify the safety benefit for SWAT officers.
Elizabeth Conway asked about upfront costs of the MRAP, noting that free items may require significant initial investment. She later expressed dismay that Councilmember Petil's request for a two-week delay was not granted.
Walt Stoshel inquired about liquor license renewals, supported the Clara Barton neighborhood event space, and announced historic trolley tours in August.
All Ta Sheikh opposed the MRAP, citing over-militarization concerns, questioned the choice of MRAP over BearCat, and urged a separate vote with more community input.
Rahul Raholdaven and others (Ragura Am Ryasam, Vijay Achinta) strongly opposed a convenience store proposal at 764 New Durham Road, citing traffic, safety, and zoning concerns. They asked the council for support, but legal counsel advised the council must remain neutral.
Don Tarr (second appearance) and Walt Stoshel (second appearance) continued MRAP discussion; Stoshel also criticized the county's sports facility management contract.
Sergio Mansuri asked about the purpose and data-sharing of Flock license plate readers; the police captain explained they are used for investigations and shared only with other law enforcement.
Alok Soot detailed ongoing harassment from bamboo ordinance summons despite being supposedly grandfathered; he requested a pause on enforcement. Council President Coyle committed to site visits and future meetings on the matter.
Tessie Yakimovich requested a traffic study for the uncontrolled intersection of Old Post Road and Boulevard of the Eagles, citing 18 crashes since 2019 (including one fatality) near Edison High School.
Additional comments addressed the Stelton Community Center, Toad Center, and general frustration with traffic and development.

Discussion Items

Ordinance 2280-2026 (item postponed from earlier) was moved to the June 24 meeting without objection.
Ordinance 2281-2026 (budget cap) and Ordinance 2282-2026 (lease at 922 Amboy Avenue for $2,500/month) received public comment and were adopted with unanimous votes (7-0).
Ordinance 2283-2026 (easement acceptance) was introduced on first reading and set for public hearing on June 24.
Resolution 289-06-2026 (engineering services from Remington & Vernon) was pulled by Councilmember Patel due to concerns about vendor vetting; it was later tabled by a roll call vote and moved to the next meeting.
Resolution 299-06-2026 (acceptance of a free MRAP armored vehicle from the federal 1033 program) was the most debated item. Councilmember Patel requested a two-week delay to obtain maintenance, training, and lifecycle cost information. The motion to table failed 3-3 (Brescher, Patel, Petil [abstain] vs. Dima, Schmuel, Coyle). The resolution was then voted on separately: Dima (yes), Schmuel (yes), Coyle (yes), Brescher (no), Patel (no), Petil (abstain). With three yes votes, two no, and one abstention, the resolution passed.
Bamboo Ordinance enforcement was discussed extensively. Council President Coyle pledged to hold four Tuesday meetings with council members and site visits to assess the problem, with a goal of presenting amendments by July 20.
Flock cameras were defended by police as an investigative tool with strict data-sharing policies.

Key Outcomes

Adopted Ordinances:
- Ord. 2281-2026 (budget cap) – unanimous (7-0).
- Ord. 2282-2026 (lease at 922 Amboy Ave) – unanimous (7-0).
First Reading Approved: Ord. 2283-2026 (easement) – set for June 24 public hearing.
Resolution 299 Approved: MRAP vehicle accepted (vote 3-2-1; passed).
Resolution 289 Tabled: Engineering services contract deferred to next meeting.
Traffic Study Promised: Police traffic unit will examine Old Post Road and Boulevard of the Eagles intersection following resident data.
Bamboo Ordinance Review: Council President will organize site visits and meetings; enforcement continues in the interim.
New Durham Road Convenience Store: Council remained neutral, but residents were advised of the appeal process through the zoning board and courts.
Budget Hearing Set: Public hearing for the FY2026-2027 budget scheduled for July 20.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening everyone. Uh this is the combined meeting of June 10th. Um 6 p.m. meeting. I just want to call a meeting to order. Can we all please rise for the Pledge Allegiance? Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all the clerk roll call. Councilmember Brusher. Here. Councilmember Coyle? Here. Councilmember Dima? Here. Councilmember Kentos? Here. Councilmember Patel? Yeah. Councilmember Batil. Councilmember Schmuel. Yeah. Adequate notice. Adequate notice if this meeting is as required by the Open Public Meeting Act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice sent to the Home News Tribune, Star Ledger and Disney Talk on November 17th, 2025, and post the main lobby municipal complex on that same date. Good evening, everyone. For those who are attending for the first time, welcome. You may follow along on the agenda provided at the back table. You have four minutes to speak on public comments and resolutions and oral petition remarks at the um portion of the meeting agenda. If you're watching from home, please visit Edison NJ.gov, click on departments, then click council, then select council agenda so you can follow along with the meeting. If you have any further questions or comments, you may email me at JCoyle at EdisonNJ.gov. Also, if you're looking for any backup of spending, um, it's also right in the back on the table. If you have any questions, please let me know in your comments, and the clerk will provide you a copy of that spending item. Thank you. Okay, moving along to unfinished business ordinance for further considerations, public hearing, and final adoption. Um at this time, we're gonna move this to the June 24th meeting. Uh this ordinance is 2280 2026. Any questions or comments from council members? Moving forward ordinance zero two to eight one twenty twenty-six. Any questions or comments ordinance twenty two eighty-two twenty twenty-six. Any questions or comments? Council members adding to the agenda proposed ordinance two two eight three, an ordinance of the township council of the township of edicing accepting an easement on the portion of block 124 lot 20.04 along with Route 27 in the vicinity of 2193 2195 Lincoln Highway in Route 27 for maintenance purposes. Any questions on adding that to the agenda? Uh we'll vote on it. We have to vote on it later adding it. Yeah. Okay. No, we don't, right? Right? Not here. No. No problem.

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