Edison Township Council Combined Meeting – September 23, 2026

The Edison Township Municipal Council met in combined work session and regular meeting on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, with all seven council members present. No agenda or minutes were provided in the source materials. The council adopted a direct-support-professionals recognition week, approved two property acquisition ordinances, voted to table the proposed bamboo/property-maintenance ordinance, passed a police security technology resolution by a 6–1 vote, and heard departmental reports, public comment, and project updates.

Resolutions of Recognition

• The council unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing September 13–19, 2026, as Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, honoring the more than 30,000 direct support professionals in New Jersey who support children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Consent Calendar & Departmental Resolutions

• Work session items included an amendment to the county tax-map maintenance agreement; the township is responsible for 75% of the maintenance under the contract, which is needed for the township’s revaluation.
• The finance/audit action plan was discussed: the state’s comments were reduced from eight to five items, including larger health-benefit reserves, timelier municipal court receipt reporting, timelier health department reporting, cleanup of capital/general fund cash deficits older than five years, and faster grant reporting.
• Council members discussed small refunds/reimbursements for seniors, veterans, and disabled residents; administrative sign-off for amounts under $200 was proposed, but officials said state finance law requires council approval.
• Other departmental items reviewed included a DPW grounds-equipment purchase for the township fleet, health department resolutions, fire department items, and routine finance items.
• The consent agenda was adopted by roll call with Resolution 512 held out for a separate vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public commenter Anthony asked about the cost, annual contract terms, drone capabilities, and officer-replacement implications of the Flock/drone security technology. He said he was 100% for using technology but called cost a big issue. Administration and police answered that the approximate cost is $589,000, funded through asset forfeiture rather than taxpayer dollars, under a three-year contract.
• Police Chief added that Edison already has a smaller drone, the department closes out approximately 90% of crimes, up to about 92%, compared with a national average of about 12–13%, and neighboring towns using the technology include Perth Amboy, Elizabeth, Lyndon, and Woodbridge.
• Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle, asked about Resolution 509, a not-to-exceed $850,000 resolution for vendors; she was told the funds are in the current budget and are being used now. She also asked whether Resolution 512 had an exact amount; the answer was $589,000, a flat amount rather than a not-to-exceed figure.
• No one spoke during the oral petition/remarks portion.

Discussion Items

• Bamboo/poison ivy ordinance (2288-2026): The proposed ordinance would amend Chapter 15 to prohibit new planting of running bamboo townwide, add poison ivy regulations, establish municipal right-of-way jurisdiction limits, and send pre-existing private-lot disputes to the civilian court system. Several council members objected to including poison ivy, saying it is a native plant, provides soil stabilization and wildlife value, and could create burdens along wooded/township boundaries. The township attorney said the ordinance needs legal rework for statutory soundness, separation-of-powers issues, and fine/violation procedures, and that Chapter 15 already covers hazardous noxious growth in public rights-of-way. The council unanimously tabled it for attorney and code-enforcement review.
• Police technology resolution (512): Councilmember Brescher opposed the Flock/drone expansion on privacy and moral grounds, calling it invasive and arguing the cost could instead hire two police officers. Councilmember Patel supported the technology as an efficiency and safety tool, and Council President Coyle strongly supported it as a public-safety and crime-fighting investment. The resolution passed on a separate vote with Brescher as the sole no vote.
• Project updates: The Stelton Community Center is being expedited with the township engineer to meet a November grant-funding deadline. A town center/facility opening was expected early next year, pending PSE&G electrical work. A short-term rental ordinance from neighboring towns is under administration review, and a data-center ordinance is expected at the October council meeting.
• Library crosswalks: For the North Edison Library, the engineer said the Grove-side crossing could be made safer with rapid rectangular flashing beacons, signage, and striping; the Library Place crossing would require an ADA ramp on library property. The council asked DPW to work on improvements.
• Amboy Avenue sidewalks: The engineer reported that bid documents are expected by the end of next week, with a base bid of roadway resurfacing and alternates for stamped concrete or pavers. Construction could begin late autumn if weather permits; proposed planting areas will include subsurface seepage for stormwater.
• Community announcements: Leaf bag distribution is available at 745 New Durham Road through October 21; the police department is hosting a coat drive September 8–25; the Fall Family Spectacular was moved to October 17, a date change Council President Coyle questioned after decades in September; an Indian American Women Entrepreneurs Association expo is set for September 27; and the Environment Commission will plant 482 plants on September 26.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 2286-2026 was adopted unanimously: a bond ordinance appropriating $600,000 for property acquisition and authorizing $570,000 in bonds/notes.
• Ordinance 2287-2026 was adopted unanimously: authorizing acquisition of Block 82.14, Lot 3.02 for a public purpose.
• Ordinance 2288-2026 (bamboo/poison ivy) was tabled unanimously; legal and code enforcement will rework it before it returns.
• The consent agenda was approved with Resolution 512 pulled.
• Resolution 512 (security equipment including Flock/drone technology) was approved 6–1, with Councilmember Brescher voting no.
• Council directed the attorney and code-enforcement staff to review the revised bamboo ordinance, DPW to work on library crosswalk improvements, and the engineer to complete Amboy Avenue bid specifications.