Edison Town Council clashes over speaking rules and township debt, introduces an $80 police extra-duty rate, and approves $14M in bills.
Edison will light up the sky next month. The town council approved fireworks for the Grand Dushahra Festival at the municipal complex on October 4. A rain date is set for October 4.
The council also boosted public safety. Members accepted a $188 thousand FEMA federal grant to help the fire department buy gear and training. The council added to the funding by matching 10 percent of the grant.
Some hot-button topics were raised by Elizabeth Conway and Gloria Dittman, who are running for council under the People’s Choice combined ticket endorsed by the Republican Party. Dittman called on the council to do more about water main breaks and expressed concern over spending, calling the township’s debt “overwhelming” for taxpayers. Council Vice President John Poyner defended the council’s spending record, adding that some items are planned projects and “haven’t been put out to bond yet.”
Dittman and Conway both raised the issue of speaking time for residents. The current time is four minutes with no rebuttal. Conway pressed for speaking time to be restored to six minutes for each speaker, and both candidates pressed for a restoration of the rebuttal.
The issue sparked a debate among council members. Council President Margot Harris said she is in favor of restoring both the six-minute speaking limit and rebuttal. She pledged to bring a vote on new rules before the current council’s term ends. Council Vice President Poyner and Councilmember Brescher pushed back. Brescher said while he agrees with Harris, he thought she was using “my way or the highway” tactics. He proposed breaking up the extended speaking length and rebuttal into separate votes. “I’m going to agree with Councilman Brescher,” Poyner said, arguing that expanding time and adding rebuttals could prolong meetings and muddle discussion. Later, Poyner added he wanted to make “one more remark on the rebuttal aspect,” urging the council to define precisely how rebuttals would work before changing practice.
Key Dates
- Oct. 4 (rain Oct. 11): Grand Dushahra fireworks at the Municipal Complex.
- Oct. 8: Public hearing on the police extra-duty ordinance (proposed $80/hour).
- Oct. 14, 11 a.m.: Police impound auction.
What Else Passed
Police extra-duty employment ordinance introduced with a proposed $80/hour rate. A public hearing is set for October 8.
Bills through Sept. 17 totaling $14,020,118.04.
Tax refunds: sale redemptions ($69,861.56), Tax Court appeals ($42,859.69 plus any interest), and overpayments ($2,784.42).
Banking services: green light to seek proposals using competitive contracting.
IT renewals for Proofpoint, Veeam, and Lansweeper: $78,755.27 total via co-ops.
Water parts and equipment: contract with RIO Supply Inc., not to exceed $75,000, under co-op pricing.
110 Newfield Ave.: release of a 10% cash performance amount ($1,730.25) when a maintenance bond is filed; release of Performance Bond #FP0025257 with a cash maintenance bond accepted.
Tree bond refund: $900 to Leonard Cursi Construction Co. (59 Christie St.).
Street openings: escrow releases of $1,320.00 (1 Woodbury Rd.) and $7,120.00 (223 W. Shirley Ave.).