Pay, Military Leave Divide Edison Council
Salary ordinance tabled and reintroduced, six-minute speaking time introduced, and multiple votes divide the governing body.
Council President Joseph Coyle speaks during the February 2026 Edison Township Council meeting. (Edison Television)
Chris Howell | February 12, 2026 ***Updated: 2:00 PM***
The Edison Township Council delivered a divided and procedurally tangled meeting Wednesday night, tabling one ordinance, reintroducing another, splitting on key votes, and exposing visible disagreements just weeks into Council President Joseph Coyle’s term.
Over the course of the evening, council members scaled back a proposed pay raise, reintroduced a military leave ordinance that appears unchanged from its prior draft, overcame an attempt to delay the introduction of an ordinance restoring six minutes of speaking time during public comment, and narrowly approved a six-figure environmental study.
By the end of the meeting, multiple votes had broken along different lines, underscoring a governing body that is not moving in lockstep on several high-profile issues.
Council Salary Ordinance Tabled, Then Reintroduced in Modified Form
The most closely watched issue was the proposed council salary ordinance.
Early in the meeting, Coyle announced that the measure would be tabled. The move followed significant public criticism at recent meetings and internal divisions among council members over the size and timing of the proposed raises.
Later in the meeting, however, the council introduced a revised ordinance. The new version sets maximum compensation at $26,500 for council members and $27,500 for the council president — a roughly 50 percent increase over current pay levels.
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“After speaking to our colleagues, we’ve also looked at several townships’ council salaries across the town,” Coyle said.
The revised ordinance passed unanimously on first reading.
During public comment, former Council President Margot Harris called the proposal “still steep,” arguing that council responsibilities have not formally changed since the township charter was last amended in 2019.
Coyle defended the increase, saying public expectations of council members have expanded beyond what is formally written in the ordinance.
“There’s no question that residents believe we should be available 24 hours,” Coyle said, citing constituent calls about public safety, infrastructure, and snow emergencies.
He added that higher salaries could make council positions more accessible to middle-class residents.
Military Leave Ordinance Reintroduced
The council also reintroduced its military leave ordinance, which amends the township’s policy governing compensation for municipal employees called to active duty or for training.
During the earlier work session, the township attorney recommended withdrawing the ordinance and introducing revised language.
However, a review of the text listed on the February 11 agenda shows the ordinance language appears identical to the version published for the February 9 work session.
No substantive changes are visible in the definitions, compensation structure, or differential pay provisions.
The ordinance continues to define “differential pay” as the difference between an employee’s military compensation and township salary and outlines 30-, 60-, and 90-day compensation thresholds depending on duty status.
The reintroduction passed 5–1, with Councilman Richard Brescher voting no.
Public Comment Time Restored to Six Minutes
The council also introduced an ordinance that would restore public speaking time from four minutes back to six minutes during public comment.
The proposal reverses a prior reduction and would return Edison to the six-minute standard that had been in place for years.
Before the ordinance was introduced, Councilman Biral Patel made a motion to table the measure. He argued the council should first study how other municipalities structure public comment periods and determine whether six minutes is appropriate.
In remarks lasting more than seven minutes, Patel said there is no uniform statewide standard and suggested the township gather comparative data before moving forward.
Coyle leaned toward tabling the ordinance, but other members opposed delaying it.
“We are not changing anything. We are restoring what it was,” said Councilman Ajay Patil.
Brescher also opposed tabling, saying he preferred giving supporters “a small win.”
After discussing the matter with the township attorney, Coyle agreed to move forward with a vote to introduce the ordinance. It passed 4–2, with Biral Patel abstaining.
Split Vote on Stelton Community Center Study
The council approved most resolutions on the consent agenda unanimously, but Resolution 96 — authorizing approximately $357,000 for environmental and asbestos-related work at the Stelton Community Center — drew extended debate.
Brescher voted no, citing concerns about scope and long-term planning and echoing issues raised by residents.
Coyle spoke in support.
“We have the opportunity in our hands now,” Coyle said. “We sat on it this long. Let’s make it something.”
The resolution ultimately passed 4–3, with Brescher, Ajay Patil, and Schmuel voting no.
A Council Still Finding Its Direction
Wednesday’s meeting marked an early test for the council’s new leadership.
Taken together, the votes reflect an active and engaged governing body — but also one navigating visible internal disagreement over process, compensation and public engagement.
Final votes on the salary ordinance, military leave ordinance and public comment measure are scheduled for February 25.
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Correction: A previous subheadline mistakenly stated that the 6-minute speaking time ordinance was approved. It was, in fact, advanced. A final vote on the ordinance is scheduled for February 25.