Here's What the Edison Council Decided Wednesday Night
Council President Joseph Coyle said he's holding up the 2026 municipal budget while seeking unspecified cuts, as seniors made a spirited case for more indoor pickleball courts.
The Edison Township Council during its Feb. 25 combined meeting at Town Hall. (Edison Television)
Chris Howell | May 8, 2026
The Top 5
1. Coyle Says He’s the Reason for the Missing Budget
The 2026 municipal budget was absent from Wednesday’s agenda for the third consecutive meeting, and for the first time, Council President Joseph Coyle said plainly why.
“I am holding it up,” Coyle told a resident who pressed for answers. “I want to put the blame on the council president. I’ve been holding it up because I want to see certain cuts in there.”
He did not say which departments, programs, or line items he is targeting. He indicated it could be another 30 days before the budget is introduced.
Under New Jersey’s Local Budget Law, signed by Governor Murphy last December, Mayor Sam Joshi was required to submit the budget to the council by February 28. The council was required to introduce it at its first meeting after March 31. In Edison’s case, that was the April 7 council meeting. Wednesday’s meeting also passed the state’s adoption deadline, which falls at the first meeting after April 30.
Business Administrator Sonia Alves-Viveiros said the township is spending under a temporary budget.
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2. License Plate Readers Renewed
The council approved more than $30,000 to renew a contract with Flock Safety for 10 license plate readers, but not before a resident raised questions about where they are and what happens to the data collected.
Council Vice President Robert Kentos declined to disclose the locations of the cameras.
“If we give that list out, we might as well just forget about our security,” he said. “We’re not going to give a list out of where these license readers are, because then we’re giving them to the potential criminals.”
Other council members also defended the program. Council President Coyle said the township is not sharing data with outside parties. Councilmember Ajay Patil said crime has dropped significantly since the cameras were installed four years ago.
Close-up of a radar-based speed feedback sign, with the recorded speed over the limit. Northbound sign on 9th Street, Boulder, Colorado, United States. Near the junction with Cascade Avenue. (Courtesy: Richard Drdul)
3. Flashing Crosswalk and Speed Signs Coming to More Than a Dozen Streets
The council approved nearly $140,000 for flashing pedestrian crossing signals and radar speed limit signs at more than a dozen locations across the township, purchased through the Somerset County Cooperative Pricing System.
Locations include Grandview between Roosevelt Terrace and Grandview Apartments, Ethel Road near Amy Avenue, Livingston Road, Tingley Road, Old Post Road near John Adams Middle School, New Dover Road, and New Brunswick Avenue, among others.
“This is a big demand throughout Edison,” Patil said. “Hopefully, we’ll have more and more of these installed for pedestrian safety.”
Pickleball hall with Short mat bowls rink, Manor Hotel (Courtesy: Lee Vilenski)
4. Seniors Make Their Case for More Indoor Pickleball
In the meeting’s most spirited public exchange, Pam Smith of Monty Road appeared on behalf of more than 400 senior pickleball players to make a case for more indoor court time.
Edison currently has one indoor pickleball court at the Minnie B. Veal Recreation Center. Smith rattled off comparisons: South Plainfield has three indoor courts, Woodbridge has four, and Cranford has six. The courts already installed under the turf at the Papaianni Youth Center are unavailable due to scheduling conflicts and summer camp. The administration said fall is the earliest window to reassess.
The council seemed sympathetic. Councilmember Richard Brescher suggested exploring a shared services arrangement with the Board of Education to use school gymnasiums. Patil floated the idea of reaching out to the owners of vacant warehouses along Talmadge and Plainfield roads about a temporary indoor space.
5. Two Edison Filmmakers Honored
The council recognized Hemant Pandya and Nita Pednekar for their contributions to independent filmmaking. Pandya, founder of the New Jersey India International Film Festival, announced at the podium that his festival had just received accreditation from the Cannes Film Festival. “We are invited to attend the Cannes Film Festival this year,” he said. Councilmember Patil praised both honorees for tackling difficult social issues — including a short film addressing anger as a mental health issue — and called their careers “a success story of immigration.”
Honorable Mentions
An ADA Ramp Approved for the Senior Center. The council authorized a $166,210 contract with Whirl Construction for the installation of an ADA-compliant ramp at the Senior Center, improving accessibility for residents using the facility.
The Human Relations Commission’s first kite festival drew a crowd. Former Board of Education member Elizabeth Conway reported the inaugural event drew 300 to 400 attendees, far above the 150 expected. Patil pointed out that the commission had to raise its own money, including selling T-shirts. He called for modest financial support for all township commissions.
Three construction change orders passed. The council approved a $32,431 increase on HVAC work at the Senior Recreation Center (9.32% over contract), a $14,800 increase on structural engineering at the Edison Sports Building (14.65% over), and a $17,200 increase on engineering at the Health Services and Senior Citizens Center (20.72% over). Acting Planning Director Brian Piccirillo blamed all three overruns on architectural changes that he said created downstream structural redesign needs.
The Inman Grove Shopping Center still has no supermarket. Elizabeth Conway asked whether anyone had reached out to the new owner of the Inman Grove Shopping Center about filling the long-vacant supermarket space. Coyle said he has seen a transfer of ownership but has no information.
Also Approved Wednesday
- $72,065 contract renewal with Edmunds GovTech for township financial software maintenance
- $50,000 contract with BRT Technologies for tax assessment software and postcards
- $277,184.56 in refunds for redeemed tax sale certificates
- $31,221.88 in tax overpayment refunds
- $13,235.19 in tax refunds for exempt disabled veterans
- $4,979.40 water hydrant meter deposit refund to Black Rock Enterprises LLC
- Tree maintenance bond refunds to M. Lombardi Developers for properties on Redwood Avenue ($150) and Duclos Lane ($975)
- 48-month copier lease with Ricoh USA for the Edison Sports Building — $441.63/month
- $540 reimbursement to Lokeshwar Manoharan for unused ABC Program registration fees
Coming Up
Coyle recognized Firefighters Week and Teachers Week, and reminded residents of two upcoming community events: the Mayor’s Bike Tour on Sunday, May 17, with check-in at 8 a.m. at the Municipal Complex, and the Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 23, at noon, beginning at Linden Avenue School.
The next Edison Municipal Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Complex. The 2026 municipal budget — now past three statutory deadlines — is expected to be a central topic.
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