E-Bike Rules, Parking Battles, and Immigration Highlight Rahway Council Meeting
Rahway officials tackled a full agenda that included new e-bike regulations, parking disputes, and a resolution supporting immigrant protections.
Mayor Raymond Giacobbe recognized Rutgers Future Scholars during Monday’s council meeting. (The Central Jerseyan)
November 11, 2025
The Rahway City Council tackled a packed agenda on Monday. While a massive warehouse PILOT project dominated the meeting, officials addressed a range of issues—from e-bike regulations and neighborhood parking disputes to an emotional vote backing immigrant protections.
Proposed Warehouse Distribution Center
Rahway’s City Council advanced two PILOT ordinances Monday for a $106 million warehouse distribution complex at 329 New Brunswick Avenue, the largest industrial project in the city in decades.
Consultant Daniel Baker of NW Financial told the council the two-phase development will span approximately 300,000 square feet across two buildings and generate an estimated $32 million in revenue over 30 years under a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement.
The developer will pay either a percentage of profits or a flat rate of $2.15 per square foot, whichever is higher, plus a 2 percent administrative fee.
Both ordinances passed first reading after the council amended a typographical error and returned for final votes in December.
A String of Property Purchases
The council also advanced two bond ordinances on first reading for property acquisitions in redevelopment zones.
The first ordinance authorizes $1 million in bonds to purchase 1613–1617 Gordon Place in the Arts District Redevelopment Area. The second measure authorizes $2.5 million for 80 Elm Avenue in the Central Business District Redevelopment Area.
Additionally, the council gave final approval to two property acquisition ordinances. The city plans to spend $500,000 for properties on Lewis Street and East Cherry Street, and $1.5 million for West Main Street properties.
New E-Bike and Scooter Rules
Rahway became the latest community to address complaints about teens on e-bikes. The city council unanimously advanced an ordinance establishing helmet requirements, equipment standards, and fines for unsafe riding on motorized bicycles and scooters.
Councilwoman Joanna Miles, a teacher in Elizabeth, praised the measure’s safety focus.
“I can’t tell you how many times I see students roll up without a helmet,” she said. “Christmas is around the corner, and a helmet would make for a great gift.”
Councilman Mojica reminded parents to buy proper helmets, not cheaper models that fail to meet safety standards.
Council Backs Immigrant Trust Act
After months of prodding, the council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the state’s Immigrant Trust Act.
Pastor Carmine Pernini of First Presbyterian Church was among the group of residents who showed up to meeting after meeting to press for the resolution. The reverend recalled the recent ICE raid in Avenel, just outside Rahwah. “To see something like that happen in your community is really scary,” he said.
Rev. Pernini and other residents thanked the council for taking up the vote. Some pressed local leaders to go further by personally calling state lawmakers to urge them to pass the bill.
Mayor Raymond Giacobbe praised immigrant contributions and said he would like to see the Immigrant Trust Act become law.
“With Veterans Day tomorrow, let’s remember that immigrants served in the wars we speak of,” the mayor said.
Lead Pipe Replacement Continues
The council awarded a $264,300 contract to ENGenuity Infrastructure for Phase 4 of Rahway’s lead service line replacement program.
The project will target approximately 215 properties with lead or galvanized water lines, though officials expect only about half of property owners to return the required right-of-entry forms, based on prior response rates.
Food Donation Boxes Address SNAP Suspension
During council comments, Councilman Jeffrey Brooks highlighted food donation boxes at the Recreation Center and City Hall created in response to the suspension of federal SNAP benefits. He thanked community donors and criticized the Trump administration for “playing politics with people’s hunger.”
Dog Park and Emergency Vehicle Upgrades
The council awarded a $435,150 contract to Picerno-Giordano Construction for Wheatena Dog Park improvements. Members also gave final approval to authorize $750,000 for the acquisition of a new ambulance and other vehicle upgrades for the Rahway Emergency Squad.
Parking Frustrations at The Willows
Two residents from The Willows Apartments on Central Avenue thanked the city for addressing their parking concerns, but said the new plan made matters worse. The residents said there was now less parking for residents on Central Avenue, and that home health aides were still being ticketed for parking in front of the building without a permit.
The council approved two ordinances on final reading establishing 24-hour permit-only parking on Central Avenue from Irving Street to Maple Terrace, replacing the former 8 a.m.- to 6 p.m. weekday restriction.
Councilman David Brown asked the administration to consider issuing parking placards for care workers, though no commitment was made.
Riverwalk Residents and Brown’s Response
Residents from Riverwalk at Rahway pressed for road repairs and parking improvements they said city staff had ignored. Mayor Giacobbe directed them to connect them with Business Administrator Matthew Pukavich.
During a break in the meeting, Councilman Brown, whose district includes Riverwalk, stepped down from the dais and appeared to reprimand the residents—all women, including one with a young child—for raising their complaints publicly.
“When I tell you to speak to him, you speak to him,” Brown said, pointing to Pukavich, who was not part of the exchange.
Afterward, residents said they followed Brown’s advice but “got nowhere.”
“I didn’t even know his name until [Brown] told us at the meeting,” one resident said.
After the meeting, Brown said he had been annoyed by their comments. He had directed the group to contact the administrator earlier, he said, but conceded “they probably were being bounced around.”
Brown added that the roads belong to the developer and are therefore not an issue for the council.
Aerial view of 329 New Brunswick Avenue, where Rahway plans a $106 million warehouse distribution project.(Google Maps)
Other Spending and Administrative Actions
Among the evening’s resolutions were:
- A $300,000 change order with the Union County Performing Arts Center
- A Cloud9 VOIP contract totaling about $96,000 in setup and annual fees
- Public Works and Engineering contracts for tree removal and street-banner projects
- Acceptance of a $1 million Hispanic Access Foundation Tree Grant.
Proclamation and Council Remarks
Mayor Giacobbe opened the meeting with a proclamation honoring the Rutgers Future Scholars Program.
Council members closed with remarks recognizing veterans, diabetes awareness, and community food drives, responding to the SNAP suspension.
Councilwoman Miles shared her personal struggles with Type 1 diabetes, calling it “a 24-hour condition” because blood sugar levels can change at any time. She said that before her diagnosis, she lost 20 pounds, which in her case was not a good thing.
Council members also wished the public a happy Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.
All measures passed unanimously before adjournment.