Borough Council

BOROUGH OF MILLTOWN Borough Council Special Meeting Minutes July 7, 2025, at 5:00pm A Special Meeting of the Milltown Borough Council was held on July 7, 2025, at Milltown Borough Hall, 39 Washington Avenue, Milltown, New Jersey. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Murray at 5:00 p.m.. The Borough Clerk read the following statement: Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required under Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, specifying the time, date, and location by posting a copy of the notice on the Municipal Building, Municipal Website, providing a copy of the Annual Notice Schedule to the official newspapers of the Borough and is on file in the Clerk’s Office. Roll Call was taken by the Borough Clerk ROLL CALL Present Absent Council President Felipe Zambrana X Councilman John Collins X Councilman Frank Manco X Councilwoman Patricia Payne X Councilman Gary Posnansky X Councilman David Potter (via telephone) X Mayor George Murray X Borough Attorney Peter Vignuolo X Borough Engineer Mike McClelland X Borough Administrator Fred Carr X Borough Clerk Gretchen McCarthy X Mayor Murray held a moment of silence followed by a salute to the flag. Public Comment: Mayor Murray opened the meeting to the public for comments on Resolutions on the Agenda. Seeing no persons wishing to comment, Mayor Murray closed this portion of the meeting to the public. Page 1 of 6  BOROUGH OF MILLTOWN Borough Council Special Meeting Minutes July 7, 2025, at 5:00pm Ordinance Public Hearing, Second Reading: The Clerk read Ordinance 25-1570 by title: ORDINANCE 25-1570 ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF MILLTOWN, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AUTHORIZING A 15 YEAR LEASE TO ONSITE PARTNERS FOR A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT BLOCK 60 LOT 5.062 FOR THE MILLTOWN ELECTRIC BATTERY STORAGE, DISPATCH AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES PROJECT. WHEREAS, the Borough duly advertised for the receipt of bids for the Milltown Electric Battery Storage, Dispatch and Maintenance Services; and WHEREAS, in response to the invitation to bidder’s, one conforming bid was received on or about May14, 2025 from OnSite Partners, LLC, 34 South 3rd Street, 4th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215; and WHEREAS, on May 28, 2025, the Borough of Milltown awarded a contract for the Milltown Electric Battery Storage, Dispatch and Maintenance Services to AEP OnSite Partners, LLC; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the bid specifications and contract, the parties are required to enter into a lease agreement with the bidder for a portion of the Borough owned property located at Block 60, Lot 5.062 on the Tax Map of the Borough of Milltown measuring approximately 140 feet by 200 feet; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the bid specifications, the Lessee desires to lease a portion of Block 60, Lot 5.062 on the Tax Map of the Borough of Milltown measuring approximately 140 feet by 200 feet for the installation of a battery storage facility; and WHEREAS, New Jersey law requires that such conveyance by authorized by ordinance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Milltown, County of Middlesex, and State of New Jersey, as follows: SECTION 1. The Borough hereby conveys to OnSite Partners, LLC a lease interest in a portion of Block 60, Lot 5.062 on the Tax Map of the Borough of Milltown measuring approximately 140 feet by 200 feet for the purpose of completing the Milltown Electric Battery Storage, Dispatch and Maintenance Services project. SECTION 2. The Mayor and Borough Clerk are hereby authorized to execute the lease agreements with OnSite Partners, LLC, in a form acceptable to the Borough Attorney, and any Page 2 of 6  BOROUGH OF MILLTOWN Borough Council Special Meeting Minutes July 7, 2025, at 5:00pm necessary related documentation, in order to facilitate the conveyance of the lease interest in a portion Block 60, Lot 5.062 on the Tax Map of the Borough of Milltown measuring approximately 140 feet by 200 feet. SECTION 3. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinance inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance shall be and the same are hereby repealed. SECTION 4. If any paragraph, clause, provision, sentence, or application of this Ordinance is declared invalid for any reason whatsoever, the same shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other paragraph, clause, provision, sentence, or application of this Ordinance. SECTION 5. This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage and publication as provided by law. Mayor Murray opened the meeting to public comment on this ordinance. Margaret O’Donnell, 89 Kuhlthau Avenue • Inquired about the safety of this project and the selection of the location. Borough Engineer McClellan addressed Ms. O’ Donnell’s questions. Councilman Posnansky asked why a special meeting was needed for this ordinance as this matter has been discussed for more than a year. Administrator Carr replied that OnSite Partners is under a time constraint based on the bid that they accepted and cannot move forward without a place to construct the battery storage unit. The Borough is trying to get this up and operational as soon as possible. Borough Attorney Vignuolo also responded that the contractor has indicated that the sooner the Borough was able to enter into the contract, the better the chances the Borough will have a functioning facility this time next year. Councilwoman Payne wished to recognize that the current Council approved this project while last year’s council did not. Seeing no further persons wishing to comment, Mayor Murray asked for roll call: Page 3 of 6  BOROUGH OF MILLTOWN Borough Council Special Meeting Minutes July 7, 2025, at 5:00pm ROLL CALL VOTE Motion Second Aye Nay Abstain Absent Council President Zambrana X X Councilman Collins X X Councilman Manco X Councilwoman Payne X Councilman Posnansky X Councilman Potter X Resolutions: RESOLUTION 2025-242 AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO EXECUTE A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE USDOT SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL IMPLEMENTATION GRANT PROGRAM SUBMITTED BY MIDDLESEX COUNTY WHEREAS, the County of Middlesex has submitted an application to the United States Department of Transportation (the “USDOT”) Safe Streets and Roads for All implementation grant program for the Ryders Lane Safety Improvements; and WHEREAS, the Ryders Lane Safety Improvements, identified in Middlesex County’s Vision Zero Action Plan, will make critical safety improvements along a one-mile corridor of Ryders Lane; and WHEREAS, the Ryders Lane Safety Improvements will directly benefit residents, workers and school children by reducing the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities along this portion of Ryders Lane; and WHEREAS, the Borough Council recognizes the importance of the Ryders Lane Safety Improvements and wishes to express its support of Middlesex County’s application to the NJDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All implementation grant program for the Ryders Lane Safety Improvements by authorizing the Mayor to forward a letter to the NJDOT confirming same. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Milltown, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey, as follows: 1. The Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute a letter of support for the application to the NJDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All implementation grant program for the Ryders Lane Safety Improvements filed by the County of Middlesex, substantially in the form attached hereto; and 2. The Borough Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to forward a copy of this Resolution together with the executed letter of support to the Secretary of the USDOT, as well as the appropriate officials at the County of Middlesex. Page 4 of 6  BOROUGH OF MILLTOWN Borough Council Special Meeting Minutes July 7, 2025, at 5:00pm ROLL CALL VOTE Motion Second Aye Nay Abstain Absent Council President Zambrana X X Councilman Collins X X Councilman Manco X Councilwoman Payne X Councilman Posnansky X Councilman Potter X RESOLUTION 2025-243 Authorizing the Preparation and Advertisement of Bids for the Replacement of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems at the Municipal Complex and Fire Station WHEREAS the Borough is desirous of replacing aging, outdated, and inoperable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems at the Municipal Complex and Fire Station; and WHEREAS the Borough Administration has identified that a complete replacement of these systems will be the most cost-effective and efficient manner to address the increasing cost of maintaining and repairing the current HVAC systems; and WHEREAS the Purchasing Agent has recommended soliciting bids for replacement of the HVAC systems in a Fair and Open process; and NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Borough Council of the Borough of Milltown, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey, that the Borough Clerk is hereby authorized to advertise for sealed bids for the replacement of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for the municipal complex and fire station, to be received by the Borough Purchasing Agent, at the date and time established by the Borough of Milltown and as advertised in the Notice to Bidders. Councilman Collins inquired what the usual life of an H.V.A.C. system would be. Mayor Murray replied that the system installed when constructing the DPW building was inferior. Open to the Public Margaret O’Donnell, 89 Kuhlthau Avenue • Expressed hope that the HVAC system would be covered by some type of warranty since it is a young system to have failed. Mayor Murray replied that warranties are usually one year. Borough Engineer McClellan agreed that warranties generally are about a year. Administrator Carr explained the costs of Page 5 of 6  BOROUGH OF MILLTOWN Borough Council Special Meeting Minutes July 7, 2025, at 5:00pm fixing these systems are mounting and this action will allow all the current borough systems to be evaluated. Bidding laws require the Borough to go out to bid. Councilman Posnansky pondered whether the systems were outdated prior to installation. Council President Zambrana asked the manufacturer of the failed systems and suggested not using the same manufacturer. Administrator Carr stated that all borough owned buildings will be looked under this process. Councilman Collins asked if the borough could bond for this project. Administrator Carr indicated that it is a capital project that can be financed by bonding. ROLL CALL VOTE Motion Second Aye Nay Abstain Absent Council President Zambrana X Councilman Collins X X Councilman Manco X Councilwoman Payne X X Councilman Posnansky X Councilman Potter X ADJOURNMENT Mayor Murray asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion was made by Council President Zambrana and seconded by Councilman Potter to adjourn the meeting. All present voted in favor, carrying the motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:19pm. Respectfully submitted, Gretchen McCarthy Borough Clerk Approved by the Borough Council August 18, 2025 Page 6 of 6