During the public portion of the meeting, Joseph Carmon brought to the board’s attention the issues surrounding 216 Ernston Road, the location of a mosque that had operated illegally over a year and is now proposing major development plans. Carmon expressed the community’s opposition and voiced concerns about traffic and the adequacy of the mosque’s planning studies. He urged the board to consider an independent traffic study to assess the potential impact on residents.

In response, the board acknowledged the ongoing litigation between the mayor and council and the property owners regarding past violations. They clarified that while the planning board was not involved in the litigation, it would be handling the mosque’s application for site plan approval. Carmon and other residents within 200 feet of the property are to be notified of the hearing, where they can present their concerns and questions.

Carmon also questioned whether Middlesex County had already received applications from the mosque for road and utility expansions. The board confirmed that Ernston Road is under county jurisdiction but emphasized that the town has a say in the mosque’s development as well. They noted that the borough’s approval would be contingent upon the mosque securing county approval.

Aside from the mosque site plan, the meeting involved routine reorganization matters, such as the nomination and appointment of board officers and professionals. Thomas Tighe was nominated and appointed as the chairman of the planning board, and Barry Muller was appointed as vice chairman. Additional appointments included an attorney, a planner, an engineer, and a board secretary. These appointments followed nominations and were confirmed by roll call votes, with Mayor Kennedy O’Brien and other board members providing their assent.