M I N U T E S August 25, 1998 A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on August 25, 1998 at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 248 Hamilton Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. Mayor Torre stated that the meeting complied with the Sunshine Law, due notice having been made to all members of the Council by personal service on January 1, 1998 and transmitted to The Observer, The Record and the Herald News by mail on January 2, 1998. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Williams J. Torre, Councilman Andrew Link III, Councilman Herbert D. Heeren, Councilman Justin A. DiPisa, Councilwoman Marlene Verrastro, Councilman John Wassberg Absent: Councilman Garrett R. Pepe
SALUTE TO FLAG: Mayor Torre led in the Salute to the Flag.
COMMUNICATIONS: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (May 13, 1998, May 26, 1998, June 9, 1998, June 16, 1998, June 23, 1998 & August 11, 1998) Councilwoman Verrastro motioned, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, to approve the Minutes of the above noted meetings. There were all ayes except for Councilman Link who abstained on the August 11, 1998 meeting Minutes.
PETITIONS: None
BILLS: BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $360,439.16 specified in the schedule, having been examined and approved by the Finance Commissioner, or his Deputy, be paid and that warrants be issued therefor. Signed Andrew Link III/Commissioner of Finance On motion by Councilwoman Verrastro, seconded by Councilman Dipisa, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was approved.
REPORTS: FINANCE & LAND USE: Councilman Link said the eligibility requirements to receive a property tax reimbursement from the State for senior citizens and disabled individuals which will come into effect in January, 1999 will be published in the local newspaper. Under Finance, he reported that as of July 31st, the current fund cash balance was $2,100,000 all of which was invested, earning approximately 5.5% in interest. Cash receipts for the month totalled $3,473,000 of which $2,835,000 was from current taxes, $15,500 was from prepaid taxes, $567,000 was from state aid and grants and $55,000 was from miscellaneous revenues. Cash disbursements for the month totalled, $1,996,000 of which $1,034,000 was for local school taxes, $413,800 was for salaries, $50,000 was for interfund transfers, $23,150 was for refunds due to tax appeals and $475,000 was for other expenses. Under Land Use, the total number of fees collected for the month of July was $10,500 for a value of construction of $641,000. 101 permits were issued for buildings, plumbing, electric, driveways, fences and fire prevention. 18 certificates of zoning compliance were issued, 13 for one family homes, 2 for two family homes and 3 for commercial properties. There were 11 contractor registrations and renewals. 76 inspections were made, 44 for buildings and 32 for zoning. 5 permits for additions were also issued.
SANITATION: As Deputy Commissioner of Sanitation, Councilman Link reminded residents that tree branches must be bundled when disposed of. The Department of Public Works is presently picking up garbage twice a week. He announced the final date for the 1998 Household Hazardous Waste Collection, giving residents the opportunity to dispose of hazardous waste free of charge.
POLICE: Councilman Heeren reported that the Department has received four defibrillators from Hackensack University Medical Center. At least two officers of each squad are now trained on how to use the defibrillators and it is hoped that by September, all officers will have been trained. During the month of July, there were 874 requests for service through the police desk, 117 via 911. 547 summonses were issued of which 411 were for parking violations with the majority, 289, being for overnight parking. 2,470 tickets have been issued year-to-date.
FIRE & PUBLIC FACILITIES: Under Fire, Councilman DiPisa reported that for the month of July there were 42 fire calls in the Borough, 291 year-to-date, 9 calls for Teterboro, 82 year-to-date and 2 calls for mutual aid, 31 year-to-date, totalling 53 fire calls, 404 year-to-date. There were 17 rescue calls in the Borough, 89 year-to-date, 1 call for Teterboro, 20 year-to-date and 0 for mutual aid, totalling 18 rescue calls, 109 year-to-date. He proudly announced that the Borough has again received the "Town with a Heart" award from the American Heart Association, being only one of the two towns presented with this award. Some of the reasons for this award is the Borough's sponsoring the senior citizens olympics, providing blood pressure screening, diabetes and nutrition guides, senior citizens aerobics, baby keep well program, senior mile and the prescription brown bag program. There was no report under Public Facilities.
HEALTH & RECREATION: Under Health, Councilwoman Verrastro reported that for the month of July there were 13 births recorded, 8 male and 5 female, 40 burial permits issued, 243 certified transcripts, 25 dog licenses issued, 35 deaths reported and 25 food licenses issued. The Department received 103 calls during the month. She reminded parents of children of school age and pre-school to get the children's immunization shots through the baby keep well program which is less expensive. Under Recreation, she reported that the haunted halloween hayrides will again take place this year. She announced the dates of upcoming registrations for various programs.
STREETS, TRANSPORTATION & PARKS: Under Streets, Councilman Wassberg reported that the bid for the state aid improvement of Burton Ave., from Williams to Passaic Ave., has been awarded in the amount of $87,206.43. The project should be completed before school opens, but if for some reason it is not, construction on school blocks will take place only on Saturdays so as not to interfere with the schools. The Department of Public Works will be installing new playground equipment at Woodland Park.
REPORT OF MAYOR: Appointment: Gerard Hackel - Substitute Crossing Guard On motion by Councilman Heeren, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, the foregoing appointment was made. Mayor Torre said that bids to have the Burr Pl. sewer lined with insituform will be accepted in September. The Governing Body will be applying to the State for grants for improvements to the Boulevard. These improvements would consist of replacing the sidewalks and installation of brick pavers at no cost to the taxpayers. At the direction of the Council, radar enforcement has been increased throughout the Borough to slow vehicles down. Newer signs have been posted and new lines on the road have been painted to also slow traffic down. They are looking into improving the intersection of Williams and Terrace by creating right hand turn lanes to alleviate any traffic flow problems.
NEW BUSINESS: CONSENT AGENDA: On motion by Councilwoman Verrastro, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution on the Consent Agenda was approved. (Resolution attached)
RESOLUTIONS: 123. Appointing Special Counsel in Suit by Krisinski Against Borough to Compel his Promotion 124. Authorizing CD Grant Agreement for Barrier-Free Curb Ramps On motion by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolutions were approved. (Resolutions attached)
ORDINANCE(S) ON INTRODUCTION: None
ORDINANCE(S) ON PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE NO. 1828: Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak on Ordinance No. 1828. Ron Kistner, 75 Oak Grove Ave., came forward and commended the Mayor and Council for pursuing with obtaining land for a new library. He commented that he was very proud to live in Hasbrouck Heights and projects such as this continue to improve the town. Fran Visco, 42 Kipp Ave., came forward and commended the present library and its staff and gave her support for a new library. There being no one else wishing to speak on Ordinance No. 1828, Mayor Torre closed the public hearing on said Ordinance. "AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $500,000.00 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTION THEREON A NEW FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND SENIOR CITIZEN CIVIC CENTER AND TO AUTHORIZE THE FINANCING OF THE COST THEREOF IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE LOCAL BOND LAW BY THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS OR NOTES NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF $475,000.00". On motion by Councilman Link, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinance was carried.
MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC: Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak. Shirley Giammetta, 124 Burr Pl., came forward and complained about leaning trees on the property located across the street from her. On several occasions, limbs have fallen on her property and vehicle. She also complained of garbage being dumped on the property. She said she has already made several complaints on both issues. Mayor Torre said the problem with garbage will be immediately addressed by the Property Maintenance Officer. Borough Attorney Ralph Chandless said the issue of the trees should also be addressed by the Property Maintenance Officer. He said the Property Maintenance Officer has already served numerous summonses to the owner of Park Terrace Gardens and he has received some cooperation in respect to some of the problems on the premises. He recommended the Property Maintenance Officer be directed to make another inspection and make specific demands to correct the situation. Mayor Torre said the Property Maintenance Officer will be directed to the site immediately. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Torre closed the meeting to the public.
CLOSE FOR PERSONNEL: WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council desire to meet for the purpose of a Closed Session; and WHEREAS, the Open Public Meeting Law does specifically authorize a public body to exclude the public from a meeting for certain specified purposes; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights that a closed meeting shall take place immediately and said meeting shall be closed to the public and to the press. The results of the discussion of the closed meeting will be released to the public when the reasons for discussing and acting on the subject matter set forth above no longer exists. Motion to go into Closed Session was entertained, motioned, seconded and carried.
ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, the meeting was adjourned. I, BARBARA MALDONADO, Borough Clerk of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights, do hereby certify that the foregoing Minutes are to the best of my knowledge a true account of the Regular Meeting held on August 25, 1998.
Barbara Maldonado, RMC Borough Clerk
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