BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS

M I N U T E S

October 24, 2000
 

A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on Tuesday, October 24, 2000 at 8:00 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 200 Division Avenue, corner of the Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey.

As Mayor Torre would be delayed, Council President John Wassberg stated that the meeting complied with the Sunshine Law, adequate notice of this meeting having been made to all members of the Council by personal service on December 28, 1999 and transmitted to The Observer, The Record and The Herald News on December 28, 1999.

ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor William J. Torre, Councilman Andrew Link, Councilman Justin DiPisa, Councilman Garrett R. Pepe, Councilwoman Marlene Verrastro, Councilman John E. Wassberg

Absent: Councilman Herbert D. Heeren

Council President Wassberg stated that Councilman Heeren had taken ill, was recovering and would be back shortly.

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council President Wassberg led in the Salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.

At this point Mayor Torre took over the meeting.

 

COMMUNICATIONS: None

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None

 

PETITIONS: None

 

BILLS:

BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $481,426.39 specified in the schedule hereto annexed, having been examined and approved by the Finance Commissioner, or his Deputy, be paid and that warrants be issued therefore.

Signed Andrew Link III
Commissioner of Finance

On motion by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was adopted.



REPORTS:

FINANCE , STREETS and TRANSPORTATION:

Under Finance, Councilman Link reported that the Current Fund cash balance as of Sept. 30, 2000 was $1,487,354.92 and at Aug. 31, 2000 was $2,418,092.42, a decrease of $930,737.50 for the month. The entire balance was invested and earned approximately 6.50%. Cash receipts for September totaled$636,904.40 of which $114,019.98 was for Current Taxes, $436,182 was Grants and State Aid and $86,702.42 was Miscellaneous Revenues. Cash Disbursements for September totaled $1,927.771 of which $1,067,000 was Local School Taxes, $538,000 was Salaries and $321,000 was Other Expenses. The budget process for 2001 was underway and all departments had received request forms. Budget committee meetings will begin shortly. He informed residents that the Tax Office would be open Oct. 28 for the collection of fourth quarter taxes.

 

POLICE:

In Councilman Heeren’s absence, Deputy Police Commissioner Wassberg gave the Police report. During the month of September there were 1,177 requests for service to the police desk, 569 telephone calls, 167 were 9-1-1, 177 were relative to Rt. 17 and Rt. 46 incidents,16 from Shop-Rite, Wood-Ridge, 44, other municipalities 29, and 222 from Teterboro. Arrests for September included drugs, 11, unlicenced drivers, 2, fictitious plates, 4, unregistered vehicles 11, revoked or suspended licenses, 19. Summonses issued were no left turn 10, DWI, 8, Stop, 7, careless driving, 35, speeding, 31. There were 261 parking summonses, of which 249 were for overnight parking. Letters of commendation were received from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s office and San Diego’s Sheriff’s Department involving a murder investigation in San Diego. A grant for $1,300 was received from the Regional Community Policing Institute for the Junior Police Academy. Sgt. Mullins and High School Principal Peter O’Hare had attended a training seminar on responsibilities of the school resource officer and school administrators. Chief Colaneri attended Mr. Stillman’s 8th grade class and it was the consensus of opinion that people were not picking up after dogs, and this ordinance would be strictly enforced. New signs have been ordered for the schools, little league fields and parks concerning this ordinance. A third letter was received from Dr. D’Amico regarding response to medical emergencies.

 

FIRE AND RECREATION:

Commissioner DiPisa gave the Fire Report for September: Fire Alarms: Hasbrouck Heights, 50 calls, year to date 453; Teterboro 11, year to date 50; mutual aid 2, year to date 16; total for the month 63, year to date 519. Ambulance calls for September: Hasbrouck Heights, 46, year to date 495; paramedic assisted calls 24, year to date 257; Teterboro, 7, year to date 61; paramedic assisted 1, year to date 55; mutual aid, 7, year to date 51; paramedic assisted 0, year to date 19; total 85, year to date 938. He congratulated Anthony Greco, Frank Pistilli and Frank Serek for 25 years of service as firemen. The Temporary Fire Headquarters are permanently established. Under Recreation, Commissioner DiPisa reported that applications were still being accepted for fall programs. All late fees will be waived. Biddy Basketball was now open for girls and boys in the 2nd through 8th grades. A traveling team has been established for 6th-8th grades which will participate in the South Bergen Tournament, competing against neighboring towns. Interested parties should contact the Recreation Department, as well as those interested in coaching or volunteering in any way. A final registration would be held on Oct. 28. Arts and Crafts was to begin on Thursday, with 41 children signed up. Senior Aerobics would start Oct. 25. Adult Aerobics on Nov. 9. Co-Ed volleyball and basketball for over 30 would start in October. Registration could be made by calling the Recreation Department. The AHA Walk in Ridgewood was a great success with good representation from Hasbrouck Heights and Scipioni was congratulated.

 

SANITATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES:

Under Recycling, Councilman Pepe reported that the new sewer and jet vac truck has been delivered and in service. Catch basins have already begun to be vacuumed out. Under Public Facilities, all fire equipment has been moved into the temporary headquarters and Bill Kundert of Kundert Motors was graciously thanked for the use of his facilities. The new facilities have been inspected and received a final CO.

The Mayor reiterated that the new truck was a giant step into the 21st century and should greatly improve the quality of life for the sanitation men.

 

LAND USE AND WELFARE:

Under Building and Land Use, Councilwoman Verrastro reported 44 permits were issued up to date in the month of October. There was a total for new permits with a total amount of $403,571 of construction. She reminded residents to check with the Building Department before undergoing any construction in their homes. She had attended a meeting in Hackensack for the Coalition for Health and Safety for Teterboro Airport. It proved very informative with 13 municipalities involved. It concerns the health and welfare regarding the airport.

 

HEALTH AND PARKS:

Under Parks, Commissioner Wassberg had no report. Under the Board of Health, he reported on the statistics for the month of September: births recorded 6, 4 male, 2 female; burial permits, 45; out of town, 44; in town, 1; certified transcripts, 325; food licenses, 5; marriage licenses,12; marriage licenses recorded, 9; death,7; birth, 1; funeral director requests, 309; collected in fees, $2,718; dog licenses, 34 for $268; total fees collected, $2,986. Total deaths recorded, 47, Hasbrouck Heights, 4; 122 phone calls for various reasons.

 

REPORT OF MAYOR:

Mayor Torre began his report with the status of Councilman Heeren’s health and that he hoped to be back soon. He continued by also thanking Danielle Scipioni and the AHA Walk 2000 also saying it was a great day and hoped there would be more participation next year. He had also attended a meeting on Teterboro Airport in Carlstadt to get a coalition of towns to combat the airport. He noted that the Congressman in Westchester was amending legislation with that airport, and hoped that legislation would also be amended regarding Teterboro Airport, giving some relief at night to neighboring residents. The planner for the Boulevard restoration project has been meeting with various members of the Chamber of Commerce and a report will be available in about a month. Grants have been applied for. Approximately the cost is $250,000 per two blocks. The mayor said $277,000 in grants had been received for the senior citizens building and another $92,000 is being applied for. Application has also been made for drunk driving funds in the amount of $6,800.44. He thanked Assemblywoman Heck and Senator Kosco for their help in a grant being awarded in the amount of $255,000 to be used toward upgrading communications equipment, parks, police pistol range, and a 4- wheel drive vehicle for the police department. The bill regarding library construction that Assemblywoman Heck is working on is moving ahead and the new construction for the library, as it has not been started yet, is eligible for future grant funds, possibly in the amount of $500,000. The mayor met with clergy who requested a Health Fair in the near future. He had also attended an Open Space meeting and said funds are available for projects for south Bergen County and collaboration with other towns will look at possible sites. He also congratulated the firemen Greco, Serek and Pistilli and thanked them and their families. He attended the wake for Teterboro Borough Clerk Margaret Cahill and was congratulated on the quick response time by the Hasbrouck Heights Ambulance Squad. He announced the post officer carriers for Hasbrouck Heights are now again based on the Boulevard and that one of the oldest homes, located at Summit and Cleveland, which was once Hasbrouck Heights hospital and later owned by families, was demolished recently and purchased to have a new home built. A special edition of the newsletter would be coming out soon regarding the building complex.



APPOINTMENTS:
None


RESIGNATIONS:
None

 

NEW BUSINESS:

CONSENT AGENDA:
153. Authorize approval of Check for Postmaster of Hackensack for Bulk Rate Postage

154. Authorize On Premise and 50/50 Raffle for Corpus Christi Concerned Parents Association

155. Authorize On Premise and 50/50 Raffle License for Hasbrouck Heights Junior Woman’s Club

On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously accepted, the foregoing Consent Agenda resolutions were approved. (Copies attached)


RESOLUTIONS:

156. Authorize a Check be Drawn to Trust Fund from Special Fire Insurance Proceeds Account

156. Authorize a Check be Drawn to Current Fund from Trust Fund

157. Authorize Application to N.J. Dept. of Community Affairs for Funds Available Through a Special Legislative Grant for Improvements and Purchase of Equipment for Various Departments

On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously accepted, the foregoing Resolutions were approved. (Copies attached)


ORDINANCES ON INTRODUCTION:

Ordinance No. 1910 had been introduced on October 10, 2000, however, it had been published on October 12, 2000, without notice of public hearing. It was republished on October 19, 2000 with notice of public hearing to be November 14, 2000.

ORDINANCE NO. 1910:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO FURTHER AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 271 ENTITLED "TOWING OF VEHICLES" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO CLARIFY THE REQUIREMENTS THAT A FULL AND COMPLETE APPLICATION BE SUBMITTED BY THE DEADLINE ALREADY FIXED THEREIN, TO REFINE THE REQUIREMENT IN RESPECT TO THE APPLICANT’S EXPERIENCE IN THE BUSINESS AND TO REFINE THE LANGUAGE REGARDING THE HOURS DURING WHICH A STORED VEHICLE CAN BE RETRIEVED" due to lack of notice in first publication and the Borough Clerk be directed to re-advertise notice of public hearing on said Ordinance to be held at the regular meeting of the Borough Council on November 14, 2000.


ORDINANCE(S) ON PUBLIC HEARING:

Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak on Ordinance No. 1912. There being no one wishing to speak , Mayor Torre closed the public hearing on said ordinance

ORDINANCE NO. 1912
Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT
ARTICLE VII ENTITLED "MINORS" OF CHAPTER 84 ENTITLED "ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 33 OF THE PUBLIC LAWS OF 2000 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE POSSESSION OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BY UNDERAGED PERSONS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIED CONDITIONS AND TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES UPON CONVICTION FOR VIOLATION OF THAT PROHIBITION"
be now passed on second and final reading and the Borough Clerk be and hereby authorized and directed to publish said Ordinance, same to be published in The Observer, a newspaper circulating and published in the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights.



MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC
:

Mayor Torre opened the meeting for anyone wishing to speak.

William P. Lenox, 510 Terrace Ave., a long time Hasbrouck Heights resident, remarking on the Towing ordinance, said he met with the Mayor and Council in January and said he knows of four occasions of overcharges with towing companies presently being used. He felt that this year there will be eight firms being used by the town. For years Lenox was reliable to the town and asked why this was now happening. He was concerned for the people being taken advantage of. He asked that the clock be turned back to Ordinance #1730 allowing Court House, Kundert, Lenox, Jersey Auto Body as towers. He felt the quality and cost with additional towers were out of control.

Mayor Torre thanked him for his comments and for his active involvement in the town.  He referred any complaints with other towers to be looked at by the Police Department.

Borough Attorney Ralph Chandless said he had checked with the Traffic Bureau and was informed that every complaint under this ordinance has been investigated with satisfactory rectification. The mayor asked that Lenox’s comments be referred to the Police Committee.

As no one else stepped forward to speak, the public portion of the meeting was closed at 9:02 p.m.

ADJOURN:

There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, the public portion of the meeting was adjourned.  I, ROSE MARIE SEES, 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 October 24, 2000.

Rose Marie Sees, RMC
Borough Clerk

 

[ Back to Index of Mayor & Council Minutes ]