M I N U T E S May 22, 2001
A Regular Meeting of the Mayor
and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on Tuesday, May 22, 2001 at 8:00
p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 200 Division Avenue, corner of the Boulevard, Hasbrouck
Heights, New Jersey. YOUTH WEEK COUNCIL At this point, Mayor Torre invited the Youth Week Mayor and Council to come forward and conduct the Youth Week Council Meeting. Luis Jimenez took over as Youth Week Mayor. Mayor Jimenez 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 January 1, 2001 and transmitted to The Observer, The Record and The Herald News on January 1, 2001. He requested that Borough Clerk Maria Copell do a Roll Call:
SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Jimenez led in the Salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Councilperson D’Amico commended Youth Week Advisor Barbara Kritzer on her first Youth Week and wished her good luck in years to come. The members of the Youth Week Council unanimously agreed. Councilperson DelCalzo commended Chief Colaneri, Detective Castiglione, Lieutenant Cronin, Sergeant DeLorenzo and Coach DelCalzo on combined efforts to produce another Bike Marathon scheduled for this coming weekend. One Council member regretfully stated he could no longer participate due to age. Councilperson Luterzo commended Coach Rob Carcich, who is offensive coordinator for the Varsity Football team and assistant coach for Varsity Baseball. Councilperson Trotter commended Mayor Torre, the Town Council and Borough Clerk Rose Marie Sees for arranging the good food. Councilperson Shanley commended Mr. Pepe for keeping the community clean and an enjoyable place to live. Councilperson Syvarth commended the Elks Club for providing a delicious breakfast that morning. A motion was made to accept all commendations and unanimously approved.
PROPOSALS: Councilperson D’Amico proposed that the Franklin School Gym on Hamilton Avenue be available for use by the public, especially young people to play basketball or lift weights. Councilperson DelCalzo proposed that the parking lot at the Athletic Field be paved and better organized. Councilperson Luterzo proposed repaving of Longworth Avenue which is in desperate need with a lot of potholes, and this would help beautify the neighborhood. Councilperson Shanley proposed a parking lot for all commuters who travel to New York City, especially near the high school. Councilperson Trotter made a proposal but the recorder did not pick up her voice. Councilperson Syvarth proposed that something be done with the fire alarm at the high school as it goes off frequently. A motion to accept all proposals was made, seconded and unanimously approved. Mayor Jiminez opened the meeting up to the public and several students spoke. Councilman Pepe commended the students on a wonderful job and their thought provoking ideas. Councilman Torre asked why no one proposed lowering taxes, quipping that they (the Youth Week Council) raised them just now. He also commended the students for their participation and ideas. Mayor Jiminez adjourned the Youth Week Council Meeting.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Torre 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 January 1, 2001 and transmitted to The Observer, The Record and The Herald News on January 1, 2001.
Absent: None Mayor Torre began the regular meeting by calling Morgan Horner forward to accept the proclamation presented in his honor for achieving State championship in Wrestling. He next called past Fire Chief Vincent Monahan and presented a proclamation for his service as chief.
PRESENTATION:
COMMUNICATIONS: None
BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $373,610.86 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 On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was adopted.
REPORTS: FINANCE, HEALTH & SANITATION: Under Health, Commissioner Link
reported that a meeting was held on May 9 and a schedule was announced for the television
and VCR to be used for teaching the Food Handler’s Course. Concerns included
non-English speaking food establishment owners and the condition of the Athletic Field
food stand. Bergen County has notified the Board of Health regarding the West Nile Virus
and spraying. The annual Dog Census will be conducted at the close of school.. For the
month of April 12 births recorded, 8 male, 4 female; burial permits 43, out of town 41, in
town 2; certified transcripts 321, marriage 7, Death 0, funeral directors requests 314;
dog licenses $493; and total fees collected $3,137. Total deaths recorded, 41, residents
in town 3, non resident 38. Food licenses issued 1, marriage licenses 7, marriages
recorded 10; and a total of 119 calls to the office.
WELFARE: Under Welfare, Councilman Heeren reported that during the month of April there were eight active cases, two new cases, one closed, five cases were denied and at the end of the month, nine. Money expended was just under $1,500, predominantly to subsidize rent. There were 15 interviews and10 referrals. Food was distributed to four families, certificates were given out to three persons and two clothing certificates were given out also. Eighteen families consisting of 24 adults and 15 children received Easter food baskets from the Local Assistance Board, and the girl scouts from Corpus Christi Church distributed 18 baskets. Thank you letters were sent to those who donated as well as to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, for use of their facilities. The director had attended a meeting and workshop for Bergen Hudson Welfare Directors regarding the new laws and computer training.
PARKS AND RECREATION: Under Parks, Commissioner
DiPisa reported that the NJDOT had removed dead trees in Miers Park and plans to erect a
fence to stop litter. He commended Property Maintenance officer Pat Vella for his input.
The 32 foot Norway Spruce transplanted from New York State four years ago to replace the
tree that a contractor accidently tore down was replaced with a new 16 foot Norway Spruce
purchased from a nursery in New Jersey. Flowers will be planted at the circle this week.
STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES: Under Public Facilities,
Commissioner Pepe reported that the asbestos removal would begin today at the site of the
old Municipal Building and take approximately five days to complete, awarded to East Coast
HazMat Corporation as the low bidder. Langan Engineering will also conduct asbestos air
monitoring testing during and after the removal process. At the completion, an abatement
closure report will be prepared.
POLICE AND LAND USE: Under Police, Commissioner
Verrastro reported that the Police Department during the month of April had received 1,051
calls, with 353 between the hours of 3 and 11 p.m. The annual Bike Safety Program began on
May 14 and will run through Labor Day whereby each day an officer on patrol will stop a
child wearing his or her helmet and a letter of congratulations will be sent to the
parents. When a child is not wearing a helmet, their name will be taken and a letter sent
to the parents advising them of the law. The Police in conjunction with the school will be
showing a movie from Hackensack University Medical Center called Stone Cold, which
deals with youth drinking and driving. A demonstration using faulty vision goggles and
golf carts was used to demonstrate what it feels like. The annual Bike Marathon will take
place Memorial Day Weekend, open to Heights residents. Two hundred children were already
signed up. A test for Police officers will be held on June 14. Applications would be
available on Friday.
FIRE: Under Fire, Commissioner Wassberg reported that he had attended the Fire Inspection and commended the department. He continued that the two ambulances were out of service over the previous weekend and mutual aid was available. EMS 1 was back in service and a loaned vehicle was also in use. EMS 2 was being repaired at the DPW. He gave the Fire Report for April: Fire Alarms: Hasbrouck Heights, 31 calls, year to date 191; Teterboro 8, year to date 44; mutual aid 2, year to date 14; total for the month 41, year to date 249. Ambulance calls for April: Hasbrouck Heights, 92, year to date 430; paramedic assisted calls 27, year to date 126; Teterboro, 23 year to date 87; paramedic assisted 10, year to date 37; mutual aid, 2, year to date 37; paramedic assisted 2, year to date 13; total 117, year to date 554.
REPORT OF MAYOR: APPOINTMENTS: None RESIGNATIONS: Darren Schmitt from Engine Company No. 2 as of May 31, 2001 On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously approved, the foregoing Resignation was accepted with regret. Mayor Torre congratulated the Fire Department on a successful inspection, commending them in maintenance of the equipment. He reported that the unofficial web site has a discussion board which he has found enlightening and affords an opportunity to exchange ideas. He also mentioned the Bike Marathon and the Police Department on volunteering their time and efforts on such a rewarding program, also the parents, Fire and DPW departments, and sponsors and thanked all involved. He commended Councilwoman Verrastro on her efforts regarding Teterboro Airport, Councilman Heeren regarding TANAAC, and the efforts of Assemblywoman Rose Heck on this issue. Regarding the Municipal Building, the Building Committee has been working hard and a decision on a construction manager should be made in the near future. He continued that the Zoning committee has been reviewing the proposed ordinances regarding the Boulevard, and that improvement of the Circle should be started in the Fall.
NEW BUSINESS: CONSENT AGENDA: 70. Authorizing Extension of Time for Awarding of Contract for Improvement of Ottawa Avenue On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously accepted, the foregoing Consent Agenda Resolution was approved. (Copy attached) It was mentioned that the reason for the delay is that the utility companies had needed additional time.
RESOLUTIONS: 72. Authorizing State-Local Cooperative Housing Inspection Program Agreement 73. Authorizing Tenant Assistance to two Tenants of 320 Boulevard On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously accepted, the foregoing Resolutions were approved. (Copies attached)
ORDINANCES ON INTRODUCTION: ORDINANCE NO. 1931: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT PARAGRAPH A GOVERNING SPECIFICATIONS OF SIDEWALKS OF SECTION 236-20 ENTITLED "SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAY SPECIFICATIONS" OF CHAPTER 236 ENTITLED "STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS" SO AS TO PERMIT THE USE OF CERTAIN APPROVED IMPRINTED CONCRETE AND CONCRETE PAVING BLOCKS IN ADDITION TO THE MONOLITHIC CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION CURRENTLY REQUIRED IN RESPECT TO SIDEWALKS" introduced this date be and the same is hereby passed on first reading and the Borough Clerk be directed to advertise notice of public hearing on said Ordinance to be held at the regular meeting of the Borough Council on June 12, 2001.
ORDINANCE NO. 1932: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT SECTION 236-15 ENTITLED "MAINTENANCE OF SIDEWALKS" OF CHAPTER 236 ENTITLED "STREETS AND SIDEWALKS" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO MODERNIZE ITS REFERENCES" introduced this date be and the same is hereby passed on first reading and the Borough Clerk be directed to advertise notice of public hearing on said Ordinance to be held at the regular meeting of the Borough Council on June 12, 2001.
ORDINANCE NO. 1933: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF THE ONE-HALF UNDIVIDED INTEREST OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS IN ITS 1980 AQUATECH SEWER CLEANING VEHICLE TO ITS JOINT OWNER, THE BOROUGH OF WOOD-RIDGE, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE SUM OF ONE DOLLAR" introduced this date be and the same is hereby passed on first reading and the Borough Clerk be directed to advertise notice of public hearing on said Ordinance to be held at the regular meeting of the Borough Council on June 12, 2001.
BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT ARTICLE I ENTITLED "MISCELLANEOUS OFFICES" OF CHAPTER 45 ENTITLED "OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF A LOCAL HOTEL AND MULTIPLE DWELLING INSPECTOR FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENFORCING N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 ET SEQ., THE NEW JERSEY HOTEL AND MULTIPLE DWELLING LAW, AND THE REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER, ALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT OF THIS BOROUGH WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY UNDER ITS "STATE-LOCAL COOPERATIVE HOUSING INSPECTION PROGRAM" introduced this date be and the same is hereby passed on first reading and the Borough Clerk be directed to advertise notice of public hearing on said Ordinance to be held at the regular meeting of the Borough Council on June 12, 2001.
ORDINANCE NO. 1935: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $450,000.00 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A PUMPER TRUCK FOR THE USE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS AND FURTHER 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 $427,500.00" introduced this date be and the same is hereby passed on first reading and the Borough Clerk be directed to advertise notice of public hearing on said Ordinance to be held at the regular meeting of the Borough Council on June 12, 2001.
ORDINANCE NO. 1936: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $100,000.00 TO PROVIDE FOR THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE HOOK AND LADDER TRUCK FOR THE USE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS AND FURTHER 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 $87,000.00" introduced this date be and the same is hereby passed on first reading and the Borough Clerk be directed to advertise notice of public hearing on said Ordinance to be held at the regular meeting of the Borough Council on June 12, 2001.
BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $40,000.00 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A SEWER LINE INSPECTION SYSTEM FOR THE USE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS AND FURTHER 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 $38,000.00" introduced this date be and the same is hereby passed on first reading and the Borough Clerk be directed to advertise notice of public hearing on said Ordinance to be held at the regular meeting of the Borough Council on June 12, 2001. On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman Verrastro, [Councilman Pepe questioned Ordinance No. 1931 that pavers could be used for both sidewalks and aprons, and was told yes, affirming that stronger pavers should be used for aprons, which are subject to review by the DPW; and questioned the Boulevard and was told work in that area should follow the Boulevard improvements project and which those sidewalks are subject to Planning Board review. Councilman DiPisa questioned the width of sidewalks being 4 feet in residential areas.], and unanimously accepted, the foregoing Ordinances on Introduction were accepted.
ORDINANCES ON PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak on the Ordinances No. 1927, No. 1928, No. 1929, and No. 1930. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Torre closed the public hearing on said ordinances.
ORDINANCE NO. 1927: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PARAGRAPH (1) OF SUBSECTION L. PERTAINING TO THE CONDUCT OF FARMERS’ MARKETS OF SECTION 275-20 ENTITLED "REGULATIONS GOVERNING CERTAIN PRINCIPAL USES" OF CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO CHANGE THE DATES BETWEEN WHICH SUCH MARKETS CAN BE LAWFULLY CONDUCTED" be now passed on second and final reading and the Borough Clerk be and is 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.
ORDINANCE NO. 1928: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO FIX THE SALARY AND COMPENSATION OF CERTAIN OF THE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, FOR THE YEAR 2001" be now passed on second and final reading and the Borough Clerk be and is 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.
ORDINANCE NO. 1929: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO FIX THE SALARY AND COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE HASBROUCK HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 2001" be now passed on second and final reading and the Borough Clerk be and is 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.
BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO FIX THE SALARY AND COMPENSATION OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, FOR THE YEAR 2001" be now passed on second and final reading and the Borough Clerk be and is hereby authorized and directed to publish said Ordinances, same to be published in The Observer, a newspaper circulating and published in the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights. On a motion by Councilman Heeren, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinances on Public Hearing were approved.
MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC: At this point, Mayor Torre invited anyone wishing to speak to please come forward. No one came forward and Mary Torre declared the meeting adjourned.
CLOSE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Mayor and Council adjourned for Executive Session to discuss any matter involving the purchase, lease or acquisition of real property with public funds and involving the employment, appointment, termination of employment, disciplinary action unless individual requests a public meeting.
ADJOURN: There being no further business to be conducted by the Mayor and Council, 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 May 22, 2001. Rose Marie Sees, RMC [ Back to Index of Mayor & Council Minutes ]
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