M I N U T E S December 30, 2002 A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on Monday, December 30, 2002 at 8:00 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 200 Division Avenue, corner of the Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. 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, 2002 and transmitted to The Observer, The Record and The Herald News on January 1, 2002. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor William J. Torre, Councilman Andrew Link III, Councilman Herbert D. Heeren, Councilman Garrett R. Pepe, Councilwoman Marlene Verrastro, Councilman John Wassberg Absent: Councilman Justin A. DiPisa
SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Torre led in the Salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS: MEADOWLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2002 NORTHERN DIVISION AND SUPER BOWL CHAMPS: Certificates were presented to the Meadowlands Football League 2002 Northern Division and Super Bowl Champs: Zachary Anderson, Nicholas Brunetti, John Cambridge, Anthony Crecco, Nicholas Curci, Joe Dequinzio, Daniel Forte, Robert Galasso, Sam Galassi, JT Golio, Robert Handy, Bobby Kistner, Kyle LaTorre, Travis Malave, Rocco Mangieri, Dale Rifenbark, Joseph Romano, James Ronayne, Mark Simpson, Lorenzo Tattoli, Stephen Traina, William Torre, Dylan White, Shawn Zahn, Emmanuel Robles, Nidal Alkhales, Coaches: Michael Colaneri, Michael Colaneri Jr., John Colaneri, Jeff Perri, Marc DiPisa, Phil Calabrese, Joe Colangelo, Dan DeCongilio, John Halpin and Manager Kevin Colaneri. Councilman Heeren and Wassberg assisted Mayor Torre in this presentation. Mayor Torre announced that signs would be placed at the entrances to the Borough by Ron Kistner honoring this team by. The cheerleaders would also be recognized for this achievement at a later date.
FIRE DEPARTMENT/AMBULANCE YOUTH SQUAD: Certificates and stipends were presented to the Fire Department/Ambulance Youth Squad Members, namely, Katherine Diaz who participated in EMT School and went on two ambulance calls, Yvette Torres who participated in EMT School and went on 18 ambulance calls, Jennifer Cardaci who went on 23 ambulance and 5 fire calls, Michael Greco who went on 40 ambulance and 48 fire calls, Brent Barbato who went on 48 ambulance and 25 fire calls, Ray Baik who went on six ambulance calls, and Charles Piazza who went on four ambulance calls and is presently enrolled in EMT School. Mayor Torre invited Fire Commissioner Garrett R. Pepe, First Assistant Chief Robert Thomasey and Firefighter Al Cirelli to assist in the presentation. Those members who could not be present at this meeting would be recognized at the Re-organization meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS: The following correspondence has been received as of this date: 1. Letter from Barbara Bosch regarding NJ Transit bus stops which was referred to the Police Department. 2. Board of Public Utilities regarding Cablevision rate increases. On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman Heeren, and unanimously carried, to accept the correspondence.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (November 12, 2202 and November 19, 2002) On a motion by Councilman Heeren, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, with Councilman Wassberg abstaining from the November 12, 2002 meeting, the foregoing Minutes were approved.
PETITIONS: None
BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $166,582.57 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 Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was adopted.
REPORTS: FINANCE AND SANITATION: Under Finance,
Commissioner Link reported that the Current Fund Balance as of Nov. 30, 2002 was
$4,204,836.93 and at Oct. 31, 2002 was $1,855,183.89, an increase of $2,349,653.04, with
the entire balance invested and earning approximately 1.75%. Cash receipts for the month
of November totaled $4,442,209.97 of which $4,034,022.28 was for Current Taxes, $45,673.20
was Delinquent Taxes, $5,117.51 was Prepaid Taxes, $296,610.43 was for Grants and State
Aid and $60,786.55 was Miscellaneous Revenues. Cash disbursements for the month of
November totaled $2,882,778.43 of which $1,213,929.17 was Local School Taxes, $699,165 was
County Taxes, $550,828.69 for Salaries and $418,855.57.55 for other expenses. He continued
that the budget committee would be reviewing the preliminary numbers shortly and would be
meeting regarding the budget which should be ready for introduction in early February as
required by law. The 2002 Annual Debt Statement is being completed and will be submitted
to the Division of Local Government Services by Jan. 31, 2003. The Annual Financial
Statement is being prepared and will be submitted to the DLGS by Feb. 10, 2003. The
Finance Officer is working toward closing the records for 2002 and information will be
provided to the budget committee which will be meeting through January.
HEALTH, STREETS & TRANSPORTATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES: Under Health,
Commissioner Heeren gave the following report for November: 11 births recorded, 5 male, 6
female; burial permits 62, out of town 62, in town 0; certified transcripts 465, marriage
14; funeral directors requests 444; Fees collected: dog licenses, $67 of which $40 was
late fees; burial permits, $62; certified transcripts, $2,325; food licenses and late
fees, $140; marriage licenses, $112; with total fees collected $2,669. Total deaths
recorded 61, residents in town 4, residents out of town 4; non resident 57. Food licenses
issued 2, marriage licenses 4, marriages recorded 8; and a total of 80 calls to the
office.
RECREATION: As Commissioner DiPisa was absent, there was no report.
FIRE AND PUBLIC FACILITIES: Commissioner Pepe
gave the Fire report for November which was also the year end report: Fire Alarms:
Hasbrouck Heights, 35 calls, year to date 446; Teterboro 5, year to date 111; mutual aid
6, year to date 27; total for the month 46, year to date 584. Ambulance calls: Hasbrouck
Heights, 58, year to date 795; paramedic assisted calls 24, year to date 339; Teterboro,
6, year to date 141; paramedic assisted 6, year to date 66, mutual aid 11, year to date
80; paramedic assisted 1, year to date 116; total 106, year to date 1,431. He commended
the volunteers on this unbelievable number of calls. Fire Prevention report included
number of local inspections, 385; LHUs, 73; total number of re-inspections, 210; LHUs, 44;
complaints, 1; LHU 1. Total number of inspections, 597; LHUs, 119. Correspondence: new
business registration forms, 7; violations list, 281; certificate of inspections, 446;
notice of violations with explanation, 28; inspection fee late notices, 85; order to pay
inspection fee and penalty, 33; order to pay penalty and abate violations, 4; permit
applications, 1; notice of decision on requests for time extensions, 2. For the year 2002,
locals fees collected, $22,735. Local permit fees, $563, and a state refund for local
inspectors, $12,349 for total fees collected $35,647.
POLICE AND LAND USE: Under Land Use,
Commissioner Verrastro reported that in the November, 53 new permits were issued with a
total cost of $523,160.
PARKS: Under Parks, Commissioner Wassberg that as of this date 104 paving blocks for the Veterans Memorial Walk with Feb. 1 as the cut off date to guarantee a Memorial Day Dedication.
REPORT OF MAYOR: Mayor Torre commended the Mayor’s Celebration Committee for the Tree Lighting and Anti-Drug Council for their walk and their drug-free policy. He commended the DPW on snow removal Christmas night. In December he attended an open house for Gilda’s Club, an organization that helps needy sick children and their families. He thanked the Fire Department in transporting Santa Claus around town this past Sunday and congratulated them on another successful year. He thanked the residents for their support, generosity and compassion during he and his family’s time of grief on the passing of Mrs. Torre. He wished everyone on behalf of himself and the council a happy, healthy and safe New Year.
APPOINTMENTS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSENT AGENDA: 227. Granting of Hotel Licenses On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution on Consent Agenda was approved. (Copy attached.)
RESOLUTIONS: 229. Authorizing Stipend for Members of the Fire Department/Ambulance Youth Squad 230. Cancel Minimal Credit Balances and Debit Balances on Current Taxes Receivable 231. Approving Change Order #2 for 2001 Road Reconstruction Program 232. Authorizing Contract with County of Bergen for Animal Control Services 233. Transfer Current Taxes Receivable to Tax Title Lien for the year 2002 234. Authorizing Intra fund from Capital Fund II to Capital Account 235. Authorizing Transfer of Current Taxes Received to Taxes Overpaid 236. 2002 Appropriation Transfers 237. 2002 Appropriation Cancellations 238. Authorizing Check for Emergency Repair of Temporary Fire Garage Door On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman Heeren, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolutions were approved (Copies attached).
ORDINANCE(S) ON CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE NO. 1992: This ordinance was continued on public hearing until the Sine Die on January 6, 2002, to allow the Planning Board time to review. BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO FURTHER AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT SUBSECTION K IN SECTION 275-20 ENTITLED "REGULATIONS GOVERNING CERTAIN PRINCIPAL USES" AND SUBSECTION J IN SECTION 275-21 ENTITLED "REGULATIONS GOVERNING CERTAIN ACCESSORY STRUCTURES AND USES" OF CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO REVISE THE AREA TO BE CONTAINED WITHIN THE EXCEPTION TO THE PROHIBITION OF SEXUALLY ORIENTED ADULT ENTERTAINMENT AS AN ACCESSORY USE AND TO REVISE THE DISTANCE LIMITATION IN THAT AREA AND ALSO WITHIN THE AREA TO BE CONTAINED WITH THE EXCEPTION TO THE PROHIBITION OF SUCH USES A PRINCIPAL USES FROM 500 FEET TO 1,000 FEET" was continued on public hearing.
ORDINANCE(S) ON PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Torre opened the public hearing for anyone wishing to speak on Ordinance No. 1995 and Ordinance No. 1996. There being no one wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. ORDINANCE NO. 1995: BE IT RESOLVED that 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 2003" 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. 1996: BE IT RESOLVED that an ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 275-37 ENTITLED "ENFORCEMENT" OF ARTICLE X ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT" OF CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO ABOLISH THE SEPARATE OFFICE OF ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND TO REDEFINE THE DUTIES OF OTHER BOROUGH OFFICIALS IN RELATION THERETO" 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. On a motion by Councilwoman Verrastro, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinances were approved.
MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC: At this point the meeting was open for comments from the public. There being no one wishing to speak the public portion was closed.
RECESS: There being no further business to be conducted by the Mayor and Council, the meeting was recessed to the meeting of January 5, 2003 Sine Die. 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 December 30, 2002. Rose Marie Sees, RMC |