M I N U T E S July 23, 2002 A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on Tuesday, July 23, 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 Justin A. DiPisa, Councilman Garrett R. Pepe, Councilwoman Marlene Verrastro, Councilman John Wassberg SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Torre led in the Salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.
The following correspondence has been received as of this date: 1. A thank you letter from Robert Zappatelli and the Senior Citizens with regards to the Senior Citizens Picnic. 2. A letter from Carol Skiba regarding the no left turn test signs from 7 to 9 a.m. for Oldfield and Field Avenues. 3. A letter from Carol Skiba regarding Mt. Fuji employees were continuing to park on Field Avenue. Ms. Skiba’s letters were referred to the Police Committee for response. A motion to accept the Correspondence was made by Councilman Link, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (June 11, 2002 and June 18, 2002)
PETITIONS: None BILLS: BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $715,570.12 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 Councilwoman Verrastro, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was adopted.
REPORTS: FINANCE AND SANITATION: Under Sanitation,
Commissioner Link reported the DPW will excavate the sanitary sewer line on Terrace
between Alger and Michigan, where a huge hole needed repair. Mayor Torre commented that Hasbrouck Heights has been efficient over the years with taxes held down continually, that when state aid is requested, it is denied and towns that are less careful get rewarded.
HEALTH, STREETS & TRANSPORTATION & SOCIAL SERVICES: Under Health,
Commissioner Heeren reported that the department was hooked up to the LINKS system, a
computerized system throughout the state where a message is shipped out immediately.
Several electric outages affected food stores and inspections resulted in food being
discarded when necessary. He gave the following report for June: 11 births recorded, 6
male, 5 female; burial permits 48, out of town 48, in town 0; certified transcripts 310,
marriage 8; death, 3; funeral directors requests 299; Fees collected: dog licenses, $241
of which $80 was late fees; burial permits, $48; certified transcripts, $1,550; food
licenses and late fees, $10,580; marriage licenses, $140; vending machines, $0, with total
fees collected $13,929. Total deaths recorded, 50, residents in town 4, residents out of
town 4; non resident 46. Food licenses issued 50, vending licenses issued 0, marriage
licenses 5, marriages recorded 10; and a total of 104 calls to the office.
RECREATION: Under
Recreation, Commissioner DiPisa reported summer camp was doing well at Woodland Park,
trips were in progress, and Director Brady was commended. He reported on the success of
the Senior Picnic. He had met with Daniel Vecchio, a Vietnam War veteran, who was
concerned about their status at the Veterans Memorial and suggested a better tribute
whereby a committee was formed to place a plaque for Vietnam veterans on the monument. He
petitioned for any other Vietnam veterans to call him at his home. He called upon the
program "Ready, Set, Relax" which he had mentioned several months ago, asking
for those interested to please contact him.
FIRE AND PUBLIC FACILITIES: Commissioner Pepe
gave the Fire report for June: Fire Alarms: Hasbrouck Heights, 40 calls, year to date 244;
Teterboro 15, year to date 58; mutual aid 3, year to date 13; total for the month 58, year
to date 315. Ambulance calls: Hasbrouck Heights, 73, year to date 486; paramedic assisted
calls 35, year to date 199; Teterboro, 18, year to date 83; paramedic assisted 6, year to
date 39, mutual aid, 4, year to date 46; paramedic assisted 1, year to date 10; total 137,
year to date 863.
POLICE AND LAND USE: Under Land Use,
Commissioner Verrastro reported 86 permits were issued for the month of June. She reminded
residents to check with the Building Department before starting any work project and they
or the contractors might need a permit before starting any project and contractor signs
are not allowed on front lawns. She reminded residents to not place garbage before 7 p.m.
on the night before pick up.
PARKS: Under Parks, Commissioner Wassberg had also attended the meeting with the Vietnam veterans and agreed it was long overdue. He reported that a Gazebo has been placed at the Firemen’s Memorial Park and benches installed inside the structure. Paving blocks from the old Municipal Building were being used to make a walkway to the gazebo. He would be meeting with members of the VFW and American Legion to introduce an engraved pavers program at Veterans Memorial Park with a target date of Memorial Day 2003. More information would be forthcoming. He also attended the Senior Picnic.
REPORT OF MAYOR: The mayor began his report remarking on the activity throughout town, in Woodland Park with the summer camp, the Farmer’s Market, the road repaving projects and the construction of the Municipal Building. He commended the volunteers who worked on the very successful Senior Picnic and the Anti Drug Council Concert. He thanked this Council for their generosity in lending the pumper to River Edge. He congratulated the Lions Club on the successful fireworks, including the Fire Department, Ambulance Squad, Police, DPW, Board of Education and members of the Council. He commended the Mayor’s Celebrations Committee for a successful Children’s Parade, a program that is over 50 years old. He concluded that the clergy and he had been meeting to plan for a community Memorial in September in honor of September 11 and thanked the clergy for spearheading this program.
APPOINTMENTS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSENT AGENDA: None
136. Authorizing Check Made Payable to Bronx Zoo On a motion by Councilman Heeren, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously accepted, the foregoing Resolutions were approved. (Copies attached)
ORDINANCES ON INTRODUCTION: None
At this point the meeting was open for comments from the public. Ann McGill, 139 Field Avenue, had requests for two ordinances, one requiring go go bars be at least 1,000 feet from residential property, noting that Shop Rite was leaving, and that a hot spot be developed, possibly across Route 17 from Franklin to Williams. The borough attorney would look into this. Gina DeFlorio, 148 Field Avenue, was concerned that a lot of her neighbors had died of cancer, and its relation to the area, and that she was concerned that with all her neighbors getting back flow valves, and thus far she was not able to have one installed due to the location of her sewer line, would she be in jeopardy. She wanted the sewer to be fixed. Carol Skiba, 191 Field Avenue, regarding the Master Plan and zoning of the area. It was explained that several areas of Route 17 were reviewed and were in the hands of the planner who would make recommendations as to permitted uses and redevelopment of the area. She was interested in the Field Avenue sewer line and what was the status. She was advised that it was in the hands of the committee and had not been discussed by the full council as yet, that this would be a capital project which required funding. She offered her help with this project. Reference was made to a letter sent to the DOT by Assemblywoman Heck in answer to their denial of the Borough’s request to have Route 17 shut down for the repairs to the sewer, which requested a response. Gina De Florio, 148 Field Avenue, commenting on the Route 17 closing for other problems, that this was an emergency also. Linda Brandle, 66 Division Avenue, had gone to Woodland Park with her son and husband, and asked why because Recreation was there, she was allowed to stay that time, but in the future was told the park was closed during the program. She was told that it was a safety issue and although there were a number of counselors, it was still difficult to police the park with regards to strangers while the children were involved in the summer program. Ann McGill, 139 Field Avenue, with respect to an ordinance tightening up on adult entertainment and an area designated for adult entertainment. It was explained that in 1998 this was considered and was set aside to not encourage this kind of entertainment. Tightening of the existing ordinances was discussed further. Carol Skiba, 191 Field Avenue, regarding the subdivisions going on in town and causing the town to appear crowded, mentioning the recent subdivision on Terrace Avenue and that it was losing its character. She recommended increasing the side yards or the size of subdivision lots. It was explained that a lot of character was lost by the removal of dead trees, PSE&G trimming trees haphazardly, and that increased planting of trees was being done. It was also explained that an average lot is 50 x 100 and that increasing the size of the lot would affect the legality of present homes, that in most cases these subdivisions were in compliance, that over the years only a certain few were in need of Planning Board approval, and the height allowed had been lowered several years ago. Discussion continued along the same lines, with it being looked into further. It was noted that one and two family homes were not subject to site plan review. It was also noted that homes have increased in size over the years with the styles ranging from small capes, to now the much larger models. Linda Brandle, 66
Division Avenue, liked the look of the new homes, that she felt it was improving property
values. It was noted that property values in Hasbrouck Heights are increasing. 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 July
23, 2002. Rose Marie Sees, RMC |