M I N U T E S September 24, 2002 A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on Tuesday, September 24, 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 Absent: None SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Torre led in the Salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMUNICATIONS: The following correspondence has been received as of this date: 1. Letter from R.S. Webb & Associates regarding FCC Telecommunications Co-location Project Carlstadt 2, 74 Route 17 North, Hasbrouck Heights for VoiceStream Wireless 2. Letter from Department of Environmental Protection regarding the NJDEP Radon Program to raise public awareness. A motion to accept the Correspondence was made by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (August 13, 2002 and August 20, 2002) On a motion by Councilwoman Verrastro, seconded by Councilman Heeren, and unanimously carried, with Councilman Link abstaining from the August 20, 2002, the foregoing Minutes were approved.
PETITIONS: A petition which read "I am a resident of Hasbrouck Heights. By signing this petition I am expressing my support in favor of an indoor full-time Youth Recreational Center to be build on the wooded property west of the Swim Club parking lot, rather than the unlit basketball court and playground that the Mayor and Council are presently considering," with 714 names and addresses was presented by Jim Buckman, 128 Oldfield Avenue. He was advised that a petition with original signatures was required and this was noted on the record. The borough counsel advised that this petition could be accepted, but one with original signatures needed to be presented as well. On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, the foregoing Petition was accepted.
BILLS: BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $235,535.22 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 AND SANITATION: Under Finance,
Commissioner Link reported that the Current Fund Balance as of Aug. 31, 2002 was
$3,105,643.94 and at July 31, 2002 was $1,268,798.63, an increase of $1,836,845.31 with
the entire balance invested and earning approximately 1.75%. Cash receipts for the month
of August totaled $5,434,0532.38 of which $5,365,128.82 was for Current Taxes, $11,477.51
was Delinquent Taxes and $57,446.05 was Miscellaneous Revenues. Cash disbursements for the
month of August totaled $3,599,325.85 of which $1,524,670 was Local School Taxes,
$699,166.29 County Taxes, $583,700.80 for Salaries and $791,788.76 for other expenses. He
continued that the budged had been adopted and fourth quarter tax bills will be mailed
within a week to ten days. The Local Tax Rate for 2002 is $0.961 per $100 of Assessed
Valuation, an increase of $118.95 for 2002 on the local portion of the tax bill for a
house assessed at the average of $195,000.
HEALTH, STREETS & TRANSPORTATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES: Under Health,
Commissioner Heeren gave the following report for August: 6 births recorded, 3 male, 3
female; burial permits 62, out of town 60, in town 2; certified transcripts 527, marriage
8; funeral directors requests 519; Fees collected: dog licenses, $880 of which $480 was
late fees; burial permits, $60; certified transcripts, $2,635; food licenses and late
fees, $368.75; marriage licenses, $112; with total fees collected $4,090.75. Total deaths
recorded, 67, residents in town 7, residents out of town 7; non resident 53. Food licenses
issued 3, marriage licenses 4, marriages recorded 9; and a total of 74 calls to the
office. Two crows were reported by residents.
RECREATION: Under Recreation, Commissioner DiPisa reported Adult Co-ed Volleyball and Men’s over 30 Basketball are to be held at the new high school gym, new programs include adult running club and girls volleyball club, plus the children’s arts and crafts and senior aerobics programs. The seniors have been meeting on a monthly basis to discuss the new senior center. A walk through was postponed until the building was safer. The mayor and council had held their walk through on this date. Floor plans of the first floor were now available at the Farmer’s Market and in the Municipal Building. Town Day will be held on Saturday, which will include representation from various town organizations and a Junior Woman’s Club sponsored Bloodmobile. He invited all to attend. On Oct. 27, 2 p.m., a tribute to Vietnam war veterans would be held with a plaque in their honor unveiled.
FIRE AND PUBLIC FACILITIES: Commissioner Pepe
gave the Fire report for August: Fire Alarms: Hasbrouck Heights, 38 calls, year to date
323; Teterboro 17, year to date 80; mutual aid 2, year to date 18; total for the month 57,
year to date 421. Ambulance calls: Hasbrouck Heights, 50, year to date 619; paramedic
assisted calls 28, year to date 260; Teterboro, 18, year to date 116; paramedic assisted
3, year to date 52, mutual aid 6, year to date 57; paramedic assisted 1, year to date 13;
total 116, year to date 1,117. He commended the Fire Department on this unbelievable
amount of calls.
POLICE AND LAND USE: Under Land Use,
Commissioner Verrastro reported 68 new permits were issued for the month of August. She
asked residents to please check with the Building Department if permits are needed when
doing construction on their homes and contractors are not allowed to put signs out on
lawns.
PARKS: Under Parks, Commissioner Wassberg reported that the DPW had received questions regarding the watering of the playing field at Woodland Park and that they were watering in according with administrative order #2002-21 which allows watering of athletic playing fields once a day and on the play surface only, in compliance with the water shortage restrictions. He also asked residents to attend the Vietnam memorial on Oct. 27.
REPORT OF MAYOR: Mayor Torre thanked all the clergy who participated in the 9-11 Memorial Service for their organization and participation and the residents who participated, the Fire, Police and DPW. He commended the DPW on the clean up from the recent storm. He commended the Police Department for being number one for DWI arrests and convictions for the past three years. He informed the public that United States Secretary of Education Rod Paige would be visiting the Hasbrouck Heights Library on September 26. Mayor Torre had attended Heroes Day at Lincoln School and was duly impressed. He had been receiving complaints of the U.S. Post Office, noting that some postal boxes had been removed throughout town, the facility is antiquated, and the efficiency of mail is waning. Councilman Pepe added his comments noting that letters mailed in Hasbrouck Heights are sent to South Hackensack for sorting, resulting in possible loss of mail. Mayor Torre said that there were problems with state highways and right of ways that were badly littered, with our own DPW doing clean up. The state has been notified and they will be coming to Hasbrouck Heights. He mentioned two ordinances on the agenda, one to create a Recreation Advisory Committee consisting of 13 members, two senior citizens, five from sports organizations, one student, three residents at large, Mayor Torre and a council liaison. This committee will be able to recommend to the recreation director and governing body new programs, recreational facilities, recommend improvements to existing facilities and assist in the exploration of inter-municipal agreements. He had been speaking with Wood-Ridge about possibly acquiring some park land in the Curtis-Wright project, dedicating some open space and possibly a joint venture contiguous to Woodland Park. This Recreation Advisory Committee would be asked to continue on this possibility. The second ordinance is regarding the establishment of an Environmental Commission. He reported on grant applications submitted recently namely: Bergen County Open Space Grant (a portion of the cost of a pocket park by the Swim Club parking lot), D.E.P. State Livable Communities Grant (balance of pocket park), Statewide Local Americans with Disabilities Act (additional funding for Municipal Complex elevator), Statewide Local Domestic Preparedness Equipment Grant for various needs of the Police Department, Fire Department and Ambulance Squad. Other grants to be applied for include Livable Communities Pilot Program, Community Development Block funds, N.J. Legislature Christmas Tree Grants, as well as any grant funds that become available.
APPOINTMENTS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSENT AGENDA: On a motion by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution on Consent Agenda was approved (Copy attached).
167. Authorizing Policy with Respect to Enforcement of Public Rights of Way On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Consent Agenda Resolution was approved. (Copy attached)
RESOLUTIONS: 169. Authorizing Support of the Concepts in Route 17 Corridor Needs Assessment Study 170. Authorizing Check Made Payable to Beragan Construction for Construction and Pre- construction Services for New Municipal Complex and New Public Safety Complex 171. Authorizing Check Made Payable to Sheridan Mechanical Corp. for HVAC Services for New Municipal Complex 172. Appointing Nicholas Melfi as Construction Code Official on an Interim Basis On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously accepted, the foregoing Resolutions were approved. (Copies attached) (The Zoning Committee recommends consideration of an amendment to the Adult Entertainment prohibition pursuant to Borough Attorney’s memos of September 3, 2002 and September 19, 2002).
APPOINTMENT: Carol Skiba to Zoning Committee regarding Adult Entertainment ordinances On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Appointment was approved.
ORDINANCE(S) ON INTRODUCTION: ORDINANCE NO. 1979: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO INCLUDE THEREIN A NEW CHAPTER ENTITLED "CHAPTER 25, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION," CREATING AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION IN AND FOR THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS AND PROVIDING FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP AND POWERS" was 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 October 22, 2002.
ORDINANCE NO. 1980: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 63 ADOPTED ON MARCH 12, 2002 AND ENTITLED "RECREATION PROGRAMS ADVISORY COMMITTEE" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SUPPLEMENTING ITS DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES, INCREASING THE MEMBERSHIP THEREOF TO THIRTEEN (13) MEMBERS, IMPOSING A TERM LIMITATION ON CERTAIN MEMBERS THEREOF AND PROVIDING FURTHER QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP" was 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 October 22, 2002. On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinances on Introduction were approved.
ORDINANCE(S) ON PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Torre opened the meeting for anyone wishing to speak on Ordinance No. 1977 and Ordinance No. 1978. There being no one wishing to speak, the public hearing on these ordinances was closed. ORDINANCE NO. 1977: BE IT RESOLVED
that an ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT SECTION 261-45 ENTITLED
"SCHEDULE XV: PARKING PROHIBITED CERTAIN HOURS" OF CHAPTER 261 ENTITLED
"VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO
INCLUDE THEREIN THE PROHIBITION OF PARKING BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 6:00 A.M. AND 7:30 A.M. ON
THE BOULEVARD BETWEEN LASALLE AVENUE AND WILLIAMS AVENUE" 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. 1978: BE IT RESOLVED that an ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:12-14 AND 15 AUTHORIZING A LEASE OF PREMISES KNOWN AS LOT 20 IN BLOCK 58 BEING MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY PROPERTY AT 301 DIVISION AVENUE TO THE THIRTY SECOND DEGREE MASONIC LEARNING CENTERS FOR CHILDREN, INC., A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, FOR THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE PURPOSE OF OPERATING THEREON A SPECIALIZED LEARNING CENTER DEVOTED TO DYSLEXIC CHILDREN"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 on Public Hearing were approved.
MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC: At this point the meeting was open for comments from the public. Edith Ollwerther, 368 Lincoln Avenue, asked if there was any truth that the builder was planning to build at 6, 8, and 10 Terrace Avenue. She was advised that there was an informal hearing to the Planning Board, and that the builder was told that his proposal would not be considered, that zoning is for two-story dwellings only. Ann McGill, 139 Field Avenue, asked where the Route 17 project would start and it was noted Williams Avenue. Greg Condal, 356 Harrison Avenue, regarding his ideas of a youth center, that he felt the property at the Swim Club parking lot was easily accessible, there would not be overcrowding, that it was near a hub of activity, the town presently owns this property, has never been a ratable. Regarding the project, he thought some citizens group be formed and be responsible, not the mayor and council, similar to the Swim Club. It could run on its own. Regarding funding, there was no guarantee that it wouldn’t require tax dollars. He suggested selling the Franklin School gym to the highest bidder and the proceeds go toward the youth center, that in return some of the needs of the Board of Education be absorbed in the youth center and that other funding that has been applied for the present proposal of a pocket park, be used for the youth center. He referred to a county funding program (open space trust fund) which had been voted on in a 1998 referendum and he researched that one-half cent of every dollar given to the county by the borough was going into this fund since 1999, for which the borough had never applied for funding. He referred to the town sports organizations who were experts in fund raising, that community organizations be approached. He felt it could be done a lot less expensively than a government project referencing the recent light program Little League had just done. He guessed that $50,000 to 55,000 had been put into the open space trust fund by the borough yearly. Mayor Torre answered that it is a good idea to have a youth center and that this council would support a center. He also felt the Swim Club area is a good location but that the parking lot is part of the Swim Club lease. The Recreation committee would encompass such a scope. The subject of fees was discussed, that it should be open to all. Mr. Condal was interested in short term action. It was felt a recommendation by the Recreation Advisory Committee could be proposed within six months. Discussion continued on membership and that such a project required much more detail. He volunteered his name to the advisory committee. Roland Barrale, 323 Franklin Avenue, concurred that Mr. Condal be a member, and volunteered the name of Jim Buckman as well. Kathy Dulhagen, 50 Raymond Street, also a business owner on the Boulevard, questioned who would choose the committee and was told the mayor would make the appointments with the consent of the council. She recommended her husband, Mark Dulhagen to the committee based on his work with youth. She felt the Franklin School gym was too close to the Boulevard and that children do not drive and that parking would not be a problem. Andrew Boyagian, 20 Terrace Avenue, a resident for over 40 years had observed that the mayor and council over the years has made good judgement, asked for a card to pass out when asked to spell Hasbrouck Heights. Lillian Buffone, 150 Washington Place, hoped that the committee would include parents and she was told there would be a good cross section. Jim Buckman, 128 Oldfield Avenue, questioned if the application for the park could be held. He was told that it could be refused or moved, that the projects need to be ready to go, that the funding could be lost. Reference was made to a past project for an elevator for the present library. Jerry McDowell, 348 Harrison Avenue, recommended the juvenile officer to be on the committee, making reference to the congregation of children on the Boulevard, that something should be done to change this, with adult supervision, that a youth center would be worthwhile. For everyone’s information, he had noted a sign on a building next to Quest Diagnostics, that designated a new postal facility coming there. Gina Hoffman, 22 Walter Avenue, thought a youth center was good, that children hang out in McDonald’s now and need something better. John Segretto, 467 Terrace Avenue, feels Hasbrouck Heights is a great family town and was also in support of a youth center and that the council would look into it positively. Patricia Godfrey, 223 Boulevard, asked why were children still out at 11 p.m., felt that they should be at home with their parents, that they should be spending more time with their parents and that putting children into a building with a few adults watching them wasn’t the answer. Joseph Fadden, 169 Oak Grove Avenue, a lifelong resident, noted that 28 years ago this same subject was discussed, and thought it would be helpful to have a building for children to spend time with friends and learn social skills and asked that the council consider this for the immediate future. Greg Condal, 356 Harrison Avenue, mentioned that in researching the open space monies, that there were dollars available from the county including for the Board of Education and youth sports organizations which could be explored as well as land acquisition grants. He was advised that this Recreation Advisory Committee will be authorized to have talks regarding projects such as with Wood-Ridge (inter-municipal discussions regarding facilities) and "Greenfields monies." Jim Buckman envisioned a "family center," YMCA type facility. He was advised that the wording was "new programs and facilities under Recreation" to encompass a broader scope. Gina DeFlorio, 148 Field Avenue, regarding poor mail delivery and sewer repair work on Route 17, that it should be started in Hasbrouck Heights. She implored that the council demand this. Carol Skiba, 191 Field Avenue, regarding the sanitary sewer line under Route 17 as part of the study, if the state refused, what would happen. She was advised that the borough had applied for a street opening permit and was denied. She also questioned when they could expect the "Slow, Children Playing" signs. Ann McGill, 139 Field Avenue, asked the name of the person who was head of the NJ Department of Transportation and was told James Fox. She asked if there could be a meeting with Mr. Fox and the residents and she was advised it would be looked into having him come to a council 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 September 24, 2002. Rose Marie Sees, RMC |