BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS

M I N U T E S

October 27, 1998

A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on October 27, 1998 at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 248 Hamilton Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey.

Mayor Torre stated that the meeting complied with the Sunshine Law, due notice having been made to all members of the Council by personal service on January 1, 1998 and transmitted to The Observer, The Record and the Herald News by mail on January 2, 1998.

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 FLAG: Mayor Torre led in the Salute to the Flag.

Due to the absence of the Borough Clerk, Councilman Pepe motioned, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, to appoint Michael Kronyak as Acting Clerk for the purposes of this meeting.

COMMUNICATIONS: The Acting Clerk read a letter from Library Director Michele Maiullo, dated 10/22/98, in reference to the Friends of the Library Book & Bake Sale.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (September 22, 1998 & October 13, 1998)

On motion by Councilwoman Verrastro, seconded by Councilman Link, and unanimously carried, the Minutes of the foregoing meetings were approved.

PETITIONS: None

BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $180,984.88 specified in the schedule, having been examined and approved by the Finance Commissioner, or his Deputy, be paid and that warrants be issued therefor.

Signed Andrew Link III/Commissioner of Finance

On motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was approved.

FINANCE & LAND USE:

Under Land Use, Councilman Link reported that the total number of fees collected by the Building Department in the month of September was $7,000 for a value of construction of $361,000. 82 permits were issued, 43 for building, 14 for plumbing, 14 for electric, 5 for fire protection, 4 for fences and 2 for driveways. 6 certificates of zoning compliance were issued for one family homes, 1 for a two family home and 6 for commercial establishments. There were 14 contractor registration/renewals and 40 inspections made, 32 for building and 8 for zoning. Under Finance, the current fund cash balance as of September 30th was $1,767,000 all of which was invested, earning approximately 5.5% in interest. Cash receipts for the month totalled $673,000 of which $84,000 was from current taxes, $1,500 from prepaid taxes, $4,200 from delinquent taxes, $427,000 from state aid, $94,500 from sale of municipal property and $61,000 from miscellaneous revenues. Cash disbursements totalled $1,593,000 of which $999,000 was for local school taxes, $392,000 for salaries and $200,000 for other expenses.

POLICE:

Councilman Heeren reported that due to recent retirements in the Department, the Department will be testing for future candidates. In an effort to make access to the Senior Citizens Housing safer and easier, hash marks have been placed and "slow" signs have been posted on Franklin Ave. to encourage drivers to drive slowly. During the month of September, there were 866 requests for service, 112 via 911. 32 fire reports came in, 23 being false alarms. There were 32 motor vehicle accidents, half taking place on state highways. 227 parking violations were issued, 196 being for overnight parking. He then read several letters from individuals commending and thanking the Police Department and its officers for their assistance in the writer's time of need.

FIRE & PUBLIC FACILITIES:

Under Fire, Councilman DiPisa reported that for the month of September there were 36 fire calls for the Borough, 363 year-to-date, 6 calls for Teterboro, 97 year-to-date, and 2 for mutual aid, 33 year-to-date, totalling 44 fire calls, 493 year-to-date. There were 5 rescue calls for the Borough, 103 year-to-date, 0 calls for Teterboro, 20 calls year-to-date, and 0 for mutual aid. Under Public Facilities, he reported that the Borough is in compliance with the Right To Know Act. Parts of this compliance consists of labeling hazardous substances at all Borough facilities and providing training to its employees. The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection has completed an inspection of all Borough buildings and with the exception of a few minor corrections, has found that the Borough has satisfactorily met the provisions of the Right To Know Act.

SANITATION & WELFARE:

Under Sanitation, Councilman Pepe reported that branches and shrubs are not collected with trash, but handled separately for recycling. 1999 recycling calendars will be delivered to residents within the next month. As of 1999, aerosol cans will no longer be collected with bottles and cans. They may be included with regular trash. Leaves may now be raked into the street for pick up. No report was given under Welfare.

HEALTH & RECREATION:

Under Health, Councilwoman Verrastro reported that for the month of September there were 5 births recorded, 3 males and 2 females, 13 burial permits, 247 certified transcripts, 4 dog licenses issued, 2 food licenses issued, 9 marriage licenses issued and 16 marriage licenses recorded. The Department answered 145 calls. Under Recreation, she thanked the Recreation Director, Community Celebrations Committee and all the other volunteers who made "Halloween in the Park" event the success it was with over 500 residents in attendance.

STREETS, TRANSPORTATION & PARKS:

Councilman Wassberg thanked all the departments and participants at "Town Day" in Woodland Park. The Department of Public Works collected $320.00 in donations for the DARE program. 50 trees have been ordered for fall plantings. Under Streets, Burton Ave. has been paved, from Williams to Passaic Aves. Under Parks, new playground equipment has been ordered for Woodland Park.

REPORT OF MAYOR:

Mayor Torre commented that the month of October has had a tremendous outpouring of volunteerism, i.e. Town Day and Halloween in the Park. He said the Borough has applied for over $500,000 in Community Development grants with the first priority being for $370,000 for a senior citizens center, second priority being for $90,000 for barrier-free curbs and third priority for handicapped bathrooms at the Athletic Field. The Borough received an award from the County Executive for being one of the few municipalities in the County to waive construction permit fees for barrier-free improvements for disabled residents.

Appointments: George Chiha - Ambulance Auxiliary

Elizabeth Conner - Hook & Ladder

On motion by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing appointments were made.

CONSENT AGENDA: 145. Granting of Raffle Licenses - BPO Elks Lodge #1963 & Concerned Parents Assoc. of Corpus Christi School

On motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution on the Consent Agenda was approved. (Resolution attached)

RESOLUTION: 146. Authorizing Bond Anticipation Note for Acquisition of Land

On motion by Councilman Heeren, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was approved. (Resolution attached)

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE ACQUISITION FOR PUBLIC PURPOSE OF LOT 18 IN BLOCK 48 COMMONLY KNOWN AS 203 CENTRAL AVENUE, LOT 17 IN BLOCK 48 COMMONLY KNOWN AS 207 CENTRAL AVENUE AND LOT 16 IN BLOCK 48 COMMONLY KNOWN AS 211 CENTRAL AVENUE BY CONDEMNATION IF THE BOROUGH CANNOT ACQUIRE TITLE THERETO BY AGREEMENT WITH ITS OWNER" 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 November 10, 1998 at 8:00 p.m.

ORDINANCE NO. 1839:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13(b) AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF A 1977 SEAGRAVE FIRE ENGINE NO LONGER NEEDED FOR PUBLIC USE THAT HAD BEEN OFFERED FOR SALE AT AUCTION PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13(a) BUT FOR WHICH NO ACCEPTABLE BIDS WERE RECEIVED" 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 November 10, 1998 at 8:00 p.m.

On motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinances for Introduction were adopted.

ORDINANCE NO. 1836:

Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak on Ordinance Nos. 1836 and 1837. There being no one wishing to speak on said Ordinances, Mayor Torre closed the meeting to the public.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT ORDINANCE NO. 1823 ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION AND INSTALLATION OF PARK EQUIPMENT, TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $35,000.00 FOR THE SAME AND 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 $33,000.00" SO AS TO INCREASE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE FUNDS APPROPRIATED FROM $35,000.00 TO $52,500.00, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SAME SHALL BE FUNDED BY THE PROCEEDS OF A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE GRANT IN THE SUM OF $50,000.00 AWARDED BY THE NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATURE AND BY THE SUM OF $2,500.00 FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND AND TO REPEAL THE AUTHORIZATION CONTAINED IN THE ORDINANCE TO WHICH THIS IS AN AMENDMENT AND A SUPPLEMENT TO FINANCE ANY OF THE COST OF THE SAID APPROPRIATION BY THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS OR NOTES" be now passed on second and final reading and the Borough Clerk be and is hereby authorized and directed to publish said Ordinance, according to law, together with notice of the final passage and approval of 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 AUTHORIZE THE SALE PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13 OF LANDS AND PREMISES KNOWN AS LOT 23 IN BLOCK 85 AS THE SAME APPEARS ON THE CURRENT ASSESSMENT MAP OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, A VACANT LOT OF APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET IN WIDTH AND 125 FEET IN DEPTH COMMONLY KNOWN AS 227 LAWRENCE AVENUE AND FOR WHICH THE BOROUGH NO LONGER HAS USE" be now passed on second and final reading and the Borough Clerk be and is hereby authorized and directed to publish said Ordinance, according to law, together with notice of the final passage and approval of said Ordinance, same to be published in The Observer, a newspaper circulating and published in the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights.

On motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinances for Public Hearing were adopted.

MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC:

Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Torre closed the meeting to the public.

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council desire to meet for the purpose of Litigation; and

WHEREAS, the Open Public Meeting Law does specifically authorize a public body to exclude the public from a meeting for certain specified purposes;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights that a closed meeting shall take place immediately and said meeting shall be closed to the public and to the press. The results of the discussion of the closed meeting will be released to the public when the reasons for discussing and acting on the subject matter set forth above no longer exists.

Motion to go into Private Session was entertained, motioned, seconded and carried.

ADJOURN:

There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, the public portion of the meeting was adjourned.

I, BARBARA MALDONADO, 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 27, 1998.

Barbara Maldonado, RMC

Borough Clerk

[ Back to Index of Mayor & Council Minutes ]