BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS

M I N U T E S

March 24, 1998

A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on March 24, 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.

COMMUNICATION: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None

PETITIONS: None

BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $409,546.77 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 Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was approved.

REPORT OF MAYOR:

PROMOTIONS:
Robert Carscadden to Captain

Robert Kroncke to Lieutenant

Kelly Ruroede to Sergeant

John DeLorenzo to Sergeant

On motion by Councilman Heeren, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, the foregoing promotions were made.

The Oath of Office was administered to each newly promoted officer by Mayor Torre.

APPOINTMENT:
David Novotny - Ambulance Auxiliary - effective 4/2/98

On motion by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing appointment was made.

Mayor Torre said the Budget Committee has continued to review the Municipal Budget since its introduction and further cuts have been made.

FINANCE & LAND USE:

Under Land Use, the Construction Code Official/Zoning Officer's office collected $8,307 in fees in the month of February. There were 72 permits issued, 13 certificates of zoning compliance issued, 5 for one family homes, 1 for a two family home and 7 for commercial sites, 7 contractor registrations and 25 inspections.

Under Finance, the current fund cash balance as of February was $2,459,000 of which $1,834,000 was invested earning approximately 5.45% in interest. Cash receipts for the month of January and February totalled $5,578,000 of which $5,070,000 was from current taxes, 82,000 was prior year's taxes, $300,000 was from interfunds, $7,500 was from state aid and grants and $117,000 was from miscellaneous revenues. Cash disbursements totalled $5,770,00 of which $2,120,000 was for local school taxes, $562,000 was for County taxes, $705,000 was for salaries, $1,200,000 was for investments and $1,181,000 was for other expenses. The 1998 budget has been introduced but cannot be adopted until the Borough receives notice on if it will receive supplemental discretionary funds for which an application has been submitted. The Division of Local Government Services will be rendering a decision in April.

POLICE:

Councilman Heeren reported that during the month of February there were 807 requests for service through the police desk, 104 via 911. The Department responded to 35 fire alarms, 82 ambulance requests and 52 motor vehicle accidents. A total of 428 summons were issued, 74 for moving violations and 354 parking violations, of which the majority was for overnight parking. Each year the Department attempts to purchase a new police vehicle and one is now on order.

FIRE & PUBLIC FACILITIES:

Under Fire, Councilman DiPisa reported that the Fire Prevention Bureau collected in violations $10,100 on local inspections for 1997. The State of New Jersey has returned $10,864.03 for conducting New Jersey State Bureau of Fire Safety Inspections. The Department performed 374 primary inspections and approximately 741 reinspections. Total funds in penalties collected in 1997 was $14,880. The total amount of inspection fees and penalty money deposited in the Borough's treasury totalled $35,844.03. Under Public Facilities, two underground waste oil tanks were removed from the recycling depot at the public works garage. The tanks were 18 years old and in good condition, but it was decided to remove them due to the possibility of leakage, costing a large sum of money for site remediation, and to save money on the high cost of installing detection and prevention devices to keep them in compliance with Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Two new above ground tanks were installed.

SANITATION & WELFARE:

Under Sanitation, Councilman Pepe announced the dates for the pickup of spring cleaning items and the date of the next household hazardous waste program which gives residents the opportunity to properly dispose of household hazardous waste free of charge. Under Welfare, for the month of February there were 10 cases at the beginning of the month, 1 new case, 1 closed case and 2 cases pending at the end of the month. There were a total of 13 cases serviced, 2 cases denied, 2 finger imagings, 16 GA6 and GA48 reports, 15 office interviews, 4 food distributions from the pantry, 10 conferences, 1 workshop and monies expended was $1,610.

HEALTH & RECREATION:

Under Health, Councilwoman Verrastro reported there were 3 births, 49 burial permits, 316 certified transcripts, 140 dog licenses sold, 49 total deaths recorded, 2 food licenses issued, 9 vending machine licenses issued and 2 marriage licenses issued. The Department received 139 calls for the month. Under Recreation, the Department received numerous awards at the Department of Parks dinner. The dates for registration of various programs were announced.

STREETS, TRANSPORTATION & PARKS:

Councilman Wassberg reported the Department of Public Works has received 100 trees delivered from a nursery. 20 of the trees have been planted, but there has been a delay due to the recent snow. Dead roots were removed from various trees at Woodland Park. The 400 block of Jefferson Ave. will be paved at the end of April. 40 trees will be planted by a contractor at this area to complete the project. Williams Ave. will be milled from the Boulevard to Route 17 this week and paving will take place at a later date.

CONSENT AGENDA: None

RESOLUTIONS:
48. Adoption of 1998 Municipal Budget

Mayor Torre entertained a motion to carry Resolution No. 48 as adoption of the budget is pending approval of the Division of Local Government Services. On motion by Councilman Link, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was carried.

50. Authorizing Settlement in Sommers v. Boro

51. 1997 Budget Reserve Transfers

52. Authorizing Treasurer to Sell Bond Anticipation Notes

53. Award of Bid for Radio Maintenance

54. Authorizing Sale of Certain Lots Adjacent to Route 17

PROCLAMATION: Parliamentary Law Month

On motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolutions were adopted.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODIFICATION OF ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS BY MODIFYING SECTION 275-15C THEREOF PERTAINING TO THE DESIGNATION OF REQUIRED YARDS OF CORNER LOTS TO PROVIDE THAT THE REAR YARDS THEREOF EXTEND THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF SUCH LOTS" 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 April 28, 1998 at 8:00 p.m.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO ADD TO SECTION 275-21 THEREOF ENTITLED "REGULATIONS GOVERNING CERTAIN ACCESSORY STRUCTURES AND USES" SO AS TO ADD THERETO REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE COMMERCIAL FILMING OR TAPING OF COMMERCIAL MOVIES, ADVERTISEMENTS, SHOWS OR OTHER SUCH COMMERCIAL PRODUCTIONS UPON ANY PREMISES IN THE BOROUGH" 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 April 28, 1998 at 8:00 p.m.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO PROVIDE THEREIN A NEW CHAPTER NUMBERED 137 ENTITLED "FILMING OR TAPING OF CERTAIN COMMERCIALS, MOVIES, ADVERTISEMENTS, SHOWS OR OTHER SUCH PRODUCTIONS, LICENSING" REGULATING THE OPERATION OF SUCH UNDERTAKINGS REQUIRING A LICENSE THEREFOR, AND FIXING THE FEE OR FEES FOR THE SAME" 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 April 28, 1998 at 8:00 p.m.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE SUPPLEMENTING ARTICLE I ENTITLED "GENERAL REGULATIONS" OR CHAPTER 198 ENTITLED "PEACE AND GOOD ORDER" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS THROUGH A VENDING MACHINE, TO PROHIBIT VENDING MACHINES CONTAINING TOBACCO PRODUCTS FOR SALE UPON ANY PREMISES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND TO IMPOSE CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF" 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 April 28, 1998 at 8:00 p.m.

Councilman Pepe motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, to adopt the foregoing Ordinances for Introduction. There were all ayes except for Councilman Heeren who voted no on the Introduction of Ordinance No. 1813.

"AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODIFICATION OF ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS IN RESPECT TO PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES IN THE B-1 "CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT" ZONE.

Mayor Torre entertained a motion to carry Ordinance No. 1811 as they were awaiting review and recommendations by the Planning Board. Councilman Link motioned, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, to carry Ordinance No. 1811.

ORDINANCE NO. 1812:

Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak on Ordinance No. 1812. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Torre closed the public hearing on said Ordinance.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE II ENTITLED "VOLUNTEER AUXILIARY AMBULANCE SQUAD" OF CHAPTER 28 ENTITLED "FIRE DEPARTMENT" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO FIX THE MINIMUM AGE REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THAT SQUAD AT THE SAME MINIMUM AGE AS REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT" 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 DiPisa, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinance for Public Hearing was adopted.

MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC:

Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak.

Frank Romano, 144 Hasbrouck Ave., came forward and said he was present at last month's meeting and spoke in reference to flooding by Joint Venture 17 and the Shop-Rite property. He commented that he was having difficulties in obtaining some public records from the Building Department due to the location of where these files are kept. Mr. Chandless said the Borough Administrator will see to it that all public records will be made immediately available to Mr. Romano. Mr. Romano said that while he was reviewing files, he came across a letter from a drainage engineer which was sent to the architect for the Shop-Rite property which basically said that the back lot of Shop-Rite was designed to flood. Mr. Chandless said that he has not seen anything in the file nor does he recollect anything that would indicate that the Planning Board ever intended that any open area be designed or left in such a circumstance as to permit the accumulation of water. The intention was that there be an adequate drainage system so that there not be any runoff onto adjacent property, whatsoever.

Brian Burke, Area Representative for Warner Communications, came forward and said he was a former police chief and congratulated the Governing Body on the promotions of the police officers this evening.

There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Torre closed the meeting to the public.

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council desire to meet for the purpose of personnel; 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 March 24, 1998.

Barbara Maldonado, RMC

Borough Clerk

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