BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS

M I N U T E S

August 11, 1998

A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on August 11, 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 on January 2, 1998.

ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor William J. Torre, Councilman Herbert D. Heeren, Councilman Justin A. DiPisa, Councilman Garrett R. Pepe, Councilwoman Marlene Verrastro, Councilman John Wassberg

Absent: Councilman Andrew Link III

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (March 10, 1998, March 24, 1998, March 31, 1998, April 14, 1998, April 28, 1998 & July 28, 1998)

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

BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $1,636,636.83 specified in the schedule, having been examined and approved by the Finance Commissioner, or his Deputy, be paid and that warrants be issued therefore.

Signed Herbert D. Heeren/Deputy Commissioner of Finance

On motion by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was adopted.

PUBLIC HEARING: Renewal of Municipal Consent for Cablevision of Oakland, Inc. to Construct and Operate Cable Television System in the Borough

Charlie Romane, 245 Hamilton Ave., came forward and asked if there would be a discount for senior citizens.

Gary Shaw, Government Affairs Mgr. of Cablevision of Oakland, came forward and said that Cablevision has bought all TCI properties in this area. Their Cresskill offers a senior citizen discount but the Oakland office does not. He said that as they transition into one big entity, they are hopeful that they will be able to offer senior citizen discounts at some point. He said the main reason they have not offered it is because that when they set up their rate structure, it was not put into place. They need to find a way to put this into place without forcing other customers to pay for that discount. He said it is also a matter of a record keeping problem. They have to develop a system to see if an individual meets the requirements under the State Pharmaceutical Act to obtain a discount. Councilwoman Verrastro said the State Pharmaceutical Act applies to lower income seniors and would not apply to all seniors. Mr. Shaw said they go by the requirements of that Act. Councilman DiPisa said other cable companies in other counties only request that the individual provide their social security number to prove they are 65 years of age or older. If the Pharmaceutical Act is used for the aging and disabled, it would only apply to 20% of seniors. He asked why should other paying customers subsidize the seniors' discounts when Cablevision of Oakland could just accept less profit. Mr. Shaw said this is something the company can consider. He said their prices don't decrease because programming costs do not decrease. They are trying to administer standardized pricing across the board in the near future, whereas no matter where you live, the same programming packages and discounts will be available. Councilwoman Verrastro felt all seniors should get the discount. Eugene Krantz, 22 year employee of Cablevision of Oakland, came forward and said they were instructed by the State of New Jersey to have seniors qualify for the discount through the Pharmaceutical Act. Mr. Krantz agreed it is unfair and said they hope to change this in the near future. Mr. Shaw said he will discuss a senior citizen discount for all seniors with the corporate headquarters. Mayor Torre read the following as official requests from the Borough: all senior citizens be given qualified discounts on cable rates and all rates be frozen during the term of their next franchise. Mr. Shaw said the request to freeze the rates would be rejected by the State of New Jersey. Mayor Torre continued with the request of cable wiring being in all Borough buildings and schools and in all offices they feel would be necessary, wiring in all Borough buildings and schools, including the library, for internet service, provide upgrades to the ITV room in the high school and the grammar schools when and if they get an ITV room and provide recording equipment to the Borough for recording and possible broadcast of community and special events and meetings. Mr. Shaw said all of these possibilities will be considered.

RESOLUTIONS:
118. Payroll

119. Payment of Fees to State - Dog Licenses

120. Refund of Wrestling Deposits

On motion by Councilman Heeren, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolutions were adopted. (Resolutions attached)

ORDINANCE(S) ON INTRODUCTION:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE SUPPLEMENTING SECTION 119-3 OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO EXEMPT FROM THE IMPOSITION OF CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FEES ANY CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, ALTERATION OR IMPROVEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING ACCESSIBILITY BY DISABLED PERSONS" 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 September 8, 1998 at 8:00 p.m.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT PARAGRAPH B ENTITLED "PROCEDURE FOR ISSUANCE AND FEES REQUIRED" OF SECTION 275-39 ENTITLED "ZONING CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE" OF CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS" 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 September 8, 1998 at 8:00 p.m.

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

ORDINANCE(S) ON PUBLIC HEARING:

Mayor Torre spoke in reference to Ordinance No. 1828. He said this ordinance is the first step towards obtaining a new library and senior citizen/civic center. He said we must have property acquired for the new building before we can get a community development grant. The property is located on Central and the Boulevard. This ordinance is providing funds to make an offer on the property.

Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak on Ordinance Nos. 1825, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1831 and 1832.

Gerald McDowell, 348 Harrison Ave., came forward and said he is very supportive of a new library and senior citizen center. He said he is against the location. He felt the Boulevard is too busy and putting the building there would be mixing uses. He felt the property by the athletic field was more suitable. Mayor Torre mentioned that the Borough has $400,000 from the sale of Borough properties and this money may be allocated towards the new library or to offset taxes. Mayor Torre said the property to be acquired consists of three lots and according to the architecture for the project, it would be more than adequate to house a 15,000 square foot library and senior center. Parking would be underneath the building. Councilman Wassberg said the location is centrally located for residents to walk to and centrally located to the schools.

Michele Maiullo, Library Director, came forward and said that you want to locate the library within two blocks of three schools and one block away from a traffic light. She said to have the library located at the end of a business district is just too good to be true. She felt the location is ideal.

Former Mayor/Assemblywoman Rose Heck came forward in support of a new library. She recommended there be public hearings on not just the location of the building, but also on the type of building to get public opinions and to make it a community project. Mayor Torre agreed.

Michael Cahill, 218 Longview Ave., came forward as past President of the senior citizens organization, the Leisure Club, and said they are strongly in favor of a senior citizens center. They are presently only able to use a facility once a month to meet. He said the seniors need a facility to get together to socialize with each other.

Elizabeth Moser, 104 Burton Ave., came forward and said she felt the library should not be situated by the athletic field. She said it is a hardship to walk up the hill.

Tom Verrastro, Library Board President, came forward and on behalf of the Board, thanked the Mayor and Council for the proposed new library. He said they are ready to assist with any fund raisers necessary to raise money for the project. He asked seniors to attend their board meetings to discuss the new library project.

Betty Gulino, 147 Burr Pl., came forward and asked if there have been any new developments on the Burr Pl. sewer situation. Mayor Torre said there is an ordinance on this evening's agenda for final adoption which would authorize funds to insituform the main line. They will also continue to seek out illegal sump pump hookups.

Dr. Burnett Eglow, Board of Education Member, came forward and commended and thanked the Mayor and Council for undertaking this project.

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

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO FIX THE SALARY AND COMPENSATION OF CERTAIN OF THE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, FOR THE YEAR 1998" 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.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 45 OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE AN EMPLOYEES' PERSONNEL MANUAL AND A DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE WORKPLACE POLICY" 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.

"AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $500,000.00 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING THEREON A NEW FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND SENIOR CITIZEN CIVIC CENTER 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 $475,000.00".

On motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, Ordinance No. 1828 was carried.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE A PORTION OF AN UNIMPROVED PORTION OF CLEVELAND AVENUE BETWEEN STATE HIGHWAY ROUTE 17 AND A LINE RUNNING FROM THE POINT FORMED BY THE MOST SOUTHWESTERLY CORNER OF LOT 5 IN BLOCK 70 AND ANOTHER POINT FORMED BY THE MOST SOUTHEASTERLY CORNER OF LOT 6 IN BLOCK 68 AS THE SAME APPEARS ON THE CURRENT ASSESSMENT MAP OF THIS BOROUGH AS WELL AS AN UNIMPROVED PORTION OF THIRD STREET FROM ITS SOUTHERLY TERMINUS AT UNIMPROVED CLEVELAND AVENUE TO THE CURRENT NORTHERLY TERMINUS OF THAT PORTION THEREOF BETWEEN LOT 9 IN BLOCK 70 AND LOT 21 IN BLOCK 71 AS THE SAME APPEARS ON THE CURRENT ASSESSMENT MAP OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS ALL AS PROVIDED IN N.J.S.A. 40:67-19" 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.

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 SECTION NUMBERED SECTION 45-12A, ENTITLED "PURCHASING AGENT", ESTABLISHING SUCH BOROUGH OFFICE, FIXING THE DUTIES THEREOF AND PROVIDING THE COMPENSATION THEREFOR, ALL PURSUANT TO AND AS REQUIRED BY N.J.S.A. 40A:11-9" 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.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE REHABILITATION OF CERTAIN SANITARY SEWER MAINS WITHIN THIS BOROUGH FOUND OR TO BE FOUND IN NEED OF THE SAME BEGINNING WITH THE BURR PLACE SANITARY SEWER MAIN BETWEEN DIVISION AVENUE AND HENRY STREET, TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $80,000.00 FOR THAT PURPOSE 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 $76,000.00" be now passed on second and final reading and the Borough Clerk be and is hereby authorized and directed to published said Ordinance, same to be published in The Observer, a newspaper circulating in the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights.

On motion by Councilwoman Verrastro, second by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinances on 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.

RECESS FOR CAUCUS:

The Governing Body recessed for Caucus.

ADJOURN:

There being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, 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 August 11, 1998.

Barbara Maldonado, RMC

Borough Clerk

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