M I N U T E S - REORGANIZATION MEETING January 1, 1999 The Reorganization Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on January 1, 1999 at 12:00 noon in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 248 Hamilton Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. The Oath of Office was administered to Garrett R. Pepe as Councilman by Assemblywoman Rose Heck and to Marlene Verrastro by Mayor William J. Torre. Mayor Torre declared the 1999 Reorganization Meeting in session and stated that the meeting complied with the Sunshine Law, due notice having been made to all members of the Council on December 21, 1998 and to The Observer, The Record and the Herald News on December 21, 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 Following the Salute to the Flag, the Invocation was offered by Reverend Dwight D. Shellaway of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Councilman Heeren nominated Councilman DiPisa for President of the Council. The nomination was seconded by Councilman Link. There being no further nominations, Councilman DiPisa was unanimously elected President of the Council for 1999. RESOLUTION: 1. Adoption of 1999 By-Laws On motion by Councilman Link, seconded by Councilman Heeren, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was adopted. (Resolution attached) Councilman Link nominated Councilwoman Verrastro as representative to the Planning Board. The nomination was seconded by Councilman DiPisa. Councilwoman Verrastro was unanimously appointed to the Planning Board as a Class III Member for the term of one year. Mayor Torre and Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Fire Councilman Pepe and Councilman DiPisa administered the Oath of Office to 1999 Fire Department Officers. (list of names attached) Mayor Torre assigned the 1999 Council Committees as follows: Commissioner of Finance Herbert D. Heeren Deputy Commissioner of Finance Andrew Link III Commissioner of Police Justin A. DiPisa Deputy Commissioner of Police Herbert D. Heeren Commissioner of Fire Garrett R. Pepe Deputy Commissioner of Fire Justin A. DiPisa Commissioner of Health Marlene Verrastro Deputy Commissioner of Health Justin A. DiPisa Commissioner of Strs. & Transp. Andrew Link III Dep. Commissioner of Strs. & Transp. Herbert D. Heeren Commissioner of Land Use Andrew Link III Deputy Commissioner of Land Use Marlene Verrastro Commissioner of Sanitation John Wassberg Deputy Commissioner of Sanitation Andrew Link III Commissioner of Parks John Wassberg Deputy Commissioner of Parks Justin A. DiPisa Commissioner of Recreation Herbert D. Heeren Deputy Commissioner of Recreation Justin A. DiPisa Commissioner of Public Facilities Garrett R. Pepe Dep. Commissioner of Public Facilities Justin A. DiPisa Commissioner of Welfare Marlene Verrastro Deputy Commissioner of Welfare John Wassberg Senior Citizens' Ombudsman Herbert D. Heeren Juvenile Outreach Ombudsman Garrett R. Pepe Library Liaison Garrett R. Pepe Drug Alliance Chairperson Justin A. DiPisa Municipal League Liaison Marlene Verrastro Intergovernmental Services Liaison Garrett R. Pepe On motion by Councilman Link, seconded by
Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, to confirm the 1999 Council Committees. CONSENT AGENDA: 2. Petty Cash Funds 3. Authorize CFO to Invest Idle Funds 4. Authorize CFO to Prepare Payrolls 5. Authorize CFO to Pay Medical Insurance Premiums 6. Designate Official Depositories for Borough Funds 7. Authorize Signatures for Borough Checks 8. Designate Official Newspaper 9. Set Meeting Dates for 1999 Council Meetings 10. Temporary Budget 11. Continuing Tax Settlement Committee 12. 1999 Debt Service Budget 13. Designating Number of Hours per Week as Minimum Requirement for Full Time Status On motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolutions on the Consent Agenda were adopted. (Resolutions attached) APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Torre made the following appointments and requested confirmation by the Council: APPOINTMENTS FOR 1999 POSITIONAPPOINTEE TERM Borough Attorney Ralph W. Chandless, Jr. 1 Year Borough Engineer Kenneth G.B. Job 1 Year Administrator/Treasurer/ Michael J. Kronyak 1 Year Purchasing Agent Borough Auditor Paul Garbarini 1 Year Superintendent D.P.W./ Robert Heck 1 Year Cert. Public Works Mgr. Construction Code Off./ Terry Naletko Tenure Building Subcode Property Maintenance Off. Glenn Paxton 1 Year Plumbing Inspector Richard Vanatta1 Year
POSITION APPOINTEE TERM Electric Sub-Code Richard Castellitto 1 Year Official Assessor George Reggo 4 Years Public Defender Thomas Mason 1 Year Prosecutor Frederick H. Allen 1 Year Borough Historian Louise Davenport 1 Year Board of Health Michael Mink 4 Years Rodger Powell Expires-1/1/02 Louis Castellitto-Alt.1 2 Years Joanne Audino-Alt. 2 Expires-1/1/00 Local Assistance Board Marlene Verrastro 1 Year Ralph Mastroberte Expires-1/1/01 Lucretia White 4 Years General Assessment Board Richard Jarocki 3 Years Board of Adjustment Arnold Steinhauff 4 Years Robert Searle 4 Years Patricia Link-Alt. 1 2 Years Planning Board Terry Naletko-Class II 1 Year Henry Dobbelaar 4 Years Harold Jacobus 4 Years Robert Searle 4 Years Ronald Kistner-Alt. 1 2 Years Free Public Library - Peter Gallo 5 Years Trustee Rent Leveling Board Joseph Torre 1 Year Joseph Ciano 1 Year Ronald Monteleone 1 Year Roy Perham III 1 Year Josephine Foresta 1 Year Charles Stenger 1 Year Recreation Commission Sara Chiha 5 Years Patricia Link 5 Years
Committee of Community Celebrations "Mayor to make no appointments - current members to hold over - ordinance to be amended in 1999" Audrey Ascione 1 Year Dorothy Bernice 1 Year Anthony Bernice 1 Year Victoria Borsett 1 Year Michael Ciano 1 Year Madeline de Velasco 1 Year Erin Gallagher 1 Year Patricia Link 1 Year Penny Mazzeo 1 Year Richard Torre 1 Year Elizabeth Torre 1 Year John Pirilli 1 Year Nancy Pirilli 1 Year Mary Russo 1 Year Norma Wilke 1 Year Brian Willard 1 Year Rosemary Willard 1 Year Doug Lanzo 1 Year Coleen Lanzo 1 Year Doris Bruno 1 Year Debra Torre 1 Year Joanne Ciano 1 Year Vincent Gareffa 1 Year Mary Alice Gareffa 1 Year Ann O'Donnel 1 Year Marie Kistner 1 Year Vincent Romano 1 Year Connie Romano 1 Year Betty Messery 1 Year Craig Messery 1 Year Debra Ciano 1 Year Joseph Giancaspro 1 Year Valerie Giancaspro 1 Year Barbara Moore 1 Year Helene Searle 1 Year Connie Mason 1 Year Shelley Claude 1 Year Leslie Giaquinto 1 Year John Giaquinto 1 Year Mark Ciano 1 Year Renee Sedita 1 Year Susan Verrastro 1 Year Joyce Powell 1 Year
Design District Advisory Committee Mayor William J. Torre 1 Year Mayor's Alternate: Ronald Kistner Marlene Verrastro 1 Year Harold Jacobus 1 Year Arnold Steinhauff 1 Year Doreen Rutt 1 Year Doug Lanzo 1 Year Valerie Nucera 1 Year Nancy Marino 1 Year
Emergency Management Kevin Cappadona 3 Years Michael J. Cappadona 3 Years Joseph A. Costa 3 Years Vincent L. Costa 3 Years Darren DeNigris 3 Years Gerard DeNigris 3 Years Robert DeNigris 3 Years John DeVoe 3 Years Michael DiPisa 3 Years Robert Dietsche 3 Years Patricia Godfrey 3 Years James Halloran 3 Years Bette Jean Johnson 3 Years Harry Johnson 3 Years Yvette Johnson 3 Years Robert Kubler 3 Years Kevin Mathe 3 Years William Mergo 3 Years Amalia Moya 3 Years Susan Paul 3 Years Walter Paul 3 Years Rodger Powell 3 Years Ronn W. Rotonda 3 Years Thomas Rubino 3 Years Bruce Werner, Jr. 3 Years William White 3 Years Nicholas A. Bernice 3 Years Michael J. Jarvis 3 Years
Chief Radio Communications Officer Dr. Roger Szanto 1 Year
Special Law Enforcement Joseph Attilio 1 Year John Krisinski 1 Year William Pols 1 Year Thomas Rubino 1 Year
Police Matrons Karen Carney 1 Year Susan Paul 1 Year Teryl Meagher 1 Year
Borough Examining Drs. Louis Napolitano, MD 1 Year Thomas Bellavia, MD 1 Year Mark Delcalzo, DC 1 Year
School Marshals Marion Beuttler 1 Year Lillian Buffone 1 Year Lillian Dwyer 1 Year Esther Long 1 Year John Mazotas 1 Year Robert Meindl 1 Year Frances Senkeleski 1 Year Helen Treptow 1 Year Frank Pagan 1 Year Lois Carucci 1 Year Joan Wiley 1 Year Rita Nedellec 1 Year Patrick Power 1 Year Doris Holden 1 Year
Substitutes: Hiag Chongoushian 1 Year Joseph Attilio 1 Year Donald Cudworth 1 Year Jean Reyngoudt 1 Year Josephine Bruno 1 Year Gerard Hackel 1 Year
Fire Official U.F.S.A. Arthur Jackson 1 Year
Inspectors Frank Pistilli 1 Year Albert Saulnier 1 Year Kenneth Kubler 1 Year Angelo Roccamo 1 Year Arthur Knobloch 1 Year Edmund Carter 1 Year Kevin Todd 1 Year Deborah Greco 1 Year
Mechanics Eng. Co. No.1 Kevin Todd 1 Year Eng. Co. No.2 Robert Thomasey 1 Year Hook & Ladder Anthony Greco 1 Year Emergency Trk. Joseph Taylor 1 Year Ambulances Deborah Greco 1 Year
Public Info. Off. Anthony Greco 1 Year Arthur Jackson 1 Year
Dept. Safety Off. Kevin Todd 1 Year Arthur Jackson 1 Year
On motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Appointments were confirmed and approved.
MAYOR'S ANNUAL MESSAGE: Mayor Torre began his annual address by welcoming and thanking all of those in attendance. He welcomed back newly elected Councilman Pepe and Councilwoman Verrastro. He commented that the success of the Borough is due not only to the assistance of Borough employees, but also the many volunteers. He stated that over the last four years, taxes on the average house assessed at $195,000 have gone up $87.85, an increase of less than 1%. This has been done despite losses in state aid, increases in pensions and labor costs, decreases in ratables by approximately 8 million dollars and other factors not under the Governing Body's control. In 1997, the Borough received a citation from Governor Whitman for being 1 of approximately 40 towns to have a tax rate lower than the rate of inflation. This year, the Borough Administrator projects an anticipated surplus of over $1,000,000. The Borough has acquired three lots on the corner of Central Ave. and the Boulevard for the construction of a new library and senior citizen center. The Borough has applied for $370,000 in funds from Community Development to assist with construction costs. The Borough will also be applying for State grants if available. The Borough continued to focus on shared services. In 1998, we signed an agreement with Teterboro to provide 911 coverage for them. We already provide Teterboro with fire coverage. A joint Tax Assessor's Office was created with South Hackensack with the result of an expansion of hours and a reduction in costs. Software for Borough computers is in the process of being updated so there will not be any problems when the year 2000 arrives, known as the Y2K problem. The Borough placed its insurance for property and casualty coverage with the North Jersey
Intergovernmental Insurance Fund, saving approximately $24,000. The Borough also received a rebate check for $27,000 as a refund of surplus from the FUND. Mayor Torre mentioned the numerous number of ordinances which were adopted in 1998 to better our community. The Borough applied to Community Development for $90,000 for barrier-free curbs and ramps at various locations and $40,000 for barrier-free rest rooms at the athletic field. We applied to the Department of Transportation for funding for the Boulevard (phase I) improvements and for Kipp Ave., between the Boulevard and Terrace Ave. In 1998, the Police Department answered approximately 10,000 calls. The crime rate in the Borough has substantially been reduced in the last two years. There have been many changes in police personnel, the most major being the retirement of Police Chief Bruce Werner. Radar enforcement has been increased and new crosswalks and new signage have been added to make Borough streets safer. The Fire Department responded to over 1,800 calls in 1998. A new KME 2,000 gallon per minute pumper was purchased to replace the 22 year old pumper. A new ambulance will be received this year to replace the 15 year old ambulance. The entire department has been outfitted with full gear, completing a four year project to ensure the safety of our fire fighters. Two defibrillators were donated to the Borough, one from Hackensack University Medical Center and the other from a Borough resident. The TIP Committee donated a thermal imaging camera to the Department, with a second one on the way. New lighter and more efficient scott air packs were placed into service in 1998. We will now have two Borough employees who are also certified EMT's who will be available during the day to answer calls. In 1998, a new dump truck and new garbage truck were purchased for the Department of Public Works to replace old trucks. Under streets, Burton Ave. was paved from Williams Ave. to Passaic Ave. and was funded by the State. The 400 block of Jefferson Ave. was also completed this year. The project included removal and replacement of all existing curbs, sidewalks and trees and improvements to the storm water drain system. We have been awarded $45,000 from the Department of Transportation for the resurfacing of Hamilton Ave. In 1996, the DPW began the process of trimming all Borough trees. The project is almost complete and will start all over again. Approximately 150 new trees were planted in 1998. As a result of recycling, we have obtained $64,000 in tonnage grants. Thanks to a $50,000 state grant, new playground equipment is in the process of being installed at Woodland Park. In 1999, the Governing Body plans to refurbish the all purpose field and to add a walking track for seniors. The project will depend upon budgetary constraints. In 1998, the Borough contracted with Elmwood Park for health services. The flu clinic was reinstated with 205 residents being immunized. Office equipment in the Department was upgraded to include computerized dog and food license programs. The Building Department issued approximately 579 permits for over a $3,000,000 construction value. 135 contractors registered and over 223 certificates of zoning compliance were issued for resale and new occupancies. The Library loaned out over 80,000 items to residents, making it one of the best used libraries in Bergen County. The Recreation Department had another outstanding year with over 300 children participating in the summer recreation program.
MISCELLANEOUS FROM THE COUNCIL: Councilman Link thanked the Governing Body for its dedication over the past years and the Department Heads in the Borough for all of their hard work. On behalf of the Link Family, he wished all a very happy and healthy New Year. Councilman Heeren thanked the dedicated volunteers and employees of the Borough. On behalf of the TIP Committee, he thanked the entire community for their generosity which made it possible to obtain a thermal imaging camera for the Fire Department and paved the way to obtain a second one which will be arriving in the near future. Councilman DiPisa thanked his family for their love and support and congratulated Councilwoman Verrastro and Councilman Pepe on their reelection. Councilman Pepe extended thanks to the hard working employees of the Borough and a special thanks to the two departments he was commissioner of, Department of Public Works and the Welfare Department. He commended Welfare Director Lee Kulakowski who will be reaching her 40th year this year as the Director. He thanked the citizens for their faith and for reelecting him to the Council and his family for their support. Councilwoman Verrastro welcomed those in attendance and wished all a happy New Year. She commended the Borough employees and the many volunteers that have bettered this Borough. She thanked the residents for her reelection and her family for their support.
Councilman Wassberg welcomed those present and wished them a happy and healthy New Year. He commended the work of volunteers and stated how every role was important. He thanked Assemblywoman Rose Heck for her assistance with the Borough receiving funds to improve Woodland Park.
MISCELLANEOUS FROM THE PUBLIC: Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak. Assemblywoman Rose Heck came forward and congratulated Councilwoman Verrastro and Councilman Pepe on their reelection to the Council. She spoke of the people from the past that have helped to make the Borough what it is today and how there is a building block and time process. She wished the Governing Body the best for 1999. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Torre closed the meeting to the public. There being no further business to be conducted by 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 Reorganization Meeting held on January 1, 1999.
Barbara Maldonado, RMC Borough Clerk
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