BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS

M I N U T E S

March 23, 1999

A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on March 23, 1999 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, 1999 and transmitted to The Observer, The Record and the Herald News on January 4, 1999.

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.

Mayor Torre presented the Hasbrouck Heights Girls Varsity Soccer Team with proclamations in honor of their achievement of becoming the 1998 Bergen County Soccer League National Division Champions.

COMMUNICATIONS: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (February 23, 1999 & March 9, 1999)

On motion by Councilman Heeren, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, the Minutes of the foregoing meetings were adopted.

PETITIONS: None

BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $478,217.02 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 Herbert D. Heeren/Commissioner of Finance

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

REPORT OF MAYOR:

Mayor Torre reported that the rent leveling ordinance on tonight's agenda for introduction eliminates the ability of landlords to pass on tax increases to its tenants. This new ordinance will also include a 2 1/2% rental increase only for qualified senior citizen tenants, an ordinance which was adopted last year. He announced that the 1999 municipal budget reflects a 0% increase in taxes.

NOTE: Mayor Torre left the meeting at 8:15 p.m. due to another engagement and Council President DiPisa then chaired the meeting.

STREETS, TRANSPORTATION & LAND USE:

Under Streets, Councilman Link reported that 285 trees were trimmed and 12 dead trees were removed by the Department of Public Works. The Department has received 100 trees for spring planting. Under Land Use, for the month of February the Building Department issued 66 permits and there were 6 contractor registrations/renewals.

FINANCE & RECREATION:

Under Finance, Councilman Heeren reported that for the month of February the current cash balance was $2,952,000 all of which was invested, earning 4 3/4% in interest. Cash receipts totalled $3,531,162 of which $3,441,000 was from current taxes, $98,429 was from delinquent taxes and $70,598 was from miscellaneous revenues. Cash disbursements for the month totalled $2,722,000 of which $1,000,000 was for local school taxes, $549,000 was for county taxes, $67,000 for state refunds due to appeals, $50,000 was for interfund transfers, $362,000 was for salaries and $694,000 was for other expenses. Under Recreation, he reported that approximately 100 girls registered for girls softball. A second registration for this program will be held. The wrestling team had a very good year with 35 wrestlers being entered into the championships and 31 receiving medals. Applications for summer playground jobs are currently being accepted.

POLICE:

Councilman DiPisa reported that Captain Stan Melowic will be retiring after 30 years of service. He referred to Captain Melowic as a well respected and personable part of the Borough. Fifteen flexible pedestrian safety signs were donated to the Department and installed on the Boulevard by the DPW. He urged motorists to yield to pedestrians and pedestrians to cross at corners and use crosswalks. All police officers were measured for new shirts which they will be receiving in the near future. The Department has started a new motor vehicle violation enforcement campaign, whereas in addition to normal enforcement, the Department will concentrate on one violation each month. This month they will concentrate on speeding. For the month of February, the Department received 828 calls for service, 95 via 911. Two new police cars have been ordered and are scheduled to arrive in June.

FIRE & PUBLIC FACILITIES:

Under Public Facilities, Councilman Pepe reported that over the past few years, the front of the Municipal Building has undergone numerous renovations. The building now conforms to all barrier-free standards since the reconstruction of the front entry way with automatic doors and entry ramp, the installation of an elevator and new barrier-free bathrooms on the second floor. New hallway light fixtures have been ordered to improve the lighting on both the first and second floors. This year additional runoff problems in the east parking lot will be looked into with the installation of a retaining wall and fence and possibly new signs for the front of the building. Under Fire, he reported that the Fire Committee has been meeting on a regular basis and has discussed its two, five and ten year plan for future purchases of equipment and necessary items.

HEALTH & WELFARE:

Under Health, Councilwoman Verrastro reported that for the month of February there were 8 births, 5 males and 3 females, 56 burial permits, 106 dog licenses, 60 deaths recorded, 2 temporary food licenses, 10 vending machines licenses, 4 marriage licenses and 70 calls were received by the Department. Under Welfare, there were 5 cases at the beginning of the month, 1 case closed, 4 cases opened, 5 cases denied, 14 cases serviced, 15 referrals, 18 interviews, 15 food distributions from the pantry and money expended for the month was $1,157.80. The Local Assistance Board reappointed Welfare Director Lee Kulakowski for another five year term at its reorganization meeting held in January.

SANITATION & PARKS:

Under Sanitation, Councilman Wassberg reported that the Department of Public Works delivered paper bags to all residents for spring cleanup. Under Parks, the new playground equipment at Woodland Park has been installed and fenced in.

PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET:

Council President DiPisa opened the public hearing for anyone wishing to speak on the 1999 municipal budget. There being no one wishing to speak, Council President DiPisa closed the public hearing.

CONSENT AGENDA: None

RESOLUTIONS: 57. Authorizing Borough Attorney to Appeal 1999 Assessment of Park Terrace Gardens, Inc. & Seek Increase to the True Value Based on Appraisal

58. Reject Bids for Burr Place Sewer Rehabilitation Project and Authorize Negotiations With Contractors to Obtain an Acceptable Price

59. Refund Taxes Overpaid - Laurence Associates

60. Adoption of 1999 Municipal Budget

61. Sale of Bond Anticipation Notes

62. Award of Bid for Radio Maintenance

63. Budget Examination Resolution

64. Authorizing Treasurer to Cancel Outstanding Checks

65. Authorizing Transfer of Liquor License - Monahans Club Inc.

66. Opposing A-179/S-618 - Last Best Offer for Contract Negotiations

Proclamation: Parliamentary Law Month

On motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolutions & Proclamation were adopted. (Resolutions attached)

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 178 ENTITLED "LITTERING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE

THEREIN A PROHIBITION AGAINST THE SURRENDER OR ABANDONMENT OF A SHOPPING CART ON ANY PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PREMISES WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS EXCEPT THE PREMISES UPON WHICH IS LOCATED THE COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE FROM WHICH THAT CART WAS TAKEN, PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION AND STORAGE OF CARTS SO SURRENDERED OR ABANDONED IN VIOLATION OF THAT PROHIBITION, PROVIDING A FEE FOR SUCH COLLECTION AND STORAGE, AND PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE TERMS 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 13, 1999.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 275-37 ENTITLED "ENFORCEMENT" OF CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO FURTHER SPECIFY THOSE OFFICIALS IN CHARGE OF THE ENFORCEMENT OF THAT CHAPTER, SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFICE OF A ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND DEFINING THE DUTIES THEREOF AND SO AS TO REDEFINE THE DUTIES OF OTHER BOROUGH OFFICIALS IN RELATION THERETO" 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 13, 1999.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO STABILIZE AND REGULATE RENTS WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS AND TO ESTABLISH A RENT BOARD, WHICH ORDINANCE IS TO BE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "1999 RENT LEVELLING ORDINANCE" 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 27, 1999.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESURFACING OF LA SALLE AVENUE FROM THE BOULEVARD TO TERRACE AVENUE, HENRY STREET FROM OAK GROVE AVENUE TO BURTON AVENUE AND WALTER AVENUE FROM THE BOULEVARD TO BURTON AVENUE AS PART OF THE 1999 PROGRAM FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF STREETS, TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $142,000.00 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 TOTAL SUM OF $134,900.00" 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 27, 1999.

On motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, the foregoing ordinances for introduction were approved.

ORDINANCE NO. 1847:

Council President DiPisa opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak on Ordinance No. 1847. There being no one wishing to speak on said ordinance, Council President DiPisa closed the public hearing.

BE IT RESOLVED that an ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT ARTICLE I ENTITLED "UNIFORM FIRE CODE" OF CHAPTER 139 ENTITLED "FIRE PREVENTION" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO REQUIRE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION OF MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING STRUCTURES AND SO AS TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CERTAIN FEES CHARGED THEREUNDER" 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 motion by Councilman Heeren, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinance for final adoption was approved.

MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC:

Council President DiPisa opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak. There being no one wishing to speak, Council President DiPisa closed the public hearing.

WHEREAS, the Governing Body desires to meet for the purpose of a closed session to discuss personnel and property acquisition and/or sale; 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 Governing Body 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.

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

ADJOURN:

There being no further business to come before the Governing Body, 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 23, 1999.

Barbara Maldonado, RMC
Borough Clerk

[ Back to Index of Mayor & Council Minutes ]