M I N U T E S January 23, 2001 A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 at 8:00 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 200 Division Avenue, corner of the Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. Mayor Torre stated that the meeting complied with the Sunshine Law, adequate notice of this meeting having been made to all members of the Council by personal service on January 1, 2001 and transmitted to The Observer, The Record and The Herald News on January 1, 2001. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor William J. Torre, Councilman Andrew Link, Councilman Herbert D. Heeren, Councilman Justin DiPisa, Councilman Garrett R. Pepe, Councilwoman Marlene Verrastro, Councilman John E. Wassberg Absent: None
SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 26, 2001, Sine Die, January 1, 2001 and January 9, 2001 On a motion by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Minutes were accepted.
PETITIONS: None
BILLS: BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $231,733.15 specified in the schedule hereto annexed, having been examined and approved by the Finance Commissioner, or his Deputy, be paid and that warrants be issued therefore. Signed Andrew Link III On a motion by Councilwoman Verrastro, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was adopted.
FINANCE , HEALTH & SANITATION: Under Health, Councilman Link reported the
Reorganization Meeting was held Jan. 10 with Andy Paparozzi reelected as President, Louis
Castellitto, vice president; followed by a short regular meeting which included fines
should be increased when the court is involved and some changes in ordinances were
proposed. For the month of December 10 births recorded, 5 male, 5 female; burial permits
51, out of town 49, in town 2; certified transcripts 263, marriage 3, funeral directors
request 260; fees collected $3,265. Total deaths recorded, 58, residents in town 7, non
resident 45, resident deaths out of town 6. Food licenses issued 3, marriage licenses 3,
marriages recorded 5; and a total of 86 calls to the office.
WELFARE: Under Welfare, Councilman Heeren reported that the Welfare Board had their meeting on Jan. 8 and set quarterly meetings for the year, with the next meeting April 3. Margaret Heeren was reelected as president, Lucretia White as secretary. At Christmas due to a lack of storage space, gift certificates were used for food, and 40 families, including 26 children, received gift baskets, which also included toys and clothing. Items were donated by churches in town, organizations, businesses and residents. In December there were six cases heard with two denied, two pending and six going on, eight interviews and money expended was just under $1,200.
PARKS AND RECREATION: Under Parks, Councilman DiPisa reported the Norway Spruce tree on the Boulevard Circle was not growing properly since planted in 1997 by East Coast Landscapers, as it was a replacement when the previous tree was damaged by a contractor installing new curbing. A suitable replacement is being looked for and a resident in town is willing to donate one from his property and this is proposed for the Spring. Under Recreation, Councilman DiPisa reported that a reorganization meeting had been held the previous night with chairman elected Dick Tort, secretary Pat Link and finance administrator Dennis Dinallo. Other members present were John Pirilli, Jay Lustberg, Robert Bright and Peter Traina. The Biddy Basketball program is underway with this year’s program expanded to include 2nd grade as well as the existing 3rd through 8th grades. A traveling team for 7th and 8th grade boys and girls has been added who have competed against such towns as Lyndhurst, Wood-Ridge and Corpus Christi traveling team. Wrestling under the direction of Mike Valenti, Joe O’Connor, Michael Colaneri Jr. Dan Guido and Raymond Meyer has competed against Leonia, Edgewater and Saddle Brook. On Feb. 4 the first annual Andy Feintuch Memorial Tournament will be held at the Jr./Sr. High School at 9 a.m. The Twin County Wrestling League will hold districts, also at the Jr./Sr. High School on Feb. 25. The Girls Softball program plans are underway. Coach volunteers are needed and registration is set for Feb. 17 in the Municipal Building. Camp Rec Trek will be held June 25 through Aug. 10. Tentative registration dates are April 28 and May 2. Counselor applications will be available starting March 1.
STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES: Under Public Facilities, Councilman Pepe reported the two houses were demolished at Central and Boulevard with Cat 320 Excavator with grapple for three days, $2,700; and landfill, $9,135; clean fill, $1,000; disposal of concrete $1,500 for a total of $14,335. Bids for same services received were $22,800, $26,800 and $29.370, thus with the help of the DPW, a savings of about $8,000 was realized. Other costs involved were asbestos removal and rodent abatement which cost $2,32. Bob Heck was congratulated. A survey is currently being done on all properties. Tentatively on Feb. 28, the plans will be presented to the Planning/Zoning Boards and the residents are invited. Under Streets, he congratulated the DPW for doing an excellent job of cleaning snow on the streets. He read some recent snow facts on the recent snow storm: snow fall 6 inches, Borough streets plowed 3 times, total road miles plowed 180, 84 tons of salt and sand spread, and day after storm, snow removed from Boulevard business area, schools, churches and all crossing guard corners.
POLICE AND LAND USE: Under Police, Councilwoman Verrastro reported that patrolmen with perfect attendance for the year 2000 were Corey Lange, Dan Kroncke, Alan Baker, Ian Robertson, James Miller, Scott Adamo and Michael Colaneri Jr. A letter of thanks was sent to Paul Bassett for his efforts to reduce drunk driving in town. Another letter was sent for traffic report incidents to Bassett, Colaneri Jr., Charles Lesho, Joseph Rinke and Adamo. The Police Department would be presenting an FBI program on the Internet on Jan. 24 to Hasbrouck Heights parents. The 5th grade graduation for D.A.R.E. is Feb. 13 at Corpus Christi School and for the Jr/Sr High School, March 8. A note was placed in with a summons returned commending the police officer for his respect and professionalism. Under Building and Land Use, for the month of December there were 39 building permits issued, with a value of $146,100. Up to date for the year 3,316 permits issued: 1,900 were building, 740 electrical, 360 plumbing, 120 fire, and DCA 122, a very busy department this year. The property maintenance officers have been visiting around town, informing those in violation, especially on the Boulevard, and that residents should not park on the grass. She and Mayor Torre would be going to a meeting on the following day at Teterboro Municipal Building, called by Congressman Rothman in opposition of Boeing jets at the airport. She and Councilman DiPisa had attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting and reported that Tom Meli was appointed president.
FIRE: Commissioner Wassberg gave the Fire Report for December noting that the firematic year begins in December: Fire Alarms: Hasbrouck Heights, 40 calls, year to date 40; Teterboro 9, year to date 9; mutual aid 6, year to date 6; total for the month 55, year to date 55. Ambulance calls for December: Hasbrouck Heights, 61, year to date 61; paramedic assisted calls 38, year to date 38; Teterboro, 6, year to date 6; paramedic assisted 7, year to date 7; mutual aid, 6, year to date 6; paramedic assisted 3, year to date 3; total 121, year to date 121.
REPORT OF MAYOR: The Mayor began his report by thanking Councilwoman Verrastro for attending meetings regarding Teterboro airport, and he and the councilwoman would be attending the TANAAC meeting on Wednesday evening. He continued that he had met with the N.J. Department of Transportation with Administrator Kronyak, Property Maintenance Officer Pat Vella, and Deputy DPW Supt. Jim Schneider regarding the roads, lights, debris and that attention should be given to better maintenance. He commended the DPW on cleaning of the streets during the recent snow storm.
On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously accepted, the foregoing Appointment was approved.
RESIGNATIONS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSENT AGENDA: RESOLUTIONS: 24. Urging Legislation Recommended by League of Municipalities Regarding Billboard Signs in Railroad Rights of Way 25. Opposing N.J. Supreme Court Decision to Move Cop Killer Thomas Trantino to Halfway House 26. Authorizing Reimbursement to Danielle Scipioni for Cleaning of Wrestling Equipment On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded
by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously accepted, the foregoing Resolutions were approved.
(Copies attached) ORDINANCES ON INTRODUCTION: ORDINANCE NO. 1917: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ANDSUPPLEMENT THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO CONSOLIDATE ALL OF THE POWERS, DUTIES, AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS WITH THOSE OF THE PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCKHEIGHTS AND GRANTING THE SAME TO THE LATTER PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH N.J.S.A. 40:55D-25c IN ORDER THAT IT ACT AS THE SOLE MUNICIPAL LAND USE BOARD OF THE BOROUGH AND FURTHER AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING RELATED PROVISIONS OF THE CODE TO EFFECTUATE THE SAID TRANSITION" 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 February 13, 2001. On a motion by Councilman Verrastro,
seconded by Councilman Pepe, with Councilman Link voting no as he felt it had no benefit
to residents, no savings of money, and a creation of a power structure with a single
board, the foregoing Ordinance on Introduction was accepted by a five to one vote. ORDINANCE(S) ON PUBLIC HEARING: None
Mayor Torre invited anyone wishing to speak to please come forward. Sharon DeMarco Stun, 71 Ottawa Avenue, was concerned about she and her neighbor’s recent sewer backup in their basements on November 3, 2000 and what the borough could do about it, with their own insurance companies and the borough insurance company denying their claims. The Mayor referred to Title 59, and asked that a meeting be held with these residents and with the administrator and the building committee to see what could be done to help them. Linda Pussilano, 100 Ottawa Avenue, a neighbor who was not affected, felt that something should be done to help these residents. Beth Calderone and Bob Calderone, 75 Ottawa Avenue, asked how they could be helped, especially in preventing this from happening again. The mayor spoke of the back flow device, and that new construction must have this installed. Councilman Pepe said that any plumbing fixtures in the basement must have this device and has been in the code since 1975. She had since been made aware that this had happened in 1996, 1986 and 1972. Title 59 was explained in more detail by the borough attorney and administrator. The DPW had helped to clean out all the homes. Gregory Gurrisi, 75 Ottawa Avenue, had a problem 1 ½ years ago in his lateral and the DPW had helped him clean up that time also. Councilmen DiPisa and Pepe said that a special meeting had been held that morning and commiserated with the residents, felt the first step was to hold the meeting and come up with a resolution to help all concerned. Sharon Stun spoke again of the devastation, frustration, and personal loss she felt and was told that the mayor and council would do the best they could for the residents.
ADJOURN: I, ROSE MARIE SEES, 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 January 23, 2001. Rose Marie Sees, RMC [ Back to Index of Mayor & Council Minutes ]
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