M I N U T E S November 27, 2001 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.
Absent: None
SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Torre led in the Salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATIONS: Mr. Armand Cecere was presented a proclamation in gratitude for his World War II Service by Mayor William J. Torre and Council President Garrett R. Pepe.
COMMUNICATIONS: The following correspondence has been received as of this date: 1. Letter to Mayor Torre from Anthony Gonnella, Interim Superintendent of Schools thanking him for the professional manner in which he and the emergency team responded to the Sept. 11 tragedy. 2. Invitation to participate in the Anti Drug Council "Holiday Harmony" Walk on Sunday, Dec 2 at 4:30 p.m. 3. Letter to the Mayor and Council inviting them to attend the Christmas Tree Lighting at the Circle on Sunday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. 4. Letter from Senator Robert G. Torricelli in thanks for sending him a copy of Resolution No. 136 in response to the tragedy of Sept. 11. 5. Letter from Assemblywoman Rose Heck to Mayor Torre offering congratulations on the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights being awarded the Municipal Aid Grant from the Department of Transportation for Baldwin Avenue 6. Letter from Kimberly Napolitano to Mayor Torre regarding the no overnight parking ordinance for Hasbrouck Heights, signatures she has received to institute residential parking permits for tenants, and notification that they would be attending the Nov. 27 Council meeting. 7. Invitation from the Teaneck Cultural Arts Coalition to representatives of the community’s emergency responders to participate in Teaneck’s "First Night" on Dec. 31, 2001 which is to honor the emergency responders who responded during the World Trade Center crisis. 8. Fax from Gwen Cogan, NJ Director of Government Affairs to Mayor and Governing Body as informal notification of press release issued Nov. 20, 2001 by Cablevision announcing price increase to be implemented Feb. 1, 2002. 9. Letter from Joseph J. Rotolo, Attorney at Law in thanks for the opportunity to be of service regarding acquisition of properties for the construction of the Municipal Complex and completion of this project. A motion to waive
the reading of any item of correspondence at length into the record and to accept the
correspondence and place the same on file was made by Councilman Pepe, seconded by
Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $92,483.39 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 Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was adopted.
REPORTS: FINANCE, HEALTH AND SANITATION: Under Health, he
commended the Board of Health for their careful surveillance in the Borough regarding food
establishments. A notice from the County of Bergen had been received for a meeting to be
held Dec. 4 for all Board of Health members The agenda included the governmental general
health partnership a summary of the year 2001 West Nile Virus instruction and introduction
of a new coordinator and a report on tobacco coalition. He gave the report for the month
of October, 6 births recorded, 3 male, 3 female; burial permits 72, out of town 69, in
town 3; certified transcripts 486, marriage 6; funeral directors requests 480; Fees
collected: dog licenses $192, of which $120 was late fees; certified transcripts, $2,430;
food licenses and late fees, $160; marriage licenses, $168; with total fees collected
$3862. Total deaths recorded, 70, residents in town 3 residents out of town 6; non
resident 61. Food licenses issued 6, marriage licenses 6, marriages recorded 14; and a
total of 170 calls to the office.
SOCIAL SERVICES: Commissioner Heeren reported there were 30 incoming calls to the director for the month of October, with many from those who wanted to donate items for the holidays. She returned 15 calls to the Salvation Army, social security. Three distributions were made. She interviewed 14 and the Kiwanis club donated 25 tickets to their Pancake Breakfast. She attended one workshop. She was informed that due to the Sept. 11 events, some municipalities might have to pick up some rents.
PARKS AND RECREATION: Under Parks he reported the DPW had winterized all public facilities that do not have heating systems in the parks and Little League, with the main shut off valve at the Little League leaking which will be repaired. Scott MacDonall of Troop 17 will continue his Eagle Scout Service Project of construction of a walking path in Woodland Park. He commended the number of Eagle Scouts in town. Under Recreation, Commissioner DiPisa reported on Recreation programs. Men’s Over 30 Basketball and Adult Coed Volleyball will be switching to Euclid when the high school game schedule starts, Senior Aerobics have three classes left and will be held again in the spring, Men’s flag football will start playoffs this weekend and the championship game is Dec. 7, Arts and crafts has three classes left, youth basketball will have three divisions for both boys and girls with a record turn out, wrestling registration has 33 boys signed up for the January season, traveling basketball has begun practice with the league starting the third week of December, He commended the Christmas parade and congratulated Chamber of Commerce President Tom Meli and his committee. He reported the Christmas Tree lighting would be held on Dec. 2 at 5 p.m.
STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES: Under Public
Facilities, Commissioner Pepe reported the remaining three buildings had been demolished
and in the process of being cleared by William & Robert Young, Inc. of Newark, as the
low bidder. A total of seven buildings have been demolished. He asked residents to be
cautious regarding the fencing around the open lots.
POLICE AND LAND USE: Under Land Use,
Councilwoman Verrastro reported 83 new permits, alterations 77, additions 5, demolitions
7., for a total value of construction at $616,335 . She reminded residents to get a permit
before beginning any construction, and that contractors are not to work on Sundays.
FIRE: Commissioner Wassberg gave the fire report for October: Fire Alarms: Hasbrouck Heights, 48 calls, year to date 449; Teterboro 17, year to date 113; mutual aid 1, year to date 32; total for the month 66, year to date 594. Ambulance calls for October: Hasbrouck Heights, 102, year to date 1,028; paramedic assisted calls 26, year to date 289; Teterboro, 26, year to date 207; paramedic assisted 7, year to date 66; mutual aid, 6, year to date 79; paramedic assisted 0, year to date 24; total 134, year to date 1,314.
REPORT OF MAYOR: APPOINTMENTS: On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Appointment was approved. Under his report, Mayor Torre recounted the numerous November events, the Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 11, the Ecumenical Service on Nov. 18 at the Methodist Church, the Crop Walk and commended all the clergy for their sense of community and faith. He also congratulated Tom Meli for one of the biggest parades ever and reminded residents of the Harmony Walk preceding the Tree Lighting on Dec. 2. He urged residents to support these events. He noted Ottawa Avenue curbs and sidewalks were in the process of being replaced and asked for those residents involved to have patience during this construction project. In November he had attended a meeting of the Wood-Ridge Planning Board and the proposed project of Curtis-Wright property and urged Wood-Ridge to keep this borough informed. He congratulated the Varsity Football team and the Junior Football League on good seasons. He also commended Patrolman Caccavella, the Police Department for their continuous good work and the Fire Department for controlling the two recent house fires.
RESIGNATIONS: None NEW BUSINESS:
CONSENT AGENDA: None
167. Opposing Another Cablevision Price Increase 168. Authorizing Extension of Time for Award of Contract for State Aid Improvement of Kipp Avenue 169. Authorizing Award of Bid for One Mobile Litter Vacuum 170. Authorizing Payment To Beragan Construction for Construction Manager Services for Period Ending 11/20/01 171. Authorizing Interfund Transfer from Capital Account II to Trust Fund 172. Authorizing Rejection of Bids Received for Foundation Excavation and Concrete Work for new Municipal Complex and Authorizing Re- Advertisement for New Bids On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously accepted, except for Councilman Pepe abstaining from Resolution No. 170, the foregoing Resolutions were approved. (Copies attached)
ORDINANCES ON INTRODUCTION: None
ORDINANCE(S) ON CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Torre opened the meeting up to the public for anyone wishing to speak on Ordinance No. 1949. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Torre closed the public hearing on said ordinance. He noted that this ordinance would be continued on public hearing.
ORDINANCE NO. 1949: BE IT RESOLVED that an ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40:48B-14 ET SEQ. TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT ARTICLE V ENTITLED "JOINT MUNICIPAL TAX ASSESSOR" OF CHAPTER 45 ENTITLED "OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICE OF JOINT MUNICIPAL TAX ASSESSOR AS IS HITHERTO ESTABLISHED MAY ALSO SERVE THE TOWNSHIP OF ROCHELLE PARK UPON ITS ADOPTION OF THE NECESSARY ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION CREATING THE SAME AND UPON ITS ENTRY INTO AN AGREEMENT OF CONDITIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SAME WITH THIS BOROUGH AND THE TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH HACKENSACK" be continued on public hearing and notice of public on said ordinances to be held at a regular meeting of the Borough Council on December 11, 2001 at 8 p.m. On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously accepted, the foregoing Ordinance was authorized to be continued on Public Hearing.
MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC: At this point, Mayor Torre invited anyone wishing to speak to please come forward. Kimberly Napolitano, 10 Hasbrouck Avenue, came to object to the overnight parking ordinance and had 27 signatures petitioning for residential parking permits who were tenants of 10 Hasbrouck Avenue, 101 Terrace Avenue and 160 Terrace Avenue. She continued that these residents had to park their cars at different locations throughout town and had to walk back to their apartments at all times of day and night and felt their safety was in jeopardy. Councilman DiPisa referred to a situation of a possible burglary which was stopped as the car was unknown to the neighborhood and had been reported to the Police, this occurring at 3 a.m. and brought in the security issue that the overnight parking protected. Councilman Pepe asked that the police committee look into the ordinance again. Rose McIntosh, 101 Terrace Avenue, has been harassed and is afraid to walk back to her apartment late at night. When she has asked for permission to park on the triangle outside her building, she is questioned by the police department, and was in favor of residential parking permits. She said some of the residents park at the lodge and are charged up to $45 per month, but she could not afford this, and that cars are allowed at the medical center but must remove them before a certain time in the morning. Mayor Torre made mention that the landlord is obligated to inform tenants of this ordinance and hoped that they were doing so, that this ordinance was intended to protect the people. Peter Brown, 160 Terrace Avenue, was also in a situation where there were multiple cars involved and was in a predicament as to what to do, especially as he traveled and if he took his car to the airport, it could cost him a lot of money. He also had a young child and was concerned with health and safety. Alisa Straughn, 101 Terrace Avenue, was a resident for six months, was parking at the lot across the street paying $45 a month, and was in support for those who did not have a parking spot and had to walk late at night or could not pay for one. Ursula Pashun, 10 Hasbrouck Avenue, who had a baby and was forced to take the baby out at all hours to walk to where she parked the car and was also concerned with health and safety. Tom Meli, 50 Central Avenue, thanked the mayor and council for allowing the parade and thanked Councilman DiPisa and Councilman Pepe and the police department and Bob Heck of the DPW for all their help and support.
CLOSE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Mayor and Council adjourned for Executive Session to discuss any matter involving any pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiation.
ADJOURN: There being no further business to be conducted by the Mayor and Council, the meeting was adjourned. 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 November 27, 2001. Rose Marie Sees, RMC |