M I N U T E S April 24, 2001 A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on Tuesday, April 24, 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.
Absent: Councilman Andrew Link III, Councilman John Wassberg
SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Torre led in the Salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENTATION:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None
BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $410,949.86 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 Herbert D. Heeren On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was adopted.
SANITATION: In Councilman’s Link’s absence, under Sanitation, Councilman Pepe reported that the Solid Waste Department of the BCUA offered three dates for collection programs: April 22 and Sept. 9, Household Hazardous Waste at Bergen Community College, Paramus (propane tanks, motor oil, antifreeze, latex and oil-based paints will also be accepted); Paint Recycling, June 16 at the BCUA in Little Ferry, and Aug. 11 at the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute, Mahwah (computers and electronics equipment will also be accepted); and Tire Amnesty Days (in response to concerns over the possible return of West Nile Virus) May 12, June 2 and June 30 at the BCUA, B.C. Law & Public Safety Institute and Bergen County Community Services Building, 327 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus (a maximum of four tires per donor would be accepted).
HEALTH: In Councilman Link’s absence, the following Board of Health report was made by Councilman DiPisa. For the month of March 18 births recorded, 8 male, 10 female; burial permits 57, out of town 57, in town 0; certified transcripts 363, marriage 0, Death 2, funeral directors requests 361; dog licenses $708, of which $330 was late fees; and total fees collected $2,997. Total deaths recorded, 62, residents in town 1, non resident 53. Food licenses issued 4, marriage licenses 4, marriages recorded 7; and a total of 73 calls to the office.
FINANCE: Under Finance, Councilman Heeren reported that the Current Fund cash balance as of March 31, 2001 was $1,706,000 and at Feb. 28, 2001 was $3,415,000 a decrease of $1,709,000. The entire balance was invested and earning approximately 5.3%. Cash receipts for March totaled $220,000 of which $108,000 was for Current Taxes, $31,000 was Delinquent Taxes, $7,500 was State Aid and Grants and $74,000 was Miscellaneous Revenues. Cash Disbursements for March totaled $1,934,000 of which $1,067,000 was Local School Taxes, $558,000 was Salaries, and $308,000 was Other Expenses. He added that the Tax Collector’s office would be open April 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WELFARE: Under Welfare, Councilman Heeren reported that during the month of March there were six cases, two new cases, one is pending and two cases were denied. Money expended was just under $1,200. The Welfare Director had attended a workshop with the guest speaker from Shelter Our Sisters. She had 12 referrals, with 22 phone calls. Food was distributed to three families, certificates were given out to four persons and clothing certificates were given out also. The next quarterly meeting would be held June 11. He added that the Library would be having a Library Book and Cake Sale on May 19, with a rain date of the following Saturday. Mayor Torre continued that "An Afternoon of Music" sponsored by the Contemporary Club, was to be held in the Alfred Kiefer Auditorium at 3 p.m. All proceeds would go toward furnishing the new Library.
PARKS AND RECREATION: Under Parks, Councilman
DiPisa reported wood chips were added to play areas in Miers Park and Woodland Park and he
commended the DPW. The Bergen County Clean Communities Department held a clean up of Miers
Park and the area along Rt. 46, removing 20 bags at litter. He reported the DOT had agreed
to put a fence along Rt. 46. Property Maintenance Officer Pat Vella was commended.
Shoulder stone was added to the back road in Woodland Park and two drainage basins were to
be installed along the Pavilion. The soccer field will be ready for use by mid-May.
STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES: Under Trees, Councilman Pepe reported that 100 trees had been planted on borough streets. Under Public Facilities, Councilman Pepe reported that Langan Engineering had completed the asbestos testing at 248 Hamilton Ave. and identified all asbestos materials and specifications for their removal. Bids would now be accepted.
POLICE AND LAND USE: Under Land Use, Councilwoman
Verrastro reported that Property Maintenance Officer Pat Vella had been distributing dog
litter signs to all the businesses on the Boulevard, the NJ DOT is investigating Miers
Park and the need for overhead fencing on Route 46 above, and they had been cutting some
trees on property abutting Route 46. He also informed her that he had issued four
summonses, had received nine letters, five regarding garbage, nine property maintenance,
and three requesting DPW assistance. She reported that at the Planning Board meeting of
April 3rd a resolution, subdivision and two variances were heard. At the Zoning Board
meeting of April 25th, an ongoing application since October 2000 for Klein Outdoor
Advertising was heard with continuance the next month. She had attended the Airport
Coalition meeting and a rally was being planned for June 7 at Teterboro Airport. She
reminded home owners to get permits when doing construction work on their homes. Mayor Torre thanked Councilwoman Verrastro for taking the lead with the Coalition and urged residents to call when the noise is deafening from the airport.
FIRE: In Commissioner Wassberg’s absence, Commissioner Pepe gave the Fire Report for March: Fire Alarms: Hasbrouck Heights, 40 calls, year to date 160; Teterboro 7, year to date 36; mutual aid 2, year to date 12; total for the month 49, year to date 208. Ambulance calls for March: Hasbrouck Heights, 100, year to date 338; paramedic assisted calls 24, year to date 99; Teterboro, 24, year to date 64; paramedic assisted 9, year to date 27; mutual aid, 5, year to date 35; paramedic assisted 3, year to date 11; total 129, year to date 437. He read a synopsis of a fire report of April 3, when two fires occurred, one at Ho Mei Kitchen, 227 Boulevard, and one at Shop Rite, Route 17 and Williams Avenue. Response times and apparatus responding were enumerated, as well as work involved with almost total removal of the metal ceiling and panel above front door. The quick response helped to contain this fire to the one building only. Mutual aid companies assisted. While the equipment was still at work on this fire, a fire was reported in the basement of Shop Rite with Engine One and Wood-Ridge immediately dispatched, with the fire confined to an elevator equipment room. All who responded were commended.
REPORT OF MAYOR: Mayor Torre began his report by commending the Police Department and the schools doing preventive planning to keep the children safe and the environment positive. He had been meeting with the Crisis Intervention Committee to be prepared to handle any incident in the schools or in town. He read a letter drafted to the Mayor Paul Sarlo and Council of the Borough of Wood-Ridge which reads as follows: "Wood Ridge and Hasbrouck Heights are blessed with a burgeoning population consisting of many families and senior citizens. The increase in population has created a dire need for more open space unprecedented in our lifetime. Unfortunately, open space in Southern Bergen County is virtually non existent. We in Hasbrouck Heights believe that any large tracts of open space should be preserved to the greatest extent possible to insure that present and future generations can enjoy this precious natural resource. "We are renewing our request previously conveyed to former Mayor Calocino that the eastern border of the Curtis Wright property contiguous to Woodland Park be preserved as open space/recreation. We envision a greenbelt stretching from Passaic Avenue south to the southern terminus of the Curtis Wright property. This area could be jointly developed for open space/ recreation with playing fields and nature trails which would greatly improve the quality of life for all the residents of Wood Ridge and Hasbrouck Heights alike. "We will work together with your Borough Government and utilize every resource available to make this vision for open space a reality. We understand that preserving open space at this time may present a once in a lifetime opportunity as the property owner, Curtis Wright, is considering its options with the site. We would appreciate your response at your earliest convenience. s/ Mayor William J. Torre and members of the Council" He continued that the Planning Board had approved the downtown improvement plan. A report from the engineer was forthcoming with plans beginning at the Circle. He had met with the State leaders of the Masonic Lodge who were interested in relocating their Autistic Center to Hasbrouck Heights which was not only a benefit to the children but also to graduate students who were pursuing a degree in this field. He thanked the Mayor’s Celebrations Committee and Fire Department for a successful Egg Hunt. He had attended the Little League opening with Councilwoman Verrastro and Councilman Pepe. He thanked the DPW for their help with the fields, the Little League for their volunteerism. He welcomed back Fire Chief Arthur Knobloch on his recent illness.
RESIGNATIONS: None
NEW BUSINESS: CONSENT AGENDA: None RESOLUTIONS: 59. Acceptance of 2000 Audit On a motion by Councilwoman
Verrastro, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously accepted, the foregoing
Resolutions were approved. (Copies attached) ORDINANCES ON INTRODUCTION: None ORDINANCES ON PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak on Ordinances No. 1925 and 1926. Sharon Stun, 71 Ottawa Ave, regarding Ordinance No. 1926 and the back flow preventer and was informed that this is part of the National Plumbing Code, that when an appliance is installed below grade, it must be provided. She also questioned the time limitation. No one else wished to speak, and the Mayor closed the public hearing on these two ordinances.
ORDINANCE NO. 1925: 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 "2001" RENT LEVELLING ORDINANCE" 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.
ORDINANCE NO. 1926: BE IT RESOLVED that an
Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT
MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC: At this point, Mayor Torre invited anyone wishing to speak to please come forward. Gregory Gurrisi, 92 Ottawa Avenue, thanked the Fire Department for their help this past year. Sharon Stun, 71 Ottawa Avenue, felt that the help given them for the sewer back up on Ottawa Avenue five months ago was grossly inadequate and she was still devastated by it all. She appreciated the effort that was done, but was not satisfied. Mayor Torre said the Plumbing Code has acknowledged that these devices save the moral outrage of anyone who has had these problems. He asked that people bring themselves up to code. The town is protected under Title 59, but did do what they could in this circumstance.
CLOSE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Mayor and Council adjourned for Executive Session to discuss any matter involving the employment, appointment, termination of employment, disciplinary action unless individual requests a public meeting.
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 March 27, 2001. Rose Marie Sees, RMC [ Back to Index of Mayor & Council Minutes ]
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