BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS

M I N U T E S

March 10, 1998

A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on March 10, 1998 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, 1998 and transmitted to The Observer, The Record and the Herald News on January 2, 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

SALUTE TO FLAG: Mayor Torre led in the Salute to the Flag.

BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $1,108,501.42 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 Andrew Link, III/Commissioner of Finance

Councilwoman Verrastro motioned, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, to adopt the foregoing Resolution. There were all ayes except for Councilman Pepe who abstained.

RESOLUTIONS:
41. Payroll

42. Granting of Raffle Licenses - N.J. State Federation of Women's Clubs/Evening Membership Dept. & Jr. Woman's Club of H.H., Inc.

43. Payment of Fees to State - Dog Licenses

44. Award of Bid for Brush Chipper

45. Resolution Either Accepting or Rejecting the $105,000 Bid for Prospect St. Property

46. Authorizing Special Legal Services of Ronald Bergamini, Esq. in Respect to BCUA Rate Negotiations.

47. Payment to NJ Unemployment Compensation Fund for 4th Quarter 1997 Benefits

48. Adoption of 1998 Municipal Budget - (to be carried pending approval of DLGS)

49. Resolution Adopted in Closed Session

On motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried, Resolution Nos. 41 through 47 were adopted.

Mayor Torre stated that the Borough has not yet received approval for the 1998 budget from the Division of Local Government Services, therefore he entertained a motion to carry Resolution No. 48.

On motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, Resolution No. 48 was carried.

Public Hearing on Budget:

Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak on the budget.

Louise Davenport, 237 Division Ave., came forward and questioned certain line items in the budget. Chief Financial Officer Michael Kronyak came forwarded and answered Ms. Davenport's questions. Ms. Davenport questioned when the Borough's fire truck and bus which are no longer in use are going to be sold. Mayor Torre said the Board of Education was going to take ownership of the bus, but we were recently told they are unable to. The new fire truck only went into service two weeks ago. The old fire truck will be auctioned off. Ms. Davenport asked the Governing Body to look over the budget again and try to make more cuts. Mayor Torre said the Borough is applying for discretionary aid and has been making cuts since the Borough's introduction. He said tax appeals cause the biggest burden. Mr. Kronyak said that as of the last projection, prior to the receipt of any other aid, there is a four point increase, representing a $78.00 increase to the average household. He said that the increase does not just represent an increase in spending. It includes a decrease in ratables and revenue. In an analysis from 1985, this is the third lowest tax increase behind 1996 and 1997. We lost 8.8 million dollars this year and 8.2 million dollars the year before in ratables.

Ron Kistner, 75 Oak Grove Ave., came forward and asked if additional playground facilities or improvements are considered anywhere in the budget. Mayor Torre said there is funding in the capital budget for new playground equipment. Mr. Kronyak said it also includes engineering work. Mr. Kistner asked if the Governing Body has ever considered regionalizing DPW services with other towns. Mayor Torre said they have approached another town about this and has not yet received a response. The idea is welcomed. Mr. Kronyak said the idea is researched every couple of years. It is not always at a better price.

There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Torre closed the public hearing on the budget.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS TO ESTABLISH A COMMERCIAL PARKING FACILITY TRUST FUND AND TO REQUIRE THE PAYMENT THEREIN OF A SUM IN LIEU OF REQUIRED PARKING IN CONNECTION WITH ANY VARIANCE OR WAIVER SOUGHT AS TO THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF PARKING PLACES FOR ANY NON-RESIDENTIAL PREMISES LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH, AND FURTHER REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 1779 BEING PARAGRAPH D OF SECTION 275-26 OF THE CODE WHICH WAS ADOPTED ON FEBRUARY 11, 1997 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 14, 1998 at 8:00 p.m.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODIFICATION OF ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS IN RESPECT TO PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES IN THE B-1 "CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT" ZONE 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 March 24, 1998 at 8:00 p.m.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE II ENTITLED "VOLUNTEER AUXILIARY AMBULANCE SQUAD" OF CHAPTER 28 ENTITLED "FIRE DEPARTMENT" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO FIX THE MINIMUM AGE REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THAT SQUAD AT THE SAME MINIMUM AGE AS REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT" 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 March 24, 1998 at 8:00 p.m.

On motion by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinances for Introduction were adopted.

"AN ORDINANCE SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS TO ESTABLISH A COMMERCIAL PARKING FACILITY TRUST FUND AND TO REQUIRE THE PAYMENT THEREIN OF A SUM IN LIEU OF REQUIRED PARKING IN CONNECTION WITH ANY VARIANCE OR WAIVER SOUGHT AS TO THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF PARKING PLACES FOR ANY NON-RESIDENTIAL PREMISES LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH, AND FURTHER REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 1779 BEING PARAGRAPH D OF SECTION 275-25 OF THE CODE WHICH WAS ADOPTED ON FEBRUARY 11, 1997".

Mayor Torre entertained a motion to withdraw Ordinance No. 1805.

On motion by Councilman Link, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinance was withdrawn.

MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC:

Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Torre closed the meeting to the public.

RECESS FOR CAUCUS:

Mayor Torre announced the Governing Body will now recess for Caucus.

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 10, 1998.

Barbara Maldonado, RMC

Borough Clerk

[ Back to Index of Mayor & Council Minutes ]