BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS

M I N U T E S

May 25, 1999

A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on May 25, 1999 at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 248 Hamilton Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey.

Council President Justin DiPisa 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: Councilman Andrew Link III, Councilman Herbert D. Heeren, Councilman Justin A. DiPisa, Councilman Garrett R. Pepe, Councilwoman Marlene Verrastro, Councilman John Wassberg

Absent: Mayor William J. Torre

 

SALUTE TO FLAG: Council President DiPisa led in the Salute to the Flag.

 

COMMUNICATIONS: None

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (4/27/99 & 5/11/99)

Councilwoman Verrastro motioned, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, to approve the Minutes of the above noted meetings.

Roll Call: Ayes: Link - on 5/11/99 Minutes, Heeren, DiPisa, Pepe, Verrastro, Wassberg

Nayes: None

Abstain: Link - on 4/27/99 Minutes

 

PETITIONS: None

 

BILLS:

BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $46,411.15 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 Pepe, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was adopted.

 

REPORTS:

FIRE & PUBLIC FACILITIES:

Under Public Facilities, Councilman Pepe reported that new light fixtures have been installed in the Municipal Building and the ceiling has been painted. The Borough will be entering into a one year agreement with A & C Elevator Co. of Orange, N.J. for the maintenance, two yearly required inspections and a Y2K inspection of the Municipal Building elevator. Under Fire, he reported that for the month of April there were 41 fire calls in Hasbrouck Heights, 159 year-to-date, 7 for Teterboro, 58 year-to-date, and 5 for Mutual Aid, 22 year-to-date, totalling 53 fire calls and 239 year-to-date. There were 45 ambulance calls in the Borough, 302 year-to-date, 29 paramedic assisted calls, 119 year-to-date, 5 calls for Teterboro, 44 year-to-date, 5 paramedic assisted calls, 17 year-to-date, and 6 Mutual Aid calls, 45 year-to-date, 1 paramedic assisted call, 13 year-to-date, totalling 91 ambulance calls, 540 year-to-date. The annual Fire Inspection took place with its members and equipment in shining form.

NOTE: Councilman Pepe left the meeting at 8:22 p.m. as he had to attend another important engagement.

 

STREETS, TRANSPORTATION & LAND USE:

Under Streets, Councilman Link reported that the Borough has planted 25 trees in the past 30 days which were acquired from the Bergen County Shade Tree Department at no cost to the Borough, bringing the total number of trees planted this year to 140. There will be more tree plantings in the fall. In May, 11 dead trees were removed and trees on Field Ave.,from Henry St. to Franklin Ave., were trimmed. Also in May, eight sidewalk and six dumpster permits were issued. He mentioned that illumination must be placed on the street side of the dumpster and illumination on the barriers blocking the sidewalk areas to be repaired.

 

FINANCE & RECREATION:

Under Finance, Councilman Heeren reported that at the end of April the current cash balance was $1,780,000 all of which was invested, earning approximately 4 3/4% in interest. Cash receipts totalled $2,863,000 of which $2,303,000 was from current taxes, $49,000 from delinquent taxes, $15,000 from grants and state aid, $200,000 from maturing investments, $234,000 from the sale of municipal assets and 62,000 from miscellaneous revenues. Cash disbursements totalled $2,100,000 of which $1,000,000 was for local school taxes, $30,000 for tax refunds due to appeals, $80,000 for interfund transfers, $242,000 for debt service, $507,000 for salaries and $438,000 for other expenses. Under Recreation, he reported that registration for the Recreation summer program was held with over 150 children participating. He announced the dates of additional upcoming registrations. He stated that the Board of Education has indicated that plans to create a new softball field at the athletic field will not require the removal of any trees.

 

POLICE:

Council President DiPisa reported that on May 27th the two new police officers, Daniel Kroncke and Corey Lange, will be graduating from the Police Academy. Applications for the Police Bicycle Marathon to be held at Depken Field will be available until tomorrow. Approximately 130 children have already registered. The Police Department will again be participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the benefit of the Special Olympics. The Department has completed its yearly training in CPR defibrillator and Bloodborne Pathogens, as well as day and night shooting qualifications at the Borough's own range. The new speed monitor has assisted in slowing down traffic on the north end of the Boulevard, as well as many other streets in the Borough. It has proven to be a terrific safety investment. For the month of April, the Department received 915 calls for service, 95 via 911, 42 in person, 209 by radio, 535 by telephone and 34 walk-ins. The special assignment for this past month was improper passing. A total of 48 summonses were issued. This month's assignment is stop speeds. Heights Mile markers were painted on the streets by Burton and Williams and Burton and Passaic. A binder at the water cooler in the Library will be placed in order that walkers and joggers can voluntarily record their distances. He then read two letters of commendation thanking Police Department members for their assistance during the writer's time of need.

 

HEALTH & WELFARE:

Under Health, Councilwoman Verrastro reported that for the month of April there were 4 births recorded, 3 males and 1 female, 60 burial permits issued, 22 dog licenses issued, 64 deaths recorded, 4 food licenses issued, 1 vending machine license issued, 6 marriage licenses issued and 115 calls were received by the Department. The Registrar, Marilyn deRussy completed a course given by Rutgers University and the State Department of Health with a test score of 96 and is classified as a Certified Municipal Registrar. Under Welfare, she reported that for the month of April there were 7 cases at the beginning of the month, 1 case closed, 3 cases denied, 2 cases pending, 5 food distributions from the pantry, 11 referrals to other agencies, 12 interviews, visits and investigations, total money expended was $910.00, 4 conferences and 20 correspondences. The Local Assistance Board met and discussed the purchase of a computer. The State Department of Human Services pressured each town to purchase computers as soon as possible. It was learned that the present software is incompatible, therefore the Department will wait for an updated report prior to making any purchases. She thanked all of those whose generosity made it possible to feed 25 families for Easter.

 

SANITATION & PARKS:

Under Sanitation, Councilman Wassberg reported that from January 1st of this year to April 30th, the DPW collected 13 tons of aluminum containers, 138 tons of brush and tree parts, 8 1/2 tons of corrugated cardboard, 78 tons of glass containers, 76 tons of grass clippings, 45 tons of leaves, 194 tons of newspapers, 59 tons of other papers, 26 tons of plastic containers, 13 tons of steel containers, 4 tons of tires and 17 tons of light iron, totalling 673 tons being recycled. Under Parks, two basketball nets have been installed at Woodland Park. An unimproved road through the park which connects Roosevelt and Cleveland has been graded with stone. Cub Pack 17 held a clean community cleanup at Woodland Park. He commended and thanked the Pack for a job well done.

Under the Report of Mayor, Council President DiPisa commended Loretta Bucceri of the H.H. High School for the coordinating of the youth week program.

Appointments: Rose Heck & Michael Kronyak, Alternate to Community Development Regional Committee

Crisis Intervention Committee (see attached)

On motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman Heeren, and unanimously carried, the foregoing appointments were made.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

CONSENT AGENDA:
94. Authorizing Borough Engineer to Prepare Apps. for DOT 2000 State Aid
95. Authorizing Borough Engineer to Prepare Plans & Specs. for Woodland Park Soccer Field Improvements

96. Authorizing Water Main Extension for Double "A" Builders

On motion by Councilman Link, seconded by Councilman Heeren, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolutions on the Consent Agenda were approved. (Resolutions attached)

97. Governing Body's Appointments to CD Regional Committee

98. Authorizing Contract with A & C Elevator Co. for Municipal Building Elevator

99. Cancellation of Matina & Son's Retainage for Courtyard Improvements

On motion by Councilman Link, seconded by Councilman Heeren, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolutions were adopted. (Resolutions attached)

 

ORDINANCE(S) ON INTRODUCTION:

ORDINANCE NO. 1862:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE REPAIR, REFURBISHMENT AND RESTORATION OF CERTAIN EXISTING OPEN AREAS IN WOODLAND PARK BY THE GRADING THEREOF TO ALLOW THE INSTALLATION THEREIN OF AN UNDERGROUND SPRINKLER SYSTEM BY OTHERS AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE INSTALLATION THEREON OF NEW LAWNS, TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $85,000 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 SUM OF $80,750.00" 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 June 22, 1999 at 8:00 p.m.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 1863:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD "SIGN" IN SECTION 275-6 ENTITLED "DEFINITIONS" OF CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS" 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 June 22, 1999 at 8:00 p.m.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 1864:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT VARIOUS PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN SUBSECTION E ENTITLED "SIGNS" OF SECTION 275-21 ENTITLED "REGULATIONS GOVERNING CERTAIN ACCESSORY STRUCTURES AND USES" OF CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS" 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 June 22, 1999 at 8:00 p.m.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 1865:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $110,000.00 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A STREET SWEEPER FOR THE USE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS AND TO AUTHORIZE THE FINANCING OF THE COST THEREOF IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE LOCAL BOND LAW BY THE ISSUANCE TO BONDS OR NOTES NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF $104,500.00" 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 June 22, 1999 at 8:00 p.m.

On motion by Councilman Link, seconded by Councilman Heeren, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinances on Introduction were approved.

 

ORDINANCE(S) ON PUBLIC HEARING:

ORDINANCE NO. 1854:

"AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SUBSECTION C ENTITLED "COMMUNITY RESIDENCES" OF SECTION 275-22 ENTITLED "REGULATIONS GOVERNING CERTAIN CONDITIONAL USES" OF CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS".

On motion by Councilwoman Verrastro, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, Ordinance No. 1854 was carried on public hearing to the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Council President DiPisa opened to the meeting to the public for anyone wishing to speak on Ordinance Nos. 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859 and 1860. There being on one wishing to speak on said Ordinances, Council President DiPisa closed the meeting to the public.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 1855:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE IV ENTITLED "LICENSE FEES" OF CHAPTER 84 ENTITLED "ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO AMEND CERTAIN OF THE ANNUAL FEES CHARGED AND COLLECTED FROM THE HOLDERS OF CERTAIN LICENSES TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES" 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. 1856:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO FIX THE SALARY AND COMPENSATION OF CERTAIN OF THE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, FOR THE YEAR 1999" 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. 1857:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO SIX THE SALARY AND COMPENSATION OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, FOR THE YEAR 1999" 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. 1858:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $50,000.00 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION AND INSTALLATION OF COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR THE USE OF THE VARIOUS BOROUGH OFFICES AS PART OF THE YEAR 2000 UPGRADE 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 SUM OF $47,500.00" 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. 1859:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $25,000.00 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF TURNOUT GEAR AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE USE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS 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 SUM OF $23,750.00" 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. 1860:

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40:8A-5 et seq. TO AUTHORIZE A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY OF BERGEN TO PROVIDE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES UNDER THE LOCAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT FOR THE REMAINDER OF 1999" 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 Link, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinances on final adoption were 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 meeting to the public.

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 May 25, 1999.

 

Barbara Maldonado, RMC
Borough Clerk

 

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