M I N U T E S October 10, 2000 A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on October 10, 2000 at 8 p.m. at the Masonic Hall, 200 Division Avenue, corner of the Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. Mayor Torre stated that the meeting complied with the Sunshine Law, due notice having been made to all members by personal service on December 28, 1999 and to The Observer, The Record and the Herald News on December 28, 1999. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilman Andrew Link III, Councilman Herbert D. Heeren, Councilman Justin A. DiPisa, Councilman Garrett R. Pepe, Councilwoman Marlene Verrastro (was late due to her husband undergoing surgery), Councilman John Wassberg
SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Torre led in the Salute to the Flag and Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMUNICATIONS: None
PETITIONS: Henry Street Residents Regarding Fence On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the above Petition was accepted, and referred to the Buildings and Grounds and Streets Committee. (Petition attached)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (September 12, 2000, September 25, 2000 and September 26, 2000) On a motion by Councilman Heeren, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, except for Councilman Pepe abstaining from the minutes of September 26, 2000, as he was absent, the foregoing minutes were adopted.
BILLS: Be It Resolved that the claims and accounts amounting to $1,212,688.78 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 therefor. On a motion by Councilman DiPisa,
seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing resolution was
adopted. CONSENT AGENDA: 147. On Premise 50/50 License for Hasbrouck Heights Jr/Sr High School PTSA On a motion by Councilman Heeren, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Consent Agenda Resolutions were adopted (Resolutions attached).
RESOLUTIONS: 149. Dog Licenses - Payment of Fees to State 150. Construction Fees - Payment of Fees to State 151. Marriage Licenses - Payment of Fees to State On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolutions were adopted (Resolutions attached).
APPOINTMENTS: Edward P. Sees as Alternate 2 to the Planning Board On a motion by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Appointments were approved.
ORDINANCE (S) ON INTRODUCTION: ORDINANCE NO. 1911: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO FURTHER AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 271 ENTITLED "TOWING OF VEHICLES" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO CLARIFY THE REQUIREMENTS THAT A FULL AND COMPLETE APPLICATION BE SUBMITTED BY THE DEADLINE ALREADY FIXED THEREIN, TO REFINE THE REQUIREMENT IN RESPECT TO THE APPLICANT’S EXPERIENCE IN THE BUSINESS AND TO REFINE THE LANGUAGE REGARDING THE HOURS DURING WHICH A STORED VEHICLE CAN BE RETRIEVED" 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 October 24, 2000.
ORDINANCE NO. 1912: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT ARTICLE VII ENTITLED "MINORS" OF CHAPTER 84 ENTITLED "ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 33 OF THE PUBLIC LAWS OF 2000 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE POSSESSION OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BY UNDERAGED PERSONS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIED CONDITIONS AND TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES UPON CONVICTION FOR VIOLATION OF THAT PROHIBITION" 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 October 24, 2000. On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilwoman Verrastro, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Ordinances on Introduction were accepted.
ORDINANCE(S) ON PUBLIC HEARING: None
MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC: Mayor Torre opened the meeting to the public to speak on any issue not involving the Building Project (which would be heard in the Public Forum portion of the meeting). Ron Kistner, 75 Oak Grove Ave., was concerned about the Boulevard banners purchased by groups and store owners a few years ago, and why there was a delay in putting up these banners. He was told that the banners were customized to include the name of Hasbrouck Heights and were 80 inch banners. Kistner said he would donate brackets to use the previously purchased banners which were 60 inch so they could be used. He questioned if there would be a Hay Ride and was told it was canceled due to the threat of the West Nile Virus. Regarding Woodland Park fields, what feasibility was there planned for use of the field space. He was told by the Borough Engineer Ken Job that the Soccer field would be ready in the Spring. Mayor Torre extended his and the Council’s condolences on the passing of Police Officer Joseph Aversa. As a result of meetings with the post office last summer, the mail carriers will be moving back and sorting mail in Hasbrouck Heights, rather than being sorted by a third carrier, and hopefully improve mail service.
PUBLIC FORUM OPENING ADDRESS: Michael Kronyak, administrator, explained the slides, the night of the fire, the department fighting the fire, the damage showing no roof, the council chambers totally destroyed, temporary headquarters set up in Franklin School Gym, the more permanent temporary headquarters at 218-222 Boulevard, the police set up in a van, and their more permanent temporary headquarters in trailers, the Fire Department in Kundert Volvo who would be moving out that day, and the Masonic Lodge which is being used for all meetings. Insurance coverage is replacement cost at current price, including building code upgrades, rent, setting up new base stations. An appraiser/contractor was hired to assess the building damage, using architects such as Iovino, and specialists, to determine what it would cost to replace and bring the building up to code, and personal property loss, which was all approved by the insurance company. The temporary relocation expenses are still being assessed, approximately $1.250 million which have not yet been settled. The next slide was the municipal building as it stood, showing the newer portion not damaged, and being used by the Fire Department. He listed the damage to the building. A brief summary showed that the old building was 20,500 sq. ft. and proposed needs analysis increased it by 8,000 sq. ft. Settlement for the construction portion was $4.5 million, just to rebuild a municipal building. A check for $2.9 million combined with $600,000 advances has been received. Options for rebuilding: Anthony Iovino said by looking at the study referred to by Kronyak, additional property is needed. As planners, the town was scouted and a series of criteria set up including zoning, central location, ease of emergency access, ease of access, availability of parking, appropriateness of site as a municipal center. A map showed the various sites looked at. Next slide was an aerial view of the Central/Boulevard site. Design A had been presented six-eight weeks previously, with a number of concerns by residents. Modified A was next presented with changes revolving around traffic issues. A cul de sac was added on Central Avenue, closing the Madison Avenue entrance, providing a separate Police parking lot within the larger parking lot with plenty of buffers and landscaping. The positive and negative points were presented. Some condemnation would be required. Design B was a two story 28,000 sq. ft. building with Library, Senior Center and Administration. The Police, Court and Fire would be back on Hamilton, a 20,000 two story facility. The positive and negative points were presented. Kronyak referred to Administration and explained what it was comprised of and that it was residential use. He continued with the cost estimates of the Designs leaving $4.425 million on Plan A, on an annual basis $87/per assessed at $195,000, and $4.950 million on Plan B, $99.50/ per assessed at $195,000, and a $525,000 difference.
MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC: Kathy Europa, 247 Hamilton Avenue, asked if Plan A was used, what would happen to the existing fire house and was told all construction would be bidded on at the same time, and the new construction would be similar. Michael Zazula, 26 Division Avenue, agreed with Frank Tartaglia’s plan. He was told that this was the first this plan had been seen, and would be looked into. He was also told that Hamilton Avenue would again be looked at. Lauren Carcich, 268 La Salle Avenue, regarding the figures for the gas station, and asked what it would be used for, and was told in the beginning of the search project, it was looked at possibly as a fire house. However, it was not available for sale as it needed clean up, but this site would continue to be pursued. She questioned how much space was involved in Administration, and would more people be hired to fill this big space, and was told that a good portion was for essential offices including storage, meeting rooms, and not to generate new employees. She then asked if this would go to referendum, and was told that from past experience there were too many negatives with referendums. Frank Tartaglia, 117 Harrison Avenue, after attending previous meetings felt there were merits and drawbacks to Plans A and B, the major drawback being the magnitude of the complex, the lack of ingress and egress of the parking lots, and the impact on the neighborhood, and the Boulevard being one of the most heavily traveled roadways. He felt there was a lack of professional study. He commented on parking in the area, the homes and businesses slated to be demolished are excellent ratables, alternatives were worth investigating, one building on the original site, using the Franklin School Gym, would save approximately $2 million. He questioned the HUMC EMT garage, the fact that if eliminated, the building could go back to Hamilton Avenue, and that it would mainly benefit all of Bergen County and the needs assessment. Discussion on the Franklin School gym continued. Kronyak said most of all the points presented had been looked at already, and addressed that a number of professionals were hired and did studies. Regarding the paramedics, who had been stationed in Hasbrouck Heights for a time previously, and the importance of having them in close proximity. It was noted that options are still being looked at. Susan Gaffney, 214 Madison Avenue, asked about Plan A, and the mayor felt if he polled the mayor and council right now, he might find the consensus against Plan A. August Steinbauer, 438 Terrace Avenue, felt the Hamilton Avenue site the ideal location, feeling that all that was needed was to purchase the homes on Walter Avenue. He was told that when that site was looked at, you had to deal with the crest of the hill and condemnation of seven houses would be involved. Steinbauer recommended some other sites he thought might be good. Dennis Dziezanowski, 267 Madison Avenue, asked if there would be a Plan C and when would it be done, and if not, when would the final decision be made. He was told that it wasn’t that easy, and alternatives are being revisited. A time frame could not be determined at this time. Iovino commenting on Plan C, it all refers back to Hamilton Avenue, and he said that was where it was all started. Meetings will be to see what more can be put back on Hamilton. It was also noted that a list had been received from the Board of Education that was extensive and would cost tax dollars. Regarding Franklin School Gym, right now there are 10 to 12 events being held there and the building does have value. The mayor said they will make their decisions as best they can. Bob Walters, 228 Central Avenue, asked for clarification regarding the Shell Station and DEP contamination, and well drillings, and if the building would be on contaminated ground. He was told any cleanup of the Shell property would be by Shell. The property the town has purchased has received a clean title. The public portion of the meeting was closed at 9:55 p.m.
RECESS FOR CAUCUS: The Mayor announced that the meeting would be recessed for Caucus.
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 Mayor and Council Meeting held on October 10, 2000. Rose Marie Sees
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