M I N U T E S December 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: Councilman Justin A. DiPisa
SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Torre led in the Salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS:
COMMUNICATIONS: The following correspondence has been received as of this date: 1. Letter from Celeste M. Fasone, Director, State of New Jersey, Board of Public Utilities, Office of Cable Television, in response to Resolution No. 167 of November 27, 2001 regarding opposition to rate increases by Cablevision, stating that the Board’s authority to regulate cable rates is limited by Federal law to only the basic service rate and related equipment and installation charges. The rates for all other levels of service are unregulated by federal law, and the proposed rate adjustment occurs on the unregulated rates. 2. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s second State of the Environment Report, "New Jersey’s Environment 2000. 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 Heeren, and unanimously carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (November 13, 2001, November 27, 2001 and December 11, 2001) On a motion by Councilman Heeren, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Minutes were approved.
PETITIONS:
None BILLS: BE IT RESOLVED that the claims and accounts amounting to $216,177.50 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 Councilwoman Verrastro, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was adopted.
REPORTS: FINANCE, HEALTH AND SANITATION: Under Health,
Commissioner Link could not find his report. (A copy of the November report was retrieved
from the Board of Health secretary and is as follows: 6 births recorded, 2 male, 4 female;
burial permits 70, out of town 70, in town 0; certified transcripts 570, marriage 15;
funeral directors requests 550; Fees collected: dog licenses $141, of which $100 was late
fees; certified transcripts, $2,850; food licenses and late fees, $45; marriage licenses,
$28; with total fees collected $4388. Total deaths recorded, 73, residents in town 5,
residents out of town 4; non resident 64. Food licenses issued 3, marriage licenses 1,
marriages recorded 11; and a total of 106 calls to the office.)
SOCIAL SERVICES: Under Social Services, Commissioner Heeren reported the many incoming calls and letters regarding the Thanksgiving food distribution which went to 22 families. Letters of thanks were sent to the various organizations including Lincoln School, several of the women’s organizations, and the Elks Club. Food distribution also went to some families from Bergen County Welfare whose initial checks were withheld. Letters went out to town organizations regarding the Christmas distribution of food and toys.
PARKS AND RECREATION: In Councilman
DiPisa’s absence, Deputy Commissioner of Recreation Verrastro reported on Recreation
programs. Men’s Over 30 Basketball and Adult Coed Volleyball were meeting in the high
school gym. The new youth basketball league started practices last month and games will
begin in the new year. There are 20 teams and six divisions. Equipment has been
distributed. The traveling teams have started practices and will receive new uniforms. The
flag football program concluded with a championship game. STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES: Under Public
Facilities,. Commissioner Pepe reported that bids had gone out a second time for footings
and foundation which were being analyzed. The Steel Package would be going out the
beginning of January, with bid opening set for January 22, 2002. By that date it was hoped
to award concrete, footings and steel. The Municipal Complex 90% drawings are under
review.
POLICE AND LAND USE: Under Land Use,
Commissioner Verrastro reported 54 new permits and five permits were updated with total
construction costs at $713,823. She reminded residents to get a permit before beginning
any construction.
FIRE: Commissioner Wassberg gave the fire report for November: Fire Alarms: Hasbrouck Heights, 34 calls, year to date 483; Teterboro 7, year to date 120; mutual aid 1, year to date 33; total for the month 42, year to date 636. Ambulance calls for November: Hasbrouck Heights, 91, year to date 1,119; paramedic assisted calls 22, year to date 331; Teterboro, 12, year to date 219; paramedic assisted 0, year to date 66; mutual aid, 10, year to date 89; paramedic assisted 1, year to date 25; total 113, year to date 1,405. He also gave the results of the Fire Department Election of Officers for 2002: Fire Chief, Arthur Knobloch; First Assistant Chief, Robert Thomasey; Second Assistant Chief, Joseph Taylor; Secretary, Thomas Rubino; Treasurer, Angelo Roccamo. Engine Company One: Captain, Edmund Carter III, Lieutenant, Kevin Todd; Secretary, Bernardo Valente; Treasurer, Christian Semenecz. Engine Company Two: Captain, Christopher Hayes; Lieutenant, James Halloran; Secretary, Michael Thomasey; Treasurer, Thomas Rubino. Hook and Ladder Company One: Captain, Brian Morrow, Lieutenant, Peter Kolodziej; Secretary, Jeffrey Rubino; Treasurer, Laurence Donohue. Ambulance: Captain, Peter Gallo; Lieutenant, Joseph Benkovic; Secretary, Colleen Taylor. Rescue Company: Captain, Jason Schell, Lieutenant, Robert Pietz; Secretary, Bernardo Valente. On a motion by Councilman Wassberg to accept the results of the Fire Department Election, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the results were approved.
REPORT OF MAYOR: Mayor Torre began his report by asking for a moment of silence on the passing of Raymond Heck, husband to Assemblywoman and former Mayor Rose Heck.
On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resignation was accepted with regret. Norma Wilke from the Library Board of Trustees effective December 31, 2001 On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resignation was accepted with regret. The mayor congratulated the residents of Hasbrouck Heights for their overwhelming support of donations to the food pantry and gifts for distribution, and for the dedication and hard work of Lee Kulakowski and the Social Services Board. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and invited the public to the Re-organization Meeting on January 1, 2002 at 11:45 a.m.
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSENT AGENDA: On a motion by Councilwoman Verrastro, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Consent Agenda resolution was approved. (Copy attached)
RESOLUTIONS: 188. Authorizing Contract with Delta Dental 189. Authorizing South Bergen Fire Chiefs' Association Mutual Aid Agreement 190. Authorizing
Contract with the County of Bergen for Animal Control Services 192. Transfer Current Taxes Receivable to Tax Title Lien for the year 2001 193. Authorizing Cancellation of Taxes Overpaid to Budget Operations 194. Authorizing Transfer of Current Taxes Received to Taxes Overpaid 195. 2001 Appropriation Transfers 196. 2001 Appropriation Cancellations On a motion by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman Pepe, and unanimously accepted, the foregoing Resolutions were approved. (Copies attached)
ORDINANCES ON INTRODUCTION: None
ORDINANCE(S) ON PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinances No. 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954 had been forwarded to the Planning Board for their approval. The Planning Board asked to continue to review Ordinances No. 1952 and 1953 and these ordinances were not approved by the Planning Board. As this was the final meeting of 2001, a motion was made by Councilman Wassberg, seconded by Councilman Heeren, and unanimously carried, to withdraw Ordinance No. 1952 and Ordinance No. 1953. Mayor Torre opened the meeting up to the public on Ordinances No. 1950, 1951 and 1954. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Torre closed the public hearing on said ordinances.
ORDINANCE NO. 1950: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN SEXUALLY ORIENTED ENTERTAINMENT AS AN ACCESSORY TO PERMITTED USES THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITHIN ANY ZONE IN THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS AND TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS IN CONNECTION WITH THAT PROHIBITION" be now passed on second and final reading and the Borough Clerk be and hereby authorized and directed to publish said Ordinance, same to be published in The Record, a newspaper circulating in the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights
ORDINANCE NO. 1951: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION 275-26.1 ENTITLED "VARIANCES OR WAIVERS FROM THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES FOR NONRESIDENTIAL USES; PARKING FACILITY TRUST FUND," OF ARTICLE VII ENTITLED "OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING" OR CHAPTER 275 ENTITLED "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS WHICH SAID PROVISION OF THE ORDINANCE IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE COMMERCIAL ZONE PARKING FACILITY TRUST FUND ORDINANCE"be now passed on second and final reading and the Borough Clerk be and hereby authorized and directed to publish said Ordinance, same to be published in The Record, a newspaper circulating in the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights.
ORDINANCE NO. 1954: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE SUPPLEMENTING ARTICLE VI ENTITLED "RESTAURANTS AND DINING ROOMS" OF CHAPTER 84 ENTITLED "ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO PERMIT THE CONSUMPTION OF BEER AND WINE BY CERTAIN CUSTOMERS OF CERTAIN UNLICENSED RESTAURANTS AND DINING ROOMS WITHIN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT OF THIS BOROUGH UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIED CONDITIONS" be now passed on second and final reading and the Borough Clerk be and hereby authorized and directed to publish said Ordinance, same to be published in The Record, a newspaper circulating in the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights. On a motion by Councilwoman Verrastro, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, and unanimously carried, with the exception of Councilman Heeren voting Nay on Ordinance No. 1951, the feeling being that it was a good ordinance but the amounts were detrimental, and rather than rescind it at this point it would be better to amend it with lower amounts, the foregoing Ordinances on Public Hearing were approved. 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 until the Sine Die meeting as approval from the State had not been received as yet.
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 on said ordinance to be held at a regular meeting of the Borough Council on January 1, 2002 at 11:45 a.m. On a motion by Councilman Pepe, seconded by Councilman Wassberg, 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. Peter Brown, 160 Terrace Avenue, was interested in hearing an update on the overnight parking question. He was informed that it was on the agenda for the next police committee meeting in early January. He questioned if a situation came up whereby any damage to cars parked next to the Athletic Field occurred, who was responsible for the liability. He asked for consideration of the safety issue of tenants having to walk back to their building late at night. He felt this rule was discriminatory against the residents, elderly and handicapped. He was advised that the council had to weigh the risks and benefits of this ordinance, that this ordinance has been in effect since the 1930s or 1940s and that landlords are to give new tenants notice of this ordinance, and that some apartment owners have built parking lots for their tenants. Andrew Link, 221 Harrison Avenue, as a resident, questioned Building Department fees.
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 December 27, 2001. Rose Marie Sees, RMC |