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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002/10/03 OCTOBER 3, 2002 The Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of COUNCIL MEETING Carteret was called to order by Mayor James A. Failace approximately 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, October 3, 2002, Municipal Court/Police Facility, 230 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey. __ Upon individual roll call, the following were noted present: ROLL CALL Councilmember Frank Parisi " Daniel Reiman " Ronald Rios " Janet Santoro " Buddy Sohayda Brian Sosnowski Also noted present was Borough Attorney Robert J. Bergen, Esq. The meeting was opened with a moment of Silent Prayer and The PRAYER, PLEIXIE Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor James A. Failace. OF ALLEGIANCE The Clerk stated that on September 26, 2002, in full compliance with STATEMENT OF -- the Open Public Meetings Act, a notice of tonight's meeting was sent MEETING NOTICE to The Home News Tribune, The Star-Ledger and posted on the bulletin board. Councilmember Sohayda read a letter he received from Chief Brian COMENDATIONS O'Connor about a call on Fitch Street concerning an unresponsive FIREFIGHTERS/EMT unconscious man. He read each commendation and presented FIRST AID SQUAD commendations to Firefighter/EMT Thomas App, Kevin Gomm and First Aid Squad Members Colleen Jameson and Georgette Evans. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous POBLIC HEARING affirmative vote of the full membership present, the Mayor declared FY 2002 the Public Hearing on FY 2002 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant to be open. Councilmember Santoro said this is the Municipal Alliance Grant we COMMENTS file for every year. She said Captain Hojecki has done an excellent job __ year after year putting this together. There being no further comments or objections to the FY 2002 Local HEARING CLOSED Law Enforcement Block Grant, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be closed, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present. CTOBER 3, 2002 IESGLUTION #02-342 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Rios and unanimous kI, IENDED affirmative vote of the full membership present, Resolution #02-342 was amended and Edgar Street was removed. RESOLHTIGN #02-345 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmember Santoro and Sohayda, Sally SALLY BGNVENTURE Bonventure's name is placed on Resolution #02-345 for appointment NOMINATED to the Housing Authority. A copy of each Resolution was placed on the table for public review I, IEETING OPENED prior to the meeting in accordance with the Rules of Council and upon PUBLIC INPOT ON ALL RESOLUTIONS MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, the meeting was opened for public input on all Resolutions. MEETING CLOSED There being no comments or objections to the Resolutions the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be closed, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present. Councilmembers wanted any BLOCK AGENDA The Borough Clerk asked if any Resolutions to be taken off the Block Vote and asked for a motion. Councilmember Rios asked to vote on Resolution #02-345 separately. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Santoro and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, Resolutions #02-341 to #02-348 excluding Resolution #02-345 were approved. RESOLUTION #02-345 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Parisi, Resolution FOR THE SAKE #02-345 was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers OF C(~ITINUITY, Parisi, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. THIS RESOLUTION Councilmembers Reiman and Rios abstained. IS LISTED THE OTHERS AGAIN OCTOBER 3, 2002 RESOLUTION t02-341 RESOLUTION #02-341 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to DIRECTING THE the Council for action. ISSUANCE OF VARIOUS RAFFLE LICENSES Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Santoro RESOLUTION #02-341 "DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE OF RAFFLE LICENSES A" TO ST. JOSEPH H.S. . was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, ADOPTED Reiman, Rios, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION ~t02-342 RESOLUTION #02-342 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to AUTHORIZING VARIOUS CONTRACTORS TO the Council for action. PERFORM R~'~ABILITATI(R4 (20Att REGULATICNS Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Santoro RESOLUTION #02-342 "AUTHORIZING VARIOUS CONTRACTORS TO PERFORM REHABILITATION OF HOMES PURSUANT TO COUNCIL ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING (COAH) REGULATIONS" was adopted as amended. Upon individual roll call vote, ADOPTED Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, Rios, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #02-343 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION ~02--343 EUS-O' GORMAN & the Council for action. YOUNG, RE: INSIJRANCE OOVI~AGE-DISABILITY, /~i Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Santoro RESOLUTION #02-343 "AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT FOR EXTRAORDINARY, UNSPECIFIED SERVICES" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, ADOPTED Reiman, Rios, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. 3 2TOBER 3, 2002 ESOLUT'ION $02-344 RESOLUTION #02-344 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to E¥IEW OF 2001 AUDIT the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Santoro RESOLUTION #02-344 "REVIEW OF THE 2001 AUDIT" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, aDOPTED Reiman, Rios, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION $02-345 RESOLUTION #02-345 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to /%PPOINTMENT TO the Council for action. CARTERET HOUSING AUTHORITY Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Parisi RESOLUTION #02-345 "APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE CARTERET --' HOUS1NG AUTHORITY" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, ADOPTED Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers Reiman and Rios abstained. RESOLUTION $02-346 RESOLUTION #02-346 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to AMENDING RULES the Council for action. OF COUNCIL Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Santoro RESOLUTION #02-346 "AMENDING RULES OF COUNCIL" ADOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, Rios, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. 4 OCTOBER 3, 2002 RESOLUTION #02-347 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION ~t02--347 AUTHORIZING AG~K~141~IT the Council for action. WlTa MCBDC, RE: DIGITAL DXVXDE PRO{2~J~ Upon MMS&C, by Councilmcmbcrs Rciman and Santoro RESOLUTION #02-347 "AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH MCEOC- DIGITAL DIVIDE PROGRAM" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, ADOPTED Reiman, Rios, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #02-348 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION ~02-348 the Council for action, wI~t~ ~loc, RE: E~tm¥ Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Santoro RESOLUTION #02-348 "AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH MCEOC- FAMILY READING iNITIATIVE" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, ADOPTED Reiman, Rios, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Mayor Failace said Resolutions #02-347 and #02-348 are authorizing COMMENTS an agreement with the MCEOC so they can nm two programs in Carteret. He said one would be a literacy program through the Library and the other would be for computer training for Senior Citizens. He explained the programs. __ Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios all bills PAYMENT OF BILLS appearing on the prepared list properly audited and signed were ordered to be paid. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman, Rios, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Parisi abstained on 02-2159 and voted in the affirmative on all other bills on the list. 5 :TOBER 3, 2002 The Clerk stated ~at she was in receipt of~e ~llowing r~ort: EPORTS EPARTMENT h Cle~'s Office- S~tember 2002 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, all present, all reports were ordered to be received and placed on file. .A¥OR' $ YE~O Borough Clerk Kathleen Barney said she received a veto from the '.O[4MENT$ Mayor today on Ordinance #02-20. Councilmember Santoro asked how long the Council has to answer this. Borough Attorney Bergen said there is no specific time period but the Ordinance allows you to do it at this meeting or any subsequent meeting to which the Council adjourns. Councilmember Santoro asked they carry it to the Agenda Meeting for discussion. Councilmember Reiman said he was confused by the Mayor's veto since he felt the Mayor supported this at the discussion and the Public Heating. Mayor Failace said he felt his veto was clear and would read the veto again. Councilmember Reiman said he felt the Mayor was playing politics. Mayor Failace read the veto again and said he did not feel this was the right time for this increase right now. Councilmember Reiman said this would bring in additional revenue and asked how the Mayor planned to bring in additional revenue. He asked if the Mayor planned to raise the taxes. He said he felt the Mayor was vetoing this right before the election to make politics out of it. Mayor Failace said this has nothing to do with politics, he thought it out and "sometimes when you sit there as Mayor, you make some decisions and you think, maybe I made a wrong decision." He said call it what you like but the bottom line is that he made the decision and the Council can do what they like with it. He said he does not think it is the right thing to do at this time. Councilmember Rios asked if the Mayor was saying he changed his mind. Mayor Failace said he thought about it, and never consented one way or the other. He said he thought about it and decided to take a different approach. OCTOBER 3~ 2002 Councilmember Rios said the Mayor originally supported it and now COMMENTS ON he has changed his mind. MAYOR ' S VETO Mayor Failace said he never came out for or against it, the Council voted on it, he never said one way or another. He said he thought about it over the process and decided he did not think it was the fight thing to do. He said he did not know why he was getting beat up on this, and Councilmembers Rios and Reiman could vote how they like to override the veto. Councilmember Rios said originally, the Mayor felt the fees should be increased. Mayor Failace said when this was first brought up, he thought the fees were low and this wasn't a bad idea. He said when he considered it and thought about it longer, he decided it wasn't the way to go and that was his prerogative. Councilmember Rios agreed it was the Mayor's prerogative but all he was saying was the Mayor did change his mind. Councilmember Santoro said they introduced the levels of increase and in the public opinion the Council reconsidered it, brought it back to another Agenda and everyone seemed to agree. She asked if anyone on the Council would change their minds and asked if they needed to carry this over or did they want to override this now. Councilmember Santoro made a motion to override the Mayor's veto MOTION MADE of Ordinance #02-20 Amending Article I, Licensing Regulations, TO OVERRIDE MAYOR' S VETO Alcoholic Beverages. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Par/si ORDiNANCE #02-20 "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE I, 'LICENSING ORDINANCE $02-20 REGULATIONS' OF CHAPTER 71 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AM~IDING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OF THE CODE ARTIrX.F. I, r. IC~I~ING P~IGNS O~ OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" 71 I~ITIT[.m') ALCOflC~IC BEVI~AI~'-q OF 'IgcIE OF 'l%fl~ BOltDOGlt OF was finally adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, Rios, Santoro, and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. ADOPTED Councilmember Sohayda abstained. ITOEER 3, 2002 Approved and Adopted: October 8, 2002 Introduced: September 5, 2002 Advertised as adopted on First Reading with notice of Public Hearing:. September 10, 2002 Hearing held: September 19, 2002 VETOED by Mayor James A. Failace: October 3, 2002 VETO OVERRIDDEN: October 3, 2002 Approved by: Council President Janet Santoro Advertised as Finally Adopted: October 10, 2002 ;OMMENTS Councilmember Reiman said as a small business owner, he understood that on occasion, towns look at raising fees. He said this Council and the prior Council looked at this and the Mayor had supported this and now he doesn't. He said he understood that people could change their mind and understood the fees are considerably lower in neighboring towns. He said the reason the Council looked at the fees was because it costs the Borough money to send a Police Officer to do inspections. He said this was to cover the costs associated with issuing the licenses every year. He said he felt the increase was minimal. Councilmember Santoro said the Council listened to the owners' concerns and lowered the costs with no further opposition. She said the fees were brought up and were still lower than fees in the surrounding towns. She said the Council has spent many meetings discussing this and if the Mayor wanted to disagree at this point, the Council would not be changing their minds. She felt they needed to do business and move forward. STANDING COMMITTEES BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Committee Chairperson Sosnowski said the lights are in order for the exterior of the Library and the graffiti has been taken care of also. He said the curbs and the air conditioning unit at the Police Department have been installed. He said the Health Department ramp is seventy-five percent complete but there is some concrete work that has to be done. He thanked John Soltez, Cindy DeCamp, Tony Neibert and Ted Surick for their help in getting the ramp installed. He said the original plans for the ramp were $37,000.00, by doing the work themselves, it cost $33,000.00 and he felt this was a substantial saving. He reported progress. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: Committee Chairperson Reiman thanked the Buildings and Grounds Committee, the Building Department, Tony Neibert and Councilmember Sosnowski for getting the ramp at the Health Department installed at a considerable savings. He spoke about the twelve grants the Borough has applied for which would total twelve point two million dollars. He said Resolution #02- 343, new insurance coverage, would save the Borough about eleven million dollars on the life insurance. OCTOBER 3~ 2002 FIRE: Committee Chairperson Sohayda spoke about the awards that STANDING COMfllTTEI~$ were given out tonight for the Ambulance Volunteers and Firefighters. He said the new ambulances were inspected by the New Jersey Department of Health and the Borough received a temporary license. He spoke about Fire Prevention Week and some of the activities that would take place in the Borough and at the schools. He said the Fire Department would be holding their annual Open House on October 12, 2002. He spoke about the details and invited everyone to attend. He reported progress. PARKS & RECREATION: Committee Chairperson Rios said the playground and safety surface is complete at the Recreation Center. He said the playground equipment fills an unused spot on the side of the building. He said the smaller fountain in Carteret Park Pond is broken and they would have to decide if it would be repaired or replaced. He said they are sending the Parks Supervisor and an employee from the Parks Department who has been working with the trees to Cleveland for a one week course to be certified to learn to trim trees with electrical wires while they are in the Cherry Picker/Bucket Truck. He said the Ragamuffin Parade would be held on October 31st at Sullivan Field, the Soapbox Derby would be October 12th and encouraged everyone to attend these affairs which are a lot of fun to watch the children. He reported continued progress in the Parks. POLICE: Committee Chairperson Santoro said they would recognize Denton, Kitz and Hart for aiding in the delivery of a baby and they would be honored at the Council Meeting. She said she was working with the Police Department to institute a phone line for anonymous calls for illegal housing situations. She said people could report this and not have to leave their name. She gave some of the details on this and said she spoke to someone from Edison on how they have instituted their anonymous phone line. She said the Redevelopment Agency presented their plans at the Agenda Meeting for the Council's comments, which are due on October 7th the Redevelopment Agency, would be having their Public Hearing on the 8th. She said after Tuesday's Public Meeting it will be forwarded to the Planning Board. Councilmember Reiman asked if that would give them enough time for the attorneys and engineers to review the plans. Councilmember Santoro said they were at the meeting and were discussing it and they are really running out of time. She said the citizens feel this is taking too much time as it is. She said there would still be time to review it and the Council has read the plans, which she felt, are very basic. 9 CTOBER 3, 2002 ,TANDING Borough Attorney Bergen said they need to be clear that the only thing :OMMITTEES the Redevelopment Authority can do is make recommendations to the Council. He said the plan is ours to formulate and recommend to the Planning Board. He said it comes to the Council first and has to be adopted as their own and then refer it to the Planning Board. He said the Council could make it their own or make additional comments or changes which are under the control of the Council and not the Redevelopment Authority. Councilmember Santoro said she felt this was a basic plan and was like the Shoor DePalma plan that has been out there for two years and would help with any questions from the public. She said this was going on for months and felt the Redevelopment Agency has been doing an excellent job. She said if they kept delaying this it would get put off further and further. She said they have worked very hard and these people were appointed to the Redevelopment Agency, they were trusted to do the work and bring the information back to the Council. She said there are professionals working with the Redevelopment Agency to answer any questions. She reiterated that this was a basic plan and they would not be working with any developers. She said the Council needs to review the plan and have their comments in by Monday. Councilmember Rios said he reviewed the plans and asked Borough Attorney Bergen if the Council is restricted from attending the Public Heating for input. Borough Attorney Bergen said the Council could go for more public input. He explained the statutory process and that the determination has to be made by the Council and then they would refer it to the Planning Board for their input. Councilmember Rios asked if it were in the Council's best interest not to make any public comments at that meeting. He said he understood that ultimately it would come back to the Council for their decision on what plan would be used. Borough Attorney Bergen said he preferred the Council did not participate in the process by making any input at the meeting. He said he thought they were going to discuss the details on this amongst themselves. Councilmember Santoro said, "With that progress." PUBLIC WORKS: Committee Chairperson Parisi said the Road Projects have begun and should take about a month to complete. He said the Leaf Bag Program would be starting this Monday, October 7th. He gave the details about the program and said collection of leaves at the curb would start on November 1st and end on December 30th. 10 OCTOBER 3, 2002 BOARD OF EDUCATION: Committee Chairperson Parisi said the STANDING COMMITTEES Liaison Committee met with Councilmembers Sosnowski, Santoro and himself and Board of Education Members Loutfy, Delgado and Setar. He said they discussed the Zoning and Building fees that were waived and shared services between some of the Borough Departments and the Board of Education. He spoke about setting up the hotline for improper housing, which also affects the students. He spoke about the MCEOC program for Senior Citizens and said it was brought up that some students from the high school could help out with the computers. He said they had spoke about having meetings on the first Wednesday of every month unless there were other meetings. Mayor Failace spoke about Resolution #02-346, Amending the Rules MAYOR ' S COMMENTS of Council, the Open Meetings Act and the fact that now every meeting had to be open to the public including the Agenda Meetings. Councilmember Santoro asked if that included the School Board. Borough Attorney Bergen said he believed it did. Lou Mangieri said this does not affect the School Board, it affects the Zoning Board and the Planning Board. Borough Attorney Bergen said any one that has a meeting that comes under the Open Public Meetings Act has to comply. Lou Mangieri told Councilmember Santoro that whatever she had at the Agenda Meeting, a Resolution or what, the attorney... Councilmember Santoro said Borough Attorney Bergen told the Council they had to open the meeting. MayorFailacereadthe ~llowingproclamation: PROCLAMATION: DOMESTIC ¥IOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH WHEREAS, home should be a place of warmth, unconditional love, tranquility; and WHEREAS, the crime of domestic violence violates an individual's privacy and dignity, security and humanity, due to systematic use of physical, emotional, sexual, psychological and economic control and/or abuse including abuse to children and elderly; and WHEREAS, the problems of domestic violence are not confined to any group of people cut across all economic, racial and societal barriers, and are supported by societal indifference; and 11 WHEREAS, the impact of domestic violence is wide ranging, directly affecting individuals and society as a whole, here in this community, throughout the United States and the world; and WHEREAS, battered women have been in the forefront of efforts to bring peace and equality to the home. NOW, THEREFORE, in recognition of the important work done by domestic violence programs. I do hereby proclaim the month of October to be Carteret Borough Domestic Violence Awareness Month and urge all citizens to actively participate in the scheduled activities and programs to work toward improving victim safety and holding perpetrators of domestic abuse accountable for their actions against individual victims and our society as a whole. PROCLAMATION Mayor Failace read the following proclamation: COLUMBUS DAY "CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DAY" WHEREAS, there are many residents of the Borough of Carteret who are of Italian American heritage; and WHEREAS, these residents devote their efforts toward implanting the example of the courage and progressive ideals of Christopher Columbus in the hearts and minds of all our people; and WHEREAS, we must individually dedicate ourselves to these principals as the major bulwark against totalitarianism; and NOW, THEREFORE, I James A. Failace, Mayor of the Borough, in the County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey do hereby proclaim MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2002 as CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DAY in the Borough of Carteret and request that all nationalities of this Borough stand with the Italian Citizenry in helping them observe this Patriotic Day of their Compatriot, Christopher Columbus, whose name shall be honored at the Flag Raising Ceremony conducted at the Municipal Building, 61 Cooke Avenue, on Monday, October 14, 2002, at 10:00 A.M. FURTHER, I James A. Failace, Mayor of the Borough of Carteret, do hereby proclaim MONDAY OCTOBER 14, 2002 be designated as ITALIAN-AMERICAN DAY in the Borough of Carteret and hereby order the Flag of Italy be displayed at the Municipal Building this day in honor of all Italian- Americans who fought and died to save the freedoms of the United States of America. 12 OCTOBER 3, 2002 MayorF~lacereadthe ~llowingproclamation: PROCLAMATION SPINAL HEALTH MONTH SPINAL HEALTH MONTH WHEREAS, 80 percent of Americans will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives; and WHEREAS, the majority of school-age children carry backpack loads that are too heavy for their developing bodies; and WHEREAS, overweight backpacks have been contributing to spinal problems in children; and WHEREAS, spinal health is essential to proper growth and development; and WHEREAS, chiropractic examination can reveal spinal problems; and WHEREAS, good spinal health makes it possible for all the organs in the body to function efficiently; and WHEREAS, every individual should be made aware of the benefits of spinal health; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Borough of Carteret in the state of New Jersey officially joins with the New Jersey Chiropractic Association in proclaiming the month of October as Spinal Health Month, and urges that this month be dedicated to informing citizens of the great Borough of Carteret in the state of New Jersey of the health benefits of spinal health and the dangers of overweight backpacks. The Borough of Carteret in the state of New Jersey further commends doctors of chiropractic and colleges of chiropractic for their continuing efforts on the public's behalf, and specially the doctors of chiropractic in Carteret, New Jersey for their community service programs. Mayor Failace read the following proclamation: PROCLAMATION FIRE PREYENTION WEEK "FIRE PREVENTION WEEK" OCTOBER 6-12, 2002 VfHEREAS, smoke and poisonous gases are the leading cause of death in fires and can kill a person long before the flames will; and WHEREAS, underestimating the power of fire and the time it takes to escape a home fire put people at severe risk of fire death and injury; and 13 TOBER 3, 2002 WHEREAS, developing and practicing a home fire escape plan at least twice a year are critical to escaping a real fire safely; and WHEREAS, a complete home escape plan includes working smoke alarms everyone in the household knowing two ways out of each room, having an outside location where everyone -- will meet upon exiting, and memorizing the local fire department's emergency telephone number; and WHEREAS, the Fire Prevention Week 2002 theme - "Cover the Bases-Strike Out Firel"-emphasizes the extreme importance of not only having a home escape plan, but physically practicing it regularly; and WHEREAS, the fire service of the Borough of Carteret is dedicated to the safety of life and property from the devastating effects of fire; and WHEREAS, the members of the fire service are joined by other concerned citizens of this Borough as well as other emergency providers and safety advocates, businesses, schools, service clubs and organizations in their fire safety efforts; I, James A. Failace, Mayor of the Borough of Carteret, in cooperation with non-profit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) do hereby proclaim the week of -- OCTOBER 6-12, 2002 as "FIRE pREVENTION WEEK" This week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which killed more than 250 persons, left 100,000 homeless and destroyed more than 17,400 buildings. I call upon the people of the Borough of Carteret to participate in fire prevention activities at home, work and school, and to execute "Cover the Bases-Strike Out Fire!" to ensure their safety and the safety of their families in the event of fire. PROCLAMATION MayorFailacereadthe ~llowingproclam~ion: PETER J. SICA DAY "PETERJ. SICA DAY" WHEREAS, October 6, 2002 marks the Third Anniversary of the tragic and untimely death of Former Mayor Peter J. Sica; and WHEREAS, Peter J. Sica, fondly known as "Pete" to all who came to know him, dominated the Carteret Political Landscape for twenty (20) years, through his deep commitment to the community and his flamboyant nature; and 14 OCTOBER 3, 2002 WHEREAS, Peter J. Sica was renowned for his generosity to those in need and his willingness to help anyone who asked; and WHEREAS, Peter J. Sica contributed greatly to the Borough of Carteret and is deserving of kind thoughts and prayers from the entire Carteret Community on this sad occasion. NOW, THEREFORE, I James A. Failace, Mayor of the Borough of Carteret do hereby proclaim: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2002 PETER J. SICA DAY in the Borough of Carteret and direct that all flags on Borough Buildings be displayed at half-staff on that day in honor of Peter J. Sica. MayorF~lacereadthe ~llowingproclamation: PROCLAMATION NATIIONAL FAMILY LITERACY DAY NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY DAY WHEREAS, National Family Literacy Day is celebrated all over the United States with special activities and events that showcase family literacy programs and the important relationship between parents and their children; and WHEREAS, family literacy programs bring parents and children together in the classroom to learn and to support each others' academic and non-academic goals; and WHEREAS, as parents identify their strengths and develop their skills, essential messages about the importance of education are passed onto their children, and parents and children soon develop thereby as a team in learning and become partners for success; and WHEREAS, family literacy encompasses a unique educational approach that includes four separate but integrated components whereby parents receive adult education, often focusing on improving job skills or English language skills, and children receive individualized education that is appropriate for their age and developmental level; and WHEREAS, in addition, parents take part in classes that help them understand their children's literacy development in order to learn ways to support that development at home; and WHEREAS, one of the most unique elements of a family literacy Program is Parent and Children Together (PACT) time, a regularly scheduled session when parents and children play and learn together through interactive literacy activities; and 15 2TOBER 3, 2002 WHEREAS, The Middlesex County Economic Opportunities Corporation ("MCEOC"), has agreed to sponsor a Family Reading Initiative Program in Carteret in concert with the Carteret Library · Association and the Borough Council to promote family reading time and family literacy within the Borough of Carteret. NOW, THEREFORE, I, James A. Failace, Mayor of the Borough of Carteret, do hereby declare November 1, 2002 to be observed and celebrated as National Family Literacy Day in the Borough of Carteret. PUBLIC DISCUSSION Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, the meeting was opened to the public for discussion. Rich Greenberg said at the Planning Board Meeting there was an issue COMMENTS where a builder bought a house on an existing oversized lot and he was removing the garage, filling in the in ground pool and creating another lot. He said this would allow him to subdivide and put another house there. He said this is on Jackson Avenue and explained the houses in the area. He asked the Council to address the zoning issue, and look into the zoning laws to change them. He said he felt if he owned a house, a builder bought the house next door they could knock the garage down and build a house on top of him. Mayor Failace said Mr. Greenberg had a valid problem and the Council has discussed the problem. He said they would have to go over the Master Plan. Olga Pettica said there are no benches at the bus stops and Senior Citizens are sitting on homeowners steps or on the ground. Councilmember Santoro said the Streetscape Grant would include benches. She spoke about the area in West Carteret this would cover. Olga Pettica said her grandson's backpack weighs 33 pounds. She said there were not enough lockers in the schools and the books are much too heavy. She said people in scooters like her husband can not get over the West Carteret Bridge. She asked why the Atom Tabloid only had articles about Councilmember Reiman. She spoke about how she felt the Mayor should be mentioned in the newspaper and spoke against the Atom Tabloid and other newspapers not covering Carteret. She said she spoke to the reporter from the News Tribune. Councilmember Rios said there are no reporters at this meeting and there are three newspapers that cover Carteret. He said he felt it was a shame and suggested Mrs. Pettica call the newspapers. 16 OCTOBER 3, 2002 Olga Pettica spoke about some incidents that have happened in PUBLIC DISCUSSION Carteret that she read only in The Star Ledger. Several Councilmembers, Mayor Failace and Mrs. Pettica spoke about the events and the newspapers and how they cover these events or don't. Olga Petfica said she felt Councilmember Reiman did not do everything, the Mayor's name should be in the paper also. Mayor Failace said the Atom Tabloid calls him at the Mayor's office 9:00 in the moming when he is at his job to say they need a quote from him by eleven o'clock. He said he spoke to the News Tribune about Carteret not getting any press and spoke about the problems the newspaper was having being owned by another company now and Paul Nelson, the reporter, covering Carteret as well as Woodbridge. Councilmember Rios said when the News Tribune puts something in about Carteret, it is always negative and there are good things happening but they are never in the paper. Councilmember Sohayda said he felt that maybe the Parks Department could put the benches up quicker and spoke about the roles that have to be followed by New Jersey Transit. Sue Naples asked about the access channel and if it would just be informational and if it were up and mnning since no one has informed -- them about it. Mayor Failace said he thought they had set something up about a bulletin board a while ago. Councilmember Reiman said former Councilmember Fazekas had volunteered his time to work on that. Chester Barby, 6 Charlotte Street spoke about the garbage being put out three days ahead of the pickup and there was garbage all over the streets. Councilmember Santoro said if people made the proper phone calls or when the hotline is in effect . . . She said she hoped to have this anonymous hot line in effect in a month or so, and it would will be advertised. Chester Barby said he would appreciate a four-way stop sign since he couldn't see around the vans parked on the comer. He said with a four-way stop sign it would be safer. __ Walter Kalzinski spoke about the bus stops and since he lived near Lucia's Pizzeria they were having problems with all the cars parking in the area. He said the bus stop used to be by Tommy's Hot Dogs and doesn't see why it was moved. He said this is a residential area and there is garbage and people hanging out in the area. He said he spoke to the principal of Nathan Hale School about the chaos in the area with the people picking up and dropping off kids. 17 ]TOBBR 3, 2002 Councilmember Santoro said there was a meeting with the Crossing IJBLIC DI$CIJ$$IObl Guards a while ago and suggested they meet again. Walter Kalzinski said he felt there should be a Police Officer there. Mayor Failace said he thought a police car went around to the schools. Councilmember Sosnowski said he has called for a police car to make parents move from the front of the schools. Joseph Sitarz said the Borough has a Code Enforcement Officer to check on the garbage. He spoke about the four-way stop sign. He said he felt they should make Cooke Avenue one way coming down to alleviate some of the traffic. Ruth Ann Donovan, Crossing Guard said if a Crossing Guard has a problem, they have a meeting the next day. She said if a Crossing Guard doesn't say there is a problem, nothing can be done. She said there would be a meeting to alleviate the problem. There being no further business or discussion, upon MMS&C by AD,JOURblI~D Councilmembers Rios and Parisi and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:40 P.M. ~ Respectfully submitted, Municipal Clerk KMB/cp 18