HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002/09/30 SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
An Agenda Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of AGENDA MEETING
Cartere~' proceeding the Regular Meeting of October 3, 2002 was
held on September 30, 2002, Community Center, 100 Cooke
Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey.
The following were noted present: NOTED PRESENT
Mayor James A. Failace
Councilmembers Frank Parisi " Daniel Reiman
" Ronald Rios
" Janet Santoro
" Buddy Sohayda
" Brian Sosnowski
Statement of Meeting Notice was mailed to the Home News STATEMENT OF MEETING
Tribune, The Star Ledger and posted on the bulletin board on NOTICE
September 20, 2002.
To Address Governing Body: TO ADDRESS GOVERNING
a) Carteret Redevelopment Agency/Nolan & Heinz BODY
b) Borough Engineer
Robert Heinz - Nolan & Heinz, you are going to hear some ROBERT HEINZ
comments from various developers. He said he would like to make
it clear to everyone that all the dealings with the developers were
for purely educational and to allow them to get some background
for some changes for the (inaudible).
Mayor Failace spoke to Mr. Aleksandrich and asked if they were
going to get anything in their hands (inaudible).
Mr. Aleksandrich said he understood they were going to distribute
plans tonight to (inaudible).
Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said he was sure they all knew
how the process works the Council has not formally adopted the
Redevelopment Plan for this area. We need to do so by Ordinance
and it has to go to the Planning Board. Over the past year the
Redevelopment Authority has done significant work and they
wanted to come that evening to propose some changes and
__ modifications to the plan that was originally proposed by the
Council.
Councilmember Santoro asked after they adopt it, where will it go
next?
The Borough Attorney said they don't have to adopt it but they can
recommend (inaudible). Ultimately we have to adopt it by
SEPTEHBER 30, 2002
Councilmember Santoro asked if they picked a developer to do the
work?
DISCUSSION
Mr. Aleksandrich replied no. We had to take input from all these CONTINUED
developers to come up with the best possible plan. He said he
knew it sounded backwards and it pretty much is and we have to
go out for proposals and that is when they will pick out the
developer. We'll have negotiations and we'll talk about different
items.
Mayor Failace stated that they originally went out for proposals
and the RFP...
Mr. Alekandrich said some of the proposals were pretty elaborate
and we made it pretty clear, that when the letter went out that by
Resolution from the Borough was nearly a proposed plan
according to the Redevelopment Agency. We were looking for
developers to say this will or won't work. What everyone needs
too is the initial plan that was the proposed plan was never
scrapped. We have kept this pretty confidential so one out side of
the Commissioners and our Council and Engineer have seen those
proposals. A lot of the basics and a lot of the demographics and a
lot of the information (inaudible).
Mayor Failace said this is terrible with all these changes. He said
he wouldn't know because he had not seen it.
Mr. Aleksandrich said all of a sudden he received calls from a
newspaper and others and said the plan was lousy.
BRUCE RYDEL - CME ASSOCIATES BRUCE RYDEL
CNE ASSOCIATES
Mr. Rydel reported that what the Chairman is indicating is
recognizing that the Borough has three gateways to the
Community (inaudible) plus the Turnpike Interchange. This is a
critical area of the Borough and you really want this to be a
gateway neighborhood and to that end, having reviewed the Schoor
DePalma initial plan what they are calling the revitalization plans
for the purpose of the redevelopment plan. He said they have taken
the information regarding demographics and retail sales and
molded that into what the Commissioner felt what was the best for
the community. What distinguishes this redevelopment plan for the
revitalization plan are a few elements. Number one is revitalization
in terms of rehabbing buildings in that particular neighborhood
were felt by the commissioners not in keeping with the Borough's
best interest. The degree to which that particular neighborhood, not
all the buildings, but many of the buildings have falling into
disrepair (inaudible). It lends itself more to the revitalization
(inaudible). With that in mind that the Engineers suggested that
they draft, in accordance with the State Redevelopment Plan and in
accordance with Redevelopment and Housing Laws in the State of
New Jersey, an element which would bring this forward in
conformance with the Statute in a manner that is financially
feasible. This is not something that is being suggested by a
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SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
Mr. Rydel said not to get into the money but this is very important
to be looked at with basically no impact to the Borough. As little as
searching for money to do this job, more cash in hand there is
definite interest and the resources are available. DISCUSSION
CONTINUED
Councilmember Santoro said they were large developers ..
Mr. Rydel said they are very limited in what they can get into.
Mr. Aleksanddch asked how that would impact the town and how
would it pose opportunities for everyone. He said he thought that
was the most important thing because it would have served the
means of the community. He said they are very excited about
(inaudible) within the Borough.
Unidentified person said some of the things that have come up and
some of the concerns of the people are that they are kicking people
... It is important to know that in the general developer agreement
part of what would be this plan is that relocation is the
responsibility of the developer. You can not just someone out. It is
very critical that we realize that no one is getting displaced. He
said he would imagine that properties that are being built that there
are no guarantees ...
Councilmember Santoro said since the inception of this agency,
isn't it noted that anybody buying property or coming in is told that
this is a redevelopment area?
Unidentified person response was inaudible.
Councilmember Santoro said so they are aware that this is going to
be taking place?
Bruce Rydel replied absolutely.
Mr. Aleksandrich said he thought it was important to recognize
that the agency was created in July of last year so they have done
quite a bit of work.
Councilmember Santoro asked if they would go to the Planning
Board in November. When will the work actually begin?
Mr. Rydel said in June but you are talking about execution and if
things go the way they could ... You are also talking about
property acquisitions. There is a very big "if', but it could start
earlier or a little bit behind. It is pending on what comes back
Mr. Aleksandrich said it is a good market right now, especially
__ housing. One good thing, we are last. Everyone else has pretty
much gone through redevelopment in the towns around us. Yes,
we're late but that may be best because the potential is that we are
running out of places we can go. The other thing is that we don't
want to get sued. We have seen other towns tied up in litigation
beyond belief, look at Perth Amboy and the litigation surrounding
the pizzeria and all kinds of good things (inaudible). Those are the
things that we don't want to get into. What they are (inaudible).
SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
Brace Rydel said he knew this was eminent domain and he knows
it is Borough parcel ....
The Porough Attorney said he knew the Redevelopment Authority
is on a very tight schedule so everyone has their proposal so they
should take a look at it and compare it to the short plan. Any
comments that you have you can get back to (inaudible) very
quickly...
Councilmember Santoro asked if they were looking for a time line?
The Borough Attorney said they have a meeting the next night.
MR. CAROLL THOMAS- C. THOMAS
MCEOC
Carroll Thomas said November 1~t is National Literacy Day and
RE: NATIOBIAL
the Library Association asked for a Resolution to publish some LITERACY DAY
flyers.. He asked the Council to read to someone once a month.
They offer a computer course to Seniors. If the MCE'OC agrees to
make a $6,000.00 Grant available to the Library to purchase books,
the library has agreed to provide space (inaudible).
Mayor Failace addressed Mr. Thomas and said on the days we
come in to read to the children and however many children there
are that day, we would give one book to one family and they will
be able to keep the books. What we agreed to was if we don't get
over twenty five it will cause a budget problem (inaudible). What
we hope is that each family will be able to have a book for three to
eight year olds. He then asked if they were looking at one day a
month.
Mr. Thomas said yes, we are looking at one day a month, Saturday
mornings. The library will be able to coordinate the schedules.
What we want to do is make reading a life long process and they
have found the best way to do it is if we put the books in the kids
hands. We think it will take the entire community to get behind
and it will also allow the Library Association a lot of leeway to
(inaudible).
Mayor Failace said what you are asking for is a Resolution from
the Borough, you are asking for the Mayor and Council to read at
least one time a month to the children and a check not to exceed
$500.00 for promotional, setting up posters, etc.
Mr. Thomas said they would like to get something in there to
include (inaudible) and those type of things. We don't think it will
-- exceed $500.00..
Couneilmember Rios asked how many other towns have done this.
Mr. Thomas said this town is the first and Perth Amboy will be
next . In New Brunswick we already have a literacy program in
conjunction with PBS because they are out of district.
Councilmember Rios asked if it was similar to this?
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SEPTEMBER 30, 20C2
crazy. The other thing were edging on that the extension for one
(inaudible) but Verizon is now renegotiating its contract and for
the school districts it is one third (inaudible). They are
renegotiating that now and if they do that will allow the Library
and the Head Start Center to be a part of the Vo-tech agreement.
That is actually cheaper and faster (inaudible) and that should be
done by the end of November . There are resoumes that are
available ....
Couneilmember Santoro asked the Municipal Clerk to do the
Resolution for the Library.
Mayor Failace said they would put everything on for next
Thursday.
The Borough Attorney addressed Mr. Thomas and told him that
the other item that they spoke about will be discussed at the
Council Meeting. LIBR/kRY
Councilmember Santoro asked who is the President of the Library
Board. Is it Jeff Pino? She then said to Mr. Pino that they had been
asking if somebody from the Library Board to come forward about
the audit.
Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney said that the auditor couldn't
make it and so they cancelled.
Councilmember Santoro asked Mr. Pino to look into that because
(inaudible).
BOROUGH ENGiNEER REPORT - Donald Norbut BOROUGH ENGINEER
REPORT
Little Rascal's has started their curb work and the drainage work
on Hagaman Street. Over thc next couple of months there will be
quite a bit of roadwork going on. Thc County will bc in also,
taking care of roads. The sewer linc at the Carteret (inaudible) has
been repaired and they have received the permit for the Waterfront
Park. They have a meeting with the contractor who is looking to
start !he demolition next Monday. Thc Borough has received a
$60,000.00 Grant from thc county under the Downtown Business
District Program. The original cost was to wait and include some
UEZ funding to do a larger streetscape project. The UEZ has laid
out, time wise, it is important that they usc this $60,000.00 this
year before it is in jeopardy of being lost. What he suggested is thc
idea to include it in the (inaudible) order as a change order. It will
be easier to do a small $60,000.00 contract then to include a larger
contract (inaudible).It includes doing sidewalks and curbs ....
Councilmember Santoro asked if he was going to take the money
from the streetscape, $60,000.00 and roll it over into the road?
The Borough Engineer replied that they were going to take the
$60,000.00, add it to the road program and increase that contract
by $60,000.00 (inaudible).
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SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
MINUTES FOR APPROVAL: September 19, 2002. MINUTES FOR
APPROVAL
COMMENDATIONS: Police Officers Craig and Renda. COMMENDATIONS
POLICE OFFICERS
Councilmember Santoro said she is pulling that because they won't CRAIG & RENDA
be there.
The Municipal Clerk said she would hold the commendations.
PROCLAMATIONS: PROCLAMATION
a) Domestic Violence Awareness Month
b) Columbus Day
c) Spinal Health Month
d) Fire Prevention Week
e) Peter J. Sica
At approximately 8:05 P.M., Mayor James A. Failace was noted NOTED PRESENT
present. MAYOR FAILACE
RESOLUTIONS: RESOLUTIONS
1. Directing the Issuance of Various Raffle Licenses.
2. Refund of Tax and/or Sewer User Fees.
3. Authorizing Various Contractors to Perform Rehabilitation of
Homes Pursuant to COAH Regulations.
4. EUS - O'Gorman & Young, Re: Insurance Coverage -
Disability, AD&D.
Councilmember Reiman said this is changing our life insurance RE: LIFE INSURANCE
and (inaudible) is the current broker. This changes its policy for
Prudential to (inaudible).
Councilmember Santoro asked what the price would be.
Councilmember Reiman replied that it would be $11,000.00
cheaper for the premium. It is the same coverage; this company has
a better history as far as rate increases.
Councilmember Parisi asked if they needed any approval by
Resolution?
5. Review of 2001 Audit. RESOLUTIONS
CONTINUED
__ REPORTS: REPORTS
1. Clerk's Office - September 2002.
PAYMENT OF BILLS: PAYMENT OF BILLS
1. List of bills properly audited and signed.
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SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
Upon individual roll call vote Councilmembers Parisi, Santoro,
Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers
Reiman and Rios voted no.
2. NJ DOP a) Notice of Promotional Examination, Re: Truck NOTICE OF PROMOTIONAL
EXAM RE: TRUCK DRIVER
Driver
Do Do Not want a test.
The Mayor asked the Municipal Clerk what this was about.
The Municipal Clerk replied that they have one additional serving
in the title so that automatically generated a notice of promotional
exam because he is provisional.
b) Supervisor/Sewers, Supervisors/ Streets - the Municipal Clerk
said she thought that would be Closed Session.
3. Open Public Meetings Act - Amendment
The Borough Attorney said he was sorry, he didn't know if anyone
read it but there was a change in Statute that the governor signed
that requires that at every meeting that the public body has there be
a session for the public to discuss any item important to them. He
said he didn't raise this at the last meeting because you have so
many open sessions but he forgot that during the Agenda Meetings
you don't have open sessions. Now you are required to have a
public session at every meeting. The question is do you want to DISCUSSION
have it at the beginning or the end of the meeting?
Mayor Failace asked if they had something to change the Rules of RE: RULES OF COUNCIL
Council to do that. The Mayor said the Borough Attorney said
they have to have an open public session at every meeting that we
have.
The Borough Attorney replied that was the reason he was
proposing it because they really need to discuss if you want to do it
in the beginning, the middle or the end. The people can comment
on any item or issue that comes before the Township related to
education or virtually anything they want to discuss.
Councilmember Santoro said they already do that.
Mayor Failace said they would have to pass a Resolution changing
the Rules of Council.
Com)ailmember Parisi asked if this was every Governing Body.
Including the Board of Education? Because they have Agendas as
well.
Councilmember Rios said that is only for what we have to
(inaudible) over ....He asked if the United States Congress passed
an (inaudible).
The Borough Attorney said the only reason why he is brining this
up now is, and he doesn't think it is critical but you may want to
consider where in your Agenda you would like to have it.
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SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
The Borough Attorney asked Councilmember Rios if he wanted to
discuss this in closed session because we do have the other track
driver. He said that Councilmember Rios can discuss this in open
you just the other truck driver position and they may come
together.
Mayor Failace said he had a question for Council. He said he
understood there was a Park Vehicle that was taken home and it
was in an accident.
Mayor Failace made a motion to open to the Public.
Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Reiman and Sohayda
Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, A MOTION I/AS MADE
Rios, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
OPENED TO THE PUBLIC:
Mr. Tom Lang wanted to say that the Parks Department did a PRAISE FOR PARKS
wonderful job with the Ethnic Day Fireworks. It was an excellent DEPARTMENT - ETHNIC
DAY FIREWORKS
show. He then said that the streetlights by the Turnpike are out
again.
Councilmember Parisi said that is an ongoing project and there is a
lot that the Council is still trying to do.
Councilmember Rios said the lights are not broken they are
designed to go on and off. DISCUSSION
Unidentified person said one of the reasons that they go on and off
is because there is a fuse in there and it gets so hot it shuts itself off
· It is a matter of changing the bulb or changing the transformer. It
is correctable.
The Borough Attorney said they also do that to save electricity but
they are not supposed to go off at the same time. What we are
trying to find out, are they all off at the same time or not?
Mr. Lang said it appears that they are all off at the same time.
Councilmember Par/si commented that he had seen it too. He said
he also knew that Teddy Surick had seen it.
Mr. Lang said the other thing is this business with the Board of
Education and the Teachers. There doesn't appear to be any after COMMENTS 8, COMPLAINTS
school activities as far a clubs or anything where the teachers stay
__ on their own time. He asked if their contract expired or are they in
negotiations?
Counc~lmember Parisi said their contract is expired and they are in
negotiations. They are supposed to have a meeting next week.
Mr. Lang then said they are going in as a group when they are
supposed to be there (inaudible). He said he understood (inaudible)
to a point but this is ...
15
SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
his garage you have to be careful why you're stopping unless you
change to an R60 and that would be 6,000 square foot lots.
Richie Greenberg said his problem is that there is no one here to
protect these people or the value of their houses. You have these
nice houses on Jackson Avenue where you have people slamming
houses in between them. That is mining the neighborhood and if he DISCUSSION
was a property owner on that street (inaudible).
Councilmember Reiman replied that he agreed with Mr. Greenberg
but for different reasons especially in light of the comments Mr.
Greenberg made. He said they knew what was going on there ....
Mr. Greenberg interrupted and said he did not say that. What he
said was (at his time they were all speaking at once and it was
inaudible). HE then said he was there to ask the council to look at
the zoning laws and to take these laws and make them where
people who have existing houses here don't have to worry about a
guy buying a building and then subdividing his lot and knocking
down part of his house.
Councilmember Reiman said he agreed with Mr. Greenberg but
not with the comment he made.
Mr. Greenberg replied that he didn't care if he agreed with his
comment because Mr. Reiman misunderstood the comment. He
then said he wasn't there to argue with Councilman Reiman but he
didn't know what he was talking about.
The Borough Attorney said he wanted to interject. As the zoning
exists there is nothing that you can do to restrict somebody from
tearing down his or her property. If the property conforms and they
want to subdivide it they are going to be allowed to do it. Even if
you increase the size of the lot it would still not preclude
somebody from buying a piece of property and tearing down
whatever is on it if they want to sub divide.
Mr. Greenberg asked if they were telling him that all the houses on
Carteret Avenue, Taylor Avenue, Tyler Avenue etc. can be packed
in.
Councilmember Santoro said they have to be on 50 x 100 lots.
Mayor Failace said he thinks that is the reason he came up here
and made the statement.
Councilmember Santoro said the only other way is to look at the
zoning law and she doesn't know who would need to change it or
look ,~ other towns where they have increase (inaudible). As it
stands now an R50, which means if that person owns that property
they can do it. If you want to change it then go back (inaudible) to
change the zoning laws.
The Borough Attorney said ultimately it is going to be proposed,
referred to the Planning Board.
17
SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
Mayor Failace said what you heard was strip mall. That is what is
going there. The Mayor then addressed Mrs. Gagdos and said there
were going to be seven two family homes and a strip mall.
Mrs. Gagdos said that was what she heard.
Mayor Failace said for her to tell whoever told her that to tell them
that it is a strip mall not a strip joint.
Mrs. Gagdos said she would tell her friend that the Mayor looks
good.
Mayor Failace thanks her and said he thought he was looking
pretty good too.
Jim Stone said what Mr. Greenberg said was very tree. You have
to understand that we have to look at the laws because there are too
many people coming into this town, going before the Zoning
Boardi subdividing the property, building houses that are within
the limit and they are chopping up the town. The cost to educate
their children is $30,000.00 and all it does is cost the taxpayers
money. We need to re look at the laws and say hey, property has to
be so much by so much. He said he was at the meeting that Mr.
Greenberg was talking about and a lot was said at that meeting.
Lots of people are saying they should sell their homes and chop COMMENTS &
them in half and double their money. The real-estate market has DISCUSSION
never been better. People are coming in, they want to buy homes
and they want to subdivide. We have to keep the ascetics of the
town the way ~t ~s. We can get overpopulated; we have 19,000.00
' e
people as it is. We can t hay 30,000.00 people here. We have to
educate their children. 45% of the people are senior citizens and
they have to pay for their education and we don't have the money
to pay for it. The economy is in the (inaudible). Everybody has lost
money and it is up to the council to re- look at the laws and say
they have to stop this. That man was within his rights when he
came in and said he wanted to build a home next door from my
brother. If the Board had gone against him we would have had a
lawsuit that cost us a lot of money. It can't continue to go on this
way because if the Council allows it and the town allows it we're
going to be overpopulated, overtaxed ..
Councilmember Santoro replied to Mr. Stone and said to him that
is away to solve it, you can't stop somebody that is allowed to do
it.
Mr. Stone replied that someone on Clauss Street asked for an
easement for a front porch. And if the board had voted him down it
would have been nipped in the bud but they gave him the right to
do it. They saw that he was building three more homes but they
had no right to vote on that because that wasn't presented to them.
The only thing presented to them was the front porch and they
allowed it to go through. What they said to the builder was that he
had the first step in the door, continue what you are doing and go
on and present it to the other people. If Richie Greenberg would
have voted it down and he believes he would have. The board
needs to re look and set up something that is proper for the people.
19