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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2001/05/17 MAY 1~, 2001 The Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of COUNC I L MEET Carteret was called to order by Mayor James A. Failace approximately 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, May 17, 2001, Municipal Court/Police Facility, 230 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey. Upon individual roll call, the following were noted present: ROLL CALL Councilmember Jack Fazekas Remy Quinones " Daniel Reiman Ronald Rios " Janet Santoro " Buddy Sohayda Also noted present were Business Administrator Nicholas Goldsack and Borough Attorney Robert Bergen. The meeting was opened with a moment of Silent Prayer and the PRAYER, PLEDfiE Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor James A. Failace. 0 F ^ k k Efi I A N C E The Clerk stated that on May 11, 2001, in full compliance with the STATEMENT OF Open Public Meetings Act, a notice of tonight's meeting was sent to MEEI I Nfl N011 CE The Home News Tribune, The Star Ledger and posted on the bulletin board. Councilmember Ronald Rios administered the oath of office to Fire 0AT It OF OFF I CE Captain Richard Bonner. F I R E CAP IA I N RICHARD BONNER CERTIFICATES OF Councilmember Ronald Rios called up Firefighters Joseph Gadomski MCR I T and Samuel Goddess. He congratulated them on being selected to receive the Firefighters Comanunity Service Award. Mayor Failace said he would like to offer his congratulations to Fire COMMENTS Captain Bonner as well as to Firefighters Joseph Gadomski and Samuel Goddess. He thanked them for ajob well done. ORDINANCE #01-29 was introduced and adopted on First Reading 0 R D I A N A N C E//01 - 2 § and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public I0 AMEND ORDINANCE Hearing to be held on June 7, 2001, upon MMS&C, by #/1-9RE: SECRETARY Councilmembers Quinones and Sohayda. Upon individual roll call BOARD/C0~iHiSSION vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Santoro voted no. MAY 17, 2001 ORDINANCE #01-29 "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #71-9 ESTABLISHING SALARY SCHEDULES AND FIXING THE MANNER OF PAYMENTS OF SALARIES FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" ORD INNCE//01-30 ORDINANCE #01-30 was introduced on the First Reading and the AMEND I Nfl SALARY Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public Heating to 0 R D I N A N C E//71 - 9 be held on June 7, 2001, upon MMS&C, by Councilmember Rios and RE: B U I L D I N 6 Quinones. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, SUBCODEOFFICIALS Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the PLUMBING HHS affirmative. ORDINANCE #01-30 "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND #71-9 ESTABLISHING SALARY SCHEDULES AND FIXING THE MANNER OF PAYMENTS OF SALARIES FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTER.ET" The Clerk stated Ordinance #01-26 was introduced and passed upon 0RD I NANCE #01-26 First Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Cotmcil held on AMENDING SALARY ORDINANCE//71-9 May 3, 2001. It was duly published in the Homes News Tribune on RE: POLICE May 8, 2001 with notice that it will be considered for final passage D I SP^ICHERS after Public Hearing to be held on May 17, 2001 at approximately 7:30 P.M. The Ordinance was posted on the bulletin board and copies were made available to the general public and according to law, she read the Ordinance by title. PUBLIC HEARING Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Fazekas and Reiman and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be open: There being no comments or objections to the Ordinance, the Mayor HEARING CLOSED declared the Public Hearing to be closed, upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Reiman and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Quinones and Reiman 0RD I NANCE//01-26 ORDINANCE fl01-26 AMENDING SALARY ORD I NANCE//71-9 "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #71-9 R E: PO L I C E ESTABLISHING SALARY SCHEDULES ~ FIXING THE D I SPAICHERS MANNER OF PAYMENTS OF SALARIES FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" 2 MAY 12, 2001 was finally adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Approved and Adopted: May 17, 2001 Introduced: May 3, 2001 Advertised as adopted on First Reading with notice of Public Heating: May 8, 2001 Hearing Held: May 17~ 2001 Approved by: Mayor James A. Failace Advertised as Finally Adopted: Ma,/28,2001 Councilmember Quinones stated this was well deserved by the COMM[NIS dispatchers. Councilmember Santoro stated one of the things about the dispatchers that people tend to forget is they are the first contact from the public to the police department and they very well deserve this raise after years of not receiving it. The Clerk stated Ordinance #01-27 was introduced and passed upon ORDINANCE//01-27 First Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held on AMENDING SALARY May 3, 2001. It was duly published in the Home News Tribune on ORDINANCE//71-9 May 8, 2001 with notice that it will be considered for final passage RE.' UMP I RES after Public Hearing to be held on May 17, 2001 at approximately 7:30 P.M. The Ordinance was posted on the bulletin board and copies were made available to the general public and according to law, she read the Ordinance by title. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous PUB L I C H EAR I N G affirmative vote of the full Council present, the mayor declared the Public Heating to be open: There being no comments or objections to the Ordinance, the Mayor HEARING CLOSED declared the Public Hearing to be closed, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Rios ORDINANCE//01-21 ORDiNANCE #01-27 AIIENDI NG SALARY ORDINANCE//71-9 RE: UMPIRES "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDiNANCE #71-9 ESTABLISHiNG SALARY SCHEDULES AND FIXiNG THE MANNER OF PAYMENTS OF SALARIES FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" MAY 17, 2001 was finally adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Approved and Adopted: May 17, 2001 Introduced: May 3, 2001 Advertised as adopted on first reading With notice of Public Heating: May 8, 2001 Hearing Held: May 17, 2001 Approved By: Mayor James A. Failace Advertised as Finally Adopted May 28, 2001 The Clerk stated Ordinance #01-28 was introduced and passed upon ORDINANCE #01-28 First Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held on AMENDI N6 & May 3, 2001. It was duly published in the Home News Tribune on SOPPLEHENI I N6 May 8, 2001 with notice that it will be considered for final passage CHAPIER 109 SECIION afier Public Hearing to be held on May l7, 2001at approximately 7:30 5RE: LINIFORH CONSIRUCI I ON P.M. The Ordinance was posted on the bulletin board and copies were C 0 D E S - F E E S made available to the general public and according to law, she read the Ordinance by title. P D B L I C H E A R I N G Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be open: There being no comments or objections to the Ordinance, the Mayor HEARING CLOSED declared the Public Heating to be closed, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sohayda and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present. 0RD l NANCE//01-28 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Fazekas AHEND I NG & ORDINANCE #01-28 SUPPLEH[NI I N6 "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SLTPPLEMENTING CItAPIER 109 SECT l ON 5 SECTION 109-5 ("FEES") OF CHAPTER 109 ("UNIFORM RE: UN I FORIq CONSTRUCTION CODES") CONSIRUCI I ON OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" CODES-FEES was finally adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the -- affirmative. 4 MAY 1], 2001 Approved and Adopted: May 17, 2001 Introduced: May 3, 2001 Advertised as adopted on First Reading with notice of Public Hearing: May 8, 2001 Heating held: May 17, 2001 Approved by: Mayor James A. Failace Advertised as Finally Adopted May 28, 2001 Mayor Failace stated he would like to have a motion to amend the COMMENTS Agenda to move Resolution #01-162 to the Top of Order of Business and open it to the Public. A motion was made by Councilmembers Santoro and Reiman and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present the Agenda was M01ION 10 AMEND AGENDA amended to move Resolution #01-162 to the Top of Order of Business and open it to the public. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Fazekas and MEETING 0PENDED unanimous affirmative vote of the full Councilmembers present the PUB L I C I NP UT 0N Mayor declared the meeting opened to the public on Resolution R E S 0 L U 110 N # 01 - 162 #01-162. There being no comments or objections to Resolution #01-162, The Mayor declared the Public Portion closed, upon MMS&C, by MEEIIN6 CLOSED Councilmembers Rios and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present. Councilmember Reiman asked if the auditor could address the Council C 0MI~ E N IS with information on this Resolution. Andy Hodulik from Hodulik and Morrison and his associate Ronald Gardner stated they were asked to review the Board of Education's defeated School Board Budget for the year 2002. He said they have received the majority of the information requested from the Board last Friday. He said a fair amount of time has been spent going through that information. He said based on their review and lengthy discussions with the Finance Chairmen there is a resolution on the table, which actually reduces the amount to be raised by taxation for the School Budget 2002 by $140,000.00. He said it was a combination of $98,000.00 of utilization of additional surplus based of their review, and $42,000.00 worth of cuts in the appropriations. Mayor Failace said he was a bit disappointed more could not be found in a $34,000,000.00 budget. He said unfortunately it is a big burden for the taxpayers of Carteret. HAY 17, 2001 RESOLUTION #01-162 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RES01UIIOH #01-1§2 1) El E Riq I N I N fi I It E the Council for action. AlqOUNI TO BE RAISE1) BY TAXATION FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES FOR IHE 2001/2002 SCHOOL YEAR Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Reiman ORDINANCE #01-162 "DETERMINING THE AMOUNT TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES FOR THE 2001-2002 SCHOOL YEAR" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPIED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios and Santoro voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Sohayda abstained. Councilmember Quinones said she voted yes on this but likewise she COlqlqENlS is disappointed. She said she thought it was very ...(inaudible)... the auditors were not present at the Budget Hearing with the Councilmembers and the School Board. She said certainly in the past there was significant exchange with the auditors present where they actually went through line items and got into a great deal of detail about what could be cut and what could not be cut. She stated it did not happen in this case but never the less this is a cut. Councilmember Reiman stated just so that the audience and the public are made aware, $140,000.00 is being cut from the School Budget, which is a tax point in a half. He said it could save the average homeowner about $18-$20.00 off of the projected increase. He said he knows the auditors were not able to make the joint Council and Board of Education Meeting, but he has been in contact with them daily since he is chairperson of the Finance Committee. He said he knows the auditors have worked diligently with the School Board Administration. Councilmember Rios said this was probably difficult thing to decide on, with the taxes, Education, providing for the children. He said he understands how everyone is concerned about the taxes. He said again this Council is concerned about education as the Mayor has mentioned it is important to educate the children. He said a school that was once closed would be reopened which was a major expense. He said the Council met with the School Board on Monday and the School Board was concerned about monies and he thinks this will alleviate some burden but all in all, he feels this is something that will not hurt the Education. Councilmember Santoro stated after sitting for years on the Board of Education and realizing when a budget is put together that the last vote when it comes down to it is up to the Council. She said she knows how hard it is to put together a budget and plead your case. She said in this case, again she has always believed people get a chance to vote on one budget. She said they do not get a chance to vote on the town's Municipal Budget so this is the town only opportunity to speak out about their taxes, whether the Council, County or the State raises the taxes. She said the only opportunity the town has is to vote on the School Budget. She said in this case the school district in the last six years has been taking on enormous expenses by building renovations, MAY ]Z, 200] new buildings, increased enrollments and they are continuing that. COI414ENTS She said Nathan Hale School would be opening in September. She ( C O N T I Iq U £ D ) stated as for estimating the amount of students coming into the district at $8300.00 per student you are not going to know that until the school actually opens and the state does not recognize that until next year when they are on the enrollment count. She said so things are already starting below where they should be. She stated is this a cut back you want to live with, on her behalf she knows how important even $100,000.00 could be the meaning of two out of district placements for Special Ed. Students can wipe out that $100,000.00. She said that if the schools can live with this and people on the Council are comfortable then she supports it. Councilmember Sohayda stated to vote for this budget is to vote for the children of tomorrow. He said the School Board works hard to educate the children from this town and to lead them to be the future leaders of Carteret. He said he would have to abstain because of personal business with the School Board. He said he applauds everybody who has supported this budget. A copy of each Resolution was placed on the table for public review MEET] NG OPENED prior to the meeting in accordance with the Rules of Council and upon I0 PUBL I C INPUT MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous ON ALL RESOLUTIONS affirmative vote of the full Council present, the meeting was open for public input on Resolutions #01-148 through #01-161. There being no comments or objections to the Resolutions, the Mayor M E E T I N G C L 0 S E D declared the Public Hearing to be closed upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present. RESOLUTION #01-148 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTI ON #01-lq8 the Council for action. Af4ENOMENT I0 2001 TEMPORARY BUDGET Upon MMS&C, by Councilmember Rios and Fazekas RESOLUTION #01-148 "AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT TO THE 2001 TEMPORARY BUDGET" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #01-149 wasintroducedbythe Mayorandre~rredto RESOLUTION #01-149 theCouncil~raction. DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE OF VARIOUS RAFFLE LICENSES. 7 MAY 17, 2001 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmember Rios and Fazekas RESOLUTION g01-149 "DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE OF RAFFLE LICENSES TO ST. ANTHONY'S HOLY NAME SOCIETY" w was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #01-150 wasintroducedbytheMayorandre~edto RESOLUIION #01-150 AUIHORIZIN6 BICYCLE thecouncil~raction. SALE Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Santoro and Rios RESOLUTION #01-150 "AUTHORIZING SALE OF BICYCLES" Al) 0 P l[B was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the .--- affirmative. RESOLUTION #01-151 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUI I ON #01-151 the Council for action. CREAIIHG ItAND I_ CAPPED PARKING SPACE - HOLY FAM I LY SCHOOL Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman RESOLUTION g01-151 "CREATING HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE FOR HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPIED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. RESOLUIION #01-152 RESOLUTION #01-152 was introduced and referred to the Council CREAIING HANBI- for action. CAPPED PARKING SPACE 59 R ROOSVELT AVENUE Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman MAY il, 200] RESOLUTION #01 - 152 "CREATiNG HANDICAPPED PARKiNG SPACE FOR 159 ROOSEVELT AVENUE" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro, and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #01-153 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RES0LUTI ON #01-153 the Council for action. PROFESS I 0NAL SERVICES -LERCH. VINCI, & HIGGINS, RE: AUDITING SERVICES - Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda 2001 AUDI T I NG REFUNDING BOND RESOLUTION #01-153 "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR AUDITING SERVICES WITH LERCH, ViNCI & HIGGiNS" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Reiman stated this was part of the bond refunding that COMMENTS was talked about, it is a little over $7,000,000.00 in bonds that are going to be refunded. He said this is going to save the Borough about $215,000.00 in the next nine years. He said the Council is taking $93,000.00 of that savings and using it for tax relief this year which is one of the reasons the Council was able to shave off a point on the projected tax increase. He said the Borough would be taking advantage of the lower interest rate that refimd and refinances bonds, again taking advantage of the current market and the Municipal bonds. RESOLUTION #01-154 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to the Council for action. RESOLUIION//01-15/t APPOINTING JOHN SOLTESZ- FULL TIME BUILDING SUBCODE OFFICIAL/PLUMBING Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman ItHS I NSPECTOR RESOLUTION #01-154 "RESOLUTION APPOiNTiNG JOHN SOLTESZ FULL TIME BUILDING SUB CODE OFFICIAL/PLUMBiNG HHS iNSPECTOR" was adopted. Upon individual roll cai vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, ADOPTED Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Reiman stated by appointing Mr. Soltesz and creating COMMENTS this resolution for a full time position in the Building Department this MAY 17, 2001 would free up Mr. Nagy. He said Mr. Nagy would be working on COOMENIS (CONT I N O E D ) important issues in the Borough, where there are vacant lots whether owned by the Borough or local residents or industry. He said the entire department will be able to get out more and began enforcing some of the codes and requirements that the Borough has through out the town. He said this is a move in the right direction and he supports this. Mayor Failace stated he would say that the Building Department would probably again be working at a record pace this year. He said hopefully it would be comparable to the amount of money they brought in last year, which was close to $1,000,000.00. RESOLUI I ON #01-155 RESOLUTION//01-155 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to APPOINTING MICHAEL the Council for action. ORLANDO & HUGH CONNORS - SEASONAL LAWN MAI NTENANCE WORKERS Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sohayda RESOLUTION//01-155 "APPOINTING TEMPORARY SEASONAL LAWN MAINTENANCE WORKERS IN THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones asked Borough Attorney Bergen why the C 0 M M E N 1 S app ointment s were b ackdat ed. Councilmember Santoro said she could answer that question. She said the reason being is it was discussed at the Agenda Meeting that the appointees (Michael P. Orlando & Hugh Connors) have been working for the past three years and while Mr. Kately was out due to his injury it was a mishap they did not get placed. She said it was asked at the Agenda Meeting how to do this and this is how the Council was advised to place them. Councilmember Quinones asked what did Councilmember Santoro mean when she said there was a mishap. She asked if Mr. Kately told the two appointees they could start working. Councilmember Santoro said Mr. Kately had spoken to her about it and it was decided that the appointees said they could come back to work. She said this has been done for three years because of him not being around ...(inaudible)... to have it corrected. Councilmember Santoro said she would vote yes but seeing that mistakes do happen. She said the unfortunate thing is when they happen other people have to suffer the consequence such as being demoted from a position because an Ordinance or Resolution is not drafted correctly she thinks now it can be understood why things do happen. 10 HAY 17, 2001 Councilmember Santoro stated says she feels as far as demotions and Ordinances this is apples and oranges. COPIPIENTS (CoNT I NUED ) Councilmember Quinones said yes that is true but it is still a mistake that was made without authorization from this Council. Councilmember Santoro said at least she would admit when a mistake is made instead of trying to pretend and ignore them as usual. RESOLUTION #01-156 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION//01-156 the Council for action. APPROVING FIR~ORKS FOR ETHNIC DAY Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sohayda RESOLUTION 01-156 "RESOLUTION APPROVING FIREWORKS FOR ETHNIC DAY" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the ADOPTED affirmative. Councilmember Rios asked if the fireworks would be bigger than last COPIPIENTS year's fireworks. Mayor Failace said he hopes they will be bigger than last year's. He said that he thinks last years amount was $5000.00. He said he does not think there is an amount on the resolution nor does there have to be an amount on the resolution. He said he thinks the only thing that is important is that it is ok to have the fireworks and hopefully if they can be made bigger than that would be great. He said the young and the old people in Carteret love the fireworks. Borough Attorney Bergen and Councilmember Quinones said the Resolution just authorizes the permit. RESOLUTION # 01-157 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION//01-157 the Council for action. AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF VARIOUS ~PLICATION DOCUflENTS FOR THE SEWER SPEARATION AND IP1PROVEP1ENT PROdECT Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda RESOLUTION #01-157 "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZiNG EXECUTION OF VARIOUS APPLICATION DOCUMENTS FOR THE SUSPECT AREAS SEWER SEPARATION AND IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION 01-158 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to the Council for action. 11 HAY 17, 2001 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda RESOLUTION g01-158 "RESOLUTION REQUESTING AN EXTENSION OF TIME TO AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE ~ INDUSTRIAL ROAD CULVERT CROSSING PROJECT" ADOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION//01-159 RESOLUTION g01-159 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to URGING CHANGE IN the Council for action. SCHOOL FUNDING THROUGH PROPERTY TAX REFORH Upon MMS&C, by Councilmember Sohayda and Rios RESOLUTION g01-159 "RESOLUTION URGING CHANGE IN SCHOOL FUNDING THROUGH PROPERTY TAX REFORM" ABOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call voted, Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the w affirmative. C0~ENTS Councilmember Santoro asked if someone could please tell Pat Blasio this was being done because he would love this. RESOLUTION #01-1G0 RESOLUTION g01-160 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to SUPPORT OF PROVIDING the Council for action. DIRCI TAX RELIEF T0 NE~I JERSEY'S SEIIIOR AND DISABLED CJIJ ZENS Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Quinones PROPERTY OWNERS AND HUN I C I PAL I T I ES RES OLUTION go 1-160 "RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF S ¼ SCS, S2, AND 83 PRovIDING DIRECT TAX RELIEF TO NEW JERSEY'S SENIOR AND DISABLED CITIZENS, PROPERTY OWNERS, AND MUNICIPALITIES" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Mayor Failace stated if this Resolution where to go through he C0~ENIS believes it would double the benefits approximately $500.00 in 2001 and $600.00in 2002 and also it would increase the Homestead Rebate $750.00. He said he certainly hopes that the Borough can help to push this through because it is absolutely necessary 12 PlAY ]7, 200] RESOLUTION #01-161 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION/~1-161 the Council for action. AUTHORI Z I N6 EXTEN I ON OF ¢0NIR£1 ~/ITIt GARDEN SIAIE LABORATOR I ES AND AUTHORIZING BIDS Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios FOR INDUSTRIAL I/ASIB/AIREH f40NITORING RESOLUTION #01-161 "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF CONTRACT WITH GARDEN STATE LABORATORIES AND AUTHORIZING RECEIPT OF BIDS FOR INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER MONITORING" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of an Application for ABC Licenses - 2001-2002 Renewals. Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers APPLICATIONS Reiman and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, it was ordered to be turned over to the Police Department for investigation. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a Communication from the ¢OHI~UNI£ATIONS Township of East Brunswick - resolution urging shifting reliance for school funding from property taxes to a more progressive and fair mechanism. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a Communication from PSE&G -a) Notice of application to disturb freshwater wetlands throughput entire service area. Comments accepted, b) Copy of Motion to increase level of gas demand and make changes to tariff rates. The Clerk stated she was in receipt of a Communication from Middlesex County Board of Taxation Resolution establishing ratio of assessed value to true value for all real property to be 100%. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present all Communications were ordered to be received and placed on file. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Reiman all bills .PAYflENT OF III~LLS appearing on the prepared list properly audited and signed were o ordered to be paid. Upon individual roll call vote Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of the following reports: REPORTS 13 PrAY 17, 2001 1. Inspection of Buildings - April 2001 2. Treasurer - April 200l Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, all reports were ordered to be received and placed on file. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Committee Chairperson Quinones said a STANDING C0~IITEES letter is going to be sent to Judge Comba regarding the emergency exits in the Court Room to see if there is any way that he can side step some of the requirements that has prevented the use of his door as an exit, because if this has to be done it will certainly be a lot more expensive to install a door than to just use his exits. She said there is some issues regarding the Community Center as far as people certainly having some conflict with getting keys and having access to equipment and there has been some concerns raised about that and also about ...(inaudible)... putting locks on cabinets. She said they are working on resolving this by getting a lock box and requesting that certain groups not take certain areas for themselves and locking them at the expense of delaying access to other people. She stated Comcast has come in to move cable service into the Community Center. She said C & M Doors will be at the Court House on Monday to correct the problem with the doors so hopefully no one will be locked in the bathrooms at the Court House. She said also AERCO has came in to check the air condition at the Fire House and the Social Services Center and that has been repaired. She reported progress. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: Committee Chairperson Reiman stated he mentioned he was going to put together a list of Borough owned properties that the Council is going to be asked to consider auctioning off. He said the estimated properties on that list are roughly 16 Borough owned properties. He said the Council will get a list this week. He said the Tax Assessor was going out to get a fair market value of what the Council could expect to receive. He said he looks to have these properties auctioned off within the next couple of months if the Council gives permission. He said the Building Department, Mr. Neibert, brought in $2,092.00 this year. He said the goal for the year was $500,000.00 and there is about 8 months left. He said the season probably just got started for them. He said last year the Construction and Building Department brought in over $1,000,000.00 in fees. He said he announced at the last Council Meeting that the contract with Dauman was renegotiated and this saved $20,000.00 by having them take care of the leaves at no charge. He said negotiations are currently in progress with Garden State Paper and also touching base again with Dauman about how much is paid to get rid of the Borough's wood. He said in the meantime the Finance Committee is pulling a list of the cell phones and beepers that the Borough Employees have and the committee is looking to consolidate. He said there are about five or six different programs whether it was through AT&T, MCI or Sprint the goal is to consolidate that into a one plan program. He said a significant saving is expected in that. He said he has mentioned over the last couple of months that the projected tax increase assuming the $300,000.00 Discretionary Aid is received the tax increase to the Borough will be $5.00 if it comes through. He said 14 2001 he urges everybody to call the Assembly People and State Senator for STAPIDING COI~ITTEE the Borough and asked them to try and get the Local Finance Board to (CONTINUED) give us the aid. He reports progress. FIRE: Committee Chairperson Rios said he would like to again congratulate Captain Bonner who is an asset to the Fire Department. He said again he would also like to thank Firefighter Sam Goddess and Joe Gadomski for their efforts with the file of life. He said May 9 the Fire Department in cooperation with the high school staff program put on a vehicle extrication demonstration using high school students as automobile accident victims. He said students were extricated from the car and treated for their simulated injuries. He said the program helps to show the students how important it is not to drink and drive and what the consequences could be. He said on Sunday Mother's Day there was a fire and he would like to thank and congratulate all the firefighters for the great job they did. He said several trailers caught on fire on Middlesex Avenue and Mutual Aid from Woodbridge and Port Reading helped out as well. He said the town's firefighters worked very hard for several hours to extinguish the five trailers that caught on fire. He said he would also like to thank B&L towing for supplying the Fire Department with cars that were used for the extrication for the high school students. He said on May 5 he attended the Special Olympics and he was very impressed. He said it was a special feeling to be there and see that happening and he would just like to commend everyone involved with that. He said he feels they do a great job and it is just tremendous and gives him a very warm feeling to see what is done there. He said May 9 he attended a CAPP Meeting which is the Community Advisory Panel, it is a consortium of different industries, business, commercial, industrial and citizens trying to make Carteret a better place to live and get cooperation and team effort from all the citizens involved. He said it is to try to do different projects through out the community and they are working on the flowerpot on Washington Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue trying to upgrade that. He said at this time he would also like to announce there is a tentative agreement with FMBA (Career Firefighters) contract which is approximately 2 ½ years since there last contract. He asked Business Administrator to confirm that the Neighborhood Town Meeting is set for Tuesday May 22, 2001. Business Administrator said yes the Meeting is scheduled for May 22, 2001 at the CWV. Councilmember Rios said he was not sure if the CWV was available that night. He asked Business Administrator Nick to check and see if it was available and if it was not available get an alternate place. He said that is basically to go there not to conduct business but to hear people's concerns and make the Council a little more accessible to the people that may be shut in and hopefully they can bring it to the Council's attention if there are any problems or concerns. He said as far as anything else in fire the Carteret Senior Citizens also sent in a letter thanking the career firefighters for doing the File of Life Program. He said this program is very important because sometime people having medical problems it gives them a whole history that can be hung on the refrigerator. He said it may sound repetitious be he would like to encourage everyone that may have a medical problem to get one from the Fire Department because if someone passes out at 15 17., 2001 least they have that information available. He said on the fire on SlAN1)IN6 £0~IIIEE Middlesex Avenue the Police Department is working hand in hand (~..ONTINUED) with the Fire Department as is the Building Department to try to clean up that area down there. He said hopefully it will not happen again and if there is any illegal activity it would come to an abrupt end. He said from what he understands it has become a hang out. He reported progress. Councilmember Quinones asked Business Administrator Goldsack to make sure when he finds out about the Town Meeting that it is posted on the Marquee. pARKS & RECREATION: Committee Chairperson Santoro said she would like to first give an update on Ethnic Day as everyone is aware of the fireworks were voted on and hopefully they will be expanded. She said selections of bands are being worked on to try to get diversity and to reach out to different groups and music· She said the letters have been sent out to all those who participated last year. She said this Sunday May 20th is the Third Annual Dog Show in Carteret Park. She said dogs could register and enter on Sunday. She said the dogs must have a license and updated rabies shot. She said there would be winners in small, medium and large sizes· She said Memorial Day services would be held in Carteret Park on Sunday May 27 at 12:30 PM followed by a parade that will start at 2:00 PM. She said the Carteret Community Action Council is planning this Saturday to clean up down on Lower Roosevelt Avenue· She said anyone wishing to volunteer for this please reach out they will be meeting in Chrome Park. She said also at the last Agenda Meeting she mentioned that the committee had filed for a $150,000.00 grant for the parks. She said this was through the county and it was different from Green Acres. She said there is a very good chance this money will be received, if not all of it very close to it. She said at least between $100-150,000.00. She said with that they hope to but more equipment and do different things in the parks. She said this would help move the program forward. She said she knows there was a concern whether enough money had been put into the budget, this certainly will make up for any lose. She said she should be hearing from them, she was told, within the next two -three weeks· She reported progress. POLICE: Committee Chairperson Santoro said a grant was received for body armor in the amount of $5725.00, which was worked on by Chris Elg. She said she would like to commend Chief Pieczyski's hard work in ensuring the department pass it's annual detention facility inspection. She said he made sure the department was compliant with state regulations and reduced the opportunity for adverse · ..(inaudible).·. She said tomorrow Captain Hojecki is graduating from the Intensive .··(inaudible)·.. Program conducted by North Western University School of Police Staff and Command. She said Captain Hojecki placed over 100 candidates in the state to get one of approximately 25 seats in the program. She said he has worked very hard to bring credit upon himself and the Carteret Police Department. She said she would like everyone to join her in congratulating Captain Hojecki and when he is back she will be asking him to come to one of the Council Meeting to be commend because she knows he worked very hard with that. She said in the paper it was noted there was an arrest made down in Chrome Park. She said she would like to 16 MY 1], 2001 commend Detective Connolly, John Rivers and Tommy Stroka for a STANDING CON~IITEE good job. She said the gentleman arrested was in possession of 17 (CONTINUED) packets of cocaine and the bail was set at $150,000.00. She said this is something they all feel strongly about and she hopes the department keeps moving in this direction. She said another thing that is being set up in the Police Department is for Domestic Violence response Team. She said Sergeant Terebetski is in the process of forming this response team. She said his existence is going to be Officers Bob Spolizino and Susan Holowchuk. She said this has been on going and she feels this is something they have been encouraged to put together and the department is finally going to be realizing that. She said the training process would consist of a 40-hour training course. She said civilian volunteers would be issued beepers and when an active domestic violence takes place in the Borough of Carteret, the volunteers would be contacted and render assistance to the victims. She said if needed a number would be provided for shelter and or assistance from an outreach center. She said he is going to be in the process-recruiting volunteers from the area and at least then, it can be done district wide and through the community. She said, as more information becomes available she will bring it forward. She reported progress PUBLIC WORKS: Committee Chairperson Sohayda said the Recycling Department has just been keeping up with the normal daily task on Recycling. He said the garage has two front loaders out of commission. He said the guys from the Sewer Deparm~ent have just been moving along cleaning up on their daily routines. He said Streets and Roads have been taking care of the signs and real soon they would be starting to paint the street lines in the roads. He said one thing he wanted to tell everyone is the day of the dog show, the county would be collecting toxic recyclables, such as paint cans, trash aerosols, everything that is not accepting as Recycling now. He said the County would be accepting these things down at the County property up by Woodbridge Avenue by Middlesex County College. He reported progress. BOARD OF EDUCATION: Committee Chairperson Fazekas said as everyone has heard Nathan Hale School would be opening in September. He said the other thing he said the other thing he had been speaking about was purchase power and shared services between the Board of Education and this Municipality. He said the committee is trying to identify items where not only this Municipality but also other Municipalities such as, Perth Amboy, Woodbridge and Rahway may consolidate items to increase our purchase power. He said in technology there are areas in terms of software and hardware that would save a significant amount of money but it is just to bring everybody together at the table to discuss that. He said one of the problems is that everybody's schedule conflicts but hopefully they will be able to schedule some kind of a conference over the telephone rather than try to bring everybody to the table. He said this not only includes Purchasing Agents from the Municipalities but also various people from the Board of Education. He said he would also like to report on the document imaging. He said Ordinances from 2000-2001 were successfully microfiche& He said if the Council would like to look at it they can go to Borough Clerk's Office and she would show them how. He said one thing he did want to comment on was the presentation of the budget. He said he feels if the budget does not pass next year then some kind of format should be agreed upon and this 17 MAY 17, 2001 SIAtIDIN6 C01~lllI[[ way there could be some kind of presentation between the Board of (CONTINUED) Education, Municipalities and the Auditors. He reported progress. Mayor Failace stated as he said earlier he was disappointed in what was found in the budget cut for the Board of Education. He said he is not the expert on this so he will have to see how it works. He said he would like to also thank Councilman Rios and Councilwomen Quinones for attending the Special Olympics at Carteret Park it was a great day. He said he has worked with the Special Olympics for about 8 or 9 years now. He said it is heart rendering. He said he watched along with Councilmember Rios as one of the participants was running in a race fell down, scraped his knee, yet he got back up again, finished last and jumped all over the place because he was so happy that he finished. He said it was just very rewarding to those that were able to come. He said he would like to also thank the Fire Department, the EMT and the Police Officers for helping out. He said Officer Mirandi gave out trophies, which is very special to them. He said Joanne Kissleman told him it was one of the best Special Olympics that New Jersey has had and they are going to look to come back to Carteret next year hopefully not only next year but every year. He said he would like to again congratulate Captain Bonner and he thanked Firefighters Sam Goddess and Joe Gadomski for the File For Life. He said he wanted to tell a story and it was something he sent a letter to the newspaper about but he guessed the good letters do not go into the paper. He said about two months ago his mother-in-law who lives with him had congestive heart failure, and she had an attack. He said he was at a wedding with his wife and his daughter Danielle called 911 and the Firefighters, First Aid Squad, and the Police Department responded. He said he sent a letter to the newspaper thanking them for their efforts because he knows his mother-in-law's heart stopped and because of their quick efforts she is alive today and doing well, not doing great but doing very well. He said he was remiss for not saying this over the last couple of months but he was hoping it would get in the newspaper but it did not. He said he now has a File For Life on the refrigerator. He said his wife knows what medication his mother-in- law needs but his children did not, so his daughter was smart she just took all the medication of off the shelf, throw them in a bag, and took them to the hospital. He said he heard about the program that was being offered he certainly got one and he knows this will help a lot of senior citizens. He again thanked all that assisted that night and thank you for this program. He called up Dennis one of the home run hitters from the Little League. He said he offered $50.00 to the first home run in this division as did Councilwoman Santoro, they gave the home run hitter $50.00 from the two of them. PUBLIC DISCUSSION Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Quinones and Sohayda and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present the meeting was opened to the public for discussion. Mary Fontaine asked Councilmember Santoro to please tell her when and why the Chrome Park was taken out of rotation for Little League. Councilmember Santoro said she was at the meeting at A.M.E. Zion Church when this question was asked. She said she was not aware that 18 PlAY 17. 2001 Chrome Park had been taken out of rotation because the scheduling is PUBLIC DISCUSSION done by the league it is not done by the town they do their own (CONTINUED) scheduling. She said when she did ask about it their concern according to them was there had been instances of shots being fired down in Chrome and that was what their concern was. She said this was just something that has been brought to their attention. Mary Fountaine stated she had two points, number one any time there was a game down in Chrome there are policemen there, so by you saying there were shots fired... Councilmember Santoro said she was not saying that shots were fired. She said she was just reiterating what she was told by the League. Mary Fountaine stated that whomever said that must not think the Police who are down there are doing their job because the people in Chrome do not want their children hurt just like no one else wants their children hurt. She said number two she spoke to someone last night and the person is a coach and he told her the reason that the League was not playing down there is because they have lights and they have concession stands at the other park, so somebody was telling a lie. She said she was hearing two different stories. Councilmember Santoro said she does not know whom Mary spoke with .... Mary Fountaine stated she spoke with Coach Chico Quinones. Councilmember Santoro stated that all she was aware of was there are two fields that are not being used which was Shore Crest and Chrome Park. She said all she can say was what she asked and what she was given as a reason and she will speak to Chico because she knows him very well. Mary Fountaine said she asked Chico that question and ok told him the reason the league was not playing in Chrome from what she heard was because there was a shooting. She said Chico said no, the shooting was two years ago. Councilmember Quinones said there was a shooting last year but it was not substantiated. Mary Fountain stated Chico continued by stating that she could believe him that was not the problem, he said the League is not in Chrome Park because it does not have lights or concession stands or a bathroom. She said she would like to see the kids come back to Chrome Park because "just like they feel that their children are not safe down there we might feel the same way about our children up there." Councilmember Santoro said a couple of things when talking about truths, there have been recent shots fired in the Chrome Park area. She said basically she will relay the message and all she can do is relay the information when and again the Council does not schedule this all she can do is go back and speak with them. 19 17, 2001 PUBLIC I)IS£USSION Mary Fountaine said for Chico to tell her that and for Councilmember (CONIINUED) Santoro to tell her something else, she asked that Councilmember Santoro understand her feelings and Councilmember Santoro worked in Parks and Recreation and then Chico is on Parks and Recreations as well. She said if Chico was going to tell her a lie he should have got it straight with whomever else he is talking to. She said she should not be getting two stories within two days. Mayor Failace said just to add to what was said certainly last year there was supposedly a gun but no one ever saw a gun. He said someone mentioned that they were "packin" or something, he met with some of the parents, and he certainly agrees with the games being played in the Chrome Park. He said as far as Councilmember Santoro said there were shots fired at Chrome Park at 1-2:00 in the morning, according to Lieutenant Talalai Monday night when he spoke with him. He said the schedule is prepared long before and he personally thinks the games should be down in the Chrome Park, and in the last few years, the Council insured the games were played in the Chrome Park. Robert Kately stated he received the schedule from both the boys and the girls Little League weeks before the season started. He said there were games scheduled for both Leagues in the Chrome Park. He said he was called about two weeks before the season started and he was told that the boys had a meeting and were not going to play in the Chrome Park and he thinks what happened was the girls followed the boys. He said he spoke with Mr. Quinones after he spoke with Mary and he was told him one of the reasons was because the Chrome Park did not have a concession stand. He said the Boys Little League had a general membership meeting and they voted not to play in the Chrome Park. He said to Mary Fountaine that the decision for the Little League not to play in Chrome Park was not one made by the Council or anyone in the Borough it was made by the Little Leagues. He said if she has any concerns what she should do is at their general meeting question them. He said none of the people in the Borough made that decision. He said he thinks they meet once a month. Mary Fountaine stated to Mr. Kately she understands the Council has nothing to do with the scheduling but it is in the town of Carteret. She said she is tired of every time something happens down Chrome as long as it is bad everybody has a lot to say about it. She said the kids in Chrome should be treated like the other kids that live in Carteret. She said the parents in Chrome pay money for the kids to play baseball just like everyone else, and enough is enough. Mayor Failace said he does not think that Mr. Kately was saying anything different. He said Mr. Kately was just explaining how things happened and what happened. He said when the games started being played in the Chrome Park about two years ago he thought it was great. He there were crowds of people in Chrome Park, the old timers sat on the benches and watched the games. He said a lot of people came out and he can only hope they will continue to play down there. Dave Cmdup said his question is about the comer of Leffert and John Street the garbage is still there, as well as the garbage at the end of Pershing and Bergen Street and he was wondering if he had to go 20 PlAY 17, 2001 clean it up. He said the garbage is still on the Borough lot and it still PUBLIC DISCUSSION has not been cleaned up yet and this is not the first time he has (CoflTINUED) complained about this. He said he also has a question to Councilmember Reiman. He said he understands he was talking with Woodbridge Township to negotiate getting the Industrial Road brought out to Roosevelt Avenue. He said his question is two parts first, he asked if there was any progress in that road being brought out to Roosevelt Avenue and the second part of the question is if the Council can not get an agreement with Woodbridge Township where would that road go. Councilmember Reiman stated there has been no recent negotiation. He said the last one he was aware of was when the Mayor sat down with the...(inaudible).., he thinks it was late last year. Mayor Failace stated yes the meeting was awhile ago. Councilmember Reiman stated his understanding was Woodbridge was not necessarily in favor of the OENJ Cherokee project and that company had come in an offered to extend a portion of the Industrial Road. He said certainly phase two of the Industrial Road needs to be completed and taken out to Woodbridge whether or not it was next to a road in Woodbridge or if it connects and comes out on Port Reading Avenue next to the Abattoir. Dave Crudup asked when speaking of the Abattoir does that mean behind Edwin Street or would it be down Edwin Street. Mayor Failace stated originally the plan was behind Edwin Street with a bumper or barriers and the whole bit if Woodbridge agreed to it. He said right now the only way Council could do this would be to condemn Edwin Street. He said it is tree what Councilmember Reiman said. He said he did meet with Woodbridge and Woodbridge is totally against the OENJ Cherokee Project that was suppose to go there. He said Woodbridge does not want any traffic on Port Reading Avenue. David Crudup said he figured Woodbridge to be a great town seeing as how the Mayor of the town is running for Governor he is pretty sure the Mayor would be more than happy to help out. Mayor Failace told Mr. Cmdup to give Mayor of Woodbridge a call. David Crudup said he has called the Mayor of Woodbridge and the Mayor does not want to talk to him. Councilmember Quinones said the concern of Woodbridge is the truck traffic. Mayor Failace said the Council fully supports extending that road and if something does not happen soon the town will lose the federal money. Councilmember Reiman said there is a $2,000,000.00 Grant. David Crudup said he would like to compliment the police for a job well done in the Chrome Park for arresting this gentleman who had the 21 17, 2001 narcotics on him. He said but there are still problems on Bergen Street PIIBLIC I}ISClBSI0~I between Pershing and Edwin Street with traffic of narcotics all time of (CONTINUED) the night. He said they have gotten so bold it is being done in the daylight. He said you could not seem to control that area, what comes in or what goes out narcotic wise and there is something wrong with that. He said he could not understand that. He said if a strange automobile is driving around the neighborhood 2:00 A.M. and no one seems to be that concem about this car being there. He said if you call down to the Police Department they do come and then the guy disappears until the officer leaves. Councilmember Sohayda asked Mr. Crudup if he knows why the strange cars disappear when the cops come. David Cmdup said no he does not know why they disappear. Councilmember Sohayda said it is because they are networked and they have radios, and as soon as they see cop cars everybody flies. He said certain radio's are not over the scanner they are called Nextel. Councilmember Reiman said there was a conversation about possibly funding radios that could not be picked up by private radios or people who have scanners. David Cmdup said if the Borough had people doing the job before "there were police officers in key positions who were taking care of the drug problem in that area" why aren't they back now doing that same job. Councilmember Sohayda said the police are still there Mr. Crudup just does not know who they are or where they are but they are there and that is all that can be said. David Crudup said this has been an ongoing problem for years and years. Councilmember Sohayda said the problem is being worked on every day. David Crudup asked Councilmember Sohayda if he is telling him that they still can not seem to solve the problem. Councilmember Sohayda stated the last bust was a pretty big bust so it is being worked on. Barbara Urena said she is a little concerned with the fact she was at a Council Meeting last month about the grass behind Chrome Avenue. She said she just wanted to bring it to the Council's attention that Bobby never went there. She said she brought it up she showed him it was there for at least a year and it has been brought to him at least seven times. Councilmember Santoro stated the Parks Department just had a meeting last week about this and Business Administrator Nicholas Goldsack is putting together something where the town can even if outside help is needed to get these lots done, because there is no excuse for it. 22 HAY 17, 2001 Barbara Urena said the strip was so small it would not have taken PIJBLI¢ DISE[tSSI0[I much. (£ONI I NU£O ) Councilmember Santoro said it is not just that the department is trying to put a program together within the next few days. Barbara Urena asked was a list going to be made up when the parks are going to be cleaned. Councilmember Santoro said the parks are very different throughout the summer there is a schedule and they do have extra help. She said at the last meeting it was decided that someone would be hired for the Parks Department in Chrome Park for 4 hours a day 5 days a week. Barbara Urena stated that was nice for the summer but she said she looking for just a regularized system. Councilmember Santoro stated a few meetings ago she had all the schedules. Barbara Urena stated she would like to see a handwritten schedule so she knows when to expect the truck in the park. Councilmember Rios said one of the problems is manpower. He said the Council is working on alleviating that problem right now. He said there is a lot of property around town whether it is private or Borough owned that needs to be cleaned up and it is a concern the Council really wants to address. Councilmember Sohayda said there would be a group of prisoners coming in to help to clean up at the end of the month before Memorial Day. He said he had to get food approved because they have to be feed when they come in and they are going to clean up some of the area lots. He said as they were speaking about this particular group coming in Mr. Surick, Mr. Riley and himself were made aware of another group of people who are willing to come out and clean up. He said what he would like to do though he has not had the opportunity to speak to the rest of the Council is to get this other group just to do lots and nothing else. He said he knows at this moment there is no exact date but the entire Council has been working on it. Barbara Urena said her other question was about the gunshot. She said obviously this is a big important issue. She stated if gunshots have been heard three times down there (Chrome Park) in one month that were reported in know this last time they found shells, she asked if upgraded security was needed or extra Police. Councilmember Santoro stated a program was just started this week with additional Police Officers, two per day, down there from a grant that was received so that is being done. She said the Council and Police are very well aware of the incidents and it does not happen nightly so again either the person is aware of when the Police are not down there at one point. Barbara Urena said that was the other issue. She said she does the neighborhood watch in the area and that is another problem. She said 23 RAY 17. 2001 the Police say who calls in the complaints and when the person's PUBLIC DISCUSSION house is burned down or when something happens to that person's kid (CONTINUED) or something of that nature. She said the Police are not suppose to say who called it in they are suppose to just say a call came in but they always say whom called it in. Councilmember Rios stated if it is someone complaining about parking the cop might ask who called it in but certainly on shot fired the cops would never mention who called it in. Barbara Urena said she has nothing bad to say because the Police always come but now this is becoming a problem. She asked if anyone had any idea where the people are coming from who are firing gun shots in the Park. Councilmember Santoro said no. Mayor Failace stated the cops have been down there immediately .... Barbara Urena interrupted and stated that she herself has heard the gun shots. Councilmember Santoro said someone calls it in and the Police respond, but then there is nobody there at that point. She said hopefully if someone witnesses someone mrming from the area they will report it. Mayor Failace stated he feels this is a case where there could possibly be some help from Neighborhood Watch, unfortunately he understands that 1-3:00 in the morning. Councilmember Santoro said it has been earlier than that. Barbara Urena stated she has heard shot at 8:00 at night. Mayor Failace said he knows at the neighborhood watch on Monday Lt. Talalai mentioned it was early in the morning. He said Lt. Talalai said the cops went down there and even knocked on some doors but got no response from any of the citizens when they knocked. Barbara Urena asked if the cops tried to check the hospitals to see if they're where any gun shot wounds. She said for the city this has happened three times in a month there needs to be some concern. Mayor Failace said he is not certained but he does believe from the discussion Monday night at the Neighborhood Watch the Police believes it is just someone firing shots in the air and taking off. He said that is where Neighborhood Watch can help the Police out. He said there could be 20 Police walking around and then not be there for a few minutes. Barbara Urena said people would not be there if they saw a large Police presence. She said yes she has seen an increase in Police patrolling the area. Mayor Failace said he and the Council would like to see this matter resolved, as do the Police. 24 ~YT, 2~1 Barbara Urena said she would like to commend the Officers with the PUBLIC BISCUSSI~I[~ drug bust she said it was very good. (CoNTINUED) Jim Mancuso said as far as the Council is concerned, he said he just heard the Council has nothing to do with the Little League. He asked if the Council provide funding for this. Councilmember Santoro stated not complete funding; money is donated to them. Mayor Failace said money is donated and the fields are done. Councilmember Santoro said Jim Mancuso could speak with the Little League and make recommendations to them. Mayor Failace stated he knows in the past two years when the Council wanted the games to be played down there (Chrome Park) they spoke to the Little League and the games were played down there. Jim Mancuso stated several months ago the Council voted to spend $10,000.00 to help the people with the trains. He said he has a recommendation of which he has been speaking with the Business Administrator about. He said the attorneys that were hired are giving no response. He said they asked for a list of people to give affidavits about what's going on back there and they were given a list going back two months ago. He said he has been inquiring with everyone on the list and no one has been contacted, he has not been contacted. He said he has sat in his home twice with this attorney and he has not contacted us yet. Councilmember Santoro asked if this was the one that was ordered a year ago in January. Mayor Failace said probably. Councilmember Santoro asked how much has been expended out of the account and of anybody followed up on it. Mayor Failace stated it was minimum ...(inaudible)... Councilmember Santoro stated that was a different suit. Borough Attorney Rob Bergen said they were talking about two different cases. He said he thinks the suit Mr. Mancuso is talking about he has had some contact with the attorney who has asked him what direction the Council wanted to go. He said it was his understanding that he saw some letters go out to various people on that list he said he would go back and take a look at his file. Jim Mancuso said he gave the attorney the list and he has spoken to every person on the list and no one has received a letter. Borough Attorney said he saw some letters come from his office addressed to different people and he will pull them back out again. He said he knows the attorney had question where the Council wanted to go and he planned to bring it back before the Council is to where they 25 ~Y 17. 2001 PIJBLI[ I~IS£USSION would like to proceed with this. He said they have not to his (CONIIt~UED) knowledge submitted any bills. He asked Mr. Mancuso was he talking about in regard to the noise complaint. Jim Mancuso said they submitted a bill for $1000.00 for phone calls. He said between the Business Administrator and himself they have made numerous calls and they have never once returned a call. Borough Attorney Bergen asked Mr. Mancuso if he had called and they have never got back to him. Jim Mancuso said he has just another question for the attorney. He said when someone has conflict on something they are voting on and they want to abstain is it not a fact they are not suppose to talk on it good or bad. Borough Attorney said they could express their opinions if they wish in determining whether or not they are going to abstain. He said the reason being is sometimes the views they express during the discussion will affect how their vote is interpreted for the purpose of rendering that extension. Jim Mancuso said if they are saying they abstain, he believes they can not talk on it either way. Borough Attorney asked what does he base his belief upon. He asked was it a statute or Roberts Rules of Order. Jim Mancuso said it was a statute as well as Roberts Rules of Order. He said if a person abstains, they are not allowed to talk on the matter. Councilmember Quinones asked Mr. Mancuso if he meant when they were getting ready to vote or during a discussion. Jim Mancuso said if a Councilmember is going to abstain, they say they are going to abstain, and not discuss it before hand, they can not talk on it. Councilmember Santoro asked Borough Attorney to elaborate his opinion and that would be the way it stays. Borough Attorney said in his opinion, yes the Council would be able to talk on a matter even if he or she abstains. He said there are cases when the issue becomes how abstention is going to be counted and sometimes the courts will look at the views expressed by the person prior to the time that they rendered there abstention. Mayor Failace asked if the abstention goes with the majority unless the... Borough Attorney Bergen said he knows he has read of that opinion and the reasons why is because in essence, the abstention drops out and it makes the majority smaller. The number needed to pass a resolution or ordinance of some kind it makes the number needed less. He said in our opinion we say it goes with the majority but it really does not get counted with anybody. He said the simple fact that it drops out means you have less numbers. He said there are times in 26 ~Y 17, 2001 which people have argued that should the case. He said there has been PUBLIC DISCUSSION cases on it because the person rendering the abstention has clearly (CONTINUED) expressed in a view in which they oppose strongly of an ordinance. He said people challenging those ordinances have come back and said that particular abstainion should not be counted as an abstention it should be counted as a no vote. Mayor Failace said the members of the Council, which he does remember doing as a Councilperson, has the right to say they do not want their vote to be counted with the majority. Borough Attorney said yes and that it never really goes with the majority but it in essence tries to take back the ability to allow a smaller number of people to pass a particular item. Jim Mancuso said he has several new court cases that says this can not be done. Borough Attorney said he would like to see them. Jim Mancuso said he does not know if anyone has read the paper but it had something in it about the CSX Train. He said it went 70 miles with out anybody in the engine. He said he hopes it does not go through but if the garbage trains goes through, he hopes it has an engineer. Patricia Rodriquez said she was very happy to see the ...(inaudible)... patrol up and down through Chrome. She said there is one problem she sees with the appearance. She said Roosevelt Avenue is going to be revitalized however the abandon houses and lots. She said she took her daughter's prom picture and there were boarded windows in the background. She said that is really bad. She said there are all different kinds of people going in and out of them. She said there is on the comer of Union and Edwin Street. She said there is constant dumping of garbage. She said the appearance of the house on the comer of the park that has the basement, makes people more apprehensive about playing ball on that field. She said what types of elements are in abandoned buildings. She said this stuff is beyond the elements of control by the residents in Chrome. She said this is what is breeding drugs, increase in hookers. She said she feels this needs to be vigorously attacked at present time. She said she has spoken to the Council about this numerous amounts of times and ok Lower Roosevelt is going to be fixed but what about Edwin Street, Union and Pershing. She asked how does the Council think a parent from West Carteret feels about pulling up and parking their car next to an abandoned building when the child is going to play softball. Mayor Failace said just yesterday he called Tony Neibert into his __ office because this Council has been trying to do that. He said he thought he found and ordinance that said he could have an inspection done on a building and in thirty days if the owner does not comply have it taken down. He said he believes from this point forward she will see a difference in how the Borough deals with abandoned buildings. Councilmember Rios said he has spoken to the Building Department and he knows numerous members of the Council have spoken to the 27 IqAY 17, 2001 PUBLIC BISCUSSIOI~ Building Department and they are aggressively within the perimeters (CoNTI~'IUEI)) of the law going at this. He said unfortunately it is not quick enough. Patricia Rodriquez asked why is it quick in Woodbridge and Sayreville. Mayor Failace said this is what he is trying to explain. He said he understands her complaint and the problem. He said he thinks what is going to be seen is the Council moving expeditiously in taken care of these problems and it is not going to be the way it was in the past. Patricia Rodriquez said she understands the Carteret Board of Education is leaning toward a neighborhood school system. She said once again the kids of Chrome with the track traffic, which she knows is beyond the Council's control, there is going to be a need of a lot more traffic guards. She said if they do in deed eliminate the busing from her end of town she will be very vocal about as far as crossing guards and safety of the kids walking up Roosevelt Avenue with the trucks because they could not stop if they had to as fast as they are driving. Borough Attorney said he would just like to add the Building Inspector has been in touch with him. He said the ordinance has been reviewed and they are going to proceed expeditiously. He said they would be working hand in hand in moving it. Mariano Santana said two weeks ago at a Board of Education Meeting Mr. Cowan made a remark against minorities coming from other countries. He said being a minority himself coming from another country, he took that very personally and he is very angry. He said for Mr. Cowan to come to Carteret the town that pays his salary he feels his actions where very low. He said he would like to see the Mayor and Council as representatives of the people to tell Mr. Cowan his remarks would not be tolerated. Dispatcher Joy Mickley stated on behalf on all the dispatchers she would like to thank the Mayor and Council for the recommendation of all their hard work. HEEIING CLOSEB FOR Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Fazekas and unanimous PUBLIC I~ISCtlSSION affirmative vote of the full Council present, the meeting was closed for public discussion. ABJOI.IR~[]) There being no further business or discussion, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Councilmembers present, The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:5 5 P.M. 28 Respectfully submitted, ~L4~FHLEEN M. BARNEY, R3~/~t~v~t~ - Municipal Clerk KMB/tr 29 30