Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout2001/09/06 SEPTEMBER 6, 2001 The Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of COUNCIL MEETING Carteret was called to order by Council President Jack Fazekas approximately 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, September 6, 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 " Daniel Reiman " Ronald Rios " Janet Santoro " Buddy Sohayda Also noted present ;vere Business Administrator Nicholas Goldsack and Borough Attorney Robert J. Bergen, Esq. Noted absent were Mayor James A. Failace and Councilmember Remy Quinones. The meeting was opened with a moment of Silent Prayer and The PRAYER ~ PLEDGE Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Jack Fazekas. OF ALLEGIANCE The Clerk stated that on August 31, 2001, in full compliance with the STATEMENT OF Open Public Meetings Act, a notice of tonight's meeting was sent to MEETING NOTICE The Home News Tribune, The Star-Ledger and posted on the bulletin board. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Santoro and unanimous APPROVAL OF affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, the minutes MINUTES of July 12, 2001 were approved as transcribed and engrossed by the Clerk. ORDINANCE #01-46 was introduced and adopted on First Reading ORDINANCE {01-46 and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public SENIOR TREE TRIMMER Hearing to be held on September 20, 2001, upon MMS&C, by & TRAFFIC MAINTENANCE V/ORKER Councilmembers Reiman and Rios. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. ORDINANCE #01-46 "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" ,PTEMBER 6, 2001 tDINANCE #01-45 The Clerk stated Ordinance #01-45 was introduced and passed upon lENDING SALARY First Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held on tDINANCE August 16, 2001. It was duly published in the Home News Tribune on ~SCME LOCAL 3850 August 21, 2001 with notice that it will be considered for final passage after Public Hearing to be held on September 6, 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. JBLIC HEARING Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Santoro and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, Council President Fazekas declared the Public Heating to be open: There being no comments or objections to the Ordinance, Council ZARING CLOSED President Fazekas declared the Public Hearing to be closed, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sohayda and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Santoro ORDiNANCE #01-45 "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" DOPTED was finally adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Reiman, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios abstained because his wife works in the Court. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. Approved and Adopted: September 6, 2001 Introduced: August 16, 2001 Advertised as adopted on First Reading with notice of Public Hearing:. August 21,2001 Hearing held: September 6, 2001 Approved by: Mayor James A. Failace Advertised as Finally Adopted: September 14, 2001 A copy of each Resolution was placed on the table for public review EETING OPENED prior to the meeting in accordance with the Rules of Council and upon UBLIC INPUT ON LL RESOLUTIONS MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Reiman and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, the meeting was opened for public input on all Resolutions. 2 SEPTEMBER 6, 2001 John Sudia said on Resolution #01-281 he hoped the town would not COMMENTS have the same situation that they have in the Shore Crest Section in regard to the parking of the railroad cars. He said he does not see anything about Conrail being unlimited to any portion of the parking of railroad cars. Councilmember Reiman said they were negotiating with their new attorney. He said this would allow the (inaudible) to take over the ownership of the railroad at a cost to Amex Realty who would be holding an escrow account the town would have to pay back. He said we would be maintaining the railroad crossings (inaudible) Conrail. John Sudia said his main concern was the parking of railroad cars. Councilmember Reiman said his does not make any reference to that and he did not know how they could restrict that. He said they would be keeping an eye on this and they would be watching it. Tom Lang asked what repairs they were talking about on Resolution #01-284. Business Administrator Nicholas Goldsack said brick repair. Councilmember Santoro said separation, separating the (inaudible) that was a year and a half ago. There being no further comments or objections to the Resolutions, MEETING CLOSED Council President Fazekas declared the Public Hcahng to be closed, upon MMS&C, by Councihnernbers Sohayda and Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present. RESOLUTION #01-274 was introduced by Council President Fazekas RESOLUTION #01-274 and referred to the Council for action. DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE OF V4RIOUS RAFFLE LICENSES Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda RES OLUTION #01-274 "DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE OF VARIOUS RAFFLE LICENSES" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ~,DOPTED Fazekas, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. ;PTEMBER 6, 2001 :.SOLUTION #01-275 RESOLUTION #01-275 was introduced by Council President Fazekas JTBORIZING and referred to the Council for action. )MMUNITY DEVELOPMENT [RECTOR TO REQUEST JNDING [*OR I/EST Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Rios ~,RTERET BUSINESS [STRICT RETALIZATION RESOLUTION #01-275 "AUTHORIZING CARTERET COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO REQUEST FUNDiNG FOR THE WEST CARTERET BUSINESS DISTRICT REVITALIZATION" DOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. F. SOLUTION #01-276 RESOLUTION #01-276 was introduced by Council President Fazekas PPOINTING VARIOtlS and referred to the Council for action. F.MBERS OF AFSCME 3850 TO UPGRADED ITLES Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda RESOLUTION #01-276 "APPOiNTiNG VARIOUS MEMBERS OF AFSCME LOCAL #3850 TO UPGRADED JOB TITLES/CLASSIFICATIONS" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers DOPTED Fazekas, Reiman, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios abstained on the Municipal Court because his wife works in that department. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. SEPTEMBER 6, 2001 RESOLUTION #01-277 was introduced by Council President Fazekas RESOLUTION #01-277 and referred to the Council for action. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE WEINER LESNIAK Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Santoro RESOLUTION #01-277 "APPROVING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT-WEINER LESNIAK" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. RESOLUTION #01-278 was introduced by Council President Fazekas RESOLUTION #01-278 and referred to the Council for action. RATIFYING AWARD OF CONTRACT-MASER CONSULTING, RE: WATERFRONT PARK- Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sohayda PHASE I RESOLUTION #01-278 "RATIFYING AWARD OF CONTRACT-MASER CONSULTING, RE: WATERFRONT PARK-PHASE I" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. Councilmember Reiman said this is a fifteen thousand-dollar contract COMMENTS for consultants on the initial study (inaudible) Waterfront Park. He said they were looking to have the bid put together by next month. He said they are on schedule (inaudible) by the beginning of spring. He said by the end of the summer they would have a new timber pier (inaudible). :PTEMBER 6, 2001 gSOLUTION ~01-279 RESOLUTION #01-279 wasintroducedby CouncilPresidentF~ek~ ITMORIZING andre~edtotheCouncil~raction. gTTLEMENT OF iREEMENT-AFSCME )CAL #2291, RE: UponMMS&C, byCouncilmembersSohaydaandSantoro -- REMOVAL RESOLUTION//01-279 "APPROVING SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT- AFSCME LOCAL 2291, RE: SNOW REMOVAL )OPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Reiman abstained. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. gSOLUTION {01-280 RESOLUTION #01-280 was introduced by Council President Fazekas PPROVING AMENDMENT and referred to the Council for action. SETTLEMENT ~REEMENT-NAGY Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Rios RESOLUTION #01-280 "APPROVING AMENDMENT TO SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT-NAGY" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers DOPTED Fazekas, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. ESOLUTION #01-281 RESOLUTION #01-281 was introduced by Council President Fazekas LITHORIZING and referred to the Council for action. AYOR TO EXECUTE &SEMENT AGREEMENT Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Santoro ND INDEMNIFICATION DREEMENT, RE: ONRAIL EASEMENT RESOLUTION #01-281 "AUTHORIZING EASEMENT AGREEMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT" DOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Reiman, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios abstained because he works for Conrail. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. SEPTEMBER 6, 2001 RESOLUTION//01-282 was introduced by Council President Fazekas RESOLUTION #01-282 and referred to the Council for action. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE T&M ASSOCIATES, NOT UponMMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios TO EXCEED $2500.00, RE: WASHINGTON AVE., ROOSEVELT AVE. & HOLMES STREET RESOLUTION #01-282 INTERSECTION CONCEPT DRAWING "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AUTHORIZiNG A CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES T&M ASSOCIATES, RE: WASHINGTON AVENUE, ROOSEVELT AVENUE AND HOLMES STREET INTERSECTION CONCEPT DRAWING" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmember Fazekas, ADOPTED Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. RESOLUTION #01-283 was introduced by Council President Fazekas RESOLUTION ~01-283 and referred to the Council for action. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE RE: LEGAL DEFENSE- OFFICER HUNDEMANN Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman RESOLUTION #0 !-283 "PROFESSIONAL SERVICE, RE: LEGAL DEFENSE- OFFICER HUNDEMANN" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. RESOLUTION #01-284 was introduced by Council President Fazekas RESOLUTION #01-284 and referred to the Council for action. AWARD OF BID-REPAIR TO FIRE HEADQUARTERS Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Santoro RESOLUTION #01-284 "AWARD OF BID-REPAIR TO FIRE HEADQUARTERS" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. ~PTE~BER 6~ 200~ RESOLUTION #01-285 was introduced by Council President Fazekas *.SOLUTION #01-285 and referred to the Council for action. ~ARD OF BID- [LIK STREET ~.SIJRFACING Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said he wanted to make an amendment to this Resolution, to make sure the Council understood )MMENTS that the award called for in this Resolution is being awarded subject to the Chief Financial Officer certifying that sufficient funds are available. He said this was a Resolution that just came in so the Council should vote with that as the understanding. Councilmember Fazekas asked Borough Attorney Bergen if the Council could accept the bids. Borough Attorney Bergen said he made the amendment to the Resolution and the Council could make a motion to adopt the Resolution as amended, the motion should be to adopt as amended. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Rios RESOLUTION #01-285 "AWARD OF BID-MILIK STREET RESURFACING" DOPTED AS was adopted as amended. Upon individual roll call vote, MENDED Councilmembers Fazekas, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. RESOLUTION #01-286 was introduced Council President Fazekas ESOLUTION #01-286 and referred to the Council for action. PPOINTING }/ILLIAM ICHERT-FIRE FFICIAL Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda RESOLUTION #01-286 "APPOINTING WILLIAM RICHERT TO THE POSITION OF PROVISIONAL FIRE OFFICIAL, UFD" .DOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. SEPTEMBER 6~ 200~ RESOLUTION #01-287 was introduced by Council President Fazekas RESOLUTION #01-287 and referred to the Council for action. APPOINTING MARK VIRAG-FIRE CAPTAIN Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Rios RESOLUTION #01-287 "APPOiNTiNG MARK VIRAG-FIRE CAPTAiN" ~vas adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmember Fazekas, ADOPTED Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. Councilmembers Reiman congratulated Mr. Virag. COMMENTS Councilmcmbcr Rios said Mr. Virag is well qualified and he felt this was well deserved. He said Mr. Virag was a Fireman for many years and he has done an outstanding job. Councilmember Santoro congratulated Mr. Virag and said this was well deserved. Councilmember Sohayda said he glad to make him a Fire Captain and he could not say anything that was not said by any other Councilmember. Councilmember Fazekas said they would be swearing in Mr. Virag when they got the Bible and would be continuing with the rest of the Resolutions. KESOLUTION #01-288 was introduced by Council President Fazekas RESOLUTION ~01-288 and referred to the Council for action. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE KILLAM ASSOCIATES, Upon MMS&C. by Councilmembers Sohayda and Rios NOT TO EXCEED $3500.00, RE: TRANSITION SERVICES RESOLUTION #01-288 "AMENDiNG RESOLUTION #01-124 REGARDiNG TRANSITION ENGINEERING SERVICES-KILLAM ASSOCIATES" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Rios, Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers Reiman and Santoro voted no. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. Borough Attorney Bergen said there is some work he needed Killam to COMMEN~S do. He said the Council would be authorizing this for up to thirty five hundred dollars, they don't have to spend the money now because it is not done yet but he would like the Council to adopt this because he 9 :PTE~BER 6s 200~ :)MMENTS needs to move ahead with some things. He said he had some understanding of what the fee would be but the would not be giving them the full thirty five hundred until they have more time to discuss it. ESOLUTION #01-289 RESOLUTION #01-289 was introduced by Council President Fazekas i/ARD OF BID- and referred to the Council for action. ISCELLANEOUS BASE EPAIR Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman RESOLUTION #01-289 "AWARD OF BID-MISCELLANEOUS BASE REPAIR PROGRAM" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers DOPTED Fazekas, Reiman, Rios, Santoro voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Sohayda abstained. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. OMMENTS Councilmember Reiman said this is for base repair work that would be done on the streets that are being milled Washington and Roosevelt Avenues. He said the other streets that are being milled are (inaudible) Essex, Salem, Burlington, McKinley, Pershing, Cooke and Atlantic Streets. He said this company would be doing any major base repairs as needed (inaudible) a hundred and six thousand dollars in (inaudible) and materials and the Council is not anticipating spending any of that type of money. He said the County is milling this at cost (inaudible) no charge (inaudible) seven hundred thousand dollars (inaudible). ESOLUTION #01-290 RESOLUTION #01-290 was introduced by Council President Fazekas PPOINTIN(I JOHN and referred to the Council for action. ALDVIELL & JOSEPH EDOMENICO TRAFFIC Upon MMS&C, Councilmembers Sohayda and Reiman AINTENANCE }/ORKERS RESOLUTION #01-290 "APPOiNTING JOHN CALDWELL AND JOSEPH DE DOMENICO TRAFFIC MAINTENANCE WORKERS IN THE STREETS AND ROADS/DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers DOPTED Fazekas, Reiman, Rios, Santoro, Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. Councilmember Reiman congratulated the men and said they are doing a fantastic job. Councilmember Santoro said the lines have never looked so good. 10 SEPTEMBER 6~ 200! Councilmember Sohayda told Joe and John that when they were little COMMENTS and they used to paint within the lines, they never thought it would count. He congratulated them and said they did a great job. Fire Committee Chairperson Rios swore in Mark Virag as the new Fire Captain and administered the oath of office. Taqualla Ransdell, Chairperson of Ethnic Day said she was honored that Councilmember Santoro asked her to head the Ethnic Day Committee. She said there is a huge response and there is something for everyone. She encouraged everyone to come out and enjoy themselves. She presented the Mayor and Council with their shirts and hats for Ethnic Day. She thanked Mr. and Mrs. Manetta for their help and guidance in the past. Councilmember Santoro said when Mr. Manetta told the Council he would no longer be doing Ethnic Day no one came forward to take it over. She said she was asked to head it from her committee but she needed someone as the key person and she found Taqualla who she felt has done an excellent job. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a Communication from the COMMUNICATIONS-' Borough of Garwood-Resolution opposing change of election polling BOROUGH OF GARWOOD hours. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present all Communications were ordered to be received and placed on file. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman all bills PAYNENT OF BILLS appearing on the prepared list properly audited and signed were ordered to be paid. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Reiman, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios abstained on the travel allowance for his wife who works in the Municipal Court but voted yes on all other items. Councilmember Quinones was noted absent. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of the following reports: REPORTS DEPARTMENT 1. Clerk's Office-August 2001 11 ~PTEMBER 6, 2001 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, all reports were ordered to be received and placed on file. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Committee Chairperson Santoro said CANDING )MMi,l~rEES they haven't had any meetings. Council President Fazekas reported progress. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: Committee Chairperson Reiman said they are in the process of working with the County and had the Engineer work the numbers. He said it would cost the Borough about three hundred thousand dollars and the money is in place and reiterated the list of streets that would be milled and paved by the County. He said they are talking about a significant saving with the shared service and the County came in to make minor and major base repairs. He said if they would have gone with an outside company and the County had not done this for the town it would have cost the town a million dollars. He said if the town could budget until the end of the year and give the County a list of streets, the County would be willing to come back on a yearly basis to pave ten to fifteen streets per year. He said they awarded the contract to Mazar Consultants to begin the Waterfront Project. He said he had a meeting this morning with Councilmember Santoro and the some other people from the State to possibly getting more grant money to help with the Waterfront Park. He said they were looking at at least five different grants where they would be able to get at least five million dollars for this project. He said there is a partial of land that would eventually be redeveloped industrial and he felt it was an oppommity to get a jump on (inaudible) to continue on the Waterfront Park. (inaudible-truck passing) he said he would put up the map for people to view. He reported progress. FIRE: Committee Chairperson Rios said the Fire Department would be sponsoring a blood drive on Saturday, September 22nd 9:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. for the father of Firefighter Tom Reynolds. He said the new fire truck is scheduled to be delivered at the end of the month. He congratulated Captain William Richert for being selected as Fire Inspector of the Year in Middlesex County by Middlesex County Fire Prevention and Protection Association. He read the accommodation that was given to Mr. Richert. He said the Fire Department, Police Department, First Aid Squad and Office of Emergency Management to make sure that Ethnic Day fireworks will be a safe festive success. He said the fireworks are scheduled to start at 8:00 P.M. He said there was a spill earlier in the year at the Turnpike entrance. He wanted Tom Lang to know that the insurance company sent the County HAZMAT to the town and the Fire Chief signed the voucher and in the next thirty days the town would be getting a check for eleven hundred eighty two dollars and fifty-four cents. He reported progress. 12 SEPTEMBER 6, 2001 PARKS & RECREATION: Committee Chairperson Fazekas said STANDING COMMITTEES there would be a town wide yard sale on September 29th and everyone can register at the Clerk's Office. He said the Little League Fall Ball has started and would be miming until November first. He thanked Taqualla and her committee. He said the Knights of Columbus would be serving a breakfast starting at 8:00 A.M. He said moving right along. POLICE: Committee Chairperson Santoro said the crossing guards are in place and school would be opening next week. She said there are two retiring crossing guards, Maggie Spolinzo and Angela Riley who have worked for the children of the town for eight and twelve years. She said these woman took their job very personally and they looked after all of the children and were know by all the children. She said they would be putting a crossing guard on the comer of Edwin and Roosevelt. He said the Police Committee met last evening and they received an announcement that there would be a Police Chief's test. She said the eligibility would be for Police Captain and Deputy Police Chief and this entitles two of the top ranking officers in the Borough to be eligible for the test. She said the Police Committee wishes to waive the test and ask the Department of Personnel to rank the applicants according to the applications with a full interview process with the Mayor and Council. She said Director Elg is in the process of having an agreement with the Council that would be finalized soon. She asked the Police Committee Members to sign as soon as possible any bills that need to be reimbursed to Director Elg which he is entitled to. She said she wanted to make sure this fell in line with what he is entitled to including his membership dues for the American Society for Industrial Security. She said these are the items Carteret does not have to keep moving forward with and they will not be moving forward with this. She reported progress. PUBLIC WORKS: Committee Chairperson Sohayda congratulated Joe DeDomenico and John Caldwell and said they do a really good job painting the lines. He congratulated Mark Virag, thanked Taqualla and hoped the weather is on their side for Ethnic Day. He thanked Councilmember Reiman for getting the County to sweep. He said the one and only County sweeper would come out twice a month to sweep Roosevelt and Washington Avenue and the Borough will not be paying to dump the sand, he encouraged Councilmember Reiman to keep going. He said Vic Kazio at the Garage is back from vacation and he is keeping the town's fleet in service, which keeps growing, and he has a good crew. He said Sally Mesler has been getting the bags ready for the Recycling Program. He said residents would be able to pick up their leaf bags until a certain date and after that they would have to pay three dollars per bag. He said they are trying to change the route for the Hill Section's pick up of recycling, they are trying to split the section, which was suggested about a year ago by Mr. Lugo. He said the toimage is the heaviest it has been in the Hill Section. He said they are milling the streets and would be paving done by the County. He said the men in the Department of Public Works have been picking up metal, branches and concrete everyday. He said 13 ~PTEMBER 6~ 2001 the Sewer Department has their new truck working which is working CANDING COMMITTEES really well. He said there is a sink hole by the old fire house by the DPW driveway and they would make an emergency sink hole before Roosevelt Avenue would be paved in that area. He said they have filled it before and now they would be getting a camera to see if there was a broken pipe in the area underground that could be fixed. He reported progress. BOARD OF EDUCATION: Committee Chairperson Fazekas said the opening of school has been delayed due to construction. He said they have been busy working on the schools but he hasn't had the time to sit and talk to them. He said he would report on that at the next Council Meeting. Councilmember Santoro said she went into the schools today because they were going through their final inspection and wanted to dispel the rumors about the windows and condition of the buildings. She said Nathan Hale is absolutely gorgeous and anyone who had gone into the school in the past will be very surprised when they go into the new school. She said the school will be open, it is just being cleaned up and will be ready for Monday. She said the High School is a little behind on the work that is being done but should be open on Monday. She said they are waiting for the kitchen to be done but the windows will be in place. She said unfortunately there is a two month period between the school year rather than having the luxury of having a four or five month period to get the work done. She said she felt the workers have done an excellent job and this is something that all of Carteret would be proud of. Councilmember Sohayda thanked his mother and father for everything )MMENTS they have ever given him and congratulated his father for being appointed to the Carteret Historical Society. He said his father has been telling him stories of the history of Carteret all his life and felt no one knew the history of the town better than his dad. )TED PRESENT Mayor Failace was noted present at 8:10 P.M. Mayor Failace said he met with seniors about the problems they might 3MMENTS be having. He said he usually meets with them once or twice a year. He said he felt it was a good exchange, he told them some of the things the Council is doing and answered their questions. He said he would address their concerns with the Council, take care of it or take care of it another way if they had to. He said the Council has discussed the possibility of a Chief's test and this Council said they would emphatically go for a test. He said he called the Department of Personnel and requested a test and the Director of Personnel said they would open the test to Captains and Lieutenants which he felt was fair and gave them a large pool to look at. He said the Department of Personnel said they would get back to the Borough shortly on what they would be doing and he felt it gave everyone an opportunity to test for it. 14 SEPTEMBER 6, 2001 Councilmember Santoro said the Mayor missed her report where she COMMENTS told everyone the Police Committee met and asked to waive the test. She said she also looked into Civil Service and followed their recommendations to not ask for a waiver and felt the two individuals who are eligible are more than qualified and all the time they spent years in the system and up through the ranks. She said she felt they deserved that opportunity. She said the Police Committee has asked the Borough Clerk to ask Civil Service to rank according to their application and there would be a full interview with the Mayor and Council. She said she has heard the rmnors and suggestions this was opened in the past but she pulled out the two years where there was a Chief's test. She said in 1985 the only position eligible at the time was the Deputy Chief; in the 1970's it was lowered. Mayor Failace said the Council could do what they chose but the Department of Personnel told him today they would open it to Lieutenant and call for a test. He said he felt they have every right to do that and they told him as Mayor he has the right to ask for a test and he did just that. Councilmember Santoro asked the Mayor why he felt it wasn't fair to interview and select from the two highest-ranking individuals and if he felt they were qualified for the position. Mayor Failace said he does feel they are qualified. He said he believes very strongly in a test. He said the Department of Personnel told him they would prefer to have a test when there are fewer individuals. He said he did send a letter to them today asking for a test. Councilmember Rios said in the past the Department of Personnel has used the criteria that if there are two individuals they will do a ranking upon application and allow the local Governing Body to have an interview process. He said the Police Committee met and recommended the full Council and the Mayor interview the two people and make a determination of who they feel best qualifies for the position. He felt it was a matter of opinion, the Mayor is entitled to his opinion as well as he is entitled to his opinion. Mayor Failace agreed with Cotmcilmember Rios and hoped the proper personal agreed with him and allows this to go down to the rank for a larger pool the Governing Body could chose from to get the best qualified individual for the job. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sohayda and PUBLIC DISCUSSION unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, the meeting was opened to the public for discussion. 15 ;PTEMBER 6, 2001 Alexander Such said he had a proposal he passed out to the Mayor and )MMENTS Council for traffic movement. Mayor Failace said the Council would read this and take Mr. Such's proposal into consideration. Mr. Such explained the entering and exiting of the traffic from the Turnpike Interchange and how it was in the past. He said he would like to take traffic off Roosevelt Avenue. Mayor Failace said the Council is looking at a number of things to possibly reroute the traffic off Roosevelt Avenue as Mr. Such said. Councilmember Reiman said some of the Councilmembers have had numerous meetings with the Turnpike and hoped that soon they would be announcing something concerning the Turnpike to solve all the problems. Mr. Such said since he was at the meeting he felt his proposal should be expedited. He said City Line between Woodbridge and Carteret the traffic still goes through the Chrome Section on Roosevelt Avenue and is a problem. He said the missing link is Industrial Road because it is a dead end, which he felt, should have been done years ago. He said again asked the Mayor and Council to take action and he passed out his proposal to the audience. Mayor Failace said they understand every aspect of what he is talking about and as Councilmember Reiman said the Council is in discussion with the Turnpike and the County. He said they have money for Industrial Road and could get some help from Woodbridge for the extension of Industrial Road and the Council is working on this very diligently. Mr. Such said there are plans in Port Reading to import cars and they have to contend with this. He said the proposed improvement of the Chrome Section would not succeed until this link-up is made the quicker the better as far as he is concerned. Mayor Failace said he appreciates Mr. Such's comments, stood behind his ideas and reiterated that the Council is trying to improve of the problem. Mr. Such said Carteret has all types of communications, the Arthur Kill, the railroad, high power lines and pipelines. He said he felt Carteret should get everything they could from Middlesex County, the Turnpike and the State. He said Joe Medwick Park at one time had a boat ramp and when the County took it over they removed it to replace it at a later date but it has not been done. He said he felt the County has done a tremendous job taking care of Joe Medwick Park. John Sudia, Cypress Street said he watched John Riggio at work. He said the Mayor and Council should be very fortunate to Mr. Riggio work for the town. He said he felt Mr. Riggio was professional, is a driving force and he does not know how to take no for an answer. He said he felt this Council should set up some sort of thank you for Mr. Riggio for a job well done. He said he felt Mr. Riggio is in the background and he doesn't fell he should be in the background 16 SEPTEMBER 6, 2001 because he is in the forefront of the development of Carteret. He said PUBLIC DISCUSSION Industrial Road is very dangerous, there are many accidents on Industrial Road and he suggested Mr. Sohayda put illuminated dangerous curb signs up and possibly repaint the lines. Councilmember Sohayda said the Engineer is aware of a fatality there was a man on a motomycle who died on Industrial Road less than a month ago. John Sudia said at one time Ethnic Day there was always a table for abused women and he asked if they would be having this at Ethnic Day this year. Councilmember Santoro said anyone who wanted a table was accommodated and she did not see a problem with having one this year. John Sudia said there are some volunteers who are willing to handle the table and he felt it was needed. Councilmember Santoro said there are Police Officers who are assigned to work with these situations in the Domestic Task Force. She said this does take volunteers to make this happen and this has been a slow process and she has been talking to Diane about this she said she hoped with the Fall weather coming they could revitalize and get going with this. John Sudia said he heard rumors the Police Director is not showing up for work and does not have to come to work anymore. Councilmember Santoro said the Police Committee did come to an agreement but it hasn't been completely finalized and she can not go into detail. She said Director Elg is an active employee at this time but would be leaving by the end of October. John Sudia asked if Director Elg is performing his duties as Police Director. Councilmember Santoro said he is as he has always done. Danielle Failace, Carteret Resident said Councilmember Santoro made remarks at the last meeting about her father, Mayor Failace when Councilmember Santoro said she felt Mayor Failace was a baby and did not respect Councilmember Santoro. Ms. Failace said she felt the people of Carteret should know that on numerous occasions Councilmember Santoro has insulted her father and this town at public events in the presence of her and her mother. She said she felt that was disrespectful. She said her father may disagree with Councilmember Santoro but she knew he would never say anything like that to Mrs. Santoro's daughter or family. She said at a political event they both attended Councilmember Santoro again insulted her father to Judy Leshko during a speech by Senator Torricelli. She said when she questioned Councilmember Santoro she said Ms. Failace really does not know the person her father really is. She said she was here to say she does know her father very well and the people of Carteret should see how Councilmember Santoro behaves in public when she is not at a Council Meeting. She said her father feels 17 gPTEHBER 6, 2001 )MMENTS everyone is entitled to their opinion but she will never sit quiet while Councilmember Santoro disrespects her father and family in public. She said she was raised to stand by her family but felt Councilmember Santoro has let politics become more important to her that she forgot family values and she felt Councilmember Santoro should be ashamed of her behavior and she should be a little more professional. Councilmember Santoro told Ms. Failace she also has two adult children, a twenty year old son and a seventeen year old daughter who probably think she is the best parent in the world and she would not want them to think any thing different. She said she knew Ms. Failace would be coming to the meeting to speak and when Councilmember Santoro's daughter heard this she said she was coming to the meeting. She said she would not allow her children to speak because she felt they have blind loyalty to her and she has blind loyalty to her children. She said what takes place between herself and Mayor Failace is a different level as she has tried to explain to Ms. Failace. She said as far as Ms. Failace stating her father has never insulted her family or children, it has taken place with her eighty five-year-old mother in attendance who Councilmember Santoro had to take out of the meeting in tears. She said this should end because relatives and children should not be responsible for what is said between the Councilmembers and the Mayor who are adults and entitled to their opinions. She said she could bring in people who would speak for her and how Mayor Failace has treated her in the past, which she felt has not been with the utmost respect and Mayor Failace knows this. She said Ms. Failace is the Mayor's daughter and she will always respect her right to defend him and their family but she would not allow her children to have to defend her and make it a contest. She said she has a job to do as a Councilmember whether Mayor Failace likes her or wants to work with her. She said at times things are said and she apologizes because it is Ms. Failace's father but she is not going to apologize for taking insults and abuse she has taken in the past and refuses to let her children and family get carried into this. Councilmember Fazekas was noted absent at 8:35 P.M. OTED ABSENT Ms. Failace said she agreed with Councilmember Santoro and OMMENTS respected that and felt this should be kept on a professional level. Patricia Rodriguez, 72 Edwin Street said Monday afternoon someone put emergency no parking signs on Edwin Street. Tuesday her husband was discharged from the hospital and her son was blocked in the driveway because the whole block was dug up. She said she called everyone since no one on Edwin Street was advised there would be no parking or no access to their driveways. She said she had extensive property damage from the work. She said she paid to have three trees removed from her property and she bought pond stone which is now gone, the workers broke the lip of her driveway. She said she had a contractor scheduled to work on her back porch, which she had to cancel. She said she understood the sewer needed to be done but she 18 SEPTF~BER 6~ 2001 still doesn't know how long the work is going to last, who would be PtlBLIC DISCUSSION fixing her driveway or replacing the stone and she wanted to know why the residents were not notified. Councilmember Sohayda asked if there were signs on the trees. Ms. Rodriguez said no parking signs were posted but felt that was not enough. She said there is no parking there on Essex Street now and she did not know what it would be like at night. She asked how long it would last and who she should address the concerns about the damage to her property to. Councilmember Sohayda told Business Administrator Goldsack to take her name and address. Ms. Rodriguez said she could not have the height difference from the street to her driveway since she has never had a problem like that before. Councilmember Sohayda said he did not know the contractor but he sees the track, Star of the Sea, which is doing work all over town not just in her neighborhood. Ms. Rodriguez she understood the work has to be done but she felt if people in the neighborhood were not going to have access to their homes or driveways, they need to be notified. She said at sixty six Edwin Street there is someone living in the garage. Councilmember Sohayda said he took the door off the garage himself a year ago. Ms. Rodriguez said someone still lives in there with a bed. She said she has called headquarters and the police removed him. She said there are kids there and he is there in the day and the night. Councilmember Santoro said she would talk to the Police Chief, the Board of Health or the Building Inspector and see what they need to do. Ms. Rodriguez said she has been coming to Council Meetings for years over these abandoned buildings, which she felt, were nothing but trouble. She said before something happens and felt whoever was living in the garage had some serious problems. Borough Attorney Bergen said he had a call from the attorney and the owner has not responded satisfactory. He said the Borough cannot wait any longer and Mr. Neibert would be going out. James Mancuso thanked Councilmember Reiman for taking care of the problem and doing the investigative work. He said when paving work is done he believed it should be posted by law forty-eight or seventy two hours before closing a street. Captain Hojecki said it was posted but did not explain why. He said it was posted up and down the street seventy-two hours in advance. 19 ~PTEMBER 6~ 2001 Rose Alice Capp apologized to the Council because the Council )Mt. lENTS thought she was going against them and the police. She said she has apologized to Director Elg and wanted to apologize to the Council. She said she needed to get into a computer course to get a job at General Dynamics because they are looking for a place that doesn't have a union since she would be the first laid off in the event of a lay off. She said she worked on a terminal but doesn't have a computer or know how to work a computer. She said the company suggested she go to the Library and Carteret Library sent her to Woodbridge Library. She said she was told there are people who teach the Senior Citizens how to work on computers or she could go to adult education classes. She said she is paying eighteen hundred dollars in school taxes and she does not have any children. She asked if she could go into the school system to learn Microsoft and Windows '98 to better herself for a job. She said her age is a factor but someone could work for the government until they are seventy years old and felt she might be able to get back into General Dynamics but she needs to be able to work on a computer. Mayor Failace said he did not know of any program at this time for adults and did not think she would be able to go into the schools to use their computers. Ms. Capp said she spoke to Mr. Goldsack and went to Middlesex County College but they want two hundred forty dollars for a course but she did not have any money for that. Mayor Failace reiterated that the town did not have any programs for computer education at this time. Councilmember Santoro asked if there was a cooperative in Rahway they could look for and suggested they could ask the Senior Citizens if someone in the group would volunteer to work with Ms. Capp. She said there are computers in the Carteret Library and it would just take an individual to sit and work with her. She said Business Administrator; Nicholas Goldsack could call around, check with the YMCA and get back to Ms. Capp. Councilmember Rios asked if they could go to the County or to Social Services. Tom Lang, Colgan Avenue, thanked Councilmember Rios for getting back to him with the information he needed and felt it was important that a Councilmember answers the questions of the residents. He said he knew other towns don't get reimbursed the full amount they are entitled to and felt it was only because these people do not check into it. Councilmember Rios said this is a complete effort of all the departments that are involved and it is not just one person. Tom Lang asked if Councilmember Rios would extend his thanks to everyone involved. He said he heard the money but was not sure where the money came from. Councilmember Rios said the money came from the insurance company of the carder, the trucking company. The insurance 20 SEPTEMBER 6, 2001 company paid the County who will pay the Borough once they get a PUBLIC DISCUSSION voucher signed by our official to accept a payment for that. He said he did not agree with the postponing of all the schools if just one or two schools were not ready to open. Councilmember Santoro said they could not allow some children to go fewer days than others, it is all or nothing. She said when Columbus School had to go to half-day sessions they had to make the time up the time at the end of the year. She said rather than having three half-day sessions, they decided to delay the school year until Monday to get the inspections and CO's in order. Tom Lang asked if there was a temporary CO or a final CO. Councilmember Santoro said they have the CCO. Mayor Failace said it is temporary. Councilmember Santoro said that is usual, they did that when they opened the Library because there are numerous items that needed to be taken care of, the health and safety issues have to be met. Tom Lang asked if the fire alarm (inaudible) Councilmember Santoro said the schools couldn't open without those things being in place. Mayor Failace said neither the town's construction officials; the Board of Education's officials or the State would allow that to happen. He said he talked to Tony Neibert and he said they are working very hard, and felt the tenth was a good date. Tom Lang asked what transition services were on Resolution #01-288. Councilmember Reiman said in January Killiam Associates was reappointed and in February T&M Associates took over the Engineering. He said he voted against this because the Council set the budget and negotiated with Killiam, negotiated with T&M. He said a certain amount of projects were turned over to the new Engineer and a certain amount were left to the old Engineer the Council had come up with a budget and that budget that was capped at and that has been exceeded. He said this is the second or third request and he was not comfortable that was why he did not vote yes, (inaudible) a blanket thirty five hundred dollars when they are no longer doing work for the town and are still in the process of turning over documentation to bring T&M up to speed as to what Killiam had done. He said there are a few minor projects that they would be finishing and doing inspections on that they would handle. Tom Lang said he respected Councilmember Reiman's vote but wanted to know why Councilmembers Sohayda and Rios voted yes. Councilmember Sohayda said there were projects that are not complete and in the realm of good faith he voted yes and hoped that in releasing the funds to these people they would get the Borough's services finished from the services which they were hired for by a previous Council. He said Killiam was the Engineer prior to his being 21 ZPTEMBER 6, 2001 a Councilmember. He said he felt there are projects that are floating in DMt, IENTS the wind and hoped paying them would get these projects to completion. Tom Lang asked when they anticipated that to happen. Councilmember Sohayda said that was the hard part of the vote and he had a hard part waiting for the completion. He said in his department he has two problems which he was told would be taken care of on Tuesday, but there are fifty two Tuesdays this year and wasn't sure which Tuesday they meant when they would be finishing what he needed done. Tom Lang asked what about contractually. Councilmember Sohayda said the Attorney and the Engineer knows about it, both new and old Engineers know about it. He said the old Engineer said if he doesn't get paid he doesn't do any work and that was why he felt if he voted no the funds would go down and nothing would get done. He said he did not know if he whole heartily supported this because he felt this was an issue where you say what do I do, should I release the funds and hope he finishes the job or hold back the money, he felt it was a tough call. Tom Lang asked what the tentative date for the Public Works project. Councilmember Sohayda said he did not know it might have been twenty Tuesdays ago. He said the electric gate and the fuel pump at the DPW did not work. He said he told them to get someone else in to fix it and was told they had to wait for these people. Tom Lang asked if Councilmember Sohayda knew who the electrical contractors were. Councilmember Sohayda said he did not know, all he knew was that it was a sub contractor of Killiam Associates who said if he doesn't get paid he does not want to know anything. Tom Lang said it is normal to have a one-year warranty or guarantee of services. Councilmember Sohayda said he had gas pumps that are not registering the right cars to the right mileage. Tom Lang asked if what usually happens is that when the project is complete they are paid in full. Councilmember Sohayda said usually the funds are held. Tom Lang asked who the electrical contractor was. Councilmember Sohayda said he could find out, John Riley and Ted Surick spoke to them. (Inaudible, Borough Attorney Bergen and Councilmember Reiman speaking at the same time) 22 SEPTg~B~R 6~ 200! Tom Lang asked if these people are doing any other work for the PLIBLIC DISClISSIOI~I Borough. Councilmember Sohayda said there are specific projects that the Engineer has chosen that he felt the town would be better spending their money with them than the town taking on the job because they are that deep into the project and the Council has agreed upon that. Borough Attorney Bergen said these are one of the situations when the Council talks about transition services. He said he if was going to pursue a case against the electrical contractor he needs the Engineer who designed the job to come forward with the type of evidence they need to demonstrate that the contractor hasn't performed under the contract. He said he can not just say it, he needs an expert. He said one of the reasons why they have to counsel on some of these projects to allow the Engineer who designed the project so there is a basis for the Borough to back against the contractor to get some money back. Tom Lang asked if someone should be inspecting it. Borough Attorney Bergen said the Engineer that designed the project are the ones that approved the work and authorized payment. Conrad Markert, 140 Whitman Street, said he had an animal control problem which he felt has turned into a health problem. He said his surrounding neighbors have about thirty cats that are living under their pool deck. He said he called the Board of Health and was told he had to rent a cat trap for fifty dollars and set it with the bait and when he catches the cat he needs to call Linden Animal Control to get the cat. He said that was fine but he works a lot and is not home that much and felt that he did not want to be that involved since he has a phobia against cats since childhood and would rather not be that close to them. He asked the Council for help. Mayor Failace told Mr. Markert to speak to Nicholas Goldsack, Business Administrator after the meeting and he would do whatever they could to help Mr. Markert. Taqualla RansdelI said there would be lead testing at Ethnic Day done by the County Board of Health. Councilmember Santoro said she and the Mayor have volunteered to go into the dunk tank and asked that any money raised be donated to the Office of the Handicapped. Mayor Failace thanked Taqualla Ransdell and her committee and he looked forward to this being an excellent Ethnic Day. 23 ;PTENBER 6, 2001 ~.SOLUTION ~01-291 RESOLUTION #01-291 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to CSOLUTION TO GO the Council for action. {TO CLOSED SESSION Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman RESOLUTION #01-291 ~ "RESOLUTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman, DOPTED Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones were noted absent. At approximately 8:55 P.M. a Closed Session was held. LOSED SESSION At approximately 9:14 P.M., upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios [EETING OPEN and Reiman and unanimous affirmative vote of the four (4) ~0 PUBLIC Councilmembers present, the meeting was opened to the public. There being no further business or discussion, upon MMS&C, by iDJOURNED Councilmembers Santoro and Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of the four (4) Councilmembers the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ~I'HLEEN M. B~RI~Y, RM~,.~.,~ Municipal Clerk KMB/cp 24