Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout2001/11/20 NOVEMBER 20, 2001 The Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of COUNCIL MEETING Carteret was called to order by Mayor James A. Failace approximately 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday~November 20, 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 Noted absent was Borough Attorney, Robert J. Bergen, Esq. Borough Attorney Robert J. Bergen was noted present at approximately 7:31 P.M. The meeting was opened with a moment of Silent Prayer for the men PRAYER, PLEDGE and women overseas and The Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor OF ALLEGIANCE James A. Failace. The Clerk stated that on November 14, 2001, in full compliance with STATEMENT OF the Open Public Meetings Act, a notice of tonight's meeting was sent MEETING NOTICE to the Home News Tribune, The Star-Ledger and posted on the bulletin board. Clerk stated that Ordinance #01-48 was introduced and adopted on ORDINANCE #01-48 First Reading and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same AMENDING AND for Public Hearing to be held on December 6, 2001, upon MMS&C, SUPPLEMENTING by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios. Upon individual roll call vote, CHAPTER 55 OF THE Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and CODE, RE: ZONE DEVELOPMENT CORP. Sohayda voted in the affirmative. ORDINANCE #01-48 "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 55, ENTITLED 'ZONE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION', OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" VEMBER 20, 2001 RDINANCE ~01-47 The Clerk stated Ordinance//01-47 was introduced and passed upon 3ND ORDINANCE First Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held on [~PROPRIATING November 1, 2001. It was duly published in the Home News Tribune 650 · 000 o O0 ~ RE: on November 6, 2001 with notice that it will be considered for final EMOLITION & passage after Public Heating to be held on November 20, 2001 at ISPOSAL OF approximately 7:30 P.M. the Ordinance was posted on the bulletin NSAFE BUILDINGS board and copies were made available to the general public according to law, she read the Ordinance by title. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous ?UBLIC HEARING affirmative vote of the full membership 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 Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present. MOTION TO Borough Attorney Bergen said someone should make a motion to CARRY TO carry this Ordinance to the next meeting. NEXT MEETING Mayor Failace said the reason the Council has to make a motion to carry this Ordinance to the next meeting was because Joe Banmann from our bonding company has to go before the Local Finance Board before the Councd can finalize this, that won't be until... Borough Clerk Kathleen Barney interrupted and said December 12th- Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios CARRIED TO NEXT MEETING ORDINANCE #01-47 "BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR DEMOLITION AND DISPOSAL OF UNSAFE BUILDINGS IN AND BY THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET, IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $450,000 THEREFORE AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $450,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE BOROUGH TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF" was carded to the next meeting awaiting approval from the Local Finance Board. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. NOVEMBER 20, 2001 A copy of each Resolution was placed on the table for public review MEETING OPENED TO prior to the meeting in accordance with the Rules of Council and upon PUBLIC INPUT ON MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman and unanimous ALL RESOLUTIONS affirmative vote of the full membership present, the meeting was opened for public input on all Resolutions. There being no comments or objections to the Resolutions, the Mayor MEETING CLOSED declared the Public Heating to be closed upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present. RESOLUTION #01-347 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION ~01-347 DIRECTING THE the Council for action. ISSUANCE OF VARIOUS RAFFLE LICENSES Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Fazekas RESOLUTION #01-347 "DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE OF RAFFLE LICENSES TO -- ST. JOSEPH'S R.C. CHURCH" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #01-348 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION #01-348 the Council for action. PROVING FOR THE TRANSFER OF SURPLUS FUNDS Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman .... PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF SURPLUS FUNDS" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. ~VEMBER 20, 2001 CSOLUIION ~01-349 RESOLUTION #01-349 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to ~.FUND OF TAX the Council for action. ID/OR SEWER USER ~ES Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Fazekas "AUTHORIZING REFUND OF TAX AND/OR SEWER FEES OVERPAYMENT" )OPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. gSOLUTION #01-350 RESOLUTION #01-350 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to tOPERTY TAX the Council for action. ~.NCELLATION Upon MMS&C, Councilmembers Rios and Eazekas RESOLUTION #01-350 "PROPERTY TAX CANCELLATION" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councflmembers DOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the w affirmative. ESOLHTION #01-351 RESOLUTION #01-351 was introduced and referred to the Council PPROVING TRAILER for action. ARK LICENSE- ARTERET MOBILE Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Fazekas ARK RESOLUTION #01-351 "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF A TRAILER PARK LICENSE FOR THE 2001-2002 LICENSE TERM TO CARTERET MOBILE PARK" DOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. NOVEMBER 20, 2001 RESOLUTION #01-352 was introduced by Mayor and referred to the RESOLUTION #01-352 APPROVING TRAILER Council for action. PARK LICENSE- TOWER TRAILER PARK Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Fazekas RESOLUTION #0 l-352 "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZiNG THE RENEWAL OF A TRAILER PARK LICENSE FOR THE 2001-2002 LICENSE TERM TO TOWER TRAILER PARK" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #01-353 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION 5101-353 AUTHORIZING REJECT- the Council for action. ION OF BID- WATERFRONT PARK Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Santoro IMPROVEMENTS, PitASE I RESOLUTION #01-353 "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZiNG THE REJECTION OF BID- WATERFRONT PARK IMPROVEMENTS, PHASE I was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #01-354 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION 5101-354 APPOINTING the Council for action. MARY JANE KERATT- PERMANENT CLERK Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Fazckas TYPIST RESOLUTION #01-354 "APPOiNTiNG MARY JANE KERATT PERMANENT CLERK TYPIST 1N THE CONSTRUCTION OFFICE" -- was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. )VEMBER 20, 2001 *.SOLUTION 01-355 RESOLUTION #01-355 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to ?PROVING APPLICATION the Council for action. ) THE LOCAL [NANCE BOARD, Upon MMS&C, by Councilmcmbcrs Rios and Fazekas *.: DEMOLITION ? UNSAFE BUILDINGS RESOLUTION #01-355 "RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET, 1N THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY MAKING APPLICATION TO THE LOCAL FINANCE BOARD PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40:A:2-7(d), 40A:2-1 l(c) AND 40A:2-26(e) was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers DOPTED Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #01-356 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to ESOLtlTION #01-356 the Council for action. PPOINTING OHN PIECYSKI- ROVlSIONAL Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Rios OLICE CHIEF RESOLUTION #01-356 "APPOINTING JOHN PEICZYSKI PROVISIONAL CHIEF OF POLICE IN THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" .DOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. :OMMENTS Councilmember Quinones said she abstained but it was neither an approval nor disapproval of either of the two candidates who were interviewed. She said she chose not to participate in the process because she favors a Police Director. She said when the Council decided to move to a Chief she felt they should have opened it to more candidates, which she felt, was the Council's initial intent. She said the Council spoke about opening the test to Lieutenant and above but felt that never happened and apparently there would not be a ranking of the application. She said she did not think making the decision from two qualified candidates and moving with that was a sufficient process and felt it was unfair. Councilmember Reiman congratulated the two candidates who applied and said he felt they were both well liked and well respected individuals who do a great job serving the Borough and its citizens. Councilmember Rios said this was a tough decision and felt they were both outstanding candidates who bring a lot to the Police Department. He said he felt the process was fair and did not feel there was anything 6 NOVEMBER 20, 2001 hidden or underhanded. He said he did not know if anyone was left COMMENTS with the impression that anyone else was going to be eligible for the test for this position. Councilmember Santoro said she wanted to address some of the concerns of Councilmember Quinones. She said the Council has two fine qualified individuals who are eligible for the position of Police Chief. She said as for opening up to lower ranks according to Civil Service you open to two ranks below. She said right now on the books the town has a Deputy Chief because not so long ago the town did have that position. She said opening to lower ranks usually means the Council wants to extend to different ranks in order to get a better- qualified individual for more diversity. She said she did not feel they could get any one with more qualifications than the two individuals who were eligible for this position. She said as for the Department of Personnel in regard to ranking, there are two individuals that rank one two, two one. She said they would have to wait a course of months possibly to receive the rankings. She said per an order from the Department of Personnel they could move forward with interviews and make a selection. She said, as for whether they disregarded the ranking they did not, basically there was an interview process all the Councilmembers could have attended. She said in respect to the two individuals and the selection process she felt they have some of the best Officers in Carteret and she fully supported the person who was selected. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a Communication from the COMMUNICATIONS: Borough of Deal-Resolution in response to September 11, 2001 attack BOROUG[-i OF DEAL on the United States. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a Communication from the TOWNSHIP OF Township of East Brunswick and the Borough of Metuchen- EAST BRUNSWICK Resolutions supporting Middlesex County Referendum on Open Space. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present all Communications were ordered to be received and placed on file. Upon MMS&C, by Reiman and Rios all bills appearing on the PAYMENT OF BILLS prepared list properly audited and signed were ordered to be paid. Upon individual roll call vote Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones, Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. VEMBER 20, 2001 ,3PORTS The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of the following reports: ,3PARTMENT 1. BoardofHealth-October 2001 2. Inspection of Buildings-October 2001 3. Treasurer-October 2001 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, all reports were ordered to be received and placed on file. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Committee Chairperson Quinones TANDING OMMITTEES thanked Patrick DeBlasio for filling in for Business Administrator Nicholas Goldsack who is no longer with the Borough. She said there have been incidents with residents and Buildings and Grounds since there was no real department head. She said there were a number of complaints about vandalism in the Recreation Center and the Community Center ranging from destruction of bathrooms to children hanging on fences and destroying Borough equipment. She felt it was unfortunate that people can not take care of things the town provides and if anyone sees any vandalism they should tell either herself, Patrick DeBlasio or the Police Department. She said she would be asking the Council to seriously consider putting some Police presence in the two buildings. She said they have gone back and forth with the courtroom exit issue and whether they should build an extra exit. She said this is an ongoing process that she felt should not take a lot of priority since it is expensive and they have other items they need to address before that. She said she would recommend the Borough Attorney continues to deal with the judicial type of intervention and they might be able to work something out with the Office of the Court and Judge Comba. She wished everyone a safe and Happy Holiday. Councilmember Rios said he would like to add to the Buildings and Grounds Report. He said last night while the Council was in the middle of their interview process at the Community Center there where some people there creating a disturbance. He said the Council might have to make a recommendation to the Library Board that a Security Guard may have to be put at the Community Center and felt the Councilmembers should address this at the next Agenda Meeting. NOVEMBER 20, 2001 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: Committee Chairperson Reiman STANDING COMMITTEES said the Borough just received notification of a two hundred and twenty thousand dollar DOT Grant to mill and pave some streets in the Spring next year. He said they are working on a grant for the Waterfront Park. He said tonight the Council rejected a bid for two point nine million dollars on Waterfront Park Phase I. He said the Council rejected the bid because they have about one point eight million dollars available. He said the engineering firm is redesigning some of the bid specs. He said he felt they would be getting the project on the way in December or the beginning of January. He said the Historical Committee met last Tuesday and Saturday and began moving historical items and artifacts to the Community Center where they have a room set up on the second floor. He said they found documents that go back to 1902, 1903 and 1906. He said they are in the process of putting that together and they are looking at a possible twenty-three thousand-dollar grant for display cases to put some of these items on display in the Library Atrium. He said the Council approved a settlement agreement with UNOCAL Corp. for two hundred and forty seven thousand dollars. He said he felt they should have by the end of this month or the beginning of December. He said they would be making the agreement and the money payable to the Borough's Sewer Account and would be credited towards this year's Sewer Account. He said in the wake of the September 11th Tragedy, they have been notified the Borough owes the insurance carrier a substantial increase of insurance rates everything from liability to medical. He said they are suggesting a minimum twenty percent increase, which would be the equivalent of six hundred thousand dollars. He said the Council would be looking at some options to save money perhaps joining the Central Jersey Insurance Fund as other Municipalities. He said there is a State Health Insurance Program. He said the insurance carrier paid the consulting firm not the Borough and they would be meeting with them next week and every week until they could see how the Borough could save money. FIRE: Committee Chairperson Rios said on November 7 and 14 the Fire Department conducted their annual Live Burn Trmnmg at the Middlesex County Fire Academy and on November 3rd the Fire Department conducted a Mutual Aid Drill with the Woodbridge Township Fire Departments. He said this past week the Morning Check-Up Program showed how valuable this program is to the community. He said one of the participants did not answer his phone and the Fire Department responded to find the elderly man face down in his home on the floor unable to move since he had fallen and broke his pelvis. He said the Fire Department immediately administered First Aid and had the man transferred to the hospital. He said he did not know what would have happened to this man if it was not for the -- Morning Check-Up Program. He said he felt this was a very important program since the people enrolled in the program are called every morning at 9 A.M. to check on their well being and the Fire Department keeps a record of their medical history, medications and emergency contacts. He said if anyone knows of anyone who might be interested in this program they should call 541-8000 to inquire about the Morning Check-Up Program. He said they have twelve people in the program fight now but average ten to sixteen and rarely VEMBER 20, 2001 ~4NDING COMMITTEES up to twenty. He said the residents that sign up for the program give the Fire Department a key to their home incase something like this happens they have entry into the house with a Policeman present. He said it has been in the Borough for many years and felt it was a great thing. He said there was a complaint on the property behind AIVlE Zion Church. He said he was there last week for the Veteran's Day Service and the Pastor had pointed out to him that there is debris in the -- building. He said the complaint was issued through the Fire and Building Department and the owner said he would comply very quickly but he went by there today and the debris is still there. He said there was an EMS partial meeting yesterday with the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Fire Chief from Perth Amboy and Councilmembers Santoro, Sohayda and himself to get more ideas and input on the EMS. He said they would be having another meeting tomorrow with the same people in addition to the First Aid Squad to get different ideas and proposals as to what they could do to maintain a good quality Emergency Services. He said the sign they ordered is in and it is at the bulletin board in the little triangle park across from the Shop-Rite Shopping Center. He said it is a big sign that is permanently put there with a flag and read what the sign said, "We remember all the victims of September 11, 2001, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families from the people of Carteret." He said he felt it was a nice sign and told everyone to go passed to see how nice it is. He reported continued progress. PARKS & RECREATION: Committee Chairperson Fazekas said Councilmember Rios was mentioning the sign is near Banick Park next to the Community Relations Board. He thanked the Park Workers for putting the sign up~h He said the tree lighting would be in Carteret Park on December 8 at 6:00 P.M. He said they have received the okay on the Urban Forestry Grant for three thousand dollars, which will allow the town to plant approximately twenty trees, which have been ordered and will be planted in the Spring at Comell Park. He said they have received approval from HUD for the 2001 Community Development Block Grant for thirty five hundred dollars. He said that money would be used towards the resurfacing and coating the basketball courts in Chrome. He said everyone should take a look at Shore Crest Park, which has been dug out, and some of the new equipment has been installed and asked for opinions on the park to be given to Robert Kately in the Parks Department. He said he wanted community input because they would be doing some of the other parks. He said otherwise they are moving along. POLICE: Committee Chairperson Santoro said on the ongoing Police Training, after September 11th a lot of the classes were cancelled due to the instructors having to report to their individual Police Departments and assignments. She said some of the classes the department had attended were Nighttime Motor Vehicle Stops, Arson Investigation, 911 Recertification and Gang Investigation. She said a week or ten days ago it was in the newspaper about a drug arrest in 10 NOVEMBER 20~ 2001 Carteret and commended some of the Borough's Police Officers that ST~,NDING COMMIT'tEES she felt did a terrific job with the apprehension. She said cooperation and information sharing between the Patrol and Detective Bureau on a successful drug investigation resulted in an arrest, drug seizure, gun seizure and useful information on other drug related activities. She commended Det. John Rivers, Det. Carmine Pannulo, William Krowl, Stanley Singura, Greg Denton, Raymond Novak, Sgt. Robert Ercolino, Ptl. Frank Ciarkowski and Wayne Hundemann. She read the November 15th account of how Frank Ciarkowski approached Lt. Tarrant and told him he had information of a drug run to Newark or Elizabeth and what went on during the surveillance and arrest. She said a search of an apartment resulted in a loaded .45 caliber handgun with a defaced serial number. She commended these Officers for their professionalism and asked that a copy of the report she read be put in each of their files. She said at the next Council Meeting she would like to present each with a Commendation for a job well done. She reported progress. PUBLIC WORKS: Committee Chairperson Sohayda said there are no new surprises in Recycling and told everyone to pick up their leaf bags across from the Old Borough Hall. He said the Garage is working on all the equipment. He said the Sewer Department is catching up on all the catch basins since there has not been a large quantity of rain. He said the Streets and Roads Department is getting ready with the salt and sand piles. He said they are buying more salt and sand now and are in the process of mixing it up to get ready for what he hoped they did not have to use but it is there if they need it. He said the men are resting now because he felt they would be having a lot of overtime in January and February. He reported progress. BOARD OF EDUCATION: Committee Chairperson Fazekas said November lst the Borough turned on their Public Access Channel and it will be activated on December 1st. He said this is the Public Access Channel that the Borough has waited so long for that would provide a bulletin board for Community Services and activities for non-profit organizations. He said there would be instructions on December 1st for how to post information on the bulletin boards along with the community information. He said that was just step one as they move forward with their Community Access Channel and the next step would be depending upon what happens next year since they have the __ capability of televising. He said he believed there were Media Classes from the Board of Education in the High School. He reported progress. 11 )VMEBER 20, 2001 ROCLAMATION: MayorFailacereadthe fullowingproclamation: 3RLD AIDS DAY WORLD AIDS DAY December 1, 2001 WHEREAS, the global epidemic of HIV Infection and ADS require a worldwide effort to increase communication, education and united action to stop the spread of HIV/ADS; and WHEREAS, the Joint United Nations Program 'on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) observes December 1 of each year as World AIDS Day, a day to expand and strengthen worldwide efforts to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS; and WHEREAS, UNAIDS estimates that over 36 million people worldwide are currently living with HIV/ADS, with young people under the age of 25 accounting for more than half of all new infections; and WHEREAS, the American Association for World Health is encouraging a better understanding of the challenge of HIV/AIDS nationally as it recognizes that the number of people diagnosed with HIV and AIDS in the United States continues to increase, with up to 900,000 people in the U.S. now infected; and WHEREAS, World Aids Day provides an opportunity to focus local, national, and international attention on HIV and AIDS and to disseminate information on how to prevent the spread of HIV; and WHEREAS, an estimated 900,000 people in the United States are currently living with HIV or AIDS and half of all new HIV infections in the U.S. are among young Americans under the age of 25, the World Aids Day 200l theme, I Care .... Do You? Youth and AIDS in the 21st Century, urges all youth and those who influence them to increase their awareness of the risk of HIV/AIDS for themselves and to use their influence in their families, among their friends and in their communities to help stem the tide of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. NOW, THEREFORE, BE 1T PROCLAIMED that I, Mayor James A. Failace, Mayor of the Borough of Carteret, will observe World Aids Day on December 1, 2001; I urge all citizens to take part in activities and observance designed to increase awareness and understanding of HIV/A1DS as a global challenge to take part in HIV/A1DS prevention activities and programs and to join the global effort to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS. 12 NOVEMBER 20, 2001 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous PUBLIC DISCUSSION affirmative vote of the full membership present, the meeting was opened to the public for discussion. A1 Such said he was at a previous meeting where he had a COMMENTS recommendation for solutions to the Turnpike Traffic and he said he felt right now it was urgent the Council did something about Port Reading Road and Industrial Road. He said he had information from the Turnpike and the Turnpike said they were going to extend into the toll exchange. He said he felt by doing this it would resolve the problem. He said he sent a message to the Turnpike about what the Turnpike's responsibilities are. He said the Turnpike said they would take input from the Mayor, Council, Planning Board and they have hired a consultant to look into the problem. He urged the Mayor and Council to take considerate action in this matter. Mayor Failace said they are in constant contact with the Turnpike and have been for a number of years. He said there are some plans being readied and there will be some decisions made by the Turnpike. He said this Council has done all they can to try to make the Turnpike make a move on this. A1 Such said in the News Tribune he read that at this time the Turnpike is very interested and felt the Mayor and Council should act now especially east of the Turnpike. He said the Council would be looking into development in the Chrome Section and felt it was important truck traffic be taken off that area and asked Mayor Failace what the Council was doing at the present time. Mayor Failace said they have had a number of alternate plans drawn up to give to the Turnpike to show what the Mayor and Council felt should be done in order to eliminate the problem in the near and distant future. He said the Council has been working with Woodbridge in reference to Industrial Road. He said there are some problems with the extension but they are trying to get it done but could not continue unless Woodbridge helps them. A1 Such said he felt Woodbridge would benefit greatly just in the huge Waterfront Area. He said they should work together to get this done. Councilmember Rios said the Mayor and Council are united as far as alleviating the problem with the Turnpike, and the traffic congestion. He said sometimes they have let politics stand in the way but this time they are united, have been to meetings with the Turnpike and they are forging ahead and trying to move ahead the fastest way possible. He said the Council's proposals might be different from what the Turnpike would like but the Turnpike is more or less in the driver's seat because of financing. He assured everyone that they are all on the same track and same page to get the problem corrected. He said unfortunately it does not move as fast as they would like but these are the things they have to contend with. He said the Council has been given assurance by the Turnpike that they will do the right thing for Carteret. 13 }VEMBER 20, 2001 JBLIC DISCUSSION Councilmember Santoro said at the last meeting the Council had with the Turnpike they pledged they would come to Carteret when the drawings were ready to make a presentation to the residents to explain what would be happening. She said she felt confident that they would see some movement in the next couple of months. She they seem determined to move in this direction and the rumors about additional Interchanges are still out there. She said she felt with all the years of waiting this would be the time something was going to happen. She said there are meetings they can not discuss at this time because there are meetings to discuss putting the plans together and people may think things are not happening but they are meeting on this and they are all together on this. A1 Such reiterated how he felt about this situation and how it affected the Chrome Area with traffic and how Woodbridge needed to cooperate. Elwood Colgan, 23 Wedgewood Drive read the Americans with Disabilities Act. He said Carteret just got a new bus and he felt there was no way a person in a wheelchair could get onto the bus. He said all the Borough buses before this bus were the same way. He said the Americans With Disabilities Act states the town is not supposed to discriminate against any disabilities. He said a person with a wheelchair cannot go on trips or take advantage of what the other people are enjoying and asked why this happened. Mayor Failace said he brought this up to the Council, they discussed it at a'n Agenda Meeting and he felt they would have to move forward on this so the bus could be set up for those people with disabilities. Elwood Colgan said this was supposed to be done in the early nineties and three buses have been purchased since. He reiterated that a person in a wheelchair could not access the buses. He said he felt it was not right and these people are being discriminated against. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said up until this point the law requires you to make reasonable accommodations. He said if you have someone who is in a wheelchair and wants to have access to the bus they could provide some services to carry that person on the bus in the interim to provide some reasonable accommodations until a wheelchair lift could be put in but they are not obligated to do it all the time, every time. He said there are other people who are not handicapped, people who are sight impaired who may need to have assistance to get on and off the bus also. He said if there is someone who wants to get on the bus they should contact the Council who can make arrangements to get that person on the bus. Elwood Colgan said he felt it was easier to have a wheelchair lift on the bus then to have someone carry them on the bus. He said his wife was in a wheelchair and he knew trying to get her on the bus was not an easy treat, since she weighed over two hundred pounds and her wheelchair weighed about a hundred and fifty pounds. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said this was not a permanent solution but if there ~vas someone who wanted to use the bus right now he would advise the Council that they should make whatever reasonable accommodations to... 14 NOVEMBER 20, 2001 Elwood Colgan interrupted to say his wife used to use the bus to go for PUBLIC DISCUSSION swim therapy on Thursdays. He said she no longer uses the bus because she can not get on the bus and he is not going to pick her up to get her on the bus so he takes her in his car instead. He said he felt it is not fair to anyone in a wheelchair and his wife is not the only one in a wheelchair in town. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said he agreed. There being no further business or discussion, upon MMS&C, by ADJOURNED Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:20 P.M. Respectfully ~bmitted, HLEEN M. BARN Municipal Clerk KMB/cp 15 VEMBER 20, 2001 }UNCIL MEETING 16