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
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