HomeMy Public PortalAbout2001/12/06 DECEMBER 6, 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 Thursday, December 6, 2001, Municipal Court/Police
Facility, 230 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey.
Upon individual roll call, the following were noted present: ROLL CALL
Councilmember Daniel Reiman
Ronald Rios
Janet Santoro
Also noted present was Borough Attorney Robert J. Bergen, Esq. and
Borough Attorney Donald Norbut.
Noted absent were Councilmembers Jack Fazekas, Remy Quinones
and Buddy Sohayda.
The meeting was opened with a moment of Silent Prayer and The PRAYER, PLEDGE
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor James A. Failace. He asked OF ALLEGIANCE
everyone to remember the men and women serving in the Middle East.
The Clerk stated that on November 30, 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.
Upon MMS&C, Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous APPROVAL OF
affirmative vote of the three (3) members present, the minutes of MINUTES
October 18, 2001 were approved as transcribed and engrossed by the
Clerk.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous MOTION TO AMEND
affirmative vote of the three (3) members present, a motion was made THE AGENDA RE:
to amend the Agenda to allow Mathew Pitts and Albert Williams REPRESENTATIVES
FROM SPRINT PC &
representatives from Sprint to speak in reference to the cell phones for NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE
the Crossing Guards and Bob Grimm, Assistant Chief Engineer for the
Turnpike to speak regarding the article in this morning's newspaper
regarding the Turnpike.
Mayor Failace invited the Crossing Guards who were in attendance to MATTHEW PITTS &
__ come up to the front of the room. ALBERT WILLIAMS
SPRINT PC
A Sprint Representative said he would like to donate thirty cell phones
on behalf of Sprint PCS to thc Crossing Guards of Carteret. He
thanked the Mayor for having them and said it has been his pleasure.
Councilmember Rios told Georgia Barron, Crossing Guard
spokesperson and the rest of the Crossing Guards this has been in the
works since August. He said they would have had the cell phones
CCEMBER 6, 2001
PRINT PC sooner but due to the tragic events of September 11th Sprint PCS was
Continued) not able to give the phones since there were other things with a lot
more priority like the World Trade Center attack. He said through
Sprint's generosity this came to be and he thanked them very much.
He said he hoped they would never have to use the phones for 911 but
it would be at no cost to the Borough.
Mayor Failace also thanked the Sprint representatives on behalf of
himself, the Council and the citizens of Carteret. He asked Bob
Grimm, the Assistant Chief Engineer for the New Jersey Turnpike to
speak.
IOTED PRESENT Councilmember Sohayda was noted present at 7:35 P.M.
Bob Grimm thanked the Mayor and Council for inviting them here to
3OB GRIMM speak..
TURNPIKE '
~UTUORITY Mayor Failace interrupted and said this was not a question and answer
period, they would be having a public meeting on this shortly but not
right at the moment.
Bob Grimm said he was happy to be here on behalf of the Turnpike
Authority to tell the Mayor and Council of the Turnpike Authority's
commitment to improving Interchange 12 and its connection to
Roosevelt and Industrial Avenues. He said they have met with
representatives of the Council a few times over the past few months,
the most recent being yesterday morning. He said they have shared
their status on the several alternatives they have developed over the
last few years and most recently on improvements to Interchange 12
and the area. He said they are in the process of retaining a consultant
to take them into the next step, which would be to prepare an
environmental impact statement. He said at this point they anticipate
hiring a consultant in January, which would allow them to begin work
in March. He said it is anticipated that the Environmental Impact
Statement preparation process would take about a year. He said they
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in accordance with New
Jersey Executive Order No. 215 which requires the Turnpike Authority
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statements and submit them to the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for approval. He
said if they get the approval they are prepared to move into the final
design and ultimately construction. He said final design could also
take an additional year. He said construction would take three or four
years and felt the best case scenario would be improvements open to
the public in five or six years. He said the Turnpike wants to inform
Carteret and Middlesex County who have also been at the meetings
with Carteret. He said he hoped to continue improved relationships
with Carteret as they move forward. He said they would brief the
residents and Council periodically on where we are and what the
alternatives look like. He said it is important to note as they move into
the Environmental Impact Statement process the conceptual
alternatives are just that, conceptual alternatives. He said they all have
DECEMBER 6, 2001-
preferences but the Interchange that would be designed and built BOB GRIlq['I
would be subject to approval by the Department of Environmental NJ TIJRNPIKE
AUTHORITY
Protection and there would be no final alternative until all factors are (Continued)
considered and approved. He said the consultant's scope of work also
includes a Public Hearing with a minimum fifteen-day notice and
fifteen-day comment period after a Public Hearing and are required to
respond to every comment received. He said they go to Public
Heating after they have submitted an Environmental Impact Statement
to the DEP. He said the reason they do that is even though the two
things are not related to each other the Turnpike Authority learned
over the years that they don't go to a Public Hearing without the
Environment (inaudible) because that is what everyone wants to see
anyway. He said they anticipate that and feel it would take place late
in 2002 or early 2003. He said during 2002 they would continue to
meet with the Mayor and Council to advise them of the status and get
input and comments as they move along. He said the Turnpike
Authority considers this project one of its highest priorities and has a
commitment to this project. He said he had no doubt in his mind they
would see an improvement in Interchange 12 in the not too distant
future.
Mayor Failace said he had a number of calls from the citizens already
since the article came out in the newspaper. He said he was excited
about the possibility of eliminating the problem and was glad the
Turnpike has made a commitment.
Bob Grimm said they have the commitment and are committed to
working together over the next few years to see this happen in every
one's best interest.
Councilmember Reiman asked if the Public Hearing would be held in
Carteret.
Bob Grimm said it would be held in Carteret and he would coordinate
the heating and location.
Councilmember Reiman asked if there was any possibility of an
Interchange 12A as they had previously discussed would ever happen.
Bob Grimm said a new Interchange 12A was studied at the request of
Union County but has been eliminated from further consideration by
the Turnpike Authority which did not work from an operation traffic
safety stand point primarily for reasons associated with the existing
distance between Interchange 12 and 13. He said it was not physically
and safely possible to add a third interchange in such a short distance.
He said they have agreed to analyze this to provide a connector
between Industrial Avenue in Carteret and Tremley Point Road in
Union County by constructing a bridge across the Rahway River. He
said this is part of the scope of work their consultant would be looking
into. He said the Turnpike Authority considers this one project with
one component and is committing whether there is a connector or not.
He said the Turnpike Authority is certainly committed to Interchange
12 improvements.
Councilmember Rios asked if the connector would be considered a
Phase II or III and if it would happen at a later date and would happen
after Carteret's problems have been corrected.
3
ZCEMBER 6, 2001
DB GRIMM Bob Grimm said that has not completely been determined and there
J TURNPIKE was some thought the components would move at their own pace. He
UTHORITY said they would look at the possibility of constructing a connector
Continued) sooner than the Interchange if it were possible from an Environmental-
permitting design and construction standpoint. He said if they did that
they understand it could not be done without at least temporary
improvements with some kind of direct connection to the Interchange
so that the traffic did not go out to the traffic on Roosevelt Avenue.
He said they don't want to add to the problem before they fix it.
Councilmember Reiman said he received several phone calls today
from residents. He asked if he was correct that there would not be any
taking of residential property.
Bob Grimm said he believed that was correct.
Councilmember Santoro said this is going to be funded by the
Turnpike.
Bob Grimm said absolutely, it was approximately a one hundred
million-dollar project, not one hundred fifty million dollars as was
stated in the newspaper.
Councilmember Santoro said from the beginning the Turnpike has
been great in listening to Carteret's every day problems. She said
everyone's concern was the traffic from Carteret to West Carteret and
entering and exiting the Turnpike. She said the Turnpike listened and
agreed with the Council because in all their proposals they are
addressing the problem. She said traffic is one of the concerns all the
residents have. She said they are anxious to see a drawing of what is
going to happen. She said that would not be possible because this
would be decided by other powers that be.
Bob Grimm said he wanted to caution that despite the fact that they
shared four conceptual alternatives, nothing has been decided. He said
this was just a starting point for the consultant they are in the process
of hiring. He said everything is subject to change and this could
change as a result of engineer and traffic studies. He said this is
clearly a starting point and shows the Turnpike Authority understands
Carteret's problems as well as theirs and is looking for a solution to
everyone's problems.
Mayor Failace said everyone was very excited about this and said the
sooner the better.
Bob Grimm passed out a news release that was sent out by the
Turnpike Authority this morning that simply announced where they
were, where they were going and reiterated what he had said tonight.
Councilmember Santoro said the County held a "My County" poster
;ERTIFICATES
)F MERIT: contest and made up a calendar of forth grade students' posters. She
IY COUNTY said the contest was held to promote awareness of County government
'OSTER CONTEST and its functions. She said two students from Carteret won and she
presented Certificates of Merit to Jasmir Jaswall for an honorable
mention and to first place winner Crystal Krimpuri.
DECEMBER 6, 2001.
The Clerk stated that Ordinance #01-49 was introduced and adopted ORDINANCE #01-49
on First Reading and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise CAPITAL IMPROVEMENt}
APPROPRIATING
same for Public Hearing to be hcld on December 20, 2001, upon $250,000.00 RE:
MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman. Upon individual roll VARIOUS SEWER
call vote, Councilmembers Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted IMPROVEMENTS
in the affirmative. Councilmembers Fazekas and Quinones were noted
absent.
ORDiNANCE #01-49
"AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS SEWER
IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE BOROUGH OF CARTEKET,
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING
$250,000.00 FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND
RESERVE FOR SEWER IMPROVEMENTS OF THE
BOROUGH FOR THE COST THERFORE"
The Clerk stated that Ordinance #01-50 was introduced and adopted ORDINANCE #01-50
on First Reading and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise AMENDING AND
same for Public Hearing to be held on December 20, 2001, upon SUPPLEMENTING CODE,
MMS&C, by Councilmembers Pros and Sohayda. Upon individual SECTION 160-26,
ENTITLED "EXPIRATION
roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda OF VARIAMCES"
voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers Fazekas and Quinones were
noted absent.
ORDINANCE #01-50
"AN O1LD1NANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT SECTION
160-26, ENTITLED 'EXPIRATION OF VARIANCES' OF
CHAPTER 160 (LAND DEVELOPMENT) OF THE
CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET"
The Clerk stated that Ordinance #01-51 was introduced and adopted ORDINANCE tirO1-51
on First Reading and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise AMENDING AND
same for Public Hearing to be held on December 20, 2001, upon SOPPLEMEIqTING CODE,
MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman, Rios. Upon individual roll CHAPTER,,cODE OF20'ETHICs"ENTITLED
call vote, Councilmembers Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted
in the affirmative. Councilmembers Fazekas, Quinones were noted
absent.
ORDINANCE #01-51
"ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 20,
ENTITLED, 'CODE OF ETHICS' OF THE CODE OF THE
BOROUGH OF CARTERET"
gCENBER 6, 2001
RDINANCE #01-52 The Clerk stated that Ordinance #01-52 was introduced and adopted
LITHORIZING on First Reading and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise
RIVATE SALE same for Public Heating to be held on December 20, 2001, upon
F PROPERTY- MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios. Upon individual roll
LOCK 272, LOT 12 vote, Councilmembers Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in
the affirmative. Councilmembers Fazekas and Quinones were noted
absent.
ORDiNANCE #01-52
"AN ORDiNANCE AUTHORIZiNG THE PRIVATE SALE OF
BLOCK 272, LOT 12 ON THE TAX MAP OF THE BOROUGH OF
CARTERET PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:12-21(k)"
3MMENTS Councilmember Reiman said this is the sale of a building on Roosevelt
Avenue in an attempt to bring Head Start back into Carteret.
Mayor Failace said he is excited about moving forward with this.
RDINANCE {01-48 The Clerk stated Ordinance #01-48 was introduced and passed upon
MENDING AND First Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held on
LIPPLENENTING November 20, 2001. It was duly published in the Home News Tribune
ttAPTER 55 OF on November 27, 2001 with notice that it will be considered for final
HE CODE, RE: passage after Public Hearing to be held on December 6, 2001 at
3NE DEVELOPMENT
9RPORATION approximately 7:30 P.M. the Ordinance was posted on the bulletin
board and copies were made available to the general public according
to law, she read the Ordinance by title.
UBLIC HEARING Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous
affirmative vote of the four (4) members present, the Mayor declared
the Public Hearing to be open:
EARING CLOSED There being no comments or objections to the Ordinance, the Mayor
declared the Public Hearing to be closed, upon MMS&C, by
Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of
the four (4) members present.
DECEMBER 6, 2001
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sohayda ORDINANCE t~01-48
AMENDING S~
CHAPTER 55 OF THE
ORDINANCE #01-48 CODE, RE: ZONE
DEVELOPMENT
"AN ORDiNANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER CORPORATION
55, ENTITLED 'ZONE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION', OF
THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET"
was finally adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers ADOPTED
Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative.
Councilmembers Fazekas and Quinones were noted absent.
Approved and Adopted: December 6, 2001 'teTRANSCRIBER' S NOTES:
Introduced: November 20, 2001 AS OF DECEMBER 19,
Advertised as Adopted on First Reading 2001 ,THIS ORDINANCE
[lAS NOT BEEN SIGNED
with notice of Public Hearing: __ November 27, 2001 BY THE MAYOR
Hearing held: December 6, 2001
Approved by:
Advertised as Finally Adopted:
A copy of each Resolution was placed on the table for public review MEETING OPENED
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 four (4) members present, the meeting was
opened for public input on all Resolutions.
Unidentified man said he wanted to speak on Resolution #01-365, the COMMENTS
Carteret Housing Rehabilitation Program. He asked that the Mayor
and Council continue the program and felt it worthwhile to the people
of Carteret. He said the taxpayers that have been here a long time and
qualify for some type of improvement are entitled to it. He said about
a hundred homes were bettered by this and felt they were improving
their homes as far as value. He said he felt the program benefited the
town and the individual taxpayer and hoped the Mayor and Council
continued the program with the company that is involved in it. He said
the company that has been involved in the program has done a good
job and felt they should be retained to finish this program. He said he
could not see any reason why the program should be discontinued
since he felt it was proven that it was a worthwhile program.
Mayor Failace said they are continuing the program with the company
who was administering the program.
ECEMBER 6, 2001
EETING CLOSED There being no further comments or objections to the Resolutions, the
Mayor declared the Public Heating to be closed upon MMS&C, by
Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of
the four (4) members present.
ESOLUTION #01-359 RESOLUTION #01-359 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to
IRECTING THE the Council for action.
SSUANCE OF
ARIOUS BINGO
ICENSES Upon MMS&C, by the Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda
RESOLUTION #01-359
"DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE OF VARIOUS BiNGO LICENSES"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman,
DOPTED
Rios, Santoro, Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers
Fazckas and Quinoncs wcrc noted absent.
ESOLOTION #01-360 RESOLUTION #01-360 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to
IRECTING THE the Council for action.
SSUANCE OF
ARIOUS RAFFLE
ICENSES Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman
RES OLUTION #01-360
"DIRECTiNG THE ISSUANCE OF VARIOUS
RAFFLE LICENSES"
DOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman,
Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers
Fazekas and Quinones were noted absent.
DECEMBER 6, 2001
RESOLUTION #01-361 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION #01-361
REFUND OF TAX AND/OR
the Council for action. SEV/ER USER FEES
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman
RESOLUTION #01-361
"REFUND OF TAX AND/OR SEWER USER FEES"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman, ADOPTED
Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers
Fazekas and Quinones were noted absent.
RESOLUTION #01-362 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION {01-362
PROVIDING FOR THE
the Council for action. TRANSFER OF SURPLUS
FUNDS
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman
RESOLUTION #01-362
"PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF SURPLUS FUNDS"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman, ADOPTED
Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers
Fazekas and Quinones were noted absent.
RESOLUTION #01-363 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION t01-363
the Council for action. CREATING HANDICAPPED
PARKING SPACE FOR
COLUMBUS SCHOOL
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Rios
RESOLUTION #01-363
"CREATING HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE FOR
COLUMBUS SCHOOL"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman, ADOPTED
Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers
Fazekas and Quinones were noted absent.
9
ECEMBER 6, 2001
ESOLUTIOM #01-364 RESOLUTION #01-364 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to
ANCELLATION OF the Council for action.
UTSTATING CHECKS
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmcmbcrs Rciman and Rios
RESOLUTION #01-364
"CANCELLATION OF OUTSTANDING CHECKS"
DOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman,
Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers
Fazekas and Quinones were noted absent.
ESOLOTION ~01-365 RESOLUTION #01-365 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to
OTHORING AGREEMENT the Council for action.
ITH HOUSING
ERYICES, INC. TO
ERFORM CERTAIN Upon individual MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda
UTIES IN CO~Rq~J£1C{q
ITH THE BOROUGH ' S
CATTERED SITE
OUSING RI~IABH.]TATI(3~I RESOLUTION #01-365
"RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT WITH HOUSING
SERVICES, INC. TO PERFORM CERTAIN DUTIES IN
CONNECTION WITH THE BOROUGH'S SCATTERED SITE
HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM"
.DOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman,
Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers
Fazekas and Quinones were noted absent.
:OMMENTS Councilmember Reiman said the Council has discussed this over the
last few months. He said they thought they could find a firm that
would do the work at a lower price. He said he worked with John
Riggio, Director of Community Development and they contacted a
dozen companies that do this type of work and have similar experience
and expertise. He said no firm could match or beat the eighteen-
percent rate. He said some companies matched it but he felt there was
no sense bringing in an outside firm to replace them if they did not
give any additional savings. He said the reason this was delayed a
month was the Council wanted to see if they could save additional
money. He said it tums out they can't and this ninety thousand dollars
would help with the restoration of an additional twenty-five homes in
Carteret.
Mayor Failace said he was glad and felt the Council had the right to
see if they could save money and they would be moving forward.
10
DECEMBER 6, 2001
RESOLUTION #01-366 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION /:01-366
the Council for action. APPROVING CHANGE
ORDER ~2-STAR OF
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sohayda SEA CONCRETE CORP o
RE: SUSPECT AREAS
SE}IER SEPARATION &
INPROVENENTS
RESOLUTION #01-366
"APPROVING CHANGE ORDER #2 SUSPECT AREAS SEWER
SEPARATION AND IMPROVEMENTS CONTRACT"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman, ADOPTED
Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers
Fazekas and Quinones were noted absent.
RESOLUTION #01-367 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION /:01-367
the Council for action. APPROVING CHANGE
ORDER #l-TAR HEELS
ENTERPRISES, INC.
RE: MILIK STREET
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios RESURFACING
RESOLUTION #01-367
"APPROVING CHANGE ORDER #1 TARHEEL ENTERPRISES,
1NC./MILIK STREET RESURFACING PROJECT"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman, ADOPTED
Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers
Fazekas and Quinones were noted absent.
RESOLUTION #01-368 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION {01-368
the Council for action. ADOPTING CARTERET ' S
SEXUAL AND OTHER
HARRASSMENT POLICY
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Santoro
RESOLUTION #01-368
"ADOPTING CARTERET SEXUAL AND
OTHER HARASSMENT POLICY"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman, ADOPTED
Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers
Fazekas and Quinones were noted absent.
11
ECEMBER 6, 2001
OMMENTS Councilmember Reiman said Carteret had lacked a harassment policy
and the insurance company required this to put the Borough up to
speed. He said they needed to do this before they could search for
competitive insurance contracts.
Mayor Failace asked if the Council had to do this by Ordinance.
Borough Attorney Bergen said they could if they wanted to but he felt
the easiest way was to do a Resolution because he wanted to get it on
the books.
ESOLUTION #01-369 RESOLUTION #01-369 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to
PPOINTING the Mayor for action.
ONN ASHBY-LABORER
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Rios
RESOLUTION #01-369
"APPOINTING JOHN ASHBY LABORER IN THE
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT"
DOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Reiman,
Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative. Councilmembers
Fazekas and Quinones were noted absent.
PPLICATIONS: The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of an application from
OLUNTEER FIRE Volunteer Fire Co. #2 approving a new member, Kamila
O. #2-APPROVAL Januszkiewicz. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman
F NEVI NENBER and unanimous affirmative vote of the four (4) members present it was
AMILA JANUS,~TFI/iCZ
ordered to be received and placed on file.
.BC LICENSE The Clerk stated she was in receipt of a Place-to-Place ABC License
'LACE-TO- Transfer from Round the Clock Plaza Foods, Inc. Upon MMS&C, by
'LACE TRANSFER Councilmembers Sohayda and Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of
.OUND THE CLOCK the four (4) Councilmembers present it was accepted to be turned over
'LAZA FOODS, INC. to the Police Department for further consideration.
,OMNUNICATIONS: The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a Communication from
IDDLESEX COUNTY Middlesex County Planning Board-Notice of Public Heating,
'LANNING BOARD December I 1, 2001, Re: Amendments to the Lower Raritan-Middlesex
County Water Quality Management Plan Revision and Amendment
Procedures.
12
DECEMBER 6, 2001
The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a Communication from the COMMUNICATION:
Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders-Public Hearings, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
12/19/01-Piscataway and 1/17/02-New Brunswick, NJ-Re: Green BOARD OF CHOSEN
FREEHOLDERS
Acres Parkland Diversion.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Rios and Reiman and unanimous
affirmative vote of the four (4) members present, all Communications
were ordered to be received and placed on file.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios all bills PAYMENT OF BILLS
appearing on the prepared list properly audited and signed were
ordered to be paid. Upon individual roll call vote Councilmembers
Reiman, Rios, Santoro and Sohayda voted in the affirmative.
Councilmembers Fazekas and Quinones were noted absent.
The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of the following reports: REPORTS DEPARTMENT
1. Clerk's Report-November 2001
2. Social Services-September & October 2001
3. Treasurer-Bond Anticipation Note Report
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and unanimous
affirmative vote of the four (4) members present, all reports were
ordered to be received and placed on file.
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Councilmember Santoro, in the absence STANDING COMMITTEES
of Committee Chairperson Quinones said there has not been a meeting
this year. She said she imagined there was progress.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: Committee Chairperson Reiman
said as everyone heard from Bob Grimm from the Turnpike Authority
and from the meetings with the Council, this was not a problem
created overnight and would not be solved overnight. He said this
Council did not initiate the talks with the Turnpike it was initiated in
years past with Mayor Sica and prior Councilmembers like Mayor
Failace. He said this has been a problem for many years and hopefully
there was an end in sight. He said they would be continuing to work
with the Turnpike Authority to continue to develop plans. He said
13
ECEMBER 6, 2001
TANDING COMMITTEES whether or not any of this Council was still in office when this is
completed they would see but they are working together to complete
this process. He said the Council has rejected the bid on the
Waterfront pier which was Phase I and came in over a million dollars
more than they have available. He said he recently had a meeting with
the Freeholders to see if the town is eligible for a grant. He said he has
a meeting set up for next week with the Army Core of Engineers and
there is a possibility there may also be a grant there. He said they are
trying to get the funds in place to move the project along. He said as
he has mentioned for the last few weeks, in the aftermath of September
11th, insurance rates and renewal policies have come in at a significant
increase. He said the Borough is anticipating a six to eight hundred
thousand dollar increase in insurance rates, which would be the
equivalent of eight to nine tax points. He said the Council has to be
mindful of this and see where they could potentially save money, in all
departments while putting together next year's budget. He said he
spoke to the Council at the Agenda Meeting about an appraiser. He
said they are unable to meet this week but he would like to meet with
him and any Councilmembers who would like to discuss having some
of the Borough lots appraised for a potential auction.
FIRE: Committee Chairperson Rios said repairs to the Fire
Headquarters have started, the company is rechalking the cracks and
expansion joints on the building and the bricks will be repaired. He
said last week twelve Firefighters attended a Firefighter Safety
Seminar at the New Jersey City University. He said two Firefighters
completed their EMT recertification. He said Firefighters have been
conducting preplarmed tours of the former Ball Glass Facility in West
Carteret to familiarize themselves with the building in the event of an
emergency. He thanked the Parks Department for removing the vines
that were growing on the side of the Community Center. He said they
had several companies look at it but declined to do the work. He said
it was an eyesore and the Parks Department removed the vines. He
reported progress.
PARKS & RECREATION: Councilmember Rios, in the absence of
Committee Chairperson Fazekas said the Christmas Tree Lighting at
Carteret Park would be held on Sunday December 9th at 6:00 P.M. He
said there would be live music, refreshments, presents for the children
and if Santa arrives, pictures will be taken. He said the House
Lighting Contest is December 17 & 18th, entries are at the Borough
Hall and must be submitted by December 14th. He said Seniors will be
bused to all the homes entered and they will judge the winners. He
said sometimes people are not happy if they are not winners but felt
the process was a fair one. He said the Seniors would be served at St.
Demetrius Men's Club after the judging. He said the work on Shore
Crest Park's playground is ongoing and on schedule. He said a
drainage system followed by the wood chips would complete by the
middle of next week. He apologized for the temporary inconvenience
this might have caused and felt the park will be nice when completed.
He reported continued progress.
14
DECEMBER 6, 200!
POLICE: Committee Chairperson Santoro said she mentioned at the STANDING COMMIIIEES
last meeting there was going to be a Police Test April 11, 2002. She
said she would be bringing applications to the meetings to encourage
residents to take the test. She said the deadline is February 15, 2002
and she had applications at this meeting and at the Police Station. She
said she has talked about the two Carteret Police Officers who were
killed in the line of duty years ago and how they were trying to get
them a plaque and the Policemen's Memorial Park they are planning
for the Spring. She said she was notified by the PBA that the plaque
was in and they would try to schedule a ceremony December 20th
before the next Council Meeting. She said she would be getting the
word out and advertising in the newspaper if that would be taking
place. She said she had the pleasure of attending a meeting in
Belleville with the paid Fire Department in support of the Belleville
Firefighters. She said the Mayor and Council in Belleville had looked
into a possible layoff of fifteen Firemen and possibly privatizing the
EMS service that was presently done in house. She said that was
something that was close to Carteret because they are looking at just
the reverse since they received notice from their private service that
they might have to go in house. She said she spoke in support of the
men saying this is a public safety issue not an issue about money. She
said after September 11th she did not know how any town would try to
cut manpower and felt it was something everyone should take into
consideration down the road. She reported progress.
PUBLIC WORKS: Committee Chairperson Sohayda said there have
been more leaf pickups due to the lack of rain and the Spring like
weather people are raking and bagging more leaves than ever. He said
Streets and Roads has been going through their normal routine, and
felt there was nothing out of the ordinary there. He said the Sewer
Department has been cleaning out the Old Sewer location by the
Recycling Plant to get ready for the some demolition work. He said
they had two employees that were hospitalized and asked for everyone
to keep John Hadyniak and Tommy Ginda in their minds. He said
these men have been Borough workers for some time and felt they are
two great people. He said they have an unusual amount of vehicle
repairs at the Garage and felt this might be partly because they had one
mechanic in the hospital. He said the sweeper has been down for two
weeks and said if anyone's street is not swept it is because the sweeper
just got back and running today. He said on December 16th there
would be a Toy Run with a parade of motorcycles that would be going
through Carteret. He asked Bert Irizarry to tell him what time and
where the refreshments would be.
Bert Irizarry said December 16th at twelve P.M. and would start at
Midstate Federal Credit Union across from the Firehouse. He said it
would start on Roosevelt Avenue, go up Washington Avenue to
Pershing Avenue, down to Bergen Street from Edwin back to
Roosevelt Avenue at the Firehouse where refreshments will be served
and toys will be given to all the children in attendance. He said
everyone is welcome to bring his or her children and family members.
He said Santa would be there to give out toys to all the children from
3:00 to 5:00 P.M.
15
ECENBER 6, 2001
OMMENTS Councilmember Sohayda said he believed Mr. Irizarry's group would
be going to the hospital the day before to give out toys to the children
in the hospital.
Bert Irizarry said they would be visiting Raritan Bay Medical Center
on the fifteenth to distribute toys to the children.
Councilmember Sohayda asked if Mr. Lugo was involved with the
hospital deliveries and thanked both Mr. Lugo and Mr. Irizarry. He
reported progress.
Mayor Failace said he had a number of calls last week and asked if
there was a problem with garbage pick up.
Councilmember Sohayda said there was no problem other than that
they had a track down. He said he spoke to Mr. Dauman and he said
he did not say there was anything but some truck mechanical
problems.
BOARD OF EDUCATION: Councilmember Santoro, in the absence
;TANDING COMMITTEES
of Committee Chairperson Fazekas reported progress.
Councilmember Reiman commended Councilmembers Rios and
;OMMENTS Sohayda for their help in contacting Sprint and getting the thirty cell
phones that were given to the Crossing Guards. He said they would
have cost around three hundred dollars and Sprint also donated twenty-
four months of service for the phones at a monthly cost of thirty
dollars per phone. He said this was an approximate donation of
around thirty thousand dollars.
Mayor Failace said he felt Beverly Hedesh would have a hard time
with the judging of the House Lighting Contest since he has been
riding around town and there are a lot of gorgeous houses in town. He
asked if there were a lot of houses entered in the contest.
Beverly Hedesh said there are about ten houses that signed up and she
has sign up sheets for other homeowners who wanted to enter.
Mayor Failace said he wanted to thank the Council, Borough Engineer
Don Norbut and former Councilmembers from the last four or five
years and the citizens who have written letters or voiced their concerns
to the Turnpike on Carteret's behalf. He said he felt that kind of effort
is what helped the town get this project taken care of. He said the
Council has told a number of citizens they have been talking to the
Turnpike and was happy the citizens heard it tonight from the
Turnpike Authority's representative that they do have a commitment
from them to take care of the problem at the Interchange. He said he
16
DECEMBER 6, 2001
hoped that would eliminate the traffic problems in Carteret ~r many COMMENTS
yearstocome.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sohayda and PUBLIC DISCUSSION
unanimous affirmative vote of the four (4) members present, the
meeting was opened to the public for discussion.
Ed Zamarich said the face of Soldier's and Sailor's Monument was COMMENTS
black and asked that the Council get a company to replace the
blackness from the monument because he felt it was very distracting.
Councilmember Rios said he spoke to Mr. Kately a month ago about
cleaning the monument and they were working on getting it cleaned
up.
Councilmember Reiman said he also spoke to Mr. Kately and they
want to have the monument sand blasted along with the Municipal
Annex. He said they would like to have this done as soon as possible.
Robert Hedesh said he was glad everyone was happy about the
Turnpike but despite the Council's efforts he felt (inaudible) the only
reason they would be doing this was that Tremley Point would be tied
in. He said he asked the Turnpike representative why it took five
years. He said there is a plan to take traffic offthe bridge. He said the
plan was to build a bridge from Omar Avenue straight across the
tracks, up the tracks, around the Holiday Inn and up the wide area that
goes as if you were going up the Turnpike. He said that was supposed
to be tied in, he has seen the plans. He said the Deputy Chief Engineer
trampled the plan and he believed there was another set of plans. He
said the proposal was for the Shopping Center and the plan was to take
the traffic off the bridge and Industrial Road, which was done in
conjunction with the Turnpike. He said there was at least two sets of
plans maybe three. He said the Turnpike is not fixing the Carteret
Interchange and felt the only way to get them to fix the Interchange is
it would cost them dollars because the Turnpike monitors their money
every day. He asked if any one knew how much money the Turnpike
makes a year on the Carteret Interchange and said they make a gross
income of 8.5 million dollars. He said Interchange 12 was one of the
top five net Interchanges on the Turnpike. He said there are five
people and no maintenance (inaudible). He said under the Interstate
Highway Act there has to be more property than that. He said they
would never be able to deal with a back up between the two
Interchanges, 12 & 13 that was what Tremley Point was projecting.
He said the only way they could get the trucks that are going to New
York would be to come through Carteret or Elizabeth.
Councilmember Sohayda asked what trucks would be coming in from
New York.
17
ECEMBER 6, 2001
UBLIC DISCUSSION Robert Hedesh said the Garbage Transfer Station. He said they would
be bringing the garbage in by barge and they have to put it on to
something. He said everyone knows one of the most powerful people
in the State was Ray Lesniak. He said he felt if Ray Lesniak doesn't
want the trucks on the streets in Union County they would not be on
the streets of Union County, they are going to be on the streets of
Carteret. He said that meant Carteret would be taking all the trucks
even if it was a bypass route, they would still be coming into Carteret.
He said there would still be taxes on the road, Police and Fire
Protection that would have to be provided and it was not going to be
done by Turnpike workers. He said the road would be similar to
Industrial Road and felt the Turnpike would start at the Turnpike.
Mayor Failace said he agrees with that and Tremley Point is a dirty
word in Carteret and realizes that that is a problem.
Robert Hedesh said he has proposed for years that the town purchases
a temporary scale. He said Carteret was one of the few towns in the
area that has the great advantage, they have a scale that is certified and
could be used. He said (inaudible) traffic bureau get a temporary scale
and stop every truck going on or off the Turnpike and they would back
the Turnpike to Exit 16. He said when the trucks are overweight on
the temporary scale they could be weighed and felt the Municipal
Court would make more money than they could spend. He said he felt
that would not happen and the trucks would not go into Carteret. He
said if the tracks don't come to Carteret they partially solve the traffic
problem or the Turnpike will realize they will lose substantial revenue
by the trucks getting off at Interchange 13 when they are traveling
south making traffic in Elizabeth and Woodbridge. He said the second
most powerful politician in New Jersey would be the Governor who he
felt would not want the trucks in Woodbridge. He said if Carteret had
a Traffic Bureau they would not be able to count the money the
Municipal Court would make stopping the trucks. He said the
Turnpike would realize the loss of revenue and then start paying
attention to Carteret. He said this was his solution and felt they should
do this now and not wait five years.
Councilmember Santoro said Mr. Hedesh was involved with the
Council, the Mayor and was involved in the discussions with the
Turnpike. She said basically Mr. Hedesh had these ideas for years and
felt the sad thing was they have all talked about doing this and nothing
had changed in the twenty-three years she has been in Carteret. She
said there are still the same problems, which she felt could have been
taken care of years ago and no one has moved forward with that. She
said she felt the Turnpike is committed and felt Mr. Hedesh heard the
man yesterday say they would be spending over a hundred million
dollars.
Robert Hedesh said the Turnpike could not be committed at this point.
He said in sixty days the Turnpike would have a completely different
administration and anyone who says it is a priority now has no ability
to say that. He said there would be a new Executive Director and
Chief Engineer and all of the people in upper Administration will be
gone when we have a new Administration they will be the people
setting the new policies. He said anyone who said they are committed
he hoped that they are...
18
DECEMBER 6~ 200~
Councilmember Santoro said if they are moving this far to commit to PUBLIC DISCUSSION
the Council the Council is still going to be here in sixty days. She
asked Mr. Hedesh if they had ever come into town to commit before.
She said he had to take what they are offering at this point. She said
hopefully they would be moving forward with that and what
Councilmember Rios said months ago that the police should be
ticketing tracks. She said if it does get to that and moving forward
with the scale she felt that would be great. She said while they were
still offering their money to fix Carteret's Interchange she would take
it.
Robert Hedesh said if you (inaudible) out it would not take five years.
He said if you do nothing.., putting the scale and cutting the revenues
will only make them stand up and take notice. He said he felt the
newspaper reporter would be here every day that the trucks are backed
up. He said it would be on television and the Turnpike doesn't like
losing money or bad publicity.
Tom Lang said the first thing he would like to see the Turnpike do is
have five lanes of traffic going out of Carteret and two lanes coming
in, which would be the reverse of what you have now. He said there is
one EZ Pass Lane and one manned lane going out of Carteret and he
wanted it the other way and felt in the evening hours they could
reverse it. He said he felt the Tumpike has something up their sleeve
when they make a commitment like that primarily because Interchange
12A would not work for them. He said traffic would come into
Carteret and felt they might as well make McDonald's a track stop.
He said the stop sign he had been talking about for two years that got
put up before Thanksgiving was hit again the day after Thanksgiving.
He said he did not want to see this happen again but that stop sign was
what made him come to Council Meetings. He said he does not want
to see any more truck traffic come into Carteret than we already have
since we could not handle anymore trucks. He asked if there was
anymore discussion on using the Police for traffic on Roosevelt
Avenue in regard to the Turnpike and overtime.
Councilmember Santoro said they spoke to the Police about that and
there could be a possibility to pay for the Police to work during the
rush hours.
Tom Lang asked who decided that.
Councilmember Santoro said the Police decide that.
Tom Lang asked when we decide that.
Councilmember Santoro said they decided years ago that there was a
problem and if it were up to the Council they would hire someone who
could charge the tracks, she would do it.
Tom Lang asked why there couldn't be a Police car fight there
stopping the tracks coming from West Carteret making a right hand
mm on Wedgewood Dr. going into the McDonald's parking lot to
make a U-turn to get back onto the Turnpike. He said he agreed that
would be a low priority since the Police have other calls but he felt the
amount of money that could be generated by keeping the trucks out of
19
ECEMBER 6, 2001
UBLIC DISCUSSION the parking lot was a lot. He said they need a larger sign that read "No
Tracks" and had a fine posted on it.
Councilmember Santoro said this was the first time Mr. Lang sat on a
board and some people say they are taking a long time to do something
and he should see first hand that things don't always move as fast as
everyone would like it to. She said they are in full agreement and the
Council will do what ever they have to do to make this happen and that
is all they could commit to.
Tom Lang said he just gets frustrated when he sees the same things
happening all over again and getting knocked down and they are here
all over again.
Mayor Failace said he agreed and he saw Officers there two days this
week since he takes the Turnpike every morning also.
Vincent Basilici, representing the VFW, said he (inaudible) sent a
letter to Kathleen about trying to get a trailer in the parking lot. He
said they need permission from the Council for a 20 X 30 foot trailer
because he has eight wheelchairs and other medical items the hospital
did not want and he felt it looked like they were running a hospital.
Councilmember Reiman said the letter went to the Construction
Official and he did not know if they could put a trailer there,
permanent trailer or temporary trailer. He said Mr. Neibert had some
concerns and would be coming out to the VFW shortly. Approval is
needed from either the Zoning or Planning Board, and someone would
be getting back to Mr. Basilici.
Linda Alvarado said she was a Crossing Guard and thanked the Mayor
and Council for the phones. She said there is a serious problem,
Nathan Hale School was opened in September and there are no signs
there to indicate that that is a school area. She said she thought the
signs that were there are still the same signs that were there since the
school was built. She said she felt Roosevelt Avenue was like "Indy
500" and no one was doing 25 miles an hour as the signs indicate. She
said people are going in and out of St. Demetrius and the Salad
Factory since there is no parking on Roosevelt Avenue in that area.
She said the children are ignored because people are rushing to get
their coffee and she has to watch the children on her right and on her
left so that a car would not hit them. She said no one comes around to
see what is going on or if everything was okay or to check with the
Crossing Guards if there were any problems. She said you rarely see a
Police Officer on certain comers, maybe in Chrome since there were
more trucks turning. She said she did three years in Chrome on
Roosevelt and Middlesex and she felt the tracks might mn over the
tiny children. She said she did not know why they couldn't continue
the road behind the residential area to eliminate the problem on
Roosevelt where the children were. She said with the mass of trucks
coming through Chrome she felt they were just waiting for something
to happen. She said she felt Carteret has little consideration for
Crossing Guards and they expect the Crossing Guards to give a
hundred percent while they are crossing the children. She said she felt
they need the Police to patrol and they need to understand the children
come first and are a priority. She said in Woodbridge there are signs
everywhere as well as painted on the streets and Carteret has nothing.
20
DECEHBER 6, 2001
Mayor Failace said the children are a priority and he was not aware PUBLIC DISCUSSION
there were no signs by the schools and wished she would have come to
the Council sooner so they could make sure the signs are there. He
said in reference to Industrial Road and the traffic, the Council has
worked very hard with Woodbridge and right now that was the only
way Carteret could do this to extend Industrial Road. He said the
Council wants to do that but it is not as simple as Ms. Alvarado thinks
it is and they do care about the children.
Ms. Alvarado said unless you are there and you see those tiny little
children and the tractor-trailers trying to make a right turn on
Middlesex Avenue you would be thinking, "Would the truck make it
or would it turn over." She said now there are tractor-trailers coming
passed Nathan Hale School on Roosevelt Avenue looking for
Middlesex Avenue and asked why when you leave the Turnpike there
was no sign saying that Industrial Road leads to Middlesex Avenue.
Mayor Failace said he understood that happens and sometimes trucks
get lost and are not supposed to go on Roosevelt Avenue. He said that
was the intent of having Middlesex Avenue and he has had some
complaints about that and has talked to trucking companies about this.
Councilmember Sohayda asked John Riley of the Road Department if
the town has signs telling what roads lead to Middlesex Avenue and if
they had any stencils to make signs.
John Riley said he would call the County tomorrow since it was a
County Road.
Councilmember Sohayda asked Mr. Riley if the Road Department
would take care of the lining of Roosevelt Avenue.
John Riley said if Councilmember Sohayda wanted something like
"School Crossing Ahead" or "Slow Down School Zone" he had signs
that said "25 Miles an Hour" or "School up Ahead".
Councilmember Sohayda said they would take care of that in the
Nathan Hale area and asked if the Crossing Guard had any problem
with traffic behind Nathan Hale.
Chris Salvaggio, Crossing Guard said traffic does try to come down
the road. She said today before she could open the road for the truck
to come down he decided to make a turn and went on to the school
property.
Councilmember Santoro said the Crossing Guards fall under the Police
Department and Captain Hojecki was in charge of the Crossing Guards
and when it was brought to the Council's attention they put additional
Guards on because of the concerns in Lower Roosevelt Avenue, which
they worked through. She said her concern now was to have a meeting
so that the Crossing Guards could tell the Council what their problems
were. She said she would call Captain Hojeeki and she would be at
the meeting to listen to what their concerns were and they would come
back to the Council for the Agenda and they would be working
through it. She said for anyone to say the Council is not concerned for
the children of the town or the Crossing Guards' jobs and the safety of
21
~CEHBER 6~ 200~
UBLIC DISCUSSION everyone is incorrect. She said even tonight with the cell phones and
the work Councilmember Rios did to get this program for the Crossing
Guards, she felt it was a great program because it gave the Crossing
Guards contact and the Council realizes they are out on the street
comer by themselves. She said if something happens to one of the
Crossing Guards or any of the children they would have no means to
be able to contact anyone. She said the Council does hear it and she
will reach out to Captain Hojecki tomorrow to set up a meeting with
all the Crossing Guards because evidentially they all have concerns.
Georgia Brown said the biggest problem is that the Police come by and
give out tickets, then some one complains and the Police are not
around anymore and are not allowed to ticket anymore.
Councilmember Santoro reiterated that they would be having a
meeting and they would be going over the issues, which is the only
thing she could do at this point.
Linda Alvarado said this is the job they chose but she wants to see
some improvement and the signs should be posted as in Woodbridge.
Councilmember Sohayda asked Ms. Alvarado and Ms. Barton if they
knew any streets that had to be singled out.
Georgia Barron said someone needs to change the "One Way" sign on
High Street because people are going over the cones and going right
down High Street to Pulaski Avenue where the children stand waiting
to go in and out of Columbus School.
Councilmember Santoro said they would do a list of the streets and
concerns when they meet which she felt was the only way they could
address the issues.
Bob Melnick, 64 Edgar Street, said he went to the Library last week to
get a report from the Star-Ledger newspaper which was in the previous
Saturday's paper. He said when he asked if they had the newspaper he
was told no, they did not have it because the Borough did not pay the
bill.
Mayor Failace said that is tree with an explanation. He said someone
in the Library sent over in writing to pay this bill but did not send the
bill over and no one had a copy of the bill. He said he felt it was sad
that the Star-Ledger would do that to the Borough since they were
getting the paper for a very long time but it was taken care of and the
Star-Ledger will resume. He said if it does not resume shortly he
would put a paper in the Library every day himself.
Patrick Crilley said he missed the Turnpike presentation and had a
question. He said he welcomed the changes he read the Turnpike was
proposing in the newspaper. He said his question was whether there
were any temporary solutions offered. He said he understood this
would take a long time and felt there were solutions that could be done
on a temporary basis that were not as costly as the millions of dollars
that the Turnpike was proposing. He said one of his suggestions was a
reconfiguration of the light pattern at the Interchange which might
produce a better traffic flow than what is going on there daily. He said
he comes off the Turnpike in the evening and he sits in the traffic. He
22
DECEMBER 6, 2001
said he travels about seventeen miles to work each day and it takes PUBLIC DISCUSSION
him about fifteen minutes to get to the Turnpike entrance and it takes
him about twenty minutes to get home from there and felt it was a
disgrace. He said the light coming off the Turnpike is a fifteen or
twenty second light and felt an adjustment to the light would increase
the flow of traffic off the Turnpike. He said that would take a few
seconds off the East/West flow of traffic on Roosevelt Avenue as
opposed to the North/South traffic coming off the Turnpike. He said
he felt simple things like that from an engineering standpoint might
give a temporary solution to the problems there. He said the same
thing with the traffic coming from West Carteret going on to the
Turnpike has a similar situation and felt there could be simple
adjustments to that which might improve the flow of traffic at certain
times of the day. He said it may have to be changed from the morning
to the evening but felt with computers it would not be difficult. He
said he felt widening the exchange coming off the Turnpike going to
West Carteret and making a little more space for the truck traffic going
toward West Carteret off the Turnpike. He said the traffic in the
evenings is so bottlenecked coming off the Tumpike that the tollbooth
is not the problem, he felt the traffic with EZ Pass can flow through
the Turnpike, he felt the problem was the light and the bottleneck at
the bend that causes the problem. He said if there was ten feet at the
curb where a lane of traffic could flow to West Carteret he felt that
would not impede traffic going to Carteret and allow it to flow more
freely. He said these would be temporary solutions that he felt could
be addressed with the Turnpike with little cost that he felt would give
little relief to the people coming and going to and from Carteret,
specifically coming in at very little cost.
Councilmember Reiman said the light issue can be addressed by the
Borough Engineer and the County Engineer regarding temporary
solutions to fix this and they had proposed something with Industrial
Road along the back end of the Turnpike property and (inaudible) they
said they are not going to spend a penny or a dime on a temporary fix.
Patrick Crilley said that was more than a penny or a dime, he was
talking about things that cost minuet, he said even extending the bend
a little would be fifty thousand, one hundred thousand or one hundred
fifty thousand dollars. He said it was not a lot of money and felt in the
process of five years the Borough could budget the money or even the
County. He said he knew it was Turnpike property and it was a
difficult solution but he felt something has to be done on a temporary
basis as Mr. Hedesh said the political change in New Jersey that is
coming and he agreed with Mr. Hedesh one thousand percent. He said
two months from now the Borough could get stuck for this, but did not
anticipate this happening but felt it could. He said he felt while this
was going on the Council should get the Turnpike to commit to a
temporary solution and he believed there are simple things that could
be done to fix this or at least a good portion of the problem.
Councilmember Santoro said they did talk about a lot of temporary
solutions and felt five years would not do the town any good for
tomorrow. She said the meetings last a few hours and the Council
keeps asking the same questions like what are they going to do for
Carteret now and as for waiting five years and settling for waiting five
years with their plan she said absolutely not.
23
ECEHBER 6, 2001
UBLIC DISCUSSION Patrick Crilley said he agreed with Councilmember Santoro but he
would take the five-year solution. He suggested the Council have Mr.
Norbut present a temporary solution and the budget and cost. He
made some suggestions on what Mr. Norbut might suggest to the
Turnpike Engineers. He said if the Borough gives them a solution and
he felt the Council should not go to the meeting and say we need a
solution, this would give them a solution.
Councilmember Santoro said Councilmember Reiman brought up a
solution and the Council had asked about lining the bridge to make
two lanes so the confusion is not there. She said she thought they
spoke about the different suggestions at the light and felt the Council
was trying to hit on every solution.
Patrick Crilley reiterated trying to find a solution and putting a
solution down on paper are two different things. He said he was not
talking about the solution, he was talking about a temporary solution to
alleviate the problem for the people coming off or on the Turnpike
every night or the fire trucks trying to go back and forth in town every
day. He said he felt the Council should pay Mr. Norbut five thousand
dollars to put this on paper if that is what has to be done.
Lou Mangieri said he wanted an immediate solution right now. He
said he could give the Council one immediate solution coming from
West Carteret over the bridge. He said he did not know who made the
bridge but he was retired after being a truck driver for thirty-three
years and he does not know why there was a curve in the bridge for the
trailers to swing around and felt it should be eliminated. He said when
the trailers curve they are eliminating a lane coming down the bridge
and he felt it could be done now. He said this could be done
immediately to get a good flow of traffic going over the bridge and he
felt it was one of the main things he had noticed for years. He said he
never saw a road that goes down and around.
Patrick Crilley said they built the bridge while the other bridge was
still up so they had to go around it until they knocked down the first
bridge.
Mayor Failace said he understood what Mr. Mangieri was talking
about.
Joe Adiet said he was discussing this with the Council and suggested
they stop the trucks coming in from Rahway on Roosevelt. He said
they could go on Blair and then onto Federal and asked why the
companies that are on Blair Road come down on Roosevelt Avenue
when he felt they should go the other way.
Mayor Failace said they are looking into that to see what they could
do.
Councilmember Rios said he suggested the idea a few months back
where a tractor coming from Rahway going to Carteret should go
around and make the right on Blair Road and come around to alleviate
some of the traffic and the same thing going into West Carteret. He
said going into West Carteret might be a little more difficult because
the traffic right now is horrendous on the bridge and backed up. He
said the Council directed the engineer to look into that and see what he
24
DECEMBER 6, 2001
could do as far as getting in line and getting cooperation with the PUBLIC DISCUSSION
County since it is a County road.
Joe Adiet said they would save telephone poles and light poles, which
are knocked down constantly by people making that turn.
Councilmember Rios said the Council understands and is in the
process of making some relief right now.
Saad Radwan said Resolution #01-369 appointing John Ashby-
Laborer. He said he has an application in for the Borough and he has
not been called in for an interview or told what qualifications are
required and now he sees the name and the person (inaudible) for the
School System. He asked what the qualifications were to work for the
Borough.
Councilmember Rios said the person has to be a resident, pass the drug
test.
Councilmember Sohayda said pass the drug test, pass the physical,
have a driver's license.
Saad Radwan asked what else they need.
Mayor Failace said for the laborer's position that was probably all that
was needed.
Saad Radwan said his application was already submitted and received.
Councilmember Reiman said his application was received with about
three hundred and fifty other applications.
Saad Radwan asked if they went by who applied first or who applied
last or did the Council go by something else like the people the
Council really liked.
Councilmember Reiman said they review the applications, review that
prior work history or experience but there was no set reason for an
interview and felt there couldn't be three hundred and fifty interviews
done to fill one position.
Saad Radwan asked if Mr. Ashby had an application in with the
Borough. He said he believed this was under the Freedom of
Information Act and everyone should be able to see it.
Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said he did not know if all the
information could be released on an application. He said there are
Social Security Numbers and information that should not be...
Mayor Failace interrupted and asked what about information as to
when the person submitted the application to the Borough.
Borough Attorney Bergen said if you generate a document that says it
may be a public document. He said he did not know if they did that to
keep track of it.
Mayor Failace said it was all part of one document.
25
ZCEMBER 6, 2001
UBLID DISCUSSION Councilmember Reiman asked if Borough Clerk Kathleen Barney
listed the applications as they came in.
Borough Clerk Kathleen Barney said they are stamp-dated.
Mayor Failace said they have the date on the applications and asked if
they were put in any order when they came in.
Saad Radwan said his question was answered and said on the Freedom
of Information Act if an application is submitted by the candidate for
the job, any person should be able to see it.
Borough Attorney Bergen said he did not know if that was the case
and said he would take a look at it since he could not tell Mr. Radwan
that off the top of his head if someone could come off the street and
see someone else's employment application.
Saad Radwan said he would like to see this application and asked if
the Council was denying him to see the application.
Mayor Failace said no one was denying him anything at this point and
thought what the Attorney was saying was that he needs to research
this a little to ensure whether an application is or is not public
information.
Saad Radwan said he would give them time and check with them later
to see if he has a right to see the last three applications. He asked
Borough Clerk Kathleen Barney if she has a list of applications.
Borough Clerk Kathleen Barney said she does not have a list, the
individual applications are stamped in.
Saad Radwan asked if the application is lost how would Ms. Barney
keep track of them. He said for example he sent the application to Ms.
Barney, it is stamped they make a copy where would the original be.
Borough Clerk Kathleen Barney said it is in a folder.
Mayor Failace asked Borough Clerk Kathleen Barney if a copy of the
stamped application is given to the applicant.
Borough Clerk Kathleen Barney said they also give a copy to the
department head in charge of the department the person applies to.
Mayor Failace clarified what Ms. Barney said and repeated it to Mr.
Radwan.
Saad Radwan said Borough Clerk Kathleen Barney has a copy of the
application and asked if he has a right to come in and check on that.
Borough Clerk Barney said it is up to the Borough Attorney.
Borough Attorney Bergen said as of tomorrow he is advising Ms.
Barney not to open up a list of everyone's applications for him to look
at. He said if there is a list of applications Mr. Radwan would like he
suggested he gives the written list to the Borough Clerk and he would
take a look at it. He said he would look at the Freedom of Information
26
DECEMBER 6, 2001
Act to see if Mr. Radwan was entitled to the information or whether PUBLIC DISCUSSION
there were certain privacy interests to the people submitting the
applications or if they are waived when applying for public jobs.
Councilmember Reiman said he has seen over three hundred
applications and asked if there was a point to this.
Saad Radwan said the question was when you submit an application to
the Borough and no one notifies you if they are going to have an
interview or not. He said he felt people who are (inaudible) from the
School System and then boom, they are hired for the Borough. He
said he felt as far as he knew there was no applications submitted and
it sounded to him that the Borough cooperated with the School System
that when someone is discharged from there, they are hired by the
Borough. He said there are minorities that are being left behind. He
said he felt they are being left behind and he is talking about
(inaudible) open opportunity for every minority in every district to
have a job like everyone else.
Councilmember Rios said any employer has the fight to hire the
people they have in applications it does not go on a first come first
serve basis for a job as Mr. Ashby got as laborer. He said as
Councilmember Reiman mentioned there are probably over three
hundred applications that come in. He said just because he may have
filled out an application in January of 1975 that does not give him the
ultimate right that he has to get hired before someone who just filed an
application in 2001.
Saad Radwan asked what guideline the Council chose this applicant
from. He said this person submitted an application two years ago and
someone else submitted an application last week and they hire him, he
asked what was wrong here. He said that was his question and wanted
to know what was wrong there. He said he wants to see the
information for himself to see if he was qualified or not. He said if he
was unqualified he would withdraw his application from Ms. Bamey's
office himself.
Councilmember Rios said for that matter the Council would have to
tell the other two hundred and ninety nine applicants that they did not
accept them because maybe they did not apply for certain positions.
He said maybe other people have applied for specific positions and
that was why they did not get that particular job they were looking for
as far as a laborer. He said the Attorney said when Mr. Radwan makes
his request he would review it and see if Mr. Radwan is allowed to see
those applications. Councilmember Rios said he does not know if that
would be possible since he is not an attorney: He said if he submitted
an application it ~vould have his Social Security number and he does
not want anyone to know his Social Security number.
Saad Radwan said he does not want anyone's Social Security number
they could cross it off if they want. He said they could cross off
everything about the applicant, just give the date the application was
submitted. He said it sounds to him that the minority of Carteret is
being (inaudible). He said he is not making accusations, it was just his
opinion. He said he wanted to make sure his opinion was correct
before he will seek legal matters against the Council or discriminate
against any individuals who discriminate against any minorities in
27
ZCEMBER 6, 2001
'UBLIC DISCUSSION Carteret and not just himself. He said as far as he was concerned if the
Council was going to hire some one and they are (inaudible) from the
School System and they are going to get hired from the Borough.
Councilmember Rios said he was a minority too, since he was of
Puerto Rican nationality and decent. He said his mother and father
were bom in Puerto Rico and he was proud to say he was Puerto Rican
and was considered a minority also. He said he along with the rest of
the Council would not allow any one to be discriminated against as far
as a job hiring, appointment to a Board or anything else. He asked Mr.
Radwan not to say the Council is discriminating against any one.
Saad Radwan said that is his opinion.
Councilmember Rios said that was his facts.
Saad Radwan said between his opinion and Councilmember Rios's
opinion it would be decided by the law and not by Mr. Radwan. Fie
said he asked for an answer and no one gave him an answer.
Councilmember Rios said the Borough Attorney will give Mr. Radwan
the answer.
Councilmember Santoro said she had a simple question for Borough
Attorney Bergen. She asked if Mr. Radwan wanted to see a date when
something was received if there was any law or requirement that he
could research about a hiring practice according to date and if that
would be a problem.
Borough Attorney Bergen said they are clearly not obligated to hire
any one according to the date of the applications. He said they could
purge the applications weekly if they want since the Borough Clerk
could spend a lot of time trying to get the applications and making sure
they are all in order. He said the Borough Clerk could call someone
who submitted an application three years ago to see if they are still
interested. He said he felt there was really no obligation in terms of
hiring someone for a new term hire, not a promotion under the law to
follow any procedure with regard to what time they got the
application.
Mayor Failace said he felt Mr. Radwan wanted to know what the
criteria was in hiring.
Saad Radwan said the Mayor was correct and it was not timely and
wanted to know what it was based on. He said Councilmember Rios
did not have to get so excited that was all he asked.
Councilmember Rios said he was getting excited when he said this
Council discriminates and that was Mr. Radwan's opinion.
Saad Radwan said he did not make accusions, the tape was there, he
said it sounded like that in his own personal opinion. He asked what
they go by if they are not going by that.
Councilmember Rios said they go by past work performance,
references and a variety of things. He said the Council would have to
feel they could handle that particular position and as far as
28
DECEMBER 6, 200!
discriminating against anyone, the Council will not discriminate PUBLIC DISCUSSION
against anyone.
Borough Attorney Bergen said any request for public information
should come in writing directly to the Borough Clerk and she would
relay it to him.
Mayor Failace repeated what Borough Attorney Bergen told Mr.
Radwan.
Patrick Crilley said he felt the Borough Attorney was incorrect in
saying the Council can purge the applications after a week or two. He
said he believed the law requires they be held for a year. He asked
what the Affirmative Action Hiring Policy was and if it was in place.
Councilmember Santoro said there has to be, the Borough has an
Affirmative Action Officer.
Patrick Crilley said not an Affirmative Action, an Affirmative Action
Hiring Policy.
Councilmember Santoro said they would have to look into that and get
back to Mr. Crilley.
Unidentified Woman asked the Council when they would be planting
the shade trees.
Robert Kately, Parks Department said hopefully in the Spring.
Mayor Failace said in the Spring.
There being no further business or discussion, upon MMS&C, by ADJOURIqED
Councilmembers Rios and Sohayda and unanimous affirmative vote of
the four (4) members present, the meeting was adjourned at
approximately 9:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
"K~THLEEN M. BARNEY,
Municipal Clerk
KMB/cp
29
3CEMBER 6, 2001
;OUNCIL MEETING
3O