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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1999/02/19 The Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Carteret was called to order by Mayor James A. Failace at approximately 7:30 PM., on Thursday, February 18, 1999 at the Municipal Court/Police Facility, 230 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey. Upon individual roll. call, the following were noted present: Councilmember Patrick Crilley " Jack Fazekas " Stanley Gutowski " James Mancuso " James O'Brien " Remy Quinones Also noted present was Borough Attorney Craig J. Coughlin. The meeting was opened with a minute of silent prayer and the pledge of allegiance led by Mayor James A. Failace The Clerk stated that on February II, 1999, in full compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, a notice of tonight's meeting was sent to The Home News Tribune, The Star Ledger and posted on the bulletin board. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote ofthe full Council present, the minutes of May 14, 28, June I, 1998 and January I, 1999 were approved as transcribed and engrossed by the Clerk. This was the night advertised to receive bids for the Annual Repair and Installation of Sewer System Components and Emergency Service and the Mayor called for all bids Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the Clerk was directed to open and read all bids received which were as follows: 1 !!lDDER l. LBD Construction, Inc. 18 Pelham St. Princeton, NJ 08540 10% B.B. BID PRICE $140,017.00 FEBRUARY 19, 1999 COUNCIL MEETING ROLL CALL PRAYER AND PLEIX:;E OF ALLEGIANCE STATEMENT OF MEETING NOTICE MINUTES FOR APPROVAL BIDS Yearly Maintenance Sewage FEBRUARY 19, 1999 BIDS Yearly Maintenance Se\Jage Can't. BIDDER 2. Marvec Construction Corp. PO. Box 216 251 y, Grove Avenue Verona, NJ 07044 10% B.B. BID PRICE $155,670.00 3. B&W Construction Co. of New Jersey, Inc. PO. Box 378 Matawan, NJ 07747 B.B. $210,724.00 Held for Study Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the bids were held for study. BIDS Bergn, HaY'"ard 1', Harrison Pump Station Improvements This was the night advertised to receive bids for Bergen, Hayward & Harrison Pump Station Improvements and the Mayor called for all bids. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Crilley and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the Clerk was directed to open and read aloud all bids received which were as follows: BIDDER I. P&H Construction 255 Margaret King Ave. Ringwood, NJ 07456 10% B.B. BID PRICE $198,500.00 2. J&P Electrical Mechanical Contractors, Inc. t/a A&P Electrical Contractors 338 Palisade Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07307 B.B. $198,530.00 3. Electric Power, Inc. 3122 Woodbridge Ave Edison, NJ 08817 B.B. $ 74,810.00 4. lA.P. Renovation, Inc. 172 Magnolia Ave. Kearny, NJ 07032 B.B. $185,000.00 Held for Study Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Crilley and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the bids were held for study. ORDINANCE 4,'99-4 Salary Ordinance Basketball Program ORDINANCE #99-4 was introduced and adopted on First Reading and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public Hearing to be held March 4, 1999, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. First Reading ORDINANCE #99-4 "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #71-9 ESTABLISHING SALARY SCHEDULES AND FIXING THE MANNER OF PAYMENT OF SALARIES FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" 2 ORDINANCE #99-5 was introduced and adopted on First Reading and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public Hearing 0 be held March 4, 1999, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. ORDINANCE #99-5 "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #71-9 ESTABLISHING SALARY SCHEDULES AND FIXING THE MANNER OF PAYMENT OF SALARIES FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" ORDINANCE #99-6 was introduced and adopted on First Reading and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public Hearing to be held March 4, 1999, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. ORDINANCE #99-6 "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER 182 OF THE BOROUGH CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" The Clerk stated that Ordinance #99-3 was introduced and passed upon First Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council of the Borough of Carteret held on February 4, 1999. It was duly published in The Home News Tribune on February 9, 1999 with notice that it will be considered for final passage after Public Hearing to be held on February 19, 1999 at approximately 7:30 P.M. The Ordinance was posted on the bulletin board and copies were made available to the general public and according to law, she read the Ordinance by title. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be open. 3 There being no comments or objections to the Ordinance, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be closed upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Crilley and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present. FEBRUARY 19, 1999 ORDINANCE #99-5 Salary Ordinance Construction Official Zoning Official/ Electrical Subcode First Reading ORDINANCE #99-6 Amending Chapter 182 Code of the Borough of Carteret "Parks" First Reading ORDINANCE #99-3 Salary Ordinance Fire Superintendent Fire Subcode Public Hearing Hearing Closed FEBRUARY 1~, 1999 ORDINANCE #99-3 Salary Ordinance Continued Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien ORDINANCE #99-3 "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #71-9 ESTABLISHING SALARY SCHEDULES AND FIXING THE MANNER OF PAYMENT OF SALARIES FOR V ARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" Adopted was finally adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. Approved and Adopted: February 18, 1999 Introduced: February 4, 1999 Advertised as Adopted on First Reading with Notice of Public Hearing: February 9, 1999 Hearing Held: February 18, 1999 Approved by: Mayor James A. Failace Advertised as finally adopted: March 3, 1999 MEETING OPENED Public Input On Resolutions A copy of each Resolution was placed upon the table for review prior to the meeting in accordance with the Rules of Council and upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present. P AT TOZZI spoke on Resolution 99-8] Endorsement of Governor Whitman's Direct Property Tax Relief Program. He said there was already a law on PTF. These people have a freeze on their property tax. He spoke against this resolution and asked the Council to table it until something concrete comes out on exactly what they are going to do. Public Portion Closed There being no further comments or objections, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the public portion on resolutions was closed. RESOLUTION #99-66 Raffle License RESOLUTION #99-66 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien RESOLUTION #99-66 "DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE OF RAFFLE LICENSE TO HOLY FAMILY RSA Adopted was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative 4 RESOLUTION #99-67 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Mancuso RESOLUTION #99-67 "PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #99-68 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-68 "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #99-69 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action Upon MMS&C, by Council members Gutowski and O'Brien RESOLUTION #99-69 "PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES" was adopted Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #99-70 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. 5 Upon MMS&C, by Councihnembers Gutowski and O'Brien RESOLUTION #99-70 "PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative FEBRUARY 19, 1999 RESOLUTION #99-67 Professional Services - Killam Assoc. Re: Pump Rebuilding Adopted RESOLUTION #99-68 Professional Services - Killam Associates Re: Beverly St. Sto=later Pump Station Adopted RESOLUTION #99-69 Professional Services - Killam Associates Re: Saba and Etherridge Pump Stations Adopted Professional Services - Killam Associates Re: Saba St. & Etherridge Dr. Pump Stations Adopted FEBRUARY 19, 1999 RESOLUTION #99-71 Commemorative Coin Program Adopted Corw.¡ents RESOLUTION #99-72 Amendment to 1999 Temporary Budget Adopted RESOLUTION #99-73 Certifying Construction Official/ Zoning Officer A. Neibert Adopted Comments RESOLUTION #99-7] was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-71 "RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE 50 STATES COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROGRAM" was adopted Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative Mayor Failace said the New Jersey coin would depict Washington crossing the Delaware. RESOLUTION #99-72 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Quinones RESOLUTION #99-72 "AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT TO THE 1999 TEMPORARY BUDGET" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #99-73 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Mancuso and Gutowski RESOLUTION #99-73 "CERTIFYING ANTHONY l NEIBERT TO THE POSITION OF CONSTRUCTION OFFICIAL/ZONING OFFICER IN THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. Mayor Failace said it was good to have Mr. Neibert on board full time. 6 RESOLUTION #99-74 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien RESOLUTION #99-74 "APPOINTING TEMPORARY SEASONAL EMPLOYEES FOR 1999 BASKETBALL PROGRAM" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Crilley abstained RESOLUTION #99-75 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers O'Brien and Crilley RESOLUTION #99-75 "APPROVING THE 1999-2000 CDBG PROGRAM" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Gutowski commended the Redevelopment Committee for the work that they did They managed to split what they had quite equitably among the groups that applied Unfortunately we don't have as much money as we would like to give away, but he said they managed to do a good job. He voted yes. Councilmember Quinones thanked Mr. Riggio for doing a good job. She voted yes. RESOLUTION #99-76 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Mancuso and Quinones RESOLUTION #99-76 "AUTHORIZING BIDS FOR A DUMP TRUCK" 7 was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. FEBRUARY 19, 1999 RESOLUTION #99-74 Temporary Seasonal Employees - Basketball Adopted RESOLUTION #99-75 Approving Corrrnunity Block Grant Program Adopted Comments RESOLUTION #99-76 Authorizing Bids- Dump Truck Adopted FEBRUARY 19, 1999 RESOLUTION #99-77 Authorizing Bids - Toro Tractor RESOLUTION #99-77 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien RESOLUTION #99-77 "AUTHORIZING BIDS FOR A TORO INFIELD PRO TRACTOR FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT" Adopted was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #99-78 EUS - Air Testing Borough Hall RESOLUTION #99-78 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmell1bers O'Brien and Gutowski RESOLUTION #99-78 "EXTRAORDINARY UNSPECIFIED CONTRACT FOR AIR TESTING" Adopted was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. COnr.lents Councilmell1ber O'Brien said this would come out of a bond from a few years ago. There is $]6,000 left in it and this will drop it to $13,000. He voted yes. Mayor Failace said he would like to let them know that basically, the bottom line is the Borough Hall is falling apart. It is in such disrepair. At a meeting the other day members of the public were there and bits of the ceiling were falling on their heads. It needs a ton of work. RESOLUTION #99-79 Appointment - Recreation Commission D. Antonini RESOLUTION #99-79 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Crilley and Gutowski RESOLUTION #99-79 "APPOINTMENT TO THE RECREATION COMMISSION" TABLED was tabled Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmell1bers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. 8 RESOLUTION #99-80 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Crilley RESOLUTION #99-80 "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CARTERET URBAN ENTERPRISE ZONE BOARD TO REQUEST FUNDING FOR TOWN CENTER" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Gutowski said this is the third time this Council has voted to seek funds ITOll1 the UEZ. The first two times it wasn't followed through. He told Mr. Riggio to make sure he follows through. He voted yes. Mayor Failace said the Town Center is going to be something phenomenal. It will be sOll1ething this town will be proud of. RESOLUTION #99-81 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Mancuso RESOLUTION #99-81 "ENDORSEMENT FOR GOVERNOR WHITMAN'S DIRECT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM" was tabled. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #99-82 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-82 "PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. Councilll1ember Gutowski said this is for the infiltration of the system. By spending this money we will be able to hopefully correct the problem and cut our MCUA fees. He voted yes. FEBRUARY 19, 1999 RESOLUTION #99-80 UEZ FUNDING - Town Center Adopted Cooments RESOLUTION #99-81 Governor Whitman's Direct Property Tax Relief Program Tabled RESOLUTION #99-82 Professional Services - Killam Associates Infiltration/Inflow Reduction Program Adopted Comments FEBRUARY 19, 1999 LIST OF BILLS Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the bill list was amended to include Eclipse Internet Access Inc. in the amount of$I,234.90 for one year servIce. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas, all bills appearing on the prepared list, properly audited and signed were ordered to be paid. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative COr1t1UNICATION: Borough of Jamesburg Re: t1unicipal Aid The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a resolution from the Borough of Jamesburg protesting inequitable distribution of Municipal Aid. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmell1bers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, it was ordered to be received and placed on file. Mayor Failace said he thought this was great. He hopes it gets through. Carteret would get $],000,000 more. REPORTS Departments The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of the following reports: 1. Board of Health - January 1999 2. Clerk's Office - January 1999 3. Welfare - November and December] 998. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, all reports were ordered to be received and placed on file. Standing Cor:mittees BUILDINGS & GROUNDS Committee Chairperson O'Brien said they have three quotes for the bathroom at the Fire Building. The work should be done in the next few weeks. They have the quotes for the hot water heater and the gas line for the Police Station. The electrical upgrade is complete at the Annex. Borough Hall is falling apart. Toth's building is just about ready and they are moving the Welfare Department and Recycling Department over there. Jason Abello has been working over there as well as the other buildings. Air testing will soon be done at the Borough Hall. He talked about the water dall1age from seepage in the walls. He said Ray Tobias was out this past week and Jason has been taking care of the buildings. He met with Mayor Failace, Councilmember Fazekas and Potter Architects and they would soon be going out for quotes to take care of the water seepage in the walls and they will put together a plan for Borough Hall. Hopefully, to save it. He reported progress. 10 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Committee Chairperson Quinones said she spoke to P. DeBlasio and he informed her that sewer bills will be going out tomorrow. They approved a preliminary budget that was submitted according to schedule on February] 0, 1999. At this point the budget does not cut services and ll1aintains what they were started on last year in terms of their improvement to the roads, sewers, parks and other capital improvements They have also expanded the Senior Citizen Busing from part time to a full time status. At this point in time the budget reflects an 8¢ increase in the local taxation rate. That translates into about $94.00 per average household. She emphasized that this was an introduced budget. The Council will continue to review the budget until its final adoption. They do believe they can cut it even further. She also would like to emphasize that of that 8¢ about 5 Yz¢ is attributed to the half million that we had to payout in Police and Firefighters severance packages That is not something we can put to the side We absolutely have to pay it. She is proud of the Council for maintaining what they set out to do which is stabilizing the tax rate. She feels this budget is doing that. It is only preliminary and they intend to make some further cuts. FIRE: Committee Chairperson Fazekas said the new truck is in service and there haven't been any problems. Moving right along. PARKS & RECREATION Committee Chairperson Crilley said applications are available for the 3 on 3 Tournament which will be held in March Applications will be available at the Recreation Center on Monday nights, at the Recreation Department in Borough Hall and also in the schools. The Board of Education Liaison ll1eeting is scheduled for February 23, 1999 at 7:30 P.M., in the School Board office. He will also be meeting tomorrow with the First Aid Squad and the ambulance service which is COll1ing into town and they will finalize those details within the next couple of weeks 1 The last thing he wanted to address was the Community Development Board Grant program. They have $88,000 to give out. That is the lion's share of the county. We have $16],000 worth of requests for that $88,000. We gave $21,255 to the Volunteer Fire Department to buy equipment. $17,000 went for an infrared camera which detects fire and people in a building. It should help save lives It is the Fire Chiet's opinion that some lives might have been saved previously if they had that camera. The second thing was a gas detector for $4,000. They also gave $19,000 to renovate Chrome Park. They are going to put heavy duty equipment there. Do some fence repair and make it ADA accessible They spent $3,500 on (inaudible). They spent $34,445 for Housing Rehabilitation. That money is essentially important That money goes for people in town who need it the most. That have spent that money for the last ten years. They gave $2,000 to Kiddie KeepwelL We send about 25 underprivileged youths from Carteret to that program during the summer We gave $7,200 to the Housing Authority to augment their Senior Bussing program. That is where the controversy comes in. That had $ I 61,000 of requests It was the majority of the board's opinion to cut the request of the Housing Authority, which was $20,000 for security and $10,000 for the bussing. Last year we gave them $7,200 for bussing and $10,000 for security. FEBRUARY 19, 1999 Standing Committees Continued FEBRUARY 19, 1999 Standing Committees Continued Committee Chairperson Crilley said these programs are absolutely essential. It is imperative that these programs be continued. However, during our investigation of their budget we found that the Housing Authority has a $1,000,000 surplus In one budget along they have a $750,000 surplus. The Mayor called the Federal Housing Authority and some other Housing Authorities to investigate. Mr. Fox of the Housing Authority came to the meeting and told them it was required by the Housing Authority that he keep a 50% surplus in that budget. The Mayor called and was told that 15% is graded as being grade A. ] 5% surplus is perfect. It was incumbent on this board to distribute the money where it is most needed. They have taken political flak for cutting money from the Housing Authority. It is his opinion that the housing commission can keep the programs going with out damaging hardly any of their budget. It is also his opinion if the Housing Authority cancels these two programs, he will immediately call for their resignation because they don't know how to do budgets or take care of the people they are supposed to be serving. He wanted to make that public and clear. When it is in the paper, he wants it known that they did not cut bussing or security for Seniors. They put the onus on the Housing Authority where it belongs. POLICE: Committee Chairperson Gutowski said what appalled him most was the Housing Authority had the audacity to send flyers to Senior Citizens that it was important to come to this meeting because their bussing was going to be cut. They basically used the Senior Citizens to come here as a ploy for them to get their money. This Council does their homework. The Housing Authority has $750,000 in surplus funds. They have $500,000 sitting there that they can use for whatever they want Mr. Fox sat in rront of this board and told them he needed to have that money in surplus in case there was an emergency. He said if the remember the fire on Bergen Street, those buildings sat vacant for quite a while before the Housing Authority did anything about those buildings. Mr. Fox lied to the Community Development Board. He told them he needed 50%, when in fact he needed 15%. He told them that money was for a rainy day in case there was an emergency. There was an emergency and he did nothing about it He told that board that if they didn't give hill1 that money the commission would cancel the bussing program totally because they couldn't afford to spend the extra $4,000 to fully fund the bussing program. It was made known to the Senior Citizens that this board was very sympathetic to them and they did give them $7,200. It was also made clear by Mr. Crilley that the Senior Citizen bussing given by the Borough of Carteret will be able to go down there as it should have been all along. For some reason those buses were never allowed to go down to the Senior Citizen village and pick up those people He said he wouldn't ask for their resignations, but he would let them know that "Big Brother" is watching. They exist because this borough allows them to exist. They were formed by Ordinance. If they keep up those tactics, this borough will take them out and have to do something about it. Committee Chairperson Gutowski said next Thursday at 6:00 P.M., there will be a Special Meeting to announce a new Police Director or Directress. He hopes they will all attend. The Police Committee held interviews for the Captain's position and they will make their decision shortly. They have asked 12 them to do more than they have done in the past. They are not going to just pick somebody arbitrarily and tell them they are Captain. They want to know what their qualifications are and what they are going to bring to the job. Committee Chairperson Gutowski said it was also in the paper that there was a Disciplinary Hearing this week on Officer K. Makwinski. He will not say much about it, but the newspaper gave two analogies. One that he was an impeccable cop that was being railroaded or was someone that was just not doing his job and should be punished. He said he hasn't made a decision on the case, but no one will be railroaded If the man did his job the way he should have done it then he will be exonerated. Ifhe didn't do his job he will be punished. That's what is going to happen as long as he is Chairman of the Police Committee He said he feels the new director will do the same. It's time to tow the line. The country club is over. They will do a day's work for a day's pay. Not that the police don't, but there are certain individuals, basically in the administration, that haven't been pushing that issue With the new director coming in he imagines that things will change. As long as he is on this committee, no one will ever be railroaded for something they didn't do If they did do something wrong they will pay the price. He reported progress. PUBLIC WORKS: COll1mittee Chairperson Mancuso said they are spending a lot of money, but they are going forward. They hope to correct a lot of things. He wanted to put his two cents in about the Housing Authority. He said two people who have only been in Housing for a year and a half have had a 50% increase in their salaries. Yet they have the nerve to come here and say they can't afford to do things for the Seniors or the bussing because of their budget They have hired three people down there and some of them are just trying to find some work to do. Some are just trying to get three months in for pensions, but they can't afford buses. They just spent a load of money on making a new office down there for Mr. Chubenko Four or five years ago that place was run by a Director who did everything including grants for $65,000. Now everything is costing over $200,000. He would like somebody to explain it to him, but he thinks there is no answer. L3 Comll1ittee Chairperson Mancuso spoke about the Turnpike Authority. Last September we issued summons to them because since they put the walls up there they don't cut the grass or maintain that property. It's a swamp. There are muskrats, snakes, possums, etc. The borough took them to court about maintaining it. They went before a judge in Woodbridge. They all agreed to discuss it. They never got back to the borough, but they did send a letter to the Board of Health stating the borough has no authority giving thell1 summonses because they come under the New Jersey rule. On Tuesday, a Conrail train went by and set the grass on fire. It burned from Carteret Avenue all the way up to Monroe Avenue. Our Fire Department had to go back a few times because it kept flaring up. We paid $75.00 an engine to go in and fight this fire. He would like the Mayor and Council send a letter to them that we would like to meet with them about the conditions there He would also like to jump the fee up to $200 an engine Why should we pay the cost when they are not a good neighbor to us. It's time this little town, stood up to these people and tell them we aren't going to take it anymore. It just cost us $1,500 to fix the lights on the Turnpike's bridge. He said he thought it was outrageous. He reported progress. FEBRUARY 19, 1999 Standing Committees Continued FEBRUARY 19, 1999 PROCLAMATION Disabilities Awareness Day Mayor Failace read the following proclamation: CARTERET DISABILITIES AWARENESS DAY "CARING AND SHARING" WHEREAS, the Carteret Office for the Disabled will hold its Fifteenth Annual "Carteret Disabilities Awareness Day" on Sunday, February 28, 1999 at the St. Demetrius Hall, Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM.; and WHEREAS, Carteret Disabilities Awareness Day is held as an informational and social gathering to be enjoyed by alI who choose to attend; and WHEREAS, this event is only made possible through the combined efforts of many volunteers ITom non-profit organizations and Borough Departments and businesses within our community; and WHEREAS, the Office for the Disabled continues to expand opportunities for Disabled Persons to achieve their goals, developing and using their capabilities; NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES A. FAILACE, MAYOR OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET do hereby proclaim SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28,1999 CARTERET DISABILITIES AWARENESS DAY "CARING AND SHARING" FURTHERMORE, I urge the entire community to participate in said program making it a great success. NAYOR Mayor Failace said he has been involved with the Specials for about five or six years. It's a day that will not be forgotten. He asked everyone to take the time and attend. It is one of the nicest days we do. The volunteers and businesses ll1ake it one heck of a day. He also asked if people had the opportunity to sign on to volunteer. Mayor Failace said he wouldn't say any more about what happened at the Community Development Meeting. He was appalled. He said he didn't like being lied to. He has a real problem with that. He thanked John Riggio for alI the work he has done John has aggressively gone after the money for Carteret to help the citizens for our new library. He also thanked Jim Mancuso for the work he has done in the last few weeks at Borough Hall. It is a terrible situation down in the basement. The Borough Hall needs work. Mr. Mancuso really has done a lot for hill1. He thanked the Parks Department and Streets and Roads for moving the offices. It's not a permanent move, but it takes care of a real problem. 14 Committee Chairperson Crilley said there was one thing he forgot on his report. The dugouts were torn out of the two little league fields in Carteret Park. We were going to put in new dugouts. Due to the generosity of corporations like GATX they give back to the community. He didn't have all the details of the program as yet. They pick an employee in their company and through that employee they give charity works for their town. The employee happens to be Daphne Miles. Daphne contributed money to the Sportsmen and the Carteret Recreation Department to her program. So, GATX will come in and finish the dugouts. They also donate time to the different youth organizations. He thanked GA TX and Daphne for including the borough in the program. Mayor Failace said there were two openings for alternates on the Planning Board. He appointed: Alternate #1 Jason Dinicola Alternate #2 David Crudup. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Mancuso and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the meeting was opened for public discussion. GEORGE MALEK, St. Ann St., said he had a complaint. Where he lives on 72 St. Ann Street the odor is terrible. He has a heart problem and his chest is burning [¡-om that odor. They have to do something about it. The pile gets higher and higher. (Dauman) He told them to close it down and get rid ofthat smell. It's harmful to all the people in that area. Councilmember Mancuso said he complains at every SW AC meeting on this. A complaint is made and the state comes down and they comply. If a formal complaint is made they give them 30 days to clear it up. If it's cleared up within 30 days there is no fine. This goes on continuously. His question to the state was where was the enforcement. There has never been one fine. He said he didn't know what the answer was. If they put in a complaint and the organization that is supposed to clarifY it an clean it up continuously gives them 30 days and no one ever goes to court. Mr. Malek said he has made complaints. He has called the County. He told them about his health problem and no one is doing anything about it. They have to rile the public up to get enough publicity to get rid of them. It is a health problem. He said they should have a petition to get rid of them. 15 P A TRlCK TOZZI said five years ago he had AARP assign them a tax number so the Seniors didn't have to go to Woodbridge to have their income tax done They are done every Tuesday here. They have been running into a problem regarding the property tax [¡-eeze which the Seniors had to give in by the 15th of March. They set aside the date and he discussed it with the borough's finance oftìcer and spoke with Mr. Manetta, who was very cooperative. He did a fantastic job and should be commended for the work he has done for the Seniors. FEBRUARY 19, i999 Standing Committees Continued HAYOR Appointments to Planning Board J. Dinicola D. Crudup PUBLIC DISCUSSION Dauman Pallet Income Tax Prepared - Seniors FEBRUARY 19, 1999 New Fire Truck JOHN SUDIA said it was a pleasure seeing the new fire engine riding around town. He really enjoys watching them. Turnpike Maintenance With regard to the turnpike, he agrees the turnpike is totally wrong If our attorney researches it further he will find the turnpike has a certain obligation to the community with regard to maintenance. Killam Engineering There is another item here that looks like it might be a lot of money, but finally we have an engineering firm that is producing results. They did a great job in West Carteret. The money is well spent He congratulated Killam for their programs. Housing Authority Finally, with regard to the Housing Authority. He has been involved with them for over 30 years and said one of the positions they had was to make things easier for the borough budget They were never concerned about maintaining even the 15% that HUD talked about. If an emergency arose, HUD came up with the money pretty fast. Whenever the borough needed something out of the Housing Authority. The Housing Authority helped the borough. He thinks with the proper attitude and the proper conversations, they might be reminded that part of it is to ease the budgetary restraints on the municipality. That's why housing authorities are created. That's why they are an autonomous body. Governor's Tax Abatement He said he was happy to see that they tabled the Governor's tax abatement resolution. Housing Authority Mayor Failace said he agreed with what Mr. Sudia has said He has spoken to Directors of other Housing Authorities and they do help the borough. Mr. Sudia said it is an unwritten rule among Housing Directors and Commissioners that they don't have surpluses. A surplus is used to help the community one way or another. Skate Park CINDY DeCAMP thanked the Mayor and Council President Stan Gutowski for going to Kennilworth to try and introduce a Skate Park there. She was glad to see that the Mayor and Council are interested in promoting something for youth, not only in this town, but in other towns. Mayor Failace said on Monday, as cold as it was, the Skate Park was packed He stayed for about ] 5 minutes watching the kids. Council President Gutowski said there was an editorial written in the newspaper about supporting the Skate Park in Kennilworth and thanking this Council for going there and giving our opinion. They also thanked Cindy DeCamp and characterized her as the maven of the Carteret Skate Park. That park exists because of Cindy DeCamp. Tony Neibert JOHN SUDIA said it was great to have Tony Niebert on board. Mayor Failace said they were very glad to have him. 16 There being no further business or discussion, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM Respectfully submitted, ~~~~ Hunicipal Clerk KMB/sj ------- ----~-_.- 17 FEBRUARY 19, 1999 ADJOURNED FEBRUARY 19, 1999 COUNCIL MEETING 18