HomeMy Public PortalAbout1999/05/20
The Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of
Carteret was called to order by Mayor James A. Failace on Thursday,
May 20, 1999 at approximately 7:32 P.M., at the Municipal
Building/Police Facility, 230 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey.
Upon individual roll call, the following were noted present:
Councilmembers Patrick Crilley
" Jack Fazekas
" Stanley Gutowski
" James Mancuso
" James O'Brien
" Remy Quinones
Also noted present was Borough Attorney Craig J. Coughlin, Esq.
The meeting was opened with a minute of silent prayer and the Pledge of
Allegiance led by Mayor James A. Failace.
Mayor Failace asked everyone to remember, in their prayers, Municipal
Clerk KatWeen Barney's father, John Barney and also Robert Wood, a
Borough Employee who passed away this week.
The Clerk stated that on May 13, 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 of the full Council present, the minutes of
April 15, 1999 were approved as transcribed and engrossed by the Clerk
This was the night advertised to receive bids for shelving for the new
library and the Mayor called for all bids. Upon MMS&C, by
Councilmembers Quinones and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote
of the full Council present, the Assistant Clerk was directed to open and
read aloud all bids received which were as follows:
1
BlQ
I. Creative Library Concepts
525 Boulevard
Kenilworth, NJ 07033
10%
B.B.
BID PRICE
$ 60,850.00
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien and
unanimous affirmative vote of the four (4) Councilmembers present, the
bids were held for study.
MAY 20, 1999
COUNCIL MEETING
ROLL CALL
PRAYER & PLEJX;E
OF ALLEGIANCE
STATEMENT OF
MEETING NOTICE
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
BIDS
Library Shelving
Held for Study
MAY 20, 1999
ORDINANCE #99-17
Amending Land
Development
Ordinance Re:
Section 160-181.1
First Reading
ORDINANCE #99-18
Repealing Chapter
140 & Creating
New Chapter 140
"Graffiti"
First Reading
ORDINAt,CE #99-19
Salary Ordinance
Re: Seasonal
Grasscutter
First Reading
ORDINANCE #99-15
Capital Improvement
Fund - Purchase of
Computer
Equipment
Public Hearing
ORDINANCE #99-17 was introduced and adopted on First Reading and the
Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public Hearing to be held
June 3, 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 #99-17
"ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 160-1811 OF THE BOROUGH
OF CARTERET LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE"
ORDINANCE #99-18 was introduced and adopted on First Reading and the
Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public Hearing to be held
June 3, 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 #99-18
"AN ORDINANCE REPEALING THE EXISTING CHAPTER 140
OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET AND
CREATING A NEW CHAPTER 140 ENTITLED "GRAFFITI"
ORDINANCE #99-19 was introduced and adopted on First Reading and the
Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public Hearing to be held
June 3, 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 #99-19
"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"
The Clerk stated that Ordinance #99-15 was introduced and passed upon First
Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council of the Borough of
Carteret held on May 6, 1999. It was duly published in The Home News
Tribune on May 11, 1999 with notice that it will be considered for final
passage after Public Hearing to be held on June 3, 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 Fazekas and unanimous
affirmative vote of the full Council present, the Mayor declared the Public
Hearing to be open.
2
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 Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote
of the full Council present.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien
ORDINANCE #99-15
"AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR PURCHASE OF
COMPUTER EQUIPMENT FOR THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET,
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING
$25,000 FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND OF THE
BOROUGH FOR THE COST THEREFOR"
was finally adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers
Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the
affirmative.
Approved and Adopted; Mav 20. 1999
Introduced: May 6. 1999
Advertised as Adopted on First Reading
with Notice of Public Hearing May I L 1999
Hearing Held: Mav 20. 1999
Approved by: Mavor James A. Failace
Advertised as finally adopted: May 25. 1999
The Clerk stated that Ordinance #99-16 was introduced and passed upon
First Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council of the
Borough of Carteret held on May 6, 1999. It was duly published in The
Home News Tribune on May 11, 1999 with notice that it will be
considered for final passage after Public Hearing to be held on May 20,
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 Fazekas 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 Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote
of the full Council present.
MAY 20, 1999
Hearing Closed
Adopted
ORDINANCE #99-16
Amending Chapter
160 of the Code of
the Borough of
Carteret
Public Hearing
Hearing Closed
t1AY 20, 1999
ORDINANCE #99-16
Continued
Adopted
tlEETING OPENED
Public Input
on Resolutions
MEETING CLOSED
RESOLUTION #99-169
Authorizing tlayor to
Execute 1999 Office
on Aging Grant
Adopted
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Mancuso
ORDINANCE #99-16
"ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 160 OF THE
CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET"
was finally adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley,
Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative
Approved and Adopted: May 20. 1999
Introduced: May 6. 1999
Advertised as Adopted on First Reading
with Notice of Public Hearing: May I L 1999
Hearing Held: Mav 20. 1999
Approved by: Mayor James A. Failace
Advertised as finally adopted: May 25, 1999
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, the meeting was opened for public input on all
resolutions.
There being no comments or objections, upon MMS&C, by Council members
Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council
present, the public portion on resolutions was closed.
RESOLUTION #99-169 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to the
Council for action.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas
RESOLUTION #99-169
"AUTHORlZING MAYOR TO EXECUTE 1999 BOROUGH
OF CARTERET OFFICE ON AGING GRANT AGREEMENT
WITH MIDDLESEX COUNTY OFFICE ON AGING"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley,
Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative
4
RESOLUTION #99-170 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to the
Council for action.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas
RESOLUTION #99-170
"AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT TO
THE SAFE HOME INSPECTION CONTRACT - OFFICE ON
AGING"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley,
Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the
affirmative.
RESOLUTION #99-171 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred
to the Council for action.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas
RESOLUTION #99-171
"CERTIFYING SUSAN GADECKl TO THE POSITION OF
ASSISTANT VIOLATIONS CLERK 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
RESOLUTION #99-172 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred
to the Council for action
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas
RESOLUTION #99-172
"AWARD OF BID - SALE OF ENGINEERING PLOTTER"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley,
Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the
affirmative.
5
MAY 20, 1999
RESOLUTION #99-170
Amendment -Safe
Home Inspection
Contract - Office
on Aging
Adopted
RESOLUTION #99-171
Certifying Assistant
Violations Clerk -
Susan Gadecki
Adopted
RESOLUTION #99-172
A"ard of Bid -
Sale of Engineering
Plotter
Adopted
MAY 20, 1999
RESOLUTION #99-173
Seasonal La"n
Maintenance ,¡orkers
H.Connors and
tl. Orlando
Adopted
RESOLUTION #99-174
Professional
Services -
Carl Palmisano, Esq.
Re: Volk vs. Borough
of Carteret
Adopted
RESOLUTION iÞG9-175
Professional
Services -
Killam Associates
Re: Streetscape
Project
Tabled
llESOLUTION #99-176
Railroad Pavement,
tlarkings & Signage
at Port c'~rteret
Drive
Adopted
RESOLUTION #99-173 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to
the Council for action.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas
RESOLUTION #99-173
"APPOINTING TEMPORARY SEASONAL LAWN MAINTENANCE
WORKERS 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.
RESOLUTION #99-174 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to
the Council for action.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas
RESOLUTION #99-174
"PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR LEGAL SERVICES"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley,
Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative.
RESOLUTION #99-175 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to
the Council for action.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas
RESOLUTION #97-175
"PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR
ENGINEERING SERVICE"
was tabled. Upon individual roll call vote, Council members Crilley, Fazekas,
Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. .
RESOLUTION #99-176 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to
the Council for action.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas
RESOLUTION #99-175
"RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RAILROAD PAVEMENT,
MARKINGS AND SIGN AGE AT THE PROPOSED RAILROAD
GRADE CROSSING AT PORT CARTERET DRIVE"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley,
Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative.
6
RESOLUTION #99-177 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred
to the Council for action.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas
RESOLUTION #99-177
"RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR TEA-21
GRANT IN CONNECTION WITH THE CARTERET PARK
AND ADA SIDEWALK PROGRAM"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley,
Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the
affirmative.
Mayor Failace said this is grant money that is out there to do Carteret
Avenue and possibly all the way down to Chrome.
RESOLUTION #99-178 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred
to the Council for action
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas
RESOLUTION #99-178
"RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A ROOSEVEL T AVENUE
BEAUTIFICATION PLAN AND THE EXECUTION OF A TEA-21
GRANT APPLICATION"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley,
Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the
affirmative.
Mayor Failace said we have plans for lower Roosevelt Avenue that we
plan to use UEZ funds. This grant may allow us to get money where we
won't have to use UEZ funds. Then we could use the UEZ money for
something else
RESOLUTION #99-179 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred
to the Council for action.
Councilmember O'Brien asked that they amend this resolution before they
adopt it. He would like the last paragraph, which names the people to the
committee, removed at this time He still has to contact four people.
7
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmember Gutowski and Fazekas Resolution
#99-179 was amended to omit the last paragraph. Upon individual roll
call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien
and Quinones voted in the affirmative.
MAY 20, 1999
RESOLUTION #99-177
Application for
TEA-21 Grant Re:
Carteret Park and
ADA Sidewalk
Program
Adopted
Comments
RESOLUTION #99-178
Authorizing
Roosevelt Avenue
Beautification Plan
and TEA-21 Grant
Adopted
Comments
RESOLUTION #99-179
Establishing
Complete Count
Committee for
2000 Census
Amended
MY 20, 1999
RESOLUTION #99-179
Continued
t.dopted
PAytlENT OF
BILLS
APPLICATIONS:
St. Joseph
Bingo Amendment
Sheenail i , Inc.
ABC Amendment
COtftIUNICATIONS:
tliddlesex Cty
Dept. of Human
Services
Niddlesex Cty
Board of Chosen
Freeholders
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas
RESOLUTION #99-179
"RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE
2000 CENSUS"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley,
Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative.
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.
The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of an application fÌ'om St. Joseph's
Church regarding amendment to BL #1515.Upon MMS&C, by
Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of
the full Council present, it was ordered to be received and processed. .
The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of an application for an AB.C.
License Corporate Change from Sheenaili, Inc. t/a The Liquor Shop Upon
MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous
affirmative vote of the full Council present, it was ordered to be received and
turned over to the Police.
The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a public hearing notice from the
Middlesex County Department of Human Services to be held May 27, 1999
in New Brunswick, New Jersey regarding NJ Transit Senior Citizen and
Disabled Resident Transportation Assistance Program 2000 Grant
Application Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and
unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, it was ordered to be
received and placed on file.
The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a resolution and a Notice of Public
Hearing fÌ'om the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, to be held
May 20, 1999 in New Brunswick, New Jersey regarding amendments to Land
Subdivision and Site Plan Review Resolutions. Upon MMS&C, by
Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of
the full Council present, it was ordered to be received and placed on file.
8
The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a communication from
Middlesex Water Company regarding a rate increase approval. Upon
MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous
affirmative vote of the full Council present, , it was ordered to be received
and placed on file.
The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of the following reports:
1. Air pollution - February, 1999
2. Board of Health - March 1999
3. Inspection of Buildings - April 1999
4. Sewage Collection - April 1999
5. Treasurer - April 1999
6. Welfare - March & April 1999
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and
unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the reports were
ordered to be received and placed on file.
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Committee Chairman O'Brien the electrical
work on the Police building is underway. At the Fire building, Jason
Abello went over to the Senior Center and is trying to do some work with
the lights over there. Basic maintenance is being done at the annexes.
Jason did some work at the Recreation Facility on the toilets. At the last
meeting the work on the roof at Borough Hall was ordered and it should
be done within the next week or so.
Last Friday, Eric Betz, the assistant engineer, took a couple of contractors
through the building to show them the remediation work that is needed
regarding the air quality. We have received two quotes for that work and
it should begin shortly. Today, he, Eric, AI Beninato, John Tiffany of
Tiffany -Bader looked over the work that is going to be done regarding
the air quality and met with the employees to answer some of the health
questions they had Ray Tobias is recovering very nicely. With that the
buildings are still standing.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: Committee Chairperson Quinones
said a meeting was held to take action on the proposed School Budget
and the Council voted in favor of a $1,100,000 deduction which
essentially eliminated the proposed school tax increase. As they stated at
that meeting, they did that after an extensive review of that budget with
our auditor. We feel that we were able to save the taxpayers some money
and at the same time we did not eliminate any educational programs or
any teacher positions.
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With regards to the Municipal Budget, everything is moving along She
spoke to Patrick DeBlasio last week and the (inaudible) numbers are
pretty consistent with the budget numbers. She reported progress.
MAY 20, 1999
COMMUNICATIONS:
Middlesex Water
Company
REPORTS
Departments
Standing Committees
MAY 20, 1999
Standing
Committees
Continued
FIRE: Committee Chairperson Fazekas said there would be a Wet Down on
July 10th for our new fire truck Information will be passed out on June 19th
at the ShopRite Shopping Center to let the people know when the Wet Down
will be. There was a fire drill with the Ashland Chemical Company. There
was an arson investigative class that was held last month. Both members of
the volunteer and paid companies attended that. Members of the Fire
Department did attend a burn training at the Union Fire Academy. With that
rolling along.
PARKS & RECREATION: Committee Chairperson Crilley said the
Recreation Committee held its Dog Show this past Sunday. There were 14
or 15 dogs that showed up. It was nice. The Mayor was one of the judges,
along with Parks Employees and Mr. Gutowski's daughter For the first time
out it went very well
The Recreation Department is sponsoring a Yankee Baseball trip for July 24,
1999 It's $30.00 and includes bus, ticket, T-shirt and sandwiches and soda
on the bus. It's a 4:30 PM. game against Cleveland The bus will be leaving
the Recreation Center around 1:30 P.M.. If anybody is interested, call him or
Beverly Hedesh.
Mayor Failace said regardless how the Yankees were playing, it should still
be a good game.
Committee Chairperson Crilley said they are starting to organize the Summer
Work Program for Recreation Counselors as well as Park Workers. We are
hiring a few older kids, eighteen and nineteen years of age, to cut the grass.
This will free up our regular park workers and continue the work we have
going on in the parks. Any body, a student, between the ages of 14 to 18 that
wants to work can pick up an application at the Clerk's Office and return it
back to the Clerk's Office. They can also pick them up at the High School
Nurse's Office.
The GATX sponsored volley ball tournament for High School students was
held three weeks ago. He named the winning team. They received T-shirts
and something else from GATX. The Mayor has thanked GATX for their
efforts and what they have done and he does too. They are a great neighbor
and have participated in more than one youth activity in town. They not only
support with money, but they also supply staff. They bring a lot of people to
these events. It's a good showing, the kids see it and it is great.
Councilmember Crilley said he wanted to read two letters he received:
Dear Sirs
It's with great pleasure that we as a league would like to commend
Ted Surick, Robert Kately and the Borough Parks and Recreation
Employees for a job well done. The ballfields have not been in such
excellent shape (inaudible). It is a pleasure to work with them and we
deeply appreciate your efforts on behalf of the girls in my league. I
hope that this will generate a letter of commendation for each and
every one of these employees. Once again, our thanks.
10
Randy Krum
Committee Chairperson Crilley said he thinks what is happening here, the
men in the Parks Department, particularly, have a new found pride in the
work that they do because they are allowed to do things properly. People
are coming back and saying the fields are in great shape. This year we
started the league April 17th and we only lost four games to rain since
then because ofthe condition of the field. It's a great compliment to the
workers, Mr. Kately and Mr. Surick. He said they would put a copy of
this letter in all the employee files.
He said he had another letter addressed to Beverly Hedesh of the
Recreation Commission:
"I would like to thank you and all the members of the Commission
for sponsoring the Basket Ball Tournament that netted proceeds
that you decided to donate to the Carteret Food Bank. On behalf
of the League, I thank the Commissioners for being (inaudible) to
the needs of the less fortunate in our community. The donation of
$196.17 will be used to purchase food from the Community Food
Bank in Hillside, New Jersey for our Food Bank. By purchasing
the food from them we get double the value of the donation. I
particularly appreciate your efforts and commend the youth for
their participation in this event.
Hadiyah Muhammad,
Municipal Welfare Director"
These are just a couple of things happening in the Borough. We
appreciate the work of the people putting these things together.
POLICE: Committee Chairperson Gutowski said Police Director Elg is
settling in nicely. He is going to be making some changes in the next
couple of weeks that will be good for the department. Tomorrow at 6:45
PM., he and the Mayor will attend the graduation ceremony for the five
Cadets that are in the Police Academy They will be coming on duty
sometime in the next few weeks. If anyone else would like to attend, it is
being held at the Union County Art Center in Rahway at 6:45 P.M
In addition, they have received notice that there is seasonal help needed
on the New Jersey Turnpike. If anyone knows anyone that is looking for
a job, they can contact him or the Mayor. It's for toll collectors and
general maintenance and starts at $6.75 an hour for 40 hours a week He
reported progress.
PUBLIC WORKS: Committee Chairperson Mancuso said everything
seems to be flowing pretty good. He would like to thank Teddy and his
men also. There is not too much said about the work that these guys do.
It's not very fashionable They do a lot in this town to try and keep it in
shape and clean. He thanked them and reported progress.
11
BOARD OF EDUCATION: Committee Chairperson Crilley said they
reviewed the budget and the overall cut in the taxes is $114,000 from last
year, so taxes will actually go down a little bit. A lot of effort, time and
work went into this. We left programs that the School Board had desired
intact and we did not cut anything on their wish list. They looked at it and
said there was a little room here and there and as a result they got it down
to where it is manageable. Overall there spending has gone up about
10%, but that was offset by increases in State Aid. He reported progress.
MAY 20, 1999
Standing Committees
Continued
t1AY 20, 1999
t1AYOR
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
School Board
Budget
Mayor Failace said he didn't know if anyone in the audience was at White
Rose today for the Students Against Drunk Drivers rrom the High School's
program down there that was phenomenal. They had a computerized car that
you drive and they put in the computer how drunk you want to be. They put
your weight in and it's a wonderful program for the kids and would probably
be a great program for adults to. He drove it and thought it was great. It was
unbelievable. He did "kill" two or three people and drove over a few curbs.
It was very well done. That program costs $2,900. They run it every other
year. He gave them a commitment that he would find money for them rrom
somewhere to run this every year, because he feels it's that important for
young people.
Mayor Failace said they did not cut any programs rrom the School Budget or
any salaries. He is very proud of the work the Council did on the budget and
he feels very comfortable with what they have done. He said this is an
"Education Council". We do believe in education and we would never do
anything to hurt the young people in this town. He said in the paper the
Board President said the Council cut $440,000 out of salary and that is an
absolute lie He is going to the Board of Education meeting next week and he
will find out where that came rrom. We did not cut any salary at all. We gave
them every program they asked for.
Since he became Mayor of the town, five months ago, sometimes it's very
ftustrating to see how much money we do need to correct the problems. For
the first time, he feels like things are coming together. Weare in the process
of getting grant money and we are going to get $5,000,000 from
Congressman Menendez to do our sewers. We will get these TEA grants that
we are going out for. There is a lot of money that has been lost in Carteret
in the past years. We will not lose anymore. We will get everything we
deserve. He looks over at the library and the community center and it is
starting to take shape. The windows are in. They are working on the roof
and they will start working inside. It was a battle to get that done, but
regardless where he is four years from now, that's the crowning achievement
of this whole Council.
Mayor Failace said he hopes he could get the other industries in town to work
with them like GATX does. They have been great neighbors.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous
affirmative vote of the full Council present, the meeting was opened for public
discussion
JOHN SUDIA said he wanted to congratulate them. He said the members of
the Board of Education for the last few years have had a free hand and they
never had the opportunity to deal with people that are knowledgeable in
finance. They never had the opportunity to have to deal with people that are
concerned about the people in town. As a taxpayer, he commended them on
the reduction of the budget. He said he is sure if they looked a little further,
they could probably cut another $500,000 out of it. They haven't hurt
programs or salaries. They haven't hurt anything except the fat in the budget
and he thinks that commendable.
12
Mr. Sudia asked the Mayor to look into the COPS Program. Many
communities are receiving grants from the government with regards to
this program. It puts on additional police officers.
Mr. Sudia also said with the arrogance of the School Board, his feeling is
they should start looking into appointing the School Board rather than
electing them.
SADD RADWAN spoke about the school board. He said the Mayor and
Council said they cut $1,100,000 from the school budget. They have not
hurt the children. If this budget was passed in April, where would the
money go?
Mayor Failace said he would have to ask the Board of Education.
Mr. Radwan said he is asking the Council. He understands they have to
appeal to the State. He said as far as he understands there was room to
cut the budget and not hurt anyone. That means in the previous years the
budget was too much money. He thinks there should be an investigation.
Mayor Failace said they feel very comfortable that if it goes to the State
that our cuts are very valid and we can back up every one of them.
Mr. Radwan said the School Board is doing something wrong. They have
to investigate it. The state will do it. He continued speaking about the
budget. He said the books they have are 15 years old. They don't buy
books, so what are they buying. That's what we need to know. He said
the Mayor and Council have proven they can do it, now we need to move
forward.
Councilmember Crilley said he has to temper the enthusiasm a little bit.
The public needs to understand that he has been on both sides of this
fence. Carteret is an Urban District. We are designated by the State as
an Urban District. We are classified as a "B" District. Schools classified
as such get 889% funding. The problem is that when they classified us
as a "B" in November or December of 1992, earlier that year they passed
the law, we were classified as a "c" District based on the 1980 Census.
When the 1990 Census came out in 1992, they changed us to a "B" but
didn't give us the money. We sued and they wouldn't give us the money.
They said we had to go to the legislation to get the money. Carteret is
sorely under funded even though we get a little more each year. In three
years the Carteret School Budget has gone up, less this cut, 28% in
spending. That is paid for by increased funding from the State. Keep in
mind we can always use money He said if that $1,100,000 didn't affect
the taxpayers, he would have argued to leave it in. There has to be a
balance between spending and what the kids need and what the taxpayers
can afford. They are here to protect everyone.
13
VINCENT BELLINO, a member of the Carteret Baseball League, said he
came tonight because they just lost a long time member oftheir Baseball
League, Phil Reibis. They are aware that the Grant Avenue Park doesn't
have a name. Most parks are being named for different people that have
passed on, to their credit for what they did for the leagues. Mr. Reibis
was a 35 year member of the baseball league. He was past President,
Vice-President, Treasurer, etc.,. He gave his life to the kids of our town.
They would like to request to have the Grant Avenue Park renamed in his
honor. They are asking the Mayor and Council's permission to do this
It will be funded by parents and children, so it won't cost the town a dime.
MAY 20, 1999
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Con't.
COPS Program
School Board
School Board Budget
Renaming Grant
Avenue Park
Re: Phil Reibis
t1AY 20, 1999
Renaning Grant
Avenue Park
Re: P. Reibis
Con't.
Mayor Failace said they have an Agenda Meeting this week and they will
discuss it.
Mr. Bellino said he appreciated their time.
Mayor Failace asked ifthey would put something in writing and drop it off at
the Clerk's Office.
Borough Attorney Coughlin said it might be a good idea to outline his
accomplishments so we can memorialize a resolution.
Mr. Bellino said that was easy enough.
Handicapped
Parking Space
JOSEPH KISS said he has had a problem obtaining a handicapped parking
space He explained his handicap.
Councilmember Quinones asked him if he was asking for a handicapped
parking space?
Mr. Kiss replied he was.
Mayor Failace said he lives on Roosevelt Avenue which is a county road and
that is the problem. The county has to give us the approval. We will go to
them for approval.
Borough Attorney Coughlin said he will be in touch with the County.
Mayor Failace said we have this on file and our Borough Attorney will
contact the county and then we will contact him. They will do whatever they
can to help him.
Mr. Kiss said it is very difficult for him to walk.
Mayor Failace said it was approved in 1997, but the county disapproved it.
Borough Attorney Coughlin said he would look into it.
Mayor F ail ace asked if there was on the street parking in front of his house.
Mr. Kiss said yes. He said when he parked in rront of his neighbors, he had
two flat tires in the morning.
Mayor Failace said they will talk to the county.
"Buy a Brick"
Library Fund
Raiser
Mayor Failace said Mr. Pino, of the Library Board, is in the audience and he
wants to make mention that they are looking at a "Buy a Brick" program to
raise funds. They are going to do a walkway or a wall.
14
Mr. Pino said they spoke with the architect and instead of putting the bricks
on the inside of the building, they are going to do the whole outside landscape
in pavers. He was sent a sample and they will pick one. This can keep going
forever. The forms will be made out and it will be a form to request a brick.
They hope to fill up the rront with people's names. It will look nice
Mayor Failace said when he received the literature in the mail, he thought
it was a great idea.
There being no further business or discussion, upon MMS&C, by
Councilmembers Gutowski and Quinones and unanimous affirmative vote
of the fuJl Council present, the meeting was adjourned at approximately
8:18 P.M
RespectfuJly submitted,
~lM ~k~OJ~
SUSAN E JAC IN,
Assistant Municipal Clerk
15
MAY 20, 1999
"Buy A Brick"
Program Cont' .
ADJOURNED
MAY 20, 1999
COUNCIL
MEETING
16