Mayor and council were all in attendance.

Communications

• A request from Jillian Bonafide to use the Gazebo Park for her wedding ceremony on May 1, 2009, was approved.
• A request from Mrs. DiCosmo requesting the 500 block of Spruce Street be closed for a birthday party on July 20th (with a rain date of July 27th) was approved.

Report and Recommendations of Mayor

• The mayor wanted to remind everyone about the events going on for the 4th of July at Green Acres. Kid’s activities starts at noon and will continue till around 4:30 pm. Anyone wanting more information as to events can visit the Borough website (Link). 30 vendors will participate at the event. There will be fireworks at 9 pm on the High School fields.
• The borough is expected to receive tomorrow, July 3rd, the Remediation report for the NJDEP (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection) regarding Little League fields. Councilman Badillo asked if the next step is to await DEP approval of the report. The mayor stated that he, the mayor, has to sign off on the report and then the borough will await the approval from the DEP. The councilman asked if there was a timeline for the response from the DEP. The mayor stated there is no set timeline.
• The mayor spoke on the various tax relief programs that have been extended till August 15th. Anyone interested or with questions regarding requisites and programs can contact the local tax office at (908) 245-0819.

Report of Standing Committees and Other Mayor and Council Committees

Councilman Laurence Dinardo

• The councilman stated he was going to attend the Board of health meeting but that it was conceled for the second time.
• The councilman wanted to thank Carl Pluchino for responding quickly to complaints from residents who needed bushes trimmed.
• The councilman wanted to thank DPW (Department of Public Works) for patching up pot holes that needed to be filled.

Councilman Michael Yakubov

• The councilman wanted to assure residents that the police have been notified and are looking into cars coming in the wrong way Myrtle Avenue, which is a one-way street.
• The councilman also wanted to thank the police department for looking into residents on W. Roselle Ave & Pine Street driving against the “Do Not Enter” sign.
• The councilman, along with councilman Dinardo, are working on promoting the Neighborhood Watch more. At the 4th of July festivities, there will be a table. The councilman also looked into getting a sign and banner for the Neighborhood Watch. The councilman will meet with the police department to everyone on the same page with regard to the program.
• The area on Vally Road is finally clean. The councilman wanted to thank everyone who helped with the progress over the last months. The only things left are the railroad ties, which need to be specially disposed of since they contain creosote. The councilman attended the freeholder’s meeting to ask for assistance with the removal.

Councilman Ricky Badillo

• The councilman asked if the borough clerk could send him a copy of the Remediation Report so he could give it to the Little League officials.
• The councilman wanted everyone to come out and support the Little League Round Robin tournament, which is coming to a close on Saturday. There will be a girl’s tournament coming up soon.
• The councilman got a call from a resident on the 100 block of Lincoln Avenue regarding a culvert that collapsed. The County responded to the incident and placed metal door to replace the collapsed door as a temporary solution.
• The councilman asked the borough clerk to send a letter to the Board of Education about putting up netting on West Colfax and West Webster. There are balls that are going into the streets causing damage.
• The councilman wanted to thank the police department and the DPW for fixing the “Do Not Enter” sign on the 600 block of Filbert.
• The issue with permit parking is being addressed and residents should adhere to the regulations regarding permit parking.
• The councilman wanted to ask if something could be done locally to address the rising gas prices. He noticed that there is a regulation that on the Garden State Parkway, gas stations cannot raise the price of gas over a certain time period. He noticed that a gas station gets delivery of fuel but sometimes raises the price before the next delivery. This might be signs of price gouging. He asked if there is anything the borough can do to get better management of that. The mayor stated, being from a family who owned gas stations, that fuel delivery, especially in the summer, is more frequent than once a week. The mayor also stated that the refineries have ‘spot zones’ where they charge different prices depending on affluent or high traffic areas. There is a state law that prevent gouging but that the focus should also be put on refineries since they call dealers to raise prices, knowing fuel has already been purchased. Councilman Badillo asked if it should be sent to Committee. The mayor stated yes but if the borough wants to do something, the Attorney General should also be involved.
• The councilman wished everyone a happy and safe 4th of July.

Councilman Rick Matarante

• The councilman stated that the borough budget will be introduced at the next Mayor & Council meeting on July 17th. Public comment on the budget will be on August 21st. It was a tough year with everyone having things going on but he welcomes the public to come on the 21st of August to comment on the budget.
• The councilman offered an Acker Park update. There has been around $103,000 in grant money so far. $66,000 will be used to re-do the fence. The remaining amount will be used for the inside of the park. The borough re-did their proposal for state funds so the state can award additional points. When the grand total of funds are awarded, the councilman will give another update.

Councilman Modesto Miranda

• The councilman wanted to thank Frank and the DPW for the work done on the library.
• The councilman is awaiting the estimates on the electrical work for two (2) fire houses so work can begin on that.
• The councilman wanted to thank the DPW for fixing the air conditioning at police headquarters.
• The councilman wanted everyone to come to the festivities on July 4th and take part in the recycling can donation win event.
• At the next Public Safety meeting the councilman wanted to see about imposing an additional surcharge for moving vehicle violations; in part to cover the rise in fuel for police cars. Councilman Badillo asked if the incident with the truck getting stuck under a bridge in town could also be put on the agenda. He wanted to see if surcharges could be placed on the driver and/or the insurance company to recoup monies used by tying up the police force on this one incident.

Councilwoman Larissa Chen-Hoerning

• The councilwoman attended the Cruising Night event at Mauri Park.
• The councilwoman and her children attended the Library magic show at the Casano Center. She wanted to encourage residents to partake in the numerous events that the library holds and sponsors.
• The councilwoman attended the Farmer’s Market earlier in the day. It was the first one of the year and it continues till October. She wanted to encourage people to attend the market.
• The councilwoman continues her weekly walks and she drove around with Frank from the DPW to review concerns from the neighborhood.
• The councilwoman wanted to thank Frank and the DPW for addressing the “Do Not Enter” sign on Filbert.
• The councilwoman wanted to thank the police department for responding to permit parking issues on Filbert Street.

Reports of Departments

DPW Report

• Ben Constantino, speaking for the DPW, stated the department’s report was submitted and asked council if they had any questions.
  • The mayor wanted to thank the DPW for addressing graffiti at the tunnel.
  • Councilman Badillo wanted to thank the DPW for the Filbert Street signs. He had one concern from his daughter about the ivy in Acker Park. Mr. Constantino stated that the ivy was sprayed last week.
  • The councilman wanted to thank the DPW for addressing the rotting trees at the 500 block of Spruce Street.
  • The councilman wanted to see if the graffiti at the high school, by the girl’s softball and tennis courts could be addressed and removed.

Police Department Report

• Lieutenant McCaffrey, representing the police department, stated the department’s report was submitted and asked council if they had any questions. The lieutenant stated he has met with Ken Blum about the situation with the truck under the bridge. A letter has been written to see how much the borough can re-coup for the manpower put into it. All together, the handling of the incident took about 12 hours.
  • The mayor asked if the council could receive an amount of revenue that was collected from the “Click-It-or-Ticket” program by way of additional summonses given for additional moving violations. The lieutenant stated he will submit that to the borough clerk.
  • Councilman Badillo wanted to see if the police could look into a concern from a resident regarding the “No Left Turn” on West Lincoln. He wanted to know if it takes as much time to go straight as it does to make a left during the hours of 5 pm – 7 pm. The councilman also wanted to make sure that the no left turn policy was being enforced. Lt. McCaffrey stated he will look into it.

The acceptance of Reports of Departments was moved, voted on, and carried.

Minutes To be Approved, Pending Any Corrections

• The motion was moved, voted on, and carried.

The Motion that Bills & Payrolls Not Be Read and Motion that Bills & Payrolls Be Passed For Payment were all voted on and carried.

Ordinances for Second Reading

• Ordinance 2246. During the public portion, Mr. Magiera asked to have the ordinance explained. Councilman Matarante, the police chair, stated it had to do with having a stoplight monitoring system in place in the borough. An ordinance must be introduced as a first step to have the system in place. It is not used to spy on residents or dirvers. The goal is to increase safety. Mr. Magiera stated that as long as people know for what reason the cameras are being used, then it is not big brother. The ordinance was moved, voted on, and approved.

Ordinances for First Reading

• Ordinance 2247. The ordinance was moved, voted on, and introduced.

Resolutions

• Resolutions 158-08, 161-08, and 164-08 were pulled from consent. Resolutions 159-08, 160-08, 162-08, and 163-08 were moved, voted on, and approved.
• Resolution 158-08. Councilwoman Chen-Hoerning stated that the resolution was a good idea and that perhaps the borough could consider doing the same thing locally. The mayor stated that the budget, once introduced, is included on the webs tie but any additional information would also be helpful to inform residents. The councilwoman agreed and asked if a resolution could be proposed to mirror the resolution for the State. The resolution, already been moved, was voted on and approved.
• Resolution 161-08. Councilman Yakubov asked if the property in question is borough property or school property. The mayor stated that the Board of Education (BOE) has rights to it, therefore it is BOE property. Council is the lead agency for matters but it is BOE property. The councilman asked if construction money would come from the BOE or the borough or grant money. The mayor stated that the BOE has budget concerns of its own and grant monies will try to be gotten to help with the cost. The resolution, already having been moved, was voted on and approved.
• Resolution 164-08. The mayor discussed several streets being worked on this year and that these three (3) are going to be worked on from grant monies. The mayor also stated that the borough saved $250,000 by having one contractor bid on all three (3) streets at once. The resolution, already having been moved, was voted on and approved.

Public Portion

Jacob Magiera

• Mr. Magiera asked if there was an update on the Board of Health with regard to mosquitos. The mayor and councilman Dinardo stated no.
• Mr. Magiera recalled at a previous meeting that the mayor had requested paint and brushes so he could paint the tunnel. The mayor stated he requested them, but did not receive them.
• Mr. Magiera stated that there is discussion regarding the removal of fireboxes. He stated that council is haggling over 30 or so fireboxes but there are thousands of borough assets still in inventory. The mayor stated that the fixed items inventory is not like a business inventory. Businesses have depreciation on their inventory but the municipality does not. The items were appropriately disposed of or removed in accordance to law but they were not removed from the list. What is noted on the list are not assets that are missing. Mr. Magiera asked if there is documentation on the disposal or removal of assets. The mayor stated that it will be done during the fixed assets report. Mer. Magiera stated that the auditor, when reviewing the list, could not understand why so many assets were still on the inventory.
• For the record, Mr. Magiera wanted to confirm that the mayor and council will not be taking a pay increase for this budget year. The mayor stated there will be no pay increase for the fifth year.
• Mr. Magiera stated that when the DPW and the police department give reports, they are thanked for their work. He wanted to remind the council that those departments get paid for doing their work.
• Years ago, departments used to give full detailed reports on what they did, instead of submitting the report and awaiting questions from the council. the mayor stated that was a good idea.
• Mr. Magiera, with regard to the televising of the Planning Board and the Zoning Board meetings, stated that since the borough saved $250,000 on resolution 164-08, could appropriate some monies to the tapings. The mayor stated that capital monies cannot be transferred to operating budget matters. Mr. Magiera stated that at $15/hour, for four (4) hours, it would cost the borough $720/year for the taping of the Planning Board or Zoning Board meetings. Combined it would cost the Borough $1,440. He stated that if each governing body member took a $200 pay cut, Mr. Magiera would give the remaining $40 to pay for the tapings. The tapings would keep residents informed on borough affairs. With regard to scheduling, the mayor could discuss with Mr. Spagnoletti about how to accommodate scheduling with the BOE.
• Mr. Magiera gave his Union County Air Traffic Noise (UCATN) Advisory Board. He gave a web site (njcaan.org) where people could go to and file complaints against low flying planes. While attending the meeting Mr. Magiera picked a “First Steps To Disaster Recovery” pamphlet which he gave to the mayor to see if the Borough could get more.
• There is more of a police presence in town yet more attention should be given to Chestnut Street between Grant and Westfield, in particular to pedestrian crossing issues where cars fail to yield at crosswalks.

Glenn Marczewski

• Mr. Marczewski asked about the sheds at various playgrounds. He asked what will happen to them or if there are plans to dispose of them. The mayor stated that perhaps the DPW uses them but he will check on it.
• Mr. Marczewski asked regarding the fence at Acker Park. He stated that it should have been replaced years ago and wanted to know why it took until now to address it. Mrs. Cali, the borough clerk, stated that demolition will be done on the inside of the park and the Borough wanted to wait until it is done to put up a new fence.
• Mr. Marczewski asked regarding the fireboxes. He wanted to know how much it will cost to take them down. The mayor stated that no matter what the cost they need to be removed since they cannot be used any longer.
• Mr. Marczewski stated that Holmdel received grants for their First Aid Squad. The mayor stated that sometimes politics is involved with the awarding of grants but the borough will still seek funds to help with the first aid.
• Mr. Marczewski related his last comment to Mr. Magiera’s UCATN Advisory Board report regarding planes flying low in Roselle Park.

Michael Smith

• Mr. Smith of Linden read the following:
  • Good Evening Mr. Mayor, Council Members, and fellow Citizens. Perhaps rt takes a military man, such as General Norman Schwarzkopf, who led American forces in 1991, in Operation Desert Storm, to define the attibutes of a hero. “It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle, it takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.” The traits of a hero, that of valor, of courage, of perseverance, can be observed as one walks throughout the dusty pages of World and American History, where eternal sacrifices are offered to protect the ideals of freedom, of liberty, of independence. Such sacrifices can be traced back to the 300 Spartans at Themoploe, the British at Waterloo, the Americans at Bunker Hill, the Alamo, and on the Beaches of Normandy. Today we pause to reflect the battle death of PFC Stephen C. Benish, age 20, a member of the 2nd Infantry Division, killed by hostile fire, while on patrol, near Ramadi, Iraq, on November 28, 2004. Precious lives are lost while defending the ideals of America, parents mourn daily the battle deaths of their beloved military son or daughter. The Deparlment of Defense, as of June 26,2008, have identified 101 valiant American Servicemen and Servicewomen, who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan; 24 of which were age 21 and under.

  Assembly Bill A2654, Gold Star License Plates, embraces the human concepts of dignity, of compassion, of respect, that must be afforded to every New Jersey Parent, whose military son or daughter have made such an incalculable sacrifice for America. Although the remains of such warrior Americans, may lie in dignified state, perhaps at Arlington Cemetery; their souls, their courage, their spirits, shall continue to linger on forever, with the passage of the Gold Star License Plates. For as long as the American Flag waves proudly in a stout breeze, for as long as there are Americans, who pledge to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States, at times, with their very lives, for as long as there are Americans, as Sgt Checo, PFC Marciante Jr., Sgt Philiipe, or PBC Benish, the definition of the word “Hero”, shail never falter, never fade, never disappear from the human vocabulary. Thank you and God Bless America.

• His mission was to ask council to have a resolution asking for passage of A-2654. The mayor asked the borough clerk to draft a supporting resolution for the next meeting.

There were three (3) matters for closed session. One had to do with the Con-Rail property for senior housing. The other two were litigation matters of Judy Mack v. the Borough of Roselle Park and Guarriello & Dec v. Rosell Park. The meeting went into closed at 9 pm. The meeting opened again at 9:17 pm to recap the matters discussed in closed. The meeting adjourned at 9:18 pm.

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