BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS MINUTES - May 23, 2017 BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS M I N U T E S. May 23, 2017

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1 BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS M I N U T E S May 23, 2017 A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights was held on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 8:43 p.m. at Borough Hall, 320 Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. Borough Clerk Rose Marie Sees stated that the meeting complied with the Sunshine Law, adequate notice of this meeting having been made to all members of the Council by personal service on January 4, 2017 and transmitted to The Observer, The Record and The Herald News on January 4, ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor John DeLorenzo, Councilman Ron Kistner, Councilwoman Pamela J. Link, Councilwoman Josephine Ciocia, Councilman Justin A. DiPisa, Councilman Russell A. Lipari, Councilman Peter Traina Absent: None SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor DeLorenzo led in the Salute to the Flag and Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION: Mayor DeLorenzo gave the Invocation as follows: All-powerful and ever-living God, when Abraham left his native land and departed from his people, You kept him safe through all his journeys. Protect these soldiers. Be their constant companion and their strength in battle, Their refuge in every adversity. Guide them, O Lord, that they may return home in safety. We ask this through Christ our Lord. The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. Ronald Reagan, Memorial Day speech, 1982 PRESENTATION: Mayor DeLorenzo, Councilman Lipari, Board of Health President Connie Doheny and Board of Health Secretary Laura French presented checks from the proceeds from the Board of Health 5K Run and Fun Walk to Hasbrouck Heights Junior Woman s Club, Hasbrouck Heights Men s Association, the Contemporary Club and Board of Health for Scholarships. Representatives from each organization accepted the checks. 1

2 COMMUNICATIONS: 1) Letter to Mayor DeLorenzo from Charles A. Richman, Commissioner of DCA, informing of grant award of $32, for reimbursement of FEMA Public Assistance Program projects Mayor DeLorenzo asked if anyone wished to have this item read into record. There being none, he asked for a motion to accept the Communications which was made by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilwoman Link, and unanimously carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: (April 25, 2017 Regular Meeting, May 9, 2017 Regular Meeting) Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion to approve the foregoing Minutes which was made by Councilman Lipari, seconded by Councilwoman Ciocia, and unanimously carried. BILLS: WHEREAS, claims and accounts amounting to $426, specified in the Schedule hereto annexed, have been examined and approved by the Finance Commissioner, or his Deputy; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available in the accounts listed for payment of the claims; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the claims be paid and checks be issued on the funds and accounts indicated on the attached schedule. Signed Justin A. DiPisa Commissioner of Finance On a motion by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilman Traina, and unanimously carried, the foregoing Resolution was adopted. REPORTS: PUBLIC WORKS: Commissioner Kistner gave highlights of the following report from the Department of Public Works: SEWERS Maintenance is continuing on the sanitary sewer that handles flow from the Boulevard that joins Madison Avenue intercepting line and continues to Terrace Avenue. There was an issue where they had to clean the line, including tree branches, used the camera with several council people getting involved. It affected Costa Funeral Home. 2

3 STREETS DPW personnel attended class for Confined Space Training as required by the State. Friday, May 5, heavy rain in the amount of three inches fell in a five hour time span causing temporary flooding on local streets, Rt. 17, Rt.46. and low lying valley areas. The DPW facility and access points throughout Teterboro also experienced temporary flooding. Barricades and cones were placed out where needed. In regard to Burr Place, residents, new and old homeowners, have called about water and/or sewage in their basements after a severe rain event. Historically, it is well known that the sanitary sewer line on Burr Place is referred to as a Trunk Line. This very large main line handles the flow from ¾ of all the homes in our town. After a rain storm, residents that experience ground water in their homes use their sump pump to illegally pump the water into the sanitary sewer line. This practice causes the main sewer line to become fully charged beyond its capacity. The water seeks relief at manholes and/or in homes that do not have a Back Flow Check Valve Preventer. The governing body has addressed this matter by having the Building Department check for illegal sump pump hook-ups whenever a home improvement permit is issued. However, the Borough cannot go into a home and randomly check sump pump hook-ups. Topographically, (the physical appearance of the natural features of an area of land, especially the shape of its surface) Burr Place is located at the bottom of a hill where storm water always collects after a rain event. PARKS He reported Woodland Park looks great. Miers and Central Avenue playgrounds have had certified mulch applied for the season. All Borough properties have been irrigated, seeded, and fertilized except for Polifly Park which is pesticide free and only organic products are used. The stone road extension of Roosevelt Avenue that runs through Woodland Park has been reconditioned. Every year new stone is applied to the roadway. Commissioner Kistner also reported that he, Mike Kronyak, Bill Spindler and Rob Brady met with some of the soccer association executive members to look at the field needs. There is a drainage issue which will be tied into the catch basins, some hydroseeding, aerating, give it some loving tender care, and get it ready for sports seasons. With the B.C. Audubon Society, they are looking into a butterfly exhibit and bringing up to the Mayor and Council the possibility of a dog park in Woodland Park. When he was working with B.C. Parks, they built the dog park at Van Saun Park and Ridgewood Duck Pond. A lot of these projects can be done in house with our DPW. POLICE: From a report submitted by Chief Colaneri, Commissioner Kistner reported Sgt. Baker attended the Eighth Grade trip to Washington, D.C. All second grade students of Corpus Christi, Lincoln and Euclid Schools were photographed and finger 3

4 POLICE (cont d): printed. He thanked the Hasbrouck Heights Lions Club who donated all the supplies at no cost to the Borough. The Department participated in the D.E.A Operation Drug Take Back. Three large bags of unused prescription medications were destroyed. The HHPD maintains a drop off gox for medications that is available 24 hours, 7 days a week in the lobby of the Public Safety Building. Chief Colaneri and the HHPD Honor Guard participated in the Bergen County Police Memorial Service in Mahwah and placed flowers at the County Memorial as well as the HHPD Memorial. With regard to the Operation Drug Take Back, he suggested sending a letter to real estate offices in town, he has heard that people with drug problems go to open houses and into medicine cabinets. Hasbrouck Heights is ranked as one of the safest communities in New Jersey. From April 1-30, there were 1,326 police calls, a lot of calls for a community our size. He thanked Chief Colaneri and the Police Department. He read from three thank you letters: one to Sgt. Werner and Joanne Inglesby for their help with a student visa application from the Hickey Family; a letter thanking Ptl. Michael Renna, Jarrett Cooke and Cosmo Marino who on the early morning of April 20 displayed total professionalism in response to a call on Madison Avenue; and to Officer Cosmo Marino for escorting funeral procession to George Washington Memorial Park. TRANSPORTATION: Commissioner Link reported the Senior Bus is used to provide transportation for our Senior Citizens (age 62 and older) living in Hasbrouck Heights to various shopping destinations (such as Shop Rite-weekly on Wednesdays, Stop & Shop-weekly on Fridays, Walmart-monthly as on schedule, Paramus Park-monthly as on schedule and the HH Leisure Club-monthly on 2nd Wednesday). The bus has easy access and seats 22 passengers. To register, the senior resident may reserve a seat by calling the DPW at and leaving their contact information. Martin Adamkiewicz was the driver for this past month. A schedule is prepared monthly of destinations and may be obtained at our Senior Center or from the Bus Driver. Number of riders for the last month 82. SOCIAL SERVICES: Commissioner Ciocia reported there were 127 visitors to the Food Pantry from April 24, 2017 through May 22, Many donations have been received including Food Drives held at Corpus Christi R.C. Church, Bible Baptist Church, First Reformed Church, St. John s Episcopal Church and Methodist Church Women. Thank you also to Karen McDowell, Kitty Cruz, Lynn Petronella, Plaskow Family, Josephine McClean, Joanne Kuhn, Louise Davenport, Mrs. Corum, G.S. Troops 6838 and 4703, The Latos Family, Coach Sype, Manis Family and Cimmino Family. We appreciate the following volunteers who supervised the food pantry during these weeks. They are Janice Cooney, Vivian Leidenfrost, Audrey Gall, Dorothy Petroulas, Elsie Sternbach, Barbara Juliano, Joyce Belbo, Brian Callahan, Warren Nelson, Al Kinsley, Jeff Leidenfrost and Dan Solazzo. Thank you all for your time and support. All donations are very much appreciated and accepted in the Borough Clerk s office from 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 4

5 As Library liaison, Councilwoman Ciocia reported for the month of April a total of 10, 478 items were circulated, 7,622 people walked through the doors, 1,596 packages were forwarded to other libraries, 45 new library cards were issued, with total library card holders to date 6,125. There were 642 reference questions answered. The 1 st Annual Bergen County Care Fair was a big success with other 1,200 people attended. Our library was one of the exhibitors. Upcoming events are Saturday, June 3, a concert featuring Nash East Country Bank from 2-3 p.m. and Wednesday, June 21 a cross generational craft project from 3-5 p.m. FINANCE: Finance Commissioner DiPisa read the following report: the Current Fund cash balance at April 30 th was $1,394, and at March 31 st was $1,719, which represents a decrease of $325, The entire balance was invested and earning approximately 0.66%. Cash receipts for the month of April totaled $3,062, of which $2,822, was for Current Taxes, $8, was for Delinquent Taxes and $231, was Miscellaneous Revenues. Cash disbursements for the month of April totaled $3,387, of which $2,316, was for Local School Taxes, $616, was for Salaries and $455, was for Other Expenses. The 2017 Municipal Budget was adopted April 25, 2017, and copies have been transmitted to the Division of Local Government Services for approval. As of today, the county and state budgets have not yet been adopted, which will hold up the certification of the tax rate. The Borough can not issue final tax bills until the total tax rate has been certified therefore the Mayor and Council is adopting a resolution tonight authorizing the Tax Collector to issue estimated third quarter tax bills. RECREATION: Commissioner DiPisa reported that on May 17, he, Councilwoman Ciocia, Councilman Kistner met with Rob Brady and his Recreation and Senior Advisory Committees and discussed future plans. APPOINTMENTS: Dennis Riordan as HHFD Junior Firefighter Steven Waring as HHFD Junior Firefighter Austin Fung as HHFD Junior Firefighter Marc Pagan as HHFD Junior Firefighter Nicole Blanco as HHFD Junior Firefighter Nicholas Lorenzo as HHFD Junior Firefighter Frank Lorenzo as HHFD Junior Firefighter 5

6 APPOINTMENTS (cont d): Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion to approve the following appointments which was made by Councilman Lipari, seconded by Councilman Traina, and unanimously carried with pleasure. FIRE: Commissioner Lipari did not have a report. HEALTH: Commissioner Lipari gave the following report prepared by Board of Health Secretary Laura French: the annual dog census will begin June 26 with School Crossing Guards making a door-to-door visit to verify that every dog owner has a current 2017 dog license. They ask residents to leave a copy of their 2017 dog license in a visible place. The guards will be wearing their uniforms and will have Borough identification. The census will be conducted between the hours of 4:30 and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you have any questions or doubts about the person visiting your home please contact the Health Department at or Police Department at All licenses for food establishments expire on June 30. Renewal applications will be mailed the last week in May and must be returned by June 30. This includes all retail food establishments, schools, milk trucks, mobiles, seasonal, fraternal, massage therapy, barbershops, beauty and nail salons and public pools. Food establishments are reminded that is it prohibited to leave any door or window open for ventilation purposes without the protection of screening. All openings to the outside must be effectively protected against the entrance of insects and rodents. The next Board of Health meeting is Wednesday, June 14 which will be the last before the summer months. There are no scheduled meetings in July and August unless it is necessary. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13. CPR Course: The Board of Health in conjunction with the Health Awareness Regional Program of HUMC is offering a Free CPR & AED Training Course on Wednesday, June 7 from 6-9 p.m. in the Senior Center. Pre-registration is required by called LAND USE: Commissioner Lipari gave a report prepared by Dorothy Bernice. During the month this department issued 62 UCC permits. Additionally 33 Local Permits were issued with fences being the most issued permit for the month. 12 residents sold their homes with CO s issued. This amounted to a total income of $16, initial UCC inspections were done during the past month with a passing rate of 89%. Residents should make sure someone over 18 is in the house when inspections are 6

7 LAND USE (cont d): scheduled. The property maintenance inspector received 30 complaints, made 12 phone calls, 7 warnings were issued, and 4 summonses were issued for high grass. The inspector had one court appearance this month. Residents should be aware that no warning notices are necessary for failure to maintain the grass. It should be noted that no work should be started on any project until permits are issued. There are times that permits are denied and if this occurs the homeowner will have to remove what was constructed without permits and may be subject to a fine. If there is any doubt in your mind if you need a permit, please call the building department Commissioner Lipari was advised by Mayor DeLorenzo to get more involved with the Leisure Club. For the first time the Mayor and Council will be running bus rides for the Leisure Club. On July 12 will be the first one to Tropicana in Atlantic City. They will be held once a month with trips in the summer to Atlantic City and in the winter months to the Sands. TECHNOLOGY: Commissioner Traina reported he has been in contact with Valley National internal technology team who train in setting up the ability to pay taxes online if wanted. They have also spoken with multiple approved vendors by the State of New Jersey for updating the Borough s website allowing compliance of New Jersey Municipality website laws. MAYOR S REPORT: Mayor DeLorenzo reported he had a great time at the Library Centennial Kickoff Celebration, which was well attended. At the monthly Mayor s meeting he attends, the topics of COAH housing requirements and school funding dominated the meeting again once again. He met with Dr. Helfant from the Board of Education and will work together. He sent letters to our Assemblymembers, State Senator and Congressman. He said they met with Assemblyman Eustace and explained our position on school funding and how Hasbrouck Heights is not treated fairly. He also met with the Lieutenant Governor last Friday and explained to her how Hasbrouck Heights is in the lowest 20, not percent, lowest 20 in receiving state aid for our schools in the State of New Jersey, it is strictly not fair. We have decided to work with the Board of Education. Earlier this evening Dr. Helfant and School Business Administrator Dina Messery meet with the Finance Committee to go over ways we can work on our finances together. He said anyone during the upcoming elections please question your State legislators and get their opinion on school funding, because we are not getting our fair share. The Finance Committee and Board of Education will continue to work together to make something happen for us here. 7

8 MAYOR S REPORT (cont d: Mayor DeLorenzo said he thought the students did a great job tonight, it is nice to hear them say so many things about our schools and the community as a whole. NEW BUSINESS: Boulevard Stroll Mayor DeLorenzo invited Councilman Kistner to report on the Boulevard Stroll. The Councilman said they had a meeting of the Recreation committees the other also. The Boulevard Stroll last year that the Chamber of Commerce tried to put together didn t get well attended. He spoke to several members of the Chamber of Commerce. What they are planning is to borrow the Showmobile from Bergen County for the third Tuesday during June, July and August. They will close the street, people can walk the Boulevard, visit the stores, get some dinner. At 8 p.m. there will be a one hour Concert. He was going to get sponsors, but in speaking to CFO Michael Kronyak, he advised there is over $7,000 in an account that could be used. He thought it would be a good idea that the Mayor and Council sponsor this year s three concerts. He is confident we can have three bands, sound system service under $4,000. It will be a great community activity on the Boulevard, the street will be closed, residents can bring their beach chairs, walk the Boulevard and come back at 8 p.m. He Mayor DeLorenzo said he is guessing that is money that was earmarked for something like the Street Fair. Mr. Kronyak said as we collected money for the Street Fair, it evened up at the end with our vendors, whatever was left over was left in the account. Councilman Kistner said going forward we can have corporate sponsors. The Chamber of Commerce was successful in getting this year s Street Fair done. Mayor DeLorenzo said that is what makes this possible too to have something else to supplement that. The Chamber of Commerce took it over, so we have no obligation there. This is something of a savings we can put into a different program. Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion to approve the funds to pay for the Concert Series, which was made by Councilman Kistner, seconded by Councilman DiPisa, and unanimously carried. CONSENT AGENDA: 99. Governing Body Certification of the Annual Audit 100. Authorizing Treasurer to Issue a Check for Mayor s Scholarship Award 8

9 CONSENT AGENDA (cont d): 101. Authorizing Treasurer to Issue a Check for Seven Mary B. Quigg Scholarship Awards 102. Authorizing the Treasurer to Issue a Check for the Andrew Feintuch Memorial Scholarship Award 103. Authorizing Contract with Airman H.V.A.C., LLC for Preventive Maintenance Services to the H.V.A.C. Systems in Certain Borough Buildings 104. Authorizing Inclusion in the Bergen County Community Development Program 105. Authorizing an Agreement with the County of Bergen to Supersede Cooperative Agreement Dated July 1, 2000 and Amendments thereto Establishing the B.C. Community Development Program 106. Authorizing Estimated Tax Bills Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda which was made by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilman Traina, and unanimously carried. RESOLUTIONS: 107. Authorizing Raffle License for Lions Club of Hasbrouck Heights Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion to approve Resolution No. 107 which was made by Councilman Lipari, seconded by Councilwoman Ciocia, and unanimously carried. ORDINANCE(S) ON PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE NO. 2389: BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT 1 OF CHAPTER 93 ENTITLED BARBERSHOPS OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS SO AS TO PERMIT BARBERSHOPS LOCATED IN THE B 1 CENTRAL BUSINESS ZONE TO OPERATE ON SUNDAYS be now passed on second and final reading and the Borough Clerk be and is hereby authorized and directed to publish said Ordinance, 9

10 ORDINANCE NO (cont d): same to be published in The Observer, a newspaper circulating and published in the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights. Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion to open the Public Hearing on the foregoing Ordinance which was made by Councilman Traina, seconded by Councilwoman Link and unanimously carried. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion to close the Public Hearing on this ordinance which was made by Councilman Traina, seconded by Councilman Kistner, and unanimously carried. Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion to adopt the foregoing Ordinance which was made by Councilman Traina, seconded by Councilman Traina, and unanimously carried. HEARING: Platinum Auto Group, 380 Terrace Avenue Mayor DeLorenzo said we will open up this hearing and asked if anyone from Platinum Auto Group was present. Borough Attorney Chandless, said this was brought to this body on an order directing Platinum Auto Group which is the licensee to operate an automobile sales business at 380 Terrace Avenue, the old Schenk Chevrolet and later Kundert property. He said we are dealing tonight with just the issue of the license. Under our ordinances the license can only be granted to premises that at all times comply with Police, Fire and Zoning regulations imposed by any other law or ordinance and the place and premises where conducted shall be subject at all times to reasonable inspection by the Police, Fire, Zoning and Health authorities of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights. Mayor DeLorenzo asked if they were in compliance. Mr. Chandless said this is how the matter reaches the Council, saying as you know the new owner of the property EAS Properties LLC recently made an application to the Board of Adjustment for site plan approval and variances. There variance was to extend a non-conforming use. This property remains in the residential zone. Because it was to be expanded, it required further use variance and site plan cause permanent improvements were being done to the exterior. That application was made and the Board of Adjustment after many hearings, hard work, imposed numerous conditions on the property, in his estimation legal and very appropriate. Unfortunately, in the interim the operator of the premises totally distinct from the owner of the premises, Platinum 10

11 HEARING (Cont d): Auto Group made application and was granted a license to conduct its business. Thereafter it came to his and the Mayor s attention on April 21, the BOA engineer wrote an internal memo indicating that site was not conforming to use to the BOA resolution memorialized on September 22, 2016 and list the infractions. They did not follow these requirements, including lighting, number of cars, brick pavers. The ordinance specifically provides that the property has to comply. It doesn t matter if the compliance be the responsibility of the property owner in relationship to the conditions imposed by the BOA. What the Council has jurisdiction is over the license, it cannot remain there while the premises do not comply. At his request a report was made on May 19 by the engineer and finally on May 23 he wrote that the only outstanding compliance was the lights. He recommended that you continue this hearing for a month, leave the license in place, but with the condition that the sales business not be conducted after 6 p.m. and all of this is without any prejudice to any action the Building Department may take in respect to seeking compliance. Mayor DeLorenzo asked if they have been operating already, was told yes. The only option then is to continue this until 6 p.m. Can we require them to come. Mr. Chandless said notice was served to Mr. Leventhal to come tonight. Councilman DiPisa asked do we need to have an ultimatum sent to them that if they want to be able to continue to operate even during the day, that within 30 days somebody should appear here. Mr. Chandless said that was what he was suggesting. If not cancel the license. Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion that will allow the license for 30 days to remain in effect until 6 p.m. in the evening and then someone needs to appear at least by the second meeting in June to comply, and we want a report from the engineer they are in full compliance. A motion was made by Councilman Lipari, seconded by Councilman Traina, and unanimously carried. MISCELLANEOUS FROM PUBLIC: Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion to open the meeting to the public which was made by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilman Lipari and unanimously carried. He invited anyone wishing to speak on any subject to please come forward. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion to close the public portion which was made by Councilman DiPisa, seconded, by Councilman Kistner, and unanimously carried. 11

12 EXECUTIVE SESSION: 108. Personnel Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion to go into Executive Session which was made by Councilman DiPisa, seconded by Councilman Kistner, and unanimously carried. ADJOURN: There being no other business to come before the governing body, at 10:18 p.m., Mayor DeLorenzo requested a motion to adjourn which was made by Councilman Traina, seconded by Councilwoman Ciocia, and unanimously carried. I, ROSE MARIE SEES, Borough Clerk of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights, do hereby certify that the foregoing Minutes are to the best of my knowledge a true account of the Regular Meeting held on May 23, Rose Marie Sees, Borough Clerk 12