Freeholder Agenda - Regular Meeting [11-13-06]

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PASSAIC COUNTY / FREEHOLDER REGULAR MEETING AGENDA [11-13-06]

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AGENDA FOR THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE

PASSAIC COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS

November 13, 2006

1. Announcement of the Open Public Meeting Law.

2. Roll Call:

Present:

Duffy
Rosado
James
Way
Gallagher
Director Evans
Lepore

Absent:

3. Invocation.

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Approval of Minutes: October 24, 2006

6. Freeholder Committee Reports:

a. Administration & Finance (James)

b. Health, Education & Community Services (Lepore)

c. Human Services (Lepore)

d. Planning & Economic Development (Rosado)

e. Public Works (Gallagher)

f. Law & Public Safety (Duffy)

g. Energy (James)

7. Communications:

C-1 The ARC of Bergen and Passaic Counties, Inc. October 31, 2006,

Requesting permission to hold a craft sale December 13, 2006 in the County Administration Building lobby from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., all as noted in the communication

8. Oral Portion:

Motion to open the Public Portion of the meeting

Motion to close the Public Portion of the meeting

Regular Freeholder Board Meeting, November 13, 2006, Page 2

9. Resolutions – Consent Agenda:

R-06-682 Resolution authorizing an additional one month extension of the contract by and between the County of Passaic and Correctional Health Services for the provision of pharmaceutical drug and laboratory services for the inmates at the Passaic County Jail, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-683 Resolution whereas the County of Passaic in a litigation matter entitled Ronald Smith vs. Jerry Speziale, is desirous of assigning the Case to the law firm of Giblin & Giblin for defense which firm is included in the pool of qualified Outside Counsel and/or Special Litigation counsel for a fee not to exceed $7,500.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-684 Resolution whereas the County of Passaic in a litigation matter entitled Tammi Lowe-Philip vs. County Of Passaic, is desirous of assigning the Case to the law firm of Fontanella, Benevento, Galluccio, Smith & Rapuano for defense which firm is included in the pool of qualified Outside Counsel and/or Special Litigation counsel for a fee not to exceed $7,500.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-685 Resolution whereas the County of Passaic in a litigation matter entitled Raymond Aponte vs. County Of Passaic, is desirous of assigning the Case to the law firm of DeYoe, Heissenbuttel & Buglione for defense which firm is included in the pool of qualified Outside Counsel and/or Special Litigation Counsel for a fee not to exceed $7,500.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-686 Resolution accepting the Grant Funds which cover an 12 month period from 1/1/2007 through 12/31/2007 in the amount of $310,798.00 to be applied to the County Spending Plan for Solid Waste Tax Entitlement, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-687 Authorizing an award of contract to F. Antonucci & Sons of Paterson, NJ for the Passaic county Snow Plowing Removal District II in the amount of approximately, $205.00 per hour per truck, all as noted in the Resolution

Regular Freeholder Board Meeting, November 13, 2006, Page 3

R-06-688 Authorizing an award of contract to J.R. Haftek Co. Inc. of Paterson, NJ for the Passaic County Snow Plowing Removal District I in the amount of approximately, $300.00 per hour per truck, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-689 Resolution awarding a contract to SyTech Corporation, of Alexandria, Virginia, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5 (1) (g) for the purchase of maintenance services related to certain electronic surveillance equipment for a total of $27,315.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-690 Resolution Change Order No. #9 in connection with the contract awarded to Prismatic Development Corp. for the project known as Preakness Healthcare Addition #4 contract #6 in the additional amount of $9,205.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-691 Resolution for specialized legal services in connection with the authorization and issuance of bonds or notes of the County of Passaic including the review of such procedures and the rendering of approving legal opinions acceptable to the financial community and whereas the law firm of McManimon & Scotland of Newark, New Jersey is included in the pool of qualified Bond Counsel for the preparation, introduction and consideration of Bond Ordinance #2006-14, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-692 Resolution for specialized legal services in connection with the authorization and issuance of bonds or notes of the County of Passaic including the review of such procedures and the rendering of approving legal opinions acceptable to the financial community and whereas the law firm of McManimon & Scotland of Newark, New Jersey is included in the pool of qualified Bond Counsel for the preparation, introduction and consideration of Bond Ordinance #2006-15, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-693 Resolution for specialized legal services in connection with the authorization and issuance of bonds or notes of the County of Passaic including the review of such procedures and the rendering of approving legal opinions acceptable to the financial community and whereas the law firm of Hawkins, Delafield & Wood, LLP of Newark, NJ is included in the pool of qualified Bond Counsel for the preparation, introduction and consideration of Bond Ordinance #2006-16, all as noted in the Resolution

Regular Freeholder Board Meeting, November 13, 2006, Page 4

R-06-694 Resolution reappointing Minister Kathy A. Kuykendall as a member of the Board of Education of the Passaic county Technical Institute for a term effective immediately and terminating on November 1, 2010, all as noted in the Resolution Passaic herby states that it has complied with the promulgation of the Local Finance Board of the State of New Jersey dated July 30, 1968 and does hereby submit a certified copy of this resolution and the required affidavit to said Board to show evidence of said
compliance, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-696 Resolution Change Order No. #7 in connection with the contract awarded to Prismatic Development Corp. for the project known as Preakness Healthcare Addition #4 contract #6 in the additional amount of $9,203.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-697 Resolution authorizing the Director of the Passaic County Health Department to enter into an agreement for the receipt of funding for the implementation of the Right To Know Program in the sum of $15,213.00 for 2007, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-698 Resolution authorizing immediate payment to Catholic Family and community Services in the amount of $32,350.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-699 Resolution authorizing an amendment to the 2006 Area Plan GrantAgreement No. 06-1391-AAA-C3 for the Passaic County Area Agency on Aging, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-700 Resolution consenting to the adoption of Ordinance No. 76 (2006 which prohibits any aggress from the premises at 246 Paterson- Hamburg turnpike in the Township of Wayne, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-701 Resolution hereby approves the Plans and Specification for the replacement of the Belmont Avenue Bridge, Structure No. 1600158 and Redecking of Prospect Avenue Bridge, Structure No. 1600363 over Meadow Brook located in the Borough of Wanaque, all as noted in the Resolution

Regular Freeholder Board Meeting, November 13, 2006, Page 5

R-06-702 Resolution awards a contract to Konkus Corporation for the replacement of the Willard Street Bridge over Post Brook Structure No. 1600143 in the Borough of Pompton Lakes in the amount of $808,754.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-703 Resolution hereby authorizes an execution of a Grant of conservation of Restriction for the transition area (Wetlands) on the property in Wayne, New Jersey where the Preakness Healthcare Expansion project is ongoing, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-704 Resolution assigning outside Legal Services and/or Special Litigation counsel for the County of Passaic on an as-needed basic entitled: Delores Ferguson vs. County of Passaic, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-705 Resolution whereas the Board is desirous of retaining the law firm of Sciro & Marotta, which firm is included in the pool of qualified Outside Counsel and/or Special Litigation Counsel established by prior resolution to perform the necessary services for a period of three months at a flat rate of $5,000.00 per month, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-706 Resolution entering into agreement with Signal Outdoor Advertising, LLC and the Borough of Totowa regarding the installation and maintenance of bus shelters on County Roads and revenue sharing derived from said bus shelters in the Borough of Totowa, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-707 Resolution that the work performed by ML Ruberton construction company, Inc. for the 2005 Guiderail Program, be and the same is hereby accepted and the Director of finance is hereby authorized to make payment to said company on the next bill list, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-708 Resolution requesting cancellation of the Insertion of special Item of Revenue in the 2006 Budget Pursuant to N.J.S. 40A:4-87 (Chapter 159 P.L. 148) the grant award had been previously set up in the amount of $510,627.00 and now amended to $496,627.00 and that the Director of Finance be authorized to cancel the difference in the amount of $14,000.00, all as noted in the Resolution

Regular Freeholder Board Meeting, November 13, 2006, Page 6

R-06-709 Resolution requesting the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to approve the insertion of an additional item of revenue in the budget for the year 2006 in the sum of $5,558.00 from a grant award from the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-710 Resolution requesting the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to approve the insertion of an additional item of revenue in the budget for the year 2006 in the sum of $409,018.00 from a grant award from the State of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-711 Resolution requesting the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to approve the insertion of an additional item of revenue in the budget for the year 2006 in the sum of $64,625.00 from a grant award from the State of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Sane/Sart Grant Program, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-712 Resolution authorizing transfers between appropriations #1, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-713 Resolution Change Order No. #8 in connection with the contract awarded to Prismatic Development Corp. for the project known as Preakness Healthcare Addition #4 contract #6 in the additional amount of $4,797.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-714 Resolution Change Order No. #2 in connection with the contract awarded to A & A Industrial Piping, for the project known as Preakness Healthcare Addition #4 contract #4 - HVAC in the additional amount of $1,055,000.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-715 Resolution Change Order No. #2 in connection with the contract awarded to RCC Electric, for the project known as Preakness Healthcare Addition #4 contract #5 - Electrical in the additional amount of $518.00, all as noted in the Resolution

Regular Freeholder Board Meeting, November 13, 2006, Page 7

R-06-716 Resolution Change Order No. #1 awarded to Prismatic Development Corp. for the project known as the Preakness Healthcare Addition #4, Contract #6 – all other work is now necessary that a change order be made reflecting deductions of quanties for work items in the deducted amount of $201,865.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-717 Resolution Change Order No. #1 awarded to RCC Electric for the project known as the Preakness Healthcare Addition #4, Contract #5 – all other work is now necessary that a change order be made reflecting deductions of quanties for work items in the deducted amount of $56,313.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-718 Resolution Change Order No. #2 awarded to Weir Welding Company for the project known as the Preakness Healthcare Addition #4, Contract #2 – Steel all other work is now necessary that a change order be made reflecting deductions of quanties for work items in the deducted amount of $13,622.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-719 Resolution Change Order No. #2 awarded to Prismatic Development Corp. for the project known as the Preakness Healthcare Addition #4, Contract #6 – all other work is now necessary that a change order be made reflecting deductions of quanties for work items in the deducted amount of $1,691.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-720 Resolution Change Order No. #3 awarded to Prismatic Development Corp. for the project known as the Preakness Healthcare Addition #4, Contract #6 – all other work is now necessary that a change order be made reflecting deductions of quanties for work items in the deducted amount of $15,500, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-721 Resolution Change Order No. #5 awarded to Prismatic Development Corp. for the project known as the Preakness Healthcare Addition #4, Contract #6 – all other work is now necessary that a change order be made reflecting addition of quanties for work items in the amount of $9,671.00, all as noted in the Resolution

Regular Freeholder Board Meeting, November 13, 2006, Page 8

R-06-722 Resolution hereby ratifies and approves the Passaic County Policy on Signs on Passaic County owned roadways, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-723 Resolution Change Order No. #2 awarded to Prismatic Development Corp. for the project known as the Preakness Healthcare Addition #4, Contract #6 – all other work is now necessary that a change order be made reflecting deductions of quanties for work items in the deducted amount of $75,500, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-724 Resolution Change Order No. #3 awarded to RCC Electric for the project known as the Preakness Healthcare Addition #4, Contract #5 – Electrical is now necessary that a change order be made reflecting addition of quanties for work items in the amount of $8,360.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-725 Resolution Change Order No. #6 awarded to Prismatic Development corp. for the project known as the Preakness Healthcare Addition #4, Contract #6 – is now necessary that a change order be made reflecting addition of quanties for work items in the amount of $2,412.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-726 Resolution Change Order No. #1 awarded to A & A Industrial Piping for the project known as the Preakness Healthcare Addition #4, Contract #4 – HVAC is now necessary that a change order be made reflecting addition of quanties for work items in the amount of $28,245.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-727 Resolution Change Order No. #10 awarded to for the project known as the Preakness Healthcare Addition #4, Contract #6 – All other work is now necessary that a change order be made reflecting addition of quanties for work items in the amount of $7,798.00, all as noted in the Resolution

R-06-728 Resolution approving the “Corrective Action Plan” for the Fiscal Year 2005 Audit Report submitted by the Chief Financial Officer, all as noted in the Resolution Regular Freeholder Board Meeting, November 13, 2006, Page 9

10. New Business

Supplemental Debt Statement as of November 13, 2006

1. Introduction of Bond Ordinance #2006-14, providing a supplemental appropriation of $5,500,000 for various repairs and improvements to County Buildings and Grounds in and by the County of Passaic, New Jersey and authorizing the issuance of $5,225,000 Bonds or Notes of the county for financing part of the appropriation.

1a. Motion to introduce Bond Ordinance #2006-14, on first reading

2. Introduction of Bond Ordinance #2006-15, providing a supplemental appropriation of $120,000 for the study and improvement of Hazel Street in and by the County of Passaic, New Jersey and authorizing the issuance of $114,000 Bonds or Notes of the county for Financing part of the appropriation.

2a. Motion to introduce Bond Ordinance #2006-15, on first reading

3. Introduction of Bond Ordinance #2006-16, providing for the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of various bridges in and by the County of Passaic, New Jersey, and appropriating $6,652,000 therfor from the capital fund of the County.

3a. Motion to introduce Bond Ordinance #2006-16, on first reading

11. Personnel

12. Bills

13. Certification of Payroll

14. Receipt of Departmental Reports

15. Adjournment

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Killing The American Dream In New Jersey

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NEW JERSEY - PASSAIC COUNTY / INCREASED PROPERTY TAXES - DECREASED INCOME - HIGHER BILLS KILLING THE AMERICAN DREAM IN NEW JERSEY

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Northern New Jersey Real Estate Bubble

Keeping a watchful eye on our small part of the largest asset bubble in history

Since 2000, property taxes in Passaic County have surged, while incomes have barely grown. Tax rate increases in many municipalities have doubled and nearly tripled the pace of household income growth, an analysis conducted by the Herald News has found.

Passaic County property taxes increased by an average of 39 percent between 2000 and 2005.

Local homeowners say they have felt that shift acutely. It's made them cut spending, postpone retirement and contemplate moving out of state.

Local News

Deflating the American Dream in Jersey

Higher Bills, Flat Incomes Deflate The American Dream In Jersey

From the

~ By HEATHER HADDON and TOM MEAGHER
HERALD NEWS

Monday, August 14, 2006

PHOTO: LESLIE BARBARO / HERALD NEWS Johnny Malave, 43, a homeowner in Prospect Park, says rising property taxes have caused him grief. "I've had to stay with my older car,'' Malave says. "This is holding me up in life.'' New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation.

Frederick Rembis, a Clifton resident, has kept a log of his annual property tax bills for decades. Over the last few years, he's been troubled by what he's seen.

"Every year I write a larger check by 4 to 6 percent," said Rembis, 62, a retired engineer. "I'm worried."

Rembis is right to be concerned. Since 2000, property taxes in Passaic County have surged, while incomes have barely grown. Tax rate increases in many municipalities have doubled and nearly tripled the pace of household income growth, an analysis conducted by the Herald News has found.

Local homeowners say they have felt that shift acutely. It's made them cut spending, postpone retirement and contemplate moving out of state.

"I've had to stay with my older car," said Johnny Malave, 43, who has lived in a modest two-family house in Prospect Park for the past decade. "This is holding me up in life."

Passaic County property taxes increased by an average of 39 percent between 2000 and 2005, according to state data.

During that time, census statistics show that the county's median household income, when adjusted for inflation, plummeted by roughly one third.

The largest property tax increases since 2000 were in Lodi, Prospect Park, Totowa and Little Falls. Lodi's property taxes ballooned by 18 percent between 2003 and 2004, which was five times the inflation rate. From 2000 to 2005, Prospect Park saw the biggest overall increases in taxes, which rose by 52 percent.

Malave says his Prospect Park tax bill was about $3,900 10 years ago. It was $6,000 last year. He says his wages as a warehouse manager have increased by 2 percent, at most, over the same period.

"I've worked hard for my house. The state should give us a tax break," Malave said.

Property taxes have surged nationwide since 2000, as the cooling economy forced states to compensate for less federal aid and income tax revenue.

"Just to get out of the economic rut, states needed a way to rebound," said Matthew Gardner of the Center for Tax Justice, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C.

New Jersey's property taxes are the highest in the nation, and twice the national average, according to census data. The average Passaic County homeowner paid $6,420 last year in taxes, more than $500 more than the state average.

They've also paid much more for basic goods over the last several years.

The Consumer Price Index, which measures prices for food, gas and other personal expenses, has risen faster than the inflation rate since 2002 in the area that includes northern New Jersey, according to Bureau of Labor statistics.

Half of the state's $20 billion raised in property taxes go to school aid. The rest is primarily divvied between municipal and county expenses. Property taxes are one of the primary means for local governments in New Jersey to raise revenue.

The property tax picture was much different in the 1990s. After the economy slumped in the early 1990s, Gov. Jim Florio cut municipal funding and laid off many state workers. The state's job growth was kept at 2.9 percent between 1990 and 2000, compared with 12 percent nationwide, according to James Hughes, dean of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers.

Incomes also rose sharply during the '90s, translating into additional sales and income tax revenue. The county's median household income, when adjusted for inflation, rose by 31 percent between 1989 and 1999.

The influx of funds allowed New Jersey to provide additional state aid to municipalities, helping to keep local taxes low. In 1994, the state and municipalities also drastically reduced their contributions to the state pension fund.

The situation changed on both the spending and revenue fronts in 2000. As the American economy cooled, salaries stopped growing robustly and income tax revenue fell. State income tax revenue had increased by 14 percent between 1998 and 2001; it fell by the same percentage in 2002, according to Hughes. State spending also grew on a number of fronts. New Jersey's state work force swelled rapidly, fueled by school hiring and political appointments, according to Hughes.

"No one wanted to cut back," he said. "We lost discipline."

On the local level, municipalities began making larger contributions to the state pension system in 2004, which forced many to raise property taxes to balance budgets. Some local towns, such as Prospect Park and Hawthorne, were also hit with debt service for construction projects or additional school tax levies.

At the same time, state aid to municipalities remained flat. "It's killing the municipalities," said Mary Jeanne Hewitt, Hawthorne's chief financial officer.

Homeowners have been caught in the middle. Bill Alexander, 74, saw the property taxes on his Bloomingdale home surpass $8,000 last year. That's almost a third of what he paid for his entire house 46 years ago.

A retired milkman, Alexander started delivering a penny-saver magazine three years ago to bring in an extra $300 a week, in part, to help with his bills. "Social Security hadn't given me raise," Alexander joked.

Bureau of Labor Statistics show that older workers are increasingly staying employed. In 2000, 12.8 percent of those 55 and older were still working, while that figure grew to 15.1 percent in 2005.

Janet Guariglia, a Prospect Park homeowner, came out of retirement four years ago, taking on a part-time teaching job at William Paterson University. She says property taxes were part of the motivation.

"I love it here. I don't want to leave," said Guariglia, who has lived on North Ninth Street for 46 years. "They are pushing us out."

Passaic County residents have been leaving. Between 1995 and 2000, an average of 3,557 county residents left the state annually, according to census data. The rate more than doubled between 2003 and 2004.

States nationwide are wrestling with the property tax question. South Carolina lawmakers fiercely debated how to reduce taxes this year, and New Jersey and Idaho have both called special legislative sessions on property taxes. In Pennsylvania, property taxes have become a top issue among the gubernatorial candidates.

Gov. Jon Corzine has said he wants to cap annual property tax increases at 4 percent and offer direct tax reductions to homeowners earning under $200,000. Some analysts say caps tend to backfire, as they put pressure on other revenue generators -- like sales or business taxes -- to fill the void. "Across-the-board cuts just aren't sensible," Gardner said.

Rembis, who has contemplated leaving the state over the taxes, said lawmakers need to focus more on cutting spending. "They should have to live in a reasonable budget like the rest of us have to do," he said.

Reach Heather Haddon at 973-569-7121 or haddon@northjersey.com and Tom Meagher at 973-569-7152 or meagher@northjersey.com

Copyright © 2006 North Jersey Media Group Inc.

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County Board Orders Property Tax Evaluations

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PASSAIC COUNTY / EVEN HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES IN THE MAKING?

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From The Archives ...

How Quickly The Voters Have Forgotten ... Thank You For Voting "Democrat"!

Northern New Jersey Real Estate Bubble

Keeping a watchful eye on our small part of the largest asset bubble in history

The Passaic County Board of Taxation expects to order all municipalities to undergo property revaluations within three years.

LOCAL NEWS

County Board Orders Revaluations

Passaic County - The Tax Man Cometh

From the

~ By KAREN KELLER
HERALD NEWS

Saturday, August 12, 2006

The Passaic County Board of Taxation expects to order all municipalities to undergo property revaluations within three years said Richard Mohr, board president.

Ringwood, North Haledon, Little Falls, Totowa and West Paterson will initiate the process, having received letters ordering revaluations last month. The next batch of municipalities will receive notices next summer, he said.

It has been nearly two decades since the last countywide revaluation. In 1985, the taxation board ordered all county municipalities to re-evaluate their tax base, and the process was completed between 1986 and 1992 by all municipalities except Paterson, said Mohr. Paterson is currently undergoing a revaluation and hasn't completed one since 1971.

Homeowners shouldn't assume that their tax bill will increase because their property value will be updated, said Mohr. Taxes increase across the board as municipal, school, open-space or county spending increases -- not as property values rise, he said.

Revaluations will cost each municipality at least $200,000, the minimum price charged by the state's handful of firms licensed to perform such work, he said.

The five towns are expected to begin the process by the end of the year. Revaluations take about 12 months, Mohr said, and resulting calculations will be used in 2008. New Paterson property values will be used for property tax calculations in 2007, said Mohr.

The five towns have until Sept. 4 to appeal the order, or 45 calendar days since they first received the order, he said. Little Falls will not make an appeal, said William Wilk, the borough business administrator. North Haledon and West Paterson have not yet decided whether they will appeal, borough officials said. Ringwood and Totowa officials did not return telephone calls on Thursday seeking comment.

North Haledon Mayor Randy George said he's not happy with the mandate, though he hasn't yet discussed the matter with the Borough Council. After receiving the order, George said he telephoned James Murner, the board administrator, to express reservations.

"I called up the man and said 'it doesn't mean were going to do it,'" said George.

Reach Karen Keller at 973- 569-7158 or KellerK@northjersey.com.

Copyright © 2006 North Jersey Media Group Inc.

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Eagle Ridge Townhousing Development Is Dead

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WEST MILFORD / EAGLE RIDGE TOWN-HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS DEAD

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Doug Fenashal, spokesperson for K. Hovnanian said on Thursday that the decision to withdraw the project was based on several factors.

“As the market is adjusting, we took a look at a number of projects. Eagle Ridge is no longer economically viable. We cannot justify the expense of dealing with the same regulatory tests over and over again. We shouldn’t have to prove things multiple times for a permit.”

Fenashal said that West Milford might regret losing its “last opportunity for a significant rateable.”

But in town, Eagle Ridge was almost unanimously opposed.
Councilman James Warden said he was “thrilled to death” with the situation. “All this fighting has paid off,” he said.

Eagle Ridge Housing Project Is Dead

Friday, November 10, 2006

WEST MILFORD -- The proposed 288 unit townhouse development known as Eagle Ridge is officially no more.

Doug Fenashal, spokesperson for K. Hovnanian said on Thursday that the decision to withdraw the project was based on several factors.

“As the market is adjusting, we took a look at a number of projects. Eagle Ridge is no longer economically viable. We cannot justify the expense of dealing with the same regulatory tests over and over again. We shouldn’t have to prove things multiple times for a permit.”

Fenashal said that West Milford might regret losing its “last opportunity for a significant rateable.”

He also said as part of Hovnanian’s plans for Eagle Ridge that there are 33 homes in the surrounding area with low-yield wells for which Hovnanian would have provided water. “Those people would have benefited from the project and now, what, the township is going to help them?”

But in town, Eagle Ridge was almost unanimously opposed.

Councilman James Warden said he was “thrilled to death” with the situation. “All this fighting has paid off,” he said.

Warden hopes that the rest of the council will back him on a plan to purchase the land. He said as open space the state will foot half the bill and the county a quarter. That leaves West Milford to come up with 25 percent of the price. “Thank God the open space money didn’t end up going to recreation. Because it’s still there, buying the property, which is the right thing to do, is possible.”

Warden was referring to a referendum township residents rejected which would have released money from the open space fund to cover costs associated with recreational facilities.

Warden also said Hovnanian has filed a $4.5 million lawsuit against the owners of the property.

The council voted this week to move forward with withdrawing from the Wanaque Valley Regional Sewer Authority.

Although West Milford belongs to the sewer authority, the township does not use it.

Councilmen Philip Wiesbecker and Joe Smolinski voted to wait on the issue, but Warden, Councilman Bob Nolan and Council President Bill Gervens overruled them to move forward.

As a result there will be a public hearing on the matter on Dec. 6.

Copyright © 2006 Straus Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.

| The West Milford Messenger |

| Straus Newspapers |

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West Milford Voters Maintain Status Quo

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WEST MILFORD / VOTERS MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO ON COUNCIL

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Going in a different direction than the national majority, West Milford voted solidly Republican, leaving the local balance of power with the GOP, and supporting mostly losing candidates on the county and state level.

Although Robert Menendez won a seat on the Senate, West Milford voted 4486 - 2915 for his challenger Tom Kean Jr.

Democrat incumbent County Freeholder candidates James Gallgher, Tahesha Way and Sonia Rosado each won their bid for re-election, but within the township Republicans Arthur Soto, Keith LaForgia and Erik Lowe won by wide margins.

Voters Maintain The Status Quo On Council

Friday, November 10, 2006

Left-Joe Smolinski-55 years old, Owner of an automotive facility in Wyckoff. Right-Sal Schimmenti, 46 years old, Chiropractor in West Milford.

WEST MILFORD -- Going in a different direction than the national majority, West Milford voted solidly Republican, leaving the local balance of power with the GOP, and supporting mostly losing candidates on the county and state level.

Wednesday morning’s unofficial results showed Republicans Joe Smolinski with 4371 votes, and Sal Schimmenti with 4208; while Democratic challengers James Geist and James Rauth got 3117 and 3010, respectively. Smolinski is the only incumbent, having been appointed to the council after the resignation of Joe Elcavage.

The election came after a messy campaign with accusations ranging from criminal activity to playing politics rather than governing.

Yesterday, Schimmenti and Smolinski each expressed their gratitude to their supporters and the voters in general. They both also said they were glad to see the number and enthusiasm of the voters.

Smolinski addressed the upcoming term saying, “Our plans and direction will be those that will benefit all our residents. There are many pressing township issues that we face, not only as councilmen, but also as residents. As we stated, during our campaign, these issues need to be addressed as a unified council and those are our intentions.”

Although Robert Menendez won a seat on the Senate, West Milford voted 4486 - 2915 for his challenger Tom Kean Jr.

Incumbent County Freeholder candidates James Gallgher, Tahesha Way and Sonia Rosado each won their bid for re-election, but within the township Arthur Soto, Keith LaForgia and Erik Lowe won by wide margins.

Copyright © 2006 Straus Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.

| The West Milford Messenger |

| Straus Newspapers |

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Looking To The Past To Predict The Future

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WEST MILFORD / LOOKING TO THE PAST TO PREDICT THE FUTURE

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Republican Councilmen continue to bash the NJ Highlands Act, claiming that it keeps rateables out of West Milford. They even approved a 17 page document to be sent by the Planning Director to the Highlands Council on behalf of West Milford, saying that we object to being in the Highlands Preservation area because the Act prevents “major” development, i.e., town-house developments (not individual homes being upgraded or built on family-owned lots). Those Councilmen are again following the “Rateables Chase.” When the NJ State Legislature had a public hearing on the Act at Skylands Manor, Doris Osterhoudt, the West Milford Republican Leader, spoke for 20 minutes against the Act, and against West Milford being in the preservation area. She even called Republican Sen. Bob Martin “a traitor” because of his environmental concerns.

Opinion

West Milford Messenger

Look To The Past To Predict The Future

Thursday, October 26, 2006

To the editor:

West Milford Councilmen James Warden and Bob Nolan won their seats with a massive landslide vote, about 3,000 for Republicans and about 4,000 for Democrats. The deciding issues were protecting our environment and taxes. These two issues are strongly linked.

In contrast to the “Rateable Chase” that Republicans were following, the Democrats and the voters knew that it was a “Rateable Myth.” According to the West Milford Board of Education’s own study, each new home has an average of one child in public school. Also, property tax averages about $6,000 while tuition and bussing averages about $13,000/child. So, new homes are a “negative rateable” of $13,000 - $6,000 = $7,000. West Milford voters certainly got a grade of “A+” in math. For some “advanced” math, Eagle Ridge, with 280 units and Valley Ridge with 100 units would bring 380 more children to West Milford. Multiply that 380 by the $7,000 negative rateable, and we get an annual tax deficit of $2,660,000. And, of course, we would need a new school at a cost to tax payers of between $30,000,000 and $50,000,000.

Nolan and Warden have fought for West Milford residents to drive the “Two Ridges” away. Nolan went to Trenton with others to meet with DEP commissioner Bradley Campbell to tell him that we don’t have enough ground water for Eagle Ridge, and that their hydro-geology report was flawed. I asked Republican Mayor Joe DiDonato to join our Trenton visit. But, he didn’t show up. The Democratic Freeholders supported West Milford’s fight, by sending Campbell a resolution to deny Eagle Ridge’s well permit, and sending Freeholder Terry Duffy to that meeting. The group of 9 included past Republican Mayor Carl Richko, Republican chair of the Greenwood Lake Commission, Ella Filippone, and Independent past chair of the West Milford Smart Growth Committee, Barry DiGiacinto. Robin O’Hearn and Ross Kushner, heads of non-partisan environmental groups SkylandsCLEAN and the Pequannock River Coalition, also joined the group. The visit was led by Republican State Senator Bob Martin. However, none of the Republican majority on West Milford's Council supported this effort to eliminate Eagle Ridge’s ticket to development, it’s MUA well permit. Sen. Martin’s Aid left several phone messages for Mayor DiDonato, when we knew he was in Town, but he didn’t respond. No Republican Council members spoke against Eagle Ridge’s well permit at DEP’s public hearing, although about 100 West Milford residents were there to fight against that permit.

Warden has actively fought to remove Valley Ridge from those water-depleting and tax-increasing developments. That’s been part of his work towards improving Greenwood Lake for West Milford recreation and tourism. Warden helped to get a water weed harvester for that Lake, and also to bring Democratic Sherif Speziale and his free SLAPP labor to help harvest the weeds. Warden joined me to take water samples from the MUA’s Olde Milford Sewage outfall pipe, where Valley Ridge would pipe it’s sewage. That sewage effluent would pollute Belchers Creek, Pinecliff Lake and Greenwood lake. As many know, the bacteria count in the effluent sample was 47,000 (NJ Standard being 200) and the phosphorus (i.e., water-weed fertilizer) was 400 percent over MUA’s permit limit. Warden spoke up at the Valley Ridge hearing as one of dozens of residents to provide the West Milford Planning Board with evidence to deny Valley Ridge’s approval, but no Republican Councilmen spoke.

Meanwhile Republican Councilmen continue to bash the NJ Highlands Act, claiming that it keeps rateables out of West Milford. They even approved a 17 page document to be sent by the Planning Director to the Highlands Council on behalf of West Milford, saying that we object to being in the Highlands Preservation area because the Act prevents “major” development, i.e., town-house developments (not individual homes being upgraded or built on family-owned lots). Those Councilmen are again following the “Rateables Chase.” When the NJ State Legislature had a public hearing on the Act at Skylands Manor, Doris Osterhoudt, the West Milford Republican Leader, spoke for 20 minutes against the Act, and against West Milford being in the preservation area. She even called Republican Sen. Bob Martin “a traitor” because of his environmental concerns.

So, we now need Democratic Council candidates Jim Geist and Jim Rauth on board to support Warden and Nolan in protecting our environment and stabilizing our taxes. With two more pro-environment and anti-development Councilmen, West Milford residents would have a majority on Council to fight against mega-development. The Highlands Act is constantly threatened by pro-development legislators, and by antiquated Township laws that favor development. For example, just last week Nolan proposed a West Milford ordinance to restrict preliminary site plans to 5 years. Had that been on the books, Valley Ridge would have been gone, as their site plan would have expired in 2002. The fight against mega-development must continue on many fronts. Geist and Rauth have environmental preservation and tax stabilization as the key-stones in their platform. In addition to fighting the Rateables Myth, they want to stabilize taxes by pushing for a water-user surcharge at a State Level. Warden and Nolan initiated that water-surcharge idea when Republicans said it would fail. However, it now looks like pro-environment Governor Jon Corzine might support it, if we can provide the political push that he needs. Do, check out Rauth and Geist’s www site at www.wmbest.com .

Doris Aaronson

W. Milford

Copyright © 2006 Straus Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.

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State Finds Funds For Park Repairs

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RINGWOOD / STATE FINDS FUNDING FOR PARK REPAIRS

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State officials have finally found money in the budget to fix up New Jersey's parks, where deteriorating historical monuments, rutted walking trails, leaking roofs and broken restrooms have gone untended for years.

On the list for repairs in North Jersey: a new roof for Ringwood Manor and work on buildings at Skylands Manor that are so structurally unsafe that they have had to be boarded up.

State Finds Funding For Park Repairs

Oct. 30, 2006
(McClatchy-Tribune Business News delivered by Newstex) --

Repairs are needed at Ringwood Manor in Ringwood State Park.

State officials have finally found money in the budget to fix up New Jersey's parks, where deteriorating historical monuments, rutted walking trails, leaking roofs and broken restrooms have gone untended for years.

The only hitch: Voters must give them permission to spend it.

A question on the Nov. 7 ballot asked voters to approve transferring surplus funds from a program to remove underground storage tanks into an account that could pay for at least some of the building and maintenance needs of parks.

It would provide about $15 million a year for the next decade and possibly double that in the years that follow -- all without raising taxes.

The measure is being hailed by Democrats and Republicans alike as the best hope for solving a funding crisis in the state parks. For several years, nothing has been budgeted for park repairs. The result is a backlog of more than $250 million worth of repairs and renovations.

"This, for the first time, would create a stable source of funding for park maintenance and repairs," said Pola Galie, an activist for the Outdoor Recreation Alliance. The group was formed largely to persuade the public to vote "Yes" on Ballot Question 2.

How the money would be divvied up has yet to be determined. Lawmakers said maintenance and renovation work at county parks would be eligible for some of the funds. But since the state already has a long list of needs at its own parks, the money would be likely to go fast each year, advocates said.

"In the beginning, this is only going to bring in $15 million a year," said Bill Foelsch, director of the New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association. "So it's going to take a while to address the backlog."

On the list for repairs in North Jersey: a new roof for Ringwood Manor and work on buildings at Skylands Manor that are so structurally unsafe that they have had to be boarded up. Rust has formed on pedestrian bridges, and potholes plague roads at the Palisades Interstate Park. Restrooms and changing rooms have had to be closed at Wawayanda State Park for lack of money to repair them.

Meanwhile, many new projects have stalled for lack of money, such as a plan to transform an old junkyard into a museum and gateway park at New Bridge Landing in River Edge. A new park above Paterson's Great Falls also has been waiting for funds.

The Legislature managed to find $9 million in the current state budget to make some capital improvements at state parks. In deciding how to spend the $9 million, the state tried to target projects where history or valuable park assets were in danger of being lost, said Lisa Jackson, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection.

The state park at New Bridge Landing is slated to get a slice of that $9 million. The details will be announced Thursday, Jackson said.

If voters approve the funding plan on the ballot, the first task for the DEP will be to prioritize the long list of needs, Jackson said. Some examples of immediate needs could include saving bulkheads at Liberty State Park that are in danger of being swallowed by the Hudson River, or replacing septic systems that are about to fail at other park properties.

Jim Hall, superintendent of Palisades Interstate Park, said his agency has seen some of its requests for major repairs go unfunded for five years in a row.

Just a year ago, the park was forced to close several of its attractions in Alpine, including the Kearney House, the pavilion and the boat basin, for about six months after an underground electrical line failed and had to be completely replaced, Hall said.

"We ended up having to apply for emergency money to get that fixed," Hall said. "But that's something that could have been avoided if there was a regular pot of money available for repairs. Right now, it's like you have to wait for an emergency situation before something can get fixed."

At Fort Lee Historical Park -- located at the southern tip of the Palisades Park system -- the battlements that Revolutionary War soldiers built out of earth and logs are starting to fall apart for lack of money to reinforce them, Hall said.

The legislation authorizing the ballot question passed both houses unanimously.

Advocates say their only challenge is to make sure voters understand the measure wouldn't raise taxes or dip into their pocketbooks in some other way.

The money would come from an existing corporate business tax currently dedicated to a fund to help residents pay for the removal of leaking underground storage tanks.

The need for that fund has waned and a surplus has existed for several years, said Elaine Makatura, a DEP spokeswoman. The surplus is expected to continue to increase in the coming years, possibly growing by $32 million a year by 2016. If voters approve rededicating the money for park use, the move will be permanent.

While it has the support of nearly all of the state's environmental groups, the initiative is far from being seen as a fix-all for the state's parks.

Lawmakers and advocates say they also need to pump billions more dollars into the nearly depleted Garden State Preservation Trust, which awards grants for preservation efforts and park improvements.

For that, they'll have to go to voters again in 2007.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0086-11686379

Credit: The Record, Hackensack, N.J.

To see more of The Record, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.NorthJersey.com. Copyright (c) 2006, The Record, Hackensack, N.J. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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