OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
AGENDA MEETING
January 22, 2002
An Agenda Meeting of the Township Council of the Township of Old Bridge was held on January 22, 2002 in the Municipal Complex. The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Vice-president Redmond who invited all to participate in a salute to the flag followed by a short prayer.
Deputy Clerk, Stella Ward, announced that pursuant to Section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act, this meeting has been advertised in the Home News and Tribune. Next meeting of the Council will be January 28, 2002 at 8:00 p.m.
Roll call by Deputy Clerk Ward showed the following answering present: Councilmen Baker, Calogera, Greene, Hoff, Maher, Vice-president Redmond. Councilwoman Panos and President Butler were absent. Councilman Testino arrived at 8:10 p.m.
GUESTS
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park - Ken Landerman, Alex Napp and Michael Napp.
Vice-president Redmond: Tonight we have a presentation. We will start off with our guests from Raceway Park. This on the Harley Davidson application. For those of you who don't understand, our Mass Assembly Ordinance requires an application to hold an event of this magnitude and Harley Davidson and Raceway Park have applied to the Township to hold an event in August for Harley's 100th Anniversary. Who is your spokesperson going to be?
Ken Landerman: My name is Ken Landerman, I am an employee of Old Bridge Township Raceway Park for the past 28 years. I am special projects manager and I am one of the three fellows in charge of this event. With me is Alex Napp, Vice-president and Michael Napp, President of Old Bridge Township Raceway Park and our attorney, Jonathan. I brought an overview of it but I think that I can just tell you and I can probably answer your questions but if you'd like an overview on the event again we'll give it but if there are specific questions that you have in mind to keep the meeting rolling I'll gladly just answer your concerns.
Vice-president Redmond: Well, I believe some of the council people had some concerns and some questions. There was some conflict as to the number of people. We were told one number and then there was a different number on the paperwork that we received the following week. So, whatever is the council's pleasure, if you would like the overview.
Councilman Baker: Mr. Chairman, how long is the presentation? I mean how long will the presentation be? Five minutes, five hours? I'll go for five minutes.
Mr. Landerman: I'll just answer your questions.
Councilman Greene: Mr. Chairman, to be honest with you, I was the one who really was vocal at the last meeting and maybe if I could make some comments, as part of their presentation maybe they could address those comments if you don't mind.
Vice-president Redmond: That will be fine and I will yield to Mr. Greene.
Councilman Greene: Just to give you a little bit of a history, this appeared on the agenda several weeks ago and it was indicated to the Council that we had to make a rush decision because you in turn had to go out and print the brochures, the literature and let Harley Davidson know if, in fact, we were definitely on the list to have this event. Quite honestly, I mean this is just my perspective. One thing I would like to mention is I really think that in a case like this you should go to the administration and then the administration should pass on the information to the departments that are involved. I don't know exactly what happened but that is really my personal opinion. So, we had this. You came down with the application. There was really no backup to it. Ultimately the Council approved it because we were petitioned by the Police Department who indicated that this was a good event, etc., etc., etc. and I believe that you try to run a good business but I have concerns and I will give you an example and this is just an example, it doesn't apply to you but this is one of the reasons why I have a concern. We have another businessman in town who brings in new events and new venues and says well I'm going to have this and I'm going to make my profit and if anything goes wrong I'm going to blame it on somebody else. I'm going to tell the police department and I'm going to tell the enforcement people and I 'm going to tell the township that this is what I'm doing, I think it's okay but if goes bad, not my fault. I want to make sure and I don't believe that that's the type of business you are but I do want to protect the quality of life of the residents in Old Bridge in particular those who live in the surrounding area.. I want to make sure that all the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed so that if there's a problem inside that's it's addressed. Okay. According to the application, you indicate that you could have 50,000 or more people a day.
Ken Landerman: I think the capacity could be 50,000 but we're going to ideally host 40,000 people.
Councilman Greene: It goes beyond that. It goes to potential problems with traffic. It goes to potential problems with litter on Englishtown Road and the adjoining roadways. A whole host of things. So, I 'm glad you came down tonight but I do want to tell you that I don't want this to be the end of it because I believe that maybe down the road I may have some additional questions or concerns and the residents may have concerns. I think we should look at this as a new event that we want to do the right thing for you as well as the right thing for the residents of Old Bridge.
Ken Landerman: Let me just address some of those points. I appreciate your concern. We want to be good neighbors. We've been here for 38 years. We plan on being here for a long, long time. We are not a promoter that comes into town, runs a show and goes to the next city. We do over 200 events a year and we're used to crowds of 40 to 50,000 people. For example our NHRA Nationals that probably everybody in this room is familiar with. It is our 33rd year running it. We host 50,000 people there a day with the cooperation of the Old Bridge Township Police getting them in and out, keeping the traffic going, working with the traffic lights. You brought up a good point about litter. This is not 25 years ago, Labor Day 1977. This is the present. If the town has a concern about litter and the people coming, which by the way is a total family event the way the Captain presented it on our behalf back on December 17th. We will certainly take care of a litter patrol on whatever streets you wish. Rt. 527, Pension Rd. Texas Road. Whatever roads you want we'll address that. We can do it nightly. We can do it at the conclusion of the event. Traffic, I feel more than confident working with the Township Police that we are going to keep it moving. We look at it in a different way. It's a Harley Davidson Corporate event. This is not a music festival. It's not being advertised as a Rock and Roll show. It's not a Daytona Bike Week that might be in the news or the famous one in Sturgis, South Dakota where the Harleys meet every year. This is a corporate event being put on by Harley Davidson and I am going to show you some of the materials that they have already gone to print with but first I am going to just show you the latest issue of Forbes Magazine. Harley Davidson the All American Company voted the number one company in America, right here by Forbes Magazine. They're putting on the event. We're sitting here. We want to work with the entire town, all the residents. It's our job that it goes smoothly. That the traffic is right. That the litter is picked up. That we meet your concerns with any kind of permits and we are going to abide by that ordinance that we filled out. With the 50,000 number, I filled out the application. I can tell you this. Are we going to sell 50,000 tickets? I don't think so. Can we hold 50,000? Yes we can, but the number is going to be 40,000. We are going to have employees. It's going to take 700 employees to run this event. Most of the people are from Old Bridge, Manalapan, the area, East Brunswick. It's going to be everything from students to retirees. We are going to work with the Police Dept. We have met with the Police Dept. a number of times. Harley Davidson is custom creating these tents. I think that the thrust of the whole event is that it's a family event. People are coming to see the history of Harley. They're going to bring out some of the first bikes ever made from the 1900's. Twenty-four hour armed guard security to make sure everything is in place so there is no problem. Hundreds of bikes, millions of dollars of bikes. There are going to be six football sized tents. How Harley Davidson began. There's going to be a movie theater, Harley in the movies. We hope to have Middlesex's prized possession, the Governor, there. A lot of celebrities from Hollywood will be there. It's going to put Old Bridge on the map. Our attorney has the latest booklet. The booklet that was shown to you last time, which is this booklet here, showed towns. I should say this, we're one of four stops in America. It's going to be Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta and Old Bridge. Okay... The new booklets, the first booklet didn't have Old Bridge listed. It was made clear at that December meeting, Old Bridge Township or Old Bridge New Jersey. The latest booklets all show Old Bridge New Jersey, stop number two, August l6th through the 18th. When they go to their map, they start in Georgia, go to Old Bridge, go to L.A. , go to Toronto, Dallas, Mexico City, Tokyo, Barcelona, Germany and then back to Milwaukee. So, Harley has done their job and they're gonna put Old Bridge on the map and they don't want any black eyes. We don't want any black eyes. It's a black eye on Harley Davidson. I just kind of have to reiterate, it's not Labor Day, 1977 when John Scher came to this town and did a number. This is totally, totally different and if I'm forgetting any thing guys, help me out here.
Jonathan Heilbrunn: Maybe you'll explain that it's not one event that draws 40,000 people in to see a show and 40,000 people leave. It is a daytime event that begins at eleven in the morning through eleven in the evening that has a number of events and a number of shows. It you take a look at the catalog you'll see that some of them are repetitious of each other. So, you might come at eleven go to the movie surround sound to see the history of Harley then you may go to the museum to see the antiques bikes, then you may listen to a local band or Jay Leno who is a Harley person who may or may not appear in Old Bridge and then you're done.
Ken Landerman: It's the same show everyday. There won't be any camping. At an auto race like when we do the Nationals, people come on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They see the preliminaries. They see the qualifying. They want to come back on Sunday to see who wins the race. This you come for a few hours. Some people don't care about some things that are going on. Some people want to come for the museum, they want to bring their kids to the playground. They want to see the Broadway show Stomp. They want to see a fashion show. There's going to be high school drill teams there. There will be a motorcycle stunt show and there will be some entertainment. As Jonathan just said, some of the acts include Jerry Seinfeld, Drew Carey, Jay Leno, Jim Belushi. Some of the bands, Travis Tritt, Robert Gray, Robert Cray. It's not going to be ACDC, Metallica, Guns and Roses. It's more of a folk, older classic type musical. I just wanted to bring that up.
Councilman Maher: Sir, to put this in perspective, compare this to your Summer Nationals. You attract 50 to 60,000 to the Summer Nationals, don't you?
Ken Landerman: Yes, a day. This is sort of normal. This is going to be conducted on one small piece of our property. The Nationals take every square inch of the property. The Harley Davidson people there, the musical people, George Travis who comes from the Springsteen organization. They have been there a number of times. It's too big for what we need. It's way too big. They want to bring it down a little. So, we're equipped to service them. We're equipped to clean them up. We're going to park them.
Councilman Maher: So on a weekend of Summer Nationals you have a crowd of about over 200,000 people probably?
Ken Landerman: Yes.
Councilman Greene: I'm not finished. Cost to the Township: security, traffic control, etc.
Ken Landerman: Completely paid for by the Harley Davidson Motor Company. Let's bring that up for a second. The Harley Davidson Motor Company has finalized their pick. They 're hiring from one of the top ten cities in the United States a Police Commissioner, a former Police Chief, to coordinate all the security and they'll work with Captain Cerra, Chief Palumbo and the entire organization here to be completely paid for by Harley Davidson which we'll guarantee.
Councilman Greene: Ok. That was pretty informative. Thank you
Vice-president Redmond: We had spoken about the 40,000 number. Are we going to limit the ticket sales to 40,000? That's what we were told in the beginning.
Ken Landerman: We'll sell 40,000 or less tickets. There may be more than 40,000 people there yet 700 people will be there to work.
Vice-president Redmond: No, I mean ticket sales. I'm not talking about your employees. I'm talking about your ticket sales. We were told you were going to limit your ticket sales to 40,000. When we gave the preliminary vote it was based on those numbers. Then we saw 10,000 added to it the following week. That was one of our concerns.
Ken Landerman: That was probably me being conservative because I would rather be conservative and put down 40,000 and then 50,000 show up.
Jonathan Heilbrunn: Harley Davidson estimated 40,000 when we submitted the application which was prior to our appearance here on the 17th. That application said 50,000 because Mr. Landerman believed it would be better to err on the upside than on the low side. I think you will find, and you can verify this, that the numbers he is talking about, about people coming to this show are not even the same volume as those going to the New York Boat Show or the New York Auto Show.
Vice-president Redmond: The other question I brought up and maybe Mr. Ruggierio could help me out here. As far as these clean-ups and all these different things that would take place after the event, is there a possibility of posting some sort of an assurance or bond to cover this.
Ken Landerman: Absolutely.
Jonathan Heilbrunn: Provided for in your ordinance.
Vice-president Redmond: Okay.. That's all I have. I believe Mr. Calogera is next.
Councilman Calogera: I just have a few questions. You said 40,000 paid. I am sure there are going to be a lot of complementaries. You're not going to give out another l0, 20 or 30,000?
Ken Landerman: No, no way. We can't handle that.
Councilman Calogera: Even though it's a national event I don't know how many distribution points Harley would have to do that. Just out of curiosity who is the police commissioner that's going to be handling this?
Ken Landerman: Don't know yet. We haven't been told yet.
Councilman Calogera: Do you guys have a peak period , like a draw at a certain event at a certain time of the day which is going to be a draw?
Ken Landerman: No. You come, you look around, you go. That's it.
Councilman Calogera: There is no peak. I would like to briefly touch on the benefit to the town economically. We have a lot of businesses in that end of town. I also know that Raceway Park is kind of self-sustaining with its own food service systems, and so on. Do you foresee any economic impact?
Ken Landerman: If the town had more hotels I could see a lot of hotels being filled by employees, by VIPS, by guests, by people coming in the night before for the next day. I see service stations, I see convenience stores, deli's, and the diners. My grandparents are actually people who can't wait to come to this, ironically. They come with a dozen people, they're older and they make a day out of it. They are not in any rush. They probably will stop in, have a bite to eat, and make their way into Raceway and enjoy the day and they leave. They're coming because they are Harley fans. For a long time, loyal people. The good old days of Harley and the Hell's Angels, I mean, I think we all know those days are gone. It's white collar people on weekends that are lawyers and white collar jobs that want to come down and just let their hair hang down and enjoy themselves. It's a brand awareness event for Harley to try to get more people turned onto the brand. You know, they only turn a hundred once. They did this when they were ninety years old. They did it when they were ninety-five years old and now they're doing it when they're a hundred years old. They're only doing it in four cities in the United States. That's why with that experience and that's a lot of experience, and as we understand it went out without a hitch. When they came to Raceway Park and when they took a walk, they looked at the size of the place and they're like, "we don't need all this", and they took their entire set-up and put in on only half of the facility. Just to give you an idea, the Nationals we had, takes it all. Takes everything. The entire facility. When they came in, they were going to use a portion of the dragstrip and the pit side only and they rest is just parking. They looked at it like you have a lot here and we don't even need it. We're going to push this in, move this over and consolidate it. That's from their experience from doing the 90th and 95th.
Councilman Calogera: One last question if I could. I don't know who to direct this to. What fees do we get for our township for hosting this?
Ken Landerman: I'll address that. What we want to do, we want to help the town anyway we can and we thought possibly being Harley Davidson is a motorcycle company, that what best than trying to get a couple of dressed Harley Davidson motorcycles for the police squad. So that's what we're working on our end. Those bikes are valued at about $25,000. to $30,000.00. I don't know if that's retail or cost but our plan, the family and the track is to bring home two Harley Davidsons, I don't know if there is a motorcycle squad in the town, but if there's not, you can have one now.
Councilman Calogera: I don't know, do we have a motorcycle squad ?.
Vice-president Redmond: We have two motorcycles.
Ken Landerman: Well, you might have two more. Let me go on record as saying you will get those bikes.
Mayor Cannon: I have gotten several calls and the concern seems to be some of the things you have already addressed. But, also, this concern about the possibility of camping out. I know you are saying no but what are you going to do to make sure that people aren't going off on some of the side roads or like Pension Rd. and some of those areas that are a little bit more remote and you know, looking to camp in the woods. Are you going to have security people patrolling those areas?
Ken Landerman: Well, Mayor, we will. We'll post signs if we have to, if you'll allow it. We'll educate the people through the Internet and through all the advertisements that there won't be any camping. We'll work with the police department to make sure that happens. The first thing we'll do is give everybody a list of all the campgrounds in the vicinity.
Mayor Cannon: You'll make it clear in your literature and so forth that there will be no camping on the premise or in the vicinity. There are no campgrounds in that immediate area. They would have to go to Cheesequake State Park. The other thing, do you expect a lot of people to arrive on motorcycles?
Ken Landerman: Absolutely. I would think at least 40% of them will, and they're all muffled.
Mayor Cannon: They're muffled Okay, because there is a concern about them coming roaring down Englishtown Road in mass.
Ken Landerman: If they're legal, they should be muffled. I mean you can't drive them on the street unless they're street legal.
Mayor Cannon: As far as the traffic control and so forth, are you going to be supplying people to do that or are you going to be hiring some of our off duty police to do that?
Ken Landerman: We are going to rely on the Old Bridge Township Police Department. Whatever it takes to keep that flow going. I am personally concerned about it and I see no problem on Friday and Sunday. I am concerned about Saturday. It's a busy road on Saturday When they hire their experts they'll coordinate it with Captain Cerra and the Police Dept. here.
Mayor Cannon: We're not going to incur any overtime expenses as the result of this event?
Ken Landerman: Harley Davidson has agreed to pay all of that.
Mayor Cannon: I think you're having the Eagles? Are they coming?
Ken Landerman: That was misquoted. The Eagles will be playing probably at the California, Los Angeles stop. Harley Davidson has hired George Travis. He is Bruce Springsteen's manager, through the House of Blues which is an organization which has amphitheaters all over the country and the House of Blues Clubs. They're coordinating all the talent. If I had a wish list I would like to support New Jersey artists. Local artists as well. I can't tell you exactly who it will be but I can tell you this. It's not going to be some of the bands I just mentioned, it's going to be bands that are related to the Harley brand. Jay Leno, he's famous for riding a Harley. What better host than Jay Leno? Drew Carey rides a Harley. Jim Belushi rides a Harley.
Mayor Cannon: Do people buy tickets for these individual concerts or do they just buy an admission?
Ken Landerman: It's not being advertised as a concert. It's a Harley Davidson event with entertainment. You won't see a radio commercial that says come to the biggest rock and roll festival ever. Come to the Harley Davidson festival and bring your family.
Michael Napp: The center of this event is a museum. That is a central draw for the entire hundred year tour of Harley Davidson. It's a museum. They have gone to great lengths to buy climate control airplanes and trucks, believe it or not, air-conditioned in heat, the atmosphere inside to bring motorcycles that you can't see ever. They're in the Harley Davidson archives. So their idea is to bring these motorcycles out of the archives once and go around the world with them once. It's an enormous expense. So the center of this entire event is to go see the museum. Everything else is ancillary.
Councilman Baker: I would like to see us get nothing more than Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Toronto or Milwaukee gets from Harley Davidson. Not one penny more. But I would like for us to get in the negotiations one penny less. If Harley Davidson is going to give those towns two motorcycles that would be great but I'm sure we're going to have access to what they're going to give Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Toronto and Milwaukee and if we do I would like to use that as some type of negotiations between you and Harley Davidson. The second point I have and then you can get to Mike right away is that we have a number of people personally right here in Old Bridge devastated by. 9/11. So, if these comp tickets are going to go anywhere first, maybe we can get Bill to make sure that you folks here at this table make sure the residents of Old Bridge devastated by 9-1-1 will be the first ones to get those comp tickets.
Ken Landerman: I can tell you this that the other sites are not getting motorcycles and the donation to the towns is probably through permits and things like that. But the Muscular Dystrophy Organization in each one of these cities, five million dollars will be donated to MDA. It's whatever fees the towns get for permitting for tents and things like that, that's it, but nobody is getting an amusement tax or some kind of piece of admission.
Councilman Baker: Fellas, that's fine. A year from now when I read in the paper guess what Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, Toronto, Milwaukee got this I just want to ask the question. That's why I want to bring in Bill because Bill is going to make sure that doesn't happen.
Ken Landerman: Can I just say something before you go on? At the last meeting you addressed the issue about Old Bridge being on the map. You have had some issues with us for so many years about Englishtown. This is the latest schedule. We have taken Englishtown off our schedule. It's Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. It used to say Englishtown New Jersey. If you could help us with the post office because if anybody sends a letter to Raceway Park, Old Bridge, New Jersey, it gets returned. Our mailing address is Englishtown. The advertising for the event has already been placed. The Today Show, Good Morning America, all the biggest shows are already standing by because they know they only turn a hundred once. So, we are going to put Old Bridge on the map. This is Alex and this is Michael. Their father is no longer with us. I don't want to comment on it but we're going to make sure that Old Bridge is always on the map at our facility.
Vice-president Redmond: Thank you. I would just like to assure the public that being that this is an Agenda Meeting that we don't have a public portion, but if you have questions of the Council and that sort of thing, we will entertain them at our next meeting before we do any voting on it. I know that there are a number of residents that live in the same area and maybe you could have a spokesperson that night.
Ken Landerman: Are there any residents here tonight?
Vice-president Redmond: There are a number of residents here tonight. That's why I'm asking, they may have some questions. I'm sure that these people will be available in the hallway as we go on with the rest of the meeting, if you have any questions of these people and then we will certainly entertain any concerns at our next meeting. Thank you very much for your presentation.
Jonathan Heilbrunn: Mr. President our only problem is that we had anticipated that the Council at our last regular meeting was going to memorialize the resolution that was previously adopted on I believe December 17th.
Vice-president Redmond: If we do that then we have to open it up to the public and that's up to Mr. Ruggierio. We would have had to advertise that in order to vote on that tonight right?
Attorney Ruggierio: No. This is a regularly advertised meeting. You can conduct business here. You have a resolution in front of you .
Vice-president Redmond: Well, what is the Council's pleasure? Do you want to do this tonight?
Councilman Greene: Well, to tell you the truth, I have a problem with doing it tonight without getting a little bit of the resident input. Also I would like to firm up that agreement that Mr. Ruggierio talks about. I don't want to vote on something unless I see that agreement written.
Vice-President Redmond opened the public portion
Tom Carpenter: I live at John Wall Road in Old Bridge. I just can't believe that there's only going to be 40,000 people a day when you're talking about having Drew Carey and some other celebrities there plus bands. I was there when Grateful Dead was at that Raceway Park and we had people trying to pull onto our property during those days and I cannot believe that the motorcycles won't be down our road trying to find parking spots.
Ken Landerman: Okay. I'll address that. This is 25 years later. It's not the Grateful Dead. There's a lot more police than there were 25 years ago and Harley Davidson, a corporate event, they're going to make sure this goes smoothly.
Tom Carpenter: Even being Harley Davidson, there's going to be other motorcycle clubs from different areas coming in here. When you get 40,000 - 50,000 people there, does that mean you turn away another 25,000 or 30,000 people coming to the gate while Englishtown Road is all blocked?
Vice-president Redmond: Please address your question to the Council. Now it's my understanding and Captain Cerra can back me up on this that the number of tickets are going to be limited to this number that we have agreed upon and that there is going to be adequate parking as you said they are only going to use a certain portion of the facility and the parking will be taken care of and the Old Bridge Police will be handling the traffic. So no one will be permitted to park on your property. I can assure you that if that happens we will send police to your house immediately.
Tom Carpenter: Okay. Now, you are going to get 40,000 to 50,000 people per day. What happens to the other 25,000 people who come to get tickets. Your roads are going to be a catastrophe. You're going to have nothing but traffic jams up and down Englishtown Road Englishtown Road is only a two lane highway. Where's it going to handle all this traffic?
Vice-president Redmond: These are things that are worked out in the agreement. We were told, and correct me if I'm wrong Council Members, but weren't we told that there were no tickets at the door. These were all being sold in advance, so you're not going to be able to drive up and buy tickets. At least this is the information we got. Is that correct?
Ken Landerman: That's correct to a point. It's going to be limited to 40,000. It's going to be advertised as purchase your tickets in advance. We're going to educate the public that way but if somebody came in my car and wanted to buy an extra ticket, fine but we are going to educate the public, buy your tickets in advance. It's sort of like going to the Garden, once it's sold out it's going to be advertised as sold out.
Tom Carpenter: So you're going to advertise in advance only 40,000 tickets are going to be sold and that's the deadline for each day, for 3 days.
Ken Landerman: If we don't reach the goal, we'll sell tickets. We know what our capacity is. The worst thing that can happen is that 70,000 people show up, 50,000 people show up and they have to wait an extra hour to see the exhibits or go through the museum. They know what they can handle through these tents and other property. It's not the Grateful Dead and a promoter coming in just like Mr. Greene said and taking the money and running.
Tom Carpenter: I hope it's not the Grateful Dead week.
Ken Landerman: It will not be.
Bob Miller: I am a Township resident and I live about l mile from Raceway Park. I also own Bob's Signs in Old Bridge. I'm all for your event and what's good for the town .It brings income in every aspect of the towns, gas stations, restaurants, the hotels, everything there is. All the events, the summer Nationals, everything is always under the control. The Police always have the traffic under control. I see no reason not to let them have it.
Frank Tamburella: I live on John Wall Road. I have a couple of questions. One is security at this place. Most concerts don't allow coolers in. Now, due to 9-1-1 are we going to have to worry about certain things going on, also with the airport. Is that going to be shut down during the event?
Vice-president Redmond: Is the airport going to be shut down during the event? You guys own the airport.
Ken Landerman: No. Regarding coolers and things like that we don't allow cans, bottles, or even plastic bottles. When we serve drinks, we serve them in paper cups.
Frank Tamburella: Yes, I know, I'm familiar, I've been in there, but I just wanted to know if it's allowed in.
Ken Landerman: No, absolutely not.
Frank Tamburella: John Wall Road is approximately one mile from Texas Road. It takes approximately during the summer Nationals an hour and a half to get from there to Texas Road. That's during every big event they have. Now my father passed away during the summer Nationals Maaco events and it took me two hours to go to the funeral. I think there should be allowance like Rues Lane should be detoured off so no one can use that except for locals. There should be some way of routing people around. Like, say if there's an accident, and you have to get an ambulance, now you'll need a helicopter.
Vice-president Redmond: You're saying keep certain roads closed to traffic for emergency reasons. For people that live in the area, some roads to keep free from this event traffic so that they can be used for emergency vehicles in the event that some of the residents have problems. Like you mentioned a road, what road?
Frank Tamburella: Rues Lane turns to Matchaponix on the other side of Monroe which is not on their map thank the Lord that they don't have it on their map. That's the only road.
Vice-president Redmond: That's certainly something that Traffic and Safety can look at.
Captain Cerra: There is an emergency evacuation in place but the bottom line is that these events are usually handled by someone else. Okay. I intend to sit down with that Captain and go over everything to see what he usually does. That doesn't mean I'm going to implement what he does. I just want to see what he usually does. I heard of the concerns of that gentleman over there and I will definitely speak to him before he leaves. There will definitely be one way in and out of every road when I get done setting this all up
Frank Tamburella: Also, my question was, how much of a bond is going to be posted?
Vice-president Redmond: Well, they're going to have to work that out with the attorney.
Frank Tamburella: I'm just saying, in case something does happen, if someone flies into the airport and does something, what kind of a bond? Our township is liable for it. I'm concerned more for the township because I do live here. Just as well as I know Raceway Park going to be. I have no problems with them, but I'm more concerned about what could happen to us.
Vice-president Redmond: The ordinance names a bond, right. Ten million dollars and up.
Councilman Testino: Ten million dollars of insurance and the bond to be set, right Bill.
Attorney Ruggierio: Ten million on the insurance and the bond to be set.
Bobby Hutcheon: I'm from Ward 6 and I think if we can handle 60,000 people at a peak hour, no reason why we can't handle 40,000. Professionals are going to run this event and I don't think there is a big problem with it and I would like to see it.
Paul Yesko: I'm a resident of Old Bridge. I just want to support this thing. I think it's a great event. I think it's great for Old Bridge. As Mr. Landerman says, I think it's going to put us on the map. I think we're already on the map but I think it will draw attention to the city. To the gentleman who is worried about the Grateful Dead showing up, they're dead. Anyway, I just want to support this. I think it's good for business for this town.
Joan Hartman: I live on Matchaponix Road. When you had your Grateful Dead Concert, there was agreement from what I understand between the township and Raceway Park that they would never have another concert. I know they're saying that this isn't a concert but people hear that there's going to be music, I figure they're going to say it's a concert. The second thing is once you go down Rue Road and you go over the bridge, it took us three years and 3 days to get finished . We got stuck on Texas every time there are swap meets and every- thing, we got stuck in traffic. I want to know you got a weight limit sign, nothing over 4 tons. Is that going to be strictly enforced? Are you going to have cops on that road to check and give out tickets for people going 40 mph. because when Texas was closed, nobody bothered doing that and I called the Police Dept. So I want to know, you see the motorcycles going down there 50 mph and you got young kids, somebody gets hurt, I want to make sure you town Council people hear me.
Vice-president Redmond: I'm sure that our Safety Dept. will enforce the local speed limits and weight limits on the roads. I don't think there will be any trouble with that.
Joan Hartman: I can tell you that I have seen the drive able Winnebagos pulling the enclosed trailers with cars going down that road and I think that is more than 4 tons. I can tell you I've seen them. I don't know why that sign is not posted at the top of Rue Road so that people don't go down there.
Councilman Testino: She's not talking about this particular event by itself. Maybe we could just refer the issue for report and see what the Police Dept. could do if anything. I mean 24 hours a day we might not have somebody there but we might be able to put our radar sign out or we might be able to have a special detail. The Chief is in the back, if he can have one of his Captains talk with the lady to see if there is something he can address. Maybe not, maybe so, but the long and short of it is she is making a complaint, let's see if there is anything we can do about it.
Vice-president Redmond: I certainly can agree to that. Scott or Billy, if somebody could speak with this lady and get some information. Anyone else?
Bob Genovese: I'm a resident of Old Bridge for 29 years and I think an event like this would be very exciting for the township. I think that having national attention brought on the town would be exciting. I have been to several events at Raceway Park including the Nationals where there was an equal amount of people there and I have never experienced problems. I think this is something I would support and a lot of people do support and I think it is very exciting for the township.
Tom Wingler: I'm a resident of Old Bridge, I live at 1915 Englishtown Road. I never had a problem with Raceway Park or the traffic. I've seen the ambulances coming up and down in front of my house numerous times. It doesn't seem like there is any type of emergency that couldn't be handled there. I am a past EMT and I have a knowledge of these things and I am totally in favor of this event.
Carol Mansky: I live on Pension Road. You say 40,000. Raceway Park has shrunk since last year. There is a new track there now. Also, they block the street so it is one way going each way out. I have been told I couldn't get home. So I don't know how an ambulance would get to my house. There were other people here who her daughter couldn't get home. The cops told her, you can't get home right now. I would support the event too if I didn't live on Pension Road.
Ken Landerman: Maybe what we can do is we can create some special residents' passes for the vicinity Pension Road, John Wall Road, Englishtown Road and we can acknowledge and work with the town. This is a windshield pass, it's a fluorescent orange pass with an Old Bridge authorized type of.......
Vice-president Redmond: I certainly wouldn't want to see the residents that live there be told. they...
Carol Mansky: Is there going to be parking on Pension Road, because there are no No Parking signs on Pension Road.
Councilman Testino: Did you get that Bill? No parking on Pension Rd. Put that into the agreement.
Ken Landerman. We want to be a good neighbor. So we'll work with you.
Carol Mansky: I've been a good neighbor. I haven't complained until now. This makes me a little nervous. I have kids and I know, I've been to an event before and I know. I've been there myself and there is no police inside there and there was drugs and everything else. Is there going to be alcohol at this?
Ken Landerman: There will be beer. That event was 25 years ago when we were all hippies.
Carol Mansky: You stopped, for a reason because things got out of hand.
Councilman Testino: Mr. President I would ask that you have the people from Raceway Park meet with her following our session to address her concerns, not only about this event but maybe you could work with her about other events. I'm sure Jonathan will assist in that.
Vice-president Redmond: Put in the agreement that there will be no parking on Pension Road and that accommodations will have to be made for the residents who live on Pension Road.
Seeing no hands, Vice-president Redmond closed the public portion.
Vice-president Redmond: Now, we have a motion and a second. Are there any Council comments?
Councilman Testino: I have council comments. Would somebody ask Mr. Hoff to step back in while we are discussing this.
Councilman Testino: I haven't changed my initial position in supporting the application. I am trusting that the applicant still understands Mr. Ruggierio's intending through this resolution to reach an agreement that's acceptable to him in form and I am sure their well qualified attorney, Mr. Heilbrunn will meet with him on numerous occasions and earn his fee in that regard but no the resolution is conditioned on that agreement being reached and I think it's going to be a great event. I think that we should try to address all the concerns that we have heard here tonight, because they are addressable and you know, we do have events this size going on regularly at the Raceway Park. That's the thing I don't think a lot of people understand. The Summer Nationals is bigger than this. Swap meets are about this size, I guess, and you know, it's part of our township, it's part of our history, it's part of our culture. I think we should see it through and do a good job. That's what I'd like to see be done here and I'm counting on Bill to dot the I's and cross the T's for us to make sure these residents concerns are addressed. A couple of them with just a little bit of work here tonight, you can solve some of these neighbor problems, and they'll be better neighbors and you'll be a better neighbor for it. So, I'll support the resolution when called.
Councilman Greene: I have a problem with this, voting without the agreement.
Vice-president Redmond: Keep in mind Mr. Testino's motion that this resolution is contingent upon the agreement as drawn.
Councilman Testino: Right Mr. Ruggierio?.
Attorney Ruggierio: This resolution is resolution is subject to this agreement.
Councilman Hoff: Are we voting on the agreement now?
Councilman Testino: Just the resolution.
Councilman Hoff: Why don't we wait until the agreement is drawn and then vote?
Jonathan Heilbrunn: August, 2002 is a heartbeat away. It has taken from Dec. 13th to January 22nd to get back here to respond to the questions that Council has.
Councilman Hoff: What is the date of the event?
Ken Landerman: August 16th, 17th and 18th.
Councilman Hoff: Do you think one week is going to tie it up that much?
Jonathan Heilbrunn: I think one week will have an absolute devastating effect on the inter-relationship between Raceway Park and Harley Davidson who changed their plans to go to Long Island and decided and that they would like to come to Old Bridge New Jersey and if they are on January 22nd or February lst still wondering about whether Old Bridge is going to grant them the license to have this event in New Jersey, they may very well walk.
Councilman Hoff: As long as all the conditions are discussed and written into the contract, that's the understanding.
Jonathan Heilbrunn: That's correct.
Councilman Hoff: Can't we tell Harley Davidson to wait another week?
Jonathan Heilbrunn: I don't know what they tell to the advertising departments of NBC and CBS and ABC and all of the magazines and publications.
Ken Landerman: They're going to make a major announcement to the world, not just to the United States this coming Friday.
Councilman Hoff: You're talking about 6 days.
Jonathan Heilbrunn: Mr. Hoff, it was more than 30 days to come back here to ask this Council to vote on something that it voted to approve on December 17th.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP RACEWAY PARK TO HOLD AN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
RESOLUTION #63
BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Council of the Township of Old Bridge, County of Middlesex, New Jersey that:
WHEREAS, a request has been made by Old Bridge Township Raceway Park to hold a Harley Davidson 100th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, August 16th, Saturday, August 17th, & Sunday, August 18th, 2002; and
WHEREAS, the Township Council wishes to grant said request to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park; and
WHEREAS, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve the applicant from complying with the requirements previously imposed by motion of approval before the Township Council to wit:
That a comprehensive agreement be entered between the Township of Old Bridge and Harley Davidson, Inc. regarding (1) Security issues; (2) Post event clean-up of surrounding properties; (3) Use of the Township's name in promotional literature and advertising; (4) Assuring that the proper Township name (Old Bridge Township) is utilized rather than "Englishtown"; (5) Provisions relating to stand-by emergency services and police services and (6) miscellaneous other agreements as may be appropriate; and
WHEREAS, the agreement between Harley Davidson, Inc. and the Township shall also address the following issues:
- The agreement shall endeavor to secure the same considerations as will be granted in the cities of Dallas, Los Angeles and Milwaukee;
- To the extent that complimentary tickets are to be distributed, to make such tickets available to the families of victims of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attack first;
- Provide for enforcement of a "no parking" ban on Pension Road, excepting residents who must obtain some means of vehicle identification;
- The sale of tickets shall be limited to 40,000 and the distribution of complimentary tickets shall be limited to 400;
- The Township shall be made whole for all expenditures for police overtime and any other cost; and
- In addition to the bond that the events sponsor shall post, the sponsor shall post a liability insurance policy with sufficient limits.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Council of the Township of Old Bridge, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey that permission for the Harley Davidson 100th Anniversary Celebration is hereby approved subject to all fire safety conditions being met and the proper permits are obtained from the fire official and execution of an agreement in accordance with this Resolution.
Moved by Councilman Testino, seconded by Councilman Hoff and so ordered on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmen Baker, Calogera, Hoff, Maher, Testino, Vice-president Redmond.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: Councilman Greene.
ABSENT: Councilwoman Panos, President Butler.
HEARING - (1/22/02)
H-1 Release/Reduction Performance Guarantee - Highpointe, Inc. (Attorney requests a postponement of this hearing and a new date) Suggested Date: Monday, May 13, 2002 at 8:00 P.M. RENOTICE REQUIRED
Vice-president Redmond: The Hearing is off until May 13th, renotice required. There are a number of questions to the Township Engineer. There are a number of letters involving this application, will you have investigated them by this time to see if these are bonded?
John Vincenti: This is for Highpointe?
Vice-president Redmond: Highpointe, yes.
John Vincenti: There are 3 homes that are involved in the current bond. Approximately two weeks ago our staff met with the developer. There was a prior bond that involved only three residences. Approximately two weeks ago our staff met with the developer, met with the three affected residences, came to the conclusion that the drainage improvements were, in fact, necessary. The developer attempted to install the improvements in the intervening time. It turns out there is not enough time to install the drainage improvements and it was decided to put off because we really could not restore the area.
Vice-president Redmond: That's what I wanted to know. I had read the letters and I just wanted to make sure that those letters were being..
John Vincenti: There is a third letter from another party, we already addressed that. That is something that is totally unrelated.
Councilman Maher: Since we are rescheduling this, I noticed that we didn't get a letter from the Homeowners Association. They do have an Association. I just want to see that the Association is supporting the release of this because they represent all the residents of that. I believe the president is Joe Criscola of the Homeowners Association still. Just so we don't have a problem come May 13th. I would just like to get concurrence from the Association who represents the entire subdivision. Their Board of Trustees. Thank you.
HEARING - (1/28/02)
H-1 Release/Reduction Performance Guarantee - Pillori Real Estate Management, L.L.C.
No discussion.
ORDINANCE FOR SECOND READING - (1/28/02)
ORD. #01-02 Limousine Ordinance - (requiring all limo applicants to be photographed, finger printed and background checked )
Councilman Maher: Who is covering these additional expenses here? The expenses for bonding, the fingerprinting?
Deputy Clerk Ward: The applicant, and it's in the Ordinance.
Councilman Maher: Is twenty-five dollars covering all our expenses?
Deputy Clerk Ward: It's a minimum of twenty-five dollars, it's stated.
Councilman Maher: Do we have concurrence from the Police Dept.? I want to make sure that this no additional expense to Township personnel or taxpayers. So twenty-five dollars is covering fingerprinting, is covering bonding, is covering background checks.
Deputy Clerk Ward: As far as we were told.
Councilman Maher: Can we get concurrence from the Police Dept. that is completely covering their expenses? I don't want to find out at a later date that it is costing us forty-five dollars to process this application.
Vice-president Redmond: We can certainly do that.
Councilman Calogera: Mr. Ruggierio, the word garage would also mean not just in a physical building. Somebody might want to garage it in a parking lot which they own. Is that correct or are we using it in the strict interpretation of the word?
Attorney Ruggierio: Garaged means within the municipality.
Councilman Calogera: Okay, so it could be inside or outside. Thank you.
ORD. #02-02 Amending Bond Ordinance #25-00 for sidewalk, curb and apron improvements in the amount of $100,000.00.
No discussion.
ORD. #03-02 Ordinance increasing number of Recreation Committee from 13-15 members.
No discussion.
ORD. #04-02 Authorizing the Number of Police Officers in the Police Department
Councilman Maher: I have some questions on this since I wasn't here, just quickly. Mr. Ruggierio, exactly what are we doing in terms of supporting this? Are we supporting that yes, there's one police Chief; yes, there are 5 Captains; yes, there's 8 lieutenants; yes, there's 15 sergeants and I believe 86 Patrol Officers, 87 is it. Are we concurring that we are supporting all those positions by this ordinance. I guess a follow up question is do we have to do this annually now?
Attorney Ruggierio: No, only when you increase the positions.
Councilman Maher: I don't know where these numbers came from but it said in this ordinance that the police dept. will be made up of, am I concurring that there will be one Chief,5 Captains, 8 Lieutenants and 15 Sergeants. All those numbers are in the ordinance?
Vice-president Redmond: All those numbers are already in the ordinance. The only thing that's not in there is the Patrol.
Attorney Ruggierio: There are 75 police officers so what you are actually doing is increasing it by 12 in addition to the 75. This ordinance authorizes the hiring of up to 87 police officers. Before you can lawfully hire people, those positions have to be authorized.
Councilman Maher: So for subsequent years if we add men and women to the police department do we have to update this annually now?
Attorney Ruggierio: Anytime you make a conscious decision as a Council that you want to add 2, 3, 5, 10 positions you have to amend this ordinance and it will be subject to the more rigorous requirements of the document ordinance.
Councilman Maher: So you are answering my question. We'll have to do this annually if we add men or women.
Attorney Ruggierio: Well, if you anticipate putting people in every year, then yes, you will have to amend it annually.
DISCUSSION ORDINANCE
DO-1 Ordinance regarding the name change of "Old Bridge Plaza" to "Mary Brown Way"
Councilman Testino: I don't understand, I thought we voted on this once.
Councilman Hoff: We voted on it but they brought it up because we need an ordinance to change the name of the street. Am I correct?
Councilman Testino: It's not a public street is it? It's a parking lot isn't it. Mr. President do we have an Ordinance that names it Old Bridge Plaza now?
Vice-president Redmond: I don't know.
Councilman Testino: Do you know what I'm saying, Joe?
Councilman Hoff: This came as a surprise to me. I thought it was a done thing last week.
Councilman Testino: Show me the Ordinance that names it as Old Bridge Plaza now and I'll say yes, let's do an Ordinance. It seems like we voted on this last week Then there was some discussion about maybe we shouldn't do this and some people weren't happy with it. Now it's got to be an Ordinance. Fine, if it's got to be an Ordinance but show me the other Ordinance that we named it Old Bridge Plaza. I'm from the Missouri State. If there's an Ordinance let the clerk dig it out and I'll look at it and then we can move this one up and do it the same way. Otherwise there's no name on it now, right? It's my idea that Mr. Hoff had a Resolution which was voted on and now because people don't like it all of a sudden we have to go back and make things more difficult to get the name changed We didn't vote on an Ordinance for Tom's building. We didn't vote on an Ordinance for Peter's Park. We didn't vote on an Ordinance for Rec. Center. My request stands. I would like to see the prior Ordinance. I really would. The clerk would have that information.
Mayor Cannon: First of all, I have no problem and I applaud naming the complex after Mary Brown. I think she certainly deserves it. She is deceased 9 years ago. I think it's time we do name something in her honor. I think, unfortunately it was brought up at the eleventh hour. There was no real discussion on the issue and because we asked some questions which I think are of genuine interest and concern, right away it's labeled, "we don't want it, we don't want it". There are some real concerns about the logistics if you change the name of the street. We will check to see if is an Ordinance. Since I didn't get a chance to speak at the last meeting I would like to express my opinion at this meeting and you know, you can say whatever you want. I think it's a great idea to name the complex after her. I think the street, if it is an official street name, has some problems and I think you need to recognize those problems. It isn't just a matter of changing stationery. It's a lot of legal papers, etc.. Anything that has the Municipal Complex on it with the street address, I assume would have to be changed because it no longer would be known as Old Bridge Plaza. Now I don't know what the cost involved is or the problems. We also have, you know, an identity problem. You're going to send things to the Municipal Building and people are not going to know what you are talking about. I think to name it Mary Brown Plaza with appropriate sign listing all the accomplishments and paying tribute to her is wonderful. But, I do have a problem when you get to the street, and that's my concern.
Councilman Hoff: Barbara, if you can get someone to find out what costs are involved, regarding stationery, etc. and any other costs thereof.
Mayor Cannon: I'd be glad to do that and we can check and see if it legally is named that and if it needs an Ordinance to change it. We can certainly get that information for you.
Vice-president Redmond: If I might make a comment at this point. Every time you turn around some municipality is naming the road out in front of their complex or the schools. The schools just changed the name of one of their streets going into their school. They named it after someone. It's done all the time. We didn't pass an Ordinance.
Mayor Cannon: That was changed to Manny Martin Way. It was done by Ordinance.
Vice-president Redmond: That's fine but what I'm saying is that I don't think it's a bad idea. I think it needs to be done. If it needs to be done by Ordinance, then fine, draw us up an Ordinance and we'll vote on that at the next meeting. But, I think we already let everybody know that this is what we wanted to do. We need to move forward to it. If it needs to be an Ordinance then lets draw up the Ordinance. I'm not going to say that we can't do this because we're worried about changing the stationery or we're worried that's the postman's going to get lost. I think that those arguments don't hold any water and if we need to do an Ordinance let's do it. Bill, could you please draw up an Ordinance to this effect.
Councilman Calogera: I agree. I think we should name something after Mary Brown. What is wrong with naming the Civic Center after her? It would solve a lot of problems.
Vice-president Redmond: The thing we voted on last week was to name the road. It's the road. It's a driveway from one end to the other. Old Bridge Plaza to Mary Brown Way. Do you want it to be Mary Brown Plaza? Is that what it should be?
Councilman Baker: I would like to speak to my distinguished Councilman from Ward I and suggest that if he wanted to he can change every street, every building and every sign in Ward I but if we're going to change buildings and street names in Ward 2 , I need more time and I need to know whether the people in Ward 2 want their Council changed and I don't want it done at five to eleven when everybody's walking out of here.
Councilman Hoff: You must remember there are 4 Councils in Ward 2. You and 3 at Large and a Mayor.
Councilman Maher: Just a point of clarification. What did the Council vote on last week? What did we do last week Mr. Chair?
Vice-president Redmond: We voted on changing Old Bridge Plaza to Mary Brown Way. Just the way it's written here. Am I correct Mr. Hoff? That was your motion.
Councilman Hoff: To name the complex Mary Brown Municipal Complex of Old Bridge Township and to change the name of Old Bridge Plaza to Mary Brown Way.
Councilman Maher: The complex here is all the buildings? So this is the Mary Brown Civic Center.
Vice-president Redmond: The Mary Brown Municipal Complex. This is the Tom English Municipal Complex.
Councilman Baker: I would not be opposed to establishing a Hall of Fame in Old Bridge. Let's leave room for our future leaders. Let's not shut down Old Bridge for the opportunity to name some other building or some other Hall of Fame person. I commend Mary Brown and I agree with the Mayor that we should honor her with respect not in a five to twelve quick resolution. Let's have her son here. Let's present him with the plaque. Let's present him with the first plaque of the Hall of Fame. Let's build a giant tree. Let's do something out of respect that we all can agree on. Not change the name of the town at twelve o'clock.
Vice-president Redmond: So the way it is now if it requires an ordinance, the clerk's going to see if there was an Ordinance naming it Old Bridge Plaza and if we require an Ordinance, Mr. Ruggierio's going to draw one up to that effect and then the Council will vote on it at that time and if it's not necessary then we don't need to vote on it again. Is that my understanding?
Attorney Ruggierio: The point I was trying to make earlier is that you should be thinking about an Ordinance because it can't be undone by the simple motion of another Council. That's all I was going to say when Mr. Testino anticipated I was going to say something different. I think the Ordinance actually protects this action and makes it more permanent.
DO - 2 Ordinance amending Land Development Code with respect to Escrow Deposits for review of planned development applications (WSR)
Attorney Ruggierio: This is actually something that has been kicking around our office for a few months because we needed to get some additional numbers from the planning department but basically it increases the amount of escrow that has to be put in with that land development application so we don't have shortfalls and knocking on the door of developers. While we are at it there was a suggestion to put in additional filing fees to keep up with inflation.
Vice-president Redmond: This will be ready for first reading and engineering is in agreement with the fees? I just want to echo Mr. Maher's comments. I don't want somebody to come back 6 months from now and say hey it's costing us $25.00 and we're only charging them $20.00. I want to make sure that we're covered. We're actually supposed to have revenue from this. It's supposed to pay everyone's salary over there.
John Vincenti: That's correct. As far as the escrow account, once it falls below a certain level we're within our rights to request additional fees. So even if these are short numbers, we'll have a second bite at the apple.
Councilman Maher: In support of that Mr. Chair, if I may, I appreciate this keeping up with the cost of inflation but can we get some sort of concurrence from the planning board that they support these fees also.
Attorney Ruggierio: This would have to go the planning board.
Consent Agenda
BINGO RAFFLE
RESOLUTION #64
BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Council of the Township of Old Bridge, County of Middlesex, New Jersey that:
WHEREAS, the following organizations have made application to hold, operate and conduct a Bingo/Raffle; said applications being in accordance with the statutes relating thereto:
BA08-02A - St. Bernadette Church
RA31-02 - St. Bernadette Knights of Columbus
RA32-02 - Jewish Home for the Aged Central New Jersey
RA33-02 - Middlesex County Council of PTA's
RA34-02 - Middlesex County Council of PTA's
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Council of the Township of Old Bridge that the Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to issue to the applicants, the following licenses:
Moved by Councilman Hoff, seconded by Councilman Maher and so ordered on the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmen Baker, Calogera, Greene, Hoff, Maher, Testino, Vice-president Redmond.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Councilwoman Panos, President Butler.
DR-1 Certification of Audit
No discussion.
DR-2 Reject Bid for snow removal - Arbe Landscaping - amount exceeded the estimate of the Director of Public Works. (AS)
Vice President Redmond: Is this for work already done?
Mr. Donatelli: By law we have to bid on this and the prices came in way to high, so we have to re-bid this. I am going to recommend each type of vehicle to go up a certain amount of money because they haven't had an increase in years.
DR-3 Professional Services Contract - Corporate Defense Strategies for project supervisor in the amount of $7,600.00 (surveillance cameras) (CERT. # ) (AFFIRM. ACT.) (AS)
Councilman Maher: Why are we hiring a project supervisor?
Mr. Badcock: We do not have the technical expertise to supervise the installation of these cameras for the park.
Mayor Cannon: The money will come out of the legislative grant.
DR-4 Chapter 159 in the amount of $180,000.00 in connection with the Special Legislative Grant to improve the Laurence Harbor Recreation Building. (HS)
No Discussion.
DR-5 Chapter 159 - in the amount of $80,000.00 in connection with the Special Legislative Grant to purchase a hand held thermal imaging camera and Sagem Moropho live- scan fingerprinting station for the police dept. (HS)
Vice-president Redmond: What is this for?
Mayor Cannon: This is for fingerprinting.
DR-6 Resolution to extend the grace period for the first quarter tax collection period. (KS)
No Discussion.
DR-7 Resolution authorizing Cancellation of Mortgage for Tracey E. Bjonnes, 60 George Ave., Old Bridge, in the amount of $7,090.00. (MR)
No Discussion.
DR-8 Award Professional Services Contract to Bert Lundbert, Esq., as attorney to the Rent Stabilization Board in the amount of $6,750.00. (CERT. # ) (AFFIRM. ACT.)
Councilman Maher: Is this the same amount as last year?
Mayor Cannon: I think it is the same but I will check before Monday.
DR-9 Award Professional Services Contract to M.J. Barone & Associates for Architectural Services for the design of plans and bid documents, interior renovations to the Laurence Harbor Recreation Center Building in the amount of $6,800.00. (CERT. # ) (AFFIRM. ACT.) (TB)
Councilman Hoff: This is the same Barone that is being hired for engineering services for the Library. Is this on recommendation of the Director of Community Development?
Mr. Vincenti: I have reviewed the contract and am comfortable with it.
Councilman Hoff: Are you comfortable with the Library contract also?
Mr. Vincenti: I haven't reviewed that.
Mayor Cannon: The contract has already been awarded, Joe.
Councilman Hoff: Why wasn't it brought before the council?
Mr. Shah: They are an independent authority.
Vice-president Redmond: Are we going to move this up?
Attorney Ruggierio: Mr. Barone is an Architect, not an Engineer.
DR-10 Youth Guidance 2 Mile Fun Run - "Young Adults Against Violence" Sunday, April 21, 2002 at 10:00 A.M.
No Discussion.
DR-11 Resolution Issuing Bonds in the amount of $9.5 million dollars. (HS)
Mr. Shah: The time is right for this, the rates are low and we want to take advantage of this before the rates go up.
Vice-president Redmond: So is this like re-organization?
Mr. Shah: Yes, we have one year notes and we renew on an annual basis and we will convert that into permanent financing.
Vice-president Redmond: Do we have a list?
Mr. Shah: You have a resolution from the bond counsel.
Councilman Testino: What rates are you anticipating?
Mr. Shah: Around 4 or 4 ½ %.
Councilman Testino: How does that compare with our temporary rate?
Mr. Shah: Right now it is 2.75%.
Councilman Testino: Is this for ten years?
Mr. Shah: Twelve years but I doubt that we will ever call these bonds.
Councilman Testino: Because the rates are so low. Is bond counsel recommending this?
Mr. Shah: Yes. We had planned this last year. I also spoke to the auditor and he is in favor of doing this.
Councilman Testino. Is he going to give you an opinion on this?
Mr. Shah: If you want an official opinion I can get it but we will pay a fee for it.
Councilman Testino: Won't we have to get an opinion from somewhere about arbitrage?
Mr. Shah: I don't believe that we are subject to arbitrage because we are financing most of the seven million dollars that are not subject...
Councilman Testino: What is this going to bring our permanent indebtedness up to?
Mr. Shah: I think around $34,500,000.00.
Councilman Testino: How much temporary debt will be outstanding after we do this.
Mr, Shah: We have $7,000,000.00 in notes that are financed...
Councilman Testino: We haven't gotten to this year's annual authorization.
Mr. Shah: This is not fully funding everything that you authorized.
Councilman Testino: How much will be left after this?
Mr. Shah: I think that we are close to 50 million dollars, including the 6 ½ million for the land acquisition. We are at a little of half of our capacity.
Councilman Calogera: Is it normal to be at half of our capacity?
Mr. Shah: There is a formula issued by the state that we can issue a debt up to 3 ½ % of our total assessed valuation without approval from the local finance board. If we were to exceed that we would need to get approval. We are in a very good position in comparison of the majority of towns. In terms of our budget we always maintain that we do not dramatically increase service requirement. Part of out budget package is information from Moody's who has looked at our indebtedness and budget and we are at about 13% of our total budget. We are staying flat in 2003 budget, in 2004 we have a slight increase.
Councilman Testino: Have you had any marketing on this yet?
Mr Shah: Thi |