Dear Editor:
I’d like to address a problem that the mayor may have gotten himself into with the possible closing by New Jersey Transit of the Harmon Cove Train Station.
I understand that a letter has been sent to New Jersey Transit and also to the residents of Harmon Cove dated September 4, 2001.
I find it difficult to accept that knowledge of this proposed train station closing was obtained just two weeks ago.
Let’s face it, it is no secret that for the past several months either the mayor personally or his representative has been negotiating with New Jersey Transit concerning the sale of land. In fact when Ordinance 2001-19 was introduced by the mayor and council to effect such a sale it was July 24, 2001, almost two months ago.
For Mayor Elwell to say that he only received notice two weeks go is difficult to believe. If this is so, then it is proper to question the competency of those who negotiated with New Jersey Transit.
I also understand that the letter of objection sent to New Jersey Transit was signed by and in the name of Mayor Elwell, Councilmen Reilly and Constantino. Likewise the letter sent to the residents of Harmon Cove.
Question, why just three of them? Tactically you are saying to the New Jersey Transit that just the mayor and two members of the council object to the closing. What about the other members of the council? Is the mayor saying that they support the closing?
I believe that the letter of objection sent to New Jersey Transit would have been more effective if it was in the name of and signed by all members of the council. This way you show a united front. But then again I do not know who wrote the letter for Mayor Elwell.
In the first paragraph of the letter sent to the residents Elwell writes: "….we have been told verbally by New Jersey Transit that they intend to close Harmon Cove Station."
Then in the second paragraph of the letter Elwell writes "At no time have we received formal notification from New Jersey Transit."
Mayor, this sounds like a contradiction, if they told you "verbally" you mean you did not receive a letter advising of such a proposed action, this does not mean you were not told.
Then, looking at the letter sent to New Jersey Transit Elwell starts off by writing: "It has come to our attention that New Jersey Transit plans to close the Harmon Cove Transit Station in Secaucus." "We are shocked, angered and outraged."
Mayor, by writing "it has come to our attention" you are implying that you heard from a third party and not from New Jersey Transit as you stated in the letter to the residents. Also, how did it come to your attention? When did it come to your attention?
I also point out that at the last meeting of the town council, at the time of the public hearing on the proposed Ordinance to sell land to New Jersey Transit, just before the floor was open to the public, the town attorney, Mr. Leanza, made the statement to the effect that the school board would be involved in the negotiations with New Jersey Transit and that any information to the contrary was incorrect. Up until that night, we the Board of Education, had not been involved in any negotiations with New Jersey Transit contract to town attorney Leanza’s statement made that night.
At that time I stated that the Ordinance to sell should then be withdrawn. The response was "no", and the council went forward and voted to adopt the ordinance.
I am sure that at the time of the public hearing on the ordinance to sell there was knowledge of the proposed action to be taken by New Jersey Transit to close the station. Had the council taken my advice and not adopted the ordinance but rather table the ordinance, tactically we (the board of education and town council) would be in a stronger position to help Harmon Cove and town residents to keep that station. It would provide us with some leverage to use to make them keep the station open.
Also, in the mayor’s letter to the residents he claimed that he and I assume he meant the town, was not given an opportunity, and I quote: "for input, to discuss alternatives…"
Mayor, I really hate to say this but this sounds a little hypocritical. You went ahead to negotiate and work out a deal with New Jersey Transit on the sale of land without consulting the board of education for input.
Maybe, just maybe, mayor if you had been open and above board with the board of education on this proposed land sale and had the input from the board of ed, just maybe the residents of Harmon Cove would not be facing this problem.
In the same letter the mayor requests a meeting with New Jersey Transit. He also requested that the congressmen, state senator and two assembly persons be involved in the meeting.
This is all well and good and there are times of course when the prestige of an elected officeholder is helpful. However, mayor it seems that you waited for the cows to run from the barn before you closed the door.
I recommend that the mayor and council and the board set up a committee of six (three from the council and three from the board) be immediately organized to review this entire matter.
You see Mayor Elwell not only the Harmon Cove residents are affected by this closing.
Tom Troyer