In order to make up for a $4 bite the state will be taking out motor vehicle ticket fines, the Town Council introduced an ordinance on Oct. 28 increasing the fees.
Town Administrator Anthony Iacono said $4 will be taken from each ticket in order to fund several research projects.
“This was part of the agreement that allowed for the legislature to pass the hotel tax,” he said.
Fines from motor vehicle violations are usually split between the municipality and the state. But because the state will be taking the $4 from each ticket, the town will lose revenue.
“We are not gaining any revenue by doing this,” Iacono said. “We’re simply covering the money the state takes.”
If the town did not take this action, Iacono estimated the courts would show a decrease in revenues in excess of $100,000 year, maybe even closer to $200,000.
He said several legislators had pet projects that needed to be funded. Of the $4, $1 will be used for the New Jersey Spinal Cord Research Fund, $1 for the Autism Medial Research and Treatment Fund and $2 for the New Jersey Forensic DNA Laboratory Fund.
Mayor Dennis Elwell said the cost will be borne by people who have broken the law, not by generating new taxes.
Town Attorney Frank Leanza said the town had to act before Dec. 22 when the state begins to take the fees.
Other matters
The council voted to apply to the state for funds from the state’s Transportation Trust Fund for roadway improvements to a block along Paterson Plank Road. This is a different program than the usual street paving program the state usually provides to municipalities, said Mayor Dennis Elwell.
Each year, the state provides money for street repaving. This money has to be used on streets traveled by people other than just Secaucus residents. The town also dedicates money from its own capital improvements budget for other streets. But Elwell said this latest program could allow the town to fix up some sidewalk areas one block per year.
“Originally, we wanted to do all of Paterson Plank Road,” Elwell said. “But there is only a small amount of money in this fund each year. But we might be able to get enough for one block each year.”
This money, he said, would be used to fix up the sidewalk from Irving Street to Roosevelt Avenue on Paterson Plank Road.
In a related matter, Council John Bueckner asked for a report on the cost of pavers that are being installed at various intersections. This has been an ongoing discussion over whether or not the increased cost of pavers for sidewalks and streets in the Plaza section could have been used instead for the paving of one of the small streets elsewhere in town.
Because the funds for the pavers came from several sources, Iacono said it was unlikely the town could have used the money to upgrade other streets. He also pointed to the fact that the pavers used at intersections along some of the more heavily traveled streets seem to have slowed traffic and provided more safety for kids being crossed to and from local schools.
The council also voted to allow the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission to move ahead with the process for the development of south Secaucus. This does not offer support for the private development project that has been proposed, something that Councilmen Bueckner and Bob Kickey said they do not endorse.
“This is not about endorsing the project,” said Councilman Chris Marra.
NJ Transit released a study in September that recommended the redevelopment of the south end of Secaucus near the rail transfer station. Among the more controversial elements was the proposed construction of 1,850 residential units.
“We are just allowing them to continue the process,” Marra said. “This is not an endorsement. And if that was what they were asking for, I would vote no. This just lets the NJMC move on to the next step.”
Oil tank found at park site
In a report to the council, Iacono said the town will use a portion of its open space bond to remove an oil tank found while constructing a driveway into a new park at the end of Farm Road. The tank was used for home heating oil at some point more than 30 years ago, and some oil has spilled. The location once held the Anchor Inn and a flying school, but because the land had changed hands so often since then, it is difficult to determine who was responsible for leaving the tank there.
In other matters, the council moved to insert revenue into the budget from two grants totaling slightly over $120,000. Although the town knew the grants would be coming, the figures could not be added to the budget until the money actually arrived. A $20,300 grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection will be used as part of the town’s Recreation Trail Program. The other $100,000 grant from the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is to be used for work at Mill Creek Point Park.
In reports to the Town Council, Bueckner said residents in the area of the new Baker townhouse development have complained of possible damage to their homes due to the movement of heavy equipment. Suspected damage included cracks in foundations, chimneys and aluminum siding.
Town Director of Inspection Vincent Pietro said he had received complaints of vibrations, and had installed devices to measure sound problems, but for the most part he had not found any reason for alarm.
Kickey wanted to know if the Town Council could take any action, but Leanza said residents should report the problems to their own home insurance companies and let the insurance companies settle the matter.