Two lawsuits against the township – one involving a police car striking a vehicle while in pursuit, and another concerning a deli torn down after being declared an unsafe structure – were recently settled out of court. Resolutions passed on Jan. 28 at the North Bergen Commissioner’s Meeting outlined the settlements.
Bruce Truppner, who sued North Bergen after a police vehicle allegedly struck his car while chasing another motorist, settled out of court for $34,500. According to Assistant Town Administrator Robert Pittfield, the accident occurred in March of 2004, and Truppner suffered herniated discs and had to undergo surgery. The settlement was for his injuries, as well as the damage to his car.
The second settlement involved “Naha Deli & Grocery,” which was located on 85th Street. According to Town Administrator Chris Pianese, in 2006 the building was demolished because the township’s building inspector deemed the structure to be unsafe. Pianese said that since then, there has been a dispute with the owners, Jayant and Jagruti Patel about whether or not they received adequate time to upgrade the structure.
The township will pay the owners $165,000, as well as discharging the tax lien of $28,500.
“Our building department deemed it an eminent hazard,” said Pianese. “It became an issue [and] rather than follow through in the court system we felt it was better to settle the case. There were arguments on both sides to be made on adequate notice.”
Ordinance regarding bar hours
An ordinance that would enhance the 2 a.m. bar closing was introduced. There will be a public hearing and a possible final vote on Feb. 11.
Originally, the commissioners passed a law that moved bar closing times from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m. The new proposed law will mandate that customers be off the premises completely by 2.
According to Town Attorney Herbert Klitzner, the previous language in the ordinance stated that alcohol “could not be sold, served, delivered or consumed” after closing time. Klitzner said that the old language became a problem for police to enforce.
Mayor Nicholas Sacco said that he wanted to check with other towns to see how they enforce bar closing times.
Mike Quddos, the owner of the Copacabana at 7100 Bergenline Ave., pleaded with Sacco during the public portion to allow him to open his bar “on a probationary period” on weekends till 3 a.m., saying that his business was devastated since bars were forced to close earlier.
Klitzner said the new language would aid police in enforcing liquor licensed establishments.
“I will not change the time [of] two o’clock,” said Sacco. “I am now consistent with other towns. The people of North Bergen are happy with it. In fact I don’t believe I would deserve to be in office if I went back to what was causing us problems [and] violence.”
Another bar owner, Jorge Sanchez of the Conga Lounge at 6743 Kennedy Blvd., asked commissioners to give him leniency when emptying out his bar.
“When you push everyone out at the same time, that’s when the problems come out,” said Sanchez.
Applying for stimulus funds
Even though President Barack Obama’s $775 billion stimulus plan has not yet passed in the Senate, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has sent out an application for public works funding, assuming that it will pass, said Pianese.
Pianese said that North Bergen officials met with the DEP and with the town’s Municipal Utilities Authority and outlined projects that were met with a positive response. The MUA must also pass a resolution outlining possible future projects, which include replacing equipment at the Woodcliff Wastewater Treatment Plant, sewer rehabilitation, and replacing storm and sanitary sewer systems along 81st Street and Kennedy Boulevard.
Pianese said that the projects’ cost may exceed $10 million.
“North Bergen aggressively moves forward hoping to get some of that grant money,” said Pianese.
Accepts grants
Commissioners passed a resolution accepting $100,000 from the Meadowlands Municipal Assistance Grant. The funds will be used to purchase four marked police cars, said Pianese.
The township also approved $5,000 from Emergency Management Assistance Funding which will be put toward emergency management.
Large tax appeals
North Bergen will have to refund a total of $265,968 for overpayment of taxes from fiscal years 2006 to 2009.
The first property, located at 5907-6116 Tonnelle Ave., will receive $73,626 for fiscal year 2009, which was awarded by the New Jersey Tax Court.
The New Jersey Tax Court also determined a refund $21,365 for the property at 3729-2737 Tonnelle Ave. for 2009, and a total of $153,988 from 2006 through 2008 for 8301 River Rd.
6901-17 Nolan Avenue received $16,997 for 2008 and 2009.