The owner of an evangelical church on Tonnelle Avenue is worried that when the township vacates a portion of 88th Street in preparation for Vornado Realty Trust’s future mall, his property may be on the chopping block next.
At a North Bergen Commissioners meeting on Feb. 25, an attorney representing 8701 Tonnelle Avenue LLC, Lane Miller, raised that concern during the public hearing for the ordinance on behalf of a reverend who was worried the new mall would mean the end of his church.
The commissioners approved the ordinance, which will vacate a portion of 88th Street southwest of Tonnelle Avenue so that the street may be aligned. Currently 88th Street ends east of Tonnelle Avenue, before continuing south of the intersection.
“In concept we do not object to what is currently proposed,” said Miller. “The problem is it’s a part of a larger project initially proposed by the township.”
Miller explained that if any more of 88th Street was vacated it could begin to affect his client’s church and could lead to the building being condemned. He asked the council, unsuccessfully, to postpone their vote until the New Jersey Department of Transportation approved the project.
Town Administrator Christopher Pianese explained that the DOT asked North Bergen to finalize the process on the municipal level first.
“We’re actually following the way they want it done and I believe they’re not going to change their minds or play any games with us at all,” said Mayor Nicholas Sacco. “They just want to have everything in order.”
Sacco agreed that if more of the street was vacated it could have adverse affects on the church property because of it’s proximity to the mall, but that they would have to cross that bridge at that time.
Asking for $4M
An ordinance was introduced which, if approved by the office of the Director of Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs of New Jersey, could allow North Bergen to bond for $4 million dollars. The funds would pay for the current upswing of tax court appeals.
“North Bergen is just like any other town in New Jersey that has suffered from the economy.” – Christopher Pianese
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“North Bergen is just like any other town in New Jersey that has suffered from the economy,” said Pianese.
He explained that some properties that were originally assessed at $10 million may have been reduced by $2 million, which could begin to affect tax revenues if not handled correctly. In order to avoid a cash flow problem, Pianese said that he will eventually need additional funds since the town has been paying the refunds from other sources of money.
“I experienced this in the early 90s when I was the CFO [in North Bergen] and did these same applications,” said Pianese.
Pianese said that the state is “flooded” with these kind of bond applications. Another $1 million may be needed to pay off another tax refund as well, he said.
If the state approves the bonds, Pianese said that it will then be up to the local finance board to set the time North Bergen will have to pay the funds back.
Two contracts approved
A contract was awarded to Greenleaf Landscape System & Service, Inc., of Red Bank, for the landscaping needs of the township for $48,325. Pianese said that this will include all parks and lawn maintenance.
The township’s contract to Boswell McClave Engineering, of South Hackensack, was renewed for an annual fee of $67,732.
This will include doing inspections and engineering work as required by the township, handling reponses to sewer inquires, utilities, tax maps and other sketches.
Replacing lights
After a light post fell in Stan Newman Field as a result of a wind storm in January 2009, Pianese said that the township had their engineer analyze whether other light posts at the field were safe. When it was recommended that the township hire an engineer with a specialty in these structures, Pianese said they did so and were told that they “immediately” had to be taken down.
A contract to Lucas Electric Company, Inc. was approved in a resolution for $9,600 and will pay for the removal of the rest of the light posts on the field.
Pianese said that after that, they will begin putting funds in place to replace them, which will cost “upwards of $300,000.”
Two new light posts will also be installed across the street from 6503 Liberty Avenue and 6405 Liberty Avenue. The township has agreed to pay PSE&G for the installation of the lights.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com