Getting something in return
Bayonne and Jersey City received a share of more than $101,032 in rebates from the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission for the role city inspectors played in reporting new connections to the system.
The rebates, which will help offset local property taxes, are given as part of PVSC’s Municipal Rebate Incentive Program that has local code enforcement officers acting as the eyes and ears of the PVSC in spotting new connections that would owe fees to PVSC.
In these programs, local inspectors identify applications for construction permits that would be required to pay fees to PVSC.
In return for these efforts, municipalities such as Bayonne and Jersey City receive a percentage of the annual connection fees that are collected in their community.
Its success relies on the code enforcement officer of each municipality to ensure that applicants seeking construction permits also apply for PVSC’s approval as required under PVSC Rules and Regulations.
During the year starting July 2009 and ending June 30, 2010, PVSC collected $403,954 in connection fees in Bayonne and $215,307 in Jersey City, and as a result, Bayonne received $13,234 and Jersey City, $32,296.
Jersey City received a larger refund for less in total connection fees because the program caps single projects as $5,000.
PVSC officials replied to “Community News” inquiries as to why Jersey City seemed to get a larger rebate even though they generated less connection fees.
A large portion of the Bayonne rebate comes from The Bayonne Energy Project. The people that are building this power plant paid upwards of $300,000 to connect to the PVSC’s plant. The rebate for this project was $5,000, PVSC officials said.
Until the program’s inception in May 2003, municipal compliance was described as “sparse,” with many projects being built without PVSC approval or payment of required fees.
“This is no longer a concern because the program has created a heightened awareness of the requirements as well as developed important relationships with our communities, geared towards protecting their investment in this essential infrastructure,” said Wayne J. Forrest, PVSC executive director.
Since the program started, PVSC has offset sewerage treatment costs with additional fees by $21 million and rebated to participating municipalities $2.1 million.
Professional services contracts to be awarded
At its Aug. 25 meeting, the City Council is expected to approve the appointment of Susan B. Gyss and Robert L Hennessey to the Bayonne Municipal Court as municipal prosecutors for a one-year term commencing July 1, 2010, effective Sept. 1, 2010, at an annual salary of $32,500 each. The council will also likely appoint Rakesh J. Desai as an alternate prosecutor at a rate of $300 per hour for an annual salary not to exceed $12,000.
John J. Smith Jr. is expected to be named as the attorney representing the Bayonne Rent Control Board at a salary not to exceed $15,000 per year.
Nowell, Amoroso, Klein, Biernam, PA, is slated to represent the city in state Tax Court with a contract starting July 1, 2010 at $165 per hour not to exceed an annual fee of $55.000.
The council is expected to renew the contract with the Hoboken appraising firm Stack, Coohahan, & Stack for property appraisals for tax appeals at an annual salary of $72,000.
Attorney Richard Campisano is expected to be retained as attorney for the Bayonne Planning and Zoning boards.
The City Council is also expected to retain Millenium Strategies of Caldwell for grant writing services for a fee not to exceed $75,000 annually.
Ruane appoints subcommittee on animal issues
Council President Terry Ruane announced the formation of a Council Subcommittee on Animal Issues. The committee will be responsible for advising the entire council on animal policies and concerns. Council members Agnes Gillespie and Debra Czerwienski will serve on the committee along with other administration officials.
Recently, advocates for a Trap, Neuter, and Release program for feral cats addressed the council, seeking approval for a TNR program in Bayonne. Proponents and detractors of the plan engaged in a heated debate during the council meeting regarding the benefits and problems with the issue. President Ruane felt that it would be prudent to conduct some research regarding how other towns handle the issue and thoroughly examine all of the facts.
Gillespie said it was obvious that people have strong feelings for and against the idea of capturing feral cats and releasing them.
“I’ve been contacted by people who are opposed to people free-feeding cats in their neighborhoods,” said Gillespie. “We really need to get the facts and find out exactly what the people of Bayonne want us to do.”
Czerwienski added, “For some, this is a pretty emotional issue and the council needs to be fully informed before we act.”
Ruane said there was a lot of misinformation circulating.
“People were calling us ‘cat killers’ because we didn’t immediately endorse their point of view,” said Ruane. “The fact is we need more unbiased information on this issue and how it will play out in our neighborhoods.”
The committee will be a standing committee to deal with animal issues as they arise. The subcommittee will schedule meetings in the near future.
Rita’s Ice Cream sales to help veterans
In conjunction with Soldiers’ Angels of New Jersey, Rita’s Ice Cream, at the corner of 12th and Broadway, has agreed to donate 20 percent of all ice cream sales conducted between 6 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 31 to provide support for military people serving oversees and to disabled veterans returning from war zones.
Raeann Hempel, of Bayonne, New Jersey state coordinator for the non-profit group, said the money will be used to help soldiers and, in particular, provide voice-response laptops for disabled veterans at home.
“Our goal is to get laptops that are voice activated for the soldiers that came back from Iraq and Afghanistan without arms so they can still communicate with their loved ones,” she said.
For more information about the group, call (551) 655-3342 or email ctlnj10@gmail.com.
“I am very happy to be part of this because I am able to give back to our soldiers,” she said.
Provident Bank Foundation gives Bayonne school district a grant
The Bayonne Board of Education recently received a $9,000 grant from The Provident Bank Foundation to support its Proyecto Science Consortium Program held at New Jersey City University.
Proyecto Science 2010, a six-week academic summer program, recently finished its 14th session, culminating in its Activity Day and closing ceremony. At Activity Day, special events like the Proyecto Academic Bowl (a tournament of knowledge acquired during the program), a chess tournament, bottle rocket launching and Science Fair where Bayonne public school students present their summer projects to the project coordinator and their peers where held.
“We are extremely grateful for The Provident Bank Foundation’s continued support of the Proyecto Science Program,” said Ellen O’Connor, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “The Provident Bank Foundation has been a wonderful partner in this endeavor for 10 years.”
Proyecto Science focuses on advancement in mathematics, sciences, computer science and technology for select middle and high school students. The program exposes students in grades 7 to 9 who have aspirations for a career in science or medicine to intensive, college-level courses. Courses offered range from advanced mathematic subjects like calculus and probability and statistics, to physics, chemistry, and computer science. The program also stresses development of abstract thinking and problem solving. Aside from academics, the students get to take field trips, play chess, and take part in a musical ensemble.
“We are pleased to continue our support of the Proyecto Science program, which provides an intensive summer program for gifted students in science and mathematics,” said Kendall Warsaw, executive director of The Provident Bank Foundation. “It is wonderful to see aspiring doctors and scientists get ahead through this fantastic education program, and we are proud to help these students prepare for their academic futures.”
Sires votes for education and health care funds for N.J.
Rep. Albio Sires joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives in passing the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1586, the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act by a vote of 247 to 161. This bill will provide $10 billion in funding for education jobs and $16.1 billion for increased federal matching for Medicaid to address pending needs. The cost of H.R. 1586 is fully offset, and the Congressional Budget Office estimates that enactment of this bill will reduce the deficit by $1.37 billion dollars over 10 years.
“This bill will not only create or save 319,000 jobs across the country, but it will add to the ongoing efforts to reduce our country’s deficit,” Sires said. “I am proud to vote for this bill, and I am proud that the Senate and the House were able to come together and support this vital funding.”
H.R. 1586 will also provide $10 billion to support 161,000 teacher jobs. This money is designed to be in place for the upcoming school year to prevent layoffs in schools throughout the country.
“With the passage of H.R. 1586, New Jersey will receive an estimated $268 million in additional funding to support approximately 3,900 education jobs, and $399 million for FMAP, a total of $667 million in overall aid,” Sires said. “This money will support our teachers and health care access, while preventing devastating cuts to other top priority programs, like public safety officers,” stated Sires. “It is estimated that the 13th District alone will receive $40 million to support 594 jobs in K to 12 education.”