People who sit on municipal agencies, boards, and commissions will be serving under a new attendance policy adopted by the Town Council on Tuesday.
The council introduced the ordinance last month in an effort to secure an $87,143 state aid payment due to the town on Dec. 1. The payment is the final installment of the town’s total state aid payment of $1.8 million.
Under the ordinance, any commission, board, or agency member who misses three consecutive meetings or more than five meetings within a 12-month period will be removed from service, pending notification and a hearing.
Now that the area outside of Marra Drugs has been reconfigured, the town is moving forward with other beautification plans for the area.
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Free residential parking by Xchange
The council also introduced an amendment to an existing law that will allow only residents of Brianna Lane, Emily Way, New County Road, and Riverside Station Blvd. – streets that are all located near Xchange at Secaucus Junction and the Frank R. Lautenberg Rail station – to park on those streets.
Residents have complained about having to pay full price to use the paid parking facility at the train station. In the past residents have said this is particularly burdensome on days when large events are being held at New Meadowlands Stadium and parking rates are $20. Residents have complained that they’ve been required to pay the full $20, even if they are not taking a train to the stadium.
At the same time, residents of Xchange have complained that nonresidents en route to the train station often park near their development, making it harder for them to find spots for their own cars.
“This is going to be outstanding for our citizens,” said Town Councilman Gary Jeffas. “What we’re going to do back there is designate those roads for residential parking. What will happen now is if you have a Secaucus residential parking sticker, you’ll be able to park on these roads and then walk over to the train station and [park] at no cost. This is going to eliminate a lot of parking problems. This is going to be a win-win. If you ever go back there, [you’ll see] there are a ton of spots”
Jeffas added that the town is also looking into the possibility of offering shuttle service to transport residents from these streets to the rail station.
Financial update
Council members also gave updates on various financial matters.
The council, which had promised to substantially cut legal expenses this year, reported that so far this year the town has spent $289,000 in legal fees, compared to $584,000 this time last year.
The town has, according to the council, also boosted the amount of money coming in from municipal court fees by $46,402. This time last year the town had collected $436,059.72. That same number this year is $482,461.94.
Income from the Aftercare Program is up by $43,000
Not all of the news was good, however.
Income at the Secaucus Day Care Center is down by $105,000. Money was also lost at the Secaucus Swim Center. About $62,000 was lost there. And $502,000 has been lost at the Secaucus Recreation Center.
Plaza overhaul moves forward
Now that the area outside Marra Drugs has been reconfigured, the town is moving forward with other beautification plans for the area.
The council announced that it is now soliciting corporate sponsorships to have a large town clock installed at Paterson Plank Road and Flanagan Way.
Four corporations that donate $5,000 will be able to have their names prominently displayed on the four faces of the clock. Individual donors who give smaller donations may be given an opportunity to have their names listed at the base of the timepiece.
The reconfigured gazebo and clock are just two elements the council wants to bring to the Plaza to give it a clearer identity to make it a central point for both improved commerce and socializing. Eventually, the town hopes to improve parking and attract more “anchor” businesses to the center of town.
E-mail E. Assata Wright at awright@hudsonreporter.com.