Dozens of residents packed into the City Council Chambers Tuesday night to see whether new Mayor Michael Gonnelli and his allies on the seven-member governing body would begin to make good on their campaign promises to trim municipal spending, make over the Tax Collector’s Office, make the government more transparent, and try to make the Recreation Center more financially stable and less dependent on taxpayers.
Already the new administration seems willing to address at least one thorny and contentious issue: making the Secaucus Recreation Center financially stable.
Allow non-residents at Recreation Center?
Among the first ordinances introduced Tuesday was one that, if passed, would open Recreation Center membership up to people who live in other towns but who work in Secaucus. Currently, membership to the Secaucus Recreation Center is only open to town residents, a policy many would like to see retained. But at present, the center isn’t financially self-sufficient and is being subsidized by taxpayers, including those who aren’t members and who don’t use the facility.
Non-residents would only be able to use the recreation center from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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“We’re looking for ways to increase the revenue,” he said. “This may not be a very popular decision. This is just one of the things we’re looking at. There are several others which I’ll report on as we go further. But this is the first step to try to make it more feasible and more fiscally responsible.”
If passed, non-residents who work in town would pay a $25 registration fee and $375 for a one-year individual membership, if paid in full. Rates for nonresident couples, seniors, and families would also be available. Under the ordinance non-residents would only be able to use the recreation center from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The ordinance was crafted by the council’s finance committee, which includes councilmen Robert Costantino (chair), John Bueckner, and William McKeever.
In an indication of how controversial this proposal is, Councilman Gary Jeffas, an ally of Gonnelli’s, commented Tuesday that, “As Independents we sometimes disagree. I think we’re trying to make the Rec Center work…I have some concerns about whether opening it up to out-of-town employees is going to create the stimulus that we need. So, I have some concerns about moving forward on the ordinance.”
Councilman John Shinnick said he shared Jeffas’ concerns.
“I don’t know if this is the answer, but it is a positive financial step,” Shinnick said. “It is a step toward making the Rec Center generate some revenue. So I certainly support that.”
As a member of the council Finance Committee, Bueckner felt compelled to explain the reasoning behind the proposed ordinance.
“We knew this would probably be a little controversial,” said Bueckner, who is also the council’s recreation liaison. “It is controversial. There’s no question about it. Certainly, we would all like to keep it is a home type of thing. Practically speaking, it’s very difficult to do. I can tell you now, checking with the town chief financial officer, it’s going to cost us this year about $1 million in operation costs and bonding. So, we have to come up with $1 million. Last year, we came up with about $500,000…We just have to generate some revenue. I personally don’t think it’s fair to ask the people out there to come up with all this money if they don’t use the [center].”
The public hearing on this ordinance will be held at the Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.
No more cash
Another ordinance of note that was introduced Tuesday was one that would put an end to cash payments for property taxes.
“This one doesn’t need any explanation,” the mayor quipped.
“I have concerns about whether opening it up to out-of-town employees is going to create the stimulus that we need.” – Gary Jeffas
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Buffer zones to be created
A third ordinance was introduced to create landscaped buffer zones around industrial areas in town.
Specifically, the ordinance would require a 25-foot landscaped buffer zone around an industrial area that is near a road. The law would also require that there be a 25-foot landscaped buffer zone between any industrial area and nearby residences.
The public hearing on this ordinance will be held at the Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.
Still promising televised meetings in our lifetimes
Jeffas, a member of the council’s TV Subcommittee, reported that demo tapes prepared by two companies that bid on the town’s contract to videotape council meetings are being evaluated by himself and fellow subcommittee member Shinnick.
Several months ago the council received two bids from videogaphers who were interested in filming council meetings so they can be broadcast on Channel 36, a local public access station.
Each bidder was given a chance to do a demo taping of a council meeting in December. One bidder taped the Dec. 8 council meeting; the other one taped the Dec. 28 meeting.
“After we’ve both had an opportunity to review the DVDs we’ll sit down with the council and make a decision about which one to go with,” Jeffas said.
Gonnelli makes appointments
Finally, the mayor and council made several board appointments Tuesday.
William Sallick was reappointed to the Planning Board. Gonnelli replaced Planning Board member Michael Makarski with Doug DePice. Debbie Santoro and Barbara Warth were appointed as alternate members. Sallick and DePice will serve four-year terms.
(Interestingly, Makarski is an ally of former Mayor Dennis Elwell and served as a spokesman for the Democratic candidates who ran against Gonnelli’s slate in November. Warth is a longtime Democrat and member of the Secaucus Democratic Committee who fell out with Elwell.)
One spot on the Planning Board is always held by a member of the Town Council. Shinnick was approved to be the council representative on the board. He will serve a one-year term in the position.
Maribel Anota was appointed to the Secaucus Municipal Utilities Authority. She replaced Michael Altilio. Guy Pascasrello and Fed Vogel were appointed as alternate members.
Faith Rennie was reappointed to the Board of Health. Pam Makarski was removed from this board and replaced with Sue Pirro. Rennie and Pirro will each serve four-year terms.
Raymond Leonard, Nicholas Rivelli, and Elizabeth Giele were all reappointed to the Board of Adjustment.
E-mail E. Assata Wright at awright@hudsonreporter.com.