Mayor Ronald R. Jones Excerpts from the Mayors Annual Message December 31 Sine Dine meeting Members of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights Council Honored guests, Clergy, friends and neighbors. I would like to take this time to wish everyone a Happy New Year. It is the Mayor’s responsibility to address the residents annually and to give the State of the Borough. As my last report for the year 2007 I will accomplish this now. But before I start with my report let me take this time to sadly remind everyone here of the passing of several employee’s, a retired employee, and a former Fire Department volunteer this year and I ask you all to now take a moment of silence and to keep them in your prayers: John Menne, of the DPW Jack Mazotas of the Police Department School Crossing Guards Deputy Chief Bill Bischoff of the Police Department Jennifer Knobloch of the Fire department Thank You I am happy and proud once again to tell the residents of Hasbrouck Heights that the State of the Borough is in fine shape. This administration has worked very hard to keep our tax rate stable, making major improvements all the while not only stabilizing our Borough’s debt but continuing lowering it as well. I can explain the reason for our successful year in 2007. It belongs to the hard work and dedication of all the Borough employee’s and the willingness and unselfishness of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights residents who have either served on many volunteer boards or who have supported our efforts to make Hasbrouck Heights the best that it can be. Let me share with you now reports on our borough departments. POLICE DEPARTMENT 2007 was a very active and busy year for the Police Department. They answered over 12,000 calls for service, which is the most ever. AAA recognized the Police department & especially the traffic Bureau with their awards of excellence for their efforts. (One of only a few in North Jersey) They participated in nationwide Click It or Ticket, Children car seat installations. Their Honor Guard was busy attending many Borough events/Parades as well as County and State Police Memorial Services. The members of the Honor Guard volunteer for this assignment. The Police Departments DARE Program again did a great job educating the children of all of our schools K-12 on the dangers of drugs, alcohol and violence. Their Space Odyssey trip was held in February and was a success. Their 8th grade swim party was held in June at the Swim Club. The Jr. Class was shown the effects of drinking and driving utilizing golf carts and goggles that give the effect of being drunk. A 5th grade parent’s night was held and well attended. Their Community Policing Programs have continued and they are always looking for ways to improve their relationship with the community. Our Police Department held a Special Olympics beefsteak, Participated in a Polar Bear Plunge and Torch Run with the Department raising over $30,000 and being #2 in the entire state. A Jr. Police Academy was held for our 8th graders who then become Jr. Auxiliary members and assisted at Town Day and other Borough functions. The 8th grade Washington trip was chaperoned and the BADGE program continued. Their 12th Annual Bike Marathon was held with 200 children participating. This is a total community effort with the Police, Fire, DPW, Board of Ed and business community supporting it. 2 new police cars were received, 1 paid for by budget; 1 paid for by charging private contractors for police vehicles at traffic post. A Live Scan Fingerprint System with digital mug shot camera and child portable kit was ordered and paid for with confiscated funds. The new Enforsys Record Management System went online January 2007. All schools were inspected and the report submitted to the NJSP. Chief Colaneri please accept my sincere thanks to you and your entire department for all that the Hasbrouck Heights police department has done for this Mayor and Council and the entire borough of Hasbrouck Heights. Hasbrouck Heights has an outstanding Police Department and every citizen can be proud of their professionalism and dedication to this Borough. Mike it has been
a pleasure to work with you as a brother police officer and as Mayor and Chief as well. I
have always held a special place in my heart for the Police Department and always will.
Thank all your officers and police secretaries for me and keep up the good work. FIRE DEPARTMENT The fire department had the following calls for the year 2007 EMS Calls --- 1,300 Fire Calls --- 551 Equipment received for 2007 20 Pagers 7 Scott Air Packs 28 Scott Air Packs upgraded 2 Battery -powered stretchers 15 sets of Turnout gear were ordered Their goals for 2008 are 2 Ambulances 1 4x4 Chief’s Truck Upgrade equipment on Rescue Truck Upgrade all computers in the Fire Department I want to take this time to thank Chief Angelo Roccamo, Chief Michael Ratowski , Chief Kevin Todd, and all the men and women of the Hasbrouck Heights fire department and EMS for their professionalism and dedication to the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights and all its residents. These men and women deserve all our support and praise for the outstanding work that they accomplish in protecting our very lives and properties. It takes a special type of person to perform this service and we are very fortunate to have such outstanding individuals in this department. Chiefs thank you once again and as you know I have always had a great respect for your department while working side by side with you. That respect has grown while serving with you all as Mayor. Keep up the good work.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT The Building Department has issued almost 1,000 permits for 2007. TOTAL VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION $9,582,783.00 TOTAL PERMIT FEES COLLECTED $ 156,744. TOTAL INSPECTIONS by the Building Department were 1,472. Property Maintenance has done numerous inspections to insure compliance was achieved. Necessary legal action was taken when required. To better serve the community in 2006 some of their accomplishments have been:
All of these steps been have made to make homeowners happier with their department and make information readily available to the general public. It is their goal to continue to keep this department running efficiently and continue to examine ways to increase revenue and help the residents of Hasbrouck Heights. I want to thank Nick Melfi, Dorothy Bernice, and Ed Carter Jr. for their hard work and dedication they have accomplished this year of 2007. The many changes that you have accomplished have truly made it better for all our residents. Thank you again and keep up the good work.
Environmental and
Transportation It held its Third Environmental Poster Contest under the Chairmanship of Gil Hunt assisted by Committee Members Jack Stavash and Jim Dressel. There were 69 Poster Contest Winners from students in grades Kindergarten thru Grades 5 in the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights, both public and private. Certificates will be awarded at the Youth Week Council Meeting in May and Bill O’Shea of Bill O’Shea’s Florist and Gifts continued his tradition of giving each student a flowering plant. For the first time The Commission sponsored an Environmental Essay Contest for students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. There were 19 winners. Certificates were awarded and Lovey’s Pizzeria gave the winners coupons for free pizzas. The Environmental and Transportation Commission introduced the Expansion of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights Recycling Program with the cooperation of DPW Supt. Bill Spindler. It is a program that will not only benefit the environment, but also save hundreds of thousands of dollars if done properly. Education is key to comply with the REDUCE- REUSE- RECYCLE Program. Programs were held in the local schools through the cooperation of the Bergen County Utilities Authority. As for the flooding issues, they continue to be in touch with the Meadowlands Commission and D.O.T. Commissioner Kris Kolluri and are pleased with the cooperation received thus far with the cleaning of the Riser Ditches etc., along with the progress on the long range mitigation of the flooding on Route 17 and the adjacent area. The plans for a Rail Station in the Teterboro/Hasbrouck Heights Williams Avenue area are in the early stages since it progress is tied to the movement of the establishment of a Park and Ride in Teterboro. The work on implementing a bus route to travel from Rutherford through Hasbrouck Heights into Hackensack is still a work in progress with much interest and support from neighboring communities. The working committee has done an outstanding job and promises to be even more productive in the coming year. New ideas are being studied and increased interest given to our beautification program at the Circle and in other areas of town. I want to thank the Zoning board members, their Chairwoman Rose Heck and Zoning Board attorney Joseph Rotolo for their dedication and professionalism The following is a list of activities the Planning Board participated in during the 2007 Calendar Year:
I want to take his time to
thank the Panning board and its Chairman Hank Dobbelaar and to our Planning Board Attorney
Ed Trawinski for their dedication and professionalism RECREATION DEPARTMENT The Hasbrouck Heights Recreation Department has had another fun-filled successful year! The Department has a wide range of programs and events that reach out and include all of the citizens in our community. Their broad based community programs like "Town Day" and "Halloween in the Park" are geared to all generations and families, to their state recognized youth athletic programs, such as Basketball. Wrestling, Softball, and Track & Field give each member of our town an opportunity to be involved in organized programs and events. The Recreation Department also offers organized adult activities such as Yoga, Basketball, Volleyball, and Flag Football. Our Recreation Department is also proud of the very well attended Recreation Center, which offers a fun place for the youth in our community to interact in a safe controlled setting. They also offer a full calendar of senior events that vary from fun movie days, to a very involved exercise health and wellness schedule. They also offer multigenerational activities, for example Students Assisting Seniors Programs (S.A.S.P.) this is were they match up students from our High School with local senior citizens to help mow lawns, rake leaves and other odd jobs around the home. The students receive community service hours toward their graduation. Of course they still offer one of the best and most innovative summer activity camps in the state. This camp gives parents peace of mind that they can go to work or get things done around the house while their child is playing and interacting with other children in the safe controlled setting of our very own Woodland Park. Summer Camp also gives local high school students a place to get the perfect summer job. Most of these programs could not be done without the help of their very dedicated volunteers, from the coaches for their youth sport teams to the chaperones for their Recreation Center; these volunteers make our community programs the best they can be. Let me say at this time that the success of our Recreation department is in great part to the outstanding leadership of Rob Brady and his well selected staff of volunteers. Rob Brady is an outstanding individual who gives his utmost to all that he does. His love of the children and adults of this town is apparent in the manner in which he serves us. I have a great respect for all you do Rob and thank you for all that you have accomplished in our beloved Borough. I have enjoyed working with you and am proud to call you my friend. Keep up the good work.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS The Department of Public Works reports that in 2007 besides the normal services of sanitary sewer, storm water regulations, leaf removal, snowplowing, tree trimming and removal, and many other various services; the DPW completed many projects throughout the town at a considerable savings rather than outsourcing to a contractor. The DPW designed and constructed a Firemen’s Memorial at the circle this year to honor all volunteers within that department. The Memorial consists of engraved brick pavers placed around the Firemen’s Bell. Demolition and debris removal of the old comfort station was completed by April 1st enabling the contractor to start construction of the new-handicapped accessible station. For the Depken field project the Storm water catch basins were located, that had been covered, and the entire system was cleaned and video taped. The tape was submitted to Job and Job Engineering so that the system could be documented and mapped. The same procedure was done on the wastewater system in that area. To help aid the Board of Education and the Borough keep costs down, some fencing and debris removal was performed to help keep the project on schedule. Also, the DPW trimmed and removed trees and stumps that impeded construction. Since our American Legion Post in town moved, the members asked to relocate the cannon that were in front of their post to Veterans Memorial Park. After approval from the United States Army, the DPW built a foundation in the park, painted, and relocated it to its new location. With Expansion of Recycling Program Improvements include full compliance of recycling within our schools. The Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) presented educational programs to the elementary schools. Every resident will receive in the mail along with the 2008 Recycling Calendar an expansive list of items that can be recycled. The Hasbrouck Heights Environmental Commission had a successful event at Town Day to help better educate our residents about recycling. Heights Clean Communities Alliance in conjunction with the New Jersey Clean Communities sponsored it first event in anticipation of many more to bring awareness of a litter free environment throughout the borough. Many volunteers participated in a clean up of the northern section of town with hopes of continuing in other sections as the program evolves. Road Resurfacing Program Nine streets were milled and resurfaced as part of the ongoing road program. Completed street are as follows: Terrace Avenue – Henry Street to Pasadena Avenue Madison Avenue – Boulevard to Terrace Avenue Central Avenue – Boulevard to Burton Avenue Pasadena Avenue – Boulevard to Terrace Avenue Baldwin Avenue – Boulevard to Terrace Avenue Myers Avenue – Boulevard to Terrace Avenue Walter Avenue – Burton Avenue to Terrace Avenue Jefferson Avenue – Burton Avenue to Terrace Avenue Hamilton Avenue – Oak Grove Avenue to Woodside Avenue The DPW has placed 16 streets on the list for the 2008 Resurfacing Program. Nor’easter/FEMA The DPW Superintendent along with Michael Kronyak attended numerous and extensive meetings with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on damage assessment reports. Damage was sustained by the Nor’easter storm on April 15, 2007. A total of $131, 000 was submitted by the Department of Public Works to FEMA and is currently under review. The Hasbrouck Heights Department of Public Works proudly continues to serve the residents of our fine town. I want to publicly thank you Bill Spindler and your entire staff at the DPW for all that you continue to do for the residents of Hasbrouck Heights year after year. You have been an outstanding DPW superintendent and your department men and women are also outstanding. No matter what the job they are requested to do they do with pride in their work. And just this Christmas season I watched the Sanitation workers take on an awesome amount of work in their collections and it reminded me on how hard they work. They are truly the best and second to none. Billy you and your entire team are dedicated workers that make this borough what it is. I thank you again and keep up the good work.
Health Department Services provided thru the month of November 2007 Fees Collected for 2007: $116,653.00 Health Inspections: 1,084 of various natures, by B.C. Health Specialist Dog Licenses: 1107 licenses, most issued in 31 years. Dog License Fees: $10,248.00 Births Recorded: 124 babies born to town residents. Town Resident Deaths: 104 residents Total deaths Recorded: 930 Deaths Marriage Licenses Issued: 63 Applied Civil Union: 6 Applied Domestic Partnerships: 0 Applied Certified Transcripts: 7,354 issued (Death, Marriage & Birth) The 5TH Annual Health Fair was held in October and was enjoyed by over 150 residents. 26 local vendors came and help participate in this very informative program. The goal of the Health Department is to provide services & information to all of its residents. The Flu Immunization program took place the end of November and over 130 senior residents registered. The Free Health Consultation Program was very successful this year. Once a month a County Health Nurse would perform blood pressure, height and weight measurements along with individualized counseling to our residents. Lori French you have done an
exceptional job and the Board of Health, with you at the helm and also with the dedication
of your Boards Officers and Members have earned our respect and gratitude for all you have
accomplished in this year of 2007. I personally thank you all for your efforts. LIBRARY Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, headed by Lisa Traina and our Director Mimi Hui the Library continues to serve and meet the needs of the community. To date, they have circulated over 123,524 items. An average of 557 people use the Library computers each week and over 4,819 people walked through the doors of our library to use one or more of our library services. Their programs continue to flourish and draw people of all ages. To date, 6,439 people attended 269 programs presented by the Library Their popular Crafts-to-Share and Clutter Clubs draw a dedicated following under the direction of Reference Librarian Melissa Singlevich. Since March, the ladies from the Craft-to-Share program have volunteered their time, materials, and talent to knit and crochet blankets, hats, socks, and other items to donate to the Hackensack University Medical Center. To date, 2,500 items have been made. The attendance for the Young Adult Programs continues to grow. Every other month an innovative and successful cross generational craft program has teens and adults in one room as they learn from one another. The results are heartwarming and amazing to see. Under the direction of the Children’s Librarian Rosalie Nickles, the children’s activities continue to bring in the highest attendance recorded. There are always wonderful and creative year round programs being sponsored. Another smashing success was our 18th Annual Lego Day. Over 150 people were in attendance. One of the memorable and magical moments that took place this summer was their Harry Potter Party. The Library was a happening place to be at the stroke of midnight on Saturday morning with the release of the last Harry Potter book. Over 110 copies of the Harry Potter book were sold and 254 people were in attendance. This Fall, a Dedication Ceremony of Library Gifts was held. A number of families and friends were on hand to commemorate and celebrate the lovely gifts that have been generously donated to the Library. Engraved plaques have been placed underneath these items denoting what kind of contribution was made. The public can now register for various library programs from the comfort of their homes by going to the library’s website. The Library has received the following grant: Per Capital State Aid $ 15,345 Used for Operating Expenses The Library continues to receive steadfast support from the Friends of the Library, presided over by Susanne Kepsel. The Friends help finance all children’s and young adult programs, and pay for all the refreshments and prizes. They have been diligent in planning their fundraisers throughout the year in order to ensure the success of library activities. The Friends’ Endowment Fund, whose mission is to provide for the Children’s Room and to keep the Library on the cutting edge of technology, paid for a beautiful wall treatment that was done by a local artist in town. The theme of the mural is "Give Us Books, Give Us Wings." In conclusion, the Library continues to provide the community with outstanding public service. Their dedicated Library Staff and Mimi have promised to continue to work hard to offer quality service as they move forward to meet whatever challenges come their way. Our Director Mimi Hui is an
outstanding individual and a true find for Hasbrouck Heights. Her professionalism and
dedication has brought our library to the highest standards and one that every resident
can be extremely proud of. You’re agreeing, Mimi, to accept this position under
"Challenging" conditions has shown courage and strength. I personally thank you
for taking the challenge and successfully making our Library one of the best in the State.
You are by far a terrific Director and a wonderful person. It has been my honor to have
worked with you. HASBROUCK HEIGHTS FOOD PANTRY The Hasbrouck Heights Food Pantry, under the direction of our Borough Clerk, Roe Sees, and with the help of all our Volunteers, continues to be open on a weekly basis every Monday (with the exception of holidays which fall on a Monday, then it is open on Tuesday) from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Over 800 bags of food were distributed to Hasbrouck Heights residents. There are now 22 volunteers who graciously donate their time and talent to insure that this happens. Thank you all very much for all your time and efforts. A most heartfelt
thank you to all who have kept the shelves stocked throughout the year or made donations
for the holidays. Gifts of cash, Shop-Rite gift cards, grocery items, toiletries, turkeys,
hams, gifts for all ages and toys were donated by many including the local Churches, local
organizations, schools, Brownie, Daisy and Girl Scout Troops, local businesses, and many,
many, caring residents. There were almost 200 donations received over the year. Hasbrouck
Heights is most definitely a "giving" town. MUNICIPAL BUILDING The Municipal
Building continues to be well utilized by many organizations for various meetings and
gatherings. Very often every available room is occupied and we still have more requests
for meeting space. This past year the Caucus Room was used for 62 meetings, the Community
Room scheduled 200 events, sometimes two or three overlapping in one day, Council Chambers
for 58 meetings, Conference Room #1 32 times, and the Senior Center 74 times. This was in
addition to the regular Senior events that occur on a daily basis, and does not take into
account the Recreation Center/Community Room nights. Total events added up to 426 for the
year. Very impressive. TAX COLLECTIONS AND TAX RATES The 2007 Collection rate is on target to meet prior year collection rate of 99.01%. This collection rate has been very consistent and stable over the 10 years and is anticipated to continue to be stable. There were four residents who were granted a 100% veteran’s exemption on their property taxes this year.
Roe Sees who I have had the pleasure to work with I say to you that you are truly the Best Borough Clerk there is. Hasbrouck Heights is so fortunate to have you and I have been so fortunate to have you not only as a Borough Clerk but as a friend as well. Mike Kronyak I will also say that you are by far the best Borough administrator you give of yourself unselfishly and are always professional I also say to you that I have been fortunate to have you not only as a Borough Administrator but as a friend as well. These two individuals have been such a great asset to our Borough and all our residents owe them a debt of gratitude. They give of their time. They give of themselves. They go "Above and Beyond" their normal daily duties. I commend you both.
Conclusion speech And now, as you all know, the four years of my Mayoral is up and this will be my last meeting as your Mayor. I want to share with you that this has been a very exciting four years for me and will always remain as a treasured life experience and a wonderful opportunity for me to serve the residents of Hasbrouck Heights. I have already had the opportunity to serve you for 271/2 years as a Police Officer in this Borough and feel very proud and humble to have served as Mayor for the last four years. I am also very proud of my service and accomplishments as both a police officer and your Mayor. I have kept my word to you the citizens of Hasbrouck Heights and not only fulfilled my campaign promises but exceeded them. Theodore Roosevelt once said "Far and away the best prize that life offers is a chance to work hard at work worth doing", I couldn’t agree more. During my term of office I believe my most important accomplishments have been the persons I have appointed to various positions or boards within the Borough. I am extremely proud to say that I have chosen these individuals without ever asking their Race, religion, age, gender, their political affiliations, or who they were related to. I chose all these individuals because I felt they would serve this Borough with Honesty and Integrity and were fully qualified to fill the position to which they would be appointed. Not one of them failed me. Every one of my appointments I have been extremely proud of. And I thank each and every one of them for their dedicated service to our Borough. But there are many more accomplishments. To name a few; There has been more open communication. A recreation center was opened and furnished by donations, at no cost to the taxpayers and proved, and continues, to be successful. More parking was added to the Blvd with the relocation of the bus stops. A newly designed parking lot at Borough Hall. A Children’s park to be located on the Blvd by the new Borough parking lot and scheduled to be completed in the early spring of 2008. Depken Field renovations that include: A Children’s and Physical Fitness Park, both that are scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2008. The resurfacing of Depken Football and Baseball Field, the Practice field, Running track, and track and field areas, with "State of the art" artificial turf that was completed and ready for our 2007 football season. The building of a Handicap accessible area’s both on the upper stands and lowers area of stands. All at "no cost" to the taxpayers. This approximately $1,700,000 dollar project was done by selling an unused portion of land owned by the borough which in it self will and add tax ratables to our borough. The Woodland park new Handicap accessible bathrooms and handicap ramps to the pavilion. Added Handicap parking spots to the Blvd business area. And! I want to add at this time that all the above mentioned Handicap projects would never have been accomplished without the "Wonderful", and I emphasize "Wonderful", "Community Access for All" Board members, an it’s Council Liaison Councilman Justin DePisa. I can’t thank you enough. The establishment of a Police Memorial that will be completed and dedicated in the spring of 2008. In Honor of our Police Officers who were either killed in action, Ptl. Gerald DeLamatter, or who have passed on. The changing of our Social Service department director from a paid position to one of all volunteer’s saving thousands of dollars for the Borough. For this and much more I am very proud. I now leave office Happy with all the before mentioned accomplishments in mind but there is also a sadness that I have experienced in the last year of my term. I have experienced first hand the deep problems when Pay to Play is introduced to into the Boroughs administration. There has been established that there is a perception that with pay to play our government, and its elected officials, are for sale to the highest bidder. I know that here and in other towns across our state that there are Mayors and Councilpersons that would never allow themselves to be put in this position. They value honesty and integrity and good government. You have heard me state before that I do not believe that perception is reality. I believe that reality is reality. And the reality is that "Pay to Play" is wrong. It should have no place in honest government. And so I challenge the new administration that we will be swearing in today, to work to eliminate what I personally consider a "Cancer" to Honest Government. Also the passing at this last meeting of 2007 by the "Lame Duck" Council to eliminate benefits for the Mayor and Council, and the Nepotism Ordinance in which this council overrode my veto, be seen for what they are, attacks at select individuals. This Council has taken an unprecedented step backwards in the segregation and discrimination it has shown to a class of individuals. They should be reminded of the words embodied in our Declaration of Independence "That all men are created equal." The Rev. Martin Luther King used these words in his famous speech "I have a dream". I will also use a Quote of his that seems very appropriate for both these ordinance’s "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". I ask now, that the "New Mayor and Council" give this Borough and "All" of its residents the justice it deserves by repealing these two ordinances at your first opportunity. As I have shared with you before, January 1st is very special to me. 48 yrs ago I met a very special and beautiful girl at the age of 15 and knowing how special she was I married her 4 years later and she has been there for me all those years and is here in the audience supporting me now. Mary, I thank you for all these past 48 years and for the anticipated ones that will follow. I love you very much. Mary and I share together 5 wonderful children, Ron Jr., Daniel, Joseph, Jennifer, and Michael. Two daughter-in-law’s Jeannie and Rebecca. One Son-in-law, Mauro. And three, "Very Special" grandchildren Michael, Ava and Julianna. We also share a love for our Borough of Hasbrouck Heights and always will. I now once again thank all the residents of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights and again tell you that it has been my honor and pleasure to serve you all. I also want you all to know that I am very happy to be turning over my Mayoral gavel to a woman whom I deeply admire and respect , Rose Heck, a woman who has dedicated herself to the serving all the residents of Hasbrouck Heights before as councilwoman, Mayor, and as a State Assembly woman. And will again lead our Borough with respect and dignity that it deserves. May God bless you all, this Borough, The New Mayor and Council for 2008, and May he be with you and guide you in the New Year. May God also bless all our Troops that are in harms way to protect and serve Our Country so that we can gather as free people as we do now. Thank You
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