COUNCIL MEETING POTPOURRI part 2

During the prolonged considerations prior to the Monarch matter there were a few other items battered about.

One was the question of dispensing with the printed material for the Council and providing all meeting material in "pdf" format. Mapp suggested that the city provide laptops specifically for that purpose since the material would be publicly available. There was a great deal of speculative discussion ultimately with the suggestion that somebody (Administration) would look in to it and report back.

The subject has some merit, however how effective it would be is doubtful. Obviously the size and weight of their packets had spooked the Councilors. How many had read it is questionable. How many would be able to absorb the same amount of material on the Internet is equally controversial. What and how would material be made available to the public? Would those with no computer access be shut out? How would archival needs be met?

A presentation from Granicus was of interest. This organization among other activities makes available on the Internet video, live and "taped' meetings a swell as the black and white documents. The material is segmented so that one could only watch what he was interested in.

The big negative on a wonderful service is the cost. A one time start up charge of $9 to 12K and a monthly charge of $900.00 . Brick Township is using this service and supposedly Somerville is considering it. A visit to the website Granicus.com suggests that it would be of value to the public, the cost, although negotiable, being a very negative factor.

I for one would have found it valuable to go back and not have missed the granting of a new PILOT to the new owners of the Cedarbrook Senior Apartments. How many other PILOT programs besides Park-Madison, and the Tepper building exist in Plainfield? Are all the "garden apartments" beneficiaries of tax abatement or PILOT tax relief. Are any of the condos apartments etc charged full rate?

After the Monarch vote the rest of the session was routine except for a resolution awarding another engineering contract for 140K to Remington & Vernick as an approved preferred vendor. Councilman Storch questioned why these contracts were not put out for bids. Despite city's objections the matter was postponed. Incidentally R&V is mentioned in the Soprano State.(page 91 paperback)

Has any one reconsidered the monthly meeting schedule and reverting to the biweekly meetings of yore. Certainly the length is directly related to the material to be covered and the need for information that seems to be often promised but not delivered. Moreover the present single monthly meeting has often results in having to meet an imminent deadline. Flexibility in obtaining data can be compromised .
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