Council Meeting 10/6/08

The meeting started 10 minutes late while awaiting a majority to be present so that two ordinances could be passed.

The only resolution commented upon by the public was a proposed redevelopment of the empty land next to the former Tepper store including the building used by Appliance Arama as a warehouse. In response to Bernice Paglia's question about possible legal problems since there is a sign on the site declaring it a "pocket park" by the Mayor with Council support, City Administrator. Marc D. Dashield, said there would be no problem since it was not on the green acres list.

This comment posted on Plainfield Plaintalker site disagrees; 'The only problem the city may face is from putting in the pocket park this year. New Jersey Green Acre rules state that if a governmental entity knowingly allows public property to be used as park land it is protected as such by the state. This is true whether or not it is designated as park land or ever had any Green Acres funds applied to it. This is what happened to delay the Park Madison project for 2 years."

The budget process is in full swing.I did mention my concern that the present economy would cause financial problems and perhaps the whole process should be revisited. There could be a need for either significant staff reduction, or at minimum an agreement by the unions to wave any automatic salary increases. I also suggested that instead of raising money for expensive road resurfacing that the idle hot patch equipment be used for more extensive major road repairs.

Councilman Barney agreed that attention should be paid to the possibility of a major depression. Too bad that he doesn't know the names of his constituents who attend and are often commentators at the meetings.