ABOUT THE AGENDA FIXING SESSSION

Dawg says that there are more important things in life than the Council agenda. Besides his insistence on “playing” on his terms or the TV‘s cornucopia of college basketball and NFL semifinal games this weekend he insisted that I have very few minutes for the computer.

None the less there are some agenda items that need clarification. All seem important.

Resolution “K” and Bond Ordinance 1257 deal with the refinancing of a 2007 $14,500,00 Bond Issue at more favorable terms resulting in a $400,000 savings.

What is not noted is the total remaining principle and over what period of time the “savings” in interest will take place.

Resolution “Q” sets a tax penalty rate for delinquent tax as permitted by State Law. There will be an 8% fee per annum, for the first $1500 and then 18% per annum for all sums above that amount. AT the end of the fiscal year there will be a fee of 6% per fiscal year for any remaining delinquency .

Resolution “U” deals with the Muhlenberg Campus. It authorizes the Planning Board to remove two lots from the “redevelopment plans” for the campus. One is that occupied by the Nursing School, and the other is the Kenyon House with its dialysis units. The wording “Kenyon House Dialysis Center/Satellite Emergency Department” is premature but in effect acknowledges that JFK will be given permission to close the present emergency room. 

The Planning Board is directed to proceed with the rest of the property; the hospital buildings parking lots and Randolph Road houses an s redevelopment property and hold public hearings.

Ordinance 2015-01 creates the position of “Manager of Motors” at an annual salary for 2015 at $70,887. Its intent is to centralize the control of the City’s fleet of vehicles including purchase, maintenance, repair and replacement. Included are the “underground tanks”, I presume for fuel storage. Question, are fire and police department vehicles included?

AGENDA FIXING SESSION MONDAY

“BABY IT IS COLD OUTSIDE” This classical song written in 1944 by Frank Loesser and originally sung as a duet with his wife has the appropriate title to any blog today. Incidentally the song was used in a 1949 movie “Neptune’s Daughter” won Loesser an Oscar. Performed by the right two artists it is and has been a great duet.

Late Friday City Clerk AJ posted the agenda for Monday night’s Agenda Fixing Session. The backup material may be available later since today (Saturday) is supposed to be very cold and going to the Library may be a chore.

The agenda is loaded with Mayor Mapp’s recommendation for appointment’s to various Boards, Authorities, etc.  A familiar name “Thomas Crownover “is recommended to be appointed as the City’s representative to The Plainfield Area Sewer Authority”.

The Council’s reaction to all the recommendations should be an indication of any change in the Council’s relationship with the Mayor. Perhaps the correct relationship would be between Jerry Green and the Mayor.

There is a resolution authorizing a request to the State Local Finance Board for approval of an Ordinance to appropriate up to $14,500,000.00 and issue refunding bonds for the principle... The bonds are to be used for “refinancing”; refunding the outstanding balances of General Improvement Bonds of the City. The appropriate Ordinance is on the docket.

There is a proposed Ordinance to create the position of “Manager of Motors” in order to centralize and manage the City’s fleet operations.  

A third proposed Ordinance to alter schedule of salaries and wages will be a mystery until the backup material can be examined.

The latest weather reports for Monday are iffy and attendance at the meeting will depend on the conditions and personal safety.

COLD DAY BLOG

8 degrees last night; that is cold. That however is not why I am late in blogging today. Instead it is a matter of not organizing material or even having anything of local interest for comment.

I had to leave Monday night’s Council meeting early in the Public Commentary session and not only missed the obligatory musical episode but also former Mayor Robinson-Briggs tirade as well as that of Roland Muhammad. Please see Bernice’s Plaintalker II blog.

I too have received the same “Sharon absolvers” comments that Bernice has. The fact is that Plainfield’s financial controls for her two terms in office were nonexistent. The Green block on the Council have continuously  protected her and not only blocked any attempts to investigate any fiscal irregularities but even in the one attempt paid for her legal fees for her defense against the Council’s charges  against her.

If this Council truly has Plainfield’s interest as a priority it would fund without question any and all Investigative (Forensic) Audit.

Since there may be a real probability of finding fraud in several areas the chances of that happening is as good as that of a snowball in hell.