HILLSDALE—The Borough Council voted, 4-0, on July 21 to override Mayor John Ruocco’s partial veto of up to $100,000 for funding feasibility studies, restoring funds for studies on a community center, and the turfing of one or more recreational fields.
The special meeting, triggered by the veto, lasted seven minutes.
Council President Abby Lundy said that Ruocco knew that the council had the votes to overturn his veto. She complained that being forced into a special meeting to override the veto was “absurd.”
Ruocco was absent for the meeting, as were Frank Pizzella and Zoltán Horváth. Anthony DeRosa and John Escobar, along with Lundy and Janetta Trochimiuk, voted to override
Lundy said the mayor and one councilman who voted against the capital funding ordinance had previously voted for a “non-fair and open contract” about two years ago. Horváth opposed the capital funding ordinance on July 13.
Lundy said she found it “very curious” that they both voted for one consultant that they preferred for a study back in 2019 but that now it was non-transparent and non-competitive when a council majority, not including the mayor and Horvath. voted for such funding.
Pascack Press revealed last week that the proposed feasibility study for a community center and field turfing was estimated by DMR Architects, Hasbrouck Heights, to cost $24,600, far below the $100,000 that the capital ordinance authorizes.
The study proposal, addressed to Borough Administrator Christopher Tietjen, notes what work DMR will perform for a conceptual design phase.
This includes: reviewing previous consultant reports; conducting a space needs assessment; meeting with Borough officials and professionals to present the proposed program, including budget impacts; based on needs, DMR will develop a facility floor plan and footprint and site plan for three locations; and upon approval, DMR will develop a final conceptual plan with cost estimates.
Moreover, DMR will develop a conceptual site plan for a turf field for soccer, football and lacrosse at Memorial Park, Beechwood Park and Centennial Recreation Field, including a layout for parking, bathrooms and snack areas.
Ruocco partly vetoed the resolution appropriating $1,121,909 for capital improvements that council approved, 4-1, on July 13. He said the council neither sought competitive bids on the studies nor did it consult three studies funded by council at a $24,000 cost.
Two of the studies were on turfing and one was on a possible community center. Also, he said the council has not fully explored alternatives to a community center, such as sharing services with Bethany Community Center in nearby Washington Township.