TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Desserie Morgan earned a council presidency for a second consecutive year, on Jan. 3 posting a 5–0 vote of members.
The annual reorganization meeting put Dr. Steven Cascio in the vice president slot, replacing 2022 veep Stacey Feeney, who also was nominated but not fast enough.
Tom Sears nominated Cascio. Daisy Velez nominated Feeney. The town attorney says the council is required to vote on the first nomination heard.
In addition to a wealth of housekeeping, including appointments of boards and professionals, the council heard Mayor Peter Calamari’s recommendation: that he “respectfully asks the council to consider funding for the purchase” of 450 Pascack Road, adjacent to Memorial Field and Washington Elementary School.
Calamari made the appeal in his first report of the year. The purchase has been under renewed negotiation for nearly two years — snapping up the 3.2-acre mostly wooded property was a goal of Calamari’s predecessor, the late mayor Janet Sobkowicz as well — and at least four residents at the meeting pressed the council to back a deal.
Calamari, who went on to make strong assertions about the need to act fast to acquire the 6.1-acre former private swim club property on Ridgewood Boulevard North, lest it go to developers, said Jan. 3, “Over 3 acres of property adjacent to any township’s flagship field does not come available very often.
Again, we have an opportunity that will come up only once. If we let this opportunity pass us by, the property will be developed at some point and gone forever.”
A few days later, Morgan suggested to Pascack Press that she did not appreciate the mayor’s approach. (Also Letters, page 2.)
She said she voted to purchase the club property for $750,000 in April 2022 so that the township’s recreational programs and field space could expand for children and adults to enjoy.
“I am very familiar with and aware that we need more space —better space. 450 is not going to give us that. It’s frustrating to me that a scare tactic is being employed in an effort to gain support to spend taxpayers dollars to purchase property that we just don’t need,” Morgan said.
She said the township should improve the club property before “purchasing other properties that we have no solid plan for. That is irresponsible.”
The swim club was shuttered amid the pandemic. Many members were owed bonds, and the township does not own that liability.
She said she was not aware of any high-density housing plans for the 450 site, which today is occupied by a single-family home in evident disrepair. “There is nothing on the table, just complete scare tactics. If the property is big enough for a few single-family homes, then by all means let’s do that. Why would that be any different than any other large piece of property we have in the township?”
Morgan added, “I understand residents want to keep green space in their immediate area, however we have to look at this as it is: There’s a resident selling his home, and we, the town, should not be strong-armed into buying it. Are we going to do that for every prime location?”
In his report, Calamari urged residents to “express their support to the council for the purchase of the property as was shown during the acquisition of the swim club property.”
In summer 2021, the Township Council ordered an appraisal of 450 Pascack Road, and following a valuation of $430,000 on the property, the council bid $430,000 under threat of condemnation.
Pascack Press recently was told that no condemnation filing had occurred, though Township Attorney Ken Poller previously said he believed the township had “more than enough” justification to condemn. Property negotiations are confidential and few details are made public.
Calamari said, “Like the swim club property, this is something that will benefit the residents of the township for many generations to come.”
Calamari asserted that should the property be developed, property taxes on a site potentially valued at $1 million would be slightly over $22,000 yearly and the municipal share just over $5,000.
He told Pascack Press that for Resolution 22-213, toward applying for almost $439,000 in county Open Space grant funds for the club purchase, council reviewed the Bergen County Open Space Policy and Procedures Manual and the Open Space application, which sets restrictions on how the funds can be used.
It was unclear why the mayor pushed for funds for 450 Pascack Road, although he had previously advocated for acquisition, including during 2021’s mayoral contest and at frequent council sessions.
(See “Calamari explains interest in two key properties,” Michael Olohan, April 19, 2021). Pascack Press has covered the property’s marketing and theh township efforts to purchase the property.
At a November council meeting, some residents questioned council members about rumors on use of the 450 Pascack Road site for affordable housing. (See “450 Pascack Road, swim club grant, and an alleged closed-session leak,” Nov. 21, 2022, Pascack Press).
Most members declined to address the rumors. However, members authorized Poller to probe the source of the release of closed-session information.
Calamari previously recommended to council that it “repurpose” the grant funding awarded for the club acquisition in favor of purchasing 450 Pascack Road. The council has not yet decided if it will accept the funds.
That indecision has seemed to frustrate Calamari, who asked that the Open Space funds be repurposed to purchase 450 Pascack. A decision is likely by mid- or late-February, officials said.
Public Comment
On Jan. 3, Laura Sinclair of Ridgewood Boulevard East wanted to poll the council on whether each was in favor of acquiring 450 Pascack. Poller said polling council members was “not really appropriate” or most meetings would have residents polling members.
Poller said council members could give their “general position” on an issue without disclosing closed-session discussions.
She said from prior statements it was “pretty clear who was not in favor” of purchasing 450 Pascack and then asked Sears for his opinion. He declined but said he looked at the property nearly three years ago at the request of Sobkowicz.
Sinclair said she knew “how important trees” were to Sears, a Green Team member. The group recently conducted a townwide tree inventory.
Resident Tommy Snee said that taking a straw poll of council was “just basic transparency” and told Poller they would “have to agree to disagree” on whether straw polls could be used.
Poller cited the council’s change of course on locating the DPW facility at 95 Linwood Ave. as one example where the council had one position, got public input, and then changed direction.
“I like transparency but it gets to the point of not that productive, it’s just what I want to say,” said Poller, who counsels members to never reveal closed session topics.
He added, “The issues are out there, very public, and people can react to them and they often do.”
Feeney said residents can always make their views heard to council by attending a public meeting, plus emailing and phoning members. She said her phone number is on the website.
Velez said she was in favor of purchasing more space and recreational fields, “anything that benefits our children and not go into the hands of developers.”
Antony Udina of Ridgewood Boulevard East said residents have been pushing for preservation of 450 Pascack Road. “Many have talked about it to preserve it and acquire it,” he said.
Udina said he wanted to make sure the council notified residents before voting on 450 Pascack Road, rather than come out of a closed meeting and take a public vote.
He said residents should be permitted to comment before any council vote on 450 Pascack Road’s purchase.]He pointed out that Washington school, which also abuts 450 Pascack Road, is eyed for expansion due in part to new housing developments and other demographic trends. He cited additional burdens on emergency services due to developments and how impacts are found after new developments are built.
(For more, see “Washington school expansion planned,” John Snyder, Dec. 30, 2022.)
Joseph Scalia of Ridgewood Boulevard East noted the township is “expanding rapidly” and urged the council to think “long term” adding it was okay to hold and preserve the property. He said the property’s purchase would likely be a “small cost” annually “to preserve land we’ll need for the future.”
He asked if any council members were having discussions with potential builders about the property. Morgan said she knew of no council members holding such meetings.
Township reorganization
Voting for council vice president was a contested position. Councilman Steve Cascio was nominated by Tom Sears and his nomination was seconded by Cascio.
Councilwoman Daisy Velez moved to nominate Feeney but her motion was heard after Sears nominated Cascio.
A similar split vote occurred on a council appointment for a Planning Board Class III representative.
Feeney was nominated for the position by Velez and lost, 3-2, with Morgan, Cascio and Sears opposed.
Then, councilman Tom Sears was nominated. His nomination was approved 3-2, with Sears, Cascio and Morgan in favor; Feeney and Velez opposed.
WFD officers
Calamari announced the 2023 roster of volunteer fire department officers: Chief Jason Gugger, Deputy Chief Frank Aiello, Battalion Chief Zachary Miros, Capt. Christopher Campo, 1Lt. Chris Meier, 2Lt. Tie Stutzer, 3Lt. Keith Mahoney, and 4Lt. Peter Insetta.
Also closed 2022 business
Among the items closed out for 2022, at the town’s annual sine die meeting, was a change order for the contract with D&L Paving Contractors Inc. for the scope of work on Sherry Field for ADA improvements. The change brings the contract sum down by $4,474.50, for a total of $49,948.
Township Council meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Meetings are normally held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex, 350 Hudson Ave. The council next meets on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
