TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—Mayor Peter Calamari identified breaking ground on an updated Pascack Road and Washington Avenue intersection, and beginning to remediate contaminated soil under and around the DMF building—then replacing the building—as priorities for 2019.
Speaking at the reorganization meeting of Jan. 7, Calamari said he and the council had taken “decisive action on many unresolved issues that were inherited from previous administrations.”
He added, “We’ve demonstrated that when we all work together to get things done, the town prospers.”
Calamari apprised residents of several other pending projects, including studying recreation field needs, adding commuter parking, improving pedestrian safety at school crosswalks, and returning small town-owned properties to the tax rolls.
At the meeting, Michael DeSena was renewed in his post as council president and Steven Cascio was restored as council vice president following near-unanimous votes.
Democratic Councilman Robert Bruno abstained on both votes.
The Rev. Ray Rodrigue of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church delivered the meeting’s invocation, asking for blessings for the mayor and council and all town employees and volunteers.
“May they serve the people of our township, placing the needs of the people ahead of their own,” Rodrigue said in part.
Calamari said that all the projects the council approved and funded in 2018 “are either already completed or being worked on,” including the road resurfacing program, new vehicle acquisitions, and police and fire department equipment and upgrades.
Calamari made the following appointments: Planning Board members Class I, II, and IV respectively are Peter Calamari, Daniel Scudieri, and Leonard Sabino.
Recreation Advisory Board appointments are George Kuzma, Desserie Morgan, and John Sklavounous.
School crossing guards for 2019 are Anoush Tenoukian, Paul Onorato, Ralph Kwasniewski, James Tonner, John Walsh, and Eileen Farrell.
No police specials were appointed, as interviews are pending this month.
Council approved the following appointments: Planner is T&M Associates; bonding attorney is Robert H, Beinfield, Esq.; municipal prosecutor is Mark DiMaria, Esq.; public defender is Peter H. Kim; Mary Ellen Stickel and Fred Voss are on the Library Board of Trustees.
Fire Department officers are Chief Peter Insetta, Deputy Chief Kevin Zitko, Battalion Chief Jason Gugger, Capt. Clayton Kenny, 1st Lt. Zachary Miros, 2nd Lt. Frank Aiello, 3rd Lt. Christopher Campo, and 4th Lt. Christian Husslein.
Here are highlights from Calamari’s Jan. 7 report to the council and the public. The meeting is available to view at WCTVNJ on YouTube:
Shared services
The township executed agreements with the county for fuel and salt, researched entering into a shared court system, and heard from the township’s court administrator how the municipal court could run more efficiently in 2019, including with longer hours.
Recreation
Participation in almost every recreation program has increased, Calamari said. He added that the township added a pee wee cheer program.
He said coaches, volunteers, and employees do a phenomenal job working with the township’s youth and have the council’s full support.
“The life lessons and social skills our children learn through these programs and from these people can’t be underestimated,” Calamari said.
Background checks
Speaking of the rec, under legislation the township passed on Dec. 17, 2018, all adults who interact with kids through town events must first pass a criminal background check.
Seniors
Calamari lauded “one of our most successful rec programs, our Golden Seniors.”
He said, “We increased their budget so they can sponsor more activities for their members. We also purchased a new bus for their use and are exploring options to provide more parking on their meeting days.”
Calamari also said he had attended several meetings of the Golden Seniors in 2018 and found them “a vibrant group of people and a terrific resource” for the town.
Concerts and movie
Calamari thanked Oritani Bank, Seasons Catering, and Bacari Grill for their support of the concerts and movie residents flocked to at Memorial Field last year.
Calamari also lauded the Fire Department for its hard work in putting the concerts together.
Town Day, Halloween, Tree Lighting, and other community events
“New life” is shown in town events, both old and new, by volunteers and the public, Calamari said. He added that committees can always use additional help and new ideas in making these events happen.
Police Department
Calamari said the Police Department fielded approximately 9,800 calls for service in 2018.
The dispatch desk is now fully staffed by civilians working 12-hour shifts and is outperforming the town’s expectations, he added.
Fire Department
The Fire Department fielded 163 calls for service in 2018, according to the mayor.
Meanwhile, residents can expect much more on the capital project to upgrade/replace the firehouse this year, with the council already having set aside money. A consultant says the current station is inadequate
Ambulance Corps
Taking delivery of its new rig in 2018, the corps fielded 443 calls for service in 2018.
“I can’t thank the volunteers enough on both the Fire Department and Ambulance Corps for what they do for the town. They are ready to respond to the needs of the town on a moment’s notice, day and night,” Calamari said.
“Please support their fund drives and think about becoming a member of one of the organizations,” he added.
Dept. of Municipal Facilities/Garbage/Recycling
“DMF employees do an outstanding job in snow plowing, leaf collection, and all the areas they are involved with,” Calamari said.
Commuter parking
Town leaders met with the owners of the three empty houses at Pascack Road and Washington Avenue, as it was agreed this would be an ideal location for additional commuter parking.
“In conjunction with the intersection project, the owner is working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Bergen County to provide much-needed additional parking at that site. This will make our town more appealing to city commuters and add to the value of our homes,” Calamari said.
Tree removal
“Mother Nature is not sparing private or town-owned properties from issues with fallen and diseased trees. It was one of the very few areas where we were underbudgeted in 2018 and will have to budget more in this area in future years,” Calamari said.
A tree fell against the library late in 2018, causing minor damage.
Green Team
Calamari lauded “a reenergized team” and successful year under the direction of Tom Sears and powered by many volunteers.
Calendar. Work is being completed on the town calendar, and copies will be mailed out later this month.
A sneak peek: E-cycling events will be held April 13, July 20, and Oct. 19.
“We are also looking forward to being able to provide this service on a more convenient and regular basis when the new DMF facility is completed,” Calamari said.
Recreation fields study
“We recognize that the issue of the township’s recreational playing fields has not yet been resolved. The town’s internal efforts to date have not been able to solve the problem,” the mayor advised.
He added that township planner T&M Associate can provide “a comprehensive report detailing options. They are a company with no vested interest whatsoever in the facts yielded by the report. I look forward to discussing this with the council at our next meeting to secure the funding for the study.”
Prospect Street sewer issues. In 2018 the town addressed an issue that was affecting homeowners on Prospect street. Backflow preventers have been installed at each of the affected properties, and regularly scheduled maintenance on those lines is being performed “so those residents can sleep well and not worry about when the next backup will occur,” Calamari said.
Small town-owned properties
“In 2019 we will be looking at all the small lots that the town owns to see if we can transfer them to the neighboring residents for their benefit, and to get them back on the tax rolls,” Calamari advised.
Financial professionals meeting
“To show full financial transparency and enable the governing body to more effectively do its job, I called for a public meeting with all the town’s financial professionals. It may have been the first meeting of its kind in the township. It was enlightening and beneficial for all. I look forward to more of these types of meetings,” Calamari said.
2018 budgeting
“I’m happy to report that for the first time in many years the departments were permitted to spend the money that was allocated to them from the governing body without interference, and minimal transfers were required at year end,” the mayor reported.