TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—The Township Council reorganization meeting on Jan. 6 saw the swearing in of two new members, both Republican, one of whom was then elected council president.
Swept out in November’s election were Independents Robert Bruno and Michael Ullman, the latter of whom observed from the audience as Stacey DeMarco-Feeney and Desiree Morgan were sworn in.
No members of the public spoke. The town faces a number of challenges moving forward.
Before he left last year, Bruno said he’d initiated a request for an outside investigation into town finances. He also said he was available to serve as town finance director.
At the meeting, Mayor Peter Calamari reported that “We have run out of time and options to find a temporary home in the township for the [Department of Municipal Facilities while the soil is being remediated and a new facility is constructed.”
He said, “We will start exploring out-of-town options later this week.”
(For more, see “Intersection Fix, DMF Soil Remediation Among 2019 Priorities,” Jan. 21, 2019.)
Calamari said “A couple of things delayed our 2019 road resurfacing program so we’ll be doing two road programs in 2020, one in spring and the usual one in the fall.”
As for the much anticipated county agreement on upgrading the Pascack Road and Washington Avenue intersection, which the council authorized last summer and was led to believe the mayor had submitted in September, Calamari claimed progress was being made.
“I’m happy to report … the project is progressing forward without delay by both the township and the county. The pace of government operations, as we all know, is often frustratingly slow,” he said.
Town attorney Kenneth Poller advised the administration in September 2019 to white out Calamari’s signature on the shared services agreement and not send it in, pending an engineering review, and the document was not executed.
The council, at its Dec. 30, 2019 meeting, authorized the same SSA, and it is not clear this has been sent in either. (Update: On Jan. 13, a town worker said the SSA had just been executed; we have requested a copy toward additional reporting.)
Meanwhile, there has been no progress reported on negotiations with at least two landowners who will be needed on board for easements.
(For more, see “Intersection Construction ‘Not Possible For 2020,’ Says County,” Dec. 30, 2019.)
Calamari on Jan. 6 also said the tree removal fund was quickly exhausted last year, so the town will have to increase that line item in the 2020 budget.
And he said the new Fire Department/Ambulance HQ the council funded in September is on track.
He said architect Robbie Conley is conducting a final review of the plans with both organizations, and that the bid specs are being developed.
Changes on the council
As part of the reorganization, Republicans Steve Cascio and Arthur Cumming were sworn in for their next terms. DeMarco-Feeney replaced Independent Michael DeSena as council president. Cumming replaced Cascio as council vice president. DeSena was appointed Class III member of the Planning Board.
Longtime Ambulance Corps and Fire Department volunteer Kevin Zitko, accompanied by his wife, Kristy, was sworn in as fire chief.
Deputy fire chief is Jason Gugger, battalion chief is Zachary Miros, captain is Frank Aiello, and lieutenants from first to fourth are Christopher Campo, Chris Meier, Adam Ehrenfels, and Pierce Hans.
Special Law Enforcement Officers II are Robert Luscombe and Antonio Parisi.
Calamari, with Poller at his left hand, tabled the council resolutions of consent to directors, later saying “I’m just not ready. I’m deciding on a few.”
Toward the end of the meeting Poller indicated he would be presenting an amendment to the salary ordinance pertaining to certain employees after the council on Dec. 30, 2019 complained of administration payroll irregularities and made transfers to accommodate some of them.
There also was a renewed call for letters of interest for anyone desiring to be considered for the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Contact Clerk Sue Witkowski by Jan. 31.
DeSena speaks out
In his council report, DeSena, a civil engineer, took aim at the administration on a host of issues.
He said there had been more than two years of citizen complaints of raised sidewalks and tripping, and that “The list the property maintenance officer prepared has been stalled on the mayor’s desk since early last year.”
He also said repaving of Ridgewood Road and Washington Avenue is incomplete.
“We need to pursue the county on completing the remaining paving now that the ADA ramps are complete,” he said.
He added, “When will the township be reimbursed its cost for engineering and construction? This should have occurred.”
DeSena noted the council since 2018 has budgeted funding for insurance-required background checks of all volunteers, then asked why the township has yet to perform any background checks.
Also a concern, he said:
“The council budgeted $30,000 … for the repair of sinking catch basin and manhole covers township-wide. To date we have repaired zero.”
He said that for the past two years “We have had public and closed-session meetings regarding the toxic legacy previous administrations have left us at the town hall DMF site.”
He added, “We have studied to a minimal degree relocations, new site layouts, and the [soil] is no closer to being remediated than it was two years ago.”
DeSena asked, “Why have we not begun the design of the new DMF and gotten closer to remediating this toxic legacy?”
He said the council budgeted $700,000 for roadway repaving in 2019 “and zero roads were paved. He blamed an “indecisive” administration.
He tore into the lack of communication and an additional year’s delay on the intersection.
He noted the council has yet to receive a promised reconciliation of more than $100,000 that was owed to Azzolina & Feury Engineering dating to 2005. (See “Township Funds $10K to Probe Finances,” April 12, 2019.)
DeSena also called for a plastic bag ordinance similar to those passed by Paramus and Ridgewood, naming Poller.
“We did talk about this last year; let’s get it done,” DeSena said.
