TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—The Township Council introduced a $1.4 million bond measure, Ordinance 23-08, on June 7 to fund local improvements, including vehicle purchases, street repairs and building upgrades for the public library, police department and town hall.
In addition, council introduced Ordinance 23-07 setting compensation rates for municipal employees, and 23-09 to appropriate $80,000 for a pickup truck for the Department of Public Works. All votes to introduce were 4-0, with councilman Steven Cascio absent.
A public hearing on the three introduced ordinances is set for Monday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Near the meeting’s end, Councilman Tom Sears said that the recent Pascack Road–Washington Avenue intersection overhaul, eagerly anticipated by motorists throughout the Pascack Valley, appeared “poorly planned out” by either the township or county engineer.
He said he and many constituents had three issues: the first being that no right hand turns are allowed. He said not allowing right-hand turns “just increased our carbon monoxide eight times” noting that permitting right turns on red lights was originally allowed to help save fuel, aid traffic flow and reduce pollutants from idling engines.
He said the “second problem” was three lanes going east to west and north to south. He said heading east on Washington Avenue after passing the intersection, two lanes suddenly merge into one lane, creating a situation for potential accidents.
He suggested the design was faulty and noted, probably a high school student “could give us a better plan at that intersection” than having cars cut one another off when merging.
Councilwoman Stacey Feeney said she had “received several phone calls” from motorists noting “a lot of racing going on” at that light heading east on Washington Avenue. She suggested the second lane heading east should be changed to a right-turn only lane. Sears agreed.
His third concern was the intersection’s turn radius. He said box trucks and cars heading west on Washington Avenue and making a left to Pascack Road often need to stop because traffic heading north on Pascack block their turning lane.
“Something has to be done,” Sears said, noting local emergency responders were concerned about the traffic problems he had mentioned.
On the night of Monday, June 5, Mayor Peter Calamari took to Facebook to respond to “the most common inquiries by residents.” Among these were over the intersection.
He said, “If you haven’t had a chance to drive through the intersection of Pascack Road and Washington Ave, I invite you to do so. We successfully worked with the county to get this long-awaited project completed. The changes made, have also revised outdated driving rules and brought about many improvements in moving traffic through the intersection.”
Calamari said, “In time I’m confident traffic studies will show this state-of-the-art design was a much-needed upgrade to our community. Drone footage was taken on May 23 by Boswell Engineering to document the new configuration.”
He also said Coach USA Route #47 is no longer re-routed, the commuter parking lot is set to go out to bid shortly, and the new DPW building could go out to bid this summer.
Improvements and salaries up for vote
The $1.4 million bond measure introduced June 7 appropriates $395,000 for improvements of municipally-owned properties, including new playground equipment at Gardner Field, a new roof for the library, a new elevator in town hall, and “initial costs” for renovations to police department headquarters.
Also, the bond appropriates $135,000 for new DPW equipment, including a utility vehicle with salter and plow; $159,170 for reconstruction and resurfacing of Beech Street; $347,330 for reconstruction and resurfacing of “various roads” in township; and $363,500 for installation of sanitary sewer lines in and along Salem Street.
The Beech Street upgrade will be fully funded by a state Department of Transportation grant.
Ordinance 23-07, up for a public hearing on June 19, sets 2023 annual compensation rates for municipal employees. Some examples include: Business Administrator ($134,100); Administrative Secretary, $58,870; Mayor, ($10,443); Council President ($6,692); and Council Members, ($6,457).
Other annual salaries include: Clerk ($96,900); Chief FInancial Officer, Part-Time ($73,927); Township Attorney, ($86,700).
Moreover, the township attorney will be compensated $135.00 per hour for “proceedings before any court or administrative tribunal, or agency, and special projects; all shall be reasonably compensated in accordance with township policies,” states the ordinance.
Other 2023 salaries include: Construction Code Official ($30,431); Zoning Officer ($26,398); Code Enforcement Official ($26,398); and Technical Assistants, Part Time, ($31,580).
Other salaries include: Police Chief ($215,000); Records Clerk ($49,000); Dispatchers ($40,000 to $49,000), after completion of third dispatch year. Additional salaries: DPW Superintendent ($94,860); and Municipal Court Administrator ($45,000).
Annual mileage stipends are provided as follows: $600 for Business Administrator and Clerk; and $250 for Building/Plumbing Inspector, Electrical Sub-Code Official, Fire Sub-Code Official, and the Tax Assessor. The ordinance notes the state minimum wage was $14 per hour as of Jan. 1, 2023 and rises to $15 per hour as of Jan. 1, 2024.