Upper to Keep Planning, Zoning Boards

PETERSBURG – Great attention was given, Feb. 10, to the previous Upper Township Committee meeting’s public testimony concerning a possible merging of the planning and zoning boards. At that meeting discussion of merging the boards was met with disagreement by residents.
Since then, committee received a number of correspondences from residents who noted that having two boards operating as one entity would not be in the township’s best interest.
“One of the main reasons we made an effort to combine the two boards is to save money,” said Mayor Richard Palombo.
“On our discussion on this matter, the targeted cost savings was $15,500,” said Committeeman John Coggins. He then went on to quote a letter from Solicitor Dean Marcolongo, attorney for both planning and zoning boards. “Merging the boards would not be in the best interest of either developers or the citizens of Upper Township. Developers interests should never influence the decisions of either board,” Coggins read. “These boards are in place to protect the interests solely of Upper Township residents…”
Coggins added that Marcolongo’s proposal is to reduce his own retainer fee on each board by $2,000 and to alter his status from a full-time employee to a contractor which would further save the township $1,814. “That would be a total savings to the township of $5,814,” Coggins said. “That nearly puts us short of $10,000 short of our targeted savings.” Coggins said he really appreciated Marcolongo’s effort but being that the savings didn’t meet the target, Coggins made a motion to go forward and combine the two boards into a consolidated land use board.
Deputy Mayor Antonio Inserra agreed and seconded the motion.
The vote was called for and with Coggins and Inserra voting yes to consolidate, Committeeman Edward Barr voted no.
“Although there is a cost savings, as minor or as great as some may think it is,” Barr said. “I don’t think that merging both boards is in the best interest of the public.”
Committeeman Hobart Young voted no, which placed the vote on Palombo’s shoulders. “I’m in a very interesting position,” Palombo said. “Over the years I have always worked extremely hard to offer the same services without cutting services. I work very hard in ensuring that our tax rate stays at a lower rate without impacting services for township residents. We offer planning and zoning as a service to those that live in the township. People who own homes scattered throughout the township find themselves in need of a variance for one thing or another. … In this case, the fact that we are experiencing savings that could potentially get us closer to $15,000, I don’t think there is a savings that anywhere supports a substantial amount to cut the services to those residents that would benefit from them if they need them. So I vote no.”
The proposal to combine the planning board and zoning board into one land use board failed by a vote of 3-2.
Township Engineer Paul E. Dietrich let committee know that the public broadcast station, known as UTTV2, will be moving to channel 97 as of Feb. 28. Brief discussion had Palombo asking if older televisions that might not go up as high as 97 would be able to receive the channel? Palumbo also asked if there might be some flexibility with Comcast to announce the switch. “Even if there’s a blank screen with some text that shows the channel has moved,” he suggested.
Coggins reported that the governing body had made a lot of progress with the budget.
Young reported that he has had one complaint about the Community Center. “It seems that some kids aren’t being supervised very well. I think it’s something we need to look at. Possibly we should have a part-time employee that they should pay for to make sure everything is done and done properly. There are a few cracked ceiling tiles from balls being thrown up into the ceiling. I just want to put a stop to it.”
Young was also concerned about elevation of the infield at Amanda’s Field. “If anything we’re going to have to possibly elevate the infield once the weather improves. It’s a real hazard for kids when they are fielding ground balls,” Young said.
Barr announced the township’s next rabies clinic will be held Feb. 22. Barr also discussed a meeting he attended with the county on central dispatch.
“As of right now, they don’t know exactly how many municipalities will jump on board,” Barr said. He also reminded peers that Stone Harbor and Avalon had started their own central dispatch system. “Looking at its cost savings, the county ‘ball parked’ a figure of 50 percent savings for us with a central dispatch. Myself? I think it’s a no-brainer. It’s something that, throughout the entire country, central dispatches are centralized and county-wide. Home-rule is a big thing here in New Jersey as everybody knows and sooner or later we’re probably going to jump on that bandwagon.”
When Palombo asked if there was any idea of a timeframe, Barr admitted there was none as of yet. “As far as feasibility study is concerned, I think what’s happening now is it’s going to go back to each municipality for assessment to see how central dispatch could benefit them.”
Palombo reported that he and members of council attended the grand reopening of the (county) senior center on Stagecoach Road. “The county will staff and provide lunches and hot meals at the facility,” Palombo said.
“Part of the agreement of having the senior center refurbished and remodeled is that we agreed to maintain the building and that the county will run all the programs and services. They really did an incredible job; it looks brand new inside and out. They added a wellness site that will allow the opportunity for folks at the northern end of the county (especially our residents) to receive flu vaccinations and other immunizations where they would have had to go to Court House in the past,” he said.
Palombo said that just six months ago, the center was a “total shell.” The mayor thanked the county and freeholders for their strong work – especially Freeholder Kristine Gabor who spearheaded the project.
The township will be receiving one solar power radar sign to warn of drivers’ speeds. When the subject was broached as to where they should put the sign, without hesitation Palombo said, “Stagecoach. We certainly have had numerous complaints about Stagecoach Road. For whatever reason, people continue to go well beyond the speed limit, which is posted 35. Most people are going 50 on that road.”
Further discussion brought other roads into question, Young’s main concern was “when you’re coming up by Caldwell Park going south, where all the kids are crossing the streets and walking up there.”
Dietrich reminded committee, that though they could probably benefit from having five or six on Stagecoach alone, “We only get one sign.”
Palombo then wanted to know if it was possible to purchase a pole and make the solar technology a little more mobile so that “every once in a while we could move it to different areas. I think if we could utilize it in other areas that would be beneficial to the township.”
To contact Bryon Cahill, email bcahill@cmcherald.com.