Council Workshop 2/16/10

[BrianSullivan]

Just a reminder to readers that there is a council meeting tonight. I do plan on attending and will, of course, provide a nice write up tomorrow. I hope to see readers there, it is always good to see our governing body in action.

The agenda is posted on the borough site.

[BrianSullivan]

Here is a recap of last nights meeting. Council members Schnurr and Shutzer were absent.

Starting with public comments, I have to refer readers to a post I made earlier in the week.

freeholdvoice.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=anythingfreeholdborough&action=display&thread=5000

I had mentioned in the above thread that some residents had concerns over recent actions by the code enforcement department. Some of those people showed up last night to air out grievances. Five people from the same street showed up, but allegedly, there are more people who had received visits from CE.

A woman named Lisa got up and did most of the talking for the group. Apparently CE has given out warnings to several people for Christmas decorations. One person received a warning for a wreath on his door. Others received warnings for lights that were not even being used at this time. Allegedly, the CE claim is that the decor is out more than ninety days past a certain point, a claim the residents dispute.

As I mentioned in the other thread, these residents are people who take good care of their properties. Lisa asked why they are getting the heat when a vacant rental next door to her has been allowed to have continued problems.

No answers were given by the council and Joe Bellina took Lisa's number to do a follow up.

The only other resident issue came from Ted Miller who just wanted to remind people of the fundraiser at Zebu Forno this week for the Court Street School.

Council comments were fairly light at this meeting.

Mike D mentioned that members of the swim team were doing very well and making the borough proud.

Kane mentioned that the borough public works did an outstanding job with the recent snow storms. Kane also brought up the NPC. World changers is coming back and there is an application process for owner occupied residents who want to receive help from that group.

Sims also complimented the pubic words and all of their hard work on the snow removal. He also asked people to pay attention and make sure that all walks are cleared. Jaye also mentioned two events that we can look forward to this year.

The first is from the Human Relations Committee who will host another safety forum on 4/22. ( post will be made on this site) The second will be the volunteer fair from the CIC which will be held on Sept 25th

Newman brought up several things as well, starting with a reminder that the memorial Day parade has a fund raiser on the 23rd. ( info found on this site) John also mentioned that the annual code report was submitted. John mentioned a work where you live program, pennies for peace at the library, and the Historic Preservation will be doing house tours this year including a haunted one. HPC is looking for people with ghost stories.

The Rest of the council meeting was light with mostly general business. Two good issues did arise.

The first is the Citizen Service Act which is being proposed by Councilman Newman. The majority of the council expressed over all support for this idea with some minor reservations. This will be introduced at the march 1st meeting and feed back from various committees will be sought.

There was some concerns raised over possible punitive actions or at least the perception of them. After some nice back and forth it was pretty clear that there is little that is punitive and most volunteers would have little to be concerned about.

There was also questions about the application. Bellina mentioned it is SOP where it has been implemented. The application will be very simple. ( as an aside, it is no more intrusive than the current oath and financial disclosure that volunteers fill out now)

The last item of interest comes from John Newman. He is continuing the crusade for a bike friendly town. The council will be looking to get some free assistance fro the state DOT do help with an assessment of the borough. The governing body will do a resolution and Newman wil seek to work with a number of groups in town who would be interested in the programs impact.

[admin]

I mentioned in the previous thread about the safety forum from the HRC. Here is a link from last years....

freeholdvoice.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=humanrelation&action=display&thread=4587&page=1

It was a very well done event and when the time comes, I highly recommend going.

[lisas84]

That's the complaints, about holiday decorations? Your earlier post sounded way more sinister, like there was a conspiracy afoot with the Code department! I see this as an opportunity for a solution. Now that the FB folks are sending out e-news, it is easy for them to send out an e-news alert as to when decorations need to be down as per town ordinance. To me, it's that simple.

The residents really had no way of knowing clearly. Sure, they could have called Borough Hall to ask if there was any official takedown date, but most people are too busy to think like that. And -- most towns don't think to send a reminder! I think it's great that Lisa addressed this.

And great minds must think alike: Councilman Schnurr mentioned a work where you live program last year. I'm not sure Brian if you were at our CIC meeting last summer when he was there to discuss its potential.

If two council folk mentioned the work where you live program, I think it must then have great merit.

[BrianSullivan]

Feb 17, 2010 15:08:33 GMT -5 lisas84 said:

That's the complaints, about holiday decorations? Your earlier post sounded way more sinister, like there was a conspiracy afoot with the Code department! I see this as an opportunity for a solution. Now that the FB folks are sending out e-news, it is easy for them to send out an e-news alert as to when decorations need to be down as per town ordinance. To me, it's that simple.

The residents really had no way of knowing clearly. Sure, they could have called Borough Hall to ask if there was any official takedown date, but most people are too busy to think like that. And -- most towns don't think to send a reminder! I think it's great that Lisa addressed this.

And great minds must think alike: Councilman Schnurr mentioned a work where you live program last year. I'm not sure Brian if you were at our CIC meeting last summer when he was there to discuss its potential.

If two council folk mentioned the work where you live program, I think it must then have great merit.

AS far as the Christmas decorations, I still say there is something funny going on. Even after listening to the complaints last night, it doesn't make sense. It does not sound like these people received just warnings. I write all of this will less of a sinister intent and more a curious one.

I stand by previous statement when I asked why is the CE dealing with this nonsense? Are they done with the real problems in town? Why would any resident even think that we even have an ordinance stating that decor has to be taken down?

This situation is a puzzle to me and I look forward to seeing answers.

[lisas84]

I admit I wasn't there -- I just read what you wrote and the idea flashed in my mind to prevent that next year by sending out an eblast.

Sorry for my confusion.

[admin]

Feb 17, 2010 15:26:42 GMT -5 lisas84 said:

I admit I wasn't there -- I just read what you wrote and the idea flashed in my mind to prevent that next year by sending out an eblast.

Sorry for my confusion.

Don't be sorry for your confusion, it just shows that I missed something. And your ideas are still good ones!

[lisa]

I do realize my post is a bit late. But I am the Lisa, Brian is refering to in his post.
lisas84 Maybe Brian portrayed a bit of underhandedness because of the conversation I had with him prior to the February meeting. As he stated their were 5 people or parties that came to that meeting. Well they were all from my own street. I find it funny that for the people that showed up from my street includeing neighbors that have lived here many years more than myself. Even they were unaware of this code. I'm not used to being warned or threatened with a $100.00 fine for breaking some code I had no knowlagde of. It seems VERY sinister to me that code enforcement laws for Freehold Boro are impossible to get. Maybe you know of someplace I can get them as a homeowner? I sure don't, and believe me when I say I've looked for them. I also find it rather amazing that supposedly other people in town were also sent a letter of warning reguarding this law, but no one else showed up to this meeting?
I called one neighbor after I recieved this letter. Most of my neighbors were up in arms over it. Not to get into it to much but personally my own lights had not even been up for 2 months much less three. (and to rub salt into it) were no longer even connected to my electric. I like most of my neighbors usually stop turning on Christmas lights by mid January. So you tell me what the problem is? One of my neighbors had switched and changed her christmas decorations to Valentines day decorations with less than half what was out before. What does this code apply to? Maybe if we could see it we could avoid wasteing time on both ends?
If you noticed Brians original post was on February 11th Thats far from 3 months from Christmas. I recieved the letter in the mail on the 9th. If it had been March instead of February maybe I could understand? But than again being conscious of electric bills they had been DISCONNECTED FROM MY ELECTRIC IN JANUARY!!!!
Like I stated at the meeting I find it very disconcerting that I've been complaining for over three years of trees and debris from the house next door to mine that was abandoned and in forcloser. Trees that have already broken my fence numorous times. If i made one call to code enforcement over that, I've made more than a dozen. They can't seem to rectify that problem but they can drive all over town wasting gas, looking for strings of lights and wasting the monies they supposdly fined the previous owner of that house for. But the trees still stand, with dieing branches falling on my fence. I just wonder what my homeowners insurance company would do if one of those trees fell on my garage or house?
I’m still stuck on why it seem it was only my block? I know for a fact that there are many many other houses in town who also still had Christmas decorations up, I did’nt see any of those people at the meeting If there is ONE other person that reads this post that can tell me they also recieved that same letter. Maybe it would help.

[BrianSullivan]

Mar 3, 2010 17:37:54 GMT -5 lisa said:

I do realize my post is a bit late. But I am the Lisa, Brian is refering to in his post.
lisas84 Maybe Brian portrayed a bit of underhandedness because of the conversation I had with him prior to the February meeting. As he stated their were 5 people or parties that came to that meeting. Well they were all from my own street. I find it funny that for the people that showed up from my street includeing neighbors that have lived here many years more than myself. Even they were unaware of this code. I'm not used to being warned or threatened with a $100.00 fine for breaking some code I had no knowlagde of. It seems VERY sinister to me that code enforcement laws for Freehold Boro are impossible to get. Maybe you know of someplace I can get them as a homeowner? I sure don't, and believe me when I say I've looked for them. I also find it rather amazing that supposedly other people in town were also sent a letter of warning reguarding this law, but no one else showed up to this meeting?
I called one neighbor after I recieved this letter. Most of my neighbors were up in arms over it. Not to get into it to much but personally my own lights had not even been up for 2 months much less three. (and to rub salt into it) were no longer even connected to my electric. I like most of my neighbors usually stop turning on Christmas lights by mid January. So you tell me what the problem is? One of my neighbors had switched and changed her christmas decorations to Valentines day decorations with less than half what was out before. What does this code apply to? Maybe if we could see it we could avoid wasteing time on both ends?
If you noticed Brians original post was on February 11th Thats far from 3 months from Christmas. I recieved the letter in the mail on the 9th. If it had been March instead of February maybe I could understand? But than again being conscious of electric bills they had been DISCONNECTED FROM MY ELECTRIC IN JANUARY!!!!
Like I stated at the meeting I find it very disconcerting that I've been complaining for over three years of trees and debris from the house next door to mine that was abandoned and in forcloser. Trees that have already broken my fence numorous times. If i made one call to code enforcement over that, I've made more than a dozen. They can't seem to rectify that problem but they can drive all over town wasting gas, looking for strings of lights and wasting the monies they supposdly fined the previous owner of that house for. But the trees still stand, with dieing branches falling on my fence. I just wonder what my homeowners insurance company would do if one of those trees fell on my garage or house?
I’m still stuck on why it seem it was only my block? I know for a fact that there are many many other houses in town who also still had Christmas decorations up, I did’nt see any of those people at the meeting If there is ONE other person that reads this post that can tell me they also recieved that same letter. Maybe it would help.

Lisa, I know Joe Bellina took your number. Did you get any answers? I still think this whole thing slooks funny. None of it makes sense to me.

[lisas84]

Wow, Lisa, until you actually posted your experiences, I and maybe some other regular readers had no clue. Reading your story I can feel your frustration and personally wish I could do something positive for you.

Lisa, thanks so much for taking the time to share your experiences; you did a magnificent job here with all your details. And I truly wish you all the best from this day forward.

[lisa]

Brian I will give Joe Bellina credit where credit is due. He did call me the next day to say that he contacted the new owner of that house, who purchased it as a rental. I have no information on this new owner. Just that it was purchased sometime in August or September. The owner did clean some debris from the property but not the trees I'm having a problem with. Joe promised that the trees will be cleared come spring. To be honest I'll believe it when I see it. Meantime I'll sit and worry about the destruction those trees will cause to my property every time the wind blows. Brian I do have a general idea of zoning laws being that my Father years ago was an inspector for another town. I can cut down what hangs over to my property which has already been done. But when you’re talking about trees that are well over 100 feet high, that really doesn’t do much. I can also easily state that in any other town I've ever lived in which entails more than a few in Monmouth county, They would be all over this problem considering the fact that those trees could cause damage to more than even my property if they did fall, which they will sooner or later. This has been THREE years now. Seems like you can make complaints to zoning officials in this town, but it all falls on deaf ears. I'm tired of the lip service they seem to be so good at. That’s about all I've seen their good at. Except for maybe driving around town, wasting my tax money on gas, paper and stamps, to issue warning letters over lights that aren’t even on.
I was also told by the town almost a year ago that the previous owner was fined for the mess he left. And that as soon as they received the payment for said fines the problems would be taken care of. That was last year. Seems to me in that case the trees should have been removed at the beginning of last summer.
That leaves open another question. If the town did receive that money from those fines? What happened to it? I was promised all kinds of services that were scheduled for that property by the town, where all kinds of clean-up people had been contacted and as soon as the money came in, it would be done. Like I said I'll believe it when I see it.

And P.S. Thank-you Lisa. From your mouth to Gods ears.......

[richardkelsey]

Mar 4, 2010 5:30:21 GMT -5 lisa said:

Brian I will give Joe Bellina credit where credit is due. He did call me the next day to say that he contacted the new owner of that house, who purchased it as a rental. I have no information on this new owner. Just that it was purchased sometime in August or September. The owner did clean some debris from the property but not the trees I'm having a problem with. Joe promised that the trees will be cleared come spring. To be honest I'll believe it when I see it. Meantime I'll sit and worry about the destruction those trees will cause to my property every time the wind blows. Brian I do have a general idea of zoning laws being that my Father years ago was an inspector for another town. I can cut down what hangs over to my property which has already been done. But when you’re talking about trees that are well over 100 feet high, that really doesn’t do much. I can also easily state that in any other town I've ever lived in which entails more than a few in Monmouth county, They would be all over this problem considering the fact that those trees could cause damage to more than even my property if they did fall, which they will sooner or later. This has been THREE years now. Seems like you can make complaints to zoning officials in this town, but it all falls on deaf ears. I'm tired of the lip service they seem to be so good at. That’s about all I've seen their good at. Except for maybe driving around town, wasting my tax money on gas, paper and stamps, to issue warning letters over lights that aren’t even on.
I was also told by the town almost a year ago that the previous owner was fined for the mess he left. And that as soon as they received the payment for said fines the problems would be taken care of. That was last year. Seems to me in that case the trees should have been removed at the beginning of last summer.
That leaves open another question. If the town did receive that money from those fines? What happened to it? I was promised all kinds of services that were scheduled for that property by the town, where all kinds of clean-up people had been contacted and as soon as the money came in, it would be done. Like I said I'll believe it when I see it.

And P.S. Thank-you Lisa. From your mouth to Gods ears.......

I certainly have no knowledge of this situation - but the poster raises an issue that should be important as a matter of governance.

Local zoning laws should be readily available to residents. In fact, they should be online. In the overwhelming majority of sophisticated communities they are online.

Freehold has made some strides to enter the 20th century with a webpage and even e-mail addresses for its elected officials. The e-blasts are down right almost 21st century upgrades.

Perhaps a great initiative would be to start putting more resources online for use by residents. NJ is a state that prides itself on "local control." I have lots of strong opinions about the reality of local control, however, lots of little town Governments have lots of little rules, regs, and codes that change from town to town as quickly as people pass through municipalities. In a state where local control is cherished, providing and sharing the codes that dictate life to residents online seems like the right thing to do. There is no reason why Freehold cannot be a leader in information sharing.

Right now -- its residents are burning up the blogashere with great sites about Freehold pride. All this Freehold information is wonderful -- I love it. It would now be nice to see the governing body extend that trend by continuing to move toward an online platform of governance and information sharing.

[Mike Rosseel]

Mar 4, 2010 11:18:01 GMT -5 richardkelsey said:

Mar 4, 2010 5:30:21 GMT -5 lisa said:

Brian I will give Joe Bellina credit where credit is due. He did call me the next day to say that he contacted the new owner of that house, who purchased it as a rental. I have no information on this new owner. Just that it was purchased sometime in August or September. The owner did clean some debris from the property but not the trees I'm having a problem with. Joe promised that the trees will be cleared come spring. To be honest I'll believe it when I see it. Meantime I'll sit and worry about the destruction those trees will cause to my property every time the wind blows. Brian I do have a general idea of zoning laws being that my Father years ago was an inspector for another town. I can cut down what hangs over to my property which has already been done. But when you’re talking about trees that are well over 100 feet high, that really doesn’t do much. I can also easily state that in any other town I've ever lived in which entails more than a few in Monmouth county, They would be all over this problem considering the fact that those trees could cause damage to more than even my property if they did fall, which they will sooner or later. This has been THREE years now. Seems like you can make complaints to zoning officials in this town, but it all falls on deaf ears. I'm tired of the lip service they seem to be so good at. That’s about all I've seen their good at. Except for maybe driving around town, wasting my tax money on gas, paper and stamps, to issue warning letters over lights that aren’t even on.
I was also told by the town almost a year ago that the previous owner was fined for the mess he left. And that as soon as they received the payment for said fines the problems would be taken care of. That was last year. Seems to me in that case the trees should have been removed at the beginning of last summer.
That leaves open another question. If the town did receive that money from those fines? What happened to it? I was promised all kinds of services that were scheduled for that property by the town, where all kinds of clean-up people had been contacted and as soon as the money came in, it would be done. Like I said I'll believe it when I see it.

And P.S. Thank-you Lisa. From your mouth to Gods ears.......

I certainly have no knowledge of this situation - but the poster raises an issue that should be important as a matter of governance.

Local zoning laws should be readily available to residents. In fact, they should be online. In the overwhelming majority of sophisticated communities they are online.

Freehold has made some strides to enter the 20th century with a webpage and even e-mail addresses for its elected officials. The e-blasts are down right almost 21st century upgrades.

Perhaps a great initiative would be to start putting more resources online for use by residents. NJ is a state that prides itself on "local control." I have lots of strong opinions about the reality of local control, however, lots of little town Governments have lots of little rules, regs, and codes that change from town to town as quickly as people pass through municipalities. In a state where local control is cherished, providing and sharing the codes that dictate life to residents online seems like the right thing to do. There is no reason why Freehold cannot be a leader in information sharing.

Right now -- its residents are burning up the blogashere with great sites about Freehold pride. All this Freehold information is wonderful -- I love it. It would now be nice to see the governing body extend that trend by continuing to move toward an online platform of governance and information sharing.

Rich thats a great point, some sort of internet data base with the laws regulations etc. I really don't mean this as a smart ass, but this would be a great thing for newman to get on, he is or atleast it seems, internet savy!

[johnfnewman]

The "Notice of Violation" which Lisa and others received cites to a section "602.2 - Appliances Temporary electrical power and [l]ighting installations shall be permitted for a period not to exceed 90 days for Holidays [sic] decorative lighting, carnivals, and similar purposes. Please remove all Holiday Lights." [emphasis in original]

The letter goes on to warn that failure to remedy within 10 days may result in the issuance of a summons which would require a court appearance.

At the last meeting when the issue was brought up by another resident, Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins explained that this is a safety violation, and she noted that even the light boxes will warn not to have such lights out for extended periods of tiime. That is, they are meant for short term decorations.

That being said, I am inquiring about where residents can find this law, etc.

From there, I will inquire about how to make such things more available to the public. While the borough has started to work on its website to make more information available to the public, we obviously need more.

When I have more information on this subject, I will make it available.

[johnfnewman]

This matter will be on the workshop agenda in April, currently scheduled for April 19 (not earlier due to a scheduling conflict).

I have been informed that no tickets will be issued from the warning issued.

[lisa]

John thanks for the notice but my lights were taken down THAT weekend despite the foot or more of snow that had fallen. So much for getting a ticket or actually going to court. Just one question tho how are lights that are not connected to any electricity anywhere a fire hazard? You know as well as I do, I live in an old house that could very easily become a tinderbox. But than again this house is 50 years younger than the one I grew up in. I've seen houses like this one burn to the ground mostly due to age, which makes me even more aware. I'm From Keyport! Look up the history of that town and how half of it was destroyed by fire. I believe most people in Freehold boro are very concious of fire hazards.
I'm fully aware of the house on court street that we unfortunatly lost a child in which I think makes most of us even more careful. Seems to me the town should be a little more concerned with snow removal of sidewalks in front of businesses and houses in town if their going to worry about hazards. I know for a fact that they ignore that, having a doctor on Main street who’s landlord did nothing to remove the snow. Where was his threat of a fine? The way I see things they spend so much time and money on lights that are no longer on but when you talk about slippery sidewalks or trees that could fall and kill someone or destroy private property…not so much. Talk about A@@ backwards!

[lisa]

And as a side note John did Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins happen to meantion anything about lights that had only been up for 6 weeks? I put those lights up the last week in december. I was a little late this year making plans to be in Chicago so actually make it 5 weeks they were actually on.
I don't think that constitutes 3 months!!!!!!!!!!!!