Council Meeting May 21, 2007

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Following the promotion of Mitch Roth to Chief, we had two more officers promoted.

Sergeant Glen Roberts was promoted to Lieutenant.

Patrolman Michael Sweetman was promoted to Sergeant.

Congratulations to both Officers!

There was discussion of the chimenea issue. The Mayor and council jokingly referred to the "Chimenea task force." On a serious note, they did discuss the safety issues and nuisance issues surrounding these items. Some ideas revolved around ensuring people are home while the chimenea is in use and banning their use after a certain hour of the night. Nothing appears set in stone and an ordinance will be coming.


There was a very good presentation by the fire department on town issues.

The first was the proposed purchase of a rescue truck. The chief did cite examples where the lack of one was not good. They are looking at a used one from Freehold Independent. It does not have high mileage and will be about 50,000 dollars. It appears the fire department is really doing their homework and is trying to get the best truck for the best price.

The fire department also spoke about a junior fire fighter program. They are already starting this and have had interest from high school aged people. This is a much needed initiative to recruit new and young people to help the volunteer ranks of the fire department.

If I can get more information on the fire department issue cited above, i will post them in the fire department thread.

There was also discussion on the Family Success center. It was made clear that there will be no direct cost to Borough tax payers. The program is funded through federal grants. This program appears to be intended as a place people
can turn for help and getting free stuff.

A second reading of a bond ordinance was read. see story below for details.

www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070526/NEWS01/705260355/1004/NEWS01

And of course there was discussion of the down town revitalization, but nothing new to report.


Public comments

I always like this part of the meeting the best. What our residents have to say is the most important.

Resident Tom Baldwin spoke and wanted to wish Councilman LeVine good health. ( Councilman LeVine was absent from this meeting.) Mr. Baldwin was also quite humorous and had us laughing.

Resident Ted Miller asked about the former Bartleson house site. Apparently a new developer has closed on the site and work will resume on that eye sore and embarrassment.

Another resident spoke and his name eludes me. This person mentioned the need to fix up Throckmorton street. This topic has been brought up before by residents and nothing has been done. This speaker rightfully pointed out that Throckmorton is an entry/exit into our town and leaves a very bad impression.

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newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2007/0531/Front_Page/004.html

Chiminea discussion in Freehold Borough has its light moments
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer



FREEHOLD - Even though Freehold Borough has had to deal with a number of serious issues over the last few years - including being named as a defendant in a federal lawsuit revolving around illegal immigration - not everything that occurs in the Borough Council chambers has national implications.

Some of what happens in Borough Hall can only be described as small-town humor and charm, something officials and residents have found challenging to hold onto in the past decade.

Such was the case on May 21 when members of the council were discussing an ordinance that has been developed to regulate the use of a chiminea (a small outdoor fireplace).

Councilman Michael DiBenedetto was concerned about the time that the fireplaces would be allowed to burn.

To that, Mayor Michael Wilson responded good-naturedly, "It was suggested at this table that we might insert into the ordinance the creation of a chiminea task force with T-shirts, but make sure you spell their name correctly."

Wilson's comment brought laughter from the council members and residents in the audience.

DiBenedetto said there is no time limit in the ordinance and added that there is nothing to prevent people from starting up a fire at any time.

"Do you want there to be a way to prevent that?" Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins asked, then added, "How can we prevent someone from sitting on their back porch and drinking a beer?"

Councilman Robert Crawford chimed in, saying, "We always used to have block parties. It's the greatest thing in the world to have a beer and a lobster on your back porch at 1 a.m. on a Sunday morning."

"We're not outlawing the beer and the lobster," Wilson said.

"This will be complaint driven," DiBenedetto said of the chiminea ordinance. "We are not going to have people driving around looking for fires."

"Unless we have the chiminea task force," the mayor chimed in.

After a bit more banter back and forth, Wilson asked, "What time limit are we putting on the beer and the lobster then?"

The answer was no time limit on the beer and lobster, to which the mayor said, "Government can sometimes very intrusive, you know?"

After a moment of quiet and a heavy sigh, Wilson looked at the people in the audience and said, "You can't get this stuff on TV, folks."

Council members eventually decided that chiminea fires should be doused by 1 a.m.

Officials have said that the purpose of the chiminea ordinance is to protect residents from the threat of fire and noxious fumes. The ordinance states that open burning in approved containers will be allowed without a permit at residences subject to certain regulations.

Another item that brought a smile to the face of municipal officials and audience members were comments made by resident Tom Baldwin.

Baldwin is an advocate for Freehold's Latino residents who often states his opinions on issues related to illegal immigration issues in the borough. Over the years he has had an adversarial relationship with Wilson, Councilman Marc Le Vine and Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer.

Baldwin inquired about Le Vine's health because he heard that Le Vine had been hospitalized.

Shutzer said Le Vine was out of the hospital and was feeling better.

Baldwin said he had written a letter which he would read to the council as if Le Vine was at the meeting. His letter stated that even though he and Le Vine have had their disagreements over the years, he was "truly saddened and distressed" to learn that the councilman had been in the hospital. Baldwin said he was glad Le Vine was feeling better and wished him continued good health.

"Mr. Le Vine, even though we have had our disagreements, I think you are an honorable gentleman. Your sitting up there guarantees me someone to fight with. Fighting with Mrs. Shutzer is just not the same thing. It's like fighting with my wife, it's a no-win situation," Baldwin said with a smile.

The council members responded in kind to Baldwin's heartfelt and humorous letter.

As the mayor said, "You really can't get this stuff on TV, folks."