BOROUGH OF KENILWORTH

FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING OF OCTOBER 20, 2005

Present were Committee Members: Mayor Gregg David, Councilman Edward Galasso, Councilman Frederick Soos, Police Chief William Dowd, and Borough Clerk Hedy Lipke.

Mayor David stated there is a correction in the minutes of October 5, 2005.  He said “he felt a new facility for the Police would be “harder” to sell to the residents.”

Mayor David – asked Ed Galasso if he brought up the option of a new police facility on Cross Street to the school board members at the recent joint meeting and asked for their opinion of the location.

Ed Galasso – stated the Board members present were very positive. Supt. Leschuck would also like to get rid of the old house on that property, in fact, Supt. Leschuck feels that the School Board might be willing to relinquish their property where their trailers are located. Ed Galasso said he gave the Board the three options available and told them to be discreet.

Mayor David – he feels that is one milestone resolved, however the residents/parents have to be sold.

Discussion followed on having the Police Facility on Cross Street as opposed to on a  main drag. Many other towns do not have their Police Headquarters on their main drag.

Mayor David commented that we have to use land that is available.

Fred Soos – stated we may have a problem with the Rescue Squad – they want to own their own building, however, the Rescue Squad Building is in bad shape. He stated if it is decided to have two bays in the Police Facility for the Rescue Squad, that the bays be located on the Washington Avenue side. He also felt that the figures given were not right – overstated renovation costs.

Mayor David – felt it would be easier to get grants and funding for a new facility, especially a Police facility.

Ed Galasso – asked Chief Dowd to promote support from the County Prosecutor.

Mayor David – replied that the Prosecutor would have to come to a public meeting to support this.

Fred Soos – asked about putting the question on a referendum.

Ed Galasso – replied, then we would need a Plan B if the new facility is defeated.

Mayor David – the referendum would give a choice of a new building or renovations.

Chief Dowd – questioned why we would want to put it on referendum.

Fred Soos – to get public support – covering future Councils – since it would be the “people’s will”.

Mayor David – feels a referendum is more appropriate if there is dissention on the part of the Governing Body. If it is favorable to all Council members a referendum would not be necessary.

Ed Galasso – stated that if it went on referendum he feels that some people would start to claim that we have too many police officers.

Mayor David – felt that if it is put on referendum and defeated whatever Council is in place would not do anything at all. His feeling is to only go to a referendum if not unanimous in favor on the part of the Governing Body – but if there is no opposition, we do not need a referendum.

Fred Soos – felt a question residents are going to ask is Shared Police Services and we have to have an answer. There have been towns that have consolidated police services. He does not agree, but that will definitely be a question.

Ed Galasso – the answer to that is that of those that have consolidated police departments they have had to go with whatever town has the highest salaries.

Mayor David – stated that even if consolidate we need a staffed police building in town. He is opposed to eliminating a staffed police facility in town.

Fred Soos – perhaps Union County Prosecutor Romankow can address the answer to oppose consolidation.

Mayor David – stated he is opposed to moving the police department out of town.

Mayor David – asked for a consensus of committee members on the question of going to referendum.

Ed Galasso – felt there should be no referendum.

Fred Soos – stated he has no problem making a decision, but has mixed emotion on needing a referendum.

Mayor David – felt if there is approval of the Governing Body, we should not risk a referendum. His feeling is to not make a recommendation for a referendum – as long as we have more than 2/3 of Council members approving whatever option we recommend going with.

Decision of Fred Soos, Ed Galasso and Mayor David is not to go to referendum if more than 2/3 of Council Members approve.

Fred Soos – stated we have to present the plan to the Fire/Rescue Department.

Discussion followed about assuming the mortgage on the Rescue Squad Building and meeting with the Executive Committee of the Fire/Rescue to present this plan.

Fred Soos – stated he has a problem with assuming the Rescue Squad mortgage. The Fire Department has fund raisers to pay the mortgage – we should not pay it off.

Chief Dowd – felt we should not offer to pay the mortgage up front, just first present the plans to take over the Rescue Squad building.

Mayor David – stated he would first like to talk to Chief Giordino one-on-one and present the plans. He will do that within a week.

Mayor David – stated we will not go to full Council with the plans until this Committee makes a concrete recommendation – after he meets with the Fire Chef this Committee will have to meet again to firm up a recommendation to present to Council and have reasons for the recommendation with more concrete dollar amounts.

Fred Soos – feels that the dollar amounts are questionable.

Mayor David – assigned Fred Soos to talk to Jeff Marsden and get some dollar amounts.

Mayor David – he will set up a meeting with the Facilities Committee and the Fire Department Executive Officers to get their opinion.

Mayor David – stated his goal is to bring the Committee’s recommendation to the full Council at the December Work Session Meeting and take a vote of Council.

Meeting adjourned.