BOROUGH OF KENILWORTH

FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING OF OCTOBER 5, 2005

Present were Committee Members: Mayor Gregg David, Councilman Edward Galasso, Councilman Frederick Soos, Police Chief William Dowd, Borough Clerk Hedy Lipke and George Wittman, and Hugh Montague  from Schering-Plough.

Hugh Montague stated he was finally able to obtain a Survey of Borough Hall Property. He gave copies to Borough Clerk Hedy Lipke for the Archives.

George Wittman handed out Options he sees as feasible to all.  (copy attached). He stated his concern about expanding Borough Hall is that it would be very disruptive – building a new Police building would be least disruptive.  Also, the present building might not be capable of installing the advanced technology needed for the Police Department. He also stated he does not know the condition of the Buynak Building – if we renovate we have to bring the building up to present codes – there might also be major issues such as asbestos since the building was built in 1975. He stated that expansion (adding on to) the present Borough Hall is not advisable. He feels the present building is not suitable for Police.

Mayor David asked for debate among Committee members on the options presented. He stated we will have to come to a consensus and bring it to the full governing body.

Councilman Galasso asked what option would be easier to sell to the residents.

Mayor David felt a new facility for the Police would be easier to sell to the residents.

George Wittman stated the figures given are for a 20 year bond – you should go to a 30 year bond. He will work up numbers for that.

Mayor David stated we will have to try to get grants from the State or Federal Government. A new Police facility would be easier to get funding for.

Councilman Galasso stated if we go for a new Police facility he knows the Union County Prosecutor would back us up.

Mayor David read the letter from the Prosecutor sent during the summer citing the need for more space/security for the Police Department.

Mayor David asked Chief Dowd what is the public relations point of view if a new Police building is next to the school.

Chief Dowd stated he felt people would like the security of having the police by the school.

Council Soos stated his concern is, and this should have been thought about long before this, that we should have made a whole complex – Fire Department and Police Department.

Mayor David felt that if we renovate the present building for police it would be very expensive.

Chief Dowd asked how would we acquire the Cross Street property – eminent domain?

Mayor David replied that Papparato would never deal to sell. If the Borough sells the Girl Scout property we would sell individual lots – there are 6 lots there – probably at $275,000 per lot.

Councilman Soos stated the problem he sees with a new police building on Cross Street is that the Rescue Squad is across the street.

Mayor David replied that an option would be to demolish the Rescue Squad Building and use the land for parking for the Police facility and build two more bays on the Police facility for the Rescue Squad.

Councilman Soos stated we could made Cross Street a dead-end coming in from Monroe Avenue past the two homes there.

George Wittman suggested presenting the options to the full Governing Body for their input.

Discussion followed on the eminent domain process.

Mayor David stated that we would go with eminent domain for either option. We would have to retain a public relations firm to sell the idea.

Mayor David thanked George and Hugh for all their hard work. He stated that the Committee and then the Governing Body have to make a decision.

George Wittman stated that when a decision is made, Schering will again help.

George and Hugh left.

Mayor David felt that it would be a good idea to feel out the school board as to their feeling of a Police building next to the school.

Councilman Galasso said he has a committee meeting with the Board of Education on October 18th and will bring it up then and perhaps have a Facilities Committee Meeting between then and the next Work Session Meeting on October 25^th.

Councilman Soos felt we should perhaps run it past the Fire Department also – regarding moving the Rescue Squad.

It was agreed to schedule another Facilities Committee Meeting for Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 7 P.M.