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Message |
    
Allan J Rosen
Citizen
Username: Allanrosen
Post Number: 113
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 8:23 am: | 
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The budget was passed on Aug 2, and the municipal increase is approximately 5.9%. |
Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 662
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 1:06 pm: |
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Allan: Any thoughts as to the Budgets for the next few years. Where do we stand and how will the Finance Committee/BoT proceed? |
Allan J Rosen
Citizen
Username: Allanrosen
Post Number: 114
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 5:30 pm: |
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The new police agreement called for raises of approximately 4.125-4.25% annually over the next 4 years. Other raises will probably be similar. Salaries amount to roughly 75% of the budget. Given the recent trend of insurance increases and the fact that pension contributions for public safety will increase by at least $180,000. per year for the next 4 years, I would expect the municipal budget to increase by roughly 4.5% for the next 4 years or so, barring surprises. Additional municipal aid from the state would be nice; and I would expect some contributions of additional ratables to start kicking in during those years, which could help.
I would expect the finance committee/BoT to do everything possible to seek additional outside sources of funds and to seek avenues for reducing unnecessary spending. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1543
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 9:46 pm: |
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Like paying the Trustees?  |
woodstock
Citizen
Username: Woodstock
Post Number: 738
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 11:01 pm: |
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In five years, my taxes will be over $26,000. I will be paying more in taxes than my mortgage. If I were to try to retire, I would need to earn over $100k annually (retired) to be able to pay just my taxes and still live in the same house. And I understand the reval has supposedly been put off?
I guess it's a double edged sword. I want a reval to level taxes, since I and others pay a disproportionate share. But a reval would be an extraordinary expense that we, the taxpayers, would have to shoulder.
I still think it's only fair to do the reval. |
doublea
Citizen
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 714
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 9:03 am: |
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woodstock: When you say the reval has been put off, do you mean indefinitely, or that it won't be effective until 2008 as originally ordered by the County? |
woodstock
Citizen
Username: Woodstock
Post Number: 739
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 13, 2004 - 9:20 am: |
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To be honest, I probably shouldn't have written that. I did not get confirmation from a reliable source, and I hate spreading rumor.
To be clear, the rumor part is about the reval being put off (I really wish I could delete that post). It is not a rumor that if things go according to Dr. Rosen's post, and a reval is not done, I will be paying over $5k more in taxes than my mortgage. |
sbenois
Citizen
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 11667
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 8:54 am: |
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Dearest Mr. Rosen,
I see that the tax impact in Southern Orange is 5.9%.
Would you be able to ask Mr. Stieglitz to put that into numbers that real people in S.O can understand?
You know what I'm getting at here: how many fewer trips to Starbucks is the average homeowner going to have to make?
He was very good at providing this type of real life breakdown at the BOSE meeting (average homeowner will make 150 fewer visits for the school tax increase).
You folks in SO sure do have wacky benchmarks.
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J. Crohn
Citizen
Username: Jcrohn
Post Number: 1491
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 4:05 pm: |
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AJRosen: "The new police agreement called for raises of approximately 4.125-4.25% annually over the next 4 years. Other raises will probably be similar."
Why?
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Allan J Rosen
Citizen
Username: Allanrosen
Post Number: 115
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 4:48 pm: |
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Usually the agreements with one union, in this case police, are used as a benchmark for agreements with other unions. Occasionally there are special reasons for a difference (perhaps a giveback,etc.); but not often. Then by state law the clerk, assessor, and two other positions must receive at least the same percentage raise as the highest union agreement. Usually for fairness all non-union personnel receive the same percentage raise. Not a great system but that's how it works. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1546
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 5:33 pm: |
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What about medical benefits? With the costs for medical insurance skyrocketing for all of us, shouldn't non-union personnel contribute to the cost of medical insurance? As I understand it, 100% of the premiums are paid by the Village. Is that correct?
While that was commonplace 10 or 20 years ago, there are not many private employers that pay 100% of medical insurance premiums anymore. |
Allan J Rosen
Citizen
Username: Allanrosen
Post Number: 116
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 5:23 pm: |
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mhd: You are correct in both ways. The Village pays the premiums. I don't believe that any of the Trustees wouldn't prefer for some sharing of the premiums as in the private sector. But find me a public sector union that is sharing the cost of medical care. And remember some of the comments on MOL where some complained we weren't negotiating with the police in good faith.
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D. Richards
Citizen
Username: Baddriving11
Post Number: 41
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 8:40 am: |
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some public safety agencies have co-pays, however, they are typically rewarded for taking this "give back" from their contracts in another area of their negotiations. Some have been forced into co-pays through arbitration agreements. I think if the police and fire unions gave in to a co-pay, the Village may not see a huge benefit because the unions would want compensation elsewhere.
However, I don't think private sector people realize government employees don't typcially have employer contributions to savings plans (UNLESS YOUR THE SOUTH ORANGE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR), that goes for teachers, police, fire, and most levels of government. I don't think the tax payers would advocate this benefit to all village employees?
Your comparing apples and oranges.
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Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 689
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 10:18 pm: |
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Let's not forget to factor the "piece de resistance", notably pension benefits. I think a comparison can be drawn very easily in dollar terms. The comparison is in benefits received in relation to length of employment and salary earned. I think the ratio of state pension benefits to the average of the highest three years of pay is approximately 70%. How many private employers offer those benefits after 25-30 years of service?
If all contract negotiations tend to follow the latest settlements around the state, perhaps these contracts should be amalgamated and negotiated at the state level. The benefits could be privately placed for competitive pricing.
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1574
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 11:20 am: |
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When trying to access the Meeting Agenda for Monday's meeting from the Village website, I am getting the following error:
Server object error 'ASP 0228 : 80004005'
Server.Execute Error
/agenda.asp, line 26
The call to Server.Execute failed while loading the page.
Mark/Allen can you please notify the webmaster?
Thanks. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1512
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 11:54 am: |
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Done,
Mark |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1576
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 1:04 pm: |
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Thanks, Mark. It works now.
I see the Ordinace to begin paying the Trustees is back on the agenda. Let's hope Mark, Allen, Mary & Patrick defeat this once and for all on Monday. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1728
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 25, 2004 - 10:27 am: |
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Mark/Allan/Patrick,
I notice that the agenda for tonight's meeting has not yet been posted on the Village website. Can you please ask that it be updated?
Thanks! |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1732
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 25, 2004 - 3:24 pm: |
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I see the agenda has now been posted: http://www.southorange.org/agenda.asp?page=2004/10-25-04rm.htm
Thank you! |
Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 1116
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 25, 2004 - 4:53 pm: |
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Resolution Requesting the Planning Board Conduct to Prepare a Map Delineating the Properties on Both the West and East Sides of Valley Street and Village Plaza from South Orange Avenue to Hixon Place, Including Other Properties Specifically Shown on Tax Maps Attached Hereto, in Need of Redevelopment and/or Rehabilitation, and to Evaluate Said Area in Terms of Redevelopment and/or Rehabilitation Criteria.
Didn't Mssrs. Calabrese and Gross indicate that the designations are complete and the Redeveopment Committee can wind down. The stretch of road all the way down to Hixon is beyond comprehension. What shall we build there, greater density housing. I continue to be amazed. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1734
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 25, 2004 - 9:13 pm: |
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Pizzaz,
The current redevelopment has been such a "catastrophic success", we just might as well make the whole town look like Irvington, right? |
Josh M.
Citizen
Username: Jmaxlaw
Post Number: 170
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 26, 2004 - 2:56 pm: |
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How far down is Hixon Place? |
Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 1129
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 26, 2004 - 3:41 pm: |
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The street across from CHS and the A&P. |
Josh M.
Citizen
Username: Jmaxlaw
Post Number: 172
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 26, 2004 - 4:54 pm: |
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Wow-- thanks. Is there an actual redevelopment plan? This is where regional planning makes sense-- talking to Maplewood about redevelopment of Valley all the way to Memorial Park. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1789
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 12:09 pm: |
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Mark/Allan/Patrick,
I notice that the agenda for tonight's meeting has not yet been posted on the Village website. Can you please ask that it be updated?
Thanks! |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1587
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 2:54 pm: |
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It is updated.
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1791
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 4:09 pm: |
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Thank you, Mark.
Can you please explain what the following are?
5. Resolution Authorizing the Acting Village President to Enter into a Drainage Easement with Pulte Homes of NJ, Limited Partnership.
6. Resolution Accepting the Conservation Deed of Easement from Pulte Homes of NJ, Limited Partnership.
7. Resolution Authorizing the Acting Village to Enter into Certain Agreements with Pulte Homes of NJ, Limited Partnership. (sounds awfully vague)
8. Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement for In Lieu of Tax Payment for Properties Owned by Salesian Society, Inc.
(Another PILOT? for who?)
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woodstock
Citizen
Username: Woodstock
Post Number: 826
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 4:12 pm: |
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MHD,
I was curious about the last one as well. But a couple of things. It's not a new agreement. It's an extension of an existing agreement. Also, the Salesian Society seems to be a non-profit religious group. Not quite sure where the property is, but it doesn't seem as fishy to me. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1589
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 4:17 pm: |
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MHD: Woodstock is correct about # 8. I don't remember the address. Basically it is a tax-exempt property that has agreed to make a payment. We have several of those type of agreements including one with SHU.
As for the "Pulte" resolutions, I agree they are vague and will ask for an explanation on them. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1792
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 4:23 pm: |
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Thanks for the prompt responses, Mark (& Woodstock, too).
I'll be sure to watch the meeting tonight. I think it's great the agendas are posted online, but going forward, it would help if they were a tad more descriptive on issues like this, so people can be better informed on whether or not they should come out in person. |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 2010
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 4:26 pm: |
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I believe the Salesian Society place is on Self Place. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1793
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 10:12 pm: |
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Mark & Allan,
Thank you for asking specific questions tonight about the resolutions above to help clarify what they were for. I am glad they were just mostly "housecleaning" items of previous issues (to continue the existing drainage from Newstead into the quarry, making the end of Tillou Rd private and reiterating the existing COAH deal)
I was afraid the resolutions were going to cost us more than the $1.2 million we've already paid to subsidize the development. |
Just The Aunt
Citizen
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 315
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 10:52 pm: |
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ll-
It is on Self Place. My mom is friendly with them. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1809
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 12:05 pm: |
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Mark/Allan,
I see 2 items on tonight's agenda, that I was wondering if you could provide some more details on:
7. DMC Update
A. Trustees Joyce and Steglitz to comment.
WHY ISN'T THIS A DRMC? Is this new "board" just going to focus on management & not redevelopment? Why is that any different that the Chamber of Commerce?
12. Rock Crushing and trucks at Quarry site
A. Trustee Rosner to comment.
Can you comment on what the issue is?
Thanks.
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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1610
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 4:49 pm: |
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MHD: The BOT has called it a DMC since we first discussed and the original resolution only spoke of a DMC.
A chamber of commerce is comprised of local businesses. This committee (Downtown Management Corporation) will have members from the Chamber, Main Street, and residents at large. The DMC will have to address various issues. One of the first issues is how will they be funded. They will have to hire someone to manage the corporation (whether they are involved with redevelopment or not)and work to reach the goals set for the DMC. Part of their goal was to include recruitment of new businesses for the downtown. The original idea was to try and make sure the downtown and the current storeowners do everything possible to make it at attractive as possible which would make it easier to recruit new businesses. I would expect a DMC to assist in acheiving Redevelopment goals even if is not a direct responsibility.
My feeling is we need to get the DMC up and running. At that point, we can make a judgement on how the DMC (and the village) should proceed. In other words, the "R" does not have to be in the title for them to have some of the responsibility. In the end, the BOT is held accountable to the public, not the DMC and any major decisions should come from the BOT.
One could (and some have already) argued that a DMC is more like an expanded Main Street with the potential for better funding.
I have asked John Gross to give us an update on the rock crushing and some other issues regarding the quarry site. The issue has been regarding exactly what Pulte can or cannot do along with the removal of the rocks.
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1811
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 5:10 pm: |
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Thank you, Mark. I'll be sure to tune in on cable tonight. |
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