| Author |
Message |
    
Daniel I. Goldberg
Citizen
Username: Dig
Post Number: 19
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 1:23 pm: | 
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Is it my imagination, or has the SOPAC construction stopped? Can't wait to hear Calabrese's explanation for this most recent delay. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1639
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 1:27 pm: |
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He already gave the explanation and it was posted in another thread. An old oil tank was discovered and had to be removed. The soil had to be tested too. Both of those have been taken care of.
Construction starts again next week according to the contractor. |
Josh M.
Citizen
Username: Jmaxlaw
Post Number: 202
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 1:29 pm: |
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That's no surprise considering the history of that property. It would not surprise me in the lease to learn there are a number of those under the beifus property. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1640
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 1:36 pm: |
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Josh: Theoretically NJ Transit had checked and removed whatever tanks were discovered on the lot. For whatever reason this one was missed. As for Beifus, he did remove some tanks under his building (and I think under the musiclover building). Supposedly there are no more but then again,.....
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Dan Shelffo
Citizen
Username: Openspacer
Post Number: 136
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 4:07 pm: |
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Would it be possible for the Village to check these things prior to taking ownership?
I had an inspection company do this once for me and it really worked out well. |
Howard Levison
Citizen
Username: Levisonh
Post Number: 178
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 4:59 pm: |
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What was the result of the tests? Was the soil removed from the SOPAC site used to fill the basement of former rug store property now under construction?
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doublea
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 833
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 7:16 pm: |
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At last weeks Planning Board meeting, the owner of the Afghan rug store appeared to ask for approval of his amended plan. One planning board member pointed out that he had filled in the hole without planning board approval - the owner needed a soil disturbance approval as well as a certificate that the fill was clean. It had come from the SOPAC site.
The planning board either made their approval conditional upon a soil test or withheld its approval until a soil test was conducted. |
Mayor McCheese
Citizen
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 73
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 1:13 am: |
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If you go out to the SOPAC site during the day, you can see the sun shining down on the oil floating on top of the water. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 965
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 3:06 am: |
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quote:At last weeks Planning Board meeting, the owner of the Afghan rug store appeared to ask for approval of his amended plan. One planning board member pointed out that he had filled in the hole without planning board approval - the owner needed a soil disturbance approval as well as a certificate that the fill was clean. It had come from the SOPAC site.
The planning board either made their approval conditional upon a soil test or withheld its approval until a soil test was conducted.
I place my bet that the former was the outcome, and within 6-18 months (or on May 2, 2005), some sort of environmental certificate will be issued and accepted. It still smells bad. As does the dormancy of the Shop-Rite site (spiffy new boarded up windows though! Thanks for the effort!).
I'm fairly certain the Beifus site received a clean bill of environmental health, but the gross mismanagement of every major property in the Redevelopment Zone by this administration makes me wonder whether any lawyer or official retained is qualified to buy, sell, or develop our land. Frankly, my confidence was lost when Beifus got another 2-year nod to his latest whim of a project by the Planning Board.
They're our first line of defense, and they approved this for a second time after so many languishing, decrepit years. I don't think us villagers' best interests were represented.
We'll surely see a flurry of activity in April and May. Not only will our beautiful village be blooming in its absolute and undeniable Spring splendor, but our dormant construction sites will veritably bustle with activity, bulldozers, back-hoes, humming and hawing. Progress!! At Last!!
I can see the flyers and slick mailers of the incumbents launching their self-serving and negative campaigns. I can see the emptiness in our downtown.
But the usual will probably happen, and comments like
quote:Would it be possible for the Village to check these things prior to taking ownership?
I had an inspection company do this once for me and it really worked out well.
will go unheralded as justice is blind and taxes are guaranteed.
Awareness has to be raised. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1850
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 10:42 am: |
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Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Steglitz & Theroux have got to go!
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Walker
Citizen
Username: Fester
Post Number: 54
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 12:07 pm: |
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This is the third time on two different properties(Shop-Rite & SOPAC)that the town has failed to do adequate due diligence. One would think that this would fall on the head of the town Attorney, but he seem to get away with it by making excuses.
I would like to know how much of our town money has been wasted because people failed to do the job they are paid for and if there will be any action taken against them by the town.
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1851
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 12:47 pm: |
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quote:This is the third time on two different properties(Shop-Rite & SOPAC)that the town has failed to do adequate due diligence
Walker, don't forget the lack of due diligence for the Animal Shelter, the unwillingness to explore alternatives in the Quarry and the insistence on changing the Village Charter to pay the Trustees.
All compliments of the same town attorney.
Welcome to South Orange. |
Daniel I. Goldberg
Citizen
Username: Dig
Post Number: 21
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 1:41 pm: |
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At this risk of taking a reactionary response, I thought I remember somebody suggesting communicating this information to the Attorney General, and requesting an investigation. While I am not sure whether the AG would be interested, I'm not sure that malfeasance of the Town should go without some investigation and oversight. Any thoughts? |
Mayor McCheese
Citizen
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 80
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 4:01 pm: |
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I'll do one better Daniel; I will go out on a limb and suggest a lynch mob. Any takers...? I'll bring the torches.
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Mrs_Weiner
Citizen
Username: Mrs_weiner
Post Number: 17
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 6:15 pm: |
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Mayor McCheese I'd be glad to join your lynch mob lets burn it |
Mayor McCheese
Citizen
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 86
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 8:56 pm: |
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The only problem is that there is nothing to burn down at the site of SOPAC.
Except the oil I guess.... |
PARROT HEAD
Citizen
Username: Island_jack
Post Number: 23
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 2:24 am: |
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Hey McCheese,
Be careful with that fire. You might damage that nice new fence with all the "Coming Soon" signs on it. |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 343
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 10:52 am: |
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Although I'm frustrated by the delays, a couple of thoughts for you...
If you lived somewhere where developers were cutting down the wilderness or plowing under fields for new development, you'd have no oil tank problems. In an old area like ours, most homes and businesses once had oil tanks, and most sites have the potential for "brownfields" problems.
My home inspection missed some problems too...let me know where I can get one of those all-knowing all-seeing inspectors!
Personally, I'm more comfortable with the problems of working to redevelop land than the problems of suburban sprawl into former forests and fields (not to mention the shorter commutes!)
Not joining the lynch mob this week, although I'm definitely ready to vote against some of the incumbents. (for other reasons) |
Matt Foley
Citizen
Username: Mattfoley
Post Number: 67
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 11:18 pm: |
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I'm all for joining a mob. Can we dress up like indians and throw tea into the duckpond? |
musicme
Citizen
Username: Musicme
Post Number: 928
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 8:52 am: |
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only if the tea is from Ceylon... |
Taylor M
Citizen
Username: Anotherusername
Post Number: 274
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 11:14 am: |
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How about we just take certain elected officals and toss THEM in the muck pond? I mean duck pond! |
Mayor McCheese
Citizen
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 89
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 2:09 pm: |
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Maybe tar and feather them... |
hariseldon
Citizen
Username: Hariseldon
Post Number: 263
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 2:40 pm: |
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Ok.. calling someone a "crybaby" is a personal attack but threatening our elected officials with bodily harm is permitted uder MOL guidelines?
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Angus MacGuyver
Citizen
Username: Macgyver
Post Number: 16
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 5:22 pm: |
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I say we have a "Town Dance-Off"...
Best choreographed dance number takes control
of the town.
Dance troops of 5 patrons max.
Meeting at the duck pond tomorow nite at 7pm.
Dress rehersals begin next Tuesday.
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Mayor McCheese
Citizen
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 90
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 1:19 am: |
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hariseldon -
I wouldn't calls these threats, as much as I would jokes. Although, my dissatisfaction with the current people in power is real. |
Taylor M
Citizen
Username: Anotherusername
Post Number: 276
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 6:39 am: |
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Hari-
The difference is you were serious with what you said to me. Most of us aren't with the comments we've posted here. At least I wasn't. Throwing certain elected officals in the muck pond would scare the ducks. |
Matt Foley
Citizen
Username: Mattfoley
Post Number: 68
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - 3:33 pm: |
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Mayor McCheese-
I'm unsure if one can heave town officials into the pond. It is my understanding that it is forbidden to introduce foreign objects in the water or feed the ducks b/c of safety concerns. However, it is ok to slip a motorized vehicle and sail it around at your leisure. Maybe you can join the SO Seaport Society and have your model boat fly banners airing various gripes.
No one will be physically harmed and the ducks will be traumatized for a cause (for once).
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Mayor McCheese
Citizen
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 93
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 12:47 am: |
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Matt,
That is not a bad idea. Maybe I will also use one of those remote control racing cars to canvass the streets. This two pronged attack could work. Well... it probably won't, but I would get to play with toy cars and boats, so it might be fun.
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talk-it-up
Citizen
Username: Talkitup
Post Number: 99
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 10:54 pm: |
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"I'm fairly certain the Beifus site received a clean bill of environmental health, but the gross mismanagement of every major property in the Redevelopment Zone by this administration makes me wonder whether any lawyer or official retained is qualified to buy, sell, or develop our land. Frankly, my confidence was lost when Beifus got another 2-year nod to his latest whim of a project by the Planning Board. "
_______________________
I love that line, did you mean it that way:
"the Gross mismanagement of the Redevelopment Zone"
isn't that what it all comes down to. Isn't it about time Gross managed the village and the redevelopment is managed by someone experienced.
Maybe you have created a new word like "don't do a Gross" or " he did a Gross to that project" . The redevelopment needs to be taken out of the hands of Gross's mismanagement.
__________________________________________________
"At this risk of taking a reactionary response, I thought I remember somebody suggesting communicating this information to the Attorney General, and requesting an investigation. While I am not sure whether the AG would be interested, I'm not sure that malfeasance of the Town should go without some investigation and oversight. Any thoughts?"
______________________
No comments followed this remark. Are there any thoughts? Is this something the AG would be interested in? It is my understanding, along with many other statements made on this message board, that two positions are held by Mr. Gross and he receives two salaries- is this true? Is there an audit that could be performed by outside resources? Is there a conflict of interest?
It appears we pay Mr. Gross and Mr. Matthews many dollars for their combined mismanagement and negative impact on village monies.
__________________________________________________
"If you go out to the SOPAC site during the day, you can see the sun shining down on the oil floating on top of the water."
____________________
Is this the same soil that was used to fill the hole in the ground at the rug store? Did the Village allow what you seem to be indicating is contaminated soil to be used for landfill? What follow up has there been by the Village Government or did they watch and not react? Isn't this something the Building Department should have followed up on?
It appears that ignorance is bliss.
_____________________________
HOW DO WE GET BACK OUR VILLAGE AND STOP THE MISMANAGEMENT OF THE VILLAGE - WHO CAN WE TRUST?? |
Mary Gotz-Rother
Citizen
Username: Mary_rother
Post Number: 29
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 11:52 pm: |
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MHD you are up to your tricks again. If you recall the Village was in the clear with the animal shelter. Green Acres and the court ruled in the the Village's favor. Your Farrell Field friends are the ones that are still pursuing this matter at MUCH cost to the taxpayers. So it is YOUR GUYS that are wasting OUR TAX Dollars. I hope people check the facts before they believe anything that is stated on MOL. Just because someone makes a statement on MOL, it does not make it true, especially people who have their own political agenda. |
Rod
Citizen
Username: Skimrod
Post Number: 41
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 8:03 am: |
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When will the animal shelter be completed? |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1862
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 11:51 am: |
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quote:Just because someone makes a statement on MOL, it does not make it true, especially people who have their own political agenda.
Mary, I couldn't agree with you more on that! |
Mary Gotz-Rother
Citizen
Username: Mary_rother
Post Number: 30
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 1:23 pm: |
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The shelter will probably be completed in February of this year. |
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