| Author | Message | ||
     Pizzaz Citizen Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 1620 Registered: 11-2001  |
I'd much prefer to see individual Trustees express their opinions and debate the issues in public at the podium this evening before the public remonstrances. Statesmanship, have we practiced this in South Orange? In addition, the Village Administrator should provide some insight as to how the requests for abatement was formulated and the criteria established for give backs, if any. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 1991 Registered: 5-2001  |
I was unable to watch or attend the meeting last night. Can anyone summarize what transpired with regard to the "gift" of the Tony Smith Sculpture, and the PILOT agreements? | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 1785 Registered: 4-2002 |
We agreed to "accept the gift" but bascially we have a time frame to see if the money can be raised before making a final commitment. Trustee Rosen expressed a desire to place the statue in the NJ transit lot where the obelisk stands (I felt this could be a public safety issue because it would block the view of cars at that circle). PILOTS passed on first reading. We are going to be getting a comparative breakdown of the numbers and how it affects residents, etc before the next reading. I will try and post more later this week on this subject. | ||
| Dave Citizen Username: Dave Post Number: 5600 Registered: 4-1998  |
I think the obelisk location may be too obscure, but I don't have a better idea. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 1041 Registered: 6-2001  |
I think it should be in Grove Park, as Tony lived on Stanley Road in what is now known as Tuxedo Park. Or, better yet, there's an island (the "diamond") at the intersection of Stanley & Montrose - why not put it there? | ||
| Josh M. Citizen Username: Jmaxlaw Post Number: 227 Registered: 3-2004 |
I can't believe there haven't been any Arthur C. Clarke references regarding this obelisk-- or perhaps it is not close enough to a monolith to garner those sorts of comments. | ||
| ril Citizen Username: Ril Post Number: 300 Registered: 6-2001 |
I live near Grove Park, and would not really like to have the sculpture there (I prefer the park to remain as green and structure-free as possible). What's wrong with the obelisk site?--all the folk attending events at the Performing Arts Center, as well as commuters (not to mention the construction workers who are apparently here for life) will be able to enjoy it. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 1787 Registered: 4-2002 |
By the way, at this point the plan is for the statue to be where the Gazebo is located on Sloan Street. Trustee Rosen was thinking it would be nicer to have it closer to the entrance of SOPAC. | ||
| Two Sense Citizen Username: Twosense Post Number: 42 Registered: 7-2004 |
Will our costly gazebo become a costly tribute to pointless, ill-conceived "improvements" designed by our local, "preferred vendor" landscape architect? Has anyone ever seen anyone ever use the gazebo; or is too impractical to sit in the traffic circle or behind the fountain to enjoy an afternoon concert? Maybe the gazebo could be relocated to Grove Park, where residents actually could enjoy the shade or music in the park. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 1803 Registered: 4-2002 |
Two Sense: The Montrose Park Association is trying to raise money for a larger gazebo. If you contact them, you can see the plans. I suggested moving the Gazebo to a location at the waterlands Park (behind the Gaslight Commons). I think the BOT would be open to other suggestions. Then again, the statue is not a done deal yet so there might never be a need to move the gazebo anyway. | ||
| Dave Moderator Username: Dave Post Number: 5631 Registered: 4-1997 |
Where is the original of the statue located? | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 1900 Registered: 9-2003 |
The last time we passed the Gazebo (a week or so ago) it had lovely white lights and dried Christmas Wreaths on it. Since "the Holidays" are long past, perhaps we could at least update the look for spring? | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 2002 Registered: 5-2001 |
On tonight's agenda, I see the following: "An Ordinance to Exceed the Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits and to Establish a Cap Bank" Can someone please explain what this is? Why are we exceeding municipal budget limits instead of cutting spending? | ||
| Allan J Rosen Citizen Username: Allanrosen Post Number: 153 Registered: 4-2003 |
Mhd: The state cap on municipal increases is 2 1/2%. The town is allowed to increase the cap increase by ordinance by 1% to 3 1/2% (pertains to expenditures within caps). Whether one likes it or not with wages and salaries going up by 4% it is necessary to pass this ordibabce or cut positions and services considerably. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 2005 Registered: 5-2001 |
...Or not shift a significant portion of the Administrator's salary to a tenured position....or not pay a "stipend" and a pension to the Trustees...or not pay $1.2 million to subsidize the quarry developer....or not take Shop Rite off the tax rolls until a due diligence is done....or not provide a tax break to Beifus...or not send out a "State of the Village Report" which is s duplicate of the nonsense in the "Gaslight"........ etc etc etc. C'mon, Dr. Rosen....there are plenty of opportunities to cut spending without cutting positions or services. We are really tired of those "scare tactics". Let's show some creativity for a change instead of continually bloating the budget with fat and waste. | ||
| singlemalt Supporter Username: Singlemalt Post Number: 856 Registered: 12-2001  |
Wow MHD, we are in complete agreement!  Maybe I'll see you tonight at the meeting. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 1065 Registered: 6-2001 |
I am up way too late tonight. But I have to chime in. That Allan cites the choice between CUTTING services while there is an ordinance that will INCREASE population (on the same agenda) as justification for this resolution is just silly! I wish I'd had time to read MOL or at least read the online agenda before tonight's meeting. But, as I suspected, it was just business as usual. At least Dr. Rosen acknowledges the public and asks that their questions be addressed. | ||
| Allan J Rosen Citizen Username: Allanrosen Post Number: 154 Registered: 4-2003 |
Mhd: I understand your frustration but none of the items you mention affect this year's budget. And funding the DMRC, which I favor,will increase it. Bets: The ordinace, tabled last night to April 11, which would "increase population" will result in a decrease of village taxes which would otherwise have to be raised. | ||
| singlemalt Supporter Username: Singlemalt Post Number: 857 Registered: 12-2001 |
Allan, What a great meeting last night! I wish you luck in finding the person(s) who will be responsible for picking up trash downtown if/when funding the DMRC takes place. As you said, today there is only a person in the morning but who knows; maybe we can have someone all day! How exciting! Based on the agenda and time we had last night, your concern after such a great presentation could not be more warranted. Who cares about passing the recommendations of the DMRC when we don't know who will pick up the trash! Whew, glad you got that one out there for us all to consider. Can you request that Bill make the trash person(s) concern a line item on the agenda for April 11? I agree that based on the number of recommendations made by the DMRC, the trash pickup person is by far the most important. Thank you for making sure we spent so much valuable time discussing. Hopefully we can get at least an hour on this subject next time. Also, thanks for asking John to whip out that laptop without notice. That little stunt allowed Mr. President an opportunity to provide a well earned 15 minute break and provided you and John a stage for the next hour. It was such a light agenda we didn't need to rush. Afterall, there are always standing room only crowds at your meetings anyway. Thank you again for allowing me to spend a weeknight away from my family to listen to these important matters facing our village. I can't believe I get another chance on April 11 to do the same! We are so lucky! I hope you take the lead once again with your excellent time management skills and bring the important issues up for discussion as you proved you are capable of last night. We are all in debt. See you April 11 and remember to bring a pillow, blanket and pot of coffee. | ||
| Two Sense Citizen Username: Twosense Post Number: 49 Registered: 7-2004 |
Gross knew he would be asked to present his PILOT analysis at the BoT meeting. That he clearly did NOTHING to cobble together an understandable presentation, or even plan to plug in his laptop, speaks volumes about the obvious disdain he has for the public he's paid so handsomely to serve. |
