| Author | Message | ||
     mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 490 Registered: 5-2001 |
For Monday's meeting, I see there is an agenda item regarding "BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR CLEANUP OF TOWNSHIP LAND IDENTIFIED AS BLOCK 1909, LOTS 1, 2, 3 AND 8." Does anyone know which site this actually is (i.e. street / location)? Also, I see that Don Shatz is being appointed as a "regular member" of the Planning Board. With his shameless vote to ABSTAIN on the Quarry after sitting through 20 Planning Board Meetings, what makes him qualified? Was he the only one who wanted the job? | ||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 5637 Registered: 4-1998  |
Just a guess: the Village Market site? | ||
| patjoyce Citizen Username: Patjoyce Post Number: 35 Registered: 7-2001 |
We have received some funding from Brownfields for the Market site. I believe this refers to another application for more funding to clean up that property. Patrick | ||
| Dan Shelffo Citizen Username: Openspacer Post Number: 72 Registered: 6-2001 |
Patrick, How much is the clean up expected to cost? Was the Village aware of the extent of the problem with this property before it acquired the property? Who has to pay for the cleanup that the funding from Brownfields does not cover? | ||
| patjoyce Citizen Username: Patjoyce Post Number: 36 Registered: 7-2001 |
The total clean-up is estimated at 1.5 million dollars. I was not on the BOT at the time it was acquired, but I would be surprised if any members of the BOT were aware of this at the time they voted to purchase the property. The property belongs to the Village, while the contract with the potential developer does call for the developer to pay for a small portion of the clean-up, the Village is liable for most of the cost of the clean up. patrick | ||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 404 Registered: 6-2001  |
Patrick, Acknowledging that your tenure on the board post-dated the acquisition, wouldn't such a substantial commercial real estate deal demand due diligence before a purchase was approved? What legal costs has the village accrued that are directly related to this property? Isn't it obvious that the attorney advising the board on this purchase was derelict and should be held accountable? How much more money will the counsel who advised that the village purchase the property be allowed to bill this village to represent the clean-up of the "brownfield"??? Is there any recompense available in a malpractice suit? Counsel is insured, I hope? | ||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 5643 Registered: 4-1998 |
Doesn't an environmental site inspection of a commercial property only cost about $15,000? Why wasn't one done prior to buying the property? In case people want to understand the hugeness of this mistake, here's a link to the Brownfield grants awarded to Essex County towns. Not one is even close to the $1.5 million number. In fact, the highest is for $204,000. The total awarded to the entire county is $1.9 million for 33 properties. We have one property that will require $1.5 million. I guess we know where the rest will come from. | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 491 Registered: 5-2001 |
Patrick - Thanks very much for the information. I agree this is outrageous and further evidence that the supermarket is not likely to be "Coming Soon" anytime soon. When this issue first came up a few years ago, the BOT was asked to simply let the forces of economics drive the old Shop Rite out of business. Instead, the Village decided to get into the real estate business without doing any due diligence, yet stating "what could go wrong"! How was the old Shop Rite allowed to exist on a contaminated site for all these years? Who is taking responsibility for this mess? | ||
| Washashore Citizen Username: Washashore Post Number: 96 Registered: 4-2003 |
Please see Bets' post of 11/8, 12:04 AM. She has eloquently stated what has been asked on MOL several dozen times before. WILL SOMEONE FROM THE BOT FINALLY TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM, AND ADMIT THAT THE ATTORNEY OF RECORD WAS DERELICT OF DUTY, INCOMPETENT, AT THE SAME TIME CONTINUING TO BILL THE VILLAGE AT $250-300/HOUR TO CLEAN UP THIS MESS THAT HE GOT US INTO IN THE FIRST PLACE. WILL SOMEONE FROM THE BOT - PERHAPS OUR VILLAGE PRESIDENT, WHO IS, STATUTORILY, RESPONSIBLE FOR HIRING, PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PLATE, ADMIT THAT THE TOWN ATTORNEY IS WOEFULLY DEFICIENT TO THE TASKS AT HAND, HAS COST THIS VILLAGE AND ITS RESIDENTS COUNTLESS MILLIONS OF TAX DOLLARS IN PROPERTY ACQUISITION, CONTAMINATED GOODS, LOSS OF COMMERCIAL TAX REVENUE, AND INCREASED TAXES TO PAY FOR ALL HIS MISDEEDS, WHILE ALSO BILLING THE VILLAGE, AND FIRE HIM, OR PUBLICLY STATE WHY NOT? And before the posters who love to claim that all I do is whine with negativity get a chance to post their comments, let me say right now in my own defense, that firing incompetence of the magnitude manifested over the last several years by Mr. Matthews IS a POSITIVE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, as we are unable to move forward with new legal competence and confidence until we free up Village tax money for that purpose now being squandered on him. | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 493 Registered: 5-2001 |
In looking through the BOT Meeting Minutes online, I found the following from November 20, 2000: #00-39- Bond Ordinance Providing for Capital Improvements in and by the Township of South Orange Village, in the County of Essex, New Jersey, Appropriating $2,300,000 Therefore and Authorizing the Issuance of $2,300,000 Bonds of Notes of the Township to Finance Part of the Cost Thereof. Trustee Steglitz explained for the public the purpose of this bond ordinance. He stated that the Village has to appropriate money for a condemnation action which is intended against the ShopRite site unless the Village and the owners of said property can agree upon the purchase of the property. He noted that a letter of intent of condemnation has been sent to the owners of the ShopRite site which outlined steps which will be taken by the Village if an agreement is not reached between the owners and the Village regarding the Village’s purchase of the said property. Trustee Steglitz and Village Counsel explained that New Jersey Courts require that money for the property be available at the time an agreement is negotiated or at the time the condemnation action is filed. Trustee Steglitz advised the public that once the Village owns the property, the Board will be looking for a developer or developers to purchase and develop the property. He noted that the amount of $2,300,000 is fair market value for the property. Lastly, Trustee Steglitz advised the public that this bond ordinance " is not going on the books for a long time" since this is not a bond issue. Rather, this will be a note issue until the Village finds a developer. He noted that this is new debt, however, it is a note or temporary borrowing. Trustee Rosen moved the ordinance on first reading, seconded by Trustee Steglitz. A roll call vote was taken by the Clerk and the motion carried with 6 affirmative votes from Trustees Robinson, Rosen, Rosner, Steglitz and Taylor. The Village Clerk announced that the ordinance passed on first reading. Note: It also passed unanimously on Second reading on Dec 11, 2000 Here we are 3 years later & I ASSUME we have been paying interest on these bonds for 3 years. How much has that cost us (not to mention the lost tax revenue on the site sitting idle for 3 years), plus the cost of remediating the contamination? | ||
| patjoyce Citizen Username: Patjoyce Post Number: 37 Registered: 7-2001 |
Bets - I assume your questions are rhetorical in nature. I would not discuss an employee's performance in this forum. I do believe I have a responsibility to get information out in this location, but policy debates should occur at a public meeting. I believe a major problem the Village faces is the lack of a meaningful evaluation process for its top level employees. I have asked in committee meetings that this issue be addressed (and it should be noted that Art Taylor and Mark Rosner have joined in those requests), but I have been told that I am naive and that as long as an employee has the backing of 4 members of the BOT their job is safe. I don't think we should rush to fire people, I just wish we could objectively evaluate their performance, keep politics out of the evaluation, and proceed accordingly. Patrick | ||
| nwyave Citizen Username: Mesh Post Number: 130 Registered: 1-2003 |
Being here only 2 years, I am still relatively new to how the town works and its economics - however, things seem to becoming clearer. If you add the lost ratable with Shop Rite, the debt service associated with it, the lost ratable from Midas (I believe its $25k per year) and the debt service associated with that, you start adding up to some serious money - especially on a compounding basis - and that is only with the property that the town has elected to purchase, not any of the other vacant spaces. | ||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 406 Registered: 6-2001 |
Patrick, I'm sorry to put you on the spot with my post. This thread took me by surprise and, admittedly, it pissed me off. The town has been lying about this property for years. I'm sick of it. I'm sorry to hear that incompetent performance will not be addressed because certain employees are protected by the majority. I'd advise those trustees to rethink their positions. This one will not slide under the radar of voters. I'd advise them to think long and hard before making any rash, ill-conceived decisions. You've been an honorable and positive trustee for this village; I'm sure that your colleagues on the board will listen to your counsel. Know that you have my vote in the next election, no matter who is run against you. We're lucky to have you. | ||
| nwyave Citizen Username: Mesh Post Number: 131 Registered: 1-2003 |
Mark\Patrick\Alan - do any of you guys know\have access to the following info: - the assessed value of Shop Rite in its current condition - i.e before it was condemmed - would like to know what the lost revenue is. - the assessed value of the Midas in its current condition -would like to know what the lost revenue is. I believe it is in the neighborhood of $25k, but would like to confirm - especially since the compounding effect of tax increases could mean that it is already in the area of $30k. - the actual debt service (principal & interest) cost in 2003 and projected in 2004 for the debt taken out for the Shop Rite program and Midas properties. Thanks, Erwin | ||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 407 Registered: 6-2001 |
I would like to add a question if I may: Why was the Midas site sold by the town and then re-purchased a month later at an increase of $100,000? | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 495 Registered: 5-2001 |
I find it amusing that Matthews was the most vocal opponent of putting Meeting Agendas online in advance - now we know why - I guess he was afraid of an honest dialog in a public forum about the issues that affect us all. I am very glad to see that the agendas ARE online & that people like Trustee Joyce, Rosen & Rosner respect the public enough to interact with us here. It is also good to see that the Village is ultimately trying to pursue a grant to pay for the cleanup of the Shop Rite site, so the taxpayers won't be burdended by the entire cost. However, it is now time for someone to come clean and provide accurate information on the status of this supermarket project. Saying it is "Coming Soon" and we are "in negotiations" just doesn't cut it. Is this Village ever going to see a new supermarket and if so, how much is is going to cost us & when will it open? | ||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 5647 Registered: 4-1998 |
soon | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 496 Registered: 5-2001 |
Dave, Sounds like you oughta run for Trustee.  | ||
| vermontgolfer Citizen Username: Vermontgolfer Post Number: 176 Registered: 12-2002 |
mhd, he can't run, he forgot the 'coming' before 'soon'. | ||
| Allan J Rosen Citizen Username: Allanrosen Post Number: 21 Registered: 4-2003 |
nwyave: The assessed value for the Midas property is $494,300. The assessed value for the ShopRite properties total to $2,365,400. Will pass on the rest of information as I can get it. Even though another thread, you should rethink your service on CBAC, as it is particularly critical now. The amount of advice heeded by the BoT is inversely proportional to the timing; i.e., if it is given before the Trustees have to act, there is an excellent chance it will be accepted. When I used to head up the Finance Committee years ago, we used to adopt in excess of 85% of advice given because we had reports prior to the time decisions had to be made. In the present instance, when decisions may have to be made re: cutting services (and/or positions), it would be particularly valuable to have input into what areas lend themselves most readily to sacrifice. If reports or criticism are only rendered after decisions have been taken, they start to resemble Monday morning quarterbacking. It's not easy, and it takes time to contribute, but it is worth it to the Village. |
