Bond Repeal Tabled, More from Council

A move to repeal an old senior center bond ordinance was tabled indefinitely Monday night at the request of the administration.

The $4.3 million in funding was not needed after a developer built a new senior center with private funding, but the money had since been nibbled at for various items to carry out relocation of the center from rented space to the new building and to furnish it. The city was also using some of the money to pay condo fees at the the new building. Plaintalker's preview on the ordinance is here.

Among other items, the council approved establishment of a task force on functioning of the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority and named four members to it. Councilman William Reid voted "no" on both resolutions. The group is expected to report back to the governing body in four months with recommendations.

The council also passed resolutions renewing various liquor licenses, including two that were the subject of hearings last week. Among other special conditions, Pueblo Viejo and Clinton Deli must have armed security guards from dusk until closing. The council had set 2 a.m. as the release time for the guards at Pueblo Viejo, but changed it to 2:30 a.m. to ensure that all patrons leave the premises after closing. The bar has 400 or more patrons on peak nights, owner Taufik Palacios said last week.

In public comment, Sandra Taylor Williams took issue with her alleged treatment by Senior Center staff and complained that her grandson was not allowed at the center. Taylor Williams, who has frequently brought her concerns about the center to the council, said it is being run like a "Nazi boot camp" and if she does not get satisfaction from the governing body, she will go "to Trenton or Washington" for help.

Acting City Administrator David Kochel said a rule was being drafted that only seniors could go to the center, but Councilman Adrian Mapp and Councilwoman Bridget Rivers objected. Mapp said he hoped kids would not be barred from public places and Rivers said many seniors are taking care of grandkids.

Kochel mentioned children being there alone and Al Restaino, director of the Department of Administration, Finance, Health & Senior Services, said existing policies are being modified. He said it was his decision, not that of Senior Center Supervisor Sharron Brown, to exclude the child.

Former Councilwoman Joanne Hollis, now a Housing Authority commissioner, said when she was on the council, "kids had access to every part of the building."

The senior center is now located in a new building at 400 East Front Street, occupying the ground floor along with a veterans' center that has yet to be turned over to veterans as it is a sales office for 63 condos on three top floors. The center previously occupied leased space at 305 East Front Street.

Later in the meeting, Freeholder Linda Carter described a multi-generational building that her relatives visit in Arizona, and Mapp said it was "so important" that young people have access to the Plainfield center to talk and interact with seniors.

But a young man who said he listened to all the talk about potholes and such insisted the council had the issues all wrong.

"We need our own center," Isaac Wilkins said, mentioning gang activity and seeing 11-year-olds "smoking blunts."

He said gang members who called a truce came to a recent youth council meeting and asked what the city is doing for youth. Wilkins drew applause when he called a youth center "essential."

The meeting ended on an odd note after Council President Annie McWilliams refused to let Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs speak in response to comments by resident Bob Darden. The two have clashed before over protocol at council meetings where the president is in charge. After adjournment, the mayor directed videographer Brian Cox to put the camera on her. Amidst the hubbub of people leaving the room, her comments could not be heard well, but she concluded by saying "Good night, Plainfield."

Council meetings are televised on local access channels, Comcast Channel 34 and Fios Channel 96. The Plainfield Cable Television Advisory Board has a link on the city web site for more information.

--Bernice