A Father's Dilemma

Discussion at Wednesday's Zoning Board of Adjustment veered off land use rules for a while when a new city resident explained why he needed a fence.

For this blog post, the person's name and exact location don't matter, but his issues do. As a father of a young boy, he wanted to protect his son from the sight of drug deals. As a property owner, he wanted to avoid a recurrence of finding a stranger in his yard, trying to enter the home. The incidents had led him to put up the fence, he said.
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But the fence he put up was too high, according to the rules. It had to be removed. Board members suggested that the owner's surveillance cameras would be a deterrent, and said he should just call police if he saw drug activity.

The look on the applicant's face indicated a struggle in his thoughts. As a new resident, he felt his neighbors would know he was the one who called police and he didn't want any trouble, he said.

Don't be afraid to call the police, a board member said.You have a right to have these issues addressed.

In public comment, a neighbor spoke in support of the applicant, saying someone walks a Rottweiler on the block and the fence was needed because the dog owner could barely control the dog. A city resident said the owner should just move. Another neighbor said the ordinance had to be upheld.

In the end, the owner saw there was no option but to remove the fence and maybe relocate it, although he would lose use of some safe outdoor play space for his child. The board members were gentle but firm. Allowing this variance would "open the floodgates" for front-yard fences all over the city, some said. The variance was denied.

As the father left, some members of the audience followed, perhaps to express sympathy or give advice. I did not follow, because I wasn't sure how to tell the story. Several board members had urged the man to call the police whenever he saw illegal activity. But one board member had agreed that neighbors might become confrontational if they knew he had called the police. Others had promised to alert the police director and council to the problems raised by the father.

The dilemma of whether to call police or not came up for me on Labor Day, when between 1 and 4 a.m. people carried on a long argument in the driveway. There is a resident in the building next door who has a constant stream of visitors who yell for her to let them in to her place. One very belligerent man started yelling and cursing when she wouldn't toss out the key to the building's front door. He would leave, then return for more arguing. My windows open onto the driveway, so the noise kept me up for three hours. I always hesitate to call about quality of life issues, thinking the police need to deal with crime first, or that the incident would be over before police could get there.

Coincidentally, Mayor Adrian O. Mapp dealt with the issue of calling police in his Friday online newsletter. If you received it, take a look. There is even a chart of what details to note so you can provide police with precise information on the perpetrator (s). I have made those calls, it's the noise or suspicious person calls that I hate to make, in case I become that old lady on Block 832 who calls and the people are always GOA - gone on arrival. I think that might have been part of the dad's dilemma as well.

Somehow we all have to step it up and turn the tide on crime as well as those, uh, chronic problems like the students who smoke weed during and after school hours behind the garages next door. And that guy living in a car in the parking lot off Park Avenue, and ... you get the idea.

--Bernice

Mantises Getting Ready For Next Generation

It's getting to be time for the Praying Mantises to mate. The female will then create an egg case for next year and this year's group will die as the weather turns cold. Click on images to enlarge.

Here are two males. They are smaller than the females and very slender. 

I was trying for a back-lit shot of this Cosmos when I noticed some skinny legs.

Seen from the other side - Another male Mantis, not too well disguised.

Here's the female, just hanging out in the Butterfly Bush. Click to enlarge and see those long antennae.

Mantis vs. big bumble bee. Those front legs grab and hold prey very well.

It was encouraging to see all this activity. It means we are likely to have another generation of mantises on Block 832 next spring.

--Bernice

Taking A Fatigue Day

The heat and all my itchy afflictions have done me in. I might post in the a.m. if I can.

--Bernice

Omega Psi Phi Town Hall Friday

In case you can't read the fine print, this event is Friday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. in Washington Community School. 

New Design Launches South Avenue Project

Too big in July, a revised South Avenue project was just right for approval at Wednesday's Zoning Board meeting.

The applicant, 1369-1403 South Avenue LLC, reduced the number of apartments from 19 to 15 and increased the number of parking spaces to 31 instead of 26. The new design will allow PMUA trucks to access a trash bin behind the building. In July the developer sought approval to line up trash containers at the front curb for pickup. (See the July post here.)

The biggest change is addition of a 40- by 70-foot roof garden for residents, which generated a lot of discussion about safety features such as round-top railing so nothing could be set on the rail and fall off. Zoning Board of Adjustment Vice Chairman Alejandro Ruiz also suggested running a gas line to the roof for grilling, so residents would not use propane or charcoal. The board questioned the height of the railing - 42 inches - and the size of the parapet to which it would be attached. Architect James Guerra said 42 inches was "code," or standard for such railings.

Architect James Guerra

The retail portion on the ground floor will be larger in the revised plan, but the owners have not signed retail tenants yet, so couldn't name any. Board Chairman D. Scott Belin asked for a timeline for construction and the answer was the project will be complete in a year.

Perhaps a good sign for the project Wednesday was the absence of Dairy Queen owner Donna Albanese, who strongly objected to the project in July. The lot is next to her business and she predicted that tenants would be parking there, as none is allowed concerns on South Avenue. The new parking formula allows 1.8 spaces per tenant, which may have allayed her fears.

The board had a few concerns. Jim Spear sought assurances that a den or study in each apartment would not become a second bedroom and lead to overcrowding. Members wanted the owner to stipulate that only residents and no third parties could use the roof garden and that all furniture would be secured so it wouldn't blow off in a storm. They asked the architect to name all materials to be used on the exterior.

The project team had waited two hours to be heard, as there were four memorializations and three other applications ahead of theirs. But once all the changes were described, the hearing went quickly.

--Bernice 

Council Hears Plainfield Rescue Squad's Status, Needs

About half the members of the Plainfield Rescue Squad came to Tuesday's City Council meeting to back up board president Sue Kessen, who gave an update on the squad's status and pitched for some help from the governing body.

"The administration is up and running stronger than ever," Kessen said, noting "updated processes and procedures, rules and regulations adapted to today's world." The 30-member squad has significantly reduced "out of service" incidents and can get multiple crews on the streets as needed, Kessen said.

The city squad has "bridged communications" with the Union County EMS that also serves Plainfield, Kessen said. (The county service began five years ago, three years after Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center in Plainfield closed, meaning longer ambulance trips to other hospitals in Edison, Somerville or Summit.) Kessen said having both EMS agencies in town "is a benefit to the citizens of Plainfield."

Another benefit is the Plainfield Rescue Squad's cadet program,which can lead young people to careers as police officers, doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, lawyers, paramedics and firefighters. In addition, the squad offers CPR training with eight instructors for other emergency services as well as community and religious organizations.

The answer to what the council can do for the Plainfield Rescue Squad was two-fold: Increase communication and help with obtaining grants, especially for improved radio technologies. Council President Cory Storch, who heads a social service agency, told Kessen he would talk to the squad about three possibly helpful foundations. One opportunity to collaborate just passed, but Police Director Carl Riley said there is a plan to help with networking technology, possibly operational by October.

Storch also presented Kessen and the squad with a resolution of thanks from the council. It was supposed to be presented at next week's regular meeting, but the idea was to spare the squad from having to attend a second meeting.

Donations may be sent to the Plainfield Rescue Squad, 700 West 7th St., Plainfield NJ 07060

Dean Announces "Black Men Run For All Lives"

Instead of the Black Friday consumer frenzy this year, Pastor Paul Dean is proposing that "Black Men Run" into their future.

Pastor Paul Dean

At Tuesday's City Council meeting, Dean was given time for a unity message which turned out to be an invitation to take part in a 5K run on Nov. 25.

"Since 1697 black men have been running for their freedom. It’s 2016 and black men are still running for their freedom. With all the senseless killings taking place and higher percentage of black men in prisons, our black men have become victims of wrongful deaths and violence. It’s time to encourage the men to run the race of life and finish their purpose without their lives being cut short," a flier for the event reads.

The city has suffered eight homicides this year, mostly young men.

The run is planned from 8 a.m. to noon, starting in Cedar Brook Park, and Dean aims for 5,000 runners. It is organized through Visions Community Development.Corporation, the not-for-profit organization that is also engaged in revitalizing the neighborhood around his church, Visions of God Family Worship on Leland Avenue.

A large number of congregants came to the council meeting to show their support and applauded wildly as Dean received assurances of support from the council.

City Clerk AJ Jalloh reminded Dean of the permit process for such events, but officials said they expected the process could be finished in time for a resolution granting permission to be added to the Sept.12 agenda.

As Dean emphasized the role of men, Councilwoman Bridget Rivers said, "Women can't run?" Dean pointed out the fine print on the flier that said, "All men, women and children are welcome."

Dean's group is seeking vendors and musicians as well as participants. Click here to see the invitation.

--Bernice