Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Council Highlights

With only eight resolutions and two ordinances, Tuesday's meeting was over in less than half an hour. A group of latecomers ended up chatting with Councilman William Reid outside Municipal Court for a while.

Some highlights from the meeting:

- Councilman Cory Storch questioned why an African-Caribbean committee should now become a commission. Corporation Counsel David Minchello explained that an African-Caribbean commission would have standing as a city organization, members would be appointed by the mayor with advice and consent of the council and the commission could potentially have a budget for its work.

Storch noted the committee has been meeting for a year on its own and expressed concern about forming another commission. He said a Hispanic commission was not functioning, nor were several others.

The ordinance to form the commission will be up for a public hearing, second reading and final passage at the Sept. 9 meeting.

- The other ordinance up for final passage next week is one to form a Community Emergency Response Team that can be activated when needed by the Office of Emergency Management. The program was unveiled on National Night Out. Members take training an numerous aspects of emergency response. To learn more, click here.

- The council will amend a prior approval for a festival on Sept. 13, 14 and 15 to comply with restrictions put on one to be held on Sept. 6, 7 and 8, namely to shut off music at 9 p.m. and to close down at 10 p.m. rather than 11 p.m. as previously allowed.

- The city will hold a tax lien sale on Oct. 10 to recoup back taxes and PMUA payments from 2012.

The regular meeting is 8 p.m. Sept. 9 in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.

--Bernice


2 comments:

  1. I read on the New Jersey Monthly website this month that Plainfield came in at 492 cities/towns out of 514. So, roughly 96% of New Jersey's towns appear to rate better than Plainfield. No doubt anyone or everyone might take issue with the magazine's methodology or the magazine itself...but, really, 492 out of 514? Rather than hearing status quo ordinances maybe our city political and leadership folks might take a deep breath, acknowledge that whatever this city has been doing during the past few decades has been less than inspiring, and then set out to lead. identify where the city wants to be (presumably not number 492), and then implement changes to achieve that goal.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous 9:24 I agree. Though I don't agree with alot of the polls that rank cities, due to the vague and esoteric methodology. I do believe we in Plainfield need to realize that we can improve on what we are doing. We have to admit it is time to do things differently. Please visit my website www.putplainfieldfirst.com and review my views. You may agree with some, disagree with others, or have suggestions. I ask that we consider doing things differently in hopes of building a better Plainfield.
    D. Scott Belin.

    ReplyDelete