Important Meetings This Week

There are several important meetings this week. here is the lineup:

April 15 - City Council regular meeting, 8 p.m. in Municipal Court.

If the council approves a "payment in lieu of taxes" transfer to a new owner, 96 residents of Liberty Village in the Fourth Ward will receive amenities including electrical and plumbing upgrades, a community room with computer stations and a card-operated laundry room with 8-10 new machines. The PILOT program dates back to 1979 but must be amended. The prospective new owners, Liberty Village Estates Urban Renewal, intends to pay 10 percent of its annual gross shelter rents to the city instead of the current 6.28 percent. The Housing Authority of Plainfield has the right of first refusal to the sale, but HAP Director Randall Wood stated on April 7 that the authority did not have the $9.2 million to buy the property..

April 15 - Special PMUA meeting, 3 p.m. at 127 Roosevelt Ave.

canceled April 16 - "The First 100 Days" - Mayor Mapp and administration report, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Anne Louise Davis Room, Plainfield Public Library

April 17- Planning Board meeting with Muhlenberg application to relocate satellite emergency department, 7 p.m. in Anne Louise Davis Room at Plainfield Public Library.

Google image

The satellite emergency department would be relocated from the closed Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center building to the Kenyon Building at the corner of Park & Randolph.

The property was subdivided in 2007 (Park & Randolph at lower left on this tax map image). Although activists suspect JFK Health System's next move will be a renewed push to place 600 apartments on the largest parcel, that is not part of this application. However, the Planning Board meeting includes a general comment portion for the public to speak on non-agenda items. Here is the Muhlenberg legal notice.

April 17 - Budget deliberations, Public Affairs & Safety (Police and Fire), 7 p.m. in City Hall Library.

The council and its 2014 Citizens Budget Advisory Committee (Michael Horne, Lydia Sumner-Jones, Delois Dameron, Mustapha Muhammad, Jan Massey, Rashid Burney and Richard Stewart) meet to discuss the two  divisions that make up most of the budget.

Good luck to everybody that wants to keep up with these important meetings. 

--Bernice

Passover Greetings

Chag Sameach

to all our friends and neighbors

who are observing

Passover

What Do We Want For Plainfield?

The flood of comments to a post on Tuesday appears to have been a fluke, but still the tone of many indicates the need for honest talk about Plainfield.  What kind of city do we have, and is it the kind of city we want?

I have lived here for more than 30 years now, and as a reporter I got to interact with perhaps many more parts of the community than most residents. The majority of Plainfielders, of whatever race or class, get along as neighbors and have a common interest in the betterment of the city. In block associations and other organizations, diverse individuals have no problem joining together for the common good.

But in recent years, I have observed an increase in people drawing distinctions and getting off in their own ideological corners. I think the public comment portion of many City Council meetings would bear that out. Some speakers see plots where there are none. Others fling characterizations that do not exist in fact.

My hope had been earlier this year that the proposed revival of the Human Relations Commission and the Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs might foster greater understanding among city residents in all four wards and of all ethnic backgrounds. However, I have not seen any meeting schedules for these organizations so far (nor for several new boards and commissions). Most of us are very busy with work and family and though we may try to advance harmony in our personal interactions, it is up to some of these appointed groups to take on the general task of helping us all get along.

I hope we will soon hear from these organizations and what they are doing to promote good will among Plainfielders. Many people choose to live here specifically because it is a diverse population, but once factions arise and start drawing lines in the sand, diversity is no longer a good thing. If people feel forced to take sides and show solidarity by condemning "the other," the city suffers.

Perhaps later this year we shall see more of a movement to embrace what we have in common as Plainfielders and leave off the negative race and class distinctions that separate us. Let it be so.

--Bernice

More Meetings

Here is an updated post on April meetings with two additions.

PMUA Proposes Help for Pool Owners

Property owners who have swimming pools may be able to fill them without incurring a water charge, Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority Executive Director Dan Williamson said at Tuesday's board meeting.

Williamson said the authority plans to purchase five meters which will measure the flow, so pools can be filled and owners will not be charged.

At present, sewer bills are based on summer water usage and residents have complained that use of pools or sprinklers distorts household water use. Commissioner Charles Eke recalled a meeting on the topic "in 2007."  Plaintalker covered a 2009 water issues meeting where officials discussed meters, although at the time the option offered was purchase of a $2,800 meter. The new option involves having PMUA use a meter to measure the flow needed to fill a pool over three to four hours.

Water use in underground sprinkler systems might be measured by a meter purchased by the property owner from the water company or by coming up with a flat credit for sewer fees from June 15 through the end of August, Williamson said.

Another option mentioned at the 2009 water issues meeting was changing to using winter water usage to establish sewer bills.

In other news, the authority is working on a shared services agreement with the Roselle Board of Education. Outside revenue was an early promise for the authority, but until recently there was none. Now the authority has contracts with several nearby municipalities for acceptance of bulky waste or Type 23 vegetative waste at the Rock Avenue transfer station.

Chief Financial Officer Duane Young reported that the budget was "$1 million to the good," but warned that the authority won't have $1 million extra every year.

Plans are proceeding for repairs to the Rock Avenue Interceptor, through which 50 percent of the city's waste stream passes. The 90-year old clay pipe is badly damaged, according to the latest PMUA newsletter. Twenty-two bidders picked up packets for the project and bid opening will take place on April 17. The repairs could cost between $1.1 to $1.4 million, according to the newsletter.

The PMUA will hold a special meeting at 3 p.m. on April 15 at 127 Roosevelt Avenue.

--Bernice

Many Meetings Coming Up

The last half of April will be jammed with public meetings, with some yet to be announced.

Here is a lineup:

April 15 - City Council regular meeting, 8 p.m. in Municipal Court.

New - April 15 - Special PMUA meeting, 3 p.m. at 127 Roosevelt Ave.

New - April 16 - "The First 100 Days" - Mayor Mapp and administration report, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Anne Louise Davis Room, Plainfield Public Library

April 17- Planning Board meeting with Muhlenberg application to relocate satellite emergency department, 7 p.m. in Anne Louise Davis Room at Plainfield Public Library.

April 17 - Budget deliberations, Public Affairs & Safety (Police and Fire), 7 p.m. in City Hall Library

April 22 - Budget deliberations, Economic Development, IT & Media, Health Division, Purchasing Division, 7 p.m. in Anne Louise Davis Room, Plainfield Public Library.

April 22 - Historic Preservation Commission, 7:30 p.m. City Hall Library

April 23 -Budget deliberations, Public Works & Urban Development, Inspections, Recreation, and General Government, Office of the Mayor, 7 p.m, Anne Louise Davis Room, Plainfield Public Library

April 24 - City's Muhlenberg Study group takes citizens' comments, 7 p.m. Clinton School

April 28 - City Council and Citizens Budget Advisory Committee, 7 p.m. City Hall Library

April 29 - City's Muhlenberg Study group takes citizens' comments, 7 p.m. Emerson School

The City Council may be holding one or two special meetings, to be announced.

Check the banner on the city web site for more information

Spring Sights

The flower beds in front of City Hall have been cleaned and mulched. The Knockout Roses and Coreopsis are trimmed. The Yews are showing signs of growth. All in all, it is an inviting sight. Public Works Director Eric Jackson and Public Works Superintendent John Louise carried out the renovation last year with advice from the Plainfield Garden Club, the Historic Preservation Commission and the Shade Tree Commission. Last April's view shows the work in progress.

On Park Avenue, David Holmes III (aka Chef D) gives a nod to the season with this colorful window display at his "It's-A-Wrap" restaurant.

Next door, David Holmes Jr. welcomes customers to The Computer Store with this tasteful window display. Both stores set an example for others in the Park & Seventh shopping district with their eye-catching windows.

Outside the chiropractic office in the next block, the heather is in bloom. This owner landscaped his front lawn when he took over the historic former dental office and is careful to maintain it. It gives plant lovers a little extra boost to see this harbinger of spring, and even passersby who don't know it's heather can appreciate the lovely flowers.

Still on the to-do list: Putting back signs such as this one that were damaged in the severe winter. 

The sign above warns truck drivers about the height of the railroad underpass on Watchung Avenue. Many a truck has gotten wedged under here even with the warning sign, but maybe replacing it should still be near the top of the to-do list.

The interesting sign here is the one for Union County College superimposed over one for the former Thul's automotive store. The college is expanding its presence in Plainfield, a welcome indication of support as the city pumps up its transit-oriented development initiatives.

We are promised a couple of really nice days this week. Get out and about and see your own signs of spring in the Queen City!

--Bernice