Taxi Licenses Improved, Liquor Licenses Up

City Clerk Abubakar Jalloh has developed a new, tamper-proof plastic ID card for taxi drivers.

The card replaces a paper document with a photo affixed, a less secure form of ID.

"It's more efficient, more accountable and will serve as another source of revenue as we increase the fees," Jalloh said.

The city has experienced a boom in the taxi industry in recent years, increasing the workload in the Clerk's office.

Both taxi owners and drivers must register with the city. An ordinance increasing fees is on Monday's agenda.

The city is also preparing to increase fees for liquor licenses. There are more than 30 establishments where liquor is available for sale or consumption in Plainfield, many being "grandfathered" in to state requirements for a certain proportion per population. (See a 2008 post here.)

Acting as the local Alcoholic Beverage Control board, the City Council approves or denies license renewals each year. The state sets a schedule of fees for renewals, and municipalities that are not at the maximum can increase fees. Click here to see a handbook on all the ABC laws.

The issue of having so many bars, clubs and liquor stores has been a sore point in the city for many years. Keeping fees to the maximum allowable is one thing the city can do to offset the burden on the Clerk's office in the annual renewal process.

--Bernice

What's Missing?

I was admiring some of the stonework on the front of City Hall last week when I noticed something was missing.

The exterior had undergone a restoration last year that took several months. The facade was cleaned and looks much nicer.

But what happened here? The numbers "515" that locate City Hall on Watchung Avenue are missing. Obviously they were removed for the cleaning and never put back.

Time to check around and see what became of them.

There is a lot of interesting imagery around the front of City Hall. Most people enter from the rear parking lot, but if you get a chance, check out the detail on the front of the building.

--Bernice

Sunshine Week Coming Up

Plainfield City Clerk Abubakar Jalloh is letting the sun shine in City Hall.

Appointed on Feb. 14, Jalloh has taken steps to increase the amount of public information online and has plans to do more. Besides the City Charter and several forms, there are now lists of resolutions and ordinances under the Information/Downloads section of the city's web site.

His goal is to have the entire Municipal Code online in a searchable form. Visitors who want to check the code currently have to look through two very large binders kept in the Clerk's office.

The same company that compiles and prints the Code will provide the electronic version that can be easily updated as new laws pass or those on the books are modified.

The City Council will be voting on a proclamation for Sunshine Week, March 13-19, described as "a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public's right to know."

Click here to see more about Sunshine Week.

--Bernice

A Timely Serenade

My trip to Fanwood Thursday was capped by catching the perfect tune for the day emanating from the street clock at the train station.

I had to walk close up to hear the chimes over traffic, but under the cerulean sky the song was "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)."

After all those gloomy days of snow and rain, I wanted to sing along!

--Bernice

Transit Village Designation Sought

The city is once again pursuing "transit village" designation, with the main train station and the Netherwood station as focal points, planning officials said Thursday.

Transit village talk goes back to 2006 and has surfaced at intervals since with no progress. Last month, Planning Board Chairman Ken Robertson and Planning Director William Nierstedt met with NJ Transit officials to discuss designation, they said. They are now encouraging Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs to show a commitment to the process, which has many requirements, including having a transit-related project ready to launch.

The City Council recently approved a payment in lieu of taxes plan that developer Frank Cretella said was necessary to gain financing for his plan to build 148 apartments and commercial space on the PNC Bank block. Nierstedt confirmed Thursday that the West Second Street Commons project, as it is called, would be the needed linchpin for transit village designation.

Here is a link to an overview of the Transit Village program. Linden recently became the 23rd designated transit village in the state. Click here to read about it.

In the early days of the mayor's first term, there was a notion of having four "transit villages." However, the designation goes to the city, not to train stations. The mayor wanted to restore two defunct train stations and use two active ones to make up the four locations. To read Plaintalker's post from April 2006, click here.

--Bernice

Condolences to Mother Carolyn

The pastor of Grace Episcopal Church, Mother Carolyn Eklund, has been a stalwart friend to Plainfield and a champion of causes such as the Save Muhlenberg campaign.

It is with great sadness that we learned of the sudden illness and passing of her husband, John.

Let us give our thoughts and prayers to Mother Carolyn in her time of loss.

Here is the notice of services.

--Bernice

Look!

I just saw something I have to share. Click here for a gorgeous photo and a gracious invitation.

--Bernice