Remembering a February Storm

It was 20 years ago this month that I drove my daughter and son-in-law to the airport in a blizzard not unlike the one today. They were going to Seattle to search for an apartment. I picked them up in a rain storm when they returned, then later drove them to the airport again for their one-way flight to their new home town.

That experience of driving white-knuckled in white-out storm conditions on Route 22 led me to give up airport runs forever, once I had fulfilled my motherly duty to see them off on the third trip.

I feel sympathy for anyone who must drive in such bad weather. If at all possible, defer your trip to another day. At least you won't have to make an airport run today, as flights are grounded.

P.S. Audrey and Peter left Plainfield for Seattle without any prospects, but have done very well. I have visited often, and they are now waiting for me to fly one-way someday to join them in their West Seattle home.

No more nor'easters - it's a tempting thought on a day like today.

--Bernice

Meditation Center Clears Zoning Hurdle

Uses permitted in the Light Industrial Zone on North Avenue

It was a squeaker, but after some pondering the Zoning Board of Adjustment agreed a proposed meditation center at 1112-1118 North Avenue could be construed as a "health and fitness club."

Applicants Daniel Galczynski and Ruben Lambert waited through two hearings Wednesday for their turn to get an opinion from the board. Galczynski has a background in martial arts and physical education and Lambert holds a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. The premise of their center is to work toward mind and body wellness, a holistic approach considering a sound mind to be the foundation of all physical health.

The concept goes far back in both Eastern and Western philosophies, but is being rediscovered today. Type in "mind-body fitness" or "holistic wellness" online and literally millions of links pop up. But the Zoning Board discussion hinged on just one sentence, then just one word in the city's Land Use definition of a health and fitness club: "An establishment that provides facilities for physical exercises and/or saunas, showers and lockers." 

The bone of contention was "or." Were they planning to have showers?

"I'm all in favor of good hygiene," Lambert said, but noted the center would be non-profit.

As happens with the quasi-judicial board, the discussion went back and forth.

"If you have showers, you will fit the definition," board Chairman Scott Belin said.

Board member Melvin Cody suggested having a plumber in to get estimates on the cost of putting showers in the building, but board attorney Peter Vignuolo reined him back in to deciding whether the proposed use met the city's definition of a health and fitness club.

Board member Frank Johnson said showers were necessary, but colleague Alejandro Ruiz said most people want to do their 30 minutes of exercise and go home.

Belin said the applicants met the principle of health and wellness.

"Everything does not have to involve weights and Zumba," he said.

Planning Director Bill Nierstedt said if the board wanted to work on a new definition, it could do that too.

But Belin said even without a shower the proposal fit the definition of a fitness center.

When finally polled, the board split. Two motions followed, one that the proposal did fit the definition and one that it didn't. But each failed for lack of a second.

Belin had asked earlier about the "and/or" part of the definition and brought it up again, calling it "ambiguous." He reviewed the theme of physical exercise with meditation and said, "Each of us has his own interpretation" before offering a motion that the proposal did fit the definition of a health and fitness club. That motion led to a second, and the roll call produced unanimous approval.

Galczynski and Lambert will now have to appear before the Planning Board to discuss issues including parking, but at least they cleared the hurdle of defining their project. Given the proposed center's proximity to the Netherwood train station, Nierstedt suggested they might be interested in tonight's Planning Board meeting at which the new Transit-Oriented Development Netherwood zone will be on the agenda. Nierstedt said two other health and fitness clubs are proposed, at  1000 and 1280 North Avenue near the train station.

Galczynski said he and Lambert hope to have the Soshimsa Meditation Center open "as soon as possible." The format of mind and body wellness is "the gold standard of today," Lambert said. As for their expected clientele, it is "anybody who's interested."

--Bernice

ShotSpotter President Will Explain Tweaks

Six months after the expected end of a one-year ShotSpotter program, the gunshot detection system is still being tweaked, according to comments Monday from Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig.

Hellwig said eight more sensors are being added to the system, as shots are still being missed. The president of the California-based company is coming to Plainfield to explain how service will be improved, Hellwig said.

The ShotSpotter system was showcased in 2010 at a price of $1 million, but the governing body did not endorse use of the system until asked in August 2011 to approve a $169,000 lease option to be funded through a $250,000 grant. Even then, supporters had doubts. Click here for Plaintalker post on the approval.

In February 2012, Hellwig said the program had encountered difficulties including jurisdiction over use of utlity poles and had not yet begun operations (see post here). By April 2012, it was still being refined (link).

By August 2012, the program was still failing to detect shots (link here) and more "fine tuning" was needed.

On Monday, in addition to his updates, Hellwig said half the cost of the program had now been paid to the company.

His remarks were related to a report from Councilwoman Rebecca Williams, the 2013 chair of the council's Public Safety Committee. Williams noted establishment of a "High Impact Crime" team that will both walk and ride on patrol in areas identified through Comstat reports as experiencing high crime levels. In other public safety matters, six new radar units have been added and one or two of the city's constables wish to become auxiliary police officers.

--Bernice

PMUA: Double Bubbles of Troubles

The spearmint may lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight, but Plainfielders may never lose their urge to chew over PMUA issues.

Monday's City Council meeting featured PMUA Executive Director Dan Williamson getting his teeth into residents' questions, and then more than a mouthful of allegations of wrongdoing from PMUA critic Alan Goldstein. Dr. Yood will probably stick to the high points - after looking at my notes I feel I will only gum them up.

Seriously, the list of issues was so long and, to anyone here since PMUA began, so repetitive that it was largely an exercise in rumination. How are water usage rates calculated? (Based on last year's usage.) Why must we pay for shared services? (Because they benefit everyone.) Why pay ex-directors a million dollars? (Because three commissioners said so.)

Really seriously, Williamson did his best to cast the authority in a favorable light, citing a rate reduction that will start in April, new business from other municipalities that is bringing in revenue, a closer look at operations aimed at cutting costs and a willingness for ongoing dialogue with city officials.

By lowering rates to drop vegetative and bulky waste at the Rock Avenue transfer station, the PMUA is "trying to expand the horizon of the authority," he said.

Williamson said the authority is "making great strides in re-branding itself" and announced a possible tax credit for sewer fees in legislation proposed by Assemblyman Jerry Green.

Goldstein was not so sanguine and offered copious documentation disputing compensation for PMUA commisioners. PMUA attorney Leslie London said a court decision settled the matter of health benefits not being counted as compensation. The PMUA's five commissioners and two alternates receive $4,500, but Goldstein said they receive thousands more in benefits. His presentation was too detailed on many aspects of the PMUA's history to recount here, but he said the original agreement between the city and the authority was "subverted."

Councilwoman Rebecca Williams raised a new issue, the hiring of Harold Gibson as the authority's first director of security, over just four security officers. Gibson previously served in law enforcement in Essex County and held positions in both city and Union County government as well as elected office as a Plainfield councilman. Williamson could not state Gibson's salary Monday, but said, "We believe we need security."

Another new issue was removal of about 25 trash cans from downtown streets. Initially explained as a PMUA move to thwart illegal dumping, the matter was apparently more complicated as most of the cans belonged to the Special Improvement District program. Williamson said it was "an orchestrated agreement" to remove the cans as "it wasn't working." Several residents and council members complained that trash has increased since the cans were removed.

Amidst all this, the PMUA's annual reorganization is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at 127 Roosevelt Avenue, with selection of a chairman and other board officers for 2013.

Disgruntled residents called for disbanding of the authority in 2011 and a council majority endorsed a dissolution study in April 2012, but the administration proposed an alternate study in July 2012. For this year, the reorganization coincides with the Chinese Year of the Snake, so maybe the PMUA will just get "Wrigley" and "Stride" past controversy. (OK, that's the last chewing gum pun.)

--Bernice

July Fourth Discussion Needed

City Council President Bridget Rivers is on time with her request for a discussion Monday of plans for the 2013 July Fourth Celebration.

When there was an active Independence Day Committee years ago, plans began very early. One main organizer liked to say they started the day after the parade to plan for the next one. More recently, an ad hoc group has been planning the event and details on costs have not been freely shared with the governing body. An all-Plainfield committee was established by ordinance after outside towns stopped supporting a joint celebration, but memebrs were never named.

Click here for a past Plaintalker post that sums up some of the concerns about the annual celebration.

--Bernice

Council To Discuss Concession Stand, Condo Fees

Installation of a controversial concession stand is among topics up for discussion at Monday's City Council meeting.

The pre-fabricated structure cost $71,432, but an additional $19,275 was required for design and engineering work at the Joe Black Baseball Field. Now the governing body is asked to approve $96,050 to install the concession stand.

Council members and residents both deplored the cost when it was detailed last year. A resolution to pay $71,432 for the structure alone was brought on as a new item at a March 12, 2012 meeting and resurfaced in August, only to be tabled. It was finally passed on Nov. 26, 2012. Questions still remained on how the purchase was initially authorized.

The $96,050 contract to Tec-Con Contractors of East Orange is up for discussion Monday and will be voted on at the Feb. 13 regular meeting if moved to the agenda.

Another issue with a controversial background is the proposed payment of $33,000 to Dornoch Plainfield LLC for condo association fees for the Senior Center. The center is on the ground floor of The Monarch, a 63-unit condo development at 400 East Front Street. Touted as a brand-new center built at no cost to the city, the center was later the subject of a bill from the developer for fit-out costs and condo fees. The $287,371.97 tab was never paid in April 2010 and was said in mid-2012 to still be under negotiation.

The payment up for consideration now is for 2013 condo association fees at the rate of $2,750 per month.

If the matter was never settled, the city could be liable for $104,500 in arrearages for condo fees from Nov. 2009 through 2012.

The city also has another condo arrangement for the Tepper's basement. Click here for an April 2010 post on that one.

Dr. Yood has already commented on the three discussion items and other matters up for consideration Monday. Click here to see the entire Feb. 4 agenda.

Join the blogger band and come out to Municipal Court at 7:30 p.m. Monday to see your elected representatives in action.

--Bernice

Cretella Adds A New Project

Developer Frank Cretella has a new project to add to the 10 already on his to-do list. It's a long-neglected office building next to the main train station, which he plans to transform into eight apartments.

His application to renovate the building at 109 East Fourth Street was before the Zoning Board of Adjustment in January and the hearing will continue at the board's February meeting, 7 p.m. Wednesday in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave.

Unlike some of his other projects, the building owned by an eponymous limited liability corporation is not in a designated redevelopment area. It doesn't have a whimsical corporate name, like "Next Step to Collins Avenue," another Cretella project with eight apartments and a planned French bistro at ground level on Park Avenue. Because the East Fourth Street building takes up its whole footprint, it lacks yard space and has other issues that the board is discussing with the developer.

It also has some other challenges, as it has been a target for squatters. On Friday, the front door was open and waving in the stiff wind. I did not have my cell phone with me, but planned to contact police when I got home. By chance, there was a police car nearby in the train station driveway, so I told the officer that the building was unsecured. She said people are in and out of the building often. The huge chain and lock that  gave the appearance of security were just dangling on one side of the open door Friday.

Cretella has received approvals for a number of projects, both renovations and new construction, though not all have yet come to fruition. The "Next Step to Collins Avenue" building is now known as the Courier News building, in a nod to its historic use. Click here to read a February 2012 post about its renovation. Another project on the same block but on the West Second Street side is expected to bring 148 apartments to the downtown.

Cretella's company, Landmark Developers, has descriptions of some local development proposals, including the West Second Street project. Take a look here (click on Development, then on Building Green).

--Bernice