Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Borough Council Workshop/Meeting 8-18-09


Following a noticeable absence from Borough Council meetings, Councilman Mendes made an appearance from his podium bringing along his own agenda. He commenced with using his podium as a stage for his agenda. Councilman, we all know Matawan's Police Department is second to none. Most residents are aware the Main Street building needs repair. It is easy to elaborate on the details of which we are well aware....over and over again. BUT, where is the "sound financial plan." In other words, to take a quote from the movies, "SHOW ME THE MONEY." Hey, if it is good enough for Cuba Gooding, the actor, it is good enough for Matawan residents. It is high time for Borough Council members to stop grand standing and start rolling up their sleeves and work together. Isn't that what we elected them to do? This includes the Mayor. C'mon Council, let's get on with business (not personal business, oops!) and the financial aspects of the Borough! By the way, isn't Councilman Joseph Urbano Chairperson of the Police Department? Isn't Councilman Mendes Chairperson of Fire and Safety? Shouldn't Mendes have discussed his concerns with the Chairperson of the Police Department, Councilman Urbano. This is why people get disgusted with politics. Let's quit the petty nonsense and "T.C.B."
Councilman Mullaney has started his campaign very early. Hey, but that's okay, if he would at least be consistent. As we recall Mullaney voted against the introduction of the Budget. Now at this past meeting he voted for amending the Budget, which included the $105,000. in State Aid. Can someone explain the change? Why the flip/flop? Quite a change from the "spend, spend, spend" Councilman Mullaney of years past. And who was voting to spend money knowing Matawan was working with a deficit Budget, you guessed it, the same Councilman Mullaney.
Police Department - An appearance by Chief Alston of Matawan's Police Department was a little confusing to residents. During the public portion, the Police Department requested a meeting with the Borough Council to discuss data that was given to the Council prior to the meeting. No mention was made as to what the data entailed. Is this the usual procedure for communication? A little puzzling to the residents.
With election time around the corner, we would like to see Matawan's Borough Council rise above the petty politics and start working towards establishing a future financial plan for the Borough, start moving on planning for Redevelopment (to whatever extent is financially prudent), address the Matawan Dams problem, set realistic goals for the Water/Sewer Department (which seems in progress), infrastructure (again set realistic, financially prudent) goals, get a plan for a financially prudent plan for our Police and Fire Department requirements and seek out Grants to help defray the cost of any and all Matawan's goals. Let's stop the back-biting Council and work together. Keep in mind election time is drawing closer. Any Council member who does not consider the needs of the Community at large, instead of their own personal needs, should consider looking elsewhere for our vote!
Hope to see you at the next Council meeting......keeping in mind we only have two a month, it would behoove residents to try to attend at least one.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't get me wrong - Matawan's police department does a great job but since Matawan is small, perhaps we should consider merging our police department with Aberdeen? That may cut down on expenses/taxes and then we may not even need to worry about the building repairs. Just a thought...

matawan advocate said...

Matawan merging with Aberdeen would have no benefit to Matawan. We think a merge with several towns or boroughs, i.e. Hazlet, Keyport,could be to Matawan's advantage. If and only if, Matawan maintains its current Police Dept. with the same # of officers. Merely, sharing the cost with other towns and centralizing the chain of command. Perhaps a County force with local Police Depts. under their financial umbrella. Matawan can't possibly keep up with the rising cost of the Board of Education and Municipal expenses for much longer. Something has to be done.

Thanks for your comments.

Anonymous said...

The police dept. merger comment was sparked by something I read a few months ago and I can't remember where I read it but a town somewhere in NJ did some sort of analysis on cost savings achieved by utilizing the police department of a neighboring town instead of maintaining their own police dept. The mayor really didn't think it would save much but when they ran the figure, it was extremely substantial. With our taxes through the roof and our dire financial situation, I just thought all things should be considered.

Anonymous said...

Board of Education is the problem with the taxes. Period. Look at the pie chart you get with your taxes. The municipal budget is nothing compared to the Board of Education. Also a merger with Aberdeen was studied years ago. It went south when the study was going to put 1 officer to patrol the entire Borough of Matawan. Leave the police alone and exert some efforts toward consolidating the school district.

matawan advocate said...

We have said it before and we will say it again, the Union will never go for consolidation. Never underestimate the power of the Teachers Union. We do agree the Board of Education is the big ticket item when it comes to property taxes. However, in the Municipal Budget the Police Dept. is the largest Budgeted line item.

Have any studies been done on how many illegal aliens have children (who are not citizens by birth) in the school system? Just curious.

Thanks for your comments, we agree.

Anonymous said...

Yes they are the big ticket item that protects us 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year. They don't get summer breaks or days off for every holiday for every faith. They don't get snow days or "heat" days. How about that 5 man road department with millions of dollars of unused new equipment? All of the services that they were responsible for, are now given to outside companies that the borough pays for. They now plow snow, drive a salt truck for about an hour a day if it is even necessary, fill pot holes, and one employee works the street sweeper. Talk about a waste of money. The new unused equipment, the property used to for the garage, the employees that salaries that there jobs have been outsourced, and the benefits that are paid for. Plenty of other places in the borough to cut or consolidate then the police department. Oh and what about the new fire truck that apparently has been approved or about to be approved? Where we getting that money? Arent there enough fire trucks and buildings in this town?

Anonymous said...

Wow! That last comment sounds like it came from one of our $100,000 a year cops! Must be getting a little nervous, the gravy train might be pulling into the station!

Anonymous said...

On the topic of Mullaney starting his campaign I have good info that he has approached Dean Georgatos to run for council. Is he FOR REAL!!!! This guy doesn't even vote, salute the flag or celebrate the 4th of July!

matawan advocate said...

To date the ballot still reads, Joseph Mullaney and Michael Cannon. Haven't seen any changes so far. We will believe it when we see it in writing.

matawan advocate said...

In addition to the previous reply on Mullaney/Cannon ballot, for the record, our votes are going to the Lopez/Angelini ballot. Matawan needs some new faces on its Borough Council. People who only care about the best interests of Matawan, who pay property taxes and who are aware of the problems of the parents of Matawan.

Anonymous said...

I still find it mind boggling that we have so many illegal people here that utilize our school system and our health system, all at taxpayer expense and yet we cannot do anything about it. Many illegal day laborers hang in that 7/11 lot, trying to get someone to hire them for the day. So, they work, they don't pay taxes and yet they utilize taxpayer funded programs. I find it shameful when I see people hiring them for the day. They may get cheap labor for the day but we're all subsiding their existence here and it's just not right. Anyone that picks up a day laborer should be fined. It's amazing that we cannot do anything to address this situation. This country is comprised of immigrants but there is a right way to come here and a wrong way to come here. My grandparents had to follow the rules, why shouldn't they? We're rewarding bad behavior and actually encouraging it by not addressing it. I get so fired up every single time I drive on Main Street. The loitering and soliciting has turned a place with a lot of potential into a slum. I don't even consider patronizing the businesses there because of what that area has become and I'm sure others feel the same way so legitimate businesses suffer too.