Matawan Borough Council Mtg Update

Borough Council met last night in what we believe is one of the shortest meetings ever. Why you ask, doesn't Matawan have business to conduct?Let's face it this Council has done nothing to reduce the deficit. They have increased spending with no end in sight.

Councilman Malley and Councilman Bunyon were conspiciously silent along with Councilman Cannon. The only Councilperson who ever voted against their spending is Councilwoman Linda Clifton. Councilman Mullaney in an attempt to play politics, asked Fred Carr, how much money will the Borough receive from Reinsurance? This was quite amusing as the Borough has received the bulk of money from Reinsurance and Councilman Mullaney is aware of that fact. If we knew just from attending meetings, why wouldn't a Councilman know? Unless, of course, he was making a feeble attempt at grandstanding and politicking. Sorry folks but the "strategic political move" was not to answer any questions. And playing politics is exactly what they did. As for us, we want answers! In the words of Jack Nicholson in the movie, "A Few Good Men" the Democrats must believe we can't handle the truth! Well we lived through the Korean Conflict, the Berlin Wall Crisis, Viet Nam and the two terrorists attack on the World Trade Center, we can handle your answers. That is, if you have any. Judging by last night you DO NOT.

After having to listen to their political rheotoric all year, this would have been as good a time as any to tell us what your plan will be and how it will affect us financially. Not once have we heard any of them address the Budget deficit. Even when the Mayor has consistently reminded them and offered his assistance and expertise.

Well, now that we have gotten that out of our system, let's share the Curfew information.

Halloween Curfew for persons under 16.

October 29 and 30, 2008 7:30pm to 5am

Please have a safe and Happy Halloween.

October 31, 2008 8:30pm to 5am

Coming soon - We have obtained a copy of the Contract between the firm representing Matawan in the capacity of Borough Attorney. This is to clarify to residents, where Mr. Aaron, Esq. is of late. It seems an associate has been attending Borough Council meetings.

Matawan Halloween Costume Parade

Stopped by the Community Center on Sunday for Matawan's Recreation Commission Halloween Costume Party. The children all looked so cute. Extremely disappointed, other than the Mayor, Recreation Director Joe Altomonte and the two newly appointed members, there was no one else from Recreation or the Council there. Please forgive the oversight, we have forgotten the new members names.

Kudos to the Matawan Fire Department for participating. Thank you all for caring enough for our children to take time from your busy day to attend.

Wanted: Wizard to Cut the Budget in Matawan

SPECIAL MEETING BOROUGH COUNCIL TUES. 10-27-08 AT 6:30PM.

Don't get too excited as previously reported it is a limited Agenda.

Under New Business:
Resolution 08-10-15 - 2008 Halloween - Set Curfew
Resolution 08-10-20 - Stipulation of Settlement
Resolution 08-10-19 - Payment of Bills

There will be "Privilege of the Floor." Let's see if we get answers or political rhetoric.

Hope to see you there......

Notable Blogs

There are several blogs who have recently discussed the problems in Matawan. Interested in a different prospective with the same message as the Matawan Advocate check them out. They are Aberdeener, Honest Abe, MoreMonmouthMusings and Voice of Reason.

Matawan Democrats-Believe it or Not

Received a Democratic flyer in the mail today. Needless to say we compare it to the "Twilight Zone."

Based on their flyer, can anyone explain how they are saving us money? All we want to know is how did they manage to overspend to the tune of $500,000? Please don't blame it on previous administrations. Don't recall Matawan every having to borrow money to pay bills this year from next years Budget. Oops, we almost forget they did the same thing last year.

It is amazing how they can distort the facts and try to make you believe any of their little starbursts. Funny they should use Starbursts, it reminds us of Starbursts candy. With Halloween coming, it is more of a trick than a treat!

Borough Council rescheduled for Tues. 10/28/08 at 6:30

Run don't walk to the rescheduled Borough Council meeting on Tues., October 28, 2008 at 6:30pm. From what we hear if you don't get there quick you will miss the meeting. We understand it will be a limited Agenda.
Changing the time to 6:30pm also doesn't allow many people who work to attend. Good political strategy on the part of the Democrats. Newspapers can't publish any information on the Budget deficit or what residents have to say at the meeting on such short notice.
When the Agenda becomes available we will let you know.

See you there......

Matawan Borough Council Mtg CANCELLED

Much like Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned to the ground, the Matawan Borough Council meeting for tonight was cancelled. Just before the election, does that speak loudly on the position of the Democrats. Residents want answers, not mealy mouthed politicians who run for cover when it comes time to give answers.

In the words of Harry S. Truman, former President of the US, and a Democrat, "IF YOU CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT, GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN."

Were they afraid to answer questions on the Budget deficit, what will happen to the residents of Mill Road and their sewage problems, what about spending the money for new Park signs, what about the Borough employees raises, what about the 2008 Road Program bonding for 1.3 Million, were they unable to justify paying for all those political signs in Matawan and surrounding areas. So they are not able to answer the tough questions. Yet these same people want us to vote to keep them in office. We want people who can take the heat and people who are not afraid to justify their positions, not run away.

Remember the cowardly acts of cancelling this meeting when you go to the polls on Election Day. Keep in mind vote for the person, not the party. Most of all, GET OUT AND VOTE.

Matawan Ladies Auxillary First Aid Bus Trip

We have been requested to publish this to help the First Aid Squad. Pleased to help.

Matawan Ladies Auxillary First Aid Bus Trip to Trump Plaza is on Sunday, October 26. 2008. Bus leaves Matawan Railroad Parking Lot at 8:45am Sharp. Donation: $25.00 - Receive: $25.00 back in coins and $5.00 Food Coupon.

For information and ticket sales please contact:
Theresa 732 566 8643.

Proceeds go directly to the Matawan First Aid Squad.

Matawan Borough Council Mtg 10/21 @ 7:30pm

Tuesday's meeting of the Borough Council is interesting. First on the Agenda will be a discussion on the Mill Road Sewers.

This is an item that should have been resolved a long time ago. The Council is still talking, talking, talking. The Mayor has pushed them to make a decision and give the family that has raw sewerage backing up into their home relief. That is what this is all about. Now if this Council can't make a decision when raw sewerage is coming into a homeowner's residence, then how can we expect them to make any serious decisions on anything!

That brings us to another item. Resolution 08-10-17 Authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to pay $4,750. to Signs by J.K. for the fabrication and installation of Signs for Terhune Park, Clinton Street Park, Gravelly Brook Park, Freneau Park and Ravine Drive Park according to a proposal #317 dated August 28, 2008.

Kinda of reminds us of Nero fiddling while Rome burns to the ground! With a deficit of $500,000 and growing what does our Council decide to do.......why vote on a resolution for signs for the Parks in Matawan. Guess Councilman Mullaney, Councilman Malley and Councilman Bunyon thinks this is more important than trying to cut the Budget costs. The signs are beautiful and a welcome addition to Matawan. However, wish the Council could move this quick to make Budget cuts.

Wonder if Signs by J.K. made all those huge political signs we see all over Matawan? Just wondering.....

Speaking of Budget items, Ordinance 08-17 will be introduced tonight. This Ordinance pertains to Fix and Determine the Salaries and Wages of Officiers, Management, Supervisory Personnel and General Employees not Represented by an Organized Bargaining Unit and Employed by the Borough of Matawan, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

How can you say no to the Borough employees after the Borough Council has given others benefits, perks or raises?

We are anxious to hear what the Council has to say tonight. Expect a whole lot of political BS tonight.

Hope to see you there.....

Fitzsimmons & Urbano Signs

Anyone wishing to have a sign endorsing Fitzsimmons & Urbano for Borough Council, please contact us through Advocate42@gmail.com. Your name and address will be passed on to the proper parties. All information will be kept confidential and will be shred afterward.

With the looming deficit approaching $500,000., it is absurd Matawan residents are paying to remove Malley/Bunyon signs from Borough and County properties. Need we say more about the lack of accountability.

Check out the Blogger, Voice of Reason

Barry Goldwater, Blogger for "Voice of Reason" has an excellent blog on Matawan Democrats. Finally, others noticed there has been no accountability in Matawan under the Democratic majority. Yes, Barry, it is time for Council members, who care about Matawan and not their "personal" agendas. We also support Joe Urbano and Tom Fitzimmons for Borough Council. They are the best people for the job.

Matawan Borough Workshop Meeting 9-15 @ 7pm

Tonight's Workshop meeting will have on the Agenda:

The following items are under:
Discussion
1.Mill Road Sewer
2.Road Program 2008
3.Recreation:
a. Park Use Penalty
b. Refund of Matawan Day Fees
c. Revision to existing ordinance
d. Trust Account
e. Review Resolution for Gravelly Brook Payment
f. AAU Basketball Use of MMCC

4. Budget Status 2008

5. Police Department
a. Special Class I Police Officers - Hiring
b. Towing Ordinance

6. Construction Department
a. P/T Electrical Inspector - Hiring

7. General
a. Ordinance revision regarding waste pick up
b. Opposing the Third Round COAH Regulations
c. 4 Day Work week
d Sale of Property on Little Street

5. Public Comment

Two items of interest are the 2008 Budget and 2008 Road Program.

Interested in hearing the Council's plan for the deficit. Where will get the money which is approaching $500,000+/-.

Opposed to the expanded 2008 Road Program at this time. Interested in costs of same to the taxpayer. Under the current financial circumstances Nationwide, the fact NJ State, several NJ Counties and NYC (which has a much larger tax base) are all cutting back on their Road Program due to the high cost of asphalt. Again what will the cost to taxpayers be and can taxpayers afford any increase in taxes.

The Democratic majority Council has already passed the Highest Tax Rate Increases of 26% from 2006-2008. And Bunyon and Malley want us to vote to keep them on Council? Do they think we are stupid or crazy?

Hope to see you at the meeting.....

We are not alone

As a long time fan of the blog, the Aberdeener, we were reading under the title, "Property Revals Redux" comments on Matawan. It is refreshing to read others are aware of the nonsense going on in Matawan. Aberdeen will be going through Revaluations as Matawan has and the residents are concerned.

If you have a minute check out the Aberdeener Blog on Google.

Update to Borough Council Meeting 10/08

Yes, Matawan is over its head in debt and sinking....Matawan had to borrow from the 2009 Budget to pay October 2008 bills. No accountability. The very same people who would have you believe they were instrumental in resolving the Silver Oaks v. Matawan lawsuit (per their political propaganda) Bunyon & Malley along with Cannon, Mendes & Mullaney voted yes to the Emergency Resolution in the amount of $160,000. If they managed the money responsibly and stopped the spending this situation could have been avoided. The only no vote came from Councilwoman Clifton who prefaced her vote by stating the Mayor has repeatedly asked the Council to cut the spending to no avail. The Mayor advised residents that this is the first of several loans Matawan will be making to pay bills. The deficit is rapidly approaching $400,000.+ Hey what did you expect from the current Council. The poor Mayor has been telling them to cut the Budget and now his warnings to the Council have come to fruition. Matawan ran out of money! This is the second year in a row. Yeah, vote for Bunyon and Malley and see how much more debt and taxes they can put on taxpayers!

Privilege of the Floor - Former Councilwoman Donna Gould asked what Councilman Bunyon did to lead the Redevelopment Committee out of litigation as stated in the Bunyon/Malley political flyer. Well, Councilman Mullaney stated that Bunyon's wife is an attorney. What was Mullaney implying Bunyon discussed this matter with his wife? Still haven't gotten the connection. But we know B.S. when we hear it. According to the flyer, an inexperienced appointed Councilman Bunyon and Councilman Malley singlehandly lead the Redevelopment Committee out of litigation. If you believe this story they have one of those "big" political signs to put in front of your house. Apparently, Mullaney, Cannon, Mendes, don't believe it either as they don't have any of those big signs in front of their houses. Guess what's good for the goose isn't good for the gander! Now don't the residents who allowed them to put up those "big" signs in front of their homes feel used.

Residents from Lakeside Drive complained to the Council regarding a neighbor who allegedly violating building rules and regulations. They brought photos for the Council's review.These same residents have come to several meetings asking for the Council's explanation. Councilman Mullaney, Chairman of Public Works, Streets, Roads, Buildings Grounds and Property Maintenance was strangely silent. No assistance or explanation from Mullaney was given.
Mullaney did report the amount of building permits issued and the amount collected by the Building Department during his Report to Council.

Recreation Report - Councilman Bunyon thanked the Mayor for appointing two new members to the Recreation Committee. We wish them the best of luck.

Engineering Report - Borough Engineer, Bill White of Maser Consulting, reported that the bids for the 2008 Road Program will be discussed at the Workshop meeting. The Council will be bonding for the remainder of the money needed to pay for the expanded Road Program. The question is with the current financial climate, will Matawan be able to get bonding?

Old Business - Resolution 08-09-42 Approving Funds for Emergency Gravelly Brook Park. POSTPONED. There is a discrepancy as to who declared this emergency as the Council did not authorize the funding. Councilman Mullaney had stated Anthony Bucco declared it was an emergency. Mayor Buccellato disagreed saying he spoke with Mr. Bucco and Mr. Bucco denied it. This kind of nonsense delays progress in Matawan. It appears one of the lamp posts at Gravelly Brook Park fell down almost hitting a visitor to the park. Somehow all the lamp posts were taken down, the holes filled in (safety issue.) Now here is where it gets confusing Councilman Mullaney at a Council meeting stated that he and Chief Alston, at no cost to the Borough, saved the Borough money by having all the lamp posts removed. Confused yet? We were....Now the Borough receives bills totalling $1900+/-. are you still there......the way we see it one (1) lamp post fell down and had to be removed. We have yet to find out who authorized the taking down of all the remaining lamp posts. You see spending taxpayer dollars must be a decision reached by the entire Council, not one member. One pole falling would constitute an emergency, removing all is not. We should learn more at the Workshop meeting.

New Business - Resolution Authorizing the Borough of Matawan Police Dept to Hire a Class II Special Police Officer. This Resolution received a unanimous yes vote. It was explained by Councilman Mendes, Councilman Malley and Councilman Mullaney that the hiring of a Special Police Officer will save the Borough money. The use of a Special will be cheaper than paying for a Police Officer.

Payment of Bills - Councilman Mendes, Chairman of Public Safety, Police, Fire & First Aid abstained from voting to pay the bill from his family owned business, Key Auto Body. Kudos to Councilman Mendes for abstaining. The question remains is it appropriate for the Chairman of the Public Safety Commission's family business to perform work for the Borough or should the work go out for bid?

At this time of financial crisis with stockss falling, 401Ks sinking, business closings and foreclosures rising, wish we had some positive, happy news in Matawan. Guess when you hit bottom the only way is up.

Hope to see you at the next Borough Workshop meeting....

Matawan Borough Council Mtg 10-7 at 7:30pm

There will be a very important Council meeting Tues., Oct. 7th at 7:30pm. If you have never gone to a Borough Council meeting this is the one you don't want to miss. On the Agenda is a Matawan FIRST! The Borough Council will be voting under New Business, Resolution 08-10-10 Emergency Resolution-Insurance/Employee Group Health, Utilities & Street Lighting. It is a so-called emergency resolution because this Council has to borrow from the 2009 Budget to pay bills for 2008. Councilmen Bunyon, Cannon, Malley, Mendes and Mullaney, what the hell are you doing to Matawan? This is only October and you have to start borrowing from next year's Budget! No Accountability. No Planning. No Solution. Why isn't all of Matawan outraged by these actions.

Perhaps instead of planting those "big" signs all over Matawan you should have worked on the 2008 Budget deficit in order to prevent the 2009 DEFICIT. Oh my God, what innovative thinking! Let's us see if we have this right. Malley and Bunyon (Mullaney's men) wants us to vote to keep them on the Borough Council. The same two who along with Cannon, Mendes and Mullaney who put us at a deficit two years in a row. No thank you!

Speaking of those "big signs," has anyone else connected the dots.....just who has those big signs on Main St., let's see the Doctor, Physical Therapists and Vic Scudiery's parking lot. Get the connection all surround Vic Scudiery who just happens to sit on the Board of a local hospital along with, you guessed it, none other than Councilman Buddy Mullaney. The same Vic Scudiery who is Chairman of the Monmouth County Democratic Party. The same Vic Scudiery who gave $8500 to Mary Aufseeser unsuccessful attempt for re-election. Well Mr. Scudiery you couldn't buy Matawan then and with any luck you won't be able to buy Matawan now.

Well folks hope to see you at the meeting.....either way we will report back on the goings on.

Matawan Train Station

The Matawan Train Station receives a new coat of paint. The workers started priming the historical building today. Can't wait to see the end result.

It will be great to see the old Train Station brought back to its former glory.

IS BIGGER ALWAYS BETTER???

Well folks Election Time in Matawan is here. Matawan's Planning & Zoning Board has failed us. It has been a year since the last Borough election and less than a year since the Special Election. Last year everyone was appalled to see the size of the political signs. People complained about Main St being inundated with signs to the point of looking trashy. People complained about businesses displaying "big" signs. People complained about the resident who had one of those "big" signs on their lawn with lights. We agree, the signs are an eyesore. People have already made up their minds by election day and chances are they will not have a last minute epiphany and change their minds.

Call us dreamers, but we were ever hopeful the Matawan Planning & Zoning Board would implement a sign ordinance outlining the size of political signs. As a matter of fact it would be a good idea for the sake of continuity to have guidelines for all signage. Signage should include banning those stupid little advertisement signs stuck into the grass.

Without mentioning parties, you would think the "party" that lined the Main Street strip mall with political signs the day of the special election and had "BIG" signs all over the Borough have learned that "Bigger isn't always better!" They lost the Mayoral election in spite of their attempt to "brain wash" us to voting for their candidate.

We must consider the candidates on their merits and not the amount or size of their political signs.

As we have seen in the Mayoral election, every vote counts. Let's not forget to get out and vote.

To answer our own question, Bigger Isn't Always Better!