Matawan Borough Council Mon. 2/11/08

Matawan Borough Council Meeting Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. Starting at 6pm with a Workshop, which the public can observe but must not comment. Comments on the Workshop can be made at the regular Council Meeting when the floor is open. Council meeting starts at 7:30pm.

Looking forward to seeing you all there....

M.A.

Answer to the Question, Is Nothing Sacred?

NOTHING IS SACRED! Ask the families of those who have chosen Rose Hill Cemetery as their final resting place. What is the saying, "Rest in Peace," not there. Political signs are still outside Rose Hill Cemetery on Ravine Drive. Do you really need votes so bad that you would desecrate the resting place of the deceased?

SHAME, SHAME SHAME!

Democrat, Republican or Independent, never has any other Candidate used the Cemetery as a place for a political endorsement!


Hey Matawan, don't stand still too long or they will stick a sign on you, or 3 or 4.

Scudiery owned Property- Picture is worth 1,000 Words

In response to a question from Truth in Matawan, the following information was obtained from the NJ Property owners - 2006 (public record,) on the Asbury Park Press website:

Victor V. Scudiery, Owner of Commercial Class property, 27 28 Main St., Matawan, NJ,
Lot 26 and lot 26.01,
Owner mailing address: 1390 Airport Plaza, Highway 36, Hazlet, NJ

Mr. Scudiery also owns property in Sea Bright and the Highlands. Is he also politically endorsing Candidates in those areas as well?

As a resident of over 30 years in Matawan, isn't it odd that since Councilman "Bud" Mullaney's political involvement these last two years, businesses have been making political endorsements favoring "Buddy's" candidates? Could this be due to some arm twisting of local businesses that have been associated with a local Hospital where he is a sitting Board member?

Not to take away from the good done for Matawan....M.A. just has to ask the question. Understand we appreciate all who work for bettering Matawan, whether volunteering or otherwise.

SPECIAL MAYORAL ELECTION, TUES., JAN. 15, 2008

A reminder to vote on Tuesday, January 15, 2008. This is an important election for Mayor in Matawan. Not that all elections aren't important but this one is right here at home. The last election showed us just how imperative it is for everyone to vote. Don't assume you know the outcome and leave the voting to your neighbors. You know what they say about assume! OK, so I saw the Bad News Bears too. Seriously, this election every vote counts. So get out and exercise your right.

Only two names will be on the ballot, Mary Aufseeser and Paul Buccellato. For the record, we support Paul Buccellato. After observing Mary Aufseeser these last few years, at Council Meetings and based on her performance, DO NOT BELIEVE SHE HAS "THE RIGHT STUFF," to continue to be Mayor of Matawan. While she may be a nice person, that alone does not qualify her to be Mayor. She has shown us during her time as Mayor that she lacks the experience and backbone to be Mayor of Matawan. Even when direct questions are asked of her she defers to others. Not that she doesn't have an opinion, but it appears she is afraid to express them. She is not a strong enough presence to stand up when she errs, but lets others take the heat, i.e. Beacon Study Report. I want a courageous Mayor....in the words of Harry S. Truman, "if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen." Aufseeser should return to the private sector, where she might make a good volunteer.

We need someone who will fight for Matawan. Paul Buccellato has the knowledge, education, experience and guts to guide Matawan in the right direction. It is our opinion that Paul would make appointments based on experience, knowledge, background and who would do the best job for Matawan. He has the strength to stand up for what he believes to be right and to see the big picture for Matawan. Paul would not be the majority party, he along with Councilwoman Linda Clifton will be a powerful watchdog for Matawan residents. We need a strong Mayor in Matawan who can take the heat. Who will fight for the Police and Fire Depts. This is a decisive time for us all, we will be a Borough that has grown and thrived or a Borough that used to be a nice place to live. It is up to us all.

Don't forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, January 15, 2008.

Matawan Borough Council Meeting Tonight 7:30pm

There will be a Council meeting tonight at the Matawan Community Center at 7:30pm. It appears to be a lengthy agenda. Hope to see you there.

Special Borough Council Meeting 12/13 at 6pm

A special Borough Council meeting will be held on 12/13 at 6pm. The purpose of which is for the Council to vote on one of the three candidates the Democrats on Council have selected to replace Meghan Mullaney, who recently resigned from the Borough Council. This seems to be a mute point as the Democrats have control and I'm sure they already have the person selected to replace Meghan Mullaney.

Why is it that the meeting is at 6pm? Most residents don't get home from work that early. People find it difficult to make it to Borough Council meetings and they start at 7:30pm. Meetings in the Borough, should all start at the same time, preferably 7:30pm. Unless, of course, they want to limit the amount of people who can attend.

In any event, hope to see you at the Special Meeting this Thursday at 6pm at the Broad Street Community Center.

Airing an Issue.......

There has been much talk about Councilman Buccellato's firm receiving a project from the County. Well, boys and girls, here is the scoop. As the MA has commented on the Aberdeener, another Blogger, thought it was important to repeat.

Buccellato's firm along with several other firms, was requested to give the County an R.F.P., Request for a Proposal and they did. Unlike a bid, which by law must go to the lowest bidder, a RFP is determined by the County looking for the best qualifications out of the firms having submitted proposals.

An example of the lowest bidder, is Seaview Contracting, which just finished paving Marc Drive and Union Street. Truth be told they didn't have the experience re: water and sewer and had to dig up the streets several times. They also damaged homeowners property and caused a few problems with the water and gas service to residents. However, they did do the job and they were the lowest bidder. By law Matawan had to accept their bid regardless of their qualifications. The streets are done and at this point it is up to the Borough Engineer to accept the work.

And that folks is the truth in Matawan......

New Election to be held for Mayor-Tied Vote

A good source just advised the MA that there will be a new election for Mayor in Matawan. To all those nay-sayers, it seems that one of Buccellato's votes was not counted. Buccellato did follow the rules and went the distance to let his supporters know that all their work was not in vain. To those of you who claimed this blog cried "sour grapes," half of Matawan agrees with the MA. The Judge will set a date for a new election. It will be interesting to see if it is possible to have an election based on the issues. Truly hope so. No games, no tricks, just a plain, old, clean election. Let's not have an election by the newsmedia, but by the people of Matawan.

Research each candidate and make up your own mind as to who would do the best job for Matawan.

Recount Mayoral Votes 11/28/07 Wednesday

In Alyssa Passeggio's Blog, it was noted the recount will be held on Wednesday, November 28th, per Matawan's Democratic Chairman, Joseph "Bud" Mullaney. Good luck to both candidates.

Will someone do something with the Train Station....it is a disgrace!

May the candidate that will be best for Matawan win.

Will the Real Turkey Stand Up..Gobble, Gobble

Mayor Aufseeser and the Democratic Party of Matawan win the "Turkey" award for having their campaign signs still lingering two weeks after the election. While strategically an interesting move on the part of Mayor Aufseeser & the Democratic Party....cheap and tacky is more like it. Do you really think you are fooling people? Do you really think Matawan is filled with idiots who you can subliminally influence to vote for you should an election be required following the recount? Really now! Hey maybe it will work...after all didn't you fill Main Street Village on Main & Route 34 with all those campaign signs the day before Election Day and Election Day...any guesses on how many signs there were? The winner gets to paint the signs Christmas green and red if they are still up for the Christmas holidays.

OK, the joke is over! Do you really think you are beautifying Matawan with those signs?

Great Editorial Independent 10/17/07

Great editorial in the Independent on October 17, 2007 pertaining to the Beacon Report, paid for by taxpayers and dismissed by Mayor Aufseeser and Councilman Mullaney. As reported in this Blog, the Report disappeared from the mailboxes of Councilpersons excluding Councilman Mullaney. At the last council meeting prior to Election Day, it was brought to light that there were not one but many items that would have helped Matawan with revitalization. The questions is WHY DID MAYOR AUFSEESER AND COUNCILMAN MULLANEY HIDE THIS REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL AND TAXPAYERS? Take a moment and read this unbiased editorial. Note it wasn't reported in the Asbury Park Press, known to be pro Democrats on the Borough level, nor the Courier, a weekly publication, also pro Democrats. Could it be that even they can't justify the actions of these two officials? So much for reporting just the facts!

As election day approaches, it is obvious to anyone who is aware of the goings on the Borough level that Matawan needs and deserves a well educated, experienced Mayor! The candidate that is the right person for the job is Paul Buccellato. Check his record out for yourself. He has experience on the Borough level, both on the Council and Planning/Zoning Board, is a professional Architect, business owner in Red Bank and has previously been working on the Transit Village. Debra Buragina and Linda Clifton are his running mates. Debra comes with the experience of being on Council for 9 years, worked on the Transit Village and was requested by the Mayor, and took over the troubled Recreation Committee when the Recreation Committee's former chairperson and its members could not get along. Linda Clifton is a new candidate who adds a fresh perspective to the Council. Living and working in Matawan she is familiar with the problems we residents are facing. All are for the Transit Village and revitalization. Without which Matawan will be just a small town, with high taxes, no services, a decaying Downtown area and no future. Matawan needs change. We need people who care about Matawan and not their own self interests.

More news on the Day Laborer Issue

Boro seeks NJT's OK to relocate day laborers Council wants attorney general's opinion on registration proposal BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer

"... I really don't think it's the municipality's job to go out and document people... " - William Malley Councilman MATAWAN - Plans to move day laborers from in front of the 7-Eleven to an unused portion of the train station made headway last week.
On Sept. 18 the Borough Council voted to write to NJ Transit asking if the railroad agency would allow the day laborers to congregate on the northbound side of the tracks. Councilman Paul Buccellato proposed the idea, saying vehicles that stop to pick up the day laborers are causing a traffic problem in the busy intersection of Route 516 and High Street.
Borough Attorney Pasquale Menna will pen the letter to NJ Transit.
"The council voted to direct Mr. Menna to prepare a request to NJ Transit to help with the safety and hazardous conditions that presently exist on the west side of the train tracks," Buccellato said Monday. "This request is to allow the workers to assemble on the east side of the tracks near the old white building."
Buccellato also suggested that the workers be given photo identification cards as part of a voluntary registration program through the police department.

The Matawan Borough Council must get permission from NJ Transit to use a portion of the Aberdeen-Matawan Train Station as an area for day laborers to await potential employers. "The second vote was taken to have Mr. Menna write a letter to the state Attorney General's Office to get a ruling on whether business registration of the workers could be enacted," he said.
While the idea to write to NJ Transit passed unchallenged, Councilmen William Malley and Joseph Mullaney both voted against the idea of asking the attorney general about registration cards. Council members Debra Buragina and Buccellato voted in favor of seeking the attorney general's opinion. With council members Meghan Mullaney and Michael Cannon both absent, Mayor Mary Aufseeser broke a tie by voting favorably.
Malley explained on Monday why he voted no.
"I understand the chief feels it's a quality of-life issue," Malley said on Monday. "I did talk to the borough attorney and the chief about it. The 7- Eleven is private property. I just worry that we'll end up just moving the problem from one place to another. I really don't think it's the municipality's job to go out and document people, you know. I think it's going to end up being another expense the municipality can't afford."
Buccellato responded to Malley's comment.
"Obviously, he misunderstood my proposal," Buccellato said. "It was always my intention to establish a nominal fee to cover the borough's expenses. I don't understand why anyone would not want to make an attempt at addressing an obvious safety issue that is presently existing."
In addition to traffic, Buccellato said there are now health dangers associated with the current location.
"The board of health has been on that site and has issued a notice to clean the rear portion of the property," Buccellato said.
He added this incident occurred last week.
"Hopefully New Jersey Transit will help and assist the borough with this endeavor to eliminate a hazardous condition," Buccellato said.

MA take on this article. Councilman Malley and Councilman Mullaney originally voted no on this issue. Why you ask? Maybe they don't care that the health and well being of Matawan residents are of critical importance, not to mention the safety issue. Maybe they are waiting for some one to be injured or worse yet killed. Maybe they don't care about persons urinating and defecating on land that is parallel to the Lake. Perhaps they blindly object to any solution Councilman Buccellato may have because they didn't think of it. I don't know what they are thinking. Councilman Malley what does "quality of life issue" mean to you? Doesn't that show there is a problem. Perhaps if Councilman Malley and Councilman Mullaney lived closer to the problem they would look for solutions. Perhaps if Councilman Malley didn't shop in C-Town and Councilman Mullaney frequent C-Town, they would go further down Main Street to see a serious health problem. By the way, isn't Councilman Malley a Union member? Strange he would cross a picket line of any kind. Let's work together to improve Matawan. Does it matter who came up with the solution?

As to expenses in Matawan, Councilman Malley what about buying the Mayor a laptop computer for $2,000. (so she could check her emails), what about giving $700. to the Matawan Alliance and what about giving money to the Boy Scouts. I guess the fact that the Supreme Court of the US in a decision handed down, re Boy Scouts determined the Boy Scouts discriminate, didn't effect your thinking on the matter. All this was done prior to the 2007 Budget being adopted. It appears that whatever Councilman Mullaney wants, Councilman Malley does. Councilman Malley try thinking for yourself and the constituents that voted for you.