Matawan Borough Council Meeting

NEWSFLASH - In today's google news was an article regarding Matawan's Borough Administrator, Frederick Carr, interviewing in Palatka, Florida for the position of city manager. As a matter of fact his appointment is scheduled for 1pm Wednesday, tentatively. Maybe losing an $85,000. County grant and losing an important report had something to do with his job search. Mayor Aufseeser will be disappointed if he goes since she has stated when he screwed up that she thinks he does a good job.

Now on to other matters. The Mayor and Councilman Mullaney were somewhat pensive. Not that the Mayor states her opinions on much, but she does read the Resolutions nicely. The night belonged to Councilman Mike Cannon. Once again he was echoing his mantra, "we are pinching pennies," "we are pinching pennies." Yet he has no problem giving extra monies to the Borough Assessing Clerk regarding the property revaluation process. Seems Cannon has no problem giving the person $3500. per year extra for 2007, 2008 and 2009. My question is have we found money growing on trees in Matawan? Councilman Buccellato at least had the sense to have the Resolution held until the Council could discuss it further. Even Councilwoman Meghan Mullaney stated she had no idea about the increase. Isn't Meghan the Finance Chairperson? Oh yes, the 25 year old kid (not that 25 year olds are kids, just wouldn't put them in charge of Finance, Personnel & Education.) Oh my, oh my, another choice of Mayor Aufseeser.

The Borough is also spending $5,000. to audit the Fire and First Aid's LOSAP(Length of Service Awared Program) for 2 years. Seems that the Borough Auditor made the recommendation. The Borough Auditor is also doing the audit. The audit is not even a complete review of the program. Call me crazy but that doesn't seem like in the words of Councilman Cannon, "pitching pennies." That right folks, the Auditor recommended an Audit. Well, how cozy!

Also, the Borough's Salary ordinance was introduced. This is not the actual salary increase, but a range for the individual salaries. From my review it appears that the low and high ends of several positions have increased. That can only mean salary increases. Again, "we are pinching pennies," as Cannon claims. Doesn't sound like it to me.

Don't forget the property revaluation information should be hitting our mailboxes now that the election is over. I say hit because that's what it will be to most households. Guess a few more of you will be joining us at the next Borough Council meeting.

It was encouraging to hear a resident speak at the meeting. His question was regarding the 2 new recreational parks recently dedicated. The response was it included the Jackson St Park and the Ball Field, he replied: "The Jackson St Park has been there since he was a child and has always been a basketball court." Perhaps resurfacing the court translates to a new recreational facility. As far as the Broad St facility it has been there for at least 3-4 years. The only difference is that in 2006 the Council re-named it honoring Mr. Jerry Houridan. Maybe re-naming a recreational facility also translates into a new recreational facility.

While it is great to see Jackson St park looking better and the ball field named after Jerry Hourihan, it actually doesn't constitute it being NEW!

Mr. Brady of Ravine Drive asked the majority council members what their ideas were as to Redevelopment. As always the majority Council did not really answer the question. No surprise there. Although Councilman Cannon did finally express his opinion. No real news there either. No answer to property tax relief for Mr. Brady either.

Well Folks, keep in mind that Matawan is pinching pennies, yeah right, but spending DOLLARS!

Borough Council Meeting Tonight 7:30pm

This will be the first Council meeting when the public has access to the list of bills to be paid. Although not on the Municipal website, it is available at the Community Center on the Bulletin Board. Thanks to our vigilant residents who requested that we have the right to review the expenditures of the Borough Council. See that's what happens when you get involved.

Hope to see you at the meeting.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

In the first step of a re-count Paul Buccellato has called for a check on the absentee ballots. So folks, in the words of Yogi Berra, that great Yankee player, IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER!

More to follow.......

FOUR MORE YEARS

Congratulations to Mary Aufseeser on her re-election as Mayor of Matawan. According to the Monmouth County Board of Elections, Aufseeser won by THREE (3) VOTES! So all you people who are complacent about voting.....you could have made a difference. Congrats to Kevin Mendes on his election to Borough Council.
Congratulations to Linda Clifton on her election to Council. Linda Clifton will be the only Republican on the Council in the coming year. Clifton will probably be given some minor Commission to Chair. With one vote, she will have little or no impact on whatever the Council wants to do. That's the facts.

We all can thank American Properties, Dunkin Donuts, the strip mall on Main St.(StarBucks), the Pudential building on Route 34, and all the businesses that supported Aufseeser, et al. I'm sure the Matawan Alliance will be getting more funding from Matawan and any other organization that pleases the Mayor and her Council. With or without an adopted Budget. Look for more spending, higher taxes, and some great parties on Main Street!

Keep staying home, don't get involved, let others direct your tax dollars.

This is not sour grapes.......this is reality.

TO THE VICTOR GO THE SPOILS

Gooooooooooooood morning Matawan! Voting machines in Matawan are sealed in a very close race for Mayor. The winners for Council seats are Linda Clifton and Kevin Mendes. The unofficial winner for Mayor is Buddy Mullaney. Oops, I meant Mary Aufseeser.

A frozen budget...we will have to borrow money from next year's budget in order to continue doing business, the Lakes & dams, the dayworker situation, Transit Village Redevelopment, infrastructure problems, relocating the Court and Police...these are the issues facing the new Council members. Attending Borough Council meetings and Planning/Zoning Board meetings, we are headed for trouble. Matawan is looking at higher property taxes. Interestingly enough the revaluation figures should be mailed to homeowners next week. Hold on to your seats folks. Wonder what the effect of the revaluation would have had on the election had they been mailed this week?

No matter who is the official winner for the Mayor's seat, we are facing a tough road in Matawan. I reiterate my position on attending Borough Council meetings. Thursday is the next Borough Council meeting. If you don't participate, then don't complain when taxes continue to rise. We will have some great parties on Main Street, AT YOUR EXPENSE!

BUT I HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS! BUT I HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS!

News from Matawan, Main Street-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Councilman Buddy Mullaney was seen last night at 11:30pm ripping Buccellato/Buragina/Clifton signs out of the grass strip by the StarBucks strip mall and throwing them into a dumpster. Our sources say that Councilman Mullaney told one of Matawan's finest that the Police should take down the signs. Mullaney reiterated that HE had exclusive rights to place signs there. According to the story Mullaney claims the owner of the strip mall is hunting with Mullaney's brother. Apparently Matawan's finest refused to get in the middle of this political nonsense. Call me crazy, BUT my tax dollars are not spent to do Mullaney's dirty work. Matawan Police have a tough enough job without getting in the middle of one man's spite work.

Well, Mullaney did take the signs down....although Buccellato/Buragina/Clifton did not respond in kind......They chose the high road. The classy thing.

Mr. Mullaney, apparently in spite, called for challengers at 7:30am to be at the polls. WOW, you really showed them..... :-p

ONCE AGAIN DON'T FORGET TO VOTE TODAY!

CORRECTION

Robert Bunyon, Democratic Candidate for Council claims he is not Vic Scudiery's nephew. However, Mr. Bunyon's supervisor at his place of employment is Vic Scudiery's nephew. Our apologies to Mr. Bunyon for stating otherwise. Blogs are much like newspapers. At times when sources seem solid, they are not. The information regarding Mr. Bunyon was obtained from another Blog.