Township Committee Holds Snowy Tuesday Meeting

The Maplewood Township Committee met for its regularly scheduled meeting, Tuesday, despite the heavy snow, to vote on several time sensitive items.

“We know it's snowing out there and you may be wondering why we are meeting anyway,” said Mayor Victor De Luca. “There are some items on our agenda that are timely and we have to act on them.”

The Township Committee passed resolutions to pay the Township's bills and claims; to hire firms to administer the Township's affordable housing programs; to engage experts on a significant tax appeal; to approve a contract for improvements at the former Woman's Club; to submit a proposal to Sustainable Jersey; to republish the redevelopment plan for the former PSE&G site; and to approve budget transfers.

The Committee held a hearing on the funding for the Community Development Block Grant, which is timely because the application must be filed, according to De Luca.

The township applied for $126,000 in funding from the program, which is used to make upgrades in lower and moderate income areas and bring public facilities in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Committee also introduced an ordinance prohibiting the parking of commercial vehicles, liveries and omnibus on Elmwood Ave. between the Irvington town line and Brookwood Drive.

A separate ordinance was passed on first reading limiting the parking on Clinton Ave. from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday on the North side of the street, and 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday on the South side of the street. A public hearing on both ordinances will be held at the Feb. 4 meeting before a final vote.

The Committee voted to republish the redevelopment plan for the PSE&G site because an earlier version of the plan had been publicized and not the latest version. The final version was passed by the Committee but an older version had been published in the newspapers, said Township Attorney Roger Desiderio.

The ordinance on second reading and final passage designating the Woman's Club as an historic building, was tabled until a public hearing can be held.

“If anyone wishes to speak on that they will be able to do so during the Feb. 4 meeting,” said De Luca.

The presentation on “Maplewoodstock” was also postponed to the next meeting.