>A resolution to extend the agreement with NJDOT & NJ Transit for the Village’s continued operation of the Route 17 Park & Ride will be introduced shortly. The Village rents space to Air Brook, Inc., Coach USA, and Avis Rent-A-Car. Revenue from parking meters is also returned to the Village. During discussion, it was revealed that a private contractor is currently negotiating with NJDOT for the construction of a parking deck at the Route 17 site.
A portion of Village owned property adjacent to the Recycling Center will be sold off to residents on Canterbury Place. The property in question is in the rear of their homes, backing up to the HoHoKus Brook. A provision of the sale is that homeowners will be precluded from increasing the size of their homes as a result of the added property.
Discussion was held regarding the establishment of a “no knock” registry. It was agreed to take a further look at how the Borough of Franklin Lakes manages this process before going forward.
Councilman Patrick Mancuso proposed the introduction of an ordinance to prohibit smoking by minors within 1000 feet of both Middle Schools and the High School. Further discussion on this topic will be held at the Council’s 09/27 Work Session.
West Side Presbyterian Church’s desire to move a house from South Monroe Street to their property on South Hillside Avenue has the potential for creating a huge legal nightmare. Current Village Code prohibits two auxiliary structures on church properties; West Side already has one auxiliary structure on South Hillside and neighbors have indicated their intention to fight the addition of another. Council members discussed how they might grant West Side a “one time exception” to facilitate movement of the house from Village owned property to West Side’s location. The property vacated, adjacent to Citizens Park, could then be converted to parkland. Stay tuned for more . . .
Deputy Mayor Betty Wiest was the lone voice of reason during discussion regarding a request by the Chamber of Commerce’s to occupy space at Village Hall (the Chamber’s building on Dayton Street must be vacated by year’s end). Ms. Wiest suggested that it would be inappropriate for the Chamber to occupy space in the municipal government’s seat of power and suggested instead that commercial space be found. After a brief discussion and with support added by Mayor David T. Pfund, Council members agreed to tell the Chamber “no way.”
