Politics & Government

Committee Acts On Police Openings, New Fire Truck

A roundup of shorter discussions at this morning's Township Committee meeting.

During the Feb. 17 Township Committee meeting, members approved the introduction of two ordinances, and discussed other matters of interest. To help keep residents informed on the committee, separate stories will be posted on major matters of discussion, including the ordinances and a redevelopment plan for the abandoned knitting mill on Dubois Road. 

Below is a roundup of some of the other matters discussed at the committee.

Mayor urges open space debt reduction for tax cut

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Mayor Gary DiNardo said he would the committee to try and reduce the open space tax rate from 2-cents per $100 assessed value to 1-cent by paying down bonds issued by the township paying for open space purchases.

"I want to confirm that if we could directly pay some of that bond down and really not be looking to purchase anything unless it's really worth it ... I'd like to see that 2-cents come to 1-cent," Mayor Dinardo said.

Find out what's happening in Warrenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Committeeman Vic Sordillo offered a declaration going a step further, suggesting the committee's objective be to pay of the existing debts and eliminate the open space tax.

Township Administrator Mark Krane pointed out the township has refinanced existing debts with two bond issues, one in 2002, which will be paid off in 2017, and a second in 2006 that won't be paid off until after 2020.

"What you have been doing in recent years is instead of doing debt, and then use the open space (funds) to pay down the debt, is to pay in cash," Krane said. "So now that you've given us direction to use that not just for land purchases but for other expenses."

Krane also noted the committee members had received a copy of the township's open space report, which details expenditures from the open space fund.

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Committee ahead of state's proposed ban on pesticide use on fields

The committee agreed to support N.J. Senate bill 2610, the "Safe Playing Fields Act" which restricts the use of pesticides on playgrounds, fields and at child care facilities, but Deputy Mayor Carolann Garafola noted Warren has already stopped using such chemicals of the township and school properties township crews maintain.

Director of Public Works Douglas Buro said the township stopped several years ago after parents complained about the use. He said his department was initially concerned about the potential for damage to the fields, but added "They didn't really get all that beat up."

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Special meeting set for police interviews

The Township Committee will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 with Chief of Police Russell Leffert and two finalists for an open police job.

The meeting will be held in the main building in the municipal complex and will be closed to the public.

Chief Leffert also sought a meeting for committee members to interview candidates for an open police sergeant position, but no date was set.

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New fire truck purchase OK'd

The Township Committee accepted a $929,000 bid for a new aerial ladder fire truck.

The committee accepted the bid from Crimson Fire, Inc., a manufacturer of fire trucks based in Brandon, S.D.

Details about the specifications of the truck will be added to this article.

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Police consolidation meeting tonight

Committeeman Vic Sordillo said he, Committeeman Mal Plager and Chief of Police Russell Leffert would be attending a county meeting today regarding the ongoing discussions to consolidate police departments.

In December, Somerset County released a study concluding $17 million could be saved if police departments were reorganized from the current municipal forces in most towns, to a three-precinct county department.

Warren officials have expressed skepticism that benefits of consolidation would outweigh the loss of local knowledge and involvement.

Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano is heading the task force established to further study the issue, collecting input from local officials and police around the county.

 


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