Bloomfield Council Rescinds “Crash Tax”

During last evening’s brief council meeting, the Mayor and Council unanimously passed an ordinance on first reading that rescinds the township’s “Motor Vehicle Accidents Response Fee for Out of Town Residents,” also called a “crash tax.”

The original ordinance provided that non-Bloomfield residents be charged $100 if they are involved in an accident in Bloomfield in order to help pay for the services provided by police and other township employees. In previous discussions on the topic, council members agreed that the fee sent the wrong message for a town that is hoping to encourage out-of-town residents to come to Bloomfield and frequent shops and restaurants in the downtown area.

At the beginning of the meeting, newly appointed firefighter, Steve Cowen, was sworn in and applauded by friends, colleagues and family in the audience.

During the public comment period, Russell Mollica, former Republican candidate for Mayor, congratulated Mayor-Elect Michael Venezia on his victory on election day, and offered his assistance. He and Venezia then shook hands, to applause from the public.

Pat Gilleran raised a number of questions regarding the controversial development on the former Scientific Glass site. Councilman Nick Joanow had previously indicated that an entity, which Mayor McCarthy said was rumored to be the Glen Ridge Country Club, was interested in purchasing the site from the developer. Gilleran questioned what the property would cost and said she had visited the site and noted the extent of the development that has already begun. Mayor McCarthy said that he had spoken to someone connected with the Glen Ridge Country Club and they indicated the club was not interested in purchasing the property “at the price they were given.” McCarthy said that Gilleran’s other questions would be answered at the next conference meeting.

Danielle Loffredo urged the council to consider a forensic audit of the Health Department/Board of Health. She said there was “a new development” in the case of Memphis, the dog that was sent to South Dakota for rehabilitation under the auspices of the Health Department through its nonprofit partner, the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Network. Loffredo stated that the dog’s caretaker has indicated she is being legally advised by Ronald Ricci, the attorney for the Board of Health, “which is illegal.” “We need to take a closer look at departments that are clearly raising red flags,” she said.

In other business, the council passed a bond ordinance on first reading that appropriates $2 million and authorizes the issuance of $1.9 million in bonds or notes to finance part of the cost. The funds are to be used for a number of capital improvements, including townwide repaving of streets, replacement of sidewalks, and tree planting; acquisition of fire pumping apparatus and a water/sewer specialty truck for the DPW; and various improvements to municipal buildings and grounds.

The council also voted to appoint Fred Menzel as Emergency Management Coordinator.

The next council meeting will be a conference meeting to be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at 7 p.m. in the 2nd floor conference room in the Law Enforcement Building. The meeting will be held on Tuesday due to the Veterans Day holiday.