Onderko wants clarification of environmental agency’s clearing
By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
At Monday’s Borough Council meeting, Councilman Rich Onderko asked for clarification of the EPA’s certification about the redevelopment of the Rustic Mall.
At the start of the year, the federal environmental agency sent out paperwork that details the extent of Superfund cleanup of the approximately 50-acre site off Washington Avenue and South Main Street.
”I would like to know if the developer has received the EPA certification and what that entailed. When I spoke to the EPA last year some time, some months ago, they were uncertain. For the next council meeting, I think the public would be interested knowing that the site is ready to go.”
Councilman Onderko reported that it will be a “challenging” budget year to keep taxes low or at a zero increase.
”We need to look for ways to save while we can,” he said.
The Department of Public Works committee discussed road repairs in town and hope to get to them in the springtime, he said.
Councilwoman Susan Asher said the Building and Grounds Committee received a list of properties that were abandoned so their owners can be asked if the properties were pumped out.
Ms. Asher said Borough Administrator Gary Garwacke will be sending out letters to 15 homeowners to see if they want to have the decision to be bought out after flood damage. Also they talked about the next round of buyouts and wondered if the county would pick up the 25 percent difference, not allowable under state law.
Another topic was how Main Street looks on the weekends and it will be the property owner’s responsibility to make sure that their business locations are kept clean.
Ms. Asher said the VFW is applying for a $30,000 grant to renovate the bathrooms. The facility is used as a Red Cross shelter.
Council President Sherri Lynn said at the last library board meeting there were concerns about dogs doing their business on the library yard. She thanked DPW Director Phil Petrone for posting ordinance warning signs.
During the public portion, Shirley Penrose of Middlesex a representative of Emmanuel Baptist Church, told the council that there is a parking issue at the church during services.
”There is sign in front of our church that forbids parking unless it snows,” she said. “There is no parking allowed on the opposite side of the street and the residents now park in front of our church 24/7. They have driveways, but they prefer to park in front of the church, which causes a problem for our older and handicapped members to get into our church. They must park now around the corner and walk up to the church front.”
Ms. Penrose asked a sign be put there for handicapped parking on Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon and on Wednesday evenings from 6-9.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 12, at 6:30pm in the municipal courtroom.

