By Amy Batista, Special Writer
The Borough Council again tabled an ordinance that would make Peddie School pay annual dorm inspection fees.
The council tabled the vote at Council President Larry Quattrone’s request to speak to Peddie School representatives. The Borough Council first tabled the ordinance on Aug. 19.
”I think the administrator and myself can come up with a way where the same thing would be accomplished but without the expenditure on the borough’s side,” Council President Quattrone said.
The council voted 5-1 to table the final reading of the ordinance. Councilman Rob Thibault was in favor of the measure.
According to the ordinance summary, the borough would require annual inspections of campus housing owned by nonprofit educational institutions. The ordinance does not allow exemption from inspection fees. The fee would be $60 per unit.
Council President Quattrone said he wanted time to speak to Peddie School. “Myself and the administrator tried to reach out to Peddie and because of conflicts between my doctors and police matters and everything else we could not put it together,” Council President Quattrone said. “I am asking council to put this off for one meeting (so) I have the opportunity to go to Peddie and speak with Peddie.”
Councilwoman Selena Bibens said, “I think that’s fair.”
Councilman Rob Thibault said, “If we extend that kind of courtesy to one entity we have to extend it to everyone.”
Council President Quattrone said, “I’m asking you to extend that courtesy to me, not them. Peddie has no idea what I am asking for.”
Councilwoman Gail Doran said postponing the vote is “not really going to delay” the implementation of ordinance.
Mayor Steven Kirson said, “I think this is really a policy issue for the council to decide if they want to table this or not. We have tabled other resolutions in the past many times and ordinances. This is not a new issue for a council to consider.”
Councilwoman Bibens said, “I’m sure they’re not in the dark with what we are discussing.”
Councilwoman Lynne Woods said, “I think that they should at least have the opportunity to meet with them.”
”I think it is shameful,” Councilman Thibault said. “We have heard from a number of Peddie alumni tonight. Peddie had the opportunity to be here. They get the same notice as any other resident gets and you are saying that’s not enough? If it’s not enough for Peddie, then is it not enough for any other resident.”
Counciwoman Woods said, “I just think there is a bigger issue here.”
Several residents came forward during the public hearing of the ordinance to express concern over the revisions that would require Peddie School to pay for rental property inspections and to comply to the same standards as any other property owner.
Resident Scott Caster questioned why a courtesy phone call had not been made prior to that night.
Mr. Caster said, “It’s gone this far. I wish this kind of phone call had happened earlier but it hasn’t happened earlier so let it happen tomorrow morning and say this is what we are up to.”
Mr. Caster asked the council to call Peddie School the next morning and find a way to work together on the issue so that it wouldn’t create a “disadvantage.”
Mr. Caster also asked for clarification of the term “unit” as defined in the ordinance.
”I think it’s opening up a big can of worms for the future,” Mr. Caster said.
Resident Eugene Sarafin said the purpose of ordinances is to “benefit the people in our community for health and welfare.”
”This ordinance ignores that function,” said Mr. Sarafin. “It’s just an ordinance to punish based on discussions of the introduction.”
According to Mr. Sarafin, the ordinance “slap(s) a neighbor in the face.”
”A neighbor who employs people in our community,” Mr. Sarafin said. “Who has donated to the first aid squad, to the fire department and paid for things in this town reasonably. You all think they are wealthy so you want to take some of their wealth and give it to the town. For what — $5,000 for inspecting 150 rooms and spending $10,000 for the inspectors? I do not think it is wise to slap someone in the face when over the years they have donated to the community when they can.”
According to Mr. Sarafin, there are “a lot of things” that Peddie does that the council is unaware of.
Mr. Sarafin said, “They help other groups in town quietly.”
Resident Bill Gilmore, of Hightstown, questioned the need for the ordinance when the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) already performs inspections.
”The fact that you would actually consider the need to have this inspection even being done,” said Mr. Gilmore. “The DCA already does it when they are an international recognized institution. They are not about to have sub-caliber dorms that would not be safe and healthy.”
According to Lisa M. Ryan, of the DCA, the DC A does inspect these dormitories.
”However, there is nothing in the New Jersey Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Act which would preclude municipal inspection through passage of an ordinance establishing such a requirement. There is legislation pending (S-2114/A-3317), which would eliminate duplicative municipal inspections.”
Mr. Gilmore questioned why the council needs to “nickel and dime” Peddie School.”The thought that we are just trying to get a little nickel out of them just makes no sense at all,” Mr. Gilmore said. “Peddie has provided millions of dollars to this community outside of their tax obligations.”
According to Mr. Gilmore, Peddie School offered a solution when there was a “water issue” on the other side of town.
”The engineer wanted to build another water tower,” Mr. Gilmore said. “Peddie said, ‘That’s stupid. Let’s just put a new pipeline through and we’ll pay for it.’ And they did. So they eliminated the need for a water tower that the rest of us would’ve had to pay for.”
According to Mr. Sarafin, that water tower was going to cost $1 million.
”Peddie offers an opportunity for projects that we need to get done,” Mr. Gilmore added. “We leverage that opportunity. We don’t stick a needle in their eye by doing the stupid addition that you are asking for with this ordinance change.”
