OP-ED: Joanow Responds to Allegations

I would like to clarify for the public misinformation regarding the Open Space Trust Fund.

The fund was created by referendum by a majority of voters who supported the concept that dedicated funds would be used for the acquisition of property within our township. I strongly disagreed with the Administrators inappropriate recommendation that money from this fund should be re-directed for purposes other than what they were intended for by the referendum. If any changes were to occur as to the use of funds in this account, these proposals would have to be voted on by the public. I have served on the Open Space Trust Fund for nine years and have aggressively fought to maintain its integrity, supporting the community and doing what is best for the township.

After ten years, the Open Space Trust Fund has achieved one of its major goals by acquiring the 5.7 acre DeSimone property located on the Scientific Glass site. With the support of the community—[Bloomfield Third Riverbank Association--], Green Acres program and the NJ/NY Baykeepr, the Open Space Trust Fund was able to acquire this flood prone property located on a 100 year flood plain. This will best serve the community as a passive park and help reduce future flooding. If this property were development residents/businesses who border the Third River would be negatively impacted.

The Scientific Glass site has been identified in our Master Plan, Open Space Trust Fund plan and the Essex County Open Space Trust Fund as an area to be acquired for preservation. In addition, the report by the Passaic River Flood Advisory Commission, Executive order 23 issued by Governor Christie states that development in flood plains is strongly discouraged being that the Lower Passaic River Basin has a long documented history of flooding and with any additional development on these sites will only increase costs to taxpayers and place the health and safety of residents at risk. Since this site is located on a 100year fEMA flood plain which borders the Third River its preservation would be instrumental in not further aggravating river bank erosion and increasing the potential of flooding for homes/businesses in this area. I have been consistent in my advocacy for the preservation of this property since 2001. With the latest report from the Governor’s office only validates what I have been stating over an eleven year period of time. Public safety, preservation of property values and the negative consequences of having 104 townhouses [52 –3 bedroom----52---2-bedroom] on a flood plain within a community that is 97% developed, schools which are overcrowded, supporting this project is not in the best interest of this township when taking into account all the variables.

I have recommended to the governing that we hire an independent third party to provide the township with a Fiscal Impact Study. Currently, there’re approximately 1500 hundred units of housing being proposed for development/ re-development.  This report will serve as a guide for the Planning Board and the governing body to best assess the impact of these developments on our entire township. We are blindly reacting to piece meal proposals with no overall plan as to the impact they would have on our schools, infrastructure, community services and our ability to sustain the mass number of residents in the next 3 to 5 year period.   This information would be a valuable tool for our school district as well as our ability to be more competitive when applying for grants.

It was noted that I have a personal agenda. ---- Yes I do  !!!!!!

I have served this community for ten years as an advocate for environmental and quality of life issues. May I just mention a few of the initiates that I sponsored for the residents of this community: Paper recycling within the schools, initiated electronic recycling at the depot and at the Shop-Rite parking lot, responsible for a Coca Cola grant for recycling containers in our parks,  responsible for the recycling containers throughout the township, creating a revenue stream  for our recycling program, served  on the Open Space Trust Fund as an active member to secure  grants of 2.1 million dollars for the acquisition of a flood prone property from the Green Acres program  and the NJ/NY Baykeeper, initiated street sweeping from Bay ave north,  worked closely with residents for a one-way street on Martin/ Elston. May I add just one other item. During my term as an elected official, I have not collected a stipend for medical insurance which amounts to approximately $ 6,000 dollars per year to date and upon completion of my term will amount to $ 36,000 dollars that I’ve returned to the taxpayers of this community.   

This is just part of my agenda that I have worked hard to achieve. As the Councilman for the Second Ward, I have been visible, accessibly and responsive to my constituents. I have run in three elections and proudly have survived both off the line and on the line. I have funded all my elections without accepting contributions from vendors/ contractors or any political committees. All funds that I have raised are from local grass roots contributors. This has allowed me the freedom to be an independent voice with no strings attached. My only clients are the residents of the 2^nd Ward and the community of Bloomfield who I represent and I will do that aggressively with the highest level of integrity and honesty.

--Councilman Nicholas Joanow

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