Borough Council: Building Up, Tearing Down

Tuesday night's agenda meeting of the Fanwood Borough Council addressed several on-going projects and included a special meeting concerning the tearing down of the "Rocco's" building at 193 Terrill Road.

Borough Engineer Dominic Carrino provided updates on several projects, including lighting in the Borough Hall parking lot, but the major topic of discussion concerned the Belvidere Avenue reconstruction project.  The council had previously awarded the contract to the lowest bidder, Jenicar Builders Contractors Co. Inc.  Before the contracts were signed, however, the council learned through a newspaper article that in August, Jenicar pled guilty to conspiracy to commit official misconduct for having by provided $25,000 worth of free work on the home of Perth Amboy's then-mayor, Joseph Vas in 2002.  Despite the plea, Jenicar has not been debarred from public contracts; therefore, the borough cannot automatically reject the company's bid. 

The situation was discussed further during the council's executive session and for now remains unresolved. Borough Clerk Eleanor McGovern said that the next step will be for council members to meet informally with a representative from Jenicar to discuss the matter and whether it will pose a problem for the project's completion.  Depending on what the council learns, the contract process may go forward, or the council may engage in further fact-finding and discussion, including a possible open meeting with the public. 

In a special meeting, the council addressed the proposed demolition of the vacant corner property once occupied by Rocco's liquor store and bar. Although the property may have a buyer, refurbishment of the existing structure is no longer an option. Council members noted that the building has been an eyesore for years and that prior owners had repeatedly ignored the codes. The council stated that at this point, either the owner can demolish the building, or the council will do so with the owner being responsible for reimbursing the borough for the cost.  The council plans to obtain an emergency appropriation for the demolition next month, and in the meantime, will need to determine whether there is asbestos or an oil tank on the property. In a first step to getting the project moving, the council will consider a resolution to open the project to bids.

On a separate note, the council announced the release of the consultant's report on shared services between Fanwood and Scotch Plains on Sept. 8th.  The council plans to hold two meetings, one in October and one in November, to give the public an opportunity to discuss and ask questions about the report and shared services.  The exact dates have not been decided.

The Council meets for its regular meeting Monday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall.