FW Council Approves Police Chief; Demolition of Former Rocco's Property

The Fanwood Borough Council accepted the appointment of Richard Trigo to Chief of Police – he had been serving as Acting Chief since February – authorized the demolition of the vacant Terrill Road property formerly owned by Rocco's Tavern, and adopted an ordinance that regulates sandwich board signs in the downtown district at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night.

Trigo was named acting chief on Feb. 1, Councilwoman Katherine Mitchell said. After serving eight months in the position, he was named the chief of police by Mayor Colleen Mahr.

The council also moved forward with plans to demolish the corner property at 193 Terrill Road, formerly occupied by Rocco's Tavern. At a public hearing in August, it was determined that the property is in "unsafe condition and on the abandoned building list," borough attorney Dennis Estis said. The owner of the property, however, said that he lacked sufficient funds to demolish the building, Estis said.

By approving the demolition, as well as asbestos testing, Estis and council members said they hope they can pressure the owner into demolishing the building. If the borough does go forward with the operation, however, the costs will be placed as a lien on the property.

The board also adopted an ordinance that sets standards for sandwich board signs for businesses located on Martine Avenue and South Avenue. The signs may be 30 inches tall and 24 inches high, and, when affixed to a support, may not exceed 60 inches in height.

Additional Notes

Council President Russell Huegel presided over the meeting Tuesday. Mayor Colleen Mahr was running late, he said.

The council approved a resolution in support of the Access to the Region's Core – or "ARC" – rail tunnel. That project, which Gov. Chris Christie halted last week citing budget constraints and the potential for cost overruns, would provide direct train service from Fanwood and other Raritan Valley Line stops to New York Penn Station.

The tunnel, Councilwoman Mitchell said, "will totally raise our property values." Huegel, citing long commute times caused by the transfer at Newark Penn Station, concurred.

Estis also agreed. "There is no question that people don't look to move to Fanwood because there's no direct train to New York," he said. The council ultimately approved the resolution.

The council also named former Councilwoman Donna Dolce its Volunteer of the Month. Dolce serves on numerous boards, committees and commissions in the borough, including the Fanny Wood Day Committee, the Recreation Commission, the Strategic Planning Committee, the Earth Day Committee and the Recycling and Environmental Commission, Huegel said. Dolce is also active in the Girl Scouts.

"Every community needs a Donna Dolce," Huegel said. Turning to her, he added, "You are going to receive not only our admiration and respect, but a print of the Fanwood Train Station," the council's customary gift to its Volunteers of the Month.

Stay tuned for more details from the meeting Tuesday.