Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Host of issues to tackle in new year, Bob Conley said.
Madison borough hall's refurbished fire horn that sounded to welcome the new year was powered by "a universal sigh of relief that 2012 was over," Mayor Bob Conley said in his New Year's message Tuesday. "We had our challenges, but every time Madison came out stronger," he said. Referring to the council firing and then reinstating Borough Administrator Ray Codey, Conley said the elected officials who made the unpopular decision listened to their constituents, recognized it was a mistake and made things right. "Washington should take note," he said. After Madison recovered from Superstorm Sandy, it helped neighboring towns get power back, and then partnered with Union Beach, which will be an ongoing effort in 2013, he said. Councilman Don …
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Astri Baillie and Ben Wolkowitz were sworn in Tuesday.
Madison Borough Council members Astri Baillie and Ben Wolkowitz were sworn in Tuesday at the the governing body's reorganization meeting, kicking off their three-year terms. Baillie will serve as the council's public safety liaison, and Wolkowitz will serve as the council's finance and borough clerk liaison. The Democratic running mates were elected by voters in November in a contested race. Baillie previously served on the council from 2002 to 2010 before taking a break from elected office. Wolkowitz is serving his first term. They were sworn in by Borough Administrator Ray Codey. Baillie's husband, John Kimball, and Wolkowitz's wife, Lois Wolkowitz, were present for the swearing-in. The six-member council now has two more Democrats, …
Friday, December 14, 2012
Fence going up to block off section of Madison Recreation Center that is in need of environmental remediation.
A fence is being constructed around a section of the Madison Recreation Center that is not being used for recreation purposes so Madison can receive more than $1.2 million in state Green Acres funding toward the 2008 acquisition of the property. The Borough Council approved a resolution at its Monday meeting authorizing Madison to contract with E.B. Fence to install the fence for a total of $33,471.90, and authorized the borough to execute a notice of deed restriction "to facilitate the disbursement of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Green Acres Program funding." Borough Engineer Bob Vogel said environmental issues were identified when the property was acquired in 2008. He said the site will eventually be 100 percent in …
Friday, November 30, 2012
New law 'sets forth the rules of the game,' attorney says.
The Madison Borough Council this week approved a new law outlining the process for hiring new police officers and promoting officers to the ranks of chief, captain, lieutenant and sergeant. "We have created a comprehensive police promotional ordinance," borough attorney Matt Giacobbe said when the ordinance was introduced on Nov. 5. "It covers from the hiring of patrol officers all the way to the promotion of chief." Before the law, there was no ordinance and hiring and promotions were done under police rules and regulations. The change comes at a time when Madison will be promoting a new, permanent police chief. John Trevena retired as chief, Jerry Mantone was appointed acting chief and then also retired. Darren Dachisen is the acting …
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Mayor said Madison's response was among the best in the state.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
League of Women Voters forum draws 60 attendees.
Approximately 60 people attended a forum for Madison Borough Council candidates Tuesday evening at the Madison Community House to hear the four candidates give statements and field audience members' questions. Two three-year seats are up for vote, with Democrats Astri Baillie, a former councilwoman, and Ben Wolkowitz running against GOP nominees Board of Health President John Hoover and Carmen Pico. The event was hosted and moderated by the League of Women Voters, with audience members submitting questions about electric rates, taxes, Health Department contracts and the dismissal and reinstatement of Madison's borough administrator earlier in the year. Attendees wrote down questions on index cards, and before long moderator Louise Murray …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Statement from Ben Wolkowitz and Astri Baillie questions Health Department, touts joint court.
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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Ben Wolkowitz and Astri Baillie, candidates for Borough Council, have been investigating how economic pressures felt throughout our state are forcing municipalities to consider different ways of providing services. In a prepared press release, they stated, “Some municipalities have instituted or are considering complete town-wide consolidation of municipal services. Princeton has been a high visibility case where the Township and the Borough, previously independent municipalities, merged into a single entity.” Wolkowitz and Baillie are not in favor of such a wholesale move for Madison; however they view service sharing and purchasing as potentially viable alternatives to providing everything for itself. The candidates went on to state: “…
Stephanie Corrao is the Madison Police Department's newest officer.
Madison has a new police officer, and the police department has been authorized to start interviewing candidates to hire another officer. The governing body approved a resolution hiring Stephanie Corrao, a former Union City police officer, at its meeting on Monday, and also approved resolutions appointing two acting lieutenants and two acting sergeants. Sgt. Joseph Cirella and Sgt. Dennis Lam were appointed acting lieutenants because they were the first and second candidates, respectively, on the existing lieutenant promotional examination list. Detective Sean Plumstead and Patrolman Craig Perrelli were appointed acting sergeants because they were the first and second candidates, respectively, on the existing sergeant promotional …
Monday, October 22, 2012
John Hoover and Carmen Pico say they support a rate reduction once lower wholesale rates kick in.
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Monday, October 22, 2012
GOP candidates for Madison Borough Council John Hoover and Carmen Pico issued the following news release saying they would support lowering electric rates for residents by 10 percent once lower wholesale rates kick in. Candidates Hoover and Pico believe that in these economically challenging times, residential ratepayers should be given a 10% rate reduction as soon as the lower wholesale rates kick in, and promise to support an ordinance to make that happen if elected. The past two years the Madison Borough Council has been approving wholesale electricity purchases for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 that will drop the rates that the Borough of Madison pays to buy electricity by 40 – 45%. This forward thinking plan reverses the problems caused …
Democratic candidates for Borough Council Astri Baillie and Ben Wolkowitz cite solar power and industrial composters as possible cost savers worth pursuing.
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Monday, October 22, 2012
In a prepared statement, candidates for Borough Council Astri Baillie and Ben Wolkowitz describe how the application of technology designed to address environmental issues could generate significant cost savings for Madison. The candidates stated: “We both strongly believe that working to save our environment is in everyone’s best interest; however, we also realize that not everyone shares this view. But we think that everyone likes to save money, and through our involvement, we have learned of significant opportunities for towns to reduce costs while improving the environment. Reducing the cost of running the borough is a first priority for us and will be on the top of our list of things to do if elected.” Wolkowitz added that, “The …
Madison Station
6:53 am on Saturday, December 15, 2012
If there are levels of something that exceeds standards, is it from the Exxon research facility? What other past uses has this land seen? Truth squad- people only like to complain about the things they can see. An unkept lot with foot tall grass is taboo and must be rectified immediately, but leaky oil tanks can be kept underground and continue leaking, so long as you don't sell the home. more ›