SUMMIT, NJ – The Summit Common Council held its final meeting of the year, saying farewell to both 2018 and outgoing Ward 2 Council Member Mary Ogden. Before the proper goodbyes could be said, Council got down to business on issues that are forefront in the Hilltop City, including traffic safety and downtown redevelopment.
Police Chief Robert Weck described “Keeping Summit Safe” through the “Three Es” — Education, Enforcement, and Engineering — and also addressed the public perception that Summit has significant traffic safety problems. Weck listed several locations where studies have been done and calming measures have been put in place, including Ashland Road, the Central Business District, and Woodland Avenue – the City’s worst spot for speeding.
Summit’s ‘top cop’ detailed the City’s motor vehicle accident history since 2012:
- 978 that year
- 807 in 2013
- 804 in 2014
- 840 in 2015
- 814 in 2016
- 913 in 2017, and
- 851 to date this year
Of the 851, 20 occurred on state highways in town and 134 on “private property” like parking lots. Statistically, most accidents occur between noon and 6 p.m., and the most dangerous day is Thursday. The least safe male drivers are aged 21-30 and females 41-50. The most common type of accident is rear-ending.
Summit also saw:
- 18 pedestrian accidents in 2012
- 9 in 2013
- 16 in 2014
- 16 in 2015
- 20 in 2016
- 8 in 2017, and
- 10 so far this year.
According to Weck, at least half of the incidents each year result in minor or no injuries.
The Summit Police Department’s education efforts include working with the Summit Running Club and local biking organizations, high school driver’s education programs, and the ‘Sack the Phone’ campaign.
In engineering, four-way stop signs at five intersections, including Hobart and Springfield — the City’s most dangerous intersection — are being implemented. Bump-outs / chicanes and speed humps are also in the engineering arsenal. Bollards near the middle school drop-off point and in the Central Business District near crosswalks have been effective in preventing drivers from parking where they can obscure sightlines. Similarly, designated delivery truck parking spots will be enforced beginning in March.
Weck emphasized that any engineering changes require considerable study before being implemented.
Regarding enforcement, there have been 9,700 motor vehicle stops to date this year, which is intended to change the behavior of both the stopped driver and those who see the Summit Police at work. Weck suggested that a visible police presence also deters other kinds of crime. During the first nine months of 2018, more than 5,000 summonses were written, about 1,000 by the dedicated traffic unit.
Ward One Council Member Mike McTernan said he hears from his constituents that “We never see anyone being pulled over,” and was pleased to hear that the statistics clearly refute that. He then asked about the traffic unit. Weck replied that the patrol units — the black and white cruisers — respond to all kinds of calls, while the traffic unit — a Seargent and two officers — is devoted to traffic issues except when there is a major emergency.
The Chief ended by saying that residents need to set an example for all drivers and pedestrians, and inviting citizens with concerns to contact him directly at RWeck@spdnj.org or the traffic unit at traffic@spdnj.org.
Council President David Naidu raised a concern with the orange-tinged streetlights scattered throughout town which provide much less visibility than the newer, LED lights. Department of Public Works Director Paul Cascais said JCPL has offered to replace those dimmer sodium-vapor streetlights with LEDs and the City is compiling a prioritized list. He added that the utility, which bears the cost of the replacements, has been responsive and has even installed some additional streetlights. McTernan asked about installing a traffic light at Springfield and Hobart. Weck answered that the four-way stop signs are being implemented, and the intersection would be monitored to see how behavior changes. He noted that signs and parked officers for several weeks will ensure the new configuration is very visible to drivers.
Annie Hindenlang of urban planners Topology LLC provided an update on the Broad Street West redevelopment project, impacting 10.1 acres, a mix of public and private land, assessed at $10,480,000. Topology has been gathering feedback through a mix of online and in-person outreach efforts to better understand the community’s expectations. In January, the firm will launch new outreach to present its findings and the Request for Qualifications and Request for Concept it used to identify potential developers. Topology spent more than four months qualifying developers out of a pool of ten teams.
Among the findings are that there is a pretty solid consensus in all segments of Summit residents’ vision for the redevelopment. Major concerns include congestion and movement around the downtown, pedestrian safety, and parking. People want the redevelopment to complement the existing downtown, and they want more entertainment options like a movie theater, children’s events, and seasonal events. Also mentioned were a grocery store, housing options, and places to congregate. Examples which came up frequently included Morristown, Westfield, and Berkeley Heights. Both traditional architecture styles and solar panels were brought up. Other desirable traits include mid-rise, mixed use development, structured parking, a mix of residential/commercial retail use, and buried utilities. A survey directed at the high school student population added a few somewhat age-specific specific wish-list items including green design and sustainability, places to hang out, a dog park, skate park, seating, and entertainment like movies and an arcade.
Hindenlang named as “core principles” elements like civic engagement, being pedestrian-friendly, and quality architecture, with a goal of bringing more residents into the downtown. She indicated that the potential developers feel they can accommodate most of these objectives. While a full-size movie house is problematic, a smaller supermarket “like a Trader Joe’s or an Aldi” is a possibility. Also proposed is some adaptive reuse for buildings like the old fire station and post office.
She outlined a proposed timeline for future steps. Following additional outreach in January, a draft development plan will be submitted in February for planning board review the following month. Council will hold a public hearing in April. After potential projects are identified and publicly vetted next summer, development proposals could be finalized in September. She emphasized that the earliest possible date for initial construction would be Spring of 2020. Ogden, as liaison to the Library Board, expressed her approval of Topology’s plans to make a presentation to that body at its January meeting.
Listeners also heard from Amanda Parrish Block, founder and executive director of Giving and Receiving Assistance for our Community’s Essentials (GRACE), who spoke about her organization’s work. The Summit native founded GRACE two years ago to assist the city’s working poor, people “important and hidden,” like restaurant workers, landscape workers, phlebotomists, painters, contract workers, and the like. Every Tuesday, GRACE’s Refrigerator at Christ Church provides fresh produce, milk, eggs, and hygiene necessities to some 90 families a week. Clothing, baby supplies, and such are provided through GRACE’s Closet. GRACE has distributed 300 coats this winter, and has requests for more. They send snacks to schools, and work with the Food Bank and the Y to provide weekend food. Some 25% of Summit’s families have to choose between essentials like food, electricity, medicine, or gas for their car. Working with the United Way, GRACE is a safety net for families on the brink. With the high school, GRACE offers a program providing employment training for people past high school.
Block was joined by James Horne, CEO and President of United Way of Greater Union County, headquartered in Elizabeth, added details about GRACE’s clients. His organization serves Summit, New Providence, and Berkley Heights. He mentioned that in addition to the working poor, a large number of “challenged individuals” are over 75 years old, non-native English speakers, or people without high school diplomas.
Summit Mayor Nora Radest commended Block on the way GRACE partners with so many organizations throughout Summit. Block noted there will eventually be a second GRACE’s Refrigerator opening at the Community Center’s senior lounge, focusing largely on senior nutritional needs. Asked by Council Member at Large Beth Little how residents can get involved, Block replied Facebook is the easiest to make contact. Monetary donations can be made via the donation button at JLSummit.org, and items may be dropped off at Christ Church.
During the meeting, three ordinances were heard and passed.
Matt Gould, Ward One Council Member, moved a Safety ordinance to place stop signs at Springfield and Hobart Avenues (a four-way stop), Cleveland and Colt Roads, and Westminster and Whittredge Roads. A second safety ordinance prohibited parking anywhere on the west side of Chapel Street. This was prompted by a resident’s concern about vehicular and pedestrian safety on the small, narrow street. Naidu raised the question as to whether something could be implemented to make it safer for people exiting the car wash across the street. Weck agreed to look into possible safety enhancements there.
A Buildings and Ground ordinance moved by Ward 2 Council Member Marjorie Fox amends the affordable housing ordinance to require any multi-family development of five or more dwelling units to include an affordable housing set-aside regardless of the zone in which the multi-family development is being built. This is pursuant to the amended settlement with the Fair Share Housing Center, and has been validated by the City planning board as being in conformance with the city’s master plan. The Reverend Dr. Denison D. Harrield, Jr., of Wallace Chapel AME Zion Church spoke in praise of the City’s efforts to integrate its market rate and affordable housing, signaling that the city is truly “accepting, welcoming, and inclusive.”
McTernan, while in favor of the ordinance, expressed his frustration with the process whereby the City has been trying to get its COAH obligation signed off, but every good faith effort has been met with being told that “the goalposts have been moved.” He characterized it as a waste of people’s time and effort as well as money in legal fees that could have been used for affordable housing as already included in the master plan. Naidu shared his sentiments, while Radest added that she is proud of the City’s record on affordable housing in spite of the fact that thee system “does not make it easy.”
A pair of Buildings and Ground resolutions were moved by Fox. The first authorizes deer culling at Reeves-Reed Arboretum in partnership with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation bow hunting program. There is no cost to the City or the Arboretum. The Arboretum will notify its neighbors, and hunters will sign a hold-harmless agreement. Gould asked where the venison goes. Cascais explained the hunter may keep or donate it, but the deer must be butchered at a County-approved butcher. A second resolution amends the agreement between the City and the Summit Conservancy covering the construction of the Free Market Center. It originally specified the building would be complete by December 31, 2018; the amendment extends that to December 31, 2019. During this portion of the discussion, Naidu, who is on the Free Market Board, recused himself and handed over the gavel to president pro tem Gould.
McTernan raised a Law resolution appointing long-term Summit resident Kevin Callahan as temporary municipal court judge.
Three Works resolutions were moved by Stephen Bowman, Ward 2 Council Member. The first creates a Council liaison position with the Lackawanna Coalition. That group is an independent nonprofit volunteer organization advocating for better service on NJ Transit’s Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton rail lines. It has met in Millburn continuously since it was founded in 1979. Gould has already volunteered to fill that role. The second awards a bid for $316,000 to Manor II Electric of Holmdel for the Community Center and DPW building generator project. A $100,000 grant will offset some of that cost. He noted that the DPW garage needs to be online 24/7. Radest added that the Community Center will include showers and a kitchen, making it a valuable asset for residents without power. The generators will be powered by natural gas. Bowman’s third resolution declares a vacancy left by the resignation of a sanitation department employee.
Little had a lengthy list of Finance and Personnel resolutions.
The first resolution amends the city’s personnel policy manual, particularly the social media policy applicable to City employees. The changes were recommended by the Joint Insurance Fund and the City’s labor counsel. Naidu expressed concerns that the policy as written may hamper elected officials from speaking to and for the people who elected them. “Elected officials have to have the ability to directly communicate to the public uncensored, unfiltered, and sometimes in opposition to what staff is contemplating….” City Solicitor Matthew Giacobbe assured him that the policy affects only hired staff, who can be disciplined or even removed if they violate policy.
A pair of resolutions authorized the transfer of appropriations in the operating budget and the December transfer of appropriations for bills which need to be paid before December 31. Two other resolutions authorized 2019 legal services not to exceed $200,000 for the City solicitor and not to exceed $40,000 for labor counsel, for Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs LLC of Oakland. Also moved was the authorization of a professional services agreement not to exceed $185,000 for legal services in 2019 for tax appeal counsel from DiFrancesco, Bateman, Kunzman, Davis, Lehrer & Flaum, PC of Warren. McTernan questioned the value of the City paying lawyers to oppose City residents who are also paying lawyers. Given that the City will need to perform a property revaluation sooner or later, should Summit try to implement that revaluation sooner? Rogers explained that the Union County Tax Board is working through its municipalities in order, with those most in need of revaluation first. Summit is in the middle of the queue, and a revaluation is probably three or four years away. He added that a revaluation doesn’t end tax appeals. A resolution authorizes a contract extension with Millennium Strategies of Morristown for grant writing services in 2019, not to exceed $42,000 per year. Millennium has brought in some $450,000 in grants so far, and has identified several grants previously unknown to the city. Naidu requested that in 2019 there should be an even greater emphasis on ferreting out new funding sources. Also renewed was a contract, not to exceed $94,000, with the Town of Madison for sharing IT support services. Little characterized this ongoing relationship as successful and economical. Finally, a pair of resolutions extended leave with pay for a parking service agency employee and extended injury leave with pay for a DPW employee.
All resolutions s passed.
Naidu mentioned the capital budget workshop held the previous week, characterizing 2019 as “an especially challenging year” and urging citizens to keep abreast of what’s going on as the discussion proceeds.
In closing remarks, outgoing Council Member Ogden gave her valediction to her fellow Council members. She thanked them for their support and for showing “that it’s not about parties,” but rather about making decisions in the best interest of Summit. She also recognized the City’s professionals at the meeting, the mayor, and each department head. Ogden noted that she and her husband Henry, who was in the audience, may have been the first couple to run for council. A little teary, she received a standing ovation from the room. Ogden won’t be disappearing from City government; she will be serving on the City’s Planning Board.
Council members’ closing remarks were reserved for Ogden.
McTernan characterized her as one of the “most positive and optimistic people I know,” and elicited chuckles when he called her an “independent thinker, much to my chagrin” when they have been on opposite sides of an issue. First-year member Little said she couldn’t have had a “better mentor” than Ogden, calling her “passionate and kind.” Naidu noted that he, Odgen, and Radest had all started on this present Council together, and that they’ve been able to accomplish much good work together. Reverend Harrield, a resident of Ogden’s Second Ward, rose from the audience to add his appreciation for her concern for the residents there and her “willingness to learn, and to listen” to those people.
The Council will hold its reorganization meeting on Thursday, January 3, at 7:30 p.m., with the swearing-in of new Council Member Greg Vartan and the Mayor’s ‘State of the City’ address.