Ramsey Civic Association General Meeting
December 10, 2002 - Ramsey Library

The General Meeting of the Ramsey Civic Association came to order at 7:05pm with the Pledge of Allegiance

Minutes the RCA October 15 meeting were read and approved with one correction – correction
(Board of Adjustment meetings regarding the cell tower are open to the public but are not announced ahead of time). The financial statement was made available to members. Membership renewals for year 2003 will be due one year from time they joined with the bulk due in January. Notices will be sent out by the website and mail.

Reports
Chairpersons Report: Chairperson Jim Keeney re-stated that Commerce bank has given up their efforts for the helistop and will not be pursuing it. We owe special thanks to RCA members JP Tristani and Steve Strollo for their research and speaking up at council meeting.

New Ramsey Train Station: The NJDOT has right of entry for the Ramsey Lumber property and submitted plans to Trenton. NJDOT is currently surveying the property and doing ground testing. The DOT does not own the property at this time, though they expect to soon. Construction of the park and ride should begin shortly after the holidays. Ramsey will be losing tax-ratables with the park and ride and should look into getting re-imbursed from the state.

A check in the amount of $1,745.00 has been issued to Richard Muti to re-pay him for the start up costs for the RCA.

Jim Keeney has set up all executive and general meetings for 2003. The 12 meeting dates will be on the website.

The RCA will purchase $300.00 worth of software to upgrade the website.

Standing Committees:
Planning Board Report: Nothing to report since the helistop issue is over.

Town Council Report: The announcement of the new Police Chief and Captain will be made at the next meeting. Brian Gurney will probably be named chief and Ray Bailey captain.

Board of Adjustment Report: Sprint received approval for the tower. It now goes before the Planning Board. There are already existing antennas present on the building so it is expected to pass. Other issues still before the Board of Adjustment: Car wash planned for Franklin Tpke, parking spots for the church behind Macaroni Grill, Skinner Nuts and Ramsey Volvo/Saab. The request to change usage to retail from the strip mall located where the Feed & Grain store was postponed.

Planning Board Report: Joe Heigt would like to expand and requests permission to remove some trees. Prestige Auto Group wants to utilize the Skinner Nuts property to separate the Volvo/Saab dealerships.

Board of Ed Report: Will be discussed in new business.

Civic Activities Report: Nothing to report.

Auditing Report: Nothing to report.

Historical Records: Will be indexed and available to the public.

Communication/Press Report: Notices of future meetings will be put in local papers. A summary of the helistop will be put on the website.

Citizens Assistance Report: Angelo Strollo thanked everyone who volunteered to help drive seniors to the polls. We will look into providing real assistance to Ramsey residents. A few examples could be information on veterans affairs, available senior/disabled discounts, tax free programs for seniors, and disabled citizens., etc. Possibly set up an evening to help filling out forms and where to file.

Unfinished Business: There is no unfinished business.

Special Committees:
Holiday Party: Joan Keeney will chair a committee to look into a First Anniversary Party. It was decided to be held at Houlihans on February 2, 4-8 pm. The cost will be $25. per person. Invitations will go out.

New Business:
Train Station: The DOT has completed all their tests. The new park and ride is in the design stage.

Phone System: The RCA will set up a voice mail box with Verizon. The cost will be $14.66 per month, plus $6.50 for the voice mail mailbox.. There is a one time set up fee of $20.29 and $15.00 to establish the line. A motion was made and the vote in favor was unanimous.

CableVision: Discounts for seniors and disabled will be discussed at the next executive board meeting.
Re-organization Meeting: To be held January 5 at 1pm at the High School. Richard Muti encouraged everyone to attend.

Tax Exempt: Will get PO Box when we get tax exempt number. Will take 6-9 months.

Donation: The RCA will give the library a $50.00 donation because of our use of the back room. Motion was carried.

Billboards at Train Station: Owned by the NJ Transit and there isn’t much we can do about it.

Board of Ed: A committee will be set up to look into the BOE’s plans for Dater School. JP Tristani will chair. Basic goals of the committee: To see if it is necessary, what are other alternatives and come up with a position for the RCA

The next General Meeting will be February 19th at 7pm

Meeting was adjourned at 9pm.