Ramsey Civic Association General Meeting
October 15, 2002 - Ramsey Library

The General Meeting of the Ramsey Civic Association came to order at 7:11pm. Twenty-nine members were present.

Minutes were read and approved as read. The financial statement was made available to members. The treasurer reported that the RCA broke even on Ramsey Day.

We welcomed two visitors, a Ramsey resident thinking of joining the RCA, and a guest from Mahwah.

Reports:
Chairpersons Report: Ramsey Day was a rousing success. It was efficiently run and well put together. The putt-putt golf was a huge success. Thanks to Chip Reid for building the putt-putt golf and donating the costs of material.

The RCA also helped 52 town residents to fill out the paperwork to register to vote.

Jim reminded members that there will be a planning board meeting later tonight regarding the Helistop, and we’d like as many people as possible to attend. Jim Keeney was interviewed over the phone by the Channel 12 news regarding the helistop. JP was interviewed in person.

The Republican candidates stated that the RCA is opposed to the helistop for political reasons. Our only involvement is for the safety of the town of Ramsey. It should be noted that Commerce Bank already has construction equipment on site. If the Mayor and Council say we’re opposed to the helistop for political reasons, they must, therefore, be in favor of it. The RCA must stress the safety issue, quality of life and pollution whenever discussing the helistop.

Commerce Bank says they’ve been landing helicopters in Ramsey for the past 15 years and no one complained. It’s possible that residents thought the helicopter was landing for medical emergencies or such, and therefore wouldn’t complain about it. If they get approval for the stop, we could have as many as 10 helicopters landing per day. The consultant hired by the bank says it would be a plus to surrounding businesses to have a helistop.

We will present the petitions to the mayor instead of the planning board. The planning board is not bound by public sentiment. The planning board's only consideration is limited to the parking variance and green areas.

Special Committees:
Candidates Night: Ellen Pfister (RCA member and lead person on organizing the Candidates Night) thought that even if the RCA is unable to sponsor the debate, the RCA could still have been able to promote it. It was a mistake not to hold the debate and the voters of Ramsey are the losers. The high school debate will not be televised, the only purpose of holding a debate is for the educational benefits for students.

Council Meeting: Only general business was discussed. The meeting became heated during the public comment period between the Mayor, Borough Attorney and candidate Richard Muti.

Board of Adjustment: The cell tower application for Franklin Turnpike is handled in special meetings that aren’t open to the public.

Planning Board: The helistop took up most of the meeting. Both attorneys, Ramsey & Upper Saddle River cross examined the witness. Only other topic was the doctors office application for Franklin Turnpike where the Covenant Church is.

Membership: The RCA will have a membership promotion month. All members are asked to go out and get one new member before the end of the year.

Auditing: Will have the first audit the beginning of next year.

Historical: A letter and the “Bergen Record” article will be passed on to Sherman Price.

Communication and Press: It was decided that the RCA should get an article to the paper after each general meeting, listing what was discussed. Announce all future general meetings letting residents know what topics will be coming up for discussion. Also, anytime the RCA takes a position, the paper should be notified.

Citizens Assistance: A sign up sheet is at the desk for volunteers to drive town residents to the election polls on election day.

Unfinished Business: None

New Business: A request was made that all future meetings begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. A vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.

Again, the RCA also discussed getting partisan politics out of local government. The RCA will look into it further down the road.

Some members feel that the recent decision to hire a police chief from within is done for political gain. The RCA’s stand, being non-partisan, is that it doesn’t matter which party does something if it is for the best interests of Ramsey. The council should be commended for it’s decision. We should get a letter of commendation to the paper congratulating the council for their decision.

A suggestion was made that we should add a section to our website asking residents if there is anything we can do to help.

A member requested that we look into the siren at the Island Road fire house. We should check on the hours it is used and see if they can find another method of notifying the volunteer firemen.

A member mentioned the number of advertisements at the train station. The property is owned by NJ Transit but it seems to be pushing commercialization. Aren’t there town codes they need to follow. The RCA will look into it.

We would like to have a social affair this winter for all members. We’ll hold it in January as December is usually a busy time for everyone. Joan Keeney, Lynn Bergin, Sharon Davis and Kathy Reid help will arrange it.

The RCA will send a thank you to Don Onegian for his help with the free legal work and to Mike Lonier for the hours spend setting up our website.

The next general meeting will be held on December 10.

The meeting was adjourned at 9pm