Ramsey Civic Association Meeting
August 22, 2003 - Ramsey Ambulance Corps Building Library

Jim Keeney called to order the Ramsey Civic Association (RCA) meeting at 7:41 p.m. with 32 members in attendance. This was the first meeting for the RCA held at the Ramsey Ambulance Corps Building.

Pledge of Allegiance

Jim announced that Joann Carroll has resigned as secretary of the RCA for personal reasons. Joanne Brown, Treasurer, was not available to read the financial report.

Jim read the minutes from the last RCA meeting held July 21, 2003.

Motion to accept the minutes was made by J. P. Tristani and seconded by Don McLaughlin.

Jim read the minutes from the executive meeting held on June 16, 2003.

Motion to accept the minutes was made by Joan Keeney and seconded by Steve Strollo.

Jim read the Treasurer’s report. A balance $2,907.00 is in the bank account. Proceeds from Ramsey Day totaled $107.85.

Motion to accept Treasurer’s report was made by J.P. Tristani and seconded by Jane Simon.

Jim commented on the success of Ramsey Day. The golf went over very well and many people stopped by the booth. Ann Webersinn had 40 people sign up for voter registration and handed out many absentee ballots. Participation by the membership was very good. Jim thanked everyone involved as it was truly was a big success.

October 21, 2003, which was designated for Candidate’s Night, may now change to October 28 or 29, 2003 as we are having problems finding a place to hold the event.

October 1, 2003 is the Bergen County School Funding Forum. This will feature a debate/discussion conducted by moderator Steve Adubato. Senators and key legislators will be part of this discussion, which will be held at the Ridgewood High School at 7:30p.m. Jim urged everyone to attend, as this will be a very interesting evening.

Standing Committees
Executive Board: No Report
Boro Council: No Report
Jim advised in the very near future the minutes from the Boro Council meeting will be posted on the RCA website.
Board of Adjustments: No Report
Planning Board: The developer is going forward with 105 age-restricted homes. Toyota dealership has donated a ball field to the town; estimated value is close to l million dollars. The property owned by Kinchley’s will not become a new restaurant, but another shopping center. The old Skinners property will now become Joe HeidtVolkswagen dealership. Ann questioned whether the astro turf to be installed on the field at the Ramsey High School was flammable. She had just read an article regarding the community of Englewood having possible dangers associated with their new ball field surface. She was advised the field astro turf to be installed in Ramsey is fine.
Recruiting: Lynn Bergin advised there were plenty of handouts at the Ramsey Day booth.
Auditing: No report.
Historical Records: Pictures from Ramsey Day were displayed on a table for all members to review. Shortly a selection will be ready for the website. Sherman did a great job with the pictures.
Communications & Press: No report.
Citizen Assistance: RCA intends to sponsor a “Family for Christmas.” This would include food gifts for the holidays, presents for children and any other needs during the holidays. Gina Ratto, in conjunction with the Center for Food Action, will provide the information on the families in need such as food requirements and ages of children for the purchase of gifts.
Voter Registration: The Ramsey Day booth generated 40 new registered voters.
Civic Activities: The Ramsey Ambulance Corps Building was considered for the next RCA holiday party. Jane Simon of the Ambulance Corps. advised we must fill out some forms and insurance is required if alcohol is served, but all the details can be worked out. The room is very nice and a good size to hold the event.
Website: Nothing to report. A question was asked regarding how many hits we get on our site. Michael will check into and provide the information to Jim. Jim personally thanked Michael for the work on the website and noted how quickly the reports are up on the site.
Political Action: Candidates night will possible be October 28 or 29th as Jim spoke about earlier.

Unfinished Business: No report.

New Business
Jim stated we have a functional organization of 120 members and we are now considered part of the Ramsey civic community. Jim asked the membership where do we want to go from here? What do we (the members) want to do? He offered suggestions such as help people with practical problems, become more politically involved. Subject was opened for discussion.

One member commented on the aggressive drivers in Ramsey and the need to crack down on these speeding drivers. Perhaps form a traffic committee. All members were in agreement as this is an on going problem in Ramsey and requires some special attention. The intersection of Lake Street and Franklin Turnpike will ultimately result in more accidents, both vehicular and pedestrian. Steve Strollo sent an email to Mayor Muti regarding this intersection advising that not many people are happy with the new design. The general consensus of opinion is that this would eventually lead to the widening of the roads by the County.

Tony Iannarelli stated his concerns with the traffic issues and would hope we look into alternative transportation such as bicycle paths. Tony will get together with Jim to discuss further.

A suggestion was made to put a book of resources together. Jim noted that this would be a good project for the Citizens Assistance committee. Both Joan and Angela agreed to add this to their current projects.

Michael stated this would be very good for the website and could even include valuable links.

In attendance were some of the members from the Board of Education. It was a great pleasure to have them attend and spend time with the RCA. The BOE agreed to answer questions concerning the proposal on the new Dater School and additional building enhancements. The new school will be much more effective than a repair. A very important fact is that we need smaller classrooms, as this provides a better opportunity for our children. Smaller classrooms, better education. The new school has been designed to accommodate this as well as moving ahead with an increased population. The BOE also stated the money is here now and now is the time to vote yes and build. One member questioned the tuition from Saddle River and should this be looked into for possible increase. The BOE responded that we receive over $1 million in tuition fees from Saddle River.

Jim advised attending the Bergen County School Funding Forum on October 1, 2003 would prove to be a very interesting night. Bergen County has been short changed and not given their fair share of the educational funding.

DAVID DOES, CHIEF OF AMBULANCE CORPS SPEAKS ON BEHALF THE CORPS.

David Does spoke on need for new members. He noted today the Corps includes 24 active members from all professions such as lawyers, salesmen, and homemakers. The Ramsey Ambulance Corps not only supports Ramsey, but Mahwah and Allendale when their ambulance is out on another call. Mahwah and Allendale also need members as well, since they support us when Ramsey is out on another call. The Corps lost approximately 56-60 calls last year due to a manpower shortage and increasing population of Ramsey. David emphasized that new members are trained and supported by the current members. “What would we do if we called 911 and no one shows up? Something for all of us to think about. The last resort would be to pay a private service that is really not part of our community, not our neighbors and not the people that care enough to go that extra mile.

The Ramsey Ambulance Corps is a volunteer, private corporation charted under the Boro of Ramsey. The Boro provides some financial support however it is usually donations that make the difference. For the Corps to run effectively they need $50,000 annually, the Boro provides today only $25,000.

Recently they received a clothing reimbursement fund, however they are still in need of some updated equipment. David stated the Corps answers over 1,000 calls per year by these unpaid professionals and gave some examples of the high profile accidents that have included their assistance. David also gave examples of some of the standard calls they make everyday as well as other services they provide such as prearranged carry cases (hospitals, nursing homes) at no charge.

David discussed the HOT topic of the NJ Transit site for commuter parking. The Corps has met with NJ Transit to cover many safety issues and all concerns have yet to be completed. David’s personal opinion is that someday we will have a real tragedy at that site.

David was kind enough to bring with him the recruitment video from Allendale. The video was excellent. It provided information as well as covered many frequently asked questions.

In closing, David spoke briefly about the vital of life, a sign on the window/front door, indicating there is reference material in the house containing information about the individual's medical condition and medications. He also suggested taking the CPR course at the Ramsey Adult School. It saves lives.

Jim’s closing remarks included “remember to vote September 30, 2003.” Jim also thanked the BOE, David Does, and the Ramsey Ambulance Corps for the use of their meeting room.

Next meeting will be Monday, November 17, 2003, 7:00 pm, at the Ramsey Library.

Meeting adjourned 10:07 p.m.