The Alternative Press

NEWTON, NJ – Town of Newton Town Manager Thomas S. Russo, Jr., introduced Tracy Villaverde, the town’s new Human Resources Coordinator, at last night’s town council meeting.

Villaverde started in her position on Monday, July 30.

Villaverde told the council, and audience, her past experiences included 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry, overseeing managed care benefits.

“I am looking forward to working with the town, and helping to move the town forward in the process,” Villaverde said.

“For the record, where do you live?” Russo asked Villaverde.

“Newton,” Villaverde replied with a smile, just before leaving the microphone.

There were a few other items of business, prior to the meeting adjourning at 7:29pm, less than a half hour after it commenced.

In other business:

·      Municipal Clerk Lorraine Read reported the success of the Town-wide Garage Sale on Friday August 3, Saturday August 4, and Sunday, August 5. There were 88 participants on the map, and 10 who came in after the registration deadline, to participate, who were not included on the map.  “They were just as successful as the others,” Read said. Read explained the homes were placed on the map by street. “I myself had one [a garage sale], and it was very successful,” Read said.

·      Town Attorney Mark Hontz provided an update on the “disruptive property” ordinance. Click here, and here for previous coverage from The Alternative Ptress on the topic. “We found a more responsive contact,” Hontz said, of another municipality with such an ordinance that Russo provided to Hontz to follow up with. Hontz is reviewing this town’s ordinance to see where the action can fit in to enforce the upcoming ordinance planned for troublesome boarding houses the town has been contending with in Newton. “They [the other municipality] are dealing with rooming houses that turn into ‘Animal Houses’ with shore properties,” Hontz explained. Hontz clarified the “Animal House” term was not coined by Newton, but was chosen by the municipality with the model ordinance they are looking at. “It originated to combat the fraternity-like renters in seasonal rentals,” Hontz said. One of the issues with enforcing the issues in boarding and room houses has emerged due to minimal state participation, with the state in charge of inspections. Hontz said the state has the obligation to inspect the residences, but it may take place only once every several years. “If specific complaints are made, the state could act, but there’s no guarantee,” said Russo. “As far as inspections can go, Newton is low on the list as far as other properties are concerned.” Hontz said he reached out to Senator Steven Oroho for a recommended DCA (Department of Community Affairs) inspector.

·       Jennifer Credidio, Special Redevelopment Counsel for the town’s planning board, presented a brief update to the Merriam Gateway Redevelopment Plan Amendment. Town of Newton Planner Jessica Caldwell created the amendment, to help further goals of the plan. “The expressed purpose of the amendment allows concepts adopted for the plan, and what was proposed or envisioned by the plan,” said Credidio. “It will allow those standards and concepts to be in harmony.” The amendment will increase density, adjustment setback, plan area boundaries, and certain other adjustments. Credidio said the planning board would review the plan amendment, make recommendations, and decide to go forward with implemented changes.

·      “On August 27, you will have paper for the last time, and your laptops for the first time,” Russo told the council. To promote a “paperless council”, laptops (budgeted items installed with Microsoft Office, and anti-virus software) will be used for the first time. “During the first meeting of September, there will be no papers, and you’ll have your laptop,” Russo concluded.