Ogdensburg discusses driveway ordinance

OGDENSBURG — Borough Engineer Eugene Buczynski recently discussed a new driveway ordinance with officials at an Ogdensburg Council meeting.
Buczynski said the existing driveway ordinance goes back to 1991; and the Land Use Planning Board chairman spearheaded the new ordinance, in order to establish some type of standard to counter driveways being built everywhere.
The new driveway ordinance, Buczynski said, does not apply to already existing driveways, unless they are modified. For new driveways, the ordinance details: location, drainage, pavement thickness and size.
The design criteria and applications for new driveways, Buczynski said, would go to the borough zoning officer, with a permit cost of $25; or $250 would go into escrow if something needed to be reviewed by the township engineer.
Mayor Elect George Hutnick asked, what was the purpose of creating the new ordinance, because the town had been around for 100 years?
“There is little to no new construction going on in town,” Hutnick said.
Councilman Anthony Nasisi said the ordinance needed cleaning.
Councilman David Astor asked how the ordinance would be enforced? He also asked about people widening a driveway – would they be fined?
Nasisi said, a permit would be required.
Mayor Rachel Slater said they would include information in the next borough mailing about the new driveway ordinance regarding permits, and what residents can and cannot do.
The draft ordinance states violation of the proposed ordinance, “shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both.”
After discussion, officials agreed with Police Chief Stephen Gordon to select two potential police department hires to attend the police academy, April 22, graduating in Oct. 2019. The police hires would help avoid future overtime, Gordon said, and they were unable to hire a lateral transfer into the police department. Furthermore, he said, the starting salaries for the two candidates equal what the borough would have paid for a lateral transfer.
Officials also agreed to Gordon’s three-year contract renewal after discussion.
Mayor Rachel Slater introduced the idea of hiring Bruno Associates to write borough grants for $36,000 per year, at $3,000 per month. They would help write all types of grants, Slater said, including: water infrastructure, engineering, Department of Transportation, police, fire and Emergency Medical Services.
Hutnick explained if Ogdensburg applied for a grant, and they were turned down, Bruno Associates would explain why, what needs to be fixed, and the borough could re-apply for the grant.
Slater said Sussex has worked with Bruno Associates for four years and received $400,000 for their dam rehabilitation. If Ogdensburg receives similar funds, Slater said, the grants would pay for the grant writers.
Borough Attorney Richard Brigliadoro said the grant work could be terminated for any reason with 60 days written notice.
Councilman Michael Nardini reported no hydrants had been replaced, but DPW Supervisor Chris Ross had been able to repair the first one. Ross hopes, Nardini said, to replace parts instead of replacing entire hydrants. In addition, Nardini is waiting for some quotes regarding work in the wells.
After discussion about students safely crossing Main Street, Slater said, they would contact the Sussex Technical School buses to instruct them to not go in the parking lot. Instead, she said, the buses would stop traffic in Main Street, so students can safely cross the street.
Officials discussed lights on the firehouse building for the parking lot with JCP&L Area Manager Jacqueline Espinoza, lights by the ballpark, and other street lights possibly having LED lights.
Borough Clerk Robin Hough clarified residents can contact her if a street light goes out, and she will notify JCP&L through their website.
Nardini said he almost has all the information to compare Service Electric and Centurylink. Furthermore, he will create generic gmail names for each council member.