Ogdensburg appoints new police officers

OGDENSBURG — The Ogdensburg Council unanimously approved the appointment of two Borough Police Officers, Vincent SanFilippo and Dennis Wottle, on March 25.
Their appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of all tests and final approval by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. SanFilippo and Wottle will each be paid $30,000 per year.
Councilman David Astor and Councilwoman Rachel Slater were absent.
The council also unanimously amended and supplemented the borough code regarding requirements and fees for officers performing quasi-public police services. Per ordinance, applicants for quasi public police services will submit a fee of $85 per hour for any police officer being requested to work
In addition, the council unanimously adopted an ordinance appropriating $40,000 currently located within Water Capital — Capital Improvement Fund.
Finally, the council unanimously approved authorizing the Clean Community Coordinator to hire an illusion maker for a school performance regarding the environment.
Mayor George Hutnick mentioned the performance is paid for by the Clean Communities Act.
Other businessCFO Michel Marceau discussed the upcoming 2019 budget with the council. He said they will introduce the budget during the first April meeting, with adoption during the first meeting in May.
Hutnick said the Land Use Board discussed increasing Zoning Permits and Certificate of Continued Occupancy fees at their last meeting.
Borough Attorney Robert B. McBriar said they will ensure the increase in fees is consistent, and they will introduce an ordinance at the next meeting.
Hutnick said the Land Use Board wants to increase their secretary’s hours to 15 hours. He suggested she recommend the new schedule.
Council President Michael Nardini said the Radon Awareness Grant and budget were approved; and they ordered the Radon kits, which should arrive within a few weeks. At that time, he said, they will notify residents via Facebook of the opportunity to test for Radon, with free kits available for pick-up.
Hutnick announced Ogdensburg Day will be Sept 7, with a Sept. 8 rain date. Already, he said, the committee, Vicki Schroeder, Councilwoman Brenda O’Dell, and Nardini, has contacted the fireworks company and amusement company. He asked the council for amusement suggestions and said Schroeder would check for availability.
Councilman Peter Opilla said the Fireman’s baseball and softball field usage is booked for the spring into the summer, with Field of Choices and Wallkill Valley softball. Furthermore, clay will be delivered to the fields in the next couple of weeks, with a second treatment toward the end of the summer.
Opilla also spoke about stocking Heater’s Pond with bass, crappy, and perch by mid-May. Currently, he is waiting for the Musky Fish Hatchery to send a formal quote. Opilla added, he reviewed the possibility of grass carp and channel catfish with the hatchery, however, the fish would be somewhat invasive for the size of the pond.
Resident Patrick Kalafut asked Opilla how many fish would be put back in Heater’s Pond, because 836 were removed.
Opilla said they would try to keep that number or increase it, and there is money in the budget.
Finally, Opilla said he is waiting for a seasonal Heater’s Pond weed treatment quote.