The City of Hoboken discussed/voted on the following agenda items during the Tuesday, May 6 monthly meeting.
• Garbage bins: Council members discussed whether to continue the once a quarter use of garbage bins for Hoboken residents or once a year.
The City absorbed the cost of an extra bin to help with the cleanup with spillage that included lumber material with nails. All agreed the last event was one of the worst with out-of-towners dumping trash.
A motion for having the bins available once a year failed by a 4-3 count with Mayor Joey Crews breaking the tie leaving it as a quarterly event.
• Antenna placed on Water Tower: The City Council discussed the request by OREMC to place an antenna atop the Water Tower for communication.
“They need a 400-foot tower and ours is 150foot,” said City Clerk Linda Henderson. “I was told it was going to be temporary, but it would be secured. REA is having to move its current tower and needs a location as quickly as possible until another site can be located and a tower built.”
Henderson said previously they did not charge when antennas were put up to have cable TV. Henderson added she was told to get a fee and not do a rental fee.
The request was tabled.
• Varn Wood Products: Mayor Crews told councilmembers he had been contacted about concerns of Varn Wood Products spraying water on the east side of Hwy. 121.
“It’s called a water evaporate system,” said the mayor. “It has EPD (Environmental Protection Division) approval, which was given last month. I know people read the paper and this just recently happened. All of it is legit. They’re (Varn) not trying to hide anything. They want to be good neighbors.”
• Hoboken Police Department: Officers responded to 31 dispatch calls for service. HPD conducted 90 traffic stops, issued 31 citations with 22 for speed.
There were three animal leash law citations, two school bus citations, one citation for Driving Without License on Person, One for Failure to Change Address Within 60 Days, one for Expired Tag, one for No Proof of Insurance and one for Pill not in Original Container. Officers issued 59 verbal warnings, and two arrests were made. The Hoboken Police Department did partake in April’s Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Initiative for distracted driving (phone) leading to most of the 59 verbal warnings.
• Hoboken VFD: Volunteer Fire Fighters responded to 16 calls in April.
There were two accidents with injuries, three medical calls, four brush fires, two structure fires and three vehicle fires. There was one fire alarm and one mutual aid call.
• Street/Water Department: Mayor Crews there are plans to repair some potholes with asphalt on several streets over the next week or two.
“You have to coordinate with the plant because they don’t run asphalt every day,” said Crews. “It’s a lot cheaper than buying it by the bag.”
Roads to get the work are Sandy and Lynn and move to the dirt part of Burton where it goes into Hill Street. Palm is also included where it was sinking. The hole has been packed with clay.
• Community Center: The mayor said he had received a one quote for $3,250 for new glass front doors at the Community Center.
Curt Crews supplied the quote. Mayor Crews said Douberly Glass and one other company did not send a quote.
“We’re going to leave the frame currently there in place and put new glass doors in there,” said the mayor. “There is no weather stripping on the current door.”
Councilman James Ray made the motion to purchase and have the doors installed. Mayor Pro-tem Robin Helmuth second the motion. The motion deadlocked at 3-3 with Mayor Crews breaking the tie to move forward.
