Port Jervis Police Chief Bill Worden responds to concerns and a plea for help by residents of Sussex Street, in the city’s Second Ward.

By Sharon E. Siegel

PORT JERVIS – A 10-minute public hearing was held prior to the start of Port Jervis Common Council’s regular August 24^th meeting in which only two speakers made official comments in reference to a requested local zoning law change under consideration for a lot located at 1 Hamilton Street. Third Ward resident John Wortmann suggested that environmental impact should be considered at this stage of the process, rather than once it reaches the Planning Board where he claims some negative opinions have already prematurely surfaced.  Beach Road resident Ken Glass also expressed concern about the environmental impact of senior housing construction near his neighborhood.  “Where is all the water going to go?” he asked.  “Just two years ago the Bruce, Lyman, and Beach Road area was flooded.  There was enough water flowing through there to maybe take you off your feet.”  He stressed that should plans proceed, an existing tree line and old railroad tracks be left intact to act as a dike.  Glass also claimed that a pump station at the end of Beach Road emits an odor that is “atrocious on some nights” and expressed concern that this could increase as a result of the passage of Local Law #7.

For a second consecutive meeting, the city’s public television station did not broadcast the regular meeting, nor did it broadcast the public hearing due to reported technical issues.  The decades-long local public television station has received eviction papers from the city and has itself been a source of continuing controversy and public debate between factions of its membership and its landlord, The City of Port Jervis. Toward the end of the meeting, Mayor Gary Lopriore suggested he was willing to meet with members of the station and other council members, but with no action taken by the council he said the process of eviction would continue.

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:15 and began with the Pledge of Allegiance, reading of the last meeting’s minutes, and then public comment.  Three council members were absent.

Public Comment

• A delegation of residents from the Second Ward were present as Sussex Street homeowner Jim Blanton emotionally expressed fear about the “new residents” he claims moved into a house on 64 Sussex Street, and guests he said continually visit the house.  “For more than a month now, it’s been party central for the wild crowd to come to,” said Blanton.  “There is loud music, yelling, and fighting, often with young children up crying at two-to-three in the morning. Our neighborhood is under real threat, and we’re not willing to live this way.” His statement brought comments from his seated neighbors and brought Police Chief William Worden to the podium.

“I will do all I can with manpower, and I will send a letter to the homeowner,” said Worden.  “We have to stomp on minor complaints, and we have to work together to solve this with teamwork and constant vigilance.  Your safety is very important to us.” Worden stated that he will counsel his officers on the situation and will set up a meeting which will include PJFD Officer/Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Kara Angeloni.  Lopriore offered the council chambers as a meeting location between neighbors and police, and cautioned residents not to place themselves in jeopardy by interacting at the scene themselves.  Councilman Bob Ritchie advised residents to contact Watch Captain Janice Monahan or Elaine Tedesco or Jim Cullinan who have been active in their area’s Neighborhood Watch in the past.

“I’d like to see the wheels keep turning all through the years, and not stop turning,” said Ritchie, who was joined by Councilman George Belcher in expressing similar thoughts.

• Fourth Ward resident Kay Riviello commented about R2 zoning and special permitted use of townhouses, which she claimed are differentiated from row houses by having each townhouse structure being unique.  She stated that she believes per capita income must be raised to bring businesses to the city.  “I’m not sure row houses will do that,” she said.
• Third Ward resident John Wortmann called the government in Albany “anti-business” and stated that business owners are getting “hammered” by New York State fees and taxes.  He advised second ward residents to visit pjneighborhoodwatch.org and to get involved as Neighborhood Watch members.
• Second Ward resident and executive board member of the local public television station Mimi Keys made a plea for council compromise on eviction proceedings against the station.  “This is a station that has been part of Port Jervis for 20 years and is the longest running public station in New York State.  I would hate to see it end,” she told the council.  She said if the council planned to bring the station back to a closet in City Hall, as it was when it was first founded, this would be a poor choice.  “The whole idea is to progress and advance, and we should be looking forward, not backward,” she stated.  She stated that the cost of running the station is only two cents per taxpayer and that the station should be viewed as a source of pride for the city.

Finance Committee: Councilman-at-Large Richard Roberts presented bills for payment totaling $179,363.51. He said this consisted of $131,041.45 from the general fund, $28,097.56 from the water fund, $20,224.50 from the capital fund, and $67,360.56 from the special drinking water state revolving fund.
Major bills included $19,968 for a new police car, $67,360 drinking water expense, $18,435 for landfill fees, and $10,075 for gas and diesel fuel.
The committee has also been discussing the 2010 city budget, grants, and fire department bids for equipment sales.

Fire & Emergency Management: Councilman Russ Potter reported that the fire department has reviewed bids for a new ladder truck and the low bidder was approved to be placed on a city-wide referendum on Election Day, November 2^nd.  The bid for $826,932 would replace Maghogomock Hook & Ladder’s apparatus with a Pierce Manufacturing ladder truck under the city’s 20-year truck replacement plan.
Code & Legislative Committee: Councilman Damian Brady called for a public hearing to be set regarding the proposed new Local Law #8, which would add the assistant building inspector, assistant director of recreation, and police assistant and enumerator positions to the city’s charter in order to move these non-union officials to executive retirement pay categories.  A public hearing was set for September 14 at 7 p.m.
A vote was tabled on proposed Local Law #7 in order to invite the developer to be present at the September 14^th council meeting in order to address public concerns prior to a council vote.
Public Works & Environmental Affairs Committee: The mayor reported the City Hall will be closed on September 7^th for Labor Day and that garbage pickup will be delayed by a day in all wards that week.
He noted that water usage is still higher than normal throughout the city and he called on residents to cut back on their use, stating that this is a difficult time of year for processing even ordinary usage of water.
As per a 2009 Bond Issue, approval was given to DPW’s recommendation of Sterns & Wheeler for consulting work, including $29,900 to prepare an emergency management plan.
Recycling containers are still available for pickup at the DPW offices on Franklin Street between 2-3 p.m., Monday through Friday.  A paid city tax bill must be presented.
Police Committee: Police Chief William Worden read a commendation presented to multiple police officers for interrupting a burglary in progress at Trico Electronics on August 12^th, in which one suspect was apprehended at the scene and a second quickly captured at his home.  “I want to personally commend these officers for their excellent work,” stated Worden. Community Development Agency: Councilman-at-Large Richard Roberts commended Community Development Agency Director Kathy Hendrickson and her waterfront development committee for their work in bringing together a plan to present for development of the city’s waterfront region. “One of our greatest resources is our water, rivers, and parkland, and all of the players came together  in a positive way to come up with this plan,” said Roberts.  Hendrickson also commended the committee, which she said included a great deal of public comment and input from businesses, the National Park Service, Delaware River Basin staff, and local residents.  The Port Jervis/Delaware River Waterfront Revitalization Plan was adopted and approved unanimously by council members present. Fourth Ward Councilman Russ Potter stated that with the approval of the plan, the council will be able to proceed with seeking grant money to implement it.
Recreation Commission/Tourism: Mayor Gary Lopriore stated that West End Beach has now closed for the season.  He noted that the 17^th Annual Fall Foliage Festival will take place on October 11, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., rain or shine.
Mayor’s Correspondence: Mayor Gary Lopriore called upon the council for a vote on correspondence read and tabled at the last meeting for a request for a letter of support for the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway’s $510,000 welcome center.  A vote was taken allowing the mayor to send such a letter of support, which carries no financial obligation by the city.
A recommendation by Tax Assessor Yvonne Duryea was approved to reappoint RoseMarie Kucera to her board for a term to run through September 20, 2014.
Approval was given for a group of approximately 70 motorcyclists to begin a ride to Warwick from Port Jervis’ downtown historic turntable at noon on September 19th, provided proper insurance certificates are provided.
The mayor noted that the next Cruise Night will take place on September 1^st.
A letter from Town of Deerpark Clerk Flo Santini was read inviting citizens and officials of the area to attend the town’s ceremony in recognition of the 8^th anniversary of the tragedies of 9-11. The ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. on September 11^th at the Town of Deerpark Town Hall, with the raising of flags donated by The City of Port Jervis, which were flown over the World Trade Center. The mayor said the ceremony is to include children of the Port Jervis School District, a 21-gun salute, representation by the United States Military Academy, and the reading of names of local active duty personnel.
A rescheduled performance by Brass Quintessence will take place at Riverside Park on Thursday, August 27 from 6-7:30 a.m.
The mayor commended First Assembly of God for their sponsorship of last week’s Community Day in which local children were provided with school supplies, refreshments and food.  “Hundreds of people participated in what turned out to be a great day,” said Lopriore.  “Everything was well run and the weather cooperated.”

Other Business:  Councilman George Belcher expressed concerns about the economic impact on residents with new laws passed raising the costs of vehicle licensing and registration in the state as of September 1st.  He said among other changes, all vehicles will be required to get new plates and that Class B licenses will increase by 25% to $80.50. The cost for a registration will increase to $106.50.

Second Ward resident Mimi Keys makes a final plea to stop eviction proceedings against the city’s longtime public television station.

Sussex Street homeowner Jim Blanton tells the council that he and his neighbors are unwilling to live with the problems that have cropped up in his neighborhood over the past month or so, including loud music, continually yelling and fighting, and increasing threats and property.

Beach Road resident Ken Glass was one of two residents to comment during a public hearing held on proposed Local Law #7 which would change the zoning in his ward.